JP2024047206A - Control device, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To improve user convenience. [Solution] A control device comprising a control unit that sets one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode and controls an operation according to the operation mode, the plurality of operation modes including a first mode, a second mode different from the first mode, and a third mode in which communication by the communication unit with a communication device mounted on a vehicle is more restricted than in either the first mode or the second mode, the control unit restricts communication by the communication unit with the communication device when the third mode is set as the operation mode compared to when the first mode and the second mode are set as the operation mode, switches the operation mode from the first mode to the third mode when a non-detection time, which is a time during which vibration is not continuously detected by the vibration detection unit, exceeds the first time when the first mode is set as the operation mode, and sets the communication possible time with the communication device by the communication unit to be unlimited when the operation mode is set as the second mode. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a control device, a control method, and a program.

In recent years, terminals (such as electronic keys) that communicate with an onboard device installed in a vehicle and are used to control the vehicle have become known. In order to conserve power in the terminal, a technology is known that switches the operation mode of the terminal between a normal mode and a power-saving mode in which communication with the onboard device is more restricted than in the normal mode, based on whether the terminal is vibrating.

Here, frequent switching of operation modes can be expected to increase the power consumption of the terminal. Therefore, in order to further reduce power consumption of the terminal, a technology has been disclosed that switches the operation mode from normal mode to power saving mode only when the period during which vibrations of the terminal are not continuously detected exceeds a predetermined period (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 6812939

However, the above-mentioned technology is not sufficient in terms of convenience for users of the terminal.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to make it possible to improve user convenience.

In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, a control device is provided that includes a control unit that sets one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode and controls operation in the operation mode, the plurality of operation modes including a first mode, a second mode different from the first mode, and a third mode in which communication by the communication unit with a communication device mounted on a vehicle is restricted more than in either the first mode or the second mode, and when the control unit sets the third mode as the operation mode, the control unit restricts communication by the communication unit with the communication device compared to when the operation mode is set to the first mode and the second mode, and when the operation mode is set to the first mode, if a non-detection time, which is a time during which vibration is not continuously detected by the vibration detection unit, exceeds a first time, the control unit switches the operation mode from the first mode to the third mode, and when the operation mode is set to the second mode, the control unit sets the communication possible time with the communication device by the communication unit to an indefinite time.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, a control unit is provided that sets one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode and controls operation according to the operation mode, the plurality of operation modes including a first mode, a second mode different from the first mode, a third mode different from each of the first mode and the second mode, and a fourth mode in which communication by the communication unit with a communication device mounted on the vehicle is more restricted than in either the first mode or the second mode, and when the control unit sets the fourth mode as the operation mode, the control unit sets the first mode, the previous mode, and the like as the operation mode. A control device is provided that, compared to when the second mode and the third mode are set, restricts communication by the communication unit with the communication device, and when the first mode is set as the operation mode, switches the operation mode from the first mode to the fourth mode if a non-detection time, which is a time during which vibration is not continuously detected by the vibration detection unit, exceeds a first time, and switches the operation mode to the second mode or the third mode if a failure of the vibration detection unit is detected when the first mode or the fourth mode is set as the operation mode.

In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method including setting one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode and controlling an operation according to the operation mode, the plurality of operation modes including a first mode, a second mode different from the first mode, and a third mode in which communication by the communication unit with a communication device mounted on a vehicle is restricted more than in either the first mode or the second mode, and the control method includes the steps of: when the third mode is set as the operation mode, restricting communication by the communication unit with the communication device compared to when the first mode and the second mode are set as the operation mode; when the first mode is set as the operation mode, switching the operation mode from the first mode to the third mode when a non-detection time, which is a time during which vibration is not continuously detected by the vibration detection unit, exceeds a first time; and when the second mode is set as the operation mode, setting the communication possible time with the communication device by the communication unit to an indefinite time.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, there is provided a control method including setting one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode and controlling an operation according to the operation mode, the plurality of operation modes including a first mode, a second mode different from the first mode, a third mode different from each of the first mode and the second mode, and a fourth mode in which communication by a communication unit with a communication device mounted on a vehicle is more restricted than in either the first mode or the second mode, and the control method includes, when the fourth mode is set as the operation mode, setting the first mode, the second mode, The control method includes restricting communication by the communication unit with the communication device compared to when the first mode and the third mode are set, switching the operation mode from the first mode to the fourth mode when a non-detection time during which vibration is not continuously detected by the vibration detection unit exceeds a first time when the first mode is set as the operation mode, and switching the operation mode to the second mode or the third mode when a failure of the vibration detection unit is detected when the first mode or the fourth mode is set as the operation mode.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, a program is provided that causes a computer to function as a control device, the control device including a control unit that sets one of a plurality of operation modes and controls operation in the operation mode, the plurality of operation modes including a first mode, a second mode different from the first mode, and a third mode in which communication by the communication unit with a communication device mounted on a vehicle is restricted more than in either the first mode or the second mode, the control unit restricts communication by the communication unit with the communication device when the third mode is set as the operation mode, compared to when the first mode and the second mode are set as the operation mode, and when the first mode is set as the operation mode, if a non-detection time, which is a time during which vibration is not continuously detected by the vibration detection unit, exceeds a first time, the control unit switches the operation mode from the first mode to the third mode, and when the second mode is set as the operation mode, the control unit sets the communication possible time with the communication device by the communication unit to an indefinite time.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, a computer is provided with a control unit that sets one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode and controls operation according to the operation mode, the plurality of operation modes including a first mode, a second mode different from the first mode, a third mode different from each of the first mode and the second mode, and a fourth mode in which communication by the communication unit with a communication device mounted on a vehicle is more restricted than in either the first mode or the second mode, and when the control unit sets the fourth mode as the operation mode, the control unit sets the first mode, the second mode, A program is provided that functions as a control device that restricts communication by the communication unit with the communication device compared to when the first mode and the third mode are set, switches the operation mode from the first mode to the fourth mode when a non-detection time during which vibration is not continuously detected by the vibration detection unit exceeds a first time when the first mode is set as the operation mode, and switches the operation mode to the second mode or the third mode when a failure of the vibration detection unit is detected when the first mode or the fourth mode is set as the operation mode.

As described above, the present invention makes it possible to improve user convenience.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle control system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a state transition diagram of an operation mode of the terminal 20 in the vehicle control system 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram of an operation mode of a terminal 20 in a vehicle control system 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that in this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.

<0. Background
First, the background of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(Explanation of existing technology)
As described above, in order to save power of a terminal, there is known an existing technology that switches the operation mode of a terminal from a normal mode to a power saving mode only when the time during which vibration of the terminal is not continuously detected exceeds a first time. However, if the operation mode of the terminal is switched from the normal mode to the power saving mode in a uniform manner when the time during which vibration of the terminal is not continuously detected exceeds a predetermined time, it is expected that user convenience will not be improved.

For example, in existing technology, when vibration of the terminal is detected, the operating mode of the terminal is switched from power saving mode to normal mode. Here, in existing technology, the power saving mode is a communication prohibited mode in which communication between the terminal and the vehicle-mounted device is prohibited. Also, in existing technology, the normal mode includes a mode in which the communication possible time is a first time (hereinafter also referred to as "communication possible time limited mode (short time)") and a mode in which the communication possible time is longer than the first time (hereinafter also referred to as "communication possible time limited mode (long time)").

The communication time limit mode (short time) is a mode that is set when it is determined that the user using the terminal has disembarked from the vehicle. When the operation mode of the terminal is set to the communication time limit mode (short time), if the time during which vibration of the terminal is not continuously detected exceeds a first time, the operation mode of the terminal switches from the communication time limit mode (short time) to the communication prohibited mode.

On the other hand, the communication time limited mode (long time) is a mode that is set when it is determined that the user using the terminal has boarded a vehicle. When the operation mode of the terminal is set to the communication time limited mode (long time), if the period during which vibration of the terminal is not continuously detected exceeds a second period that is longer than the first period, the operation mode of the terminal switches from the communication time limited mode (long time) to the communication prohibited mode.

At this time, it is also conceivable that, although the user gets into the vehicle and the operation mode of the terminal is set to the communication time limit mode (long time), the user remains stationary in the vehicle without controlling the vehicle using the terminal, and the time during which vibrations of the terminal are not continuously detected exceeds the second time. In such a case, the operation mode of the terminal switches from the communication time limit mode (long time) to the communication prohibition mode, and the user will no longer be able to control the vehicle using the terminal while remaining in the vehicle.

As an example, a case may be assumed in which a user gets into a vehicle and the operation mode of the terminal is set to the communication time limit mode (long time), but the user does not start the vehicle engine using the terminal and goes to sleep in the vehicle, causing the time during which vibrations of the terminal are not continuously detected to exceed the second time period. In such a case, the operation mode of the terminal switches from the communication time limit mode (long time) to the communication prohibition mode, and the user will no longer be able to start the vehicle engine using the terminal while remaining in the vehicle.

(Overview of the embodiment of the present invention)
In view of the above, an embodiment of the present invention proposes a technique that enables to improve user convenience. More specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, even when a user gets into a vehicle, the operation mode of the terminal is set to an unlimited communication time mode in which the communication time between the vehicle-mounted device and the terminal is not limited.

As a result, even if the user remains stationary in the vehicle without using the terminal to control the vehicle and the time during which vibrations of the terminal are not continuously detected exceeds the second time period, the operation mode of the terminal does not switch from the unlimited communication time mode to the communication prohibited mode. This allows the user to continue to control the vehicle using the terminal while remaining in the vehicle.

The above explains the background of the embodiment of the present invention.

1. First embodiment
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(1.1. System Configuration)
First, a configuration example of a vehicle control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle control system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle control system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an in-vehicle device 10 and a terminal 20. The in-vehicle device 10 may be an example of a communication device mounted on a vehicle. The terminal 20 may be carried by a user.

In the vehicle control system 1, a cryptographic verification process is carried out between the vehicle-mounted device 10 and the terminal 20 using a predetermined communication sequence. Through this cryptographic verification process, the vehicle-mounted device 10 authenticates the terminal 20 and controls the vehicle (for example, unlocking and locking the vehicle doors, starting the engine, etc.).

Here, the terminal 20 may be a dedicated electronic key into which operations for controlling the vehicle are input. Alternatively, the terminal 20 may be an electronic device such as a smartphone in which key information downloaded from a specified server is set. In the following description, it is mainly assumed that the terminal 20 is an electronic key.

(In-vehicle device 10)
1 , the in-vehicle device 10 includes a control unit 110, a communication unit 120, a transmitting antenna 122, a receiving antenna 124, and a storage unit 130. The communication unit 120 communicates with the terminal 20, and includes a transmitting unit 121 and a receiving unit 123. The control unit 110 further includes a boarding/exiting determination unit 112 and a mode switching control unit 114.

(Transmitter 121)
The transmitter 121 transmits various information to the receiver 223 of the terminal 20 via the transmission antenna 122. Specifically, the transmitter 121 transmits a command for switching the operation mode of the terminal 20 (hereinafter, also referred to as a “mode switching command”), which is generated by the mode switching control unit 114, to the terminal 20 via the transmission antenna 122.

(Transmitting antenna 122)
The transmitting antenna 122 transmits a radio signal in a predetermined frequency band. Here, the frequency band of the radio signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna 122 is not limited. As an example, the frequency band of the radio signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna 122 may be a so-called LF (Low Frequency) band. For example, the LF band may be a frequency band of around 125 kHz.

(Receiving unit 123)
The receiving unit 123 receives various information from the transmitting unit 221 of the terminal 20 via the receiving antenna 124. Specifically, the receiving unit 123 receives a switch operation (hereinafter, also referred to as a “SW operation”) input to the terminal 20 from the terminal 20 via the receiving antenna 124.

(Receiving antenna 124)
The receiving antenna 124 receives a radio signal in a predetermined frequency band. Here, the frequency band of the radio signal received by the receiving antenna 124 is not limited. As an example, the frequency band of the radio signal transmitted by the receiving antenna 124 may be a so-called RF (Radio Frequency) band. For example, the RF band may be a frequency band similar to the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band, or may be 312.125 MHz or the like.

(Control unit 110)
The control unit 110 controls the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 10. For example, the control unit 110 may be configured as a control device (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) including a processor, a memory, etc. The functions of the control device are realized by the processor reading a program stored in the memory and executing the program.

(Boarding/alighting determination unit 112)
The boarding/alighting determination unit 112 determines whether or not the user has boarded the vehicle. For example, the boarding/alighting determination unit 112 may determine that the user has boarded the vehicle by detecting a change from a state in which any door of the vehicle is open to a state in which all doors of the vehicle are closed.

Alternatively, the boarding/alighting determination unit 112 may determine that the user has boarded the vehicle by detecting a change in data obtained by a predetermined sensor (e.g., a seating sensor or a camera sensor) installed in the vehicle cabin. Alternatively, the boarding/alighting determination unit 112 may determine that the user has boarded the vehicle by detecting a change in the vehicle suspension. Alternatively, the boarding/alighting determination unit 112 may determine whether the user has boarded the vehicle based on a radio signal emitted from the vehicle-mounted device 10 to the outside or inside of the vehicle cabin.

The boarding/alighting determination unit 112 also determines whether the user has alighted from the vehicle. For example, the boarding/alighting determination unit 112 may determine that the user has alighted from the vehicle by detecting a change from a state in which all the vehicle doors are closed to a state in which any of the vehicle doors is open.

Alternatively, the boarding/alighting determination unit 112 may determine that the user has alighted from the vehicle by detecting a change in data obtained by a predetermined sensor (e.g., a seating sensor or a camera sensor) installed in the vehicle cabin. Alternatively, the boarding/alighting determination unit 112 may determine that the user has alighted from the vehicle by detecting a change in the vehicle suspension. Alternatively, the boarding/alighting determination unit 112 may determine whether the user has alighted from the vehicle based on a radio signal emitted from the vehicle-mounted device 10 to the outside or inside of the vehicle cabin.

(Mode switching control unit 114)
The mode switching control unit 114 generates a mode switching command based on the determination by the boarding/alighting determination unit 112 that the user has boarded the vehicle, or based on the determination by the boarding/alighting determination unit 112 that the user has alighted from the vehicle. Then, the mode switching control unit 114 controls the transmission unit 121 so that the generated mode switching command is transmitted to the terminal 20 by the transmission unit 121.

(Memory unit 130)
The storage unit 130 is a storage device that stores programs and data for operating the control unit 110. The storage unit 130 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 110. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile storage device.

(Terminal 20)
1 , the terminal 20 includes a control unit 210, a communication unit 220, a transmitting antenna 222, a receiving antenna 224, a storage unit 230, and a vibration detection unit 240. The communication unit 220 communicates with the vehicle-mounted device 10, and includes a transmitting unit 221 and a receiving unit 223.

(Transmitting unit 221)
The transmitter 221 transmits various types of information to the receiver 123 of the vehicle-mounted device 10 via the transmission antenna 222. Specifically, the transmitter 221 transmits the operation on the switch (SW operation) input to the terminal 20 to the vehicle-mounted device 10 via the transmission antenna 222.

(Transmitting antenna 222)
The transmitting antenna 222 transmits a radio signal in a predetermined frequency band. Here, the frequency band of the radio signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna 222 is not limited. As an example, the frequency band of the radio signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna 222 may be the same as the frequency band of the radio signal received by the receiving antenna 124 of the vehicle-mounted device 10. In other words, the frequency band of the radio signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna 222 may be the RF band.

(Receiving unit 223)
The receiver 223 receives various information from the transmitter 121 of the vehicle-mounted device 10 via the receiving antenna 224. Specifically, the receiver 223 receives a mode switching command for switching the operation mode of the terminal 20 from the vehicle-mounted device 10 via the receiving antenna 224.

(Receiving antenna 224)
The receiving antenna 224 receives a radio signal in a predetermined frequency band. Here, the frequency band of the radio signal received by the receiving antenna 224 is not limited. As an example, the frequency band of the radio signal transmitted by the receiving antenna 224 may be the same as the frequency band of the radio signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna 122 of the vehicle-mounted device 10. In other words, the frequency band of the radio signal transmitted by the receiving antenna 224 may be the LF band.

(Vibration detection unit 240)
The vibration detection unit 240 detects whether the terminal 20 is vibrating. Any sensor may be used as the vibration detection unit 240. As an example, the vibration detection unit 240 may be an acceleration sensor or the like. The detection result obtained by the vibration detection unit 240 and indicating whether the terminal 20 is vibrating is output to the control unit 210.

(Control unit 210)
The control unit 210 controls the operation of the terminal 20. For example, the control unit 210 may be configured as a control device (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) including a processor, a memory, etc. The functions of the control device are realized by the processor reading a program stored in the memory and executing the program.

The control unit 210 switches the operation mode (hereinafter also simply referred to as "operation mode") of the terminal 20 according to the detection result indicating whether or not the vehicle is vibrating obtained by the vibration detection unit 240, or the mode switching command received by the receiving unit 223. The terminal 20 sets one of a number of modes as the operation mode, and operates according to the mode set as the operation mode. Each of the multiple modes will be described in detail later.

(Memory unit 230)
The storage unit 230 is a storage device that stores programs and data for operating the control unit 210. The storage unit 230 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 210. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile storage device.

The above describes an example configuration of the vehicle control system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(1.2. Description of Multiple Modes)
Next, a description will be given of each of a plurality of operation modes that can be set for the terminal 20 with reference to FIG.

Figure 2 is a state transition diagram of the operation modes of the terminal 20 in the vehicle control system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, in the vehicle control system 1, the operation modes that the terminal 20 can set include a communication time limited mode S1, an unlimited communication time mode S2, and a communication prohibited mode S3.

(Communication time limited mode S1)
The communication time limited mode S1 may be an example of the first mode. For example, the communication time limited mode S1 may be referred to as an “outside-vehicle mode” since it is a mode that is set as an operation mode when the user is outside the vehicle.

When the control unit 210 sets the operation mode to the communication time limit mode S1, the control unit 210 reduces the restrictions imposed on the communication between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted unit 10 compared to when the operation mode is set to the communication prohibition mode S3. Here, it is assumed that when the control unit 210 sets the operation mode to the communication time limit mode S1, the control unit 210 does not restrict the communication between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted unit 10.

However, as will be described later, in the communication time limited mode S1, if the time during which the vibration detection unit 240 does not continuously detect vibration of the terminal 20 exceeds a first time, the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication time limited mode S1 to the communication prohibited mode S3. In this way, in the communication time limited mode S1, the communication time between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted device 10 is limited.

(Unlimited communication time mode S2)
The unlimited communication time mode S2 may be an example of the second mode. For example, the unlimited communication time mode S2 may be referred to as an "in-vehicle mode" since it is a mode that is set as an operation mode when the user is in the vehicle.

When the control unit 210 sets the operation mode to the unlimited communication time mode S2, the control unit 210 reduces the restrictions imposed on the communication between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted device 10 compared to when the operation mode is set to the communication prohibited mode S3. Here, it is assumed that the control unit 210 does not restrict the communication between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted device 10 when the operation mode is set to the unlimited communication time mode S2, as in the case where the operation mode is set to the limited communication time mode S1.

However, as will be explained later, in the unlimited communication time mode S2, the control unit 210 sets the available communication time between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted device 10 as unlimited. This is expected to improve user convenience. In this way, in the unlimited communication time mode S2, the available communication time between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted device 10 is not limited.

(Communication Prohibited Mode S3)
The communication prohibition mode S3 may be an example of the third mode. For example, the communication prohibition mode S3 is a mode that is set to an operating mode when the user gets off the vehicle and remains stationary for a while. In the communication prohibition mode S3, the power of the terminal 20 consumed by the communication between the vehicle-mounted device 10 and the terminal 20 is reduced, so the communication prohibition mode S3 may also be referred to as a "power saving mode" or a "power saving mode."

When the control unit 210 sets the operation mode to the communication prohibition mode S3, it imposes greater restrictions on communication between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted device 10 than when the operation mode is set to either the communication time limited mode S1 or the communication time unlimited mode S2. Here, it is assumed that the control unit 210 prohibits communication between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted device 10 when it sets the operation mode to the communication prohibition mode S3.

Specifically, the control unit 210 may prohibit communication between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted device 10 by preventing the receiving unit 223 from receiving a wireless signal transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device 10. Alternatively, the control unit 210 may prohibit communication between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted device 10 by preventing the transmitting unit 221 from transmitting a response corresponding to a wireless signal received from the vehicle-mounted device 10.

Above, we have explained the multiple modes related to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(1.3. Explanation of Operation Mode Switching)
Next, an example of switching of the operation mode of the terminal 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

(From communication inhibition mode S3 to communication time limit mode S1)
When the communication prohibition mode S3 is set as the operation mode, if vibration is detected by the vibration detection unit 240 or if a predetermined SW operation is input to the terminal 20 ("vibration detection" or "SW operation" in FIG. 2), the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication prohibition mode S3 to the communication allowed time limited mode S1. The predetermined SW operation may be, for example, pressing down a door unlock button provided on the terminal 20.

(From communication time limited mode S1 to communication time unlimited mode S2)
When the operation mode is set to the communication time limited mode S1 and the vehicle-mounted unit 10 determines that the user has boarded the vehicle ("boarding" in Figure 2), the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication time limited mode S1 to the communication time unlimited mode S2 based on the mode switching command sent from the vehicle-mounted unit 10 being received by the receiving unit 223.

As an example, the mode switching command may be transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device 10 to the terminal 20 when a predetermined authentication sequence executed between the vehicle-mounted device 10 and the terminal 20 is successful after the vehicle-mounted device 10 determines that the user has boarded the vehicle. For example, the authentication sequence may be challenge-response authentication, authentication using a certificate, or authentication using ID (Identification), etc.

In addition, the control unit 210 may monitor whether the vibration detection unit 240 is functioning normally. If the control unit 210 detects that the vibration detection unit 240 has stopped functioning normally (i.e., a failure of the vibration detection unit 240) when the operation mode is set to the communication time limited mode S1 ("vibration detection unit failure" in FIG. 2), the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication time limited mode S1 to the communication time unlimited mode S2.

Then, after the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the limited communication time mode S1 to the unlimited communication time mode S2 based on detecting a failure of the vibration detection unit 240, the control unit 210 does not switch the operation mode from the unlimited communication time mode S2 to the limited communication time mode S1 even if it is determined that the user has disembarked from the vehicle.

As a result, the operation mode is fixed to the unlimited communication time mode S2, which does not use the vibration detection results from the vibration detection unit 240, and this stabilizes the operation of the terminal 20 after the vibration detection unit 240 fails.

(From unlimited communication time mode S2 to limited communication time mode S1)
When the operation mode is set to the unlimited communication time mode S2 and the vehicle-mounted unit 10 determines that the user has disembarked from the vehicle ("Disembark" in Figure 2), the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the unlimited communication time mode S2 to the limited communication time mode S1 based on the mode switching command sent from the vehicle-mounted unit 10 being received by the receiving unit 223.

As described above, in the unlimited communication time mode S2, the control unit 210 sets the communication time between the terminal 20 and the in-vehicle device 10 as unlimited. In other words, when the unlimited communication time mode S2 is set as the operation mode, the control unit 210 does not switch the operation mode from the unlimited communication time mode S2 to the communication prohibited mode S3 based on the time during which vibration is not continuously detected by the vibration detection unit 240. This is expected to improve user convenience.

(From communication time limit mode S1 to communication prohibition mode S3)
When the communication time limit mode S1 is set as the operating mode, if the time during which vibration of the terminal 20 is not continuously detected by the vibration detection unit 240 exceeds a first time ("time during which vibration is not detected > first time" in Figure 2), the control unit 210 switches the operating mode from the communication time limit mode S1 to the communication prohibition mode S3.

This allows the terminal 20 to save power, and in communication prohibition mode S3, communication between the vehicle-mounted device 10 and the terminal 20 is restricted, reducing the risk of the terminal 20 making erroneous transmissions due to external noise, which is expected to improve the security of the vehicle.

(From communication prohibited mode S3 to unlimited communication time mode S2)
When the control unit 210 detects a failure of the vibration detection unit 240 ("Failure of the vibration detection unit" in Figure 2) while the operation mode is set to the communication prohibition mode S3, the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication prohibition mode S3 to the unlimited communication time mode S2.

Then, after the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication prohibited mode S3 to the unlimited communication time mode S2 based on detecting a failure of the vibration detection unit 240, the control unit 210 does not switch the operation mode from the unlimited communication time mode S2 to the limited communication time mode S1 even if it is determined that the user has disembarked from the vehicle.

As a result, the operation mode is fixed to the unlimited communication time mode S2, which does not use the vibration detection results from the vibration detection unit 240, and this stabilizes the operation of the terminal 20 after the vibration detection unit 240 fails.

The above describes an example of switching the operation mode of the terminal 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(1.4. Effects of the First Embodiment of the Present Invention)
As described above, according to the vehicle control system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, when vibration of the terminal 20 is not detected continuously for a first period of time using the vibration detection unit 240 that detects vibration of the terminal 20, the operation mode of the terminal 20 is switched from the communication available time limited mode S1 to the communication prohibited mode S3. This can prevent the operation mode of the terminal 20 from being frequently switched.

In addition, according to the vehicle control system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in the unlimited communication time mode S2, the communication time between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted device 10 is unlimited. This prevents the operation mode of the terminal 20 from switching to the communication prohibited mode S3 even if the user gets into the vehicle and remains stationary inside the vehicle without controlling the vehicle using the terminal 20.

This is expected to improve user convenience, as the user will no longer be unable to control the vehicle using the terminal 20 while remaining in the vehicle.

The above describes the effects of the first embodiment of the present invention.

2. Second embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(2.1. System Configuration)
A configuration example of a vehicle control system 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the vehicle control system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is almost the same as the configuration of the vehicle control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, in the following description, FIG. 1 showing the configuration example of the vehicle control system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be used.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, an example was described in which the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication time limited mode S1 to the communication time unlimited mode S2 when the vehicle-mounted device 10 determines that the user has boarded the vehicle ("board" in FIG. 2) while the operation mode is set to the communication time limited mode S1.

However, when the communication time limit mode S1 is set as the operation mode and the vehicle-mounted device 10 determines that the user has boarded the vehicle, the control unit 210 may select one of two or more candidate modes prepared in advance and switch the operation mode to the selected mode.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, an example was described in which, when the control unit 210 detects a failure of the vibration detection unit 240 while the communication time limited mode S1 is set as the operation mode, the operation mode is switched from the communication time limited mode S1 to the communication time unlimited mode S2.

However, if the control unit 210 detects a malfunction of the vibration detection unit 240 when the communication time limit mode S1 is set as the operation mode, the control unit 210 may select one of two or more candidate modes prepared in advance and switch the operation mode to the selected mode.

In this way, one of two or more candidate modes is selected, and the operating mode is switched to the selected mode, allowing a choice to be made between prioritizing preventing frequent switching of operating modes and improving user convenience.

Here, which of the two or more pre-prepared candidate modes is selected may depend on a pre-set security level. As an example, the security level may be input by a user operating a switch provided on the terminal 20. The security level may include a first level (hereinafter also referred to as a "high level") and a second level (hereinafter also referred to as a "low level") lower than the first level. Such an example will be described below.

Figure 3 is a state transition diagram of the operation modes of the terminal 20 in the vehicle control system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, in the vehicle control system 1, the operation modes that the terminal 20 can set include a communication time limited mode (short time) S1, an unlimited communication time mode S2, a communication time limited mode (long time) S22, and a communication prohibited mode S3.

(Communication time limit mode (short time) S1)
The communication time limited mode (short time) S1 may be an example of the first mode. The communication time limited mode (short time) S1 is a mode similar to the communication time limited mode S1 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

The notation "(short time)" in the communication time limited mode (short time) S1 is used to make it easier to distinguish between the communication time limited mode (short time) S1 and the communication time limited mode (long time) S22, and is not intended to specify the absolute length of time that the communication time limited mode will continue.

(Unlimited communication time mode S2)
The unlimited communication time mode S2 may be an example of the second mode. The unlimited communication time mode S2 is the same as the unlimited communication time mode S2 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

(Communication time limit mode (long time) S22)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the communication time limited mode (long time) S22 may be an example of the third mode. For example, the communication time limited mode (long time) S22, like the communication time unlimited mode S2, is a mode that is set as an operation mode when the user is in the vehicle, and therefore may be referred to as an "in-vehicle mode."

When the control unit 210 sets the operation mode to the communication time limit mode (long time) S22, it reduces the restrictions imposed on the communication between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted unit 10 compared to when the operation mode is set to the communication prohibition mode S3. Here, it is assumed that when the control unit 210 sets the operation mode to the communication time limit mode (long time) S22, it does not restrict the communication between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted unit 10.

However, as will be described later, in the communication time limited mode (long time) S22, if the time during which vibration of the terminal 20 is not continuously detected by the vibration detection unit 240 exceeds the second time, the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication time limited mode (long time) S22 to the communication prohibited mode S3. The second time is longer than the above-mentioned first time. In this way, in the communication time limited mode (long time) S22, the communication time between the terminal 20 and the vehicle-mounted device 10 is limited.

The notation "(long time)" in the communication time limited mode (long time) S22 is used to make it easier to distinguish between the communication time limited mode (long time) S22 and the communication time limited mode (short time) S1, and is not intended to specify the absolute length of time that the communication time limited mode will continue.

(Communication Prohibited Mode S3)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the communication prohibition mode S3 may correspond to an example of the fourth mode. The communication prohibition mode S3 is a mode similar to the communication prohibition mode S3 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Above, we have explained the multiple modes related to the second embodiment of the present invention.

(2.2. Explanation of Operation Mode Switching)
Next, an example of switching of the operation mode of the terminal 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Note that, in the following, only the points of switching of the operation mode of the terminal 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention that are different from the switching of the operation mode of the terminal 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Therefore, in the following, the points of switching of the operation mode of the terminal 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention that are the same as the switching of the operation mode of the terminal 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be omitted.

(From communication time limited mode (short time) S1 to communication time unlimited mode S2 or communication time limited mode (long time) S22)
When the operation mode is set to the communication time limited mode (short time) S1, if the vehicle-mounted unit 10 determines that the user has entered the vehicle or detects a failure of the vibration detection unit 240 ("entering" or "vibration detection unit failure" in Figure 3), the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication time limited mode (short time) S1 to the communication time unlimited mode S2 or the communication time limited mode (long time) S22 based on the mode switching command sent from the vehicle-mounted unit 10 being received by the receiving unit 223.

Specifically, when the operation mode is set to the communication time limited mode (short time) S1, if the vehicle-mounted device 10 determines that the user has entered the vehicle, or if the control unit 210 detects a malfunction of the vibration detection unit 240, the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication time limited mode (short time) S1 to the communication time unlimited mode S2 or the communication time limited mode (long time) S22 based on a preset security level.

As an example, assume that the security level is preset to a low level ("Security: Low" in FIG. 3). In this case, when the operation mode is set to the communication time limited mode (short time) S1, if the vehicle-mounted device 10 determines that the user has entered the vehicle, or if a failure of the vibration detection unit 240 is detected, the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication time limited mode (short time) S1 to the communication time unlimited mode S2.

On the other hand, assume that the security level is preset to a high level ("Security: High" in FIG. 3). In this case, when the operation mode is set to the communication time limit mode (short time) S1 and the vehicle-mounted device 10 determines that the user has entered the vehicle, or detects a malfunction of the vibration detection unit 240, the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication time limit mode (short time) S1 to the communication time limit mode (long time) S22.

Then, after the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication time limited mode (short time) S1 to the communication time unlimited mode S2 based on detecting a failure of the vibration detection unit 240, the control unit 210 does not switch the operation mode from the communication time unlimited mode S2 to the communication time limited mode (short time) S1 even if it is determined that the user has disembarked from the vehicle.

By this control, when the security level is low and the vibration detection unit 240 fails, the operation mode is fixed to the unlimited communication time mode S2, which does not use the vibration detection results by the vibration detection unit 240. This stabilizes the operation of the terminal 20 after the vibration detection unit 240 fails.

(From communication prohibition mode S3 to unlimited communication time mode S2 or communication time limited mode (long time) S22)
If the control unit 210 detects a failure of the vibration detection unit 240 ("Failure of the vibration detection unit" in Figure 3) when the operation mode is set to the communication prohibition mode S3, the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication prohibition mode S3 to the unlimited communication time mode S2 or the communication time limited mode (long time) S22.

Specifically, if the control unit 210 detects a malfunction of the vibration detection unit 240 when the communication prohibition mode S3 is set as the operation mode, the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication prohibition mode S3 to the unlimited communication time mode S2 or the communication time limited mode (long time) S22 based on a preset security level.

As an example, assume that the security level is preset to a low level ("Security: Low" in FIG. 3). In this case, if the control unit 210 detects a malfunction of the vibration detection unit 240 while the operation mode is set to the communication prohibition mode S3, it switches the operation mode from the communication prohibition mode S3 to the unlimited communication time mode S2.

On the other hand, assume that the security level is preset to a high level ("Security: High" in FIG. 3). In this case, if the control unit 210 detects a malfunction of the vibration detection unit 240 while the operation mode is set to the communication prohibition mode S3, it switches the operation mode from the communication prohibition mode S3 to the communication time limit mode (long time) S22.

After the control unit 210 switches the operation mode from the communication prohibited mode S3 to the unlimited communication time mode S2 based on detecting a failure of the vibration detection unit 240, the control unit 210 does not switch the operation mode from the unlimited communication time mode S2 to the communication time limited mode (short time) S1 even if it is determined that the user has disembarked from the vehicle.

By this control, when the security level is low and the vibration detection unit 240 fails, the operation mode is fixed to the unlimited communication time mode S2, which does not use the vibration detection results by the vibration detection unit 240. This stabilizes the operation of the terminal 20 after the vibration detection unit 240 fails.

The above describes an example of switching the operation mode of the terminal 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

(2.4. Effects of the Second Embodiment of the Present Invention)
As described above, according to the vehicle control system 1 of the second embodiment of the present invention, when the communication time limited mode S1 is set as the operating mode, if the vehicle-mounted unit 10 determines that a user has entered the vehicle, or if a malfunction of the vibration detection unit 240 is detected, one of two or more candidate modes prepared in advance is selected, and the operating mode is switched to the selected mode.

This allows the user to choose whether to prioritize preventing frequent switching of operating modes or improving user convenience.

The above describes the effects of the second embodiment of the present invention.

3. Modifications
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such an example. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the second embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the two or more candidate modes prepared in advance include an unlimited communication time mode S2 and a limited communication time mode (long time) S22 (FIG. 3). However, the two or more candidate modes prepared in advance are not limited to this example.

For example, the two or more candidate modes prepared in advance may not include the unlimited communication time mode S2. In this case, the two or more candidate modes prepared in advance may not include the unlimited communication time mode S2, but may include a communication time limited mode (hereinafter also referred to as a "new communication time limited mode") different from the communication time limited mode (long time) S22.

At this time, when the control unit 210 sets the operation mode to a new communication time limited mode, if the time during which the vibration detection unit 240 does not continuously detect vibration of the terminal 20 exceeds the third time, the control unit 210 may switch the operation mode from the new communication time limited mode to the communication prohibition mode S3.

Also, similar to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the control unit 210 sets the operation mode to the communication time limited mode (long time) S22, if the time during which the vibration of the terminal 20 is not continuously detected by the vibration detection unit 240 exceeds the second time, the control unit 210 may switch the operation mode from the communication time limited mode (long time) S22 to the communication prohibited mode S3.

Also, assume that the second time corresponding to the communication time limit mode (long time) S22 is longer than the third time corresponding to the new communication time limit mode, and that the communication prohibition mode S3 is set as the operation mode. At this time, assume that a failure of the vibration detection unit 240 is detected.

In such a case, the control unit 210 may switch the operation mode from the communication prohibition mode S3 to the communication time limit mode (long time) S22 when the security level is high, and may switch the operation mode from the communication prohibition mode S3 to a new communication time limit mode when the security level is low.

1: vehicle control system, 10: in-vehicle device, 110: control unit, 112: boarding/exiting determination unit, 114: mode switching control unit, 120: communication unit, 121: transmission unit, 122: transmission antenna, 123: reception unit, 124: reception antenna, 130: storage unit, 20: terminal, 210: control unit, 220: communication unit, 221: transmission unit, 222: transmission antenna, 223: reception unit, 224: reception antenna, 230: storage unit, 240: vibration detection unit

Claims (15)

a control unit that sets one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode and controls an operation according to the operation mode;
The plurality of operation modes include:
A first mode; and
a second mode different from the first mode; and
a third mode in which communication by a communication unit with a communication device mounted on the vehicle is more restricted than in either the first mode or the second mode,
The control unit is
When the third mode is set as the operation mode, the communication unit restricts communication with the communication device in comparison with when the first mode and the second mode are set as the operation mode,
when the first mode is set as the operation mode, if a non-detection time, which is a time during which vibration is not continuously detected by a vibration detection unit, exceeds a first time, the operation mode is switched from the first mode to the third mode;
When the second mode is set as the operation mode, the time during which the communication unit is able to communicate with the communication device is set to be indefinite.
Control device. The control unit switches the operation mode from the first mode to the second mode based on a determination that a user has boarded the vehicle.
The control device according to claim 1 . The control unit switches the operation mode from the second mode to the first mode based on the determination that the user has dismounted from the vehicle.
The control device according to claim 1 . when the control unit sets the operation mode to the second mode, the control unit does not switch the operation mode from the second mode to the third mode based on the non-detection time.
The control device according to claim 1 . When the control unit detects a failure of the vibration detection unit while the first mode or the third mode is set as the operation mode, the control unit switches the operation mode from the first mode or the third mode to the second mode.
The control device according to claim 1 . When the control unit detects a failure of the vibration detection unit when the operation mode is set to the first mode or the third mode, after switching the operation mode from the first mode or the third mode to the second mode, even if it is determined that a user has dismounted from the vehicle, the control unit does not switch the operation mode from the second mode to the first mode.
The control device according to claim 5. a control unit that sets one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode and controls an operation according to the operation mode;
The plurality of operation modes include:
A first mode; and
a second mode different from the first mode; and
a third mode different from each of the first mode and the second mode; and
a fourth mode in which communication by a communication unit with a communication device mounted on the vehicle is more restricted than in either the first mode or the second mode,
The control unit is
When the fourth mode is set as the operation mode, communication by the communication unit with the communication device is restricted more than when the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode are set as the operation mode, respectively;
when the first mode is set as the operation mode, if a non-detection time, which is a time during which vibration is not continuously detected by a vibration detection unit, exceeds a first time, the operation mode is switched from the first mode to the fourth mode;
when a failure of the vibration detection unit is detected when the first mode or the fourth mode is set as the operation mode, the operation mode is switched to the second mode or the third mode.
Control device. when the control unit detects a failure of the vibration detection unit when the first mode or the fourth mode is set as the operation mode, the control unit switches the operation mode to the second mode or the third mode based on a preset security level.
The control device according to claim 7. The control unit is
when the second mode is set as the operation mode, if the non-detection time exceeds the second time, the operation mode is switched from the second mode to the fourth mode;
when the third mode is set as the operation mode, if the non-detection time exceeds the third time, the operation mode is switched from the third mode to the fourth mode;
the third time period is greater than the second time period;
when the security level is a first level, switching the operation mode to the second mode, and when the security level is a second level lower than the first level, switching the operation mode to the third mode.
The control device according to claim 8. The control unit is
when the second mode is set as the operation mode, if the non-detection time exceeds the second time, the operation mode is switched from the second mode to the fourth mode;
When the third mode is set as the operation mode, the communication available time with the communication device by the communication unit is set to be unlimited;
when the security level is a first level, switching the operation mode to the second mode, and when the security level is a second level lower than the first level, switching the operation mode to the third mode.
The control device according to claim 8. The second time period is greater than the first time period.
The control device according to claim 9 or 10. A control method including setting one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode and controlling an operation according to the operation mode,
The plurality of operation modes include:
A first mode; and
a second mode different from the first mode; and
a third mode in which communication by a communication unit with a communication device mounted on the vehicle is more restricted than in either the first mode or the second mode,
The control method includes:
When the third mode is set as the operation mode, the communication unit restricts communication with the communication device in comparison with when the first mode and the second mode are set as the operation mode;
when the first mode is set as the operation mode, when a non-detection time, which is a time during which vibration is not continuously detected by a vibration detection unit, exceeds a first time, the operation mode is switched from the first mode to the third mode;
when the second mode is set as the operation mode, a communication available time between the communication unit and the communication device is set indefinitely;
A control method comprising: A control method including setting one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode and controlling an operation according to the operation mode,
The plurality of operation modes include:
A first mode; and
a second mode different from the first mode; and
a third mode different from each of the first mode and the second mode; and
a fourth mode in which communication by a communication unit with a communication device mounted on the vehicle is more restricted than in either the first mode or the second mode,
The control method includes:
When the fourth mode is set as the operation mode, restricting communication by the communication unit with the communication device compared to when the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode are set as the operation mode, respectively;
when the first mode is set as the operation mode, if a non-detection time, which is a time during which vibration is not continuously detected by a vibration detection unit, exceeds a first time, the operation mode is switched from the first mode to the fourth mode;
when a failure of the vibration detection unit is detected when the first mode or the fourth mode is set as the operation mode, the operation mode is switched to the second mode or the third mode;
A control method comprising: Computer,
a control unit that sets one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode and controls an operation according to the operation mode;
The plurality of operation modes include:
A first mode; and
a second mode different from the first mode; and
a third mode in which communication by a communication unit with a communication device mounted on the vehicle is more restricted than in either the first mode or the second mode,
The control unit is
When the third mode is set as the operation mode, the communication unit restricts communication with the communication device in comparison with when the first mode and the second mode are set as the operation mode,
when the first mode is set as the operation mode, if a non-detection time, which is a time during which vibration is not continuously detected by a vibration detection unit, exceeds a first time, the operation mode is switched from the first mode to the third mode;
When the second mode is set as the operation mode, the time during which the communication unit is able to communicate with the communication device is set to be indefinite.
A program that functions as a control device. Computer,
a control unit that sets one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode and controls an operation according to the operation mode;
The plurality of operation modes include:
A first mode; and
a second mode different from the first mode; and
a third mode different from each of the first mode and the second mode; and
a fourth mode in which communication by a communication unit with a communication device mounted on the vehicle is more restricted than in either of the first mode and the second mode,
The control unit is
When the fourth mode is set as the operation mode, communication by the communication unit with the communication device is restricted more than when the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode are set as the operation mode, respectively;
when the first mode is set as the operation mode, if a non-detection time, which is a time during which vibration is not continuously detected by a vibration detection unit, exceeds a first time, the operation mode is switched from the first mode to the fourth mode;
when a failure of the vibration detection unit is detected when the first mode or the fourth mode is set as the operation mode, the operation mode is switched to the second mode or the third mode.
A program that functions as a control device.

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