Control device and control method

Abstract

To further efficiently execute a prescribed operation by a device to be controlled which is included in a movable body.SOLUTION: A control device includes a control unit that controls a prescribed operation by a device to be controlled included in a movable body. When authenticity of portable equipment is admitted in authentication based on wireless communication in compliance with the prescribed communication standard between a wireless communication device included in the movable body and the portable equipment, the control unit starts detection processing of an object in a predetermined area, and when an object is detected in the predetermined area, the control unit performs control so that the prescribed operation by the device to be controlled is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a technology has been developed for controlling the execution of a predetermined operation by a controlled device mounted on a vehicle based on wireless communication between an in-vehicle device and a portable device. The controlled device includes, for example, a door. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-208419 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the past, there were cases where the execution of a prescribed action by a controlled device required an operation by the occupant.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to more efficiently realize the execution of specified operations by controlled devices provided in a mobile body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, a control device is provided which includes a control unit that controls a specified operation by a controlled device provided on a mobile body, and when the authenticity of the portable device is recognized in authentication based on wireless communication compliant with a specified communication standard between the wireless communication device provided on the mobile body and the portable device, the control unit starts a process of detecting an object in a specified area, and when an object is detected in the specified area, controls the controlled device to perform a specified operation.

[0007] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method including controlling a specified operation by a controlled device provided on a mobile body, wherein the controlling further includes starting an object detection process in a specified area when the authenticity of the portable device is recognized in authentication based on wireless communication conforming to a specified communication standard between a wireless communication device provided on the mobile body and the portable device, and controlling the controlled device to execute a specified operation when an object is detected in the specified area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to more efficiently realize the execution of a prescribed action by a controlled device provided on a moving body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of control by a control device 120 according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart when the control system 1 according to the embodiment employs RKE. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart when the control system 1 according to the embodiment employs a trigger type SMT. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a timing chart relating to door-opening control of the sliding door based on the manner of trigger operation according to the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0011] <1. Embodiment> <<1.1. System configuration example>> First, a configuration example of a control system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, a control system 1 according to this embodiment includes a moving object 10 and a portable device 20.

[0013] (Mobile 10) The moving body 10 according to this embodiment is, for example, a vehicle such as a car, an airplane, or a ship.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, a moving object 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with at least a wireless communication device 110, a control device 120, a detection device 130, and a controlled device 140.

[0015] (wireless communication device 110) The wireless communication device 110 according to this embodiment performs wireless communication with the portable device 20 in accordance with a prescribed communication standard.

[0016] The control device 120 according to this embodiment authenticates the portable device 20 based on wireless communication that complies with the above-mentioned prescribed communication standard.

[0017] The prescribed communication standard according to this embodiment may be, for example, ultra-wide band (UWB) wireless communication.

[0018] However, the prescribed communication standard according to this embodiment is not limited to the above example.

[0019] The prescribed communication standard according to this embodiment may be, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE), or may use a radio signal belonging to the LF (Low Frequency) band and a radio signal belonging to the UHF (Ultra-High Frequency) band.

[0020] (Control device 120) As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 120 according to this embodiment includes at least a control unit 125.

[0021] The control unit 125 according to this embodiment authenticates the portable device 20 based on wireless communication between the wireless communication device 110 and the portable device 20 that complies with a prescribed communication standard.

[0022] Furthermore, the control unit 125 according to this embodiment controls the controlled device 140 based on the result of the authentication.

[0023] In this case, the control unit 125 according to this embodiment may control the controlled device 140 further based on the result of the object detection by the detection device 130.

[0024] The functions of the control unit 125 according to this embodiment are realized by cooperation between various processors and memories.

[0025] The control unit 125 according to this embodiment may be, for example, an Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

[0026] The functions of the control unit 125 according to this embodiment will be described in detail later.

[0027] (Detection device 130) The detection device 130 according to this embodiment detects an object present in a predetermined area set for the moving body 10 .

[0028] The predetermined area may be, for example, an area within a predetermined distance from a door provided on the vehicle 10.

[0029] Furthermore, the predetermined area may be set for each door provided on the moving body 10. In this case, the detection device 130 detects an object for each of a plurality of predetermined areas.

[0030] The detection device 130 according to this embodiment may detect an object using, for example, a radar.

[0031] The radar may also use a radio signal in an ultra-wide band.

[0032] If ultra-wideband wireless communication is adopted as the prescribed communication standard, the wireless communication device 110 and the detection device 130 may share an antenna used for wireless communication and detection processing.

[0033] On the other hand, different antennas may be used for the wireless communication and the detection process according to this embodiment.

[0034] Furthermore, the radio waves used in the radar are not limited to radio signals belonging to the ultra-wide band.

[0035] Furthermore, the detection process by the detection device 130 is not limited to the process using radar.

[0036] The detection device 130 may detect an object using, for example, sonar. In this case, the detection device 130 may detect an object using a clearance sonar provided on the moving body 10.

[0037] In addition to the above, the detection device 130 can also detect an object using a camera, a microphone, or the like.

[0038] (Controlled device 140) Controlled device 140 according to this embodiment may be any of various devices that perform a specified operation under the control of control device 120.

[0039] Controlled device 140 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, door 145 provided in moving body 10. When controlled device 140 is door 145, the prescribed operation may be to open the door.

[0040] In this case, if the authenticity of the portable device 20 is confirmed during authentication, the control device 120 of this embodiment controls the detection device 130 to start the process of detecting an object in a specified area, and if an object is detected in the specified area, controls the door 145 to be opened.

[0041] The door 145 may be an electric sliding door (also simply referred to as a sliding door).

[0042] The door 145 may also be an electric back door (also simply referred to as a back door).

[0043] Controlled device 140 according to the present embodiment may include an engine. If controlled device 140 is an engine, the specified operation may be starting the engine.

[0044] The control device 120 of this embodiment may, if the authenticity of the portable device 20 is confirmed during authentication, cause the detection device 130 to start a process of detecting an object in a specified area, and if an object is detected in the specified area, allow the engine to start.

[0045] In addition to the above, the controlled device 140 according to this embodiment may include a window, lighting, air conditioning, audio, a seat reclining mechanism, etc. In this case, the specified operation may be opening, lighting, starting the execution of the air conditioning function, starting output, automatic adjustment by electricity, etc.

[0046] (Portable Device 20) The portable device 20 according to this embodiment is carried by a user of the mobile object 10 (for example, the owner of the mobile object 10, or a person authorized by the owner to use the mobile object 10, etc.).

[0047] For example, the portable device 20 according to this embodiment may be a remote control key, a smart key, or the like provided by the manufacturer of the moving object 10.

[0048] Furthermore, for example, the portable device 20 according to this embodiment may be a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable device, or the like.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, the portable device 20 according to this embodiment may include a wireless communication unit 210, a control unit 220, and an operation detection unit 230.

[0050] (wireless communication unit 210) The wireless communication unit 210 according to this embodiment performs wireless communication with the wireless communication device 110 provided in the mobile object 10 in accordance with a prescribed communication standard.

[0051] (control unit 220) The control unit 220 according to this embodiment controls each component included in the portable device 20 .

[0052] The functions of the control unit 220 are realized by the cooperation of various processors such as a central processing unit (CPU) and memories.

[0053] (Operation detection unit 230) The operation detection unit 230 according to this embodiment detects an operation by the user.

[0054] For example, if the portable device 20 is a remote control key, a smart key, or the like, the operation detection unit 230 includes a button or the like.

[0055] Furthermore, for example, if the portable device 20 is a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable device, or the like, the operation detection unit 230 may include a touch panel or the like.

[0056] The above has described an example of the configuration of the control system 1 according to this embodiment. Note that the configuration described above using Fig. 1 is merely an example, and the configuration of the control system 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0057] The configuration of the control system 1 according to this embodiment can be flexibly modified according to specifications, operation, and the like.

[0058] <<1.2.Function Details>> Next, the functions of the control system 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. Note that in this embodiment, the description will be made mainly taking as an example a case where the control device 120 controls the opening of the door 145 as a prescribed operation of the controlled device 140.

[0059] In recent years, vehicles that are capable of automatically opening sliding doors electrically (also simply referred to as automatic door opening) have become widespread.

[0060] However, in vehicles such as those described above, after unlocking the sliding door, the user is required to perform opening operations such as gripping a handle on the sliding door, pressing a button on the sliding door, or pressing a button on a remote control key or the like to command the door to open, which is a double step.

[0061] The technical concept according to this embodiment has been conceived with the above points in mind, and realizes automatic opening of the door 145 provided on the moving body 10 more efficiently.

[0062] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of the control by the control device 120 according to this embodiment.

[0063] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the control device 120 first controls wireless communication between the wireless communication device 110 and the portable device 20 in accordance with a prescribed communication standard, and performs authentication of the portable device 20 based on the wireless communication (S101).

[0064] The authentication sequence in step S101 may employ various sequences that are widely used in the communications industry.

[0065] Next, the control device 120 determines whether the authenticity of the portable device 20 is recognized in the authentication in step S101 (S102).

[0066] If the control device 120 determines that the authenticity of the portable device 20 is not recognized (S102: NO), the control device 120 may end the series of processes.

[0067] On the other hand, if the control device 120 determines that the authenticity of the portable device 20 is confirmed (S102: YES), it causes the detection device 130 to start detection processing (S103).

[0068] Next, the control device 120 determines whether or not an object present in the predetermined area has been detected in the detection process in step S103 (S104).

[0069] When it is determined that an object has not been detected in the predetermined area (S104: NO), the control device 120 may end the series of processes.

[0070] On the other hand, when it is determined that an object has been detected in the predetermined area (S104: YES), the control device 120 controls the door 145 corresponding to the predetermined area to open (S105).

[0071] According to the control flow described above, the door 145 can be opened without the need for the user carrying the portable device 20 or a passenger other than the user to perform the door opening operation, thereby enabling the automatic opening of the door 145 to be realized more efficiently.

[0072] Next, the door opening control by the control device 120 will be described in detail with a specific example.

[0073] In the following description, the door 145 includes a sliding door, and the moving body 10 has a sliding door provided on the left side (left sliding door) and a sliding door provided on the right side (right sliding door).

[0074] Furthermore, the detection device 130 detects objects in a predetermined area set within a predetermined distance from the left sliding door and in a predetermined area set within a predetermined distance from the right sliding door.

[0075] Furthermore, the detection device 130 uses radar to detect objects in each predetermined area. For this purpose, the detection device 130 may include a left radar that detects objects in a predetermined area set within a predetermined distance from the left sliding door, and a right radar that detects objects in a predetermined area set within a predetermined distance from the right sliding door. Alternatively, the radar that detects objects in both predetermined areas may be the same.

[0076] First, a control example in which the control system 1 employs a remote keyless entry (RKE) system will be described.

[0077] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart when the control system 1 employs RKE.

[0078] When the control system 1 employs RKE, a situation may arise in which a user carrying a portable device 20 performs an unlocking operation at a location away from the vehicle 10, while another occupant who does not have the key wants to enter the vehicle 10 before the user.

[0079] In order to deal with the above-described situation, the control system 1 turns on the radar and attempts to detect objects that may be present in the specified area after authentication based on the unlocking operation is successful (the authenticity of the portable device 20 is recognized) and all doors are unlocked, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0080] Next, when an object is detected in a predetermined area, the control system 1 opens the sliding door corresponding to the predetermined area.

[0081] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the control device 120 performs control so that the right sliding door opens based on the fact that the right radar has captured the reflected wave.

[0082] On the other hand, the control device 120 does not perform door opening control for the left sliding door because the left radar does not capture the reflected wave.

[0083] According to the control described above, when the moving object 10 has a plurality of sliding doors, it is possible to open only the sliding door that a person (an object that generates reflected waves) is actually present near.

[0084] When the control system 1 employs RKE, an unlocking operation (for example, pressing a button) using the portable device 20 is required, and it may be possible to control whether or not the sliding door is opened depending on the manner of the unlocking operation.

[0085] For example, the portable device 20 may detect an unlocking operation, such as pressing a button for more than a predetermined time or pressing a button twice within a predetermined time, as a user's instruction to open the door, and transmit a wireless signal indicating the instruction to open the door to the wireless communication device 110.

[0086] In this case, the control device 120 may perform the above-described series of controls only when the wireless communication device 110 receives a wireless signal indicating the door-open instruction.

[0087] Such control can prevent the sliding door from opening when a third party such as another person is present in the predetermined area.

[0088] Although the above example illustrates a case where a door open instruction is detected based on differences in the manner of unlocking operation, the detection of a door open instruction is not limited to this example.

[0089] For example, a conventional remote control key may be provided with four buttons for opening or closing the left and right sliding doors.

[0090] In contrast, since the control system 1 of this embodiment is capable of determining the sliding door that should be opened as described above, the portable device 20 may be provided with only one door open button regardless of the number of sliding doors, and a door open instruction may be detected when that one door open button is pressed.

[0091] In addition, when one door close button is used, the control device 120 may close all the sliding doors when a door close instruction is detected by pressing the one door close button.

[0092] The above describes an example of control when the control system 1 employs RKE.

[0093] Next, an example in which the control system 1 employs Smart Entry (SMT), which does not require operation of the portable device 20, will be described.

[0094] SMTs come in two types: the trigger type, which allows unlocking based on authentication and then actually unlocks the door when a trigger such as gripping the doorknob or pressing a button on the doorknob is triggered; and the auto type, which unlocks the door immediately after authentication without requiring a trigger.

[0095] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart when the control system 1 employs a trigger type SMT.

[0096] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the control device 120 turns on the radar based on successful authentication, and attempts to detect an object that may be present in a predetermined area.

[0097] Next, when an object is detected in a predetermined area, the control system 1 executes unlocking using the detection of the object as a trigger, and opens the sliding door corresponding to the predetermined area.

[0098] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the control device 120 performs control so that at least the right sliding door is unlocked and opened when the right radar captures a reflected wave.

[0099] On the other hand, the control device 120 does not perform door opening control for the left sliding door because the left radar does not capture the reflected wave.

[0100] According to the control described above, the presence of a person (an object that generates reflected waves) in a specified area is used as a trigger, which makes it possible to omit the conventional trigger operation and open only the sliding door where a person is nearby.

[0101] When an object is detected in a predetermined area, the control device 120 may control the door 145 corresponding to the predetermined area where the object is detected to be unlocked, or may control the door 145 to be unlocked.

[0102] Furthermore, if the control system 1 employs an automatic SMT, unlocking may be performed immediately after authentication is established.

[0103] Next, an example of control in the case where the control system 1 employs a trigger type SMT and requires a trigger operation by the user will be described.

[0104] In the above case, whether or not the sliding door is opened may be controllable depending on the manner of trigger operation.

[0105] For example, the control device 120 may detect a trigger operation such as pressing the doorknob for a predetermined period of time or more, or pressing a button on the doorknob twice within a predetermined period of time, as a door open instruction by the user.

[0106] In this case, the control device 120 may perform the door opening control of the sliding door only when a door opening command is detected.

[0107] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart relating to the door-opening control of the sliding door based on the manner of trigger operation.

[0108] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the control device 120 turns on the radar based on successful authentication, and attempts to detect an object that may be present in a predetermined area.

[0109] Next, when a door open command is detected and an object is detected in the predetermined area, the control system 1 unlocks all doors and opens the sliding door corresponding to the predetermined area where the object was detected.

[0110] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the control device 120 controls all doors to be unlocked and also controls the right sliding door to be opened based on the detection of a door open command by gripping the door handle for a predetermined time or longer and the capture of a reflected wave by the right radar.

[0111] On the other hand, the control device 120 does not perform door opening control for the left sliding door because the left radar does not capture the reflected wave.

[0112] The control described above can prevent the sliding door from opening when a third party such as another person is present in the predetermined area. Also, when a passenger other than the user carrying the portable device 20, for example, a passenger carrying luggage, gets in through the sliding door, the sliding door can be opened without any operation by the passenger.

[0113] The functions of the control system 1 according to this embodiment have been described in detail above.

[0114] However, the functions of the control system 1 according to this embodiment are not limited to those described above.

[0115] For example, although the above example illustrates a case where object detection using radar is performed only once, object detection using radar may be performed multiple times.

[0116] For example, by irradiating the radar with radio waves multiple times at intervals of the order of 100 milliseconds and detecting changes (e.g., strength) in the reflected waves in the distance direction (near or far direction) of the radar, it is possible to determine whether or not the object is moving. Note that the above movements include not only intentional movements but also unintentional movements such as pulsation.

[0117] Therefore, the control device 120 may perform control so that the door 145 is opened when a moving object is detected in a predetermined area.

[0118] In this case, it is possible to prevent the door 145 from being opened due to the reflected waves from a stationary object such as an adjacent vehicle.

[0119] The detection device 130 can more reliably detect or identify people by using a camera or the like.

[0120] Furthermore, in the above description, the case where the control device 120 determines the door 145 to open based on the detection of an object has been mainly described, but the control device 120 may also determine the door 145 to unlock based on the detection of an object.

[0121] A vehicle 10 that employs a trigger-type SMT may be equipped with a function called double unlock, which unlocks only the driver's door when the door handle is gripped the first time, and unlocks all doors when the door handle is gripped the second time. Double unlock is a security function that prevents malicious third parties from getting into the vehicle from anywhere other than the driver's side.

[0122] In contrast, the control device 120 according to this embodiment may control the door of the seat corresponding to the specified area where the object is detected to be unlocked if an object is detected in a specified area other than the driver's seat, even if the door handle is gripped for the first time.

[0123] In addition, the control device 120 may control the door so that only the driver's seat door is unlocked when the door handle is grasped for the first time, and when a second grasp is detected and an object is detected in a predetermined area other than the driver's seat, the control device 120 may control the door so that the door corresponding to the predetermined area where the object was detected is unlocked.

[0124] Even if the door handle is unintentionally grasped a second time, the security function is maintained because no doors other than the driver's seat will be unlocked unless a person or other object is detected in the specified area.

[0125] Furthermore, when the above-described control is performed, further control may be performed to unlock all doors regardless of the object detection result, based on the detection of a third grip or the detection of a second grip that lasts longer than a predetermined time.

[0126] In addition, when the control device 120 controls a door 145 other than the driver's seat to be opened or unlocked based on the detection of an object, the control device 120 may further control the operation of other controlled devices 140 corresponding to the door 145 that has been controlled to be opened or unlocked.

[0127] Examples of the other controlled devices 140 include windows, lighting, air conditioning, audio, and seat reclining mechanisms.

[0128] <2. Supplementary Information> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0129] Furthermore, the 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. Each program is, for example, loaded into RAM when executed by a computer and executed by a processor such as a CPU. The storage medium may be, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory. The program may also be distributed, for example, via a network, without using a storage medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 1: control system, 10: mobile object, 110: wireless communication device, 120: control device, 125: control unit, 130: detection device, 140: controlled device, 145: door, 20: portable device, 210: wireless communication unit, 220: control unit, 230: operation detection unit

Claims

1. a control unit that controls a predetermined operation of a controlled device provided in the moving body; Equipped with When the authenticity of the portable device is recognized in the authentication based on the wireless communication conforming to the prescribed communication standard between the wireless communication device provided in the mobile body and the portable device, the control unit starts the detection process of the object in the predetermined area, and when the object is detected in the predetermined area, controls the controlled device to execute the prescribed operation. Control device.

2. the controlled device includes a door provided to the moving body, The control device controls the door to be opened when an object is detected in the predetermined area. The control device according to claim 1 .

3. the control unit controls the door to be opened when an object is detected in the predetermined area and when a door open instruction from a user carrying the portable device is detected. The control device according to claim 2 .

4. When an object is detected in the predetermined area, the control unit controls the door corresponding to the predetermined area among the plurality of doors to be opened. The control device according to claim 2 .

5. The control unit controls the door to be opened when a moving object is detected in the predetermined area. The control device according to claim 2 .

6. the specified communication standard is ultra-wideband wireless communication, and the detection process is a process using a wireless signal belonging to the ultra-wideband. The control device according to claim 2 .

7. The door is a sliding door. The control device according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. Controlling a specified operation by a controlled device provided in the moving object; Including, The controlling includes starting an object detection process in a predetermined area when authenticity of the portable device is recognized in authentication based on wireless communication conforming to a prescribed communication standard between the wireless communication device provided in the mobile body and the portable device, and controlling the controlled device to execute a prescribed operation when an object is detected in the predetermined area; further comprising: Control method.

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