Vehicle communication device

Abstract

In one embodiment, a vehicle communication device includes a first communication module and a second communication module, and the first communication module or the second communication module is connected to a user terminal depending on the signal strength of the first communication module or the second communication module.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle communication device, a user terminal, and a communication method for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] With the development of wireless communication, real-time services for vehicles are expanding. In the future, it is expected that services that connect user terminals, such as smartphones and other personal wireless devices, to vehicle communication devices will increase.

[0003] There is active research being conducted into providing such services, but there are various problems. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In one embodiment, a vehicle communication device includes a first communication module and a second communication module, and the first communication module or the second communication module may be connected to a user terminal depending on the signal strength of the first communication module or the second communication module.

[0005] In one embodiment, the vehicle communication device may further include a signal strength collection unit that collects signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module.

[0006] In one embodiment, the vehicle communication device may further include a connection management unit that compares the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the connection management unit may connect the user terminal to one of the first communication module and the second communication module, whichever has the stronger signal strength.

[0008] In one embodiment, when the first communication module and the user terminal are connected, if the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module is greater than the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module, the connection management unit may disconnect the user terminal from the first communication module and connect the user terminal to the second communication module.

[0009] In one embodiment, a user terminal includes a communication unit connected to a vehicle's communication module, the vehicle's communication module including a first communication module and a second communication module, and the communication unit may be connected to the first communication module or the second communication module depending on the signal strength of the first communication module or the second communication module.

[0010] In one embodiment, the vehicle communication module may further include a signal strength collection unit that collects signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module.

[0011] In one embodiment, the vehicle communication module may further include a connection management unit that compares the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module.

[0012] In one embodiment, the connection management unit may transmit a connection request to the communication unit to connect the user terminal to a communication module having a stronger signal strength among the first communication module and the second communication module.

[0013] In one embodiment, when the first communication module and the user terminal are connected, if the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module is greater than the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module, the connection management unit may transmit a disconnection request to the communication unit to disconnect the user terminal and the first communication module, and may transmit a connection request to the communication unit to connect the user terminal and the second communication module.

[0014] In one embodiment, a communication method for a vehicle includes a step of connecting to a user terminal depending on the signal strength of a communication module of the vehicle, the communication module of the vehicle including a first communication module and a second communication module, and the connecting step may include connecting the first communication module or the second communication module to the user terminal depending on the signal strength of the first communication module or the second communication module.

[0015] In one embodiment, the communication method for a vehicle may further include collecting signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module.

[0016] In one embodiment, the communication method for a vehicle may further include a step of comparing the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the comparing step may further include connecting the user terminal to one of the first and second communication modules, whichever has a stronger signal strength.

[0018] In one embodiment, the comparing step may further include a step of disconnecting the user terminal from the first communication module and connecting the user terminal to the second communication module when the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module is greater than the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module when the first communication module and the user terminal are connected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle communication device according to an embodiment;

[0020] [Figure 2] 4 is a diagram illustrating a handover connection process of a vehicle communication device according to an embodiment;

[0021] [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart of a communication method for a vehicle according to one embodiment.

[0022] [Figure 4] 10 illustrates a handover reconnection procedure according to signal strength in a communication method for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0023] [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle communication device and a user terminal according to an embodiment;

[0024] [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a communication method for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0025] [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a user terminal according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Since the present invention can be modified in various ways and can have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated and described in the drawings, but it should be understood that this does not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments, and that the present invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0027] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "second," "first," etc. are used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. Terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, a second component may be designated as a first component, and similarly, a first component may be designated as a second component, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple related listed items or any item among multiple related listed items.

[0028] When a component is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly coupled or connected to the other component, but that there may be other components between them. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components between them.

[0029] The terms used in this application are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expressions include the plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" and the like specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood not to preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the contextual meaning of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as idealized or overly formal unless expressly defined in this application.

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regardless of the reference numerals, the same or corresponding components will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle communication device according to an embodiment.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the vehicle communication device 100 may include a first communication module 101 and a second communication module 102. The vehicle communication device 100 may include a plurality of communication modules including the first communication module 101 and the second communication module 102, and the plurality of communication modules may further include a third communication module, a fourth communication module, an nth communication module (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2), etc. Operations applied to the second communication module 102, which will be described later, can also be applied to the third communication module, the fourth communication module, the nth communication module (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2), etc. The plurality of communication modules may include at least some of various communication devices / communication modules.

[0034] The vehicle communication device 100 may include at least a portion of a vehicle, a control device attached to the vehicle, a memory, a processor, a data transceiver, and the like.

[0035] Depending on the signal strength of the first communication module 101 or the second communication module 102, the first communication module 101 or the second communication module 102 may be connected to the user terminal.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the vehicle communication device 100 may further include a signal strength collection unit (not shown) that collects the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module 101 or the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module 102.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the vehicle communication device 100 may further include a connection management unit (not shown) that compares the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module 101 or the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module 102.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the connection manager may connect the user terminal to one of the first communication module 101 and the second communication module 102, whichever has the stronger signal strength.

[0039] According to one embodiment, when the first communication module 101 and the user terminal are connected, if the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module 102 is greater than the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module 101, the connection management unit may disconnect the user terminal from the first communication module 101 and connect the user terminal to the second communication module 102.

[0040] According to one embodiment, when the first communication module 101 and the user terminal are connected, the connection management unit may maintain the connection between the user terminal and the first communication module 101 if the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module 102 is smaller than or equal to the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module 101.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a handover connection process of a vehicle communication device according to an embodiment.

[0042] The vehicle communication device may include a first communication module 201 and a second communication module 202.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 2( a ), the vehicle communication device may be connected to a user terminal 210 .

[0044] The vehicle communication device can utilize a method for maintaining an existing connection in a weak electric field condition, thereby improving coverage and connectivity more smoothly in the event of a decrease in wireless communication reliability and performance.

[0045] The vehicle communication device can improve user convenience by connecting the second communication module 202, which is a device with a relatively strong electric field, to the user terminal 210 compared to the first communication module 201, which is an existing connection device, thereby ensuring operation time in subsequent steps and improving performance.

[0046] The vehicle communication device can ensure performance by periodically checking the signal strength between the second communication module 202, which is an unconnected device, and the user terminal 210, which is a user device, and checking and connecting to devices with stronger signals than the first communication module 201, which is a currently connected device.

[0047] Referring to (b) of Figure 2, when the vehicle communication device connects to the user terminal 210, it transmits parameters to the second communication module 202, which is an unconnected device, and the second communication module 202 can also collect the signal strength with the user device.

[0048] Referring to (c) of FIG. 2, if there is an unconnected device whose signal strength is stronger than that of an existing connection by a certain level (e.g., a preset threshold), the vehicle communication device can terminate the existing connection and connect to the device with the stronger signal, or request / set the user terminal 210 to do so.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a communication method for a vehicle according to one embodiment.

[0050] According to one embodiment, each step of the communication method for a vehicle may be performed by at least some of the components of a vehicle communication device.

[0051] In step (301), the vehicle communication device may be connected to the user terminal according to the signal strength of the vehicle communication module, and the vehicle communication module may include a first communication module and a second communication module.

[0052] The vehicle communication device may connect the first communication module or the second communication module to the user terminal depending on the signal strength of the first communication module or the second communication module.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the vehicle communication device may collect the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the vehicle communication device may compare the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the vehicle communication device may connect the user terminal to one of the first and second communication modules, whichever has a stronger signal strength.

[0056] In step (302), when the first communication module and the user terminal are connected, if the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module is greater than the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module, the vehicle communication device may disconnect the user terminal from the first communication module and connect the user terminal to the second communication module.

[0057] FIG. 4 illustrates a handover reconnection procedure according to signal strength in a communication method for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0058] The vehicle communication device may include a master or a first slave as the first communication module 401. The vehicle communication device may include a second slave (strong electric field) as the second communication module 402.

[0059] The vehicle communication device can power on / supply power to the first communication module 401 and the second communication module 402. The vehicle communication device can advertise to the user terminal 410 using the first communication module 401 and the second communication module 402.

[0060] The vehicle communication device can transmit a connection request to a user terminal 410, which is a user device, using the first communication module 401, and can receive a connection completion from the user terminal 410.

[0061] The vehicle communication device can maintain wireless communication with the first communication module 401 and the user terminal 410. The vehicle communication device can detect wireless communication with the second communication module 402, which is another device, and check the signal strength.

[0062] The vehicle communication device can check the signal strength and the possibility of handover. The vehicle communication device can decide the disconnection / simultaneous operation and connection procedures depending on the usage scenario.

[0063] The vehicle communication device can request the user terminal 410 to release the user connection to the first communication module 401 and can set up a user connection to the second communication module 402.

[0064] The first communication module 401 and the user terminal 410 may be disconnected from each other. The vehicle communication device can use the second communication module 402 to advertise to the user terminal 410.

[0065] The vehicle communication device can request the user terminal 410 to connect the user terminal 410, which is a user device, with the second communication module 402, and can receive information about the connection completion from the user terminal 410 when the connection is completed.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle communication device and a user terminal according to an embodiment.

[0067] The vehicular communication device 501 may include a main device such as an H / U, and may include N (for example, N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) communication modules such as RF modules. At least one of the communication modules of the vehicular communication device 501 may be connected to a user terminal 510, and depending on the signal strength, the user terminal 510 may be reconnected to a communication module different from the connected communication module.

[0068] If the signal strength between the communication module and the user terminal 510 is above a predetermined threshold and the environment is favorable for smooth communication, the vehicle communication device 501 may maintain a wireless connection between the communication module and the user terminal 510.

[0069] If the signal strength between the communication module and the user terminal 510 is below a preset threshold or if the environment is not conducive to smooth communication, the vehicle communication device 501 may terminate the wireless connection between the communication module and the user terminal 510 and establish / request a wireless connection between another communication module and the user terminal 510.

[0070] The vehicle communication device 501 can improve the stability of communication between wireless devices. Also, the vehicle communication device 501 has the effect of shortening operation processing time by smooth wireless communication data exchange.

[0071] The vehicle communication device 501 has an advantage in that it can improve time sync performance with other wireless devices such as UWB.

[0072] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a communication method for a vehicle according to one embodiment.

[0073] In step (601), the vehicle communication device may be powered on / supplied by a user or the like.

[0074] In step 602, the vehicle communication device may advertise wireless devices using multiple communication modules. After startup, the vehicle communication device may send out a signal for connection to a communication module (e.g., an RF module).

[0075] In step (603), the vehicle communication device may connect one of the plurality of communication modules to the user terminal.

[0076] In step (604), the vehicle communication device may collect and check the signal strength between the user terminal and other communication modules other than the connected wireless device (communication module).

[0077] In step (605), the vehicle communication device may compare the signal strength of the currently connected device (communication module) with that of the unconnected device (other communication module).

[0078] In step 606, the vehicle communication device may maintain the connection if the signal strength to the unconnected device (other communication module) is worse than the signal strength to the currently connected device (communication module).

[0079] In step 607, if the signal strength for the unconnected device (other communication module) is better than the signal strength for the currently connected device (communication module), the vehicle communication device may terminate the connection and connect the unconnected device (other communication module) to the user terminal. Depending on the scenario, the vehicle communication device may terminate the connection and then reconnect, or may connect and then terminate the connection.

[0080] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a user terminal according to an embodiment.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the user terminal may include a communication unit 710 that is connected to a communication module of the vehicle.

[0082] The user terminal may include at least some of the devices used by the user when using the vehicle, such as a smartphone, mobile phone, or tablet.

[0083] The vehicle's communication modules may include a first communication module 701 and a second communication module 702.

[0084] The communication unit 710 may be connected to the first or second communication module depending on the signal strength of the first or second communication module.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the vehicle communication module may further include a signal strength collector for collecting signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the vehicle communication module may further include a connection manager that compares the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module.

[0087] According to an embodiment, the connection manager may transmit a connection request to the communication unit 710 to connect the user terminal to the communication module having the stronger signal strength among the first and second communication modules.

[0088] According to one embodiment, when the first communication module and the user terminal are connected, if the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module is greater than the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module, the connection management unit may transmit a disconnection request to the communication unit 710 to disconnect the user terminal and the first communication module, and may transmit a connection request to the communication unit 710 to connect the user terminal and the second communication module.

[0089] The above description focuses on the embodiments, but these are merely examples and do not limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and applications not exemplified above are possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. For example, each component specifically illustrated in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. Furthermore, differences related to such modifications and applications should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. a first communication module; and a second communication module; A vehicle communication device, wherein the first communication module or the second communication module is connected to a user terminal depending on a signal strength of the first communication module or the second communication module.

2. a signal strength collecting unit that collects signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module; The vehicle communication device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. a connection management unit that compares a signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or a signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module; The vehicle communication device according to claim 2 , further comprising:

4. The connection management unit The vehicle communication device according to claim 3 , wherein the user terminal is connected to one of the first communication module and the second communication module, whichever has a stronger signal strength.

5. The connection management unit When the first communication module and the user terminal are connected, 4. The vehicle communication device of claim 3, wherein when the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module is greater than the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module, the connection between the user terminal and the first communication module is disconnected and the user terminal and the second communication module are connected.

6. 1. A communication method for a vehicle, comprising: connecting to a user terminal in response to a signal strength of a communication module of the vehicle; The vehicle communication module includes: a first communication module and a second communication module; The connecting step includes: A communication method, wherein the first communication module or the second communication module is connected to the user terminal depending on the signal strength of the first communication module or the second communication module.

7. The communication method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of collecting signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module.

8. The communication method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of comparing signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module or signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module.

9. The comparing step includes: The communication method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of connecting the user terminal to one of the first communication module and the second communication module, which has a stronger signal strength.

10. The comparing step includes: When the first communication module and the user terminal are connected, 9. The communication method of claim 8, further comprising the step of disconnecting the user terminal from the first communication module and connecting the user terminal to the second communication module when the signal strength between the user terminal and the second communication module is greater than the signal strength between the user terminal and the first communication module.

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