Digital key positioning apparatus

Abstract

According to an embodiment, provided is a digital key positioning apparatus comprising: a communication unit that receives a plurality of time of flight (TOF) values for a UWB signal from a plurality of anchors installed in a vehicle to perform UWB communication with a plurality of digital keys; a calculation unit for calculating distances between the plurality of anchors and at least one digital key among the plurality of digital keys by using the TOF values of the UWB signal generated through UWB communication with the at least one digital key; and a positioning unit that calculates position information with the at least one 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 positioning.

[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 plurality of digital keys; a calculation unit that calculates distance values ​​between the plurality of anchors and the at least one digital key using TOF values ​​of UWB signals generated through UWB communication with at least one digital key among the plurality of digital keys; and a positioning unit that calculates position information with respect to the at least one digital key using the distance values.

[0012] The above communication unit can perform UWB communication with at least one first digital key located within a predetermined distance among the plurality of digital keys, and receive a plurality of TOF (Time of Flight) values ​​for UWB signals of each of the plurality of digital keys from the plurality of anchors.

[0013] The above calculation unit calculates distance values ​​for each of the plurality of anchors and the first digital key, the positioning unit calculates location information with respect to the first digital key using the distance values, and can calculate final location information of the digital key using the calculated location information with respect to the first digital key.

[0014] The above communication unit can transmit an alarm to the first digital key regarding the presence of at least one second digital key that is outside a predetermined distance among the plurality of digital keys.

[0015] The above communication unit can perform UWB communication with at least one first digital key among the plurality of digital keys, the distance change amount of which is greater than or equal to a preset reference value, and receive a plurality of TOF (Time of Flight) values ​​for UWB signals of each of the plurality of digital keys from the plurality of anchors.

[0016] The above calculation unit calculates distance values ​​for each of the plurality of anchors and the first digital key, the positioning unit calculates location information with respect to the first digital key using the distance values, and can calculate final location information of the digital key using the calculated location information with respect to the first digital key.

[0017] The above communication unit can transmit an alarm to the first digital key regarding the presence of at least one second digital key among the plurality of digital keys, the distance change amount of which is less than a preset reference value.

[0018] The above positioning unit can calculate the final position information of the digital key by using the average value of the position information of a plurality of digital keys.

[0019] The above positioning unit can assign weights to distance values ​​according to the distance from the first digital key, and calculate an average value of the weighted distance values ​​as the final position information of the digital key.

[0020] The above positioning unit can assign weights to each distance change amount of the first digital key, and calculate an average value of the weighted distance values ​​as the final location information of the digital key.

[0021] A digital key positioning device according to an embodiment can improve the accuracy of positioning.

[0022] Additionally, the driver can immediately determine whether or not he or she is in possession of a digital key.

[0023] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a UWB system according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a communication process between multiple UWB devices.

[0025] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a UWB device according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 4 illustrates a ranging process of a processor according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a digital key positioning device according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figures 6 to 8 are drawings for explaining the operation of a positioning device according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figures 9 to 11 are operation flowcharts of a positioning device according to an 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] The positioning device according to the embodiment can perform UWB ranging using multiple fobs and multiple anchors. Accordingly, a single anchor can perform TWR with multiple fobs. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a process of performing TWR using two fobs will be described as an example.

[0068] 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.

[0069] First, Fob 1 transmits a poll packet with a timestamp T 10 Record it.

[0070] Next, the anchor receives a poll packet from the first fob and T 11 Record it.

[0071] Next, the anchor receives the signal and generates a response packet, which takes time T. d11 , and send a response message to T 12 Record it.

[0072] Next, the first fob receives the response message and T 13 Record it.

[0073] Next, the first fob receives the signal and generates the final message T d12 It takes time.

[0074] Next, the first fob sends the final message and T 14 , the anchor receives the final message and T 15 Record it.

[0075] The distance value between the first fob and the anchor can be calculated according to the following mathematical formula 1.

[0076]

[0077] (In Equation 1, R1 is the distance between the first fovea and the anchor, and C is the speed of light.)

[0078] Next, the second fob (Fob 2) sends a poll packet with a timestamp T 20 Record it.

[0079] Next, the anchor receives a poll packet from the second fob and T 21 Record it.

[0080] Next, the anchor receives the signal and generates a response packet, which takes time T. d21 , and send a response message to T 22 Record it.

[0081] Next, the second fob receives the response message and T 23 Record it.

[0082] Next, the second fob receives the signal and generates the final message, T d22 It takes time.

[0083] Next, the second fob sends the final message and T 24 , the anchor receives the final message and T 25 Record it.

[0084] The distance value between the second fob and the anchor can be calculated according to the following mathematical formula 2.

[0085]

[0086] (In Equation 2, R2 is the distance between the second fovea and the anchor, and C is the speed of light.)

[0087] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a digital key positioning device according to an embodiment.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 5, a digital key positioning device (100) according to an embodiment may include a communication unit (110), a calculation unit (120), a positioning unit (130), and a database (140).

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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).

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] Figures 6 to 8 are drawings for explaining the operation of a positioning device according to an embodiment.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 6, the communication unit (110) can perform UWB communication with a plurality of first digital keys and receive a plurality of TOF values ​​for UWB signals of each of the plurality of digital keys from a plurality of anchors. In FIG. 6, the first digital key may include a smart phone and a smart watch.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 7, the communication unit (110) may perform UWB communication with at least one first digital key located within a preset distance among a plurality of digital keys, and receive a plurality of TOF values ​​for UWB signals of each of the plurality of digital keys from a plurality of anchors. Here, the preset distance may mean a distance from a positioning device and a distance between the first digital key. That is, the communication unit (110) may identify a digital key that is close to the positioning device within a preset first distance, and recognize a digital key that is located adjacent to the identified digital key within a preset second distance as the first digital key. The communication unit (110) may perform UWB communication with the recognized first digital key, and receive a plurality of TOF values ​​for UWB signals of each of the plurality of first digital keys from a plurality of anchors based on the UWB communication result. The positioning device according to the embodiment may determine digital keys that are located adjacent to each other within a preset distance, and then perform positioning using TOF signal values ​​of the determined plurality of digital keys.

[0099] The communication unit (110) can transmit an alarm regarding the presence of at least one second digital key that is outside a preset distance among a plurality of digital keys to the first digital key. That is, the communication unit (110) can recognize, among the digital keys capable of UWB communication, a second digital key whose distance from a positioning device is outside a preset first distance and / or a second digital key whose distance from the first digital key is outside a preset second distance, and transmit an alarm regarding this to the first digital key. Through this, a driver in possession of the first digital key can recognize whether or not he or she possesses the second digital key or its location. In FIG. 7, the first digital key may be a smart phone, and the second digital key may be a smart watch.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 8, the communication unit (110) may perform UWB communication with at least one first digital key among a plurality of digital keys, the distance change amount of which is greater than or equal to a preset reference value, and receive a plurality of TOF values ​​for the UWB signal of each of the plurality of digital keys from a plurality of anchors. The distance change amount may be determined based on the result of UWB ranging performed at a predetermined interval. The communication unit (110) may recognize the digital key, the distance change amount of which is greater than or equal to the preset reference value, as the first digital key. The communication unit (110) may perform UWB communication with the recognized first digital key, and receive a plurality of TOF values ​​for the UWB signal of each of the plurality of first digital keys from a plurality of anchors based on the result of the UWB communication. The positioning device according to the embodiment may determine a plurality of digital keys that are being carried by a user and moved, and perform positioning using the TOF signal values ​​of the determined plurality of digital keys.

[0101] The communication unit (110) can transmit an alarm regarding the presence of at least one second digital key among a plurality of digital keys, the distance change amount of which is less than a preset reference value, to the first digital key. That is, the communication unit (110) can recognize a second digital key among the digital keys capable of UWB communication, the distance change amount of which is less than a predetermined value, and transmit an alarm regarding this to the first digital key. Through this, a driver in possession of the first digital key can recognize whether or not he or she possesses the second digital key or its location. In FIG. 8, the first digital key may be a smart phone, and the second digital key may be a smart watch.

[0102] The calculation unit (120) can calculate distance values ​​between a plurality of anchors and at least one digital key by using TOF values ​​of a UWB signal generated through UWB communication with at least one digital key among a plurality of digital keys.

[0103] The calculation unit (120) can calculate distance values ​​between multiple anchors and digital keys through the aforementioned UWB ranging technology and mathematical expression 1.

[0104] The positioning unit (130) can calculate the position information of a digital key using a plurality of distance values.

[0105] For example, the positioning unit (130) can calculate the position information of a digital key by applying triangulation technology using distance values ​​between multiple anchors and multiple fobs.

[0106] 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.

[0107] The calculation unit (120) calculates distance values ​​for each of a plurality of anchors and the first digital key, and the positioning unit (130) can calculate position information with respect to the first digital key using the distance values. The positioning unit (130) can calculate final position information of the digital key using the calculated position information with respect to the first digital key. In an embodiment, the final position information of the digital key may mean a positioning result for assuming a plurality of first digital keys as a single digital key object. In other words, the final position information of the digital key may mean position information of a driver who is moving while possessing a plurality of digital keys.

[0108] For example, the positioning unit (130) can calculate the average of the distance values ​​of the first digital key as the final position information of the digital key. That is, the positioning unit (130) can compensate for errors that may occur when determining the position of an individual digital key by calculating the average of the distance values ​​and calculating this as the final position information.

[0109] Alternatively, the positioning unit (130) may assign weights to the distance values ​​according to the distance from the first digital key, and calculate an average value of the weighted distance values ​​as the final position information of the digital key. That is, the positioning unit (130) may differentially assign a relatively high weight to the distance value of the first digital key, which is calculated to have a close distance value from the anchor, and calculate an average value of the weighted distance values ​​as the final position information of the digital key. Through this, by assigning a higher weight to the distance value of the first digital key located adjacent to the anchor, the accuracy of the final position information of the digital key may be improved.

[0110] Alternatively, the positioning unit (130) may assign weights to each distance change of the first digital key, and calculate an average value of the weighted distance values ​​as the final location information of the digital key. That is, the positioning unit (130) may differentially assign a relatively high weight to the distance value of the first digital key with a large distance change, and calculate an average value of the weighted distance values ​​as the final location information of the digital key. In the case of wearable devices, since they are often mounted on the driver's body while exposed to the external environment, they can provide relatively accurate distance values ​​compared to smart phones carried in bags, pockets, etc. Therefore, by assigning a higher weight to the distance value of the first digital key provided on a wearable device with a relatively large distance change, the accuracy of the final location information of the digital key can be improved.

[0111] The database (140) 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 (140) on the Internet, or may operate in relation to the web storage.

[0112] The database (140) can store user personal information collected from an external server, a matching table, and various parameters of a learning model. Furthermore, the database (140) can store data and programs necessary for the operation of the digital key positioning device (100).

[0113] Additionally, the database (140) can store various user interfaces (UI) or graphical user interfaces (GUI).

[0114] Figure 9 is an operation flowchart of a positioning device according to an embodiment.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 9, first, the communication unit can receive multiple TOF values ​​for UWB signals from multiple digital keys and multiple anchors performing UWB communication (S901).

[0116] Next, the communication unit can identify a first digital key located within a predetermined distance among multiple digital keys (S902).

[0117] At this time, the communication unit can transmit an alarm to the first digital key regarding the presence of at least one second digital key that is outside a predetermined distance among multiple digital keys (S903).

[0118] Next, the communication unit can perform UWB communication with the first digital key identified through the aforementioned process to receive multiple TOF values ​​for UWB signals of each of the multiple digital keys from multiple anchors (S904).

[0119] Next, the calculation unit can calculate distance values ​​for each of the plurality of anchors and the first digital key (S905).

[0120] Next, the positioning unit can calculate position information with respect to the first digital key using the distance values ​​(S906).

[0121] Next, the positioning unit can calculate the final position information of the digital key using the position information with the calculated first digital key (S907).

[0122] Figure 10 is an operation flow chart of a positioning device according to an embodiment.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 10, first, the communication unit can receive multiple TOF values ​​for UWB signals from multiple digital keys and multiple anchors performing UWB communication (S1001).

[0124] Next, the communication unit can identify a first digital key among multiple digital keys whose distance change amount is greater than a preset reference value (S1002).

[0125] At this time, the communication unit can transmit an alarm to the first digital key regarding the presence of a second digital key among multiple digital keys whose distance change amount is less than a preset reference value (S1003).

[0126] Next, the communication unit can perform UWB communication with the first digital key identified through the aforementioned process to receive multiple TOF values ​​for UWB signals of each of the multiple digital keys from multiple anchors (S1004).

[0127] Next, the calculation unit can calculate distance values ​​for each of the plurality of anchors and the first digital key (S1005).

[0128] Next, the positioning unit can calculate position information with respect to the first digital key using the distance values ​​(S1006).

[0129] Next, the positioning unit can calculate the final position information of the digital key using the position information with the calculated first digital key (S1007).

[0130] Fig. 11 is an operation flow chart of a positioning device according to an embodiment.

[0131] Referring to FIG. 11, first, the communication unit can receive multiple TOF values ​​for UWB signals from multiple digital keys and multiple anchors performing UWB communication (S1101).

[0132] Next, the communication unit can identify a digital key located within a predetermined distance among multiple digital keys (S1102).

[0133] Next, the communication unit can identify a first digital key among the identified digital keys whose distance change amount is greater than a preset reference value (S1103).

[0134] At this time, the communication unit can identify a digital key that is outside a preset distance among multiple digital keys or a digital key whose distance change amount is less than a preset reference value as a second digital key, and transmit an alarm regarding the presence or absence of the second digital key to the first digital key. (S1104)

[0135] Next, the communication unit can perform UWB communication with the first digital key identified through the aforementioned process to receive multiple TOF values ​​for UWB signals of each of the multiple digital keys from multiple anchors (S1105).

[0136] Next, the calculation unit can calculate distance values ​​for each of the plurality of anchors and the first digital key (S1106).

[0137] Next, the positioning unit can calculate position information with respect to the first digital key using the distance values ​​(S1107).

[0138] Next, the positioning unit can calculate the final position information of the digital key using the position information with the calculated first digital key (S1108).

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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 multiple TOF (Time of Flight) values for UWB signals from multiple anchors installed in a vehicle and performing UWB communication with multiple digital keys; A calculation unit that calculates distance values between the plurality of anchors and the at least one digital key by using TOF values of a UWB signal generated through UWB communication with at least one digital key among the plurality of digital keys; and A digital key positioning device including a positioning unit that calculates position information with respect to at least one digital key using the above distance values.

2. In paragraph 1, A digital key positioning device in which the communication unit performs UWB communication with at least one first digital key located within a predetermined distance among the plurality of digital keys, and receives a plurality of TOF (Time of Flight) values for UWB signals of each of the plurality of digital keys from the plurality of anchors.

3. In paragraph 2, The above operation unit calculates distance values for each of the plurality of anchors and the first digital key, A digital key positioning device that calculates position information with respect to the first digital key using the distance values and calculates final position information of the digital key using the calculated position information with respect to the first digital key.

4. In paragraph 2, A digital key positioning device in which the communication unit transmits an alarm to the first digital key regarding the presence of at least one second digital key that is outside a predetermined distance among the plurality of digital keys.

5. In paragraph 1, A digital key positioning device in which the communication unit performs UWB communication with at least one first digital key among the plurality of digital keys, the distance change amount of which is greater than or equal to a preset reference value, and receives a plurality of TOF (Time of Flight) values for the UWB signal of each of the plurality of digital keys from the plurality of anchors.

6. In paragraph 5, The above operation unit calculates distance values for each of the plurality of anchors and the first digital key, A digital key positioning device that calculates position information with respect to the first digital key using the distance values and calculates final position information of the digital key using the calculated position information with respect to the first digital key.

7. In paragraph 6, A digital key positioning device in which the communication unit transmits an alarm to the first digital key regarding the presence of at least one second digital key among the plurality of digital keys, the distance change amount of which is less than a preset reference value.

8. In at least one of paragraphs 2 to 7, The above positioning unit is a digital key positioning device that calculates final position information of a digital key by using an average value of position information of a plurality of digital keys.

9. In at least one of paragraphs 2 to 7, A digital key positioning device in which the above positioning unit assigns weights to distance values according to the distance from the first digital key, and calculates an average value of the weighted distance values as the final position information of the digital key.

10. In at least one of paragraphs 2 to 7, A digital key positioning device in which the above positioning unit assigns weights to each distance change amount of the first digital key and calculates an average value of the weighted distance values as the final position information of the digital key.

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