Radio wave communication system, control device therefor and control method therefor

Abstract

A radio wave communication system of a motor vehicle that can switch and execute communication control and radar control, a control device therefor, and a control method therefor are provided. A radio wave communication system 100 installed in a motor vehicle 1 is provided with a detection part 20a that detects status information regarding the status of the motor vehicle 1, and an execution part 20b that controls a plurality of communication devices 10a to 10h. The communication network includes a first form PAN1 in which communication is performed between the plurality of communication devices 10a to 10h and a mobile terminal U, a second form PAN2 in which communication is performed between the plurality of communication devices 10a to 10h, and a third form PAN3. The execution part 20b executes control,in which the form of the communication network is switched based on the state information, and in the state in which the first form PAN1 is formed, a locking / unlocking process Sc is carried out, and in the state in which the second form PAN2 and the third form PAN3 are formed, a radar process Sd is carried out.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted radio wave communication system that communicates by radio waves, a control device therefor, and a control method therefor. State of the art

[0002] Conventional technologies that utilize UWB (ultra-wideband) radio waves include, for example, a keyless entry system in which a vehicle-mounted communication device and a mobile terminal near the vehicle communicate via UWB radio waves to control the locking / unlocking of the vehicle-equipped locks (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Other technologies include, for example, a radar device that transmits UWB radio waves around the vehicle, receives reflected waves from objects, and detects objects around the vehicle based on the reflected waves (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Prior art documentsPatent documents Patent document 1: JP 2022-083289 A Patent Document 2: JP 2013-083540 A Summary of the inventionProblem to be solved by the invention

[0003] For example, in technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when a keyless entry system and a radar device are installed as separate devices in the same vehicle, the space in the vehicle may become limited due to the overlapping communication device and control device for transmitting and receiving UWB radio waves, and the radio waves may interfere with each other.

[0004] With the above-mentioned object in mind, the present invention aims to provide a radio wave communication system in a vehicle, a control device therefor, and a control method therefor that can switch between a communication control and a radar control. Means of solving the task

[0005] The control device for the radio wave communication system according to the present invention is a control device (20) of a radio wave communication system (100) which is installed in a motor vehicle (1) as a vehicle and is provided with a plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) which form a communication network via radio waves and communicate with a mobile terminal (U), wherein the control device (20) is constructed to include a detection part (20a) for detecting status information regarding the status of the motor vehicle (1) and an execution part (20b) for executing a control process for controlling the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h), wherein the form of the communication network comprises a first form (PAN1) in which communication takes place between the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) and the mobile terminal (U), and a second form (PAN2, PAN3),in which communication takes place between the communication devices of a plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h), wherein the control process comprises a locking / unlocking process (Sc) (communication process) in which control is carried out in which the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) communicate with the mobile terminal (U), and a radar process (Sd) in which control is carried out in which at least one communication device (10a, 10e) of the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) transmits radio waves, and the respective objects are detected on the basis of the reflected waves that arise when they are reflected by objects (O1, O2) in the vicinity of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the execution part (20b) executes a control in which the form of the communication network is switched on the basis of the state information, and in the state in which the first form (PAN1) is formed,executes the locking / unlocking process (Sc) (communication process), and in the state in which the second form (PAN2, PAN3) is formed, executes the radar process (Sd).

[0006] According to this structure, the control device (20) switches the form of the communication network formed by the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) and the mobile terminal (U) to the first form (PAN1), the second form (PAN2), or the third form (PAN3) based on the state information, so that the radio wave communication system (100) can be switched and operated to a radar system that detects objects via radio waves or a communication system that communicates via radio waves, depending on the state of the motor vehicle (1). In the radar or communication system, the communication devices (10a to 10h) and the control device (20) can be used together, which reduces the installation space and the cost of the aforementioned systems.

[0007] The radio wave communication system according to the present invention is a radio wave communication system (100) which is installed in a motor vehicle (1) as a vehicle and is provided with a plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) which form a communication network via radio waves and communicate with a mobile terminal (U), wherein the radio wave communication system (100) is constructed to include a detection part (20a) for detecting status information regarding the status of the motor vehicle (1) and an execution part (20b) for executing a control process for controlling the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h), wherein the form of the communication network comprises a first form (PAN1) in which communication takes place between the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) and the mobile terminal (U), and a second form (PAN2, PAN3),in which communication takes place between the communication devices of a plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h), wherein the control process comprises a locking / unlocking process (Sc) (communication process) in which control is carried out in which the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) communicate with the mobile terminal (U), and a radar process (Sd) in which control is carried out in which at least one communication device (10a, 10e) of the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) transmits radio waves, and the relevant objects are detected on the basis of the reflected waves that arise when they are reflected by objects (O1, O2) in the vicinity of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the execution part (20b) executes a control in which the form of the communication network is switched on the basis of the state information, and in the state in which the first form (PAN1) is formed,executes the locking / unlocking process (Sc) (communication process), and in the state in which the second form (PAN2, PAN3) is formed, executes the radar process (Sd).

[0008] According to this structure, the radio wave communication system (100) switches the form of the communication network formed by the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) and the mobile terminal (U) to the first form (PAN1) or the second form (PAN2, PAN3) based on the state information, so that the radio wave communication system (100) can be switched and operated to a radar system that detects objects via radio waves or a communication system that communicates via radio waves, depending on the state of the motor vehicle (1).

[0009] The control method for a radio wave communication system according to the present invention is a control method for a radio wave communication system (100) which is installed in a motor vehicle (1) as a vehicle and is provided with a plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) which form a communication network via radio waves and communicate with a mobile terminal (U), the control method being configured to include an acquisition step in which state information relating to the state of the motor vehicle (1) is acquired by a acquisition part (20a), and an execution step in which a control process in which the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) are controlled is executed by an execution part (20b), wherein the form of the communication network is a first form (PAN1),in which the communication takes place between the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) and the mobile terminal (U), and a second form (PAN2, PAN3), in which the communication takes place between the communication devices of a plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h), wherein the control process comprises a locking / unlocking process (Sc) (communication process), in which a control takes place in which the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) communicate with a mobile terminal (U), and a radar process (Sd), in which a control takes place in which at least one communication device (10a, 10e) of the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) transmits radio waves, and on the basis of the reflected waves that arise when they are reflected by objects (O1, O2) in the vicinity of the motor vehicle (1), the relevant objects are detected, wherein in the execution step, the execution part (20b) executes a control,in which the form of the communication network is switched based on the state information, and in the state in which the first form (PAN1) is formed, the locking / unlocking process (Sc) (communication process) is carried out and in the state in which the second form (PAN2, PAN3) is formed, the radar process (Sd) is carried out.,

[0010] According to this structure, based on the state information, the form of the communication network formed by the plurality of communication devices (10a to 10h) and the mobile terminal (U) is switched to the first form (PAN1) or the second form (PAN2, PAN3), so that a radio wave communication system (100) can be switched and put into operation to a radar system that detects objects via radio waves or a communication system that communicates via radio waves, depending on the state of the motor vehicle (1).

[0011] The present invention may comprise only the inventive features mentioned in the claims of the present invention as well as additional structures of the features deviating therefrom. Short description of the drawings [ Fig. 1] illustrates the structure of the radio wave communication system according to an embodiment. [ Fig. 2] illustrates the arrangement of the communication devices and the absorbers. [ Fig. 3] illustrates the structure of the control device. [ Fig. 4] illustrates the first form of the communication network. [ Fig. 5] illustrates the second and third forms of the communication network. [ Fig. 6] illustrates the flow of controlling the switching process by the control device. [ Fig. 7] illustrates the flow of controlling the terminal locating process by the control device. [ Fig. 8] illustrates the sequence of controlling the locking / unlocking process by the control device. [ Fig. 9] illustrates the process of controlling the radar process by the control device. [ Fig. 10] illustrates information about reflected waves extracted in the filtering process based on the strength threshold and distance threshold values. [ Fig. 11] illustrates information regarding the reflected waves extracted in a variant of the filtering process based on the changed distribution of the radio wave strength of the received signal compared to a reference value. Embodiments of the invention

[0012] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of a radio wave communication system, a control method for the same, and a control device for the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. The following structures, operations, and the like of the embodiments are merely examples to which the present invention is not limited. In the following, the same or similar explanations are simplified or omitted where appropriate. Identical or similar elements or portions in the drawings are not identified or are identified by the same symbol. Details of the structure and the like are simplified or omitted from the figures where appropriate.

[0013] Although examples are given in which the radio wave communication system, the control method and the control apparatus according to the present embodiment are applied to an automobile as a vehicle, the present invention is not limited to the application to automobiles in particular, but can also be applied to other vehicles such as four-wheeled vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and the like. <Ausführungsformen> [Regarding radio wave communication system and control device]

[0014] The radio wave communication system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to 5. The radio wave communication system 100 is a system that is installed in a motor vehicle 1 and transmits radio waves in the surroundings of the motor vehicle 1 in order to communicate with a mobile terminal U and to detect objects in the surroundings.

[0015] As in Fig. 1, the radio wave communication system 100 includes first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h for radio wave transmission and communication, a control device 20 for controlling the radio wave communication system 100, and a mobile terminal U that is carried and operated by the driver of the motor vehicle 1 or another person and communicates with the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h via radio waves.

[0016] The first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h are devices that communicate with each other by transmitting and receiving signals transmitted by ultra-wideband (UWB) radio waves, for example, based on the UWB communication protocol of the IEEE 802.15.4a / z standard. With a communication device conforming to the IEEE 802.15.4a / z standard, a distance measurement function can be realized to measure the distance between communicating communication devices, for example, using TDoA (Time Difference of Arrival), PDoA (Phase Difference of Arrival), TWR (Two Way Ranging), and the like. With TWR, it is possible to determine the distance between communicating communication devices based on the time TA required for a specific process (e.g., a process in which one communication device transmits a specific notification to another communication device, the other communication device receives this notification, waits for a specific time T0, and then transmits a return notification, etc.).) between one communication device and another communication device, to calculate the flight time ((TA-T0) / 2) of the signal between these two communication devices or the distance between the two communication devices. During communication between these communication devices, the transmitted radio waves are reflected, diffracted, and propagated and received along multiple paths. Therefore, the same signal may be repeatedly received at different arrival times due to differences in the distance of the paths, resulting in radio waveform interference or phase shifts in the received signal (so-called multipass effect). However, by processing the signal based on the radio wave flight time or the distance between the communication devices calculated as above, the transmitted message can be detected.

[0017] Viewed from above of the motor vehicle 1, the first communication device 10a and the second communication device 10b are installed, for example, in a central part of the front bumper of the motor vehicle 1, the third communication device 10c is installed in a left part of the front bumper of the motor vehicle 1, the fourth communication device 10d is installed in a right part of the front bumper of the motor vehicle 1, the fifth communication device 10e and the sixth communication device 10f are installed in the central part of the rear bumper of the motor vehicle 1, the seventh communication device 10g is installed in the left part of the rear bumper of the motor vehicle 1, and the eighth communication device 10h is installed in the right part of the rear bumper of the motor vehicle 1 (see Fig. 1). The first communication device 10a is located on top of the second communication device 10b, and the first to fourth communication devices 10a to 10d are arranged so that the transmission direction of the radio waves is toward the front of the motor vehicle 1. The fifth communication device 10e is located on top of the sixth communication device 10f, and the fifth to eighth communication devices 10e to 10h are arranged so that the transmission direction of the radio waves is toward the rear of the motor vehicle 1 (see Fig. 2). The first to fourth communication devices 10a to 10h may be collectively referred to simply as communication devices 10.

[0018] The first and fifth communication devices 10a and 10e can wirelessly communicate via radio waves with a plurality of communication devices designated as communication targets by the control device 20 described below, and communicate with one or more of the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U. The first and fifth communication devices 10a and 10e are equipped, for example, with FFDs (Full Function Devices) according to the IEEE 802.15.4a / z standard, implementing a complete set of protocols, and can function as network coordinators, communicating between FFDs and with the RFDs described below, respectively. A network coordinator is a device that initiates network connections, and only one can exist in a network.

[0019] The second communication device 10b, third communication device 10c, fourth communication device 10d, sixth communication device 10f, seventh communication device 10g, and eighth communication device 10g can communicate via radio waves with a communication device designated as a communication target by the control device 20; they can communicate only with one of the first communication device 10a, the fifth communication device 10e, and the mobile terminal U. The communication devices 10b, 10c, 10e, and 10f are, for example, a communication device that has a reduced function device (RFD) as defined by the IEEE 802.15.4a / z standard, implemented with a minimal set of protocols limited to star topologies, and can communicate only with network coordinators.

[0020] The communication devices with which each of the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h communicates are designed to be controlled and switched by the control device 20, as described below.

[0021] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, in the motor vehicle 1, first to sixth absorbers 11a to 11f are arranged at the position between the first communication device 10a and the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d and at the position between the fifth communication device 10e and the sixth to eighth communication devices 10f to 10h, which absorb the radio waves transmitted from the communication devices.

[0022] At the position between the first communication device 10a and the second communication device 10b, a horizontally extending, planar first absorber 11a is arranged; at the position between the first communication device 10a and the third communication device 10c, a vertically extending, planar second absorber 11b is arranged; and at the position between the first communication device 10a and the fourth communication device 10d, a vertically extending, planar third absorber 11c is arranged (see Fig. 2). This ensures that the first communication device 10a is positioned within the space defined by the first to third absorbers 11a to 11c, thereby reducing the direct incidence of radio waves S1 transmitted from the first communication device 10a onto the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d and reducing the incidence of reflected waves caused by the reflection of the radio waves transmitted from the first communication device 10a inside the motor vehicle 1, to facilitate the incidence of reflected waves S2 caused by the reflection of the radio waves outside the motor vehicle 1 by the object O1 onto the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d.

[0023] At the position between the fifth communication device 10e and the sixth communication device 10f, a horizontally extending, planar fourth absorber 11d is arranged; at the position between the fifth communication device 10e and the seventh communication device 10g, a vertically extending, planar fifth absorber 11e is arranged, and between the fifth communication device 10e and the eighth communication device 10h, a vertically extending, planar sixth absorber 11f is arranged (see Fig. 2). This ensures that the fifth communication device 10e is arranged within the space defined by the fourth to sixth absorbers 11d to 11f, thereby reducing the direct incidence of radio waves S3 transmitted from the fifth communication device 10e to the sixth to eighth communication devices 10f to 10h, and reducing the incidence of reflected waves caused by the reflection of the radio waves transmitted from the fifth communication device 10e inside the motor vehicle 1 to the sixth to eighth communication devices 10f to 10h, so as to facilitate the incidence of reflected waves S4 caused by the reflection of the radio waves outside the motor vehicle 1 by the object O2 to the sixth to eighth communication devices 10f to 10h.

[0024] The mobile terminal U is a small, portable electronic device (e.g., a smartphone, etc.) that can be carried by the driver of the motor vehicle 1, etc., and can wirelessly communicate with the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h via radio waves. The mobile terminal U is also equipped with functions for receiving an operation from the driver, etc., such as a lock button for receiving a lock operation to lock the lock 2 attached to the door of the motor vehicle 1, and an unlock button for receiving an unlock operation to unlock the lock 2 (not shown in the drawings). Once the lock / unlock operation is received, a lock / unlock signal containing operation information Ip related to the operation in question can be transmitted via radio waves, etc., to the radio wave communication system 100 of the motor vehicle 1.The mobile terminal U is also equipped with an FFD (Full Function Device) according to the IEEE 802.15.4a / z standard and can communicate with the FFDs and RFDs of the aforementioned first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h.

[0025] The mobile terminal U may be configured to be equipped with, for example, key switches or a touch display, etc., as a means for accepting operations, or it may be configured to accept operations using technologies such as voice and gesture recognition, etc. The mobile terminal U may be any device having the function of radio wave communication with the radio wave communication system 100, and it may be configured as a general information processing device for transmitting and receiving radio waves, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet PC, etc., or as a dedicated device such as a remote control key.

[0026] As in Fig. 3, the control device 20 is equipped with an acquisition part 20a for acquiring various information and an execution part 20b for executing various control processes. The control device 20 includes an electronic circuit and the like, which is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like (not shown in the drawings), and is powered and operated by a battery or the like (not shown in the drawings) installed in the motor vehicle 1. For example, by the CPU executing the individual programs stored in the storage device such as ROM, functions such as executing various control processes described below are realized by the acquisition part 20a and the execution part 20b.The control device 20 can be configured with dedicated hardware and software resources or with general hardware and software resources included in other devices installed in the motor vehicle 1 for executing the control. At least some of the functions of the control device 20 can also be configured by hardware and software resources external to the motor vehicle 1, which are connected via a network, etc.

[0027] The control device 20 is electrically connected to the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h via signal lines, by means of which it can control each communication device via wired communication. The control device 20 is also electrically connected by signal lines to the locking / unlocking device 30 for locking / unlocking the lock 2 on the door of the motor vehicle 1 and can control the locking / unlocking device 30, as described below. The control device 20 is also electrically connected to an in-vehicle network CAN (Controller Area Network), to which various sensors and other control devices equipped in the motor vehicle 1 (not shown in the drawings) are connected and via which it can, for example,speed information Iv detected by the speed sensor 3 regarding the traveling speed of the motor vehicle 1; seat information Is regarding whether the seat is occupied or not detected by the seat sensor 4 of the driver's seat; and start information Ig detected by the ignition switch sensor 5 regarding an ON / OFF state (starting state) of the start switch (i.e., ignition switch) in the motor vehicle 1. The control device 20 may also be configured with various sensor devices, such as a speed sensor.

[0028] The control device 20 can then control and switch the form of the communication network PAN (Personal Area Network) created by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U by transmitting control signals to the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and to the mobile terminal U. The form of the communication network created by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U includes, for example,a first form PAN1 in which the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U communicate, a second form PAN2 in which the communication devices arranged on the front of the motor vehicle 1 from the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h communicate with each other, and a third form PAN3 in which the communication devices arranged on the rear of the motor vehicle 1 from the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h communicate with each other.

[0029] As in Fig. 4, in the first form of the communication network PAN1, the mobile terminal U functions as a central hub, wherein the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h are not connected to one another, but each of them is connected to the mobile terminal U. For example, a mobile terminal U equipped with an FFD according to the IEEE 802.15.4a / z standard functions as a network coordinator (PAN Cordinator), a communication network is created in which each of the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h is connected to the mobile terminal U via a so-called star topology, so that wireless communication takes place between each of the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U.

[0030] As in Fig. 5, in the second form of the communication network PAN2, the mobile terminal U is not connected to the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, but the first to fourth communication devices 10a to 10d, which are configured to transmit radio waves toward the front of the motor vehicle 1, are connected to the first communication device 10a as a central hub. For example, the first communication device 10a, which is equipped with an FFD compliant with the IEEE 802.15.4a / z standard, functions as a network coordinator, forming a communication network in which the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d are connected to the first communication device 10a through the so-called star topology, so that wireless communication is performed between each of the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d and the first communication device 10a.During wireless communication between each of the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d and the first communication device 10a, radio waves S1 are radiated from the first communication device 10a to the front of the motor vehicle 1. Part of the radiated radio waves S1 is reflected by the object O1 and generates a reflected wave S2, part of which is reflected back to the communication device and received by the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d. Part of the radio waves S1 radiated from the first communication device 10a is not reflected and can be directly received by the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d.

[0031] As in Fig. 5, in the third communication network form PAN3, the mobile terminal U and the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h are not connected to each other, but the fifth to eighth communication devices 10e to 10h, which are configured to transmit radio waves toward the rear of the motor vehicle 1, are connected to the fifth communication device 10e as a central hub. For example, the fifth communication device 10e, which is equipped with an FFD compliant with the IEEE 802.15.4a / z standard, functions as a network coordinator, forming a communication network in which each of the sixth to eighth communication devices 10f to 10h is connected to the fifth communication device 10e through the so-called star topology, so that wireless communication is performed between each of the sixth communication devices 10f to 10h and the fifth communication device 10e.During wireless communication between each of the sixth to eighth communication devices 10f to 10h and the fifth communication device 10e, radio waves S3 are radiated from the fifth communication device 10e to the rear of the motor vehicle 1. Part of the radiated radio waves S3 is reflected by the object O2, generating a reflected wave S4, part of which is reflected back to the communication device and received by the sixth to eighth communication devices 10f to 10h. Part of the radio waves S3 radiated from the fifth communication device 10e is not reflected and can be directly received by the sixth to eighth communication devices 10f to 10h.

[0032] The acquisition part 20a of the control device 20 acquires signal information Isg regarding the signals transmitted and received in each of the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, speed information Iv regarding the traveling speed of the motor vehicle 1, seat information Ist regarding the driver's seating state on the driver's seat, and start information Ig regarding the ON / OFF status of the start switch (so-called ignition switch) of the motor vehicle 1, and outputs them to the execution part 20b. The acquisition part 20a may also acquire other information necessary for the control processes in the control device 20, if necessary.

[0033] The execution part 20b can execute various control processes; for example, the control process includes a switching process, a terminal locating process, a locking / unlocking process, a radar process, and the like. The switching process is a process of switching the form of the communication network according to the state of the motor vehicle 1 and the mobile terminal U, and executing the locking / unlocking process, the radar process, and the like. The terminal locating process is a process of detecting the distance between the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U based on the communication between the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U. The unlocking process includes the process of communicating with the mobile terminal U and is a process in which the locking / unlocking device 30 is controlled to lock / unlock the lock 2 based on the result of the communication.In the radar process, the form of the communication network is set to the second and third forms, and the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h are controlled to communicate with each other, so that radio waves S1 and S3 are radiated around the vehicle 1, reflected waves S2 and S4 generated by reflection from the objects are received, and the objects are detected from the reflected waves. The details of these control processes are described below.

[0034] The locking / unlocking device 30 is equipped with an actuator that locks / unlocks the lock 2 of the motor vehicle 1 and controls the operation of the actuator based on a control signal transmitted from the control device 20. The lock 2 is unlocked by receiving an unlocking command signal for unlocking the lock 2 as a control signal, while the lock 2 is locked by receiving a locking command signal for locking the lock 2.

[0035] As mentioned above, the radio wave communication system 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to include first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and a control device 20. The control device 20 is configured to be capable of communicating with the mobile terminal U via the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, locking / unlocking the lock 2 of the door of the motor vehicle 1 based on the result of communication between the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U by controlling the locking / unlocking device 30, controlling the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h to communicate with each other, and detecting objects around the motor vehicle 1 based on the received reflected waves.

[0036] Although the radio wave communication system 100 in the present embodiment is configured with the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, the number of communication devices, installation positions, radio wave radiation directions, and the like are not limited to the above example. For example, the radio wave communication system 100 may be configured with communication devices whose number and installation positions are determined based on the shape and size of the vehicle body 1, the strength and transmission direction of the radio waves transmitted from the communication devices, and the like. The number, installation position, shape, and the like of the absorbers can be determined based on the number, installation position, and the like of the communication devices.Although in the present embodiment, the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h are configured to radiate radio waves in front of and behind the motor vehicle 1, communication devices that radiate radio waves to the side of the motor vehicle 1 may also be included.

[0037] Although in the present embodiment, the lock 2 whose locking / unlocking is controlled by the locking / unlocking device 30 is constructed to be installed on the door of the motor vehicle 1, it may be constructed to be installed at a location other than the door of the motor vehicle 1, such as a lock in the trunk of the motor vehicle 1 or a lock at the fuel inlet of the motor vehicle 1, or a combination of these structures is also possible. [Regarding the control method of the radio wave communication system]

[0038] As an example of a control method for the radio wave communication system 100 according to the present embodiment, Fig. 6 to 10 describe the flow of controlling the switching process Sa, the terminal locating process Sb, the locking / unlocking process Sc, and the radar process Sd, which are executed by the control device 20. The switching process Sa is a process that is repeated at certain time intervals (e.g., every 0.01 seconds).

[0039] As in Fig. 6, in the switching process Sa, an information acquisition process is first executed, and various information is acquired by the acquisition part 20a (Sa01). This various information includes speed information Iv concerning the traveling speed of the motor vehicle 1 detected by the speed sensor 3, seat information Ist concerning the driver's seating state on the driver's seat detected by the driver's seat sensor 4, and start information Ig concerning the ON / OFF status of the start switch (ignition switch) of the motor vehicle 1 detected by the ignition switch sensor 5.

[0040] Subsequently, based on the speed information Iv, it is determined whether or not the traveling speed v of the motor vehicle 1 exceeds a predetermined speed threshold value Tv (e.g., a value determined based on the reachable distance of the radio waves of the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, e.g., 10 km / h is set) (Sa02), and when it is determined that the traveling speed v exceeds a speed threshold value Tv (J), a high-speed travel flag indicating that the motor vehicle 1 is currently traveling at a speed higher than the speed threshold value Tv is stored in the storage area (e.g., RAM, etc.) of the control device 20 (Sa10).On the other hand, if it is determined that the traveling speed v does not exceed the speed threshold Tv (N), it is determined from the starting information Ig whether the start switch (not shown in the drawings) for starting the motor vehicle 1 is turned on or not (Sa03), and if it is determined that the start switch is turned on (J), a low-speed flag indicating that the motor vehicle 1 is currently being driven at a speed lower than the speed threshold Tv is stored in the memory area of ​​the control device 20 (Sa11).On the other hand, if it is determined that the start switch is not in the ON state (N), it is determined whether the driver is sitting on the driver's seat or not based on the seat information Ist and as the state of the motor vehicle 1 (Sa04), and if it is determined that the driver is sitting on the driver's seat (J), a stop flag indicating that the motor vehicle 1 is not being driven and is currently stopping is stored in the memory area of ​​the control device 20 (Sa12).

[0041] If it is determined in step Sa04 that the driver is not sitting in the driver's seat (N), a terminal location process Sb described below is executed, in which the current distance Ld between the radio wave communication system 100 and the mobile terminal U is measured (Sa05). Thereafter, the detection part 20a acquires the distance information Id generated by the terminal location process Sb about the current distance Ld between the radio wave communication system 100 and the mobile terminal U, and determines whether or not the motor vehicle 1 is within a certain distance from the mobile terminal U based on the distance information Id (Sa06). Specifically, the current distance Ld is multiplied by a certain distance threshold value TI (e.g., a value determined based on the achievable distance of the radio waves of the communication device 10, e.g.,20 m is set) to determine whether it is lower or not (Sa06). If it is determined that the current distance Ld to the mobile terminal U is less than the distance threshold TI (J), the motor vehicle 1 is parked, the mobile terminal U is located in the vicinity of the motor vehicle 1 (e.g., within the range up to the distance threshold TI), and an operation standby flag indicating that the operation for locking / unlocking using the mobile terminal U is waiting to be executed is stored in the memory area of ​​the control device 20 (Sa13).On the other hand, when it is determined that the current distance Ld to the mobile terminal U is not less than the distance threshold TI (N), the motor vehicle 1 is parked and the mobile terminal U is not in the vicinity of the motor vehicle 1, and a standby flag is stored in the memory area of ​​the control device 20, indicating that the radio wave communication system 100 is controlled in the standby state (Sa07).

[0042] After storing one of the flags of the group of high-speed, low-speed, stop, operation standby, and standby flags depending on the state of the motor vehicle 1 or mobile terminal U in the memory area of ​​the control device 20 (Sa10, Sa11, Sa12, Sa13, Sa07), a communication network switching process is executed to set and switch the form of the communication network according to the stored flags (Sa08).

[0043] When the low-speed flag is set in the switching of the communication network, the first communication device 10a and the fifth communication device 10e installed in the motor vehicle 1 are each set as network coordinators, and the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h are controlled to form the communication network of the second and third forms.This results, on the one hand, in the formation of a communication network in the second form PAN2, in which the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d are connected as terminal devices to the network emanating from the first communication device 10a acting as network coordinator, and, on the other hand, in the formation of a communication network in the third form PAN3, in which the sixth to eighth communication devices 10f to 10h are connected as terminal devices to the network emanating from the fifth communication device 10e acting as network coordinator.

[0044] If, however, the hold flag or the service standby flag is set, the mobile terminal U is set as the network coordinator and controlled so that a communication network in the first form is created by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U. Thus, a communication network in the first form PAN1 is created in which the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h are connected as terminals to the network originating from the mobile terminal U acting as the network coordinator.

[0045] When the high-speed flag or the standby flag is set, neither the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h nor the mobile terminal U are set as the network coordinator. As a result, no communication network is established by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U.

[0046] Next, a mode switching process is performed to switch the operation mode of the radio wave communication system 100 based on the stored flags. In the mode switching process, when the high-speed flag is set, a stop mode in which the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h are controlled in the stop state is set, and when the standby flag is set, a power-saving mode in which the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h are controlled in a power-saving state is set and switched to respectively. On the other hand, when the low-speed flag is set, a radar mode is set, and a radar process described below is executed. When either the stop flag or the operation standby flag is set, a lock / unlock mode is set, and a lock / unlock process described below is executed.

[0047] The switching process is terminated by completing step Sa09. After that, the control process is executed based on the operation mode set in step Sa09.

[0048] Thus, in the switching process Sa of the present embodiment, the communication network formed by the mobile terminal U and the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h is switched into the first to third forms based on information regarding the state of the motor vehicle 1 and the mobile terminal U.It is also possible to distinguish between a locking / unlocking process, which includes the communication process in which communication takes place between the mobile terminal U and the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, and a radar process in which surrounding objects are detected by transmitting radio waves from the first and fifth communication devices 10a and 10e to the surroundings of the motor vehicle 1 and receiving the reflected waves generated by the reflection from the objects by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, based on the information, so that the radar process, which has a function other than communication, can be carried out by means of the general first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h that communicate with the mobile terminal U in the locking / unlocking process.

[0049] The following is a description of the terminal device location process Sb based on Fig. 7. The terminal location process Sb is called and executed by the aforementioned switching process.

[0050] As in Fig. 7, in the terminal locating process Sb, first, the communication setting process (Sb01) is executed to control the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h so that the communication network in the first form PAN1 is formed. After the communication network in the first form PAN1 is formed, a locating communication process (Sb02) is executed to transmit locating signals from the first communication device 10a and the fifth communication device to the mobile terminal U and to store the transmitted information about the time at which the locating signals were transmitted in the storage area of ​​the control device 20. Thereafter, it waits until a response signal is received from the mobile terminal U, and once a response signal is received, the received information about the time at which the response signal was received is stored in the storage area of ​​the control device 20.

[0051] Subsequently, a distance calculation process is performed (Sb03), in which the time difference between the time at which the positioning signals were transmitted and the time at which the response signal was received is calculated based on the transmitted and received information obtained in step Sb2. Thus, based on the time difference, the current distance Ld between the radio wave communication system 100 and the mobile terminal U is calculated, the distance information Id regarding the current distance Ld is generated, and the terminal positioning process Sb is terminated. The generated distance information Id is used in the aforementioned switching process.

[0052] The following is a description of the locking / unlocking process Sc using Fig. 8. The locking / unlocking process Sc is a process that, when either the hold flag or the operation standby flag is stored in the storage area of ​​the control device 20 and the locking / unlocking mode is set by the aforementioned switching process Sa, is repeated at certain time intervals (e.g., every 0.01 second).

[0053] As in Fig. 8, in the locking / unlocking process Sc, the aforementioned terminal location process Sb is first executed (Sc01), the current distance Ld from the radio wave communication system 100 (motor vehicle 1) to the mobile terminal U is determined, and distance information Id about the current distance Ld is generated. Subsequently, based on the distance information Id, it is determined (Sc02) whether the current distance Ld is below a certain distance threshold value TI (e.g., a value determined based on the achievable distance of the radio waves of the communication device 10, e.g., 20 m). If it is determined that the current distance Ld to the mobile terminal U is below the distance threshold value TI, that is, that the mobile terminal U is within a certain distance from the motor vehicle 1 (J), the communication standby process is performed (Sc03).In the communication standby process, it waits until the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h receive a communication signal from the mobile terminal U. If a lock / unlock signal containing operation information Ip is received as the communication signal via the lock / unlock operation of the mobile terminal U, the operation information Ip contained in the lock / unlock signal is stored in the memory area of ​​the control device 20.

[0054] Subsequently, it is determined whether a lock / unlock signal has been received (Sc04). If a lock / unlock signal has been received and the operation information Ip is stored in the memory area of ​​the control device 20 (Yes), a lock / unlock control process for controlling the operation of the lock / unlock device 30 is performed (Sc05). In the lock / unlock control process, it is identified from the operation information Ip whether a lock operation or an unlock operation has been performed. If it is identified from the operation information Ip that a lock operation has been performed, the operation of the lock / unlock device 30 is controlled to lock the lock 2. Conversely, if it is identified from the operation information Ip that an unlock operation has been performed, the operation of the lock / unlock device 30 is controlled to unlock the lock 2.

[0055] If it is determined in step Sc02 that the current distance Ld is not less than a certain distance threshold TI (N), and it is determined in step Sc04 that no unlocking signal has been received (N), the locking / unlocking process Sc is ended after the locking / unlocking control process is ended in step Sc05.

[0056] Thus, in the locking / unlocking process Sc of the present embodiment, communication is performed in the first-form communication network between the mobile terminal U and the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, and based on the operation information Ip on the locking / unlocking operation included in this communication, the locking / unlocking device 30 is controlled to lock / unlock the lock 2. The locking / unlocking process Sc of the present embodiment corresponds to the communication process of the present invention.

[0057] The following is a description of the radar process Sd using Fig. 9. The radar process Sd is a process which, when the slow speed flag is stored in the memory area of ​​the control device 20 and the radar mode is set by the aforementioned switching process Sa, is repeated at certain time intervals (e.g., every 0.01 seconds).

[0058] As in Fig. 9, in the radar process Sd, once the communication networks in the second and third forms are formed by the aforementioned switching process, a search signal transmission / reception process is first performed (Sd01) in which search signals are transmitted and received to search for objects in the surroundings of the motor vehicle 1. In the search signal transmission / reception process, first, search signals including a time stamp at the transmission time and identification information that can identify the signal are transmitted via radio waves to the surroundings of the motor vehicle 1 from the first communication device 10a and the fifth communication device 10e, which function as network coordinators in the second and third form communication networks, respectively. Thereafter, the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h wait for a predetermined period of time in a state where they can receive the radio waves.During this specific period, the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h receive a portion of the reflected waves generated by the reflection of a portion of the transmitted search signal from objects outside the motor vehicle 1. Furthermore, the communication device that received the reflected waves stores, in the memory area of ​​the communication device, time information about the time of reception of the reflected waves, identification information contained in the reflected waves, and radio wave strength information about the radio wave strength of the received signal.

[0059] Subsequently, the filtering process is performed (Sd02) to extract the information about the reflected waves received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h. In the filtering process, for example, as shown in Fig. 10, after transmitting the search signals from the first communication device 10a and the fifth communication device 10e, the signal strengths SP of the received signals with respect to the signals received from each of the communication devices 10a to 10h are compared with a predetermined strength threshold value Tp (e.g., the value determined based on experiments conducted in advance, etc.).is determined and set as a value between a radio wave strength value when the search signals transmitted from the first communication device 10a and the fifth communication device 10e are received directly, without being reflected by the interior of the motor vehicle 1 or objects, by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, and a radio wave strength value when the reflected waves, which are generated by the reflection of the search signals transmitted from the first communication device 10a and the fifth communication device 10e by the interior of the motor vehicle 1 or attenuated by objects, are received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h.), and the information of the signals B1 to B3, the signal strength SP of which is lower than the relevant strength threshold value Tp upon reception, is extracted as information about the signals of the waves reflected by the objects.

[0060] During the filtering process, for example, as in Fig. 10, after transmitting the search signal from the first communication device 10a and the fifth communication device 10e, based on the time difference between the transmission timing of the search signal and the reception timing of the search signal for the signal received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, with a predetermined flight distance threshold value Td (e.g., a value determined from the results of experiments conducted in advance and set as a value between the value of the distance between the first communication device 10a and the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d and the value of the distance from the motor vehicle 1 to the objects O1 and O2 assumed as the detection target).) and the information of the signals B1 to B3 whose radio wave flight distance Ds is greater than the relevant flight distance threshold Td is extracted as information about the wave signals reflected from objects.

[0061] Next, an object detection process is performed (Sd03), and based on the information of the signals extracted by the filtering process in step Sd02, the distance between the motor vehicle 1 and the objects around the motor vehicle 1 is calculated and output to an external device (not shown in the drawings) as object information Io about the objects. Based on the object information Io, when an object is present around the motor vehicle 1, the external device can output sound, images, video, etc. from an output device to inform the driver of the presence of an object, display the position of the object relative to the motor vehicle 1 on a display device, and the like.

[0062] After the object detection process is completed in step Sd03, the radar process Sd is completed.

[0063] Thus, in the radar process of the present embodiment, search signals are transmitted via radio waves from the first communication device 10a and the fifth communication device 10e, which function in the communication network in the second and third forms, respectively, to the surroundings of the motor vehicle 1, and the reflected waves generated by the reflection of the search signals from objects are received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h as reception signals, and the objects are detected based on the search signals and the reception signals.

[0064] In the radar process Sd of the present embodiment, signals related to the reflected waves are extracted from the signals received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h in a filtering process. In this filtering process, the signals A1 to A3 and B1 to B3 received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h are filtered so that they satisfy predetermined conditions (e.g., the strength of the received radio waves is less than a strength threshold Tp and the calculated distance is greater than a distance threshold Td2z), thereby, for example, as shown in Fig. 10, the signals B1 to B3 can be extracted with respect to the reflected waves. Fig. 10 shows, via the reception signal at the communication device 10, the relationship between the flight time Di of radio waves between a communication device and an object, which is calculated from the transmission and reception times of the transmission and reception signals, and the distribution of the radio wave strength SP of the received signal at the communication device 10. The horizontal axis shows the flight time Di, and the vertical axis shows the radio wave strength SP. A1 to A3 are examples of signals in which the search signal is directly received by the communication device without being reflected, and B1 to B3 are examples of reflected wave signals in which the search signal is reflected by an object outside the motor vehicle 1 and received by the communication device.The strength threshold Tp can filter the radio wave signals directly incident from the first communication device 10a to the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d by setting a value between the radio wave strength of the radio wave signals directly incident from the first communication device 10a to the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d and the radio wave strength of the signals of the reflected waves transmitted from the first communication device 10a and then reflected by an object outside the motor vehicle 1 and incident to the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d.The distance threshold Td2 can filter the radio wave signals directly incident from the first communication device 10a to the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d by setting a value greater than the distance between the first communication device 10a and the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d.

[0065] The signals received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h may include reflected radio wave signals generated by the reflection of the search signal within the motor vehicle 1. The reflected wave signals generated within the motor vehicle 1 are reflected once or multiple times, resulting in high attenuation and a long flight time. This allows them to satisfy the aforementioned conditions and pass through filtering (not shown in the drawings). In contrast, for example, as shown in Fig.11, in an experimental environment conducted in advance (e.g., in a radio wave dark room, etc.), in a state where the waves reflected from the objects outside the vehicle 1 are not received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, the distribution of the radio wave strength of the signals received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, respectively (ie,Signals A1 to A3 of the direct radio waves from the communication devices that transmit the signals, and signals B1 to B3 of the internally reflected waves generated by the reflection inside the motor vehicle 1) are detected in advance and defined as a standard distribution, by making a configuration in which the distribution of the radio wave strength of the signals received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h in the actual environment (the above-described signals A1 to A3 of the direct radio waves, the signals B1 to B3 of the internally reflected waves, and the signals C1 to C3 of the reflected waves generated by objects outside the motor vehicle 1) is detected and the difference from the standard distribution (e.g.additional portions, signals C1 to C3 of the external reflected waves) is recognized as being caused by reflected waves generated by objects outside the motor vehicle 1, whereby it is possible to extract information about the reflected waves from the signals received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h (modified example of the filtering process). [Effect and effect]

[0066] With conventional technologies using UWB radio waves, if a keyless entry system and a radar device are installed separately in the same motor vehicle, the space in the vehicle may become limited and the radio waves may interfere with each other due to the overlapping communication device and control device for transmitting and receiving UWB radio waves.

[0067] In contrast, the control device for the radio wave communication system of the present embodiment is a control device 20 for a radio wave communication system 100 that is installed in a motor vehicle 1 as a vehicle and is provided with first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h that form a communication network via radio waves and communicate with a mobile terminal U. The control device 20 is constructed to include an acquisition part 20a for acquiring state information regarding the state of the motor vehicle 1 and an execution part 20b for executing the control process for controlling the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, wherein the form of the communication network is a first form PAN1 in which communication is carried out between the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U, and second and third forms PAN2 and PAN3.in which communication takes place between the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, wherein the control process comprises a locking / unlocking process Sc (communication process) in which control is carried out in which the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h communicate with the mobile terminal U, and a radar process Sd in which control is carried out in which at least one communication device (first communication device 10a, fifth communication device 10e) of the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h transmits radio waves, and based on the reflected waves that arise when they are reflected by objects O1, O2 in the surroundings of the motor vehicle 1, the respective objects are detected, wherein the execution part 20b executes a control in which the form of the communication network is switched based on the state information, and in the state,in which the first form PAN1 is formed, executes the locking / unlocking process Sc (communication process), and in the state in which the second and third forms PAN2 and PAN3 are formed, executes the radar process Sd.

[0068] According to this configuration, the control device 20 switches the form of the communication network formed by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U to the first form PAN1 or the second and third forms PAN2 and PAN3, respectively, based on the state information, so that the radio wave communication system 100 can be switched and operated to a radar system that detects objects by radio waves or a communication system that communicates by radio waves, depending on the state of the motor vehicle 1. With the radar system or the communication system, the general first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the control device 20 can be used, and the installation space and equipment cost of the respective system can be reduced.

[0069] The execution part 20b of the control device 20 is configured to control, based on the speed information Iv regarding the traveling speed of the motor vehicle 1, the seat information Ist regarding the seating state of the seat of the motor vehicle 1, and the start information Ig regarding the starting state of the motor vehicle 1 as state information, to switch the form of the communication network.

[0070] According to this structure, the execution part 20b can switch and operate the radio wave communication system 100 to a radar system or a communication system depending on the state of the motor vehicle 1.

[0071] The locking / unlocking process Sc executed by the control device 20 of the present embodiment is configured to include a communication process in which the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U communicate with each other. The locking / unlocking process Sc is controlled to lock / unlock the lock 2 provided by the motor vehicle 1 based on the result of the communication between the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U.

[0072] According to this structure, the control device 20 can communicate with the mobile terminal U via the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and control the locking / unlocking device 30 to lock / unlock the lock 2 of the motor vehicle 1 based on the locking / unlocking signals transmitted from the mobile terminal U.

[0073] The radar process Sd executed by the control device 20 of the present embodiment is configured to include a filtering process in which filtering is performed on the signals related to the reflected waves based on information Isp related to the radio wave strength of the reflected waves received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, and information related to the flight distance of the reflected waves concerned.

[0074] According to this structure, the control device 20 can extract reflected wave signals from the information regarding the signals received from the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h.

[0075] In a variation of the filtering process performed by the control device 20 of the present embodiment, in situations where the reflected waves are not received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h (e.g., in an experimental environment), the radio wave strength distribution of the received signals is determined in advance as reference values, and in an actual environment where the radio waves including the reflected waves are received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h (actual environment), filtering is incorporated to extract the signals related to the reflected waves based on the difference between the received radio wave strength distribution and the reference value.

[0076] According to this structure, the control device 20 can improve the accuracy with which the signals of the reflected waves are extracted from the information about the signals received by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h.

[0077] The mobile terminal U of the present embodiment has the function of a network coordinator that initiates a network connection, and the communication device 10 includes a first communication device 10a, a fifth communication device 10e with the function of a network coordinator, and a second communication device 10b to 10d and a sixth communication device 10f to 10h without the function of a network coordinator.The first communication network form PAN1 is formed by connecting the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h as terminals to a network initiated by a mobile terminal U acting as a network coordinator, and the second form PAN2 is formed by connecting the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d as terminals to a network initiated by the first communication device 10a acting as a network coordinator, and the third form PAN3 is formed by connecting the fourth to eighth communication devices 10f to 10h as terminals to the network initiated by the fifth communication device 10e acting as a network coordinator.

[0078] According to this structure, the control device 20 can switch the form of the communication network from the first form PAN1 to the second form PAN2 and the third form PAN3 by controlling the switching of the network coordinator from the mobile terminal U to the first communication device 10a and the fifth communication device 10e.

[0079] First to third radio wave absorbers 11a to 11c are respectively disposed at the positions between the first and second communication devices 10a and 10b, between the first and third communication devices 10a and 10c, and between the first and fourth communication devices 10a and 10d of the present embodiment. The structure also includes fourth to sixth radio wave absorbers 11d to 11f, which are respectively disposed at the positions between the fifth and sixth communication devices 10e and 10f, between the fifth and seventh communication devices 10e and 10g, and between the fifth and eighth communication devices 10e and 10h.

[0080] According to this structure, the direct incidence of the radio waves transmitted from the first and fifth communication devices 10a and 10e to the second to fourth communication devices 10b to 10d and the sixth to eighth communication devices 10f to 10h can be reduced, and the detection accuracy of the reflected waves by the control device 20 can be improved.

[0081] The radio wave communication system of the present embodiment is the radio wave communication system 100 installed in a motor vehicle 1 as a vehicle and provided with first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h that form a communication network via radio waves and communicate with a mobile terminal U. The radio wave communication system 100 is constructed to include a detecting part 20a for detecting state information regarding the state of the motor vehicle 1 and an executing part 20b for executing the control process for controlling the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h. The form of the communication network is a first form PAN1 in which communication is performed between the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U, and second and third forms PAN2 and PAN3.in which communication takes place between the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, wherein the control process comprises a locking / unlocking process Sc (communication process) in which control is carried out in which the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h communicate with the mobile terminal U, and a radar process Sd in which control is carried out in which at least one communication device (first communication device 10a, fifth communication device 10e) of the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h transmits radio waves, and based on the reflected waves that arise when they are reflected by objects O1, O2 in the surroundings of the motor vehicle 1, the respective objects are detected, wherein the execution part 20b executes a control in which the form of the communication network is switched based on the state information, and in the state,in which the first form PAN1 is formed, executes the locking / unlocking process Sc (communication process), and in the state in which the second and third forms PAN2 and PAN3 are formed, executes the radar process Sd.

[0082] According to this configuration, the radio wave communication system 100 switches the form of the communication network formed by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U to the first form PAN1 or the second and third forms PAN2 and PAN3 based on the state information, so that the radio wave communication system 100 can be switched and operated to a radar system that detects objects by radio waves or a communication system that communicates by radio waves depending on the state of the vehicle 1. In the radar system or the communication system, the general first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the control device 20 can be used, and the installation space and cost of the system can be reduced.

[0083] A control method for a radio wave communication system of the present embodiment is the control method for the radio wave communication system 100 installed in a motor vehicle 1 as a vehicle and equipped with first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h that form a communication network via radio waves and communicate with a mobile terminal U, comprising an acquisition step in which state information regarding the state of the motor vehicle 1 is acquired by the acquisition part 20a, and an execution step in which the control process for controlling the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h is executed by the execution part 20b, wherein the form of the communication network is a first form PAN1 in which communication is carried out between the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U, and second and third forms PAN2 and PAN3,in which communication takes place between the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h, wherein the control process comprises a locking / unlocking process Sc (communication process) in which control is carried out in which the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h communicate with the mobile terminal U, and a radar process Sd in which control is carried out in which at least one communication device (first communication device 10a, fifth communication device 10e) of the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h irradiates radio waves, and based on the reflected waves that arise when they are reflected by objects O1, O2 in the surroundings of the motor vehicle 1, the respective objects are detected, wherein the execution part 20b executes a control in which the form of the communication network is switched based on the state information, and in the state,in which the first form PAN1 is formed, executes the locking / unlocking process Sc (communication process), and in the state in which the second and third forms PAN2 and PAN3 are formed, executes the radar process Sd.

[0084] According to this structure, based on the state information, the form of the communication network constituted by the first to eighth communication devices 10a to 10h and the mobile terminal U is switched to the first form PAN1 or the second and third forms PAN2 and PAN3, so that the radio wave communication system 100 can be switched and operated to a radar system that detects objects by radio waves or a communication system that communicates by radio waves depending on the state of the vehicle 1.

[0085] Although the examples of embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to these examples of embodiments. It goes without saying that modifications and additions are also included in the invention as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the invention. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2022-083289 A

[0002] JP 2013-083540 A

[0002]

Claims

[1] A control device of a radio wave communication system which is installed in a motor vehicle and is provided with a plurality of communication devices which form a communication network via radio waves and communicate with a mobile terminal, comprising: a detection part for detecting status information regarding the condition of the motor vehicle and an execution part for executing a control process for controlling the plurality of communication devices, where the form of the communication network a first form in which communication takes place between the plurality of communication devices and the mobile terminal, and a second form in which communication takes place between the plurality of communication devices, includes, where the tax process a communication process in which a control is carried out in which the plurality of communication devices communicate with the mobile terminal, and a radar process in which a control is carried out in which at least one communication device of the plurality of communication devices emits radio waves, and on the basis of the reflected waves which are created by being reflected by objects in the vicinity of the motor vehicle, the objects in question are detected, and where the execution part executes a control in which the form of the communication network is switched based on the state information, and executes the communication process in the state in which the first form is formed, and executes the radar process in the state in which the second form is formed. [2] The control device according to claim 1, wherein the execution part executes control in which the form of the communication network is switched based on information regarding at least one of information regarding a traveling speed of the motor vehicle, information regarding a seating state of the seat of the motor vehicle, and information regarding a starting state of the drive of the motor vehicle as state information. [3] Control device according to claim 1 or 2, whereby the communication process Based on a communication result between the plurality of communication devices and the mobile terminal, a control is carried out in which locks with which the motor vehicle is provided are locked / unlocked. [4] Control device according to claim 1 or 2, where in the radar process a control is carried out in which the object is detected on the basis of at least one of information relating to the radio wave strength of the received reflected waves or information relating to the flight distance of the reflected waves in question. [5] Control device according to claim 1 or 2, where in the radar process control is performed to detect the object based on the difference between a reference value based on the distribution of radio wave strength received in a state where the reflected waves are not received by the plurality of communication devices and the distribution of radio wave strength received in a state where the radio waves including the reflected waves are received by the plurality of communication devices. [6] Control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mobile terminal is provided with the function of a network coordinator that starts a network connection, wherein the plurality of communication devices comprise a first communication device provided with the function of a network coordinator and a second communication device not provided with the function of a network coordinator, wherein the first form is formed by connecting the plurality of communication devices as terminals to a network started by the mobile terminal acting as a network coordinator, and the second form is formed by connecting the second communication device as a terminal to a network started by the first communication device acting as a network coordinator. [7] The control device according to claim 6, wherein an absorption body which absorbs radio waves is arranged at a position between the first communication device and the second communication device. [8] A radio wave communication system installed in a motor vehicle and provided with a plurality of communication devices forming a communication network via radio waves and communicating with a mobile terminal, comprising: a detection part that detects status information regarding the condition of the motor vehicle, and an execution part that executes a control process in which the plurality of communication devices are controlled, where the form of the communication network a first form in which communication takes place between the plurality of communication devices and the mobile terminal, and a second form in which communication takes place between the plurality of communication devices, includes, where the tax process a communication process in which control is performed in which the plurality of control devices communicate with the mobile terminal, and a radar process in which a control is carried out in which at least one communication device of the plurality of communication devices in the vicinity of the motor vehicle emits radio waves, and on the basis of the reflected waves which are created by being reflected by objects, the objects in question are detected, where the execution part executes a control in which the form of the communication network is switched based on the state information, and executes the communication process in the state in which the first form is formed, and executes the radar process in the state in which the second form is formed. [9] A control method of a radio wave communication system installed in a motor vehicle and provided with a plurality of communication devices forming a communication network via radio waves and communicating with a mobile terminal, comprising: a detection step in which status information regarding the status of the motor vehicle is detected by a detection part, and an execution step in which a control process in which the plurality of communication devices are controlled is executed by an execution part, where the forms of the communication network a first form in which communication takes place between the plurality of communication devices and the mobile terminal, and a second form in which communication takes place between the plurality of communication devices, include, where the tax process a communication process in which a control is carried out in which the plurality of communication devices communicate with the mobile terminal, and a radar process in which a control is carried out in which at least one communication device of the plurality of communication devices in the vicinity of the motor vehicle emits radio waves, and on the basis of the reflected waves which are created by being reflected by objects, the objects in question are detected, where in the execution step by the execution part a control is carried out in which the form of the communication network is switched on the basis of the state information, and in the state in which the first form is formed, the communication process is carried out and in the state in which the second form is formed, the radar process is carried out.

Images