Vehicle user terminal location measurement device

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle user terminal position measuring device. The vehicle user terminal position measuring device of the present invention comprises: a plurality of sensors, which are arranged on the vehicle and receive signals transmitted by the user terminal; a signal strength calculation unit, which calculates the signal strength of the signal received by the sensor for each sensor; and a position measuring unit, which selects any one of a plurality of grids divided around the vehicle as the position of the user terminal according to the signal strength calculated by the signal strength calculation unit for each sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle user terminal position measuring device, and more particularly to a vehicle user terminal position measuring device that selects any one of the grids set around the vehicle as the position of the user terminal based on the signal strength of signals received by multiple sensors. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a smart key system refers to a system that allows the driver to open and close the doors and start the vehicle from the outside without inserting the key into the key box of the vehicle or performing a special operation for starting the vehicle.

[0003] When a driver carrying a smart key approaches the vehicle, the vehicle (i.e., the smart key system in the vehicle) automatically unlocks the door without inserting a key by communicating with the smart key via radio frequency (RF: Radio Frequency) (usually using 315 / 433MHz), and after getting in the vehicle, the vehicle can be started even without inserting the starter key. Specifically, the smart key system is performed by the vehicle receiving an authentication request (LF frequency: generally using 125 / 134.2KHz) for the location of the smart key grasped in the vehicle (i.e., the smart key system in the vehicle) and the corresponding authentication response (RF frequency) given by the smart key.

[0004] In addition, unlike infrared communication methods, Bluetooth communication has the characteristic of connecting several devices to each other by using non-directional wireless frequencies without direction restrictions. Bluetooth communication can be performed wirelessly by simply installing a Bluetooth chipset that is smaller than a thumbnail and inexpensive on a device, so a variety of structures using various devices with Bluetooth modules can be adopted.

[0005] Therefore, Bluetooth communication can be applicable to a remote control system or a smart key system.

[0006] However, when using Bluetooth communication to build a smart key system, due to various environmental factors such as an error rate of more than 1 to 3 meters and metal substances, there is a problem that the location of the smart key cannot be accurately determined and actions cannot be executed according to the remote control command requested by the user.

[0007] The background technology of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0071434 (2019.06.24) "Smart key system for vehicle using Bluetooth low energy". Summary of the invention

[0008] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0009] The present invention is developed to solve the above-mentioned problem. One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a user terminal position measuring device for a vehicle, which selects any one of the grids set around the vehicle as the position of the user terminal based on the signal strength of signals received by multiple sensors.

[0010] Technical solutions to solve problems

[0011] A user terminal position measuring device for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a plurality of sensors installed on the vehicle to receive signals transmitted by the user terminal; a signal strength calculation unit for calculating the signal strength of the signal received by the sensor for each sensor; and a position measuring unit for selecting any one of a plurality of grids divided around the vehicle as the position of the user terminal based on the signal strength calculated for each sensor by the signal strength calculation unit.

[0012] The grid of the present invention sets a signal strength range for each of the sensors.

[0013] The signal strength range of the present invention is set with the average value of the signal strength detected during the set time period set for each sensor as the center.

[0014] The signal strength range of the present invention is set to reflect at least one of the measurement environment, measurement conditions, and measurement method for measuring the signal strength of each sensor.

[0015] The measurement environment of the present invention includes at least one of a space where the vehicle is parked and a ground condition.

[0016] The measurement condition of the present invention includes at least one of the height of the user terminal and the carrying method of the user terminal.

[0017] The measuring method of the present invention includes at least one of a measuring time, a measuring frequency, and a measuring cycle for each of the sensors.

[0018] The position measurement unit of the present invention includes: a grid detection unit, which determines whether the signal strength calculated by the signal strength calculation unit for each sensor is included in the signal strength range of each sensor set for the grid, and detects at least one of the grids based on the judgment result; and a position selection unit, which selects any one of the grids detected by the grid detection unit as the position of the user terminal.

[0019] The position selection unit of the present invention detects a centroid point based on the center position of the grid detected by the grid detection unit, and selects the detected centroid point as the position of the user terminal.

[0020] The position selecting unit of the present invention detects commonly detected grids among the grids detected by the grid detecting unit, and selects any one of the common grids as the position of the user terminal.

[0021] The position selection unit of the present invention detects a centroid point based on the center position of the commonly detected grids among the grids detected by the grid detection unit, and selects the detected centroid point as the position of the user terminal.

[0022] The present invention further includes: an operation control unit that executes a set action that matches the position of the user terminal measured by the position measurement unit.

[0023] The operation control unit of the present invention divides the grid into a plurality of set areas, and when any one of the set areas is selected as the position of the user terminal by the position measurement unit, executes the action set in the set area where the user terminal is located.

[0024] The setting area of ​​the present invention includes: an RKE area for running RKE (Remote keyless entry), a driver's door area for opening a driver's door, a passenger door area for opening a passenger door, a trunk area for opening a trunk, and at least one of an interior area for controlling interior functions of the vehicle.

[0025] Effects of the Invention

[0026] A vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to one aspect of the present invention selects any one of the grids set around the vehicle as the position of the user terminal based on the signal strength of signals received by multiple sensors, and can relatively accurately measure the position of the user terminal regardless of the surrounding environment and time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 A block diagram of a vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 A diagram showing the configuration position of a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 is an example diagram of a grid according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 An example of distinguishing various regions within a grid according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a sequence diagram of a method for measuring the position of a vehicle user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Description of Reference Numerals

[0033] 10: Sensor

[0034] 20: Signal strength calculation unit

[0035] 30: Position measurement unit

[0036] 31: Grid detection unit

[0037] 32: Position selection unit

[0038] 40: Operation Control Department DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following is a detailed description of a vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the process, the thickness of the lines or the size of the components shown in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated for the sake of clarity and convenience of the description. In addition, the terms described below are defined based on the functions of the present invention, and they vary according to the intentions or practices of the user or operator. Therefore, the definition of the term is defined based on the content of the entire specification.

[0040] The implementations described in this specification may be implemented, for example, by a method or program, an apparatus, a software program, a data stream or a signal. Even if only a single form of implementation is discussed in an article (e.g., only discussed by a method), the implementation of the discussed features may also be implemented by other forms (e.g., an apparatus or program). An apparatus is implemented by suitable hardware, software, firmware, etc. A method, for example, generally refers to an implementation in a device such as a processor including a processing device such as a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit or a programmable logic device. The processor includes communication devices such as computers, telephones, portable / personal information terminals (personal digital assistants: "PDAs") and other devices that facilitate information communication between end-users.

[0041] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement position of a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is an example diagram of a grid according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 This is an example of distinguishing various areas within a grid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Reference Figure 1 A vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a sensor 10 , a signal strength calculation unit 20 , a position measuring unit 30 , and an operation control unit 40 .

[0043] The sensor 10 receives the signal transmitted by the user terminal 50. The sensor 10 receives the signal through various short-range wireless communication methods with the user terminal 50.

[0044] As a short-distance wireless communication method between the sensor 10 and the user terminal 50, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) may be included. However, the short-distance wireless communication method is not limited to the embodiment.

[0045] There are multiple sensors 10, which are arranged at different positions of the vehicle. Figure 2 As shown, the sensor 10 can be set at the center of the front bumper of the vehicle, the left side of the front bumper, the right side of the front bumper, the B-pillars on both sides, the center of the rear bumper, the left side of the rear bumper, the right side of the rear bumper, etc. In this way, the setting position and the setting number of the sensor 10 are not particularly limited.

[0046] The user terminal 50 transmits a signal to the sensor 10. The user terminal 50 may include any device such as a mobile phone or a smart key, without any particular limitation, as long as it is a device that transmits various signals for controlling the vehicle.

[0047] The signal strength calculation unit 20 calculates the signal strength (Received signal strength indicator; RSSI) of each signal transmitted from the user terminal 50 and received by each sensor 10 .

[0048] That is, when each sensor 10 receives a signal transmitted from the user terminal 50 , the signal strength calculation unit 20 calculates the signal strength of the signal received by each of the sensors 10 .

[0049] Since each sensor 10 is installed at a different position of the vehicle, the distance from the user terminal 50 is different. As a result, the signal strength of the signal received by each sensor 10 is different. Therefore, since the signal strength of the signal received by each sensor 10 is different, the position of the user terminal 50 can be determined based on this.

[0050] The position measuring unit 30 selects any one of a plurality of grids divided around the vehicle as the position of the user terminal 50 based on the signal strength calculated for each sensor 10 by the signal strength calculating unit 20 .

[0051] Grid Figure 3 As shown, it can be set within the setting range set around the vehicle. The setting range is set to a width of 10×10 (m) horizontally and vertically. The center position of each grid is set in advance.

[0052] The width of the setting range is set differently depending on the communication method between the user terminal 50 and the sensor 10 or the surrounding environment, and is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0053] As described above, a plurality of grids are set, and a signal strength range is set for each sensor 10 in each grid.

[0054] The signal strength range is set for each sensor 10. For example, when there are eight sensors 10, the signal strength range is set for each of the eight sensors 10 in each grid, and therefore, a total of eight signal strength ranges are set in one grid.

[0055] Each signal strength range is centered on the average value of the signal strengths detected during a set time period.

[0056] In this case, the signal strength range can reflect at least one of the measurement environment, measurement conditions, and measurement method for measuring the signal strength for each sensor 10 .

[0057] The short-range wireless communication of this embodiment, such as BLE, may have different signal strengths depending on the measurement environment or measurement conditions and measurement methods.

[0058] Therefore, when the signal strength range is set for each grid, the position accuracy of the user terminal 50 can be ensured by reflecting the measurement environment, measurement conditions, and measurement method.

[0059] The measurement environment may include the space and ground conditions where the vehicle is parked. For example, the measurement environment may reflect an open space with bright light, a closed space with water on the ground, a ground parking lot, an underground parking lot, and the like.

[0060] The measurement conditions may include the height of the user terminal 50 and the way the user terminal 50 is carried. For example, the measurement conditions include a state where the height of the user terminal 50 exceeds 1 m (a state where the user holds the user terminal 50 by hand), a state where the user puts the user terminal 50 in a pocket, a state where the user puts the user terminal 50 in a bag (a backpack or a handbag, etc.), and the like.

[0061] The measurement method may include the measurement time, measurement number and measurement cycle of each sensor 10. For example, the measurement method includes stopping the measurement for each grid within two minutes, collecting 10 data per second for each sensor 10, and obtaining more than 1,000 valid data as a whole.

[0062] Here, the measurement environment, measurement conditions, and measurement method are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various settings can be made.

[0063] That is, the signal strength range is set according to the measurement environment, measurement conditions and measurement method of the position where the vehicle is parked, so that even at the same position, the signal strength range can be different depending on the measurement environment, measurement conditions and measurement method.

[0064] The position measurement unit 30 selects any one of a plurality of grids as the position of the user terminal 50 based on the signal strength calculated for each sensor 10 by the signal strength calculation unit 20 , and includes a grid detection unit 31 and a position selection unit 32 .

[0065] The grid detection unit 31 detects a grid including each signal strength calculated for each sensor 10 by the signal strength calculation unit 20 within the signal strength range for each sensor 10 set for each grid.

[0066] That is, the grid detection unit 31 stores, for each grid, the signal strength range for each sensor 10. For example, the grid detection unit 31 stores the signal strength range for each of eight sensors 10 for each grid.

[0067] When the signal strength is calculated by the signal strength calculation unit 20 , the grid detection unit 31 compares the signal strength of each sensor 10 with the set signal strength range for each sensor 10 , thereby detecting a grid including at least one of the signal strengths of each sensor 10 within the signal strength range.

[0068] In this case, a plurality of grids whose signal strength for each sensor 10 is included in the signal strength range for each sensor 10 may be detected as a group.

[0069] On the other hand, in the case of detecting a grid, all signal strengths calculated by the signal strength calculation unit 20 for each sensor 10 do not necessarily need to be included in the respective signal strength ranges for each sensor 10. That is, the grid detection unit 31 can detect a grid in which at least one of the signal strengths calculated by the signal strength calculation unit 20 for each sensor 10 is included in the corresponding signal strength range.

[0070] The position selecting unit 32 selects any one of the grids detected by the grid detecting unit 31 as the position of the user terminal 50 .

[0071] That is, the position selecting unit 32 selects any one of the grids detected by the grid detecting unit 31 as the position of the user terminal 50, such as Figure 4 As shown, the center of gravity is detected based on the center position of the grid detected by the grid detection unit 31 , and the detected center of gravity is selected as the position of the user terminal 50 .

[0072] On the other hand, the grid detection unit 31 can detect the grid as described above after a set number of times, for example three times. At this time, the position selection unit 32 can select any one of the grids detected together among the grids detected three times by the grid detection unit 31 as the position of the user terminal 50.

[0073] In this case, the grid detection unit 31 detects the centroid point of the commonly detected grids a set number of times, and selects the detected centroid point as the position of the user terminal 50 .

[0074] When the operation control unit 40 divides the grid into a plurality of set areas and the position of the user terminal 50 is selected at any one of the set areas by the position measurement unit 30 , the action set in the set area where the user terminal 50 is located is executed.

[0075] That is, the operation control unit 40 divides the grid into a plurality of setting areas.

[0076] The setting area may include at least one of an RKE area for RKE (Remote keyless entry) action, a driver's door area for opening a driver's door, a passenger door area for opening a passenger door, a trunk area for opening a trunk, and an interior area for controlling interior functions of the vehicle.

[0077] When the position of the user terminal 50 measured by the position measuring unit 30 is included in the RKE area, the operation control unit 40 performs the corresponding RKE action. When the position of the user terminal 50 is included in the driver's door area, the operation control unit 40 opens the driver's door. When the position of the user terminal 50 is included in the passenger door area, the operation control unit 40 opens the passenger door. When the position of the user terminal 50 is included in the trunk area, the operation control unit 40 opens the trunk. When the position of the user terminal 50 is included in the in-vehicle area, the operation control unit 40 performs various functions inside the vehicle, such as starting the engine.

[0078] Refer to the following Figure 5 A method for measuring the position of a vehicle user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0079] Figure 5 This is a sequence diagram of a method for measuring the position of a vehicle user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] Reference Figure 5When the user carries the user terminal 50 and approaches the vehicle, the sensor 10 receives a signal transmitted by the user terminal 50 (S10). As a short-range wireless communication method between the sensor 10 and the user terminal 50, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) may be included.

[0081] The sensor 10 receives the signal from the user terminal 50, and the signal strength detection unit calculates the signal strength of each signal received by the sensor 10 (S20). In this case, since the distance between each sensor 10 and the user terminal 50 is different, the signal strength of the signal received by each sensor 10 is different.

[0082] The grid detection unit 31 determines whether the signal strength calculated for each sensor 10 by the signal strength calculation unit 20 is within the signal strength range of each sensor 10 set for each grid, and detects at least one of the grids based on the determination result ( S30 ).

[0083] That is, the grid detection unit 31 stores the signal strength range of each sensor 10 for each grid, and when the signal strength is calculated by the signal strength calculation unit 20, the signal strength of each sensor 10 is compared with the set signal strength range of each sensor 10 to detect whether the signal strength of each sensor 10 is included in the grid within the signal strength range of each sensor 10. In this case, the grids whose signal strength of each sensor 10 is included in the signal strength range of each sensor 10 can be detected as a group consisting of a plurality of grids.

[0084] The grid detection unit 31 detects the grid whose signal strength of each sensor 10 is included in the signal strength range of each sensor 10, and thus the position selection unit 32 detects the center of gravity point (S40) based on the center position of the grid detected by the grid detection unit 31 and selects the detected center of gravity point as the position of the user terminal 50 (S50).

[0085] In this case, the grid detection unit 31 can detect the grid a set number of times, for example three times, as described above, and the position selection unit 32 detects the center of gravity of the grids detected together among the grids detected three times by the grid detection unit 31, and selects the detected center of gravity as the position of the user terminal 50.

[0086] As described above, according to the position of the selected user terminal 50 , the operation control unit 40 executes the action set in the set area where the user terminal 50 is located ( S60 ).

[0087] That is, the operation control unit 40 divides the grid into multiple set areas, such as an RKE area for RKE action, a driver's door area for opening the driver's door, a passenger door area for opening the passenger door, a trunk area for opening the trunk, and an interior area for controlling the interior functions of the vehicle, and performs actions in the set area including the location of the user terminal 50.

[0088] As described above, a user terminal position measuring device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention selects any one of the grids set around the vehicle as the position of the user terminal 50 based on the signal strength of the signal received by multiple sensors 10, thereby being able to relatively accurately measure the position of the user terminal 50 regardless of the surrounding environment and time.

[0089] The present invention is described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but they are only for illustration, and those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments can be made therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle user terminal position measuring device, characterized in that: include: A plurality of sensors are arranged in the vehicle and receive signals transmitted by the user terminal; a signal strength calculation unit for calculating the signal strength of a signal received by the sensor for each sensor; as well as a position measuring unit, which selects any one of a plurality of grids divided around the vehicle as the position of the user terminal based on the signal strength calculated for each sensor by the signal strength calculating unit, The grids are configured to set a signal strength range for each sensor. Wherein, the position measuring unit comprises: a grid detection unit, which determines whether the signal strength calculated by the signal strength calculation unit for each of the sensors is included in the signal strength range of each sensor set for the grid, and detects at least one of the grids according to the determination result; and a position selecting unit that selects any one of the grids detected by the grid detecting unit as the position of the user terminal, The position selection unit detects a center of gravity based on the center position of the grid detected by the grid detection unit, and selects the detected center of gravity as the position of the user terminal.

2. The vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The signal strength range is set with the average value of the signal strength detected during the set time period set for each sensor as the center.

3. The vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The signal strength range is set to reflect at least one of a measurement environment, a measurement condition, and a measurement method for measuring the signal strength of each sensor.

4. The vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The measurement environment includes at least one of a space where the vehicle is parked and a ground condition.

5. The vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The measurement condition includes at least one of a height of the user terminal and a carrying method of the user terminal.

6. The vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The measuring method includes at least one of a measuring time, a measuring number of times, and a measuring cycle for each of the sensors.

7. The vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The position selecting unit detects commonly detected grids among the grids detected by the grid detecting unit, and selects any one of the common grids as the position of the user terminal.

8. The vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The position selecting unit detects a centroid point based on the center position of the commonly detected grids among the grids detected by the grid detecting unit, and selects the detected centroid point as the position of the user terminal.

9. The vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The operation control unit executes a set action matching the position of the user terminal measured by the position measurement unit.

10. The vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The operation control unit divides the grid into a plurality of set areas, and when any one of the set areas is selected as the position of the user terminal by the position measurement unit, executes an action set in the set area where the user terminal is located.

11. The vehicle user terminal position measuring device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The set area includes: an RKE area for running remote keyless entry, a driver's door area for opening a driver's door, a passenger door area for opening a passenger door, a trunk area for opening a trunk, and at least one of an interior area for controlling interior functions of the vehicle.

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