JP2009272993A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system that recognizes the position relation between a portable device and a vehicle in a wider place. <P>SOLUTION: The communication system (1) includes the portable device (10) carried by a user and on-vehicle device (30) mounted on a vehicle (20) corresponding to the portable device and allows the portable device and on-vehicle device to communicate with each other to transmit and receive information. The communication system recognizes the position relation between the portable device and the vehicle corresponding to the portable device through direct communication between the portable device and on-vehicle device and communication between the portable device and on-vehicle device through a relay vehicle present at a periphery of the portable device and on-vehicle device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system in which a portable device and an in-vehicle device perform wireless communication via another vehicle as necessary and transmit / receive information.

  Conventionally, an invention has been disclosed regarding a remote operation system in which an instruction signal is transmitted from an operation terminal operated by a user to a vehicle side via an information center, and the vehicle performs various controls performed before the user gets into the vehicle. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Various controls performed before the user gets into the vehicle include car finder control that makes a sound from the vehicle and discovers the vehicle, and the air conditioner is activated in advance before the user gets into the vehicle to create a comfortable environment. Examples include pre-air conditioning control and warm-up operation control.

Further, Patent Document 1 describes that, in order to ensure security, the operator's authentication is not required only when the operation terminal is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle. In order to calculate the distance between the operation terminal and the vehicle, it is described that both the operation terminal and the vehicle are equipped with a GPS receiver, and the positional relationship is determined in the information center.
JP 2007-280110 A

  However, in the configuration in which the operation terminal includes a GPS receiver, the operation terminal or the vehicle is present at a position where it is impossible or difficult to receive radio waves from the satellite (such as in a building, under an overpass, or in a valley of a high-rise building). In this case, the positional relationship between the operation terminal and the vehicle cannot be detected. Moreover, the cost and weight of a portable device increase by providing a GPS receiver.

  The present invention is for solving such problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of recognizing the positional relationship between a portable device and a vehicle in a wider range.

In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides:
A communication system having a portable device carried by a user and an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle corresponding to the portable device, wherein the portable device communicates with the in-vehicle device to transmit / receive information,
Through the direct communication between the portable device and the in-vehicle device, and through the communication between the portable device and the in-vehicle device via a relay vehicle existing around the portable device and the in-vehicle device, the portable device and the portable device. Recognize the position of the corresponding vehicle,
It is a communication system.

  According to this aspect of the present invention, the positional relationship between the portable device and the vehicle can be recognized even in a place where GPS does not function. Therefore, the positional relationship between the portable device and the vehicle can be recognized in a wider area.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
The relay vehicle is, for example, a stopped vehicle that can directly communicate with at least one of the portable device and the in-vehicle device, and a stopped vehicle that can directly communicate with the relay vehicle.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
The positional relationship between the portable device and the vehicle corresponding to the portable device may be recognized based on a propagation time of a carrier in wireless communication.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
Based on the estimated positional change between the portable device and the vehicle corresponding to the portable device, the arrival time until the portable device reaches the in-vehicle device, or the arrival time when the portable device reaches the in-vehicle device May be calculated.

in this case,
A predetermined pre-boarding control may be performed based on the calculated arrival time or arrival time.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
A predetermined pre-boarding control may be performed based on the recognized positional relationship between the portable device and the vehicle corresponding to the portable device.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
Recognizing the positional relationship between the vehicle corresponding to the portable device and the relay vehicle through direct communication between the portable device and the vehicle-mounted device and / or communication between the portable device and the vehicle-mounted device via the relay vehicle. ,
Based on the estimated change in the positional relationship between the vehicle corresponding to the portable device and the relay vehicle, it may be determined whether or not the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device is mounted is moving.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the communication system which can recognize the positional relationship of a portable machine and a vehicle in a wider place can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration example of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1 includes a portable device 10 that is carried by a user and an in-vehicle device 30 that is mounted on a vehicle 20 corresponding to the portable device 10. Here, “corresponding” means that one vehicle corresponds to one or a plurality of portable devices, for example, the portable device 10 is an electronic key given to the owner of the vehicle 20. To do.

  The portable device 10 functions as an electronic key, for example, and includes a portable device side communication device 12, a memory 14, and a control device 16. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and a user-owned mobile phone or the like may be used.

  The portable device side communication device 12 is a device for performing wireless communication with the vehicle side communication device 32 included in the in-vehicle device 30. The wireless communication between the portable device side communication device 12 and the vehicle side communication device 32 is performed using, for example, a frequency band of 5.8 GHz used in DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication). Further, the present invention is not limited thereto, and wireless communication may be performed using a beacon, an infrared ray, a laser, or the like, or wireless communication may be performed using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or other short-range wireless communication methods.

  The memory 14 is a flash memory, for example, and stores a user ID. The control device 16 is, for example, a microcomputer, and controls the portable device side communication device 12 for constructing a network described later with the in-vehicle device 30.

  The in-vehicle device 30 includes, for example, a vehicle side communication device 32 and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 34. The ECU 34 is, for example, a microcomputer in which a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like are connected to each other via a bus with a central processing unit (CPU) as a center. A storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive, a CD (Compact Disc) drive, and a flash memory, an I / O port, a timer, a counter, and the like are provided. The ROM stores programs and data executed by the CPU.

  Moreover, ECU34 is connected to other ECU which controls an air conditioner, an engine, etc., and can transmit an instruction | indication signal to these.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of the flow of processing executed by the communication system 1. This flow is started when the vehicle 20 is parked (specifically, when, for example, the main power supply of the vehicle is turned off), and exists in the portable device 10, the in-vehicle device 30, and their surroundings. It is executed by the relay vehicle.

  First, a network is constructed by the portable device 10, the in-vehicle device 30, and the relay vehicle (S100).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing the construction of such a network. The portable device 10 and the in-vehicle device 30 first make a wireless call to a parked vehicle (which may include a stopped vehicle) existing in the communicable area, search for a vehicle that can be a relay vehicle, and establish a wireless communication facility. The provided parked vehicle or stopped vehicle is selected as a relay vehicle. The wireless communication between the portable device 10 or the vehicle-mounted device 30 and the parked vehicle is performed, for example, by the same method as the wireless communication between the portable device 10 and the vehicle-mounted device 30 described above.

  The selected relay vehicle further calls the parked vehicle existing in its communicable area by radio, and selects another vehicle as the relay vehicle.

  When a plurality of vehicles are selected as relay vehicles in this way, the in-vehicle device 30 counts the number of paths (communication paths) from the portable device 10 to the in-vehicle device 30, and when the number of paths reaches a predetermined number or more. The instruction signal is transmitted to the portable device 10 and the relay vehicle so as to stop further relay vehicle search.

  At this time, the user ID stored in the portable device 10 is transmitted to the relay vehicle, and the relay vehicle transfers this to the transmission destination. The in-vehicle device 30 collates the user ID held by itself with the user ID received from the relay vehicle, and if they match, the path is authorized.

  When the network is constructed, the positional relationship between the portable device 10 and the vehicle 20 and the positional relationship between the portable device 10 and the vehicle 20 with respect to the relay vehicle are recognized (S102).

  Recognition of the positional relationship is based on the principle of triangulation by estimating the distance between each based on the propagation time for wireless communication, for example (distance is obtained by multiplying the propagation speed of the carrier such as radio waves by the propagation time). Based on. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how the positional relationship is recognized by such a method. As shown in the figure, assuming that the distance between the portable device 10 and the vehicle 20 is α, the distance between the portable device 10 and the relay vehicle is β, and the distance between the vehicle 20 and the relay vehicle is γ, the radius β around the portable device 10 is The intersection of the circle and the circle of radius γ centered on the vehicle 20 is the position of the relay vehicle. The positions of the portable device 10 and the relay vehicle are expressed as coordinates on a virtual two-dimensional plane with the vehicle 20 as a reference point, for example.

  By such a method, it is possible to recognize the positional relationship between the portable device 10, the vehicle 20, and the relay vehicle even in a place where GPS (Global Positioning System) does not function. Moreover, since it is not necessary for the portable device 10 to include a GPS receiver, an increase in weight and cost can be suppressed.

  The propagation time related to wireless communication can be calculated, for example, by transmitting a signal including a transmission time and comparing the reception time and the transmission time on the reception side. In order to improve the accuracy of such calculations, it is preferable to perform time adjustment processing in the portable device 10, the in-vehicle device 30, and the relay vehicle that configure the network at the time of network construction.

  Note that the calculation of the distance between them and the recognition of the positional relationship using the distance may be performed by the in-vehicle device 30 or may be performed by the relay vehicle. In the former case, the propagation time (or a pair of transmission time and reception time) of each section from the portable device 10 to the in-vehicle device 30 is transmitted from each relay vehicle to the in-vehicle device 30, and the in-vehicle device 30 performs unified arithmetic processing. Will be done. These recognitions can also be performed in the portable device 10.

  Further, the position of the vehicle 20 or the relay vehicle may be recognized on the basis of absolute coordinates specified by the GPS of each vehicle. In this case, for example, when information is transmitted from the portable device 10 to the vehicle 20 via the relay vehicle, the absolute coordinates of each relay vehicle and the absolute coordinates of the portable device 10 recognized based on these are transmitted to the vehicle 20. Good thing.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the positional relationship between the portable device 10 and the vehicle 20 has changed (S104). If the positional relationship between the portable device 10 and the vehicle 20 has not changed, the process of S102 is performed again.

  When the positional relationship between the portable device 10 and the vehicle 20 changes, it is determined which of the portable device 10 and the vehicle 20 is moving (S106). This determination is made based on changes in the positional relationship between the mobile device 10 and the vehicle 20 and the relay vehicle. That is, if the portable device 10 is moving relative to the relay vehicle, it can be determined that the portable device 10 is moving, and if the vehicle 20 is moving relative to the relay vehicle, the vehicle 20 is moving. I can judge. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing how such a determination is made.

  If it is determined that the vehicle 20 is moving, the vehicle 20 is moving although the portable device 10 is outside the vehicle 20, that is, the vehicle may be stolen. The fact is transmitted to the machine 10 (S108). In addition, the position information of the vehicle 20 may be transmitted to the portable device 10 or information may be transmitted to an off-vehicle facility for theft monitoring using an in-vehicle internet facility or the like. In addition, although it is assumed that it is determined that both the vehicle 20 and the portable device 10 are moving, in this case, the process of this step is performed with priority.

  By such control, illegal movement of the vehicle 20 due to vehicle theft or the like can be monitored, and a warning or the like can be given to the user.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the portable device 10 is moving, the distance from the portable device 10 to the vehicle 20 is divided by the relative movement speed of the portable device 10 (relative position change per time), and the portable device 10 An arrival time (or arrival time) until the vehicle 20 is reached is calculated (S110).

  Then, at a timing when the arrival time is within a predetermined time (for example, about several tens [seconds] to several [minutes]), before the user gets into the vehicle, the air conditioner is activated in advance to create a comfortable environment. Pre-boarding control such as air-conditioning control and warm-up operation control is performed (S112, S114). Moreover, you may perform car finder control etc. which make a sound from a vehicle and discover a vehicle not only in these. When the arrival time is calculated in S110, predetermined pre-boarding control is performed at a timing when the difference between the arrival time and the current time is within a predetermined time. These controls are performed when the ECU 34 instructs other ECUs or the like as described above.

  With such control, it is possible to estimate the timing at which the user gets into the vehicle, and to make the temperature and humidity in the passenger compartment, the state of the engine, etc. just right in accordance with the timing. Further, since no user operation is required to start such control, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling troublesome about the operation.

  Although the control example in which the arrival time or the arrival time is calculated to estimate the timing at which the user gets into the vehicle has been shown, predetermined pre-boarding control is simply performed when the portable device 10 is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 20. Simple control may be performed.

  According to the communication system 1 of the present embodiment described above, the positional relationship among the portable device 10, the vehicle 20, and the relay vehicle can be recognized even in a place where GPS does not function. Therefore, the positional relationship between the portable device and the vehicle can be recognized in a wider area.

  In addition, the timing when the user gets into the vehicle can be estimated, and the temperature and humidity in the passenger compartment, the state of the engine, and the like can be made to be in good condition in accordance with the timing. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling troublesome about the operation.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. And substitutions can be added.

  For example, although described as recognizing each distance, and thus the positional relationship, based on the propagation time of the carrier in wireless communication, the vehicle 20 or the relay vehicle is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, being plug-in charging, etc. When the position of each vehicle can be recognized as the position of the plug-in facility, it is not necessary to recognize the positional relationship between the vehicles based on the propagation time of the carrier. In this case, communication between vehicles is not limited to wireless communication, and a priority communication network provided in a plug-in facility may be used.

  Moreover, you may apply the communication system of this invention to the empty space detection system in a parking lot. Specifically, the positional relationship between the parked vehicles is recognized based on the same principle as that of the present invention, and the vehicle that has moved relative to the other parked vehicles is recognized as being out. And the parking space after leaving is recognized as an empty space, and the position is transmitted to the vehicle which is going to enter the parking lot. In this case, when transmitting empty space information to a vehicle that is about to enter the parking lot, a transmission / reception facility on the parking lot side may be interposed.

  The present invention can be used in the automobile manufacturing industry, the automobile parts manufacturing industry, and the like.

It is a figure which shows notionally the structural example of the communication system 1 which concerns on one Example of this invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of a flow of processing executed by the communication system 1; It is a figure which shows notionally the construction of the network based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that a positional relationship is recognized based on the principle of triangulation. It is a figure which shows typically a mode that it determines which of the portable device 10 or the vehicle 20 is moving.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication system 10 Portable machine 12 Portable machine side communication apparatus 14 Memory 16 Control apparatus 20 Vehicle 30 Vehicle-mounted apparatus 32 Vehicle side communication apparatus 34 ECU

Claims (7)

A communication system having a portable device carried by a user and an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle corresponding to the portable device, wherein the portable device communicates with the in-vehicle device to transmit / receive information,
Through the direct communication between the portable device and the in-vehicle device, and through the communication between the portable device and the in-vehicle device via a relay vehicle existing around the portable device and the in-vehicle device, the portable device and the portable device. Recognize the position of the corresponding vehicle,
Communications system. The relay vehicle is a stopped vehicle capable of directly communicating with at least one of the portable device and the in-vehicle device, and a stopped vehicle capable of directly communicating with the relay vehicle.
The communication system according to claim 1. Recognizing a positional relationship between the portable device and the vehicle corresponding to the portable device based on a propagation time of a carrier in wireless communication;
The communication system according to claim 1 or 2. Based on the change in the positional relationship between the recognized portable device and the vehicle corresponding to the portable device, the arrival time until the portable device reaches the in-vehicle device, or the arrival time when the portable device reaches the in-vehicle device To calculate,
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The communication system according to claim 4, wherein predetermined pre-boarding control is performed based on the calculated arrival time or arrival time.   The communication system according to claim 1, wherein predetermined pre-boarding control is performed based on the recognized positional relationship between the portable device and the vehicle corresponding to the portable device. Recognizing the positional relationship between the vehicle corresponding to the portable device and the relay vehicle through direct communication between the portable device and the vehicle-mounted device and / or communication between the portable device and the vehicle-mounted device via the relay vehicle. ,
Based on a change in the positional relationship between the vehicle corresponding to the estimated portable device and the relay vehicle, it is determined whether or not the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device is mounted is moving.
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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