JP2016056598A - Portable machine and vehicle communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable machine, while capable of improving the functionality, capable of achieving the same or longer battery life compared to a configuration with unimproved functionality, and a vehicle communication system with such a portable machine.SOLUTION: A portable machine performs communication by using a vehicle communication apparatus mounted on a vehicle for remote control of equipment of the vehicle and electric waves. The portable machine includes a first communication part for receiving a signal of a first frequency, a second communication part for transmitting and receiving a signal of a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and a control part for activating the first communication part when the second communication part communicates with the vehicle communication apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable device and a vehicle communication system that perform communication using radio waves to remotely control equipment of a vehicle.

  There is a vehicle communication system in which a portable device and a vehicle communication device communicate with each other using radio waves in order to remotely control the equipment of the vehicle. As a vehicle communication system, there are a keyless entry system and a smart entry system. In the keyless entry system, the user can unlock or lock the vehicle by pressing the operation unit of the portable device. In the smart entry system, the user who has the portable device approaches the vehicle or touches the door knob to unlock the door or to operate the engine start button.

  Conventionally, a proposal has been made to increase the functionality of a portable device by mounting a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit on the portable device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 proposes to solve the problem that a Bluetooth communication unit is always connected to a vehicle communication device and wasteful power consumption occurs.

Japanese Patent No. 5152010

  The portable device operates on battery power. In addition, the capacity of a battery mounted on a portable device is relatively small due to demand for weight reduction. Therefore, if the power consumption of the portable device increases even a little, the battery life is shortened, which is not preferable.

  In the portable device of Patent Document 1, a communication unit that receives a long-wave band signal that a conventional general vehicle communication system has always operates. And the Bluetooth communication unit operates only when necessary. For this reason, the power of the portable device is increased by the amount of operation of Bluetooth compared to a general portable device not equipped with Bluetooth. That is, the power consumption is increased and the battery life is shortened as compared with a portable device without Bluetooth.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a portable device capable of achieving higher functionality but having a battery life equal to or higher than that of a configuration that does not have higher functionality, and a vehicle communication system having such a portable device. .

  A portable device according to an aspect of the present invention is a portable device that communicates with a vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle using radio waves in order to remotely control the equipment of the vehicle, and receives a first frequency signal. One communication unit, a second communication unit that transmits and receives a signal having a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and the first communication unit is activated when the second communication unit communicates with the vehicle communication device. And a control unit.

  A vehicle communication system according to one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle communication system having a vehicle communication device that communicates using radio waves to remotely control equipment of a vehicle and a portable device, and the portable device includes: When a first communication unit that receives a signal of one frequency, a second communication unit that transmits and receives a signal of a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and when the second communication unit communicates with the vehicle communication device A controller that activates the first communication unit, wherein the vehicle communication device transmits and receives a signal of the second frequency and a third communication unit that transmits the signal of the first frequency. And 4 communication units.

  According to the present invention, higher functionality can be achieved by communication of the second communication unit. Furthermore, the battery life of the portable device can be made equal to or greater than the configuration in which the first communication unit is always active without mounting the second communication unit.

The block diagram which shows the vehicle communication system of embodiment of this invention The figure explaining the outline | summary of operation | movement of a vehicle communication system Time chart explaining operation of vehicle communication system Flow chart showing control of portable device

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment includes a vehicle communication device 10 mounted on a vehicle 100 and a portable device 40 possessed by a user.

  The portable device 40 includes a first communication unit 41 that uses radio waves of a first frequency, a second communication unit 42 that uses radio waves of a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and a control unit 43 that performs overall control of the device. Is provided. Furthermore, the portable device 40 includes a key switch (corresponding to an operation unit) 44 operated by the user, a battery 45 that supplies power, and a switch SW that can cut off power supply to the first communication unit 41. .

  The first communication unit 41 receives a long wave signal as a first frequency radio wave. By opening and closing the switch SW, the control unit 43 can switch between a state where power is supplied to the first communication unit 41 and a state where it is shut off. If the power is cut off, the first communication unit 41 becomes inactive, does not receive a signal, and power consumption is reduced. When the power is supplied, the first communication unit 41 becomes active, can receive signals, and consumes power.

  Note that the method of switching the first communication unit 41 between active and inactive is not limited to the method of switching between supply and cutoff of power, a method of switching the oscillator necessary for signal reception to operation or stop, and part of signal reception In the case of performing digital processing, various methods such as a method of switching between supply and cutoff of the operation clock can be employed. In short, it is only necessary to switch between an inactive state in which the power consumption of the first communication unit 41 is reduced (for example, substantially zero) and an active state in which the signal can be received without performing signal reception.

  The second communication unit 42 transmits and receives a signal having a higher frequency than the long wave band as a second frequency radio wave. Specifically, the second communication unit 42 performs communication conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) -LE (Low Energy) standard. In Bluetooth-LE standard communication, communication with a communication partner is performed intermittently. Also, this communication consumes less power than Bluetooth standard communication. Further, according to this communication standard, when a communication partner leaves the communication range, communication is automatically disconnected. Further, according to this communication standard, when communication with a communication partner is disconnected, the communication partner is automatically searched, and when the communication partner is found, the communication partner is automatically connected to be possible. The communicable distance of the second communication unit 42 is longer than the communicable distance of the first communication unit 41.

  The control unit 43 analyzes the reception data of the first communication unit 41 and the reception data of the second communication unit 42. In addition, the control unit 43 creates transmission data for the second communication unit 42. In addition, the control unit 43 switches the first communication unit 41 to active or inactive.

  The key switch 44 includes an operation unit for instructing locking and unlocking of the door lock of the vehicle 100, for example. The key switch 44 can be operated by the user, and an operation signal is sent to the control unit 43.

  The vehicle communication device 10 includes a third communication unit 11 that transmits radio waves of a first frequency, a fourth communication unit 12 that transmits and receives signals of a second frequency, a control unit 13 that comprehensively controls the device, The vehicle 100 is equipped with an interface 14 for inputting and outputting signals. For example, a door lock device 101 of the vehicle 100 and a door handle sensor 102 are connected to the interface 14. The door handle sensor 102 is a touch sensor provided on the door handle.

  Note that the equipment of the vehicle 100 controlled by the vehicle communication device 10 is not limited to the door lock device 101. The equipment of the vehicle 100 controlled by the vehicle communication device 10 may include a light, an engine start switch, and the like.

  The third communication unit 11 outputs a long wave signal as a first frequency radio wave. This signal is received by the first communication unit 41 of the portable device 40. The third communication unit 11 transmits a signal for searching whether the portable device 40 is in the communication range. Further, the third communication unit 11 transmits data necessary for controlling the equipment of the vehicle 100, that is, data for authenticating the portable device 40, key data for encrypting the data of the portable device 40, and the like. To do.

  For example, the fourth communication unit 12 performs communication conforming to the Bluetooth-LE standard. The fourth communication unit 12 is connected to the second communication unit 42 of the portable device 40 to transmit and receive data for various functional enhancements accompanying the control of the equipment of the vehicle 100.

  Response data from the portable device 40 to the long wave signal transmitted by the third communication unit 11 is transmitted by the second communication unit 42 of the portable device 40 and received by the fourth communication unit 12 by Bluetooth-LE communication. To do.

  In addition, the 3rd communication part 11 of the vehicle communication apparatus 10 may have a receiving part separately, and you may comprise so that the 1st communication part 41 of the portable device 40 may have a transmission part. In this case, transmission and reception of data for controlling equipment of the vehicle 100 can be completed by the third communication unit 11 of the vehicle communication device 10 and the first communication unit 41 of the portable device. In this case, the signal transmitted from the first communication unit 41 of the portable device 40 to the third communication unit 11 of the vehicle communication device 10 may be a signal having a frequency higher than the long wave band.

  The control unit 13 analyzes the reception data of the fourth communication unit 12 and creates transmission data of the third communication unit 11 and the fourth communication unit 12. The control unit 13 performs authentication processing of the portable device 40 from the reception data of the fourth communication unit 12. The control unit 13 inputs sensor signals from the equipment of the vehicle 100 via the interface 14 and controls the equipment of the vehicle 100.

<Overview of operation>
An example of the operation of the vehicle communication system will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the operation of the vehicle communication system. FIG. 3 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the vehicle communication system. 3A to 3D are operations of the portable device 40, FIGS. 3E to 3H are operations of the vehicle communication device 10, and FIG. 3I is a distance between the vehicle communication device 10 and the portable device 40. Indicates. In FIG. 3, “BLE transmission, BLE reception” indicates transmission and reception of Bluetooth-LE, transmission and reception of the second communication unit 42 of the portable device 40, and transmission of the fourth communication unit 12 of the vehicle communication device 10. Indicates transmission and reception. In FIG. 3, “LF reception, LF transmission” indicates reception and transmission of a long-frequency band (Low Frequency) signal by the first communication unit 41 of the portable device 40 and the third communication unit 11 of the vehicle communication device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, when the user U who has the portable device 40 is outside the Bluetooth-LE communication range E1 centering on the vehicle 100, the portable device 40 and the vehicle communication device 10 communicate with each other. Not done. At this time, as shown in the period of the beginning “10 m or more” in FIG. 3I, the second communication unit 42 of the portable device 40 completely transmits the signal Sig0 for informing the presence of itself.

  At this time, the power source of the first communication unit 41 is cut off, and the power consumption of the first communication unit 41 is reduced.

  When the user U enters the communication range E1, the signal Sig0 is received by the fourth communication unit 12 of the vehicle communication device 10, and the signal Sig1 for communication connection is transmitted from the second communication unit 42. Thereby, the 2nd communication part 42 and the 4th communication part 12 are communication-connected.

  With this communication connection, power is supplied to the first communication unit 41 of the portable device 40, and the first communication unit 41 becomes active.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, when the user U enters the communication range E2 of the third communication unit 11 and touches the door handle, the door handle sensor 102 detects and the third of the vehicle communication device 10 is detected. A signal Sig2 for performing authentication or the like is transmitted from the communication unit 11 to the portable device 40. Since the first communication unit 41 of the portable device 40 is active, the signal Sig2 can be received.

  The portable device 40 transmits a response signal Sig3 from the second communication unit 42. The vehicle communication device 10 receives this, and the control unit 13 performs control to release the door lock.

  When the Bluetooth connection is disconnected due to the user U moving away again, as shown in the period of “10 m or more” in FIG. The power supply of the 1 communication part 41 is cut | disconnected, and the 1st communication part 41 becomes inactive.

<Control action>
Next, an example of a control operation of the portable device 40 that realizes the above operation will be described in detail.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control of the portable device.

  The control unit 43 of the portable device 40 continuously executes the loop process of FIG. 4 from the time of activation.

  In step S <b> 1, the control unit 43 performs Bluetooth-LE (abbreviated as “BLE” in FIG. 4) communication of the second communication unit 42. If the 2nd communication part 42 of the portable device 40 and the 4th communication part 12 of the vehicle communication apparatus 10 are not communication-connected, the signal which notifies the presence of self is transmitted from the 2nd communication part 42 in step S1. Thereby, when the portable device 40 enters the communication range E <b> 1 (see FIG. 2), communication connection can be established with the fourth communication unit 12 of the vehicle communication device 10. If the communication connection with the fourth communication unit 12 of the vehicle communication device 10 is established, various information of the vehicle 100 is received from the vehicle communication device 10 in step S1. The information on the vehicle 100 may include, for example, the remaining amount of fuel, the remaining amount of charge of the battery, the state of the engine, the state of the door lock, the air conditioning information in the vehicle interior, and the like.

  In step S1, the second communication unit 42 of the mobile device 40 may communicate with a mobile phone (for example, a smartphone). The second communication unit 42 can send the information of the vehicle 100 received in the past or immediately before to the mobile phone and cause the user to display and output the information. Such communication can enhance the functionality of the vehicle communication system.

  In step S <b> 2, the control unit 43 determines whether or not the fourth communication unit 12 of the vehicle communication device 10 is connected for communication. As a result, if the communication connection is established, the power of the first communication unit 41 is turned on in step S3. If it is already on, leave it as it is. Further, in step S4, the control unit 43 sets the power timer to a predetermined value (for example, 3 minutes). The power timer is a countdown timer that times the timing at which the first communication unit 41 is powered off. During communication connection between the portable device 40, the vehicle communication device 10, and the Bluetooth-LE, the power timer is immediately returned to the predetermined value by the process of step S4 before being counted down to zero.

  In step S5, the control unit 43 determines whether the power supply timer has become zero. In the power timer, the Bluetooth-LE communication connection between the portable device 40 and the vehicle communication device 10 is not performed, the key switch 44 is not operated, and the first communication unit 41 is a long wave signal (“LF” in FIG. 4). If it is not received, it will be counted down. If the power timer is zero, the control unit 43 turns off the first communication unit 41 in step S6. If it is already off, leave it as it is.

  By the processing of steps S5 and S6, the power source of the first communication unit 41 is turned off at an appropriate timing, and the power consumed by the first communication unit 41 is reduced.

  In step S <b> 7, the control unit 43 determines whether the key switch 44 is turned on. As a result, if there is an ON operation, the control unit 43 performs keyless communication processing in step S8, turns on the power of the first communication unit 41 in step S9, and sets the power timer to a predetermined value in step S10. .

  The keyless communication process in step S8 is a communication process necessary for the vehicle communication device 10 to control the equipment of the vehicle 100 when the key switch 44 is operated. The keyless communication process includes a communication process in which the vehicle communication device 10 authenticates the portable device 40. In the keyless communication processing, data transmission from the vehicle communication device 10 to the portable device 40 is performed using a long wave band signal, and data transmission from the portable device 40 to the vehicle communication device 10 is performed by Bluetooth-LE communication. Here, if the user is in the communication range E2 of the long wave signal (see FIG. 2) or the power of the first communication unit 41 is off, the keyless communication process ends in the middle of failure. However, the process of step S9 allows the first communication unit 41 to be turned on for a while and prepare for the operation of the key switch 44.

  In step S11, the control unit 43 determines whether the first communication unit 41 has received a long wave band signal. As a result, if there is reception, the control unit 43 performs LF communication processing in step S12, and sets the power timer to a predetermined value in step S13.

  The LF communication process in step S12 is a process of analyzing the reception data of the first communication unit 41 and creating transmission data in response thereto. The responding transmission data is transmitted to the vehicle communication device 10 by Bluetooth-LE communication in step S1.

  When the communication of the first communication unit 41 is performed by the determination process of step S11 and the timer setting process of step S13, the power of the first communication unit 41 is not suddenly turned off. Controlled.

  If it is determined NO in step S11, or if it is determined YES and the processing in steps S12 and S13 is performed, the control unit 43 repeats the processing from step S1 again.

  As described above, according to the vehicle communication system and the portable device 40 of the present embodiment, when the second communication unit 42 that transmits and receives the signal of the second frequency is connected to the vehicle communication device 10, the first frequency The first communication unit 41 that receives the signal is activated. Therefore, the 1st communication part 41 which receives the signal of a 1st frequency is made inactive for many periods, and can aim at reduction of power consumption. Since the communication using the signal of the second frequency can suppress the power consumption, such as the Bluetooth-LE standard communication, the power consumption of the first communication unit 41 can be reduced. It is also possible to make it equal to or less than the power consumption.

  Further, as shown in the processing of steps S7 to S10 in FIG. 4, the first communication unit 41 is activated for a predetermined time after the key switch 44 is operated. Therefore, for example, even when Bluetooth-LE communication cannot be performed in the vicinity of the vehicle 100 due to some influence, communication using a long-wave band signal can be performed.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above.

  In the embodiment, an example in which a long wave band is applied as the first frequency and a Bluetooth-LE standard frequency is applied as the second frequency is shown. However, if the second frequency is higher than the first frequency, the frequency of the embodiment is used. May deviate from. In addition, the second communication unit 42 and the fourth communication unit 12 have been described as performing Bluetooth-LE standard communication. However, the communication is not limited to this standard as long as communication can be performed with low power consumption.

  Further, although cases have been described with the above embodiment as examples where the present invention is configured by hardware, the present invention can also be realized by software in cooperation with hardware.

  Each functional block used in the description of the above embodiment is typically realized as an LSI which is an integrated circuit. These may be individually made into one chip, or may be made into one chip so as to include some or all of them. The name used here is LSI, but it may also be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration.

  Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI's, and implementation using dedicated circuitry or general purpose processors is also possible. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after manufacturing the LSI, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and setting of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to a vehicle communication system that performs communication between a portable device and a vehicle communication device in order to control equipment of the vehicle, and the portable device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle communication apparatus 11 3rd communication part 12 4th communication part 13 Control part 14 Interface 40 Portable machine 41 1st communication part 42 2nd communication part 43 Control part 44 Key switch 45 Battery SW switch 100 Vehicle 101 Door lock apparatus 102 Door Handle sensor

Claims (6)

A portable device that communicates with a vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle using radio waves to remotely control the equipment of the vehicle,
A first communication unit that receives a signal of a first frequency;
A second communication unit for transmitting and receiving a signal of a second frequency higher than the first frequency;
A control unit that activates the first communication unit when the second communication unit communicates with the vehicle communication device;
A portable machine equipped with. The first communication unit receives a long wave signal as the signal of the first frequency,
The second communication unit performs communication based on a Bluetooth-low energy standard.
The portable device according to claim 1. An operation unit for remotely operating the equipment of the vehicle;
The control unit activates the first communication unit when the operation unit is operated even when the second communication unit is not communicating with the vehicle communication device.
The portable device according to claim 1. The control unit deactivates the first communication unit after a predetermined period of time when communication between the second communication unit and the vehicle communication device is interrupted after activating the first communication unit. ,
The portable device according to claim 1. The controller is
When the first communication unit communicates with the vehicle communication device, the first communication unit is continuously activated for at least a predetermined time;
The portable device according to claim 1. A vehicle communication system having a vehicle communication device and a portable device that communicate using radio waves to remotely control equipment of a vehicle,
The portable device is
A first communication unit that receives a signal of a first frequency;
A second communication unit for transmitting and receiving a signal of a second frequency higher than the first frequency;
A control unit that activates the first communication unit when the second communication unit communicates with the vehicle communication device;
With
The vehicle communication device is
A third communication unit for transmitting a signal of the first frequency;
A fourth communication unit for transmitting and receiving the signal of the second frequency;
Comprising
Vehicle communication system.

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