Remote controllers and systems for in-vehicle equipment

Abstract

To eliminate troublesomeness of taking out and operating a remote controller during remotely controlling an on-vehicle machine.SOLUTION: A system includes: an on-vehicle apparatus 1 installed on a vehicle; a remote controller 2 for performing radio communication with the on-vehicle apparatus to control the operation of the on-vehicle apparatus; and a portable device 3 such as a smartphone communicable with the remote controller. Information is transmitted and received by a communication method (specific power-saving wireless) of a first system between the on-vehicle apparatus and the remote controller. Information is transmitted and received by a communication method (BLE) of a second system different from the communication method of the first system between the remote controller and the portable device. The remote controller includes a function for directly controlling the on-vehicle apparatus on the basis of an operation to an operation part 2d belonging to itself, and a function for controlling the on-vehicle apparatus on the basis of an instruction from the portable device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote controller and a system for in-vehicle devices.

Background Art

[0002] As a system for remotely operating in-vehicle devices mounted on a vehicle from a position away from the vehicle using wireless communication, there are an engine starter and car security. In this type of technology, for example, according to the operation of a button provided on a remote controller, the remote controller sends various operation commands to the in-vehicle device using wireless communication. When the in-vehicle device receives such an operation command, it executes a predetermined process according to the content of the operation command. The predetermined process is, for example, starting / stopping the engine or setting the security arm / disarm (see Patent Document 1 etc.).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=3s]] In conventional engine starters and car security, it is necessary to take out the remote controller and perform button operations etc. when using it. However, the remote controller is, for example, at a predetermined position inside the house and is not necessarily in a place where the user can immediately get it. Therefore, when performing remote operation, it is troublesome because it is necessary to go to get the remote controller and operate it each time. In particular, when a plurality of users use the vehicle, it is not preferable for one user to carry the remote controller around, and it may be placed at a predetermined place such as the entrance or the living room, so the above problems become prominent.

[0005] Furthermore, if, for example, only one driver is allowed to use the remote controller, the user can carry the remote controller with them. However, since such remote controllers are not used frequently, they are not usually carried around in the hand, but rather stored in a bag or pocket. This creates the inconvenience of having to take it out each time it needs to be used. In particular, car security remote controllers need to be kept with you at all times, even at home, for checking and operating the system in the event of a vehicle alarm. However, since alarms and other incidents do not occur frequently, carrying the controller indoors presents a problem. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the remote controller for in-vehicle equipment according to the present invention comprises (1) a first communication means that performs wireless communication using a first communication method, and a second communication means that performs wireless communication using a second communication method different from the first communication method, and comprises a function that directly controls the operation of the in-vehicle equipment by receiving instructions from an operating unit it possesses via the first wireless communication method, and a function that controls the operation of the in-vehicle equipment by receiving instructions from a portable device via the second wireless communication method, wherein the second communication method has a shorter communication range than the first communication method.

[0007] In this embodiment, the first communication means corresponds to the first wireless communication circuit 2b, and in this embodiment, the second communication means corresponds to the second wireless communication circuit 2c. The communication range of the first communication system is set to cover a location where the user is away from the parked vehicle and can control the in-vehicle equipment remotely. For example, it is preferable that the communication range be such that the user is able to operate the equipment from indoors when the vehicle is parked on the premises of the user's home or in a nearby parking lot. Furthermore, the user's location is not limited to their home; it may also be necessary for the remote controller and the in-vehicle equipment to communicate outdoors at a suitable distance from the vehicle as needed. Therefore, it is preferable to adopt a communication system that has a sufficient communication range depending on the function of the in-vehicle equipment, and that ensures at least such a sufficient communication range. The portable device is a portable device equipped with communication functions that the user can normally carry, keep within reach, or easily retrieve. For example, a portable communication terminal or wearable device that is portable and equipped with communication functions is preferable because the user can carry it without feeling uncomfortable. Furthermore, it's preferable because even if it's stored in a bag or pocket, it can be easily taken out, picked up, and operated.

[0008] According to the present invention, the remote controller has the function of directly controlling the in-vehicle equipment based on operations on its own control unit, and the function of controlling the in-vehicle equipment based on instructions from a portable device. Therefore, the user does not necessarily need to take out the remote controller and operate it, and can use the two functions appropriately depending on the situation to control the operation of the in-vehicle equipment using an appropriate operating method. In particular, it is desirable that the portable device be easy for the user to carry, pick up, and operate, so that the in-vehicle equipment can be controlled even when the remote controller is in a distant location or stored in a bag or pocket.

[0009] (2) The portable device may be a mobile communication terminal or a wearable device. Examples of mobile communication terminals include smartphones, mobile phones, and tablet PCs. For example, smartphones are something that users always have with them or keep close at hand, and they are also held and operated relatively frequently, so there is no sense of discomfort in carrying them around. The same applies to wearable devices. Therefore, it is convenient because there is no need to take out a remote controller when performing various operations.

[0010] (3) It is preferable to have a function that, upon receiving communication from the in-vehicle equipment via the first wireless communication system, transmits the content of that communication to the portable device via the second wireless communication system. In this way, for example, the content of communication between the remote controller and the in-vehicle equipment is also sent to the portable device and displayed on the portable device, eliminating the need for a display function in the remote controller, or if a display function is required, a small one will suffice. Thus, the remote controller can be made smaller and less expensive. Furthermore, even if the remote controller is immediately put away in a bag or pocket after operation, subsequent information from the in-vehicle equipment, such as answer-backs, can be checked on the portable device, and the next operation can be performed on the portable device.

[0011] (4) The device may be equipped with a storage means that temporarily stores the contents received from the in-vehicle device in the storage means and transmits information based on the temporarily stored contents to the portable device, and at least one of these functions may be provided.

[0012] According to this invention, real-time processing is not required, and circuits and components with slower processing speeds but low power consumption can be used. Furthermore, if, for example, the current consumption of the first communication system is high, the first communication means of the first system can be kept off or operated intermittently, and when a message is received from a portable device via the second communication means of the second system, the first communication means of the first system can be activated to transmit. This allows for power saving, extends battery life, and enables miniaturization by using a small-capacity battery.

[0013] (5) When an operation command is transmitted to the in-vehicle device using the first wireless communication system based on an operation to the control unit, it is preferable to have a function that transmits the content received from the in-vehicle device in response to that command to the portable device via the second wireless communication system. In this way, the portable device can check the content received from the in-vehicle device in response to the operation of the remote controller, and can also perform the next operation from the portable device.

[0014] (6) The system of the present invention comprises a remote controller for in-vehicle equipment described in any of (1) to (5), and an in-vehicle device that communicates with the remote controller for in-vehicle equipment using the first communication method.

[0015] (7) It is preferable to change the function of the in-vehicle equipment depending on whether the vehicle is in a situation where it cannot be driven or not. The situation where the vehicle cannot be driven can be easily determined, for example, by turning the vehicle's power source switch, such as the engine key, ON or OFF. In this way, the in-vehicle equipment can be made to function appropriately in both situations, whether the driver is in the vehicle or out of it.

[0016] (8) The in-vehicle device has a function to acquire information about the vehicle and a function to transmit the acquired information to the remote controller or the portable device, and the remote controller or the portable device may have at least one function to store the information about the vehicle sent from the in-vehicle device and a function to display it. In this embodiment, the information about the vehicle includes vehicle information and vehicle driving information. This is advantageous because information about the vehicle can be acquired, its contents can be checked while driving, and it can be analyzed later. In particular, if information about the vehicle is stored in the remote controller or portable device, the stored information about the vehicle can be taken outside when the remote controller or portable device is taken out of the vehicle, so the stored information about the vehicle can be taken out as well.

[0017] (9) When the vehicle is ready to run, it is preferable to configure the in-vehicle equipment to stop the operation of the communication circuit for communication using the first communication system. The communication circuit may be configured to stop temporarily or intermittently, but it is preferable to configure it to stop completely. Whether the vehicle is ready to run can be determined, for example, by using the ON / OFF status of the engine key. In this way, when the vehicle is ready to run, the communication circuit of the first communication system is shut off, so even if an incorrect operation is performed with the remote controller, the in-vehicle equipment will not accept it, thus preventing adverse effects on the vehicle and radio interference. Furthermore, by shutting off the first wireless communication circuit which consumes a lot of power, energy saving is also possible, which is desirable.

[0018] (10) The in-vehicle device may be either an engine starter or a car security system. (11) The portable device may be provided that communicates with the in-vehicle device remote controller using the second communication method, based on any of the systems described in (6) to (10).

[0019] (12) The in-vehicle device is equipped with a communication circuit for communicating using a second communication system, and it is preferable that the in-vehicle device and the portable device communicate directly using the second communication system and have a function to control the operation of the in-vehicle device. When the in-vehicle device and the portable device are within the communication range of the second system, which has a short communication range, the portable device directly controls the in-vehicle device using the second communication system. Therefore, there are two forms: one in which the portable device is operated and the in-vehicle device is controlled via a remote controller, and another in which the in-vehicle device is controlled directly. By having these various forms, the in-vehicle device 1 can be controlled using the appropriate form depending on the situation.

[0020] (13) If the in-vehicle device is an engine starter and the engine is started using the engine starter, the in-vehicle device may detect that a user has approached the vehicle and perform a process to stop the engine. For example, there is a smart system that uses a genuine key that allows the door locks to be opened and closed and the engine to be started and stopped without inserting a mechanical key. In this smart system, when a user carrying the genuine key approaches the vehicle or touches the vehicle's door handle, the vehicle emits a weak radio wave, and the genuine key that receives it automatically emits a response signal radio wave. The vehicle's device that receives the response signal radio wave then opens and closes the door locks, etc. Some of these smart systems have a safety function that, for example, does not accept a response signal from the genuine key and does not open or close the door locks, etc. when the vehicle is idling. In a vehicle equipped with a smart system that includes such safety features, if a user outside the vehicle, with the doors locked, starts the engine using the engine starter and then attempts to get into the vehicle, the vehicle will be idling, triggering the safety features and preventing the doors from being unlocked using the smart system with the original key. Therefore, the user must first stop the engine using the remote controller of the engine starter, and then unlock the doors using the smart system with the original key to get into the vehicle, which is cumbersome. In contrast, according to the present invention, when a user carrying a portable device approaches the vehicle, the engine is automatically stopped, allowing the doors to be unlocked using the smart system with the original key, simplifying the operation. Approaching the vehicle could be, for example, when the user is getting into the vehicle. Furthermore, detection of approach to the vehicle could be based on, for example, the strength of the received radio waves. Assuming a constant communication environment, the closer the distance between the in-vehicle equipment and the portable device, the stronger the received signal. Therefore, using a determination based on such received signal strength makes the determination easy.

[0021] (14) It is preferable to display the setting screen of the in-vehicle device on the display unit of the portable device and perform the setting of the in-vehicle device using the setting screen. It is easier to make the display screen of the portable device larger than that of the remote controller. The display screen of the remote controller may be of a size smaller than the screen of the portable device. In this way, input of setting contents and the like can be easily performed. Then, the information input using the setting screen is sent to the remote controller using, for example, a second communication system, and the remote controller receives it and performs the setting on the in-vehicle device based on the information. (15) The second communication system is preferably a standard equipment of the portable device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, by taking out and operating the portable device, etc., the in-vehicle device can be controlled, and the complexity of taking out and operating the remote controller can be eliminated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the first embodiment etc. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the third embodiment etc. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing the fourth embodiment etc. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing the sixth embodiment etc.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to explain the technical features that the present invention can adopt. The configuration, shape, etc. of the described device are merely illustrative examples, and the present invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto, and various changes, modifications, and improvements can be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0025] [Basic Configuration] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 shows an example of a system using the vehicle-mounted device remote control of the present invention. This system comprises a vehicle-mounted device 1 installed in a vehicle, a remote controller 2 that communicates wirelessly with the vehicle-mounted device 1 to control its operation, and a portable device 3 capable of communicating with the remote controller 2. The vehicle-mounted device 1, the remote controller 2, and the portable device 3 each include control units 1a, 2a, and 3a that perform predetermined processing. They also include a communication circuit for communicating with other devices, as will be described later.

[0026] Information is transmitted and received between the in-vehicle device 1 and the remote controller 2 via wireless communication using the first communication method. Specifically, the in-vehicle device 1 is equipped with a wireless communication circuit 1b for the first system, and the remote controller 2 is equipped with a wireless communication circuit 2b for the first system. Information is transmitted and received between the remote controller 2 and the portable device 3 via wireless communication using a second communication method, which is different from the first communication method. Specifically, the remote controller 2 is equipped with a wireless communication circuit 2c for the second system, and the portable device 3 is equipped with a wireless communication circuit 3b for the second system. The power supply for the in-vehicle device 1 may be a battery, but it is preferable to have it powered by the vehicle's battery. The power supply for the remote controller 2 uses a built-in primary battery. Using commercially available dry cell batteries or button batteries as primary batteries is preferable because they are easily available, easy to implement, and easy to handle. In particular, using button batteries is preferable because it allows for miniaturization of the remote controller 2. The power supply for the portable device 3 uses a built-in rechargeable battery.

[0027] The first communication system has a longer communication range compared to the second communication system. Furthermore, since the remote controller 2 is sold to and used by general users, it is designed to be usable as a license-free radio station. However, using the weak radio waves used by low-power radio stations, which are one type of license-free radio station, results in a short communication range, and in normal usage conditions and environments, the in-vehicle equipment 1 and the remote controller 2 may be outside the communication range, which is undesirable. Therefore, the first communication system uses radio waves used by specific low-power radio stations. By utilizing this specific low-power wireless communication, the communication range becomes, for example, about 1-2 km in line of sight, and even with obstacles, it becomes about several hundred meters. Therefore, for example, if one's home is a detached house or apartment and the vehicle is parked in the parking lot on the premises, communication with the in-vehicle equipment 1 is possible even with the remote controller 2 placed inside the building, such as in the living room.

[0028] The second communication system has a shorter communication range compared to the first system. Furthermore, the second system should consume less power than the first system. In this way, for example, the first system can be kept off and activated only when sending or receiving information, while the second system can be operated continuously or at predetermined intervals, and the battery life will still be sufficient.

[0029] Furthermore, the second communication method should preferably be one that is compatible with the communication circuit standardly implemented in the mobile device 3. This is preferable because it allows the use of a commercially available mobile device 3, eliminating the need to add any new communication circuits. In this embodiment, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) was used as the second communication method. BLE is versatile and is adopted in many mobile devices equipped with communication functions, so the communication method can be used as is with the mobile device. Also, when using Bluetooth® for communication, the devices to be communicated must pair and connect. For this reason, in this embodiment, the remote controller 2 is configured to periodically (for example, every second) transmit signals to establish a BLE connection. Even with such periodic transmission, the power consumption is low because BLE consumes little power, resulting in a long battery life for the remote controller 2. For example, as mentioned above, it is possible to miniaturize the device by using a button battery and operate it for a long period of time, such as one season.

[0030] The in-vehicle device 1 is, for example, an engine starter. The engine starter receives operation commands from the remote controller 2 and performs the process of starting or stopping the engine. This process is performed by the control unit 1a. Specifically, for example, when the control unit 1a receives an engine start command corresponding to a legitimate operation of the remote controller 2 by a user located away from the vehicle, it starts the engine, continues the engine operation for a certain period of time, and then performs control to stop it. This continued engine operation allows for warm-up and allows the vehicle's air conditioner to adjust the temperature inside the vehicle to an appropriate level. Furthermore, when the control unit 1a receives an operation stop command, it performs control to stop the engine that is currently running. In addition, the control unit 1a transmits the execution result of the received operation command to the remote controller 2 using the first wireless communication circuit 1b. The basic functions of such an engine starter are the same as those of conventionally known devices.

[0031] Furthermore, the remote controller 2 is equipped with an operation unit 2d. As described above, if the in-vehicle device 1 is an engine starter, the operation unit 2d is, for example, a push-button switch that corresponds to operation instructions such as a start switch and a stop switch. A user located away from the vehicle can operate the in-vehicle device 1 installed in the vehicle by pressing the operation unit 2d, thereby starting or stopping the engine and performing remote operation. To perform this process, when the control unit 2a detects an operation on the operation unit 2d, it transmits an instruction command corresponding to the operation from the first wireless communication circuit 2b. The in-vehicle device 1 then receives the instruction command transmitted from the first wireless communication circuit 2b via the first wireless communication circuit 1b, and the control unit 1a executes the processing according to the instruction command. In this way, the remote controller 2 is equipped with the function of directly remotely controlling the in-vehicle device 1. This function is the same as that of conventional engine starters.

[0032] Furthermore, the remote controller 2 is equipped with a notification unit 2e. The notification unit 2e notifies the operating status, etc., for example, of the execution results sent from the in-vehicle device 1. The notification unit 2e uses visual or auditory means to notify. In the case of using visual means, the notification unit 2e may, for example, use a display panel to display the execution results in characters, figures, etc., or use a light-emitting means such as an LED to notify by the lighting state (flashing / off / on) or the color of the light emitted. In the case of using auditory means, the notification unit 2e may, for example, use a speaker to notify with sound or a buzzer. These can be implemented one or more in combination.

[0033] As mentioned above, the remote controller 2 is capable of communicating with the portable device 3. As will be described later, when the remote controller 2 receives instruction information, including execution commands, from the portable device 3, the remote controller 2 executes predetermined processing according to that instruction information and remotely controls the in-vehicle device 1. For example, when the remote controller 2 receives an engine start command or engine stop command from the portable device 3, it sends an engine start command or engine stop command to the in-vehicle device 1. These transmitted engine start command and engine stop command may be equivalent to those transmitted in response to instructions from the remote controller 2's operation unit 2d. Furthermore, when the remote controller 2 completes the processing associated with the received instruction information, it sends an execution completion notification to the portable device 3. Thus, the remote controller 2 of this embodiment has a function (function 1) to directly control the in-vehicle device 1 based on operations on its own operation unit 2d, and a function (function 2) to control the in-vehicle device 1 based on instructions from the portable device 3.

[0034] The portable device 3 may be a device that is portable and has communication capabilities, such as a mobile communication terminal. Examples of such devices include smartphones, mobile phones, and tablet PCs. For example, smartphones are convenient because they are always carried with you or kept close at hand, eliminating the need to take out the remote controller 2. Furthermore, since apps can be easily downloaded and installed on smartphones and tablet PCs, users can implement this system by downloading and installing an app with functions corresponding to the present invention on their own general-purpose smartphone or tablet PC.

[0035] Furthermore, in the case of smartphones, for example, communication functions such as 3G and LTE, which enable long-range communication, and Bluetooth-compatible communication circuits are adopted as standard features.

[0036] Therefore, the second wireless communication circuit 3b utilizes the Bluetooth communication circuit that is included as a standard function. Using the communication circuit included as a standard function in this way is preferable because it eliminates the need to add a new communication circuit for the second wireless communication circuit 3b. Furthermore, when performing the above function 2, the user operates the control panel 3d of the portable device 3. Therefore, the portable device 3 should be one that the user can easily carry and take out. Considering these points, a smartphone is preferable for use as the portable device 3.

[0037] Smartphones are equipped with communication methods that offer significantly longer communication ranges compared to specific low-power wireless technologies such as 3G and LTE. If 3G or similar technologies were used as the primary communication method, for example, the smartphone could directly communicate with the in-vehicle device 1 and control it. However, adopting 3G or similar technologies as the primary communication method would require, for example, making the first-system wireless communication circuit 1b of the in-vehicle device 1 compatible with 3G, which would be costly and impractical. Furthermore, when the in-vehicle device 1 is implemented as an engine starter, for example, a user who is indoors, such as at home, can remotely start the engine and perform warm-up and adjust the cabin temperature. Therefore, considering this application, even though the user's location is some distance from the vehicle, it is not several kilometers away, and the communication range of 3G or similar technologies is not necessary; the communication range of specific low-power wireless technologies is sufficient. Thus, considering cost and a sufficiently long communication range, specific low-power wireless technologies were adopted as the primary communication method.

[0038] Furthermore, the portable device 3 may be a wearable device that can be worn and carried around. Since wearable devices are often worn at all times, there is no need to take out the remote controller 2, which is convenient. Watch-type or wristband-type devices are particularly good. These types are good because they can be easily operated using the hand that is not wearing the device, as they are worn on the arm.

[0039] The portable device 3 comprises a display unit 3c and an operation unit 3d. The display unit 3c is composed of various liquid crystal displays, etc. The operation unit 3d is composed of mechanical push-button switches, touch panels, etc. In this embodiment, the operation unit 3d of the portable device 3 is equipped with at least the same functions as the operation unit 2d for controlling the in-vehicle device 1 by operating the remote controller 2. Therefore, actions performed by operating the remote controller 2 can be performed by operating the portable device 3 without taking out the remote controller 2. If the portable device 3 is a general-purpose portable device 3 such as a smartphone, it is advisable to use the standard functions that are installed, similar to the second wireless communication circuit 3b.

[0040] Furthermore, smartphones and similar devices become capable of executing functions provided by a specific application by downloading and installing that application. In this embodiment, an engine starter application is installed. Upon installation, the control unit 3a displays the icon for the engine starter application on the display unit 3c. When the control unit 3a detects that the icon has been touched by an operation on the operation unit 3d, it launches the engine starter application.

[0041] Upon startup, the control unit 3a displays a menu screen on the display unit 3c, for example, and when it detects that any menu item displayed on that menu screen is touched, it displays an operation screen corresponding to the touched menu item. This operation screen may include, for example, an instruction input screen with engine start and engine stop buttons in predetermined positions, or a settings screen for various settings. These engine start and engine stop buttons are equivalent to those on the operation unit 2d of the remote controller 2. In addition, upon startup of the application, the control unit 3a establishes a Bluetooth (BLE) connection with the remote controller 2 using the second wireless communication circuit 3b.

[0042] When the control unit 3a detects, for example, that the "start button" or "stop button" on the operation screen has been touched, it uses Bluetooth (BLE) to send the corresponding execution command (e.g., start command, stop command, etc.) to the remote controller 2.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit 3a disconnects the connection with the remote controller 2 when the connection termination condition is met. The connection termination condition can be, for example, set to elapse a set amount of time after sending an execution command. Disconnecting the connection even while the application is running helps to reduce battery consumption on the mobile device 3.

[0044] *Usage An example of how the above-described system is actually used is as follows. As shown in Function 2 above, in this embodiment, the portable device 3 operates as if it were controlling the remote controller 2. When executing Function 2, the user only needs to operate the portable device 3 and does not need to operate the operation unit 2d of the remote controller 2. Therefore, the user can, for example, take out the portable device 3 at a location away from the parking lot where the vehicle is parked, for example, at a predetermined location inside a building, and operate the operation unit 3d to remotely control or configure the in-vehicle device 1.

[0045] In this case, the user does not need to touch the remote controller 2, so they can control the in-vehicle device 1 while the remote controller 2 is in their bag or pocket, or placed in a suitable location indoors. Therefore, if the user can take out their portable device 3, they do not need to take the remote controller 2 out of their bag or go to where the remote controller 2 is located, which is convenient. In particular, if the portable device 3 is a device that is always carried or kept close at hand, such as a smartphone, the user will naturally carry the portable device 3 around and operate it in their hand, which allows for smooth operation using the portable device 3.

[0046] Furthermore, if, for example, the living room or other rooms in a building where the user frequently spends time have poor communication and radio wave conditions, such as difficulty receiving radio waves from the first system, the remote controller 2 is placed in a location with good communication and radio wave conditions for the first system. If the location where the remote controller 2 is placed is within range of the user's location where communication from the second system is possible, the user can operate the portable device 3 and control the in-vehicle device 1 even in the location with poor communication and radio wave conditions for the first system. Therefore, it is preferable that the user does not need to move to a location with good radio wave conditions in order to control the in-vehicle device 1, but can operate it while staying in their usual room or other location.

[0047] On the other hand, in this embodiment, by executing function 1, the remote controller 2 can be operated and the in-vehicle device 1 can be controlled directly. Therefore, even if, for example, the user happens to not have the portable device 3 on hand, cannot find it, or is unable to operate it, the user can take out the remote controller 2 and operate the control unit 2d to control the in-vehicle device 1. Furthermore, the remote controller 2 is advantageous because the operation of the control unit 2d is simple. For example, the control unit 2d of the remote controller 2 is an externally exposed push-button switch, and simply by pressing this push button, a command to start / stop the engine is sent to the in-vehicle device 1. On the other hand, if the portable device 3 is a smartphone, it is necessary to launch the app, go through multiple levels from the menu screen, and touch the "start button" or "stop button" on the operation screen, which is cumbersome as multiple operations are required before actual commands can be input. Therefore, it is best for the user to use them appropriately depending on the situation.

[0048] [Supports two-way communication] (Second embodiment) In this embodiment, the first embodiment described above is used as a basis, with the following additional functions. The remote controller 2 has a function to receive communication from the in-vehicle device 1 via the first communication system and then transmit the contents of that communication to the portable device 3 via the second communication system. To realize this function, for example, the control unit 2a of the remote controller 2 receives information sent from the in-vehicle device 1 via the first wireless communication circuit 2b and then transmits that information to the portable device 3 using the second wireless communication circuit 2c. The information sent from the in-vehicle device 1 may include, for example, the execution results of operation commands sent from the remote controller 2, or answerbacks.

[0049] The control unit 3a of the portable device 3 receives execution results (success / failure, etc.) and answerbacks sent from the remote controller 2 via the second wireless communication circuit 3b, and outputs the received content to the display unit 3c. Such displays may be made using, for example, characters or marks. This is preferable because the user can easily understand the content by looking at the display. In particular, the remote controller 2 is required to be miniaturized, and the notification unit 2e provided on the remote controller 2 cannot have a display unit installed, so it is a simple LED illumination. Even if a display unit were installed, the overall dimensions of the remote controller 2 are small, and the operation unit 2d etc. are also implemented, so the display area will be small. Therefore, with notification using the remote controller 2, it is not possible to quickly and fully understand the information from the in-vehicle device 1. In contrast, if the portable device 3 is, for example, a smartphone, the display area of ​​its display unit 3c is larger than that of the notification unit 2e provided on the remote controller 2, and the resolution is also higher, so the notification content is easier to see, which is preferable.

[0050] In the first embodiment described above, the portable device 3 sends an execution command to the remote controller 2. After transmission, communication takes place between the remote controller 2 and the in-vehicle device 1. When the in-vehicle device 1 provides an answer back or notification of the execution result, the remote controller 2 uses its notification unit 2e to output a notification, but the portable device 3 is unaware of the content of this notification. Therefore, when the user wants to check the content of the notification from the in-vehicle device 1, they have to take out the remote controller 2, which is cumbersome. In contrast, in this embodiment, the portable device 3 can check the information sent from the in-vehicle device 1, which is convenient.

[0051] Furthermore, when the control unit 3a receives an execution completion notification corresponding to the transmitted execution command (for example, an execution result of success), it disconnects from the remote controller 2. This is desirable because it suppresses the battery consumption of the portable device 3. Note that the other configurations and effects are the same as in the embodiment described above, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0052] [Temporary storage via remote controller] (Third embodiment) As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the remote controller 2 includes a storage unit 2f. When the control unit 2a receives instruction information such as an execution command from the portable device 3 via the second communication system, it temporarily stores the instruction information in the storage unit 2f. Simultaneously, the control unit 2a starts up the first communication circuit and transmits the temporarily stored instruction content to the in-vehicle device 1 via the first communication system. When it receives an answer back from the in-vehicle device 1, it also temporarily stores the answer back content and sends the temporarily stored content back to the portable device 3 via the second communication system. When it receives communication from the in-vehicle device 1 via the first system, it temporarily stores the content and transmits the temporarily stored content to the portable device 3 via the second system. After receiving instruction information from the portable device 3 and completing a series of communications such as transmitting instruction information to the in-vehicle device 1 and receiving answer backs, it is preferable to turn off the first communication circuit.

[0053] Thus, the remote controller 2 temporarily stores the information received from the portable device 3 or the in-vehicle device 1 in the memory unit 2f and then transmits it. This eliminates the need for real-time processing, allowing the use of circuits and components that consume less power, although the processing speed is slower. Furthermore, the first system is the circuit that consumes the most current, so the first system's communication circuit is kept off at all times. By switching on the first system's communication circuit only when it receives instruction information from the portable device via the second system's communication circuit, power consumption can be reduced, battery life can be extended, and miniaturization can be achieved by using a small-capacity battery.

[0054] Although the above embodiment was described based on the bidirectional communication of the second embodiment, it may also be applied to the first embodiment. In this case, since the content received from the in-vehicle device 1 is not transmitted to the portable device 3, the process of temporarily storing such content in the storage unit 2f for transmission and the associated transmission process to the portable device 3 are eliminated. The other configurations and effects are the same as in the above embodiment, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0055] [Mobile device directly controls the in-vehicle unit] (Fourth embodiment) As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, based on the configurations of the embodiments described above, a second wireless communication circuit 1c for the in-vehicle device 1 is installed. A function is provided that allows the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable device 3 to communicate directly using the second communication system.

[0056] The control unit 3a of the portable device 3 detects an operation on the operation unit 3d, and if it is an operation on the "start button" or "stop button," it attempts to connect with the in-vehicle device 1 using the second wireless communication circuit 3b. If the portable device 3 and the in-vehicle device 1 are within range of direct communication via the second communication circuit, the connection is established, and a predetermined operation command (start / stop, etc.) is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1.

[0057] When the in-vehicle device 1 receives an operation command via the second wireless communication circuit 1c, it executes the processing corresponding to the received operation command. The control unit 1a also transmits information such as the execution result (success / failure, etc.) and answerbacks to the portable device 3 via the second wireless communication circuit 1c using the second communication system.

[0058] When the control unit 3a of the portable device 3 receives information from the in-vehicle device 1, it outputs content corresponding to the received information to, for example, the display unit 3c. The output to the display unit 3c may be, for example, the same as in the second embodiment described above.

[0059] On the other hand, if the control unit 3a of the portable device 3 cannot establish a connection with the in-vehicle device 1 via the second communication system, it attempts to establish a connection with the remote controller 2. If a connection is established, it performs predetermined processing, such as sending corresponding execution commands (e.g., start command, stop command, etc.) to the remote controller 2, as in the embodiments described above. As a result, if the portable device 3 and the in-vehicle device 1 are not within range of direct communication via the second communication system, the portable device 3 controls the remote controller 2 and controls the in-vehicle device 1 via the remote controller 2.

[0060] In this embodiment, control of the in-vehicle device 1 can be performed using a first communication channel from the remote controller 2, or using a second communication channel from the portable device 3, when viewed from the perspective of the in-vehicle device 1. Furthermore, when viewed from the perspective of the portable device 3, there are two modes: one in which the remote controller 2 is controlled and the in-vehicle device 1 is controlled via the remote controller 2, as in the embodiments described above, and another in which the in-vehicle device 1 is controlled directly. Furthermore, when viewed from the perspective of the remote controller 2, there is a mode in which the in-vehicle device 1 is controlled according to instructions from its own operation unit 2d, and a function in which the in-vehicle device 1 is controlled in response to the reception of execution commands from the portable device 3. In this way, by having various modes, the in-vehicle device 1 can be controlled using the appropriate mode depending on the situation.

[0061] Furthermore, when the portable device 3 and the in-vehicle device 1 are within range of direct communication via the second communication system, the first communication system is not activated, and the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable device 3 communicate directly, thus avoiding control by the remote controller 2. This is preferable because it reduces battery consumption of the remote controller 2, avoids the emission of unnecessary radio waves, and allows for faster communication and response speeds. Note that the other configurations and effects are the same as those of the embodiments described above, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0062] [Notification of operation details to the mobile device] (Fifth embodiment) When the control unit 2a of the remote controller 2 transmits an operation command to the in-vehicle device 1 using the first wireless communication circuit 2b based on a button operation on the operation unit 2d, it transmits the transmitted content and the corresponding received content such as an answer back from the in-vehicle device 1 to the portable device 3 via the second circuit. This allows the portable device 3 to confirm the content and perform the next operation from the portable device 3.

[0063] In this embodiment, the communication content between the remote controller 2 and the in-vehicle device 1 is also sent to the portable device 3 and displayed on the display unit 3c of the portable device 3. This eliminates the need for the remote controller 2 to have a display function, or if it does, it can be made simpler and smaller, thus enabling miniaturization and cost reduction of the remote controller 2. Furthermore, even if the remote controller 2 is immediately put away in a bag or pocket after operation, information sent from the in-vehicle device 1, such as answer-back messages, can be checked on the portable device 3, and subsequent operations can be performed on the portable device 3, which is advantageous.

[0064] For example, as mentioned above, the user can more easily perform operations to send operation commands to the in-vehicle device 1 using the remote controller 2. On the other hand, in the case of an engine starter, for example, there is a time lag between sending the operation command and the engine actually starting (for example, several tens of seconds). Therefore, for example, when remotely starting the engine before leaving in the morning, if the user wants to give instructions easily and has the remote controller 2 on hand, they will use it to perform the operation. However, it is cumbersome to carry the remote controller 2 around and wait for a certain period of time afterward. Therefore, as in this embodiment, after inputting operation commands with the remote controller 2, the user can carry the portable device 3 and check the execution results etc. with the portable device 3, which is convenient. Carrying the portable device 3 is something that is done regularly, so it is convenient for the user as it is done without any discomfort or inconvenience. Furthermore, the display area of ​​the display unit 3c is large and easy to read, so it is convenient to check, for example, the contents of the operation commands made with the remote controller 2 or the contents sent from the in-vehicle device 1. Furthermore, if, for example, the content of an operation command is checked and it is found to be an unexpected operation, it is possible to perform predetermined processing such as canceling the operation command by operating the portable device 3 without taking out the remote controller 2, which is advantageous.

[0065] [Function Switching] (Sixth Embodiment) In this embodiment, the functions of the remote controller 2 and the system are switched according to the state and condition of the vehicle. The state and condition of the vehicle is, for example, whether or not the vehicle is in a state or condition in which it cannot perform its original function of driving. A state or condition in which the vehicle can perform its original function is when it is actually driving, or when it is stopped at a speed of 0 km / h but can be driven by driving operations such as operating the accelerator or brake or changing the shift position. The state and condition of the vehicle can also be said to be whether or not the onboard equipment 1 is in a state or condition in which it can perform its original function, such as the engine starter function shown in each embodiment described above. For example, when the vehicle is parked, it is in a state or condition in which it cannot perform its original function of driving.

[0066] The above determination of the vehicle's state and condition is best made by turning the vehicle's engine key ON / OFF. When the vehicle's engine key is OFF, as shown in the embodiment described above, the remote controller 2 controls the in-vehicle equipment 1 using either the first system only or the second system combined with the remote controller. This activates the engine starter function, starting and stopping the engine.

[0067] On the other hand, when the engine key is ON, vehicle information and vehicle driving information are transmitted to the portable device 3 and remote controller 2 via the second communication system, and the portable device 3 and remote controller 2 display or store the information sent from the in-vehicle device 1. Note that "engine key ON" means, for example, that the ACC or IG (ignition) is ON.

[0068] When transmitting vehicle information and vehicle driving information, it is preferable to use the second communication system. For example, the low-power radio used as the first system has limitations on the content and amount of information that can be transmitted, has a slow communication speed, and consumes a lot of power, making it unsuitable for sequentially transmitting vehicle information. Therefore, BLE, used as the second communication system, is preferable because it has a fast communication speed, can transmit large amounts of information, and consumes little power. The device for performing the relevant processing is as follows.

[0069] In this embodiment, for example, when the engine key is OFF, the in-vehicle device 1 operates as a basic function such as an engine starter, and the remote controller 2 and portable device 3 control it. In such situations, the device operates in the same manner as in the embodiments described above, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0070] Furthermore, for example, when the engine key is ON, the in-vehicle device 1 does not operate as a basic function but as a secondary function, and the configuration for this is based on a device in which the in-vehicle device 1 is also equipped with a second wireless communication circuit 1c, as shown in Figure 4. Then, communication with at least one of the remote controller 2 or the portable device 3 is possible via the second wireless communication circuit 1c.

[0071] Furthermore, the in-vehicle device 1 is equipped with a function to acquire vehicle information, etc. Vehicle information includes, for example, engine speed information, fuel consumption information, and driving operation information, which are historical data while driving. Driving information includes, for example, historical data of images and sounds (video and audio recordings) while driving, driving trajectory information, driving speed information, and information such as impact, vibration, and acceleration.

[0072] Upon recognizing that the engine key is ON or similar, the in-vehicle device 1 acquires vehicle information at an appropriate time using its function for acquiring vehicle information. The control unit 1a transmits the acquired vehicle information to, for example, the remote controller 2 using a second communication system.

[0073] The remote controller 2 is equipped with a storage unit 2f. In relation to this embodiment, this storage unit 2f stores vehicle information and the like sent from the in-vehicle device 1. The control unit 2a stores the vehicle information and the like received via the second wireless communication circuit 2c in the storage unit 2f. For example, some drive recorders and other in-vehicle devices have a function to acquire and store vehicle information and the like. In such in-vehicle devices, if the stored vehicle information and the like is to be taken outside the vehicle and checked or analyzed on an external computer, a removable recording medium such as a memory card is attached to the in-vehicle device, and the vehicle information and the like is recorded on the memory card. The user then needs to remove the memory card from the in-vehicle device when getting out of the vehicle and take the memory card with them when getting out of the vehicle. However, the process of removing the memory card when getting out of the vehicle is cumbersome and easy to forget, carrying a small memory card is troublesome, and there is a risk of losing it, and it is difficult to find if it is left behind.

[0074] On the other hand, the remote controller 2 is almost certainly taken outside the vehicle when the user gets out of the vehicle. Therefore, in this embodiment, since the vehicle information acquired by the in-vehicle device 1 is stored in the remote controller 2, there is no need to remove the memory card or the like from the in-vehicle device when getting out of the vehicle, and no special work is required to take it outside, so there is no risk of forgetting to take it with you, and it can be reliably taken outside, and since the remote controller 2 is of a suitable size, there is no risk of losing it, which is a good thing.

[0075] The memory unit 2f can be internal memory or a memory card. Since the memory card is removable, for example, the remote controller 2 can be taken to a computer, where the memory card can be removed and inserted into the computer to read the stored information. Alternatively, in the case of internal memory, the stored information can be transmitted to the computer using a second wireless communication circuit 2c via BLE.

[0076] Alternatively, instead of storing the information in the remote controller 2 as described above, the portable device 3 may be equipped with a storage unit 3e, and vehicle information and other data may be stored in this storage unit 3e. If the portable device 3 is a smartphone or the like, it has internal memory as standard equipment, and some also have removable storage means such as memory cards, so these can be used.

[0077] In this case, the remote controller 2, for example as in the second embodiment, receives vehicle information etc. sent from the in-vehicle device 1 and transmits the received vehicle information etc. to the portable device 3 using the second communication system. The control unit 3a of the portable device 3 then stores the vehicle information etc. sent from the remote controller 2 in the storage unit 3e. The received vehicle information etc. may also be output to the display unit 3c. In this case, the remote controller 2 does not necessarily have to have a storage unit 2f. That is, if the information is transferred in real time on the spot as in the second embodiment, the storage unit 2f may be omitted. Also, if the system has a function to temporarily store and transfer information as in the third embodiment, the control unit 2a may temporarily store the received vehicle information etc. in the storage unit 2f and send the temporarily stored information to the portable device 3 at an appropriate timing.

[0078] Furthermore, the recipient of vehicle information and other data from the in-vehicle device 1 may be the mobile device 3, and the vehicle information and other data may be transmitted directly from the in-vehicle device 1 to the mobile device 3. In this case, the processing by the remote controller 2 as an intermediary is unnecessary, power saving is achieved, and the remote controller 2 does not need to store and retain vehicle information and other data. Therefore, in relation to this embodiment, a configuration without a storage unit 2f can be adopted, or if one is provided, the memory capacity can be reduced, which is preferable. In addition, since the information emitted by the in-vehicle device 1 is transmitted directly to the mobile device 3 without going through the remote controller 2, the communication load is reduced, which is preferable.

[0079] Since users typically take their portable device 3 with them when they get out of the vehicle, there is no need to remove memory cards or other items from the in-vehicle equipment when getting out, as with the remote controller 2. No special procedures are required to take the device outside, so there is no risk of forgetting to take it with them, and it can be reliably taken outside, thus providing similar benefits. Information stored in the storage unit 3e of the portable device 3 can be retrieved in the same way as with the remote controller 2 described above.

[0080] In this configuration, the system functions as an engine starter and car security system when the vehicle is parked, and when the vehicle is in motion, the portable device 3 acquires and displays vehicle information and vehicle driving information, etc., and stores this information so that it can be checked and analyzed on a PC or other device after getting out of the vehicle.

[0081] Furthermore, as described above, when the portable device 3 receives vehicle information, the control unit 3a may store it in the storage unit 3e, or it may have a function to output it to the display unit 3c instead of, or in addition to, the aforementioned function. Displaying it on the display unit 3c is advantageous because it allows the vehicle information to be checked in real time while driving.

[0082] In this embodiment, the second wireless circuit can be reused for basic functions such as controlling the in-vehicle device 1 when the vehicle is not running (e.g., when the engine key is OFF) and for the transmission functions described above when the vehicle is running (e.g., when the engine key is ON), which also offers cost advantages.

[0083] The function of acquiring vehicle information from in-vehicle devices can be configured, for example, to connect to the vehicle's diagnostic terminal (OBDII terminal) and acquire information from the in-vehicle LAN. By connecting in-vehicle device 1 to the OBDII terminal, since the OBDII terminal is connected to the in-vehicle LAN, various vehicle information flowing through the in-vehicle LAN can be acquired. For example, depending on the vehicle model, an engine starter can obtain useful information such as interior temperature, exterior temperature, coolant temperature, engine speed, and fuel consumption during idling. In addition to displaying this information on a portable device, it is desirable to have a function that uses this information to adjust, for example, the idling time and engine speed during idling based on the interior temperature, exterior temperature, and coolant temperature. While driving, driving speed, engine speed, fuel efficiency information, fuel consumption, and much other information can be obtained, and by displaying or storing and analyzing this information while driving, it can be used to promote eco-driving and safe driving.

[0084] Vehicle driving information includes, for example, images of the vehicle's surroundings taken by an onboard camera while driving, audio information from a microphone, driving trajectory information from a positioning system, vehicle driving log information such as driving speed and acceleration, and driving state detection sensor information such as impact sensors and angular velocity sensors. The onboard device 1 is equipped with means to acquire these various types of information, or the onboard device 1 acquires the information in cooperation with other devices.

[0085] This driving information can then be stored in the portable device 3 or remote controller 2, and displayed and analyzed on the portable device 3 or a PC, etc. This allows for the confirmation and analysis of accident records to verify the cause of the accident, and for the analysis of driving conditions to be used to educate and improve drivers' safe driving skills.

[0086] [Control of the first communication circuit] (Seventh embodiment) In each of the embodiments described above, it is preferable to have a function that shuts off the first communication circuit when the vehicle's engine key is turned ON. For example, when the control unit 1a of the in-vehicle device 1 detects that the engine key has been turned ON, it shuts off the first wireless communication circuit 1b. This prevents any erroneous operation by the remote controller 2 from being accepted by the in-vehicle device 1, thus preventing adverse effects on the vehicle and radio interference. Furthermore, by shutting off the first wireless communication circuit 1b, which consumes a lot of power, it is possible to prevent battery drain in the case of battery operation. And, since communication on the first system is unnecessary when the vehicle's engine key is turned ON, there is no problem in disconnecting it.

[0087] Furthermore, if the in-vehicle device 1 is also equipped with a second wireless communication circuit 1c, it is preferable not to disconnect the second wireless communication circuit 1c, for example, but to enable communication by linking with other devices. This is because the power consumption of the second wireless communication circuit 1c is small, thus having little impact on battery depletion, and also to enable the execution of a function when this embodiment is applied to a device that has a function to start when the engine key is turned ON, as in the sixth embodiment.

[0088] Furthermore, in the case of an embodiment, such as the fourth embodiment, in which the portable device 3 has the function of directly controlling the in-vehicle device 1 using the second communication system, it is preferable to block the second wireless communication circuit 1c so that it cannot link with other devices. In this way, even if the portable device 3 is operated incorrectly, the in-vehicle device 1 will not accept it, thus preventing adverse effects on the vehicle and radio interference.

[0089] [Various setting functions using mobile devices] (Eighth embodiment) In the embodiments described above, operation commands given by operating the portable device 3 are transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 via the remote controller, causing the in-vehicle device 1 to operate according to the operation commands. In this embodiment, this function is used to enable various settings and setting changes of the in-vehicle device 1 via the portable device 3. Specifically, in each embodiment, the control unit 3a of the portable device 3 displays a predetermined setting screen (not shown) in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 3d. The control unit 3a then sends the setting information entered via the setting screen to the remote controller 2 using a second communication system. The control unit 2a of the remote controller 2 sends the received setting information to the in-vehicle device 1 using a first communication system. The control unit 1a of the in-vehicle device 1 performs various settings based on the setting information received using the first communication system.

[0090] Because the remote controller 2 needs to be miniaturized, it cannot have a large display. Therefore, when setting or changing settings of the in-vehicle device 1 using the remote controller 2, for example, the buttons for settings are small and difficult to press. In addition, because there are few such buttons and multiple functions can be assigned to a single button, it becomes necessary to operate it hierarchically, but because there is no large display, operation is difficult, and complex settings or settings with many types are difficult. As a result, users use the device in the initial state set by the manufacturer at the time of shipment, and the settings are not necessarily appropriate for the actual usage environment, resulting in the problem that the functions of the in-vehicle device 1 cannot be fully utilized. This problem is particularly noticeable when it is desirable to frequently change settings or make detailed settings depending on the situation. On the other hand, smartphones and the like used for portable devices 3 have large displays and touch panels, making them easy to operate, so complex settings and settings with many types are easy to perform, thus solving the above problems and making them preferable.

[0091] Such settings, such as adjusting the idling time or engine speed during idling based on the vehicle's ambient temperature or coolant temperature, are difficult to configure with a small remote control. Therefore, in existing systems, a separate, specialized computer or similar device is required for installation by a professional installer to configure the in-vehicle device 1, resulting in the problem that users cannot easily configure or change these settings, making them impractical. This embodiment allows for easy configuration using a portable device 3 such as a smartphone or tablet PC. Furthermore, since the settings can be configured by operating the portable device 3, the configuration information is sent to the in-vehicle device 1 via the remote controller 2 and configured, allowing for configuration and changes to the in-vehicle device 1 even from a location away from the vehicle, such as inside the house.

[0092] For example, in car security systems, the sensitivity and activation status of each sensor can be finely adjusted to suit the vehicle and parking environment. For instance, when parking in a home garage, it's best to set the sensitivity high and activate a large number and variety of sensors, as it's unlikely that a third party would approach the parked vehicle. This ensures reliable and early detection of any potential vandalism or theft, triggering an alarm to deter the third party and notify the user. On the other hand, when parking in a city parking lot, drivers of adjacent vehicles may approach the user's vehicle to get into their own, and ordinary people may pass by on the road near the parking lot. Therefore, it's best to set the sensitivity and functionality low to avoid false detections and alarms.

[0093] Furthermore, many portable devices 3, such as smartphones, are equipped with functions to detect the current location, such as GPS receivers. In this case, for example, the user can register their home location, and the GPS receiver can determine whether the current location is at or near home. If it is at home, high-sensitivity and high-performance settings can be applied, while if it is not at home, settings can be adjusted to operate at low sensitivity, suitable for urban environments, with fewer sensors and types. By making the sensitivity settings and changes appropriate based on the current location in this way, users can easily make appropriate settings without special knowledge. When changing such settings, for example, when operating the arm of a car security system based on the operation of the portable device 3, it is good to send setting information based on the current location at an appropriate time. In this way, the user can change the settings to an appropriate level for the location simply by operating the arm using the portable device 3. Alternatively, instead of linking it to the arm operation in this way, it would be better to make the settings based on the current location triggered by touching a button provided on the display unit 3c for setting based on the current location.

[0094] [Operation control of in-vehicle equipment] (Ninth embodiment) In the embodiments described above, operation commands given by operating the portable device 3 are transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 via a remote controller, causing the in-vehicle device 1 to operate according to the operation commands. This embodiment utilizes this function and includes a function to pre-book and change the operation of the in-vehicle device 1 using the portable device 3.

[0095] If the in-vehicle device 1 is an engine starter, it has a function to reserve the time for the mobile device 3 to output an engine start command, and furthermore, this reservation can be changed according to the day of the week, etc. For example, it has a timer reservation function that can be set to "start the engine at 7am every day" or "start the engine at 7am every Monday to Friday, but not on Saturday and Sunday". When setting such a reservation, the large display screen or touch panel of the mobile device 3 can be used to easily set whether or not to start the engine on each day of the week and the start time. Furthermore, it is easy to set different times each day by displaying a calendar, and to set days to operate and days not to operate, etc. Furthermore, various additional functions can be added, such as sounding an alarm a certain time before the set time or displaying the remaining time until the set time. In addition, it is easy to change the set time once it has been set.

[0096] Furthermore, examples of its use in car security include not arming the security system when parked, but arming it only between predetermined times. Alternatively, after arming when parked, the alarm mode could be changed between predetermined times. For example, if parked in a location with a lot of foot and vehicle traffic until a predetermined time, the system could be set to not arm until that time, or to arm in a weak alarm mode, and then switch to arming or a strong alarm mode only during nighttime hours. Alternatively, to avoid disturbing neighbors during nighttime hours, the vehicle's alarm could not be activated, and only a notification could be sent to the remote controller 2. Based on these settings, the control unit 3a sends an arming or disarming command at the predetermined time.

[0097] Performing the various settings described above with a small-screen remote control is difficult and impractical, but it can be easily done with a smartphone or other portable device with three screens. Furthermore, since settings can be made by operating the portable device 3, the setting information is sent to the in-vehicle device 1 via the remote controller 2 and set, so that settings and settings of the in-vehicle device 1 can be made or changed even when away from the vehicle, such as at home.

[0098] [Variations of in-vehicle device functions] In the various embodiments described above, the focus has been on examples in which the in-vehicle device 1 is used as an engine starter, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various forms of use are possible. For example, in vehicles that operate based on a drive source other than an engine, such as electric vehicles driven by a motor, the in-vehicle device 1 may be a device that controls the ON / OFF of the power supply to the motor, or otherwise controls the start / stop operation of the vehicle's drive source.

[0099] Furthermore, the control systems described above, such as those for the drive source, are not limited to those that primarily function when or before getting into the vehicle; they may also function when getting out of the vehicle, while parked, etc. An example of such in-vehicle equipment that functions when getting out of the vehicle or while parked is a car security system.

[0100] For example, since portable devices 3 such as smartphones are often carried in a state where they can be easily taken out, it is preferable that the remote controller 2 can be kept in a bag or pocket while the arm / disarm command is given to the in-vehicle device 1 by operating the portable device 3. When getting in and out of the vehicle, the user carries the remote controller 2, but it is often kept in a bag or pocket. Due to the demand for miniaturization, the dimensions and shape of the remote controller 2 tend to be small, and there is a problem that it is difficult to find and take out when it is stored in a bag. Furthermore, if the portable device 3 is a smartphone or the like, such a portable device 3 is relatively easy to take out even if it is being held in the hand or stored in a bag, etc. Furthermore, in situations where there is a high tendency to walk with the portable device 3 in one's hand, there is also the problem that it is cumbersome to take out the remote controller 2 while holding the portable device 3 in one's hand and operate the remote controller 2. Therefore, as in this embodiment, enabling the input of commands via the portable device 3 solves the above problems and is convenient.

[0101] On the other hand, by making the car security system armed, it is possible to link it with the door lock, etc., so that no special operation using a portable device 3 is required when getting out of the vehicle. However, if the car security sensor detects an abnormality while armed and sounds an alarm or notifies the remote controller 2, it is necessary to stop the alarm or confirm the notification using the remote controller 2. Therefore, with conventional car security systems, the remote controller 2 must always be kept close at hand, which remains an inconvenient issue. In contrast, with this embodiment, for example, the remote controller 2 can be kept in a bag or pocket, and can be operated and checked using a portable device 3 such as a smartphone or wearable device that is always close at hand and easily accessible, making it convenient.

[0102] [Improvements to mobile device display functions] In the second embodiment, information from the in-vehicle device 1 is displayed on the portable device 3 via the remote controller 2. This is because the remote controller 2 cannot be equipped with a large display due to the need for miniaturization. Therefore, it is difficult to display a large amount of information from the in-vehicle device 1 on the remote controller 2 in an easily viewable manner. On the other hand, portable devices such as smartphones 3 are equipped with large displays, so they can display a large amount of information in an easily viewable manner, which is advantageous.

[0103] For example, if the system is applied to a vehicle-mounted device 1 functioning as an engine starter, the portable device 3 should not only notify the execution result sent from the vehicle-mounted device 1, such as "engine start successful," but should also display, for example, the remaining time the engine is running. For example, when the engine is started by the engine starter, the vehicle-mounted device 1 stops the engine after a set time has elapsed since the start. In such a case, if the vehicle-mounted device 1 stops, it should notify the remote controller 2 or portable device 3 of the execution result (stopped due to time elapsed), and the user can be notified by this notification. However, if the set time is a long time, for example, around 30 minutes, it becomes difficult for the user to easily grasp how much time has elapsed since the engine was started by operating the remote controller 2 or portable device 3, and how much time the engine will continue to run. Therefore, the control unit 3a of the portable device 3 should store the time set in the vehicle-mounted device 1, and when it receives notification of engine start, it should start timing from that point, calculate the remaining time until the engine stops, and have a function to notify the user of that time. Such notifications can, for example, display the remaining time numerically, or they can be displayed in an easy-to-understand form using diagrams resembling clocks or timers, or using graphics or animations like indicators. Furthermore, it is good to display the status in a way that makes it easy to understand as the remaining time decreases. An easy-to-understand display method would be, for example, changing the display color, making it blink, or changing the display size of diagrams or icons. When changing the size, it is good to make the entire diagram or icon smaller or a part of it so that it is intuitively understood that the remaining time is running out.

[0104] For example, in car security systems, when a sensor installed in the vehicle detects an anomaly, conventionally, an alarm sounds, and if there is a display, icons or text are displayed. However, because the display is small, the displayed content is small and difficult to see and understand. Therefore, when an alarm is received, the user has to go to the vehicle to check the situation, which is cumbersome, prevents immediate response, and can result in wasted trips if the alarm is false. In contrast, in this embodiment, in addition to issuing alarms and notifications, the display on the portable device 3 displays the type and degree of the detected sensor in more detail and in an easy-to-read manner. This makes it easier to confirm whether the alarm is a false alarm, what kind of damage or anomaly it is, and the extent of the damage, allowing for appropriate responses. Furthermore, the in-vehicle device 1 sends more detailed and comprehensive information, enabling the user who sees the display on the portable device 3 to quickly and appropriately understand the situation.

[0105] Furthermore, the battery capacity of the remote controller 2 is small due to miniaturization, and the display time on the display unit is short due to the limitations on current consumption. As a result, even if the vehicle's sensors or other devices detect an abnormality and the in-vehicle device 1 notifies the remote controller 2, the time for which information about the abnormality is displayed is short (for example, only a few seconds). Therefore, there is a problem that by the time the remote controller 2 is taken out of a pocket or bag to look at it, the display may have already turned off, making it impossible to confirm the contents. In contrast, in this embodiment, by outputting an alarm notification to the display unit of the portable device 3, the notification output can be continued for a relatively long period of time, allowing the user to reliably confirm the displayed content, thus solving the problem.

[0106] Furthermore, compared to the remote controller 2, the portable device 3 is usually easier for the user to take out and view the displayed content quickly. For this reason, it is preferable to output the content of alarms and other messages sent from the in-vehicle device 1 to the display of the remote controller 2.

[0107] [Application of the third embodiment to car security] In the third embodiment, the first system is switched off at appropriate timings. However, if, for example, the in-vehicle device 1 is used for car security or the like, and the receiving circuit of the first system is kept running at all times so that it can receive an abnormality detection notification at any time, then it is preferable to operate the wireless communication circuit 2b for the first system in a power-saving mode such as intermittent operation after the above series of communications is completed. This reduces the current consumption of the remote controller 2 and extends the battery life.

[0108] [Compatibility of genuine keys with smart systems] When the engine is started using the engine starter and the vehicle is idling, it is not possible to unlock the vehicle using the smart system of the original key, which presents a problem as it is not possible to get into the vehicle directly. In order to unlock the vehicle using the smart system of the original key, the remote controller 2, which is part of the engine starter system, must first send a stop command to the in-vehicle device 1, and the in-vehicle device 1 will then process to stop the engine. After that, it is necessary to unlock the vehicle using the smart system of the original key and get into the vehicle, which presents a problem as it is an inconvenient operation. To solve this problem, this embodiment is configured as follows.

[0109] The system includes a function that detects when a user approaches the vehicle and executes a process to stop the engine. The approach should ideally be one in which the user is getting into the vehicle. For example, if a user starts the engine using the engine starter at home and then goes outside for reasons such as getting the newspaper, or if they happen to pass through a room or corridor adjacent to the parking lot while moving around indoors, they may come close to the vehicle. However, in such cases, the user is not getting into the vehicle, so it is not appropriate to stop the engine based on this. Therefore, in this embodiment, the system is configured to stop the engine when the user is close enough that there is a high probability that they will get into the vehicle. Specifically, the determination of such approach is made as follows.

[0110] For example, as in the fourth embodiment, the in-vehicle device 1 is also equipped with a second-system wireless communication circuit 1c, and a link is established between the second-system wireless communication circuit 1c and the second-system wireless communication circuit 3b of the portable device 3, providing a function for direct communication between the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable device 3. Because this direct communication function utilizes the second-system communication, which has a short communication range, if the user with the portable device 3 is relatively far from the vehicle, the portable device 3 and the in-vehicle device 1 will be outside the communication range, and therefore the engine will not be stopped.

[0111] Furthermore, since the communication range of the second communication system is about 10m, even if a user with the mobile device 3 enters the communication range with the in-vehicle device 1 and communication using the second system becomes possible, they may still be within this range even while inside the vehicle, and it cannot be said that there is a risk of them getting into the vehicle. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second communication system between the in-vehicle device 1 and the mobile device 3 is used to perform proximity detection, and if the user gets close enough to potentially get into the vehicle, the engine is stopped. This proximity detection can be performed, for example, based on the received signal strength. The engine is then stopped, for example, by using the RSSI level, and if the level exceeds a set threshold. The threshold can be, for example, a value corresponding to when the user with the mobile device 3 approaches the door, for example, when the distance between the two approaches to about 1m.

[0112] The RSSI level determination described above can be performed on either the in-vehicle device 1 or the mobile device 3. In particular, if it is integrated into the in-vehicle device 1, the engine can be stopped immediately after the determination is made on the in-vehicle device 1 side. For example, even if the threshold is exceeded when the user gets closer to the vehicle door than intended due to surrounding radio wave conditions, the engine can be stopped and the doors unlocked immediately, which is advantageous. If the RSSI level determination is performed on the mobile device 3 side, the response is to send an engine stop command when the threshold is exceeded. In this case, the in-vehicle device 1 receives the stop command and processes the engine to stop, so it has the advantage that it can use the same algorithm as the processing based on the operation of the mobile device 3 or the remote controller 2's control panel.

[0113] This embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment in that it implements the second wireless communication circuit 1c for the vehicle-mounted device 1. However, this embodiment does not necessarily presuppose the fourth embodiment, and this function can be incorporated into the configuration of various embodiments.

[0114] [Personalized combinations of mobile devices and remote controllers other than one-to-one] In the embodiments described above, one remote controller 2 is assigned to the in-vehicle device 1, and one portable device 3 is assigned to the remote controller 2. However, in the present invention, the combination of the number of devices is arbitrary, and various combinations are possible. For example, multiple portable devices 3 can be assigned to one remote controller 2. The multiple portable devices 3 and the remote controller 2 are connected by multilink. For example, the remote controller 2 can be placed in a suitable location such as a living room or entrance hall, and multiple portable devices 3 can be held by, for example, each family member. In this case, each family member holding a portable device 3 can send operation commands, which is advantageous. Furthermore, nowadays, a single user may own multiple smartphones, and may also carry different types of devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and wearable devices. By associating any of these multiple portable devices 3 with the remote controller 2, the user can operate them using the portable device 3 that is easy to take out and operate depending on the situation, which is advantageous.

[0115] In this case, for example, as in the second embodiment, when the remote controller 2 receives information sent from the in-vehicle device 1 and sends that information to the portable device 3, it is preferable to send it to multiple portable devices 3. This is advantageous because each person carrying each portable device 3 can share the information. Also, when sending the execution result based on the operation of one portable device 3 to the portable device 3, it is acceptable to send it only to the portable device 3 that performed the operation, but it is preferable to send it to multiple portable devices 3. This is advantageous because even people who did not perform the operation can understand that someone in the family has sent a predetermined operation command to the in-vehicle device 1, thus preventing them from repeating the same process or sending a command that conflicts with the process associated with the predetermined operation command.

[0116] Furthermore, if the system is equipped with a function to transmit the operation details of the remote controller 2 to the portable device 3, as in the fifth embodiment, it is preferable to send the information to multiple portable devices 3. This way, even those who did not operate the remote controller 2 can understand that someone in the family has sent a predetermined operation command to the in-vehicle device 1, thus preventing them from repeating the same process or sending a command that conflicts with the process associated with the predetermined operation command.

[0117] Alternatively, multiple remote controllers 2 can be associated with a single portable device 3, allowing the in-vehicle equipment 1 associated with each remote controller 2 to be controlled by operating the single portable device 3, or by receiving information sent from multiple in-vehicle equipment 1 on the single portable device 3. This is advantageous when owning multiple vehicles, as they can be managed centrally with a single portable device 3.

[0118] [Variations of in-vehicle equipment] The in-vehicle equipment may be implemented in a single enclosure, or it may be implemented in multiple enclosures as appropriate. When using multiple enclosures, for example, the communication circuit system including the antenna may be configured separately from the other equipment. For example, the enclosure implementing the communication circuit system including the antenna may be placed in a location that allows for easy communication with the outside, such as on the dashboard, near the windshield, or behind the rearview mirror (front of the vehicle), while the enclosure implementing the control unit 1a and other equipment and circuits may be placed in a location that is difficult to see from the outside, such as under the dashboard, or, if using OBDII, near the OBDII port. When the enclosures are separated in this way, the connection between the two may be made by wired cable or wireless communication.

[0119] [Variations in power supply for each device] In the embodiments and modifications described above, a primary battery was used to power the remote controller 2, but a secondary battery may also be used. In particular, a secondary battery is preferable when storing vehicle information, etc., in the remote controller 2. Furthermore, when using a secondary battery, it is preferable to connect the remote controller 2 to the vehicle's power system so that the secondary battery can be charged from the vehicle's power supply while the vehicle is running, etc.

[0120] The present invention may be appropriately combined with the embodiments and modifications described above, or some or all of the functions of each embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments.

[0121] While various aspects of the present invention have been described above using embodiments and modifications, it should be noted that these embodiments and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but rather to aid in understanding it. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations and manufacturing methods explicitly described in the specification, but also includes combinations of the various aspects of the present invention disclosed herein. Although the configurations for which patent protection is sought are specified in the appended claims, it should be noted that even configurations not currently specified in the claims may be claimed in the future. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0122] 1 In-vehicle equipment 1a Control Unit 1b Wireless communication circuit for the first system 1c Wireless communication circuit for second system 2 Remote controller 2a Control section 2b Wireless communication circuit for the first system 2c Wireless communication circuit for second system 2d operation section 2e News Department 2f storage section 3. Mobile devices 3a Control Unit 3b Wireless communication circuit for second system 3c Display section 3d control unit 3e storage section

Claims

1. A remote controller for wireless communication with in-vehicle equipment, It comprises a wireless communication circuit for the first system, a wireless communication circuit for the second system, and a control unit. The control unit normally keeps the first wireless communication circuit in a deactivated state, and when it receives instruction information from a portable device via the second wireless communication circuit, it activates the first wireless communication circuit to communicate wirelessly with the in-vehicle device and transmits control information based on the instruction information to the in-vehicle device. A remote controller characterized by the following features.

2. A remote controller according to claim 1, wherein the remote controller further has a function of storing vehicle information or driving information acquired from an in-vehicle device in a storage unit.

3. The remote controller according to claim 2, further comprising a function for transmitting vehicle information or driving information stored in the storage unit to a portable device via the second wireless communication circuit.

4. The remote controller according to claim 3, characterized in that the transmission is performed in response to the reception of instruction information from a portable device.

5. A remote controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wireless communication circuit for the first system performs wireless communication using low-power radio, and the wireless communication circuit for the second system performs wireless communication using Bluetooth (BLE).

6. A remote controller according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 5, characterized in that it does not transmit the content received from the in-vehicle device to the portable device and does not perform temporary storage for such transmission.

7. A remote controller according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the remote controller does not have a display function.

8. A system comprising in-vehicle equipment, portable devices, and a remote controller, The aforementioned remote controller It comprises a wireless communication circuit for the first system, a wireless communication circuit for the second system, and a control unit. The control unit normally keeps the first wireless communication circuit in a deactivated state, and when it receives instruction information from the portable device via the second wireless communication circuit, it activates the first wireless communication circuit to communicate wirelessly with the in-vehicle device and transmits control information based on the instruction information to the in-vehicle device. A system characterized by the following features.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the remote controller further has a function of storing vehicle information or driving information acquired from an in-vehicle device in a storage unit.

10. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a function for transmitting vehicle information or driving information stored in the storage unit to the portable device via the second wireless communication circuit.

11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that the transmission is performed in response to the receipt of instruction information from the portable device.

12. A system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the wireless communication circuit for the first system performs wireless communication using low-power radio, and the wireless communication circuit for the second system performs wireless communication using Blue Tooth (BLE).

13. A system according to any one of claims 8, 9, or 12, characterized in that it does not transmit the content received from the in-vehicle device to the portable device and does not perform temporary storage for such transmission.

14. A system according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the portable device is a smartphone.

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