Remote control system, control device, and computer program

Abstract

To enhance the convenience of a remote control system.SOLUTION: A control device 7 wirelessly communicates with a portable mobile device 2. A transmission unit 5 is connected to the control device 7, transmits a first signal S1 at a first timing, and transmits a second signal S2 at a second timing different from the first timing. A receiving unit 21 is connected to the mobile device 2, and receives the first signal S1 and the second signal S2. An angle specifying unit 22 specifies the angle of the receiving unit 21 with respect to the transmission unit 5 based on the reception intensity of the first signal S1 and the reception intensity of the second signal S2. The control device 7 causes a controlled device 3 to perform a predetermined operation when the change with time of the angle satisfies a predetermined condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote control system for controlling the operation of a controlled device using a mobile device. The present invention also relates to a control device for controlling the operation of the controlled device and a computer program executable by a processing unit of the control device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an authentication system as an example of a remote control system. In this system, authentication is performed through radio communication between a control device that controls the operation of a vehicle locking device as an example of a controlled device and a key as an example of a mobile device that can be carried by a user. When the authentication is successful, the locking of the vehicle door is released.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of a remote control system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect for achieving the above object is a remote control system, comprising: a mobile device that is portable; a control device that performs wireless communication with the mobile device; at least one transmission unit that is connected to one of the control device and the mobile device, transmits a first signal at a first timing, and transmits a second signal at a second timing different from the first timing; It is connected to the other of the control device and the mobile device, and includes a receiving unit that receives the first signal and the second signal. An angle specifying unit that specifies the angle of the receiving unit with respect to the transmitting unit based on the reception intensity of the first signal and the reception intensity of the second signal. It is provided with When the change over time of the angle satisfies a predetermined condition, the control device causes the controlled device to perform a predetermined operation.

[0006] One aspect for achieving the above object is a control device that performs wireless communication with a mobile device that is connected to one of at least one transmitting unit that transmits a first signal at a first timing and transmits a second signal at a second timing different from the first timing, and a receiving unit that receives the first signal and the second signal, and is portable. A receiving unit that receives angle information corresponding to the angle of the receiving unit with respect to the transmitting unit specified based on the reception intensity of the first signal and the reception intensity of the second signal. A processing unit that causes the controlled device to perform a predetermined operation when the change over time of the angle satisfies a predetermined condition. It is provided with

[0007] One aspect for achieving the above object is a computer program executed by a processing unit of a control device that performs wireless communication with a mobile device that is connected to one of at least one transmitting unit that transmits a first signal at a first timing and transmits a second signal at a second timing different from the first timing, and a receiving unit that receives the first signal and the second signal, and is portable. When executed, the control device is caused to Receive angle information corresponding to the angle of the receiving unit with respect to the transmitting unit specified based on the reception intensity of the first signal and the reception intensity of the second signal. When the change over time of the angle satisfies a predetermined condition, the controlled device is caused to perform a predetermined operation.

[0008] According to the configuration according to each of the above aspects, various ways of moving of a user carrying a mobile device can be associated with remote control of various controlled devices through a change over time in the angle of the receiving unit with respect to the transmitting unit accompanying the movement. Therefore, the convenience of the remote control system can be enhanced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] With reference to the accompanying drawings, examples of embodiments will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 illustrates the functional configuration of a remote control system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0011] The remote control system 1 is configured to remotely control a controlled device 3 using a mobile device 2 that can be carried by a user. The controlled device 3 is mounted on a vehicle 4 illustrated in FIG. 2. The vehicle 4 is an example of a moving body. Examples of the controlled device 3 include locking devices for opening and closing bodies such as doors and windows, opening and closing devices for the opening and closing bodies, engines, air conditioning devices, lighting devices, audio-visual devices, seat position adjustment devices, and the like.

[0012] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the remote control system 1 includes, in addition to the mobile device 2, a transmitting unit 5, a receiving unit 6, and a control device 7. In this example, the transmitting unit 5, the receiving unit 6, and the control device 7 are mounted on the vehicle 4. The control device 7 is connected to the transmitting unit 5 and the receiving unit 6.

[0013] The control device 7 includes a reception unit 71, a processing unit 72, and an output unit 73. The processing unit 72 is configured to output transmission control information TC for causing the transmission unit 5 to wirelessly transmit the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 at different timings from the output unit 73. The transmission control information TC may be in the form of digital data or analog data. When the transmission control information TC is in the form of analog data, the output unit 73 is configured to include an appropriate conversion circuit including a D / A converter. The processing unit 72 processes information in the form of digital data.

[0014] The transmission unit 5 may include a single antenna element that transmits the first signal S1 at a first timing and transmits the second signal S2 at a second timing different from the first timing. Alternatively, the transmission unit 5 may be configured to include a first transmission unit 51 including an antenna element that transmits the first signal S1 at a first timing and a second transmission unit 52 including an antenna element that transmits the second signal S2 at a second timing different from the first timing. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the first transmission unit 51 and the second transmission unit 52 are installed at different positions in the vehicle 4. Each of the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 may be an analog signal or a digital signal.

[0015] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mobile device 2 includes a reception unit 21, an angle specifying unit 22, and a transmission unit 23.

[0016] The reception unit 21 includes an antenna element that receives the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 wirelessly transmitted from the transmission unit 5. When each of the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 is an analog signal, the reception unit 21 is configured to include an appropriate conversion circuit including an A / D converter. The reception unit 21 is configured to be able to provide the angle specifying unit 22 with the reception intensity of the first signal S1 and the reception intensity of the second signal S2 in the form of digital data.

[0017] The angle specifying unit 22 is configured to specify the angle of the receiving unit 21 of the mobile device 2 with respect to the transmitting unit 5 mounted on the vehicle 4 based on the reception intensity of the first signal S1 and the reception intensity of the second signal S2.

[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 2, an x-axis direction corresponding to the left-right direction of the vehicle 4 and a y-axis direction corresponding to the front-rear direction of the vehicle 4 can be defined. Although not shown in the figure, a z-axis direction corresponding to the up-down direction of the vehicle 4 can also be defined. The x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction are orthogonal to each other. The reception intensity of the first signal S1 at the position of the mobile device 2 carried by the user shown in FIG. 2 can be represented by a vector s1 composed of the x-axis direction component, the y-axis direction component, and the z-axis direction component of the magnetic field intensity at that position. Similarly, the reception intensity of the second signal S2 at that position can be represented by a vector s2 composed of the x-axis direction component, the y-axis direction component, and the z-axis direction component of the magnetic field intensity at that position.

[0019] The direction of the vector s1 corresponds to the direction of the first transmitting unit 51 as seen from the receiving unit 21 of the mobile device 2. The direction of the vector s2 corresponds to the direction of the second transmitting unit 52 as seen from the receiving unit 21 of the mobile device 2. The angle θ formed by the vector s1 and the vector s2 can be calculated, for example, by an expression that includes the inner product of the vector s1 and the vector s2 in the numerator and the outer product of the vector s1 and the vector s2 in the denominator.

[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the transmitting unit 23 of the mobile device 2 includes an antenna element that wirelessly transmits angle information AI corresponding to the angle θ specified by the angle specifying unit 22. The angle information AI may be in the form of digital data or in the form of analog data. When the angle information AI is in the form of analog data, the transmitting unit 23 is configured to include an appropriate conversion circuit including a D / A converter.

[0021] The receiving unit 6 mounted on the vehicle 4 includes an antenna element that receives the angle information AI wirelessly transmitted from the transmitting unit 23 of the mobile device 2. The receiving unit 71 of the control device 7 mounted on the vehicle 4 receives the angle information AI received by the receiving unit 6. When the angle information AI is in the form of analog data, the receiving unit 71 is configured to include an appropriate conversion circuit including an A / D converter. The processing unit 72 of the control device 7 targets the angle information AI in the form of digital data for processing.

[0022] The processing unit 72 is configured to acquire the angle information AI at a plurality of time points and specify the temporal change of the angle θ. In addition, the processing unit 72 determines whether the temporal change of the specified angle θ satisfies a predetermined condition, and when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, outputs operation control information OC for causing the controlled device 3 to perform a predetermined operation from the output unit 73. The operation control information OC may be in the form of digital data or analog data. When the operation control information OC is in the form of analog data, the output unit 73 is configured to include an appropriate conversion circuit including a D / A converter.

[0023] Since the value of θ corresponding to the angle of the receiving unit 21 of the mobile device 2 with respect to the first transmitting unit 51 and the second transmitting unit 52 mounted on the vehicle 4 is associated with the position of the mobile device 2, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of regions can be set around the vehicle 4 according to the range of values that θ can take. In the figure, six regions A1 to A6 are set.

[0024] For example, the arrow a1 means that the user carrying the mobile device 2 has moved from the region A1 to the region A2. The temporal change of the angle θ accompanying this movement is associated with a predetermined condition for causing the controlled device 3 to perform a predetermined operation. Examples of the predetermined operation include locking reservation of the rear door.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the control device 7 includes a storage unit 74. The association between the predetermined conditions and the predetermined operations of the controlled device 3 is performed by the user in advance, and the data indicating the association is stored in the storage unit 74. In the case of the example of the arrow a1 illustrated in FIG. 3, the user associates the movement from the area A1 to the area A2 with the locking reservation of the rear door. In the storage unit 74, data indicating the association between the data showing the change over time of the angle θ accompanying the movement from the area A1 to the area A2 and the operation control information OC for causing the locking device of the rear door as the controlled device 3 to perform the locking operation is stored.

[0026] A user who desires to reserve the locking of the rear door carries the mobile device 2 and moves from the area A1 to the area A2. While the user is moving, the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 transmitted from the first transmission unit 51 and the second transmission unit 52 mounted on the vehicle 4 are received by the reception unit 21 of the mobile device 2, and the specification of the angle θ by the angle specification unit 22 is repeated. The angle information AI corresponding to the specified angle θ is transmitted from the transmission unit 23 of the mobile device 2 and received by the reception unit 6 mounted on the vehicle 4.

[0027] The processing unit 72 of the control device 7 mounted on the vehicle 4 acquires the change over time of the angle θ corresponding to the movement of the user from the area A1 to the area A2 based on the angle information AI repeatedly received through the reception unit 71. Subsequently, the processing unit 72 collates the data corresponding to the acquired change over time of the angle θ with the data showing the change over time of the angle θ stored in the storage unit 74. When the degree of coincidence of both data exceeds the threshold value, the processing unit 72 determines that the predetermined conditions are satisfied. The processing unit 72 outputs the operation control information OC corresponding to the locking reservation of the rear door from the output unit 73 based on the association stored in the storage unit 74. The rear door locking device that has received the operation control information OC performs the locking operation after the elapse of the specified time.

[0028] According to the above configuration, various movement manners of the user carrying the mobile device 2 can be associated with the remote control of various controlled devices 3 through the change over time of the angle of the receiving unit 21 with respect to the transmitting unit 5 accompanying the movement. Therefore, the convenience of the remote control system can be enhanced.

[0029] The predetermined conditions stored in the storage unit 74 may include the change over time of the reception intensity of each of the first signal S1 and the second signal S2. For example, the arrow a2 in FIG. 3 means that the user carrying the mobile device 2 enters the area A1. Since this route is substantially along the straight line connecting the first transmitting unit 51 and the second transmitting unit 52, the value of the angle θ does not change significantly. On the other hand, the reception intensity of each of the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 at the receiving unit of the mobile device 2 gradually increases. Such a change over time of the angle θ and a change over time of the reception intensity can also be associated with a specific operation of the controlled device 3 as a predetermined condition. For example, the lighting device can be made to perform a lighting operation meaning the driver's welcome.

[0030] According to such a configuration, a change in the distance (i.e., approach and departure) between the transmitting unit 5 and the receiving unit 21 can be added as a condition to the movement manner of the user carrying the mobile device 2 that can be associated with the remote control of the controlled device 3. Therefore, more diverse remote control can be realized, and the convenience of the remote control system can be further enhanced.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the remote control system 1 may include a display device 8. The display device 8 may be configured to display the above-mentioned predetermined conditions. For example, on the display device 8, a vehicle 4 and a plurality of areas A1 to A6 set around it as illustrated in FIG. 3 may be displayed. In addition, a set movement route pattern may be superimposed and displayed on the plurality of areas A1 to A6, such as the arrow a1 and the arrow a2 in FIG. 3. In addition, the type of remote control (operation of the controlled device 3) associated with the displayed movement route pattern may be displayed on the display device 8.

[0032] Specifically, the processing unit 72 reads out data corresponding to predetermined conditions stored in the storage unit 74, and generates display control information DC for causing the display device 8 to display a movement path and a type of remote control corresponding to the data. The display control information DC is output from the output unit 73. The display control information DC may be in the form of digital data or analog data. When the display control information DC is in the form of analog data, the output unit 73 includes an appropriate conversion circuit including a D / A converter.

[0033] According to such a configuration, it becomes easy to visually confirm the association between the set user movement path and the remote control to be executed. Therefore, the convenience of the remote control system can be further enhanced.

[0034] The display device 8 can be installed in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 4. For example, the display device 8 can be realized as a device including a screen arranged in the center cluster in the vehicle interior. Alternatively, the display device 8 can be realized as a projector device that projects an image onto the front glass.

[0035] Alternatively, the display device 8 can be a part of the mobile device 2. For example, when the mobile device 2 is a general-purpose portable information terminal such as a smartphone, the display device 8 can be realized by the general-purpose display of the terminal. According to such a configuration, the user can carry the mobile device 2 and confirm the set movement path while actually moving. Therefore, the convenience of the remote control system can be further enhanced.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the remote control system 1 may include an input device 9. The input device 9 is configured to receive an instruction to set the above-described predetermined conditions. For example, a vehicle 4 and a plurality of regions A1 to A6 set around the vehicle as illustrated in FIG. 3 may be displayed on the display device 8. Further, several predefined movement route patterns may be superimposed and displayed on the plurality of regions A1 to A6. In addition, several types of remote control (operations of the controlled device 3) may be displayed as a menu on the display device 8. The user can set a predetermined condition in which both are associated by inputting an instruction to select one of the movement route patterns and one of the types of remote control through the input device 9.

[0037] The input device 9 may be realized by an interface device such as a switch or a touch pad installed in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 4. Alternatively, the input device 9 may be realized by a touch panel device provided on the surface of the screen of the display device 8 installed in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 4. Alternatively, the input device 9 may be realized by a switch provided on the mobile device 2. When the display device 8 is provided as a part of the mobile device 2, the input device 9 may be realized by a touch panel device provided on the surface of the display device 8.

[0038] When the control device 7 has a voice recognition function, the input device 9 may be realized by a sound collection microphone provided at an appropriate position in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 4 or on the mobile device 2 to detect the voice uttered by the user. When the control device 7 has a gesture recognition function, the input device 9 may be realized by a camera provided at an appropriate position in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 4 or on the mobile device 2 to detect the gesture of the user.

[0039] The input device 9 is configured to output setting instruction information SI corresponding to the received instruction. The setting instruction information SI may be in the form of digital data or analog data. The setting instruction information SI is received by the reception unit 71 of the control device 7. When the setting instruction information SI is in the form of analog data, the reception unit 71 includes an appropriate conversion circuit including an A / D converter. The processing unit 72 processes the setting instruction information SI in the form of digital data.

[0040] Based on the setting instruction information SI, the processing unit 72 selects the data stored in the storage unit 74 corresponding to the temporal change of the angle θ and the operation of the controlled device 3, and sets a predetermined condition by associating the two.

[0041] In the configuration where the display device 8 and the input device 9 are provided in the mobile device 2, the trajectory of the user actually moving while carrying the mobile device 2 may be displayed on the display device 8. In this case, an instruction to set a predetermined condition may be made by selecting one of the plurality of types of remote control displayed in the menu and associating it with the movement trajectory.

[0042] In this case, the processing unit 72 newly creates data related to the temporal change of the angle θ corresponding to the movement path of the mobile device 2 based on the setting instruction information SI, and stores it in the storage unit 74 in association with the desired operation of the controlled device 3.

[0043] According to the above configuration, the arbitrariness regarding the association between the movement path of the user carrying the mobile device 2 and the operation of the controlled device 3 can be enhanced. Therefore, the convenience of the remote control system can be further enhanced.

[0044] The processing unit 72 having each function described above can be realized by a general-purpose microprocessor that operates in cooperation with a general-purpose memory. Examples of the general-purpose microprocessor can include a CPU, an MPU, and a GPU. Examples of the general-purpose memory can include a ROM and a RAM. In this case, a computer program for executing the above-described processing can be stored in the ROM. The ROM is an example of a storage medium that stores a computer program. The general-purpose microprocessor designates at least a part of the computer program stored on the ROM and expands it on the RAM, and executes the above-described processing in cooperation with the RAM. The above computer program may be pre-installed in the general-purpose memory, or may be downloaded from an external server device via a communication network and installed in the general-purpose memory. In this case, the external server device is an example of a storage medium that stores a computer program. The storage unit 74 may be realized by the above general-purpose memory.

[0045] The processing unit 72 may also be realized by an application-specific integrated circuit capable of executing the above computer program, such as a microcontroller, an ASIC, or an FPGA. In this case, the above computer program is pre-installed in a storage element included in the application-specific integrated circuit. The storage element is an example of a storage medium that stores a computer program. The storage unit 74 may be realized by the storage element. The processing unit 72 can also be realized by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and an application-specific integrated circuit.

[0046] The above embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the present invention. The configurations according to the above embodiments can be appropriately changed and improved without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0047] In the above embodiment, a first signal S1 and a second signal are respectively transmitted from the first transmission unit 51 and the second transmission unit provided at different positions in the vehicle 4. According to such a configuration, it is easy to specify the angle θ even when the mobile device 2 is stationary.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 are wirelessly transmitted from the transmission unit 5 provided in the vehicle 4 at different timings, and received and processed by the receiving unit 21 and the angle specifying unit 22 provided in the mobile device 2. According to such a configuration, the degree of freedom in arranging the transmission unit 5 can be increased. However, the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 may be wirelessly transmitted from the transmission unit 23 provided in the mobile device 2 at different timings, and received by the receiving unit 6 provided in the vehicle 4. In this case, the function of the angle specifying unit 22 may be realized by the processing unit 72 of the control device 7.

[0049] The remote control system 1 may be configured to be able to remotely control the operation of the controlled device 3 mounted on a moving body other than the vehicle 4. Examples of other moving bodies include railways, airplanes, ships, and the like. The moving body may not require a driver.

[0050] The remote control system 1 may be configured to be able to remotely control the operation of the controlled device 3 installed in a house, commercial facility, school building, office building, factory, research facility, or the like.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0051] 1: Remote control system, 2: Mobile device, 21: Receiving unit, 22: Angle specifying unit, 23: Transmission unit, 3: Controlled device, 4: Vehicle, 5: Transmission unit, 51: First transmission unit, 52: Second transmission unit, 6: Receiving unit, 7: Control device, 71: Reception unit, 72: Processing unit, 8: Display device, 9: Input device, S1: First signal, S2: Second signal, θ: Angle

Claims

1. A mobile device that can be carried by a user, A control device that performs wireless communication with the mobile device, A transmission unit that is connected to the control device and includes a single antenna element that transmits a first signal at a first timing and transmits a second signal at a second timing different from the first timing, A reception unit that is provided in the mobile device and receives the first signal and the second signal, An angle specifying unit that is provided in the mobile device and specifies an angle formed by a first direction, which is the direction of the transmission unit as seen from the reception unit when the first signal is received, and a second direction, which is the direction of the transmission unit as seen from the reception unit when the second signal is received, based on the first direction and the second direction, An input device that receives an instruction associating a predetermined condition corresponding to a movement path pattern of the mobile device with an operation of a controlled device, Comprising: When the change over time of the angle accompanying the movement of the user satisfies the predetermined condition, the control device causes the controlled device to perform the operation, Remote control system.

2. A display device for displaying the predetermined condition is provided, The remote control system according to claim 1.

3. The display device is a part of the mobile device, The remote control system according to claim 2.

4. The control device is mounted on a moving body, The remote control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A control device that performs wireless communication with a mobile device that is connected to a transmission unit including a single antenna element that transmits a first signal at a first timing and transmits a second signal at a second timing different from the first timing, and that can be carried by a user and is provided with a reception unit that receives the first signal and the second signal, A reception unit that receives angle information corresponding to an angle formed by the first direction and the second direction specified based on a first direction, which is the direction of the transmission unit as seen from the reception unit when the first signal is received, and a second direction, which is the direction of the transmission unit as seen from the reception unit when the second signal is received, and setting instruction information corresponding to an instruction associating a predetermined condition corresponding to a movement path pattern of the mobile device with an operation of a controlled device, A processing unit that causes the controlled device to perform the operation when the change over time of the angle accompanying the movement of the user satisfies the predetermined condition, Comprising: Control device.

6. A computer program executed by a processing unit of a control device that performs wireless communication with a mobile device. The mobile device is connected to a transmission unit having a single antenna element that transmits a first signal at a first timing and a second signal at a second timing different from the first timing, and is portable by a user and is provided with a reception unit that receives the first signal and the second signal. When executed, the control device is caused to receive angle information corresponding to an angle formed by a first direction, which is the direction of the transmission unit as seen from the reception unit when the first signal is received, and a second direction, which is the direction of the transmission unit as seen from the reception unit when the second signal is received, and which is specified based on the first direction and the second direction; receive setting instruction information corresponding to an instruction for associating a predetermined condition corresponding to a movement path pattern of the mobile device with an operation of a controlled device; cause the controlled device to perform the operation when a change over time of the angle accompanying the movement of the user satisfies the predetermined condition; A computer program.

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