Entrance / exit opening / closing system

Abstract

To open / close an entrance / exit of a prescribed space without delay.SOLUTION: An entrance / exit opening / closing system opens / closes the entrance / exit of a prescribed space. The entrance / exit opening / closing system comprises an opening / closing device and a UWB communication unit. The opening / closing device is configured to enable opening / closing of the entrance / exit. The UWB communication unit executes communication with the opening / closing device. The UWB communication unit includes an indexing part and a control part. The indexing part executes an indexing operation, which is an operation for indexing a separation distance, which is a distance from the opening / closing device to the UWB communication unit, using UWB communication. The control part controls the opening / closing device based on the indexed separation distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an entrance / exit opening / closing system that opens and closes the entrance / exit of a predetermined space such as a parking space.

Background Art

[0002] Among entrance / exit opening / closing systems, there is one configured as follows. Based on the GPS of a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, the separation distance as the distance from the vehicle to the garage is calculated. Based on the calculated separation distance, the shutter of the garage is automatically opened and closed.

[0003] Specifically, after the vehicle departs, the garage is automatically closed on the condition that the separation distance exceeds a predetermined value. On the other hand, before the vehicle returns, the garage is opened on the condition that the separation distance is less than a predetermined value.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Regarding the above configuration, the present inventors focused on the following problems. Regarding the calculation of the separation distance by GPS, in some communication environments, in the worst case, a time lag of about several tens of seconds occurs. Therefore, after the vehicle departs, there is a risk that the shutter will remain open during the time lag. Also, before the vehicle returns, even if the vehicle returns to the vicinity of the garage, due to the time lag, there is a risk that the shutter will remain closed and not open for some time.

[0006] In the above description, the case where the shutter in the garage is automatically opened and closed has been described as an example. However, the same problem can occur even when the entrance and exit of a predetermined space other than the garage are automatically opened and closed.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to open and close the entrance and exit of a predetermined space without delay.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The present disclosure is an entrance and exit opening and closing system for opening and closing the entrance and exit of a predetermined space, comprising an opening and closing device configured to be able to open and close the entrance and exit, and a UWB communicator that performs UWB communication with the opening and closing device, The UWB communicator includes a measuring unit that performs a measuring operation of measuring, as a separation distance from the opening and closing device to the UWB communicator, by the UWB communication, and a control unit that controls the opening and closing device based on the measured separation distance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0011] [First Embodiment] The entrance / exit opening / closing system 60 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for opening and closing the shutter 85 of the garage 80 that stores the vehicle Cr. Note that the garage 80 may be read as a "predetermined space" or a "parking space". Also, the shutter 85 may be read as an "entrance / exit".

[0012] The entrance / exit opening / closing system 60 includes a UWB communicator 30 and an opening / closing device 40. The opening / closing device 40 is provided for the garage 80. In this embodiment, the UWB communicator 30 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone in which a predetermined application for performing UWB (Ultra-Wide Band) communication with the opening / closing device 40 is installed. Hereinafter, the UWB communication between the opening / closing device 40 and the UWB communicator 30 is simply referred to as "UWB communication Uc". Also, hereinafter, the distance from the opening / closing device 40 to the UWB communicator 30 is referred to as the "separation distance D".

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing device 40 includes a communication unit 41, an opening / closing control unit 42, and an opening / closing drive unit 43. The opening / closing drive unit 43 is configured to be able to open and close the shutter 85. The opening / closing control unit 42 is configured to be able to control the opening / closing drive unit 43.

[0014] The UWB communicator 30 includes a communication unit 31, a calculation unit 32, and a control unit 33. These communication unit 31, calculation unit 32, and control unit 33 are respectively parts that perform predetermined functions in the portable terminal. The communication unit 31 of the UWB communicator 30 is configured to enable UWB communication Uc with the communication unit 41 of the opening / closing device 40. Hereinafter, the communication unit 31 of the UWB communicator 30 and the communication unit 41 of the opening / closing device 40 are referred to as "both communication units 31, 41".

[0015] The distance measurement unit 32 performs a "distance measurement operation" as an operation to measure the separation distance D by the UWB communication Uc. Specifically, in each distance measurement operation, UWB communication Uc is performed between both communication units 31 and 41, and the separation distance D is measured based on the time required for the communication. That is, the separation distance D is measured based on the time required for the communication radio wave in the UWB communication Uc to reach from one of the two communication units 31 and 41 to the other, or the time required for the communication radio wave to travel back and forth between the two communication units 31 and 41. In other words, in each distance measurement operation, the separation distance D is measured based on the arrival time of a predetermined radio wave in the UWB communication Uc.

[0016] The control unit 33 controls the opening / closing control unit 42 based on the separation distance D measured by the distance measurement unit 32. Specifically, the control unit 33 commands the opening / closing control unit 42 to close the shutter 85 via both communication units 31 and 41 on the condition that the measured separation distance D exceeds a predetermined automatic opening / closing distance Dth in a state where the shutter 85 is open after the vehicle Cr departs. In addition, the control unit 33 commands the opening / closing control unit 42 to open the shutter 85 via both communication units 31 and 41 on the condition that the measured separation distance D is less than the automatic opening / closing distance Dth in a state where the shutter 85 is closed before the vehicle Cr returns. Note that the "automatic opening / closing distance Dth" may be read as a "predetermined threshold value".

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, an automatic opening / closing control ON / OFF button b1, a driving mode ON / OFF button b2, an automatic opening / closing distance setting button b3, and a power saving mode ON / OFF button b4 are displayed on the screen of the UWB communicator 30, that is, the screen of the mobile terminal.

[0018] By operating the automatic opening / closing control ON / OFF button b1 by the user, the ON / OFF of the entrance / exit opening / closing system 60, that is, the ON / OFF of the automatic opening / closing of the shutter 85 is switched.

[0019] The ON / OFF of the driving mode is switched by the user's operation of the driving mode ON / OFF button b2. Specifically, before the vehicle Cr departs, when the user switches the driving mode from OFF to ON, the shutter 85 opens. Therefore, the operation of switching the driving mode from OFF to ON corresponds to the "opening operation" for opening the shutter 85. Also, after the vehicle Cr returns, when the user switches the driving mode from ON to OFF, the shutter 85 closes. Therefore, the operation of switching the driving mode from ON to OFF corresponds to the "closing operation" for closing the shutter 85.

[0020] The automatic opening / closing distance Dth is set by the user's operation of the automatic opening / closing distance setting button b3. Specifically, in this embodiment, either "5 m" or "10 m" is configured to be selectable as the automatic opening / closing distance Dth. However, alternatively, for example, the automatic opening / closing distance Dth may be configured to be inputtable.

[0021] The ON / OFF of the power-saving mode is switched by the user's operation of the power-saving mode ON / OFF button b4. When the power-saving mode is ON, the calculation operation by the calculation unit 32 is performed at a lower frequency than when the power-saving mode is OFF.

[0022] Also, the UWB communicator 30 is configured to be able to automatically switch the ON / OFF of a predetermined low-frequency communication mode. When the low-frequency communication mode is ON, the UWB communication Uc is attempted at a lower frequency than when it is OFF.

[0023] Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the operation of the entrance / exit opening / closing system 60 when the vehicle Cr departs from the garage 80 will be described. At the initial stage of this departure, the driving mode is OFF and the low-frequency communication mode is OFF.

[0024] First, in S10, by the user operating the UWB communicator 30 shown in FIG. 3, the automatic opening / closing distance Dt is set. However, in cases such as after the second time when the automatic opening / closing distance Dt has already been set, or when using the initially set automatic opening / closing distance Dt, this S10 is omitted.

[0025] Next, in S11 shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 33 determines whether the operation mode is ON. If the determination is negative, that is, if the operation mode is still OFF, the flow ends. On the other hand, if the determination in this S11 is positive, that is, if the operation mode has been switched to ON by the user, the process proceeds to S12, and the control unit 33 controls the opening / closing device 40 to open the shutter 85. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the shutter 85 opens. As shown in FIG. 4, in the subsequent S13, the calculation unit 32 starts the calculation operation.

[0026] In the subsequent S14, the control unit 33 determines whether the separation distance D exceeds the automatic opening / closing distance Dth. If the determination is negative, that is, if the separation distance D has not yet exceeded the automatic opening / closing distance Dth, this S14 is repeated. On the other hand, if the determination in this S14 is positive, that is, if the separation distance D exceeds the automatic opening / closing distance Dth as shown in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 4, the process proceeds to S15. In that S15, the control unit 33 controls the opening / closing device 40 to close the shutter 85. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the shutter 85 closes.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, in the subsequent S16, it is determined whether UWB communication is possible. If the determination is positive, that is, if UWB communication is still possible, S16 is repeated. On the other hand, if the determination in this S16 is negative, that is, if UWB communication has become impossible, the process proceeds to S17, and the calculation unit 32 stops the calculation operation. In the subsequent S18, the low-frequency communication mode is turned ON. As a result, UWB communication Uc is attempted at a lower frequency than before. Thus, the flow at the start ends.

[0028] Next, based on the flowchart of FIG. 7, the operation of the entrance / exit opening / closing system 60 when the vehicle Cr returns to the garage 80 will be described. At the beginning of this return, the operation mode is ON and the low-frequency communication mode is ON.

[0029] First, in S21, it is determined whether UWB communication is possible. If the determination is negative, that is, if UWB communication is still unavailable, S21 is repeated. On the other hand, if the determination in S21 is positive, that is, if UWB communication has become possible, the process proceeds to S22 and the low-frequency communication mode is turned OFF. As a result, UWB communication Uc is performed at a higher frequency than before. In the subsequent S23, the calculation unit 32 starts the calculation operation.

[0030] In the subsequent S24, the control unit 33 determines whether the separation distance D is less than the automatic opening / closing distance Dth. If the determination is negative, that is, if the separation distance D has not yet fallen below the automatic opening / closing distance Dth, S24 is repeated. On the other hand, if the determination in S24 is positive, that is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the separation distance D falls below the automatic opening / closing distance Do, as shown in FIG. 7, the process proceeds to S25. In S25, the control unit 33 controls the opening / closing device 40 to open the shutter 85. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the shutter 85 opens.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 7, in the subsequent S26, it is determined whether the operation mode is OFF. If the determination is negative, that is, if the operation mode is still ON, S26 is repeated. On the other hand, if the determination in S26 is positive, that is, if the operation mode is switched to OFF by the user, the process proceeds to S27 and the control unit 33 controls the opening / closing device 40 to close the shutter 85. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the shutter 85 closes. As shown in FIG. 7, in the subsequent S28, the calculation unit 32 stops the calculation operation. Thus, the flow at the time of return ends.

[0032] The configuration and effects of the present embodiment are summarized below.

[0033] The distance measuring unit 32 shown in FIG. 2 measures the separation distance D by UWB communication. The communication sensitivity of the UWB communication is higher than that of GPS communication. Therefore, when the separation distance D is measured by UWB communication in this way, the time lag until the actual separation distance D is reflected is smaller than when the separation distance D is measured by GPS. The control unit 33 controls the opening / closing device 40 based on the separation distance D with a small time lag. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the shutter 85 can be opened and closed without delay compared to the case where the separation distance D is measured by GPS.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the shutter 85 is open after the vehicle Cr has started, the shutter 85 closes on the condition that the separation distance D with a small time lag exceeds the automatic opening / closing distance Dth. Therefore, the situation where the shutter 85 remains open for a while due to the time lag can be avoided.

[0035] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, when the shutter 85 is closed before the vehicle Cr returns, the shutter 85 opens on the condition that the separation distance D with a small time lag is less than the automatic opening / closing distance Dth. Therefore, even when the vehicle Cr returns to the vicinity of the garage 80, the situation where the shutter 85 remains closed and does not open for a while due to the time lag can be avoided.

[0036] As shown in S11 and S12 of FIG. 4, when the shutter 85 is closed before the vehicle Cr starts, the shutter 85 opens based on an opening operation by the user to turn on the driving mode. As shown in S11 and S13 of FIG. 4, the measurement operation is started on the condition that the opening operation to turn on is performed. Therefore, the necessary measurement operation can be started at the timing when the opening operation is performed by the user.

[0037] As shown in S26 and S27 of FIG. 7, when the shutter 85 after the return of the vehicle Cr is open, based on the closing operation by the user to turn off the driving mode, the shutter 85 closes. As shown in S26 and S28 of FIG. 7, the calculation unit 32 stops the calculation operation on the condition that the closing operation has been performed. Therefore, at the timing when the closing operation is performed by the user, the subsequent unnecessary calculation operation can be stopped to save power.

[0038] As shown in S16, S17, and S18 of FIG. 4, after the vehicle Cr departs, the calculation operation is stopped and the low-frequency communication mode is turned on on the condition that the UWB communication Uc is disabled when the low-frequency communication mode is off. Therefore, at the timing when the vehicle Cr leaves the garage 80 until the UWB communication Uc becomes disabled, the subsequent unnecessary calculation operation can be stopped and the communication frequency can be suppressed to save power.

[0039] As shown in S21, S22, and S23 of FIG. 7, before the return of the vehicle Cr, on the condition that the UWB communication is possible when the low-frequency communication mode is on, the low-frequency communication mode is turned off and the calculation operation is started. Therefore, at the timing when the UWB communication Uc becomes possible, the low-frequency communication mode can be canceled and the subsequent necessary calculation operation can be started.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the UWB communication device 30 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. Therefore, the user can realize the automatic opening and closing of the shutter 85 simply by loading the mobile terminal into the vehicle Cr while carrying it, which is very convenient.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the UWB communication device 30 is configured to be able to switch the power-saving mode on and off based on the operation of the UWB communication device 30 by the user. The calculation unit 32 performs the calculation operation less frequently when the power-saving mode is on than when the power-saving mode is off. Therefore, when the battery level of the UWB communication device 30 is low, although the time lag until the actual separation distance D is reflected becomes slightly longer by turning on the power-saving mode, the power consumption can be suppressed.

[0042] [Other Embodiments] The above embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications, for example. The opening / closing device 40 shown in FIG. 1 may open and close a shutter 85 other than the garage 80, such as a shutter 85 of a home warehouse, or may open and close an opening / closing body other than the shutter 85, such as a door of a parking lot.

[0043] The UWB communicator 30 shown in FIG. 4 may be a device other than a mobile terminal. Specifically, the UWB communicator 30 may be a dedicated device mounted on the vehicle Cr for controlling the opening / closing device 40.

[0044] Instead of the automatic opening / closing distance Dth, the automatic closing distance and the automatic opening distance may be set separately. Note that both of these "automatic closing distance" and "automatic opening distance" may be read as "predetermined threshold value". In this case, after the vehicle Cr departs, the control unit 33 controls the opening / closing device 40 to close the shutter 85 on the condition that the determined separation distance D exceeds the automatic closing distance. Also, in this case, before the vehicle Cr returns, the control unit 33 controls the opening / closing device 40 to open the shutter 85 on the condition that the determined separation distance D is less than the automatic opening distance.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0045] 30 UWB communicator, 32 determination unit, 33 control unit, 40 opening / closing device, 60 entrance / exit opening / closing system, 80 garage, 85 shutter, Cr vehicle, D separation distance, Dth automatic opening / closing distance (predetermined threshold value), Uc UWB communication.

Claims

1. An entrance / exit opening / closing system for opening and closing an entrance / exit of a predetermined space, comprising an opening / closing device configured to be able to open and close the entrance / exit, and a UWB communicator that performs UWB communication with the opening / closing device, The UWB communicator, includes a calculating unit that performs a calculating operation of calculating a separation distance as a distance from the opening / closing device to the UWB communicator by the UWB communication, and a control unit that controls the opening / closing device based on the calculated separation distance. Entrance / exit opening / closing system.

2. The control unit controls the opening / closing device to close the entrance / exit on the condition that the calculated separation distance exceeds a predetermined threshold value while the entrance / exit is in an open state. The entrance / exit opening / closing system according to claim 1.

3. The control unit controls the opening / closing device to open the entrance / exit on the condition that the calculated separation distance is less than a predetermined threshold value while the entrance / exit is in a closed state. The entrance / exit opening / closing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the entrance / exit is in a closed state, the UWB communicator controls the opening / closing device to open the entrance / exit based on a predetermined opening operation on the UWB communicator by a user. The calculating unit starts the calculating operation on the condition that the opening operation is performed. The entrance / exit opening / closing system according to claim 2.

5. When the entrance / exit is in an open state, the UWB communicator controls the opening / closing device to close the entrance / exit based on a predetermined closing operation on the UWB communicator by a user. The calculating unit stops the calculating operation on the condition that the closing operation is performed. The entrance / exit opening / closing system according to claim 3.

6. The UWB communicator is configured to be able to switch between ON and OFF of a predetermined low-frequency communication mode. When the low-frequency communication mode is ON, UWB communication is attempted at a lower frequency than when it is OFF. On the condition that the UWB communication is disabled when the low-frequency communication mode is OFF, the determination unit stops the determination operation and the low-frequency communication mode is switched to ON. The entrance / exit opening / closing system according to claim 2.

7. The UWB communicator is configured to be able to switch between ON and OFF of a predetermined low-frequency communication mode. When the low-frequency communication mode is ON, UWB communication is attempted at a lower frequency than when it is OFF. On the condition that the UWB communication is enabled when the low-frequency communication mode is ON, the low-frequency communication mode is switched to OFF and the determination unit starts the determination operation. The entrance / exit opening / closing system according to claim 3.

8. The predetermined space is a parking space for parking a vehicle. The entrance / exit opening / closing system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The UWB communicator is a mobile terminal. The entrance / exit opening / closing system according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The UWB communicator is configured to be able to switch between ON and OFF of a power-saving mode based on an operation of the UWB communicator by a user. When the power-saving mode is ON, the determination unit performs the determination operation at a lower frequency than when the power-saving mode is OFF. The entrance / exit opening / closing system according to claim 1 or 2.

Images