KR20190141749A - Variable reception range systems, vehicle controls and mobile devices - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a receiving range variable system in which the reception range which the portable apparatuses 1 and 201 can receive the signal which the vehicle control apparatuses 100 and 300 transmit is variable, and one of a vehicle control apparatus and a portable apparatus is intensity determination And a transmitting unit 10 for transmitting the signal for receiving the signal, and the other for determining the reception strength of the strength determination signal received by the determination signal receiver 3 for receiving the strength determination signal and the determination signal receiver. The reception strength determination part 8 is provided. The reception range variable system includes a determination unit that determines whether the portable device is within an implementation range for enabling vehicle control of the portable device or within the reception range but out of the implementation range, based on the reception strength determined by the reception strength determination unit ( 14 and 209 and a reception range setting unit 7 for narrowing the reception range to be outside the reception range while making the reception range equal to or larger than the implementation range based on the determination that the mobile device is within the reception range but outside the range. ).

Description

Variable reception range systems, vehicle controls and mobile devices

This application is based on the JP Application No. 2017-110302 of an application on June 2, 2017, and the Japanese application No. 2017-143911 for an application on July 25, 2017, and uses the content of this description here. .

The present disclosure relates to a variable reception range system, a vehicle control apparatus, and a portable device.

Patent document 1 is disclosing the vehicle control apparatus which performs a function called a keyless entry system or a passive entry system. The content of the prior art document listed as a prior art is used by reference as description of the technical element in this specification.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-204823

In the vehicle control apparatus, welcome control is considered. Welcome control is vehicle control for welcoming a user with a mobile device to a vehicle. Welcome control is control which turns on lighting of a room lamp or the light provided in the footrest of a vehicle, for example.

The vehicle control apparatus transmits, as a radio wave, a response request signal for obtaining a response from the portable device at regular intervals. The mobile device receives a response request signal. In patent document 1, a portable device determines the reception strength of the received electric wave. The portable device transmits the determined reception strength information to the vehicle control device by including the response signal. The vehicle control device determines whether or not the portable device exists within an implementation range that is a range in which welcome control is performed based on the reception strength. When the vehicle control device determines that the portable device exists within the implementation range, the vehicle control device performs welcome control.

As in Patent Literature 1, when determining whether or not a portable device exists within an implementation range that enables vehicle control to the portable device, based on the reception strength of radio waves received by the portable device, the portable device is at least wider than the implementation range. Needs to be able to receive a response request signal sent by the vehicle control apparatus.

In addition, there is a request to make the implementation range variable. When the implementation range is made variable, the reception range in which the mobile device can receive the response request signal needs to be wider than the widest implementation range. In this regard, there is an area outside the reception range but the implementation range.

However, the vehicle control device does not perform welcome control for transmission from the portable device when the portable device exists outside the implementation range. Therefore, even if the portable device transmits a response signal when it is within the reception range but exists outside the implementation range, the portable device unnecessarily decreases the life of the battery. In view of convenience, an improvement in the life of a battery is required.

In view of the above, or in other aspects not mentioned, further improvement is required for the variable reception range system, the vehicle control apparatus, and the portable device.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a variable reception range system, a vehicle control device, and a portable device capable of reducing the number of times a portable device returns a signal transmitted from a vehicle.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a variable reception range system, a vehicle control device, and a portable device, which suppresses consumption of a battery included in the portable device.

A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a variable reception range system, a vehicle control apparatus, and a portable device that make it possible to reduce the consumption of a battery included in the portable device while varying an implementation range that enables vehicle control of the portable device. There is.

A receiving range variable system according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a receiving range variable system including a vehicle control device and a portable device, and the receiving range of which the portable device can receive a signal transmitted by the vehicle control device is variable. The transmission-side device, which is one of the control device and the portable device, includes a transmission unit that transmits a signal for strength determination, and the reception-side device, which is the other of the vehicle control device and the mobile device, includes a determination signal reception unit that receives a signal for strength determination. And a reception strength determination section for determining reception strength of the strength determination signal received by the determination signal reception section. Based on the reception strength determined by the reception strength determination unit, the reception range variable system determines whether the position where the portable device exists is within the implementation range that enables vehicle control of the portable device or within the reception range but outside the implementation range. And the determining unit narrows the receiving unit to the outside of the receiving range while making the receiving range equal to or larger than the performing range based on the determination that the position where the portable unit exists is within the receiving range but out of the performing range. A reception range setting unit is provided.

According to the variable reception range system which concerns on the said aspect, the determination part judges whether the position in which a portable device exists is in the implementation range which enables vehicle control with respect to a portable apparatus, or it is in a reception range but outside an implementation range. As a result of this determination, based on the determination that the position where the portable device exists is within the reception range but out of the implementation range, the reception range setting unit is arranged such that the mobile device is located outside the reception range while the reception range is set to be equal to or larger than the implementation range. Narrow it.

Thereby, even if the portable device exists in the reception range, the reception range is narrowed by the sensitivity range setting unit so that the portable device exists outside the reception range. Therefore, the number of times that the portable device returns to the signal transmitted from the vehicle can be reduced. In addition, by reducing the number of replies, the battery consumption of the portable device can be suppressed.

A vehicle control apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a transmitter for transmitting a response request signal for obtaining a response from the portable device, a receiver for receiving a response signal returned by the portable device in response to the response request signal, and a portable device. A judging section for judging the range, a change request section for sending a reception sensitivity change request to the mobile device, the request for changing the reception range being a range in which the mobile device can receive the response request signal, based on the range in which the mobile device exists; And a reception strength checking unit for checking the reception strength of the portable device based on the response signal. The determination unit sets an execution range that is narrower than the reception range that enables the vehicle control to the mobile device, and determines that the mobile device exists within the reception range and outside the implementation range when the reception intensity is below a predetermined threshold. It has an out-of-range judgment part. When the change request unit determines that the mobile device exists within the reception range and the mobile device exists outside the implementation range by the non-execution range judging unit, the change request unit decreases the reception sensitivity of the mobile device to narrow the reception range so that the mobile device exists outside the reception range. And a sensitivity reduction request unit for transmitting a reception sensitivity reduction request to the portable device.

A portable device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a portable device used together with the vehicle control device, and includes a portable device receiver that receives a response request signal and a reception sensitivity change request, and a reception sensitivity change request received by the portable device receiver. A response including a reception sensitivity variable for varying the reception sensitivity, a reception strength determination section for determining the reception strength of the response request signal received at the portable device reception section, and reception strength information indicating the reception strength determined at the reception strength determination section; And a portable device transmitter for transmitting a signal to the vehicle.

A portable apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a determination signal receiver that receives a strength determination signal transmitted by a vehicle control device, and a reception strength determination unit that determines the reception strength of the strength determination signal received by the determination signal receiver. On the basis of the reception strength determined by the reception strength determination unit, it is determined whether the current position is within an implementation range that enables vehicle control of the mobile device or within a reception range where the strength determination signal can be received, but is outside the implementation range. When the judging unit and the judging unit judge that the current position is within the reception range but out of the execution range, the reception sensitivity is lowered so that the current position is positioned outside the reception range while the reception range is equal to or larger than the implementation range. The receiving range setting part which narrows is provided.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a block diagram showing a portable device according to a first embodiment.
2 is a block diagram showing a vehicle control apparatus according to the first embodiment.
3 is a bird's eye view showing an example of a reception range.
4 is a bird's eye view showing an example of a reception range and an implementation range.
5 is a bird's eye view showing an example of a reception range and an implementation range.
6 is a flowchart showing processing in the vehicle control apparatus.
7 is a flowchart showing processing in the portable device.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a walk away process.
9 is a block diagram showing a portable device according to a sixth embodiment.
10 is a block diagram showing a vehicle control device according to a sixth embodiment.

A plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In some embodiments, functionally and / or structurally corresponding parts and / or associated parts may be assigned the same reference numeral or different reference numerals with positions of 100 or more. For corresponding parts and / or related parts, descriptions of other embodiments can be referred to.

(1st embodiment)

(Mobile)

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, one Embodiment is described, referring drawings. 1 shows a portable device 1 according to an embodiment. In the first embodiment, the portable device 1 is a receiving side device. The portable device 1 has a portable device microcontrol unit (MCU) 2, an LF receiver 3, an LF reception antenna 4, a UHF transmitter 5, and a transmission antenna 6.

The portable device MCU 2 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The portable device MCU 2 executes various processes in accordance with the program stored in the memory. The means and / or functions provided by the portable device MCU 2 can be provided by software written in an actual memory device and only a computer, software that executes it, only hardware, or a combination thereof. For example, when the portable MCU 2 is provided by an electronic circuit that is hardware, it may be provided by a digital circuit or an analog circuit including a plurality of logic circuits.

The portable device MCU 2 has a reception sensitivity variable section 7 and a reception strength determination section 8. The reception sensitivity varying section 7 changes the reception sensitivity of the mobile device 1. The LF receiver 3 has an amplifier for adjusting reception sensitivity. The reception sensitivity varying section 7 changes the reception sensitivity by adjusting the gain of the amplifier. The reception sensitivity is increased by increasing the amount of current flowing through the amplifier. The reception sensitivity is lowered when the amount of current flowing through the amplifier is reduced. As the portable device 1 has a higher reception sensitivity, even if the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted from the vehicle control apparatus 100 is the same, the distance from which the radio waves can be received increases. In other words, the reception range 30 (see Fig. 3) is widened. In this way, when the reception sensitivity variable portion 7 changes the reception sensitivity, the reception range 30 changes. The reception sensitivity variable part 7 corresponds to a reception range setting part.

The reception strength determination unit 8 determines the reception strength of the radio wave received by the LF receiver 3 using the RSSI circuit. An example of radio waves received by the LF receiver 3 is a response request signal. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the response request signal corresponds to the strength determination signal, and the LF receiver 3 corresponds to the determination signal receiver. The RSSI circuit is independent of the circuit in which the reception sensitivity variable portion 7 changes the reception sensitivity, and the reception strength is not affected by the change in the reception sensitivity.

The LF receiving antenna 4 is an antenna for receiving the radio wave of the LF band transmitted from the vehicle control apparatus 100. The LF band is, for example, a frequency band of 30 Hz to 300 Hz. The LF receiver 3 converts the radio wave received by the LF receiver antenna 4 into a signal that can be processed by the reception strength determination unit 8. The LF receiving section 3 outputs the converted signal to the reception strength determining section 8.

The portable device MCU 2 outputs a response signal to the UHF transmitter 5 when the LF reception antenna 4 receives the radio wave of the LF band. The response signal has reception strength information indicating the reception strength determined by the reception strength determination unit 8 and registration information indicating that the portable device 1 corresponds to the vehicle 22. Since the reception strength information is included, the response signal corresponds to the measurement result signal. The UHF transmitter 5 transmits a response signal from the transmission antenna 6 for transmitting signals by radio waves of the UHF band. The UHF band is, for example, a frequency band of 300 MHz to 3 GHz. The LF receiver 3 corresponds to a portable receiver. The UHF transmitter 5 corresponds to a portable transmitter.

(Vehicle control unit)

2 illustrates a vehicle control apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. In the first embodiment, the vehicle control device 100 is a transmission side device. The vehicle control device 100 includes an MCU 9, an LF transmitter 10, an LF antenna 11, a UHF receiver 12, and a UHF receiver antenna 13. The system constituted by the mobile device 1 and the vehicle control device 100 is a receiving range variable system. The portable device 1 is a portable device used with a vehicle control device. However, the portable device 1 may be used by another apparatus.

The MCU 9 outputs a response request signal for obtaining a response from the portable device 1 to the LF transmitter 10. The LF antenna 11 is an antenna for transmitting signals by radio waves of the LF band. The LF transmitter 10 transmits the response request signal to the mobile device 1 via the LF antenna 11. When the portable device 1 receives the response request signal, it transmits the response signal to the vehicle control apparatus 100. This transmission is also a response to the response request signal. The response request signal and the response signal are part of the signal for performing the matching, and the matching execution unit 19 performs the matching based on these response request signals and the response signals. Therefore, the response request signal corresponds to the control signal. In addition, the LF transmitter 10 corresponds to a transmitter.

The LF antennas 11 are distributed in a plurality of positions of the vehicle 22. The LF antenna 11 is provided, for example, on the front face of the back of the bonnet of the vehicle 22. The LF antenna 11 is provided, for example, on the back rear surface of the rear bumper under the trunk of the vehicle 22. The LF antenna 11 is provided on the right side surface of the door knob of the side door on the right side of the vehicle 22, for example. The LF antenna 11 is provided on the left side of the door knob of the side door on the left side of the vehicle 22, for example. The LF antenna 11 is also provided in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 22. In addition, the LF antenna 11 need not be provided at all of these plurality of positions. For example, the LF antenna 11 may not be provided on the front surface of the vehicle 22.

The UHF receiving antenna 13 is an antenna for receiving a response signal transmitted from the mobile device 1. The UHF receiving unit 12 outputs the received response signal to the MCU 9. The UHF receiver 12 corresponds to the receiver.

The MCU 9 includes a determination unit 14, a change request unit 15, a departure motion detection unit 16, a boarding motion detection unit 17, a reception strength confirming unit 18, and a check execution unit ( 19, an ignition SW (switch) detection unit 20, and a door lock SW detection unit 21.

The ignition SW detection unit 20 detects on / off of the ignition of the vehicle 22. The door lock SW detection unit 21 detects the locking or unlocking of the door lock device of the vehicle 22. The reception strength confirmation unit 18 confirms the reception strength of the response request signal received by the mobile device 1 from the received response signal. The reception strength confirmation unit 18 outputs the confirmed reception strength to the determination unit 14.

The departure motion detection unit 16 detects a departure motion in which the user can assume that the user is separated from the vehicle 22. The detachment operation is, for example, an operation in which the user locks the door lock device or an operation in which the ignition is turned off from on. In addition, the door opening operation after ignition-off or the door closing operation following the door opening operation may be used as the release operation. The departure motion detection unit 16 detects the presence or absence of the departure motion from the detection result of the ignition SW detection unit 20. The departure operation detection unit 16 determines that the departure operation has been performed when the ignition is turned off. The departure operation detection unit 16 detects the presence or absence of the departure operation from the detection result of the door lock SW detection unit 21. The deviation motion detection unit 16 determines that the departure motion has been performed when the door lock device has been corrected.

The boarding motion detection unit 17 detects a boarding motion that can be inferred that the user has boarded inside the vehicle 22. The boarding operation is an operation in which the user releases the door lock function, for example. Further, the unlocking of the door lock function, that is, the door opening operation after the door lock is released, or the door closing operation following the door opening operation may be used as the boarding operation. The boarding motion detector 17 detects the presence or absence of boarding motion from the detection result of the door lock SW detector 21. The boarding motion detection unit 17 determines that the boarding operation has been performed when the door lock function is released.

The determination unit 14 determines the range in which the portable device 1 exists. The determination unit 14 includes an in-range determination unit 14a, an out-of-range determination unit 14b, and an in-vehicle determination unit 14d.

The in-range determination unit 14a determines that the portable device 1 exists in the reception range 30 when the response signal is received by the UHF reception unit 12. The reception range 30 is a range in which the mobile device 1 can receive the response request signal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the LF antenna 11 is provided in the front surface, the rear surface, the right surface, and the left surface of the vehicle 22. As shown in FIG. These LF antennas 11 transmit radio waves having a directivity in a horizontal plane toward the outside of the vehicle 22 starting from the respective LF antennas 11. The LF antenna 11 is also provided in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 22. Although one LF antenna 11 is shown in a vehicle interior in FIG. 3, you may arrange | position two or more LF antennas 11 in a vehicle interior.

The LF antenna 11 provided in the vehicle interior transmits an electric wave toward the inside of the vehicle starting from the LF antenna 11. As a result, the UHF receiver 12 can receive the response signal even when the portable device 1 exists inside the vehicle 22. In FIG. 3, the reception range 30 formed to include the vehicle 22 conceptually illustrates the reception range 30 formed by the LF antenna 11 provided in the vehicle interior. In addition, in FIG. 3, the reception range 30 formed by the LF antenna 11 provided in the vehicle interior is made into the reception range 30 provided by the LF antenna 11 provided in the front surface, the rear surface, the right surface, and the left surface of the vehicle 22. As shown in FIG. It is shown with the reception range 30 formed. However, the reception range 30 formed by the LF antenna 11 provided in the vehicle interior, and the reception range formed by the LF antenna 11 provided on the front, rear, right, and left sides of the vehicle 22. Either one of 30 is selectively formed. This is because the LF antenna 11 provided in the vehicle interior and the LF antenna 11 provided on the front, rear, right and left sides of the vehicle 22 selectively transmit radio waves.

The following judgment is made when the LF antenna 11 that transmits radio waves toward the outside of the vehicle 22 is gradually transmitting radio waves. The outside range determination unit 14b is within the reception range 30 and the portable device 1 exists outside the implementation range 31 when the reception strength confirmed by the reception strength confirmation unit 18 is equal to or less than the first threshold. I judge it. In other words, the judgment result becomes positive. As shown in FIG. 4, the implementation range 31 is a narrower range than the reception range 30.

The implementation range 31 is a range which enables the welcome control which is a vehicle control for welcoming the user who carries the portable device 1 to the vehicle 22. Welcome control is the opening and closing of the door of the vehicle 22 implemented in a system called, for example, a keyless entry system or a passive entry system. Welcome control is control which turns on lighting of a room lamp or the light provided in the footrest of a vehicle, for example. When the welcome control is performed, the portable device 1 is collated. Therefore, the implementation range 31 may be called a range to perform a matching.

The vehicle control device 100 executes welcome control when the portable device 1 exists in the implementation range 31. The wider the implementation range 31, the better the welcome control can be from far away. It is preferable that the implementation range 31 be a predetermined distance from the vehicle 22 in order to prevent theft. The implementation range 31 is set within 1 m of the periphery of a vehicle, for example. The outside determination unit 14b determines that the portable device 1 exists near the vehicle 22 as the reception intensity is larger. The first threshold is set by the reception strength indicating the size of the set range 31.

The outside range determination unit 14b determines that the portable device 1 exists in the range 31 when the reception strength is not equal to or less than the first threshold value. In other words, the judgment result becomes negative. The case where the reception strength is not below the first threshold indicates the case where the reception strength is larger than the first threshold.

The in-vehicle determination unit 14d determines whether or not the portable device 1 exists in the interior of the vehicle 22 in a state where radio waves are sequentially transmitted from the LF antenna 11 provided in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 22. To judge. The in-vehicle determination unit 14d determines that the portable device 1 exists inside the vehicle 22 when the reception intensity is smaller than the second threshold. The second threshold transmits radio waves from the LF antenna 11 provided in the vehicle interior, measures the reception strength at the corner of the vehicle compartment or the corner of the vehicle 22 and sets the received strength based on the measured reception strength. . For example, the reception strength at the corner of the vehicle compartment is used as the second threshold.

The change request unit 15 outputs a reception sensitivity change request, which is a request to change the reception range 30, to the LF transmitter 10. The LF transmitter 10 transmits a reception sensitivity change request from the LF antenna 11 to the mobile device 1. The reception sensitivity variable part 7 changes the reception sensitivity of the portable device 1 in accordance with the request for changing the reception sensitivity. By changing the reception sensitivity, the reception range 30 can be changed. The reception range 30 becomes narrower as the reception sensitivity of the mobile device 1 decreases. The reception sensitivity change request includes a reception sensitivity drop request and a reception sensitivity improvement request described later.

The change request unit 15 includes a sensitivity decrease request unit 15a and a sensitivity improvement request unit 15b. The sensitivity reduction request unit 15a requests the reception sensitivity reduction request when it is determined by the non-execution determination unit 14b that the mobile device 1 exists within the reception range 30 and that the mobile device 1 exists outside the implementation range 31. It transmits to the portable device 1.

The reception sensitivity reduction request is a request for narrowing the reception range 30 so that the mobile device 1 exists outside the reception range 30. The request for lowering the reception sensitivity is a request for lowering the reception sensitivity of the mobile device 1. For example, when the mobile device 1 exists within the reception range 30 and exists outside the implementation range 31, the sensitivity reduction request part 15a narrows the reception range 30 by a predetermined range. The sensitivity reduction request is sent to the portable device 1.

The reception sensitivity variable part 7 reduces the reception sensitivity of the mobile device 1 based on the received reception sensitivity reduction request. As shown in FIG. 5, the reception range 30 is narrowed by the request for lowering the sensitivity of reception. In addition, since the implementation range 31 is determined by the reception strength and the reception strength is not affected by the reception sensitivity, even if the reception range 30 is narrowed due to the decrease in the reception sensitivity, the size of the implementation range 31 is It does not change.

In FIG. 5, the portable device 1 exists at a point where the response request signal cannot be received because the reception range 30 is narrowed. Since the portable device 1 cannot receive the response request signal at the point in Fig. 5, it does not transmit a response signal. When it is determined that the portable device 1 is within the reception range 30 and outside the implementation range 31, the sensitivity reduction request unit 15a may not be able to receive the response request signal. Until the reception sensitivity decreases.

It is preferable to set predetermined range small. When the predetermined range is set large, the reception range 30 is extremely narrowed by one request for lowering the sensitivity. When the reception range 30 becomes narrower than the preset implementation range 31, the implementation range 31 also becomes the same range as the reception range 30. FIG. When the implementation range 31 becomes an extremely narrow range, there is a possibility that the door lock of the vehicle 22 cannot be released unless the portable device 1 is taken to a point adjacent to the LF transmitter 10, for example. . Since the vehicle control apparatus 100 becomes the extremely narrow range of implementation range 31, there exists a possibility that it may not be able to perform welcome control even if it is a position which should originally perform welcome control. When the predetermined range is set small, the sensitivity reduction request unit 15a narrows the reception range 30 little by little. By narrowing the reception range 30 little by little, compared with the case where the predetermined range is set large, the reception range 30 narrowed so that it may not contain the point where the portable device 1 exists can be made into a large range. By using other expressions, the reception range 30 is narrowed little by little to make the reception range 30 the same size as the implementation range 31 or more, but not including the point where the mobile device 1 exists. You can do Equivalence means that the reception range 30 may be narrower than the implementation range 31 as little as possible. For example, if the reception range 30 is 95% of the size of the implementation range 31, it can be said to be equivalent. The specific percentage is not limited to 95%, and other numerical values such as 90% may be used. In addition, the range which is barely included represents the range whose distance between the portable device 1 and the edge of the reception range 30 closest to the portable device 1 is 50 cm, for example. In this way, the reception range 30 can be left as wide as possible. The vehicle control apparatus 100 can adjust the reception range 30 according to the position of the portable device 1.

On the other hand, it is preferable to narrow the reception range 30 so that the portable device 1 cannot receive the response request signal by one request for lowering the sensitivity of sensitivity, in order to suppress consumption of the battery of the portable device 1. Therefore, when giving priority to suppressing the consumption of the battery of the portable device 1, it is desirable to set a predetermined range so that the portable device 1 is out of the reception range 30 by one request for a decrease in reception sensitivity. desirable.

The sensitivity lowering request unit 15a transmits a signal that does not lower the reception sensitivity when it is determined by the out of range determination unit 14b that the portable device 1 exists in the implementation range 31. A signal that does not lower the reception sensitivity is, for example, a signal indicating a request for maintaining the reception sensitivity of the current portable device 1. The signal that does not lower the reception sensitivity is, for example, a signal indicating a request to narrow the reception range 30 to 0 m. The sensitivity reduction request unit 15a may not transmit the reception sensitivity reduction request when the out of implementation range determination unit 14b determines that the portable device 1 exists in the implementation range 31.

The vehicle control device 100 executes welcome control when the portable device 1 exists in the implementation range 31. In this case, if the reception sensitivity reduction request is transmitted, the implementation range 31 may be narrowed. When it is judged that the portable device 1 exists in the implementation range 31, transmission range can be prevented from being narrowed by transmitting the signal which does not reduce reception sensitivity.

The sensitivity improvement request unit 15b transmits a reception sensitivity improvement request to the portable device 1 to widen the reception range 30. The reception sensitivity improvement request includes a ride sensitivity improvement request and a departure sensitivity improvement request, which will be described later. When the boarding motion detection unit 17 detects a boarding motion, the sensitivity improving requesting unit 15b transmits a boarding sensitivity improving request to the portable device 1 to widen the reception range 30. The reception range 30 here is a reception range 30 that can receive radio waves transmitted by the LF antenna 11 provided in the vehicle interior. The above-described embodiment 31 is narrower than the reception range 30 that can receive radio waves transmitted by the LF antenna 11 provided in the vehicle interior. The sensitivity reduction request unit 15a reduces the reception sensitivity so as to approach the reception range 30 while the reception range 30 formed outside the vehicle 22 is larger than the implementation range 31.

Therefore, even if the user carrying the portable device 1 boards the vehicle 22, in the state where the reception sensitivity of the portable device 1 is lowered, the radio wave transmitted by the LF antenna 11 provided in the vehicle interior can be received. The reception range 30 which is possible does not become a range which covers the whole of the vehicle 22. Due to the reception sensitivity improvement request, the reception range 30 is widened to a range including at least the periphery of the vehicle 22. In other words, the reception sensitivity improvement request widens the reception range 30 to a range including at least the entire vehicle 22.

The reason for widening the range including the periphery of the vehicle 22 is to enable the mobile device 1 to receive a response request signal even if it exists in any of the interior of the vehicle 22. When the reception range 30 is narrower than the range including the periphery of the vehicle 22, the portable device 1 receives the response request signal from the vehicle control device 100 even if it exists inside the vehicle 22. There is a fear that it cannot be received. Therefore, the vehicle internal determination unit 14d may not be able to determine whether or not the portable device 1 exists inside the vehicle 22. Since the vehicle control apparatus 100 cannot perform interior contrast with the portable device 1, there exists a possibility that vehicle control, for example, ignition SW which cannot be turned on on condition of an interior vehicle, cannot be turned ON. Therefore, the sensitivity improvement request unit 15b needs to widen the reception range 30 so that the response request signal can be received even if the portable device 1 exists anywhere inside the vehicle 22. In addition, determination of whether the portable device 1 exists in the vehicle interior or the vehicle 22 is made based on the reception strength. Therefore, even if the reception range 30 which can receive the radio wave transmitted by the LF antenna 11 provided in the vehicle interior is extended to the outside of the vehicle 22, it is suppressed that wrong vehicle control is performed.

When the departure operation detection unit 16 detects the departure operation, the sensitivity improvement request unit 15b transmits the departure sensitivity improvement request to make the reception range 30 wider than the implementation range 31 to the portable device 1. do. It is preferable to make the reception range 30 wide to the range which walk-away control is requested | required of the deviation sensitivity improvement request. When the range in which the walk away control is performed is wider than the range in which the welcome control is performed and the range in which the interior control is performed, the maximum reception range 30 is widened by the reception sensitivity improvement request. . By widening the reception range 30 on the condition that the user's disengagement operation is performed, the range in which the walk away control can be executed can be widened to the range in which the walk away control is originally performed. Walk away control is vehicle control performed when the user is separated from the vehicle 22. The walk away control is a control in which an open trunk room is automatically closed when, for example, the user carrying the portable device 1 is separated from the vehicle 22. Walk-away control is control in which the door lock is implemented, for example, when the user who carries the portable device 1 is separated from the vehicle 22. In the walk away control, in order to confirm that the user is separated from the vehicle 22, it is preferable to enlarge the reception range 30.

The matching unit 19 confirms the validity and / or validity of the mobile device 1 based on the registration information of the response signal transmitted from the mobile device 1. That is, at least one of the validity and the validity of the portable device 1 is confirmed. Confirming justification and / or validity is also called control. When the verification implementation unit 19 can confirm the validity and / or validity of the mobile device 1 using the LF antenna 11 forming the reception range 30 outside the vehicle, the welcome control and the walk away control Allow execution of In addition, the matching unit 19 performs interior verification using the LF antenna 11 provided in the interior of the vehicle to determine whether the portable device 1 exists in the interior of the vehicle.

(Process of Vehicle Control Unit)

The process executed by the vehicle control device 100 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 6. The vehicle control device 100 always performs the process shown in FIG. 6 while the ignition of the vehicle 22 is turned on and off. However, in the state where it is determined that the portable device 1 exists in the vehicle 22, the vehicle interior verification is performed instead of the processing shown in FIG.

In step S1, the MCU 9 outputs a response request signal to the LF transmitter 10 and proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the MCU 9 determines whether the response signal has been received by the UHF receiver 12. When the MCU 9 receives the response signal, it determines that the portable device 1 exists in the reception range 30, and the process proceeds to step S3. When the MCU 9 cannot receive the response signal, it determines that the portable device 1 does not exist in the reception range 30, and ends this flow. The MCU 9 provides the in-range determination unit 14a by executing step S2.

In step S3, the MCU 9 confirms the validity and / or validity of the mobile device 1 based on the registration information of the response signal transmitted from the mobile device 1, and proceeds to step S4. The MCU 9 provides the matching unit 19 by executing step S3.

In step S4, the MCU 9 confirms the reception strength of the portable device 1 from the received response signal and proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the MCU 9 determines the range in which the portable device 1 exists. When the reception strength is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the MCU 9 determines that the portable device 1 exists within the reception range 30 and outside the implementation range 31, and the process proceeds to step S6. When the reception strength is larger than the first threshold value, the MCU 9 determines that the portable device 1 exists in the implementation range 31, and the process proceeds to step S7. The MCU 9 provides the out of implementation determination section 14b by executing step S5. In step S6, MCU 9 transmits a reception sensitivity fall request to portable device 1, and ends this flow. The MCU 9 provides the sensitivity reduction request unit 15a by executing step S6.

In step S7, the MCU 9 determines whether the boarding operation has been performed. When the MCU 9 determines that the boarding operation has been performed, the process proceeds to Step S8. When the MCU 9 determines that the boarding operation is not performed, the flow ends. The MCU 9 provides the boarding motion detection unit 17 by executing step S7. In a state where this step S7 is affirmatively judged, the validity and / or validity of the portable device 1 is confirmed, and the reception strength is that when the portable device 1 exists in the implementation range 31 or the vehicle. The strength can be judged.

In step S8, MCU 9 transmits a boarding sensitivity improvement request to portable device 1, and proceeds to step S9. The MCU 9 provides the sensitivity improvement request unit 15b by executing step S8.

In step S9, the MCU 9 determines whether the detachment operation has been performed. When the MCU 9 determines that the detachment operation has been performed, the process proceeds to Step S10. When the MCU 9 determines that the departure operation has not been performed, the flow ends. The MCU 9 provides the deviation motion detection unit 16 by executing step S9. In addition, the validity and / or validity of the portable device 1 are also confirmed in the state where this step S9 is positively determined, and the reception strength is that when the portable device 1 exists in the implementation range 31 or the vehicle. The strength can be judged.

In step S10, the MCU 9 transmits the departure sensitivity improvement request to the portable device 1, and the process proceeds to step S11. The MCU 9 provides the sensitivity improvement request unit 15b by executing step S10. In step S11, MCU 9 performs the walk away process mentioned later, and complete | finishes this flow.

(Handling of mobile)

The processing executed by the mobile device 1 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. The processing executed by the portable device 1 is executed on the condition that the response request signal is received.

In step S20, the portable device MCU 2 receives the response request signal transmitted from the LF transmitter 10 and proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the portable device MCU 2 determines the reception strength of the radio wave received by the LF receiver 3, and proceeds to step S22. The portable device MCU 2 provides the reception strength determination unit 8 by executing step S21. In step S22, the portable device MCU 2 transmits a response signal from the transmission antenna 6 and proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the portable device MCU 2 determines whether or not the reception sensitivity reduction request has been received. When the portable device MCU 2 determines that the reception sensitivity reduction request has been received, the portable device MCU 2 proceeds to step S24. When it is determined that the portable device MCU 2 has not received the reception sensitivity reduction request, the portable device MCU 2 proceeds to step S25. In step S24, the portable device MCU 2 lowers the reception sensitivity of the mobile device 1 based on the received reception sensitivity drop request, and ends the present flow.

In step S25, the portable device MCU 2 determines whether a reception sensitivity improvement request has been received. When determining that the portable device MCU 2 has received the reception sensitivity improvement request, the portable device MCU 2 proceeds to step S26. If it is determined that the portable device MCU 2 has not received the reception sensitivity improvement request, the portable device MCU 2 ends this flow.

In step S26, the portable device MCU 2 improves the reception sensitivity of the mobile device 1 based on the received reception sensitivity improvement request, and ends the present flow. The portable device MCU 2 changes the rate at which the received reception sensitivity improvement request improves the reception sensitivity by either the departure sensitivity improvement request or the ride sensitivity improvement request. Instead of this, either of the departure sensitivity improvement request and the boarding sensitivity improvement request, the reception sensitivity may be improved by the same ratio. For example, the reception sensitivity is improved to be widened to the maximum reception range 30 by the reception sensitivity improvement request. The portable device MCU 2 provides the reception sensitivity variable section 7 by executing at least one of steps S23 to S26.

In the process executed by the vehicle control apparatus 100 and the process executed by the portable apparatus 1, the vehicle control apparatus 100 includes the portable apparatus 1 within the reception range 30 and the implementation range 31. Otherwise, the reception sensitivity reduction request is transmitted to the portable device 1. When the portable device 1 receives the request for lowering the reception sensitivity, the portable device 1 lowers the reception sensitivity. Thereby, the vehicle control apparatus 100 can narrow the reception range 30 of the portable device 1. Even if the reception range 30 of the portable device 1 is narrowed, the vehicle control apparatus 100 receives the portable device 1 again when the portable device 1 is within the reception range 30 and exists outside the implementation range 31. Send a request for desensitization. By repeating these processes, the vehicle control device 100 can narrow the reception range 30 until the portable device 1 does not receive the response request signal.

The vehicle control apparatus 100 transmits a reception sensitivity improvement request to the portable device 1 when the user's riding motion is detected. When the portable device 1 receives the request for improving the reception sensitivity, the portable device 1 improves the reception sensitivity. The vehicle control device 100 can widen the reception range 30 in response to a reception sensitivity improvement request. Thereby, it is possible to stably determine that the portable device 1 exists inside the vehicle 22.

(Work away processing)

The walk away process executed by the vehicle control apparatus 100 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 8. The walk away process is a process of determining whether or not to maintain the reception range 30 widened to a range in which the walk away control can be executed after the user's departure operation is detected.

In step S30, when the reception strength is less than or equal to the first threshold, the MCU 9 determines that the portable device 1 exists within the reception range 30 and outside the implementation range 31, and the process proceeds to step S31. When the reception strength is larger than the first threshold value, the MCU 2 determines that the portable device 1 exists in the implementation range 31, and the flow ends. The MCU 9 provides the out-of-implement determination unit 14b by executing step S30.

In step S31, the MCU 9 determines whether the reception strength is the same value for a predetermined time. The MCU 9 proceeds to step S32 when the reception strength is the same value for a predetermined time. The MCU 9 proceeds to step S33 when the reception strength is not the same value for a predetermined time. The predetermined time may be a time that can be estimated that the portable device 1 is placed in a place such as a shelf or a desk, for example, 30 seconds. The same value does not need to be exactly the same, and may be a value that can be assumed that the mobile device 1 does not move. In step S32, the MCU 9 transmits a reception sensitivity drop request to the portable device 1.

In step S33, the MCU 9 determines whether a predetermined increase in the reception strength has been detected. When a predetermined rise is detected in the reception intensity, the MCU 9 proceeds to step S33 and transmits a request to decrease the reception sensitivity to the portable device 1. The predetermined rise may be a value that can be estimated that the user is nearing the vehicle 22. The MCU 9 ends this flow when a predetermined rise is not detected in the reception strength. The MCU 9 provides at least one of the steps S31 to S33 to provide the sensitivity reduction request unit 15a.

According to the embodiment described above, when the reception strength is less than or equal to the first threshold, the out of implementation determination unit 14b determines that the portable device 1 exists within the reception range 30 and in addition to the implementation range 31. do. The sensitivity reduction request part 15a transmits a reception sensitivity reduction request to the portable device 1 when the portable device 1 exists in the reception range 30 and exists outside the implementation range 31. The sensitivity reduction request unit 15a narrows the reception range 30 until the portable device 1 cannot receive the response request signal.

Even if the mobile device 1 exists in the reception range 30, the sensitivity reduction request unit 15a narrows the reception range 30 so that the mobile device 1 is located outside the reception range 30. . Since the portable device 1 exists outside the reception range 30, the number of times the portable device 1 responds to the response request signal is reduced. Thereby, consumption of the battery which the portable device 1 is equipped with can be suppressed.

After the departure sensitivity improvement request is transmitted, the sensitivity reduction request unit 15a is within the reception range 30 by the out-of-execution determination unit 14b, and the portable device 1 exists outside the implementation range 31. When it is determined and the reception intensity is the same value for a predetermined time, the reception sensitivity reduction request is transmitted to the portable device 1. The vehicle control device 100 narrows the reception range 30 when the portable device 1 is placed at a predetermined time. Thereby, the reception range 30 is adjusted so that the portable device 1 exists outside the reception range 30. Since the portable device 1 exists outside the reception range 30, the response to the response request signal is less likely to be repeated. Thereby, consumption of the battery which the portable device 1 is equipped with can be suppressed.

After the departure sensitivity improvement request is transmitted, the sensitivity reduction request unit 15a transmits the reception sensitivity reduction request to the portable device 1 when a predetermined increase in the reception intensity is detected. When the user is separated from the vehicle 22, the vehicle control device 100 maintains a state in which the reception range 30 is widened in order to execute walk away control. This makes it possible to widen the reception range 30. The wide area of the range which the portable device 1 can receive with respect to the response request signal can be made compatible with suppressing the consumption of the battery which the portable device 1 has.

(Other embodiment)

The disclosure in this specification is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. The disclosure includes the illustrated embodiments and modifications by those skilled in the art based thereon. For example, the disclosure is not limited to the combination of parts and / or elements shown in the embodiments. The disclosure can be carried out by various combinations. The disclosure may have additional portions that may be added to the embodiment. The disclosure includes that parts and / or elements of the embodiments are omitted. The disclosure includes substitution or combination of parts and / or elements between one embodiment and another embodiment. The technical range disclosed is not limited to description of embodiment. It is to be understood that the several technical scope disclosed is indicated by the description of the claims, and also includes all modifications within the meaning and range equivalent to the description of the claims.

(2nd embodiment)

In the first embodiment, the sensitivity reduction request unit 15a narrows the reception range 30 to a predetermined range when the mobile device 1 exists within the reception range 30 and in addition to the implementation range 31. A request for a decrease in reception sensitivity is sent to the portable device 1. Instead, the sensitivity reduction request unit 15a requests the reception sensitivity reduction request when the portable unit 1 exists in the reception range 30 by the in-range determination unit 14a. You may transmit by. The sensitivity reduction request unit 15a narrows the reception range 30 until there is no response from the portable device 1 to the response request signal. Since the portable device 1 exists outside the reception range 30, the number of times the portable device 1 responds to the response request signal is reduced.

Even if it exists in the reception range 30, the portable device 1 narrows the reception range 30 so that it exists in the outer side rather than the reception range 30 by the sensitivity reduction request part 15a. The portable device 1 does not repeat the reply to the response request signal because it exists outside the reception range 30. Thereby, consumption of the battery which the portable device 1 is equipped with can be suppressed.

(Third embodiment)

In the first embodiment, the out of range determination unit 14b determines the range in which the mobile device 1 exists based on the reception strength. Instead of this, the LF transmitter 10 may transmit the response request signal to the portable device 1 several times while changing the transmission output. The out-of-implement determination unit 14b may determine the range in which the portable device 1 exists by the presence or absence of a reply from the portable device 1 for each transmission output.

(4th embodiment)

In the first embodiment, the sensitivity improvement request is transmitted when it is determined that there is a boarding operation (S7: Yes) and when it is determined that there is a departure operation (S9: Yes). In a state where S7 and S9 are positively judged, the validity and / or validity of the portable device 1 is confirmed, and the reception strength can be determined to be the strength when the portable device 1 is present in the implementation range or the vehicle. It is in a state.

However, the state in which the validity and / or validity of the portable device 1 has been confirmed and the reception strength is determined to be the strength when the portable device 1 exists in the implementation range or the vehicle is not limited thereto. Do not.

The vehicle control apparatus 100 checks at the time when the portable device 1 determines that it has entered the implementation range 31. In addition, the vehicle control device 100 determines whether the portable device 1 has entered the implementation range 31 as the reception strength. Therefore, the vehicle control apparatus 100 may determine that the portable device 1 entered the implementation range 31, and may transmit a sensitivity improvement request at the time when a matching is established. The sensitivity indicated by this sensitivity improvement request may be the same as the boarding sensitivity improvement request, or may be the same as the departure sensitivity improvement request. In this embodiment, there is one type of sensitivity improvement request.

If the portable device 1 is in the implementation range 31, even if the sensitivity is reduced, the portable device 1 responds to the response request signal. Therefore, if it is determined that the portable device 1 has entered the implementation range 31, it is not necessary to lower the reception sensitivity of the portable device 1. That is, if the portable device 1 enters the implementation range 31, even if the sensitivity of the portable device 1 is improved, there will be no problem.

(5th embodiment)

In the first embodiment, in the walk-away process performed after transmitting the deviation sensitivity enhancement request, the reception intensity is equal to or less than the first threshold and the reception intensity is equal to the predetermined time or a predetermined increase in the reception intensity is detected. At that time, the reception sensitivity reduction request was transmitted.

However, the sensitivity reduction request unit 15a may transmit only the reception sensitivity reduction request, having only the reception intensity lower than or equal to the first threshold value after the departure sensitivity improvement request is transmitted. In addition, after the reception sensitivity improvement request other than the deviation sensitivity improvement request is transmitted, the reception strength may be judged. In addition, the fact that the reception intensity became below the 1st threshold value means that it was judged positively by the out of implementation determination part 14b.

That is, even if the sensitivity reduction request unit 15a transmits the reception sensitivity reduction request to the mobile device 1 when it is positively determined by the out of range determination unit 14b after the reception sensitivity improvement request has been transmitted. do.

(6th Embodiment)

In the first embodiment, the portable device 1 transmits a response signal having the reception strength information indicating the reception strength to the vehicle control device 100 after determining the reception strength of the response request signal. And the vehicle control apparatus 100 confirmed the reception intensity, and transmitted the request for receiving intensity reduction based on the confirmation result.

However, in this sixth embodiment, the portable device 201 determines whether the reception sensitivity needs to be lowered by itself. 9 shows a configuration of the portable device 201 of the sixth embodiment. 10, the structure of the vehicle control apparatus 300 of 6th Embodiment is shown.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the portable device 201, the MCU 2 includes a determination unit 209. The determination unit 209 determines whether the current position is within the implementation range 31 or within the reception range 30 but outside the implementation range 31 based on the reception strength determined by the reception strength determination unit 8. do. The reception strength and distance from the radio wave source are correlated, and the distance and reception strength are correlated. Therefore, from the reception strength, it can be determined whether the current position is within the implementation range 31. The portable device 201 stores the reception strength at the boundary of the implementation range 31. The reception strength at the boundary of the implementation range 31 is the first threshold value described above.

That is, the determination unit 209 compares the reception strength determined by the reception strength determination unit 8 with the first threshold value so that the current position is within the implementation range 31 or within the reception range 30, but in the implementation range. (31) We judge whether it is outside. The determination unit 209 then instructs the reception sensitivity variable unit 7 to change the reception sensitivity based on the determination result.

Specifically, when the determination unit 209 determines that the current position is within the reception range 30 but outside the implementation range 31, the determination unit 209 issues an instruction to lower the reception sensitivity to the reception sensitivity variable unit 7. The degree to which the reception sensitivity is lowered may be the same as in the first embodiment.

However, even if the determination part 209 judges that a current position is in the reception range 30 but outside the implementation range 31, the command which instructs the signal received from the vehicle control apparatus 300 to suppress a sensitivity fall is contained. If so, the instruction to lower the reception sensitivity is not output to the reception sensitivity variable section 7 while the condition indicated by the command is established. On the other hand, if the command received from the vehicle control device 300 does not include a command for instructing to decrease the sensitivity, an instruction for reducing the reception sensitivity is output to the reception sensitivity variable unit 7.

In addition, the determination part 209 is a case where it judges that the present position is the implementation range 31, and when reception sensitivity is falling, it instructs the reception sensitivity variable part 7 to improve reception sensitivity. The degree of improving reception sensitivity may also be the same as in the first embodiment.

10 shows the configuration of the vehicle control device 300 of the sixth embodiment. The MCU 9 of the vehicle control device 300 includes a drop suppression indicating unit 315. When the departure operation detection unit 16 detects the departure operation, the reduction suppression instruction unit 315 includes a command for instructing the sensitivity reduction suppression to be transmitted in the response request signal.

The content of the sensitivity reduction suppression specifically instructed by this command is the content of inhibiting the sensitivity reduction for a certain time, for example. In addition, it may be an instruction to prohibit the decrease in reception sensitivity until the reception range 30 is outside the threshold lowering range set in a wider range than the implementation range 31. In addition, the portable device 1 determines whether or not the threshold lowering range is out of the reception strength.

By transmitting this command, vehicle control that requires communication with the mobile device 1 can be temporarily executed even outside the implementation range 31. In addition, when the condition indicated by the command is not satisfied, the portable device 1 lowers the reception sensitivity, so that battery consumption can be suppressed.

(Seventh embodiment)

 In the first embodiment, the reception range 30 is changed by decreasing or improving the reception sensitivity of the mobile device 1, and the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the vehicle control device 100 is not changed. However, even if the intensity of radio waves transmitted by the vehicle control apparatus 100 changes, the reception range 30 changes.

Therefore, in the seventh embodiment, the vehicle control device 100 determines that the out of embodiment determination unit 14b determines that the mobile device 1 exists within the reception range 30 but outside the implementation range 31. In this case, the transmission power of the signal transmitted from the LF transmitter 10 is lowered. By lowering the transmission power, the portable device 1 is narrowed so that the portable device 1 is located outside the reception range 30 while the reception range 30 is larger than the implementation range 31.

(8th Embodiment)

In the first embodiment, the vehicle control device 100 is a transmission side device, and the response request signal transmitted by the vehicle control device 100 is used as the strength determination signal. And the portable device 1 was made into the receiving side apparatus, and the portable device 1 was determining reception strength.

However, in the eighth embodiment, the portable device 1 is used as the transmitting side device and the vehicle control device 100 is used as the receiving side device. Therefore, using the signal (for example, response signal) which the portable device 1 transmits as a signal for intensity determination, the vehicle control apparatus 100 determines the reception intensity of the signal which the portable device 1 transmits. .

In the eighth embodiment, after the vehicle control apparatus 100 determines the reception strength, in the first embodiment, the reception strength confirmation unit 18 performs the same processing as that after the reception strength has been confirmed. Therefore, in the eighth embodiment, the reception range 30 is changed by changing the reception sensitivity of the mobile device 1.

(Ninth embodiment)

In the ninth embodiment, similarly to the eighth embodiment, the mobile device 1 is used as the transmitting side device and the vehicle control device 100 is used as the receiving side device. In the ninth embodiment, the process after the vehicle control device 100 determines the reception strength is the same as in the seventh embodiment. Therefore, in the ninth embodiment, the reception range 30 is changed by changing the transmission power of the LF transmitter 10.

(10th embodiment)

The radio wave used by the vehicle control apparatuses 100 and 300 for transmission, that is, the radio wave used by the portable devices 1 and 201 for reception, may be a frequency band other than the LF band, for example, the VLF band and the UHF. This UHF band can be set to the same frequency as the frequency band used by the UHF receiver 12.

Claims (17)

It is a receiving range variable system which has the vehicle control apparatus 100,300 and the portable apparatuses 1, 201, The receiving range which the portable apparatus can receive the signal which the said vehicle control apparatus transmits is variable,
The transmission side device, which is one of the vehicle control device and the portable device, includes a transmission unit 10 for transmitting a signal for strength determination,
The receiving side device, which is the other of the vehicle control device and the portable device, receives the reception signal strength of the strength determination signal received by the determination signal receiver 3 that receives the strength determination signal and the determination signal receiver. It is provided with the reception intensity determination part 8 to determine,
The receiving range variable system,
Based on the reception strength determined by the reception strength determination unit, it is determined whether the position where the portable device exists is within an implementation range enabling vehicle control of the portable device or within the reception range but outside the implementation range. Judgment unit 14, 209 to say,
The portable unit is positioned outside the reception range while the determination unit makes the reception range equal to or larger than the implementation range based on the determination that the position where the portable device exists is within the reception range but is outside the implementation range. A reception range variable system provided with the reception range setting part 7 which narrows so that it may become narrow. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle control apparatus is the transmitting side apparatus and the portable apparatus is the receiving side apparatus.
The portable device transmits a measurement result signal including the reception strength determined by the reception strength determination unit to the vehicle control device,
The vehicle control device includes the determination unit,
The determination unit 14 determines whether the position where the portable device exists is within the implementation range, within the reception range but outside the implementation range, based on the reception strength included in the measurement result signal. ,
The vehicle control device further includes, when the determination unit determines that the portable device is within the reception range but out of the implementation range, a sensitivity reduction request for transmitting a reception sensitivity reduction request for reducing the reception sensitivity of the mobile device to the mobile device. Having a portion 15a,
The portable device includes the reception range setting unit,
The reception range setting section is configured to reduce the reception sensitivity of the portable device when the portable device receives the request for lowering the reception sensitivity, thereby making the portable device receive the reception range while making the reception range equal to or larger than the implementation range. A variable coverage system, narrowed to be out of range. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle control apparatus is the transmitting side apparatus and the portable apparatus is the receiving side apparatus.
The portable device includes the determination unit 209 and the reception range setting unit,
The reception range setting section, when the determination section determines that the portable device is within the reception range but is outside the implementation range, decreases the reception sensitivity of the portable device, thereby making the reception range equal to or larger than the implementation range. And narrow the portable device to be positioned outside the reception range. A transmission unit 10 for transmitting a response request signal for obtaining a response from the mobile device 1,
A receiver 12 receiving a response signal returned by the mobile device in response to the response request signal;
A determination unit 14 for determining a range in which the portable device exists,
A change request unit 15 for transmitting a reception sensitivity change request, which is a request for changing the reception range 30 which is a range in which the portable device can receive the response request signal, to the portable device, based on the range in which the portable device exists. Wow,
A reception strength checking unit 18 for checking the reception strength of the portable device based on the response signal;
The determination unit,
The execution range 31 which is narrower than the said reception range which enables vehicle control with respect to the said portable device can be set,
When the reception strength is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the receiver has an out of range determination unit 14b that is within the reception range and determines that the portable device exists outside the implementation range.
The change request unit,
When it is determined by the out of range determining unit that the portable device exists within the reception range and outside the range, the portable device is configured to narrow the reception range so that the portable device exists outside the reception range. A vehicle control apparatus having a sensitivity reduction request unit (15a) for transmitting a reception sensitivity reduction request for decreasing reception sensitivity to the portable device. The said sensitivity reduction request part is a said range which narrows the said reception range by a predetermined range, when it determines with the said outside of the implementation range in the said reception range and the portable apparatus exists outside the said implementation range. The vehicle control apparatus which transmits a reception sensitivity fall request to the said portable device. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, if the determination result is negative, the determination unit determines that the portable device exists within the implementation range.
And the sensitivity reduction request unit transmits, to the portable device, a signal that does not reduce the reception sensitivity when it is determined by the out-of-implement range determination unit that the portable device exists within the implementation range. The change request unit according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein
And a sensitivity enhancement requesting portion (15b) for transmitting a reception sensitivity enhancement request for improving the reception sensitivity to the portable device to widen the reception range. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a verification unit (19) for verifying the validity and / or validity of the portable device based on a signal transmitted and received between the portable device,
The sensitivity improvement request unit,
The reception sensitivity based on the fact that the verification embodiment confirms the validity and / or validity of the portable device, and that the reception strength can be determined to be the strength when the portable device exists in the implementation range or the vehicle; The vehicle control apparatus which transmits an improvement request to the said portable device. The vehicle according to claim 7, further comprising a boarding motion detection unit (17) for detecting a boarding motion in which the portable device can be assumed to be boarded inside the vehicle.
The sensitivity improvement request unit,
When the boarding motion detection unit detects the boarding motion, sending a boarding sensitivity enhancement request to the portable terminal, the reception sensitivity improving request for widening the reception range so as to determine that the portable unit is in the vehicle, Vehicle control unit. The method according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a departure motion detection unit (16) for detecting a departure motion that can be assumed that the portable device is spaced apart from the vehicle.
The sensitivity improvement request unit,
And when the departure motion is detected by the departure motion detection unit, sending a departure sensitivity improvement request, which is the reception sensitivity improvement request to widen the reception range, to the portable device. The said sensitivity reduction request part as described in any one of Claims 7-10,
And after the reception sensitivity improvement request is transmitted, transmitting the reception sensitivity reduction request to the portable device based on affirmative determination by the out-of-execution determination section. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensitivity reduction request unit,
Vehicle control, which transmits the received sensitivity reduction request to the portable device when the deviation sensitivity improvement request is transmitted and is positively judged by the out-of-execution determination unit and the reception intensity is the same value for a predetermined time. Device. The method of claim 10 or 12, wherein the sensitivity reduction request unit,
And when the predetermined increase in the reception strength is detected after the departure sensitivity improvement request is transmitted, sending the reception sensitivity reduction request to the portable device. A portable device used with the vehicle control device according to any one of claims 4 to 13,
A portable device receiver (3) for receiving the response request signal and the reception sensitivity change request;
A reception sensitivity variable section 7 for changing reception sensitivity in response to the reception sensitivity change request received by the portable receiver;
A reception strength determination section 8 for determining a reception strength of the response request signal received at the portable device reception section;
And a portable device transmitter (5) for transmitting the response signal including the reception strength information indicating the reception strength determined by the reception strength determination unit to the vehicle control apparatus. A determination signal receiver 3 for receiving a strength determination signal transmitted by the vehicle control apparatus;
A reception strength determination unit 8 for determining reception strength of the strength determination signal received by the determination signal reception unit;
Based on the reception strength determined by the reception strength determination unit, the current position is within an implementation range that enables vehicle control for a mobile device or within a reception range that can receive the strength determination signal, but in the implementation range A judging unit 209 for judging whether it is foreign;
If the determination unit judges that the current position is within the reception range but outside the implementation range, the reception sensitivity is decreased so that the current position is located outside the reception range while the reception range is set to be equal to or larger than the implementation range. The portable device provided with the receiving range setting part 7 which narrows. The method of claim 15, wherein the reception range setting unit,
And the determination unit judges that the current position is within the implementation range, and further improves the reception sensitivity based on receiving a check signal from the vehicle control device. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the reception range setting unit improves the reception sensitivity, and when the determination unit determines that a current position is within the reception range but outside the implementation range, the reception range setting unit is sensitive to a signal received from the vehicle control apparatus. The portable device which reduces a reception sensitivity, if the command which instruct | indicates the suppression of a fall is not reduced, and reduces a reception sensitivity, unless the command which instruct | includes the sensitivity reduction suppression is contained in the signal received from the said vehicle control apparatus.

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