Portable device, remote control device, system, and program

Abstract

To easily search for a vehicle.SOLUTION: A mobile device 3 is capable of receiving a signal based on door lock wirelessly transmitted when a remote controller 2 having a function of wirelessly transmitting a signal of the door lock for locking a door of a vehicle to an in-vehicle device 1 having a function of locking the door wirelessly transmits the signal of the door lock, and includes a function of storing position information on the vehicle when receiving the signal based on the door lock, and a function of causing a notification unit to notify the position information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile device, a system, a program, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] When using commercial facilities such as shopping centers or parking lots scattered around the country, it can sometimes happen that a user loses track of where they parked their vehicle. To solve this type of problem, a car navigation system has been proposed that stores the vehicle's parking location by wirelessly transmitting it to a portable device such as a PDA (Personal Data Assistance) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] For example, when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, this car navigation system searches for a portable device near the vehicle. If a portable device is found, the system wirelessly transmits location information indicating the vehicle's location to the portable device. The wirelessly transmitted location information is received and stored by the portable device. This allows the user to use the portable device to check the vehicle's location and have the portable device provide route guidance to the vehicle's location. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-208699 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the car navigation system installed in the vehicle needs to search for mobile devices around the vehicle and wirelessly transmit location information indicating the vehicle's location to the mobile devices. Therefore, the car navigation system needs to be equipped with an interface for two-way communication with the mobile devices. This leads to the problem of a complex system configuration and increased manufacturing costs.

[0006] Furthermore, the map software used in car navigation systems has a longer update cycle than the map software used in mobile devices such as smartphones, so depending on where you park your vehicle, it may be difficult to remember your exact location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A portable device capable of receiving a signal based on a door lock, which is wirelessly transmitted when a remote control device having a function of wirelessly transmitting a door lock signal for locking the doors of a vehicle, wirelessly transmits the door lock signal to an in-vehicle device having a function for locking the doors of the vehicle, and which has a function of storing location information regarding the vehicle when the signal based on the door lock is received, and a function of causing an alarm means to alarm the location information.

[0008] In this way, when a signal based on the door lock is received, the location information of the vehicle can be stored in the portable device, so that the location information of the vehicle can be stored in the portable device without performing any operation to store the location information of the vehicle. By notifying the user of the location information stored in this way, the user can easily search for the vehicle.

[0009] The door lock signal may be wirelessly transmitted from the remote control device by user operation, or may be automatically transmitted wirelessly when the user carrying the remote control device leaves the vehicle's on-board equipment. In this way, the user can store the location information without performing any operation such as locking the doors.

[0010] The "function for locking doors" may be a function for locking the vehicle doors based on a wirelessly transmitted signal, and may be, for example, a function for locking the doors by operating a key provided on the vehicle door based on a wirelessly transmitted signal.

[0011] The "in-vehicle device" may be a device that is pre-installed in the vehicle, such as a genuine keyless entry system provided by the vehicle manufacturer, but may also be a device that is installed in the vehicle after the user purchases the vehicle. For example, it may be a system such as an engine starter or car security system that is retrofitted to the vehicle at a mass retailer.

[0012] The "door lock signal" may be a signal for locking the vehicle doors, and may be, for example, a signal that can be received by an in-vehicle device and causes the in-vehicle device to lock the doors.

[0013] The "signal based on the door lock signal" may be the door lock signal itself, or may be, for example, a signal indicating that the remote control device has output a door lock signal. In this way, even if the mobile device cannot directly receive the door lock signal, the mobile device can receive the door lock signal and store the vehicle position information.

[0014] The signal based on the door lock signal may be output from an in-vehicle device, but it is preferable that it be output from a remote control device, so that, for example, even if a user carrying a portable device operates the remote control device at a location away from the vehicle, the portable device can reliably receive the door lock signal.

[0015] The "signal based on the door lock signal" may be a signal output wirelessly, for example, a signal output in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

[0016] "When a signal based on the door lock is received" may be defined as when a remote control device wirelessly transmits a signal for the door lock, and when a mobile device receives a signal based on the door lock transmitted by a remote control device or an in-vehicle device, etc.

[0017] The "remote control device" may be a genuine remote control device. For example, it may be a remote controller for a genuine keyless entry system or a remote controller for an engine starter. The "remote control device" may be any device that wirelessly transmits a door lock signal, and may be, for example, a device that wirelessly transmits a signal based on the door lock signal indicating that the door lock signal has been output.

[0018] The "location information related to the vehicle" may be information indicating the location of the vehicle, information that allows the location of the vehicle to be estimated, or information indicating a location near the location of the vehicle. The location information related to the vehicle may simply be the current location information of the mobile device itself acquired by the mobile device, and does not necessarily have to be location information that the mobile device has determined to be the location of the vehicle.

[0019] The "notification means" may be anything that notifies the user of the mobile device of the location specified by the location information, and may be, for example, a display, speaker, or vibration function of the mobile device.

[0020] The "notification means" may be anything that notifies the location information in a way that can be recognized by a person, such as vibration, sound, or light of the device, but it is particularly preferable that the notification means displays the location information.

[0021] (2) The mobile device may store the location information regarding the vehicle when the door lock signal is received.

[0022] In this way, simply by wirelessly transmitting a door lock signal from the remote control device, the location information can be stored in the portable device and the location information can be reported. For example, if the remote control device is configured as a remote controller for a genuine keyless entry system, the user can search for the vehicle based on the location information simply by preparing the portable device.

[0023] (3) When the remote control device wirelessly transmits the door lock signal, the remote control device may wirelessly transmit a signal based on the door lock signal.

[0024] In this way, even if the portable device is unable to receive a door lock signal, the location information can be stored in the portable device.

[0025] (4) The in-vehicle device has a function of wirelessly transmitting a signal based on the door lock when the in-vehicle device receives the door lock signal from the remote control device, The portable device may store the location information when it receives a signal based on the door lock wirelessly transmitted by the in-vehicle device.

[0026] In this way, when the remote control device receives a door lock signal, a signal based on the door lock is output, so the user can know that the remote control device has received a door lock signal by having the mobile device store the location information.

[0027] (5) The mobile device may have a function for identifying the current location of the mobile device, and may store the location information indicating the identified current location when a signal based on the door lock is received.

[0028] In this way, location information indicating the location of the mobile device carried by the user can be stored when the vehicle doors are locked. For example, the user can lock the doors near the entrance of a shopping center near where the vehicle is parked, thereby storing location information indicating the entrance.

[0029] (6) The in-vehicle device has a function of identifying the current location of the vehicle and wirelessly transmitting the information to the mobile device, and when the mobile device receives a signal based on the door lock signal, the mobile device stores the location information indicating the location of the vehicle identified by the in-vehicle device.

[0030] In this way, location information indicating the location of the vehicle itself can be stored. Furthermore, even if a mobile phone does not have a location-specifying function, the vehicle's location information can be stored, making it possible to search for the vehicle using the mobile device.

[0031] (7) The notification means may map the location indicated in the location information on a map.

[0032] In this way, the user can search for the vehicle by looking at the vehicle's position displayed on the map. In particular, map information that can be displayed on a mobile device has a shorter update cycle than map information in a car navigation system, for example, and is updated almost in real time, making it easy to check the vehicle's position along with newly constructed landmarks, etc.

[0033] (8) The notification means may display the direction from the current location of the mobile device to the location indicated in the location information.

[0034] In this way, the user can directly grasp the direction to return to the vehicle, which makes it easier to confirm the general direction to go, especially when the user is far away from the vehicle.

[0035] (9) The notification means may display the location indicated in the location information on a radar chart defined around the current location of the mobile device.

[0036] In this way, the user can easily check the relative positional relationship between the current position and the vehicle.

[0037] (10) The notification means may display the location indicated by the location information in a manner according to the distance between the current location of the mobile device and the location indicated by the location information.

[0038] In this way, it is possible to notify the user of the optimum location information according to the user, vehicle, and location.

[0039] "Aspects according to distance" means that when the distance between the vehicle and the user is considerable, the vehicle's position may be displayed on a map, for example, and when the vehicle and the user come close to each other to a certain extent, the vehicle's position may be displayed on a radar chart, for example.

[0040] (11) The location information may be determined by selectively using a GPS signal and a signal from a Wi-Fi network.

[0041] In this way, it becomes possible to select the signal to be used for measurement depending on the surrounding environment, for example, in an indoor parking lot, current location information is measured based on a signal from a Wi-Fi network, and when outdoors, current location information is measured based on a GPS signal, etc. By selecting the signal to be used for measurement depending on the environment in this way, accurate location information can be stored, improving the accuracy with which the user searches for the vehicle.

[0042] (12) The mobile device may be a smartphone.

[0043] Since smartphones are equipped with an alarm means and can execute various applications, by simply downloading an application to a mobile device carried by a user that realizes the function of storing location information about a vehicle when a signal based on a door lock signal for locking the vehicle doors is received, the location information about the vehicle can be stored when the vehicle doors are locked.

[0044] (13) The in-vehicle device has a function of detecting that the ignition switch of the vehicle has been turned off, and when the ignition switch of the vehicle has been turned off, determining the current location of the vehicle and wirelessly transmitting this information to the mobile device, and when the mobile device receives a signal based on the door lock signal, it may store the location information indicating the location determined by the in-vehicle device.

[0045] In this way, even in an environment where the mobile device cannot identify the location, the mobile device can store the location information, and by notifying the user of the stored location information, the user can easily search for the vehicle.

[0046] (14) The remote control device has a function of wirelessly transmitting the door lock signal when it receives an output instruction signal wirelessly transmitted from the portable device, and the portable device has an interface that receives a locking command from a user to lock the doors of the vehicle, and has a function of wirelessly transmitting the output instruction signal when it receives the locking command via the interface.

[0047] In this way, the user can lock the vehicle doors using the portable device without operating the remote control device, so that the user can easily lock the doors using the portable device even when it is inconvenient to use the remote control device.

[0048] (15) The in-vehicle device may have a function for notifying the vehicle's position, the remote control device may have a function for wirelessly transmitting an alarm signal to the in-vehicle device for making the alarm, and the portable device may have a function for wirelessly transmitting an alarm instruction signal to the remote control device for wirelessly transmitting the alarm signal.

[0049] In this way, the user can use the portable device to notify the vehicle's location to the in-vehicle device, making it easier for the user to search for the vehicle.

[0050] The "notification of the vehicle's location" may be, for example, by flashing hazard lights, starting the engine, or outputting a voice.

[0051] (16) The portable device may wirelessly transmit the notification instruction signal when the distance between the current location and the location indicated by the location information becomes smaller than a predetermined distance.

[0052] In this way, when a user carrying a portable device approaches the vehicle, the vehicle's location is notified by the in-vehicle device, making it easier for the user to find the vehicle.

[0053] (17) When the portable device receives a signal based on the door lock signal, the portable device may issue an instruction to take a photograph using the portable device.

[0054] In this way, when a user takes a photograph using a portable device, the user can later check an image of the location where the doors are locked after parking the vehicle, making it easier to search for the vehicle.

[0055] (18) It is preferable that the vehicle is provided with the configurations of (1) to (17), an in-vehicle device having a function for locking the vehicle doors, and a remote control device having a function for wirelessly transmitting a door lock signal for locking the doors to the in-vehicle device.

[0056] In this way, when the user locks the vehicle doors, the user can store the vehicle location information in the mobile device without performing an operation to store the vehicle location information separately from locking the doors. By notifying the user of the stored location information in this way, it becomes easier for the user to search for the vehicle.

[0057] (19) The remote control device may wirelessly transmit the door lock signal to the in-vehicle device with power according to the distance between the position of the remote control device and the vehicle.

[0058] In this way, when the distance between the remote control device and the vehicle-mounted device is short, wireless communication is performed with less power, thereby reducing the power consumption of the remote control device.

[0059] The "power according to distance" may be the minimum power required to emit radio waves that enable communication between the remote control device and the in-vehicle device, for example.

[0060] (20) The mobile device may have a function for determining its current location, and may calculate the minimum power required to wirelessly transmit the door lock signal based on the distance between the current location and the location indicated in the location information, and the remote control means may wirelessly transmit the door lock signal using the power calculated by the mobile device.

[0061] In this way, the remote control means does not need to calculate the power required to transmit the door lock signal, and the remote control means does not consume power for power calculations. In this way, the power consumption of the remote control means is reduced, which can extend the life of the battery used in the remote control means, for example.

[0062] (21) For example, the functions of any of the portable devices (1) to (20) above may be configured as a program for causing a computer to realize the functions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0063] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily search for a vehicle without performing an operation to store location information about the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0064] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing screen 1. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing screen 2. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing screen 3. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0065] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to explain technical features that may be adopted by the present invention. The configurations and shapes of the devices described are merely illustrative examples, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. Various changes, modifications, and improvements may be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0066] 1 shows an example of a system using a remote controller for an in-vehicle device of the present invention. This system includes an in-vehicle device 1 mounted on a vehicle, a remote controller 2 that wirelessly communicates with the in-vehicle device 1 to control the operation of the in-vehicle device 1, and a mobile device 3 that can communicate with the remote controller 2. The in-vehicle device 1, the remote controller 2, and the mobile device 3 each include control units 1a, 2a, and 3a. They also include communication circuits for communicating with other devices, etc., as will be described later.

[0067] The in-vehicle device 1 and the remote controller 2 transmit and receive information via the first wireless communication. Accordingly, the in-vehicle device 1 is provided with a first wireless communication circuit 1b, and the remote controller 2 is provided with a first wireless communication circuit 2b.

[0068] The remote controller 2 and the portable device 3 transmit and receive information via the second wireless communication. Accordingly, the remote controller 2 is provided with a second wireless communication circuit 2c, and the portable device 3 is provided with a second wireless communication circuit 3b. The in-vehicle device 1 may be powered by a battery, but it is preferable to receive power from the vehicle's battery. The remote controller 2 is powered by a built-in primary battery. Commercially available dry cell batteries or button batteries are preferable as the primary battery, as they are easy to obtain, install, and handle. In particular, a button battery is preferable, as it allows the remote controller 2 to be made smaller. The portable device 3 is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery.

[0069] The communication method of the first wireless communication has a longer communication distance than the communication method of the second wireless communication. Furthermore, since the remote controller 2 is sold and used by general users, it can be used as a license-free wireless station. The weak radio waves used in a low-power wireless station, which is one type of license-free wireless station, have a short communication distance, and are therefore undesirable because the in-vehicle device 1 and the remote controller 2 may be located outside the communication range under normal usage conditions and environments. Therefore, the communication method of the first wireless communication uses radio waves used in specified low-power wireless stations. By using this specified low-power wireless communication, the communication distance becomes, for example, about 1 to 2 km in terms of line of sight, and even when there are obstacles, it becomes, for example, about several hundred meters. Therefore, for example, when a vehicle is parked in a shopping mall parking lot, the remote controller 2 carried by a user located inside or near the entrance of the shopping mall can communicate with the in-vehicle device 1.

[0070] The communication method of the second wireless communication has a shorter communication distance than the communication method of the first wireless communication. Furthermore, it is preferable that the communication method of the second wireless communication has a lower power consumption than the communication method of the first wireless communication. In this way, for example, communication using the first wireless communication method is usually stopped and is activated when sending or receiving information, and communication using the second wireless communication method is performed, for example, constantly at a predetermined interval, thereby maintaining the battery life.

[0071] Furthermore, the communication method for the second wireless communication should preferably be compatible with a communication circuit that is standardly implemented in the portable device 3. This is preferable because it allows the use of a commercially available portable device 3 and eliminates the need to add a new communication circuit or the like. In this embodiment, Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE) is used as the communication method for the second wireless communication. BLE is versatile and is adopted by many portable devices equipped with communication functions, so the portable device can be used as is for the communication method. Furthermore, when communicating using BLE, the devices to be communicated with must be connected by pairing. For this reason, the remote controller 2 periodically (e.g., every one second) communicates to establish a BLE connection. Because the power consumption required for this communication is small, the remote controller 2 can be operated for a long period of time, such as one season, even if the remote controller 2 is miniaturized using a button battery.

[0072] The in-vehicle device 1 is, for example, an engine starter that starts an engine. Engine starters for remotely starting a vehicle engine are widespread in cold regions. By using an engine starter, the vehicle can be warmed up in advance. Engine starters can also be used in vehicles equipped with immobilizers, vehicles that use a push button as the ignition switch instead of a key switch, hybrid cars, etc. Generally, an engine starter has a starting unit that includes a relay for operating a circuit that is normally operated by the ignition switch, and a relay for turning on a contact that detects the brake pedal. The starting unit starts the engine by operating its relay in response to a command from a remote controller.

[0073] The starting unit of an engine starter determines that the engine has started when the output voltage from the alternator rises due to engine start. It then outputs an answer signal to the remote controller, indicating that the engine has started. In recent years, vehicles have emerged that allow the engine to be started depending on the position of the smart key system relative to the vehicle. In these types of vehicles, the starting unit creates a situation where the smart key is inside the vehicle before starting the engine. In addition to starting and stopping the engine and locking and unlocking the doors, engine starters can also remotely check whether the engine is running or stopped, and the time elapsed since the engine started. However, at present, it is not possible to check whether the doors are locked or unlocked.

[0074] The in-vehicle device 1 receives an operation command from the remote controller 2 and executes processes for starting and stopping the engine and locking the doors. Such processes are executed by the control unit 1a.

[0075] For example, when the control unit 1a receives an engine start command in response to an operation of the regular remote controller 2 by a user located away from the vehicle, it starts the engine, continues operating the engine for a certain period of time, and then stops the engine. By continuing the engine operation, the engine can be warmed up or the temperature inside the vehicle can be adjusted to an appropriate temperature by the air conditioner installed in the vehicle. When the control unit 1a receives an operation stop command, it stops the engine that is currently operating.

[0076] Furthermore, when the control unit 1a receives a door lock signal transmitted from the remote controller 2 in response to a user's operation of the legitimate remote controller 2, it operates the locks provided on the respective doors of the vehicle to lock the doors.

[0077] The control unit 1a transmits the execution result of the received operation command to the remote controller 2 using the first wireless communication circuit 1b. The basic function of the engine starter is the same as that of a conventionally known engine starter.

[0078] The remote controller 2 includes an operation unit 2d. As described above, if the in-vehicle device 1 is an engine starter, the operation unit 2d is, for example, a push button switch corresponding to operation instructions for a start switch, a stop switch, a door lock switch, etc.

[0079] A user carrying the remote controller 2 operates the in-vehicle device 1 mounted in the vehicle to start or stop the engine or lock the doors by pressing the operation unit 2d. To perform such processing, when the control unit 2a detects an operation on the operation unit 2d, it transmits an instruction command corresponding to the operation from the first wireless communication circuit 2b. The in-vehicle device 1 then receives the instruction command transmitted by the first wireless communication circuit 2b at the first wireless communication circuit 1b, and the control unit 1a executes processing in accordance with the instruction command. In this way, the remote controller 2 has a function to directly remotely control the in-vehicle device 1. This function is the same as that of a conventional engine starter.

[0080] Furthermore, the remote controller 2 includes a notification unit 2e. The notification unit 2e notifies the user of the operating status, for example, the execution result sent from the in-vehicle device 1. The notification unit 2e notifies the user visually or audibly. For example, the notification unit 2e may use a display panel to display the execution result using characters, figures, etc., or may use a light-emitting means such as an LED to notify the user by a lighting state (blinking / off / on) or a light-emitting color. The notification unit 2e may also use a speaker to notify the user by voice or a buzzer, for example. These may be realized by one or a combination of two or more of these means.

[0081] As described above, the remote controller 2 is capable of communicating with the mobile device 3. When the remote controller 2 receives instruction information including an execution command issued from the mobile device 3 to the remote controller 2 as will be described later, the remote controller 2 executes processing according to the instruction information and remotely controls the in-vehicle device 1.

[0082] When the remote controller 2 completes the processing associated with the received instruction information, it transmits an execution completion notification to the mobile device 3. When the remote controller 2 transmits a door lock signal to the in-vehicle device 1, it also transmits a door lock notification signal to the mobile device 3 indicating that the door lock signal has been transmitted.

[0083] As such, the remote controller 2 of this embodiment has a function (function 1) of directly controlling the in-vehicle device 1 based on operations on its own operating unit 2d, and a function (function 2) of controlling the in-vehicle device 1 based on instructions from the mobile device 3.

[0084] The mobile device 3 may be, for example, a portable device with a communication function, such as a mobile communication terminal. Examples of such devices include smartphones, mobile phones, and tablet PCs. For example, smartphones and the like are convenient because they are always carried or kept close at hand, eliminating the need to take out the remote controller 2. Furthermore, since smartphones and tablet PCs allow users to easily download and install apps, the user can realize the present system by downloading an app with functions corresponding to the present invention to a general-purpose smartphone or the like that the user owns.

[0085] Furthermore, for example, smartphones and the like have communication circuits capable of long-distance communication such as 3G and LTE, and communication circuits compatible with Bluetooth (registered trademark) as standard communication functions.

[0086] Therefore, the second wireless communication circuit 3b utilizes a communication circuit for Bluetooth (registered trademark) that is installed as a standard function. By using a communication circuit that is installed as a standard function in this way, it is not necessary to add a new communication circuit as the second wireless communication circuit 3b, which is preferable. Furthermore, a user who performs the above-mentioned function 2 operates the operation unit 3d of the portable device 3. Therefore, it is preferable that the portable device 3 is one that the user can carry around and easily take out. In view of this point, a smartphone is preferable to be applied to the portable device 3.

[0087] Smartphones are equipped with communication methods such as 3G and LTE, which provide much longer communication distances than specified low-power radio. Using 3G or the like as the communication method for the first wireless communication allows the smartphone to directly communicate with the in-vehicle device 1 and control it. However, adopting 3G or the like as the communication method for the first wireless communication requires, for example, making the first wireless communication circuit 1b of the in-vehicle device 1 compatible with 3G or the like, which increases costs and makes it impractical. Furthermore, when the in-vehicle device 1 is an engine starter, for example, a user who is indoors, such as at home, remotely starts the engine, warms it up, adjusts the cabin temperature, and so on. Therefore, considering such applications, even if the user's operating location is far from the vehicle, it is not many kilometers away, and the communication distance of 3G or the like is not required; the communication distance of specified low-power radio is sufficient. Therefore, taking into consideration cost and the necessary and sufficient communication distance, specified low-power radio is adopted as the communication method for the first wireless communication.

[0088] The portable device 3 may also be a wearable device that can be carried around on the body. Wearable devices are often worn at all times, which is convenient as it eliminates the need to take out the remote controller 2. Wristwatch-type or bracelet-type devices are particularly preferred. These types are advantageous because they are worn on the arm and can be easily operated with the hand that is not wearing the device.

[0089] The mobile device 3 includes an alarm unit 3c and an operation unit 3d. The alarm unit 3c includes a liquid crystal display, a speaker, a vibration function, etc. The operation unit 3d includes a mechanical push button switch, a touch panel, etc. In this embodiment, the operation unit 3d of the mobile device 3 includes at least the same functions as the operation unit 2d for operating the remote controller 2 to control the in-vehicle device 1. Therefore, operations performed by operating the mobile device 3 can be performed by operating the mobile device 3 without removing the remote controller 2. When the mobile device 3 is, for example, a smartphone, it is preferable to use the standard functions installed as is, as with the second wireless communication circuit 3b.

[0090] The mobile device 3 includes a location information measurement unit 3e. The location information measurement unit 3e may use a location information function that is standardly implemented in the mobile device 3. In this embodiment, the location information measurement unit 3e uses A-GPS, which combines a mobile phone network or a Wi-Fi network with GPS. A-GPS is widely used and is adopted in many mobile devices with communication functions. This allows a general-purpose mobile device 3 to be used without adding a new function for acquiring location information. Furthermore, by using A-GPS, it becomes possible to select the signal to be used for measurement depending on the surrounding environment. For example, in an indoor parking lot, the current location information is measured based on a signal from a Wi-Fi network, and when outdoors, the current location information is measured based on a GPS signal.

[0091] The mobile device 3 includes a storage unit 3f. The storage unit 3f is configured from the main storage of the mobile device 3, a removable external storage, or the like. A smartphone or the like becomes a device that can execute the functions of a specific app by downloading and installing the app. In this embodiment, for example, an app 4 is installed for starting and stopping the engine, locking the doors, and storing and displaying the location information of the mobile device 3. This app 4 is saved in the storage unit 3f of the mobile device 3. When the app 4 is installed, the control unit 3a displays an icon for the app 4 on the notification unit 3c. Then, when the control unit 3a detects that the icon has been touched by an operation on the operation unit 3d, the control unit 3a launches the app 4.

[0092] Upon this activation, the control unit 3a displays a menu screen on the notification unit 3c, for example, and when it detects that any of the menu items displayed on the menu screen has been touched, it displays an operation screen corresponding to the touched menu item. This operation screen may be, for example, an instruction input screen on which an engine start button, an engine stop button, a door lock button, and a position display button are arranged in predetermined positions, or a setting screen for performing various settings. The engine start button, engine stop button, and door lock button are equivalent to the operation unit 2d of the remote controller 2.

[0093] When the application is started, the control unit 3a uses the second wireless communication circuit 3b to establish a BLE connection with the remote controller 2. Then, when the control unit 3a detects that, for example, a "start button" or a "stop button" on the operation screen has been touched, it transmits a corresponding execution command (for example, a start command, a stop command, etc.) to the remote controller 2 using BLE.

[0094] When a connection stop condition is met, the control unit 3a disconnects the connection with the remote controller 2. The connection stop condition may be, for example, a set time that has elapsed since the execution command was sent. Disconnecting the connection is advantageous because it can reduce battery consumption of the portable device 3 even while an app is running.

[0095] Furthermore, when the control unit 3a receives a door lock signal transmitted from the remote controller 2 to the mobile device 3, the control unit 3a uses the position information measurement unit 3e to identify the position of the mobile device 3 at the time the door lock signal was received, and stores position information indicating the identified position in the storage unit 3f. The position information is, for example, information indicating the latitude and longitude on the earth as measured by GPS.

[0096] When the user starts the app 4, a menu screen is displayed on the notification unit 3c, and when the user touches a position display button on the menu screen, the control unit 3a displays, for example, the current position of the mobile device 3 acquired using the position information measurement unit 3e and the stored position indicated in the position information stored in the storage unit 3f on the notification unit 3c. This stored position indicates the position where the user holding the mobile device 3 was located when the vehicle doors were locked, that is, the position at the time the doors were locked.

[0097] The notification unit 3c displays the current location and the stored location on a screen in various forms. Fig. 2 shows, as an example, a screen 11 in a first form displayed on the notification unit 3c. The screen 11 displayed on the notification unit 3c displays a mark 11a indicating the current location, a mark 11b indicating the stored location, and a line connecting the marks 11a and 11b, together with a map and a scale of the area around the current location. The map also displays a dashed line indicating the route from the current location to the stored location, a mark indicating the direction in which the user holding the mobile device 3 is facing, and the like.

[0098] The user can search for the vehicle by looking at marks 11a and 11b displayed together with the map on the screen 11. In particular, the map information that can be displayed on the portable device 3 has a shorter update cycle than, for example, map information of a car navigation system, and is updated almost in real time, making it easy to check the vehicle's location along with newly constructed landmarks, etc.

[0099] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing, as an example, a screen 12 in a second form displayed on the notification unit 3c. On the screen 12 displayed on the notification unit 3c, a mark 12a indicating the current location and a mark 12b indicating the stored location are displayed together with a radar chart. On the screen 12, the mark 12b is displayed at the center of the radar chart. Each circle surrounding the mark 12b functions as a scale indicating the distance to the vehicle. The screen 12 also displays text indicating the distance from the current location to the stored location, the current time, etc. In this way, the user can easily check the relative positional relationship between the current location and the vehicle.

[0100] FIG. 4 shows, as an example, a screen 13 of the third form displayed on the notification unit 3c. The screen 13 displayed on the notification unit 3c displays an arrow indicating the direction of the stored location from the user's current location, text "N," "S," "E," and "W" indicating the direction indicated by the arrow, and text indicating the latitude and longitude. By looking at the screen 13, the user can directly grasp the direction to return to the vehicle. This makes it easy to confirm the approximate direction to go, especially when the user is far away from the vehicle.

[0101] The control unit 3a switchably displays the screens 11, 12, and 13 on the notification unit 3c. For example, when one of the screens 11 to 13 is displayed on the notification unit 3c, if the user swipes or flicks the screens 11, 12, and 13 via the touch panel that constitutes the operation unit 3d, the control unit 3a switches and displays the screens 11 to 13 in order.

[0102] An example of an actual usage of the above-described system is as follows: For example, after parking a vehicle and getting out of the vehicle, a user can operate the in-vehicle device 1 to lock the vehicle doors by operating the operation unit 2d of the remote controller 2. When the user operates the operation unit 2d of the remote controller 2, the remote controller 2 uses the first wireless communication circuit 2b to wirelessly transmit a door lock signal to the in-vehicle device 1 to lock the vehicle doors, and also wirelessly transmits a door lock notification signal to the mobile device 3 indicating that the door lock signal has been wirelessly transmitted.

[0103] When the second wireless communication circuit 3b of the portable device 3 receives the door lock notification signal wirelessly transmitted by the remote controller 2, the control unit 3a acquires location information indicating the current location of the portable device 3 from the location information measurement unit 3e. The control unit 3a then stores the acquired location information in the memory unit 3f. The control unit 3a may also use the notification unit 3c to instruct the smartphone to take a photo using its camera function. By taking an image of the area around the vehicle according to the instruction, the vehicle can be searched for using the image that shows the vehicle.

[0104] The user of the mobile device 3 can launch the app 4 to display a menu screen on the notification unit 3c, and by touching the location display button displayed on the menu screen, the user can cause the notification unit 3c to display location information as screens 11, 12, and 13.

[0105] Furthermore, when the remote controller 2 is placed in a bag or the like, the user can lock the vehicle doors using the mobile device 3. By starting the app 4, the user can display a menu screen on the notification unit 3c and touch a door lock button displayed on the menu screen to cause the control unit 2a of the remote controller 2 to wirelessly transmit a door lock signal, thereby locking the vehicle doors. When the control unit 2a of the remote controller 2 wirelessly transmits the door lock signal using the first wireless communication circuit 2b, it wirelessly transmits a door lock notification signal indicating that the door lock signal has been transmitted to the mobile device 3 using the second wireless communication circuit 2c.

[0106] When the second wireless communication circuit 3b of the portable device 3 receives the door lock notification signal wirelessly transmitted by the remote controller 2, the control unit 3a acquires, from the position information measurement unit 3e, position information indicating the current position of the portable device 3. Then, the control unit 3a stores the acquired position information in the memory unit 3f.

[0107] The user of the portable device 3 can start the application 4 to display a menu screen on the notification unit 3c, and can touch a position display button displayed on the menu screen to cause the notification unit 3c to display the location information as screens 11, 12, and 13. The control unit 3a can also notify the user of the location information by using the speaker or vibration function of the notification unit 3c, or by using the speaker or vibration function together with the display function of the screen.

[0108] As described above, when the mobile device 3 receives a door lock notification signal indicating that the remote controller 2 has output a door lock signal, the mobile device 3 stores location information indicating the current location of the mobile device 3. Therefore, the user can simply lock the vehicle doors and have the mobile device 3 store location information of the location where the vehicle is currently located and locations from which the locations of surrounding vehicles can be easily estimated, without having to perform any operation to store the vehicle's location, etc. Therefore, even when the user parks in a parking lot of a commercial facility or the like, the user can easily find their vehicle by having the mobile device 3 report the location information after they have finished their errand.

[0109] Furthermore, when the user carries both the mobile device 3 and the remote controller 2, the communication distance between the mobile device 3 and the remote controller 2 is short. Therefore, even if the mobile device 3 cannot receive the answerback signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 when the door is locked by the remote controller 2 or the mobile device 3, the mobile device 3 can store the position information based on the door lock notification signal from the remote controller 2 instead of the answerback signal.

[0110] For example, large suburban stores and theme parks often have large parking lots, and the facilities often have multiple entrances and exits, or the entrances and exits may be far from the parking lot. Therefore, current engine starters and other devices have a function to flash the vehicle's hazard lights for a few seconds as a marker to locate the vehicle. While hazard lights serve as a marker to locate the vehicle in relatively dark places, such as at night or in indoor parking lots, they are not very noticeable in bright parking lots during the day and are therefore insufficient as a marker to locate the vehicle. Furthermore, hazard lights do not function as a marker when the vehicle is far from the vehicle or when the vehicle is in a blind spot behind a large vehicle or building. In particular, parking lots at large shopping centers and other facilities often have parking spaces neatly arranged in a matrix on flat land. This can lead to the vehicle being obscured by other vehicles. Furthermore, at highway service areas, parking spaces for large and small vehicles are often located close to each other. Under these conditions, the vehicle may be obscured by the large vehicle. Therefore, with the current device, when the vehicle cannot be found, the hazard lights have to be flashed repeatedly, which has the disadvantage of wasting battery power.

[0111] On the other hand, in the system according to this embodiment, the current location and stored locations near the vehicle's location are displayed on the mobile device 3, making it possible to easily search for the vehicle. Locking the doors after parking is an action that is likely to be performed near the vehicle's location after parking. Therefore, in the system according to this embodiment, when parking is performed, it is almost certain that location information indicating the vehicle's location and its vicinity will be stored.

[0112] If the entrance to a commercial facility is near the vehicle, the user may move to the vicinity of the entrance and then lock the vehicle door using the remote controller 2 or the mobile device 3. In this way, location information indicating the entrance through which the user entered the commercial facility can be stored in the mobile device 3. Second Embodiment 5, in this embodiment, the configuration of the above-described first embodiment is assumed, and a second wireless communication circuit 1c is mounted on the in-vehicle device 1. The in-vehicle device 1 and the mobile device 3 communicate directly via this second wireless communication circuit 1c.

[0113] When the vehicle door is locked, the control unit 1a of the in-vehicle device 1 wirelessly transmits a door lock notification signal to the mobile device 3 using the second wireless communication circuit 1c. When the second wireless communication circuit 3b of the mobile device 3 receives the door lock notification signal wirelessly transmitted by the in-vehicle device 1, the control unit 3a acquires location information indicating the current location of the mobile device 3 from the location information measurement unit 3e. The control unit 3a then stores the acquired location information in the memory unit 3f. The user of the mobile device 3 can start the app 4 to display a menu screen on the notification unit 3c, and can touch a location display button displayed on the menu screen to cause the notification unit 3c to display the location information as screens 11, 12, and 13.

[0114] Furthermore, when the control unit 3a of the mobile device 3 receives the door lock notification signal from the in-vehicle device 1, the control unit 3a displays, for example, on the notification unit 3c, a display indicating that the in-vehicle device 1 has received the door lock signal. This display may be a text or a pop-up window displayed on the notification unit 3c.

[0115] In the first embodiment, the remote controller 2 is configured to wirelessly transmit the door lock notification signal to the mobile device 3, but the in-vehicle device 1 may wirelessly transmit the door lock notification signal to the mobile device 3. For example, the in-vehicle device 1 may wirelessly transmit the door lock notification signal to the mobile device 3 using the second wireless communication circuit 1c. In this way, the user can confirm that the in-vehicle device 1 has received the door lock signal.

[0116] Third Embodiment As shown in FIG. 6 , this embodiment is based on the configuration of the first embodiment described above, and the portable device 3 is equipped with a first wireless communication circuit 3g instead of the second wireless communication circuit 3b. The portable device 3 receives a door lock signal wirelessly transmitted from the first wireless communication circuit 2b of the remote controller 2 via the first wireless communication circuit 3g. When the first wireless communication circuit 3g of the portable device 3 receives the door lock signal wirelessly transmitted from the remote controller 2, the control unit 3a acquires location information indicating the current location of the portable device 3 from the location information measurement unit 3e. The control unit 3a then stores the acquired location information in the memory unit 3f. The user of the portable device 3 can start the app 4 to display a menu screen on the notification unit 3c, and can touch a location display button displayed on the menu screen to cause the notification unit 3c to display location information as screens 11, 12, and 13.

[0117] Furthermore, when the control unit 3a of the mobile device 3 receives the door lock notification signal from the in-vehicle device 1, the control unit 3a causes the notification unit 3c to display, for example, a display indicating that the in-vehicle device 1 has received the door lock signal.

[0118] The remote controller 2 of the first embodiment is configured to wirelessly transmit to the mobile device 3 a door lock notification signal indicating that a door lock signal has been wirelessly transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1. However, it is preferable that the mobile device 3 receives the door lock signal and stores the current location of the mobile device 3 upon receiving the door lock signal. For example, smartphones are compatible with communication methods such as 3G and LTE. If 3G or the like is used as the communication method for the first wireless communication, the mobile device 3 can directly receive the door lock signal and store the current location. This is advantageous because it simplifies the configuration of the remote controller 2.

[0119] Fourth Embodiment As shown in FIG. 7, this embodiment is based on the configuration of the first embodiment described above, and includes a location information measurement unit 1d in the in-vehicle device 1. The location information measurement unit 1d may be a car navigation system installed in the vehicle. In this embodiment, the location information measurement unit 1d measures the vehicle's location using a GPS and outputs from a built-in acceleration sensor. When the doors are locked, the control unit 1a wirelessly transmits a door lock notification signal to the mobile device 3 using the second wireless communication circuit 1c, and also wirelessly transmits location information indicating the location of the vehicle measured by the location information measurement unit 1d.

[0120] When the second wireless communication circuit 3b of the portable device 3 receives the door lock notification signal and the location information wirelessly transmitted by the in-vehicle device 1, the control unit 3a stores the received location information in the memory unit 3f. The user of the portable device 3 can start the application 4 to display a menu screen on the notification unit 3c, and can touch the location display button displayed on the menu screen to cause the notification unit 3c to display the location information as screens 11, 12, and 13.

[0121] In this way, location information indicating the location of the vehicle itself can be stored. Furthermore, for example, even when the mobile phone does not have a function for identifying the location or when it is impossible to identify the location, the vehicle location information can be stored, making it possible to search for the vehicle using the mobile device. Furthermore, the mobile device 3 can store both location information indicating the location where the doors were locked and location information indicating the vehicle's location. Furthermore, even when the mobile device 3 cannot obtain location information, such as when the vehicle is parked in an indoor parking lot, the vehicle location information can be stored, making it possible to search for the vehicle using the mobile device.

[0122] In the system according to the fourth embodiment, the in-vehicle device 1 is configured to wirelessly transmit the door lock notification signal and the location information indicating the location of the vehicle, but it is also possible for the in-vehicle device 1 to wirelessly transmit only the location information of the vehicle. In this way, only the location information of the vehicle can be stored in the mobile device 3.

[0123] The location information wirelessly transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 to the mobile device 3 may be the location information measured by the location information measurement unit 1d immediately before the ignition switch is turned off. In this way, it becomes possible to transmit the location information to the mobile device 3 even if the main power source in the vehicle is turned off.

[0124] The system according to the fourth embodiment is configured to wirelessly transmit the door lock notification signal and the position information using the second wireless communication circuit 1c, but when the mobile device 3 includes the first wireless communication circuit 3g, the in-vehicle device 1 may wirelessly transmit the door lock notification signal and the position information using the first wireless communication circuit 1b, as shown in Fig. 6. In this way, even if the distance between the mobile device 3 and the in-vehicle device 1 is great, the mobile device 3 can receive the door lock notification signal and the position information.

[0125] Fifth Embodiment As shown in Fig. 8, this embodiment is based on the configuration of the first embodiment described above, and includes an alarm unit 1e in the in-vehicle device 1. The alarm unit 1e has a speaker that outputs a sound different from the horn and a function to flash hazard lights. The operation unit 2d of the remote controller 2 has an alarm switch. The instruction input screen of the portable device 3 is also provided with the alarm switch.

[0126] When a user operates the alarm switch of the remote controller 2, the control unit 2a uses the first wireless communication circuit 2b to wirelessly transmit an alarm signal for driving the alarm unit 1e of the in-vehicle device 1. When the alarm signal is received by the first wireless communication circuit 1b, the control unit 1a causes the alarm unit 1e to blink the hazard lamps.

[0127] Furthermore, when the user operates the alarm switch of the portable device 3, the control unit 3a wirelessly transmits an alarm signal to the remote controller 2 using the second wireless communication circuit. When the second wireless communication circuit 2c receives the alarm signal, the control unit 2a of the remote controller 2 wirelessly transmits the alarm signal to the in-vehicle device 1 using the first wireless communication circuit. When the first wireless communication circuit 1b receives the alarm signal, the control unit 1a causes the alarm unit 1e to blink the hazard lamps.

[0128] In this way, the user can have the vehicle notify the user of its location, making it easier to find the vehicle. It is also preferable to have the vehicle notify the user of its location using the mobile device 3. In this way, the user can have the mobile device 3 notify the user of the location information and the vehicle notify the user of the location information. It is convenient if the notification switch of the mobile device 3 is displayed together with the screens 11 to 13. It is also preferable to notify the user of the vehicle by starting the engine using the engine starter function or by starting the engine and flashing the hazard lights at the same time.

[0129] It is also preferable to automatically transmit a notification signal to the in-vehicle device 1 when the distance between the current position and the stored position becomes short. In this way, the position of the vehicle can be notified to a user approaching the vehicle in a timely manner.

[0130] In the system according to the above embodiment, the remote controller 2 is configured to wirelessly transmit a door lock notification signal when the door is locked by the user, but it is preferable that the door lock notification signal is automatically wirelessly transmitted from the remote controller 2 when the user carrying the remote controller 2 leaves the vehicle's in-vehicle device 1. In this way, the door can be locked and the location information can be stored automatically without the user having to perform any operation such as locking the door.

[0131] The in-vehicle device according to the above embodiment is configured as an engine starter, but it may be configured as a security system having a door lock function equivalent to the in-vehicle device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0132] In the system according to the above embodiment, the in-vehicle device 1 is configured as an engine starter that is later installed in the vehicle, but the in-vehicle device 1 and the remote controller 2 may form, for example, a genuine keyless entry system of a vehicle manufacturer, if the portable device 3 is configured to be able to receive a door lock signal wirelessly transmitted from the remote controller 2. In such a configuration, the control unit 3a of the portable device 3 may store the current location of the portable device 3 in the memory unit 3f upon receiving the door lock signal.

[0133] The portable device 3 according to the above embodiment is configured to sequentially switch between the screens 11 to 13 when the user swipes or otherwise moves the screens 11, 12, and 13. However, the portable device 3 may be configured to switch the screen to be displayed depending on the distance between the current location and the stored location. This allows the user to view a screen appropriate for searching for a vehicle. Furthermore, sound or light may be output with an intensity corresponding to the distance between the current location and the stored location, and the portable device 3 may be vibrated with an intensity corresponding to the distance. This allows the user to intuitively grasp the distance to their vehicle.

[0134] The remote controller 2 according to the above embodiment may transmit a door lock signal at a power level corresponding to the distance between the position of the remote controller 2 and the position of the vehicle. This reduces the power consumption of the remote controller 2. For example, the door lock signal may be transmitted at various power levels, and the door lock signal may be transmitted at the lowest power level when transmission and reception are successful. Specifically, the power level of the radio wave may be changed from low to high in one to ten levels, and when the door lock signal is transmitted, the power level may be set to the sixth level when transmission and reception are successful six times, for example.

[0135] Furthermore, the control unit 3a of the portable device 3 may estimate the current location of the portable device 3 as the location of the remote controller 2 carried by the user together with the portable device 3, and calculate the minimum power required to wirelessly transmit the door lock signal based on the distance between the current location and the stored location. In this way, the remote controller 2 does not need to calculate the minimum required power, and the battery life of the remote controller 2 can be extended. In particular, when the portable device 3 is a rechargeable device such as a smartphone, it is preferable to perform the above calculation on the rechargeable portable device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 1 In-vehicle equipment 1a Control section 1b 1st wireless communication circuit 1c Second wireless communication circuit 1d Location information measurement unit 1e Notification Department 2 Remote Controllers 2a Control section 2b First wireless communication circuit 2c Second wireless communication circuit 2d operation section 2e Notification Department 3. Mobile devices 3a Control section 3b Second wireless communication circuit 3c Notification Department 3d control unit 3e Location information measurement unit 3f Storage section 3g 1st wireless communication circuit 4. Apps Screens 11-13 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b marks

Claims

1. A portable device having a function of vibrating the portable device with a strength corresponding to the distance between a current position and a stored position.

2. 2. The portable device according to claim 1, further comprising a function for outputting a sound whose intensity corresponds to the distance between the current position and the stored position.

3. 3. The portable device according to claim 1, further comprising a function for outputting light of an intensity according to the distance between the current position and the stored position.

4. 4. The portable device according to claim 1, further comprising a function of switching a displayed screen depending on the distance between a current position and a stored position.

5. 5. The portable device according to claim 4, wherein one of the screens displayed is a screen that displays a mark indicating the current location and a mark indicating the stored location on a map, and displays a straight line or a route between the two marks together with the map.

6. 6. A portable device according to claim 4, wherein one of the screens displayed is a screen that displays the stored positions on a radar chart defined around the current position, with concentric circles functioning as a distance scale.

7. 7. A portable device according to claim 4, wherein one of the screens displayed is a screen that displays an arrow indicating the direction of the stored location from the user's current location, together with text indicating the direction.

8. A program for causing a computer to implement the functions of the mobile device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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