JP2001342759A - Key for preventing vehicle theft and security system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enrich an antitheft mechanism without using radio waves while maintaining a mechanism of electronically collating ID codes. SOLUTION: When a key plate 1 is inserted into a key cylinder 4, power source is supplied to an IC chip 3 to light on an LED 2. The LED 2 is modulated to an ID pulse signal by a light-up pulse, depending on the inherent ID code stored in an IC chip 3. The modulated LED light is received by a PD 5, then amplified by an amplifier 6, and thereafter transmitted to an engine controller computer 1. Then, the engine controller computer 7 wave-shapes the received pulse signal, and thereafter a decoder decodes the signal so as to coordinate the ID code. Further, the ID code from the received pulse signal is collated with the ID code stored in a ROM of the engine controller computer 7 to determine as to matching. If it is determined that the two ID codes match each other, a signal is transmitted to an action section 8 to start an engine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a start key of an automobile engine for preventing a vehicle from being stolen and for preventing theft, and a vehicle theft prevention system using the start key. The present invention is also applicable to security systems in general.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as a security system for preventing vehicle theft, a transponder IC embedded in a vehicle key is provided with a unique ID memory code and transmitted to a vehicle-side controller computer to transmit the ID code. An immobilizer is known in which is electronically verified. This is a mechanism in which the engine is started by igniting if the codes match, and it does not ignite if they do not match. According to this method, since a pulse signal is transmitted to the engine control unit, starting by direct connection becomes impossible. In addition, since a code is provided inside the key, it is difficult to create a key.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration of a conventional typical immobilizer.
Shown in In FIG. 7, reference numeral 51 denotes a key plate, which is inserted into the ignition key cylinder 54. A transponder (electronic chip) 52 for transmitting a key-specific ID is built in the key plate 51. When the key plate 51 is inserted into the ignition key cylinder 54, an ignition switch (not shown) is turned on,
The power supply is connected to a power supply (not shown), and the power supply is connected to the engine control computer 56 → the transponder key amplifier 55.
→ Supplied with the antenna coil 53.

As a result, a current flows through the coil of the antenna coil 53 to generate a magnetic field. This is received by the transponder (electronic chip) 52, and the ID code stored in the chip is transmitted. This signal is received by the antenna of the antenna coil 53, amplified by the transponder key amplifier 55, and output to the engine control computer 56. The ID is registered in the engine control computer 56, and the registered ID and the received ID are collated. As a result of the collation, if they match, the fuel injection solenoid valve of the engine unit 57 is turned on, and the engine is ignited.

[0005]

However, in the conventional transponder, ID transmission and reception are performed by wireless radio waves 60 to 30.
It uses the 0 MHz band. For this reason, a strong pirate radio wave or the like affects malfunctions and other devices. Being affected by this radio wave suggests that it may be started non-destructively by a multi-modulator that can produce any radio wave in the near future. Many of the effects of a multi-transmitter are inability to start or malfunction due to interference.
In addition, it is possible to start the transmission by inserting a metal piece into the key.

For this reason, it is necessary to leave a mechanism for electronically collating the ID code as an effective means for a vehicle burglary method such as a conventional key connection or direct connection of wiring, and to enhance the anti-theft function without using radio waves. It is an object of the present invention.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an ignition unit connected to a controller of an engine ignition device by changing from an electric wave transmission / reception system to an optical transmission / reception system, thereby causing a malfunction due to an electric wave. And secure high security that takes the time required for theft.

That is, the present invention provides a vehicle anti-theft key in which a light modulation element and an IC chip for driving the light modulation element are built in a key plate, and a code serving as an ID is stored in the IC chip. Here, the key plate corresponds to a normal vehicle key, and the key plate has a built-in photodiode and a driving IC chip. For example, the key may be attached to a groove formed by wet / dry etching or cutting, or may be attached to a molded product such as polypropylene and then covered with an external cover such as vinyl chloride. The light modulation element is, for example, a laser diode, a light-emitting diode, a liquid crystal panel, a lamp, a piezoelectric element such as PLZT, Pockels, an electro-optical shutter using the Faraday effect,
An optical waveguide, an optical crystal, or the like can be used. When a diode is used, a wavelength range of 300 to 1,000 nm is preferably used. The liquid crystal panel is, for example, TN
(Twisted nematic), STN (super TN), SSF
LC (surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal), etc. It is preferable to use transmitted light scattering type liquid crystal and polymer liquid crystal. This liquid crystal panel may be either a single element or a plurality of pixels, and it is preferable that each pixel be opened and closed by applying a current to the liquid crystal panel to form a pattern. When configuring a pattern, for example, a barcode or a QR code is displayed. The light modulation is performed according to an ID code built in the IC chip, and is modulated at, for example, 30 to 40 KHZ. Alternatively, 3 to 4 KHZ is also possible. 30-4
There are many ICs that can use the 0 kHz band most.

The key is inserted into a key cylinder, and the key cylinder is provided with a detecting element for detecting light modulated in accordance with an ID code. Although the detection element differs depending on the type of the light modulation element, for example, a photodiode is used when the light modulation element is a laser diode or a light emitting diode, and a photo interrupter is used when the light modulation element is a liquid crystal panel. , A plurality of photo interrupters, a PSD (posision sensing device), or a quantum or thermal infrared sensor.
As the infrared sensor, for example, a pyroelectric sensor, a thermopile, or the like can be used.

The present invention also provides a key, a key cylinder into which the key is inserted, a detecting element provided in the key cylinder, and the detecting element receiving an optical signal corresponding to an ID code from an optical modulation element. The present invention provides a vehicle anti-theft system including an ID collating unit that performs ID collation when the vehicle has been activated, and an engine controller that controls engine start according to the collation result of the ID collating unit.

An ID unique to the vehicle is stored in a ROM in the ID collating unit.
A signal is sent to the engine control unit only when the ID matches the ID detected by the detection element, and the engine starts to be started. Even if the ID collation unit and the engine control unit are configured by the same CPU,
Or any of them.

According to the present invention, when a key having a light-emitting element or a light modulation element such as a liquid crystal panel is inserted into the key cylinder, the switch is turned on, power is supplied to the circuit, and the IC in the key is driven. The light emitting element is turned on or the liquid crystal panel is driven to open and close based on the ID written in the ROM, and the former receives the light receiving element, and the latter receives the light emitting element and the light receiving element integrated,
The engine is ignited and started when it is transmitted to the CPU or the like and the memory code in the CPU matches the code.

According to the present invention, the ID signal is transmitted to the engine control unit by the optical pulse signal system, not by the conventional system using the radio wave for transmitting and receiving the ID between the ignition key cylinder and the transponder. This method does not use any radio waves.

The present invention is applicable not only to a vehicle theft prevention system but also to all security systems. That is, the present invention provides a light modulating element, a means for modulating the light modulating element according to an ID code, a means for receiving a modulation signal from the light modulating element, and a light corresponding to the ID code from the receiving means. There is also provided a security system including an ID collating unit that performs ID collation when a signal is received. Here, as the light modulation element, the same light modulation element as described above can be used, and the means for modulating the light modulation element is, for example, an IC chip for driving a laser diode or the like, and an ID code is built in the IC chip. You. The receiving means corresponds to the above-described detection element, and the ID collating unit is the same as that described above. The unique ID of the security target is stored and collated with the ID received by the receiving means. When the IDs match as a result of the comparison, the security is released.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
(A) shows the key of the present invention, and (b) shows the system. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a key plate, and an IC chip 3 on which an LED 2 and an LED drive circuit are mounted is provided at the tip of the key plate. The LED 2 has a wavelength of 86, for example.
It is a light emitting diode of 0 nm, and an ID code unique to the vehicle is stored in the IC chip 3. Therefore, LE
D2 is modulated according to each unique ID code stored in the IC chip 3, and emits light as a lighting pulse. Here, the modulation is performed, for example, at 30 to 40 KHz (3 to 4 KHz).
The pulse waveform is a time-series digital waveform.

The key plate 1 is provided with a power switch (not shown) and a power supply for driving the IC chip (not shown). When the key plate 1 is inserted into the key cylinder 4, the switch is turned on and the IC L of chip 3
The ED drive circuit is driven. Although not shown, the key cylinder 4 is rotatable between a "LOCK" position and a "START" position in a rotor case on a base of a steering column portion of an automobile. A PD (photodiode) 5 is built in the key cylinder 4, and the PD 5 is connected to an amplifier 6, an engine controller computer 7, and an operating unit 8 of a fuel pump and an ignition system. The engine controller computer 7 has a CPU that controls the entire system, a ROM storing an ID code and other information, a decoder, and the like. The ID controller and the engine controller of the present invention correspond to the engine controller computer 7. The operating unit 8 specifically corresponds to a fuel injection solenoid valve, a fuel tank, an igniter, and the like.

The general operation of the above system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation.
(A) is for remote transmission, and (b) is for wired transmission. When the key plate 1 is inserted into the key cylinder 4 (# 1), a switch (not shown) on the key plate 1 is turned on and power is supplied to the IC chip 3 (# 2).
ED2 turns on (# 3). The LED 2 is modulated into an ID pulse signal by a lighting pulse according to each unique ID code stored in the IC chip 3 (# 4, optical switch operation). The modulated LED light is received by the PD 5 (# 5). The received light pulse signal is amplified by the amplifier 6,
It is transmitted to the engine controller computer 7. In the engine controller computer 7, the received light pulse signal is shaped (# 6), and is then associated with the ID code by the decoder (# 7). The ID code from the received light pulse signal is compared with the ID code stored in the ROM of the engine controller computer 7 (# 8), and it is determined whether or not they match (# 9). If the result of the determination is that the ID codes match, a signal is sent to the operation unit 8 to operate the engine controller (# 10) and start the engine (# 1).
2). If the result of the determination is that they do not match, no signal is sent to the operation unit 8 and the operation unit 8 stops there. The transmission of the engine start in the operation unit 8 may be remote transmission or wired transmission. In the case of remote transmission, for example, it is necessary to provide an LED, a PD, and the like for transmitting and receiving a solenoid operation command.

The present invention is not limited to the above configuration, but may be, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 3A shows a key of the present invention.
(B) is a front view of the system, and (c) is a side view. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 16 denotes a key plate, on which an IC substrate 18 and a liquid crystal panel 19 are set.
The IC substrate 18 has a liquid crystal panel driving circuit and an ID
The C chip 17 is mounted. The key plate 16 has a through hole 20 so that the liquid crystal panel 1
9 has an exposed structure. The liquid crystal panel 19
An electric current is applied to a transparent electrode (not shown) in the panel according to the ID code built in the C chip 17 to change the direction of the liquid crystal, thereby opening and closing the panel itself. The key plate 16 has a power switch (not shown) and an IC.
A chip driving power supply (not shown) is provided. When the key plate 16 is inserted into the key cylinder 21, a switch is turned on and the liquid crystal panel driving circuit of the IC chip 17 is driven. Alternatively, the power may not be provided on the key plate, but may be supplied from the key cylinder 21.

The key cylinder 21 has a built-in unit of the LED 11 and the photodiode 12, that is, a photo interrupter 22.
A key detection switch (not shown) is installed inside
When the insertion of the key plate 16 is detected, the LED 11 of the photo interrupter 22 is turned on. The optical axis of the LED 11 passes through the through hole 20. The photodiode 12 is connected to an amplifier 23, an engine controller computer 24, and an operating unit 25 of a fuel pump and an ignition system as in FIG. The engine controller computer 24 has a CP that controls the entire control as in FIG.
U, a ROM storing an ID code and other information, a decoder, and the like.

In the above configuration, the liquid crystal panel 19 is an IC
Since the drive is opened and closed according to each unique ID code stored in the chip 17, when the LED 11 is turned on, the LED
The light is modulated into an ID pulse signal by the opening / closing timing. The modulated LED light is received by the photodiode 12 of the photo interrupter 22.
The received light pulse signal is amplified by the amplifier 23 and transmitted to the engine controller computer 24. The engine controller computer 24 shapes the waveform of the received light pulse signal, and associates the received light pulse signal with the ID code by a decoder. The ID code from the received light pulse signal is compared with the ID code stored in the ROM of the engine controller computer 24, and if they match, a signal is sent to the operation unit 25 to start the engine.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, but may have the following configuration. Since it is easy to reproduce each code commonly used in factory automation and POS systems such as bar codes and QR codes using liquid crystal on a panel using liquid crystal panel pixels, FIGS.
In order to further improve security, a code (pattern) may be reproduced on the liquid crystal panel by inserting a key with the liquid crystal panel attached. One embodiment is shown in FIG. The basic configuration is the same as that of FIG. 3, except that a bar code pattern as shown in the figure is displayed on the liquid crystal panel. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 26 denotes a key plate. The key plate has a through hole as in FIG. 3, and a liquid crystal panel 27 is provided therein. The liquid crystal panel 27 is composed of a plurality of pixels and displays a pattern corresponding to each unique ID code stored in the IC chip. This pattern is read by a laser diode 28 and a photodiode 29 provided on a key cylinder (not shown). The diode light from the laser diode 28 is scanned by a mirror and scans the liquid crystal panel 27 (in the direction of the arrow on the liquid crystal panel in FIG. 4), thereby being converted into a time-series pulse 30 along the pattern, which is This is an ID for collation. The scan mirror is provided in the key cylinder, and is controlled by an engine controller computer.

The liquid crystal panel 27 may be smaller than the light receiving surface of the photodiode 29 in order to make the system simple without using an optical system such as a lens. Or PSD
Using a device that changes the voltage value depending on the position, such as a (posision sensing device), the signal is reproduced in a pattern again by the engine controller computer and collated, and countless combinations of time series changes and patterns are taken. Therefore, it is almost impossible to perform illegal matching with the multi-pulse generator anymore.
At the same time, starting failure and malfunction due to radio wave interference can be prevented.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to take a complicated time-series pulse by using a low-cost multiple-row photointerrupter as the pattern of the liquid crystal panel. In FIG. 5, 31 is a key plate, 32 is a key cylinder, 33 is a multi-link type photo interrupter,
Reference numeral 34 denotes a liquid crystal panel. The signal processing system and the like are the same as in FIG. In this embodiment, the pattern of the liquid crystal panel as shown in FIG. 4 can be read without scanning the LED light by simultaneously or chronologically turning on the LEDs of the multiple type photointerrupter 33.

Alternatively, when FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are combined, it is possible to gradation the pulse. This embodiment is shown in FIG. The liquid crystal panel 37 is composed of a plurality of pixels, and the light intensity of the LED light of the photointerrupter 36 passing through the liquid crystal panel 37 is toned according to the number of open pixels by this pattern. That is, the emitted LED light is modulated into the pulse train 40 while being toned according to the pattern (38, 39,...) Of the liquid crystal panel 37 that changes in a time series. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 35 denotes a key, and the key 35 is inserted into the key cylinder 41. Figure 3 shows the signal processing system
As in the above, t indicates time.

[0025]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. 1. Since it is an optical transmission / reception system without using radio waves and transmits IDs inside the ignition key cylinder, it is not affected by disturbance or the like. 2. The system can be configured as a system that can be started without requiring a power supply for the key body. 3. The method using the liquid crystal panel improves security, and even if there is an act of destroying the ignition part, starting is impossible without a key. 4. In the future, since optical systems are available, a fingerprint authentication system can be added. When this is possible, the LCD panel (key)
Can prevent theft. 5. Since the component parts can be easily obtained, such as remote control ICs used in existing home appliances, the cost is low.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 16, 26, 31: key plate 2: LED 3: LED driver IC 4, 21, 32: key cylinder 5: photodiode 19, 27, 34, 37: liquid crystal panel 22, 36: photo interrupter

Claims (8)

[Claims] An optical modulator and an IC chip for driving the optical modulator are built in a key plate, and an IC chip is provided in the IC chip.
A vehicle theft prevention key containing a code D. 2. The vehicle anti-theft key according to claim 1, wherein the light modulation element is a laser diode, a light emitting diode, a liquid crystal panel, or a lamp. 3. The vehicle anti-theft key according to claim 2, wherein the liquid crystal panel is a single element or a plurality of pixels. 4. The vehicle anti-theft key according to claim 2, wherein a pattern or a pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal panel. 5. The vehicle anti-theft key according to claim 4, wherein the pattern reproduces a bar code or a QR code. 6. The key according to claim 1, wherein:
A key cylinder into which the key is inserted, a detection element provided on the key cylinder, and
An anti-theft system for a vehicle, comprising: an ID collating unit that performs ID collation when an optical signal corresponding to a D code is received; and an engine controller that controls engine start according to the collation result of the ID collating unit. 7. A detecting element comprising a photodiode, a photo interrupter, a plurality of photo interrupters, a PSD (posi).
7. The vehicle theft system according to claim 6, which is a sion sensing device or a quantum or thermal infrared sensor. 8. An optical modulator, means for modulating the optical modulator according to an ID code, means for receiving a modulation signal from the optical modulator, and an optical signal according to the ID code from the receiver. A security system comprising: an ID collating unit that performs ID collation when receiving an ID.