Communication control device, vehicle, and communication control method

Abstract

The present invention provides a communication control device, a vehicle, and a communication control method that can reduce power consumption. [Solution] The communication control device of the present invention comprises a communication unit that performs communication in accordance with a short-range wireless communication standard, an information communication process that performs information communication with a communication target, and a control unit that causes the communication unit to perform a polling process that detects whether or not there is a response from the communication target while suppressing power consumption for the information communication process, and when the information communication process is completed the control unit enters a sleep state and causes the communication unit to operate with the polling process until there is no response from the communication target.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication control device, a vehicle, and a communication control method.

Background Art

[0002] A communication control device that unlocks and locks a vehicle door using a Near Field Communication (NFC) device and an IC card has been proposed. In such a communication control device, when an IC card to be communicated with is placed over an NFC communication device, the communication state continues even after the necessary communication processing is completed. Therefore, if the state where the IC card is placed over continues for a long time, power consumption also continues, which may cause a decrease in the remaining charge of the vehicle's secondary battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, it is proposed to temporarily stop communication when a predetermined time has elapsed after the communication processing between the IC card and the NFC communication device is completed, thereby suppressing power consumption. However, in the communication stop state, it is impossible to detect that the IC card has been removed from the NFC communication device or that another IC card has been placed over the NFC communication device, and it is impossible to quickly detect the IC card until communication is permitted next. Also, in the state where the IC card is placed over, the communication state continues until a predetermined time has elapsed, so there is a limit to suppressing power consumption.

[0005] One example of the object of the present invention is to provide a communication control device, a vehicle, and a communication control method that can reduce power consumption. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description herein. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is, A communication unit that performs communication in accordance with short-range wireless communication standards, The system includes a control unit that causes the communication unit to perform an information communication process for communicating information with a communication target, and a polling process for detecting whether or not there is a response from the communication target while suppressing power consumption for the information communication process. The control unit is a communication control device that can transition to a sleep state when the information communication processing is completed, and operates the communication unit in the polling process until there is no response from the communication target.

[0007] Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention, The communication unit is made to perform information communication processing that communicates information with a communication target in accordance with the short-range wireless communication standard, and polling processing that detects whether or not there is a response from the communication target while suppressing power consumption for the information communication processing. This communication control method allows the system to transition to a sleep state when the aforementioned information communication processing is completed, and also keeps the communication unit running with the polling process until no response is received from the communication target. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of a car-sharing system 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This sequence diagram shows the procedure using the first power-saving polling process from the transition to the standby state in the communication control device to the completion of information communication processing. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram showing the conventional procedure from the completion of information communication processing to the termination of communication in a communication control device. [Figure 4] This sequence diagram shows the conventional procedure for transitioning from the completion of information communication processing in a communication control device back to the standby state. [Figure 5] This sequence diagram shows the procedure using the second power-saving polling process from the completion of information communication processing in the communication control device to the termination of communication. [Figure 6] This sequence diagram shows the procedure using a second power-saving polling process when transitioning from the completion of information communication processing in a communication control device back to the standby state. [Figure 7A] This is a sequence diagram showing the procedure from waiting for use to starting vehicle use of the car-sharing system 100 during normal operation. [Figure 7B] This is a sequence diagram showing the procedure from the start of vehicle use to billing for usage fees in the car-sharing system 100 during normal use. [Figure 8] This is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the car-sharing system 100 when an unusable IC card 40 is presented. [Figure 9] This is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the car-sharing system 100 when user authentication or reservation verification fails. [Figure 10] This is a sequence diagram showing the procedure from waiting for use to starting vehicle use of the car-sharing system 100 when two IC cards 40 are used in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a block diagram showing an example of a car-sharing system 200 according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The present invention will be specifically described using the following embodiments as examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Unless otherwise specified, any devices, mechanisms, means, etc., described herein may be those mechanical devices, mechanisms, means, etc., that are well known to those skilled in the art. Each embodiment can be combined by those skilled in the art based on ordinary knowledge, and any configuration not specifically mentioned for each embodiment may have the same configuration as other embodiments or a configuration suitable for that embodiment.

[0010] (First Embodiment) A communication control device, vehicle, and communication control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a car-sharing system 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the car-sharing system 100 includes a vehicle 10, an in-vehicle unit 20, an NFC communication device 30, an IC card 40, a user mobile terminal 50, a server 60, a public network 70, and a positioning system 80.

[0011] Vehicle 10 is the means of transportation used by users in the car-sharing system 100. Inside vehicle 10 are a vehicle battery 11, an on-board unit 20, and an NFC communication device 30. Although not shown in the illustration, vehicle 10 is also equipped with a power unit, energy storage unit, braking unit, steering unit, starting unit, doors, seats, locking unit, etc., necessary for operation.

[0012] The vehicle battery 11 is mounted on the vehicle 10 and supplies power to the on-board unit 20. The specific structure of the vehicle battery 11 is not limited, and conventionally known secondary batteries such as lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries may be used. The vehicle battery 11 may also serve as a secondary battery for supplying power to the auxiliary equipment of the vehicle 10, or it may also serve as a traction battery in electric vehicles or hybrid cars. In addition, a dedicated secondary battery for the on-board unit 20 may be provided as the vehicle battery 11, separate from the secondary batteries for the auxiliary equipment and the traction battery.

[0013] The in-vehicle device 20 is mounted on the vehicle 10 to acquire position information from the positioning system 80, and performs information communication with the NFC communication device 30, the user mobile terminal 50, and the server 60, and is a part that controls each part of the NFC communication device 30 and the vehicle 10. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 20 includes an in-vehicle device power supply unit 21, a public line communication unit 22, a vehicle position monitoring unit 23, a vehicle monitoring control unit 24, an in-vehicle device control unit 25, an NFC reader / writer communication unit 26, and a wireless communication unit 27.

[0014] The in-vehicle device power supply unit 21 is connected to the vehicle battery 11 to receive power supply from the vehicle battery 11, and is a part that supplies power to each part of the in-vehicle device 20. The specific configuration of the in-vehicle device power supply unit 21 is not limited, and may include a DC / DC converter circuit that converts the power supplied from the vehicle battery 11 into the voltage value and current value required by each part. Further, it may include a DC / AC inverter circuit that converts DC to AC as needed, or an AC / DC inverter circuit that converts AC to DC.

[0015] The public line communication unit 22 is a part that is controlled by the in-vehicle device control unit 25 and performs wireless information communication with the server 60 via the public line network 70. The public circuit communication unit 22 conforms to, for example, the standard of a wide area communication network (WAN: Wide Area Network). The specific configuration of the public line communication unit 22 is not limited, and the communication standard of the mobile phone network defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), or the wireless communication standard defined by the IEEE 802 committee of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in the United States, etc. can be used. Further, the standard of dedicated short range communication (DSRC) used in the intelligent transport systems (ITS) may be used.

[0016] The vehicle position monitoring unit 23 acquires the position information of the vehicle 10 and transmits it to the on-board unit control unit 25. In the example shown in Figure 1, the vehicle position monitoring unit 23 acquires position information by receiving radio waves from the positioning system 80, but the specific method of acquiring position information is not limited. As another example, it may acquire position information associated with equipment installed on the ground by communicating with the equipment. Alternatively, it may acquire position information from the radio wave strength and time difference from a wireless communication base station.

[0017] The vehicle monitoring control unit 24 is connected to each part of the vehicle 10 in a manner that enables information communication, and acquires information from the vehicle 10 and sends control signals to each part of the vehicle 10. The vehicle monitoring control unit 24 is controlled by the onboard device control unit 25 and transmits the information acquired from the vehicle 10 to the onboard device control unit 25. The information from the vehicle 10 that the vehicle monitoring control unit 24 receives is not limited to, but may include information regarding the open / closed state of the doors, information regarding the seated state, information regarding the starting of the vehicle 10, information input using an input device, information acquired by various sensors mounted on the vehicle 10, and information sent by the electronic control unit (ECU) mounted on the vehicle 10.

[0018] The in-vehicle unit control unit 25 receives information from each component, performs information processing, and controls and communicates information with each component. The specific configuration of the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 is not limited, but it may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for information processing, a memory device, a recording medium, an information communication device, etc., and execute predetermined procedures according to a predetermined program. Alternatively, instead of a general-purpose CPU, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc., designed to execute a predetermined program may be used.

[0019] The NFC reader / writer communication unit 26 is the part that performs information communication between the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 and the NFC communication device 30. The communication means and communication standards used in the NFC reader / writer communication unit 26 are not limited, and conventionally known wired communication or wireless communication can be used.

[0020] The wireless communication unit 27 is the part that performs information communication between the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 and the user's mobile terminal 50. The communication method used by the wireless communication unit 27 is not limited, and Bluetooth®, wireless LAN, etc., can be used. Figure 1 shows an example of wireless communication between the user's mobile terminal 50 and the wireless communication unit 27, but wired communication technology may be used instead of the wireless communication unit 27 to perform wired communication with the user's mobile terminal 50.

[0021] The NFC communication device 30 is the part that performs short-range wireless communication with the IC card 40 and transmits the results of the short-range wireless communication to the in-vehicle unit 20. In the example shown in Figure 1, the NFC communication device 30 has a host communication unit 31, an NFC communication control unit 32, and an NFC communication unit 33. The location where the NFC communication device 30 is placed is not limited, but it is preferable to place it in a location in the vehicle 10 where the user can easily hold up the IC card 40 from outside the vehicle, such as near a window away from the in-vehicle unit 20.

[0022] The host communication unit 31 communicates information with the NFC reader / writer communication unit 26 of the in-vehicle unit 20 and transmits various information and control signals between the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 and the NFC communication control unit 32. The communication means and communication standards used by the host communication unit 31 are not limited, and conventional wired communication or wireless communication compatible with the NFC reader / writer communication unit 26 can be used.

[0023] The NFC communication control unit 32 is the part that executes a predetermined program and controls the NFC communication unit 33 in a predetermined procedure. The control of the NFC communication unit 33 by the NFC communication control unit 32 is not limited, but examples include information communication processing that performs information communication with the IC card 40, power-saving polling processing that operates autonomously and detects whether or not there is a response from the IC card 40 while suppressing power consumption for the information communication processing, and control that puts the unit into a communication stop state to stop communication.

[0024] The NFC communication unit 33 is the part that communicates with the IC card 40 in accordance with the short-range wireless communication standard. Although not shown in the diagram, the NFC communication unit 33 includes a transmitting circuit that generates a predetermined electrical signal according to a control signal from the NFC communication control unit 32, a transmitting antenna that converts the electrical signal generated by the circuit into radio waves, a receiving antenna that receives radio waves from the IC card 40, and a receiving circuit that generates a predetermined electrical signal from the radio waves received by the receiving antenna.

[0025] The IC card 40 is a device for a short-range wireless communication standard used for authentication when a user uses a vehicle 10 in the car-sharing system 100. The specific configuration of the IC card 40 is not limited; it may be in card form as long as it has the necessary components for the short-range wireless communication standard, or it may use a short-range wireless communication device included in the user's mobile terminal 50.

[0026] The user's mobile terminal 50 is a computer system used by the user, and can be implemented as, for example, a smartphone, tablet computer, notebook computer, or wearable computer. The user's mobile terminal 50 may communicate with the wireless communication unit 27 using a communication standard compatible with the wireless communication unit 27. The user's mobile terminal 50 stores and executes application programs to implement various functions. The user's mobile terminal 50 also has output means such as a display screen or an audio output device, and may output information sent from the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 via the wireless communication unit 27 or a wide-area communication network such as a mobile phone network. The user's mobile terminal 50 may also have input means such as a contact-type operation panel or buttons, an audio input device, or a video input device, and may use these input means to input information to the car-sharing system 100.

[0027] Server 60 is connected to the in-vehicle unit 20 via the public network 70 for information communication and is a device that performs user registration, reservation management, and user authentication for the car-sharing system 100. Server 60 may also provide reservation information to the user's mobile terminal 50 and allow various information to be changed based on input from the user's mobile terminal 50. Server 60 implements various functions by storing and executing management programs.

[0028] The public network 70 is a communication network that enables information communication between the in-vehicle unit 20 and the server 60. The public network 70 is, for example, a wide-area communication network. The communication standards that the public network 70 possesses are not limited, but at least the public network communication unit 22 is equipped with the corresponding communication standards. In addition, since the public network 70 also communicates information with the server 60, it also possesses the communication standards used on the server 60 side. The public network 70 may be implemented with a single communication standard and communication device, or it may be implemented using a combination of multiple communication standards and communication devices.

[0029] The positioning system 80 is a system for providing location information of the vehicle 10. The specific configuration of the positioning system 80 is not limited, but Figure 1 shows an example using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). In other examples, information communication may be performed between a device installed on the ground and the vehicle 10, and location information associated with the device may be sent to the vehicle 10. Alternatively, location information may be obtained from the radio wave strength and time difference from a wireless communication base station with which the vehicle 10 is communicating.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the combination of the in-vehicle unit 20 and the NFC communication device 30 constitutes the communication control device in the present invention. Furthermore, the NFC communication unit 33 corresponds to the communication unit in the present invention, and the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 corresponds to the control unit in the present invention. In addition, the IC card 40 is the object to be detected by the NFC communication device 30, and therefore corresponds to the object to be detected in the present invention. In this embodiment, the NFC communication device 30 is given as an example of a device having a communication unit that performs communication in accordance with the short-range wireless communication standard, but the device that performs communication in accordance with the short-range wireless communication standard is not limited to this.

[0031] In the car-sharing system 100 shown in Figure 1, the user first accesses the server 60 via the public network 70 using a user mobile terminal 50 or the like to register as a user, register an IC card 40, and reserve the use of a vehicle 10. The IC card 40 may be distributed to registered users by the service provider as a service-specific card. Alternatively, users may register and use their existing transportation IC cards. The user mobile terminal 50 may also be registered and used in the same way as the IC card 40. The server 60 manages reservation information for both the user and the vehicle 10, and sends the location of the vehicle 10 and usage instructions to the user mobile terminal 50.

[0032] Next, the user goes to the vehicle 10's parking position according to the reserved date and time, and holds the registered IC card 40 over the NFC communication device 30. The NFC communication unit 33 and NFC communication control unit 32 detect the IC card 40, read the information unique to the IC card 40 through information communication processing, and transmit the read information from the host communication unit 31 to the in-vehicle unit 20.

[0033] In the in-vehicle unit 20, the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 receives the information from the IC card 40 read by the NFC communication device 30 via the NFC reader / writer communication unit 26. The in-vehicle unit control unit 25 transmits the information from the IC card 40 to the server 60 via the public network communication unit 22 and the public network 70 to perform user authentication. The server 60 checks the consistency between the transmitted information from the IC card 40 and the reservation information. If the consistency between the reservation information and the IC card 40 is confirmed, it transmits an instruction to the in-vehicle unit 20 via the public network 70 to authorize the start of use.

[0034] The on-board unit 20, in accordance with the instruction from the server 60 to authorize the start of use, transmits control signals to various parts of the vehicle 10 via the vehicle monitoring and control unit 24 to make the vehicle 10 available for use. Here, the state in which the vehicle 10 is available for use includes the unlocking of the doors, the unlocking of the electronic key storage unit (not shown: part of the on-board unit 20) that houses the vehicle 10's electronic key, the start of the vehicle 10's power, and the release of the steering lock. The user opens the door unlocked by the on-board unit 20, gets into the vehicle 10, and presses the ignition switch to start driving.

[0035] When a user finishes using vehicle 10, they park vehicle 10 in a designated parking space, press the ignition switch to end driving, and return the electronic key to its return position. Alternatively, the user can get out of vehicle 10 and hold the IC card 40 over the NFC communication device 30 to complete the end-of-use procedure. The NFC communication unit 33 and NFC communication control unit 32 detect the IC card 40, read the information specific to the IC card 40 through information communication processing, and transmit the read information from the host communication unit 31 to the in-vehicle unit 20.

[0036] In the in-vehicle unit 20, the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 receives the information from the IC card 40 read by the NFC communication device 30 via the NFC reader / writer communication unit 26. The in-vehicle unit control unit 25 initiates the termination procedure and transmits the information from the IC card 40 to the server 60 via the public network communication unit 22 and the public network 70 to perform user authentication. The in-vehicle unit 20 also acquires location information from the positioning system 80 using the vehicle position monitoring unit 23.

[0037] Server 60 verifies the consistency between the information on the transmitted IC card 40 and the reservation information. If the consistency between the reservation information and the IC card 40 is confirmed, it sends an instruction to the in-vehicle unit 20 via the public network 70 to authorize the termination of use. In accordance with the instruction from Server 60 to authorize the termination of use, the in-vehicle unit 20 sends control signals to various parts of the vehicle 10 via the vehicle monitoring and control unit 24 to put the vehicle 10 into a terminated state. Here, the terminated state of the vehicle 10 includes locking the doors, locking the electronic key storage device, disabling the vehicle 10's power, and locking the steering system. The in-vehicle unit control unit 25 may also display a notification of termination of use to the user's mobile terminal 50 via the wireless communication unit 27.

[0038] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure using the first power-saving polling process from the transition to the standby state in the communication control device to the completion of information communication processing. In the car-sharing system 100, before the vehicle 10 is made available to the user, the in-vehicle unit 20 is active and each part is consuming power to operate. Also, in the NFC communication device 30, the NFC communication control unit 32 is performing information communication processing on the NFC communication unit 33. Furthermore, the IC card 40 is not held over the NFC communication device 30 and is in a state of none (out of communication range).

[0039] The in-vehicle unit 20 and the NFC communication device 30, which are communication control devices, switch to a standby state to suppress power consumption. Specifically, the in-vehicle unit 20, while in an active state, instructs the NFC communication device 30 to switch to the first power-saving polling process (step S1). Upon receiving the instruction to switch to the first power-saving polling process, the NFC communication control unit 32 of the NFC communication device 30 operates the NFC communication unit 33 in the first power-saving polling process (step S2). In addition, the in-vehicle unit 20 can switch to a sleep state in which the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 suppresses or temporarily suspends the operation of each part to reduce power consumption (step S3).

[0040] Here, we will explain the terminology used in the polling process. Polling refers to the process in which the NFC communication unit 33 emits radio waves to detect a response from the IC card 40. Continuous polling refers to the process of detecting when the IC card 40 is held over the device by performing polling intermittently. In this continuous polling, the NFC communication unit 33 emits radio waves in response to instructions from the in-vehicle unit 20, and the in-vehicle unit 20 is not in a state where it can enter sleep mode. Power is also consumed while transmitting radio waves for polling.

[0041] Power-saving polling means that the NFC communication device 30 autonomously suppresses power consumption and performs polling at regular intervals. As mentioned above, in conventional continuous polling technology, power consumption similar to that of information communication occurs between polling sessions. In contrast, power-saving polling reduces power consumption by stopping the transmission of radio waves between polling sessions, thereby saving power. Furthermore, during power-saving polling, the in-vehicle unit 20 can enter a sleep state, and the power consumption of the in-vehicle unit 20 is suppressed. Therefore, power-saving polling is a state in which power consumption is suppressed compared to information communication.

[0042] In the first power-saving polling process, the NFC communication device 30 operates with low power consumption by autonomously repeating polling radio waves at regular intervals. When the IC card 40 is outside the communication range of the NFC communication device 30 and is in the "none" state, there is no response from the IC card 40 to the polling radio waves. Therefore, the NFC communication device 30 repeats polling until the IC card 40 is held over the NFC communication device 30 and enters the "present" state within the communication range of the NFC communication device 30 (step S4).

[0043] When the user holds the IC card 40 over the NFC communication device 30 and the IC card 40 is detected as being within the communication range, the IC card 40 sends a response back to the NFC communication device 30 in response to the polling radio waves according to the short-range wireless communication standard (step S5). Upon receiving the response from the IC card 40, the NFC communication device 30 sends a detection notification of the IC card 40 to the in-vehicle unit 20 (step S6). Upon receiving the detection notification, the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 restarts the operation of each part of the in-vehicle unit 20, wakes it from sleep mode and moves it to the active state (step S7).

[0044] The in-vehicle unit 20, now in an active state, instructs the NFC communication device 30 to proceed with information communication processing (step S8). Upon receiving the instruction to proceed with information communication processing, the NFC communication control unit 32 of the NFC communication device 30 activates the NFC communication unit 33 for information communication processing (step S9). As a result, information communication processing between the in-vehicle unit 20, the NFC communication device 30, and the IC card 40 begins (step S10).

[0045] In the information communication processing, a communication processing instruction is sent from the in-vehicle unit 20 to the NFC communication device 30 (step S11), and the NFC communication device 30 performs communication processing between the NFC communication unit 33 and the IC card 40 in accordance with the short-range wireless communication standard (step S12). Here, the communication processing between the NFC communication unit 33 and the IC card 40 includes the exchange of identification information held by the IC card 40. When the communication processing between the NFC communication unit 33 and the IC card 40 is completed, the NFC communication device 30 transmits the communication processing result to the in-vehicle unit 20 (step S13). When the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 of the in-vehicle unit 20 receives the communication processing result, the information communication processing between the in-vehicle unit 20, the NFC communication device 30 and the IC card 40 is completed (step S14).

[0046] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing the conventional procedure from the completion of information communication processing in the communication control device to the termination of communication. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when information communication processing is completed, the in-vehicle unit 20 is in an active state, the NFC communication device 30 is performing information communication processing, and the IC card 40 is in a "present" state within the communication range of the NFC communication device 30.

[0047] After the information communication processing in step S14 is completed, the in-vehicle unit 20 repeatedly instructs the NFC communication device 30 to poll at regular intervals (step S15). Each time the NFC communication device 30 receives a polling instruction from the in-vehicle unit 20, it transmits a polling radio wave (step S16). This process (S15 and S16) is the continuous polling described above. At this time, the IC card 40 is in the "present" state within the communication range of the NFC communication device 30, so a response is sent back from the IC card 40 to the NFC communication device 30 in accordance with the short-range wireless communication standard (step S17). The NFC communication device 30 sends a detection response to the in-vehicle unit 20 indicating that a response has been received from the IC card 40 (step S18). The in-vehicle unit 20 and the NFC communication device 30 repeatedly perform polling instructions (step S15), polling radio wave transmission (step S16), and detection responses (steps S17, S18) until the IC card 40 is moved away from the NFC communication device 30 and goes out of range, resulting in a "none" state.

[0048] When the user moves the IC card 40 away from the NFC communication device 30 and it goes out of range, resulting in a "none" state, the IC card 40 will no longer respond to the polling radio waves from the NFC communication device 30. In this case, the NFC communication device 30 sends an undetected response to the in-vehicle unit 20 indicating that the IC card 40 has not been detected (step S19). When the in-vehicle unit 20 receives the undetected response, it sends a communication stop instruction to the NFC communication device 30 (step S20) and returns to a state where it can transition back to sleep mode (step S21). Also, when the NFC communication device 30 receives the communication stop instruction from the in-vehicle unit 20, it stops transmitting polling radio waves and transitions to a communication stop state (step S22).

[0049] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing the conventional procedure for transitioning from the completion of information communication processing in the communication control device back to the standby state. From the completion of information communication processing (step S14) until the user moves the IC card 40 away from the NFC communication device 30 and the in-vehicle unit 20 receives an undetected response from the NFC communication device 30 (step S19), the procedure is the same as in Figure 3. In the example shown in Figure 4, after the in-vehicle unit 20 receives the undetected response, it sends an instruction to the NFC communication device 30 for the first power-saving polling process (step S23), and becomes ready to transition back to the sleep state (step S24). Also, the NFC communication device 30, having received the instruction for the first power-saving polling process from the in-vehicle unit 20, proceeds to the first power-saving polling process (step S25).

[0050] In the conventional procedure shown in Figures 3 and 4, the in-vehicle unit 20 remains active while the IC card 40 remains in the "present" state until it goes out of range after the information communication processing is complete. Similarly, the NFC communication device 30 also remains in the same communication state as the information communication processing. Therefore, each part of the in-vehicle unit 20 and the NFC communication device 30 continue to operate in the active state, increasing power consumption. In this embodiment, after the information communication processing is complete, the in-vehicle unit 20 is put into a sleep state, and the NFC communication device 30 is put into a power-saving state to reduce power consumption.

[0051] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure using the second power-saving polling process from the completion of information communication processing in the communication control device to the termination of communication. As shown in Figure 5, when information communication processing is completed, the in-vehicle unit 20 is in an active state, the NFC communication device 30 is performing information communication processing, and the IC card 40 is in a "present" state within the communication range of the NFC communication device 30.

[0052] After the information communication processing in step S14 is completed, the in-vehicle unit 20 instructs the NFC communication device 30 to perform the second power-saving polling process (step S31) and enters a state where it can transition to sleep mode (step S32). Upon receiving the instruction for the second power-saving polling process, the NFC communication device 30 transitions to the second power-saving polling process (step S33) and operates in a power-saving manner by autonomously repeating the transmission of polling radio waves (step S34). At this time, since the IC card 40 is in the "present" state within the communication range of the NFC communication device 30, a response is sent from the IC card 40 to the NFC communication device 30 in accordance with the short-range wireless communication standard (step S35). However, if the NFC communication device 30 receives a response from the IC card 40, it does not send a detection response to the in-vehicle unit 20. The NFC communication device 30 continues the second power-saving polling process and repeats the transmission of polling radio waves and the reception of detection responses until the IC card 40 is moved away and becomes "absent" outside the communication range. Therefore, the in-vehicle unit 20 is kept in a state that allows it to enter a sleep state during the duration of the second power-saving polling process.

[0053] When the user moves the IC card 40 away from the NFC communication device 30 and it goes out of range, resulting in a "none" state, the IC card 40 will no longer respond to the polling radio waves from the NFC communication device 30. In this case, the NFC communication device 30 sends an undetected response to the in-vehicle unit 20 indicating that the IC card 40 has not been detected (step S36). Upon receiving the undetected response, the in-vehicle unit 20 returns to an active state (step S37), sends a communication stop instruction to the NFC communication device 30 (step S38), and becomes ready to return to a sleep state (step S39). Furthermore, upon receiving the communication stop instruction from the in-vehicle unit 20, the NFC communication device 30 stops transmitting polling radio waves and enters a communication stop state (step S40).

[0054] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure using the second power-saving polling process when transitioning from the completion of information communication processing in the communication control device back to the standby state. From the completion of information communication processing (step S14) until the user moves the IC card 40 away from the NFC communication device 30, the in-vehicle unit 20 receives an undetected response from the NFC communication device 30, and the in-vehicle unit 20 returns to the active state (step S37), the procedure is the same as in Figure 5. In the example shown in Figure 6, after the in-vehicle unit 20 receives the undetected response and returns to the active state, it sends an instruction to the NFC communication device 30 for the first power-saving polling process (step S41), and becomes ready to transition back to the sleep state (step S42). Also, the NFC communication device 30, having received the instruction for the first power-saving polling process from the in-vehicle unit 20, proceeds to the first power-saving polling process (step S43). Here, the procedure from step S41 to step S43 is the same as from step S1 to step S3 shown in Figure 2, and the communication control device returns to the standby state.

[0055] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, in this embodiment using the second power-saving polling process, the in-vehicle unit 20 can immediately enter a sleep state after the information communication processing is completed, and remains in a sleep state until there is no response from the IC card 40. During this time, the NFC communication device 30 also continues to operate in a power-saving state. As a result, the active state of the in-vehicle unit 20 and the NFC communication device 30, which occurred in the conventional example shown in Figures 3 and 4, is shortened, and power consumption can be effectively suppressed.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment using the second power-saving polling process, when there is no response from the IC card 40, the sleep state of the in-vehicle unit 20 is released with an undetected response and it returns to the active state. As a result, when the IC card 40 is moved away from the NFC communication device 30, it is possible to quickly transition to the next state, either the communication stopped state or the first power-saving polling process.

[0057] Figures 5 and 6 show the procedure from the completion of information communication processing to the communication stop state or the first power-saving polling process, but the overall procedure in the car-sharing system 100 will now be explained. Figure 7A is a sequence diagram showing the procedure from the waiting state to the start of vehicle use in the car-sharing system 100 during normal use. Figure 7B is a sequence diagram showing the procedure from the start of vehicle use to billing of usage fees in the car-sharing system 100 during normal use.

[0058] As shown in Figure 7A, when the server 60 becomes ready to provide car-sharing services in vehicle 10, it sends a standby instruction (step S51). Upon receiving the standby instruction, the on-board unit 20 performs locking control to lock the doors of vehicle 10 (step S52) and security activation control to enable the security function of vehicle 10 (step S53). In accordance with the door locking control and security activation control, vehicle 10 locks its doors and activates its security function. Here, the security function of vehicle 10 is a function that prevents the vehicle 10 from starting its power, and when the security function is enabled, vehicle 10 is rendered inoperable. The security function is not limited to this, and may also include the on-board unit 20 notifying the server 60 of the suspected theft and emitting a warning sound when it detects an event that suggests the theft of vehicle 10 using sensors installed in vehicle 10. Furthermore, if vehicle 10 has this function, vehicle 10 may notify the server managing vehicle 10 that there is a suspicion of theft and activate an alarm sound.

[0059] Next, the in-vehicle unit 20 operates the NFC communication device 30 with the first power-saving polling process (step S54), putting it in a state to wait for the IC card 40 (step S55), and then it becomes possible to transition to a sleep state (step S56). Also, when the in-vehicle unit 20 operates the first power-saving polling process, it starts notifying the user that the IC card 40 is ready to read (step S57). The user arrives at the vehicle 10's parking position at the reserved time and holds the IC card 40 over the NFC communication device 30. When the NFC communication device 30 detects a "yes" response from the IC card 40 during the first power-saving polling process, it sends a notification to the in-vehicle unit 20 that the IC card 40 has been detected (step S58).

[0060] Upon receiving the detection notification, the in-vehicle unit 20 wakes from sleep mode and becomes active, and initiates information communication processing with the NFC communication device 30 (step S59). The in-vehicle unit 20 also begins notifying the user that communication processing with the IC card 40 is in progress (step S60). Once the information communication processing between the NFC communication device 30 and the IC card 40 is complete, the in-vehicle unit 20 ends the notification to the user that communication processing is in progress (step S61). The process from waiting for the IC card 40 (step S54) to the completion of information communication processing (step S61) is executed according to the procedure shown in Figure 2. Here, the notification from the in-vehicle unit 20 to the user can be an LED display, an alarm sound, voice guidance, or a notification to the user's mobile terminal 50.

[0061] Next, the in-vehicle unit 20 transmits the information of the IC card 40 acquired through information communication processing to the server 60 (step S62), and waits for the operation to move the IC card 40 away through the second power-saving polling process. When the IC card 40 is moved away from the NFC communication device 30, the NFC communication device 30 sends an undetected response to the in-vehicle unit 20, and the in-vehicle unit 20 puts the NFC communication device 30 into a communication stop state (step S63), and becomes ready to transition to sleep mode (step S64). Here, from the completion of information communication processing (step S61) to the state in which the NFC communication device 30 is in a communication stop state and the in-vehicle unit 20 becomes ready to transition to sleep mode (step S64), the procedure is executed as shown in Figure 5. During the second power-saving polling process at this time, the in-vehicle unit 20 maintains a state ready to transition to sleep mode until the IC card 40 is out of communication range, and power consumption can be suppressed even if the IC card 40 continues to be held over the NFC communication device 30. Furthermore, even after the NFC communication device 30 is put into a communication-stopped state, the in-vehicle unit 20 can enter a sleep state, thus reducing power consumption.

[0062] The server 60 uses the information on the IC card 40 received from the in-vehicle unit 20 to verify the reservation information (step S65) and authenticate the user (step S66). If there are no problems with the reservation verification and user authentication, the server 60 sends an instruction to the in-vehicle unit 20 to start use (step S67). Upon receiving the instruction to start use, the in-vehicle unit 20 acquires information on each part of the vehicle 10 and checks the conditions for starting use (step S68). If the vehicle 10 meets the conditions for starting use, the in-vehicle unit 20 performs door unlocking control (step S69) and security deactivation control to disable the security functions of the vehicle 10 (step S70). The vehicle 10 unlocks the doors and deactivates the security functions in response to the control from the in-vehicle unit 20. The in-vehicle unit 20 also starts notifying the user that the vehicle is in use (step S71).

[0063] Next, the user performs the operation of using the vehicle 10 and the in-vehicle unit 20. Specifically, since the doors of the vehicle 10 are unlocked, the user opens the doors (step S72) and gets in (step S73). Once the in-vehicle unit 20 confirms that the user has boarded the vehicle 10, it notifies the user of how to retrieve the vehicle key (step S74). Following the notification, the user retrieves the vehicle key from the electronic key storage compartment, presses the ignition switch, and starts the engine (power source) (step S75). After that, the user begins using the vehicle 10 (step S76) and travels to their destination.

[0064] As shown in Figure 7B, when the user finishes using the vehicle 10, the user drives the vehicle 10 to the return location (step S77). The user stops the engine (power source) of the vehicle 10 (step S78) and returns the vehicle key (step S79). The in-vehicle unit 20 detects that the engine of the vehicle 10 has been stopped and the vehicle key has been returned to the electronic key storage unit at the vehicle monitoring control unit 24 (step S80), and enters a standby state for the IC card 40 via the NFC communication device 30.

[0065] The in-vehicle unit 20 operates the NFC communication device 30 with the first power-saving polling process, making it ready to enter sleep mode and waiting for the IC card 40 (step S81). Also, when the in-vehicle unit 20 operates the first power-saving polling process, it starts notifying the user that the IC card 40 is ready to be read (step S82). During the first power-saving polling process, the in-vehicle unit 20 is ready to enter sleep mode (step S83). The user gets out of the vehicle 10 (step S84), closes the door of the vehicle 10 (step S85), and holds the IC card 40 over the NFC communication device 30 (step S86). When the NFC communication device 30 receives a "yes" response from the IC card 40 during the first power-saving polling process, it sends a notification to the in-vehicle unit 20 that the IC card 40 has been detected.

[0066] Upon receiving the detection notification, the in-vehicle unit 20 wakes from sleep mode and becomes active, and initiates information communication processing on the NFC communication device 30 (step S87). The in-vehicle unit 20 also begins notifying the user that communication processing is underway for the IC card 40 (step S88). Once the information communication processing between the NFC communication device 30 and the IC card 40 is completed (step S89), the in-vehicle unit 20 ends the notification to the user that communication processing is underway (step S90). The process from waiting for the IC card 40 (step S81) to the completion of information communication processing (step S90) is executed according to the procedure shown in Figure 2.

[0067] Next, the in-vehicle unit 20 transmits the information of the IC card 40 acquired through information communication processing to the server 60 (step S91), and waits for the operation to move the IC card 40 away through the second power-saving polling process. When the IC card 40 is moved away from the NFC communication device 30, the NFC communication device 30 sends an undetected response to the in-vehicle unit 20, and the in-vehicle unit 20 puts the NFC communication device 30 into a communication stop state (step S92), and becomes ready to transition to sleep mode (step S93). Here, from the completion of information communication processing (step S89) to the communication stop state of the NFC communication device 30 and the state in which the in-vehicle unit 20 becomes ready to transition to sleep mode (step S93), the procedure is executed as shown in Figure 5. During the second power-saving polling process at this time, the in-vehicle unit 20 maintains a state ready to transition to sleep mode until the IC card 40 is out of communication range, and power consumption can be suppressed even if the IC card 40 continues to be held over the NFC communication device 30. Furthermore, even after the NFC communication device 30 is put into a communication-stopped state, the in-vehicle unit 20 can enter a sleep state, thus reducing power consumption.

[0068] The server 60 authenticates the user using the information on the IC card 40 received from the in-vehicle unit 20 (step S94), and if there are no problems with user authentication, it sends an instruction to the in-vehicle unit 20 to terminate use (step S95). Upon receiving the instruction to terminate use, the in-vehicle unit 20 acquires information on each part of the vehicle 10 and checks the conditions for termination of use (step S96). If the vehicle 10 meets the conditions for termination of use, the in-vehicle unit 20 executes door locking control (step S97) and security activation control for the vehicle 10 (step S98). The vehicle 10 locks its doors and activates its security function in response to the control from the in-vehicle unit 20. The in-vehicle unit 20 also terminates the notification to the user that the system is in use (step S99) and transmits vehicle 10 mileage information, etc., to the server 60 (step S100).

[0069] Furthermore, the in-vehicle unit 20 operates the NFC communication device 30 again with the first power-saving polling process, putting it into a state where it is waiting for the IC card 40 (step S101), before transitioning to a sleep state (step S102), and waiting for the next use to begin. Also, when the in-vehicle unit 20 operates the first power-saving polling process, it starts notifying the user that the IC card 40 is ready to read (step S103). The server 60 calculates the usage fee based on the mileage information received from the in-vehicle unit 20 (step S104) and sends a bill for the usage fee to the user's mobile terminal 50 via the public network 70 (step S105). Alternatively, the server 60 may settle the usage fee using a predetermined payment method based on the registered user's registration information.

[0070] As described above, in the car-sharing system 100 of this embodiment, information communication processing is performed twice between the IC card 40 and the NFC communication device 30 at the start and end of use. After these two information communication processes are completed, the NFC communication device 30 enters a power-saving state during the second power-saving polling process, and the in-vehicle unit 20 becomes capable of entering a sleep state, thereby suppressing power consumption until the IC card 40 is moved away from the NFC communication device 30. In addition, since the IC card 40 is awaited during the first power-saving polling process, the NFC communication device 30 autonomously repeats polling radio wave transmission at regular intervals during the first power-saving polling process, and the in-vehicle unit 20 becomes capable of entering a sleep state, thus suppressing the power consumption of the in-vehicle unit 20.

[0071] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the car-sharing system 100 when an unusable IC card 40 is presented. As shown in Figure 8, when the vehicle 10 becomes ready to provide car-sharing services, the server 60 sends a standby instruction (step S51). As shown in Figure 8, the procedure from the standby instruction (step S51) to the notification to the user that processing of the IC card 40 has started (step S60) is the same as in Figure 7A. If the IC card 40 presented by the user is unusable (step S106), the in-vehicle unit 20 notifies the user that an error has occurred (step S107) and completes the information communication process.

[0072] If the IC card 40 is unavailable and an error occurs (step S106), the in-vehicle unit 20 waits for the NFC communication device 30 to perform a second power-saving polling process to move the unavailable IC card 40 away. Once the unavailable IC card 40 is moved away from the NFC communication device 30, the NFC communication device 30 sends an undetected response to the in-vehicle unit 20. After the in-vehicle unit 20 receives the undetected response and returns to an active state, it operates the NFC communication device 30 in a first power-saving polling process to wait for the IC card 40 (step S108) before transitioning to a sleep state (step S109), waiting for the next use. Also, when the in-vehicle unit 20 operates the first power-saving polling process, it starts notifying the user that the IC card 40 is in a readable state (step S110).

[0073] Furthermore, upon receiving an instruction for the first power-saving polling process from the in-vehicle unit 20, the NFC communication device 30 proceeds to the first power-saving polling process (step S108). Here, the process from the completion of the information communication process to the first power-saving polling process of the NFC communication device 30 is executed according to the procedure shown in Figure 6. During the second power-saving polling process at this time, the in-vehicle unit 20 remains in a state where it can transition to sleep mode until the IC card 40 goes out of range, thereby suppressing power consumption. Also, even after the NFC communication device 30 has transitioned to the first power-saving polling process, the in-vehicle unit 20 remains in a state where it can transition to sleep mode, thus suppressing power consumption.

[0074] In the example shown in Figure 8, if an unusable IC card 40 is left unattended with the NFC communication device 30 held over it by a malicious third party, the in-vehicle unit 20 will enter a standby state and be able to switch to sleep mode. This prevents repeated attempts to read the unusable IC card 40, thereby preventing the vehicle's battery from draining.

[0075] Figure 9 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the car-sharing system 100 when user authentication or reservation verification fails. As shown in Figure 9, when the vehicle 10 becomes ready to provide car-sharing services, the server 60 sends a standby instruction (step S51). As shown in Figure 9, the procedure from the standby instruction (step S51) to the transmission of information from the IC card 40 (step S62), the communication stop state of the NFC communication device 30 (step S63), and the transition to the sleep state of the in-vehicle unit 20 (step S64) is the same as shown in Figure 7A.

[0076] The server 60 uses the information on the IC card 40 received from the in-vehicle unit 20 to verify the integrity of the reservation information and authenticate the user. If there is a problem with reservation verification or user authentication (steps S111, S112), the server 60 sends an instruction to the in-vehicle unit 20 that service cannot be started (step S113). Upon receiving the instruction that service cannot be started, the in-vehicle unit 20 notifies the user that an error has occurred (step S114) and completes the information communication process.

[0077] If an error occurs during reservation matching or user authentication, the in-vehicle unit 20 waits for the NFC communication device 30 to perform a second power-saving polling process and move the IC card 40 away. When the IC card 40 is moved away from the NFC communication device 30, the NFC communication device 30 sends a non-detection response to the in-vehicle unit 20. After the in-vehicle unit 20 receives the non-detection response and returns to the active state, it sends an instruction to the NFC communication device 30 to perform a first power-saving polling process, causing the NFC communication device 30 to operate in the first power-saving polling process, enter a state where it is waiting for the IC card 40 (step S115), and then become ready to enter a sleep state (step S116), waiting for the next use to begin. Also, when the in-vehicle unit 20 operates the first power-saving polling process, it starts notifying the user that the IC card 40 is ready to read (step S117).

[0078] Furthermore, upon receiving an instruction for the first power-saving polling process from the in-vehicle unit 20, the NFC communication device 30 transitions to the first power-saving polling process. Here, the process from the completion of information communication processing to the first power-saving polling process of the NFC communication device 30 is executed according to the procedure shown in Figure 6. During the second power-saving polling process at this time, the in-vehicle unit 20 remains in a state where it can transition to sleep mode until the IC card 40 goes out of range, thus suppressing power consumption. Also, even after the NFC communication device 30 transitions to the first power-saving polling process, the in-vehicle unit 20 remains in a state where it can transition to sleep mode, thus suppressing power consumption.

[0079] In the example shown in Figure 9, if an unusable IC card 40 is left unattended with the NFC communication device 30 held over it by a malicious third party, the in-vehicle unit 20 can enter a sleep state while in standby mode. This prevents repeated attempts to read the unusable IC card 40, thereby preventing the vehicle's battery from draining.

[0080] As described above, in the communication control device, vehicle 10, and communication control method of this embodiment, the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 can transition to a sleep state when information communication processing is completed, and the NFC communication unit 33 operates in a second power-saving polling process until there is no response from the IC card 40, thereby suppressing power consumption. Furthermore, even if a malicious third party leaves the vehicle 10 with an unusable IC card 40 held up to it, it is possible to prevent the battery from running out.

[0081] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figure 10. Content that overlaps with the first embodiment will be omitted from the explanation. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it uses two types of IC cards 40: a membership card and a driver's license. Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure from waiting for use to starting vehicle use of the car-sharing system 100 when two IC cards 40 are used in the second embodiment.

[0082] As shown in Figure 10, when the server 60 becomes ready to provide car-sharing services in vehicle 10, it sends a standby instruction (step S51). Upon receiving the standby instruction, the in-vehicle unit 20 controls vehicle 10 to lock its doors (step S52) and performs security activation control (step S53). In accordance with the door locking control and security activation control, vehicle 10 locks its doors and activates its security function.

[0083] Next, the in-vehicle unit 20 operates the NFC communication device 30 in the first power-saving polling process (step S54), waits for the IC card 40 (step S55), and becomes ready to enter a sleep state (step S56). Also, when the in-vehicle unit 20 operates the first power-saving polling process, it starts notifying the user that the IC card 40 is ready to read (step S57). The user arrives at the vehicle 10's parking position at the reserved time and holds the membership card IC card 40 over the NFC communication device 30. When the NFC communication device 30 detects a "yes" response from the IC card 40 in the first power-saving polling process, it sends a notification to the in-vehicle unit 20 that the IC card 40 has been detected (step S58).

[0084] Upon receiving the detection notification, the in-vehicle unit 20 wakes from sleep mode and becomes active, and initiates information communication processing with the NFC communication device 30 (step S59). The in-vehicle unit 20 also begins notifying the user that communication processing with the IC card 40 is in progress (step S60). Once the information communication processing between the NFC communication device 30 and the IC card 40 is complete, the in-vehicle unit 20 ends the notification to the user that communication processing is in progress (step S61). The process from waiting for the IC card 40 to the completion of information communication processing is executed according to the procedure shown in Figure 2.

[0085] After the information communication processing on the membership card IC card 40 is completed, the in-vehicle unit 20 waits for the NFC communication device 30 to perform a second power-saving polling process and move away from the IC card 40. When the IC card 40 is moved away from the NFC communication device 30, the NFC communication device 30 sends a non-detection response to the in-vehicle unit 20. After the in-vehicle unit 20 receives the non-detection response and returns to an active state, it sends an instruction to the NFC communication device 30 to perform a first power-saving polling process.

[0086] The in-vehicle unit 20 operates the NFC communication device 30 with the first power-saving polling process, putting it into a sleep state and waiting for the IC card 40 (step S120). Also, when the in-vehicle unit 20 operates the first power-saving polling process, it starts notifying the user that the IC card 40, such as a driver's license, is ready to be read (step S121). Here, the process from the completion of the information communication process to the first power-saving polling process of the NFC communication device 30 is executed according to the procedure shown in Figure 6. The user holds the driver's license IC card 40 over the NFC communication device 30 (step S122). If the NFC communication device 30 receives a "yes" response from the IC card 40 during the first power-saving polling process, it sends a notification to the in-vehicle unit 20 that the IC card 40 has been detected (step S123).

[0087] Upon receiving the detection notification, the in-vehicle unit 20 wakes from sleep mode and becomes active, and initiates information communication processing on the NFC communication device 30 (step S124). The in-vehicle unit 20 also begins notifying the user that communication processing is underway for the IC card 40 (step S125). Once the information communication processing between the NFC communication device 30 and the IC card 40 is complete, the in-vehicle unit 20 terminates the notification to the user that communication processing is underway (step S126). The process from waiting for the IC card 40 to the completion of information communication processing is executed according to the procedure shown in Figure 2.

[0088] Next, the in-vehicle unit 20 transmits the information of the IC card 40, such as the membership card and driver's license, acquired through information communication processing to the server 60 (step S127), and waits for the operation to move the IC card 40 away through the second power-saving polling process. When the IC card 40 is moved away from the NFC communication device 30, the NFC communication device 30 sends an undetected response to the in-vehicle unit 20, and the in-vehicle unit 20 puts the NFC communication device 30 into a communication stop state (step S128), and becomes ready to transition to sleep state (step S129). Here, the process from the completion of information communication processing to the communication stop state of the NFC communication device 30 is executed according to the procedure shown in Figure 5.

[0089] The server 60 uses the membership card and driver's license IC card information received from the in-vehicle unit 20 to authenticate the user (step S130) and verify the reservation information (step S131). If there are no problems with the reservation verification and user authentication, the server 60 sends an instruction to the in-vehicle unit 20 to start use (step S132). Upon receiving the instruction to start use, the in-vehicle unit 20 acquires information on each part of the vehicle 10 and checks the conditions for starting use (step S133). If the vehicle 10 meets the conditions for starting use, the in-vehicle unit 20 executes door unlocking control (step S134) and security deactivation control to the vehicle 10 (step S135). The vehicle 10 unlocks the doors and deactivates the security function in response to the control from the in-vehicle unit 20. The in-vehicle unit 20 also starts notifying the user that the vehicle is in use (step S136).

[0090] Next, the user performs the operation to use the vehicle 10 and the in-vehicle unit 20. Specifically, since the doors of the vehicle 10 are unlocked, the user opens the doors (step S137) and gets in (step S138). Once the in-vehicle unit 20 confirms that the user has boarded the vehicle 10, it notifies the user of how to retrieve the vehicle key (step S139). Following the notification, the user retrieves the vehicle key, presses the ignition switch, and starts the engine (power source) (step S140). After that, the user begins using the vehicle 10 (step S141) and travels to their destination. From the end of the user's use of the vehicle 10 until the billing of the usage fee is sent, the procedure shown in Figure 7B is performed using the membership IC card 40.

[0091] In the communication control device, vehicle 10, and communication control method of this embodiment, after the information communication processing is completed, the NFC communication device 30 enters a power-saving state through the second power-saving polling process, and the in-vehicle unit 20 enters a state where it can transition to a sleep state. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed until the IC card 40 is moved away from the NFC communication device 30.

[0092] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figure 11. Content that overlaps with the first embodiment will be omitted from the explanation. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the in-vehicle unit 20 also functions as the NFC communication unit 33 and is integrated into the system. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a car-sharing system 200 according to the third embodiment.

[0093] As shown in Figure 11, the car-sharing system 200 includes a vehicle 10, an in-vehicle unit 20, an IC card 40, a user mobile terminal 50, a server 60, a public network 70, and a positioning system 80. In the example shown in Figure 11, the in-vehicle unit 20 includes an in-vehicle unit power supply unit 21, a public network communication unit 22, a vehicle position monitoring unit 23, a vehicle monitoring control unit 24, an in-vehicle unit control unit 25, an NFC communication unit 33, and a wireless communication unit 27. The in-vehicle unit control unit 25 also includes the functions of the NFC communication control unit 32 shown in Figure 1, and executes a predetermined program to control the NFC communication unit 33 in a predetermined procedure. In the car-sharing system 200 shown in Figure 11, the user performs the procedures for starting and ending use by holding the IC card 40 over the in-vehicle unit 20.

[0094] In the communication control device, vehicle 10, and communication control method of this embodiment, the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 can enter a sleep state when information communication processing is completed, and the NFC communication unit 33 is operated with a power-saving second power-saving polling process until there is no response from the IC card 40, thereby making it possible to suppress power consumption.

[0095] The embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0096] This specification provides communication control devices, vehicles, and communication control methods in the following embodiments. (Aspect 1) The communication control device of Embodiment 1 is An NFC communication unit that performs communication in accordance with the short-range wireless communication standard, The NFC communication unit includes a control unit that performs information communication processing to communicate with a communication target, and power-saving polling processing to detect whether or not there is a response from the communication target while suppressing power consumption for the information communication processing. When the information communication processing is completed, the control unit enters a state where it can transition to a sleep state, and operates the NFC communication unit in the power-saving polling process until there is no response from the communication target.

[0097] According to the above-described embodiment, the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 can enter a sleep state when information communication processing is completed, and the NFC communication unit 33 is operated by a second power-saving polling process controlled to operate autonomously in a power-saving manner until there is no response from the IC card 40, thereby making it possible to suppress power consumption.

[0098] (Aspect 2) The communication control device of embodiment 2 is If no response is received from the communication target during the polling process, the sleep state of the control unit is released.

[0099] According to the above-described configuration, the system immediately returns to an active state when no response is received from the IC card 40, allowing for the rapid execution of the next steps.

[0100] (Aspect 3) The communication control in embodiment 3 is, After the sleep state is released, the control unit can put the communication unit into a communication-stopped state and transition to a second sleep state.

[0101] According to the above-described embodiment, since the NFC communication unit 33 can be switched back to sleep mode after being put into a communication stop state, the period during which the sleep state is not activated can be shortened, and power consumption can be suppressed.

[0102] (Aspect 4) The communication control device of embodiment 4 is After the sleep state is released, the control unit operates the communication unit using other power-saving polling processes, enabling it to transition to a second sleep state.

[0103] According to the above-described embodiment, since the NFC communication unit 33 can be switched to another power-saving polling process and then returned to sleep mode, the period during which the sleep state is not activated can be shortened, thereby suppressing power consumption.

[0104] (Aspect 5) The communication control device of embodiment 5 is The control unit is configured to transition to a third sleep state before the information communication processing, and operates the communication unit with other polling processes until a response is received from the communication target.

[0105] According to the above-described embodiment, the IC card 40 can transition to a sleep state even when it is in a standby state, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0106] (Aspect 6) The communication control device of embodiment 6 is If a response is received from the communication target during the other polling process, the third sleep state of the control unit is released.

[0107] According to the above-described embodiment, the system immediately returns to an active state when a response is received from the IC card 40, allowing the next steps to be executed quickly.

[0108] (Aspect 7) The communication control device of embodiment 7 is The aforementioned communication unit is mounted on an NFC communication device. The control unit is mounted in an in-vehicle device that controls the NFC communication device.

[0109] According to the above-described embodiment, the NFC communication device 30 equipped with the NFC communication unit 33 and the in-vehicle unit 20 equipped with the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 are configured as separate units for information communication between them. Therefore, the NFC communication device 30 can be positioned in a location that makes it easy to hold up the IC card 40, which is far from the in-vehicle unit 20.

[0110] (Pattern 8) The vehicle in type 8 is, It is equipped with a communication control device as described in one of the above.

[0111] According to the above-described embodiment, the in-vehicle unit control unit 25 can transition to a sleep state when information communication processing is completed, and the NFC communication unit 33 is operated with a power-saving second power-saving polling process until there is no response from the IC card 40, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0112] (Aspect 9) The communication control method of embodiment 9 is: The communication unit is made to perform information communication processing that communicates information with a communication target in accordance with the short-range wireless communication standard, and polling processing that detects whether or not there is a response from the communication target while suppressing power consumption for the information communication processing. When the aforementioned information communication processing is completed, the system can transition to a sleep state, and the communication unit will operate using the polling process until there is no response from the communication target.

[0113] According to the above-described embodiment, when normal communication processing is completed, the device can transition to a sleep state, and the NFC communication unit 33 is operated with a power-saving second power-saving polling process until there is no response from the IC card 40, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0114] (Aspect 10) The communication control method of embodiment 10 is: If no response is received from the communication target during the polling process, the sleep state is released.

[0115] According to the above-described configuration, the system immediately returns to an active state when no response is received from the IC card 40, allowing for the rapid execution of the next steps. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 100,200... Car sharing system 10... Vehicles 20…Onboard equipment 30…NFC communication equipment 40…IC card 50…User mobile device 60... Server 70…Public network 80…Positioning systems 11…Vehicle battery 21…Onboard equipment power supply section 22…Public Telecommunications Department 23... Vehicle position monitoring unit 24... Vehicle monitoring and control unit 25... Vehicle-mounted device control unit 26…NFC Reader / Writer Communication Department 27… Wireless Communication Department 31…Host Communications Department 32…NFC Communication Control Unit 33…NFC Communication Department

Claims

1. A communication unit that performs communication in accordance with short-range wireless communication standards, The system includes a control unit that causes the communication unit to perform an information communication process for communicating information with a communication target, and a polling process for detecting whether or not there is a response from the communication target while suppressing power consumption for the information communication process. The control unit is capable of transitioning to a sleep state when the information communication processing is completed, and the communication unit operates in the polling process until there is no response from the communication target, and is a communication control device.

2. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein if no response is received from the communication target during the polling process, the control unit is released from its sleep state.

3. The communication control device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit, after the sleep state is released, can set the communication unit to a communication stop state and transition to a second sleep state.

4. The communication control device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit, after the sleep state is released, operates the communication unit with another polling process, enabling it to transition to a second sleep state.

5. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit can transition to a third sleep state before the information communication processing, and operates the communication unit with other polling processes until a response is received from the communication target.

6. The communication control device according to claim 5, wherein when a response is received from the communication target in the other polling process, the control unit releases the third sleep state.

7. The aforementioned communication unit is mounted on an NFC communication device. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is mounted on an in-vehicle device that controls the NFC communication device.

8. A vehicle equipped with a communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The communication unit is made to perform information communication processing that communicates information with a communication target in accordance with the short-range wireless communication standard, and polling processing that detects whether or not there is a response from the communication target while suppressing power consumption for the information communication processing. A communication control method that, when the aforementioned information communication processing is completed, allows the system to transition to a sleep state, and keeps the communication unit running the polling process until there is no response from the communication target.

10. The communication control method according to claim 9, wherein the sleep state is released when no response is received from the communication target during the polling process.

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