JP6508582B2 - Vehicle communication apparatus and vehicle communication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle communication device and a vehicle communication system which are mounted on a vehicle and communicate with a portable device to control the equipment of the vehicle.

  There is a system that performs communication using radio waves between a portable device and a vehicle communication device in order to control the equipment of the vehicle. One of such systems is a system that automatically operates the equipment of the vehicle according to the approach direction of the user when the user carrying the portable device approaches the vehicle.

  In this system, first, the vehicle communication device needs to be configured to periodically transmit a signal for searching for the portable device so that the vehicle communication device can detect that the user carrying the portable device approaches the vehicle. Become. The vehicle communication device can determine that the user has approached the vehicle when the response signal of the portable device is received.

  Furthermore, in this system, in order to make it possible to detect the approach direction of the user, a configuration is employed in which the vehicle communication device searches for a portable device using long wave band signals and a plurality of antennas.

  However, a long wave band signal requires a large current for one transmission. Furthermore, the period when the user is away from the vehicle may be a long period, such as 2-3 days or 1-2 weeks. Therefore, in the above-described system, there is a problem that the power consumption of the battery becomes extremely large when the vehicle communication device periodically transmits the long wave band search signal for a long period of time.

  In order to reduce such power consumption, conventionally, the parking position of the vehicle is determined using GPS (Global Positioning System), and the transmission interval plan of the signal for searching for the portable device is changed according to the parking position. Technology has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  Also, conventionally, there has been proposed an electronic key system that enables communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) after the vehicle communication device and the portable device communicate using a long wave band radio signal (patented patent) Reference 2).

JP, 2014-25279, A Patent No. 5152010

  However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the device and processing become complicated such as using GPS. Moreover, the technique of Patent Document 2 does not contribute to reducing the power consumption of the battery caused by transmitting a long wave band search signal for a long period.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle communication device and a vehicle communication system capable of realizing control in accordance with the approach of a user with low power consumption.

A vehicle communication apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a vehicle communication apparatus mounted in a vehicle and performing communication with a portable device to control equipment of the vehicle, the first communication transmitting a radio wave of a first frequency. Unit, a second communication unit that transmits and receives radio waves of a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and intermittently transmits radio waves to the second communication unit to search for a communication partner, and the second communication And a control unit for causing the first communication unit to intermittently transmit radio waves to search for the communication partner when the communication partner is found by the search of the unit, the control unit searching for the second communication unit The communication of the first communication unit is discontinued when the door of the vehicle is not opened or closed for a predetermined period of time after the other party of communication is found .

A vehicle communication system according to an aspect of the present invention is a vehicle communication system including a vehicle communication device and a portable device that are mounted on a vehicle and perform communication to control equipment of the vehicle, and the vehicle communication device is A radio wave is intermittently transmitted to a first communication unit that transmits a radio wave of a first frequency, a second communication unit that transmits and receives a radio wave of a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and the second communication unit is searching for a communication partner Te, when searching the communication partner of the second communication unit is found, and a control unit for searching for a communication partner intermittently by transmitting radio waves to the first communication unit, wherein The control unit stops the communication of the first communication unit when the door of the vehicle is not opened or closed for a predetermined period after the communication partner is found by the search of the second communication unit, and the portable device is configured to Third to receive radio waves of the first frequency A signal unit, and a fourth communication unit for transmitting and receiving radio wave of the second frequency, a configuration.

A vehicle communication system according to an aspect of the present invention is a vehicle communication system that is mounted on a vehicle and that communicates to control equipment of the vehicle, and has a first portable device and a second portable device. The vehicle communication device includes a first communication unit that transmits a radio wave of a first frequency, a second communication unit that transmits and receives a radio wave of a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and the second communication unit. A control for causing the first communication unit to intermittently transmit radio waves to search for a communication partner if the radio partner is to be intermittently transmitted to search for a communication partner, and the communication partner is found by the search for the second communication unit. And the control unit cancels the communication of the first communication unit when the door of the vehicle is not opened or closed for a predetermined period after the communication partner is found by the search of the second communication unit. the first portable device, the first frequency A third communication unit for receiving a radio wave, the second portable device is provided with a fourth communication unit for transmitting and receiving radio wave of the second frequency, a configuration.

  According to the present invention, control in accordance with the approach of the user can be realized with less power consumption.

A block diagram showing a vehicle communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention Diagram showing an outline of the operation when the user approaches the vehicle A time chart explaining the operation of the vehicle communication device and the portable device Flow chart showing control of vehicle communication device A flowchart showing details of the LF communication process of step S10 of FIG. 4 Flow chart showing details of the smart key process of step S5 of FIG. 4 A block diagram showing a vehicle communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention A time chart for explaining the operation of the vehicle communication device of the second embodiment and the portable device

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

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

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

  The vehicle communication device 10 includes a first communication unit 11 that uses radio waves of a low first frequency, a second communication unit 12 that uses radio waves of a second frequency that is higher than the first communication unit 11, and lights that control lights of the vehicle 100. It has a control unit 13 and a control unit 14 that performs overall control of the apparatus. The vehicle communication device 10 operates by receiving power from the battery of the vehicle 100.

  The first communication unit 11 transmits a long wave band radio wave as the radio wave of the first frequency. The connection of the first communication unit 11 is switched to a plurality of antennas (the left door antenna 16, the right door antenna 17, and the rear antenna 18) respectively disposed at a plurality of locations of the vehicle 100, and from any of the connected antennas Send radio waves. The radio wave transmission of the first communication unit 11 requires a large power consumption, and the communicable distance is short. By using radio waves with a short communicable distance and antennas arranged at a plurality of places, it is possible to recognize the direction in which the other party of communication is by communication of the first communication unit 11.

  The second communication unit 12 performs transmission and reception of radio waves having a frequency higher than that of the radio waves of the first communication unit 11 as radio waves of the second frequency. The transmission of radio waves by the second communication unit 12 consumes less power than the transmission of radio waves by the first communication unit 11. The communicable distance of the second communication unit 12 is longer than the communicable distance of the first communication unit 11.

  Specifically, the second communication unit 12 performs communication of Bluetooth (registered trademark) -LE (Low Energy) standard. In the communication of the Bluetooth-LE standard, communication with the communication partner is performed intermittently. Also, this communication consumes less power than the communication according to the Bluetooth standard. Further, according to this communication standard, when the communication partner leaves the communication range, the communication is automatically disconnected. Further, according to this communication standard, when the communication partner's communication is disconnected, the communication partner is automatically searched, and when the communication partner is found, the communication partner is automatically connected so as to be able to communicate.

  The light control unit 13 controls a plurality of lights disposed at a plurality of locations of the vehicle 100. The plurality of lights correspond to, for example, a plurality of antennas (left door antenna 16, right door antenna 17, rear antenna 18), and a welcome light 101 for left door, a welcome light 102 for right door, a welcome light 103 for trunk Including. These lights are lights capable of illuminating the hand or foot of the user approaching the vehicle 100 (referred to as a welcome light).

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

  The control unit 14 supervises control of communication between the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12 and control of equipment of the vehicle 100.

  The portable device 40 includes a third communication unit 41 that uses radio waves of a low frequency, a fourth communication unit 42 that uses radio waves of a higher frequency than the third communication unit 41, and a control unit 43 that performs overall control of the device. A key switch 44 for receiving user's operation and a battery 45 for supplying power are provided. The key switch 44 can be omitted.

  The third communication unit 41 receives radio waves in a long wave band transmitted by the first communication unit 11 of the vehicle communication device 10.

  The fourth communication unit 42 communicates with the second communication unit 12 of the vehicle communication device 10 by exchanging radio waves. Specifically, the fourth communication unit 42 performs communication of the Bluetooth-LE standard.

  The control unit 43 analyzes the reception data of the third communication unit 41 and the reception data of the fourth communication unit 42. Further, the control unit 43 creates transmission data of the fourth communication unit 42.

<Overview of operation>
An outline of an example of the operation will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the operation when the user approaches the vehicle. 2 (a) shows the first stage, FIG. 2 (b) shows the second stage, and FIG. 2 (c) shows the third stage. FIG. 3 is a time chart explaining the operation of the vehicle communication device and the portable device. 3 (a) to 3 (f) show the movement of the vehicle communication device 10, FIGS. 3 (g) to 3 (i) show the movement of the portable device 40, and FIG. 3 (j) shows the distance between the portable device 40 and the vehicle communication device 10. Indicates In FIG. 3, “BLE” indicates Bluetooth-LE, and “BLE transmission, BLE reception” indicates transmission and reception of signals of the second communication unit 12 and the fourth communication unit 42. Further, “LE transmission, LE reception” indicates transmission and reception of a long wave band signal between the first communication unit 11 and the third communication unit 41.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, when the user U1 carrying the portable device 40 is outside the communication range E1 of the second communication unit 12, the portable device 40 is operated by the second communication unit 12 in the vehicle communication device 10. A process of searching for is performed.

  The operation at this time is shown in a period of "10 m or more" in FIG. 3 (j). During this period, the second communication unit 12 transmits a signal for searching for the portable device 40 by an intermittent signal of the Bluetooth-LE standard (FIG. 3A). At this time, as shown in FIGS. 3C to 3E, the first communication unit 11 interrupts the process of searching for the portable device 40.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, when the user U1 enters the communication range E1, the portable device 40 is found by the search of the second communication unit 12. When the portable device 40 is found, the first communication unit 11 of the vehicle communication device 10 starts a process of searching for the portable device 40.

  The operation at this time is shown in a period of "2 m to 10 m" in FIG. 3 (j). At the beginning of this period, the signal Sig1 of the second communication unit 12 is received by the fourth communication unit 42, and the response signal Sig2 is returned from the fourth communication unit 42. Thus, intermittent communication between the second communication unit 12 and the fourth communication unit 42 is started.

  The process in which the first communication unit 11 searches for the portable device 40 is performed by intermittently transmitting the long-wave band signal SigL while the first communication unit 11 switches the antenna.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, when the user U1 enters the communication range E2 of the first communication unit 11, the portable device 40 is found by the search of the first communication unit 11. In the search of the first communication unit 11, information on the direction in which the portable device 40 is present can be obtained. When the portable device 40 is found, the vehicle communication device 10 lights the light in the direction in which the user U1 is present, that is, the direction in which the portable device 40 is located. In the example of FIG. 4C, the left door welcome light 101 is on.

  The operation at this time is shown in the "2 m or less" period of FIG. 3 (j). During this period, the long-wave band signal SigLb from the left door antenna 17 is received by the portable device 40. A response signal Sig3 of the long-wave band signal SigLb is sent from the portable device 40 to the vehicle communication device 10 via the Bluetooth-LE communication. This response signal Sig3 indicates which antenna the longwave band signal SigLb has been received, so that the vehicle communication device 10 can recognize the approaching direction of the user U1. In response to this, the vehicle communication device 10 lights the welcome light.

<Control action>
Then, an example of control operation of vehicle communication device 10 which realizes the above-mentioned operation is explained in detail.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control of the vehicle communication device.

  The flow executed by the control unit 14 of the vehicle communication device 10 jumps to the processing according to the processing mode by the sequence (steps S1, S2, S3, S4) for determining the processing mode while changing the processing mode by itself. It is a flow to execute. As the processing mode, processing modes are set: waiting for portable device approach, waiting for portable device approaching, waiting for portable device leaving, and disengaging portable device.

  The processing mode waiting for the portable device approach is a mode assuming that the portable device 40 is out of the communication ranges E1 and E2. When it is determined in step S1 that the processing mode is concerned, the control unit 14 executes the processing of steps S7 to S9.

  In step S7, the control unit 14 confirms the communication state of the second communication unit 12, and the second communication unit 12 is connected to the portable device 40 by the automatic search process and connection process of the second communication unit 12. Check if it is.

  In step S8, as a result of confirmation, it is determined whether or not the portable device 40 is present, and if it is not present, the process returns to the processing mode determination sequence.

  Step S9 is executed when it is determined in step S8 that the portable device 40 is present. In step S9, the timer is started while the portable device is approaching, and the processing mode is changed while the portable device is approaching.

  As described above, in the portable device approach waiting processing mode, when the portable device 40 is outside the communication range E1, the connection confirmation process of the portable device 40 in step S7 and the determination of no in step S8 are repeated. . When the portable device 40 is in the communication range E1, the connection is confirmed and the processing mode is changed while the portable device approaches.

  The processing mode while the portable device is approaching is a mode that assumes that the portable device 40 has entered the communication range E1. If it is determined in step S2 that the processing mode is concerned, the control unit 14 executes the processing of steps S10 to S14.

  In step S10, LF communication processing including processing of searching for the portable device 40 by transmission of radio waves of the first communication unit 11 and processing of lighting a light in the approaching direction when the portable device 40 approaches is performed. Details of the LF communication processing will be described later.

  In step S11, as a result of the LF communication processing, the control unit 14 determines whether the portable device 40 is in the communication range E2.

  Step S12 is performed when it is determined in step S11 that the determination is no. In step S12, the control unit 14 starts counting the timer while the portable device is detached, and changes the processing mode while the portable device is detached.

  Step S13 is executed when an affirmative determination is made in step S11. In step S13, it is determined whether the timer approaching the portable device has overflowed. The portable device approaching timer is a timer that performs clocking for the purpose of preventing the LF communication processing from continuing for a long time when the user temporarily enters the communication range E1 without intention of boarding the vehicle 100. . In addition, the portable device approaching timer is a timer that performs clocking for the purpose of preventing the LF communication processing from continuing for a long time when the user leaves the portable device 40 in the communication range E1. Therefore, the value at which the portable device approaching timer overflows is set to a time when it can be determined that the user does not approach the vehicle 100 after the user enters the communication range E1. If it is determined in step S13 that the answer is no, the process returns to the process mode determination sequence.

  Step S14 is executed when an affirmative determination is made in step S13. In step S14, the control unit 14 changes the processing mode to the portable device disconnection waiting mode, and turns off the welcome light when it is on. Then, the process returns to the processing mode determination sequence again.

  As described above, in the processing mode in which the portable device is approaching, the search processing by the first communication unit 11 is performed at most until the timer in the portable device approaching overflows. Also, during this time, if the portable device 40 is found, the processing mode is changed during withdrawal of the portable device. Also, if the portable device 40 can not be found until the timer during the portable device approach overflows, the processing mode is changed to waiting for portable device removal.

  The processing mode waiting for portable device departure is a mode that assumes that a portable device that does not board the vehicle 100 is present in the communication range E1. When it is determined in step S3 that the processing mode is concerned, the control unit 14 executes the processing of steps S15 to S17.

  In step S15, the control unit 14 confirms the communication state of the second communication unit 12, and the second communication unit 12 is connected to the portable device 40 by the automatic search process and connection process of the second communication unit 12. Check if it is.

  In step S16, as a result of confirmation, it is determined whether or not the portable device 40 is present, and if it is not present, the process returns to the processing mode determination sequence.

  Step S17 is executed when it is determined in step S16 that the portable device 40 is present. In step S17, the timer counting is started while the portable device is leaving, and the processing mode is changed while the portable device is leaving.

  The processing mode while the portable device is leaving is a mode that assumes that the portable device 40 has left the communication range E1. If it is determined in step S4 that the processing mode is concerned, the control unit 14 executes the processing of steps S18 and S19.

  In step S18, it is determined whether the portable device leaving timer has overflowed. The portable leaving timer is a timer that counts a time when it is considered that the portable device does not return to the communication range E1 after the portable device leaves the communication range E1. If it is determined in step S18 that the answer is no, the process returns to the process mode determination sequence.

  Step S19 is executed when an affirmative determination is made in step S18. In step S19, the processing mode is changed to waiting for portable device approach. Then, the process returns to the processing mode determination sequence again.

  As described above, in the processing mode during the detachment of the portable device, a fixed time is counted after the portable device 40 leaves the communication range E1, and thereafter, the processing mode is changed to the portable device approach waiting mode.

  In the flow of FIG. 4, following the process mode determination sequence (steps S1 to S4), the processes of steps S5 and S6 are executed regardless of which process mode is selected.

  In step S5, the control unit 14 performs smart key processing. Although the details will be described later, in the smart key processing, the control unit 14 confirms whether there is a reaction of a door sensor of the vehicle 100 or an operation of the key switch 44 of the portable device 40. Control the door lock. In step S5, in the processing mode waiting for portable device approach, even when the connection between the second communication unit 12 and the portable device 40 fails, control regarding the door lock is realized under predetermined conditions. . In step S5, the control mode regarding the door lock is realized under a predetermined condition even when the portable device 40 approaches the vehicle 100 in the processing mode waiting for portable device removal or the processing mode during portable device removal. It is intended to

  In step S6, the control unit 14 determines whether the door is opened or closed. If the result of the determination is negative, the process returns to the processing mode determination sequence as it is. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is affirmative, it can be determined that the portable device 40 has approached the vehicle 100. Therefore, in step S20, the processing mode is changed to portable device disconnection waiting, and if the welcome light is on . Then, the process returns to the process mode determination sequence.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the LF communication process of step S10 of FIG.

  When the LF communication process is started, the control unit 14 determines an antenna to which a signal is transmitted from the first communication unit 11 in the previous LF communication process (steps S31 to S33). Alternatively, the control unit 14 determines whether the signal is transmitted from the first communication unit 11 for the first time (step S31). And according to the determination result of step S31-S33, a signal is transmitted from the left door antenna 16, the right door antenna 17, or the back antenna 18 (step S34-S36). The transmission of the signal is switched from the multiple antennas to occur sequentially.

  In step S37, the control unit 14 confirms the communication state of the second communication unit 12 and confirms whether the second communication unit 12 is connected to the portable device 40.

  In step S38, the control unit 14 determines whether the portable device 40 is present from the communication state, and if not, ends the LF communication processing as it is. On the other hand, if the portable device 40 is present, the process proceeds to step S39.

  In step S39, the control unit 14 determines whether a response of LF reception has been received from the portable device 40. LF (Low Frequency) reception means that the third communication unit 41 of the portable device 40 receives a radio signal of the first communication unit 11 of the vehicle communication device 10. The portable device 40 transmits a response of LF reception to the vehicle communication device 10 via the communication between the fourth communication unit 42 and the second communication unit 12 of the vehicle communication device 10. If there is no response to the LF reception, the LF communication processing is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if there is a response to LF reception, the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S40, the control unit 14 analyzes, from the response of the LF reception, from which antenna the wireless signal transmitted from the signal is received, and the welcome light (welcome light 101 for the left door, the welcome light 102 for the right door) corresponding to the antenna. Alternatively, one of the trunk welcome lights 103 is turned on. Then, the LF communication processing ends.

  In the process of step S40, the control unit 14 directs the imaging unit of the vehicle 100 in the direction in which the user approaches, determines the movement of the user, unlocks the door according to the movement of the user, or You may make it open. Further, the control unit 14 drives the motion sensor of the vehicle 100, and when the user applies a force to the vehicle 100, this is determined, and the door is unlocked or the door is unlocked according to the movement of the vehicle 100. May be opened.

  In addition, as the process of step S40, the second communication unit 12 of the vehicle communication device 10 communicates with another portable device (for example, a smart phone) of a user different from the portable device 40, and a motion included in another portable device. The sensor signal may be received. Then, when there is a signal of a predetermined operation from the motion sensor, the door may be unlocked or the door may be opened.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the details of the smart key process of step S5 of FIG.

  When the smart key process is started, the control unit 14 sequentially executes the processes of steps S51 to S53.

  In step S51, the control unit 14 performs opening / closing check of the door of the vehicle 100 by communication (for example, wired communication) with the ECU of the vehicle 100.

  In step S52, the control unit 14 checks a lock / unlock sensor (for example, a touch sensor of a door) of the vehicle 100, and performs communication processing according to the state of the vehicle when the sensor is on, thereby locking / unlocking. Perform the process. For example, when the door is closed and the door is locked, a signal is transmitted from the first communication unit 11 to perform authentication processing of the portable device 40, and when authentication is performed, processing for releasing the door lock is performed. Do

  In step S53, the control unit 14 checks the keyless signal, and when there is a keyless signal, performs the lock / unlock process according to the state of the vehicle. The keyless signal is a signal transmitted from the portable device 40 to the vehicle communication device 10 when the user operates the door lock or the key switch 44 for releasing the door lock in the portable device 40. The keyless signal is sent, for example, through communication between the fourth communication unit 42 and the second communication unit 12. For example, when the keyless signal of door lock release is received, the control unit 14 of the vehicle communication device 10 performs a process of releasing the door lock if the door is closed and the door is locked. In addition, when the keyless signal of the door lock is received, if the door is closed and the door lock is released, the control unit 14 performs the process of locking the door.

  According to the vehicle communication system of the first embodiment, when the user carrying the portable device 40 is separated from the vehicle 100 for a long period of time, the vehicle communication device 10 uses radio waves with high frequency according to the above process. A signal for searching for the portable device 40 is transmitted. Then, if the portable device 40 is found, the portable device 40 is searched using radio waves of low frequency. Thus, control in accordance with the approach of the user can be realized with less power consumption.

  Further, according to the vehicle communication system of the first embodiment, even if the process of searching for the portable device 40 fails due to radio waves of high frequency, the user's contact with the door or the operation of the key switch 44 of the portable device 40 Can realize the process of locking or unlocking the door.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a vehicle communication system according to a second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, as a portable device carried by the user, a first portable device 40A that exclusively communicates with the vehicle communication device 10A and a general-purpose second portable device 40B (for example, a smart phone) are provided. Mainly different from Form 1. The same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  The vehicle communication device 10A includes a first communication unit 11A that transmits long wave radio waves. The first communication unit 11A includes an RF (Radio Frequency) reception unit that receives a signal of the first portable device 40A, in addition to an LF (Low Frequency) transmission unit that transmits a long wave band radio wave. The signal received by the first communication unit 11A has a frequency higher than that of the signal to be transmitted.

  The first portable device 40A includes a third communication unit 41A that communicates with the first communication unit 11A of the vehicle communication device 10A. The third communication unit 41A includes an RF transmission unit that transmits a signal to the first communication unit 11A, in addition to an LF reception unit that receives a long wave band radio wave. The signal transmitted by the third communication unit 41A has a higher frequency than the signal received.

  The second portable device 40B includes a fourth communication unit 42A and a control unit 46. The fourth communication unit 42A performs the Bluetooth-LE communication. The fourth communication unit 42 </ b> A is automatically communicably connected to the second communication unit 12 as long as the fourth communication unit 42 </ b> A is within the range in which communication with the second communication unit 12 of the vehicle communication device 10 </ b> A is possible.

  FIG. 8 is a time chart explaining the operation of the vehicle communication system of the second embodiment. 8A to 8G show the movement of the vehicle communication device 10. FIG. FIGS. 8H and 8I show the movement of the second portable device 40B. 8 (j) and 8 (k) show the movement of the first portable device 40A. FIG. 8 (l) shows the distance between the vehicle communication device 10 and the first portable unit 40A and the second portable unit 40B. The first portable device 40A and the second portable device 40B are assumed to be carried by the same user. In FIG. 8, “LF transmission, RF reception” indicates transmission of a signal in the long wave band of the first communication unit 11A and reception of a signal with a high frequency of the first communication unit 11A. In FIG. 8, “LF reception, RF transmission” indicates reception of a signal in the long band of the third communication unit 41A and transmission of a signal with a high frequency of the third communication unit 41A.

  In the vehicle communication system of the second embodiment, when the user carrying the first portable device 40A and the second portable device 40B approaches the vehicle 100 from a distance, the welcome light is turned on by the following communication operation. .

  First, when the user is away, in the vehicle communication device 10A, the search process of the first communication unit 11 is interrupted, and the search process of the second communication unit 12 is executed. When the user enters the communication range of the second communication unit 12, the user approaches due to communication between the second communication unit 12 and the second portable device 40B (reception of the search signal Sig11 and reception of the response signal Sig12 in FIG. 8). Can detect that.

  When the second portable device 40B is found by the search of the second communication unit 12, a search process of a short communication range by the first communication unit 11 is started. When the user further approaches the vehicle 100 and enters the communication range of the first communication unit 11A, the communication between the first communication unit 11 and the first portable device 40A (the reception of the search signal Sig13 of FIG. 8 and the response signal Sig14 Reception), it is possible to detect that the user has entered the communication range of the first communication unit 11A and in which direction the user is approaching. The response signal Sig14 of the first portable device 40A is transmitted from the RF transmission unit of the third communication unit 41A to the RF reception unit of the first communication unit 11A using high frequency radio waves.

  Thus, the vehicle communication device 10A can confirm from which direction the user has approached without transmitting the first communication unit 11A requiring a large current for a long period of time. When the approach direction of the user can be confirmed, the vehicle communication device 10A receives a welcome light (welcome light 101 for the left door, a welcome light 102 for the right door, or a welcome light 103 for the trunk) aligned with the user's approach direction. Light.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the user approaches using the first portable device 40A having the third communication unit 41A, the second portable device 40B having the fourth communication unit 42A, and different portable devices. Control in accordance with can be realized with low power consumption.

  Hereinabove, the embodiments of the present invention have been described.

  In the embodiment, the long wave band is applied as the first frequency, and the Bluetooth-LE standard frequency is applied as the second frequency. However, if the second frequency is higher than the first frequency, the frequency of the embodiment is used. You may deviate from it. In addition, although it has been described that the second communication unit and the fourth communication unit perform communication in accordance with the Bluetooth-LE standard, the communication is not limited to this standard as long as communication can detect mutual approach with little power consumption.

  In the embodiment, the control in which the vehicle communication device turns on the welcome light in accordance with the approach direction of the user is described as an example, but, for example, the door lock corresponding to the approach direction of the user is unlocked. Control can be changed variously.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the present invention is described using hardware as an example, but the present invention can also be realized by software in cooperation with hardware.

  Further, each functional block employed in the description of the aforementioned embodiment may typically be implemented as an LSI constituted by an integrated circuit. These may be individually made into one chip, or may be made into one chip so as to include some or all. Although an LSI is used here, it may be called an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration.

  Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI's, and implementation using dedicated circuitry or general purpose processors is also possible. After the LSI is manufactured, a programmable field programmable gate array (FPGA) may be used, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure connection and setting of circuit cells in the LSI may be used.

  The present invention can be used for a vehicle communication system in which communication is performed between a portable device and a vehicle communication device in order to control the equipment of the vehicle, and this vehicle communication device.

10, 10A Vehicle Communication Device 11, 11A First Communication Unit 12 Second Communication Unit 13 Light Control Unit 14 Control Unit 16 Left Door Antenna 17 Right Door Antenna 18 Rear Antenna 40 Portable Device 40A First Portable Device 40B Second Portable Device 41 , 41A third communication unit 42, 42A fourth communication unit 100 vehicle 101 welcome light for the left door 102 welcome light for the right door 103 welcome light for the trunk

Claims (11)

A vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle and communicating with a portable device to control the equipment of the vehicle,
A first communication unit that transmits a radio wave of a first frequency;
A second communication unit for transmitting and receiving radio waves of a second frequency higher than the first frequency;
A radio wave is intermittently transmitted to the second communication unit to search for a communication partner, and when a communication partner is found by a search of the second communication unit, the radio communication is intermittently transmitted to the first communication unit. A control unit for searching for a communication partner,
Equipped with
The control unit stops the communication of the first communication unit when the door of the vehicle is not opened or closed for a predetermined period after the communication partner is found by the search of the second communication unit.
Vehicle communication device. The second communication unit automatically searches for the communication partner every time the connection with the communication partner is disconnected, and has a communication method to connect with the communication partner again when the communication partner is found. doing,
The vehicle communication device according to claim 1. The first communication unit transmits a long wave band radio wave as the first frequency radio wave,
The second communication unit performs communication based on the Bluetooth-low energy standard.
The vehicle communication device according to claim 1. The communication partner to be searched by the second communication unit and the communication partner to be searched by the first communication unit are the same or different portable devices.
The vehicle communication device according to claim 1. The control unit
When the communication partner is found by the search of the first communication unit, control of equipment of the vehicle is performed according to the direction in which the communication partner is present,
The vehicle communication device according to claim 3. The control unit
When a communication partner is found by the search of the first communication unit, a light corresponding to the direction in which the communication partner is present is turned on.
The vehicle communication device according to claim 5. And an output unit that outputs a control signal to a camera unit or a motion sensor mounted on the vehicle, and an input unit that inputs a signal of the camera unit or the motion sensor.
The control unit
When the other party of communication is found by the search of the first communication unit, the camera unit or the motion sensor is driven, the movement of the user is determined based on the information from the camera unit or the motion sensor, and the door is unlocked. Lock it,
The vehicle communication device according to claim 1. A receiver configured to receive, from the communication partner, information of a motion sensor mounted on the portable terminal of the communication partner,
The control unit
When the first communication unit can communicate with the other party, the door is unlocked based on the information of the motion sensor.
The vehicle communication device according to claim 1. And an input unit for inputting information from a touch sensor of the door of the vehicle,
The control unit
Even when the communication partner is not found by the search of the second communication unit, when the information with touch is input from the input unit, the communication of the first communication unit is started to lock or unlock the door of the vehicle. Control the lock,
The vehicle communication device according to claim 1. A vehicle communication system having a vehicle communication device and a portable device mounted on a vehicle and performing communication to control equipment of the vehicle,
The vehicle communication device is
A first communication unit that transmits a radio wave of a first frequency;
A second communication unit for transmitting and receiving radio waves of a second frequency higher than the first frequency;
A radio wave is intermittently transmitted to the second communication unit to search for a communication partner, and when a communication partner is found by a search of the second communication unit, the radio communication is intermittently transmitted to the first communication unit. A control unit for searching for a communication partner,
Equipped with
The control unit stops the communication of the first communication unit when the door of the vehicle is not opened or closed for a predetermined period after the communication partner is found by the search of the second communication unit.
The portable device is
A third communication unit that receives radio waves of the first frequency;
A fourth communication unit for transmitting and receiving radio waves of the second frequency;
Equipped with
Vehicle communication system. A vehicle communication system mounted on a vehicle and performing communication to control equipment of the vehicle, the first portable device and the second portable device, the vehicle communication system comprising:
The vehicle communication device is
A first communication unit that transmits a radio wave of a first frequency;
A second communication unit for transmitting and receiving radio waves of a second frequency higher than the first frequency;
A radio wave is intermittently transmitted to the second communication unit to search for a communication partner, and when a communication partner is found by a search of the second communication unit, the radio communication is intermittently transmitted to the first communication unit. A control unit for searching for a communication partner,
Equipped with
The control unit stops the communication of the first communication unit when the door of the vehicle is not opened or closed for a predetermined period after the communication partner is found by the search of the second communication unit.
The first portable device is
A third communication unit configured to receive radio waves of the first frequency;
The second portable device is
It has a fourth communication unit for transmitting and receiving radio waves of the second frequency,
Vehicle communication system.