JP2010281614A - Parking position search system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a parking position search system capable of recognizing a vehicle direction. <P>SOLUTION: In the parking position search system, a portable electronic key 1 includes: a search start button 11; a radio ID transmission part 12 for transmitting a radio signal containing an ID identifiable between the key and the vehicle 2, while the search start button 11 is in an on-state; a directional ultrasonic sensor 13 which receives a response signal; and a reception level notification part 14 for notifying a searching person of a reception level. The directional ultrasonic sensor 13 has directivity to receive the response signal with a maximum reception level when the response signal is received with the sensor directed in the direction of the vehicle 2. The vehicle 2 is provided with a radio receiving part 21 for receiving the radio signal, an ID determination part 22 for determining whether or not the received radio signal contains an ID identifiable between the vehicle and the portable electronic key 1; and an ultrasonic transmission part 23 for transmitting a response signal when it is determined that an identifiable ID is contained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a parking position search system for searching for a parking position of a vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an in-vehicle electronic key system that searches for the position of a vehicle using an electronic key of the vehicle. For example, when searching for the direction of the host vehicle in a parking lot, the searcher presses the switch of the electronic key and transmits a radio signal including the ID of the host vehicle. On the vehicle side, after receiving the radio signal, a response radio signal is transmitted. The electronic key receives a radio signal from the vehicle with a directional antenna and displays the intensity of the received signal on the electronic key. The searcher can recognize the direction of the host vehicle by checking the strength of the received signal. Such a direction search system is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

JP 2008-256640 A

  However, according to the above conventional technique, there is a problem that the searcher cannot intuitively recognize the direction because the directivity of the antenna provided in the electronic key is not the antenna axial direction but the vertical direction of the antenna axis. . In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to easily increase the directivity of the antenna.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to obtain a parking position search system in which a searcher can intuitively recognize a vehicle direction.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a parking position search system that enables wireless communication between an electronic key and a vehicle, and the electronic key searches for the parking direction of the vehicle. The electronic key includes a search start switch that controls start and stop of search, and a wireless ID transmission unit that transmits a wireless signal including an ID that can be identified with the vehicle while the search start switch is ON. A response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal to the radio signal; and a reception level notifying means for notifying a searcher of the reception level of the response signal. When the response signal is received toward the receiver, the response signal is received at the maximum reception level, and the vehicle can be identified between the wireless reception means for receiving the wireless signal and the electronic key to the received wireless signal. An ID determination unit that determines whether or not an ID is included, and a signal transmission unit that transmits a response signal when it is determined that an ID that can be identified with the electronic key is included. It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that the searcher can intuitively recognize the vehicle direction.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a parking position search system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a parking position search system. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method for measuring the distance between the portable electronic key and the vehicle. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the portable electronic key. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the portable electronic key.

  Embodiments of a parking position search system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a parking position search system according to the present embodiment. The parking position search system includes a portable electronic key 1 and a vehicle 2.

  The portable electronic key 1 includes a search start button 11, a wireless ID transmission unit 12, a directional ultrasonic sensor 13, and a reception level notification unit 14. The search start button 11 is a button that the searcher presses when searching for the parking position of the vehicle 2. When the search start button 11 is pressed, the wireless ID transmission unit 12 transmits a wireless signal including a vehicle key ID that can be identified between the portable electronic key 1 and the vehicle 2. The directional ultrasonic sensor 13 is a highly directional sensor that receives an ultrasonic signal transmitted from the vehicle 2. The reception level notification unit 14 notifies the searcher of the reception level of the received ultrasonic signal.

  The vehicle 2 includes a wireless reception unit 21, an ID determination unit 22, and an ultrasonic transmission unit 23. The wireless reception unit 21 receives a wireless signal from the portable electronic key 1. The ID determination unit 22 determines whether or not the own vehicle key ID included in the wireless signal can be identified by the own vehicle. The ultrasonic transmission unit 23 transmits an ultrasonic signal when receiving a vehicle key ID that can be identified by the vehicle.

  Next, a method for searching for the parking position of the vehicle 2 will be described. When searching for the parking position of the vehicle 2 in a parking lot or the like, when the searcher turns on the search start button 11 of the portable electronic key 1, the portable electronic key 1 transmits a wireless signal including the own vehicle key ID to the wireless ID transmission unit 12. Send from. At this time, the wireless ID transmission unit 12 continues to transmit the wireless signal while the search start button 11 is ON.

  The vehicle 2 is in a state in which the wireless reception unit 21 can receive a wireless signal constantly or intermittently. When the wireless signal is received, the own vehicle key ID included in the wireless signal is identified by the own vehicle in the ID determination unit 22. It is determined whether the vehicle key ID is possible. If the vehicle key ID is not identifiable, the vehicle 2 ends the process. In the case of an identifiable vehicle key ID, in the vehicle 2, the ultrasonic transmission unit 23 transmits an ultrasonic signal based on an instruction from the ID determination unit 22. The ultrasonic transmission unit 23 transmits an ultrasonic signal to all 360 ° directions of the vehicle 2. At this time, the ultrasonic transmission unit 23 continues to transmit the ultrasonic signal while receiving the wireless signal including the own vehicle key ID that can be identified by the own vehicle.

  The portable electronic key 1 receives the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the vehicle 2 with the directional ultrasonic sensor 13, and the reception level notification unit 14 notifies the searcher of the reception level of the ultrasonic signal. At this time, the searcher changes the direction of the portable electronic key 1 and confirms the direction in which the reception level notified to the reception level notification unit 14 is maximum. Since the portable electronic key 1 uses the directional ultrasonic sensor 13, the reception level is easily changed by changing the direction of the portable electronic key 1. Therefore, the searcher can identify the direction from which the ultrasonic signal is transmitted (the direction in which the vehicle 2 is parked) by finding the direction in which the reception level is maximum. The searcher can find the vehicle 2 by proceeding in the direction in which the reception level is maximum, and further by repeatedly specifying the direction.

  In the parking position search system, not only the direction of the vehicle 2 but also the distance to the vehicle 2 can be measured and notified to the searcher. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a parking position search system. The parking position search system includes a portable electronic key 1 a and a vehicle 2.

  The portable electronic key 1 a includes a search start button 11, a wireless ID transmission unit 12 a, a directional ultrasonic sensor 13, a reception level notification unit 14, and a distance notification unit 15. When the search start button 11 is pressed, the wireless ID transmission unit 12a transmits a wireless signal including the vehicle key ID. Further, the wireless communication device notifies the distance notification unit 15 of the transmission timing of the radio signal. The distance notification unit 15 measures and notifies the distance to the vehicle 2 based on the timing at which the directional ultrasonic sensor 13 receives the ultrasonic signal and the transmission timing of the wireless signal from the wireless ID transmission unit 12a.

  Next, a method for searching for the parking position of the vehicle 2 when the portable electronic key 1a is used will be described. In the portable electronic key 1a, when the wireless ID transmission unit 12a transmits a wireless signal, the transmission timing is notified to the distance measurement unit 15. When the directional ultrasonic sensor 13 receives an ultrasonic signal from the vehicle 2, the distance notification unit 15 measures the time elapsed from the transmission timing of the wireless signal, calculates the distance from the vehicle 2, and notifies it. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method for measuring the distance between the portable electronic key 1a and the vehicle 2. As shown in FIG. The time interval from when the search start button 11 is turned ON and the wireless ID transmitter 12a transmits a wireless signal until the ultrasonic signal transmitted by the vehicle 2 is received depends on the distance between the portable electronic key 1a and the vehicle 2. Different. The portable electronic key 1a can determine the distance between the portable electronic key 1a and the vehicle 2 by measuring this time interval. Since the radio signal is the speed of light and the ultrasonic signal is the speed of sound, the time interval from when the portable electronic key 1a transmits the radio signal to when the vehicle 2 transmits the ultrasonic signal can be considered constant.

  Here, specific examples of the reception level notification unit 14 and the distance notification unit 15 will be described. First, a case where an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is used will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the portable electronic key. Here, a front view and a top view (including a partial cross-sectional view) are shown. The portable electronic key 1b includes a directional ultrasonic sensor 13 inside via a horn-type lead-in portion 16, and includes a search start button 11 and an LED portion 17 on the surface portion. The LED unit 17 is an example of a specific configuration of the reception level notification unit 14 and the distance notification unit 15. As shown in the notification example, by using three LED elements and increasing the number of LED elements that emit light as the reception level increases, it is possible to notify the searcher of the reception level state. In addition, the distance to the vehicle 2 can be notified by changing the number of blinks per hour and increasing the number of blinks as it is closer. The notification method is not limited to this, and the distance to the vehicle 2 may be notified by the number of LED elements, and the reception level may be notified by the number of blinks. Further, if only one piece of information is notified, it is possible to notify the number of blinks using only one LED element.

  Next, a case where a speaker is used will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the portable electronic key. Similarly, a front view and a top view (including a partial cross-sectional view) are shown. The portable electronic key 1c includes a directional ultrasonic sensor 13 inside via a horn-shaped lead-in portion 16, and includes a search start button 11 and a speaker portion 18 on the surface portion. The speaker unit 18 is an example of a specific configuration of the reception level notification unit 14 and the distance notification unit 15. As shown in the notification example, the searcher can be notified of the reception level state by outputting a stronger sound as the reception level is higher. In addition, the distance from the vehicle 2 can be notified by changing the pitch of the sound and outputting a higher sound as it is closer. The notification method is not limited to this, and the distance may be notified by the pitch of the sound and the reception level may be notified by the strength of the sound. In addition to the strength of the sound and the pitch of the sound, the information can be notified by the sound interval.

  As specific examples of the reception level notification unit 14 and the distance notification unit 15, the LED and the speaker have been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Other configurations can be used, and an LED and a speaker can be used in combination.

  Moreover, the portable electronic keys 1b and 1c can easily improve the directivity of the directional ultrasonic sensor 13 by including the horn-type lead-in portion 16 shown in FIGS. In this case, the directional ultrasonic sensor 13 needs to be disposed inside the portable electronic keys 1b and 1c.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when searching for the position of a vehicle, the portable electronic key carried by the searcher receives a signal from the vehicle with a highly directional sensor, and the reception level of the signal. Based on this, it was decided that the direction of the vehicle could be specified. Thereby, since the direction of the sensor in which the reception level becomes high matches the position of the vehicle, the searcher can intuitively recognize the direction of the vehicle. Further, when a sensor with high directivity is arranged on the portable electronic key, the directivity can be easily improved by arranging a horn-shaped lead-in part at the front part of the sensor.

  In addition, although the case where it was an ultrasonic signal as a signal transmitted to a portable electronic key from a vehicle was demonstrated, it is not limited to this. For example, an infrared signal can be used.

  As described above, the parking position search system according to the present invention is useful for an in-vehicle electronic key system, and is particularly suitable for searching for the position of a vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b, 1c Portable electronic key 2 Vehicle 11 Search start button 12, 12a Wireless ID transmission part 13 Directional ultrasonic sensor 14 Reception level notification part 15 Distance notification part 16 Horn type drawing part 17 LED part 18 Speaker part 21 Wireless reception unit 22 ID determination unit 23 Ultrasonic transmission unit

Claims (9)

A parking position search system that enables wireless communication between an electronic key and a vehicle, and the electronic key searches for a parking direction of the vehicle,
The electronic key is
A search start switch for controlling the start and stop of the search;
Wireless ID transmission means for transmitting a wireless signal including an ID that can be identified with the vehicle while the search start switch is ON,
Response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal to the radio signal;
A reception level notification means for notifying the searcher of the reception level of the response signal;
With
The response signal receiving means has directivity, and receives the response signal at the maximum reception level when receiving the response signal toward the vehicle direction,
The vehicle is
Wireless receiving means for receiving wireless signals;
ID determination means for determining whether or not an ID that can be identified with the electronic key is included in the received wireless signal;
A signal transmission means for transmitting a response signal when it is determined that an ID that can be identified with the electronic key is included;
A parking position search system comprising:   The parking position search system according to claim 1, wherein the notification by the reception level notification means is performed using an LED.   The parking position search system according to claim 1, wherein the notification by the reception level notification means is performed using a speaker. The electronic key further includes:
Obtaining the transmission timing of the radio signal from the radio ID transmission means, obtaining the reception timing of the response signal from the response signal receiving means, calculating the distance from the vehicle from the difference between two timings, and notifying the searcher Distance notification means,
The parking position search system according to claim 1, 2, or 3.   The parking position search system according to claim 4, wherein the notification by the distance notification means is performed using an LED.   The parking position search system according to claim 4, wherein the notification by the distance notification means is performed using a speaker.   The parking position search system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the response signal is an ultrasonic signal.   The parking position search system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the response signal is an infrared signal.   9. The electronic key according to claim 1, wherein the electronic key has a horn-type lead-in structure that draws a response signal into the response signal transmission unit between an outer portion of the electronic key and the response signal transmission unit. The parking position search system according to any one of the above.

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