WO2008002096A1

WO2008002096A1 - Smart key system and control method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2008002096A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/003170
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eung Lyul Kim
Original assignee: Eung Lyul Kim
Priority date: 2006-06-30
Filing date: 2007-06-29
Publication date: 2008-01-03
Also published as: KR100756412B1

Abstract

A smart key system and method for controlling the smart key system is provided. The smart key system can perform keyless entry and keyless start using a mobile terminal embedded with Bluetooth, and can be interoperated with an electronic authentication controller since a structural change from a conventional motor vehicle structure is minimized. The mobile terminal and the electronic authentication controller perform authentication, and open a door of a motor vehicle when a user is within an area of communication. Also, the mobile terminal and the electronic authentication controller unlock a steering lock, thereby operating the motor vehicle according to manipulation of a starting switch.

Description

SMARTKEYSYSTEMAND CONTROLMETHODTHEREOF

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a smart key system and method for controlling the smart key system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a smart key system and method for controlling the smart key system which can perform keyless entry and keyless start by interoperating with an electronic authentication system without a starting key.

Background Art

As standards of our lives are improved, and a motor vehicle is widely prevalent in our lives, the motor vehicle becomes a necessity in our lives. Accordingly, various studies and researches regarding techniques for motor vehicle theft protection, and for releasing a door and starting the motor vehicle are continuously being conducted. As an example, there are a keyless entry system and a keyless start system.

The keyless entry system indicates that a door lock is unlocked without a control of a key or a remote controller. That is, when a driver carries the key, an electronic authentication controller in a motor vehicle and a key mutually transmit/receive data so that the door lock is unlocked. More specifically, the keyless entry system introduced in the 1980s uses a circuit board, an encoded radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, a battery, and a small antenna. The battery and the small antenna transmit a signal to a motor vehicle separated from the driver.

A selection code set is included in the RFID chip embedded in a remote controller to simultaneously operate with the motor vehicle. When a door unlock button is pressed, the remote controller transmits a code with an instruction to open a door of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle activates the door unlock button to open the door according to the instruction when a receiver, which is simultaneously operated with the door unlock button, normally receives the code, however the motor vehicle does not respond to the instruction when the receiver abnormally receives the code. Since the keyless entry system is convenient and useful for motor vehicle theft protection, customers praise the keyless entry system. However, there is a disadvantage in the keyless entry system in that the driver is always required to carry the key, that is, it is impossible to unlock using the door lock and to open the door when the driver does not carry the key.

The keyless start system has the same disadvantage as the keyless entry system. The keyless start system indicates that a driver is able to drive a motor vehicle by starting, operating, and stopping an engine when the driver is an electronically authorized driver, without inserting or manipulation a key. The driver is able to start, operate, and stop the engine by manually pressing a button or turning a starting switch when the driver is authorized via the keyless entry system. That is, there is a disadvantage in the keyless start system in that the driver is always required to carry the key that can transmit an authentication code for authentication.

To solve the disadvantage, a study for performing the keyless entry system and the keyless start system using a cellular phone, without carrying the key, is recently conducted. The cellular phone is more widely popularized than the motor vehicle, and a tendency to embed Bluetooth technology enabling interactive short-range communications in the cellular phone is expanding.

While studies for partially releasing a door lock, and starting an engine from a remote area using a cellular phone are briskly conducted, studies for a comprehensive system which can start, operate, and stop an engine, and can open/close a door of a motor vehicle are still insufficient. Also, a study for the keyless start system and the keyless entry system which can maintain security of a motor vehicle even when a driver of a motor vehicle is changed to another person, an owner of a cellular phone is changed to another person, e.g. when a cellular phone is stolen, and a cellular phone is exchanged with a new cellular phone, is earnestly required.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Goals

An aspect of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is to provide a smart key system and method for controlling the smart key system which can perform keyless entry and keyless start without a starting key by interoperating with an electronic authentication controller. An aspect of exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provides a smart key system and method for controlling the smart key system which can easily control locking/releasing of a door and starting of an engine using a cellular phone embedded with Bluetooth without carrying a key. An aspect of exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provides a smart key system and method for controlling the smart key system which has high reliability, and is highly secure against motor vehicle theft.

An aspect of exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provides a smart key system and method for controlling the smart key system which can be easily coupled with a motor vehicle since the smart key system is interoperated with an electronic authentication controller by minimally changing a conventional motor vehicle structure.

Technical solutions According to an aspect of the present invention, a mobile terminal, an electronic authentication controller, and a steering lock device are provided. The mobile terminal is embedded with Bluetooth, the electronic authentication controller enables communication with the mobile communication terminal, and the steering lock device includes an actuator which locks/unlocks a steering by moving a lock pin according to a signal of the electronic authentication controller. Accordingly, an owner using an authorized mobile terminal, which can perform keyless entry and keyless start, is able to securely and easily open a door, unlock a steering lock, and start an engine.

Also, according to another aspect of the present invention, an electronic authentication controller in a motor vehicle communicates to authenticate an owner using a mobile terminal embedded with Bluetooth, and a door is open when the mobile terminal enters an area of communication. When a starting switch is manipulated to be in an ACC mode, a signal enabling unlocking of a steering lock is transmitted, and the signal is received to unlock the steering lock. A power is supplied to the ACC mode to convert to the ACC mode, and an ON mode and an engine are started according to the manipulation of the starting switch. Accordingly, the keyless entry and the keyless start can be performed by interoperation with the electronic authentication controller without the starting key. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating application of an actuator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for authenticating according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation concept of a smart key system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a steering lock device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an actuator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating that a steering shaft is locked by a lock pin according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating that a steering shaft is unlocked since a lock pin is receded.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

A smart key system used in the specification of the present invention comprehensively includes the above-described keyless entry and keyless start, and indicates an operation authentication and verification system which authorizes an owner to open a door of a motor vehicle, to start an engine, and to drive the motor vehicle

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described by referring to the accompanying drawings, however the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating application of an actuator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. An electronic authentication controller 30 receives an electrical signal from a mobile terminal 31 or a starting switch 32. The electronic authentication controller used in specification of the present invention indicates all types of devices that can open a door of a motor vehicle or start an engine without using a key of the motor vehicle, specifically, indicates all types of devices which are automatically operated via communication when a driver comes within a predetermined distance of a motor vehicle, or controlled by the driver via a mobile terminal. That is, the electrical signal is generated since the driver manually controls a mobile terminal embedded with Bluetooth. Also, the electrical signal is generated by interoperating with a push button for starting an engine. The mobile terminal 31 is taken as an example for a remote starting in the present embodiment. Also, all types of electronic controllers that are automatically operated via communication by an RPID chip when the driver comes within the predetermined distance of the motor vehicle may be taken as the example of the remote starting. Bluetooth may be embedded in the mobile terminal 31. Bluetooth technology has advantages of robustness, low power, and low cost. Bluetooth wireless technology is a short-range communications technology intended to wirelessly connect and communicate between network access points, e.g. portable devices such as a cellular phone and a portable personal computer, within short ranges of approximately 10 to 100 meters by using a predetermined frequency of 2.4 GHz of the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) open band. Bluetooth adopts a wireless LAN transmission scheme which uses an ISM band at approximately 2.4 GHz. A frequency of approximately 80 MHz width is commonly allocated to the 2.4 GHz ISM band, and the 2.4 GHz ISM band is available and unlicensed in most countries. Bluetooth used in the specification of the present invention may preferably be used with a CDMA scheme.

The starting switch 32 may be a general starting switch, is not limited to the general starting switch, and may be a push button type starting switch.

A control signal is inputted to the electronic authentication controller 30 according to ACC/ON/START modes of the starting switch, thus, an output control signal may differ.

The electronic authentication controller 30 controls starting of an engine 42, locking/releasing of a door 43, and locking/releasing of a steering 44 using an actuator 200, and a sequence of the controlling may be variously configured. As an example, the electronic authentication controller 30 receives a signal from the remote starting controller, i.e. the mobile terminal 31, releases a door 43, receives a signal of the starting switch 32, and locks/unlocks the steering 44 or starts the engine 42. Alternatively, the electronic authentication controller 30 controls locking/releasing of the steering 44 according to ACC/ON/START modes. The starting of the engine 42 may be performed by activating the starting switch 42 via an engine electronic control unit (ECU) 41. Descriptions regarding the actuator 200 will follow later in the specification. An owner authentication process is required to be performed to use the smart key system of the present invention. Immediate and secure authentication with respect to a new owner is required when an owner initially uses the smart key system, or when an owner of a motor vehicle and the mobile terminal 31 are changed.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for authenticating according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in operation SlOO, a mobile terminal embedded with Bluetooth inputs a personal identification number (PIN) code to an electronic authentication controller, the PIN code being initially determined by an owner of a motor vehicle. After the PIN code is inputted to the electronic authentication controller, the mobile terminal and the electronic authentication controller mutually authenticate, a wireless link is established, and the mobile terminal is requested to input the PIN code in operation SIlO.

The electronic authentication controller verifies whether the inputted PIN code is identical to an own PIN code when the owner of the motor vehicle inputs the PIN code in operation S 120. The owner retries to input a PIN code when the inputted PIN code is not identical to the own PIN code, and the wireless link is terminated in operation S 130.

The wireless link is established when the inputted PIN code is identical to the own PIN code in operation S 140, and a link key is generated in operation S 150. The generated wireless link key is transmitted to the mobile terminal, and the authentication is ended after transmitting the link key.

Hereinafter, an operation concept of a smart key system will be described by referring to FIG. 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, when a user carrying a mobile terminal, which is authorized according to predetermined processes, accesses a motor vehicle, an electronic authentication controller responds from a predetermined distance, the mobile terminal and the electronic authentication controller mutually communicate, and a door is released. The user carrying the mobile terminal may open the door using a door handle, and enter the motor vehicle. A starting switch exists in the motor vehicle, the user carrying the mobile terminal changes the starting switch to be in an ACC mode in operation SIl, the electronic authentication controller receives a signal, and a Bluetooth link is verified in operation S 12. When the Bluetooth link is verified, a signal releasing a steering lock is generated in operation S 13, and the steering lock is released in operation S 14. In this instance, when the steering lock is not released, the signal releasing the steering lock is transmitted to an actuator until the steering lock is released. When the steering lock is released, and a power is supplied to the ACC mode to be ACC mode in operation S 15, it is possible to be converted to be in an ON mode by manipulation of the user in operation S 16, and the engine is started by manipulation of the user in operation S 17.

When the user carrying the mobile terminal stops the engine and parks the motor vehicle, the above-described operations are inversely performed in general. When the user carrying the mobile terminal is separated from the motor vehicle and the user carrying the mobile terminal is located away from a short-range communication area, a door lock of the motor vehicle is locked.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a steering lock device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, an ignition lock body 100 includes a shaft receiving unit 120 provided on a lower portion of a main body 110. The shaft receiving unit 120 is doughnut shaped, and a steering shaft 125, being connected with a handle, penetrates the shaft receiving unit 120. An actuator mounting groove 130 is provided on a side of an upper portion of the main body 110 so that an actuator 200 is mounted to the main body 110. A key cylinder receiving groove 140 receiving a cylinder 150 is formed in a direction which faces the actuator mounting groove 130. A key cylinder receiving groove 140 is formed facing the actuator mounting groove 130. The steering shaft 125 includes a locking groove, and is locked/unlocked by a lock pin being moved in the actuator 200. Specifically, the locking groove of the steering shaft 125 is formed on an area of the steering shaft 125 being encircled by the shaft receiving unit 120, and the steering shaft 125 is locked by coupling the lock pin with the locking groove, the lock pin being protruded from the main body 100 toward the shaft receiving unit 120.

A rotor is coupled with the key cylinder receiving groove 140, the rotor is mounted on a key cylinder, and a key is inserted into the key cylinder. In a steering lock device of the present invention, the key cylinder and the rotor are removed, and a protective cover 160 is coupled with the key cylinder receiving groove 140 to protect against interference from an outside. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a cylinder 150 of a simple cylinder shape is inserted into an inside of the key cylinder receiving groove 140, the protective cover 160 is coupled with the key cylinder receiving groove 140, and the key cylinder receiving groove 140 is closed.

The actuator 200 is coupled with the actuator mounting groove 130, and an ignition switch may be coupled with the actuator mounting groove 130 in a motor vehicle to be distributed. When the actuator 200 is needed to be mounted after the motor vehicle is released, the ignition switch is removed, and the actuator 200 is inserted to be coupled.

The actuator 200 will be described in detail by referring to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an actuator 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the actuator 200 is received in a housing 210, and includes a motor 220, a first gear 230, a second gear 240, and a rotation unit 250. A penetration hole 270 is formed on a side of the housing 210. The motor 200 is received in the housing 210 and generates a driving force, the first gear 230 is connected with an axis of the motor 220, the second gear 240 is connected with the first gear 230 and changes a direction of a driving force to a vertical direction, and the rotation unit 250 is connected with the second gear 240.

The first gear 230 and the second gear 240 may be general worm gears that change the driving force to a vertical direction, and transmit the changed driving force. An end of the rotation unit 250 is connected with the second gear 240, and a slit 260 is formed on the other end of the rotation unit 250, the slit 260 being exposed via the penetration hole 270 of the housing 210. The slit 260 may be formed in a rectangular shape or an oval shape so that a major axis and a minor axis are distinguished from each other. The slit 260 is coupled with a cam protrusion 310 to move a lock pin forwards or backwards, which will be described later.

When the motor 220 rotates, the first gear 230 and the second gear 240 rotate, and the rotation unit 250 rotates by a predetermined angle. Accordingly, the slit 260 being formed on the rotation unit 250 rotates by a predetermined angle. When the motor 220 transmits the driving force in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction, the slit 260 rotates in the clockwise direction or in the counterclockwise direction. The motor 220 generates the driving force using a power of the motor vehicle, or using an additional battery. The motor 220 is operated by an electrical signal being transmitted from an outside of the motor vehicle, and an electronic authentication device of the motor vehicle such as a smart key may be taken as an example of the apparatus for initiating the operation. To describe an operation concept of the present invention, FIGS. 6 and 7are provided. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating that a steering shaft is locked by a lock pin according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating that a steering shaft is unlocked since a lock pin is receded. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a lock pin 340 is embedded in a main body 110 of a steering lock device 100, the lock pin 340 being coupled with a locking groove 126 formed on a steering shaft 125. The lock pin 340 is connected with a lock pin stopper 330, and the lock pin stopper 330 is contacted to a cam 320. A spring 350 is mounted in an end of the lock pin stopper 330, thereby transmitting an elastic force. The spring 350 is preferably compressively mounted for its initial establishment location, and it is preferable to maintain the lock pin 340 to be inserted into the locking groove 126 by pushing the lock pin stopper 330 when an actuator 200 is not operated.

When a driver of a motor 220 vehicle is within a predetermined distance, an electrical driving signal of a motor is generated, the generated electrical driving signal is transmitted to the motor 220 of the actuator 200, and the motor 220 receives the generated electrical driving signal to rotate in a single direction as illustrated in FIG. 6. The driving force being generated from the motor 220 rotates a slit 260 in a single direction via a first gear 230 and a second gear 240, and accordingly a cam protrusion 310, which is coupled with the slit 260, is rotated. When the cam protrusion 310 rotates, the cam 320 connected with the cam protrusion 310 rotates.

As a result that the cam 320 rotates, the lock pin stopper 330 horizontally recedes, the lock pin 340 connected with the lock pin stopper 330 recedes, accordingly the lock pin 340 is separated from the locking groove 126 being formed on the steering shaft 125. Therefore, the steering shaft 125 is unlocked, and is able to rotate according to manipulation of a handle of the driver. A reference number 111 indicates a spring supporting wall, and a reference number 311 indicates another cam protrusion being mounted on a key cylinder.

Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the present invention will be described. Initially, a housing 210 is manufactured, the motor 220, the first gear 230, and the second gear 240 are synthesized in an inside of the housing 210, and a rotation unit 250 including the slit 260, is coupled thereon, and the actuator 200 is completed. Next, the key cylinder and an ignition switch are separated from an actuator mounting groove 130 and a key cylinder receiving groove 140. The operation of the separating the key cylinder and the ignition switch is a well-known technique in the field of the art, for example, a key is inserted into a key groove to turn the inserted key to an ACC mode, and a protrusion of the key cylinder is pressed, subsequently the key cylinder and the ignition switch may be separated from an ignition lock body.

Next, the actuator 200 is inserted to be coupled with the actuator mounting hole 130 where an ignition switch exists. In this instance, the slit 260 of the actuator 200 is coupled with the cam protrusion 310. Also, a cylinder 150 is inserted to the key cylinder receiving groove 140 where the key cylinder exists, and the key cylinder receiving groove 140 is closed by coupling a protective cover 160.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Instead, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Industrial Applicability

As illustrated in above, according to the present invention, there is provided a steering lock device which can be operated without an ignition key by interoperating with an electronic authentication controller, such as a smart key for a motor vehicle structure.

As illustrated above, according to the above-described exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to lock/unlock a steering by interoperating with an electronic authentication controller since a structural change from a conventional motor vehicle structure is minimized. Also, coupling/decoupling is simple, there is no need to carry a starting key, and improved security against motor vehicle theft may be provided.

Also, according to the above-described exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to perform keyless entry and keyless start without carrying a starting key by interoperating with an electronic authentication controller such as a smart key. Also, according to the above-described exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to simply couple/decouple the steering lock device after being released to market since a structural change from a conventional motor vehicle structure is minimized.

Also, according to the above-described exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily open a door of a motor vehicle and drive the motor vehicle using a mobile terminal embedded with Bluetooth without carrying a starting key.

Also, according to the above-described exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve security against motor vehicle theft since a conventional mechanical steering lock device is interoperated with an electronic authentication controller, and is switched using a simple method.

Claims

1. A smart key system for a motor vehicle having a starting switch, comprising: a mobile communication terminal embedded with Bluetooth; an electronic authentication controller enabling communication with the mobile communication terminal; and a steering lock device having an actuator, and locking/releasing a steering by moving a lock pin according to a signal of the electronic authentication controller, wherein the actuator includes a housing, a motor being mounted in the housing and generating a driving force, a gear unit transmitting the driving force of the motor, and a rotation unit, an end of the rotation unit is coupled with the gear unit, and a slit formed on another end of the rotation unit is coupled with a cam protrusion capable of moving the lock pin.

2. The smart key system of claim 1, wherein the electronic authentication controller performs locking/releasing with respect to the steering by controlling the actuator according to ACC/ON/START modes of the starting switch, and starts an engine by controlling an electronic control unit (ECU).

3. A method for controlling a smart key, comprising: communicating to authenticate using the mobile terminal embedded with Bluetooth by an electronic authentication controller in a vehicle; opening a door when the mobile terminal enters an area of communication; transmitting a signal enabling an unlocking of a steering lock when a starting switch is manipulated to be in an ACC mode; receiving the signal to unlock the steering lock; and supplying the ACC mode with a power to convert to the ACC mode.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the authenticating using the mobile communication terminal embedded with Bluetooth by an electronic authentication controller comprises: establishing a secret number in the electronic authentication controller; requesting an input of the secret number to establish a wireless link; and generating a link key of the electronic authentication controller when the inputted secret number is identical with a predetermined secret number after the inputted secret number is compared with the predetermined secret number, and transmitting the generated link key to the mobile communication terminal.