JP2022040939A - Detecting device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To effectively use a radio signal to detect an environmental condition.SOLUTION: There is provided a detecting device comprising a control unit which controls transmission and reception of a radio signal by a radio communication unit. The control unit causes the radio communication unit to transmit a detection signal used to detect an environmental condition in which the detecting device is arranged. The radio communication unit receives a reflection wave to the transmitted detection signal. The control unit detects the environmental condition on the basis of the reflection wave.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a detector and a program.

In recent years, techniques have been developed for performing various processes according to the result of transmitting and receiving wireless signals between devices. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for performing distance measurement between devices using an ultra wide band (UWB) signal.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 202-118030

In a system using a wireless signal as described above, a mechanism for more effectively utilizing the wireless signal is required.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to more effectively utilize a radio signal for detecting an environmental state.

In order to solve the above problems, according to a certain aspect of the present invention, a control unit for controlling transmission / reception of a radio signal by the wireless communication unit is provided, and the control unit is arranged with the detection device in the wireless communication unit. The detection signal used for detecting the state of the environment is transmitted, the wireless communication unit receives the reflected wave for the transmitted detection signal, and the control unit receives the reflected wave based on the reflected wave. A detection device is provided that detects the state of.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, the computer is provided with a control function for controlling the transmission / reception of wireless signals by the wireless communication unit, and the detection device is added to the control function. A program that causes the wireless communication unit to transmit a detection signal used for detecting the state of the arranged environment, and detects the state of the environment based on a reflected wave for the detection signal received by the wireless communication unit. Provided.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to more effectively utilize the radio signal for detecting the environmental state.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure example of the detection apparatus 10 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the detection of the state change of the object which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the state detection of an object based on the reception intensity of the reflected wave which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the state detection of an object based on the reception intensity of the reflected wave which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the state detection of an object based on the reception intensity of the reflected wave which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the state detection of an object based on the reception intensity of the reflected wave which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing flow by the detection apparatus 10 which concerns on the same embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, so that duplicate description will be omitted.

<Embodiment>
<1. Embodiment>
<< 1.1. Function configuration example of the detection device 10 >>
First, a functional configuration example of the detection device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The detection device 10 according to the present embodiment is an information processing device that detects an arranged environment. For example, the detection device 10 according to the present embodiment may be mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle. In this case, the detection device 10 may detect the environment around the moving body to be mounted. Further, for example, the detection device 10 according to the present embodiment may be mounted on a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. In this case, the detection device 10 may detect the environment around the mounted mobile terminal.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the detection device 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the detection device 10 according to the present embodiment may include a control unit 110 and a wireless communication unit 120.

(Control unit 110)
The control unit 110 according to the present embodiment controls each configuration included in the detection device 10. The function of the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment is realized by a processor such as a CPU.

For example, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment may transmit and receive radio signals by the wireless communication unit 120. As an example, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment causes the wireless communication unit 120 to transmit a detection signal and receive a reflected wave for the detection signal. Further, at this time, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment may detect the state of the environment in which the detection device 10 is arranged based on the reflected wave.

The detection signal according to the present embodiment is a signal used for detecting the state of the environment in which the detection device 10 is arranged. An example of a detection signal is a signal compliant with an ultra-wideband wireless communication standard.

The control unit 110 according to the present embodiment causes the wireless communication unit 120 to transmit a detection signal conforming to the ultra-wideband wireless communication standard, and the reflection generated when the detection signal reaches an object existing in the environment. Waves may be received.

Further, at this time, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment may detect the state of the environment in which the detection device 10 is arranged based on the change in the reception characteristic related to the reflected wave. The state of the environment includes a change in the state of an object existing in the environment.

Further, as an example of the state change of the object, for example, the approach or separation of the object to the detection device 10, the disappearance of the object from the environment, the appearance of the object in the environment, and the like can be mentioned.

As described above, according to the detection device 10 according to the present embodiment, an ultra-wideband signal (hereinafter, also referred to as a UWB signal) that has been mainly used for distance measurement can be utilized for radar. Since UWB signals can be sufficiently transmitted and received using a button battery or the like, according to the detection of the environmental state using UWB communication according to the present embodiment, it is saved as compared with the case where signals compliant with other communication standards are used. Electric power can be realized.

Further, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment may control other processes using signals conforming to the same communication standard, in addition to detecting the environmental state.

For example, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment has a first signal transmitted by the wireless communication unit and a second signal transmitted by another communication device different from the detection device as a response to the first signal. You may further control the prescribed processing in which and is used.

An example of the above-described processing is distance measurement using a UWB signal.

For example, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment may cause the wireless communication unit 120 to transmit a first signal used for distance measurement. In this case, a second signal transmitted by another communication device different from the wireless communication unit 120 and the detection device 10 as a response to the first signal is received.

At this time, the control unit 110 starts from the time ΔT1 from the time when the wireless communication unit 120 transmits the first signal to the time when the second signal is received and the time when the other communication device receives the first signal. Distance measurement can be performed based on the time ΔT2 until the second signal is transmitted.

More specifically, the control unit 110 calculates the time required for the round-trip communication of the distance measuring signal by subtracting the time ΔT2 from the time ΔT1, and divides the time by 2 to obtain the distance measuring signal. The time required for one-way communication can be calculated. Further, the control unit 110 multiplies the value of (time ΔT1-time ΔT2) / 2 by the speed of the signal to determine the distance between the detection device 10 and another communication device (hereinafter, also referred to as a distance measurement value). It is possible to get.

As described above, according to the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively utilize the signal conforming to the same communication standard for the specified processing such as distance measurement and the detection of the state of the environment. ..

The specified processing according to the present embodiment is not limited to distance measurement. Further, the signal used for the specified processing according to the present embodiment and the state detection of the environment is not limited to the UWB signal.

For example, the prescribed process according to the present embodiment may be an authentication process based on a first signal used as an authentication request and a second signal used as an authentication response.

Further, for example, the signal used for the specified processing and environment state detection according to the present embodiment may be an LF (Low Frequency) band signal, a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band signal, or the like.

Further, at this time, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment first controls the execution of the specified process, and detects the state of the environment when the wireless communication unit 120 cannot receive the second signal used for the specified process. The control related to the above may be executed.

As an example, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment is a wireless communication unit when the wireless communication unit 120 does not receive the second signal within a specified time after the wireless communication unit 120 transmits the first signal. The detection signal may be transmitted to the 120.

For example, assume that the specified process is distance measurement. In this case, the control unit 110 first controls distance measurement using the first signal and the second signal.

Specifically, the control unit 110 causes the wireless communication unit 120 to transmit the first signal. Here, when the wireless communication unit 120 receives the second signal within the specified time, the control unit 110 may execute the distance measurement using the first signal and the second signal.

On the other hand, if the wireless communication unit 120 cannot receive the second signal within the specified time, it is assumed that there is no other communication device as a partner in the environment in which the detection device 10 is arranged.

In this case, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment may perform control related to environmental state detection instead of distance measurement. That is, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment causes the wireless communication unit 120 to release the standby state for receiving the second signal and transmit the detection signal.

According to the above control, it is possible to efficiently switch between distance measurement and environment state detection according to the presence or absence of a communication partner, and it is possible to effectively utilize wireless signals for more effective processing. It will be possible.

(Wireless communication unit 120)
The wireless communication unit 120 according to the present embodiment transmits / receives a wireless signal according to the control by the control unit 110. For example, the wireless communication unit 120 according to the present embodiment transmits the first signal according to the control by the control unit 110. In this case, the wireless communication unit 120 transitions to a state in which the other communication device receives the second signal transmitted as a response to the first signal.

Further, for example, the wireless communication unit 120 according to the present embodiment transmits a detection signal according to the control by the control unit 110. In this case, the wireless communication unit 120 receives the reflected wave generated by the detection signal reaching the object.

The functional configuration example of the detection device 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above. The above functional configuration described with reference to FIG. 1 is merely an example, and the functional configuration example of the detection device 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to such an example. For example, the detection device 10 according to the present embodiment may further include an operation reception unit that accepts an operation by a user, a display unit that displays a processing result, and a notification unit that gives a notification based on the processing result. The functional configuration of the detection device 10 according to the present embodiment can be flexibly modified according to specifications and operations.

<< 1.2. Function details >>
Next, the function of the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. As described above, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment can detect the state of the environment in which the detection device 10 is arranged by controlling the transmission / reception of the radio signal by the wireless communication unit 120. Further, the state of the environment includes a change in the state of an object existing in the environment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining detection of a state change of an object according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 schematically shows a detection device 10 arranged in a certain environment and objects 90a and 90b existing in the same environment (around the detection device 10).

In such a situation, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment causes the wireless communication unit 120 to transmit a detection signal toward the surroundings. At this time, the control unit 110 may have directivity in the direction and distance of the detection signal transmitted to the wireless communication unit 120. In FIG. 2, the detection signal is indicated by a solid arrow.

Further, in FIG. 2, the reflected wave with respect to the detection signal is indicated by a broken line arrow.

For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communication unit 120 can receive the reflected wave generated by the transmitted detection signal reaching the object 90a.

Similarly, the wireless communication unit 120 can receive the reflected wave generated by the transmitted detection signal reaching the object 90b.

At this time, even if the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment detects a change in the state of the object 90a or the object 90b existing in the environment based on the change in the reception characteristic of the reflected wave received by the wireless communication unit 120. good.

Specifically, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment may have the wireless communication unit 120 repeatedly execute the transmission of the detection signal and the reception of the reflected wave, and observe the change in the reception characteristic related to the reflected wave. As an example, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment has a reception characteristic related to a reflected wave for a detection signal transmitted to the wireless communication unit 120 last time, and a detection signal transmitted to the wireless communication unit 120 at the corresponding time. A change in the state of an object existing in the environment may be detected based on a comparison with the reception characteristic of the reflected wave.

Here, as an example of the reception characteristic related to the reflected wave, there is a change in the reception intensity of the reflected wave in a time series. In this case, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment records the first waveform in which the change in the received intensity of the reflected wave was recorded in time series in the previous time and the change in the received intensity of the reflected wave in the time series in the relevant time. Based on the comparison with the second waveform, the state change of the object existing in the environment may be detected.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, the state detection of the object based on the reception intensity of the reflected wave will be described with reference to specific examples.

In FIGS. 3 to 6, the first waveform in which the change in the reception intensity of the reflected wave was recorded in chronological order in the previous time (n-1 times) is shown in the upper row, and the reflected wave in the relevant time (n-1 times). The second waveforms in which the changes in the reception intensity of the above are recorded in chronological order are shown in the upper row.

For example, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment detects the characteristic waveform in the second waveform with respect to the characteristic waveform commonly detected in the first waveform and the second waveform, as in the example shown in FIG. When the time is earlier than the detection time of the feature waveform in the first waveform, it may be determined that an object existing in the environment has approached the detection device.

Examples of the characteristic waveform include peaks and the like. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 3, the peak P1 and the peak P2 are commonly detected in the first waveform and the second waveform.

Here, assuming that there is no influence of multipath, it is assumed that the peak P1 and the peak P2 indicate the reception intensity when the radio communication unit 120 linearly receives the reflected waves from different objects. Can be done.

On the other hand, even under the influence of multipath, the peak P1 and the peak P2 are as described above, or the radio communication unit 120 linearly and indirectly (due to another object) the reflected wave from a single object. It can also be assumed that it indicates the reception intensity when it is received (via reflection).

At this time, since the propagation speed of the detection signal and the reflected wave is constant, the detection signal transmitted by the wireless communication unit 120 reaches the object linearly, and the wireless communication unit 120 linearly transmits the reflected wave from the object. It is assumed that the time to receive the signal changes according to the distance between the detection device 10 (more accurately, the wireless communication unit 120) and the object.

That is, the closer the distance between the detection device 10 (more accurately, the wireless communication unit 120) and the object is, the more the detection signal transmitted by the wireless communication unit 120 reaches the object linearly, and the wireless communication unit 120 reaches the object. It is expected that the time when the reflected wave will be received linearly will be earlier.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the detection time of the peak P1 in the second waveform is earlier than the detection time of the peak P1 in the first waveform. In such a case, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment may determine that an object existing in the environment in which the detection device 10 is arranged has approached the detection device 10.

On the other hand, the farther the distance between the detection device 10 (more accurately, the wireless communication unit 120) and the object is, the more the detection signal transmitted by the wireless communication unit 120 reaches the object linearly, and the wireless communication unit 120 reaches the object. It is expected that the time when the reflected wave will be received linearly will be delayed.

Therefore, when the detection time of the feature waveform in the second waveform is later than the detection time of the feature waveform in the first waveform, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment is concerned with an object existing in the environment. It may be determined that the device is far from the detection device.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the detection time of the peak P2 in the second waveform is later than the detection time of the peak P2 in the first waveform. In such a case, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment can determine that the object existing in the environment in which the detection device 10 is arranged is far from the detection device 10.

Further, the determination by the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned example. For example, in the control unit according to the present embodiment, when the feature waveform detected in the first waveform is not detected in the second waveform, the object existing in the environment disappears (from the range in which the existence of the object can be detected). It may be determined that it has left).

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the peak P2 detected in the first waveform is not detected in the second waveform. In such a case, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment can determine that the object existing in the environment has disappeared.

On the contrary, when the feature waveform not detected in the first waveform is detected in the second waveform, the control unit according to the present embodiment appears a new object in the environment (the existence of the object can be detected). It may be determined that it has entered a certain range).

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the peak P2 that was not detected in the first waveform is newly detected in the second waveform. In such a case, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment can determine that a new object has appeared in the environment.

The detection of the state change of the object according to the present embodiment has been described above with specific examples. According to the control as described above, it becomes possible to more effectively utilize the radio signal for detecting the environmental state.

In the above, the peak is mentioned as an example of the characteristic waveforms detected in the first waveform and the second waveform, but the characteristic waveform according to the present embodiment is not limited to such an example. As the characteristic waveform according to the present embodiment, various waveforms that can be clearly distinguished from the transitions at other times can be adopted.

<< 1.3. Processing flow >>
Next, the flow of processing by the detection device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing by the detection device 10 according to the present embodiment.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, first, the control unit 110 causes the wireless communication unit 120 to transmit the first signal (S102).

Next, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the wireless communication unit 120 has received the second signal within the specified time (S104).

Here, when it is determined that the wireless communication unit 120 has received the second signal within the specified time (S104: Yes), the control unit 110 controls the specified processing based on the first signal and the second signal. (S106). As described above, the above-described processing includes, for example, distance measurement.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the wireless communication unit 120 has not received the second signal within the specified time (S104: No), the control unit 110 transitions to the detection mode for detecting the state of the environment (S108). ..

When the mode transitions to the detection mode, the control unit 110 causes the wireless communication unit 120 to transmit a detection signal (S110).

Further, the wireless communication unit 120 receives the reflected wave for the detection signal transmitted in step S110 (S112).

Next, the control unit 110 compares the reception characteristic of the reflected wave in the previous time with the reception characteristic of the reflected wave in the relevant time (S114). If this is the first time, the control unit 110 may skip steps S114 and S116 and return to step S110.

On the other hand, when the time is the second time or later, the control unit 110 detects a change in the environment based on the result of the comparison executed in step S114 (S116).

After the process in step S116, the control unit 110 returns to step S110 until the end of the process is input (for example, an instruction by the user) or the end condition of the process (for example, the elapse of a predetermined time) is detected. , The subsequent processing may be executed repeatedly.

The flow of processing by the detection device 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above with an example. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is merely an example, and the flow of processing by the detection device 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the example.

The detection device 10 according to the present embodiment may further execute a process based on the detected change in the environment. For example, when the control unit 110 detects a change in the environment, the control unit 110 may control so that a notification regarding the change is transmitted to the user. As an example, the control unit 110 can control the detection device 10 so that the user is notified that a suspicious person may be approaching.

Further, for example, the control unit 110 may control so that the process corresponding to the change in the detected state is executed. As an example, the control unit 110 can determine that the user is approaching the moving body on which the detection device 10 is mounted, and can perform various controls such as turning on the lamp.

<2. Supplement>
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the field of technology to which the present invention belongs can come up with various modifications or modifications within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims. , These are also naturally understood to belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

Further, the series of processes by each device described in the present specification may be realized by using any software, hardware, and a combination of software and hardware. The programs constituting the software are stored in advance in, for example, a recording medium (non-transitory medium: non-transitory media) provided inside or outside each device. Then, each program is read into RAM at the time of execution by a computer and executed by a processor such as a CPU. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like. Further, the above computer program may be distributed, for example, via a network without using a recording medium.

10: Detection device, 110: Control unit, 120: Wireless communication unit

Claims (12)

A control unit that controls the transmission and reception of wireless signals by the wireless communication unit,
Equipped with
The control unit causes the wireless communication unit to transmit a detection signal used for detecting the state of the environment in which the detection device is arranged.
The wireless communication unit receives the reflected wave for the transmitted detection signal, and receives the reflected wave.
The control unit detects the state of the environment based on the reflected wave.
Detection device. The control unit detects a change in the state of an object existing in the environment based on a change in reception characteristics related to the reflected wave.
The detection device according to claim 1. The control unit relates to the reception characteristic of the reflected wave for the detection signal transmitted to the wireless communication unit last time and the reflected wave for the detection signal transmitted to the wireless communication unit at that time. Detects changes in the state of objects existing in the environment based on comparison with reception characteristics.
The detection device according to claim 2. The reception characteristic relating to the reflected wave includes a change in the reception intensity of the reflected wave in a time series.
The control unit has a first waveform in which the change in the reception intensity of the reflected wave is recorded in time series in the previous time, and a second waveform in which the change in the reception intensity of the reflected wave is recorded in time series in the current time. Based on the comparison, the state change of the object existing in the environment is detected.
The detection device according to claim 3. Regarding the characteristic waveform commonly detected in the first waveform and the second waveform, the control unit sets the detection time of the characteristic waveform in the second waveform to the characteristic waveform in the first waveform. If it is earlier than the detection time of, it is determined that an object existing in the environment has approached the detection device.
The detection device according to claim 4. Regarding the characteristic waveform commonly detected in the first waveform and the second waveform, the control unit sets the detection time of the characteristic waveform in the second waveform to the characteristic waveform in the first waveform. If it is later than the detection time of, it is determined that the object existing in the environment is far from the detection device.
The detection device according to any one of claims 4 and 5. When the feature waveform detected in the first waveform is not detected in the second waveform, the control unit determines that the object existing in the environment has disappeared.
The detection device according to any one of claims 4 to 6. When the feature waveform that was not detected in the first waveform is detected in the second waveform, the control unit determines that a new object has appeared in the environment.
The detection device according to any one of claims 4 to 7. The control unit is defined to use a first signal transmitted by the wireless communication unit and a second signal transmitted by another communication device different from the detection device as a response to the first signal. Further control of the process,
The detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. When the second signal is not received by the wireless communication unit within a specified time after the wireless communication unit transmits the first signal, the control unit transmits the detection signal to the wireless communication unit. Send,
The detection device according to claim 9. The control unit causes the wireless communication unit to transmit the detection signal conforming to the ultra-wideband wireless communication standard.
The detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. On the computer
A control function that controls the transmission and reception of wireless signals by the wireless communication unit,
Realized,
The control function causes the wireless communication unit to transmit a detection signal used for detecting the state of the environment in which the detection device is arranged, and the radio communication unit receives the detection signal based on the reflected wave. Detect the state of the environment,
program.

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