JP4714113B2 - Portable device, communication control device, and communication control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable device having a wireless communication function, a communication control device applied as, for example, a door locking / unlocking device that performs locking / unlocking control of a door lock of a vehicle based on wireless communication with the portable device, and the portable device The present invention relates to a communication control system comprising a machine and a communication control device.

Conventionally, as a communication control system for remotely operating a security device by wireless mutual communication, for example, a vehicle communication control system described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.
In this vehicle communication control system, the door lock of the vehicle is automatically locked and unlocked by allowing wireless communication between the portable device possessed by the vehicle user and the communication control device mounted on the vehicle. Or allow the engine to start.

Specifically, the communication control device transmits a request signal to a predetermined area around the vehicle and a predetermined area in the vehicle interior. Further, when the portable device receives a request signal transmitted from the corresponding communication control device, the portable device automatically returns an ID code signal including an identification code (ID code) set in advance. When the communication control device receives the ID code signal, the communication control device compares (collates) the ID code of the ID code signal with the ID code set in advance, and on condition that the ID codes match. The door lock is automatically unlocked or the engine is allowed to start.
JP 2001-31333 A

  By the way, for example, when a disturbance such as noise is mixed in an ID code signal transmitted from a portable device, the data of the ID code included in the ID code signal is altered, and the communication control device is configured to use the original ID code. Cannot be recognized. In particular, when the periodically generated noise is synchronized with the transmission cycle of the ID code signal, there is a possibility that the conventional communication control system may continuously cause a communication failure. For this reason, the conventional communication control system has room for improvement in terms of noise resistance.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a portable device, a communication control device, and a communication control system that can suppress the occurrence of communication failure due to disturbance such as noise. It is in.

In order to solve the above-described problem, in the invention described in claim 1, a wireless communication is performed with a corresponding communication control device, and a response signal corresponding to a response request signal transmitted from the communication control device is received. A portable device having a transmission / reception function for transmitting, wherein a plurality of transmission means capable of transmitting the response signal at a plurality of types of frequencies, and a plurality of frequencies smaller than those frequencies from all frequencies that can be set as transmission frequencies of the transmission means Transmission control means for performing frequency selection control for narrowing down to a specific frequency and performing transmission frequency change control for changing the transmission frequency of the response signal using the filtered selection frequency, and the transmission control means includes the communication The gist is to perform the frequency selection control based on a frequency selection signal instructing narrowing down of the transmission frequency transmitted from the control device .

According to the above configuration, since the portable device can change the transmission frequency of the response signal, if the communication with the communication control device is not established due to disturbance such as noise mixed in the response signal, the response signal By changing the transmission frequency to another frequency, communication with the communication control device can be established. Further, although the transmission means can transmit response signals at a plurality of types of frequencies, only a part of those frequencies is narrowed down as a selection frequency, and the transmission frequency of the response signal is set and set using the selection frequency. Be changed. For this reason, for example, if the selection frequency is narrowed down based on the communication establishment history between the portable device and the communication control device, a frequency with a high communication establishment probability is set as the selection frequency. Therefore, when the reception frequency of the communication control device is similarly narrowed down to the selection frequency and the response signal is received, the time until the communication is established is not delayed.
In particular, since the transmission frequency of the response signal can be narrowed down without setting change parameters such as frequency history information, the structure and processing of the portable device can be simplified.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a portable device having a transmission / reception function for performing wireless communication with a corresponding communication control device and transmitting a corresponding response signal when a response request signal transmitted from the communication control device is received. The transmission means capable of transmitting the response signal at a plurality of types of frequencies, and frequency selection control for narrowing down all frequencies that can be set as the transmission frequency of the transmission unit to a plurality of types of frequencies that are smaller than those frequencies. And a transmission control means for performing transmission frequency change control for changing the transmission frequency of the response signal using the narrowed selection frequency, and the transmission control means at the one of the selection frequencies at the frequency A response signal can be transmitted from the transmission means, and a next-stage transmission signal transmitted from the communication control device can be received on condition that the response signal is received. If it has, and summarized in that perform retransmission control to retransmit from the transmitting means the response signal at another frequency of the 該選 each frequency.

According to the above configuration, since the portable device can change the transmission frequency of the response signal, if the communication with the communication control device is not established due to disturbance such as noise mixed in the response signal, the response signal By changing the transmission frequency to another frequency, communication with the communication control device can be established. Further, although the transmission means can transmit response signals at a plurality of types of frequencies, only a part of those frequencies is narrowed down as a selection frequency, and the transmission frequency of the response signal is set and set using the selection frequency. Be changed. For this reason, for example, if the selection frequency is narrowed down based on the communication establishment history between the portable device and the communication control device, a frequency with a high communication establishment probability is set as the selection frequency. Therefore, when the reception frequency of the communication control device is similarly narrowed down to the selection frequency and the response signal is received, the time until the communication is established is not delayed.
In particular, the portable device transmits a response signal at a frequency further selected from the selection frequencies, and when the communication control device cannot receive the response signal, transmits the response signal at another frequency among the selection frequencies. To do. That is, when the communication control apparatus can receive the response signal, the portable device does not need to transmit the response signal at another frequency. For this reason, the change of a transmission frequency can be suppressed to the minimum and the time delay until communication establishment with a communication control apparatus can be suppressed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a portable device having a transmission / reception function for performing wireless communication with a corresponding communication control device and transmitting a corresponding response signal when a response request signal transmitted from the communication control device is received. The transmission means capable of transmitting the response signal at a plurality of types of frequencies, and frequency selection control for narrowing down all frequencies that can be set as the transmission frequency of the transmission unit to a plurality of types of frequencies that are smaller than those frequencies. And transmission control means for performing transmission frequency change control for changing the transmission frequency of the response signal using the narrowed selection frequency, wherein the transmission control means uses the first response request signal as the response request signal. When received, the transmission means sequentially transmits the first response signal as the response signal at all frequencies selected by the frequency selection control. When a second response request signal including frequency command data transmitted from the communication control device is received on condition that the first response signal is received, the second response signal is transmitted at a frequency based on the frequency command data. The gist is to transmit from the means.

According to the above configuration, since the portable device can change the transmission frequency of the response signal, if the communication with the communication control device is not established due to disturbance such as noise mixed in the response signal, the response signal By changing the transmission frequency to another frequency, communication with the communication control device can be established. Further, although the transmission means can transmit response signals at a plurality of types of frequencies, only a part of those frequencies is narrowed down as a selection frequency, and the transmission frequency of the response signal is set and set using the selection frequency. Be changed. For this reason, for example, if the selection frequency is narrowed down based on the communication establishment history between the portable device and the communication control device, a frequency with a high communication establishment probability is set as the selection frequency. Therefore, when the reception frequency of the communication control device is similarly narrowed down to the selection frequency and the response signal is received, the time until the communication is established is not delayed.
In particular, when the portable device receives the first response request signal, the portable device transmits the first response signal at all frequencies selected by the frequency selection control. For this reason, the communication control device can select an optimum frequency based on each first response signal from the portable device, and transmit a second response request signal including frequency command data indicating the selected frequency. Thus, the second response signal can be transmitted from the portable device at an optimum frequency. Therefore, by using such a portable device, communication between the portable device and the communication control device can be reliably performed.

In the invention according to claim 4 , a communication control device that transmits a response request signal for requesting transmission of a response signal to a portable device having a wireless communication function, and performs corresponding control on condition that the response signal is received A receiving means capable of receiving radio signals of a plurality of types of frequencies, a recording means for recording the frequency of the response signal when communication with the portable device is established as communication history information, and Performing reception frequency selection control for narrowing down a plurality of types of frequencies that are smaller than those frequencies from all the frequencies that can be set as reception frequencies based on the communication history information recorded in the recording means, and the response request signal Each time a preset reception standby time elapses after transmission, the reception frequency of the reception means is changed using the narrowed selection frequency with priority. And a communication control means for receiving frequency change control, said communication control means, when a recognized successfully a response signal from the portable device is transmitted in response to the response request signal, it changes the reception frequency The gist is to perform the next-stage transmission control in which the control is terminated and the next-stage transmission signal is transmitted .

According to the above configuration, since the communication control device can change the reception frequency when receiving the response signal, if the response signal cannot be recognized normally due to disturbance such as noise mixed in the response signal. By changing the reception frequency to another frequency, the response signal transmitted at the changed frequency can be normally recognized. In addition, although the reception frequency of the reception means can be changed to a plurality of types of frequencies, only a part of the frequencies is narrowed down as the selection frequency based on the frequency history information recorded in the recording means, and the selection is performed. The frequency is preferentially set as the reception frequency. For this reason, for example, when the portable device is also adapted to narrow down the transmission frequency based on the communication establishment history etc., it is possible to perform communication using a frequency with a high communication establishment probability. There is no delay in time.
In particular, when the communication control means normally recognizes the response signal from the portable device, the communication control means ends the reception frequency change control and transmits the next-stage transmission signal. For this reason, the time required for the reception frequency change control can be minimized, and the time delay until the establishment of communication with the portable device can be suppressed.

In the invention according to claim 5 , a communication control device that transmits a response request signal for requesting transmission of a response signal to a portable device having a wireless communication function, and performs corresponding control on condition that the response signal is received A receiving means capable of receiving radio signals of a plurality of types of frequencies, a recording means for recording the frequency of the response signal when communication with the portable device is established as communication history information, and Performing reception frequency selection control for narrowing down a plurality of types of frequencies that are smaller than those frequencies from all the frequencies that can be set as reception frequencies based on the communication history information recorded in the recording means, and the response request signal Each time a preset reception standby time elapses after transmission, the reception frequency of the reception means is changed using the narrowed selection frequency with priority. And a communication control means for receiving frequency change control, said communication control means, and summarized in that performing the sorting signal transmission control for transmitting a frequency sorting signal indicating the selection frequency narrowed down by the receiving frequency sorting control.

According to the above configuration, since the communication control device can change the reception frequency when receiving the response signal, if the response signal cannot be recognized normally due to disturbance such as noise mixed in the response signal. By changing the reception frequency to another frequency, the response signal transmitted at the changed frequency can be normally recognized. In addition, although the reception frequency of the reception means can be changed to a plurality of types of frequencies, only a part of the frequencies is narrowed down as the selection frequency based on the frequency history information recorded in the recording means, and the selection is performed. The frequency is preferentially set as the reception frequency. For this reason, for example, when the portable device is also adapted to narrow down the transmission frequency based on the communication establishment history etc., it is possible to perform communication using a frequency with a high communication establishment probability. There is no delay in time.
In particular, when the portable device can transmit response signals at a plurality of types of frequencies, these frequencies can be narrowed down to the same as the selected frequencies by transmitting the frequency selected signals.
In the invention according to claim 6 , a communication control device that transmits a response request signal for requesting transmission of a response signal to a portable device having a wireless communication function and performs corresponding control on condition that the response signal is received A receiving means capable of receiving radio signals of a plurality of types of frequencies, a recording means for recording the frequency of the response signal when communication with the portable device is established as communication history information, and Performing reception frequency selection control for narrowing down a plurality of types of frequencies that are smaller than those frequencies from all the frequencies that can be set as reception frequencies based on the communication history information recorded in the recording means, and the response request signal Each time a preset reception standby time elapses after transmission, the reception frequency of the reception means is changed using the narrowed selection frequency with priority. And a communication control means for receiving frequency change control, said communication control means, in the time of the reception frequency changing control, after sending the first response request signal as the response request signal, the first response request signal The first response signal transmitted from the portable device in response to the reception frequency change standby state in which it waits for reception at all frequencies that can be changed by the reception frequency change control, and the radio of each frequency received in the reception standby state A selection process for selecting an optimal response signal by comparing the signals is performed, the reception frequency of the reception means is set to the reception frequency of the response signal determined to be optimal by the selection process, and the frequency command data indicating the reception frequency Is transmitted as the next-stage transmission signal, so that the second response signal corresponding to the second response request signal is transmitted at the same frequency as the reception frequency. And gist to carry out the frequency optimization process of transmitting from the portable device in a few.

According to the above configuration, since the communication control device can change the reception frequency when receiving the response signal, if the response signal cannot be recognized normally due to disturbance such as noise mixed in the response signal. By changing the reception frequency to another frequency, the response signal transmitted at the changed frequency can be normally recognized. In addition, although the reception frequency of the reception means can be changed to a plurality of types of frequencies, only a part of the frequencies is narrowed down as the selection frequency based on the frequency history information recorded in the recording means, and the selection is performed. The frequency is preferentially set as the reception frequency. For this reason, for example, when the portable device is also adapted to narrow down the transmission frequency based on the communication establishment history etc., it is possible to perform communication using a frequency with a high communication establishment probability. There is no delay in time.
In particular, the transmission frequency of the second response signal transmitted from the portable device and the reception frequency of the receiving means when receiving the second response signal are the first response signal from the portable device transmitted at various selection frequencies. Is set to the same frequency as the first response signal received with the highest accuracy. For this reason, the optimal frequency for the communication at that time is selected, and the communication accuracy with the portable device is improved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable device having a transmission / reception function for performing wireless communication with a corresponding communication control device and transmitting a corresponding response signal when a response request signal transmitted from the communication control device is received. A communication control system including a communication control device that transmits the response request signal to the portable device and performs corresponding control on condition that the response signal is received, the portable device including the response Transmission means capable of transmitting signals at a plurality of types of frequencies, and narrowing down all the transmittable frequencies to a plurality of types of frequencies consisting of a smaller number than those frequencies, and using the selected selection frequencies, the transmission frequency of the response signal Transmission control means for performing transmission frequency change control for changing the frequency, and the communication control device includes: a receiving means capable of receiving radio signals of a plurality of types of frequencies; Communication for performing reception frequency change control for narrowing the reception frequency of the reception means to a plurality of types of frequencies consisting of a smaller number than those frequencies and changing the reception frequency of the reception means using the narrowed selection frequency And a change means for changing the transmission frequency of the portable device and the change pattern and the change time of the reception frequency of the communication control device.

  According to the above configuration, by changing the transmission frequency of the portable device when transmitting the response signal and the reception frequency of the communication control device that receives the response signal, disturbances such as noise are mixed in the response signal Even if the communication control device cannot normally receive the response signal due to the communication, the communication between the portable device and the communication control device can be performed by changing the transmission frequency of the portable device and the reception frequency of the communication control device. It becomes easy to be established. That is, communication failure between the portable device and the communication control device due to the mixing of disturbance can be suppressed. Further, only a part of all the frequencies that can be changed is narrowed down as the selection frequency, and the selection frequency is set as the transmission frequency and the reception frequency. For this reason, for example, if the selection frequency is narrowed down based on the communication establishment history between the portable device and the communication control device, a frequency with a high communication establishment probability is set as the selection frequency, and the time until the communication is established Will not be delayed.

  Moreover, since the change pattern and change time of the transmission frequency of the portable device and the change pattern and change time of the reception frequency of the communication control device are set to be synchronized, how the transmission frequency of the response signal is changed. However, communication between the two is performed reliably.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable device, a communication control device, and a communication control system that can suppress the occurrence of communication failure due to disturbance such as noise.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied as a vehicle communication control system will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle communication control system 1 includes a portable device 10 possessed by the owner (user) of the vehicle 2 and a communication control device 20 disposed in the vehicle 2.
<Configuration of portable device 10>
The portable device 10 has a wireless communication function and can communicate with the communication control device 20. Specifically, the portable device 10 includes a control unit 11 configured by a computer unit including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, a reception circuit 12 and a transmission unit 13 electrically connected to the control unit 11, and the portable device. 10 is provided on the design surface and can be operated by the user.

  When receiving various wireless signals (WAKE signal, request signal) transmitted from the communication control device 20, the receiving circuit 12 demodulates the wireless signal into a pulse signal and outputs the pulse signal to the control unit 11.

  The transmission unit 13 modulates a data signal including an ID code signal, a locking / unlocking operation signal, or a retransmission signal input from the control unit 11 into a radio wave having a predetermined frequency and transmits the modulated signal to the outside. Further, the transmission unit 13 can modulate the data signal into radio waves having a plurality of types of frequencies, and can change the transmission frequency based on a frequency control signal input from the control unit 11. Specifically, the transmission unit 13 has a configuration including, for example, a transmission circuit and a PLL circuit that changes the transmission frequency of the transmission circuit. Based on the frequency control signal output from the control unit 11, for example, FIG. As shown, it can be changed to eight types of frequencies (first frequencies f1 to f8). The transmission unit 13 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the transmission unit 13 includes a plurality of transmission circuits that are set to different transmission frequencies, or a configuration that includes a plurality of vibrators having different frequencies. It may be.

  The operation unit 14 is configured by, for example, a push button switch, and is configured by an unlocking operation switch for performing an unlocking operation and a locking operation switch for performing a locking operation. When the operation unit 14 is operated, the operation signals (locking operation signal, unlocking operation signal) are input to the control unit 11.

  The control unit 11 includes a nonvolatile memory 11M. The memory 11M has a preset unique ID code, a lock code and an unlock code, and a plurality of types of frequencies for setting the transmission frequency of the transmission unit 13. Data is recorded. Further, the memory 11M can record frequency history information indicating a transmission frequency when communication with the communication control device 20 is established. In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, eight types of frequency data (first frequency f1 to eighth frequency f8) are recorded in the memory 11M, and the control unit 11 stores these frequency data in the frequency data. One of the first frequency f1 to the eighth frequency f8 is set as the transmission frequency of the transmission unit 13 by outputting the frequency control signal based on the transmission frequency to the transmission unit 13.

  Then, when an operation signal is input from the operation unit 14 or various demodulated signals are input from the reception circuit 12, the control unit 11 outputs corresponding data signals (ACK signal, ID code signal, unlocking / unlocking operation signal). Perform output control. Specifically, when an operation signal is input from the operation unit 14, the control unit 11 outputs a corresponding locking / unlocking operation signal. Further, when the WAKE signal as the first response request signal is input from the receiving circuit 12, the control unit 11 outputs an ACK signal as the first response signal, and the receiving circuit 12 transmits the second response request signal and the next stage transmission. When a request signal as a signal is input, an ID code signal is output as a second response signal. The ACK signal is a signal including a response code corresponding to the WAKE signal, the locking / unlocking operation signal is a signal including a locking code or an unlocking code and an ID code, and the ID code signal includes an ID code. Signal.

  The control unit 11 narrows down the transmission frequency of the ACK signal, the ID code signal, and the locking / unlocking operation signal based on reception of the WAKE signal from the communication control device 20 and operation of the operation unit 14 and changes the transmission frequency. Perform frequency change control. Therefore, the processing performed by the control unit 11 will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

<Process during mutual communication control>
First, in step S <b> 1, the control unit 11 determines whether an operation signal is input from the operation unit 14. When determining that the operation signal is not input from the operation unit 14, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the WAKE signal from the communication control device 20 is received by the reception circuit 12 in step S2. As a result, if the control unit 11 determines that the WAKE signal from the communication control device 20 is not received by the receiving circuit 12, the control unit 11 temporarily terminates the process, and determines that the receiving circuit 12 has received the WAKE signal. The process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the control unit 11 selects the transmission frequency of the transmission unit 13 based on the frequency selection code included in the WAKE signal. Specifically, for example, when the WAKE signal includes a frequency selection code indicating that the first frequency f1 and the second frequency f2 are the selection frequencies, the control unit 11 determines that the first frequency f1 and the second frequency f2 The frequency f2 is set as the selection frequency.

  In subsequent step S <b> 4, the control unit 11 outputs a frequency control signal indicating the highest priority selection frequency among the set selection frequencies to the transmission unit 13 and outputs an ACK signal to the transmission unit 13. Specifically, when the highest-priority selection frequency is the first frequency f1, the control unit 11 outputs a frequency control signal indicating the first frequency f1 to the transmission unit 13, and the transmission frequency of the transmission unit 13 is set. Set to the first frequency f1. For this reason, the ACK signal of the first frequency f1 is transmitted from the transmission unit 13 to the outside.

  Subsequently, in step S5, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the reception circuit 12 has received the request signal from the communication control device 20 within the request reception waiting time Δt1 after the ACK signal transmission processing. As a result, when the control unit 11 determines that the request signal is received within the request reception waiting time Δt1, the ID code signal including the ID code recorded in the memory 11M is transmitted from the transmission unit 13 to the first frequency f1 in step S6. To send it to the outside. At the same time, in step S7, the control unit 11 records the transmission frequency of the ID code signal (in this case, the first frequency f1) in the memory 11M as frequency history information on which communication has been established, and temporarily ends the processing here. .

On the other hand, when the control unit 11 cannot receive the request signal within the request reception waiting time Δt1 in step S5, the control unit 11 proceeds to the process of step S8. In step S8, the control unit 11 determines whether another selection frequency exists. As a result, when there is no other selection frequency, the control unit 11 temporarily ends the process. When the other selection frequency exists, the control unit 11 sets the next priority in step S9. The selected selection frequency is set as a transmission frequency, and a frequency control signal indicating that the selection frequency (in this case, the second frequency f2) is set is output to the transmission unit 13 and an ACK signal is output to the transmission unit 13 . For this reason, when the request reception waiting time Δt1 elapses after the ACK signal is transmitted at the first frequency f1, the ACK signal at the second frequency f2 is transmitted to the outside. Then, the control unit 11, the processing of step S9 ends, the process proceeds again to step S 5. That is, after transmitting the ACK signal at the highest-priority selection frequency (first frequency f1) and then failing to receive the request signal within the request reception waiting time Δt1, the control unit 11 sets the transmission frequency to the next priority level. Retransmission control is performed in which the ACK signal is transmitted again after changing to the selection frequency (second frequency f2). The transmission frequency is changed until the control unit 11 receives a request signal or until an ACK signal is transmitted at all selection frequencies.

<Processing during unidirectional communication control>
By the way, when the control part 11 judges that the operation signal was input from the operation part 14 in the said step S1, it transfers to the process of step S10. In step S10, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation signal is an operation signal that can be determined as a locking / unlocking operation. The operation signal that can be determined as the unlocking operation is, for example, the locking operation signal or the unlocking operation signal when the locking operation signal or the unlocking operation signal is not input continuously but is input only for a short time. Indicates. As a specific example, the controller 11 determines that the locking / unlocking operation signal is input only once per second, and determines that the locking / unlocking operation signal is input twice or more per second, For example, when a locking / unlocking operation signal is continuously input for 2 seconds or more, it is not determined that the locking / unlocking operation is performed.

  As a result, when the control unit 11 determines that the unlocking / unlocking operation has been performed, in step S11, the control unit 11 outputs the unlocking / unlocking operation signal at the transmission frequency set at that time (the first frequency f1 at the initial time). The transmission unit 13 transmits the data to the outside, and the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when it cannot be determined that the locking / unlocking operation has been performed, the control unit 11 proceeds to the process of step S12 without performing step S11.

  In step S12, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the input operation signal is a frequency change operation for changing the transmission frequency. Specifically, when a lock / unlock operation signal including a lock operation signal or an unlock operation signal is input in a preset manner from the operation unit 14, the control unit 11 changes the transmission frequency of the transmission unit 13. It is determined that the change operation has been performed by the operation unit 14. As specific examples of the frequency changing operation, the locking operation switch and the unlocking operation switch of the operation unit 14 are alternately operated 3 times every 3 seconds, or one of the locking operation switch and the unlocking operation switch is operated for 3 seconds. An operation different from a normal locking / unlocking operation, such as a long press, can be mentioned.

  When the control unit 11 determines that the operation is a frequency change operation based on the operation signal from the operation unit 14, the control unit 11 performs a transmission frequency change process in step S13, and the changed transmission frequency in step S14. Then, the locking / unlocking operation signal is transmitted from the transmitting unit 13 to the outside, and the processing here is temporarily terminated. Specifically, when the frequency history information is recorded in the memory 11M, the control unit 11 assigns a priority order of transmission frequencies based on the frequency history information, and follows the transmission frequency set at that time. Is set as a new transmission frequency. When the transmission frequency set at that time is the initial frequency, the highest priority frequency excluding the initial frequency is set as the transmission frequency. And the control part 11 transmits a locking / unlocking operation signal based on the operation signal (locking operation signal, unlocking operation signal) last input in frequency change operation.

  For this reason, at the time of one-way communication control, it is possible to freely change the transmission frequency of the locking / unlocking operation signal by performing the frequency changing operation by the operation unit 14. In addition, the locking / unlocking operation signal can be transmitted along with the change of the transmission frequency.

<Configuration of Communication Control Device 20>
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication control unit 20 includes CPU, ROM, a communication control unit 21 of the communication control means constituted by a computer unit including a RAM or the like. The communication control unit 21 is electrically connected to a transmission circuit 22 and a reception unit 23 as a reception unit.

  When a response request signal (WAKE signal, request signal) is input from the communication control unit 21, the transmission circuit 22 modulates these response request signals into radio waves of a predetermined frequency and transmits them to the periphery of the vehicle 2. Note that the transmission circuit 22 transmits the response request signal with such an intensity that communication with the portable device 10 is possible in a narrow region of about 1 to 2 m around the vehicle 2.

  The receiving unit 23 can receive the locking / unlocking operation signal, the ID code signal, and the retransmission signal transmitted from the portable device 10. Then, the receiving unit 23 demodulates these signals into pulse signals and outputs them to the communication control unit 21.

  The receiving unit 23 can receive radio waves of a plurality of types of frequencies. For example, the receiving unit 23 includes a receiving circuit and a PLL circuit that changes the receiving frequency by changing the local oscillation frequency of the receiving circuit. Based on the frequency control signal output from the communication control unit 21, the reception frequency can be changed to eight types of frequencies (first frequencies f1 to f8), for example, as shown in FIG. The receiving unit 23 is not limited to such a configuration, for example, a configuration including a plurality of local oscillators set to different frequencies, or a configuration including a plurality of intermediate wave filters for filtering different frequencies, respectively. You may have done. The receiving unit 23 may be configured such that an image cancel mixer is used as a mixer, and the type of reception frequency is increased by switching the image signal by switching the HI / LO of the image cancel mixer.

  The communication control unit 21 includes a non-volatile memory 21M, and an ACK code equivalent to the ACK code set in the corresponding portable device 10 and an ID code equivalent to the ID code are recorded in the memory 21M. Furthermore, in the memory 21M, the frequency of the transmission signal from the portable device 10 when communication with the portable device 10 is established can be recorded as communication history information. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, each frequency f1 to f8 can be recorded in the memory 21M in association with the number of established communications. More specifically, in the memory 21M, it is possible to record each frequency f1 to f8 in a state in which the total number of communication establishments is associated with the position information where the communication is established. An example is shown in which the number of established communications and the total number of established communications (in parentheses in the figure) when the vehicle 2 is in position A are recorded. In this embodiment, when the communication control unit 21 recognizes the ACK signal from the portable device 10 normally, the communication control unit 21 determines that communication is established and records the transmission frequency of the ACK signal in the memory 21M as communication history information. It is supposed to be.

  The communication control unit 21 is electrically connected to a door lock device 24 and a position information acquisition device 25. The door lock device 24 is a device that automatically locks and unlocks the door using an actuator. When the unlock signal is input from the communication control unit 21, the door lock is unlocked and the lock signal is input. Then, the door lock is locked, and a locking / unlocking state signal indicating the locking / unlocking state of the door lock is output to the communication control unit 21. For this reason, the communication control unit 21 can recognize the lock / unlock state of the door lock based on the lock / unlock state signal input from the door lock device 24. The position information acquisition device 25 includes, for example, a car navigation system mounted on the vehicle 2, and outputs the acquired position information of the vehicle 2 to the communication control unit 21.

  Such a communication control unit 21 performs transmission control of a response request signal (WAKE signal and request signal), and on the condition that mutual communication with the portable device 10 based on the WAKE signal and request signal transmitted to the outside is established. Door lock control for driving and controlling the door lock device 24 is performed. Specifically, the communication control unit 21 outputs a WAKE signal and a request signal to the transmission circuit 22 to transmit the signals to the outside. And if the response signal (ACK signal, ID code signal) transmitted from the portable device 10 in response to these signals is received by the receiving unit 23, the communication control unit 21 will correspond to the portable device to which these response signals correspond. 10 is performed to determine whether or not the information is transmitted from the terminal 10. Specifically, when receiving the ACK signal, the communication control unit 21 compares the ACK code included in the ACK signal with the ACK code recorded in the memory 21M, and the mobile phone corresponding to the case where the two ACK codes match. It is recognized as an ACK signal from the machine 10. In addition, when receiving the ID code signal, the communication control unit 21 compares the ID code included in the ID code signal with the ID code recorded in the memory 21M (ID code verification). As a result, when the ID code collation is established, the communication control unit 21 determines that mutual communication with the portable device 10 is established, and enters a state in which drive control of the door lock device 24 is permitted. When a preset vehicle operation is performed in such a drive permission state of the door lock device 24, the communication control unit 21 outputs a lock signal or an unlock signal to the door lock device 24 to output the door. Lock or unlock the lock.

  Note that the preset vehicle operation indicates, for example, a contact operation with respect to a door handle sensor provided on the outside door handle, an operation of a lock switch provided on the outside door handle, or the like. The communication control unit 21 is not limited to the case where such a vehicle operation is performed. When the ID code verification is matched, the communication control unit 21 automatically unlocks the door lock or when the ID code verification is not matched. The door lock may be automatically locked.

  By the way, when a disturbance such as noise is mixed in the ACK signal or ID code signal from the portable device 10, the ACK code or ID code included in the signal is altered, and the communication control unit 21 normally converts these signals. There is a risk of being unable to recognize (receive). That is, mutual communication between the portable device 10 and the communication control device 20 may be hindered due to the mixing of disturbance. Therefore, the communication control unit 21 performs reception frequency change control for changing the reception frequency so as to suppress communication failure due to such disturbance. Hereinafter, communication processing including reception frequency change control performed by the communication control unit 21 will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Communication processing by the communication control unit 21>
As shown in FIG. 3, the communication control unit 21 performs frequency selection processing in step S20, performs unidirectional communication processing in step S30, and performs bidirectional communication processing in step S40.

[Frequency selection processing]
As described above, the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 can be changed to eight types of frequencies (first frequency f1 to eighth frequency f8). In addition, since the frequencies f1 to f8 are recorded in the memory 21M in a state associated with the number of communication establishments and the position information, the communication control unit 21 narrows down the frequency based on the number of communication establishments and the position information. Do. Specifically, the communication control unit 21 has two types in descending order of the number of established communications based on the current position information of the vehicle 2 input from the position information acquisition device 25 and the number of established communications recorded in the memory 21M. Select the frequency as the selection frequency. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the number of communication establishments at the position A of the first frequency f1 to the eighth frequency f8 is “f1 = 8”, “f2 = 7”, “f3 = 6”, “F4”. = 5 ”,“ F5 = 4 ”,“ F6 = 3 ”,“ F7 = 2 ”,“ F8 = 1 ”, the communication control unit 21 selects the first frequency f1 and the second frequency f2. Select as frequency. Moreover, the communication control part 21 gives a priority to these selection frequencies based on the frequency | count of communication establishment. Therefore, in this case, the first frequency f1 has a higher priority than the second frequency.

  In such frequency selection processing, when there is no communication establishment history corresponding to the position information, the communication control unit 21 selects two types of frequencies as the selection frequencies in descending order of the total number of communication establishments. . Moreover, the communication control part 21 selects three or more types of frequencies as a selection frequency, when the frequency f1-f8 from which the frequency | count of communication establishment becomes the same number at the time of this selection exists. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4, when there is no communication establishment history corresponding to the position information, the first frequency f1 (total 34 times) is selected as the highest-priority selection frequency, The second frequency f2 and the third frequency f3 (26 times in total) are selected as the next selection frequency. In the present embodiment, when the number of established communications is the same, it is set so that a higher priority is assigned to a frequency assigned with a smaller number. That is, in this case, the second frequency f2 is set to a higher priority than the third frequency f3.

[One-way communication processing]
The communication control unit 21 performs the unidirectional communication process after completing the frequency selection process. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, first, in step S <b> 31, the communication control unit 21 sets the selection frequency with the highest priority as the reception frequency of the reception unit 23. That is, in this case, the communication control unit 21 outputs a frequency control signal to the reception unit 23 so that the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 is the first frequency f1.

  In subsequent step S <b> 32, the communication control unit 21 determines whether the receiving unit 23 has received the locking / unlocking operation signal transmitted from the portable device 10 at the first frequency f <b> 1. As a result, when it is determined that the locking / unlocking operation signal has been received, the communication control unit 21 proceeds to the process of step S33 and moves the door lock device 24 based on the locking / unlocking code included in the received locking / unlocking operation signal. The door lock is locked or unlocked by controlling, and the process here is temporarily terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the locking / unlocking operation signal has not been received, the communication control unit 21 proceeds to the process of step S34, and sets the next selection frequency as the reception frequency. That is, the communication control unit 21 outputs a frequency control signal to the receiving unit 23 in order to change the reception frequency from the first frequency f1 to the second frequency f2.

  In step S <b> 35, the communication control unit 21 determines whether the receiving / unlocking operation signal transmitted from the portable device 10 at the second frequency f <b> 2 is received by the receiving unit 23. As a result, when it is determined that the locking / unlocking operation signal has been received, the communication control unit 21 proceeds to the process of step S33. On the other hand, if the communication control unit 21 determines that the locking / unlocking operation signal has not been received, the communication control unit 21 proceeds to the process of step S36 and determines whether or not the next-order selection frequency exists. Then, the communication control unit 21 performs the process of step S34 again when the next-order selection frequency exists, and if the next-order selection frequency does not exist, the communication control unit 21 ends the process once and continues to step S40. Transition to the two-way communication process. Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, when only two types of selection frequencies are selected, the determination here is always a negative determination, and the process is temporarily terminated.

[Bidirectional communication processing]
When the communication control unit 21 shifts to the bidirectional communication process, as shown in FIG. 6, first, in step S41, the communication control unit 21 outputs a WAKE signal to the transmission circuit 22, and the transmission circuit 22 transmits the WAKE signal to the outside. Let At this time, the communication control unit 21 causes the transmission circuit 22 to transmit a WAKE signal including a frequency selection code (frequency selection signal) indicating the selection frequency selected in step S31 to the outside. In subsequent step S <b> 42, the communication control unit 21 sets the selection frequency with the highest priority as the reception frequency of the reception unit 23. Note that the order of the processes in steps S41 and S42 may be reversed.

  In step S43, the communication control unit 21 determines whether or not the ACK signal from the portable device 10 is received within the ACK reception waiting time Δt2 after the WAKE signal transmission process. As a result, when determining that the ACK signal from the portable device 10 has been received within the ACK reception waiting time Δt2, the communication control unit 21 proceeds to the process of step S44, and outputs the request signal to the transmission circuit 22 to A request signal is transmitted from the transmission circuit 22 to the outside. Further, the communication control unit 21 records the frequency of the ACK signal and the position information input from the position information acquisition device 25 in association with each other in the memory 21M. And the communication control part 21 will be in the reception standby state of the ID code signal transmitted from the portable device 10 in response to this request signal. Note that the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 is maintained as it is in the reception standby state of the ID code signal. That is, the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 is maintained at the reception frequency when the ACK signal is received. In this embodiment, the ACK reception waiting time Δt2 is equal to the sum of the transmission time of the ACK signal and the request reception waiting time Δt1 in the portable device 10, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). It is set to be. For this reason, the change pattern and change time of the transmission frequency of the portable device 10 and the change pattern and change time of the reception frequency of the communication control device 20 are synchronized.

  In subsequent step S <b> 45, the communication control unit 21 determines whether or not the receiving unit 23 has received the ID code signal from the corresponding portable device 10. As a result, if the communication control unit 21 determines that the ID code signal has not been received, the communication control unit 21 temporarily terminates the process. If the communication control unit 21 determines that the ID code signal has been received, the communication control unit 21 determines in step S46. The lock / unlock control permission state for permitting the lock / unlock control of the door lock by the door lock device 24 is entered, and the process here is temporarily terminated.

  On the other hand, when determining in step S43 that the ACK signal cannot be received within the ACK reception waiting time Δt2, the communication control unit 21 proceeds to the process of step S47. In step S47, the communication control unit 21 determines whether there is a next-order sorting frequency. Then, the communication control unit 21 performs the process of step S43 again when the next-order selection frequency exists, and once ends the process here when the next-order selection frequency does not exist.

  Next, the operation of the communication control system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to time charts shown in FIGS. Here, a case where the first frequency f1 and the second frequency f2 are selected as the selection frequencies will be described.

<Example of mutual communication establishment without disturbance>
As shown by a point P1 in FIG. 7A, when a WAKE signal is transmitted from the transmission circuit 22 of the communication control device 20, and the WAKE signal is received by the reception circuit 12 of the portable device 10, it is indicated by a point P2. In addition, an ACK signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 13 of the portable device 10 at the first frequency f1.

  The reception unit 23 of the communication control device 20 sets the reception frequency to the first frequency f1 within the ACK reception waiting time Δt2 after the transmission of the WAKE signal, so the ACK transmitted from the portable device 10 at the first frequency f1. The signal can be received. When the ACK signal is normally received by the receiving unit 23 of the communication control device 20, a request signal is transmitted from the transmission circuit 22 as indicated by a point P3.

  When the request signal is received by the reception circuit 12 of the portable device 10 within the request reception waiting time Δt1 after the transmission of the ACK signal, the ID code signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 13 at the first frequency f1, as indicated by a point P4. Is sent. Usually, when the ACK signal of the first frequency f1 is normally received by the receiving unit 23 of the communication control device 20, there is a high probability that the ID code signal transmitted at the same frequency can be normally received. The ID code signal is normally received with high probability by the unit 23. Therefore, the communication control device 20 enters the locking / unlocking control permission state by receiving the ID code signal normally.

  Therefore, when the ACK signal transmitted from the portable device 10 at the first frequency f1 is normally received by the communication control device 20, the control unit 11 of the portable device 10 and the communication control unit 21 of the communication control device 20 Mutual communication is completed without performing frequency change control.

<Example of mutual communication establishment in the presence of disturbance>
On the other hand, as indicated by point P11 in FIG. 7B, the ACK signal from the portable device 10 transmitted in response to the WAKE signal at the first frequency f1 cannot be normally received by the receiving unit 23 of the communication control device 20. In this case, a request signal is not transmitted from the communication control device 20.

  Then, as indicated by point P12, after transmitting the ACK signal at the first frequency f1, the portable device 10 transmits the ACK signal at the second frequency f2 when the request reception waiting time Δt1 elapses without receiving the request signal. Send. In addition, after transmitting the WAKE signal, the communication control device 20 changes the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 to the second frequency f2 when the ACK reception standby time Δt2 elapses without receiving the ACK signal at the first frequency f1. . That is, the transmission frequency of the transmission unit 13 of the portable device 10 and the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 of the communication control device 20 are changed almost synchronously. For this reason, the communication control apparatus 20 becomes able to receive the ACK signal from the portable device 10 transmitted at the second frequency f2. When the ACK signal transmitted at the second frequency f2 is normally received by the receiving unit 23 of the communication control device 20, a request signal is transmitted from the transmission circuit 22 as indicated by a point P13.

  When this request signal is received by the receiving circuit 12 of the portable device 10, the ID code signal is transmitted from the transmitting unit 13 at the second frequency f2 as indicated by a point P14. And the communication control apparatus 20 will be in a locking / unlocking control permission state by receiving this ID code signal normally.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The portable device 10 cannot receive a request signal from the communication control device 20 even though it transmits an ACK signal corresponding to the WAKE signal from the communication control device 20 at one of a plurality of frequencies. In some cases, the response signal is retransmitted at a different frequency. For this reason, even if the communication control device cannot normally receive the ACK signal due to the mixing of disturbances such as noise, the portable device 10 retransmits the ACK signal at a different frequency. Communication with the communication control device 20 can be established.

  On the other hand, after the transmission of the WAKE signal, the communication control device 20 changes the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 to another frequency when the ACK reception standby time Δt2 elapses, and transmits the portable device 10 transmitted at the corresponding frequency. A request signal is transmitted when an ACK signal is received from. For this reason, according to such a communication control device 20, wireless communication can be reliably performed even with the portable device 10 that changes the transmission frequency of the ACK signal. In addition, since the frequency band that can be received increases, the disturbance performance is also improved. Therefore, according to such a communication control system 1, it is possible to suppress a communication failure between the portable device 10 and the communication control device 20 due to a disturbance mixed in the ACK signal from the portable device 10.

  Furthermore, although the transmission unit 13 of the portable device 10 can transmit response signals (ACK signal and ID code signal) at a plurality of types of frequencies, based on the frequency selection signal from the communication control device 20, Only a part of them is narrowed down as a selection frequency, and the transmission frequency of the response signal is set / changed using the selection frequency. Since the selection frequency is narrowed down based on the communication establishment history between the portable device 10 and the communication control device 20, a frequency with a high communication establishment probability is set as the selection frequency. Similarly, the reception frequency of the communication control device 20 is narrowed down to the selection frequency to receive the response signal. For this reason, since the communication between the portable device 10 and the communication control device 20 is performed using only the frequency with a high communication establishment probability, the time until the communication is established is not delayed.

  (2) Since the control unit 11 of the portable device 10 performs frequency selection control based on the frequency selection code included in the WAKE signal transmitted from the communication control device 20, a change parameter such as frequency history information is given to the portable device 10. Without setting, the transmission frequency of the ACK signal and the ID code signal can be narrowed down. Therefore, the structure and processing of the portable device 10 can be simplified.

  (3) When the portable device 10 receives the request signal, the portable device 10 transmits the ID code signal at the same frequency as the frequency of the ACK signal that satisfies the transmission condition of the request signal, that is, the frequency of the last transmitted ACK signal. . On the other hand, when the communication control apparatus 20 normally receives the ACK signal from the portable device 10 transmitted in response to the WAKE signal, the communication control apparatus 20 transmits a request signal and sets the same reception frequency as the frequency of the ACK signal. To do. Usually, when the ACK signal is normally received, the request signal is transmitted from the communication control device 20, so that the ID code signal is transmitted from the portable device 10 at the same frequency as the ACK signal, and the communication control device 20 By setting the reception frequency to that frequency, it is possible to increase the probability that the communication control device 20 can normally receive the ID code signal. That is, communication failure between the portable device 10 and the communication control device 20 can be suppressed.

  (4) When the communication control device 20 normally receives the ACK signal, the communication control device 20 ends the frequency change control at that time and performs transmission of the request signal (next-stage transmission control). For this reason, the time to shift from the frequency change control to the next-stage transmission control can be shortened, and a decrease in communication responsiveness between the portable device 10 and the communication control device 20 can be suitably suppressed.

  (5) The portable device 10 changes the transmission frequency of the locking / unlocking operation signal by performing a frequency changing operation using the operation unit 14. Further, the communication control device 20 periodically changes the reception frequency within the transmission time of the locking / unlocking operation signal from the portable device 10 during the unidirectional communication process, so that the transmission frequency of the locking / unlocking operation signal is selected. The communication control device 20 can reliably receive the locking / unlocking operation signal at any frequency. Therefore, for example, when a locking / unlocking operation signal is transmitted from the portable device 10 at the first frequency f1, if a disturbance of the first frequency f1 is mixed in the locking / unlocking operation signal, the communication control device 20 normally outputs the locking / unlocking operation signal. Can not be recognized. In such a case, by changing the transmission frequency of the locking / unlocking operation signal to the second frequency f2 by the frequency changing operation, the communication control device 20 can normally recognize the locking / unlocking operation signal. Become. Therefore, it is possible to suitably reduce the occurrence of communication failure between the portable device 10 and the communication control device 20.

  (6) When the frequency changing operation is performed by the operation unit 14, the portable device 10 changes the transmission frequency of the locking / unlocking operation signal and transmits the locking / unlocking operation signal at the changed transmission frequency. That is, when the frequency changing operation is performed, the portable device 10 performs a transmission / removal operation signal transmission process as well as a transmission frequency changing process. This eliminates the need for the user to perform an operation for transmitting the locking / unlocking operation signal after performing the frequency changing operation. Therefore, the usability of the portable device 10 can be improved. In particular, when one of the locking operation switch and the unlocking operation switch constituting the operation unit 14 is set as the frequency change operation that is operated continuously a plurality of times (for example, 3 times), the user By continuously performing the operation for locking or unlocking a plurality of times, it is possible to easily change the transmission frequency and transmit the locking / unlocking operation signal. In addition, in this case, since the user can perform the transmission frequency changing operation by extending the transmission operation of the locking / unlocking operation signal, the user can perform the transmission frequency changing operation without much awareness. Therefore, the usability of the portable device 10 is significantly improved.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In each of the following embodiments including this embodiment, points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and common points will be simply denoted by the same member numbers, and description thereof will be omitted.

  The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the function and processing of the communication control device 20. Therefore, here, a difference between the communication control device 20 and the first embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the receiving unit 23 of the communication control device 20 has a reception intensity detection function for detecting the reception intensity of the received radio wave. When receiving the radio wave, the receiving unit 23 detects the reception intensity of the radio wave and outputs an intensity detection signal indicating the detected reception intensity to the communication control unit 21. Therefore, the communication control unit 21 can recognize the intensity of the radio wave received by the receiving unit 23 based on the intensity detection signal from the receiving unit 23.

  And the communication control part 21 performs reception frequency change control which changes a reception frequency using the intensity | strength detection signal from the receiving part 23. FIG. The communication control unit 21 performs the same processing as that of the first embodiment in the frequency selection processing and the unidirectional communication processing, and the bidirectional communication processing is different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the bidirectional communication process performed by the communication control unit 21 of the present embodiment will be described below according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

<Bidirectional communication processing by communication control unit 21>
When the communication control unit 21 shifts from the unidirectional communication process to the bidirectional communication process as in the first embodiment, first, in step S51, the communication control unit 21 outputs a WAKE signal to the transmission circuit 22 as shown in FIG. The WAKE signal is transmitted from the transmission circuit 22 to the outside. At this time, the communication control unit 21 causes the transmission circuit 22 to transmit the WAKE signal including the frequency selection code, as in the first embodiment. In subsequent step S <b> 52, the communication control unit 21 sets the selection frequency with the highest priority as the reception frequency of the reception unit 23. Note that the order of processing in steps S51 and S52 may be reversed.

  In step S53, the communication control unit 21 determines that the reception intensity of the radio wave received by the reception unit 23 within the ACK reception waiting time Δt2 after the WAKE signal transmission process is based on the intensity detection signal input from the reception unit 23. It is determined whether it is larger than a preset intensity threshold Th. As a result, when the communication control unit 21 determines that the reception intensity is equal to or less than the intensity threshold Th, the process here is temporarily terminated. For this reason, the communication control unit 21 temporarily performs the process here when the received radio wave does not exceed the strength threshold Th, as well as when the radio wave is not received by the receiving unit 23 within the ACK reception standby time Δt2. finish.

  On the other hand, if the communication control unit 21 determines that the received intensity is greater than the intensity threshold Th, the communication control unit 21 proceeds to the process of step S54, and the received radio wave is an ACK signal transmitted from the corresponding portable device 10. It is determined whether or not. As a result, when the communication control unit 21 determines that the received radio wave is the ACK signal, the communication control unit 21 sequentially performs the processes of steps S55 to S57 according to the conditions, and determines that the received radio wave is not the ACK signal. In such a case, the processes in steps S58 and S59 are sequentially performed according to the conditions. Note that the processing in steps S55 to S59 is the same as the processing in steps S44 to S48 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. In addition, when the process of step S59 ends, the communication control unit 21 performs the process of step S53 again.

Next, the operation of the communication control system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to time charts shown in FIGS.
<Example of mutual communication establishment without disturbance>
In this case, since the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

<Example of mutual communication failure without disturbance>
As indicated by a point P21 in FIG. 9A, after the WAKE signal is transmitted from the transmission circuit 22 of the communication control device 20, a radio wave having a reception intensity exceeding the intensity threshold Th is received within the ACK reception standby time Δt2. If not received, the WAKE signal is transmitted again at a predetermined intermittent period, as indicated by point P22. That is, when the radio wave exceeding the intensity threshold Th cannot be received within the ACK reception waiting time Δt2, the communication control device 20 determines that the portable device 10 does not exist in the communication area, and does not perform frequency change control.

<Example of mutual communication establishment in the presence of disturbance>
On the other hand, as indicated by a point P31 in FIG. 9B, the ACK signal from the portable device 10 transmitted at the first frequency f1 in response to the WAKE signal is received by the receiving unit 23 of the communication control device 20, If the communication control unit 21 cannot recognize the ACK signal due to noise or other disturbances mixed in the ACK signal, the request signal is not transmitted from the communication control device 20.

  Then, as indicated by point P32, after transmitting the ACK signal at the first frequency f1, the portable device 10 transmits the ACK signal at the second frequency f2 when the request reception waiting time Δt1 elapses without receiving the request signal. Send. In addition, after transmitting the WAKE signal, the communication control device 20 changes the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 to the second frequency f2 when the ACK reception standby time Δt2 elapses without receiving the ACK signal at the first frequency f1. . That is, the transmission frequency of the transmission unit 13 of the portable device 10 and the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 of the communication control device 20 are changed almost synchronously. For this reason, the communication control apparatus 20 becomes able to receive the ACK signal from the portable device 10 transmitted at the second frequency f2. When the ACK signal transmitted at the second frequency f2 is normally received by the receiving unit 23 of the communication control device 20, a request signal is transmitted from the transmission circuit 22 as indicated by a point P33.

  When this request signal is received by the receiving circuit 12 of the portable device 10, the ID code signal is transmitted from the transmitting unit 13 at the second frequency f2 as indicated by a point P34. And the communication control apparatus 20 will be in a locking / unlocking control permission state by receiving this ID code signal normally.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the above (1) to (6) in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(7) The communication control unit 21 determines whether or not a radio signal (radio wave) is received based on the reception intensity detected by the reception unit 23. As a result, if the radio signal exceeding the reception threshold cannot be received, the communication control unit 21 Therefore, it is determined that the portable device 10 does not exist, and the reception frequency change control is not performed. For this reason, the reception frequency change control by the communication control device 20 is performed only when necessary, and an increase in power consumption of the communication control device 20 can be suppressed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This embodiment is different from the second embodiment in communication processing by the control unit 11 of the portable device 10 and bidirectional communication processing by the communication control unit 21 of the communication control device 20. Therefore, communication processing of the control unit 11 and the communication control unit 21 will be described.

<Bidirectional communication processing by communication control unit 21>
First, the bidirectional communication processing performed by the communication control unit 21 of the communication control device 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the communication control unit 21 first includes a frequency selection code for the transmission circuit 22 in step S61 as shown in FIG. A WAKE signal is output, and the WAKE signal is transmitted from the transmission circuit 22 to the outside. In subsequent step S <b> 62, the communication control unit 21 sets the selection frequency with the highest priority as the reception frequency of the reception unit 23. Note that the order of processing in steps S61 and S62 may be reversed.

  In step S <b> 63, the communication control unit 21 changes the next selection frequency as the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 when the ACK reception standby time Δt <b> 2 has elapsed since the WAKE signal was transmitted. Further, in step S64, the communication control unit 21 determines whether or not there is a further selected frequency, and if it is determined that the selected frequency exists, the communication control unit 21 proceeds to the process of step S63 and further receives an ACK. When the standby time Δt <b> 2 has elapsed, the selection frequency of the next order is changed as the reception frequency of the reception unit 23. On the other hand, if the communication control unit 21 determines that there is no further next-order selection frequency, the communication control unit 21 proceeds to the process of step S65. That is, the communication control unit 21 changes the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 every time the ACK reception standby time Δt2 elapses, so that the ACK signal can be received at all the selection frequencies.

  Thereafter, in step S65, the communication control unit 21 determines whether or not an ACK signal transmitted from the corresponding portable device 10 has been received. As a result, if the communication control unit 21 determines that the ACK signal has not been received, the communication control unit 21 temporarily ends the process. If the communication control unit 21 determines that the ACK signal has been received, the communication control unit 21 selects a frequency in step S66. Process.

  Specifically, in step S66, the communication control unit 21 determines the optimum from the frequencies f1 and f2 based on the pulse length and reception intensity of each ACK signal received at the selection frequency (here, the first frequency f1 and the second frequency f2). Select the frequency. That is, the communication control unit 21 receives the ACK signal at all selectable selection frequencies (here, the first frequency f1 and the second frequency f2) by the reception unit 23, and the most suitable ACK signal among these ACK signals. Select the frequency to be In addition, the communication control unit 21 records the frequency of the recognized ACK signal and the position information input from the position information acquisition device 25 in association with each other in the memory 21M. In this optimal frequency selection process, the communication control unit 21 may select an optimal frequency based on only one of the pulse length and reception strength of the ACK signal. Incidentally, when the communication control unit 21 selects an optimum frequency based only on the pulse length of the ACK signal, the reception unit 23 does not necessarily detect the reception intensity of the received radio wave and It is not necessary to output the indicated intensity detection signal to the communication control unit 21. For this reason, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the receiving unit 23 and the processing of the communication control unit 21.

  In step S67, the communication control unit 21 sets the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 to the selected frequency, and causes the transmission circuit 22 to transmit a request signal including a frequency command code indicating the selected frequency in step S68. .

  Thereafter, in step S <b> 69, the communication control unit 21 determines whether the receiving unit 23 has received the ID code signal from the corresponding portable device 10. As a result, if the communication control unit 21 determines that the ID code signal has not been received, the communication control unit 21 temporarily terminates the process. If the communication control unit 21 determines that the ID code signal has been received, the communication control unit 21 determines in step S70. The lock / unlock control permission state for permitting the lock / unlock control of the door lock by the door lock device 24 is entered, and the process here is temporarily terminated.

<Communication processing by the control unit 11>
Next, communication processing performed by the control unit 11 of the portable device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

<Process during mutual communication control>
As shown in the figure, in step S71, the control unit 11 determines whether or not an operation signal is input from the operation unit 14. When determining that the operation signal is not input from the operation unit 14, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the WAKE signal from the communication control device 20 is received by the reception circuit 12 in step S <b> 72. As a result, when the control unit 11 determines that the WAKE signal from the communication control device 20 has not been received by the receiving circuit 12, the processing here is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the WAKE signal has been received by the receiving circuit 12, the control unit 11 in step S73, based on the frequency selection code (frequency selection signal) included in the WAKE signal, the selection frequency with the highest priority. A frequency control signal indicating that (here, the first frequency f1) is a transmission frequency is output to the transmission unit 13 and an ACK signal is output to the transmission unit 13. Thereby, the ACK signal is transmitted to the outside from the transmission unit 13 at the selected transmission frequency (first frequency f1).

  Subsequently, in step S74, after the ACK signal transmission process, the control unit 11 causes the ACK signal to be transmitted at the next selection frequency when the request reception waiting time Δt1 has elapsed. In subsequent step S75, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a further next-order selection frequency is included in the frequency selection code. If the selection frequency exists, the control unit 11 performs the process of step S74 again. That is, every time the request reception standby time Δt1 elapses, the control unit 11 transmits an ACK signal at all the selection frequencies indicated by the frequency selection code.

  Further, when there is no further next-order selection frequency, the control unit 11 receives the request from the communication control device 20 within the request reception waiting time Δt1 after the transmission processing of the last transmitted ACK signal in step S76. It is determined whether the request signal is received by the receiving circuit 12. As a result, when it is determined that the request signal has not been received within the request reception waiting time Δt1, the control unit 11 ends the processing here, and when it is determined that the request signal has been received, the control unit 11 performs step S77. Transition to processing.

  In step S77, the control unit 11 sets the transmission frequency of the transmission unit 13 based on the frequency command code included in the request signal. That is, the control unit 11 sets the transmission frequency to the first frequency f1 if the frequency command code indicates the first frequency f1, and the transmission frequency if the frequency command code indicates the second frequency f2. Is set to the second frequency f2.

In subsequent step S78, the control unit 11 causes the transmission unit 13 to transmit the ID code signal including the ID code recorded in the memory 11M to the outside at the set transmission frequency.
<Control during unidirectional communication control>
By the way, when it is judged that the operation signal was input from the operation part 14 in the said step S71, the control part 11 performs the process of step S79-S82 according to conditions. Note that the processes in steps S79 to S82 are the same as the processes in steps S10 to S13 shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the communication control system 1 configured as described above will be described using a time chart shown in FIG.
As shown by a point P41 in FIG. 12, when a WAKE signal is transmitted from the transmission circuit 22 of the communication control device 20, and the WAKE signal is received by the reception circuit 12 of the portable device 10, as shown by a point P42, An ACK signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 13 of the machine 10 at the first frequency f1. At this time, since the reception frequency of the receiving unit 23 of the communication control device 20 is set to the first frequency f1, the communication control device 20 can receive the ACK signal transmitted at the first frequency f1.

  Thereafter, as indicated by a point P43, when the request reception standby time Δt1 has elapsed, an ACK signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 13 of the portable device 10 at the second frequency f2. Further, since the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 of the communication control device 20 is also changed to the second frequency f2, it is possible to receive the ACK signal transmitted at the second frequency f2.

  When the communication control device 20 receives the ACK signal transmitted at the first frequency f1 and the ACK signal transmitted at the second frequency f2, the communication control device 20 performs frequency selection processing, and the point P44. As shown, the request signal including the frequency command code indicating the frequency selected as a result is transmitted.

  Then, when the request signal is received by the receiving circuit 12 of the portable device 10 within the request reception waiting time Δt1 after the transmission of the ACK signal, as shown by a point P45, it is based on the frequency command code included in the request signal. An ID code signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 13 at a transmission frequency.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the above (1) to (6) in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(8) Upon receiving the WAKE signal, the portable device 10 transmits an ACK signal at all selectable transmission frequencies. Thereafter, when the portable device 10 receives a request signal including frequency command data, the portable device 10 transmits the request signal at a frequency based on the frequency command data. On the other hand, after transmitting the WAKE signal, the communication control apparatus 20 receives the ACK signal at all selectable reception frequencies by performing reception frequency change control. Then, the communication control device 20 selects an optimum ACK signal from all the received ACK signals, and transmits a request signal including a frequency command code indicating the frequency of the selected ACK signal. An ID code signal is transmitted from the portable device 10. That is, the communication control device 20 controls the transmission frequency of the ID code signal transmitted from the portable device 10. For this reason, the ID code signal can be transmitted at a frequency optimal for communication at that time, and the communication accuracy between the portable device 10 and the communication control device 20 can be improved.

  (10) The portable device 10 does not transmit the ACK signal at all the frequencies that can be changed, but transmits the ACK signal only at the selection frequency. That is, the portable device 10 does not need to transmit an ACK signal at all frequencies that can be changed. For this reason, the transmission time of the ACK signal of the portable device 10 can be shortened, the power consumption of the portable device 10 can be reduced, and the communication time between the portable device 10 and the communication control device 20 can be shortened. . In addition, since the selection frequencies are configured by only a part estimated to have a high communication establishment probability, the probability that communication is established by the selection frequency is high. Therefore, according to such a modified example, communication failure between the portable device 10 and the communication control device 20 can be improved and occurrence of communication failure can be suppressed.

In addition, you may change embodiment of this invention as follows.
In the third embodiment, the control unit 11 of the portable device 10 may have the same processing mode as the control unit 11 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 11 transmits the ACK signal at the highest priority selection frequency (first frequency f1), and then the request reception waiting time Δt1 has passed regardless of whether or not the request signal is received. At this time, the ACK signal is always transmitted at the next-selected sorting frequency (second frequency f2). However, after the control unit 11 transmits the ACK signal at the first frequency f1, and determines that the request signal is received within the request reception waiting time Δt1, the control unit 11 transmits the ACK signal at the second frequency f2. Alternatively, an ID code signal may be transmitted. Even in such a case, the communication control device 20 of the third embodiment does not immediately transmit a request signal even if it receives an ACK signal at the first frequency f1, and during the ACK reception waiting time Δt2 In order to receive the ACK signal transmitted at the second frequency f2, as a result, the control unit 11 performs processing equivalent to that in the third embodiment.

  In each embodiment, when the communication control unit 21 of the communication control device 20 sets the transmission frequency of the ACK signal according to the reception status of the ACK signal from the portable device 10, the ID code signal is also transmitted at the transmission frequency. It is supposed to let you. However, the communication control unit 21 may change the transmission frequency of the ID code signal and change the reception frequency of the ID code signal according to the reception status of the ID code signal.

  In each of the embodiments, the control unit 11 of the portable device 10 changes the transmission frequency when a frequency change operation is performed by the operation unit 14 in the unidirectional communication control as illustrated in FIG. 3, for example. It is like that. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the communication control unit 21 of the communication control device 20 changes the reception frequency based on the communication establishment history information recorded in the memory 11M during the unidirectional communication process. . However, in such unidirectional communication, the transmission frequency of the transmission unit 13 of the portable device 10 and the reception frequency of the reception unit 23 of the communication control device 20 may not be changed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the communication control device 20 does not necessarily have to transmit a WAKE signal including a frequency selection code (frequency selection signal). In such a case, the control unit 11 of the portable device 10 may perform the transmission frequency selection process of the transmission unit 13 based on the communication establishment history information recorded in its own memory 11M. In this case, it is desirable that the selection frequency is selected based on the total number of established communications during the frequency selection process by the communication control unit 21. In such a case, since the frequency selected by the control unit 11 of the portable device 10 matches the frequency selected by the communication control unit 21 of the communication control device 20, the control unit 11 and the communication control unit 21 Thus, the same sorting frequency is selected. Therefore, communication between the portable device 10 and the communication control device 20 is reliably performed. Moreover, by doing in this way, the data structure of a WAKE signal can be simplified and the communication reliability between the portable device 10 and the communication control device 20 is also improved.

  In each of the above embodiments, the communication control system 1 is embodied as a vehicle locking / unlocking control system that controls locking / unlocking of the door lock of the vehicle 2. However, such a communication control system 1 is not necessarily limited to controlling the locking and unlocking of the door lock. For example, the engine start permission control is performed based on wireless communication with the portable device 10 or the vehicle 2 is controlled. The present invention may be embodied as a vehicular security control system for setting / releasing security. The communication control system 1 is not limited to the vehicle 2 and is embodied as a building security control system that controls locking / unlocking of door locks in buildings such as houses, and performs other security settings / releases. Also good. Furthermore, the communication control system 1 may be configured such that the communication control apparatus 20 performs some control based on wireless communication with the portable device 10 and does not necessarily perform security control.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the communication control system of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process performed by the transmission control means of the portable machine of the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process performed by the communication control means of the communication control apparatus of the embodiment. The figure which shows typically an example of the frequency selection process of the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the unidirectional communication process performed by the communication control means of the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the bidirectional | two-way communication process performed by the communication control means of the embodiment. (A), (b) is a time chart which shows the example of bidirectional | two-way communication of the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the bidirectional | two-way communication process performed by the communication control means of 2nd Embodiment. (A), (b) is a time chart which shows the example of bidirectional | two-way communication of the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the bidirectional | two-way communication process performed by the communication control means of 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process performed by the transmission control means of the portable machine of the embodiment. The time chart which shows the bidirectional | two-way communication example of the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication control system, 2 ... Vehicle, 10 ... Portable machine, 11 ... Control part as transmission control means, 13 ... Transmission part as transmission means, 20 ... Communication control apparatus, 21 ... Communication control part as communication control means , 21M... Memory as recording means, 23... Receiving unit as receiving means.

Claims (7)

A portable device that performs wireless communication with a corresponding communication control device and has a transmission / reception function for transmitting a corresponding response signal when a response request signal transmitted from the communication control device is received,
While performing the frequency selection control to narrow down the response signal at a plurality of types of frequencies and the frequency that can be set as the transmission frequency of the transmission unit to a plurality of types of frequencies that are smaller than those frequencies, Transmission control means for performing transmission frequency change control for changing the transmission frequency of the response signal using the narrowed selection frequency ,
The portable device characterized in that the transmission control means performs the frequency selection control based on a frequency selection signal instructing to narrow down a transmission frequency transmitted from the communication control device . A portable device that performs wireless communication with a corresponding communication control device and has a transmission / reception function for transmitting a corresponding response signal when a response request signal transmitted from the communication control device is received,
While performing the frequency selection control to narrow down the response signal at a plurality of types of frequencies and the frequency that can be set as the transmission frequency of the transmission unit to a plurality of types of frequencies that are smaller than those frequencies, Transmission control means for performing transmission frequency change control for changing the transmission frequency of the response signal using the narrowed selection frequency ,
The transmission control unit causes the response signal to be transmitted from the transmission unit at one of the selected frequencies, and receives a next-stage transmission signal transmitted from the communication control device on condition that the response signal is received. If not , a portable device that performs retransmission control to retransmit the response signal from the transmission unit at another frequency of the selection frequencies . A portable device that performs wireless communication with a corresponding communication control device and has a transmission / reception function for transmitting a corresponding response signal when a response request signal transmitted from the communication control device is received,
While performing the frequency selection control to narrow down the response signal at a plurality of types of frequencies and the frequency that can be set as the transmission frequency of the transmission unit to a plurality of types of frequencies that are smaller than those frequencies, Transmission control means for performing transmission frequency change control for changing the transmission frequency of the response signal using the narrowed selection frequency ,
When the transmission control means receives the first response request signal as the response request signal, the transmission control means sequentially transmits the first response signal as the response signal from the transmission means at all frequencies selected by the frequency selection control. When the second response request signal including the frequency command data transmitted from the communication control device is received on condition that the first response signal is received, the second response signal is transmitted at a frequency based on the frequency command data. A portable device characterized by transmitting from the transmitting means . A communication control device that transmits a response request signal for requesting transmission of a response signal to a portable device having a wireless communication function, and performs corresponding control on condition that the response signal is received,
Receiving means capable of receiving radio signals of a plurality of types of frequencies;
Recording means for recording the frequency of the response signal when communication with the portable device is established as communication history information;
Performing reception frequency selection control for narrowing down a plurality of types of frequencies that are smaller than those frequencies from all frequencies that can be set as reception frequencies of the reception unit, based on communication history information recorded in the recording unit, and Communication control means for performing reception frequency change control for changing the reception frequency of the reception means by using the narrowed selection frequency preferentially every time a preset reception standby time elapses after transmission of the response request signal equipped with a,
The communication control means terminates the reception frequency change control and transmits a next-stage transmission signal when the response signal from the portable device transmitted in response to the response request signal can be normally recognized. A communication control device performing step transmission control . A communication control device that transmits a response request signal for requesting transmission of a response signal to a portable device having a wireless communication function, and performs corresponding control on condition that the response signal is received,
Receiving means capable of receiving radio signals of a plurality of types of frequencies;
Recording means for recording the frequency of the response signal when communication with the portable device is established as communication history information;
Performing reception frequency selection control for narrowing down a plurality of types of frequencies that are smaller than those frequencies from all frequencies that can be set as reception frequencies of the reception unit, based on communication history information recorded in the recording unit, and Communication control means for performing reception frequency change control for changing the reception frequency of the reception means by using the narrowed selection frequency preferentially every time a preset reception standby time elapses after transmission of the response request signal equipped with a,
The communication control device performs a selection signal transmission control for transmitting a frequency selection signal indicating a selection frequency narrowed down by the reception frequency selection control . A communication control device that transmits a response request signal for requesting transmission of a response signal to a portable device having a wireless communication function, and performs corresponding control on condition that the response signal is received,
Receiving means capable of receiving radio signals of a plurality of types of frequencies;
Recording means for recording the frequency of the response signal when communication with the portable device is established as communication history information;
Performing reception frequency selection control for narrowing down a plurality of types of frequencies that are smaller than those frequencies from all frequencies that can be set as reception frequencies of the reception unit, based on communication history information recorded in the recording unit, and Communication control means for performing reception frequency change control for changing the reception frequency of the reception means by using the narrowed selection frequency preferentially every time a preset reception standby time elapses after transmission of the response request signal equipped with a,
In the reception frequency change control, the communication control means transmits a first response request signal as the response request signal, and then transmits a first response request signal transmitted from the portable device in response to the first response request signal. The response signal is in a reception standby state in which reception is waited at all frequencies that can be changed by the reception frequency change control,
A selection process is performed in which radio signals of each frequency received in the reception standby state are compared to select an optimal response signal, and the reception frequency of the reception means is set to the reception frequency of the response signal determined to be optimal by the selection process In addition, by transmitting a second response request signal including frequency command data indicating the reception frequency as a next-stage transmission signal, the second response signal corresponding to the second response request signal is transmitted at the same frequency as the reception frequency. A communication control apparatus that performs frequency optimization processing to be transmitted from the portable device. A portable device that performs wireless communication with a corresponding communication control device and has a transmission / reception function for transmitting a corresponding response signal when a response request signal transmitted from the communication control device is received, and the response to the portable device A communication control system comprising a communication control device that transmits a request signal and performs corresponding control on condition that the response signal is received,
The portable device uses transmission means capable of transmitting the response signal at a plurality of types of frequencies, narrows down all types of frequencies that can be transmitted to a plurality of types of frequencies that are smaller than those frequencies, and uses the selected selection frequencies. Transmission control means for performing transmission frequency change control for changing the transmission frequency of the response signal,
The communication control device narrows down the receiving means capable of receiving radio signals of a plurality of types of frequencies, and the receiving frequencies of the receiving means from all receivable frequencies to a plurality of types of frequencies that are smaller than those frequencies, Communication control means for performing reception frequency change control for changing the reception frequency of the reception means using the narrowed selection frequency,
A communication control system configured to synchronize a change pattern and change time of a transmission frequency of the portable device with a change pattern and change time of a reception frequency of the communication control device.

Images