Portable device and vehicle

Abstract

A portable device that communicates with a vehicle, the portable device comprising: a motion sensor; a control unit configured to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor based on an output of the motion sensor; and an output unit configured to perform an output representing an abnormality in the motion sensor when the control unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor;and the control unit is characterized in that the control unit causes the motion sensor to perform a predetermined check operation in a case where an output of the motion sensor indicates that the portable device is stationary for a second predetermined period of time or longer, and the control unit determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor based on a result of the check operation.;

Description

TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to a portable device that communicates with a vehicle and the like, and a vehicle.PRIOR ARTSmart entry systems are known as vehicle authentication systems. In such a system, an on-vehicle device authenticates a portable device held by a user through a short-range wireless communication, the vehicle being capable of allowing, for example, unlocking or locking of a vehicle door or a trunk or turning on a vehicle engine by the user.It is assumed that a motion sensor such as an acceleration sensor is attached to a portable device so that both a motion of a user who holds the portable device and an instruction input of the user who swings or tips on the portable device are detected to facilitate the operation of such a system. Japanese Patent Publication Publication No. 2016-905 A discloses that an acceleration sensor is mounted on a portable device to detect walking of a user. Published patent publication EP 3267317A1 shows a portable device with vibration sensor.In a case where a motion sensor is mounted on a portable device, if an abnormality occurs in the motion sensor, the operation is restricted. However, it is difficult to quickly specify that the restriction of the operation is caused by an abnormality in the motion sensor.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable device and a vehicle that can quickly specify an abnormality in the motion sensor.According to the invention, the above object is achieved by a portable device according to claim 1, wherein advantageous developments are specified in the respective dependent claims.Thus, an abnormality in the motion sensor can be detected to give a notification thereof to the outside.Further, the motion sensor is capable of detecting acceleration, and the control unit may determine that abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor in a case where a state in which an absolute value of a difference between an amount of acceleration detected by the motion sensor and an amount of gravitational acceleration is greater than or equal to a predetermined value continues for a first predetermined period of time or longer.The control unit causes the motion sensor to execute a predetermined checking operation in a case where an output of the motion sensor indicates that the portable device is stationary for a predetermined period of time or longer and whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor based on the result of the predetermined checking operation.This determines an abnormality in the motion sensor.Another aspect relates to a vehicle that communicates with a like portable device having a motion sensor: the vehicle comprising: a communication unit configured to receive information from the portable device generated based on an output of the motion sensor; a control unit configured to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor based on the information received by the communication unit; and a notification unit configured to execute an output representing an abnormality in the motion sensor in a case where the control unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor.Thereby, the vehicle can detect an abnormality in the motion sensor and notify the user of the abnormality.As described above, the portable device according to the present invention, as well as the vehicle and the vehicle system, may be configured to detect an abnormality in a case where an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor, and notify the user of the abnormality so that the abnormality is quickly corrected and deleted.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a vehicle system according to both a first and a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process according to the first embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS(Outline)A portable device according to the present invention can detect an abnormality in a motion sensor attached to the portable device, and notify a user of the abnormality. Consequently, when the abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor, it can be quickly specified and corrected.(First Embodiment)A first embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.(Structure)FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a vehicle system 1 according to the present embodiment. The vehicle system 1 includes a portable device 10 and a vehicle 20.The portable device 10 includes: a motion sensor 11; a control unit (portable device control unit) 12 that executes a process described in detail below based on the output of the motion sensor 11; and a communication unit (portable device communication unit) 13 that outputs information according to a result of the process executed by the control unit 12. The motion sensor 11 is typically an accelerometer. Based on the output of the motion sensor 11, at least one type of acceleration of the portable device 10 can be determined, such as an angular velocity, a posture angle, a velocity, a displacement, a vibration and the like, wherein a motion representing a temporal change pattern of the aforementioned types of acceleration is also possible. Thus, a movement of a user holding the portable device 10 or a panning or typing process performed by the user can be detected. The communication unit 13 is capable of communicating wirelessly with the vehicle 20. As described below, it is possible that the communication unit 13 can wirelessly communicate with other portable devices held by the user. Further, the communication unit 13 may be provided with, for example, an LED to notify the user of light or the like. Thus, the communication unit 13 can serve as an output unit that outputs information from the portable device to the outside in various formats.The vehicle 20 includes: a communication unit (vehicle communication unit) 23 that receives a radio signal transmitted from the communication unit 13 of the portable device 10; a control unit (vehicle control unit) 22 that performs a process based on the radio signal; and a notification unit 21 that gives a notification to a user according to the result of the process.(Process)An example of a process according to the present embodiment will now be described. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating processes executed by the portable device 10 and the vehicle 20.(Step S 101): While the portable device 10 is operating, the control unit 12 of the portable device 10 monitors the output of the motion sensor 11 and detects the above-described motion of the portable device 10.(Step S 102): The control unit 12 of the portable device 10 determines whether or not the movement detected in Step S 101 is caused by an abnormality of the motion sensor 11. For example, in a case where an output value from the motion sensor 11 represents a value that is unlikely to be generated in practical application, the control unit 12 may determine that an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor 11. In a case where the output of the motion sensor 11 represents acceleration, or is in a state where a difference (absolute value) between an amount of acceleration represented as an output value and an amount of gravitational acceleration is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (for example, the output value is greater than or equal to 3G) continues for a predetermined period of time (first predetermined period of time) or longer, it may be preferably determined that abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor 11. Accordingly, whether or not the output value of the motion sensor 11 indicates an abnormality in the motion sensor 11 may be determined based on a predetermined criterion. In a case where it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor 11, the process proceeds to step S 103. Otherwise, when it is determined that the motion sensor 11 behaves as usual, the flow proceeds to step S 105.(Step S 103): The control unit 12 of the portable device 10 causes the communication unit 13 to transmit an abnormality notification to the vehicle, resulting in an abnormality occurring in the motion sensor 11. In this sequence, it is assumed that the portable device 10 is remote from the vehicle 20 in a range in which the portable device 10 can communicate with the vehicle 20. If the portable device 10 is out of range in which the portable device 10 can communicate with the vehicle 20, abnormality notifications may not be sent. Alternatively, the abnormality notification may be transmitted immediately thereafter as the portable device 10 comes within the range in which the portable device 10 can communicate with the vehicle 20.(Step S 104): The communication unit 23 of the vehicle 20 receives the abnormality notification, and then the control unit 22 of the vehicle 20 causes the notification unit 21 to transmit a notification to the user. This notification may be made by sound or light from a lamp. Alternatively, an indication of the abnormality may be displayed on a display. The process thus ends.(Step S 105): The control unit 12 of the portable device 10 determines whether or not the movement detected in Step S 101 matches one or more predetermined patterns. The predetermined pattern corresponds to an input command given by the user pan or tap on the portable device 10, or by a motion state such as walking of the user. When the appropriate pattern can be specified, the control unit 12 performs a process based on the pattern. In a case where the process based on the pattern is related to, for example, the portable device 10 itself and notification to the vehicle 20 is not necessary, the process step S 106 follows and step S 107 is not necessary. When a motion is detected again, this sequence is repeatedly executed.(Step S 106): In a case where a notification necessary for the process to the vehicle 20 based on the pattern is specified, the control unit 12 of the portable device 10 causes the communication unit 13 to transmit a notification based on the pattern to the vehicle 20.(Step S 107): The communication unit 23 of the vehicle 20 obtains the notification based on the pattern. The control unit 22 of the vehicle 20 performs various controls for the vehicle based on the obtained notification. The process thus ends. When a motion is detected again, this sequence is repeatedly executed.The communication unit 13 of the portable device 10 may transmit the abnormality notification to another portable device such as a smartphone of a user in step S 103 instead of or in addition to the transmission to the vehicle 20. When an abnormality notification is obtained, the user is notified of the abnormality by sound, vibration, display, or the like. Further, the communication unit 13 may notify the user directly of the abnormality by blinking an LED. Alternatively, when the vehicle 20 receives an abnormality notification, it may be transmitted to another portable device, and the other portable device may notify the user of the abnormality instead of or in addition to the user being notified of the abnormality by the notifying unit 21.According to a variation of the present invention, instead of the control unit 12 of the portable device 10, the control unit 22 of the vehicle 20 at least partially performs the abnormality determination in step S 102 and the pattern determination process in step S 105. In the case where a movement is detected in step S 101, the communication unit 13 of the portable device 10 transmits the output value from the movement sensor 11 to the vehicle 20.(Second Embodiment)A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail as follows with reference to the drawings. The present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the portable device 10 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor 11 by a method different from that in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, in a case where a steady state continues for a predetermined period of time (second predetermined period of time) or longer, the portable device 10 is to have the motion sensor 11 perform a checking operation.<Process>An example of the process according to the present embodiment will be described below. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the process executed by the portable device 10.(Step S 201): While the portable device 10 is in operation, the control unit 12 of the portable device 10 monitors the output of the motion sensor 11. For example, in a case where the motion sensor 11 is an acceleration sensor and both the direction of acceleration and the magnitude of acceleration are almost constant (1G), the control unit 12 will determine that the portable device 10 is stationary. In a case where the stationary state continues for a predetermined period of time or longer, the portable device 10 is likely not to be held by the user but to be stationary and the checking operation can be performed. In this case, the method continues with step S 202. In a case where the steady state has not continued for a predetermined period of time or longer, the process step S 201 is repeated.(Step S 202): The control unit 12 of the portable device 10 causes the motion sensor 11 to perform a predetermined checking operation. The checking operation is a preset function in the motion sensor 11. for example, the control unit 12 may cause the motion sensor 11 to perform a checking operation in which a predetermined signal is transmitted to the motion sensor 11.(Step S 203): The control unit 12 of the portable device 10 receives an output of the result of the checking operation from the motion sensor 11 and determines whether the motion sensor 11 behaves normally or abnormally based on the result. In this manner, it can be preferably determined whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor 11. In a case where the obtained inspection result represents an ordinary state, the process ends. In a case where an obtained inspection result represents an abnormality or an inspection result representing an ordinary state cannot be obtained, the procedure proceeds to step S 204.(Step S 204): The control unit 12 of the portable device 10 causes the communication unit 13 to transmit an abnormality notification to the vehicle 20 signaling that an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor 11. In a case where the portable device 10 is out of range in which the portable device 10 can communicate with the vehicle 20, abnormality notifications may not be transmitted. Alternatively, the abnormality notification may be transmitted immediately thereafter as the portable device 10 comes within the range in which the portable device 10 can communicate with the vehicle 20. In addition, the portable device 10 may transmit the abnormality notification to another portable device such as a smartphone of a user, instead of or in addition to the transmission to the vehicle 20. Instead of or in addition to this, the abnormality notification may be transmitted to another portable device, and the other portable device may notify the user of the abnormality.The process thus ends. The present embodiment can be embodied in combination with the first embodiment.(Effect)Each embodiment of the present invention has been described in the upper part. According to these embodiments, an abnormality can be detected in a case where an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor, and the user can be notified of the abnormality. Consequently, the part in which an abnormality has occurred can be quickly identified, and the abnormality can be quickly corrected and deleted.The present invention is not limited to the portable device and the vehicle. The present invention may be configured as a vehicle system including: the portable device, the vehicle, a method executed by a computer configuring the constituent elements, a program, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having the program stored therein.The present invention is useful, for example, for a portable device having a motion sensor and communicating with a vehicle or the like.A portable device communicates with a vehicle, and the portable device includes: a motion sensor; a control unit configured to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor based on an output of the motion sensor; and an output unit configured to perform an output representing an abnormality in the motion sensor when the control unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor.List of reference characters10 Portable device 11 Motion sensor 12 Portable device control unit 13 Portable device communication unit / output unit 20 Vehicle 21 Notification unit 22 Vehicle control unit 23 Vehicle communication unit S 101 Motion sensing S 102 Determining whether abnormality has occurred S 103 Abnormality notification transmitting S 104 User notifying S 105 Pattern specifying S 106 Pattern-based notification transmitting S 107 Motion-based process S 201 Continues the stationary state for a predetermined period of time or longer? S202 Execute S203 Is the test result usual? S 204 Abnormality notification

Claims

A portable device that communicates with a vehicle, the portable device comprising: a motion sensor; a control unit configured to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor based on an output of the motion sensor; and an output unit configured to perform an output representing an abnormality in the motion sensor when the control unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor; and the control unit is characterized in that the control unit causes the motion sensor to perform a predetermined checking operation in a case where an output of the motion sensor indicates that the portable device is stationary for a second predetermined period of time or longer, and the control unit determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor based on a result of the checking operation.The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is capable of detecting acceleration, and the control unit determines that abnormality has occurred in the motion sensor in a case where a state in which an absolute value of a difference between an amount of acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor and an amount of gravitational acceleration is greater than or equal to a predetermined value continues for a first predetermined time period or longer.

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