system

Abstract

It achieves both enhanced security and more convenient operation control. [Solution] A system is provided which includes a control device mounted on a housing and a program installed on a portable device carried by the user of the housing, wherein the control device causes a controlled device provided on the housing to perform a specified operation when the RSSI of a wireless signal conforming to a specified communication standard transmitted and received between a communication device mounted on the housing and the portable device exceeds a first threshold, the program performs control to transmit an execution request requesting the execution of the specified operation when a specified operation on the portable device is detected, and when the communication device receives the execution request, the control device compares the RSSI with a second threshold smaller than the first threshold instead of the first threshold, and causes the controlled device to perform the specified operation when the RSSI exceeds the second threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a technique for controlling the operation of an operated object based on the received signal strength (Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI) of a wireless signal transmitted by a terminal has been disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, RSSI is greatly affected by obstacles such as the human body. Therefore, depending on the positional relationship among the operated object, the terminal, and the person carrying the terminal, a situation where RSSI significantly decreases may occur.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to achieve both security assurance and more convenient operation control.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided which includes a control device mounted on a housing and a program installed on a portable device carried by a user of the housing, wherein the control device causes a controlled device provided on the housing to perform a predetermined operation when the RSSI of a wireless signal conforming to a predetermined communication standard transmitted and received between a communication device mounted on the housing and the portable device exceeds a first threshold, the program performs control to transmit an execution request requesting the execution of the predetermined operation when a predetermined operation on the portable device is detected, and when the communication device receives the execution request, the control device compares the RSSI with a second threshold smaller than the first threshold instead of the first threshold, and causes the controlled device to perform the predetermined operation when the RSSI exceeds the second threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] As explained above, the present invention makes it possible to achieve both security and more convenient operation control. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates an example of the functional configuration of System 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This sequence diagram shows an example of the control flow by System 1 according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure illustrates an example of a first threshold and a second threshold according to the same embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0010] Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, when describing multiple identical components to distinguish them, letters or other symbols may be added to the end of the reference numerals. On the other hand, when there is no need to distinguish multiple identical components, the letters or other symbols may be omitted, and a description common to all identical components may be provided.

[0011] <1. Embodiments> <<1.1. Example of Functional Configuration>> As mentioned above, RSSI is greatly affected by shielding objects such as the human body.

[0012] For example, if a human body is present between a transmitter that sends a wireless signal and a receiver that receives the wireless signal, the wireless signal may be attenuated by the human body, resulting in a significant decrease in RSSI.

[0013] Here, we assume that the transmitter is a portable device such as a smartphone, and the receiver is mounted on a moving object such as a vehicle.

[0014] Furthermore, RSSI is used to determine whether a portable device is located within a predetermined distance from a mobile object (or a receiver mounted on it). If it is determined that the portable device is located within a predetermined distance from the mobile object, it is assumed that the mobile object's controlled device is permitted to perform a specified operation.

[0015] In this case, when a user of a mobile vehicle approaches the vehicle with a portable device in their back pocket, the human body is present between the portable device and the receiver mounted on the vehicle, resulting in a significant decrease in the RSSI of the wireless signal received by the receiver.

[0016] Therefore, even if a portable device is located within a predetermined distance from a moving object, it may be incorrectly determined that the portable device is not located within that predetermined distance.

[0017] However, in order to avoid the above situation, if the threshold value used for comparison with RSSI in control is simply lowered, for example, even when the distance from the mobile object is far, such as when the user carrying the portable device is inside the house, the specified operation will be permitted.

[0018] The technical idea according to an embodiment of the present invention was conceived by paying attention to the above points, and achieves both security assurance and more convenient operation control.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a functional configuration example of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a mobile object 10, a portable device 20, and a Fob key 30.

[0021] (Mobile object 10) The mobile object 10 according to the present embodiment is an example of a housing. The mobile object 10 can be a vehicle such as a car, a ship, or an aircraft.

[0022] Hereinafter, the case where the mobile object 10 is a four-wheel automobile will be mainly described as an example.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile object 10 includes at least a communication device 12, a control device 14, a detection device 16, and a controlled device 18.

[0024] (Communication device 12) The communication device 12 according to the present embodiment transmits and receives a wireless signal conforming to a specified communication standard to and from the portable device 20.

[0025] The above-specified communication standard may be, for example, BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy).

[0026] However, the specified communication standard according to the present embodiment is not limited to BLE, and any communication standard may be adopted.

[0027] (Control device 14) The control device 14 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 15 that causes the controlled device 18 to perform a predetermined operation when the RSSI of a wireless signal compliant with a predetermined communication standard transmitted and received between the communication device 12 and the portable device 20 exceeds a first threshold.

[0028] Furthermore, one of the features of the control unit 15 according to this embodiment is that, when the communication device 12 receives an execution request from the portable device 20 requesting the execution of a specified operation, it compares the RSSI with a second threshold smaller than the first threshold instead of the first threshold, and if the RSSI exceeds the second threshold, it causes the controlled device 18 to execute the specified operation.

[0029] The functions of the control unit 15 according to this embodiment are realized through the cooperation of various processors and memory.

[0030] Details of the functions of the control unit 15 according to this embodiment will be described later.

[0031] (Detection device 16) The detection device 16 according to this embodiment detects the user's proximity to the moving object 10.

[0032] For example, the detection device 16 according to this embodiment may detect the proximity of a user to the mobile body 10 based on the pressing of a switch provided on the door handle of the mobile body 10, or the detection of the proximity of an object by an electrostatic sensor provided on the door handle.

[0033] Furthermore, for example, the detection device 16 according to this embodiment may detect the proximity of a user to the mobile body 10 based on detecting a user (person) from an image captured by a camera mounted on the mobile body 10.

[0034] (Controlled device 18) The controlled device 18 in this embodiment is some device that can perform a predetermined operation in accordance with the control of the control device 14.

[0035] For example, the controlled device 18 may be a locking device that performs a predetermined operation of locking and unlocking the door of the mobile body 10.

[0036] Alternatively, for example, the controlled device 18 may be the engine of the mobile body 10. In this case, the specified operation may be the starting of the engine.

[0037] Furthermore, for example, the controlled device 18 according to this embodiment may be a lighting device. In this case, the specified operation may be turning the lights on or off.

[0038] (Portable device 20) The portable device 20 according to this embodiment is carried by the user of the mobile device 10 (for example, the owner of the mobile device 10, or a person authorized by the owner to use the mobile device 10).

[0039] The portable device 20 according to this embodiment may be, for example, a smartphone.

[0040] However, the portable device 20 according to this embodiment is not limited to a smartphone, and only needs to have the function of performing wireless communication in accordance with a specified communication standard with the communication device 12, and the function of detecting a specified operation.

[0041] In this embodiment, the portable device 20 is equipped with a program that controls the transmission of an execution request to the controlled device 18 to perform a specified operation when a specified operation on the portable device 20 is detected.

[0042] Details of the functions of the program installed on the portable device 20 according to this embodiment will be described later.

[0043] Furthermore, the portable device 20 according to this embodiment has a digital key pre-stored in association with the mobile device 10.

[0044] (Fob key 30) The Fob key 30 according to this embodiment is a remote control key provided by the manufacturer of the mobile device 10.

[0045] The above describes an example of the functional configuration of System 1 according to this embodiment. However, the above functional configuration described with reference to Figure 1 is merely an example, and the functional configuration of System 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0046] The functional configuration of System 1 according to this embodiment can be flexibly modified according to specifications, operation, etc.

[0047] <<1.2. Control Details>> Next, the control provided by System 1 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0048] As described above, if the RSSI decreases due to the effects of human body shielding, even if the portable device 20 is located within a predetermined distance from the mobile object 10, it may be determined that the portable device 20 is not located within a predetermined distance from the mobile object 10, which can lead to a situation where convenience is reduced.

[0049] On the other hand, if convenience is prioritized and the threshold used for comparison with RSSI is lowered, the prescribed operation will be permitted even when the mobile body 10 and the portable device 20 are far apart, which reduces security.

[0050] The technical concept relating to one embodiment of the present invention was conceived with the above-mentioned points in mind, and aims to achieve both security and more convenient operation control.

[0051] To this end, one of the features of the program installed in the portable device 20 according to this embodiment is that when a specified operation on the portable device 20 by the user is detected, it sends an execution request requesting the execution of a specified operation.

[0052] Furthermore, one of the features of the control device 14 according to this embodiment is that, when the communication device 12 receives the execution request, it compares the RSSI with a second threshold smaller than the first threshold instead of the first threshold, and if the RSSI exceeds the second threshold, it causes the controlled device 18 to execute a specified operation.

[0053] For example, the operations specified above may include tapping, swiping, etc. In this case, the portable device 20 is equipped with a touch panel or the like.

[0054] Furthermore, for example, the operation specified above may also be voice-operated. In this case, the portable device 20 is equipped with a microphone or the like.

[0055] Furthermore, for example, the operations specified above may also be operations using specified motions. In this case, the portable device 20 is equipped with an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope, and the like.

[0056] Thus, the prescribed operation of the portable device 20 is not limited to a single operation, but it is desirable that the operation can be performed and that the operation can be detected even when the portable device 20 is stored in a pocket or the like.

[0057] With the above configuration, even if the portable device 20 is stored in a pocket or the like and the RSSI is reduced due to the effects of body shielding, the specified operation can be performed without removing the portable device 20 from the pocket or the like, thus ensuring security while further improving convenience.

[0058] The following describes an example of the control flow by System 1 according to this embodiment, with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0059] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the control flow by System 1 according to this embodiment.

[0060] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first threshold and the second threshold according to this embodiment.

[0061] In the following, it is assumed that authentication based on the digital key stored in the portable device 20 has already been established (i.e., the authenticity of the digital key has been confirmed). Conventional and widely implemented technologies may be used for digital key-based authentication.

[0062] Furthermore, the following describes the case where the specified operation of the portable device 20 is a tap operation. Furthermore, the following describes the case where the specified operation by the controlled device 18 is the locking and unlocking of the door of the mobile body 10. Furthermore, the following describes the case where the detection of the user's proximity by the detection device 16 is detected based on the pressing of a switch provided on the door handle or the like of the mobile body 10.

[0063] In the example shown in Figure 2, the detection device 16 mounted on the mobile body 10 first detects the pressing of the switch, that is, the detection device 16 detects the proximity of the user to the mobile body 10 (S101).

[0064] Based on the detection of the user's proximity in step S101, the control device 14 mounted on the mobile unit 10 performs a determination (Fob key determination) to determine whether or not the Fob key 30 has been detected by the communication device 12 (S102).

[0065] Furthermore, the control device 14 performs a determination (k1 determination) to determine whether the RSSI of the wireless signal compliant with a specified communication standard transmitted and received between the portable device 20 and the communication device 12 exceeds the threshold k1 (S103).

[0066] As illustrated in Figure 3, the threshold k1 is used to define an area that is sufficiently close to the moving object 10.

[0067] If the control device 14 determines in step S102 that the Fob key 30 has been detected, or if it determines in step S103 that the RSSI exceeds the threshold k1, the system 1 may lock or unlock the door without performing steps S104 to S108 shown in Figure 2 (S109).

[0068] This is because, if the Fob key 30 is detected, control based on the Fob key 30 should be prioritized, and by not detecting the prescribed operation on the portable device 20, it is possible to prevent false detection of the prescribed operation on the portable device 20.

[0069] Furthermore, if the RSSI exceeds the threshold k1, it is considered that the portable device 20 is in an area sufficiently close to the moving object 10, regardless of the effects of human body shielding, etc.

[0070] On the other hand, if the control device 14 determines in step S102 that the Fob key 30 has not been detected, and in step S103 that the RSSI is less than or equal to the threshold k1, it causes the communication device 12 to send a detection request requesting the detection of a specified operation (tap operation) (S104).

[0071] The program installed on the portable device 20 causes the portable device 20 to start detecting tap operations (S105) when the portable device 20 receives a detection request in step S104.

[0072] If it is detected that the user has performed a tap operation on the portable device 20 (S106), the program installed on the portable device 20 controls the system to send an execution request requesting the execution of a predetermined action (locking and unlocking the door) (S107).

[0073] In this example, the execution request may be a signal requesting a reversal of the door's locked / unlocked state. Alternatively, if the detection request includes information indicating the door's locked / unlocked state, the execution request in this example may be a signal requesting either the door to be locked or unlocked.

[0074] When the communication device 12 receives an execution request in step S107, the control device 14 mounted on the mobile unit 10 determines whether the RSSI of the wireless signal compliant with a specified communication standard transmitted and received between the portable device 20 and the communication device 12 exceeds the threshold k2 (k2 determination) (S108).

[0075] As illustrated in Figure 3, threshold k2 is used to define an area larger than the area defined by threshold k1. In other words, threshold k2 takes a value smaller than threshold k1.

[0076] If the control device 14 determines in step S108 that the RSSI exceeds the threshold k2, it controls the locking and unlocking of the door on the mobile body 10 (S109).

[0077] <2. Supplement> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0078] For example, in the above embodiment, a mobile body was given as an example of a housing. However, the housing is not limited to such examples. The housing may be, for example, a delivery box, a locker, a building, etc. The present invention is also applicable to the locking and unlocking of locking devices provided in such various housings.

[0079] Furthermore, the series of processes performed by each device described herein may be implemented by a program stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Each program is, for example, loaded into RAM when executed by a computer and executed by a processor such as a CPU. The storage medium may be, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or flash memory. Alternatively, the program may be distributed without using a storage medium, for example, via a network. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 1: System, 10: Mobile device, 12: Communication device, 14: Control device, 15: Control unit, 16: Detection device, 18: Controlled device, 20: Portable device, 30: Fob key

Claims

1. This includes a control device mounted in the enclosure, and a program installed on a portable device carried by the user of the enclosure, When the RSSI of a wireless signal conforming to a specified communication standard, transmitted and received between the communication device mounted in the housing and the portable device exceeds a first threshold, the control device causes the controlled device provided in the housing to perform a specified operation. The program, when it detects a specified operation on the portable device, performs control to send an execution request requesting the execution of the specified operation. When the communication device receives the execution request, the control device compares the RSSI with a second threshold smaller than the first threshold, and if the RSSI exceeds the second threshold, causes the controlled device to perform the specified operation. system.

2. If the RSSI is below the first threshold, the control device causes the communication device to send a detection request requesting the detection of a specified operation. The program controls the portable device to initiate detection of the specified operation when it receives the detection request. The system according to claim 1.

3. The control device controls the system so that the detection request is not transmitted when a remote control key associated with the housing is detected. The system according to claim 2.

4. When the proximity of the user is detected by the detection device mounted on the housing, the control device determines whether the RSSI exceeds the first threshold. The system according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned operation includes a tapping operation on the portable device. The system according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned operation includes locking and unlocking the door of the enclosure. The system according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned enclosure is a mobile unit. The system according to claim 1.

8. The aforementioned communication standards include BLE, The system according to claim 1.

9. The aforementioned portable device is a smartphone. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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