In-vehicle communication device and communication method

Abstract

To provide an on-board communication device capable of performing communication using a second portable device and a first antenna according to a communication request from the second portable device.SOLUTION: When an on-board communication device communicates with a portable information terminal 11 which is a first portable device, by using a UWB antenna 30, the on-board communication device sets a communication setting for communication using the UWB antenna 30 to a first setting compatible with the specifications of the portable information terminal 11. In a state in which the on-board communication device performs communication by the first setting with the portable information terminal 11 by using the UWB antenna 30, and when communication using the UWB antenna 30 from a smart key 21 which is a second portable device is requested, the on-board communication device switches the communication setting for the communication using the UWB antenna 30 from the first setting to a second setting compatible with the specifications of the smart key 21. Then, the on-board communication device starts communication with the smart key 21 using the UWB antenna 30 in accordance with the second setting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an in-vehicle communication device and a communication method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an in-vehicle communication device. The in-vehicle communication device communicates with a portable device using an antenna.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The in-vehicle communication device of Patent Document 1 does not assume simultaneous communication with a plurality of portable devices having different specifications. When communicating with a plurality of portable devices having different specifications, the in-vehicle communication device needs to change the communication settings according to the specifications of the communicating portable devices. That is, the in-vehicle communication device cannot simultaneously communicate with a plurality of portable devices having different specifications using the same antenna. Therefore, when the in-vehicle communication device is communicating with a first portable device, even if a second portable device having different specifications from the first portable device attempts to communicate with the in-vehicle communication device, communication cannot be established.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An in-vehicle communication device for solving the above problems comprises a first antenna, a second antenna, and a processing circuit. In the in-vehicle communication device, when the processing circuit communicates with a first portable device using the first antenna, it performs the action of setting the communication settings for communication using the first antenna to a first setting that matches the specifications of the first portable device. Furthermore, in the in-vehicle communication device, when the processing circuit is communicating with the first portable device using the first antenna with the first setting, and a second portable device with different specifications from the first portable device requests communication using the first antenna based on the results of communication using the second antenna, it performs the action of switching the communication settings for communication using the first antenna from the first setting to a second setting that matches the specifications of the second portable device. Then, in the in-vehicle communication device, the processing circuit performs the action of starting communication with the second portable device using the first antenna with the second setting.

[0006] A communication method for solving the above problems is applied to an in-vehicle communication device comprising a first antenna, a second antenna, and a processing circuit. The communication method includes a step in which the processing circuit, when communicating with a first portable device using the first antenna, sets the communication settings for communication using the first antenna to a first setting that matches the specifications of the first portable device. The communication method also includes a step in which, while the processing circuit is communicating with the first portable device using the first antenna with the first setting, when a second portable device, which has different specifications from the first portable device, requests communication using the first antenna based on the results of communication using the second antenna, the processing circuit switches the communication settings for communication using the first antenna from the first setting to a second setting that matches the specifications of the second portable device. The communication method also includes a step in which the processing circuit initiates communication with the second portable device using the first antenna with the second setting. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The in-vehicle communication device and communication method can communicate with the second portable device using the first antenna in response to a communication request from the second portable device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a communication system including an in-vehicle communication device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the range over which the in-vehicle communication device of the embodiment can communicate with other portable devices. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing the communication patterns performed by the in-vehicle communication device of the embodiment to measure distance to a mobile information terminal. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing the communication patterns when the in-vehicle communication device of the embodiment operates the vehicle in response to user input in a digital key system. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the communication patterns performed by the in-vehicle communication device of the embodiment to measure distance to the smart key. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing the communication patterns when the in-vehicle communication device of the embodiment operates the vehicle in response to user input in a smart key system. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the in-vehicle communication device that alternately switches the target of distance measurement. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram showing the communication patterns when the in-vehicle communication device of the embodiment switches the target of distance measurement from a mobile information terminal to a smart key. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a sequence diagram showing the communication behavior when the in-vehicle communication device of the embodiment stops measuring distance in the digital key system. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing the communication patterns when the in-vehicle communication device of the embodiment responds to user operations on a mobile information terminal while performing UWB communication with a smart key. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] An embodiment of an in-vehicle communication device will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. <Configuration of communication system 50> As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 50 consists of a portable information terminal 11, a smart key 21, and an in-vehicle communication device installed in the vehicle 40.

[0010] The in-vehicle communication device consists of multiple ECUs (Electronic Control Units), a first antenna, a second antenna, and a third antenna. As shown in Figure 1, the in-vehicle communication device includes a digital key ECU 12 and a smart key ECU 22 as part of the multiple ECUs.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the digital key ECU 12 includes a storage device 14 in which a program is stored, and a processing circuit 13 that executes the program stored in the storage device 14 and performs various processes. The processing circuit 13 includes a processor.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the digital key ECU 12 is connected to the BLE (Bluetooth low energy) antenna 16. In this embodiment, the BLE antenna 16 is the third antenna in the in-vehicle communication device.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the smart key ECU 22 includes a storage device 24 in which a program is stored, and a processing circuit 23 that executes the program stored in the storage device 24 and performs various processes. The processing circuit 23 includes a processor.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the smart key ECU 22 is connected to the LF (Low Frequency) antenna 25 and the RF (Radio Frequency) antenna 26. In this embodiment, the LF antenna 25 and the RF antenna 26 are second antennas in the in-vehicle communication device.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle communication device includes a UWB (Ultra Wideband) antenna 30. In the present embodiment, the first antenna in the in-vehicle communication device is the UWB antenna 30. The UWB antenna 30 includes a main antenna 31 and sub-antennas 32. Two sub-antennas 32 are shown in FIG. 1, but the number of sub-antennas 32 included in the communication device is not limited to two.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the main antenna 31 includes a storage device 36 in which a program is stored, and a processing circuit 35 that executes the program stored in the storage device 36 to execute various processes. The processing circuit 35 includes a processor.

[0017] Thus, the in-vehicle communication device includes, as processing circuits, the processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22, and the processing circuit 35 of the main antenna 31 in the UWB antenna 30. Further, the in-vehicle communication device includes, as storage devices, the storage device 14 of the digital key ECU 12, the storage device 24 of the smart key ECU 22, and the storage device 36 of the main antenna 31 in the UWB antenna 30.

[0018] In the in-vehicle communication device, the digital key ECU 12, the smart key ECU 22, and the UWB antenna 30 are communicably connected, for example, by CAN (Controller Area Network) communication or the like.

[0019] The in-vehicle communication device can communicate with the first portable device by using the UWB antenna 30, which is the first antenna. Also, the in-vehicle communication device can communicate with the first portable device by using the BLE antenna 16, which is the third antenna. In the present embodiment, the first portable device is the portable information terminal 11.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the portable information terminal 11, the digital key ECU 12, and the UWB antenna 30 constitute the digital key system 10. The portable information terminal 11 is registered with the digital key of the vehicle 40. The user of the portable information terminal 11 can unlock and lock the vehicle 40 by operating the portable information terminal 11. In addition, the user of the portable information terminal 11 can also unlock and lock the vehicle 40 by operating the vehicle 40 while holding the portable information terminal 11. For example, the user of the portable information terminal 11 can unlock and lock the vehicle 40 by gripping the door handle of the vehicle 40 while holding the portable information terminal 11.

[0021] As shown by the dotted arrow in Figure 1, the digital key ECU 12 can communicate with the mobile information terminal 11 using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication 15 by using the BLE antenna 16. By communicating with the mobile information terminal 11 using BLE communication 15, the digital key ECU 12 can perform low-power communication.

[0022] As indicated by the hatched arrows in Figure 1, the UWB antenna 30 is capable of UWB (Ultra Wideband) communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11. By performing UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11, the UWB antenna 30 can perform ultra-wideband communication.

[0023] The in-vehicle communication device can communicate with the second portable device by using the first antenna, the UWB antenna 30. Furthermore, the in-vehicle communication device can also communicate with the second portable device by using the second antennas, the LF antenna 25 and the RF antenna 26. In this embodiment, the second portable device is the smart key 21.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the smart key 21, the smart key ECU 22, and the UWB antenna 30 constitute the smart key system (registered trademark) 20. The user of the smart key 21 can unlock or lock the vehicle 40 by operating the smart key 21. In addition, the user of the smart key 21 can also unlock or lock the vehicle 40 by operating the vehicle 40 while possessing the smart key 21. For example, the user of the smart key 21 can unlock or lock the vehicle 40 by gripping the door handle of the vehicle 40 while possessing the smart key 21.

[0025] The smart key ECU 22 includes a storage device 24 in which a program is stored, and a processing circuit 23 that executes the program stored in the storage device 24 and performs various processes. The processing circuit 23 includes a processor.

[0026] As shown by the solid white arrow in Figure 1, the smart key ECU 22 can communicate with the smart key 21 via LF (Low Frequency) communication 27 by using the LF antenna 25. By performing LF communication 27 with the smart key 21, the smart key ECU 22 can communicate in the low frequency band.

[0027] As shown by the solid white arrow in Figure 1, the smart key ECU 22 can communicate with the smart key 21 via RF (Radio Frequency) communication 28 using the RF antenna 26. By performing RF communication 28 with the smart key 21, the smart key ECU 22 can communicate in the high-frequency band.

[0028] In this way, the in-vehicle communication device performs LF communication 27 and RF communication 28 with the second portable device by using the second antenna. The smart key ECU 22 communicates with the smart key 21 by using LF communication 27 and RF communication 28 as needed.

[0029] As indicated by the hatched arrows in Figure 1, the UWB antenna 30 can communicate via UWB 33 with both the mobile information terminal 11 and the smart key 21. By communicating via UWB 33 with the smart key 21, the UWB antenna 30 can perform ultra-wideband communication.

[0030] When the in-vehicle communication device performs UWB communication 33 with a mobile device, it sets parameters for the UWB antenna 30 for communication with the mobile device. At this time, the in-vehicle communication device sets the parameters according to the specifications of the mobile device to which it is communicating. Parameters include, for example, the period, duration, and number of times UWB communication 33 is performed between the in-vehicle communication device and the mobile device. By setting parameters for the UWB antenna 30, the in-vehicle communication device defines the manner in which the in-vehicle communication device and the mobile device perform UWB communication 33. After setting the parameters, the in-vehicle communication device applies the set parameters to make the communication settings for UWB communication 33 according to the specifications of the mobile device to which it is communicating.

[0031] When multiple parameters need to be set, the in-vehicle communication device sets each parameter separately, corresponding to the mobile device being communicated with. Alternatively, the in-vehicle communication device may store a table containing multiple parameters corresponding to each mobile device and set the parameters by rewriting this table each time a new mobile device is being communicated with.

[0032] As mentioned above, the in-vehicle communication device can communicate with the first portable device, the personal information terminal 11, and the second portable device, the smart key 21, via UWB communication 33. The specifications of the first portable device, the personal information terminal 11, and the second portable device, the smart key 21, are different. Therefore, the communication settings for UWB communication 33 are different for the first portable device, the personal information terminal 11, and the second portable device, the smart key 21.

[0033] When the in-vehicle communication device communicates with the personal information terminal 11 via UWB communication 33, it sets the communication settings for UWB communication 33 to a first setting that matches the specifications of the personal information terminal 11, which is the first portable device. At this time, the in-vehicle communication device sets parameters for the UWB antenna 30 that match the specifications of the personal information terminal 11. In other words, in the first setting, parameters are set that define the cycle, duration, number of times, etc., in which UWB communication 33 is performed between the in-vehicle communication device and the personal information terminal 11.

[0034] If there are multiple parameters to be set in the first setting, the in-vehicle communication device sets the multiple parameters corresponding to the mobile information terminal 11 separately. If the in-vehicle communication device stores a table that summarizes the multiple parameters corresponding to each mobile device, it may also set the parameters in the first setting by rewriting the table for parameter setting to the table corresponding to the mobile information terminal 11.

[0035] When the in-vehicle communication device communicates with the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33, it sets the communication settings for UWB communication 33 to a second setting that matches the specifications of the smart key 21, which is the second portable device. At this time, the in-vehicle communication device sets parameters for the UWB antenna 30 that match the specifications of the smart key 21. In other words, in the second setting, parameters are set that define the cycle, duration, and number of times UWB communication 33 is performed between the in-vehicle communication device and the smart key 21.

[0036] If there are multiple parameters to be set in the second setting, the in-vehicle communication device sets the multiple parameters corresponding to the smart key 21 separately. If the in-vehicle communication device stores a table that summarizes the multiple parameters corresponding to each portable device, it may also set the parameters in the second setting by rewriting the table for parameter setting to the table corresponding to the smart key 21.

[0037] In the UWB antenna 30, the main antenna 31 is communicatively connected to the digital key ECU 12, the smart key ECU 22, and the sub-antenna 32. The main antenna 31 receives a signal from the smart key ECU 22, for example, to perform UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21. The main antenna 31 then communicates with the sub-antenna 32 to set the parameters necessary for the UWB antenna 30 to communicate with the smart key 21. In this way, the main antenna 31 plays a central role when the UWB antenna 30 performs UWB communication 33. Furthermore, the processing circuit 35 in the main antenna 31 plays a leading role in the processing necessary to perform UWB communication 33, such as setting parameters.

[0038] <Effective range of communication for in-vehicle communication devices> Figure 2 shows the effective range for each antenna used by the in-vehicle communication device. The effective range is the range in which the in-vehicle communication device can communicate with a portable device. As explained with Figure 1, the in-vehicle communication device is equipped with multiple antennas. The range in which the in-vehicle communication device can communicate with a portable device varies depending on the antenna used.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the BLE effective range 60 is the widest in the in-vehicle communication device. The BLE effective range 60 is the range in which the in-vehicle communication device can communicate with the mobile information terminal 11 using BLE communication 15 with the BLE antenna 16. As shown in Figure 2, the BLE effective range 60 extends from the vehicle 40. The mobile information terminal 11 can communicate with the in-vehicle communication device using BLE communication 15 within the BLE effective range 60.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, in the in-vehicle communication device, the RF effective range 61 is the second widest after the BLE effective range 60. The RF effective range 61 is the range in which the in-vehicle communication device can communicate with the smart key 21 via RF communication 28 using the RF antenna 26. As shown in Figure 2, the RF effective range 61 extends from the vehicle 40. The smart key 21 can communicate with the in-vehicle communication device via RF communication 28 within the RF effective range 61.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2, in the in-vehicle communication device, the UWB effective range 63 is the second widest after the RF effective range 61. The UWB effective range 63 is the range in which the in-vehicle communication device can communicate 33 with the mobile information terminal 11 and the smart key 21 using the UWB antenna 30. As shown in Figure 2, the UWB effective range 63 exists on the sides of the vehicle 40, at the rear of the vehicle 40, and inside the vehicle 40. The mobile information terminal 11 can communicate with the in-vehicle communication device via UWB communication 33 within the UWB effective range 63. The smart key 21 can also communicate 33 with the in-vehicle communication device within the UWB effective range 63.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2, in the in-vehicle communication device, the LF effective range 62 is the second widest after the UWB effective range 63. The LF effective range 62 is the range in which the in-vehicle communication device can communicate with the smart key 21 using the LF antenna 25. As shown in Figure 2, the LF effective range 62 exists on the sides of the vehicle 40, at the rear of the vehicle 40, and inside the vehicle 40. The smart key 21 can communicate with the in-vehicle communication device using LF communication 27 within the LF effective range 62.

[0043] Thus, the range over which communication is possible using the second antennas, the LF antenna 25 and the RF antenna 26, is narrower than the range over which communication is possible using the third antenna, the BLE antenna 16.

[0044] Vehicle 40 has a defined operating area for the digital key and smart key 21. The operating area is the range in which electronic authentication between the digital key or smart key 21 and vehicle 40 becomes effective when the digital key or smart key 21 is operated, or when the vehicle 40 is operated while the digital key or smart key 21 is in possession of the vehicle 40. The operating area is located inside the UWB effective range 63. By providing such an operating area, vehicle 40 prevents relay attacks that attempt to bypass electronic authentication by relaying the radio waves emitted by the digital key and smart key 21.

[0045] The digital key ECU 12 authorizes unlocking, locking, and starting the drive system of the vehicle 40 when electronic authentication with the portable information terminal 11 within the operating area is successful. If the portable information terminal 11 is not within the operating area, authentication will not be successful. In other words, even if electronic authentication via BLE communication 15 is performed as described later, the digital key ECU 12 will not authorize unlocking, locking, or starting the drive system of the vehicle 40 if the portable information terminal 11 is not within the operating area.

[0046] The digital key ECU 12 measures the distance between the vehicle 40 and the mobile information terminal 11 in order to determine whether the mobile information terminal 11 is within the operating area of ​​the vehicle 40's digital key. At this time, the digital key ECU 12 measures the distance between the vehicle 40 and the mobile information terminal 11 by performing UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11. Based on the distance between the vehicle 40 and the mobile information terminal 11 measured by UWB communication 33, the digital key ECU 12 determines that the mobile information terminal 11 is within the operating area.

[0047] As mentioned earlier, the BLE effective range 60 is wider than the UWB effective range 63. Therefore, the in-vehicle communication device can perform BLE communication 15 with the mobile information terminal 11 if it is within the BLE effective range 60, but it cannot perform distance measurement using UWB communication 33 if the mobile information terminal 11 is not within the UWB effective range 63.

[0048] The smart key ECU 22 authorizes unlocking, locking, and starting the drive system of the vehicle 40 when electronic authentication with the smart key 21, which is within the operating area, is enabled. If the smart key 21 is not within the operating area, authentication will not be enabled. In other words, even if electronic authentication by RF communication 28, described later, is performed, the smart key ECU 22 will not authorize unlocking, locking, or starting the drive system of the vehicle 40 if the smart key 21 is not within the operating area.

[0049] The smart key ECU 22 measures the distance between the vehicle 40 and the smart key 21 in order to determine if the smart key 21 is within the operating area of ​​the vehicle 40. At this time, the smart key ECU 22 measures the distance between the vehicle 40 and the smart key 21 by performing UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21. Based on the distance between the vehicle 40 and the smart key 21 measured by UWB communication 33, the smart key ECU 22 determines that the smart key 21 is within the operating area.

[0050] As mentioned earlier, the RF effective range 61 is wider than the UWB effective range 63. Therefore, the in-vehicle communication device can perform RF communication 28 with respect to the smart key 21 if it is within the RF effective range 61, but it cannot perform distance measurement by UWB communication 33 if the smart key 21 is not within the UWB effective range 63.

[0051] <Communication patterns in the digital key system 10> Figure 3 shows the communication configuration between the mobile information terminal 11, the digital key ECU 12, and the UWB antenna 30 in the digital key system 10. In Figure 3, the processing performed by the digital key ECU 12 is carried out by the processing circuit 13. In Figure 3, the processing performed by the UWB antenna 30 is carried out by the processing circuit 35. The communication configuration shown in Figure 3 is executed when the mobile information terminal 11, which has registered the digital key, enters the BLE effective range 60.

[0052] As shown in the upper part of Figure 3, when the portable information terminal 11 enters the BLE effective range 60 and BLE communication 15 becomes possible, the processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12 transmits vehicle 40 information to the portable information terminal 11. At this time, the processing circuit 13 transmits vehicle 40 information via BLE communication 15. The vehicle 40 information includes information for identifying the vehicle 40.

[0053] As shown in the upper part of Figure 3, the portable information terminal 11, upon receiving information about the vehicle 40, authenticates the vehicle 40 based on the received information. In authenticating the vehicle 40, the portable information terminal 11 verifies whether the information received from the digital key ECU 12 indicates the vehicle corresponding to the digital key registered in the portable information terminal 11.

[0054] As shown in the upper part of Figure 3, the mobile information terminal 11, which has performed authentication of the vehicle 40, transmits the digital key information registered in the mobile information terminal 11 to the digital key ECU 12. At this time, the mobile information terminal 11 transmits the digital key information via BLE communication 15.

[0055] As shown in the upper part of Figure 3, the processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12, which receives digital key information from the mobile information terminal 11, authenticates the digital key based on the received information. In digital key authentication, the processing circuit 13 checks whether the information received from the mobile information terminal 11 indicates a digital key corresponding to the vehicle 40.

[0056] As shown in the upper part of Figure 3, after the processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12 authenticates the digital key, the personal information terminal 11 and the processing circuit 13 communicate with each other to set parameters for the UWB communication 33. At this time, the personal information terminal 11 and the processing circuit 13 set the parameters via BLE communication 15. In this way, the in-vehicle communication device sets parameters for the UWB antenna 30 that match the specifications of the personal information terminal 11.

[0057] As shown in the lower part of Figure 3, after the parameters are set, the processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12 transmits the set parameters to the UWB antenna 30. The processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 that receives the parameters then applies the received parameters. By applying the parameters, the processing circuit 35 enables the UWB antenna 30 to communicate with the mobile information terminal 11 via UWB communication 33. In this way, the in-vehicle communication device sets the communication settings for UWB communication 33 to the first setting.

[0058] As shown in the lower part of Figure 3, the processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12 that transmitted the parameters performs distance measurement for the mobile information terminal 11 using BLE communication 15. As explained with reference to Figure 2, the UWB effective range 63 is narrower than the BLE effective range 60. The processing circuit 13 determines whether the mobile information terminal 11 is within the UWB effective range 63 by performing distance measurement for the mobile information terminal 11 via BLE communication 15. At this time, the processing circuit 13 determines that the mobile information terminal 11 is within the UWB effective range 63 when the signal strength of the BLE communication 15 is above a predetermined value.

[0059] As shown in the lower part of Figure 3, when the processing circuit 13 detects that the mobile information terminal 11 has reached the UWB effective range 63 by measuring the distance using BLE communication 15, it transmits a signal to the UWB antenna 30 indicating that the mobile information terminal 11 has reached the UWB effective range 63.

[0060] As shown in the lower part of Figure 3, when the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 receives a signal indicating that the mobile information terminal 11 has reached the UWB effective range 63, it starts measuring the distance to the mobile information terminal 11 using UWB communication 33.

[0061] In the digital key system 10, distance measurement by UWB communication 33 is continued after detecting that the mobile information terminal 11 is within the UWB effective range 63, and as long as the mobile information terminal 11 remains within the UWB effective range 63.

[0062] <Communication methods used when responding to user operations in a digital key system> Figure 4 shows the communication pattern when the in-vehicle communication device responds to user operations on the mobile information terminal 11. In Figure 4, the processing performed by the digital key ECU 12 is carried out by the processing circuit 13. In Figure 4, the processing performed by the UWB antenna 30 is carried out by the processing circuit 35.

[0063] User operation refers to, for example, a user possessing a personal digital assistant (PDA) 11 that has been authenticated via BLE communication 15 operating the PDA 11 in order to unlock the vehicle 40. User operation refers to, for example, a user possessing a PDA 11 that has been authenticated via BLE communication 15 grasping the door handle of the vehicle 40 in order to unlock the vehicle 40. User operation refers to, for example, a user possessing a PDA 11 that has been authenticated via BLE communication 15 turning on the ignition switch of the vehicle 40.

[0064] As shown in the upper part of Figure 4, the processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12 accepts user input. Then, as shown in the upper part of Figure 4, the processing circuit 13 that has received user input requests the distance measurement result from the UWB antenna 30. The distance measurement result here is the distance between the in-vehicle communication device and the authenticated portable information terminal 11.

[0065] As shown in the upper part of Figure 4, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30, which has been requested to obtain the distance measurement result, transmits the distance measurement result to the digital key ECU 12. As shown in the upper part of Figure 4, the processing circuit 13, upon receiving the distance measurement results, executes a distance measurement result determination process. In the distance measurement result determination process, the processing circuit 13 determines whether the authenticated mobile information terminal 11 is within the operating area of ​​the vehicle 40.

[0066] As shown in Figure 4, the processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12 sends a response request to the target ECU 34 when the authenticated portable information terminal 11 is within the operating area of ​​the vehicle 40. The target ECU 34 is an ECU that the vehicle 40 needs to operate in order to realize a specific function in response to the user's operation. For example, if a user who possesses an authenticated portable information terminal 11 operates the portable information terminal 11 to unlock the vehicle 40, the target ECU 34 would be the ECU involved in unlocking the doors of the vehicle 40.

[0067] When the target ECU 34 receives a request to respond to an operation by the user, it responds to the user's operation. For example, if a user possessing an authenticated personal information terminal 11 operates the personal information terminal 11 in order to unlock the vehicle 40, the target ECU 34 implements the function to unlock the vehicle 40. For example, if a user possessing an authenticated personal information terminal 11 turns on the ignition switch, the target ECU 34 implements the function to start the drive system of the vehicle 40.

[0068] The processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12 maintains BLE communication 15 with the personal information terminal 11 from the time it receives an operation from the user until it realizes a specific function in the vehicle 40. For example, if a user who possesses the personal information terminal 11 operates the personal information terminal 11, the personal information terminal 11 transmits to the digital key ECU 12 via BLE communication 15 that an operation has been performed by the user. In other words, the in-vehicle communication device refers to the results of distance measurement to the personal information terminal 11 via UWB communication 33 during the BLE communication 15 process.

[0069] <Communication methods in the smart key system 20> Figure 5 shows the communication between the smart key 21, the smart key ECU 22, and the UWB antenna 30 in the smart key system 20. In Figure 5, the processing performed by the smart key ECU 22 is carried out by the processing circuit 23. In Figure 5, the processing performed by the UWB antenna 30 is carried out by the processing circuit 35. The communication mode shown in Figure 5 is executed when the smart key 21 enters the LF effective range 62.

[0070] As shown in the upper part of Figure 5, when the smart key 21 enters the LF effective range 62 and LF communication 27 becomes possible, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 sends a signal to the smart key 21 requesting a response.

[0071] As shown in the upper part of Figure 5, when the smart key 21 receives a signal from the smart key ECU 22 via LF communication 27, it transmits information about itself to the smart key ECU 22 via RF communication 28.

[0072] As shown in the upper part of Figure 5, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22, which has received information from the smart key 21, authenticates the smart key 21 based on the received information. In the authentication of the smart key 21, the processing circuit 23 checks whether the information received from the smart key 21 indicates a smart key corresponding to the vehicle 40.

[0073] As shown in the upper part of Figure 5, after the processing circuit 23 authenticates the smart key 21, the smart key 21 and the processing circuit 23 communicate with each other to define key information for the smart key 21. The UWB antenna 30 uses the defined key information as information to determine the parameters for the UWB antenna 30 to perform UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21. In other words, by defining the key information, information is prepared for the UWB antenna 30 to set the parameters for performing UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21. At this time, the smart key 21 and the processing circuit 23 define the key information through LF communication 27.

[0074] As shown in the lower part of Figure 5, after the definition of the key information is completed, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 transmits the defined key information to the UWB antenna 30. Then, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 that receives the key information sets parameters based on the key information. In this way, the in-vehicle communication device sets parameters for the UWB antenna 30 that match the specifications of the smart key 21. The processing circuit 35 that has set the parameters also applies the parameters it has set. By applying the parameters, the processing circuit 35 enables the UWB antenna 30 to communicate with the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33. In this way, the in-vehicle communication device sets the communication setting for UWB communication 33 to the second setting.

[0075] As shown in the lower part of Figure 5, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 to which the parameters have been applied starts measuring the distance to the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33. As explained in Figure 2, the LF effective range 62 is narrower than the UWB effective range 63. In other words, at the stage when the communication shown in Figure 5 has started, the smart key 21 is already within the UWB effective range 63. Therefore, unlike the digital key system 10, the processing circuit 35 starts measuring the distance to the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33 without checking whether the smart key 21 is within the UWB effective range 63.

[0076] As shown in the lower part of Figure 5, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 transmits the distance measurement result from UWB communication 33 to the smart key ECU 22. The distance measurement result here is the distance between the in-vehicle communication device and the authenticated smart key 21. As shown in the lower part of Figure 5, the processing circuit 23 in the smart key ECU 22, upon receiving the distance measurement result, performs a distance measurement result determination process. In the distance measurement result determination process, the processing circuit 23 determines, based on the distance measurement result, whether the authenticated smart key 21 is within the operating area of ​​the vehicle 40.

[0077] As shown in the lower part of Figure 5, the processing circuit 23 performs distance measurement result determination processing, and then performs distance measurement result storage processing. In distance measurement result storage processing, the processing circuit 23 stores the result of the determination in distance measurement result determination processing in the storage device 24. The processing circuit 23 may also store the distance information itself in the storage device 24 in distance measurement result storage processing. In this way, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 terminates the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 when it obtains the result of distance measurement to the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33. When terminating the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21, it stores the result of distance measurement to the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33.

[0078] The processing circuit 23 discards the distance measurement results for the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33, which were stored in the memory device 24, after a certain period of time has elapsed since storage in the memory device 24. Then, by repeating the communication as shown in Figure 5, the processing circuit 23 updates the distance measurement results for the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33.

[0079] <Communication methods when responding to user operations in the smart key system 20> Figure 6 shows the communication patterns when the in-vehicle communication device responds to user operations on the smart key 21. User operations include, for example, a user possessing an authenticated smart key 21 grasping the door handle of the vehicle 40 in order to unlock the vehicle 40. Another example of user operation is a user possessing an authenticated smart key 21 turning on the ignition switch of the vehicle 40. In Figure 6, the processing performed by the smart key ECU 22 is carried out by the processing circuit 23.

[0080] As shown in Figure 6, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 accepts user input. Then, as shown in Figure 6, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22, having received user input, refers to the distance measurement result for the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33. At this time, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 refers to the determination result from the distance measurement result determination process, which was stored in the distance measurement result storage process shown in Figure 5.

[0081] As shown in Figure 6, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 sends a response request to the target ECU 34 for user operation when the smart key 21 is within the operating area of ​​the vehicle 40.

[0082] When the target ECU 34 receives a signal indicating that the smart key 21 is within the operating area of ​​the vehicle 40, it responds to user input. For example, if a user possessing an authenticated smart key 21 grasps the door handle of the vehicle 40 to unlock it, the target ECU 34 unlocks the vehicle 40. For example, if a user possessing an authenticated smart key 21 turns on the ignition switch, the target ECU 34 starts the drive system of the vehicle 40.

[0083] The processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 performs LF communication 27 and RF communication 28 with the smart key 21 from the time it receives an operation from the user until it realizes a specific function in the vehicle 40. For example, when a user who possesses an authenticated smart key 21 grasps the door handle of the vehicle 40 in order to lock the vehicle 40, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 performs LF communication 27 and RF communication 28 with the smart key ECU 22. In other words, the in-vehicle communication device refers to the results of distance measurement by UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 during the process of LF communication 27 and RF communication 28.

[0084] As explained above, the in-vehicle communication device communicates with the mobile information terminal 11 and the smart key 21 using UWB communication 33. However, because the communication settings for UWB communication 33 differ between the mobile information terminal 11 and the smart key 21, the in-vehicle communication device cannot simultaneously perform distance measurement using UWB communication 33 for both the mobile information terminal 11 and the smart key 21.

[0085] In the communication system 50, as shown in Figure 2, it is conceivable that both the portable information terminal 11 and the smart key 21 are simultaneously present in the vicinity of the vehicle 40. As shown in Figure 2, the in-vehicle communication device can perform UWB communication 33 when the portable information terminal 11 is within the UWB effective range 63. On the other hand, as shown and explained in Figure 4, in the smart key system 20, the in-vehicle communication device performs UWB communication 33 after LF communication 27 and RF communication 28. Therefore, in Figure 2, if the smart key 21 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow, the in-vehicle communication device can perform UWB communication 33 when the smart key 21 is closer to the vehicle 40 than the position of point B and enters the LF effective range 62. However, in the state shown in Figure 2, even if the smart key 21 becomes capable of performing UWB communication 33, the in-vehicle communication device cannot perform UWB communication 33 simultaneously with both the portable information terminal 11 and the smart key 21.

[0086] Figure 7 shows which mobile device the in-vehicle communication device will communicate with via UWB communication 33 when the mobile information terminal 11 is in the position shown in Figure 2 and the smart key 21 moves in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2. In Figure 7, the horizontal axis represents the position of the smart key 21. In Figure 7, at the stage to the left of A, the smart key 21 is located further from the vehicle 40 than point A in Figure 2. In Figure 7, at the stage to the right of A and to the left of B, the smart key 21 is located between point A and point B in Figure 2. In Figure 7, at the stage to the right of B, the smart key 21 is located closer to the vehicle 40 than point B in Figure 2.

[0087] The in-vehicle communication device cannot perform UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 if the smart key 21 is outside the LF effective range 62. Therefore, the in-vehicle communication device performs UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11 at the stage to the left of B in Figure 7. At this time, the communication setting for UWB communication 33 is set to setting 1.

[0088] On the other hand, if the smart key 21 is inside the LF effective range 62, the in-vehicle communication device can define key information and perform UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21. As shown in Figure 7, when the in-vehicle communication device enters the stage to the right of B and can use the key information to change the communication settings for UWB communication 33, it changes the communication settings and starts UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21. In other words, when the in-vehicle communication device becomes able to perform UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21, it preferentially performs UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21. At this time, the in-vehicle communication device stops UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11 and then switches the communication settings for UWB communication 33 from the first setting to the second setting. Then, the in-vehicle communication device starts UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 using the second setting.

[0089] As shown and explained in Figure 5, the in-vehicle communication device terminates the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 after processing the distance measurement result. As shown in Figure 7, after terminating the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21, the in-vehicle communication device resumes the UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11. At this time, the in-vehicle communication device switches the communication setting for the UWB communication 33 from the second setting to the first setting.

[0090] As shown and explained in Figure 5, after the in-vehicle communication device terminates the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21, it restarts the communication shown in Figure 5 after a certain period of time has elapsed. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, when the in-vehicle communication device restarts the communication shown in Figure 5, it stops the UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11. Then, the in-vehicle communication device switches the communication setting for UWB communication 33 from the first setting to the second setting and then restarts UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21, prioritizing it.

[0091] From this point onward, the in-vehicle communication device alternately performs UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11 and the smart key 21. <Reasons why the in-vehicle communication device prioritizes UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21> As illustrated in Figure 7, the in-vehicle communication device prioritizes UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 from the moment it becomes possible to perform UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21. There are several reasons why the in-vehicle communication device prioritizes UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21.

[0092] The first reason is that the smart key 21 does not have enough time before the in-vehicle communication device starts measuring distance using UWB communication 33. As mentioned earlier, the operating area of ​​the digital key and smart key 21 in the vehicle 40 is defined within the UWB effective range 63. The in-vehicle communication device then performs distance measurement using UWB communication 33 to determine whether the portable information terminal 11 and smart key 21 are within the operating area.

[0093] As illustrated in Figure 3, in the digital key system 10, the in-vehicle communication device and the personal information terminal 11 set parameters for UWB communication 33 via BLE communication 15. Also, as illustrated in Figure 2, the BLE effective range 60 is wider than the UWB effective range 63. Therefore, even if the in-vehicle communication device sets parameters within the BLE effective range 60, it cannot perform UWB communication 33 until the personal information terminal 11 moves into the UWB effective range 63. In other words, for the in-vehicle communication device, the wider BLE effective range 60 compared to the UWB effective range 63 provides a time leeway between setting parameters and starting UWB communication 33 with the personal information terminal 11.

[0094] On the other hand, as explained with reference to Figure 5, in the smart key system 20, the in-vehicle communication device sets parameters for UWB communication 33 based on key information defined through LF communication 27 with the smart key 21. Also, as explained with reference to Figure 2, the LF effective range 62 is narrower than the UWB effective range 63. Therefore, by the time the in-vehicle communication device can perform LF communication 27 with the smart key 21, the smart key 21 has already entered the UWB effective range 63. In other words, when the parameters are set and UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 is started, the user possessing the authenticated smart key 21 has already entered the UWB effective range 63. Therefore, there is not enough time to complete the distance measurement result determination process and activate authentication before the user possessing the authenticated smart key 21 reaches the vehicle 40.

[0095] The in-vehicle communication device prioritizes UWB communication 33 with smart keys 21 that do not have enough time to complete the distance measurement result determination process and activate authentication. This allows the in-vehicle communication device to set parameters and execute UWB communication 33 as quickly as possible for smart keys 21 that do not have enough time.

[0096] The second reason is that, for the in-vehicle communication device, the smart key 21 requires less information to be exchanged in order to set parameters. As shown and explained in Figure 3, in the digital key system 10, the in-vehicle communication device sets parameters through BLE communication 15 with the personal information terminal 11. At this time, the in-vehicle communication device and the personal information terminal 11 need to exchange various information through BLE communication 15 in order to set the parameters. This is because the parameters set in the digital key system 10 are affected by the model of the personal information terminal 11 to which the digital key is registered. The characteristics of communication vary depending on the model of the personal information terminal 11. For example, the communication characteristics of UWB communication 33 differ depending on the model of the personal information terminal 11. Therefore, the in-vehicle communication device needs to perform calibration for distance measurement to the personal information terminal 11 using UWB communication 33, depending on the model. Thus, the in-vehicle communication device needs to exchange various information with the personal information terminal 11 in order to set the parameters for UWB communication 33 with the personal information terminal 11.

[0097] On the other hand, as shown and explained in Figure 5, in the smart key system 20, the in-vehicle communication device defines the key information of the smart key 21 through LF communication 27 with the smart key 21. Then, the in-vehicle communication device sets parameters for UWB communication 33 based on the defined key information. In this way, the in-vehicle communication device exchanges information with the smart key 21 to define the key information in order to set parameters in the smart key system 20. The information exchanged to define the key information is less than the information exchanged to perform UWB communication 33 in the digital key system 10. This is because the smart key 21 corresponding to the vehicle 40 is fixed, so there are fewer factors that affect the communication characteristics, such as the model.

[0098] The in-vehicle communication device prioritizes UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21, as it requires less information to be exchanged to set the parameters for UWB communication 33. Because the smart key system 20 requires less information to be exchanged, the in-vehicle communication device can quickly set the parameters for UWB communication 33. Furthermore, because the parameters can be set quickly, the in-vehicle communication device can obtain the distance measurement results for the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33 more quickly. As shown and explained in Figure 7, after the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 is completed, the in-vehicle communication device resumes UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11. Because the time required for UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 is shorter, the time during which UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11 is suspended is also shorter.

[0099] <Communication method when the in-vehicle communication device stops UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11> Figure 8 shows the communication pattern from when the in-vehicle communication device switches the target of UWB communication 33 from the mobile information terminal 11 to the smart key 21, until it resumes UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11. Each device in the communication system 50 performs the communication pattern shown in Figure 8 in situations such as the area enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 7. In Figure 7, the processing performed by the digital key ECU 12 is performed by the processing circuit 13. Also in Figure 7, the processing performed by the smart key ECU 22 is performed by the processing circuit 23. And in Figure 7, the processing performed by the UWB antenna 30 is performed by the processing circuit 35.

[0100] As shown in the upper right section of Figure 8, in the communication configuration shown in Figure 8, the distance to the mobile information terminal 11 is measured by the mobile information terminal 11 and the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 of the in-vehicle communication device. This is similar to the configuration in the lower section of Figure 3 where the processing circuit 35 and the mobile information terminal 11 perform distance measurement using UWB communication 33.

[0101] As shown in the upper left of Figure 8, the smart key 21 and the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 perform authentication and key information definition. This is similar to the communication pattern in the upper part of Figure 5, from when the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 transmits vehicle 40 information until the smart key 21 and the processing circuit 23 perform key information definition. In this way, the in-vehicle communication device prepares to perform UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 while performing UWB communication 33 with the portable information terminal 11. When communication with the smart key 21 for authentication and key information definition is completed, the in-vehicle communication device determines that the smart key 21 is requesting UWB communication 33 with the in-vehicle communication device. In other words, the in-vehicle communication device determines that the smart key 21 is requesting UWB communication 33 with the in-vehicle communication device based on the results of LF communication 27 and RF communication 28 with the smart key 21.

[0102] As shown in the upper part of Figure 8, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22, which has completed defining the key information, transmits distance measurement start information to the digital key ECU 12. Distance measurement start information is information indicating that distance measurement for the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33 has started. As shown in the upper part of Figure 8, the processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12, which has received the distance measurement start information, transmits the distance measurement start information to the mobile information terminal 11. At this time, the processing circuit 13 transmits the distance measurement start information to the mobile information terminal 11 via BLE communication 15.

[0103] As shown in the upper part of Figure 8, once the definition of the key information is complete, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 transmits a distance measurement start request and the key information to the UWB antenna 30. The manner in which the processing circuit 23 transmits the key information is the same as the manner in which the smart key ECU 22 transmits the key information to the UWB antenna 30 in the lower part of Figure 5.

[0104] As shown in the upper part of Figure 8, the portable information terminal 11, upon receiving distance measurement start information, stops UWB communication 33 with the UWB antenna 30. Meanwhile, as shown in the upper part of Figure 8, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30, which received the distance measurement start request, and the processing circuit 13 in the digital key ECU 12, which received the distance measurement start information, execute distance measurement stop processing. Distance measurement stop processing is the process executed by the processing circuit 35 and the processing circuit 13 in order for the UWB antenna 30 to switch the communication setting of UWB communication 33 from the first setting to the second setting.

[0105] Figure 9 shows the distance measurement stop process performed by the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 and the processing circuit 13 in the digital key ECU 12. As shown in Figure 9, the processing circuit 13, upon receiving the distance measurement start request, requests the distance measurement result from the UWB antenna 30. As shown in Figure 9, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30, upon receiving the distance measurement result, transmits the result to the digital key ECU 12. At this time, the processing circuit 35 transmits the distance measurement result to the portable information terminal 11, which was performed in the upper right section of Figure 8.

[0106] As shown in Figure 9, the processing circuit 13, upon receiving the distance measurement result, executes a distance measurement result determination process. In the distance measurement result determination process, the processing circuit 13 determines whether the portable information terminal 11 is within the operating area.

[0107] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 that transmitted the distance measurement results performs a communication stop process. At this time, the processing circuit 35 performs the necessary processes to stop the UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11, such as discarding the parameters for performing UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11.

[0108] As shown in Figure 9, the processing circuit 13 performs distance measurement result determination processing and then performs distance measurement result storage processing. In distance measurement result storage processing, the processing circuit 13 stores the determination result from the distance measurement result determination processing as the distance measurement result in the storage device 14.

[0109] When the distance measurement stop process in Figure 9 and the UWB communication 33 by the mobile information terminal 11 in the upper part of Figure 8 are executed, the in-vehicle communication device stops the UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11. In this way, when the in-vehicle communication device switches the communication setting of the UWB communication 33 from the first setting to the second setting, it stores the distance measurement result to the mobile information terminal 11 via UWB communication 33 in the storage device 14, and then stops the UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11 using the first setting.

[0110] <Communication patterns after the in-vehicle communication device stops UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11> As shown in the middle left of Figure 8, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30, which has stopped measuring distance to the mobile information terminal 11 via UWB communication 33, starts measuring distance to the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33 in the smart key system 20. The communication pattern at this time is the same as the communication pattern in the lower part of Figure 5, from when the processing circuit 35 performs parameter setting and application until the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 performs distance measurement result storage processing.

[0111] In the middle left of Figure 8, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 sets parameters based on the received key information, as explained in the lower part of Figure 5. Then, as explained in the lower part of Figure 5, the processing circuit 35 that has set the parameters applies the set parameters. At this time, the in-vehicle communication device switches the communication settings of the UWB communication 33 from the first setting to the second setting.

[0112] Thus, when the in-vehicle communication device is performing UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11 and receives a request for UWB communication 33 from the smart key 21 based on the results of LF communication 27 and RF communication 28, it switches the communication setting for UWB communication 33 from the first setting to the second setting.

[0113] In the middle left of Figure 8, after switching the communication setting of UWB communication 33 from the first setting to the second setting, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 starts measuring the distance to the smart key 21 using UWB communication 33, as explained in the lower part of Figure 5. Subsequently, the processing circuit 23 stores the distance measurement result.

[0114] As shown in the middle right of Figure 8, while the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 is measuring the distance to the smart key 21, the processing circuit 13 in the digital key ECU 12 responds to user operations on the mobile information terminal 11 in the manner shown in Figure 10.

[0115] As shown and explained in Figure 4, the processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12 receives the distance measurement result from the UWB antenna 30 to the mobile information terminal 11 and performs distance measurement result determination processing when responding to an operation by a user who possesses an authenticated mobile information terminal 11. However, in the configuration shown in Figure 8, the in-vehicle communication device is performing UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21, so the processing circuit 13 cannot receive the distance measurement result from the UWB antenna 30 to the mobile information terminal 11.

[0116] Therefore, as shown in Figure 10, when the processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12 receives an operation from a user possessing an authenticated personal information terminal 11, it refers to the distance measurement results stored in the storage device 14. At this time, the processing circuit 13 refers to the determination result stored in the storage device 14 in the distance measurement result storage process shown in Figure 9. In this way, when the processing circuit 13 refers to the distance measurement results in BLE communication 15 with the personal information terminal 11 while the in-vehicle communication device is performing UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21, it refers to the distance measurement results stored in the storage device 14. As a result, the in-vehicle communication device can communicate with the personal information terminal 11 based on the distance measurement results for the personal information terminal 11, even when it is unable to perform UWB communication 33 with the personal information terminal 11.

[0117] As shown in the middle right of Figure 8, the processing circuit 13, which responds to user input based on the distance measurement results stored in the memory device 14, discards the stored distance measurement results after a certain period of time has elapsed. This is because the reliability of the distance measurement results stored in the memory device 14 decreases over time. The processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12 prevents it from responding to user input based on incorrect distance measurement results by discarding the distance measurement results after a certain period of time has elapsed since storing them in the memory device 14.

[0118] <Communication method when the in-vehicle communication device terminates UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21> As shown and explained in Figure 5, in the smart key system 20, the UWB communication 33 between the in-vehicle communication device and the smart key 21 terminates when the distance measurement result storage processing is completed. As shown in the lower part of Figure 8, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22, which performed the distance measurement result storage processing, transmits distance measurement completion information to the digital key ECU 12. Distance measurement completion information is information indicating that the in-vehicle communication device has finished measuring the distance to the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33.

[0119] As shown in the lower part of Figure 8, the processing circuit 13 of the digital key ECU 12, upon receiving the distance measurement completion information, transmits the distance measurement completion information to the portable information terminal 11. At this time, the processing circuit 13 transmits the distance measurement completion information to the portable information terminal 11 via BLE communication 15. In this way, after the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 is terminated, and before the UWB communication 33 with the portable information terminal 11 is resumed, the processing circuit 13 notifies the portable information terminal 11 via BLE communication 15 that the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 has been terminated. This allows the portable information terminal 11 to prepare for UWB communication 33 with the in-vehicle communication device.

[0120] As shown in the lower part of Figure 8, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22, which has performed distance measurement result storage processing, sends a distance measurement stop request to the UWB antenna 30. A distance measurement stop request is a signal that requests the UWB antenna 30 to stop the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21.

[0121] Upon receiving a request to stop distance measurement, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 executes a communication stop process. As mentioned above, in the smart key system 20, the UWB communication 33 between the in-vehicle communication device and the smart key 21 terminates when the distance measurement result storage process is completed. However, even after the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 has ended, the UWB antenna 30 continues to apply the parameters with the smart key 21. The processing circuit 35 executes the necessary processes to stop the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21, such as discarding the parameters used to perform the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21.

[0122] As shown in the lower part of Figure 8, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 that has performed the communication termination process sends a communication termination notification to the digital key ECU 12. By sending the communication termination notification, the processing circuit 35 notifies the digital key ECU 12 that the communication termination process has been completed.

[0123] As shown in the lower right of Figure 8, after the UWB antenna 30 sends a communication stop notification, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30, the processing circuit 13 in the digital key ECU 12, and the portable information terminal 11 resume distance measurement via UWB communication 33, as shown in the lower part of Figure 3.

[0124] As shown in the lower part of Figure 3, the processing circuit 13 transmits parameters to the UWB antenna 30. At this time, the parameters transmitted by the processing circuit 13 are the parameters when the in-vehicle communication device was performing UWB communication 33 with the portable information terminal 11 in the upper right part of Figure 8.

[0125] Upon receiving the parameters, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 switches the communication setting of the UWB communication 33 from the second setting to the first setting by applying the parameters. In this way, after the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 is completed, the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 switches the communication setting of the UWB communication 33 from the second setting to the first setting. After the communication setting of the UWB antenna 30 has switched from the second setting to the first setting, the in-vehicle communication device resumes UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11.

[0126] As shown in the lower left of Figure 8, while the processing circuit 35 in the UWB antenna 30 is measuring the distance to the mobile information terminal 11, the processing circuit 23 in the smart key ECU 22 responds to user operations on the mobile information terminal 11 in the manner shown in Figure 6, in conjunction with the smart key 21.

[0127] As shown and explained in Figure 6, the processing circuit 23 responds to user operations on the smart key 21 while referring to the distance measurement results from UWB communication 33 stored in the storage device 24 in the lower part of Figure 5. In this way, after the UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 is completed, the processing circuit 23 refers to the distance measurement results stored in the storage device 24 when referring to the distance measurement results from UWB communication 33 in LF communication 27 and RF communication 28. This allows the in-vehicle communication device to refer to the results of a simulated distance measurement for the smart key 21 via UWB communication 33 even while performing UWB communication 33 with the portable information terminal 11.

[0128] As shown in the lower part of Figure 8, the processing circuit 23 of the smart key ECU 22 discards the distance measurement result for the smart key 21 after a certain period of time has elapsed since it was stored in the storage device 24. As explained in Figure 5, after discarding the stored determination result after a certain period of time, the processing circuit 23 updates the distance measurement result by UWB communication 33 by repeating the communication shown in Figure 5. In other words, the processing circuit 23 executes the communication mode shown in the upper left part of Figure 8 in order to update the distance measurement result. Then, when the definition of the key information is complete, it sends distance measurement start information to the digital key ECU 12, as shown in the upper part of Figure 8. In this way, the in-vehicle communication device repeats the communication mode shown in Figure 8 each time it updates the distance measurement result for the smart key 21.

[0129] <Operation of this embodiment> When the in-vehicle communication device is communicating with the first mobile device using the first antenna, and the second mobile device requests communication using the first antenna, the communication setting is switched to communication using the first antenna. As described above, the first mobile device is a mobile information terminal 11. The first antenna is a UWB antenna 30. The second mobile device is a smart key 21.

[0130] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The in-vehicle communication device can communicate with the second portable device using the first antenna in response to a communication request from the second portable device.

[0131] (2) In the in-vehicle communication device, the processing circuit 35 switches the communication setting for communication using the first antenna from the first setting to the second setting, and then, when communication with the second portable device using the first antenna ends, it switches the communication setting for communication using the first antenna from the second setting to the first setting. Then, in the in-vehicle communication device, the processing circuit 35 restarts communication with the first portable device using the first antenna.

[0132] When communication with the second mobile device using the first antenna is completed, the in-vehicle communication device resumes communication with the first mobile device using the first antenna. This allows the in-vehicle communication device to resume communication with the first mobile device using the first antenna without leaving the communication with the first mobile device in an incomplete state.

[0133] (3) The in-vehicle communication device further includes a third antenna in addition to the first and second antennas. In the in-vehicle communication device, after communication with the second mobile device using the first antenna has ended, and before communication with the first mobile device using the first antenna has resumed, the processing circuit 13 notifies the first mobile device that communication with the second mobile device using the first antenna has ended via communication using the third antenna. As described above, the second antenna is the LF antenna 25 and the RF antenna 26. The third antenna is the BLE antenna 16.

[0134] When the in-vehicle communication device resumes communication with the first mobile device using the first antenna, it notifies the second mobile device in advance that communication with the second mobile device using the first antenna has ended. This allows the first mobile device to prepare for the resumption of communication with the in-vehicle communication device via the first antenna. In other words, the in-vehicle communication device can smoothly resume communication with the first mobile device using the first antenna.

[0135] (4) In the in-vehicle communication device, the processing circuit 35 performs the measurement of the distance between the vehicle 40 equipped with the in-vehicle communication device and the first portable device through communication with the first portable device using the first antenna. Then, in the in-vehicle communication device, the processing circuit 35 performs the measurement of the distance between the vehicle 40 and the second portable device through communication with the second portable device using the first antenna.

[0136] The in-vehicle communication device measures the distance to the first mobile device and the distance to the second mobile device through communication using the first antenna. As a result, when the in-vehicle communication device receives a request for distance measurement from the second mobile device while it is measuring the distance to the first mobile device, it can interrupt the distance measurement to the first mobile device and start measuring the distance to the second mobile device.

[0137] (5) The in-vehicle communication device further includes a third antenna in addition to the first and second antennas, and a storage device 14. In the in-vehicle communication device, when the processing circuit 13 switches the communication setting for communication using the first antenna from the first setting to the second setting, it stores the result of the distance measurement to the first portable device using the first antenna in the storage device 14, and then stops the communication with the first portable device using the first setting with the first antenna. Then, in the in-vehicle communication device, while the processing circuit 13 is measuring the distance to the second portable device using the first antenna, when it refers to the result of the distance measurement using the first antenna in communication with the first portable device using the third antenna, it refers to the result of the distance measurement to the first portable device stored in the storage device 14.

[0138] The in-vehicle communication device retains the distance measurement results for the first portable device relative to the vehicle 40 while the communication settings for communication using the first antenna are switched from the first setting to the second setting. This allows the in-vehicle communication device to refer to the distance measurement results in communication with the first portable device using the third antenna, even while communicating with the second portable device using the first antenna.

[0139] (6) In the in-vehicle communication device, the processing circuit 13 discards the results of distance measurement to the first portable device by communication using the first antenna, which have been stored in the storage device 14, after a certain period of time has elapsed since the storage device 14 was stored.

[0140] The distance between vehicle 40 and the first portable device may change over time. Therefore, the range measurement results held by the in-vehicle communication device become less reliable as time passes.

[0141] The in-vehicle communication device does not retain the distance measurement results for the first portable device for more than a certain period of time. This prevents the in-vehicle communication device from referring to uncertain distance measurement results when communicating with the first portable device using the third antenna.

[0142] (7) In the in-vehicle communication device, when the processing circuit 35 obtains the result of distance measurement to the second portable device through communication using the first antenna, it terminates communication with the second portable device using the first antenna.

[0143] The in-vehicle communication device terminates communication with the second portable device using the first antenna only after the distance measurement to the second portable device is completed. This allows the in-vehicle communication device to more reliably determine the distance between the vehicle 40 and the second portable device.

[0144] (8) The in-vehicle communication device includes a storage device 24. In the in-vehicle communication device, when the processing circuit 23 terminates communication with the second portable device using the first antenna, it stores the result of the distance measurement to the second portable device obtained through communication using the first antenna in the storage device 24. After terminating communication with the second portable device using the first antenna, when the processing circuit 23 refers to the result of the distance measurement to the second portable device obtained through communication using the first antenna in communication with the second portable device using the second antenna, it refers to the result of the distance measurement stored in the storage device 24.

[0145] The in-vehicle communication device retains the distance measurement results for the second portable device when it terminates communication with the second portable device using the first antenna. This allows the in-vehicle communication device to refer to the distance measurement results in communication using the second antenna without having to constantly perform distance measurement through communication with the second portable device using the first antenna.

[0146] (9) In the in-vehicle communication device, the processing circuit 23 discards the result of distance measurement to the second portable device by communication using the first antenna stored in the memory device 24 after a certain period of time has elapsed since storing it in the memory device 24.

[0147] The distance between vehicle 40 and the second portable device may change over time. Therefore, the range measurement results held by the in-vehicle communication device become less reliable as time passes.

[0148] The in-vehicle communication device does not retain the distance measurement results for the second portable device for more than a certain period of time. This prevents the in-vehicle communication device from referring to uncertain distance measurement results when communicating with the second portable device using the second antenna.

[0149] (10) The in-vehicle communication device further includes a third antenna in addition to the first antenna and the second antenna. For the in-vehicle communication device, the range in which communication with a second portable device is possible using the second antenna is narrower than the range in which communication with the first portable device is possible using the third antenna. In the in-vehicle communication device, the processing circuit 35 performs communication with a portable information terminal 11, which has registered the digital key of a vehicle 40 equipped with the in-vehicle communication device, using the first antenna as the first portable device. In the in-vehicle communication device, the processing circuit 13 performs BLE (Bluetooth low energy) communication 15 with the portable information terminal 11 using the third antenna. In the in-vehicle communication device, the processing circuit 35 performs communication with a smart key 21 of the vehicle 40 using the first antenna as the second portable device. In the in-vehicle communication device, the processing circuit 23 performs LF (Low Frequency) communication 27 and RF (Radio Frequency) communication 28 with the smart key 21 using the second antenna.

[0150] When the in-vehicle communication device is communicating with the mobile information terminal 11, to which the digital key is registered, using the first antenna, and the smart key 21 requests communication using the first antenna, the communication setting is switched to communication using the first antenna. This allows the in-vehicle communication device to communicate with the smart key 21 using the first antenna in response to a communication request from the smart key 21.

[0151] (11) In the in-vehicle communication device, the processing circuit 35 uses the first antenna to perform UWB (Ultra Wideband) communication 33 with the first portable device and the second portable device. As a result, even when the in-vehicle communication device is performing UWB communication 33 with the first portable device, it can respond to a request for UWB communication 33 from the second portable device and perform UWB communication 33 with the second portable device.

[0152] (12) The communication method is applicable to an in-vehicle communication device comprising a first antenna, a second antenna, and a processing circuit 35. The communication method includes the step of the processing circuit 35 setting the communication settings for communication using the first antenna to a first setting that matches the specifications of the first portable device when communicating with a first portable device using the first antenna. The communication method includes the step of the processing circuit 35 switching the communication settings for communication using the first antenna from the first setting to a second setting that matches the specifications of the second portable device when the processing circuit 35 is communicating with the first portable device using the first antenna with the first setting and a request for communication using the first antenna is received from a second portable device having different specifications from the first portable device based on the results of communication using the second antenna. The communication method includes the step of the processing circuit 35 starting communication with the second portable device using the first antenna with the second setting.

[0153] The communication method is configured such that, while communicating with the first mobile device using the first antenna, if the second mobile device requests communication using the first antenna, the communication settings are switched to communication using the first antenna. This allows the communication method to perform communication with the second mobile device using the first antenna in response to a communication request from the second mobile device.

[0154] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0155] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device performs UWB communication 33 with the personal information terminal 11 as the first portable device. Alternatively, the in-vehicle communication device may perform UWB communication 33 with a portable device other than the personal information terminal 11 as the first portable device.

[0156] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device performs UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21 as a second portable device. Alternatively, the in-vehicle communication device may perform UWB communication 33 with a portable device other than the smart key 21 as a second portable device.

[0157] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device performs UWB communication 33 using the UWB antenna 30 with the first portable device and the second portable device as a form of communication using the first antenna. On the other hand, the communication performed by the in-vehicle communication device using the first antenna is not limited to UWB communication 33.

[0158] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device performs LF communication 27 using the LF antenna 25 and RF communication 28 using the RF antenna 26 as communication using the second antenna with the second portable device. On the other hand, the communication using the second antenna performed by the in-vehicle communication device is not limited to LF communication 27 and RF communication 28.

[0159] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device performs BLE communication 15 using the first portable device and the BLE antenna 16 as a communication using the third antenna. On the other hand, the communication using the third antenna performed by the in-vehicle communication device is not limited to BLE communication 15.

[0160] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device preferentially performs UWB communication 33 with the smart key 21. Alternatively, the in-vehicle communication device may preferentially perform UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11.

[0161] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device prioritizes UWB communication 33 with portable devices that do not have sufficient time before starting distance measurement using UWB communication 33. On the other hand, the in-vehicle communication device may also prioritize UWB communication 33 with portable devices that have sufficient time before starting distance measurement using UWB communication 33.

[0162] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device preferentially performs UWB communication 33 with portable devices that require less information to be exchanged in order to set parameters. On the other hand, the in-vehicle communication device may preferentially perform UWB communication 33 with portable devices that require more information to be exchanged in order to set parameters.

[0163] In this embodiment, as shown in the lower part of Figure 8, the in-vehicle communication device performs UWB communication 33 with the second portable device, the smart key 21, and then resumes UWB communication 33 with the first portable device, the portable information terminal 11. On the other hand, the in-vehicle communication device does not have to resume UWB communication 33 with the portable information terminal 11. In this case, as shown in the upper part of Figure 8, the in-vehicle communication device stops UWB communication 33 with the portable information terminal 11 and then terminates UWB communication 33 with the portable information terminal 11.

[0164] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device performs UWB communication 33 with two portable devices: a first portable device, a portable information terminal 11, and a second portable device, a smart key 21. On the other hand, the in-vehicle communication device may perform UWB communication 33 with three or more portable devices.

[0165] In this embodiment, as shown and explained in the lower part of Figure 8, the in-vehicle communication device performs UWB communication 33 with the second portable device, the smart key 21, and then resumes UWB communication 33 with the first portable device, the portable information terminal 11. On the other hand, if the in-vehicle communication device is performing UWB communication 33 with three or more portable devices, it may perform UWB communication 33 with a third portable device that is neither the portable information terminal 11 nor the smart key 21, instead of resuming UWB communication 33 with the portable information terminal 11.

[0166] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device performs distance measurement to the mobile information terminal 11 using UWB communication 33, as shown in Figure 3. Then, as shown in Figure 4, when the in-vehicle communication device responds to user operations on the mobile information terminal 11, it receives and makes a determination based on the distance measurement results from Figure 3.

[0167] The manner in which the in-vehicle communication device communicates with the portable information terminal 11 is not limited to the manner shown in Figures 3 and 4. In other words, the in-vehicle communication device may store the determination result for the distance measurement result of the portable information terminal 11 by UWB communication 33, as performed for the smart key 21 in Figure 5, and refer to the stored determination result when responding to user operation as shown in Figure 6.

[0168] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the in-vehicle communication device performs distance measurement on the smart key 21 using UWB communication 33 and stores the determination result. Then, as shown in Figure 6, when the in-vehicle communication device responds to user operation of the smart key 21, it refers to the distance measurement determination result stored in Figure 5.

[0169] The manner in which the in-vehicle communication device communicates with the smart key 21 is not limited to the manner shown in Figures 5 and 6. In other words, the in-vehicle communication device may perform distance measurement on the smart key 21 using UWB communication 33, as performed on the mobile information terminal 11 in Figure 3, and receive the distance measurement result from the UWB antenna 30 when responding to user operation as shown in Figure 4. In this case, the in-vehicle communication device does not need to store the distance measurement result on the smart key 21 using UWB communication 33, as shown in the lower part of Figure 5.

[0170] In this embodiment, as shown and explained in Figure 9, the in-vehicle communication device stores the results of the UWB communication 33 when it stops the UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11. On the other hand, the in-vehicle communication device does not need to store the results of the UWB communication 33 when it stops the UWB communication 33 with the mobile information terminal 11. In this case, when the in-vehicle communication device responds to the user's operation of the mobile information terminal 11 in the middle of Figure 8, it does not refer to the distance measurement results as shown in Figure 10.

[0171] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device discards the distance measurement results for the mobile information terminal 11 after a certain period of time has elapsed, as shown in the middle section of Figure 8. On the other hand, the in-vehicle communication device does not have to discard the distance measurement results for the mobile information terminal 11. In this case, the in-vehicle communication device continues to retain the distance measurement results for the mobile information terminal 11 until the distance measurement results for the mobile information terminal 11 can be obtained, as shown in the lower section of Figure 8.

[0172] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device discards the distance measurement result for the smart key 21 after a certain period of time has elapsed, as shown in the lower part of Figure 8. Then, as explained in Figure 8, after discarding the distance measurement result, the in-vehicle communication device performs distance measurement on the smart key 21 again after authentication of the smart key 21, etc. On the other hand, the in-vehicle communication device does not have to discard the distance measurement result for the smart key 21. In this case, the in-vehicle communication device continues to hold the distance measurement result for the smart key 21 until the result for the distance measurement of the smart key 21 can be obtained, as shown in the middle part of Figure 8.

[0173] <Note> The technical concepts that can be understood from the above embodiments and modified examples are described below. [Note 1] An in-vehicle communication device comprising a first antenna, a second antenna, and a processing circuit, wherein the processing circuit performs the following actions when communicating with a first portable device using the first antenna: setting the communication settings for communication using the first antenna to a first setting that matches the specifications of the first portable device; and when, while communicating with the first portable device using the first antenna with the first setting, a request for communication using the first antenna is received from a second portable device having different specifications from the first portable device based on the results of communication using the second antenna, switching the communication settings for communication using the first antenna from the first setting to a second setting that matches the specifications of the second portable device; and initiating communication with the second portable device using the first antenna with the second setting.

[0174] [Note 2] The in-vehicle communication device according to [Note 1], wherein the processing circuit switches the communication setting for communication using the first antenna from the first setting to the second setting, and when communication with the second portable device using the first antenna ends, it switches the communication setting for communication using the first antenna from the second setting to the first setting and restarts communication with the first portable device using the first antenna.

[0175] [Note 3] In addition to the first antenna and the second antenna, a third antenna is further provided. The in-vehicle communication device as described in [Note 2], wherein the processing circuit performs the following actions: after communication with the second portable device using the first antenna has ended, and before communication with the first portable device using the first antenna has resumed, it notifies the first portable device, via communication using the third antenna, that communication with the second portable device using the first antenna has ended.

[0176] [Note 4] An in-vehicle communication device according to any one of [Notes 1] to [Note 3], wherein the processing circuit performs the following: measuring the distance between the vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle communication device and the first portable device through communication with the first portable device using the first antenna; and measuring the distance between the vehicle and the second portable device through communication with the second portable device using the first antenna.

[0177] [Note 5] The in-vehicle communication device according to [Note 4], further comprising a third antenna in addition to the first antenna and the second antenna, and a storage device, wherein when the processing circuit switches the communication setting for communication using the first antenna from the first setting to the second setting, it stores the result of distance measurement to the first portable device by communication using the first antenna in the storage device and then stops communication with the first portable device using the first setting with the first antenna, and while distance measurement to the second portable device is being performed by communication using the first antenna, when referring to the result of distance measurement by communication using the first antenna in communication with the first portable device using the third antenna, it refers to the result of distance measurement to the first portable device stored in the storage device.

[0178] [Note 6] The in-vehicle communication device according to [Note 5], wherein the processing circuit performs the action of discarding the results of distance measurement to the first portable device by communication using the first antenna, which have been stored in the storage device, after a certain period of time has elapsed since the storage device was stored.

[0179] [Note 7] The in-vehicle communication device according to any one of [Notes 4] to [Note 6], wherein the processing circuit terminates communication with the second portable device using the first antenna when it obtains the result of distance measurement to the second portable device through communication using the first antenna.

[0180] [Note 8] An in-vehicle communication device as described in [Note 7], comprising a storage device, wherein the processing circuit stores in the storage device the result of distance measurement to the second portable device by communication using the first antenna when terminating communication with the second portable device using the first antenna, and after terminating communication with the second portable device using the first antenna, when referring to the result of distance measurement to the second portable device by communication using the first antenna in communication with the second portable device using the second antenna, it refers to the result of distance measurement stored in the storage device.

[0181] [Note 9] The in-vehicle communication device according to [Note 8], wherein the processing circuit performs the action of discarding the results of distance measurement to the second portable device by communication using the first antenna, which have been stored in the storage device, after a certain period of time has elapsed since the storage device was stored.

[0182] [Note 10] An in-vehicle communication device according to any one of [Note 1] to [Note 9], further comprising a third antenna in addition to the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the range in which communication with the second portable device is possible using the second antenna is narrower than the range in which communication with the first portable device is possible using the third antenna, and the processing circuit performs the following: communication with a portable information terminal that has registered the digital key of a vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle communication device using the first antenna as the first portable device; BLE (Bluetooth low energy) communication with the portable information terminal using the third antenna; communication with the vehicle's smart key using the first antenna as the second portable device; and LF (Low Frequency) communication and RF (Radio Frequency) communication with the smart key using the second antenna.

[0183] [Note 11] The in-vehicle communication device according to any one of [Note 1] to [Note 10], wherein the processing circuit performs UWB (Ultra Wideband) communication with the first portable device and the second portable device using the first antenna. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0184] 10…Digital Key System 11… Mobile information terminals 12…Digital Key ECU 13…Processing circuit 14...Storage device 15…BLE communication 16…BLE antenna 20…Smart Key System 21…Smart Key 22... Smart Key ECU 23… Processing circuit 24…Storage device 25…LF antenna 26…RF antenna 27...LF Communications 28…RF Communications 30…UWB antenna 31…Main antenna 32…Sub-antenna 33...UWB communication 34…Target ECU 35…Processing circuit 36…Storage device 40... Vehicles 50…Communication systems 60...BLE effective range 61…RF effective range 62...LF effective range 63…UWB effective range

Claims

1. It comprises a first antenna, a second antenna, and a processing circuit. The aforementioned processing circuit When communicating with the first portable device using the first antenna, the communication settings for communication using the first antenna are set to the first settings that match the specifications of the first portable device. When communication is being performed using the first portable device and the first antenna according to the first setting, and a second portable device with different specifications from the first portable device requests communication using the first antenna based on the communication results using the second antenna, the communication setting for communication using the first antenna is switched from the first setting to the second setting, which matches the specifications of the second portable device. To initiate communication with the second portable device using the first antenna and the second setting, and to perform the following: In-vehicle communication device.

2. The aforementioned processing circuit After switching the communication settings for communication using the first antenna from the first setting to the second setting, when communication with the second portable device using the first antenna ends, Switching the communication settings for communication using the first antenna from the second setting to the first setting, To resume communication with the first portable device using the first antenna and to perform the following: The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 1.

3. In addition to the first antenna and the second antenna, a third antenna is further provided. The aforementioned processing circuit After communication with the second portable device using the first antenna has ended, and before communication with the first portable device using the first antenna has resumed, The system performs the following actions: through communication using the third antenna, it notifies the first mobile device that communication with the second mobile device using the first antenna has ended. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned processing circuit The distance between the vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle communication device and the first portable device is measured through communication with the first portable device using the first antenna, The distance between the vehicle and the second portable device is measured through communication with the second portable device using the first antenna. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 1.

5. In addition to the first antenna and the second antenna, it further comprises a third antenna and a storage device. The aforementioned processing circuit When switching the communication settings for communication using the first antenna from the first setting to the second setting, the result of the distance measurement to the first portable device by communication using the first antenna is stored in the storage device, and then communication with the first portable device using the first setting with the first antenna is stopped. While measuring the distance to the second portable device by communication using the first antenna, when referring to the distance measurement result by communication using the first antenna in communication with the first portable device using the third antenna, the distance measurement result for the first portable device stored in the storage device is referred to. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned processing circuit The results of distance measurement to the first portable device via communication using the first antenna, which have been stored in the storage device, are discarded after a certain period of time has elapsed since being stored in the storage device. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned processing circuit When the distance measurement result for the second portable device is obtained through communication using the first antenna, the communication with the second portable device using the first antenna is terminated. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 4.

8. Equipped with a memory device, The aforementioned processing circuit When terminating communication with the second portable device using the first antenna, the result of the distance measurement to the second portable device by communication using the first antenna is stored in the storage device, After terminating communication with the second portable device using the first antenna, when referring to the distance measurement result for the second portable device obtained through communication using the first antenna, the distance measurement result stored in the storage device is referred to. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned processing circuit is The results of distance measurement to the second portable device via communication using the first antenna, which have been stored in the storage device, are discarded after a certain period of time has elapsed since being stored in the storage device. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 8.

10. In addition to the first antenna and the second antenna, a third antenna is further provided. The range over which communication with the second portable device is possible using the second antenna is narrower than the range over which communication with the first portable device is possible using the third antenna. The aforementioned processing circuit is The first portable device is a portable information terminal that has registered the digital key of the vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle communication device, and communicates with the first antenna. Using the third antenna, BLE (Bluetooth low energy) communication is performed with the mobile information terminal, The second portable device communicates with the vehicle's smart key and the first antenna, Using the second antenna, perform LF (Low Frequency) communication and RF (Radio Frequency) communication with the smart key. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 1.

11. The aforementioned processing circuit is Using the first antenna, the first portable device and the second portable device perform UWB (Ultra Wideband) communication. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 1 or claim 10.

12. This is a communication method applicable to an in-vehicle communication device comprising a first antenna, a second antenna, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit performs the step of setting the communication settings for communication using the first antenna to a first setting that matches the specifications of the first portable device when communicating with the first portable device using the first antenna. The processing circuit, while communicating with the first portable device using the first antenna according to the first setting, receives a request from a second portable device having different specifications from the first portable device to communicate using the first antenna based on the results of communication using the second antenna, performs the step of switching the communication setting for communication using the first antenna from the first setting to a second setting that matches the specifications of the second portable device. The processing circuit includes the step of initiating communication with the second portable device using the first antenna according to the second setting. Communication method.