Vehicle communication device

A vehicle communication device includes: a communication line establishment device that establishes a communication line with a mobile communication terminal; a manipulation state information transmission device that transmits manipulation state information indicating a manipulation state of a vehicular accessory to the mobile communication terminal; an output timing specifying information generation device that generates output timing specifying information for specifying separation of the mobile communication terminal from the vehicle as an output timing for the mobile communication terminal to output the manipulation state information; and an output timing specifying information transmission device that transmits the output timing specifying information to the mobile communication terminal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2013/004671 filed on Aug. 1, 2013 and published in Japanese as WO 2014/049929 A1 on Apr. 3, 2014. This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-216778 filed on Sep. 28, 2012. The entire disclosures of all of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle communication device.

BACKGROUND ART

There may be a case where the state of a stopped vehicle such as opening or closing a window, turning on or off a light, or locking or unlocking a door differs from a predetermined reference state. For example, patent literature 1 discloses the technology that transmits information indicating the vehicle state to a user's mobile terminal via a data relay station. This prior art can notify the user carrying a mobile terminal distant from the vehicle of failed manipulation on a vehicle window or door.

The above-mentioned prior art needs to use a mobile communication network via the data relay station and has a problem of increased communication costs. According to the above-mentioned prior art, the communication apparatus mounted on a vehicle is costly and the entire system including an intermediary data communication station is large-scale and costly.

Recently, there is a spreading use of the technology that uses a wireless communication line to communicably interconnect a vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle with a mobile communication terminal carried by a user. The use of this technology can provide a less costly configuration that transmits information notifying failed manipulation on vehicular accessories (vehicle accessories) from the vehicle communication device to the mobile communication terminal without using the mobile communication network via the data relay station.

In this case, however, a distance between the vehicle communication device and the mobile communication terminal is much shorter than the prior art. This may cause a problem of accidentally transmitting information to the mobile communication terminal or disabling the communication due to a variation in the radio wave area for wireless communication depending on the circumference environment even if a user stays in the vehicle compartment or is located near the vehicle. When the user washes a vehicle, for example, the user may be located near the vehicle and may intentionally unlock the vehicle door. In such a case, it is inconvenient to notify a failure to lock the door. By contrast, it is also inconvenient to unsuccessfully notify the failed manipulation even though the user actually failed the manipulation.

PRIOR ART LITERATURES

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a vehicle communication device capable of allowing a mobile communication terminal to notify a user of failed manipulation on accessories or a manipulation state at proper timings when the vehicle communication device is mounted on a vehicle and transmits information for notifying the failed manipulation on accessories or the manipulation state to the mobile communication terminal carried by the user via a wireless communication line.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle communication device includes: a communication line establishment device that establishes a communication line with a mobile communication terminal; a manipulation state information transmission device that transmits manipulation state information indicating a manipulation state of a vehicular accessory to the mobile communication terminal, with which the communication line is established by the communication line establishment device; an output timing specifying information generation device that generates output timing specifying information for specifying separation of the mobile communication terminal from the vehicle as an output timing for the mobile communication terminal to output the manipulation state information; and an output timing specifying information transmission device that transmits the output timing specifying information generated by the output timing specifying information generation device to the mobile communication terminal.

The above-mentioned vehicle communication device transmits output timing specifying information to the mobile communication terminal while the communication line is established. The mobile communication terminal outputs an accessory manipulation state at a timing specified in the output timing specifying information, namely, at an “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal from the vehicle.” The mobile communication terminal outputs a state of manipulation on a vehicular accessory based on the manipulation state information, namely, notifies a user of failed manipulation (manipulation state) on a vehicular accessory at the given timing. This timing can be defined as an “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal from the vehicle,” namely, when the user carrying the mobile communication terminal appropriately separates from the vehicle. The user can be notified of an accessory manipulation state at appropriate timing. Based on the notified manipulation state, the user can determine whether or not the manipulation on the accessory failed.

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

The following describes an embodiment of the vehicle communication device with reference to the accompanying drawings. As illustrated inFIG. 1, a vehicle communication device10(hereinafter referred to as a communication device10) includes a vehicle-mounted navigation system or a standalone, dedicated control instrument, for example. A mobile communication terminal30is brought into a vehicle compartment or is located near the communication device10, for example. The communication device10automatically or manually, by user manipulation, establishes a wireless communication line connected to the mobile communication terminal30. The communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30are thereby communicably connected with each other.

The communication device10includes a control portion11, a wireless communication module12, a storage portion13, a position detection portion14, and a timer portion15. The control portion11includes a known microcomputer having a CPU, RAM, ROM, and an I/O bus (unshown). The control portion11controls entire operation of the communication device10according to a computer program stored in the ROM or the storage portion13. The control portion11executes the computer program to virtually implement a communication line establishment portion21, a manipulation state information generation portion22, a manipulation state information transmission portion23, an output timing specification information generation portion24(hereinafter referred to as a “specification information generation portion24”), an output timing specification information transmission portion25(hereinafter referred to as a “specification information transmission portion25”), a mobile communication terminal separation detection portion26(hereinafter referred to as a “separation detection portion26”), and a correlation data correction portion27as software. The communication line establishment portion21, the manipulation state information generation portion22, the manipulation state information transmission portion23, the specification information generation portion24, the specification information transmission portion25, the separation detection portion26, and the correlation data correction portion27may be implemented as hardware integrated with the control portion11.

The mobile communication terminal30includes a wireless communication module32to establish a communication line. When a communication line is established, the wireless communication module12uses the communication line to perform various types of communication with the mobile communication terminal30. The storage portion13includes a storage medium such as a hard disk drive, a memory card, or a flash memory card and contains a storage area to store various types of information. In this case, the storage portion13contains at least a storage area to store manipulation state information to be described in detail later. The storage portion13also stores correlation data RD illustrated inFIG. 2, for example.

Correlation data RD shows correlation between a distance and a radio field intensity for wireless communication between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30. Namely, increasing the distance decreases the radio field intensity. The distance between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30can be converted into the time (elapsed time) elapsed from the time to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle under the condition that a user carrying the mobile communication terminal30moves away from the vehicle at average travel speed V in a direction separating from the vehicle.

The position detection portion14includes various unshown sensors such as a geomagnetism sensor, a gyroscope, a vehicle speed sensor, and a GPS receiver according to known technologies. The position detection portion14mutually complements detection signals supplied from the sensors to acquire the vehicle position information. The position detection portion14outputs the acquired vehicle position information to the control portion11. The control portion11performs a so-called navigation process based on the vehicle position information acquired by the position detection portion14and a guide route retrieved by an unshown route retrieval portion.

The timer portion15includes an unshown timer circuit and performs a timer process based on a timer instruction signal supplied from the control portion11. In this case, the timer portion15measures the time elapsed from when the control portion11detects “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle.” The timer portion15also measures the time elapsed from when at least one of the accessories turns off. For example, the timer portion15measures various elapsed times such as the time elapsed from when the ACC switch221changes from “on-state” to “off-state” and a door lock actuator222changes from “locked door state” to “unlocked door state” and the time elapsed from when the ACC switch221changes from “on-state” to “off-state” and a door open/close switch227changes from “on-state” to “off-state.” The timer portion15can measure several elapsed times in parallel.

The communication line establishment portion21corresponds to a communication line establishment device and performs a communication line establishment process that establishes a communication line connected to the mobile communication terminal30via the wireless communication module12. The communication line establishment portion21repeatedly performs the communication line establishment process at a short cycle in several seconds, for example. The communication line establishment portion21automatically establishes a communication line to the mobile communication terminal30that is available near the communication device10. In this case, the communication line establishment portion21can establish a communication line to the mobile communication terminal30that is located within a range indicated by a radio field intensity distribution line corresponding to reference symbol a inFIG. 3. The radio field intensity distribution line a represents the distribution of radio field intensity S for wireless communication performed between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30.

The manipulation state information generation portion22generates manipulation state information that indicates states of manipulation on various accessories (vehicle accessories) mounted on the vehicle. In this case, the communication device10including the manipulation state information generation portion22uses the manipulation state information generation portion22to connect with various drive devices and switches such as the ACC switch221(accessory switch), the door lock actuator222, a power window actuator223, a hazard light actuator224, an interior light actuator225, a key detection switch226, and the door open/close switch227through so-called direct lines such as an in-vehicle LAN and a vehicle harness. The ACC switch221controls the on/off state of an unshown power supply circuit. The door lock actuator222controls locking/unlocking of a vehicle's door. The power window actuator223controls opening/closing of a vehicle's power window. The hazard light actuator224controls the on/off state of a vehicle's hazard light. The interior light actuator225controls the on/off state of an interior light in the vehicle compartment. The key detection switch226turns on when a key is inserted into the engine starter's key slot. The door open/close switch227turns on when the vehicle's door is open, and turns off when the vehicle's door is closed, for example.

The manipulation state information generation portion22specifies manipulation states of various accessories provided for the vehicle based on manipulation states of these drive devices and switches and generates manipulation state information indicating the specified manipulation states. For example, the manipulation state information generation portion22generates the manipulation state information indicating “unlocked state” as a manipulation state of the door as a vehicular accessory if the door lock actuator222operates to cause “unlocked door state.” The manipulation state information generation portion22generates the manipulation state information indicating “locked state” as a manipulation state of the door if the door lock actuator222operates to cause “locked door state.” The manipulation state information generation portion22generates the manipulation state information indicating “engaged key state” of the key inserted into the key slot as a manipulation state of the engine starter as a vehicular accessory if the key detection switch226operates to cause “on-state.” The manipulation state information generation portion22generates the manipulation state information indicating “disengaged key state” of the key not inserted into the key slot as a manipulation state of the engine starter if the key detection switch226operates to cause “off-state.” Though a detailed description is omitted, the manipulation state information generation portion22also generates the manipulation state information about other accessories (including those not illustrated) based on manipulation states of the actuators and switches.

The manipulation state information generation portion22repeatedly performs a process to generate the manipulation state information about various accessories at a short cycle in several seconds, for example. The manipulation state information generation portion22stores the generated manipulation state information in the storage portion13. The storage portion13thereby always stores the up-to-date manipulation state information.

The manipulation state information transmission portion23corresponds to a manipulation state information transmission device. The manipulation state information transmission portion23allows the wireless communication module12to transmit the manipulation state information to the mobile communication terminal30whose communication line is established by the communication line establishment portion21. While the communication line is established, the manipulation state information transmission portion23transmits the manipulation state information most recently stored in the storage portion13, namely, the up-to-date manipulation state information, to the mobile communication terminal30at a short cycle in several seconds, for example, or each time the manipulation state information stored in the storage portion13is updated. The manipulation state information transmission portion23may transmit the manipulation state information temporarily stored in the ROM or RAM of the control portion11, namely, the manipulation state information before stored in the storage portion13, instead of the manipulation state information stored in the storage portion13, to the mobile communication terminal30.

The specification information generation portion24corresponds to an output timing specification information generation device. The specification information generation portion24generates output timing specification information that specifies the output timing to output the manipulation state information the mobile communication terminal30receives from the communication device10, in other words, the notification timing to notify a user of accessory manipulation states from the mobile communication terminal30. In this case, the specification information generation portion24generates the output timing specification information using “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” as output timing. As will be described in detail later, the separation detection portion26detects “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle.”

The specification information transmission portion25corresponds to an output timing specification information transmission device. While the communication line is established, the specification information transmission portion25allows the wireless communication module12to transmit the output timing specification information generated by the specification information generation portion24to the mobile communication terminal30at proper transmission timing.

The separation detection portion26corresponds to a detection device. The separation detection portion26is provided as a processing portion to detect “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle.” Basically, the separation detection portion26detects “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” when the communication line established with the mobile communication terminal30is disconnected. The control portion11forcibly disconnects the communication line based on correlation data RD.FIG. 2illustrates radio field intensity S for the wireless communication performed between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30, more specifically, between the wireless communication module12and the wireless communication module32. Radio field intensity S decreases as the mobile communication terminal30carried by a user gradually separates from the vehicle. When radio field intensity S goes lower than a specified threshold value K, the control portion11forcibly disconnects the communication line. The threshold value K may be configured based on results of analyzing evaluation test data in the past or data indicative of variations in radio field intensities for wireless communication performed between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30in the past.

The output timing specification information generated by the specification information generation portion24specifies “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” as output timing. The communication device10detects “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle.” Therefore, the mobile communication terminal30cannot directly identify “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle.” To solve this problem, the specification information generation portion24supplies the output timing specification information with additional information indicating that the “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” basically denotes an “instant to forcibly disconnect the communication line.” The specification information generation portion24may supply the output timing specification information with additional information indicating that the “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” denotes an “instant to automatically disconnect the communication line.”

“Forcibly” disconnecting the communication line signifies that the communication device10or the mobile communication terminal30actively disconnects the communication line even though a sufficient radio field intensity is ensured to maintain the condition of the established communication line for wireless communication between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30. The communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30assume the communication line to be “forcibly” disconnected when the communication line is disconnected even though a sufficient radio field intensity is ensured. “Automatically” disconnecting the communication line signifies that a sufficient radio field intensity cannot be ensured to maintain the condition of the established communication line for wireless communication between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30and it is impossible to continuously establish the communication line between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30. The communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30assume the communication line to be “automatically” disconnected when the radio field intensity gradually decreases to disconnect the communication line.

The separation detection portion26can also detect “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” based on at least one of the radio field intensity for wireless communication between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30, the vehicle position or an actual distance between the position of the communication device10and the position of the mobile communication terminal30, and the time elapsed from when at least one of vehicular accessories turns off.

As will be described in detail later, the correlation data correction portion27corrects correlation data RD stored in the storage portion13.

The following describes a configuration of the mobile communication terminal30. The mobile communication terminal30includes a control portion31, a wireless communication module32, a storage portion33, a display output portion34, and a position detection portion35. The control portion31includes a known microcomputer having a CPU, RAM, ROM, and an I/O bus (unshown). The control portion31controls entire operation of the mobile communication terminal30according to a computer program stored in the ROM or the storage portion33.

When the communication line is established between the communication device10and the wireless communication module12, the wireless communication module32performs various types of communication with the communication device10using the communication line. The storage portion33includes a storage medium such as a hard disk drive or a memory card and contains a storage area to store various types of information. In this case, the storage portion33contains at least a storage area to store the manipulation state information received from the communication device10and a storage area to store the output timing specification information.

While the communication line is established, the communication device10transmits the up-to-date manipulation state information at a short cycle in several seconds, for example, or each time the manipulation state information stored is updated. The control portion31rewrites the manipulation state information stored in the storage portion33each time the control portion31receives the manipulation state information via the wireless communication module32. The storage portion33thereby always stores the up-to-date manipulation state information while the communication line is established between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30.

While the communication line is established, the communication device10transmits the output timing specification information that specifies “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” as output timing. If the output timing specification information is corrected, the communication device10transmits the corrected output timing specification information. The control portion31rewrites the output timing specification information stored in the storage portion33each time the control portion31receives the output timing specification information via the wireless communication module32. The storage portion33thereby always stores the up-to-date output timing specification information while the communication line is established between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30.

The display output portion34includes a liquid crystal display instrument or an organic EL display instrument, for example. The display output portion34displays various types of information based on a display instruction signal supplied from the control portion31. The screen of the display output portion34is provided with a touch-screen switch according to the known pressure sensitive type, electromagnetic induction type, capacitance type, or a combination of these types. As illustrated inFIG. 4, for example, the display output portion34displays states of manipulation on vehicular accessories based on the manipulation state information stored in the storage portion33.

The display output portion34displays an accessory manipulation state at the timing that is specified based on the output timing specification information stored in the storage portion33. In this case, the output timing specification information basically specifies “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” as output timing. In addition, the “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” corresponds to “instant to forcibly disconnect the communication line” based on the additional information. Therefore, the display output portion34basically displays an accessory manipulation state when the communication line connected to the communication device10is forcibly disconnected.

The position detection portion35includes an unshown GPS receiver according to the known technology. The position detection portion35acquires position information about the mobile communication terminal30based on a detection signal supplied from the GPS receiver and outputs the position information to the control portion31.

The following describes example operations of the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30according to the above-mentioned configuration. The control portion11and the control portion31mainly perform the following operations. For convenience of explanation, however, the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30are assumed to perform the operations.

(Example Control when Correlation Data RD is not Corrected)

In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 5, a communication line is established with the mobile communication terminal30(A1). The communication device10starts transmitting manipulation state information (A2). After starting a process to transmit the manipulation state information, the communication device10repeatedly transmits the up-to-date manipulation state information. The mobile communication terminal30stores the received manipulation state information in the storage portion33each time the mobile communication terminal30receives the manipulation state information from the communication device10. In addition, the mobile communication terminal30transmits a response signal indicating reception of the manipulation state information to the communication device10.

After the communication line is established with the mobile communication terminal30(A1), the communication device10transmits output timing specification information to the mobile communication terminal30(A3). In this case, the output timing specification information specifying “instant to forcibly disconnect the communication line” as output timing, namely, “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal30. The output timing specification information may be transmitted after the communication line is established until it is disconnected. However, it may be favorable to transmit the output timing specification information at as early timing as possible after the communication line is established. This is because it is difficult to estimate when the communication line is disconnected.

The communication device10repeatedly transmits the up-to-date manipulation state information to the mobile communication terminal30until the communication line connected to the mobile communication terminal30is disconnected. The communication line is forcibly disconnected (A4). The mobile communication terminal30then outputs an accessory manipulation state (A5) based on the up-to-date manipulation state information stored in the storage portion33at output timing specified in the output timing specification information stored in the storage portion33, namely, the timing the communication line is forcibly disconnected in this example. In this case, the mobile communication terminal30basically allows the display output portion34to visually output the accessory manipulation state. The mobile communication terminal30may audibly output the accessory manipulation state using an unshown speaker provided for the mobile communication terminal30. The mobile communication terminal30may drive an unshown vibrator provided for the mobile communication terminal30and use the vibration to notify the user that the accessory manipulation state is output. The mobile communication terminal30may drive an unshown indicator or LED provided for the mobile communication terminal30and use the steady or flashing light to notify the user that the accessory manipulation state is output.

The communication device10forcibly disconnects the communication line when radio field intensity S for wireless communication between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30goes lower than the specified threshold value K. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the mobile communication terminal30notifies an accessory manipulation state when radio field intensity S goes lower than the threshold value K, namely, the distance between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30reaches D1. The threshold value K may be favorably adjusted as needed so as to forcibly disconnect the communication line while the mobile communication terminal30is located within optimal notification area R1as illustrated inFIG. 3.

(Example Control when Correlation Data RD is Corrected)

As illustrated inFIG. 3, radio field intensity distribution line a represents the distribution of radio field intensity S around the vehicle for wireless communication between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30. The distribution of radio field intensity S does not always fit into optimal notification area R1available for accessory manipulation states. The communication line may be disconnected at position P1or P2outside area R1. The user may not be notified of an accessory manipulation state within optimal notification area R1if an accessory manipulation state is output simply at the timing when the communication line is disconnected as described above. This is because the communication line may be disconnected at a position outside optimal notification area R1. It may be favorable to more accurately detect “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” in addition to or instead of detecting “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” based on the communication line disconnection.

InFIG. 3, an area inside radio field intensity distribution line a representing the distribution of radio field intensity S maintains the established communication line. An area outside radio field intensity distribution line a forcibly disconnects the communication line. The radio field intensity distribution line may be used as a boundary to automatically disconnect the communication line. It may be favorable to notify an accessory manipulation state after the user carrying the mobile communication terminal30leaves the vehicle and moves some distance in the direction separating from the vehicle. Optimal notification area R1assumes the presence of a user carrying the mobile communication terminal30. As illustrated inFIG. 6, optimal notification area R1is favorably configured after the ACC switch221changes from “on state” to “off state,” the door open/close switch227changes from “on state” to “off state,” namely, from “opened state” to “closed state,” specified time t1elapses, and before specified time t2elapses. In this case, the communication device10detects “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” when the ACC switch221turns off and the door is temporarily opened and then is closed (opening and closing the door).

InFIG. 6, specified time t1is estimated for the user carrying the mobile communication terminal30to consume when he or she leaves the vehicle, moves at average travel speed V in the direction separating from the vehicle, and reaches optimal notification area R1illustrated inFIG. 3. Specified time t1is hereinafter referred to as “optimal minimum time t1.”

Specified time t2is estimated for the user carrying the mobile communication terminal30to consume when he or she leaves the vehicle, moves at average travel speed V in the direction separating from the vehicle, exits from optimal notification area R1inFIG. 3, and reaches allowable notification area R2outside optimal notification area R1. Specified time t2is hereinafter referred to as “optimal maximum time t2.”

Specified time t3is estimated for the user carrying the mobile communication terminal30to consume when he or she leaves the vehicle, moves at average travel speed V in the direction separating from the vehicle, exits from allowable notification area R2inFIG. 3, and reaches limit area R3outside allowable notification area R2. Specified time t3is hereinafter referred to as “limit time t3.”

Boundary b between allowable notification area R2and limit area R3represents the limit where adding correction time to the output timing is considered effective during an output timing correction process to be described in detail later. In other words, adding correction time to the output timing is effective if the mobile communication terminal30is located inside boundary b. Adding correction time to the output timing is almost or completely ineffective if the mobile communication terminal30is located outside boundary b.

The following describes an example configuration to more accurately detect “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle.”

A correction process illustrated inFIG. 7forcibly disconnects the communication line within optimal notification area R1and allows the mobile communication terminal30to notify an accessory manipulation state even if the radio field intensity is not normal.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, for example, radio field intensity s1is lower than normal radio field intensity S illustrated inFIG. 2. Distance D2allows radio field intensity s1to be lower than the threshold value K and is shorter than distance D1illustrated inFIG. 2. Therefore, the mobile communication terminal30may notify an accessory manipulation state inside optimal notification area R1. To solve this problem, the control portion11corrects the threshold value K to a threshold value k1so that the distance to cause radio field intensity s1to be lower than the threshold value equals or approximates distance D1. Even if the radio field intensity goes lower than the normal, the communication line is forcibly disconnected when the distance between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30equals or approximates D1. The mobile communication terminal30can notify an accessory manipulation state within optimal notification area R1.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, for example, radio field intensity s2is higher than normal radio field intensity S illustrated inFIG. 2. Distance D3allows radio field intensity s2to be lower than the threshold value K and is longer than distance D1illustrated inFIG. 2. Therefore, the mobile communication terminal30may notify an accessory manipulation state outside optimal notification area R1. To solve this problem, the control portion11corrects the threshold value K to a threshold value k2so that the distance to cause radio field intensity s2to be lower than the threshold value equals or approximates distance D1. Even if the radio field intensity goes higher than the normal, the communication line is forcibly disconnected when the distance between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30equals or approximates D1. The mobile communication terminal30can notify an accessory manipulation state within optimal notification area R1.

Correction processes illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8Bare based on a capability of converting the distance axis inFIG. 7into a time axis. As illustrated inFIG. 8A, the distance axis for correlation data RD inFIG. 7can be converted into the time axis based on average travel speed V for the user carrying the mobile communication terminal30. In this case, the converted time axis represents the time elapsed from when the mobile communication terminal30separates from the vehicle.

As illustrated inFIG. 8A, radio field intensity s1is lower than normal radio field intensity S illustrated inFIG. 2. In this case, time T2causing radio field intensity51to be lower than the threshold value K is shorter than time T1causing normal radio field intensity S to be lower than the threshold value K. Therefore, the mobile communication terminal30may notify an accessory manipulation state inside optimal notification area R1. In this case, the communication device10is configured to forcibly disconnect the communication line when time T1elapses after the mobile communication terminal30separates from the vehicle.

As illustrated inFIG. 8B, the control portion11corrects to extend the time axis scale so that time T2equals or approximates time T1. Even if the radio field intensity goes lower than the normal, the communication line is forcibly disconnected when the time elapsed from separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle equals or approximates time T1assumed for the normal state. The mobile communication terminal30can notify an accessory manipulation state within optimal notification area R1.

Though a detailed illustration is omitted, the radio field intensity may be higher than normal radio field intensity S. In such a case, the time causing the radio field intensity to be lower than the threshold value K is longer than time T1causing normal radio field intensity S to be lower than the threshold value K. Therefore, the mobile communication terminal30may notify an accessory manipulation state outside optimal notification area R1. To solve this problem, the control portion11corrects to compress the time axis scale so that the time longer than normal time T1equals or approximates time T1. Even if the radio field intensity goes higher than the normal, the communication line is forcibly disconnected when the time elapsed from separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle equals or approximates time T1assumed for the normal state. The mobile communication terminal30can notify an accessory manipulation state within optimal notification area R1.

FIG. 9illustrates example control when correlation data RD is corrected as described above. The communication device10establishes a communication line with the mobile communication terminal30(B1). The communication device10starts transmitting manipulation state information (B2). The communication device10transmits output timing specification information (B3) and then determines whether or not correlation data RD is corrected. When correlation data RD is corrected, the communication device10detects that the corrected correlation data RD indicates the radio field intensity lower than or equal to a threshold value (B4). The communication device10newly generates output timing specification information specifying the time point as output timing and transmits the new output timing specification information to the mobile communication terminal30(B5). The output timing specification information already stored in the mobile communication terminal30is thereby corrected to the new output timing specification information. The mobile communication terminal30receives the output timing specification information and immediately outputs an accessory manipulation state (B6) based on the newly received corrected output timing specification information instead of the output timing specification information already stored in the storage portion33.

The communication device10can correct new output timing specified by the newly generated output timing specification information based on the time elapsed from when the mobile communication terminal30separates from the vehicle.FIG. 10illustrates example control when new output timing is corrected.

The ACC switch221turns off and the door is opened and then closed (YES at C1). The communication device10then starts the timer process performed by the timer portion15(C2). The timer portion15measures time T elapsed from when the ACC switch221turns off and the door is opened and then closed. In this case, the communication device10assumes the mobile communication terminal30to start moving in the direction separating from the vehicle under the condition that the ACC switch221turns off and the door is opened and then closed.

The communication device10detects that the corrected correlation data RD indicates the radio field intensity lower than or equal to a threshold value (C3). The communication device10compares time T measured by the timer portion15up to the time point with optimal minimum time t1(C4). In this case, C3corresponds to B4described above.

Elapsed time T may be shorter than optimal minimum time t1(YES at C4). In this case, the communication device10transmits correction time information Ia indicating correction time Ha for addition as well as the new output timing specification information to the mobile communication terminal30(C5) and terminates the control. The mobile communication terminal30receives the new output timing specification information and correction time information Ia and outputs an accessory manipulation state at the timing corresponding to correction time Ha later than the output timing after the correction specified in the new output timing specification information.

If elapsed time T is longer than or equal to optimal minimum time t1(NO at C4), the communication device10compares elapsed time T with optimal maximum time t2(C6). Elapsed time T may be shorter than optimal maximum time t2, namely, may be longer than or equal to t1and may be shorter than optimal maximum time t2(YES at c6). In this case, the communication device10terminates the process without transmitting the correction time information to the mobile communication terminal30.

If elapsed time T is longer than or equal to optimal maximum time t2(NO at C6), the communication device10compares elapsed time T with limit time t3(C7). Elapsed time T may be shorter than limit time t3, namely, may be longer than or equal to optimal maximum time t2and may be shorter than limit time t3(YES at c7). In this case, the communication device10transmits the new output timing specification information and correction time information Ib indicating correction time Hb for subtraction to the mobile communication terminal30(C8) and terminates the process. The mobile communication terminal30receives the new output timing specification information and correction time information Ib and outputs a manipulation state at the timing corresponding to correction time Ha earlier than the output timing after the correction specified in the new output timing specification information. If elapsed time T is longer than or equal to limit time t3(NO at C7), the communication device10terminates the process without transmitting the correction time information to the mobile communication terminal30.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the vehicle communication device10transmits the output timing specification information to the mobile communication terminal30while the communication line is established. The mobile communication terminal30outputs an accessory manipulation state at the timing specified in the output timing specification information, namely, at the “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle.” The mobile communication terminal30outputs a state of manipulation on a vehicular accessory based on the manipulation state information, namely, notifies the user of failed manipulation (manipulation state) on a vehicular accessory at the given timing. This timing can be defined as an “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle,” namely, when the user carrying the mobile communication terminal30appropriately separates from the vehicle. The user can be notified of an accessory manipulation state at appropriate timing while the mobile communication terminal30carried by the user is located within optimal notification area R1. Based on the notified manipulation state, the user can determine whether or not the manipulation on the accessory failed.

Basically, the communication device10detects “disconnection of the communication line” from the mobile communication terminal30as the “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle.” The communication terminal30notifies an accessory manipulation state when the user carrying the mobile communication terminal30gradually separates from the vehicle to disconnect the communication line. The user can be notified of failed manipulation at appropriate timing when the user separates from the vehicle so as to disconnect the communication line.

The communication device10can also detect separation of the mobile communication terminal from the vehicle based on at least one of the radio field intensity for wireless communication with the mobile communication terminal, the distance between the vehicle and the mobile communication terminal, and the time elapsed from when at least one of vehicular accessories turns off. This enables to more accurately detect “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle.” The user can be notified of failed manipulation at more appropriate timing.

The communication device10transmits the up-to-date manipulation state information to the mobile communication terminal30until disconnection of the communication line the communication line establishment portion21establishes with the mobile communication terminal30. The mobile communication terminal30thereby always maintains the up-to-date manipulation state information. The mobile communication terminal30can notify the user of the up-to-date manipulation state, namely, an accessory manipulation state at the communication line disconnection regardless of when the communication line is disconnected at any time.

While there has been described the embodiment of the present disclosure, the disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment but is applicable to various embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention. It may be possible to combine the above-mentioned various detection processes and correction processes.

The communication device10can also detect “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” based on an actual distance between the vehicle (communication device10) and the mobile communication terminal30. In this case, for example, the position detection portion35detects actual position information about the mobile communication terminal30. The mobile communication terminal30periodically transmits the position information to the communication device10. The communication device10detects “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” when the amount of positional change in the mobile communication terminal30, namely, a travel distance of the mobile communication terminal30exceeds a predetermined amount. The communication device10may calculate an actual distance between the actual position of the communication device10detected by the position detection portion14and the actual position of the mobile communication terminal30based on the position information received from the mobile communication terminal30. The communication device10may detect “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” when the calculated actual distance between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30exceeds a predetermined distance.

The radio field intensity may indicate a larger amount of variation than normally estimated according to a distance between the communication device10and the mobile communication terminal30. For example, the user may hold the mobile communication terminal30so as to cover the wireless communication module32. In such a case, the communication device10may be configured to correct correlation data RD or the threshold value K so as to cancel a larger amount of variation than estimated normally.

The communication device10may calculate an average value for the radio field intensity and may configure a correction amount for the threshold value K based on the average value.

For example, an object near the communication device10may reflect or absorb a radio wave. Alternatively, another communication instrument near the communication device10may generate a radio wave that interferes with the communication device10. As illustrated inFIG. 11, for example, radio field intensity s4may be unstable depending on environments around the communication device10. If the radio field intensity is unstable, the communication device10may detect the radio field intensity several times for an appropriately lengthy period and change correction values for correlation data RD and the threshold value K as needed.

The communication device10may detect “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” based on a fact that a lock instruction signal is received from an unshown electronic key to remotely lock and unlock the door, that an unshown seating sensor changes from “on state” to “off state,” or that an unshown intrusion detection sensor or infrared sensor turns on to detect intrusion into the vehicle, for example. The communication device10can detect “separation of the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” according to various configurations using various types accessories and sensors mounted on the vehicle.

The threshold value K specified for the communication device10is favorably larger than the radio field intensity to automatically disconnect the wireless communication (the marginal intensity capable of maintaining the communication line). The communication device10can thereby forcibly disconnect the wireless communication line before it is automatically disconnected. The communication device10can reliably transmit the output timing specification information to the mobile communication terminal30before the communication line is automatically disconnected. As illustrated inFIG. 12, the threshold value K is favorably specified to be larger than a threshold value Z indicating the radio field intensity to automatically disconnect the wireless communication. The communication device10can also detect an instant to automatically disconnect the communication line as the “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle.”

The door open/close switch227may turn off when the vehicle door is opened, and may turn on when the vehicle door is closed. In this case, the waveform pattern of the door open/close switch227illustrated inFIG. 6is reversed.

The communication device10may determine an “instant to disconnect the communication line,” namely, “instant to separate the mobile communication terminal30from the vehicle” based on the receiving sensitivity of a radio wave instead of the radio field intensity.

Even if the radio field intensity changes, the communication device10may ignore the change and may not perform various correction processes while the ACC switch221changes from “on state” to “off state” and the door open/close switch227changes from “on state” to “off state.” Even if the ACC switch221changes from “on state” to “off state,” the door is not opened or closed until the door open/close switch227changes from “on state” to “off state.” Therefore, the user carrying the mobile communication terminal30is considered to be present in the vehicle compartment. The output timing may not be corrected appropriately when the radio field intensity changes in a situation where separation of the user from the vehicle is unpredictable. To solve this problem, no correction process is performed while ignoring a change in the radio field intensity even if the change occurs in a situation where separation of the user from the vehicle is unpredictable. More appropriate output timing can be notified to the mobile communication terminal30.