Opening / closing control system

Abstract

To improve convenience of a garage.SOLUTION: LF transmitters 15, 16 are mounted on a vehicle and transmit an LF wireless signal. LF receivers 54, 55 are installed in a garage and receive an LF wireless signal. RF transmitters 56, 57 are installed in the garage and transmit an RF wireless signal. An RF receiver 17 is mounted on the vehicle and receives an RF wireless signal. A collation ECU 11 causes the LF transmitters 15, 16 to transmit an LF wireless signal instructing opening or closing of a shutter 51. A shutter control ECU 53 causes, upon reception of an LF wireless signal, the RF transmitters 56, 57 to transmit an RF wireless signal indicating a first response. The collation ECU 11 causes, upon reception of an RF wireless signal, the LF transmitters 15, 16 to transmit an LF wireless signal indicating a second response. The shutter control ECU 53 causes, upon reception of an LF wireless signal, the shutter 51 to open or close.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an opening / closing control system for controlling the opening and closing operation of a garage door. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an opening / closing control system that displays operation buttons corresponding to each opening / closing operation button on the display screen of a mobile communication terminal, and controls each opening / closing operation of the garage shutter depending on the operation state of each operation button. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7057161 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The opening and closing control system described in Patent Document 1 had problems such as the need to operate a mobile communication terminal, which was cumbersome, people who did not have a mobile communication terminal could not use the garage, the garage could not be used if the mobile communication terminal was forgotten, or the garage could not be used if the battery in the mobile communication terminal ran out.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to improve the convenience of garages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is an opening / closing control system (1) that controls the opening and closing operation of an opening / closing body (51) of a garage (GR) that houses a vehicle (VH), and includes at least one first transmitting unit (15, 16), at least one first receiving unit (54, 55), at least one second transmitting unit (56, 57), at least one second receiving unit (17), a first control unit (11), and a second control unit (53).

[0007] At least one first transmitter is mounted on the vehicle and configured to transmit a preset first transmission wave. At least one first receiver is installed in the garage and configured to receive the first transmission wave.

[0008] At least one second transmitting unit is installed in the garage and configured to transmit a preset second transmission wave. At least one second receiver is mounted on the vehicle and configured to receive the second transmission wave.

[0009] The first control unit is mounted on the vehicle and is connected to at least one first transmission unit and at least one second reception unit. The second control unit is installed in the garage, and is connected to at least one first receiving unit and at least one second transmitting unit.

[0010] The first control unit is configured to cause at least one first transmission unit to transmit a first transmission wave that instructs the opening / closing body to open or close. The second control unit is configured to cause at least one second transmitting unit to transmit a second transmission wave indicating a first response when at least one first receiving unit receives a first transmission wave instructing the opening or closing of the opening / closing body.

[0011] The first control unit is configured to, when the at least one second receiving unit receives the second transmission wave indicating the first response, cause the at least one first transmitting unit to transmit a first transmission wave indicating the second response.

[0012] The second control unit is configured to open or close the opening / closing body in response to an instruction to open or close when the at least one first receiving unit receives a first transmission wave indicating the second response. The opening / closing control system of the present disclosure configured in this manner can open and close the opening / closing body when a vehicle enters and leaves the garage without using a mobile communication terminal, thereby improving the convenience of the garage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an opening / closing control system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the installation positions of an LF transmitter and an LF receiver. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of a verification ECU according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of a shutter control ECU according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure for storing in a warehouse in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure for leaving a warehouse in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure for storing in a warehouse in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an opening / closing control system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of a verification ECU according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of a shutter control ECU according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure for storing in a warehouse in the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure for leaving a warehouse in the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure for storing in a warehouse in the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The opening and closing control system 1 of this embodiment includes a vehicle control system 2 and a garage control system 3, as shown in FIG.

[0015] The vehicle control system 2 is mounted on a vehicle and includes a verification ECU 11, a driving force control ECU 12, a meter control ECU 13, a lamp ECU 14, LF transmitters 15 and 16, and an RF receiver 17. ECU is an abbreviation for Electronic Control Unit. LF is an abbreviation for Low Frequency. RF is an abbreviation for Radio Frequency.

[0016] The verification ECU 11 causes the LF transmitters 15, 16 to transmit LF band wireless signals, and then receives an RF band wireless signal from the garage control system 3. The verification ECU 11 acquires identification information from the received RF band wireless signal, and executes a verification process to verify whether the identification information of the garage control system 3 matches identification information registered in advance.

[0017] The driving force control ECU 12 is an electronic control device that controls a driving actuator (for example, an engine or a motor) that generates a driving force for the vehicle. The meter control ECU 13 controls meters that are provided on the instrument panel of the vehicle and display various vehicle conditions.

[0018] The lamp ECU 14 controls turning on and off the lamps of the vehicle. The LF transmitters 15 and 16 transmit to the garage control system 3 a radio signal in the LF band (hereinafter, referred to as an LF radio signal).

[0019] The RF receiver 17 receives a radio signal in the RF band (hereinafter, referred to as an RF radio signal) transmitted from the garage control system 3. The verification ECU 11 includes a control unit 21 and a CAN communication unit 22. CAN is an abbreviation for Controller Area Network. CAN is a registered trademark.

[0020] The control unit 21 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 31 executing a program stored in a non-transitive substantial recording medium. In this example, the ROM 32 corresponds to the non-transitive substantial recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 31 may be configured as hardware using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 21 may be one or more.

[0021] The CAN communication unit 22 is connected to the driving force control ECU 12, the meter control ECU 13, and the lamp ECU 14 via communication lines so as to be able to communicate data with them, and transmits and receives data according to the CAN communication protocol.

[0022] The garage control system 3 includes a shutter 51 , a motor 52 , a shutter control ECU 53 , LF receivers 54 and 55 , and RF transmitters 56 and 57 . The shutter 51 is installed so as to be able to open and close the entrance of the garage GR shown in FIG.

[0023] The motor 52 is a drive source for opening and closing the shutter 51 . The shutter control ECU 53 drives the motor 52 to control the opening and closing of the shutter 51 .

[0024] The LF receivers 54 and 55 receive the LF radio signal transmitted from the vehicle control system 2. The RF transmitters 56 and 57 transmit RF wireless signals to the vehicle control system 2 .

[0025] The shutter control ECU 53 includes a control unit 61 and a motor driving unit 62 . The control unit 61 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 71 executing a program stored in a non-transitive substantial recording medium. In this example, the ROM 72 corresponds to the non-transitive substantial recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 71 may be configured as hardware using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 61 may be one or more.

[0026] The motor driving unit 62 drives the motor 52 by energizing the motor 52 based on a motor control signal output from the control unit 61 . 2, the LF transmitter 15 is installed on the left door of the vehicle VH, and the LF transmitter 16 is installed on the right door of the vehicle VH. The LF receiver 54 is installed on the left side of the front side (i.e., the entrance) of the garage GR. The LF receiver 55 is installed on the right side of the rear side (i.e., the entrance) of the garage GR. In this embodiment, the left side of the garage GR refers to the side that the left door of the vehicle VH faces when the vehicle VH is stored in the garage GR with the front of the vehicle VH facing the entrance of the garage GR.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the verification ECU 11 includes functional blocks that are realized by the CPU 31 executing a program stored in the ROM 32, such as an RF reception processing unit 101, an authentication unit 102, a vehicle position determination unit 103, an engine state determination unit 104, a driving state determination unit 105, a garage entry / exit determination unit 106, a garage opening / closing determination unit 107, an LF transmission processing unit 108, a notification instruction unit 109, a vehicle orientation determination unit 110, a hazard lamp control unit 111, and a vehicle approach detection unit 112.

[0028] The RF reception processing unit 101 extracts the identification information of the garage control system 3 from the RF wireless signal received by the RF receiver 17. The RF reception processing unit 101 measures the reception strength (e.g., RSSI strength) of the RF wireless signal received by the RF receiver 17. RSSI is an abbreviation for Received Signal Strength Indicator.

[0029] The authentication unit 102 acquires identification information from the authentication registration unit 120 in which the identification information is registered in advance, and executes a comparison process to check whether the identification information acquired from the authentication registration unit 120 matches the identification information extracted by the RF reception processing unit 101. The authentication unit 102 determines that the authentication has been successful when the identification information acquired from the authentication registration unit 120 matches the identification information extracted by the RF reception processing unit 101. The authentication unit 102 determines that the authentication has failed when the identification information acquired from the authentication registration unit 120 does not match the identification information extracted by the RF reception processing unit 101.

[0030] If authentication by the authentication unit 102 is successful, the vehicle position determination unit 103 executes a vehicle position determination process to determine whether the vehicle VH is located inside or outside the garage GR based on the RSSI strength.

[0031] The engine state determination unit 104 acquires information about the state of the engine 41 from the driving force control ECU 12 that controls the engine 41 of the vehicle VH, and determines the state of the engine 41 (for example, whether the engine 41 is started or stopped).

[0032] The driving state determination unit 105 acquires vehicle speed information indicating the detection result of the vehicle speed sensor 42 that detects the driving speed (hereinafter, vehicle speed) of the vehicle VH from the meter control ECU 13, and determines the driving state of the vehicle VH (for example, whether it is moving or stopped).

[0033] The entrance / exit determination unit 106 determines whether the vehicle VH is entering or leaving the garage, based on the determination result of the engine state determination unit 104 and the determination result of the traveling state determination unit 105. The garage opening / closing determination unit 107 determines whether to open or close the shutter 51 of the garage GR based on the determination result of the vehicle position determination unit 103 and the determination result of the garage entry / exit determination unit 106 .

[0034] Based on the determination result of the garage opening / closing determination unit 107, the LF transmission processing unit 108 causes the LF transmitters 15, 16 to transmit an LF radio signal including an open command to open the shutter 51 or a close command to close the shutter 51.

[0035] When the garage opening / closing determination unit 107 determines whether to open or close the shutter 51 of the garage GR, the notification instruction unit 109 outputs a sounding command to the meter control ECU 13 to sound the buzzer 43 installed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle VH. When the meter control ECU 13 receives the sounding command, it causes the buzzer 43 to sound.

[0036] The vehicle orientation determination unit 110 determines the orientation of the vehicle VH with respect to the garage GR based on the reception strength information received from the garage control system 3. The reception strength information is information indicating the front left reception strength, the front right reception strength, the rear left reception strength, and the rear right reception strength.

[0037] The front left reception strength is the reception strength when a radio signal transmitted from the LF transmitter 15 (i.e., a transmitter installed on the left side of the vehicle VH) is received by the LF receiver 54 (i.e., a receiver installed in the front of the garage GR).

[0038] The front right reception strength is the reception strength when a radio signal transmitted from the LF transmitter 16 (i.e., a transmitter installed on the right side of the vehicle VH) is received by the LF receiver 54 (i.e., a receiver installed in the front of the garage GR).

[0039] The rear left reception strength is the reception strength when a radio signal transmitted from the LF transmitter 15 (i.e., a transmitter installed on the left side of the vehicle VH) is received by the LF receiver 55 (i.e., a receiver installed at the rear of the garage GR).

[0040] The rear right reception strength is the reception strength when a radio signal transmitted from the LF transmitter 16 (i.e., a transmitter installed on the right side of the vehicle VH) is received by the LF receiver 55 (i.e., a receiver installed at the rear of the garage GR).

[0041] The external leftward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH is facing left when it is located outside the garage GR is "front left reception intensity > front right reception intensity and rear left reception intensity > rear right reception intensity."

[0042] The external rightward determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH is facing to the right when it is located outside the garage GR is "front left reception intensity < front right reception intensity and rear left reception intensity < rear right reception intensity."

[0043] The internal forward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH is facing forward when located inside the garage GR is "front left reception intensity < front right reception intensity and rear left reception intensity > rear right reception intensity."

[0044] The internal rearward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH is facing rearward when located inside the garage GR is "front left reception intensity > front right reception intensity and rear left reception intensity < rear right reception intensity."

[0045] The hazard lamp control unit 111 determines whether or not to blink the hazard lamps 44 of the vehicle VH based on the determination result of the vehicle orientation determination unit 110. When the hazard lamp control unit 111 determines to blink the hazard lamps 44, it outputs a lamp blinking command to the lamp ECU 14 to blink the hazard lamps 44. When the lamp ECU 14 receives the lamp blinking command, it blinks the hazard lamps 44.

[0046] For example, when the vehicle VH faces backward or sideways when entering the parking lot, the hazard lamp control unit 111 automatically blinks the hazard lamps 44 until parking of the vehicle VH is complete, since there is a high possibility that the driver will back up to park the vehicle. Also, for example, when the vehicle VH faces forward when leaving the parking lot, the hazard lamp control unit 111 automatically blinks the hazard lamps 44 until leaving of the vehicle VH is complete, since the driver will back up to leave the parking lot.

[0047] The vehicle approach detection unit 112 calculates the position of the vehicle VH based on a GPS signal received via a GPS antenna (not shown) mounted on the vehicle, and detects whether the vehicle VH is approaching the garage GR by comparing the position of the vehicle VH with the preset position of the garage GR. GPS is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System.

[0048] When the vehicle approach detection unit 112 detects that the vehicle VH has approached the garage GR, the LF transmission processing unit 108 causes the LF transmitters 15 and 16 to transmit an LF wireless signal including an open command.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, the shutter control ECU 53 includes an LF reception processing unit 201, an authentication unit 202, a garage open / close determination unit 203, and an RF transmission processing unit 204 as functional blocks realized by the CPU 71 executing a program stored in the ROM 72.

[0050] The LF reception processing unit 201 extracts the identification information of the vehicle control system 2 from the LF radio signal received by the LF receivers 54 and 55. The authentication unit 202 acquires identification information from the authentication registration unit 210 in which the identification information is registered in advance, and executes a comparison process to check whether the identification information acquired from the authentication registration unit 210 matches the identification information extracted by the LF reception processing unit 201. The authentication unit 202 determines that the authentication has been successful when the identification information acquired from the authentication registration unit 210 matches the identification information extracted by the LF reception processing unit 201. The authentication unit 202 determines that the authentication has failed when the identification information acquired from the authentication registration unit 210 does not match the identification information extracted by the LF reception processing unit 201.

[0051] If authentication by the authentication unit 202 is successful, the garage opening / closing determination unit 203 drives the motor 52 to open or close the shutter 51 in accordance with the open command or close command contained in the LF radio signal received from the vehicle control system 2.

[0052] If the authentication by the authentication unit 202 is successful, the RF transmission processing unit 204 causes the RF transmitters 56 and 57 to transmit an RF wireless signal including the identification information of the garage control system 3. Next, the procedure for entering the vehicle VH into the garage GR will be described.

[0053] As shown in process P1 in FIG. 5, the vehicle approach detection unit 112 of the vehicle control system 2 detects whether or not the vehicle VH has approached the garage GR. When the vehicle approach detection unit 112 detects that the vehicle VH has approached the garage GR, as shown in process P2, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit an LF wireless signal to the garage control system 3. The LF wireless signal transmitted in process P2 includes an open command and identification information of the vehicle control system 2.

[0054] When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, as shown in process P3, the RF transmitters 56, 57 transmit an RF radio signal to the vehicle control system 2. The RF radio signal transmitted in process P3 includes a response and identification information of the garage control system 3.

[0055] When the vehicle control system 2 receives the RF wireless signal, as shown in process P4, the vehicle position determination unit 103 of the vehicle control system 2 determines whether the vehicle VH is located inside the garage GR or outside the garage GR based on the RSSI strength.

[0056] When the vehicle position determination unit 103 determines that the vehicle VH is located outside the garage GR, the LF transmitters 15 and 16 transmit LF wireless signals to the garage control system 3 as shown in process P5. The LF wireless signals transmitted in process P5 include a response. The vehicle control system 2 also causes the buzzer 43 to sound.

[0057] When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, as shown in process P6, the shutter control ECU 53 drives the shutter 51 to open the entrance to the garage GR. Next, as shown in process P7, the driver of the vehicle VH operates the vehicle VH to bring the vehicle VH into the garage GR. Then, as shown in process P8, the driver of the vehicle VH performs an operation to stop the engine 41 of the vehicle VH.

[0058] Then, when the engine 41 is stopped, as shown in process P9, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit an LF wireless signal to the garage control system 3. The LF wireless signal transmitted in process P9 includes a close command and the identification information of the vehicle control system 2.

[0059] When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, the RF transmitters 56, 57 transmit an RF radio signal to the vehicle control system 2, as shown in process P10. The RF radio signal transmitted in process P10 includes a response and identification information of the garage control system 3.

[0060] When the vehicle control system 2 receives the RF wireless signal, as shown in process P11, the vehicle position determination unit 103 of the vehicle control system 2 determines whether the vehicle VH is located inside the garage GR or outside the garage GR based on the RSSI strength.

[0061] When the vehicle position determination unit 103 determines that the vehicle VH is located inside the garage GR, the LF transmitters 15 and 16 transmit LF wireless signals to the garage control system 3 as shown in process P12. The LF wireless signals transmitted in process P12 include a response. The vehicle control system 2 also causes the buzzer 43 to sound.

[0062] When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, as shown in process P13, the shutter control ECU 53 drives the shutter 51 to close the entrance to the garage GR.

[0063] Next, the procedure for removing the vehicle VH from the garage GR will be described. As shown in process P21 in FIG. 6, the driver of the vehicle VH performs an operation to start the engine 41 of the vehicle VH.

[0064] When an operation to start the engine 41 of the vehicle VH is performed, as shown in process P22, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit an LF radio signal to the garage control system 3. The LF radio signal transmitted in process P22 includes an open command and identification information of the vehicle control system 2.

[0065] When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, the RF transmitters 56, 57 transmit an RF radio signal to the vehicle control system 2, as shown in process P23. The RF radio signal transmitted in process P23 includes a response and identification information of the garage control system 3.

[0066] When the vehicle control system 2 receives the RF wireless signal, as shown in process P24, the vehicle position determination unit 103 of the vehicle control system 2 determines whether the vehicle VH is located inside the garage GR or outside the garage GR based on the RSSI strength.

[0067] When the vehicle position determination unit 103 determines that the vehicle VH is located inside the garage GR, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit LF wireless signals to the garage control system 3 as shown in process P25. The LF wireless signals transmitted in process P25 include a response. The vehicle control system 2 also causes the buzzer 43 to sound.

[0068] When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, as shown in process P26, the shutter control ECU 53 drives the shutter 51 to open the entrance to the garage GR.

[0069] Next, as shown in process P27, the driver of the vehicle VH operates the vehicle VH to cause the vehicle VH to leave the garage GR. Then, as shown in process P28, the driver of the vehicle VH drives the vehicle VH at a low speed.

[0070] As shown in process P29, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit an LF radio signal to the garage control system 3. The LF radio signal transmitted in process P9 includes a close command and the identification information of the vehicle control system 2.

[0071] When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, the RF transmitters 56, 57 transmit an RF radio signal to the vehicle control system 2, as shown in process P30. The RF radio signal transmitted in process P30 includes a response and identification information of the garage control system 3.

[0072] When the vehicle control system 2 receives the RF wireless signal, as shown in process P31, the vehicle position determination unit 103 of the vehicle control system 2 determines whether the vehicle VH is located inside the garage GR or outside the garage GR based on the RSSI strength.

[0073] When the vehicle position determination unit 103 determines that the vehicle VH is located outside the garage GR, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit LF wireless signals to the garage control system 3 as shown in process P32. The LF wireless signal transmitted in process P5 includes a response. The vehicle control system 2 also causes the buzzer 43 to sound.

[0074] When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, as shown in process P33, the shutter control ECU 53 drives the shutter 51 to close the entrance to the garage GR.

[0075] The opening / closing control system 1 configured in this manner controls the opening / closing operation of the shutter 51 of the garage GR that accommodates the vehicle VH. The opening / closing control system 1 includes LF transmitters 15 and 16, LF receivers 54 and 55, RF transmitters 56 and 57, an RF receiver 17, a verification ECU 11, and a shutter control ECU 53.

[0076] The LF transmitters 15, 16 are mounted on the vehicle VH and configured to transmit LF radio signals. The LF receivers 54, 55 are installed in the garage GR and configured to receive LF radio signals.

[0077] The RF transmitters 56, 57 are installed in the garage GR and are configured to transmit RF wireless signals. The RF receiver 17 is mounted on the vehicle VH and configured to receive RF radio signals.

[0078] The verification ECU 11 is configured to cause the LF transmitters 15 and 16 to transmit LF radio signals instructing the opening or closing of the shutter 51 . The shutter control ECU 53 is configured to, when the LF receivers 54, 55 receive an LF radio signal instructing the opening or closing of the shutter 51, cause the RF transmitters 56, 57 to transmit an RF radio signal indicating a first response.

[0079] The verification ECU 11 is configured to, when the RF receiver 17 receives an RF wireless signal indicating the first response, cause the LF transmitters 15, 16 to transmit LF wireless signals indicating the second response. The shutter control ECU 53 is configured to open or close the shutter 51 in response to an instruction to open or close the shutter 51 when the LF receivers 54, 55 receive the LF wireless signal indicating the second response.

[0080] Such an opening / closing control system 1 can open and close the shutter 51 when the vehicle VH enters and leaves the garage without using a mobile communication terminal, thereby improving the convenience of the garage GR.

[0081] The verification ECU 11 is also configured to determine whether the vehicle VH is located inside or outside the garage GR based on the reception strength of the RF wireless signal received by the RF receiver 17. Since such an opening / closing control system 1 can determine whether the vehicle VH is located inside or outside the garage GR by utilizing the RF receiver 17 used for controlling the opening / closing of the shutter 51, the configuration of the opening / closing control system 1 can be simplified.

[0082] The collation ECU 11 is also configured to determine the orientation of the vehicle VH relative to the garage GR, and is further configured to cause the vehicle VH to execute a preset linkage process according to the orientation of the vehicle VH. The linkage process in this embodiment is to automatically flash the hazard lamps 44 when the vehicle VH faces backward or sideways when entering the garage, and when the vehicle VH faces forward when leaving the garage. Such an opening / closing control system 1 can make people near the vehicle VH aware of the entry and exit of the vehicle VH, thereby improving safety when the vehicle VH enters and leaves the garage.

[0083] The verification ECU 11 is also configured to detect the position of the vehicle VH based on a GPS signal, and is further configured to, when the vehicle VH approaches the garage GR, transmit an LF radio signal to the LF transmitters 15, 16 instructing the opening of the shutter 51. Such an opening / closing control system 1 can operate the LF transmitters 15, 16 when it is necessary to open the shutter 51, and can reduce the power consumption of the LF transmitters 15, 16.

[0084] In the embodiment described above, the shutter 51 corresponds to the opening and closing body, the LF wireless signal corresponds to the first transmission wave, the LF transmitters 15 and 16 correspond to the first transmitting section, and the LF receivers 54 and 55 correspond to the first receiving section.

[0085] In addition, the RF wireless signal corresponds to a second transmission wave, the RF transmitters 56, 57 correspond to a second transmitting section, the RF receiver 17 corresponds to a second receiving section, the matching ECU 11 corresponds to a first control section, and the shutter control ECU 53 corresponds to a second control section.

[0086] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to designate the same configurations.

[0087] The opening / closing control system 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the vehicle approach detection unit 112 of the vehicle control system 2 is omitted. Next, the procedure for entering the vehicle VH into the garage GR will be described.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 7, the opening and closing control system 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that steps P41, P42, and P43 are executed instead of step P1. As shown in processes P41, P42, and P43, the RF transmitters 56 and 57 of the garage control system 3 periodically transmit RF wireless signals to the vehicle control system 2.

[0089] When the vehicle control system 2 receives the RF wireless signal, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit an LF wireless signal to the garage control system 3, as shown in process P2. The LF wireless signal transmitted in process P2 includes an open command and identification information of the vehicle control system 2.

[0090] The processes from process P2 onwards are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. In the opening / closing control system 1 configured in this manner, the shutter control ECU 53 is configured to periodically transmit an RF wireless signal for detecting the approach of the vehicle VH to the garage GR to the RF transmitters 56, 57. The verification ECU 11 is configured to transmit an LF wireless signal for instructing the opening of the shutter 51 to the LF transmitters 15, 16 when the RF receiver 17 receives the RF wireless signal for detecting the approach of the vehicle VH to the garage GR. Since such an opening / closing control system 1 can detect the approach of the vehicle VH to the garage GR by utilizing the RF receiver 17 and the RF transmitters 56, 57 used for controlling the opening and closing of the shutter 51, the configuration of the opening / closing control system 1 can be simplified.

[0091] [Third embodiment] A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the third embodiment, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to designate the same configurations.

[0092] As shown in Fig. 8, the opening and closing control system 1 of the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a UWB communication device 18 and a UWB communication device 58 are added. UWB is an abbreviation for Ultra Wide Band.

[0093] The UWB communication devices 18 and 58 perform wireless communication in a manner compliant with the UWB standard. The UWB communication device 18 is connected to the verification ECU 11. The UWB communication device 58 is connected to the shutter control ECU 53.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 9, the verification ECU 11 of the third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that a UWB ranging request unit 116 and a UWB ranging unit 117 are added as functional blocks. The UWB distance measurement request unit 116 causes the UWB communication device 18 to transmit a pulse signal conforming to the UWB standard (hereinafter, UWB wireless signal).

[0095] The UWB distance measurement unit 117 measures the distance from the vehicle VH to the garage GR based on the time from when the UWB communication device 18 transmits a UWB radio signal to when the UWB communication device 18 receives the UWB radio signal. The UWB distance measurement unit 117 outputs the distance measurement result to the vehicle position determination unit 103.

[0096] The vehicle position determination unit 103 determines, based on the measurement result obtained from the UWB distance measurement unit 117, whether the vehicle VH is located inside or outside the garage GR.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 10, the shutter control ECU 53 of the third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that a UWB reception processing unit 206, a distance measurement control unit 207, and a UWB transmission processing unit 208 are added as functional blocks.

[0098] When the UWB communication device 58 receives a UWB radio signal, the UWB reception processing unit 206 notifies the distance measurement control unit 207 of the reception. When the distance measurement control unit 207 receives a notification from the UWB reception processing unit 206 that the UWB communication device 58 has received a UWB wireless signal, it instructs the UWB transmission processing unit 208 to transmit a UWB wireless signal.

[0099] When the UWB transmission processing unit 208 receives an instruction to transmit a UWB wireless signal from the distance measurement control unit 207, it causes the UWB communication device 58 to transmit the UWB wireless signal. Next, the procedure for entering the vehicle VH into the garage GR will be described.

[0100] As shown in process P51 of FIG. 11, the vehicle approach detection unit 112 of the vehicle control system 2 detects whether or not the vehicle VH has approached the garage GR. When the vehicle approach detection unit 112 detects that the vehicle VH has approached the garage GR, as shown in process P52, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit an LF wireless signal to the garage control system 3. The LF wireless signal transmitted in process P52 includes an open command and identification information of the vehicle control system 2.

[0101] Furthermore, as shown in process P53, the UWB communicator 18 transmits a UWB wireless signal to the garage control system 3. When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, the RF transmitters 56, 57 transmit an RF radio signal to the vehicle control system 2, as shown in process P54. The RF radio signal transmitted in process P54 includes the response and the identification information of the garage control system 3.

[0102] When the garage control system 3 receives the UWB wireless signal, the UWB communicator 58 transmits the UWB wireless signal to the vehicle control system 2, as shown in process P55. When the vehicle control system 2 receives the RF radio signal and the UWB radio signal, as shown in process P56, the vehicle position determination unit 103 of the vehicle control system 2 determines whether the vehicle VH is located inside or outside the garage GR based on the time required to transmit and receive the UWB radio signal.

[0103] When the vehicle position determination unit 103 determines that the vehicle VH is located outside the garage GR, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit LF wireless signals to the garage control system 3 as shown in process P57. The LF wireless signals transmitted in process P57 include a response. The vehicle control system 2 also causes the buzzer 43 to sound.

[0104] When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, as shown in process P58, the shutter control ECU 53 drives the shutter 51 to open the entrance to the garage GR.

[0105] Next, as shown in process P59, the driver of the vehicle VH operates the vehicle VH to bring the vehicle VH into the garage GR. Furthermore, as shown in process P60, the driver of the vehicle VH performs an operation to stop the engine 41 of the vehicle VH.

[0106] Then, when the engine 41 is stopped, as shown in process P61, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit an LF wireless signal to the garage control system 3. The LF wireless signal transmitted in process P61 includes a close command and the identification information of the vehicle control system 2.

[0107] Furthermore, as shown in process P62, the UWB communicator 18 transmits a UWB wireless signal to the garage control system 3. When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, as shown in process P63, the RF transmitters 56, 57 transmit an RF radio signal to the vehicle control system 2. The RF radio signal transmitted in process P63 includes the response and the identification information of the garage control system 3.

[0108] When the garage control system 3 receives the UWB wireless signal, the UWB communicator 58 transmits the UWB wireless signal to the vehicle control system 2, as shown in process P64. When the vehicle control system 2 receives the RF radio signal and the UWB radio signal, as shown in process P65, the vehicle position determination unit 103 of the vehicle control system 2 determines whether the vehicle VH is located inside or outside the garage GR based on the time required to transmit and receive the UWB radio signal.

[0109] When the vehicle position determination unit 103 determines that the vehicle VH is located inside the garage GR, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit LF wireless signals to the garage control system 3 as shown in process P66. The LF wireless signals transmitted in process P66 include a response. The vehicle control system 2 also causes the buzzer 43 to sound.

[0110] When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, as shown in process P67, the shutter control ECU 53 drives the shutter 51 to close the entrance to the garage GR.

[0111] Next, the procedure for removing the vehicle VH from the garage GR will be described. As shown in process P71 of FIG. 12, the driver of the vehicle VH performs an operation to start the engine 41 of the vehicle VH.

[0112] When an operation to start the engine 41 of the vehicle VH is performed, as shown in process P72, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit an LF radio signal to the garage control system 3. The LF radio signal transmitted in process P72 includes an open command and identification information of the vehicle control system 2.

[0113] Furthermore, as shown in process P73, the UWB communicator 18 transmits a UWB wireless signal to the garage control system 3. When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, the RF transmitters 56, 57 transmit an RF radio signal to the vehicle control system 2, as shown in process P74. The RF radio signal transmitted in process P74 includes the response and the identification information of the garage control system 3.

[0114] When the garage control system 3 receives the UWB wireless signal, the UWB communicator 58 transmits the UWB wireless signal to the vehicle control system 2, as shown in process P75. When the vehicle control system 2 receives the RF radio signal and the UWB radio signal, as shown in process P76, the vehicle position determination unit 103 of the vehicle control system 2 determines whether the vehicle VH is located inside or outside the garage GR based on the time required to transmit and receive the UWB radio signal.

[0115] When the vehicle position determination unit 103 determines that the vehicle VH is located inside the garage GR, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit LF wireless signals to the garage control system 3 as shown in process P77. The LF wireless signals transmitted in process P77 include a response. The vehicle control system 2 also causes the buzzer 43 to sound.

[0116] When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, as shown in process P78, the shutter control ECU 53 drives the shutter 51 to open the entrance to the garage GR.

[0117] Next, as shown in process P79, the driver of the vehicle VH operates the vehicle VH to cause the vehicle VH to leave the garage GR. Furthermore, as shown in process P80, the driver of the vehicle VH drives the vehicle VH at a low speed.

[0118] As shown in process P81, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit an LF radio signal to the garage control system 3. The LF radio signal transmitted in process P81 includes a close command and the identification information of the vehicle control system 2.

[0119] Furthermore, as shown in process P82, the UWB communicator 18 transmits a UWB wireless signal to the garage control system 3. When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, the RF transmitters 56, 57 transmit an RF radio signal to the vehicle control system 2, as shown in process P83. The RF radio signal transmitted in process P83 includes the response and the identification information of the garage control system 3.

[0120] When the garage control system 3 receives the UWB wireless signal, the UWB communicator 58 transmits the UWB wireless signal to the vehicle control system 2, as shown in process P84. When the vehicle control system 2 receives the RF radio signal and the UWB radio signal, as shown in process P85, the vehicle position determination unit 103 of the vehicle control system 2 determines whether the vehicle VH is located inside or outside the garage GR based on the time required to transmit and receive the UWB radio signal.

[0121] When the vehicle position determination unit 103 determines that the vehicle VH is located outside the garage GR, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit LF wireless signals to the garage control system 3 as shown in process P86. The LF wireless signals transmitted in process P86 include a response. The vehicle control system 2 also causes the buzzer 43 to sound.

[0122] When the garage control system 3 receives the LF radio signal, as shown in process P87, the shutter control ECU 53 drives the shutter 51 to close the entrance to the garage GR.

[0123] The opening / closing control system 1 configured in this manner includes a UWB communication device 18 and a UWB communication device 58. The UWB communication device 18 is mounted on the vehicle VH, configured to transmit and receive a UWB wireless signal, which is a wireless signal for distance measurement, and connected to the verification ECU 11. The UWB communication device 58 is installed in the garage GR, configured to transmit and receive a UWB wireless signal, and connected to the shutter control ECU 53. The verification ECU 11 is configured to determine whether the vehicle VH is located inside or outside the garage GR based on the time from when the UWB communication device 18 transmits a UWB wireless signal to when the UWB communication device 18 receives the UWB wireless signal. Since the opening / closing control system 1 performs the determination based on the time required for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining whether the vehicle VH is located inside or outside the garage GR.

[0124] In the above-described embodiment, the UWB communicator 18 corresponds to a first ranging transceiver unit, the UWB communicator 58 corresponds to a second ranging transceiver unit, and the UWB wireless signal corresponds to a ranging wireless signal. [Fourth embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the fourth embodiment, only the parts different from the third embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to designate the same components.

[0125] The opening / closing control system 1 of the fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that the vehicle approach detection unit 112 of the vehicle control system 2 is omitted. Next, the procedure for entering the vehicle VH into the garage GR will be described.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 13, the opening and closing control system 1 of the fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that steps P91, P92, and P93 are executed instead of step P51. As shown in processes P91, P92, and P93, the RF transmitters 56 and 57 of the garage control system 3 periodically transmit RF wireless signals to the vehicle control system 2.

[0127] When the vehicle control system 2 receives the RF wireless signal, the LF transmitters 15, 16 transmit an LF wireless signal to the garage control system 3, as shown in process P52. The LF wireless signal transmitted in process P52 includes an open command and identification information of the vehicle control system 2.

[0128] The processes from process P52 onwards are the same as those in the third embodiment, and therefore the explanation will be omitted. In the opening / closing control system 1 configured in this manner, the shutter control ECU 53 is configured to periodically transmit an RF wireless signal for detecting the approach of the vehicle VH to the garage GR to the RF transmitters 56, 57. The verification ECU 11 is configured to transmit an LF wireless signal for instructing the opening of the shutter 51 to the LF transmitters 15, 16 when the RF receiver 17 receives the RF wireless signal for detecting the approach of the vehicle VH to the garage GR. Since such an opening / closing control system 1 can detect the approach of the vehicle VH to the garage GR by utilizing the RF receiver 17 and the RF transmitters 56, 57 used for controlling the opening and closing of the shutter 51, the configuration of the opening / closing control system 1 can be simplified.

[0129] Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented in various modified forms. [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the vehicle VH is equipped with two LF transmitters 15, 16, and the garage GR is provided with two LF receivers 54, 55. However, the number of LF transmitters equipped in the vehicle VH is not limited to two, and the number of LF receivers provided in the garage GR is not limited to two.

[0130] Two LF transmitters may be installed in the vehicle VH, and one LF receiver may be installed in the garage GR. If two LF transmitters are installed on the left and right sides of the vehicle VH, respectively, and one LF receiver is installed on the rear right side of the garage GR, the orientation of the vehicle VH relative to the garage GR can be determined under the following conditions:

[0131] The internal forward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH faces forward when it is located inside the garage GR is "rear left reception strength>rear right reception strength." The internal rearward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH faces rearward when it is located inside the garage GR is "rear left reception intensity<rear right reception intensity."

[0132] [Variation 2] The vehicle VH may be equipped with three LF transmitters, and the garage GR may be equipped with two LF receivers.

[0133] If three LF transmitters are installed on the left, right, and rear sides of the vehicle VH, respectively, and two LF receivers are installed on the front left side and rear right side of the garage GR, respectively, the orientation of the vehicle VH relative to the garage GR can be determined under the following conditions:

[0134] The external forward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH is facing forward when it is located outside the garage GR is "front / rear reception intensity < front right reception intensity, and rear / rear reception intensity < rear left reception intensity."

[0135] The front / rear reception strength is the reception strength when a radio signal transmitted from a transmitter installed at the rear of the vehicle VH is received by a receiver installed at the front of the garage GR. The rear reception strength is the reception strength when a radio signal transmitted from a transmitter installed at the rear of the vehicle VH is received by a receiver installed at the rear of the garage GR.

[0136] The external rearward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH is facing rearward when it is located outside the garage GR is "front / rear reception strength>front-right reception strength, and rear / rear reception strength>rear-left reception strength."

[0137] The external leftward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH is facing left when it is located outside the garage GR is "front left reception intensity > front right reception intensity and rear left reception intensity > rear right reception intensity."

[0138] The external rightward determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH is facing to the right when it is located outside the garage GR is "front left reception intensity < front right reception intensity and rear left reception intensity < rear right reception intensity."

[0139] The internal forward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH is facing forward when located inside the garage GR is "front left reception intensity < front / rear reception intensity and rear left reception intensity > rear rear reception intensity."

[0140] The internal rearward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH is facing rearward when located inside the garage GR is "front left reception intensity > front / rear reception intensity, and rear left reception intensity < rear / rear reception intensity."

[0141] [Variation 3] The vehicle VH may be equipped with three LF transmitters and the garage GR may be equipped with one LF receiver.

[0142] If three LF transmitters are installed on the left, right, and rear sides of the vehicle VH, respectively, and one LF receiver is installed on the right rear side of the garage GR, the orientation of the vehicle VH relative to the garage GR can be determined under the following conditions:

[0143] The external forward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH faces forward when it is located outside the garage GR is "rear rear reception strength<(rear left reception strength+rear right reception strength) / 2".

[0144] The external rearward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH faces rearward when it is located outside the garage GR is "rear-rear reception strength>(rear-left reception strength+rear-right reception strength) / 2".

[0145] The external leftward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH faces left when it is located outside the garage GR is "rear left reception intensity>rear right reception intensity." The external rightward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH faces right when it is located outside the garage GR is "rear left reception intensity<rear right reception intensity."

[0146] The internal forward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH faces forward when it is located inside the garage GR is "rear left reception intensity>rear rear reception intensity." The internal rearward facing determination condition for determining that the vehicle VH faces rearward when it is located inside the garage GR is "rear left reception intensity<rear rear reception intensity."

[0147] [Variation 4] In the above embodiment, the vehicle control system 2 transmits a wireless signal in the LF band, and the garage control system 3 transmits a wireless signal in the RF band. However, the frequency bands of the wireless signals transmitted by the vehicle control system 2 and the garage control system 3 are not limited to the LF band and the RF band. In addition, the frequency band of the wireless signal transmitted by the vehicle control system 2 and the garage control system 3 may overlap.

[0148] The control unit 21, 61 and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the control unit 21, 61 and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit 21, 61 and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by one or more dedicated computers configured by a combination of a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions and a processor configured with one or more hardware logic circuits. In addition, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium as instructions executed by a computer. The method for realizing the functions of each unit included in the control unit 21, 61 does not necessarily need to include software, and all of the functions may be realized using one or more hardware.

[0149] In the above embodiments, multiple functions of one component may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0150] In addition to the above-mentioned matching ECU 11 and shutter control ECU 53, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a system including the matching ECU 11 and the shutter control ECU 53 as components, a program for causing a computer to function as the matching ECU 11 and the shutter control ECU 53, a non-transient physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory on which this program is recorded, and an opening and closing control method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0151] 1... opening / closing control system, 11... verification ECU, 15, 16... LF transmitter, 17... RF receiver, 51... shutter, 53... shutter control ECU, 54, 55... LF receiver, 56, 57... RF transmitter

Claims

1. An opening / closing control system (1) for controlling an opening / closing operation of an opening / closing body (51) of a garage (GR) for housing a vehicle (VH), comprising: At least one first transmitting unit (15, 16) mounted on the vehicle and configured to transmit a preset first transmission wave; At least one first receiving unit (54, 55) installed in the garage and configured to receive the first transmission wave; At least one second transmitting unit (56, 57) installed in the garage and configured to transmit a preset second transmission wave; At least one second receiver (17) mounted on the vehicle and configured to receive the second transmission wave; a first control unit (11) mounted on the vehicle and connected to the at least one first transmitting unit and the at least one second receiving unit; a second control unit (53) that is installed in the garage and to which the at least one first receiving unit and the at least one second transmitting unit are connected; The first control unit is configured to cause the at least one first transmission unit to transmit the first transmission wave instructing the opening or closing of the opening / closing body, The second control unit is configured to, when the at least one first receiving unit receives the first transmission wave instructing the opening or closing of the opening / closing body, cause the at least one second transmitting unit to transmit the second transmission wave indicating a first response, the first control unit is configured to, when the at least one second receiving unit receives the second transmission wave indicating the first response, cause the at least one first transmitting unit to transmit the first transmission wave indicating the second response; The second control unit is configured to open or close the opening / closing body in response to the opening or closing instruction when the at least one first receiving unit receives the first transmission wave indicating the second response.

2. The opening and closing control system according to claim 1, The second control unit is configured to periodically transmit the second transmission wave for detecting the approach of the vehicle to the garage to the at least one second transmission unit; The first control unit is configured to cause the at least one first transmitting unit to transmit the first transmission wave instructing the opening and closing body to be opened when the at least one second receiving unit receives the second transmission wave for detecting the approach of the vehicle to the garage.

3. The opening and closing control system according to claim 1 or 2, The first control unit is configured to determine whether the vehicle is located inside or outside the garage based on the reception strength when the at least one second receiving unit receives the second transmission wave.

4. The opening and closing control system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a first distance measurement transmitting / receiving unit (18) mounted on the vehicle, configured to transmit and receive a distance measurement radio signal that is a radio signal for distance measurement, and connected to the first control unit; a second distance measurement transmitting / receiving unit (58) that is installed in the garage, configured to transmit and receive the distance measurement wireless signal, and connected to the second control unit; The first control unit is configured to determine whether the vehicle is located inside or outside the garage based on the time between when the first distance measurement transceiver unit transmits the distance measurement radio signal and when the first distance measurement transceiver unit receives the distance measurement radio signal.

5. The opening and closing control system according to claim 1 or 2, The first control unit is configured to determine the orientation of the vehicle relative to the garage, and is further configured to cause the vehicle to execute a predetermined coordinated process depending on the orientation of the vehicle.

6. The opening and closing control system according to claim 1 or 2, The first control unit is configured to detect the position of the vehicle based on a GPS signal, and is further configured to cause the at least one first transmission unit to transmit the first transmission wave instructing the opening / closing body to open when the vehicle approaches the garage.

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