Door lock control device

Abstract

To discriminate a user having an intention to ride and a user having no intention to ride, thereby suppressing power consumption by preventing unnecessary unlocking as much as possible.SOLUTION: A door lock control device that controls locking / unlocking of a door lock mechanism installed in a vehicle door comprises: a communication unit that mutually communicates with a portable unit; and a control unit that controls the door lock mechanism based on a signal received from the portable unit via the communication unit. The control unit authenticates the portable unit and a vehicle when it is detected that the portable unit has entered a first region set at a second distance or more and less than a first distance from the vehicle. When it is detected that the portable unit has entered a second region set at less than the second distance from the vehicle, and a movement amount or a movement time of the portable unit in the first region during entry of the portable unit from the first region to the second region is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, the control unit does not permit unlocking of the door lock mechanism even if authentication has been established.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a door lock control device, and more particularly to a door lock control device that controls locking or unlocking of a door lock mechanism by communicating between a vehicle and a portable device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various technologies have been proposed that enable wireless communication between a mobile device (e.g., a small communication device that can be used as an electronic key or digital key) and a vehicle, detect when the mobile device has come within a specified distance from the vehicle, and unlock the vehicle's doors. As an example of such technology, Patent Document 1 discloses a keyless system in which, when a portable device is located in an LF communication area, it receives a challenge signal transmitted from an in-vehicle device, and when the portable device remains stationary for a certain period of time or more, it transmits a response signal to the in-vehicle device, and unlocks the door when the in-vehicle device authenticates the portable device through the transmission and reception of this signal. Patent document 2 also discloses an electronic key device that communicates between an onboard device equipped with multiple antennas installed in different positions on the vehicle and a portable device, and unlocks the door when the portable device is facing one of the antennas and the distance between the vehicle and the portable device is less than a predetermined threshold. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-210800 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-014259 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the door lock mechanism, locking and unlocking are performed by driving an actuator, so there is a risk of power consumption increasing if unintentional unlocking is repeatedly performed. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce power consumption by preventing unnecessary unlocking as much as possible.

[0005] The present invention aims to address such situations by distinguishing between users who intend to board and users who do not, and by preventing unnecessary unlocking as much as possible, thereby reducing power consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve such problems, the door lock control device according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, one aspect of the present invention provides a door lock control device that controls the locking or unlocking of a door lock mechanism provided on a door of a host vehicle, the door lock control device comprising: a communication unit that communicates with a portable device; and a control unit that controls the door lock mechanism based on a signal received from the portable device via the communication unit. The control unit sets a first distance that is a predetermined distance from the host vehicle and a second distance that is shorter than the first distance, and when it detects that the portable device has entered a first area that is set to be equal to or greater than the second distance but less than the first distance, it authenticates the portable device and the host vehicle, and when it detects that the portable device has entered a second area that is set to be less than the second distance from the host vehicle, if the amount of movement or the time of movement of the portable device in the first area from when the portable device entered the first area to when the portable device entered the second area is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the door lock control device does not allow the door lock mechanism to be unlocked even if the authentication is successful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] A door lock control device having such characteristics can distinguish between users who intend to get in and users who do not intend to get in, and can reduce power consumption by preventing unnecessary unlocking as much as possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle control system including a door lock control device (door lock ECU) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an area set around a vehicle and the behavior of a user carrying a mobile device in the area. [Figure 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an area set around a vehicle and the behavior of a user carrying a mobile device in the area. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart showing a control flow of a door lock mechanism in the door lock control device (door lock ECU) according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different drawings denote parts with the same functions, and duplicated descriptions in each drawing will be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] 1, a door lock control device (door lock ECU 11) according to this embodiment functions as a part of a vehicle control system 1 mounted on a vehicle 100. The vehicle control system 1 includes a plurality of sensors that acquire various information indicating the driving state of the vehicle 100 and the environment inside and outside the vehicle, various electronic devices required for driving the vehicle 100, and a plurality of ECUs (Electronic Control Units) that control these sensors and electronic devices.

[0011] The sensors, electronic devices, and ECUs are interconnected so as to be able to communicate with each other via an in-vehicle network 3 such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) or a LIN (Local Interconnect Network) and a central gateway (CGW) 4 serving as a relay device. Note that the vehicle control system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the CGW 4 may not be provided, and the ECUs may communicate with each other directly or indirectly.

[0012] In the vehicle control system 1, information acquired by each sensor is output to the in-vehicle network 3, and information indicating the operating state of an electronic device to be controlled (hereinafter referred to as a controlled device) is output from each ECU to the in-vehicle network 3. Furthermore, each ECU controls the operation of the controlled device based on information acquired from each sensor and other ECUs via the in-vehicle network 3.

[0013] Each ECU includes a processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), that executes various processes. Each ECU also includes volatile storage elements, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily processes data used by the processor, and non-volatile storage elements, such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs executed by the processor.

[0014] 1 illustrates only the door lock ECU 11 as a door lock control device and the communication ECU 21 among the multiple ECUs, and does not illustrate the other ECUs. In this embodiment, detailed explanations and illustrations of ECUs, sensors, and electronic devices that are not involved in the function and operation of the door lock ECU 11 will be omitted even if they are included in the vehicle control system 1.

[0015] The door lock ECU 11 and the communication ECU 21 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The door lock ECU 11 is connected to a door lock mechanism 31 and controls the driving of an actuator 32 of the door lock mechanism 31 to lock or unlock the door lock mechanism 31. That is, the door lock ECU 11 drives the actuator 32 in accordance with a lock signal or an unlock signal based on an operation of a switch provided in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 100 or a lock signal or an unlock signal based on a signal transmitted from the mobile device K, thereby controlling the locking or unlocking of the door lock mechanism 31. The door lock ECU 11 can control the door lock mechanism 31 provided in each of the multiple doors of the vehicle 100 for each door.

[0016] Here, the portable device K may be, for example, a portable and compact communication device (including general-purpose communication devices such as smartphones and smartwatches) capable of measuring distance and positioning by short-range wireless communication such as UWB (Ultra Wideband) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), particularly BLE (Bluetooth Long Energy). By installing a predetermined application in the portable device K in advance, the portable device K can function as a so-called digital key. Alternatively, the portable device K may be a dedicated electronic key configured to be able to communicate with the vehicle 100.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the door lock ECU 11 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, and an I / F 114, and controls the door lock mechanism 31 by the CPU 111 executing various processes based on programs stored in the ROM 112.

[0018] The ROM 112 provided as a non-volatile storage element stores a control program for authenticating the portable device K and controlling the door lock mechanism 31, as well as various data required to execute this program. The various data includes unique ID information (vehicle side ID) for identifying the vehicle 100 (door lock ECU 11) and ID information (device ID) for specifying the portable device K, and is used to authenticate the portable device K.

[0019] The RAM 113, which is provided as a volatile storage element, is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes various processes. Therefore, various pieces of information output from the ECUs and sensors on the in-vehicle network 3 are temporarily stored in the RAM 113 as needed.

[0020] The CPU 111 controls the door lock mechanism 31 based on a signal received from the mobile device K by loading a program stored in the ROM 112 into a memory such as the RAM 113 and executing the program.

[0021] The I / F 114 controls input and output of various information and control signals used in the door lock ECU 11. That is, the I / F 114 receives input of various information output from each ECU and each sensor of the vehicle control system 1 to the in-vehicle network 3, and outputs control signals generated in the CPU 111 to an output destination according to the control content.

[0022] Therefore, when the door lock ECU 11 authenticates the mobile device K, the I / F 114 accepts input of a signal emitted from the mobile device K and received by the communication device 22, and outputs a signal (including a vehicle-side ID) to be transmitted from the communication device 22 to the mobile device K to the in-vehicle network 3. Note that the I / F 114 may be configured to enable wireless communication, so that signals can be transmitted directly between the door lock ECU 11 and the mobile device K. Furthermore, when locking or unlocking the door lock mechanism 31, the I / F 114 outputs a lock signal to the door lock mechanism 31 when locking, or outputs an unlock signal to the door lock mechanism 31 when unlocking.

[0023] The communication ECU 21 is connected to the communication device 22 and controls transmission and reception of signals in the communication device 22. The communication device 22 includes a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna (not shown), and transmits a predetermined signal to the mobile device K and receives a signal emitted from the mobile device K. When the door lock ECU 11 authenticates the portable device K, the communication device 22 receives a signal (including a device ID) transmitted from the portable device K, and outputs the signal to the door lock ECU 11 via the communication ECU 21. The communication ECU 21 also acquires information necessary for authentication, including a vehicle-side ID, from the door lock ECU 11, and causes the communication device 22 to transmit a signal including the information to the portable device K.

[0024] Next, the control of the door lock mechanism 31 in the door lock ECU 11 based on the signal received from the portable device K will be described. 2, vehicle 100 and a first area AR1 set less than a first distance D1 from vehicle 100 are shown shaded, and a second area AR2 set less than a second distance D2 from vehicle 100 are shown hatched. As shown in FIG. 2, first distance D1 is longer than second distance D2, and first area AR1 is an area set outside second area AR2. Furthermore, hollow arrows A1 to A4 in FIG. 2 indicate users who possess mobile device K, that is, the movement history of mobile device K.

[0025] The door lock ECU 11 periodically outputs a signal to the communication device 22 to detect the portable device K. However, when the door lock ECU 11 is farther away from the vehicle 100 than a first distance D1, communication between the communication device 22 and the portable device K is not established, and the door lock ECU 11 cannot detect the presence of the portable device K in an area outside the first area AR1.

[0026] On the other hand, in the first area AR1 and the second area AR2 that are less than the first distance D1 from the vehicle 100, communication between the communication device 22 and the portable device K is possible, and the portable device K can be detected by the door lock ECU 11. Therefore, when the portable device K is located in the first area AR1 or the second area AR2, the door lock ECU 11 can grasp the position of the portable device K in the first area AR1 or the second area AR2, the time when the portable device K passed through that position, the distance from the vehicle 100, etc.

[0027] The first area AR1 is an area where authentication of the portable device K can be performed through communication between the communication device 22 and the portable device K. On the other hand, when the portable device K is located in the first area AR1, even if authentication of the portable device K is successful, unlocking of the door lock mechanism 31 is not permitted. When the portable device K is located in the second area AR2, authentication of the portable device K is successful, and unlocking of the door lock mechanism 31 is permitted, provided that the conditions described below are met.

[0028] When the door lock ECU 11 detects that the portable device K has approached the vehicle 100 and entered the first area AR1, it authenticates the portable device K and records movement data associated with the movement of the portable device K in the RAM 113. The movement data includes the position of the portable device K, the time when the portable device K passed that position, the distance from the vehicle 100, and the like. In other words, the RAM 113 records movement data of the portable device K for a certain period of time, that is, a movement history.

[0029] However, not all users carrying portable devices K who approach the vehicle 100 necessarily need to unlock the door lock mechanism 31. Therefore, when the door lock ECU 11 detects that the portable device K has entered the second area AR2, it determines whether or not the user carrying the portable device K intends to get into the vehicle 100, and controls the door lock mechanism 31 based on the determination result.

[0030] Whether or not the user carrying the mobile device K intends to get into the vehicle 100 is determined as follows. When the door lock ECU 11 detects that the portable device K has entered the second area AR2, the door lock ECU 11 refers to the movement history of the portable device K recorded in the RAM 113 and calculates the amount of movement of the portable device K in the first area AR1 from when it entered the first area AR1 to when it entered the second area AR2. The amount of movement can be expressed, for example, as a movement distance.

[0031] If the calculated amount of movement is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the door lock ECU 11 determines that the user carrying the portable device K has no intention of getting into the vehicle 100, and if the amount of movement is less than the predetermined threshold, the door lock ECU 11 determines that the user has the intention of getting into the vehicle 100.

[0032] Therefore, if the amount of movement is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the door lock ECU 11 does not permit the door lock mechanism 31 to be unlocked even if the portable device K is authenticated. On the other hand, if the amount of movement is less than the predetermined threshold, the door lock ECU 11 permits the door lock mechanism 31 to be unlocked on the condition that the portable device K is authenticated. The threshold for the amount of movement can be set as appropriate, and for example, the distance ΔD, which is the difference between the first distance D1 and the second distance D2, can be used as the threshold.

[0033] The door lock ECU 11 cannot detect the portable device K outside the first area AR1, and therefore, when the portable device K repeatedly enters the first area AR1 and exits outside the first area AR1, the door lock ECU 11 repeatedly detects and does not detect the portable device K. In such a case, the door lock ECU 11 calculates the cumulative movement amount in the first area AR1 from the time when the portable device K last entered the first area AR1 to the time when it enters the second area AR2 within a predetermined time, and determines the intention of the user carrying the portable device K to get in based on whether the cumulative movement amount exceeds a threshold value.

[0034] 2 shows an example of a user who possesses a mobile device K, that is, an example of the movement history (arrows A1 to A4) of the mobile device K. In the explanation of FIG. 2, it is assumed that the door lock ECU 11 calculates the movement distance as the amount of movement, and that a distance ΔD, which is the difference between a first distance D1 and a second distance D2, is set as a threshold value for the movement distance.

[0035] 2, when the mobile device K moves along the arrow A1, passes through the first area AR1, and enters the second area AR2, the movement distance of the mobile device K in the first area AR1 is less than the threshold distance ΔD. Therefore, when the mobile device K enters the second area AR2, the door lock mechanism 31 is permitted to be unlocked on the condition that authentication is successful.

[0036] On the other hand, when the portable device K moves along the arrow A2, passes through the first area AR1, and enters the second area AR2, the movement distance of the portable device in the first area AR1 exceeds the threshold distance ΔD. Therefore, when the portable device K enters the second area AR2, the door lock mechanism 31 is not permitted to be unlocked even if authentication is successful.

[0037] Furthermore, when the portable device K moves along the arrow A3, it moves within the first area AR1 without entering the second area AR2, and the distance it moves exceeds the distance ΔD. Therefore, unlocking of the door lock mechanism 31 is not permitted. When the portable device K moves along the arrow A4, it enters the first area AR1, then moves outside the first area AR1 without entering the second area AR2, and therefore unlocking of the door lock mechanism 31 is not permitted.

[0038] As in the example of Figure 2, the distance traveled by the mobile device K can be applied as the amount of movement. Alternatively, for example, as shown in Figure 3, virtual grids can be set in the first area AR1 and the second area AR2, and the amount of movement can be calculated based on the number of squares formed by the grid in each area that the mobile device K has moved through.

[0039] 3, similarly to FIG. 2, vehicle 100 and a first area AR1 set less than a first distance D1 from vehicle 100 are indicated by shading, and a second area AR2 set less than a second distance D2 from vehicle 100 is indicated by hatching. As shown in FIG. 3, first distance D1 is longer than second distance D2, and first area AR1 is an area set outside second area AR2. Furthermore, hollow arrows A1 to A4 in FIG. 3 indicate users who possess mobile device K, that is, the movement history of mobile device K.

[0040] 3, when the portable device K moves along the arrow A1, it moves three squares in the first area AR1 before entering the second area AR2. For example, if the threshold value set for the amount of movement is four squares, which exceeds the distance ΔD, the amount of movement in the first area AR1 is less than the threshold value, and therefore, when the portable device K enters the second area AR2, the door lock mechanism 31 is permitted to be unlocked if authentication is successful.

[0041] On the other hand, when the portable device K moves along the arrow A2, it moves seven or more squares in the first area AR1 before entering the second area AR2. In this case, the amount of movement in the first area AR1 is four or more squares, which is the threshold value, so when the portable device K enters the second area AR2, unlocking of the door lock mechanism 31 is not permitted even if authentication is successful.

[0042] Furthermore, when the portable device K moves along the arrow A3, it moves five squares straight through the first area AR1, and the amount of movement in the first area AR1 exceeds the threshold, so unlocking of the door lock mechanism 31 is not permitted. When the portable device K moves along the arrow A4, it enters the first area AR1 and moves two squares, and then moves outside the first area AR1 without entering the second area AR2, so unlocking of the door lock mechanism 31 is not permitted.

[0043] An example of control processing for the door lock mechanism 31 by the door lock ECU 11 configured as above based on a signal from a mobile device K in the vicinity of the vehicle 100 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 4. A series of processing from "START" to "END" in the flowchart shown in Fig. 4 is repeated at predetermined cycles (time intervals).

[0044] When the door lock ECU 11 detects that the portable device K has entered the first area AR1 (step S11), it checks whether the portable device K has been authenticated, i.e., whether the authentication process has already been completed (step S12).

[0045] If the mobile device K has been authenticated (YES in step S12), the amount of movement of the mobile device K in the first area AR1 is calculated, and it is confirmed whether the amount of movement is less than a threshold value (step S14). If the mobile device K has not been authenticated (NO in step S12), an authentication process is performed (step S13), the amount of movement of the mobile device K in the first area AR1 is calculated, and it is confirmed whether the amount of movement is less than a threshold value (step S14). Note that the case where the mobile device K has not been authenticated here includes a case where the mobile device K has first entered the first area AR1 and authentication process has not been performed between the mobile device K and the communication device 22, and a case where authentication process is currently being performed.

[0046] If the movement amount of the portable device K in the first area AR1 is less than the threshold value (YES in step S14), the door lock ECU 11 monitors whether the portable device K enters the second area AR2 (step S15). If the movement amount of the portable device K in the first area AR1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (NO in step S14), the door lock ECU 11 does not permit the door lock mechanism 31 to be unlocked (step S17) and ends this process.

[0047] When the door lock ECU 11 detects that the portable device K has entered the second area AR2 (YES in step S15), it checks whether the authentication process in step S13 has been completed and whether the authentication has been established (step S16). If the authentication has not been established (NO in step S16), the door lock ECU 11 does not permit the door lock mechanism 31 to be unlocked (step S17) and ends this process.

[0048] On the other hand, if the authentication is successful (YES in step S16), the door lock ECU 11 permits the door lock mechanism 31 to be unlocked (step S18), and ends this process.

[0049] In the above example, whether or not a user carrying mobile device K intends to board vehicle 100 was determined based on the amount of movement of mobile device K. However, as described below, the determination may also be based on the amount of movement time of the mobile device, or may also be based on both the amount of movement and the amount of movement time. When determining whether a user carrying the mobile device K intends to get into the vehicle 100 based on the travel time of the mobile device K, the determination is made as follows.

[0050] That is, when the door lock ECU 11 detects that the portable device K has entered the second area AR2, the door lock ECU 11 calculates the travel time outside the second area AR2 from the time the portable device K entered the first area AR1 to the time it entered the second area AR2, based on the movement history of the portable device K. If the travel time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it can be determined that the user carrying the portable device K has no intention of getting into the vehicle 100, and if the travel time is less than the predetermined threshold, it can be determined that the user has an intention to get into the vehicle 100.

[0051] Therefore, if the travel time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the door lock ECU 11 does not permit the door lock mechanism 31 to be unlocked even if authentication of the portable device K is established. On the other hand, if the travel time is less than the predetermined threshold, the door lock ECU 11 permits the door lock mechanism 31 to be unlocked on the condition that authentication of the portable device K is established. When determining whether or not a user intends to board based on travel time, it is possible to prevent the door lock mechanism from being unlocked if, for example, a user carrying a portable device K remains in the first area AR1 for a certain period of time or longer.

[0052] Furthermore, determining whether or not a user carrying portable device K intends to get into vehicle 100 based on both the travel distance and travel time is performed as follows: When the door lock ECU 11 detects that portable device K has entered the second area AR2, the door lock ECU 11 refers to the travel history of portable device K recorded in RAM 113, and calculates the travel distance and travel time in the first area AR1 from when portable device K entered the first area AR1 to when it entered the second area AR2.

[0053] Then, when at least one of the calculated movement amount or movement time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the door lock ECU 11 determines that the user carrying the portable device K has no intention of getting into the vehicle 100. When both the calculated movement amount and movement time are less than the predetermined threshold, the door lock ECU 11 determines that the user carrying the portable device K has an intention of getting into the vehicle 100.

[0054] Therefore, when at least one of the movement amount or the movement time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the door lock ECU 11 does not permit the door lock mechanism 31 to be unlocked even if the authentication of the portable device K is established. When both the movement amount and the movement time are less than the predetermined threshold, the door lock ECU 11 permits the door lock mechanism 31 to be unlocked, provided that the authentication of the portable device K is established.

[0055] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is determined whether or not a user carrying a portable device K intends to get into the vehicle 100, and the door lock mechanism 31 is permitted to be unlocked for a user who intends to get into the vehicle, while the door lock mechanism is not permitted to be unlocked for a user who does not intend to get into the vehicle. In this way, unnecessary unlocking can be prevented as much as possible, and power consumption of the battery installed in the vehicle 100 can be reduced.

[0056] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes design changes within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined by utilizing each other's technologies as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in their purposes, configurations, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1: Vehicle control system, 3: In-vehicle network, 4: CGW 11: Door lock ECU, 21: Communication ECU, 22: Communication device 31: Door lock mechanism, 32: Actuator, 100: Vehicle 111: CPU, 112: ROM, 113: RAM, 114: I / F K: Mobile devices

Claims

1. A door lock control device that controls locking or unlocking of a door lock mechanism provided in a door of a vehicle, a communication unit that communicates with a mobile device; a control unit that controls the door lock mechanism based on a signal received from the mobile device via the communication unit, The control unit a first distance that is a predetermined distance from the vehicle and a second distance that is shorter than the first distance are set, and when it is detected that the portable device has entered a first area that is set to be equal to or greater than the second distance and shorter than the first distance, authentication is performed between the portable device and the vehicle; When detecting that the portable device has entered a second area set at a distance less than a second distance from the vehicle, if the amount of movement or time of the portable device in the first area from when the portable device entered the first area to when the portable device entered the second area is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the door lock control device does not allow the door lock mechanism to be unlocked even if the authentication is successful.

2. When it is detected that the portable device has entered the second area and the authentication is successful, 2. The door lock control device according to claim 1, wherein the door lock mechanism is permitted to be unlocked when a movement amount or movement time of the portable device in the first area from when the portable device enters the first area to when the portable device enters the second area is less than a predetermined threshold.

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