JP2022147394A - On-vehicle equipment control system and lighting control method in on-vehicle equipment control system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an equipment control system satisfactorily providing receiving (or pass-up) function for a user by performing appropriate lighting control of a light when the user comes close to a vehicle.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle equipment control system is such that a vehicle control part checks whether an ID code included in an RF signal is identical to a preliminarily registered ID code. The vehicle control part includes: a transmission part transmitting an LF signal to a mobile phone; a reception part receiving an RF signal from the mobile phone; a distance determination part determining distance to the mobile phone from the transmission part on the basis of signal strength of a Burst signal included in the RF signal; and a lighting control part controlling a door lighting mounted on a vehicle door and a vehicle interior lighting in accordance with the distance determined by the distance determination part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system including a vehicle and a portable device (for example, an electronic key) capable of wireless communication with the vehicle.

Conventionally, as an in-vehicle equipment control system, when an ID code is collated by mutual communication between a portable device (e.g., an electronic key) and a vehicle control unit, a lighting provided under the door mirror is turned on. (See Patent Document 1). As a result, it becomes easier to check the situation around the door mirrors when getting into the vehicle even at night, etc., and convenience for the portable device owner can be improved.

JP-A-2004-225471

However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, when the ID code is authenticated, the illumination of the door mirrors on both sides is turned on. There is a lack of the function of welcoming the user who is the person. Also, there is no disclosure of a function to see off the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a device control system sufficiently equipped with a function of meeting (or seeing off) a user by appropriately controlling lighting when the user approaches the vehicle.

The in-vehicle device control system of the present disclosure includes an ID code, and in response to an LF signal transmitted from the vehicle control unit provided in the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle control unit, the portable control unit provided in the portable device generates an RF signal including the ID code. An in-vehicle device control system in which a vehicle control unit checks whether an ID code included in an RF signal is the same as a pre-registered ID code by performing mutual communication to return a vehicle control unit is a transmitter that transmits an LF signal to a portable device, a receiver that receives an RF signal from the portable device, and a distance from the transmitter to the portable device based on the signal strength of the burst signal included in the RF signal and a lighting control unit that controls door lighting provided at the door of the vehicle according to the distance determined by the distance determining unit and interior lighting of the vehicle.

According to the configuration of the present disclosure, for example, when the user who is the holder of the portable device approaches the vehicle, the door illumination provided at the door of the vehicle according to the distance determined by the distance determination unit, and the interior illumination, which is the interior light. , it is possible to guess which door of the vehicle the user is heading toward, and to control the lighting to greet the user (see off the user when the user leaves the vehicle).

In the in-vehicle device control system of the present disclosure, in the above configuration, the lighting control unit controls lighting of the vehicle interior lighting when the distance determination unit determines that the distance from the transmission unit to the portable device is less than the first threshold, and the distance determination unit determines that the distance from the transmitter to the portable device is less than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the door lighting is controlled to turn on.

According to the configuration of the present disclosure, for example, when the user who is the holder of the portable device approaches the vehicle, the vehicle interior lighting and the door lighting corresponding to the door are sequentially turned on according to the distance determined by the distance determination unit. Therefore, it is possible to control the lighting so that the user is guided to the door toward which the user is facing, further promoting the function of welcoming the user.

In the in-vehicle device control system of the present disclosure, in the configuration described above, the door lights are provided on at least two doors and the tailgate of the vehicle.

The configuration of the present disclosure allows the door lights corresponding to the door or tailgate that the user approaches to be turned on, further facilitating the user-welcoming function.

In the in-vehicle device control system of the present disclosure, in the configuration described above, the transmission units are provided in at least two doors and the tailgate of the vehicle, respectively, and the LF signal transmitted by the transmission unit includes LF antenna type information and is portable. The control unit returns an RF signal containing the LF antenna type information, and the vehicle control unit responds to the LF signal transmitted from any of the transmitters based on the LF antenna type information included in the RF signal. It further has a discriminating means for discriminating whether it is a signal.

The configuration of the present disclosure allows the door lights corresponding to the door or tailgate approached by the user to be turned on, further facilitating the user-welcoming function and only lighting means corresponding to the door the user is facing. As a result, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed.

In the in-vehicle device control system of the present disclosure, in the configuration described above, the lighting control unit controls the in-vehicle lighting to turn off when the distance determination unit determines that the distance from the transmission unit to the portable device is less than the second threshold.

With the configuration of the present disclosure, for example, when the user who is the holder of the portable device approaches the vehicle, when the vehicle interior lighting and then the door lighting are sequentially turned on, after the door lighting is turned on, the vehicle interior lighting is controlled to turn off, which wastes power. consumption can be suppressed.

In the vehicle-mounted device control system of the present disclosure, in the configuration described above, when the vehicle is unlocked, the door lighting is extinguished.

With the configuration of the present disclosure, unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed by controlling the turning off of the door lighting when the unlocking operation of the vehicle is performed.

In the vehicle-mounted device control system of the present disclosure, in the configuration described above, the door lighting or the vehicle interior lighting is turned on when the vehicle is locked.

The configuration of the present disclosure further facilitates the ability to see off the user when the user leaves the vehicle.

In the in-vehicle device control system of the present disclosure, in the configuration described above, the lighting control unit turns on the lighting mode of the door lighting in a manner different from the lighting mode of the interior lighting.

The configuration of the present disclosure further facilitates the ability to greet (or see off) a user.

In the in-vehicle device control system of the present disclosure, in the configuration described above, the lighting control unit changes the lighting mode of the door lighting according to the distance from the transmitting unit to the portable device determined by the distance determination unit.

The configuration of the present disclosure further facilitates the ability to greet (or see off) a user.

In the in-vehicle device control system of the present disclosure, in the configuration described above, the lighting control unit turns off the interior lighting after a predetermined time has elapsed since the interior lighting was turned on.

The configuration of the present disclosure can suppress wasteful power consumption.

In the in-vehicle device control system of the present disclosure, in the configuration described above, the LF signal includes a wake pattern signal that activates the portable controller, and the portable controller is activated when the portable device receives the LF signal.

According to the configuration of the present disclosure, the LF signal includes the wake pattern signal for activating the mobile control unit, so that the mobile control unit can be activated efficiently.

In the in-vehicle device control system of the present disclosure, in the above configuration, the LF signal further includes a command type signal indicating a communication type, the transmitting unit transmits the LF signal including the command type signal and the ID code at predetermined time intervals, and the receiving unit returns an RF signal including a command type signal and an ID code, and the portable control unit further has a counting unit for counting the number of times a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the predetermined condition is set after the transmitting unit transmits the LF signal. When the receiving unit does not receive the command type signal or the ID code before the time elapses, and the number of times counted by the counting unit exceeds a predetermined number, the mobile control unit sends the LF signal to the vehicle control unit. Send a signal to stop transmission.

According to the configuration of the present disclosure, even if a portable device (e.g., an electronic key) exists in an area where the LF signal is very weak (the portable controller of the portable device wakes up but cannot complete the LF command reception), Also, the mobile control unit transmits a signal instructing the vehicle control unit to stop transmitting the LF signal, thereby reducing the rapid progress of battery consumption on the vehicle control unit side.

The lighting control method in the in-vehicle device control system of the present disclosure includes an ID code, and in response to an LF signal transmitted from the vehicle control unit provided in the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle control unit, the portable control unit provided in the portable device transmits the ID code. An in-vehicle device control system in which the vehicle control unit checks whether the ID code included in the RF signal is the same as a pre-registered ID code by performing mutual communication that returns an RF signal containing , wherein the vehicle control unit includes a transmitting unit that transmits the LF signal to the portable device, a receiving unit that receives the RF signal from the portable device, and a burst signal included in the RF signal A distance determination unit that determines the distance from the transmitter to the portable device based on the intensity, and a lighting control unit that controls the door lighting provided at the vehicle door according to the distance determined by the distance determination unit and the interior lighting of the vehicle. a step in which the distance determination unit determines the distance from the transmission unit to the portable device; and controlling interior lighting.

According to the configuration of the present disclosure, for example, when the user who is the holder of the portable device approaches the vehicle, the door illumination provided at the door of the vehicle according to the distance determined by the distance determination unit, and the interior illumination, which is the interior light. , it is possible to guess which door of the vehicle the user is heading toward, and to control the lighting to greet the user (see off the user when the user leaves the vehicle).

In the lighting control method in the in-vehicle device control system of the present disclosure, in the above configuration, the lighting control unit controls lighting of the in-vehicle lighting when the distance determination unit determines that the distance from the transmission unit to the portable device is less than a first threshold. Then, when the distance determination unit determines that the distance from the transmission unit to the portable device is less than the second threshold, which is smaller than the first threshold, the door lighting is controlled to turn on.

According to the configuration of the present disclosure, for example, when the user who is the holder of the portable device approaches the vehicle, the door illumination provided at the door of the vehicle according to the distance determined by the distance determination unit, and the interior illumination, which is the interior light. , it is possible to guess which door of the vehicle the user is heading toward, and to control the lighting to greet the user (see off the user when the user leaves the vehicle).

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle device control system according to an embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a vehicle, room lights, and door lights of the in-vehicle device control system according to the embodiment; (a), (b) diagrams showing the format of the LF command transmitted from the LF transmission section of the vehicle of the in-vehicle device control system of the embodiment; (a) and (b) are diagrams showing formats of RF commands transmitted from the RF transmission unit of the electronic key in response to the LF commands Wa and Wb transmitted from the vehicle of the in-vehicle device control system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the vehicle and the electronic key when the electronic key approaches the vehicle after leaving the vehicle in the in-vehicle device control system of the embodiment; 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the ECU of the in-vehicle device control system according to the embodiment; Flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic key of the in-vehicle device control system according to the embodiment when receiving the LF command Wa 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation when the electronic key of the in-vehicle device control system of the present embodiment cannot receive the LF command Wa; 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the electronic key of the in-vehicle device control system according to the embodiment when receiving the LF command Wb;

Hereinafter, an embodiment specifically disclosing an in-vehicle device control system according to the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and redundant descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary verbosity in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for a thorough understanding of the present disclosure by those skilled in the art and are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter.

An in-vehicle device control system according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG. The in-vehicle device control system according to the present embodiment controls the locked/unlocked states of the doors 11-15 based on the ID code collation results obtained by mutual communication between the electronic key 30 and the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 40. FIG. Further, the ECU 40 executes smart illumination control to turn on the illumination corresponding to the door 11-15 according to the position of the door 11-15 to which the user who is the holder of the electronic key 30 is considered to be approaching. Here, the ECU 40 is an example of a vehicle control unit in the claims.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle device control system 10 of this embodiment. In the figure, an in-vehicle device control system 10 of this embodiment includes a vehicle 20 and an electronic key 30 . The electronic key 30 is an example of a portable device in the claims. The electronic key 30 has a control section 305 . The vehicle 20 includes an ECU 40 , a lighting control section 50 and a battery 60 . The ECU 40 includes an LF (Low Frequency) transmission unit 401 and an RF (Radio Frequency) reception unit 402 capable of wireless communication with the electronic key 30, a communication unit 403 that communicates with the lighting control unit 50, at least the LF transmission unit 401, A control unit 404 that controls the RF receiving unit 402 and the communication unit 403 and a distance determination unit 405 that measures the distance from the vehicle 20 to the electronic key 30 are provided. The control unit 305 is an example of a portable control unit in the claims.

The LF transmission unit 401 transmits data using a frequency of, for example, 125 kHz in the frequency band of 30 Hz to 300 kHz. The RF receiver 402 receives data using a frequency of 433 MHz, for example, in the frequency band of 300 Hz to 3 THz. The communication unit 403 communicates with the lighting control unit 50 using a cable. The control unit 404 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an input signal circuit, an output signal circuit, and the like (not shown).

The control unit 404 communicates with the electronic key 30 through the LF transmission unit 401 and the RF reception unit 402, and based on the communication result, the lighting control unit 50 corresponds to the room light 501 and each door 11-15, which will be described later. control the illuminance of the door lights 101-105. It should be noted that illuminance control includes not only changing the brightness of lighting, but also lighting control, extinguishing control, and lighting control in various lighting modes (lighting time, lighting color, lighting pattern, etc.). The details of control by the control unit 404 will be described later. Here, the doors 11-15 are the driver's door (first door 11), passenger's door (second door 12), rear seat door (third door 13, fourth door 14). ), and the rear gate (fifth door 15). In this embodiment, the number of doors 11-15 is not limited, and the vehicle 20 may have at least two doors 11-15. is provided.

The lighting control unit 50 controls the room light 501 provided in the vehicle 20, the communication unit 502 that communicates with the communication unit 403 of the ECU 40, the room light 501, the door lights 101 to 105, and the communication unit 502. and a part 503 . Like the control unit 404 of the ECU 40 described above, the control unit 503 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input signal circuit, an output signal circuit, and the like (not shown). The control unit 503 controls the illuminance of the room light 501 and the illuminance of the door lights 101-105 corresponding to the doors 11-15 according to instructions from the control unit 404 of the ECU 40. FIG. Room light 501 is an example of a vehicle interior light in the claims.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the vehicle 20, the room light 501, and the door lights 101-105 of the in-vehicle device control system 10 of this embodiment. A room light 501 is arranged in the ceiling portion of the vehicle interior of the vehicle 20, and door lighting is provided for each of the first door 11, the second door 12, the third door 13, the fourth door 14, and the fifth door 15. 101-105 are arranged. By appropriately controlling the illuminance of the door lights 101 to 105 corresponding to the doors 11 to 15 to which the holder of the electronic key 30 is approaching, the user feels welcomed. Realize smart illumination control that can give a sense of awareness.

In addition, even when the holder of the electronic key 30 moves far away from the door 11-15 that the holder of the electronic key 30 is approaching, the illuminance of the corresponding door lighting 101-105 can be appropriately controlled according to the situation so that the user can To realize smart illumination control capable of giving a sense of being sent off.

Returning to FIG. 1, the battery 60 supplies electric power for operating the ECU 40 and the lighting control unit 50, respectively. The battery 60 is used, for example, to start the engine mounted on the vehicle 20, but may be dedicated to the ECU 40 and the lighting control section 50. FIG.

Electronic key 30 controls LF receiver 301 and RF transmitter 302 capable of wireless communication with vehicle 20, LED (Light Emitting Diode) 303, battery 304, LF receiver 301, RF transmitter 302 and LED 303. and a control unit 305 for The LF receiver 301 receives data using the same 125 kHz frequency as the LF transmitter 401 of the vehicle 20 in the frequency band of 30 Hz to 300 kHz. The RF transmitter 302 transmits data using the same frequency of 433 MHz as the RF receiver 402 of the vehicle 20 in the frequency band of 300 Hz to 3 THz.

Like the control unit 404 of the ECU 40, the control unit 305 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input signal circuit, an output signal circuit, and the like (not shown). The control unit 305 communicates with the vehicle 20 (ECU 40) using the LF receiving unit 301 and the RF transmitting unit 302, and sends instructions to the vehicle 20 based on the communication results. The details of control by the control unit 305 will be described later. The LED 303 indicates the operating state of the electronic key 30, and blinks when the voltage of the battery 304 drops, for example. A battery 304 supplies power to each part of the electronic key 30 .

Next, communication between the vehicle 20 and the electronic key 30 of the in-vehicle device control system 10 of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the format of the LF command transmitted from the LF transmission section 401 of the vehicle 20 of the in-vehicle device control system 10 of this embodiment. (a) of the figure is the format of the LF command Wa, and (b) of the figure is the format of the LF command Wb. The LF command Wa consists of "wake pattern", "command type (Wa)", "LF antenna type" and "ID code". The LF command Wb is composed of "wake pattern", "command type (Wb)", "LF antenna type", "ID code" and "LF-RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) burst".

A wake pattern is data for activating the control unit 305 of the electronic key 30 . The command type is data indicating the communication type. Here, the electronic key 30 is notified of "with burst" or "without burst". The LF antenna type is data indicating from which antenna the LF is transmitted. The ID code is an ID for identifying a registered vehicle, and differs from vehicle to vehicle. The LF-RSSI burst is data with a series of carrier "1"s (used by the electronic key 30 to measure signal strength). The time from the wake pattern to the ID code is, for example, 13.06 msec, and the LF-RSSI burst time is, for example, 2.9 msec.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the format of the RF commands transmitted from the RF transmitter 302 of the electronic key 30 in response to the LF commands Wa and Wb transmitted from the vehicle 20 of the in-vehicle device control system 10 of this embodiment. (a) of the same figure is the format of the RF command for the LF command Wa, and (b) of the same figure is the format of the RF command for the LF command Wb. An RF command corresponding to the LF command Wa consists of a "synchronization pattern", a "function code", an "ID code", a "no-burst command" and "FOB information". The RF command for the LF command Wb consists of a "sync pattern", "function code", "ID code", "command with burst", "FOB information", and "LF-RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) burst".

The synchronization pattern is data for determining that it is the RF signal from the electronic key 30 . A function code is data indicating which function the RF information is for (for example, lock, unlock, welcome light). The ID code is an ID unique to the electronic key (used to confirm that the electronic key is registered). The FOB information is additional information of the registered electronic key (information for determining that the electronic key is registered). The no-burst command is data for identifying a response to the no-burst LF command. The command with burst is data for identifying that it is a response to the LF command with burst. The LF-RSSI burst is the same information as the LF-RSSI burst included in the LF command Wb, and is included in the RF command as it is.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the vehicle 20 and the electronic key 30 when the electronic key 30 approaches the vehicle 20 after leaving the vehicle 20 in the in-vehicle device control system 10 of the present embodiment. In the figure, the space between the vehicle 20 and the electronic key 30 is divided into four areas A to D, and the manner in which the electronic key 30 approaches the vehicle 20 is divided into five patterns P1 to P5. The four areas are A area, B area, C area, and D area in order of the distance from the vehicle 20 .

A first threshold TH1 is set for the received signal level between the A region and the B region (hereinafter referred to as "received LF signal level"), and the received LF signal level between the C region and the D region is set. A second threshold TH2 is set for the signal level. That is, the first threshold TH1 is set with respect to the received LF signal level of the LF command Wa transmitted by the electronic key 30 from the vehicle 20, and the second threshold TH2 is set with respect to the received LF signal level at which the electronic key 30 is transmitted from the vehicle 20. It is set to the received LF signal level of the LF command Wb.

A pattern P1 is a pattern in which the electronic key 30 normally approaches the vehicle 20 . A pattern P1 is a pattern in which the electronic key 30 normally approaches the vehicle 20 . Pattern P1 is performed as follows. Arrow Y1 in FIG.

A: When the electronic key 30 exists in the region A The ECU 40 of the vehicle 20 intermittently (for example, every 300 msec) transmits an LF command Wa for detecting the electronic key 30 registered therein. The LF command Wa has a command format that suppresses transmission power (power consumption). The electronic key 30 does not communicate because the received LF signal level is less than the first threshold TH1 (LF communication limit).

B: When the Electronic Key 30 Reaches the First Threshold TH1 Since the electronic key 30 can receive the LF command Wa, it returns a response with the RF command. Upon receiving the RF response to the LF command Wa, the ECU 40 of the vehicle 20 switches from the LF command Wa to the LF command Wb. The LF command Wb is transmitted intermittently (for example, every 300 msec) with an LF-RSSI burst signal added to it so that the electronic key 30 can detect the distance from the vehicle 20 . The power (transmission power) for transmitting the LF command Wb is greater than the power for transmitting the LF command Wa.

C: When the electronic key 30 exists in the area C The electronic key 30 receives the LF command Wb and measures the signal level of the LF-RSSI burst signal (received LF signal level). The electronic key 30 does not respond to the LF command Wb when the received LF signal level is less than the second threshold TH2.

If the electronic key 30 exists in an area where the LF signal is very weak, the wakeup signal activates the controller 305 of the electronic key 30, but the LF command reception (or ID code reception) may not be completed. In such a case, the intermittent transmission of the LF command Wb is repeated as described above, and the battery consumption on the side of the ECU 40 of the vehicle 20 progresses rapidly. Also, the battery of the electronic key 30 is exhausted by repeatedly receiving the intermittent transmission of the LF command Wb.

According to this configuration, even if the electronic key 30 exists in an area where the LF signal is very weak (the electronic key control unit 305 wakes up but cannot complete the reception of the LF command), the control unit 305 can By transmitting a signal instructing the ECU 40 of the vehicle 20 to stop transmitting the LF signal, it is possible to reduce the rapid progress of battery consumption of the ECU 40 of the vehicle 20 .

D: When Electronic Key 30 Reaches Second Threshold TH2 The electronic key 30 responds to the LF command Wb. Upon receiving the RF response to the LF command Wb, the ECU 40 of the vehicle 20 starts welcome operation. Either or both of the room light 501 and the door lights 101 to 105 may be temporarily or continuously turned on as a signal to the user when the welcome operation is started.

An example of the welcome operation will be described here. The electronic key 30 receives the LF command Wb and measures the signal level of the LF-RSSI burst signal (received LF signal level). Distance determination unit 405 measures the distance from LF transmission unit 401 to electronic key 30 . When the distance determination unit 405 determines that the distance from the LF transmission unit 401 to the electronic key 30 is less than the third threshold TH3 (the first threshold in the claims), the EUC 40 communicates with the communication unit 403 on the vehicle 20 side. By communicating with the communication unit 502 of the lighting control unit 50 , the lighting control unit 50 is instructed to turn on the room light 501 . A third threshold is, for example, 4 m.

The distance determination unit 405 determines that the distance from the LF transmission unit 401 to the electronic key 30 is smaller than the third threshold TH3 (the first threshold in the scope of claims), the fourth threshold TH4 (the second threshold in the scope of claims). If it is determined to be less than that, the ECU 40 instructs the lighting control unit 50 to turn on the door lights 101 to 105 by communicating between the communication unit 403 on the vehicle 20 side and the communication unit 502 of the lighting control unit 50 . A fourth threshold is, for example, 2 m.

With such a configuration, when the user carrying the electronic key 30 approaches the vehicle in the area D, the room light 501 and the doors 11 to 15 correspond to the distance between the vehicle 20 and the electronic key 30. Since the door lights 101 to 105 are sequentially turned on (or turned off), it plays a role of welcoming the user. Likewise, when the user leaves the vehicle, the room light 501 and the door lights 101 to 105 corresponding to the doors 11 to 15 are sequentially turned on (or off) according to the distance between the vehicle 20 and the electronic key 30. It plays the role of the send-off function for the user.

Here, the LF transmitter 401 may be provided in each of at least two doors (for example, the first door 11, the second door 12, or the fifth door 15) of the vehicle. By doing so, it is possible to accurately detect which door 11-15 the user holding the electronic key 30 is approaching (or away from). can be strengthened. For example, when approaching the driver's seat (first door 11), the first door lighting 101 corresponding to the first door 11 is turned on, and when approaching the passenger seat (second door 12), the second door lighting 101 is turned on. A second door lighting 102 corresponding to the second door 12 is turned on, and a fifth door lighting 105 corresponding to the fifth door 15 is turned on when approaching the tailgate (fifth door 15). do. Similarly, the RF receivers 402 may be provided in at least two doors (the first door 11, the second door 12, or the fifth door 15) of the vehicle. It does not need to be provided as a set.

Further, the RF command returned from the electronic key 30 may include LF antenna type information. The electronic key 30 returns the LF antenna type information included in the LF command transmitted by the LF transmission unit 401 to the ECU 40 as it is. Based on the LF antenna type information included in the RF command, the ECU 40 can accurately determine which door 11-15 the user approaches. By lighting the door 11-15 approaching the user carrying the electronic key 30, the function of welcoming the user is further promoted, and only the lighting means corresponding to the door 11-15 to which the user is heading is lit. can reduce wasteful power consumption.

Further, after a predetermined time has passed since the distance determination unit 405 determined that the distance from the LF transmission unit 401 to the electronic key 30 is less than the third threshold TH3 (the first threshold in the scope of claims), the room light 501 is turned on. You may make it light-extinguish. By doing so, power consumption can be suppressed.

Further, the door lights 101 to 105 corresponding to the unlocking operation of the doors 11 to 15 of the vehicle 20 may be controlled to turn off. By doing so, power consumption can be suppressed and the user can be notified of the end of the meeting function.

As described above, the smart illumination control by the welcome operation can be applied not only when the user approaches the vehicle 20 but also when the user leaves the vehicle 20 . By sequentially turning on (or off) the room light 501 and the door lights 101 to 105 corresponding to the doors 11 to 15 according to the distance between the vehicle 20 and the electronic key 30, the user sees off function. When the door 11-15 of the vehicle 20 is locked, the corresponding door lighting 101-105 or the room light 501 may be turned on, or the door lighting 101-105 and the room light 501 may be turned on depending on the distance. The room lights 501 may be sequentially turned on (or turned off).

Also, the smart illumination control by the welcome operation described above is an example, and can be changed as appropriate according to the situation. For example, the lighting control unit 50 may make the illuminance of the door lights 101 to 105 different from the illuminance of the room light 501 . The illuminance here is not limited to the brightness of illumination, but includes all lighting modes such as lighting (extinguishing) pattern, lighting (extinguishing) time, and lighting color.

Further, the lighting control unit 50 may turn on (or turn off) the door lights 101 to 105 in different lighting modes according to the distance from the LF transmission unit 401 of the vehicle to the electronic key 30 determined by the distance determination unit 405. . In this way, the user's meeting function (seeing off function) can be strengthened, and the user carrying the electronic key 30 can intuitively grasp the distance to the vehicle doors 11-15.

Pattern P2 is a pattern in which the electronic key 30 continues to stay in the "C" area.

The clockwise arrow in the C area indicates that the electronic key 30 remains in the C area.

(1): After 30 seconds have passed, the RF command is not transmitted in response to the LF command Wb, and the welcome flow of turning on the room light 501 is removed. Alternatively, as in the case of continuing to stay in the "B" region described above, when the number of times counted by the counting unit when the portable control unit satisfies the predetermined condition is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times, the portable control unit controls the vehicle. It is also possible to transmit a signal instructing the unit to stop transmitting the LF signal.

(2): Since the electronic key 30 continues to be held even after 5 minutes have passed, if the door lights 101 to 105 or the room light 501 are on, control is performed to turn off the lights, and the welcome flow ends. In this case, the function of lighting only the room light 501 may be continued.

Pattern P3 is a pattern in which the electronic key 30 returns to area A after the state (1) of pattern P2 continues for, for example, one minute. In the pattern P3, similarly to the state (2) of the pattern P2, the function of turning on only the room light 501 may be continued.

Pattern P4 is a pattern in which the electronic key 30 returns to area A before entering state (1) of pattern P2. In pattern P4, the function of lighting only the room light 501 may be continued, or the function of lighting both the door lights 101-105 and the room light 501 may be continued. In this case, the door lights 101-105 are extinguished after a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed.

Pattern P5 is a pattern in which the electronic key 30 stays in the A region. In the pattern P5, when the door lights 101 to 105 or the room light 501 are on, extinguishing control is performed.

Next, the operation of the in-vehicle device control system 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the ECU 40 of the vehicle 20 of the in-vehicle device control system 10 of this embodiment. In addition, in this operation description, the subject is the ECU 40, but the vehicle 20 may be the subject. In the figure, the ECU 40 first transmits an LF command Wa (step S1). In this case, the LF command Wa is transmitted from the LF transmission unit 401 at a cycle of 300 msec, for example.

Next, the ECU 40 determines whether or not it has received an RF response to the LF command Wa, that is, an RF command (step S2). When the ECU 40 determines that the RF response has not been received (when it determines "NO" in step S2), it returns to step S1. On the other hand, when the ECU 40 determines that it has received the RF response (when it determines "YES" in step S2), it transmits the LF command Wb. That is, an LF command in which an LF-RSSI burst is added to the LF command Wa is transmitted (step S3).

Next, the ECU 40 determines whether or not an RF response to the LF command Wb (that is, an RF command to the LF command Wb) has been received (step S4). When the ECU 40 determines that the RF response has not been received (when it determines "NO" in step S4), it determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed since the transmission of the LF command Wb started (step S5). When the ECU 40 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of transmission of the LF command Wb (when determined as "NO" in step S5), the ECU 40 returns to step S3. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has passed since the start of transmission of the LF command Wb (if "YES" is determined in step S5), the process proceeds to step S12 described later, and the LF command Wb is transmitted from the transmission of the LF command Wb. Switching to transmission of the LF command Wa with a shorter packet length is performed. Thereby, power saving can be achieved.

When the ECU 40 determines in step S4 that an RF response to the LF command Wb has been received (when determined as "YES" in step S4), the distance determination unit 405 causes the LF transmission unit 401 of the vehicle 20 to transmit an electronic signal. The distance to the key 30 is measured (step S6) and the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, it is determined whether or not the distance measured by the distance determination unit 405 is less than a third threshold TH3 (first threshold in the claims). When the distance is less than the third threshold TH3 (when determined as "YES" in step S7), the room light 501 is turned on (step S8), and the process proceeds to step S9. If the distance is equal to or greater than the third threshold TH3 (if "NO" is determined in step S7), the process returns to step S7.

In step S9, it is determined whether or not the distance measured by the distance determination unit 405 is less than a fourth threshold TH4 (second threshold in the claims). If the distance is less than the fourth threshold TH4 (if determined as "YES" in step S9), the distance determination unit 405 determines which door 11-15 corresponds to the LF transmission unit based on the antenna type information included in the RF signal. 401 LF signal is specified (step S10), the door lighting 101-105 corresponding to the specified door 11-15 is turned on (step S11), and the process proceeds to step S12. At this time, the room light 501 may be extinguished for the purpose of power saving. The room light 501 may be turned off after a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed since the room light 501 was turned on (step S8). If the distance is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold TH4 (if "NO" is determined in step S9), the process returns to step S8.

The operation (step S10) for the distance determination unit 405 to identify which door 11-15 the LF signal of the LF transmission unit 401 corresponds to from the antenna type information included in the RF signal (step S10) is performed before step S6 or at step S6. may be performed at the same time as or between steps PS6 and S10.

Next, the ECU 40 transmits the LF command Wa (step S12). After transmitting the LF command Wa, the ECU 40 determines whether or not an RF response to the LF command Wa has been received (step S13). If it is determined that the LF command Wa is received), the process returns to step S1, and if it is determined that the RF response to the LF command Wa has been received (if it is determined as "YES" in step S13), a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) is determined (step S14). When the ECU 40 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of transmission of the LF command Wa (when it determines "NO" in step S14), the ECU 40 returns to step S12 and determines that the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of transmission of the LF command Wa. If so (if determined as "YES" in step S14), this process ends.

It should be noted that the processing of steps S11 to S13 is such that the user carrying the electronic key 30 leaves the vehicle 20 without getting into the vehicle 20 even if the room light 501 or the door lights 101 to 105 are turned on. There is also, so it is provided for that purpose.

Further, if the route from step S5 to step S12 is taken, room light 501 does not turn on even if electronic key 30 approaches vehicle 20. FIG. There are two reasons for this.

The first point is that the route is taken in rare cases where the electronic key 30 approaches the vehicle 20 but remains at a position of 2 to 3 m. The second point is that progressing battery consumption of the vehicle 20 and the electronic key 30 poses a greater problem than not lighting the room light 501 .

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic key 30 of the in-vehicle device control system 10 of the present embodiment when receiving the LF command Wa. In the figure, the electronic key 30 first determines whether or not the LF command Wa can be received after the controller 305 is activated by the wakeup signal of the LF signal (step S20). If the LF command Wa can be received ("YES" in step S20), the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, an RF response to the LF command Wa is transmitted (step S21), and this processing ends. If the LF command Wa cannot be received ("NO" is determined in step S20), the count of the count unit provided in the control unit 305 is incremented by 1 (step S22), and this process ends. In addition, when the ID code included in the LF signal cannot be received, the count of the count unit included in the control unit 305 may be incremented by one.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the vehicle-mounted device control system 10 of the present embodiment when the LF command Wb of the electronic key 30 cannot be received.

The control unit 305 of the electronic key 30 determines whether or not the number of times counted by the counting unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (for example, 5 times or more) (step S30). When the number of times counted by the counting unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (when determined as "YES" in step S30), a signal instructing to stop transmitting the LF signal is transmitted to the ECU 40 of the vehicle 20 (step S31). finish. If the number of times counted by the counting unit is less than the predetermined number (if determined as "NO" in step S30), the flow returns to before step S30.

With this operation, even if the electronic key 30 exists in an area where the LF signal is very weak (the control unit 305 of the electronic key 30 wakes up but cannot complete the LF command reception (or ID code reception)). Also, the control unit 305 transmits a signal instructing the ECU 40 to stop transmission of the LF signal, so that the rapid progress of battery consumption of the ECU 40 of the vehicle 20 can be reduced.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic key 30 of the in-vehicle device control system 10 of the present embodiment when receiving the LF command Wb. In the figure, the electronic key 30 first receives the LF command Wb (step S40), then measures the RSSI burst from the LF-RSSI burst that is part of the LF command Wb, and the received LF signal level is the second is equal to or greater than the threshold TH2 (step S41). When the electronic key 30 determines that the received LF signal level is equal to or higher than the second threshold TH2 (when it determines "YES" in step S41), it transmits an RF response to the LF command Wb (step S42). Finish processing. If the electronic key 30 makes a "NO" determination in step S41, the process ends.

As described above, the in-vehicle device control system 10 of the present embodiment turns on the door lights 101 to 105 provided at the doors 11 to 15 of the vehicle 20 and the room light 501 according to the distance determined by the distance determination unit 405. To provide an in-vehicle equipment control system 10 sufficiently equipped with a user's meeting (or seeing off) function by appropriately controlling the lighting of lighting when a user approaches a vehicle 20 because it has a lighting control unit 50 for controlling. can be done.

Although the vehicle-mounted device control system 10 of the present embodiment has been described using the room light 501 as an example of the vehicle interior light, the vehicle-mounted device control system of the present disclosure is not limited to this. Any light that exists inside the vehicle and can be visually recognized from outside the vehicle may be used instead of the room light. Also, in addition to the door lights 101 to 105, a headlight, a door mirror light, a backlight, a brake lamp, and the like may be combined to realize smart illumination control. For example, when the user holding the electronic key 30 approaches the driver's seat from behind the vehicle 20, lighting control is performed in the order of the interior light, the backlight, and the door light 101. FIG. Further, for example, when a user holding the electronic key 30 approaches the passenger seat from the front of the vehicle 20, lighting control is performed in the order of the interior lights, the door mirror lights, and the door lights 102. FIG. By doing so, the user's meeting (or seeing off) function can be enhanced.

The in-vehicle device control system of the present disclosure is useful for vehicles such as automobiles.

10 In-vehicle device control system 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 Doors (first door, second door, third door, fourth door, fifth door)
20 vehicle 30 electronic key 40 ECU
50 lighting control unit 60 battery 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 door lighting (first door lighting, second door lighting, third door lighting, fourth door lighting, fifth door lighting)
301 LF receiver 302 RF transmitter 303 LED
304 battery 305, 404, 503 control unit 401 LF transmission unit 402 RF reception unit 403, 502 communication unit 405 distance determination unit 501 room light TH1 first threshold TH2 second threshold TH3 third threshold TH4 fourth threshold

Claims (14)

In response to an LF signal including an ID code and transmitted from a vehicle control unit provided in a vehicle to the outside of the vehicle control unit, a portable control unit provided in a portable device performs mutual communication to return an RF signal including the ID code. Thereby, the vehicle control unit checks whether or not the ID code included in the RF signal is the same as a pre-registered ID code, wherein
The vehicle control unit
a transmission unit that transmits the LF signal to the portable device;
a receiving unit that receives the RF signal from the portable device;
a distance determination unit that determines the distance from the transmission unit to the portable device based on the signal strength of a burst signal included in the RF signal;
A door lighting provided at the door of the vehicle according to the distance determined by the distance determination unit, and a lighting control unit that controls vehicle interior lighting,
In-vehicle equipment control system. The lighting control unit controls lighting of the vehicle interior lighting when the distance determination unit determines that the distance from the transmission unit to the portable device is less than a first threshold value, and the distance determination unit controls lighting of the vehicle interior lighting. lighting control of the door lighting when it is determined that the distance to the aircraft is less than the second threshold smaller than the first threshold;
The in-vehicle device control system according to claim 1. the door lights are provided on at least two doors and a tailgate of the vehicle, respectively;
The in-vehicle device control system according to claim 1 or 2. The transmitters are provided in at least two doors and a tailgate of the vehicle, respectively;
The LF signal transmitted by the transmitting unit includes LF antenna type information,
The mobile control unit returns the RF signal including the LF antenna type information,
The vehicle control unit includes determination means for determining whether the RF signal is a response to an LF signal transmitted from any of the transmitters in the transmission unit based on the LF antenna type information included in the RF signal. further have
The in-vehicle device control system according to claim 3. The lighting control unit turns off the in-vehicle lighting when the distance determination unit determines that the distance from the transmission unit to the portable device is less than a second threshold.
The in-vehicle device control system according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The lighting control unit controls turning off the door lighting when an unlocking operation of the vehicle is performed.
The in-vehicle equipment control system according to any one of claims 2 to 5. The lighting control unit turns on the door lighting or the vehicle interior lighting when the vehicle is locked.
The in-vehicle device control system according to any one of claims 2 to 6. The lighting control unit turns on the lighting mode of the door lighting in a mode different from the lighting mode of the interior lighting,
The in-vehicle equipment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The lighting control unit changes the lighting mode of the door lighting according to the distance from the transmitting unit to the portable device determined by the distance determination unit,
The in-vehicle device control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The lighting control unit turns off the in-vehicle lighting after a predetermined time has elapsed since turning on the in-vehicle lighting.
The in-vehicle device control system according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The LF signal includes a wake pattern signal that activates the portable control unit, and the portable control unit is activated when the portable device receives the LF signal.
The in-vehicle device control system according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The LF signal further includes a command type signal indicating a communication type,
The transmission unit transmits the LF signal containing the command type signal and the ID code at predetermined time intervals,
the receiving unit returns the RF signal including the command type signal and the ID code;
The portable control unit further has a counting unit that counts the number of times a predetermined condition is satisfied,
the predetermined condition is that the receiving unit does not receive the command type signal or the ID code within a predetermined period of time after the transmitting unit transmits the LF signal;
When the number of times counted by the counting unit reaches or exceeds a predetermined number of times, the portable control unit transmits a signal instructing the vehicle control unit to stop transmitting the LF signal.
The in-vehicle device control system according to claim 11. In response to an LF signal including an ID code and transmitted from a vehicle control unit provided in a vehicle to the outside of the vehicle control unit, a portable control unit provided in a portable device performs mutual communication to return an RF signal including the ID code. A lighting control method in an in-vehicle device control system in which the vehicle control unit checks whether or not the ID code contained in the RF signal is the same as a pre-registered ID code,
The vehicle control unit
a transmission unit that transmits the LF signal to the portable device;
a receiving unit that receives the RF signal from the portable device;
a distance determination unit that determines the distance from the transmission unit to the portable device based on the signal strength of a burst signal included in the RF signal;
a door lighting provided at the door of the vehicle according to the distance determined by the distance determination unit, and a lighting control unit that controls vehicle interior lighting;
a step in which the distance determination unit determines the distance from the transmission unit to the portable device;
the lighting control unit controlling door lighting provided at the door of the vehicle and interior lighting according to the distance determined by the distance determination unit;
lighting control method. The lighting control unit controls lighting of the vehicle interior lighting when the distance determination unit determines that the distance from the transmission unit to the portable device is less than a first threshold value, and the distance determination unit controls lighting of the vehicle interior lighting. lighting control of the door lighting when it is determined that the distance to the aircraft is less than the second threshold smaller than the first threshold;
The lighting control method according to claim 13.

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