Digital key positioning apparatus

Abstract

According to an embodiment, provided is a digital key positioning apparatus comprising: a communication unit that is installed in a vehicle and receives a plurality of time of flight (TOF) values for UWB signals from a plurality of anchors performing UWB communication with a digital key; a data processing unit that evaluates the reliability by analyzing the plurality of received UWB signals; an operation unit that calculates distances between the plurality of anchors and the digital key by using the TOF values of the UWB signals of which the evaluated reliability is equal to or greater than a reference value; and a positioning unit that calculates location information of the digital key by using the distances.

Description

Digital key positioning device

[0001] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a digital key positioning device.

[0002] To provide LBS (Local Based Service), technologies such as GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth are being utilized, but these have the problem of difficulty in precise measurement, whereas UWB (6-8 GHz, bandwidth of 500 MHz or more) has the advantage of a wide frequency band, low-power communication, and high positioning accuracy of within tens of centimeters.

[0003] Conventional GPS and mobile communication network-based location tracking technologies have error ranges of 5 to 50 m and 50 to 200 m, respectively, and in the case of GPS, signals sent from satellites may be blocked in urban forests.

[0004] While Wi-Fi allows for low-cost location tracking, its narrow frequency band can limit channel allocation when the number of targets increases. Furthermore, mobile devices can lose connection to fixed Wi-Fi access points (APs).

[0005] Although Bluetooth allows for the deployment of multiple sensors at low cost, its high communication latency makes it unsuitable for real-time location tracking in dynamic environments.

[0006] UWB (Ultra Wide Band) is a technology that calculates the distance between communication subjects by multiplying the signal arrival time between communication subjects by the speed of light using ToF (Time of Flight) technology.

[0007] UWB is a technology that calculates the distance between communication entities by multiplying the signal arrival time between communication entities by the speed of light using ToF (Time of Flight) technology with a bandwidth of 6 to 8 GHz and 500 MHz or more.

[0008] Unlike Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, UWB uses a wide frequency band and can transmit large amounts of information at high transmission speeds with low power.

[0009] Because UWB uses only distance data acquired through ranging technology for positioning, positioning performance can degrade depending on errors in the distance data. Furthermore, the digital key holder's physical information, possession status, and surrounding environment can all affect the signal, potentially degrading performance.

[0010] The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a digital key positioning device capable of improving the accuracy of UWB ranging technology.

[0011] According to an embodiment, a digital key positioning device is provided, including a communication unit that receives a plurality of TOF (Time of Flight) values ​​for UWB signals from a plurality of anchors installed in a vehicle and performing UWB communication with a digital key; a data processing unit that analyzes the plurality of received UWB signals to evaluate reliability; a calculation unit that calculates distance values ​​between the plurality of anchors and the digital key using TOF values ​​of UWB signals whose evaluated reliability is higher than a reference value; and a positioning unit that calculates position information of the digital key using the distance values.

[0012] The above data processing unit can adjust the allowable threshold of the corresponding UWB signal according to the reliability.

[0013] The above data processing unit can evaluate the reliability according to the time axis dispersion of the UWB signal.

[0014] The above data processing unit can evaluate the reliability based on the signal strength value of the UWB signal.

[0015] The above data processing unit can evaluate the reliability according to the fluctuation value of the UWB signal.

[0016] The above data processing unit can detect the presence or absence of an object between the vehicle and the digital key based on a communication signal with the digital key.

[0017] The above data processing unit can detect the presence or absence of an object between the vehicle and the digital key depending on whether the UWB communication signal or BLE communication signal with the digital key is in a LOS (Line-of-Sight) state.

[0018] The above data processing unit can detect the presence or absence of an object between the vehicle and the digital key based on the intensity value of a UWB communication signal or BLE communication signal with the digital key.

[0019] The above data processing unit can adjust the allowable threshold of the corresponding UWB signal when the object exists between the vehicle and the digital key.

[0020] A digital key positioning device according to an embodiment can improve the accuracy of UWB ranging technology.

[0021] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a UWB system according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a communication process between multiple UWB devices.

[0023] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a UWB device according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4 illustrates a ranging process of a processor according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a digital key positioning device according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 6 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a data processing unit according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 7 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a data processing unit according to another embodiment.

[0028] Figure 8 is an operation flowchart of a digital key positioning device according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 9 is an operation flowchart of a digital key positioning device according to another embodiment.

[0030] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] However, the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited to some of the embodiments described, but can be implemented in various different forms, and within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, one or more of the components between the embodiments can be selectively combined or substituted for use.

[0032] In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted as having a meaning that can be generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, unless explicitly and specifically defined and described, and terms that are commonly used, such as terms defined in a dictionary, may be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the relevant technology.

[0033] Additionally, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are intended to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0034] In this specification, the singular may also include the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase, and when it is described as “A and / or at least one (or more) of B, C”, it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, C.

[0035] Additionally, in describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used.

[0036] These terms are intended only to distinguish one component from another, and are not intended to limit the nature, order, or sequence of the component.

[0037] And, when a component is described as being 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' to another component, it may include not only cases where the component is directly connected, coupled or connected to the other component, but also cases where the component is 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' by another component between the component and the other component.

[0038] Additionally, when described as being formed or arranged "above or below" each component, "above" or "below" includes not only cases where the two components are in direct contact with each other, but also cases where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. Furthermore, when expressed as "above" or "below", it can include the meaning of a downward direction as well as an upward direction based on one component.

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0040] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a UWB system according to an embodiment.

[0041] UWB can refer to a short-range, high-speed wireless communication technology that utilizes a wide frequency band exceeding several GHz in baseband mode, low spectral density, and short pulse widths (1 to 4 nanoseconds). UWB can also refer to the band itself in which UWB communications are applied.

[0042] The UWB device (2) according to the embodiments may include a fixed terminal or a mobile terminal implemented as a computer device, and may communicate with other devices and / or servers using a wireless or wired communication method. For example, the UWB device (2) may include a smart phone, a mobile terminal, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a PMP (portable multimedia player), a navigation device, a slate PC, a tablet PC, a desktop computer, a digital TV, a refrigerator, an artificial intelligence speaker, a wearable device, a projector, a digital key, a digital key, a smart car, a printer, an automobile console, a control device for controlling at least some functions of an automobile, and the like, but is not limited to these examples.

[0043] In the embodiment, an example will be described in which a digital key or a smartphone and a UWB device are installed in a vehicle.

[0044] The UWB device (2) according to the embodiment can perform D2D (Device-to-Device) communication. D2D communication refers to a method in which geographically close devices communicate directly without going through infrastructure such as a base station. In D2D communication, devices can communicate 1:1, 1:many, or many:many. D2D communication can use unlicensed frequency bands such as Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth. Alternatively, D2D communication can improve the frequency utilization efficiency of cellular systems by utilizing licensed frequency bands. Although D2D communication is sometimes used restrictively as a term referring to communication between objects or machine-to-machine intelligent communication, D2D communication in the present embodiment can include communication between simple devices equipped with communication functions as well as communication between various types of devices equipped with communication functions, such as smartphones or personal computers.

[0045] In an embodiment, the upper controller (1) can determine the location between a plurality of UWB devices using the ranging result value. The upper controller (1) can classify each UWB device (2) into a plurality of nodes and analyze the location of each UWB device (2) according to the distance relationship between the nodes. The upper controller (1) can set a plurality of UWB devices (2) mounted on a vehicle as anchor nodes and set a UWB device (2) mounted on a digital key as a tag node, and determine the location of each UWB device (2) according to the distance relationship between the anchor node and the tag node.

[0046] In an embodiment, one of the UWB devices (2) installed in a plurality of vehicles may be designated as a master UWB device (2), and the upper controller (1) may be configured as a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) or a body control unit (BDC, Body Domain Controller).

[0047] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a communication process between multiple UWB devices.

[0048] The first UWB device and the second UWB device can communicate through a device discovery process, a link creation process, and a data communication process.

[0049] During the device discovery process, each of the first UWB device and the second UWB device can discover other UWB devices capable of D2D communication among the UWB devices around it. Through this, each of the first UWB device and the second UWB device can determine whether to create a link for D2D communication. For example, the first UWB device can transmit a discovery signal so that the second UWB device can discover the first UWB device. In addition, the first UWB device can receive the discovery signal transmitted by the second UWB device to confirm that other electronic devices capable of D2D communication are within the D2D communication range (S201).

[0050] During the link creation process, each of the first UWB device and the second UWB device can create a link for data transmission with a UWB device to which data is to be transmitted among the UWB devices discovered during the device discovery process. For example, the first UWB device can create a link for data transmission with the second UWB device discovered during the device discovery process (S202).

[0051] During the data communication process, the first UWB device and the second UWB device can each transmit and receive data with the UWB devices that created the link during the link creation process. For example, the first UWB device can transmit and receive data with the second UWB device through the link created during the link creation process (S203).

[0052] Various embodiments of the present application relate to medium access control (MAC) based on the aforementioned D2D communication. For MAC, the distance between UWB devices must be measured. UWB ranging technology may be used to measure the distance between electronic devices.

[0053] In order to perform UWB-based ranging, the UWB initiator and responder must know each other's ID information (Mac information). The UWB initiator and responder may refer to a first UWB device and a second UWB device, respectively.

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first UWB device and the second UWB device must know each other's MAC information to enable ranging, and then initiate UWB communication. To enable ranging between the first UWB device and the second UWB device, information is exchanged by exchanging information between the devices using a communication technology other than UWB. In addition to UWB, BLE, WiFi, Zigbee, LTE, 5G, etc. can be used for ranging between the first UWB device and the second UWB device, but BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) is typically used as the main technology for mobile support.

[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first UWB device and the second UWB device can perform device discovery and link creation processes by exchanging data multiple times in a Bluetooth pairing manner.

[0056] After this, the first UWB device and the second UWB device can perform Bluetooth pairing with each other, exchange key information, and then perform ranging.

[0057] In the embodiment, ranging refers to an act of measuring the distance between a UWB device (fob) and another UWB device (anchor), and the data structure follows the IEEE802.15.4z standard, and it may take about 200 us to transmit 1 packet.

[0058] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a UWB device (10) according to an embodiment. Referring to Fig. 3, the UWB device (10) according to the embodiment performs ranging with another UWB device (20) via Ultra Wide Band (UWB), and may include a communication unit (11), at least one processor (12), and a memory (13) having a UWB ranging program built in. In addition, another UWB device (20) may also be configured to include a communication unit (21), at least one processor (22), and a memory (23) in the same manner.

[0059] In an embodiment, a UWB device (10) may function as an anchor as a UWB device installed in a vehicle, and another UWB device (20) may function as a fob as a UWB device installed in a digital key.

[0060] The communication unit (11) can perform data communication with the upper controller (1) to transmit ranging results and receive localization results from the upper controller (1). The communication unit (11) can perform data communication with the upper controller (1) via the L-CAN bus and transmit ranging results to the upper controller (1). In addition, the communication unit (11) can receive the localization results from the upper controller (1) via the L-CAN bus.

[0061] The processor (12) can perform ranging with another UWB device (20) through Ultra Wide Band (UWB) and measure the distance with another UWB device (20).

[0062] For example, when using a digital key stored in a smartphone to open and close a vehicle door, the vehicle can measure the distance between the smartphone and the vehicle using multiple UWB devices (10) (e.g., eight UWB communication modules), and then estimate the location of the smartphone based on the measurement results. When the vehicle and the smartphone come closer to each other within a predetermined distance, the vehicle can automatically open the vehicle door to increase user convenience. The vehicle and the smartphone can use multicast ranging or broadcast ranging.

[0063] Figure 4 illustrates a ranging process of a processor according to an embodiment.

[0064] Figure 4 shows the TWR (Two Way Ranging) method, including the DS (Double Sided) TWR and the SS (Single Sided) TWR.

[0065] Ranging refers to the act of measuring the distance between one fob and one anchor, and the data structure follows the IEEE802.15.4z standard, and it may take about 200us to transmit one packet.

[0066] In an embodiment, a UWB device (10) may operate as an anchor. When a UWB device (10) according to an embodiment operates as an anchor, another UWB device (20) may operate as a fob.

[0067] A slot can be defined as the time it takes for a fob or anchor to transmit (or receive) a signal once and then transmit (or receive) the next time.

[0068] First, the fob sends a poll packet and records the timestamp T0.

[0069] Next, the Anchor receives the poll packet and records T1.

[0070] Next, the anchor receives the signal and generates a response packet, which takes time T. d1 , send a response message and record T2.

[0071] Next, the fob receives the response message and records T3.

[0072] Next, the fob receives the signal and generates the final message, T d2 It takes time.

[0073] Next, the fob sends the final message and records T4, and the anchor receives the final message and records T5.

[0074] The distance value between the fob and the anchor can be calculated according to the following mathematical formula 1.

[0075]

[0076] (In Equation 1, R is the distance between the fovea and the anchor, and C is the speed of light.)

[0077] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a digital key positioning device according to an embodiment.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 5, a digital key positioning device (100) according to an embodiment may include a communication unit (110), a data processing unit (120), a calculation unit (130), a positioning unit (140), and a database (150).

[0079] The communication unit (110) can receive multiple TOF (Time of Flight) values ​​for UWB signals from multiple anchors installed in the vehicle and performing UWB communication with the digital key.

[0080] In an embodiment, the positioning device (100) may refer to one anchor among a plurality of anchors installed in a vehicle, and the anchor designated as the positioning device (100) may be a master anchor, receive a plurality of TOF (Time of Flight) values ​​for UWB signals between the digital key and a plurality of other anchors including itself, and use the same to determine the position of the digital key.

[0081] The communication unit (110) can receive multiple TOF values ​​for UWB signals from multiple anchors installed in the vehicle and performing UWB communication with the digital key.

[0082] The communication unit (110) can receive a plurality of TOF values ​​through the device search process, link creation process, and data communication process described above.

[0083] The communication unit (110) can perform data communication with a digital key, an anchor, and an external server. For example, the communication unit (110) can perform data communication using a long-distance communication technology such as Wireless LAN (WLAN), Wi-Fi, Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), IEEE 802.16, Long Term Evolution (LTE), and Wireless Mobile Broadband Service (WMBS).

[0084] Alternatively, the communication unit (110) may include Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), Zigbee, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. In addition, as a wired communication technology, data communication may be performed using short-distance communication technologies such as USB communication, Ethernet, serial communication, and optical / coaxial cables.

[0085] For example, the communication unit (110) may perform data communication with an anchor, digital key, and other devices using short-range communication technology, and may perform data communication with an external server using long-range communication technology. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various communication technologies may be used taking into consideration various factors.

[0086] The data processing unit (120) can analyze a plurality of received UWB signals to evaluate reliability. In an embodiment, reliability may mean an evaluation of data that can be used to determine the location between a digital key and a vehicle through UWB ranging. When determining the location through UWB ranging, the location performance may deteriorate depending on an error in the distance data. Such an error in the distance data may be caused by an obstacle between the vehicle and the digital key, the gripping state of the digital key, communication noise, a performance degradation of the UWB device, etc. When determining the location using a UWB signal with an error in the distance data, a location error of tens of centimeters to several meters may occur, which may cause the vehicle door to open and close at an undesirable time.

[0087] Therefore, the digital key positioning device (100) according to the embodiment can greatly improve the accuracy of positioning by filtering and selecting only data whose distance value error is within the allowable range through reliability analysis of the received UWB signals.

[0088] The data processing unit (120) can evaluate the reliability based on the time axis dispersion of the UWB signal. The data processing unit (120) can evaluate the reliability of the UWB signal received during the UWB ranging process based on whether the UWB signal was received periodically.

[0089] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the data processing unit (120) according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6 together, the data processing unit (120) can determine the reception cycle of the UWB signal for a preset period of time, determine whether a preset number or more of UWB signals have been received, and analyze the reception interval of the UWB signal to determine the time axis dispersion of the UWB signal. If a preset number or more of UWB signals have been received according to a preset reception interval for a preset period of time, the data processing unit (120) can evaluate that the reliability of the corresponding UWB signal is good. If a preset number or less of UWB signals have been received for a preset period of time or the reception interval of the preset UWB signal is outside the reception interval range, the data processing unit (120) can evaluate that the reliability of the corresponding UWB signal is not good.

[0090] In addition, the data processing unit (120) can evaluate the reliability according to the signal strength value of the UWB signal. If the signal strength value of the UWB signal received during the UWB ranging process is higher than the preset signal strength value, the data processing unit (120) can evaluate that the reliability of the corresponding UWB signal is good. If the signal strength value of the UWB signal received during the UWB ranging process is lower than the preset signal strength value, the data processing unit (120) can evaluate that the reliability of the corresponding UWB signal is not good.

[0091] In addition, the data processing unit (120) can evaluate the reliability based on the signal strength value of the BLE signal. If the signal strength value of the BLE signal received during the device search process or link creation process is higher than the preset signal strength value, the data processing unit (120) can evaluate that the reliability of the corresponding BLE signal is good. If the signal strength value of the BLE signal received during the device search process or link creation process is lower than the preset signal strength value, the data processing unit (120) can evaluate that the reliability of the corresponding BLE signal is not good.

[0092] In addition, the data processing unit (120) can evaluate the reliability according to the fluctuation value of the UWB signal. The fluctuation value of the UWB signal can mean the degree of fluctuation of a series of UWB signal intensity values ​​received. If the degree of fluctuation of the continuous UWB signal intensity values ​​received during a preset time is within a preset range, the data processing unit (120) can evaluate that the reliability of the corresponding UWB signal is good. If the degree of fluctuation of the continuous UWB signal intensity values ​​received during a preset time is outside the preset range, the data processing unit (120) can evaluate that the reliability of the corresponding UWB signal is not good.

[0093] Additionally, the data processing unit (120) can analyze a plurality of received UWB signals to detect the presence or absence of an object between the vehicle and the digital key.

[0094] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a data processing unit (120) according to another embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, the data processing unit (120) can identify whether an object exists between a digital key and a vehicle based on a communication signal with the digital key. For example, if the data processing unit (120) identifies that a UWB communication signal or a BLE communication signal with the digital key corresponds to a Line-of-Sight (LOS) state, the data processing unit (120) can identify that no object exists between the digital key and the vehicle, and if the data processing unit (120) identifies that a communication signal with the digital key corresponds to a Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) state, the data processing unit can identify that an object exists between the digital key and the vehicle.

[0095] In the embodiment, LOS (Line-of-Sight) refers to a distance visible to the naked eye that an electromagnetic wave generated from any device can reach in a straight line, and in the LOS state, there is no object between the devices, so no diffraction or reflection of the generated electromagnetic wave occurs. On the other hand, NLOS (Non-Line-of-Sight) refers to a non-visible distance where an electromagnetic wave generated from any device is blocked by an object, etc., so that diffraction or reflection of the electromagnetic wave occurs. The data processing unit (120) can identify whether diffraction or reflection of the received UWB signal or BLE signal has occurred, and based on this, can identify whether an object exists between the digital key and the vehicle.

[0096] Alternatively, the data processing unit (120) can identify whether an object exists between the digital key and the vehicle based on the intensity value of the communication signal with the digital key. If the signal intensity value of the received UWB signal or BLE is less than a preset signal intensity value, the data processing unit (120) can determine that an object exists between the digital key and the vehicle.

[0097] Alternatively, the data processing unit (120) can identify whether an object exists between the digital key and the vehicle by combining the aforementioned LOS determination result and the communication signal intensity value determination result.

[0098] Additionally, the data processing unit (120) can adjust the allowable threshold or allowable error value of the corresponding UWB signal according to reliability.

[0099] For example, the data processing unit (120) can adjust the allowable threshold or allowable error value of the corresponding UWB signal when an object exists between the vehicle and the digital key.

[0100] A first UWB device of a vehicle and a second UWB device of a digital key can perform UWB communication. The first UWB device and the second UWB device may be separated by a distance d, and an object may exist between the first UWB device and the second UWB device. In the UWB communication between the first UWB device and the second UWB device, the first signal transmission path may be a straight path, but if an object exists, the first signal transmission path between the first UWB device and the second UWB device may be incorrectly recognized as a reflected path rather than a straight path.

[0101] The first reception signal received by the first UWB device from the second UWB device through a straight path may be received quickly but have a small signal intensity value, and the second reception signals received through a reflected path may be received slowly but have a relatively large signal intensity value.

[0102] The first received signal may have a magnitude attenuated by the object. The intensity value of the first received signal may be less than a preset threshold for detecting the first signal transmission path, and thus, the first received signal may be recognized as noise.

[0103] On the other hand, the second reception signal is a signal received through the reflection path (512), and its intensity value may be greater than the threshold. The first UWB device may perform ranging with the second UWB device based on the first signal greater than the threshold, i.e., the first signal received among the second reception signals. This may result in inaccurate measurement of the distance between the first UWB device and the second UWB device.

[0104] In an embodiment, the data processing unit (120) can reset the threshold of the first signal transmission path when an object exists between the first UWB device and the second UWB device. For example, the data processing unit (120) can recognize the first reception signal received through the straight path as the first signal transmission path by reducing the threshold of the first signal transmission path when an object exists between the first UWB device and the second UWB device, and can accurately perform ranging between the first UWB device and the second UWB device.

[0105] In addition, the data processing unit (120) can perform ranging by recognizing the first signal transmission path based on the reset threshold by maintaining or increasing the threshold of the first signal transmission path when no object exists between the first UWB device and the second UWB device.

[0106] The calculation unit (130) can calculate distance values ​​between a plurality of anchors and a digital key using TOF values ​​of UWB signals whose evaluated reliability is higher than a reference value.

[0107] The operation unit (130) can calculate the location information of the digital key using only the TOF values ​​corresponding to signals with good reliability evaluation of the UWB signal or BLE signal evaluated through the data processing unit (120).

[0108] The calculation unit (130) can calculate distance values ​​between a plurality of anchors and a digital key using a plurality of TOF values ​​included in or corresponding to a UWB signal or BLE signal having a good reliability evaluation. The calculation unit (130) can calculate distance values ​​between a plurality of anchors and a digital key using the aforementioned UWB ranging technology and mathematical expression 1.

[0109] The positioning unit (140) can calculate the location information of the digital key using the distance value.

[0110] For example, the positioning unit (140) can calculate the position information of a digital key by applying triangulation technology using distance values ​​between multiple anchors and fobs.

[0111] The location information of the digital key can be transmitted to the vehicle's Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or Body Domain Controller (BDC) and used to control automatic unlocking of the vehicle.

[0112] The database (150) may include at least one storage medium among a Flash Memory Type, a Hard Disk Type, a Multimedia Card Micro Type, a memory of card type (e.g., an SD or XD memory, etc.), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM). In addition, the positioning device (100) may operate a web storage that performs a storage function of the database (150) on the Internet, or may operate in relation to the web storage.

[0113] The database (150) can store user personal information collected from an external server, a matching table, and various parameters of a learning model. Furthermore, the database (150) can store data and programs necessary for the operation of the digital key positioning device (100).

[0114] Additionally, the database (150) can store various user interfaces (UI) or graphical user interfaces (GUI).

[0115] Figure 8 is an operational flowchart of a digital key positioning device according to an embodiment. Referring to Figure 8, first, a communication unit receives a plurality of TOF values ​​for UWB signals from a plurality of anchors installed in a vehicle and performing UWB communication with a digital key (S801).

[0116] Next, the data processing unit analyzes the received plurality of UWB signals to evaluate their reliability. The data processing unit analyzes the UWB signals to evaluate their reliability based on at least one of the time domain dispersion of the UWB signals, the signal strength value of the UWB signals, and the fluctuation value of the UWB signals (S802).

[0117] Next, the calculation unit calculates distance values ​​between the plurality of anchors and the digital key using the TOF values ​​of the UWB signal whose evaluated reliability is greater than or equal to a reference value (S803).

[0118] Next, the positioning unit calculates the location information of the digital key using the distance value (S804).

[0119] Fig. 9 is an operational flowchart of a digital key positioning device according to another embodiment. Referring to Fig. 9, first, a communication unit receives a plurality of TOF values ​​for UWB signals from a plurality of anchors installed in a vehicle and performing UWB communication with the digital key (S901).

[0120] Next, the data processing unit analyzes the received plurality of UWB signals to evaluate their reliability. The data processing unit analyzes the UWB signals to evaluate their reliability based on at least one of the time domain dispersion of the UWB signals, the signal strength value of the UWB signals, and the fluctuation value of the UWB signals (S902).

[0121] Next, the data processing unit detects whether an object exists between the vehicle and the digital key based on a communication signal with the digital key. The data processing unit detects whether an object exists between the vehicle and the digital key based on at least one of whether the UWB communication signal with the digital key is in a LOS state and the intensity value of the UWB communication signal with the digital key (S903).

[0122] Next, the data processing unit adjusts the allowable threshold or allowable error value of the corresponding UWB signal when an object exists between the vehicle and the digital key (S904).

[0123] Next, the calculation unit calculates distance values ​​between the plurality of anchors and the digital key using the TOF values ​​of the UWB signal whose evaluated reliability is higher than the reference value (S905).

[0124] Next, the positioning unit calculates the location information of the digital key using the distance value (S906).

[0125] The term '~ part' used in this embodiment means a software or hardware component such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC, and the '~ part' performs certain roles. However, the '~ part' is not limited to software or hardware. The '~ part' may be configured to be on an addressable storage medium and may be configured to play one or more processors. Thus, as an example, the '~ part' includes components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functionality provided within the components and '~ parts' may be combined into a smaller number of components and '~ parts' or further separated into additional components and '~ parts'. Additionally, components and '~parts' may be implemented to regenerate one or more CPUs within a device or secure multimedia card.

[0126] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. A communication unit that receives a plurality of TOF (Time of Flight) values ​​for UWB signals from a plurality of anchors installed in a vehicle and performing UWB communication with a digital key; A data processing unit that analyzes a plurality of received UWB signals to evaluate their reliability; A calculation unit that calculates distance values ​​between the plurality of anchors and the digital key using TOF values ​​of UWB signals whose evaluated reliability is higher than a reference value; and A digital key positioning device including a positioning unit that calculates position information of the digital key using the distance value.

2. In paragraph 1, The above data processing unit is a digital key positioning device that adjusts the allowable threshold of the corresponding UWB signal according to the above reliability.

3. In paragraph 1, The above data processing unit is a digital key positioning device that evaluates the reliability according to the time axis dispersion of the UWB signal.

4. In paragraph 1, The above data processing unit is a digital key positioning device that evaluates the reliability based on the signal strength value of the UWB signal.

5. In paragraph 1, The above data processing unit is a digital key positioning device that evaluates the reliability according to the fluctuation value of the UWB signal.

6. In paragraph 1, The above data processing unit is a digital key positioning device that detects the presence or absence of an object between the vehicle and the digital key based on a communication signal with the digital key.

7. In paragraph 6, The above data processing unit is a digital key positioning device that detects the presence or absence of an object between the vehicle and the digital key depending on whether the UWB communication signal or BLE communication signal with the digital key is in a LOS (Line-of-Sight) state.

8. In paragraph 6, The above data processing unit is a digital key positioning device that detects the presence or absence of an object between the vehicle and the digital key based on the intensity value of a UWB communication signal or a BLE communication signal with the digital key.

9. In paragraph 6, The above data processing unit is a digital key positioning device that adjusts the allowable threshold of the corresponding UWB signal when the object exists between the vehicle and the digital key.

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