COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE, AND VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20170144630A1
• Filed: 01/29/2015
• Published: 05/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: KATOU, Kenji, MATSUMOTO, Munenori
• Granted Patent: US 9,855,917 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/23 using manual input of alphanumerical codes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00555 comprising means to detect or avoid relay attacks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A communication apparatus for communicating with both of a vehicle control device, which performs vehicle control preliminary set in a vehicle when authentication with an authentication device carried by a user is successful, and a portable device, which functions as the authentication device, the communication apparatus also functioning as the authentication device, the communication apparatus includes: a to-portable-device communicator that performs wireless communication with the portable device when performing authentication with the vehicle control device; and an authenticator that performs authentication with the vehicle control device when wireless communication with the portable device is established.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus for communicating with both of a vehicle control device, which performs vehicle control preliminary set in a vehicle when authentication with an authentication device carried by a user is successful, and a portable device, which functions as the authentication device, the communication apparatus also functioning as the authentication device, the communication apparatus comprising:

a to-portable-device communicator that performs wireless communication with the portable device when performing authentication with the vehicle control device;

an authenticator that performs authentication with the vehicle control device when wireless communication with the portable device is established; and

a communication distance setting device that communicates with another communication apparatus in a facility, and sets a communicable distance according to the facility.

2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the to-portable-device communicator performs wireless communication with the portable device to acquire authentication information required for authentication with the vehicle control device from the portable device; and

the authenticator performs authentication with the vehicle control device using the authentication information acquired from the portable device.

3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a communication information exchanger that exchanges communication information for performing communication with the portable device using a first communication method that enables communication by bringing the portable device closer to the communication apparatus.

4. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a start signal acquirer that acquires a start signal indicating start of authentication with the vehicle control device using a second communication method, wherein;

the to-portable-device communicator performs wireless communication with the portable device using a third communication method different from the second communication method when receiving the start signal.

5. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

the to-portable-device communicator transmits the start signal to the portable device.

6. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

the communication apparatus uses low frequency communication as the second communication method, and uses radio frequency communication as the third communication method.

7. A vehicle control device that performs vehicle control preliminary set in a vehicle when authentication with an authentication device carried by a user is successful, and communicates with a communication apparatus as the authentication device, the vehicle control device comprising:

a communication monitor that monitors a communication state with the communication apparatus; and

a control inhibitor that inhibits continuation of the vehicle control when communication with the communication apparatus is interrupted, wherein;

the communication apparatus communicates with both of a vehicle control device, which performs vehicle control preliminary set in a vehicle when authentication with an authentication device carried by a user is successful, and a portable device, which functions as the authentication device;

the communication apparatus also functions as the authentication device;

the communication apparatus includes;

a to-portable-device communicator that performs wireless communication with the portable device when performing authentication with the vehicle control device; and

an authenticator that performs authentication with the vehicle control device when wireless communication with the portable device is established.

8. (canceled)

9. A vehicle control system comprising:

a vehicle control device that performs vehicle control preliminary set in a vehicle when authentication with an authentication device carried by a user is successful;

a portable device that functions as the authentication device; and

a communication apparatus that communicates with both the vehicle control device and the portable device, wherein;

the communication apparatus communicates with both of a vehicle control device, which performs vehicle control preliminary set in a vehicle when authentication with an authentication device carried by a user is successful, and a portable device, which functions as the authentication device;

the communication apparatus also functions as the authentication device;

the communication apparatus includes;

a to-portable-device communicator that performs wireless communication with the portable device when performing authentication with the vehicle control device;

an authenticator that performs authentication with the vehicle control device when wireless communication with the portable device is established; and

a communication distance setting device that communicates with another communication apparatus in a facility, and sets a communicable distance according to the facility;

the vehicle control device performs vehicle control preliminary set in a vehicle when authentication with an authentication device carried by a user is successful, and communicates with the communication apparatus as the authentication device; and

the vehicle control device includes;

a communication monitor that monitors a communication state with the communication apparatus; and

a control inhibitor that inhibits continuation of the vehicle control when communication with the communication apparatus is interrupted.