Determination device and determination method

Abstract

To allow effective calibration information to be acquired with a simpler configuration.SOLUTION: A determination device is provided that includes a determination unit that determines whether or not a calibration information acquisition process can be performed to acquire calibration information for calibrating the received signal strength of a radio signal conforming to a specified communication standard that is transmitted by a wireless communication device mounted on a portable apparatus and received by a wireless communication device mounted on a moving object. The determination unit, when it is recognized based on reading of a tag using the portable apparatus that the wireless communication device mounted on the moving object and the portable apparatus are at a specified distance, allows execution of the calibration information acquisition process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a determination device and a determination method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, technologies for estimating the distance to a portable device based on the received radio wave intensity of a signal received from the portable device have been developed. However, the output radio wave intensity of portable devices can vary depending on the model and the like. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for improving the accuracy of distance estimation by normalizing the received radio wave intensity of a signal received from a portable device based on calibration information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, in order to obtain effective calibration information for a target portable device, it is required to obtain the calibration information after setting the distance between the portable device and the wireless communication device that receives the signal from the portable device to a specified distance. For this purpose, Patent Document 1 adopts a method of setting the portable device in a recess provided below the center console. However, this method affects the design, manufacturing, etc. of the vehicle, and there may be cases where it is difficult to install after shipment.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain effective calibration information with a simpler configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a determination unit that determines whether it is possible to execute a calibration information acquisition process for acquiring calibration information for calibrating the reception signal strength of a radio signal conforming to a specified communication standard, which is transmitted by a radio communication device mounted on a portable device and received by a radio communication device mounted on a mobile body. When it is recognized based on reading of a tag using the portable device that the radio communication device mounted on the mobile body and the portable device are at a specified distance, the determination unit enables execution of the calibration information acquisition process. A determination device is provided.

[0007] Also, in order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a processor determines whether it is possible to execute a calibration information acquisition process for acquiring calibration information for calibrating the reception signal strength of a radio signal conforming to a specified communication standard, which is transmitted by a radio communication device mounted on a portable device and received by a radio communication device mounted on a mobile body. The determination includes enabling execution of the calibration information acquisition process when it is recognized based on reading of a tag using the portable device that the radio communication device mounted on the mobile body and the portable device are at a specified distance. A determination method is provided.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to acquire effective calibration information with a simpler configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[0011] <1. Embodiment> <<1.1. Configuration Example>> First, a configuration example of the system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a moving body 10 and a portable device 20.

[0014] In the moving body 10 according to the present embodiment, a wireless communication device 110, a control device 120, and a controlled device 140 are mounted.

[0015] In addition, a tag 130 is fixedly arranged on the moving body 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0016] On the other hand, the portable device 20 according to the present embodiment may be equipped with a wireless communication device 210, a control device 220, a short-range wireless communication device 230, and a camera 240.

[0017] (Moving Body 10) The moving body 10 according to the present embodiment may be a vehicle such as a car, an airplane, or a ship, for example.

[0018] (Wireless Communication Device 110) The wireless communication device 110 according to this embodiment performs wireless communication compliant with a specified communication standard with a wireless communication device 210 mounted on the portable device 20.

[0019] The specified communication standard may be, for example, BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy).

[0020] However, the specified communication standard is not limited to the above example and may be arbitrarily set.

[0021] (Control device 120) The control device 120 according to this embodiment controls the above-described wireless communication by the wireless communication device 110.

[0022] Further, the control device 120 according to this embodiment determines whether to cause the controlled device 140 to execute a specified operation based on the received radio wave intensity (RSSI: Received Signal Strength Indicator) of the signal received by the wireless communication device 110 from the wireless communication device 210.

[0023] For example, when the RSSI of the signal received by the wireless communication device 110 from the wireless communication device 210 exceeds a threshold value, the control device 120 according to this embodiment may determine that the portable device 20 is within a specified area from the moving body 10, and cause the controlled device 140 to execute a specified operation.

[0024] In addition to the determination based on the RSSI as described above, the control device 120 authenticates the portable device 20 based on various information received by the wireless communication device 110 from the wireless communication device 210, and may further determine whether the specified operation can be executed based on the result of the authentication.

[0025] In this case, when the above RSSI exceeds the threshold value and the authenticity of the portable device 20 is recognized in the above authentication, the control device 120 causes the controlled device 140 to execute a specified operation.

[0026] Furthermore, the control device 120 according to the present embodiment may operate as a determination device including a determination unit that determines whether calibration information acquisition processing for acquiring calibration information for calibrating the reception signal strength of a radio signal conforming to a specified communication standard transmitted by the radio communication device 210 mounted on the portable device 20 and received by the radio communication device 110 mounted on the moving body 10 is executable.

[0027] In this case, when it is recognized that the wireless communication device 110 mounted on the moving body 10 and the portable device 20 are at a specified distance based on the reading of the tag 130 using the portable device 20, the control device 120 permits the execution of the calibration information acquisition processing.

[0028] The functions of the control device 120 according to the present embodiment are realized by various processors. Details of the functions of the control device 120 according to the present embodiment will be described later.

[0029] (Tag 130) The tag 130 according to the present embodiment is fixedly arranged at a specified position of the moving body 10 (for example, a defined point in the passenger compartment of the moving body 10).

[0030] For example, the tag 130 may be arranged by the manufacturer during the manufacture of the moving body 10, or may be arranged by the dealer after factory shipment.

[0031] The tag 130 according to the present embodiment may be an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag 132 (see FIG. 2).

[0032] On the other hand, the tag 130 according to the present embodiment may be a two-dimensional code 134 (see FIG. 3).

[0033] Specific examples of reading the tag 130 according to the present embodiment will be described later.

[0034] (Controlled device 140) The controlled device 140 according to the present embodiment may be various devices that execute a prescribed operation in accordance with the control by the control device 120.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, when the controlled device 140 is mounted on the moving body 10, the controlled device 140 may be, for example, a locking and unlocking device that locks and unlocks the door provided in the moving body 10 as the above-described prescribed operation.

[0036] However, the controlled device 140 and the prescribed operation are not limited to the above example.

[0037] For example, the controlled device 140 may be an engine. In this case, the prescribed operation may be permission or restriction of engine start.

[0038] Also, for example, the controlled device 140 may be a lighting device. In this case, the prescribed operation may be lighting or extinguishing of the lighting.

[0039] (Portable device 20) The portable device 20 according to the present embodiment is carried by a user of the moving body 10 (for example, the owner of the moving body 10, a person permitted to use the moving body 10 by the owner, etc.).

[0040] The portable device 20 according to the present embodiment may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable device, or the like.

[0041] (Wireless communication device 210) The wireless communication device 210 according to the present embodiment performs wireless communication conforming to a prescribed communication standard with the wireless communication device 110 mounted on the moving body 10.

[0042] (Control device 220) The control device 220 according to the present embodiment controls the above-described wireless communication by the wireless communication device 210.

[0043] Further, the control device 220 controls the reading of the NFC tag 132 by the short-range wireless communication device 230 or the reading of the two-dimensional code 134 by the camera 240.

[0044] Furthermore, the control device 220 according to the present embodiment may operate as a determination device including a determination unit that determines whether or not to execute calibration information acquisition processing for acquiring calibration information for calibrating the reception signal strength of a radio signal conforming to a specified communication standard transmitted by the wireless communication device 210 mounted on the portable device 20 and received by the wireless communication device 110 mounted on the moving body 10.

[0045] In this case, when it is recognized that the wireless communication device 110 mounted on the moving body 10 and the portable device 20 are at a specified distance based on the reading of the tag 130 using the portable device 20, the control device 220 permits the execution of the calibration information acquisition processing.

[0046] The functions of the control device 220 according to the present embodiment are realized by various processors. Details of the functions of the control device 220 according to the present embodiment will be described later.

[0047] (Short-range wireless communication device 230) The short-range wireless communication device 230 according to the present embodiment operates as an NFC reader that reads the NFC tag 132.

[0048] On the other hand, the short-range wireless communication device 230 according to the present embodiment can also operate as an NFC tag 132.

[0049] (Camera 240) The camera 240 according to the present embodiment is used to read the two-dimensional code 134.

[0050] The configuration example of the system 1 according to the present embodiment has been described above. Note that the above configuration described with reference to FIG. 1 is merely an example, and the configuration of the system 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to such an example.

[0051] For example, a plurality of tags 130 according to this embodiment may be arranged.

[0052] Also, for example, when the short-range wireless communication device 230 operates as the NFC tag 132, an NFC reader may be fixedly arranged on the moving body 10.

[0053] Also, for example, a plurality of wireless communication devices 110 may be mounted on the moving body 10, and each of the plurality of wireless communication devices 110 may receive a signal from the wireless communication device 210.

[0054] The configuration of the system 1 according to this embodiment can be flexibly deformed according to specifications, operations, etc.

[0055] <<1.2. Operation Example>> Next, an operation example of the system 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0056] As described above, since the output radio wave intensity of the portable device 20 can vary depending on the model and the like, the received signal strength of the signal received by the wireless communication device 110 mounted on the moving body 10 can also vary depending on the model and the like of the portable device 20.

[0057] Therefore, even when the portable device 20 of model X and the portable device 20 of model Y are at the same distance from the wireless communication device 110, there can be a difference between the RSSI of the signal received by the wireless communication device 110 from the portable device of model X and the RSSI of the signal received by the wireless communication device 110 from the portable device of model Y.

[0058] Also, due to the above difference, there can be a situation where a portable device 20 of a certain model is estimated to be outside the specified area even though it is located within the specified area from the wireless communication device 110, and a situation where a portable device 20 of a certain model is estimated to be within the specified area even though it is located outside the specified area from the wireless communication device 110.

[0059] In order to prevent the above situation, it is effective to normalize the received radio wave intensity of the signal received from the portable device 20 based on the calibration information.

[0060] The above calibration information may be, for example, information for calibrating the received signal intensity related to the target model based on the standard signal intensity obtained by normalizing the received signal intensities related to a plurality of models.

[0061] In this case, in order to obtain effective calibration information for the target model, it is required to adjust the distance between each of the portable devices 20 of the plurality of models and the wireless communication device 110 when obtaining the standard signal intensity, and the distance between the target portable device 20 and the wireless communication device 110 when obtaining the calibration information to a specified distance.

[0062] However, when the operation for obtaining the calibration information is performed by the user, it is difficult for the user to adjust the distance between the portable device 20 and the wireless communication device 110 to the specified distance without a target. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the distance between the portable device 20 and the wireless communication device 110 at the time of obtaining the calibration information will vary.

[0063] In order to prevent the above variations and obtain effective calibration information, Patent Document 1 adopts a method of providing a recess below the center console and asking the user to set the portable device in the recess.

[0064] However, the above method may affect the design, manufacture, etc. of the vehicle, and may be difficult to implement after shipment.

[0065] The technical idea according to an embodiment of the present invention was conceived by paying attention to the above points, and enables obtaining effective calibration information with a simpler configuration.

[0066] For this purpose, the determination device according to the present embodiment includes a determination unit that determines whether or not to execute calibration information acquisition processing for acquiring calibration information for calibrating the reception signal strength of a radio signal conforming to a specified communication standard that is transmitted by a radio communication device 210 mounted on a portable device 20 and received by a radio communication device 110 mounted on a mobile body 10. Further, when it is recognized that the radio communication device 110 mounted on the mobile body 10 and the portable device 20 are at a specified distance based on reading of a tag 130 using the portable device 20, one of the features is that the determination unit permits execution of the calibration information acquisition processing.

[0067] Further, either one of the control device 120 or the control device 220 according to the present embodiment operates as the determination device.

[0068] Hereinafter, a specific example will be given and described for a determination method executed by either one of the control device 120 or the control device 220 according to the present embodiment.

[0069] First, the case where the tag 130 according to the present embodiment is an NFC tag 132 will be described.

[0070] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining determination of whether or not to execute calibration information acquisition processing based on reading of the NFC tag 132 according to the present embodiment.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 2, the NFC tag 132 is fixedly arranged so that the distance from the radio communication device 110 mounted on the mobile body 10 becomes a specified distance d.

[0072] Here, when the short-range radio communication device 230 mounted on the portable device 20 can read the NFC tag 132, it can be inferred that the distance between the radio communication device 110 and the portable device 20 is equal to the specified distance d.

[0073] Therefore, when the reading result of the NFC tag 132 by the short-range wireless communication device 230 that operates as the determination device matches the specified result stored in advance, the control device 120 or the control device 220 may recognize that the wireless communication device 110 and the portable device 20 are at the specified distance d, and permit the execution of the calibration information acquisition process.

[0074] According to the NFC tag 132 that does not require wiring with a power source or the like, the influence on the design, manufacture, etc. of the moving body 10 can be suppressed, and effective calibration information can be acquired with a low cost and a simple configuration.

[0075] In addition, the NFC tag 132 according to the present embodiment can be arranged by, for example, a dealer or the like after the moving body 10 is shipped.

[0076] Note that the NFC tag 132 may be a commercially available product (including a product that can be attached with a sticker) that is generally distributed.

[0077] In addition, the short-range wireless communication device 230 according to the present embodiment can also operate as the NFC tag 132 by card emulation.

[0078] In this case, an NFC reader is arranged on the moving body 10 so that the distance from the wireless communication device 110 is the specified distance d. The user can cause the NFC reader to read the NFC tag 132 by bringing the portable device 20 close to the NFC reader.

[0079] Next, the case where the tag 130 according to the present embodiment is the two-dimensional code 134 will be described.

[0080] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the determination of whether or not the calibration information acquisition process based on the reading of the two-dimensional code 134 according to the present embodiment can be executed.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 3, the two-dimensional code 134 is fixedly arranged so that the distance from the wireless communication device 110 mounted on the moving body 10 is the specified distance d.

[0082] The two-dimensional code 134 may be, for example, a QR code (registered trademark), a barcode, or the like.

[0083] Here, when the camera 240 mounted on the portable device 20 can read the two-dimensional code 134, it can be inferred that the distance between the wireless communication device 110 and the portable device 20 is equivalent to the specified distance d.

[0084] Therefore, when the reading result of the two-dimensional code 134 by the camera 240 matches the specified result stored in advance, the control device 120 or the control device 220 operating as the determination device may recognize that the wireless communication device 110 and the portable device 20 are at the specified distance d and permit the execution of the calibration information acquisition process.

[0085] Thus, according to the two-dimensional code 134, effective correction information can be obtained with a low cost and a simple configuration.

[0086] Next, the flow of the determination method according to this embodiment will be described.

[0087] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the determination method according to this embodiment.

[0088] In the case of the example shown in FIG. 4, first, the tag 130 is read using the portable device 20 by a user operation (S102).

[0089] The user may read the tag 130 according to, for example, a message or the like displayed on the portable device 20.

[0090] Next, the determination device determines whether or not the reading result of the tag 130 obtained in step S102 matches the specified result stored in advance (S104).

[0091] Here, when the reading result of tag 130 matches the specified result (S104: YES), the determination device determines that the wireless communication device 110 and the portable device 20 are at the specified distance d, and determines to permit the execution of the calibration information acquisition process (S106).

[0092] On the other hand, when the reading result of tag 130 does not match the specified result (S104: NO), the determination device does not determine that the wireless communication device 110 and the portable device 20 are at the specified distance d, and determines not to permit the execution of the calibration information acquisition process (S108).

[0093] The flow of the determination method according to the present embodiment has been described above by way of example.

[0094] However, the flow shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and the flow of the determination method according to the present embodiment can be flexibly modified.

[0095] For example, the determination as to whether the reading result of tag 130 matches the specified result and the determination as to whether to permit the execution of the calibration information acquisition process may be executed by different devices, respectively.

[0096] For example, the control device 220 may execute the determination as to whether the reading result of tag 130 matches the specified result, and the control device 120 may determine whether to permit the execution of the calibration information acquisition process based on the result of the above determination.

[0097] In this case, the determination result as to whether the reading result of tag 130 matches the specified result may be transmitted and received by wireless communication conforming to the specified communication standard.

[0098] On the other hand, the control device 220 may execute the determination as to whether the result based on the reading result of tag 130 received by the wireless communication device 110 matches the specified result, and determine whether to permit the execution of the calibration information acquisition process based on the result of the determination.

[0099] Also, the result of the above regulations may be stored in the storage device mounted on the portable device 20, may be stored in the storage device mounted on the moving body 10, or may be stored in the storage device mounted on the server.

[0100] When the result of the regulation is stored in the storage device mounted on the portable device 20, the result of the regulation may be written to the storage device, for example, when downloading an application that executes a process related to the calibration information acquisition process.

[0101] Also, when the result of the regulation is stored in the storage device mounted on the moving body 10, the result of the regulation may be written to the storage device, for example, at the time of production of the moving body 10, at the time of component replacement, etc.

[0102] Also, when the result of the regulation is stored in the storage device mounted on the server, the result of the regulation may be acquired via the Internet, a public communication network, etc.

[0103] According to the determination method described above, it is possible to acquire effective calibration information with a low cost and a simple configuration.

[0104] Note that when the determination device permits the execution of the calibration information acquisition process, it may adopt a known method (for example, the method described in Patent Document 1) to acquire calibration information for the target portable device 20.

[0105] Also, the control device 120 may determine whether to cause the controlled device 140 to execute a specified operation based on the received signal strength of a radio signal conforming to the calibrated specified communication standard calibrated by the acquired calibration information.

[0106] <2. Supplementary> The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modification examples or correction examples within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is naturally understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0107] In addition, in the above embodiment, the case where the output radio wave intensity of the portable device 20 may vary depending on the model is exemplified, but the output radio wave intensity of the portable device 20 may also vary within the same model. The technical idea according to an embodiment of the present invention is similarly effective for leveling the differences among portable devices 20 of the same model.

[0108] Also, a series of processes performed by each device described in this specification may be realized by a program stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium readable by a computer. Each program is, for example, read into a RAM when executed by a computer and executed by a processor such as a CPU. The above storage medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, etc. Also, the above program may be distributed via a network, for example, without using a storage medium.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0109] 1: System, 10: Mobile body, 110: Wireless communication device, 120: Control device, 130: Tag, 132: NFC tag, 134: Two-dimensional code, 140: Controlled device, 20: Portable device, 210: Wireless communication device, 220: Control device, 230: Short-range wireless communication device, 240: Camera

Claims

1. A determination unit that determines whether it is possible to execute a calibration information acquisition process for acquiring calibration information for calibrating the received signal strength of a radio signal conforming to a specified communication standard, which is transmitted by a wireless communication device mounted on a portable device and received by a wireless communication device mounted on a moving body; comprising: when it is recognized based on reading of a tag using the portable device that the wireless communication device mounted on the moving body and the portable device are at a specified distance, the determination unit permits execution of the calibration information acquisition process; Determination device.

2. The tag is an NFC tag; The determination device according to claim 1.

3. The NFC tag is fixedly arranged on the moving body and is read by an NFC reader mounted on the portable device; The determination device according to claim 2.

4. The tag is a two-dimensional code fixedly arranged on the moving body and is read by a camera mounted on the portable device; The determination device according to claim 1.

5. The received signal strength of the radio signal conforming to the specified communication standard after calibration with the calibration information is used to determine whether to cause a controlled device mounted on the moving body to execute a specified operation; The determination device according to claim 1.

6. The specified communication standard includes BLE; The determination device according to claim 1.

7. Mounted on the moving body; The determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Mounted on the portable device; The determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. A processor determines whether it is possible to execute a calibration information acquisition process for acquiring calibration information for calibrating the received signal strength of a radio signal conforming to a specified communication standard, which is transmitted by a wireless communication device mounted on a portable device and received by a wireless communication device mounted on a moving body; including: when it is recognized based on reading of a tag using the portable device that the wireless communication device mounted on the moving body and the portable device are at a specified distance, the determination permits execution of the calibration information acquisition process; Determination method.

Images