Vehicle and method of controlling vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle and a method for controlling a vehicle for guiding an optimal digital key tag position to a digital key user, the vehicle may include: a short-range communication module configured to receive a signal from a digital key within a preset distance from the short-range communication module; a light; and a controller connected to the light and the short-range communication module and configured to control the light and the short-range communication module based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the received signal. The controller may be configured to determine a reference range based on the RSSI of the received signal in a first mode, control the light based on the RSSI of the received signal and the reference range in a second mode to provide information related to the position of the digital key, and control the short-range communication module in a second mode to send a signal related to the position of the digital key to the digital key.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle and a method for controlling the vehicle, and more particularly, to a vehicle and a method for controlling the vehicle that allow a user to effectively use a digital key. Background Art

[0002] With the development of vehicle IT technology, today's vehicles provide various functions for user convenience in addition to their functions as basic means of transportation.

[0003] As one of these various functions, a smart key system has been developed that supports functions such as automatic door opening and closing and starting. The smart key system verifies the smart key by sending a LF (low frequency) signal from a smart key controller (SMK ECU) to the smart key and receiving a radio frequency (RF) response signal of the LF signal from the smart key to determine whether the smart key has proper authority for the vehicle.

[0004] However, in recent years, research has been conducted on a vehicle entry start system that opens a door of a vehicle through near field communication (NFC) communication instead of such a communication method.

[0005] The information contained in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0006] Aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a vehicle configured to guide an optimal digital key tag position to a digital key user and a method of controlling the vehicle.

[0007] Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

[0008] According to aspects of the present invention, a vehicle is provided, comprising: a short-range communication module configured to receive a signal from a digital key within a preset distance from the short-range communication module; a light; and a controller connected to the light and the short-range communication module and configured to control the light and the short-range communication module based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the received signal.

[0009] The controller can be configured to determine a reference range based on the RSSI of the received signal in a first mode, control the light to provide information related to the location of the digital key based on the RSSI of the received signal and the reference range in a second mode, and control the short-range communication module to send a signal related to the location of the digital key to the digital key in a second mode.

[0010] The controller may be configured to control the light to provide information related to the proximity of the digital key based on the RSSI of the received signal in response to a change in the RSSI of the received signal.

[0011] The controller may be configured to determine a maximum value of the RSSI of the received signal in the first mode, and determine the reference range based on the maximum value.

[0012] The controller may be configured to control the lamp to notify that a current position of the digital key is an optimal position in response to an RSSI of a signal received in the second mode being within a reference range.

[0013] The controller may be configured to control the light to start flashing in response to the digital key approaching within a preset distance.

[0014] The controller may be configured to control an audio video navigation (AVN) device of the vehicle to indicate a current position of the digital key as an optimal position in response to an RSSI of a signal received in the second mode being within a reference range.

[0015] The short-range communication module may include a near field communication (NFC) communication module or a Bluetooth communication module, and be provided on a door handle of the vehicle.

[0016] According to aspects of the present invention, a vehicle is provided, comprising: a short-range communication module configured to receive a signal from a digital key within a preset distance from the short-range communication module; and a controller configured to control the short-range communication module based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the received signal.

[0017] The controller may be configured to determine a reference range based on an RSSI of a received signal in a first mode, and control the short-range communication module to transmit a signal related to the location of the digital key to the digital key based on the RSSI of the received signal and the reference range in a second mode.

[0018] The controller may be configured to control the short-range communication module to provide information related to the proximity of the digital key based on the RSSI of the received signal in response to a change in the RSSI of the received signal.

[0019] The controller may be configured to determine a maximum value of the RSSI of the received signal in the first mode, and determine the reference range based on the maximum value.

[0020] The controller may be configured to control the short-range communication module to transmit a signal indicating that a current position of the digital key is an optimal position to the digital key in response to an RSSI of a signal received in the second mode being within a reference range.

[0021] The controller may be configured to control the AVN device to indicate that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position in response to an RSSI of the signal received in the second mode being within a reference range.

[0022] The short-range communication module may include a near field communication (NFC) communication module and be provided on a door handle of the vehicle.

[0023] The digital key that communicates with the short-range communication module may be a mobile device.

[0024] According to aspects of the present invention, a method for controlling a vehicle is provided, the method comprising the following steps: receiving, by a short-range communication module, a signal from a digital key within a preset distance from the short-range communication module; controlling, by a controller, a light and the short-range communication module based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the received signal; determining, by the controller, a reference range based on the RSSI of the received signal in a first mode; controlling, by the controller, the light to provide information related to the location of the digital key based on the RSSI of the received signal and the reference range in a second mode; and controlling, by the controller, the short-range communication module to send a signal related to the location of the digital key to the digital key in the second mode.

[0025] The step of controlling the light based on the RSSI may include the step of controlling the light based on the RSSI of the received signal to provide information related to the approach of the digital key in response to a change in the RSSI of the received signal by the controller.

[0026] The step of determining the reference range may include the steps of: determining, by the controller, a maximum value of the RSSI of the received signal in the first mode; and determining, by the controller, the reference range based on the maximum value.

[0027] The step of controlling the light to provide information related to the position of the digital key may include the step of: controlling the light to notify, by the controller, that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position in response to the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode being within a reference range.

[0028] The method may further include the following steps: by the controller, in response to the digital key approaching within a preset distance, the control light starts to flash.

[0029] The method may further include the step of controlling, by the controller, an audio video navigation (AVN) device of the vehicle to indicate that the current position of the digital key is an optimal position in response to an RSSI of a signal received in the second mode being within a reference range.

[0030] The short-range communication module may include a near field communication (NFC) communication module or a Bluetooth communication module, and be provided on a door handle of the vehicle.

[0031] The digital key can be a mobile device or an NFC card key.

[0032] According to aspects of the present invention, a method for controlling a vehicle is provided, the method comprising: receiving, by a short-range communication module, a signal from a digital key within a preset distance from the short-range communication module; controlling, by a controller, a light and the short-range communication module based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the received signal; determining, by the controller, a reference range based on the RSSI of the received signal in a first mode; and controlling, by the controller, in a second mode, the short-range communication module based on the RSSI of the received signal and the reference range to send a signal related to the position of the digital key to the digital key.

[0033] The step of controlling the short-range communication module based on the RSSI may include the step of controlling the short-range communication module based on the RSSI of the received signal to transmit a digital key proximity signal to the digital key in response to a change in the RSSI of the received signal.

[0034] The step of determining the reference range may include the steps of: determining, by the controller, a maximum value of the RSSI of the received signal in the first mode; and determining, by the controller, the reference range based on the maximum value.

[0035] The step of controlling the short-range communication module to send a signal related to the position of the digital key to the digital key may include the following steps: in response to the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode being within a reference range, controlling the short-range communication module to send a signal indicating that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position to the digital key.

[0036] The method may further include the step of controlling, by the controller, an audio video navigation (AVN) device of the vehicle to indicate that the current position of the digital key is an optimal position in response to an RSSI of a signal received in the second mode being within a reference range.

[0037] The digital key can be a mobile device.

[0038] The method and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages which will become apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description which are incorporated herein and which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 2 is a view exemplarily illustrating an appearance of a vehicle and a digital key according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 2is a control block diagram of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 3A is a view for describing an example of blinking a light to cause a user to bring a digital key close to an optimal position according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 3B is a view for describing an example of lighting a lamp when a digital key is in an optimal position according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 4A is a view for describing an example in which a digital key approaches an optimal position according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 4B is a view for describing an example in which a digital key is away from an optimal position according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 4C is a view for describing an example in which a digital key is in an optimal position according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of guiding an optimal position of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process in a first mode according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process in the second mode according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] It will be appreciated that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather present a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as incorporated herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.

[0050] In the drawings, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the present invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that this description is not intended to limit the present invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention is intended to cover not only exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various substitutions, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments that may be included in the thought and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0052] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. Not all elements of the embodiments of the present invention will be described, and the descriptions that are known in the art or overlapped with each other in the exemplary embodiments will be omitted. Terms such as "~ part", "~ module", "~ member", "~ block" used throughout the specification can be realized with software and / or hardware, and multiple "~ parts", "~ modules", "~ members" or "~ blocks" can be realized with single elements, or single "~ parts", "~ modules", "~ members" or "~ blocks" can include multiple elements.

[0053] It will be further understood that the term "connected" and its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connections, and that an indirect connection includes a connection through a wireless communication network.

[0054] Unless stated otherwise, the terms "comprises (or includes)" and "comprising (or including)" are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0055] In addition, when it is stated that a layer is "on" another layer or substrate, the layer may be directly on the other layer or substrate, or a third layer may be disposed therebetween.

[0056] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or part from another element, component, region, layer or part.

[0057] It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0058] The reference numerals used for the method steps are only used to facilitate the description and do not limit the order of the steps. Therefore, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the described order can be practiced in other ways.

[0059] Hereinafter, the operating principle and embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] Figure 1 2 is a view exemplarily showing an appearance of a vehicle and a digital key according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, Figure 2 is a control block diagram of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0061] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the vehicle 100 may include a door 11 , a door handle 12 , a controller 110 , a short-range communication module 120 , a memory 130 , a lamp 140 , and an audio video navigation (AVN) device 150 .

[0062] The door 11 is provided to pivot at the left and right sides of the vehicle 100 so that a user can ride inside the vehicle 100 when opened, and to shield the inside of the vehicle 100 from the outside when closed.

[0063] The door handle 12 is provided on the door 11 , and a user may open the door 11 by operating the door handle 12 .

[0064] The short-range communication module 120 may include a near field communication (NFC) communication module or a Bluetooth communication module.

[0065] The short-range communication module 120 may be provided on the door handle 12 of the vehicle 100, but is not limited thereto. When the digital key 200 held by the user approaches the vehicle 100, as long as short-range communication between the digital key 200 and the vehicle 100 is possible, the short-range communication module 120 may be provided at any position of the vehicle 100.

[0066] The short-range communication module 120 may receive a signal from the digital key and transmit a signal to the digital key through short-range communication.

[0067] The short-distance communication may be NFC communication. As one of the radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, NFC communication is a communication technology for sending and receiving wireless data within a short distance of 10 cm. Due to the short communication distance, it is a short-distance communication technology with relatively excellent security and low price.

[0068] The short-range communication may be Bluetooth communication, which is a communication technology that enables low-power wireless communication between information devices that are several meters to tens of meters apart.

[0069] The short-range communication module 120 may output a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a signal received from the digital key to the controller 110 .

[0070] RSSI is a measure of the power received by a wireless receiver.

[0071] When the digital key is close to the short-range communication module 120 , the RSSI may be larger. When the digital key is far away from the short-range communication module 120 , the RSSI may be smaller.

[0072] The light 140 may be provided on the door handle 12 of the vehicle 100 , but is not limited thereto, and may be provided at any position of the vehicle 100 as long as a user can recognize the light from the outside of the vehicle 100 .

[0073] When trying to enter the vehicle 100 using the digital key, the user may not know the precise location of the tag of the digital key because the short-range communication module 120 of each vehicle 100 is different and the short-range communication module 210 of each digital key is different.

[0074] The controller 110 may control the lamp 140 to indicate that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position.

[0075] The controller 110 may control the short-range communication module 120 to transmit a signal indicating that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position to the digital key.

[0076] The optimal position may be a label position at which the digital key can be correctly recognized by the short-range communication module 120. When the digital key is at the optimal position, the RSSI of a signal received from the digital key by the short-range communication module 120 may be maximum.

[0077] In the first mode, the controller 110 may determine the reference range based on the RSSI of the signal received by the short-range communication module 120 .

[0078] The reference range may be a range of RSSIs determined based on a maximum value of the RSSI of a signal received in the first mode. The reference range may be a range of RSSIs based on a maximum value of the RSSI within a predetermined value. When the RSSI of a signal received from the digital key is within the reference range, the position of the digital key may be the optimal position.

[0079] The first mode is a mode in which the controller 110 determines a reference range based on the RSSI of a signal received between a first time point and a second time point.

[0080] The first time point may be a time point when the digital key enters a preset distance.

[0081] The preset distance may be a distance from the short-range communication module 120 to the digital key at which the digital key can communicate with the short-range communication module 120 .

[0082] The second time point may be a time point at which a preset time has passed since the first time point. The preset time may be a time at which the short-range communication module 120 receives the RSSI required to determine the reference range.

[0083] The controller 110 may control the lamp 140 to provide the user with information related to the location of the digital key, or control the short-range communication module 120 based on the RSSI and the reference range of the signal received in the second mode.

[0084] The second mode is a mode in which the controller 110 provides the user with information related to the location of the digital key based on the RSSI of the signal received after the second time point.

[0085] When the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode is within the reference range, the controller 110 may control the short-range communication module 120 to transmit a signal indicating that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position to the digital key.

[0086] The controller 110 may include at least one memory 130 storing programs for performing the above-mentioned operations and operations described later and at least one processor executing the stored programs. When the memory 130 and the processor are multiple, they may be integrated into one chip, or may be arranged in physically separate locations. The memory 130 may include a volatile memory for temporarily storing data, such as a static random access memory (S-RAM) and a dynamic random access memory (D-RAM). In addition, the memory 130 may include a non-volatile memory for storing control programs and control data for a long time, such as a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The processor may include various logic circuits and operation circuits, may process data according to a program provided from the memory 130, and may generate a control signal according to the processing result.

[0087] The AVN device 150 may be a device configured to perform an audio function, a video function, and a navigation function according to the operation of the passenger.

[0088] The AVN device 150 may output a screen including a predetermined image to the outside according to an application being executed.

[0089] The digital key 200 may be a mobile device or an NFC card key.

[0090] When the digital key 200 approaches within a preset distance from the short-range communication module 120, NFC communication with the short-range communication module 120 may be performed. In this case, the preset distance may be a distance at which NFC communication can be performed.

[0091] The digital key 200 may include a short-range communication module 210 of a mobile device.

[0092] The short-range communication module 210 of the mobile device may transmit a signal to the short-range communication module 120 of the vehicle 100 , and may receive a signal from the short-range communication module 120 of the vehicle 100 .

[0093] Figure 3A is a view for describing an example of flashing a light to cause a user to bring a digital key close to an optimal position according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, Figure 3B is a view for describing an example of lighting a lamp when a digital key is in an optimal position according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0094] Reference Figure 3A In the first mode or the second mode, the user may move the digital key close to the short-range communication module 120 or away from the short-range communication module 120. At this time, the RSSI of the received signal may change.

[0095] When the RSSI of the received signal changes, the controller 110 may control the lamp 140 based on the RSSI of the received signal to provide the user with information related to the approach of the digital key.

[0096] The information related to the approach of the digital key may be information notifying the user whether the digital key is approaching the short-range communication module 120 .

[0097] When the user brings the digital key within a preset distance from the short-range communication module 120 , the controller 110 may control the lamp 140 to start flashing.

[0098] When the digital key approaches the short-range communication module 120, the RSSI of the received signal increases. At this time, the controller 110 may reduce the blinking cycle of the lamp 140 as the RSSI of the received signal increases.

[0099] As the digital key moves away from the short-range communication module 120, the RSSI of the received signal decreases. At this time, the controller 110 may increase the blinking cycle of the lamp 140 as the RSSI of the received signal decreases.

[0100] Therefore, the user can see the change of the blinking cycle of the lamp 140 and understand whether he or she brings the digital key close to the short-range communication module 120 .

[0101] In the first mode, during the time elapsed from the first time point to the second time point, the user can move the digital key to the vicinity of the short-range communication module 120 based on the change of the flashing cycle of the lamp 140. As described above, since the digital key can be located near the short-range communication module 120 in the first mode, the reference range can be determined based on the maximum value of the RSSI of the signal received in the first mode.

[0102] In addition, in the second mode, the user can move the digital key near the short-range communication module 120 based on the change of the flashing cycle of the lamp 140. As described above, since the digital key can be located near the short-range communication module 120 in the second mode, the RSSI of the received signal in the second mode can enter the reference range.

[0103] Providing the user with information related to the approach of the digital key based on the RSSI of the received signal as described above may be a method using the blinking cycle of the lamp 140 , but is not limited thereto, and any method is possible as long as the lighting of the lamp 140 can be utilized.

[0104] Reference Figure 3B , users can place the digital key in the best position in the second mode.

[0105] When the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode is within the reference range, the controller 110 may control the lamp 140 to notify that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position. At this time, the controller 110 may control the flashing lamp 140 to continuously light up to notify that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position. In this manner, the method of controlling the lamp 140 to notify that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position may be a method of continuously lighting the flashing lamp 140, but is not limited thereto, and any method is possible as long as the lighting of the lamp 140 can be utilized.

[0106] Figure 4A is a view for describing an example in which a digital key approaches an optimal position according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, Figure 4B is a view for describing an example in which a digital key according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is away from an optimal position, Figure 4C is a view for describing an example in which a digital key is in an optimal position according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0107] Reference Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the first mode or the second mode, the user may move the digital key close to the short-range communication module 120 or away from the short-range communication module 120. At this time, the RSSI of the received signal may change.

[0108] When the RSSI of the received signal changes, the controller 110 may control the short-range communication module 120 to transmit a digital key approach signal to the digital key based on the RSSI of the received signal.

[0109] The digital key approach signal may be a signal that the short-range communication module 120 sends to the digital key to indicate whether the digital key is approaching the short-range communication module 120 so that the digital key indicates this situation.

[0110] When the digital key approaches the short-range communication module 120, the RSSI of the received signal increases. At this time, as the RSSI of the received signal increases, the controller 110 can control the short-range communication module 120 to send a signal indicating that the digital key is approaching the short-range communication module 120 to the digital key.

[0111] When the digital key receives a signal indicating that the digital key is approaching the short-range communication module 120, the digital key may display information indicating that the digital key is approaching the short-range communication module 120 on the display of the digital key. For example, the indication of the information that the digital key is approaching the short-range communication module 120 may be an O character.

[0112] When the digital key moves away from the short-range communication module 120, the RSSI of the received signal decreases. At this time, as the RSSI of the received signal decreases, the controller 110 can control the short-range communication module 120 to send a signal indicating that the digital key is moving away from the short-range communication module 120 to the digital key.

[0113] When the digital key receives a signal indicating that the digital key is moving away from the short-range communication module 120, information indicating that the digital key is moving away from the short-range communication module 120 may be displayed on the display of the digital key. For example, the indication of the information that the digital key is moving away from the short-range communication module 120 may be an X character.

[0114] Therefore, the user can know whether he or she brings the digital key close to the short-range communication module 120 by viewing information displayed on the display of the digital key.

[0115] In the first mode, during the time elapsed from the first time point to the second time point, the user can move the digital key to the vicinity of the short-range communication module 120 based on the information displayed on the display of the digital key. As described above, since the digital key can be located near the short-range communication module 120 in the first mode, the reference range can be determined based on the maximum value of the RSSI of the signal received in the first mode.

[0116] In addition, in the second mode, the user can move the digital key near the short-range communication module 120 based on the information displayed on the display of the digital key. As described above, since the digital key can be located near the short-range communication module 120 in the second mode, the RSSI of the received signal in the second mode can enter the reference range.

[0117] Reference Figure 4C , users can place the digital key in the best position in the second mode.

[0118] When the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode is within the reference range, the controller 110 may control the short-range communication module 120 to transmit a signal indicating that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position to the digital key.

[0119] When the digital key receives a signal indicating that the current position of the digital key is the best position, information indicating that the current position of the digital key is the best position may be displayed on the display of the digital key. For example, the display of the information indicating that the current position of the digital key is the best position may be an OK character.

[0120] When the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode is within the reference range, the controller 110 may control the AVN device 150 of the vehicle 100 to indicate that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position.

[0121] Figure 5 1 is a flow chart showing the process of guiding the vehicle to the optimal position according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. This is only an exemplary embodiment for achieving the purpose of the present invention, and some configurations can be added or deleted as needed.

[0122] Reference Figure 5 , the short-range communication module 120 may receive a signal from the digital key (1100). In this case, the short-range communication module 120 may receive a signal from the digital key in the first mode, and may output the RSSI of the signal received in the first mode to the controller 110.

[0123] The controller 110 may control the light 140 or the short-range communication module 120 (1200) based on the RSSI of the signal received in the first mode. At this time, when the RSSI of the signal received in the first mode changes, the controller 110 may control the light 140 based on the RSSI of the received signal to provide the user with information related to the proximity of the digital key, or control the short-range communication module 120 to send a digital key proximity signal to the digital key.

[0124] The controller 110 may determine a reference range based on the RSSI of a signal received by the short-range communication module 120 in the first mode ( 1300 ).

[0125] The short-range communication module 120 may receive a signal from the digital key ( 1400 ). In this case, the short-range communication module 120 may receive a signal from the digital key in the second mode, and may output the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode to the controller 110 .

[0126] The controller 110 may control the lamp 140 or the short-range communication module 120 based on the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode ( 1500 ).

[0127] At this time, when the RSSI of the received signal changes in the second mode, the controller 110 can control the light 140 based on the RSSI of the received signal to provide the user with digital key proximity information, or control the short-range communication module 120 to send a digital key proximity signal to the digital key.

[0128] In addition, when the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode is within the reference range, the controller 110 can control the light 140 to indicate that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position, or control the short-range communication module 120 to send a signal indicating that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position.

[0129] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process in a first mode according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0130] Reference Figure 6 In the first mode, the short-range communication module 120 can receive a signal from the digital key (1011). At this time, when the user brings the digital key close to the preset distance from the short-range communication module 120 and the short-range communication module 120 can receive a signal from the digital key, the controller 110 can control the light 140 to start flashing.

[0131] The controller 110 may control the lamp 140 or the short-range communication module 120 based on the RSSI of the signal received in the first mode (1012). At this time, the user can understand whether he or she has brought the digital key close to the short-range communication module 120 by checking the change in the flashing cycle of the lamp 140 or the information displayed on the display of the digital key.

[0132] The controller 110 may determine whether a predetermined time point has passed in the first mode (1013). In this case, the predetermined time point in the first mode may be a second time point.

[0133] When the predetermined time point has not passed in the first mode ("No" in 1013), the short-range communication module 120 can receive a signal from the digital key in the first mode, and the controller 110 can control the light 140 or the short-range communication module 120 based on the RSSI of the signal received in the first mode.

[0134] That is, the controller 110 may control the lamp 140 to provide the user with information related to the approach of the digital key within a preset time, or control the short-range communication module 120 to transmit a digital key approach signal to the digital key.

[0135] When the predetermined time point has passed in the first mode (Yes in 1013), the controller 110 may determine the reference range based on the RSSI of the signal received during the preset time in the first mode (1014). In this case, the controller 110 may store the reference range in the memory 130.

[0136] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process in the second mode according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0137] Reference Figure 7 In the second mode, the short-range communication module 120 can receive a signal from the digital key (1021). At this time, when the user brings the digital key close to the preset distance from the short-range communication module 120 and the short-range communication module 120 can receive a signal from the digital key, the controller 110 can control the light 140 to start flashing.

[0138] The controller 110 may control the lamp 140 or the short-range communication module 120 based on the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode (1022). At this time, the user can understand whether he or she has brought the digital key close to the short-range communication module 120 by checking the change in the flashing cycle of the lamp 140 or the information displayed on the display of the digital key.

[0139] The controller 110 may determine whether the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode is within a reference range ( 1023 ).

[0140] When the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode is not within the reference range ("No" in 1023), the short-range communication module 120 can receive a signal from the digital key in the second mode, and the controller 110 can control the light 140 or the short-range communication module 120 based on the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode.

[0141] That is, the controller 110 may control the light 140 to provide the user with information related to the digital key approaching, or control the short-range communication module 120 to send a digital key approaching signal to the digital key until the user places the digital key in the optimal position and the RSSI falls within the reference range.

[0142] When the RSSI of the signal received in the second mode is within the reference range ("Yes" in 1023), the controller 110 can control the lighting of the light 140 to indicate that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position, or control the short-range communication module 120 to send a signal indicating that the current position of the digital key is the optimal position to the digital key (1024).

[0143] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle configured to notify a user of an optimal tag position of a digital key according to a signal received from the digital key and a method of controlling the vehicle may be provided.

[0144] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle configured to notify a user whether a digital key is close to an optimal tag position according to a signal received from the digital key and a method of controlling the vehicle may be provided.

[0145] For ease of explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "up", "lower", "upward", "downward", "front", "rear", "back", "inside", "outside", "inward", "outward", "interior", "exterior", "inside", "outside", "forward" and "rearward" are used to describe the features with reference to the locations of the features of the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. It will be further understood that the term "connect" or its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connections.

[0146] For the purpose of illustration and description, the foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention is given. These descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive of the present invention or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and it is apparent that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. Exemplary embodiments are selected and described to explain the specific principles of the present invention and their practical application, so that other persons skilled in the art can implement and utilize the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their various alternative forms and modifications. The scope of the present invention is intended to be limited by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: a short-range communication module configured to receive a signal from a digital key within a preset distance from the short-range communication module; lamp; as well as a controller connected to the lamp and the short-range communication module and configured to control the lamp and the short-range communication module according to a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a received signal, Wherein, the controller is configured as: In a first mode, a reference range is determined based on the RSSI of the received signal, in a second mode, controlling the lamp to provide information related to the location of the digital key according to the RSSI of the received signal and the reference range, and In the second mode, the short-range communication module is controlled to transmit a signal related to the position of the digital key to the digital key.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to control the light to provide information related to the approach of the digital key based on the RSSI of the received signal in response to a change in the RSSI of the received signal.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to determine a maximum value of the RSSI of the received signal in the first mode, and determine the reference range based on the maximum value.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to control the lamp to notify that a current position of the digital key is an optimal position in response to an RSSI of the received signal being within the reference range in the second mode.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to control the light to start flashing in response to the digital key approaching within the preset distance.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to control an audio video navigation device (AVN) of the vehicle to indicate that a current position of the digital key is an optimal position in response to an RSSI of the received signal being within the reference range in the second mode.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The short-distance communication module includes a near field communication (NFC) communication module or a Bluetooth communication module, and is disposed on a door handle of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The digital key communicating with the short-range communication module is a mobile device or an NFC card key.

9. A method for controlling a vehicle, comprising the steps of: Receiving a signal from a digital key within a preset distance from the short-range communication module via the short-range communication module; controlling the lamp and the short-range communication module based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the received signal by a controller; determining, by the controller, in a first mode, a reference range based on the RSSI of the received signal; controlling, by the controller, in a second mode, the lamp to provide information related to the location of the digital key based on the RSSI of the received signal and the reference range; as well as By the controller, in the second mode, the short-range communication module is controlled to transmit a signal related to the position of the digital key to the digital key.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The step of controlling the lamp based on the RSSI comprises the following steps: By the controller, in response to a change in the RSSI of the received signal, the lamp is controlled based on the RSSI of the received signal to provide information related to the approach of the digital key.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The step of determining the reference range comprises the following steps: determining, by the controller, a maximum value of the RSSI of the received signal in the first mode; and By the controller, the reference range is determined based on the maximum value.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The step of controlling the light to provide information related to the location of the digital key comprises the following steps: By the controller, in response to the RSSI of the received signal being within the reference range in the second mode, the lamp is controlled to notify that the current position of the digital key is an optimal position.

13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of: The controller controls the light to start flashing in response to the digital key approaching within the preset distance.

14. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of: By the controller, in response to the RSSI of the received signal being within the reference range in the second mode, an audio video navigation device (AVN) of the vehicle is controlled to indicate that the current position of the digital key is an optimal position.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The short-distance communication module includes a near field communication (NFC) communication module or a Bluetooth communication module, and is disposed on a door handle of the vehicle.

16. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The digital key is a mobile device or an NFC card key.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the controller comprises: processor; as well as A non-transitory storage medium on which a program for executing the method according to claim 9 is recorded and executed by the processor. 18 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method according to claim 9 .

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