communication equipment

Abstract

To achieve wireless communication and object proximity detection with a smaller device.SOLUTION: A communication device includes: a wireless communication circuit that controls wireless communication that conforms to prescribed communication standards with a mobile apparatus; an electrostatic sensor circuit that detects proximity of an object based on a change in capacitance; an antenna used in common for transmission / reception of wireless signals conforming to the prescribed communication standards and detection of the capacitance; a high-pass filter provided between the wireless communication circuit and the antenna; and a low-pass filter provided between the electrostatic sensor circuit and the antenna. The communication device is disposed in a grip portion gripped by a user who carries the mobile apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, technologies for performing authentication based on wireless signals transmitted and received between devices have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a system in which an in-vehicle device authenticates a portable device using wireless signals transmitted and received between the in-vehicle device and the portable device. In this system, if the authenticity of the portable device is recognized, the doors of the vehicle are unlocked. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-208419 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to further improve the security of the system described above, it is conceivable to configure the system such that, for example, an electrostatic sensor detects the proximity of a user's hand and further uses this as a trigger for unlocking the door.

[0005] However, when attempting to incorporate both a configuration for realizing wireless communication and an electrostatic sensor, physical space limitations arise.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize wireless communication and proximity detection of an object using a smaller device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device that is arranged in a grip that is held by a user carrying the mobile device, the communication device comprising: a wireless communication circuit that controls wireless communication that complies with a specified communication standard between the mobile device and the device; an electrostatic sensor circuit that detects the proximity of an object based on a change in electrostatic capacitance; an antenna that is used in common for transmitting and receiving wireless signals that complies with the specified communication standard and for detecting the electrostatic capacitance; a high-pass filter that is provided between the wireless communication circuit and the antenna; and a low-pass filter that is provided between the electrostatic sensor circuit and the antenna. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize wireless communication and object proximity detection using a smaller device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication device 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a stub 150 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations when the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 detects the proximity of an object after the authenticity of the mobile device 60 has been confirmed based on wireless communication conforming to a prescribed communication standard according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] <1. Embodiment> <<1.1. System configuration example>> First, a configuration example of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, a system 1 according to this embodiment includes a communication device 10, a control device 20, and a controlled device 30 mounted on a vehicle 50.

[0013] The system 1 according to this embodiment also includes a mobile device 60 carried by a user who uses the vehicle 50 (for example, the owner of the vehicle 50, or a person authorized by the owner to use the vehicle 50).

[0014] (Communication device 10) The communication device 10 according to this embodiment is disposed on a grip portion provided on the exterior of the vehicle 50.

[0015] The grip portion may have various configurations that are gripped by a user carrying the mobile device 60 .

[0016] The door handle 40 according to this embodiment is an example of the grip portion.

[0017] The communication device 10 according to this embodiment performs wireless communication with the mobile device 60 in accordance with a prescribed communication standard.

[0018] Furthermore, the communication device 10 according to this embodiment detects the proximity or contact of the user's hand or the like with the door handle 40.

[0019] A detailed configuration example of the communication device 10 according to this embodiment will be described later.

[0020] (Control device 20) The control device 20 according to this embodiment authenticates the mobile device 60 based on wireless communication between the communication device 10 and the mobile device 60 that complies with a prescribed communication standard.

[0021] Furthermore, the control device 20 according to this embodiment controls the operation of the controlled device 30 provided in the vehicle 50 based on the result of authentication of the mobile device 60 and the result of the communication device 10 detecting the proximity of an object.

[0022] (Controlled device 30) The controlled device 30 according to this embodiment is a device of any type that is mounted on the vehicle 50 and performs some operation under the control of the control device 20.

[0023] An example of the controlled device 30 according to this embodiment is a locking device that locks and unlocks doors provided in a vehicle 50.

[0024] For example, the control device 20 according to this embodiment may cause the locking device to unlock the door if the authenticity of the mobile device 60 is confirmed in the above-mentioned authentication and the proximity of an object is detected by the communication device 10.

[0025] According to the above-described control, when a user carrying a legitimate mobile device 60 touches the door handle 40, the door of the vehicle 50 can be unlocked, and improved security is expected.

[0026] The above describes an example of the configuration of the system 1 according to this embodiment. Note that the configuration described with reference to Fig. 1 is merely an example, and the configuration of the system 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0027] The configuration of the system 1 according to this embodiment can be flexibly modified according to specifications and operations.

[0028] <<1.2. Configuration Example of Communication Device 10>> Next, a configuration example of the communication device 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 10 according to this embodiment includes a wireless communication circuit 110 that controls wireless communication with the mobile device 60 in accordance with a prescribed communication standard, an electrostatic sensor circuit 120 that detects the proximity of an object based on a change in electrostatic capacitance, and an antenna 130.

[0031] The prescribed communication standard according to this embodiment may be, for example, a standard for transmitting and receiving radio signals in a frequency band equal to or higher than the VHF (Very High Frequency) band.

[0032] More specifically, the prescribed communication standard according to this embodiment may be a standard for transmitting and receiving radio signals belonging to UWB (Ultra Wide Band).

[0033] The wireless communication circuit 110 and the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 are generally both configured on a planar substrate, and require a space of a certain size or larger for their placement.

[0034] For this reason, for example, in a configuration that is gripped by a user, such as the door handle 40, it may be difficult to ensure sufficient space for arranging the wireless communication circuit 110 and the electrostatic sensor circuit 120.

[0035] The technical concept of one embodiment of the present invention was conceived with the above points in mind, and aims to miniaturize the communication device 10 by using the same antenna 130 for both transmitting and receiving wireless signals that comply with the prescribed communication standard and for detecting capacitance, thereby resolving the space limitations described above.

[0036] For this reason, the antenna 130 according to this embodiment is provided with an electrode used to detect capacitance in addition to a structure for transmitting and receiving wireless signals that comply with the prescribed communication standard.

[0037] However, simply using the antenna 130 in common for transmitting and receiving wireless signals that comply with the specified communication standard and for detecting electrostatic capacitance is expected to result in the operation of the wireless communication circuit 110 and the operation of the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 affecting each other.

[0038] Specifically, while AC signals are used in wireless communications that comply with prescribed communication standards, DC signals are used to detect capacitance, so it is desirable to separate the AC signals and DC signals.

[0039] Therefore, the communication device 10 according to this embodiment includes high-pass filters provided between the wireless communication circuit 110 and the antenna 130 and between the wireless communication circuit 110 and the electrostatic sensor circuit 120.

[0040] The high-pass filter according to this embodiment may employ, for example, a capacitor 140.

[0041] A high-pass filter such as the capacitor 140 can prevent a DC signal from flowing into the wireless communication circuit 110, and can prevent the detection of the capacitance from affecting the wireless communication circuit 110.

[0042] The communication device 10 according to this embodiment also includes low-pass filters provided between the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 and the antenna 130 and between the wireless communication circuit 110 and the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 .

[0043] The low-pass filter according to this embodiment may employ, for example, a stub 150 or a trap circuit.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the stub 150 according to this embodiment.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the stub 150 according to this embodiment is provided midway along a transmission line that branches off from a transmission line connecting the antenna 130 and the wireless communication circuit 110 and connects the antenna 130 and the electrostatic sensor circuit.

[0046] In this case, the length Z1 from the transmission line connecting the antenna 130 and the wireless communication circuit 110 to the stub 150 is determined based on a wireless signal that complies with a prescribed communication standard.

[0047] The length Z2 of the stub 150 in the longitudinal direction is also determined based on a radio signal that complies with a prescribed communication standard.

[0048] The stub 150 according to this embodiment may be formed so that, for example, both the length Z1 and the length Z2 are λ / 4, where λ represents the wavelength of a frequency used in wireless communication that complies with a prescribed communication standard.

[0049] The stub 150 that satisfies the above conditions can cancel out high-frequency AC signals, and can prevent the signals from entering the electrostatic sensor circuit 120.

[0050] The above describes an example of the configuration of the communication device 10 according to this embodiment. With the above configuration, wireless communication and capacitance detection can be performed in parallel without affecting each other.

[0051] The configuration described above with reference to FIG. 2 is merely an example, and the configuration of the communication device 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0052] The configuration of the communication device 10 according to this embodiment can be flexibly modified according to the specifications and operation.

[0053] <<1.3. Example of operation flow>> Next, an example of the flow of operations of the system 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0054] As described above, the control of wireless communication in accordance with a specified communication standard by the wireless communication circuit 110 and the detection of the proximity of an object by the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 can be performed in parallel.

[0055] On the other hand, the detection of the proximity of an object by the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 may be performed after the authenticity of the mobile device 60 is confirmed based on wireless communication that complies with a specified communication standard.

[0056] In this case, the effect of reducing power consumption can be expected by controlling the activation and deactivation of the wireless communication circuit 110 and the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 according to the processing sequence.

[0057] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, the flow of operations when detecting the proximity of an object by the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 after the authenticity of the mobile device 60 has been confirmed based on wireless communication that complies with a prescribed communication standard will be described.

[0058] In FIG. 4, a case will be mainly described as an example in which the prescribed communication standard according to this embodiment is a standard for transmitting and receiving radio signals belonging to UWB (Ultra Wide Band).

[0059] In the example shown in FIG. 4, first, the control device 20 activates the wireless communication circuit 110 (S102).

[0060] Next, the wireless communication circuit 110 performs wireless communication with the mobile device 60 (S104).

[0061] Next, distance measurement is performed, which is a process of estimating the distance between the wireless communication circuit 110 and the mobile device 60, based on the wireless signal transmitted and received by the wireless communication circuit 110 in step S104 (S106).

[0062] Note that the distance measurement in step S106 does not necessarily have to be performed depending on the communication standard employed.

[0063] Next, the control device 20 authenticates the mobile device 60 based on the wireless signal transmitted and received by the wireless communication circuit 110 in step S104 (S108).

[0064] To achieve authentication in step S108, the wireless communication circuit 110 may send a signal to the mobile device 60 requesting information that proves the authenticity of the mobile device 60, and may receive a signal that includes information that proves the authenticity of the mobile device 60.

[0065] On the other hand, the transmission and reception of the above-mentioned signals used for authenticating the mobile device 60 may be realized by wireless communication conforming to a communication standard other than the prescribed communication standard.

[0066] Examples of the other communication standards include standards for transmitting and receiving signals in the LF (Low Frequency) band and the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band. In this case, the mobile device 60 has a configuration for transmitting and receiving signals in the LF band and the UHF band.

[0067] On the other hand, authentication using signals in the LF and UHF bands may be used to authenticate communication devices other than the mobile device 60 that are carried by the user.

[0068] If the authenticity of the mobile device 60 (or other communication device) is not confirmed in the authentication in step S108, or if the distance measurement value obtained in the distance measurement in step S106 exceeds a specified threshold (S110: No), the system 1 may return to step S104.

[0069] On the other hand, if the authenticity of the mobile device 60 (or the other communication device mentioned above) is confirmed in the authentication in step S108 and the distance measurement value obtained in the distance measurement in step S106 is below the specified threshold (S110: Yes), the control device 20 stops the wireless communication circuit 110 and activates the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 (S112).

[0070] According to the above-described control, when a user carrying a legitimate mobile device 60 is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 50, the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 is activated, thereby making it possible to reduce power consumption.

[0071] The electrostatic sensor circuit 120 activated in step S112 then attempts to detect the proximity of an object by continuously detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance (S114).

[0072] When the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 detects the approach of an object (S114: Yes), the control device 20 performs control so that the doors of the vehicle 50 are unlocked.

[0073] The above describes an example of the operation flow of the system 1 according to this embodiment. However, the above-described operation flow using Fig. 4 is merely an example, and the operation flow of the system 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0074] For example, as described above, the control of wireless communication in accordance with the specified communication standard by the wireless communication circuit 110 (steps S104 and S106) and the detection of the proximity of an object by the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 (S114) can be performed in parallel.

[0075] Also, for example, in the reverse order to that shown in FIG. 4, the control of wireless communication by the wireless communication circuit 110 in accordance with the prescribed communication standard may be executed after the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 detects the proximity of an object.

[0076] When the detection of the proximity of an object by the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 is used as a trigger to start control of wireless communication by the wireless communication circuit 110 in accordance with the prescribed communication standard, there is no need to continue transmitting signals (or continue waiting to receive signals), which is expected to further reduce power consumption.

[0077] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4, if the electrostatic sensor circuit 120 starts detecting the proximity of an object using authentication based on wireless communication that complies with a specified communication standard as a trigger, the door can be unlocked immediately after the proximity detection, which is expected to improve responsiveness.

[0078] <2. Supplementary Information> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0079] Furthermore, the steps of the processes described in this specification do not necessarily have to be processed in chronological order according to the order shown in the flowcharts or sequence diagrams. For example, the steps of the processes of each device may be processed in an order different from the order shown, or may be processed in parallel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1: System, 10: Communication device, 110: Wireless communication circuit, 120: Electrostatic sensor circuit, 130: Antenna, 140: Capacitor, 150: Stub, 20: Control device, 30: Controlled device, 40: Door handle, 50: Vehicle, 60: Mobile device

Claims

1. a wireless communication circuit that controls wireless communication with the mobile device in accordance with a specified communication standard; an electrostatic sensor circuit that detects the proximity of an object based on a change in electrostatic capacitance; an antenna that is used in common for transmitting and receiving wireless signals that comply with the specified communication standard and for detecting the capacitance; a high-pass filter provided between the wireless communication circuit and the antenna; a low-pass filter provided between the electrostatic sensor circuit and the antenna; Equipped with disposed in a grip portion to be gripped by a user carrying the mobile device, the low-pass filter is a stub; The specified communication standard includes a standard for transmitting and receiving wireless signals belonging to UWB. Communication equipment.

2. the stub is formed so that the length from the transmission line connecting the antenna and the wireless communication circuit to the stub and the length of the stub in the longitudinal direction are approximately ¼ of the wavelength of a frequency used in wireless communication conforming to the specified communication standard; The communication device according to claim 1 .

3. The prescribed communication standards include standards for transmitting and receiving radio signals in frequency bands above the VHF band. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the high-pass filter includes a capacitor; The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The control of wireless communication in accordance with the specified communication standard by the wireless communication circuit and the detection of proximity of an object by the electrostatic sensor circuit are performed in parallel. A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The control of wireless communication by the wireless communication circuit in accordance with the specified communication standard is executed after the electrostatic sensor circuit detects the proximity of an object. A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. a wireless communication circuit that controls wireless communication in accordance with a specified communication standard between the mobile device and the wireless communication circuit; an electrostatic sensor circuit that detects the proximity of an object based on a change in electrostatic capacitance; an antenna that is used in common for transmitting and receiving wireless signals that comply with the specified communication standard and for detecting the capacitance; a high-pass filter provided between the wireless communication circuit and the antenna; a low-pass filter provided between the electrostatic sensor circuit and the antenna; Equipped with disposed in a grip portion to be gripped by a user carrying the mobile device, the low-pass filter is a stub; The grip portion includes a door handle provided in a vehicle. Communication equipment.

8. a wireless communication circuit that controls wireless communication in accordance with a specified communication standard between the mobile device and the wireless communication circuit; an electrostatic sensor circuit that detects the proximity of an object based on a change in electrostatic capacitance; an antenna that is used in common for transmitting and receiving wireless signals that comply with the specified communication standard and for detecting the capacitance; a high-pass filter provided between the wireless communication circuit and the antenna; a low-pass filter provided between the electrostatic sensor circuit and the antenna; Equipped with disposed in a grip portion to be gripped by a user carrying the mobile device, the low-pass filter is a stub; the detection of the proximity of an object by the electrostatic sensor circuit is performed after authenticity of the mobile device is confirmed based on wireless communication conforming to the specified communication standard; Communication equipment.

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