Apparatus and method for controlling direction of electronic device

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling the direction of an electronic device, according to the present invention, comprises: a motor for adjusting a rotation angle of the electronic device; a sensor for detecting the current rotation angle of the electronic device; and a control unit for rotating the electronic device from the current rotation angle to a target rotation angle by operating the motor when the target rotation angle of the electronic device is input, and thus the electronic device is automatically rotated at the target rotation angle when a worker inputs the target rotation angle of the electronic device into a controller.

Description

Direction control device and method for electronic devices

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling the direction of an electronic device, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for controlling the direction of an electronic device based on input of a target rotation angle of the electronic device.

[0002]

[0003] The location and angle of electronic devices, such as antennas installed at mobile communication base stations and lighting equipment installed at sports stadiums, must be determined based on precise design.

[0004] For example, the installation location of the antenna is determined based on the results of network design that takes coverage and traffic into account. In addition, since the communication strength with the mobile communication terminal may vary depending on the antenna's orientation, the base station antenna is optimized to suit the radio wave environment of the site where the antenna is installed through the tilting or steering operation of the antenna to eliminate shadow areas. Here, the steering angle of the antenna is determined by considering the sector orientation angle of the horizontal component of the beam, and the tilting angle of the antenna is determined by considering the tilting angle of the vertical component of the beam.

[0005] Meanwhile, the tilt and steering angles of pre-installed antennas may need to be readjusted to accommodate changes in the wireless environment. For example, external forces such as strong winds may change the inclination of the support beam supporting the antenna, or the clamps that attach the antenna to the beam may become warped, resulting in a change in the tilt or steering angle of the antenna. In these cases, workers must either use expensive measuring instruments on-site to measure and align the direction, or climb to the high location where the antenna is installed to adjust the antenna's orientation.

[0006] In addition, even if the worker adjusts the antenna's directional direction by operating an external controller without climbing up to the location where the antenna is installed, there is a problem in that the antenna's directional direction cannot be accurately readjusted because the operator roughly estimates and adjusts the antenna's directional direction.

[0007] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0079788 (June 14, 2022) (hereinafter referred to as “prior art”) discloses a “method and system for managing the orientation of a mobile communication base station antenna,” which is a technology that allows a worker to accurately readjust the orientation of an antenna without having to climb up to the location where the antenna is installed.

[0008] The above-mentioned prior art is an antenna management system including a direction control device for controlling the direction of a mobile communication base station antenna, wherein the direction control device includes a data receiving unit that receives spatial direction information of the antenna device from a measuring device or video data capturing a foreground toward which the antenna device is directed, and a control unit that controls tilting and steering means of the antenna device so that the antenna device has a preset target spatial direction using at least one of the spatial direction information and the video data.

[0009] However, the above conventional technology had a problem of increased cost because it required multiple optical sensors to measure the orientation direction of the antenna device using the incident angle of sunlight.

[0010]

[0011] The technical problem of the present invention is to provide a device and method for controlling the direction of an electronic device, which can reduce costs by configuring the electronic device to automatically rotate to the target rotation angle when an operator inputs the target rotation angle of the electronic device into a controller.

[0012] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0013]

[0014] To achieve the above task, the direction control device of an electronic device according to the present invention comprises a motor, a sensor, and a control unit. The motor adjusts the rotation angle of the electronic device, the sensor detects the current rotation angle of the electronic device, and the control unit, when a target rotation angle of the electronic device is input, operates the motor to rotate the electronic device from the current rotation angle to the target rotation angle.

[0015] The above electronic device may be installed on a support erected on the ground and positioned upwardly from the ground. The sensor may be a photo sensor that detects the current rotation angle of the electronic device with respect to the support.

[0016] The above sensor may be an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor that detects the current rotation angle of the electronic device with respect to the ground.

[0017] The direction control device of an electronic device according to the present invention may further include a memory. The memory may store a set rotation angle of the electronic device. When a target rotation angle of the electronic device is input, the control unit may compare the target rotation angle with the set rotation angle before operating the motor, check whether the target rotation angle is within an allowable range of the set rotation angle, and operate the motor if the target rotation angle is within an allowable range of the set rotation angle.

[0018] The control unit may, when a target rotation angle of the electronic device is input, determine, before operating the motor, to rotate the rotation axis of the motor in one direction if the target rotation angle is greater than the current rotation angle, and to rotate the rotation axis of the motor in the other direction if the target rotation angle is less than the current rotation angle.

[0019] The control unit may operate the motor at maximum speed when the difference between the current rotation angle and the target rotation angle is greater than or equal to a set angle when operating the motor. The control unit may operate the motor at a speed slower than the maximum speed when the difference between the current rotation angle and the target rotation angle is less than the set angle when operating the motor.

[0020] The control unit can store the current rotation angle as the set rotation angle in the memory if the rotation shaft of the motor stops rotating before the current rotation angle becomes the target rotation angle after operating the motor.

[0021] The control unit can stop the motor after operating the motor and store the current rotation angle as the set rotation angle in the memory when the current rotation angle becomes the target rotation angle.

[0022] In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling the direction of an electronic device according to the present invention controls the direction of the electronic device by operating a motor that adjusts the rotation angle of the electronic device. The method for controlling the direction of an electronic device according to the present invention comprises a detection step and a motor operation step. In the detection step, a sensor detects the current rotation angle of the electronic device. In the motor operation step, when a target rotation angle of the electronic device is input, the motor is operated to rotate the electronic device from the current rotation angle to the target rotation angle.

[0023] A validity check step may be performed prior to the above motor operation step. In the validity check step, when a target rotation angle of the electronic device is input, the target rotation angle may be compared with a set rotation angle of the electronic device stored in a memory to check whether the target rotation angle is within an allowable range of the set rotation angle. The motor operation step may be performed if the target rotation angle is within an allowable range of the set rotation angle in the validity check step.

[0024] Before the motor operation step, a rotation direction determination step may be performed. In the rotation direction determination step, when a target rotation angle of the electronic device is input, the rotation direction of the electronic device may be determined by comparing the target rotation angle with the current rotation angle. In the rotation direction determination step, if the target rotation angle is greater than the current rotation angle, the rotation axis of the motor may be determined to rotate in one direction. In the rotation direction determination step, if the target rotation angle is less than the current rotation angle, the rotation axis of the motor may be determined to rotate in the other direction.

[0025] The above motor operation step may comprise a motor speed control step. In the motor speed control step, the operating speed of the motor may be controlled by comparing the difference between the current rotation angle and the target rotation angle with a set angle. In the motor speed control step, if the difference between the current rotation angle and the target rotation angle is greater than or equal to the set angle, the motor may be operated at the maximum speed. In the motor speed control step, if the difference between the current rotation angle and the target rotation angle is less than the set angle, the motor may be operated at a speed slower than the maximum speed.

[0026] After the above motor operation step, a motor abnormality processing step may be performed. In the motor abnormality processing step, if the rotational axis of the motor stops rotating before the electronic device rotates to the target rotation angle, the current rotation angle may be stored in the memory as the set rotation angle.

[0027] After the above motor operation step, a motor stop step may be performed. In the motor stop step, if the electronic device has rotated to the target rotation angle, the motor may be stopped. In the motor stop step, if the electronic device has rotated to the target rotation angle, the current rotation angle may be stored in the memory as the set rotation angle.

[0028] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0029]

[0030] According to the direction control device and method of an electronic device according to the present invention, when an operator inputs a target rotation angle of the electronic device into the controller, the electronic device automatically rotates to the target rotation angle.

[0031] In addition, according to the direction control device and method of an electronic device according to the present invention, when the rotation angle of the electronic device set using a photo sensor is lost, there is also an effect of being able to control the direction of the electronic device using an acceleration sensor or gyro sensor that is cheaper than the photo sensor.

[0032] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0033]

[0034] FIG. 1 is a side view showing an antenna device including a direction control device of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 is a drawing showing a state in which the tilting drive unit illustrated in Figure 1 tilts the antenna.

[0036] Figure 3 is a drawing showing another embodiment of Figure 1;

[0037] Figure 4 is a control block diagram showing an antenna direction control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 5 is a flowchart according to an antenna direction control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figures 6 to 8 are specific flowcharts of a first embodiment of a method using an acceleration sensor in an antenna direction control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figures 9 to 11 are specific flowcharts of a second embodiment of a method using an acceleration sensor in an antenna direction control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figures 12 and 13 are specific flowcharts according to a method using a photo sensor in an antenna direction control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042]

[0043] <Explanation of symbols>

[0044] 100: Landlord 200: Electronic Device

[0045] 450: Motor 472: Sensor

[0046] 473: Control unit 474: Memory

[0047]

[0048] Hereinafter, a direction control device and a direction control method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings.

[0049] However, electronic devices may include antennas and lighting devices, and may also include any electronic device capable of controlling direction. In the following description, the term "electronic device" will be described using an antenna as an example, and the term "antenna" may refer to an electronic device.

[0050] Hereinafter, in the description, 'tilting' means 'rotation in the up-and-down direction based on a horizontally arranged center of rotation', and the tilting operation may mean adjusting the up-and-down rotation angle of the antenna. In addition, 'steering' means 'rotation in the left-and-right direction based on a vertically arranged center of rotation', and the steering operation may mean adjusting the left-and-right rotation angle of the antenna.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a side view showing an antenna device including a direction control device of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a state in which the tilting drive unit shown in FIG. 1 tilts the antenna unit.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an antenna device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a support pole (100), an antenna (200), a lower link unit (300), and a tilting drive unit (400).

[0053] However, if the vertical length of the antenna (200) is formed shorter than in the present embodiment, the lower link unit (300) may not be provided.

[0054] That is, when the vertical length of the antenna (200) is formed relatively long, a lower link unit (300) and a tilting drive unit (400) are provided, so that the tilting drive unit (400) couples the upper part of the antenna (200) to the support (100), and the lower link unit (300) couples the lower part of the antenna (200) to the support (100), thereby enabling the antenna (200) to be firmly coupled to the support (100) against external forces such as wind.

[0055] And, when the vertical length of the antenna (200) is formed relatively short, the lower link unit (300) is not provided and only the tilting drive unit (400) is provided, so that the tilting drive unit (400) can couple the antenna (200) to the support (100).

[0056] The support (100) can be installed by being erected on the ground (5). The support (100) can be installed by being erected vertically on the ground (5). The support (100) can be formed in the shape of a long bar extending vertically. The support (100) can be formed in the shape of a bar having a circular cross-section. The support (100) can support the components of the antenna device according to the embodiment of the present invention, excluding itself.

[0057] The antenna (200) may be installed on a support (200) and positioned upwardly from the ground (5). The antenna (200) may be formed in an approximately rectangular shape. A substrate having an antenna element mounted thereon may be installed inside the antenna (200).

[0058] The lower link unit (300) can rotatably connect the lower portion of the antenna (200) to the support (100) in the vertical direction. The lower link unit (300) is positioned below the tilting drive unit (400) and can rotatably connect the antenna (200) to the support in the vertical direction.

[0059] The lower link unit (300) may include a first bracket coupled to the support (100) and positioned in front of the support (100), a second bracket coupled to the rear of the antenna (200) and positioned in the rear of the antenna (200), and a rotation axis that is horizontally arranged to extend left and right and rotatably couples the first bracket and the second bracket.

[0060] The tilting drive unit (400) can couple the antenna (200) to the support (100). The tilting drive unit (400) can tilt the antenna (200). The tilting drive unit (400) can couple the upper part of the antenna (200) to the support (100). The tilting drive unit (400) can tilt the upper part of the antenna (200) by rotating it around the rotation center of the lower link unit (300).

[0061] That is, the tilting drive unit (400) may be a direction control device of the antenna (200) that controls the direction of the antenna (200) by adjusting the up-and-down rotation angle of the antenna (200).

[0062] The support (100) may be positioned rearwardly from the antenna (200). The antenna (200) may be positioned forwardly from the support (100). The lower link unit (300) may be positioned downwardly from the tilting drive unit (400). The lower link unit (300) may connect between the support (100) and the antenna (200). The tilting drive unit (400) may be positioned upwardly from the lower link unit (300). The tilting drive unit (400) may connect between the support (100) and the antenna (200).

[0063] The tilting drive unit (400) may include a plurality of tilting members (420), a screw bar (440), and a tilting motor (450).

[0064] However, in order to control the upward rotation angle of the antenna (200), the structure of the tilting drive unit (400) can be variously changed within the range including the tilting motor (450).

[0065] The two ends of each of the plurality of tilting members (420) can be rotatably connected to each other through a joint bar. The plurality of tilting members (420) can be rotatably connected to each other to form an approximately diamond shape.

[0066] The screw bar (440) can be arranged vertically. A nut member can be combined with the joint bar arranged at the lowest side among the plurality of joint bars that rotatably connect both ends of the plurality of tilting members (420), and the screw bar (440) can vertically penetrate the nut member. A screw thread can be formed on the outer surface of the screw bar (440) to engage with the screw thread formed on the inner surface of the nut member.

[0067] The tilting motor (450) can adjust the up-and-down rotation angle of the antenna (200) when driven, thereby adjusting the up-and-down direction of the antenna. The rotation axis of the tilting motor (450) can be coupled to the upper end of the screw bar (440). When the tilting motor (450) is driven, the rotation axis of the tilting motor (450) can rotate, and the screw bar (440) can rotate together with the rotation axis of the tilting motor (450). When the screw bar (440) rotates, the nut member can be moved upward or downward, and accordingly, the plurality of tilting members (420) can be rotated, thereby adjusting the up-and-down rotation angle of the antenna (200).

[0068] Meanwhile, in the above description, the direction control device of the antenna (200) only exemplifies the tilting drive unit (400) that adjusts the up-and-down rotation angle of the antenna (200), but the direction control device of the antenna (200) may also include a steering drive unit (500, see FIG. 3) that adjusts the left-right rotation angle of the antenna (200).

[0069] This will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. However, the same configuration as that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 will be given the same drawing reference numerals and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] Figure 3 is a drawing showing another embodiment of Figure 1.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 3, an antenna (200) device (2) according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a tilting drive unit (400) that adjusts the up-and-down rotation angle of the antenna (200) and a steering drive unit (500) that adjusts the left-right rotation angle of the antenna (200).

[0072] In this case, the direction control device of the antenna (200) according to another embodiment of the present invention can control at least one of the up-down rotation angle and the left-right rotation angle of the antenna (200). To this end, the antenna device (2) according to another embodiment of the present invention can include at least one of a tilting drive unit (400) and a steering drive unit (500).

[0073] The specific configuration of the steering drive unit (500) can be formed with a configuration similar to the specific configuration of the tilting drive unit (400). However, the specific structures of the tilting drive unit (400) and the steering drive unit (500) can be variously changed within the scope including the motor.

[0074] That is, the steering drive unit (500) may also include a motor for adjusting the left and right rotation angle of the antenna (200).

[0075] In other words, the antenna direction control device and method according to another embodiment of the present invention can adjust at least one of the up-down rotation angle and the left-right rotation angle of the antenna (200). That is, as a driving source for adjusting the direction of the antenna (200), at least one of a tilting motor (450) arranged in a tilting driving unit (400) and a motor arranged in a steering driving unit (500) can be included.

[0076] Hereinafter, the motor (450) may include at least one of a tilting motor (450) disposed in a tilting drive unit (400) for adjusting the up-and-down rotation angle of the antenna (200) and a steering motor disposed in a steering drive unit (500) for adjusting the left-right rotation angle of the antenna (200).

[0077] When the rotation axis of the motor (450) rotates in one direction, the antenna (200) can rotate in one direction, and when the rotation axis of the motor (450) rotates in the other direction, the antenna (200) can rotate in the other direction.

[0078] For example, if the motor (450) is configured as a tilting motor for tilting the antenna (200), when the rotation axis of the tilting motor is rotated in one direction, the antenna (200) can be rotated upward, and when the rotation axis of the tilting motor is rotated in the other direction, the antenna (200) can be rotated downward. In addition, if the motor (450) is configured as a steering motor for steering the antenna (200), when the rotation axis of the steering motor is rotated in one direction, the antenna (200) can be rotated to the left, and when the rotation axis of the steering motor is rotated in the other direction, the antenna (200) can be rotated to the right.

[0079] Fig. 4 is a control block diagram showing an antenna direction control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 4, an antenna direction control device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a controller (471), a sensor (472), a control unit (473), and a memory (EEPROM, 474).

[0081] The controller (471) may be configured to operate the motor (450) through wireless or wired communication with the control unit (473). In this embodiment, since the electronic device is an antenna (200) as an example, the controller (471) may be an AISG (Antenna Interface Standards Group) controller (471) that operates the motor (450) through wired communication with the control unit (473).

[0082] The AISG controller (471) may be configured to operate the motor (450) by being connected to the control unit (473) via a control cable. That is, the operator connects a port provided at one end of the control cable to the AISG controller (471), connects a port provided at the other end of the control cable to the control unit (473), and then inputs a target rotation angle of the antenna (200) for changing the direction of the antenna (200) into the AISG controller (471), thereby changing the direction of the antenna (200) on the ground (5) without climbing on the support (100).

[0083] The AISG controller (471) can provide a user interface for controlling the orientation of the antenna (200) by operating the motor (450), and can function as an input unit through which a target rotation angle of the antenna (200) is input to the control unit (473) by the user.

[0084] The sensor (472) may be a sensor that detects the current rotation angle of the antenna (200). When the target rotation angle is input from the AISG controller (471), the control unit (473) may operate the motor (450) to rotate the antenna (200) from the current rotation angle to the target rotation angle.

[0085] The control unit (473) and the memory (474) can be mounted on a printed circuit board provided inside at least one of the tilting drive unit (400) and the steering drive unit.

[0086] The sensor (472) may include at least one of an acceleration sensor, a three-axis gyroscope sensor (hereinafter, gyro sensor), and a photo (photo interrupter) sensor. Here, the acceleration sensor may be used when the antenna (200) is tilted, and the gyro sensor and the photo sensor may be used when the antenna (200) is operated in at least one of a tilting operation and a steering operation.

[0087] The above acceleration sensor or the above gyro sensor can detect the current rotation angle of the antenna (200) with respect to the ground (5). The control unit (473) can tilt the antenna (200) using the measured value of the acceleration sensor.

[0088] The above acceleration sensor may be a three-axis acceleration sensor having three axes (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis) that are orthogonal to each other. The three-axis acceleration sensor can measure acceleration values ​​of the three axes.

[0089] For example, when the X-axis and Y-axis of the above-described 3-axis acceleration sensor are placed parallel to the ground (5), the X-axis value and the Y-axis value can be measured as 0, and the Z-axis value can be measured as 1G (=9.8㎨). In addition, when the Y-axis and Z-axis of the above-described 3-axis acceleration sensor are placed parallel to the ground (5), the Y-axis value and the Z-axis value can be measured as 0, and the X-axis value can be measured as 1G.

[0090] The acceleration sensor can use the three axes mentioned above to measure how much the current sensor (472) is tilted with respect to the ground (5).

[0091] In the case of the above steering, since it is a horizontal rotation with respect to the ground (5), the angle between the ground (5) and the sensor (472) does not change, and therefore the value of the sensor (472) may not change. Therefore, in the case of the above steering, the gyro sensor capable of detecting horizontal rotation may be used instead of the acceleration sensor.

[0092] The above acceleration sensor is very sensitive and its measured values ​​may change even when stationary, so the measured values ​​may not be constant when the motor (450) is in operation. In such cases, the measured values ​​of the acceleration sensor can be compensated using a Kalman filter (implemented in software).

[0093] After the angles of the support (100) and antenna (200) are aligned parallel at the factory and the initial installation in the field, the angle of the acceleration sensor with respect to the ground (5) must be set to 0° to determine the offset of the acceleration sensor. After the antenna (200) is installed facing a predetermined direction, the angle of the acceleration sensor with respect to the ground (5) can be set to 0° in the memory (474).

[0094] For example, when the antenna (200) is first installed, the angle of the acceleration sensor with respect to the ground (5) can be set to 0° in the memory (474) as +2°, and in this case, the control unit (473) can determine +2° as 0° regardless of how the support (100) changes later.

[0095] The above acceleration sensor or the above gyro sensor can be installed in the motor (450).

[0096] When the operator inputs the target rotation angle of the antenna (200) into the AISG controller (471), the control unit (473) can repeat the set control logic until the difference between the current rotation angle of the antenna (200) detected by the acceleration sensor and the target rotation angle becomes within 0.5°.

[0097] The above photo sensor can detect the current rotation angle of the antenna (200) with respect to the support (100). The control unit (473) can use the measurement value of the photo sensor to operate the antenna (200) in at least one of a tilting operation and a steering operation.

[0098] The above photo sensor may include a photo interrupter. The photo interrupter may be composed of a light emitting portion (IR infrared) and a light receiving portion (Photo TR). The photo interrupter may be a device that outputs a high value when light is detected and outputs a low value when no light is detected.

[0099] The above photo interrupter can be connected to an external interrupt terminal of the control unit (473). The photo sensor has an optic encoder positioned between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and the OEC (Optical Encoder Count) can increase when the rotation axis of the motor (450) rotates.

[0100] When the motor (450) is driven, two external interrupts can be sensed for each protrusion of the encoder between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. For example, if there are 18 encoder protrusions for one rotation of the rotation axis of the motor (450), 36 OECs can be generated for one rotation of the rotation axis of the motor (450).

[0101] In order to measure the rotation angle of the rotation axis of the motor (450) when the motor (450) is driven, an optical encoder installed at the end of the rotation axis of the motor (450) can pass between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit while rotating.

[0102] The above-described port interrupter can output a low value when a blocked portion of the optical encoder passes through the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, and can output a high value when an open portion of the optical encoder passes through the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion.

[0103] The control unit (473) can use the external interrupt to calculate the OEC that increases when the output of the photosensor is a Rising Edge that changes from a low value to a high value, and a Falling Edge that changes from a high value to a low value.

[0104] The control unit (473) can calculate the current rotation angle of the antenna (200) based on the increasing number of OECs.

[0105] By configuring the OEC value for each section of the minimum control unit (e.g., 0.5°) for controlling the rotation angle of the antenna (200) as a look-up table, the user can control up to the target rotation angle of the antenna (200) desired.

[0106] Meanwhile, the above acceleration sensor is a sensor that measures movement due to the influence of gravitational acceleration, and since it measures gravitational acceleration due to the weight of the rotating antenna (200), only the tilting of the antenna (200) can be measured, and the steering of the antenna (200) cannot be measured.

[0107] Since the above acceleration sensor cannot measure the steering of the antenna (200), the gyro sensor is used to measure the steering of the antenna (200). However, since the gyro sensor is a sensor that measures the movement of the speed of the antenna (200), a measurement error range occurs due to external force (wind, external force, etc.), and if the error range accumulates, an accurate position value cannot be measured. In this case, it is preferable to set a reference for the zero point of the antenna (200) using the photo sensor.

[0108] The motor (450) may be a DC motor and may be controlled by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). The control unit (473) may control the rotational speed of the rotational shaft of the motor (450) by generating pulses with a PWM Duty Ratio of 0 to 100%. The control unit (473) may control the rotational direction and rotational speed of the rotational shaft of the motor (450) by applying a signal whose average voltage is varied by a PWM pulse to the motor (450).

[0109] The AISG controller (471) and the control unit (473) can communicate via the AISG protocol and RS485 (Recommended Standard 485) serial communication. The AISG controller (471) can control and monitor the motor (450) by sending commands to the control unit (473) and responding to them.

[0110] Figure 5 is a flowchart of an antenna direction control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the method will be described in connection with the operation of an antenna direction control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the antenna direction control method according to the embodiment of the present invention can control the direction of the antenna (200) by operating a motor (450) that adjusts the rotation angle of the antenna (200).

[0112] That is, when the operator connects the AISG controller (471) to the motor (450) via a control cable and then inputs a target rotation angle, which is an angle for rotating the antenna (200) to the target position, into the AISG controller (471), the control unit (473) can start the control logic.

[0113] An antenna direction control method according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a validity check step (S1), a detection step (S2), a rotation direction determination step (S3), a motor operation step (S4), a motor speed control step (S5), a motor abnormality processing step (S6), and a motor stop step (S7).

[0114] The validity check step (S1), the detection step (S2), the rotation direction determination step (S3), the motor operation step (S4), the motor speed control step (S5), the motor abnormality processing step (S6), and the motor stop step (S7) may be control logic performed by the control unit (473).

[0115] The validity check step (S1), the detection step (S2), the rotation direction determination step (S3), the motor operation step (S4), the motor speed control step (S5), the motor abnormality handling step (S6), and the motor stop step (S7) can be performed sequentially. However, the order of the validity check step (S1) and the detection step (S2) can be performed interchangeably, and the order of the motor speed control step (S5) and the motor abnormality handling step (S6) can also be performed interchangeably.

[0116] In the validity check step (S1), when the target rotation angle of the antenna (200) is input to the control unit (473) from the AISG controller (471), the control unit (473) can compare the target rotation angle with the set rotation angle of the antenna (200) stored in the memory (474) to check (determine) whether the target rotation angle is within the allowable range of the set rotation angle.

[0117] Here, the set rotation angle may be an angle stored in the memory (474) by the control unit (473) as the current rotation angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) when the antenna (200) was previously installed in a predetermined direction, and may be the correct angle at which the antenna (200) should be directed.

[0118] In the detection step (S2), the sensor (472) can detect the current rotation angle of the antenna (200).

[0119] In the rotation direction determination step (S3), when the target rotation angle of the antenna (200) is input, the control unit (473) can compare the target rotation angle with the current rotation angle to determine the rotation direction of the antenna (200). In the rotation direction determination step (S3), if the target rotation angle is greater than the current rotation angle, the rotation axis of the motor (450) can be determined to rotate in one direction. In the rotation direction determination step (S3), if the target rotation angle is less than the current rotation angle, the rotation axis of the motor (450) can be determined to rotate in the other direction. Here, the one direction and the other direction can be up and down or left and right.

[0120] The motor operation step (S4) can be performed when the target rotation angle is within the allowable range of the set rotation angle in the validity check step (S1).

[0121] In the motor operation step (S4), when the target rotation angle of the antenna (200) is input, the control unit (473) can operate the motor (450) to rotate the antenna (200) from the current rotation angle to the target rotation angle.

[0122] The motor speed control step (S5) may be configured in the motor operation step (S4). In the motor speed control step (S5), the control unit (473) may control the operating speed of the motor (450) by comparing the difference between the current rotation angle and the target rotation angle with a set angle. In the motor speed control step (S5), the control unit (473) may operate the motor (450) at the maximum speed if the difference between the current rotation angle and the target rotation angle is greater than the set angle. In the motor speed control step (S5), the control unit (473) may operate the motor (450) at a speed slower than the maximum speed if the difference between the current rotation angle and the target rotation angle is less than the set angle.

[0123] In the motor abnormality processing step (S6), the control unit (473) can process an abnormality of the motor (450). Here, the abnormality of the motor (450) may include a JAM in which the rotational axis of the motor (450) does not rotate even if the control unit (473) inputs a control command or power to rotate the rotational axis of the motor (450) to the motor (450). In the motor abnormality processing step (S6), if the rotational axis of the motor (450) stops rotating before the antenna (200) is rotated to the target rotation angle, the control unit (473) can store the current rotation angle as the set rotation angle in the memory (474). Through this, the control unit (473) can quickly perform subsequent control logic for adjusting the rotational angle of the antenna (200) to the target rotation angle.

[0124] In the motor stop step (S7), the control unit (473) can stop the motor (450) when the antenna (200) is rotated to the target rotation angle. In the motor stop step (S7), when the antenna (200) is rotated to the target rotation angle, the current rotation angle can be stored in the memory (474) as the set rotation angle.

[0125] Hereinafter, a method for controlling the antenna direction according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 13. However, below, the current rotation angle of the antenna (200) will be abbreviated as the current angle of the antenna (200), the target rotation angle of the antenna (200) will be abbreviated as the target angle of the antenna (200), and the set rotation angle of the antenna (200) will be abbreviated as the set angle of the antenna (200).

[0126] FIGS. 6 to 8 are specific flowcharts of a first embodiment of a method using an acceleration sensor in an antenna direction control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0127] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, in the first embodiment of the method using an acceleration sensor in the antenna direction control method according to the embodiment of the present invention, in step S111, when an operator inputs a target angle into the AISG controller (471), the control unit (473) can set the target angle and load the current angle (previously set angle) stored in the memory (EEPROM, 474) to designate the starting angle as the current angle. Here, the current angle stored in the memory (474) may be the angle that the control unit (473) stores in the memory (474) as the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) when the angle of the antenna (200) was previously correctly adjusted. That is, the control unit (473) can load the set angle of the antenna (200) previously stored in the memory (474) and designate it as the starting angle.

[0128] In step S112, the control unit (473) can determine whether the target angle is the same as the starting angle. That is, if the target angle is the same as the starting angle, the control unit (473) does not need to adjust the angle of the antenna (200), but can check for an abnormality by considering the case where the angle of the antenna (200) is off due to an external factor. For example, if the angle of the antenna (200) was previously set to 5° and the operator inputs the target angle as 5°, there is no need to adjust the angle of the antenna (200), so the control unit (473) checks the validity of whether the target angle is within the range of the set angle when the target angle is input.

[0129] As a result of the judgment in step S112, if the target angle is equal to the starting angle, the control unit (473) can measure the current angle through the sensor (472) in step S113.

[0130] At step S114, the control unit (473) can determine whether the difference between the current angle and the target angle is 1° or more. Since the acceleration sensor operates very sensitively, the detection value of the acceleration sensor may have some degree of error. Here, 1° may be an angle set in the memory (474), and may be changed to various angles and set in the memory (474) as needed.

[0131] As a result of the judgment in step S114, if the difference between the current angle and the target angle is not greater than 1°, the control unit (473) determines that the antenna (200) is not deviated from the previously installed orientation direction and can terminate the control logic system. That is, if the difference between the current angle and the target angle is not greater than 1°, the control unit (473) considers the error of the acceleration sensor and determines that the antenna (200) is at the previously adjusted correct angle and can terminate the control logic system.

[0132] In addition, if the difference between the current angle and the target angle is 1° or more as a result of the determination in step S114, the control unit (473) may determine that the antenna (200) is not at the correct angle due to external impact or wind, and may determine that the angle of the antenna (200) needs to be adjusted to the target angle. Therefore, if the difference between the current angle and the target angle is 1° or more as a result of the determination in step S114, the control unit (473) may determine whether the target angle is greater than the current angle in step S115. In addition, if the target angle is not the same as the starting angle as a result of the determination in step S112, the control unit (473) may determine whether the target angle is greater than the current angle in step S115.

[0133] As a result of the judgment in step S115, if the target angle is not greater than the current angle, in step S116, the control unit (473) may determine the rotation direction of the rotation axis of the motor (450) to be one-way, i.e., downward. Here, the downward direction may be a direction in which the rotation angle of the antenna (200) is gradually adjusted so that the front of the antenna (200) faces downward.

[0134] In addition, if the target angle is greater than the current angle as a result of the judgment in step S115, the control unit (473) may determine the rotation direction of the rotation axis of the motor (450) to be in the other direction, that is, upward (Up). Here, the upward direction may be a direction in which the rotation angle of the antenna (200) is gradually adjusted so that the front of the antenna (200) faces upward.

[0135] After determining the rotation direction of the rotation axis of the motor (450), the control unit (473) can designate the current state of the control logic system as a TASK in step S118, and can accelerate the rotation speed of the rotation axis of the motor (450) starting from 10% of the maximum speed. The control unit (473) can repeat the control logic for operating the motor (450) until the direction of the antenna (200) is adjusted to the target angle.

[0136] At step S119, the control unit (473) can check the status of the current control logic system while the control logic is repeated.

[0137] As a result of the check at step S119, if the antenna (200) is oriented to the target angle, the control unit (473) can stop the motor (450) and make the status of the control logic system FALSE to perform step S120.

[0138] At step S120, the control unit (473) can store the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) in the memory (474) and terminate the control logic system.

[0139] As a result of the check at step S119, if the antenna (200) is not oriented to the target angle, the control unit (473) can continue the operation of the motor (450) and maintain the state of the control logic system as TASK to perform step S121.

[0140] In step S121, the control unit (473) can check the state of the motor (450). Here, the state of the motor (450) may include a jam state in which the rotational axis of the motor (450) does not rotate even when a control command or power is input to the motor (450). The jam state of the motor (450) may be a case in which there is no change in the angle of the antenna (200) for a set period of time or the amount of change is below a set range. For example, if the angle of the antenna (200) remains constant for 5 seconds, the control unit (473) may determine that the motor (450) is in a jam state.

[0141] As a result of the check at step S121, if the motor (450) is in a JAM state, the control unit (473) can perform step S122.

[0142] At step S122, the control unit (473) can stop the motor (450), set the status of the control logic system to FALSE, and notify the operator that the motor (450) is in a JAM state. The control unit (473) can notify the operator that the motor (450) is in a JAM state through the AISG controller (471), and can set a JAM notification in the message to be sent to the AISG controller (471).

[0143] As a result of the check at step S121, if the motor (450) is not in a JAM state, the control unit (473) can perform step S123.

[0144] At step S123, the control unit (473) can determine whether the difference between the current angle and the target angle is 1° or more. Here, 1° may be an angle set in the memory (474), and may be changed to various angles as needed and set in the memory (474).

[0145] As a result of the judgment in step S123, if the difference between the current angle and the target angle is not more than 1°, in step S124, the control unit (473) can set the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) to be accelerated to a rotation speed of 70% of the maximum rotation speed. Here, the 70% rotation speed may be a rotation speed stored in the memory (474), and may be changed and set to various rotation speeds as needed.

[0146] In addition, if the difference between the current angle and the target angle is 1° or more as a result of the judgment in step S123, the control unit (473) can set the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) to be accelerated to a rotation speed of 100% of the maximum rotation speed in step S125. Here, the rotation speed of 100% may be a rotation speed stored in the memory (474), and may be changed and set to various rotation speeds as needed.

[0147] At step S126, the control unit (473) can determine whether the rotational speed of the rotational shaft of the motor (450) is approaching the maximum acceleration speed set at step S124 or step S125.

[0148] As a result of the judgment at step S126, if the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) is approaching the maximum acceleration speed, at step S127, the control unit (473) can change the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) to gradually decrease.

[0149] In addition, if, as a result of the judgment in step S126, the rotational speed of the rotational axis of the motor (450) is not close to the maximum acceleration speed, in step S128, the control unit (473) can measure the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472). The control unit (473) can continuously measure the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) while repeating the control logic.

[0150] At step S129, the control unit (473) can determine whether the current angle of the antenna (200) measured at step S128 has almost reached the target angle.

[0151] As a result of the judgment in step S129, if the current angle has almost reached the target angle, in step S130, the control unit (473) can designate the current state of the control logic system as FALSE, decelerate and stop the motor (450), and calculate the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) after waiting for 1 second after stopping the motor (450). Here, the reason for waiting for 1 second after stopping the motor (450) is to accurately measure the current angle of the antenna (200) after the acceleration sensor becomes somewhat stable, and the 1 second waiting time after stopping the motor (450) may be a set time stored in the memory (474) and may be changed and set in various ways as needed.

[0152] After step S130, in step S131, the control unit (473) can store the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) in the memory (474).

[0153] In addition, if the current angle has not yet reached the target angle as a result of the judgment in step S129, the control unit (473) can store the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) in the memory (474) in step S131. This is to store the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) in the memory (474) every time in order to know the current angle even when the operation of the control logic system is stopped due to a power cut or other reasons.

[0154] After step S131, the control unit (473) can return the control logic system to step S119.

[0155] FIGS. 9 to 11 are specific flowcharts of a second embodiment of a method using an acceleration sensor in an antenna direction control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0156] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, in the second embodiment of the method using an acceleration sensor in the antenna direction control method according to the embodiment of the present invention, in step S211, when an operator inputs a target angle into the AISG controller (471), the control unit (473) can set the target angle, and can load the current angle (previously set angle) stored in the memory (EEPROM, 474) and designate the starting angle as the current angle. Here, the current angle stored in the memory (474) may be the angle that the control unit (473) stores in the memory (474) as the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) when the angle of the antenna (200) was previously correctly adjusted. That is, the control unit (473) can load the set angle of the antenna (200) previously stored in the memory (474) and designate it as the starting angle.

[0157] In step S212, the control unit (473) can determine whether the starting angle is greater than the target angle. That is, if the starting angle is the same as the target angle, the control unit (473) does not need to adjust the angle of the antenna (200), but can check for an abnormality by considering the case where the angle of the antenna (200) is off due to an external factor. For example, if the angle of the antenna (200) was previously set to 5° and the operator inputs the target angle as 5°, there is no need to adjust the angle of the antenna (200), so the control unit (473) checks the validity of whether the target angle is within the range of the set angle when the target angle is input.

[0158] As a result of the judgment in step S212, if the starting angle is not greater than the target angle, the control unit (473) can determine in step S213 whether the starting angle is less than the target angle.

[0159] As a result of the judgment in step S213, if the starting angle is not smaller than the target angle, the control unit (473) can measure the current angle through the sensor (472) in step S214.

[0160] In addition, if the starting angle is smaller than the target angle as a result of the judgment in step S213, the control unit may determine the rotation direction of the rotation axis of the motor (450) to be in an upward direction in step S215. Here, the upward direction may be a direction in which the rotation angle of the antenna (200) is gradually adjusted so that the front of the antenna (200) faces upward.

[0161] In addition, if the starting angle is greater than the target angle as a result of the judgment in step S212, the control unit (473) can determine the rotation direction of the rotation axis of the motor (450) in the other direction, that is, the downward direction, in step S216. Here, the downward direction may be a direction in which the rotation angle of the antenna (200) is gradually adjusted toward the direction in which the front of the antenna (200) faces downward.

[0162] At step S217, the control unit (473) can determine whether the difference between the current angle and the target angle is 1° or more. Since the acceleration sensor operates very sensitively, the detection value of the acceleration sensor may have some degree of error. Here, 1° may be an angle set in the memory (474), and may be changed to various angles and set in the memory (474) as needed.

[0163] As a result of the judgment in step S217, if the difference between the current angle and the target angle is not greater than 1°, the control unit (473) determines that the antenna (200) is not deviated from the previously installed orientation direction and can terminate the control logic system. In addition, if the difference between the current angle and the target angle is not greater than 1°, the control unit (473) considers the error of the acceleration sensor and determines that the antenna (200) is at the previously adjusted correct angle and can terminate the control logic system.

[0164] In addition, if the difference between the current angle and the target angle is 1° or more as a result of the judgment in step S217, the control unit (473) may determine that the antenna (200) is not at the correct angle due to external impact or wind, etc., and may determine that it is necessary to adjust the angle of the antenna (200) to the target angle. Therefore, if the difference between the current angle and the target angle is 1° or more as a result of the judgment in step S217, the control unit (473) may determine whether the current angle is greater than the target angle in step S218.

[0165] As a result of the judgment in step S218, if the current angle is not greater than the target angle, in step S219, the control unit (473) can determine the rotation direction of the rotation axis of the motor (450) to be in the upward direction, which is one direction.

[0166] In addition, as a result of the judgment in step S218, if the current angle is greater than the target angle, in step S220, the control unit (473) can determine the rotation direction of the rotation axis of the motor (450) in the other direction, that is, the downward direction.

[0167] After determining the rotation direction of the rotation axis of the motor (450), the control unit (473) can designate the current state of the control logic system as a TASK in step S221, and can accelerate the rotation speed of the rotation axis of the motor (450) starting from 10% of the maximum speed. The control unit (473) can repeat the control logic for operating the motor (450) until the direction of the antenna (200) is adjusted to the target angle.

[0168] In step S222, the control unit (473) can check the status of the current control logic system while the control logic is repeated. That is, in step S222, the control unit (473) can determine whether the current status of the control logic system is TASK.

[0169] As a result of the judgment in step S222, if the current state of the control logic system is not TASK, in step S223, the control unit (473) can store the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) in the memory (474) and terminate the control logic system.

[0170] As a result of the judgment in step S222, if the current state of the control logic system is TASK, the control unit (473) can check the state of the motor (450) in step S224. Here, the state of the motor (450) may include a jam state in which the rotational axis of the motor (450) does not rotate even if a control command or power is input to the motor (450). That is, in step S224, the control unit (473) can determine whether the motor (450) is in a JAM timeout state. For example, the control unit (473) can determine that the motor (450) is in a JAM timeout state when there is no change in the angle of the antenna (200) for a set period of time or the amount of change is below a set range. If the motor (450) is in a JAM timeout state, the control unit (473) can determine that the motor (450) is in a JAM state. For example, if the angle of the antenna (200) remains the same for 5 seconds, the control unit (473) can determine that the motor (450) is in a JAM state.

[0171] If the result of the judgment in step S224 is that the motor (450) is in a JAM timeout state, in step S225, the control unit (473) can stop the motor (450), designate the status of the control logic system to FALSE, and notify the operator that the motor (450) is in a JAM state. The control unit (473) can notify the operator that the motor (450) is in a JAM state through the AISG controller (471), and can set a JAM notification in the message to be sent to the AISG controller (471).

[0172] If the result of the judgment in step S224 indicates that the motor (450) is not in a JAM timeout state, the control unit (473) can determine in step S226 whether the difference between the current angle and the target angle is 1° or more. Here, 1° may be an angle set in the memory (474), and may be changed to various angles as needed and set in the memory (474).

[0173] As a result of the judgment in step S226, if the difference between the current angle and the target angle is not more than 1°, in step S227, the control unit (473) can set the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) to be accelerated to a rotation speed of 70% of the maximum rotation speed. Here, the 70% rotation speed may be a rotation speed stored in the memory (474), and may be changed and set to various rotation speeds as needed.

[0174] In addition, if the difference between the current angle and the target angle is 1° or more as a result of the judgment in step S226, the control unit (473) can set the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) to be accelerated to a rotation speed of 100% of the maximum rotation speed in step S228. Here, the rotation speed of 100% may be a rotation speed stored in the memory (474), and may be changed and set to various rotation speeds as needed.

[0175] At step S229, the control unit (473) can determine whether the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) is less than the maximum acceleration speed set at step S227 or step S228.

[0176] As a result of the judgment in step S229, if the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) is not less than the maximum acceleration speed, in step S230, the control unit (473) can determine whether the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) is greater than the maximum acceleration speed set in step S227 or step S228.

[0177] As a result of the judgment at step S230, if the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) is greater than the maximum acceleration speed set at step S227 or step S228, the control unit (473) can change the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) to gradually decrease at step S231.

[0178] In addition, if, as a result of the judgment in step S229, the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) is less than the maximum acceleration speed, in step S232, the control unit (473) can change the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) to gradually accelerate.

[0179] At step S233, the control unit (473) can determine whether the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) is different from the maximum acceleration speed set at step S227 or step S228.

[0180] As a result of the judgment in step S233, if the rotational speed of the rotational axis of the motor (450) is different from the maximum acceleration speed set in step S227 or step S228, in step S234, the control unit (473) can measure the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472). The control unit (473) can continuously measure the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) while repeating the control logic.

[0181] In addition, if the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) is different from the maximum acceleration speed set in step S227 or step S228 as a result of the judgment in step S233, the control unit (473) can gradually change the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor (450) to decelerate in step S235.

[0182] At step S236, the control unit (473) can determine whether the starting angle is smaller than the target angle.

[0183] As a result of the judgment in step S236, if the starting angle is not smaller than the target angle, in step S237, the control unit (473) can determine whether the starting angle is greater than or equal to the target angle.

[0184] As a result of the judgment in step S237, if the starting angle is greater than or equal to the target angle, in step S238, the control unit (473) can determine whether the current angle measured in step S234 is greater than or equal to the target angle.

[0185] As a result of the judgment in step S238, if the current angle is greater than or equal to the target angle, in step S239, the control unit (473) can designate the current state of the control logic system as FALSE, decelerate and stop the motor (450), and calculate the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) after waiting for 1 second after stopping the motor (450). Here, the reason for waiting for 1 second after stopping the motor (450) is to accurately measure the current angle of the antenna (200) after the acceleration sensor becomes somewhat stable, and the 1 second waiting time after stopping the motor (450) may be a set time stored in the memory (474), and may be changed and set in various ways as needed.

[0186] As a result of the judgment in step S236, if the starting angle is smaller than the target angle, in step S240, the control unit (473) can determine whether the current angle measured in step S234 is greater than or equal to the target angle.

[0187] As a result of the judgment in step S240, if the current angle is greater than or equal to the target angle, in step S241, the control unit (473) can designate the current state of the control logic system as FALSE, decelerate and stop the motor (450), and calculate the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) after waiting for 1 second after stopping the motor (450). Here, the reason for waiting for 1 second after stopping the motor (450) is to accurately measure the current angle of the antenna (200) after the acceleration sensor becomes somewhat stable, and the 1 second waiting time after stopping the motor (450) may be a set time stored in the memory (474), and may be changed and set in various ways as needed.

[0188] Meanwhile, if the start angle is smaller than the target angle as a result of the determination in step S237, or if the current angle is smaller than the target angle as a result of the determination in step S238, or if the current angle is smaller than the target angle as a result of the determination in step S240, or if the step S239 or the step S241 is performed, the control unit (473) can store the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) in the memory (474) in step S242.

[0189] After step S242, the control unit (473) can return the control logic system to step S222.

[0190] Figures 12 and 13 are specific flowcharts according to a method using a photo sensor in an antenna direction control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0191] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in the method for controlling the antenna direction according to an embodiment of the present invention, a method using a photo sensor can, in step S311, when an operator inputs a target angle into the AISG controller (471), the control unit (473) can obtain the target angle. Here, the target angle can include at least one of an angle for tilting the antenna (200) and an angle for steering the antenna (200).

[0192] In step S312, the control unit (473) can determine whether the target angle is within the allowable range. That is, in step S312, the control unit (473) can determine whether the target angle is within the set angle range stored in the memory (474). This is because when the antenna (200) was previously properly installed, the operator must input the angle of the antenna (200) as the target angle into the AISG controller (471), but if the operator does not know the target angle, the target angle input into the AISG controller (471) may be an angle outside the allowable range. Therefore, in order to operate the control logic system only when the target angle is within the allowable range, in step S312, the control unit (473) determines whether the target angle is within the allowable range.

[0193] As a result of the judgment in step S312, if the target angle is not within the allowable range, the control unit (473) may output an error response and terminate the operation of the control logic system in step S313. That is, the control unit (473) may notify the operator through the AISG controller (471) that the target angle is not within the allowable range, and may set an error notification in the message to be sent to the AISG controller (471).

[0194] As a result of the judgment in step S312, if the target angle exists within the allowable range, in step S314, the control unit (473) can determine whether the current angle of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) and the target angle are the same. That is, the control unit (473) can check whether there is an abnormality by considering the case where the angle of the antenna (200) is off due to an external factor, although there is no need to adjust the angle of the antenna (200) if the current angle and the target angle are the same. For example, if the angle of the antenna (200) was previously set to 5° and the operator input the target angle as 5°, there is no need to adjust the angle of the antenna (200), and therefore, when the target angle is input, the control unit (473) checks the validity of whether the current angle and the target angle are the same.

[0195] As a result of the judgment in step S314, if the current angle and the target angle are the same, the control unit (473) can output an OK response and terminate the operation of the control logic system in step S315. That is, if the current angle and the target angle are the same, the control unit (473) can determine that there is no need to adjust the angle of the antenna (200), and can inform the operator through the AISG controller (471) of the need to adjust the angle of the antenna (200) with an OK response.

[0196] In addition, if the judgment result of step S314 shows that the current angle and the target angle are not the same, in step S316, the control unit (473) can extract the number of OECs (Optic Encoder Counts) for the target angle based on the current angle from the lookup table for each angle section stored in the memory (474).

[0197] In step S317, the control unit (473) can determine the control direction of the motor (450) by comparing the current angle and the target angle. That is, in step S317, the control unit (473) can determine the rotation direction of the rotation axis of the motor (450) by comparing the current angle and the target angle. In tilting control, the control direction can be a downward direction or an upward direction, and in steering control, the control direction can be a left direction or a right direction.

[0198] At step S318, the control unit (473) can turn on the motor (450). The current OEC value can be increased in an External Interrupt Service Routine (ISR) when the rotation axis of the motor (450) rotates. The motor (450) can be gradually accelerated at set time intervals using a timer. The operation of the motor (450) can be operated by PWM control. By gradually accelerating the motor (450), the inrush current can be reduced.

[0199] At step S319, the control unit (473) can determine whether the number of remaining OECs up to the target angle (Target Degree) is less than the set number set in the memory (474). Here, the set number may be the OEC set number that serves as a reference for decelerating the motor (450). For example, the control unit (473) can decelerate the rotational speed of the rotational axis of the motor (450) from the point in time when N OECs remain set in the memory (474).

[0200] If, as a result of the judgment in step S319, the number of remaining OECs up to the target angle is less than the set number, in step S320, the control unit (473) can reduce the rotational speed of the rotational axis of the motor (450). Through this, the rotational angle of the antenna (200) can be precisely adjusted.

[0201] As a result of the judgment in step S319, if the number of remaining OECs up to the target angle is not less than the set number, in step S321, the control unit (473) can determine whether JAM of the motor (450) has occurred. Here, the criterion for judging JAM occurrence of the motor (450) is to check the OEC value at every time set in the memory (474), and if the OEC does not increase above the PWM duty ratio set in the memory (474), it can be determined as JAM.

[0202] If the judgment result of step S321 is that a JAM has occurred in the motor (450), the control unit (473) can stop the motor (450) in step S322, output a motor JAM error response to the AISG controller (471), and notify the operator, and terminate the operation of the control logic system.

[0203] In addition, if the result of the judgment in step S321 is that the motor (450) does not jam, in step S323, the control unit (473) can store the current angle value of the antenna (200) detected by the sensor (472) in the inactive memory (474) for each step angle unit movement set in the memory (474). Here, the step angle can be set in the memory (474) to 0.1° to 0.5°, and can be changed and set to various step angles as needed.

[0204] At step S324, the control unit (473) can determine whether the current angle and the target angle are the same. The control unit (473) can calculate the current angle based on the increasing current OEC.

[0205] As a result of the judgment in step S324, if the current angle and the target angle are not the same, the control unit (473) can return the control logic system to step S319.

[0206] As a result of the judgment in step S324, if the current angle and the target angle are the same, in step S325, the control unit (473) determines that the target angle adjustment of the antenna (200) is complete, and can stop the motor (450), output an OK response to the AISG controller (471) to notify the operator, and terminate the operation of the control logic system.

[0207]

[0208] As described above, according to the direction control device and method of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention, when an operator inputs a target rotation angle of the electronic device (200) into the controller (471), the electronic device (200) can be automatically rotated to the target rotation angle.

[0209] In addition, according to the direction control device and method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the rotation angle of the electronic device (200) set using a photo sensor is lost, the direction of the electronic device (200) can be controlled using an acceleration sensor or gyro sensor that is cheaper than the photo sensor.

[0210]

[0211] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical concept or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims that follow rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0212]

[0213] The present invention provides a device and method for controlling the direction of an electronic device, which can reduce costs by configuring the electronic device to automatically rotate to a target rotation angle when an operator inputs the target rotation angle of the electronic device into a controller.

Claims

1. A motor that adjusts the rotation angle of an electronic device; A sensor for detecting the current rotation angle of the electronic device; and An electronic device direction control device including a control unit that operates the motor to rotate the electronic device from the current rotation angle to the target rotation angle when a target rotation angle of the electronic device is input.

2. In claim 1, The above electronic device is installed on a support erected on the ground and positioned upwardly from the ground, The above sensor is a direction control device of an electronic device which is a photo sensor that detects the current rotation angle of the electronic device with respect to the above support.

3. In claim 1, The above electronic device is installed on a support erected on the ground and positioned upwardly from the ground, The above sensor is an electronic device's direction control device that is an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor that detects the current rotation angle of the electronic device with respect to the ground.

4. In claim 1, Further comprising a memory for storing the set rotation angle of the electronic device, The control unit is an electronic device direction control device that, when a target rotation angle of the electronic device is input, compares the target rotation angle with the set rotation angle before operating the motor, checks whether the target rotation angle is within the allowable range of the set rotation angle, and operates the motor if the target rotation angle is within the allowable range of the set rotation angle.

5. In claim 1, The control unit is an electronic device direction control device that, when a target rotation angle of the electronic device is input, determines, before operating the motor, to rotate the electronic device in one direction if the target rotation angle is greater than the current rotation angle, and to rotate the electronic device in the other direction if the target rotation angle is less than the current rotation angle.

6. In claim 1, The control unit is an electronic device direction control device that operates the motor at a maximum speed when the difference between the current rotation angle and the target rotation angle is greater than a set angle when operating the motor, and operates the motor at a speed slower than the maximum speed when the difference between the current rotation angle and the target rotation angle is less than the set angle.

7. In claim 4, The above control unit is an electronic device direction control device that stores the current rotation angle as the set rotation angle in the memory when the rotation shaft of the motor stops rotating before the electronic device rotates to the target rotation angle after operating the motor.

8. In claim 4, The control unit is an electronic device direction control device that, after operating the motor, stops the motor when the electronic device rotates to the target rotation angle and stores the current rotation angle in the memory as the set rotation angle.

9. In a method for controlling the direction of an electronic device by operating a motor that adjusts the rotation angle of the electronic device, A detection step in which the sensor detects the current rotation angle of the electronic device; and A method for controlling the direction of an electronic device, comprising: a motor operation step for operating the motor to rotate the electronic device from the current rotation angle to the target rotation angle when a target rotation angle of the electronic device is input; 10. In claim 9, The above electronic device is installed on a support erected on the ground and positioned upwardly from the ground, A method for controlling the direction of an electronic device, wherein the sensor is a photo sensor that detects the current rotation angle of the electronic device with respect to the support.

11. In claim 9, The above electronic device is installed on a support erected on the ground and positioned upwardly from the ground, A method for controlling the direction of an electronic device, wherein the sensor is an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor that detects the current rotation angle of the electronic device with respect to the ground.

12. In claim 9, Before the motor operation step, if a target rotation angle of the electronic device is input, a validity check step is further included to compare the target rotation angle with the set rotation angle of the electronic device stored in the memory and check whether the target rotation angle is within the allowable range of the set rotation angle; A method for controlling the direction of an electronic device, wherein the above motor operation step is performed when the target rotation angle is within the allowable range of the set rotation angle in the above validity check step.

13. In claim 9, Before the motor operation step, if a target rotation angle of the electronic device is input, a rotation direction determination step for determining the rotation direction of the electronic device by comparing the target rotation angle with the current rotation angle is further included; A method for controlling the direction of an electronic device, wherein in the rotation direction determination step, if the target rotation angle is greater than the current rotation angle, the electronic device is determined to rotate in one direction, and if the target rotation angle is less than the current rotation angle, the electronic device is determined to rotate in the other direction.

14. In claim 9, The above motor operation step includes a motor speed control step for controlling the operation speed of the motor by comparing the difference between the current rotation angle and the target rotation angle with a set angle; A method for controlling the direction of an electronic device, wherein in the motor speed control step, if the difference between the current rotation angle and the target rotation angle is greater than or equal to the set angle, the motor is operated at the maximum speed, and if the difference between the current rotation angle and the target rotation angle is less than the set angle, the motor is operated at a speed slower than the maximum speed.

15. In claim 12, A method for controlling the direction of an electronic device, comprising: a motor abnormality processing step of storing the current rotation angle as the set rotation angle in the memory if the rotation shaft of the motor stops rotating before the electronic device is rotated to the target rotation angle after the motor operation step; 16. In claim 12, A method for controlling the direction of an electronic device, further comprising: a motor stop step of stopping the motor and storing the current rotation angle as the set rotation angle in the memory after the motor operation step, when the electronic device is rotated to the target rotation angle.

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