Vehicle, control method thereof, and antenna device

An antenna apparatus includes a bottom member mounted on the vehicle, an antenna module including at least one antenna and disposed on a first portion of the bottom member, at least one light emitting element disposed on a second portion of the bottom member, and a cover member coupled to the bottom member to surround the antenna module and the at least one light emitting element therein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0150352, filed on Nov. 4, 2021, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

Field of the Present Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, a control method thereof, and an antenna apparatus.

Description of Related Art

Recently, in places where many vehicles are parked, it is easy to see persons walking around while pressing a button on their smart key several times to find their vehicle. Accordingly, the smart key for a vehicle is often used to find the location of the vehicle.

When a driver presses a vehicle door open or door close button on the smart key near to the location where a vehicle is parked, the vehicle outputs a sound such as “beep” and flickers lamps. The driver may check the location of the vehicle by the sound output and the flickering of the lamps of the vehicle.

However, in the case of the vehicle sound output, the sound output helps a driver to predict the approximate direction of the vehicle, but it is difficult for the driver to specify a precise location of the vehicle through the sound of the vehicle. In places such as an underground parking lot, it is difficult for the driver to predict a direction of the vehicle because the sound of the vehicle echoes. Furthermore, when the sound of the vehicle is too low, it is difficult to find a direction in which the vehicle is located, and when the sound of the vehicle is too loud, it may become an unpleasant noise to the surroundings.

Furthermore, in the case of the flickering of the vehicle lamps, the driver may not be able to check the flickering. Because the lamps are generally located at front and rear surfaces of the vehicle, in places where several other vehicles are parked, the lamps of the vehicle may be obscured by other vehicles. Accordingly, the driver may not be aware of the flickering of the lamps of the vehicle.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to providing a vehicle, a control method thereof, and an antenna apparatus configured for facilitating a user to check a location of the vehicle by manipulating a smart key.

For example, the present disclosure may provide a new type of antenna apparatus (also referred to as shark fin antenna) in which a transparent cover is applied to a roof of a vehicle and a light emitting element is mounted therein. Furthermore, the vehicle according to the present disclosure may cause the light emitting element mounted on the new type of antenna apparatus to output light when the user manipulates the smart key, and thus the user may easily find the location of the vehicle.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an antenna apparatus includes a bottom member mounted on the vehicle, an antenna module including at least one antenna and disposed on a first portion of the bottom member, at least one light emitting element disposed on a second portion of the bottom member, and a cover member coupled to the bottom member to surround the antenna module and the at least one light emitting element therein.

The at least one light emitting element may include at least one of at least one first light emitting element and at least one second light emitting element, and the antenna apparatus may further include at least one of a lens mounted above the at least one first light emitting element and a reflector mounted above the at least one second light emitting element.

The antenna apparatus may further include a support member disposed on the second portion of the bottom member and a lens mounted above the support member, wherein the at least one light emitting element may be disposed on each side and an upper end portion of the support member.

The antenna apparatus may further include at least one light emitting element disposed on a third portion of the bottom member.

The bottom member may have a shape in which a cross section is widened from the second portion toward the first portion.

The cover member may be made of a transparent or translucent material.

The antenna apparatus may further include a transmitter provided to transmit at least one of an infrared signal and an electromagnetic wave signal.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes an antenna apparatus including an antenna module and at least one light emitting element, the antenna apparatus being mounted on a roof panel of the vehicle, an antenna provided to receive a signal of a smart key, and a controller configured to control light emission of the at least one light emitting element included in the antenna apparatus when the signal is received through the antenna.

The controller may be configured to control the at least one light emitting element to output light of a predetermined color based on a strength of the signal received through the antenna.

The controller may be configured to determine a distance between the smart key and the vehicle based on the strength of the signal received through the antenna, and control the at least one light emitting element to output light of the predetermined color based on the distance between the smart key and the vehicle.

The controller may be configured to control the at least one light emitting element so that a predetermined visual image is formed outside by the light of the at least one light emitting element.

The at least one light emitting element may include at least one first light emitting element and at least one second light emitting element, and the antenna apparatus may further include a lens mounted above the at least one first light emitting element and a reflector mounted above the at least one second light emitting element.

The controller may be configured to control light emission of the at least one first light emitting element based on a first signal of the smart key received through the antenna, and control light emission of the at least one second light emitting element based on a second signal of the smart key received through the antenna.

The controller may identify whether the vehicle is located in an indoor space or an outdoor space based on a signal of a satellite navigation system received through the at least one antenna, control light emission of the at least one first light emitting element based on the signal received through the antenna when the vehicle is located in the indoor space, and control light emission of the at least one second light emitting element based on the signal received through the antenna when the vehicle is located in the outdoor space.

The vehicle may further include a speaker, and a plurality of lamps disposed on a front portion and a rear portion of the vehicle, wherein the controller may output a predetermined sound through the speaker when the signal is received through the antenna, and is configured to control the plurality of lamps to emit light.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a vehicle includes receiving a signal of a smart key through an antenna of the vehicle, and controlling at least one light emitting element included in an antenna apparatus mounted on a roof panel of the vehicle to emit light in response to the receiving of the signal of the smart key.

The controlling of the at least one light emitting element to emit light may include controlling the at least one light emitting element to output light of a predetermined color based on a strength of the signal of the smart key.

The controlling of the at least one light emitting element to emit light may include determining a distance between the smart key and the vehicle based on the strength of the signal of the smart key, and controlling the at least one light emitting element to output light of the predetermined color based on the distance between the smart key and the vehicle.

The at least one light emitting element may include at least one first light emitting element and at least one second light emitting element, and the controlling of the at least one light emitting element to emit light may include controlling light emission of the at least one first light emitting element when the signal of the smart key is a first signal, and controlling light emission of the at least one second light emitting element when the signal of the smart key is a second signal.

The at least one light emitting element may include at least one first light emitting element and at least one second light emitting element, the control method may further include identifying whether the vehicle is located in an indoor space or an outdoor space based on a signal of a satellite navigation system received through the antenna apparatus, and the controlling of the at least one light emitting element to emit light may include controlling light emission of the at least one first light emitting element based on the signal of the smart key when the vehicle is located in the indoor space, and controlling light emission of the at least one second light emitting element based on the signal of the smart key when the vehicle is located in the outdoor space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like elements. The present specification does not describe all the elements of the embodiments, and duplicative contents between general contents or embodiments in the field of the present disclosure will be omitted. The terms ‘part,’ ‘module,’ ‘member,’ and ‘block’ used in the present specification may be embodied as software or hardware, and it is also possible for a plurality of ‘units,’ ‘modules,’ ‘members,’ and ‘blocks’ to be embodied as one component, or one ‘unit,’ and ‘block’ to include a plurality of components according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as being “connected” to another part, it includes not only a direct connection but also an indirect connection, and the indirect connection includes connecting through a wireless network.

Furthermore, when it is described that a part “includes” an element, it means that the element may further include other elements, not excluding the other elements unless specifically stated otherwise.

Throughout the specification, when an element is referred as to be located “on” another element, this includes not only a case in which an element is in contact with another element but also a case in which another element exists between two elements.

The terms ‘first,’ etc. are used to distinguish one element from another element, and the elements are not limited by the above-mentioned terms.

The singular forms “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In each step, an identification numeral is used for convenience of explanation, the identification numeral does not describe the order of the steps, and each step may be performed differently from the order specified unless the context clearly states a particular order.

Hereinafter, the operation principle and embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1illustrates a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, a vehicle1may include a vehicle body provided to form an exterior of the vehicle1and accommodate a driver and/or luggage, a chassis including components of the vehicle1other than the vehicle body, and electronic components provided to protect the driver or provide convenience to the driver. The vehicle body may form an internal space for the driver to stay, an engine compartment for accommodating an engine, and a trunk compartment for accommodating luggage. The chassis may include devices for generating power to drive the vehicle1under control of the driver and driving, braking, and steering the vehicle1using the power. The electronic components may provide control of the vehicle1, the safety and convenience of the driver and passengers.

An antenna apparatus100for receiving wireless signals, such as radio signals, broadcast signals, and satellite signals, and transmitting and receiving signals with other vehicles, servers, and base stations may be provided on a roof panel of the vehicle1.

FIG.2illustrates a partial structure of the antenna apparatus100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.2, the antenna apparatus100may include a housing101including a bottom member101amounted on the roof panel of the vehicle1and a cover member101bcoupled to the bottom member101aand covering components therein.

The bottom member101ais made of synthetic resin, and may be attached to the vehicle body to prevent foreign substances from being introduced into a gap between the bottom member101aand the cover member101band reduce an impact transmitted from the vehicle body.

The bottom member101amay be provided at an upper rear side of the vehicle1so that a wireless signal reception rate is excellent because there is little possibility of interference with the surrounding components.

The bottom member101amay be formed to have a wider cross section toward the rear of the vehicle1to reduce wind resistance and noise generated when the vehicle body moves.

For example, the bottom member101amay have a shape in which the cross section thereof is widened from a second portion133to a first portion131.

The cover member101bmay be made of a transparent or translucent plastic material. As the cover member101bis made of a transparent or translucent material, when a light emitting element emits light, the light of the light emitting element may be recognized from the outside.

For example, the cover member101bmay include polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or the like.

For example, UV (ultraviolet rays) hard coding may be applied to the cover member101bto enhance weather resistance and block UV rays.

For example, the housing101may be provided in a shark fin type.

An antenna module110as illustrated inFIG.2may be disposed on the first portion131of the bottom member101aof the antenna apparatus100.

For example, the antenna apparatus100includes a base member102disposed on the bottom member101aand the antenna module110disposed on the base member102.

The base member102may be coupled to the bottom member101aby a method such as bonding and bolting, and may be coupled to the antenna module110by a bolting method.

The base member102provides a space for mounting the antenna module110.

The antenna module110may be provided as a printed circuit board (PCB) having wiring formed by etching copper or the like on a substrate. The antenna module110may include a hole through which an electric wire passes.

The antenna module110may include one or more antennae120and a signal processing circuit for processing signals by amplifying or filtering the signals received from the antennae120.

The antenna module110transmits a signal to an electronic control unit (ECU) or a terminal mounted inside the vehicle body.

The antenna module110extracts and optimizes signals of a preset frequency band, for example, a frequency modulation (FM) signal or amplitude modulation (AM) signal, a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) signal, a digital audio broadcasting (DAB) signal, an integrated services digital broadcasting-terrestrial (ISDB-T) signal, a long term evolution (LTE) signal, and/or a global positioning system (GPS) (or global navigation satellite system (GNSS)) signal.

The antenna module110as described above may be implemented as a single integrated antenna module by mounting components, such as a band pass filter (BPF), a switch, a tuner, a buffer, and a digital signal processor (DSP), on a circuit board.

The antenna120represents an antenna that receives a signal of one frequency band as a signal of a fundamental frequency band. The one frequency band may, as an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, be a frequency band of various signals such as a FM band, AM band, DMB (or DAB, ISDB-T) band, LTE band, and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) band (or GNSS band).

A coil antenna may be used as the antenna120, but various other antennae such as a chip antenna and a microstrip patch antenna may also be used.

Furthermore, although not shown inFIG.2, at least one light emitting element, which will be described later, may be mounted on the second portion133of the bottom member101a. Detailed embodiments related to the light emitting element will be described with reference toFIGS.3to7, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG.3is a block diagram of the vehicle1according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.3, a vehicle1may include the antenna apparatus100, an antenna120, a speaker300, a lamp400, and/or a controller500.

The antenna apparatus100may include the antenna module110and/or a light emitting module130.

The antenna module110may include the one or more antennae120.

The light emitting module130may include one or more light emitting elements140, one or more lenses150, and/or one or more reflectors160.

The one or more light emitting elements140may include at least one of light emitting elements141,143,144,145,146,147,148, and149ofFIG.4,FIG.5,FIG.6, andFIG.7, which will be described later.

The lens150may include at least one of lenses151and153ofFIGS.4,6, and7, which will be described later.

The reflector160may include the reflector160ofFIGS.5and/or6, which will be described later.

The antenna120may receive a signal from a smart key of the vehicle1and/or transmit a signal to the smart key of the vehicle1.

The speaker300may output a sound of the vehicle1.

The lamp400may be disposed on the vehicle body of the vehicle1, for example, a front portion and a rear portion of the vehicle, and a plurality of lamps400may be provided.

The controller500may control at least one other component (e.g., a device and/or software (software program)) of the vehicle1, and may perform various data processing and operations.

The controller500may generate various control signals for controlling components in the antenna apparatus100.

The controller500may be implemented as a module separate from the antenna module110or may be implemented as a module integrated with the electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle1.

The controller500may be implemented as a memory for storing an algorithm for controlling the operations of components inside the antenna apparatus100or data for a program reproducing the algorithm and a processor for performing the above-described operations using data stored in the memory. In the instant case, the memory and the processor may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.

The controller500may transmit a signal to the electronic control unit (ECU) or the terminal. In the instant case, the signal may be transmitted using a controller area network (CAN) communication method. Furthermore, the controller500may receive a command received from an input device of the vehicle1in various receiving methods such as CAN communication.

The controller500may control light emission of the light emitting element140included in the light emitting module130of the antenna apparatus100when the signal of the smart key is received through the antenna120.

The controller500may control the light emitting element140to output light of a predetermined color based on a strength of the signal of the smart key received through the antenna120.

For example, the controller500may determine a distance between the smart key and the vehicle1based on the strength of the signal of the smart key received through the antenna120, and may control the light emitting element140to output light of the predetermined color based on the distance between the smart key and the vehicle1.

The controller500may control the light emitting element140so that a predetermined visual image is formed outside with the light of the light emitting element140.

The controller500may output a predetermined sound through the speaker300when receiving the signal of the smart key through the antenna120, and may control the lamp400to emit light.

The vehicle1according to the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.3described above may further include a communication device (also referred to as a communication circuit) for supporting establishment of a wireless and/or wired communication channel between the vehicle1and an external device, for example, an electronic device and an external server and performing communication through the established communication channel, and the antenna120may be included in the communication device of the vehicle1.

Although the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.3described above illustrates that the antenna module110and the antenna120are provided as separate components, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the antenna120may be included in the antenna module110.

Furthermore, although the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.3described above illustrates that the controller500is disposed in the vehicle1, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller500may be included in the antenna apparatus100to generate various control signals for controlling components in the antenna apparatus100.

FIG.4,FIG.5,FIG.6andFIG.7illustrate configurations of the antenna apparatus100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.4, the antenna apparatus100may include the antenna module110, the light emitting element141, and/or the lens151.

The antenna module110may be disposed on the first portion131of the bottom member101a.

The light emitting element141may be disposed on the second portion133of the bottom member101a.

The light emitting element141, which is an element emitting light, may include a light emitting diode (LED) or the like. The light emitting element141may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) or may be connected to a wiring.

The lens151may be disposed above the light emitting element141and is configured to collect light of the light emitting element141in an upper direction. The lens151may be integrally formed when the antenna cover101bis injection molded, or may be separately mounted on an upper end portion of the light emitting element141.

For example, the lens151may include a convex lens.

When the light emitting element141of the antenna apparatus100emits light under the control of the controller500in a stale in which the vehicle1including the antenna apparatus100as illustrated inFIG.4is parked in an indoor parking space such as an underground parking lot or a parking space with a ceiling, the lens151may collect the light of the light emitting element141in the upper direction so that the light reaches the ceiling.

For example, assuming that the vehicle1includes the antenna apparatus100having the configuration as illustrated inFIG.4, when the driver presses the button on the smart key to find the own vehicle1parked in a parking space with a ceiling, the controller500may receive a signal of the smart key through the antenna120and control the light emitting element141of the antenna apparatus100to emit light. Accordingly, the driver may easily identify the location of the own vehicle1by checking the light projected on the ceiling of the parking space.

Referring toFIG.5, the antenna apparatus100may include the antenna module110, the light emitting element143, and/or the reflector160.

The antenna module110may be disposed on the first portion131of the bottom member101a.

The light emitting element143may be disposed on the second portion133of the bottom member101a.

The light emitting element143, which is an element emitting light, may include a light emitting diode (LED) or the like. The light emitting element143may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) or may be connected to a wiring.

The reflector160may be disposed above the light emitting element143.

The reflector160may spread the light of the light emitting element143in all directions like a general non-directional dipole or monopole antenna. The reflector160may be made of a material configured for reflecting light, and a portion to which the light hits may have a concave shape so that the light of the light emitting element143may be spread in all directions.

The reflector160may include a mirror, and the mirror may be, for example, a concave mirror.

When the light emitting element143of the antenna apparatus100emits light under the control of the controller500in a state in which the vehicle1including the antenna apparatus100as illustrated inFIG.5is parked in a space without a ceiling, such as a large vacant lot, the reflector160may spread the light of the light emitting element143in all directions, so that a user may check the light of the vehicle1.

For example, assuming that the vehicle1includes the antenna apparatus100having the configuration as illustrated inFIG.5, when the driver presses the button on the smart key to find the own vehicle1parked in a large vacant lot, the controller500may receive a signal of the smart key through the antenna120and control the light emitting element143of the antenna apparatus100to emit light. Accordingly, the driver may easily identify the location of the own vehicle1by checking the light spreading in all directions.

Referring toFIG.6, the antenna apparatus100may include the antenna module110, the light emitting elements141and143, the lens151, and/or the reflector160.

The antenna module110may be disposed on the first portion131of the bottom member101a.

The light emitting elements141and143may be disposed on the second portion133of the bottom member101a.

The lens151may be disposed above the light emitting element141.

The reflector160may be disposed above the light emitting element143.

Because the antenna module110, the light emitting elements141and143, the lens151, and the reflector160have been described in detail in the above embodiments, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the vehicle1including the antenna apparatus100including the two light emitting elements141and143may select one of the two light emitting elements141and143to output light or select both the light emitting elements141and143to output light, depending on a condition specified in advance by the vehicle1.

For example, assuming that the vehicle1includes the antenna apparatus100having the configuration as illustrated inFIG.6, the driver may selectively cause one of the two light emitting elements141and143to output light depending on a place where the own vehicle1is parked.

For example, the smart key of the vehicle1may include a first button (also referred to as a button for indoor parking) and a second button (also referred to as a button for outdoor parking).

For example, when the driver parks the own vehicle1in an indoor parking space and presses the first button of the smart key, the controller500may receive a first signal corresponding to the first button. The controller500may control the light emitting element141of the two light emitting elements141and143to output light based on the reception of the first signal. Accordingly, the driver may identify the location of the own vehicle1by checking the light projected on a ceiling of the indoor parking space.

Furthermore, when the driver parks the own vehicle1in a wide open space and presses the second button of the smart key, the controller500may receive a second signal corresponding to the second button. The controller500may control the light emitting element143of the two light emitting elements141and143to output light based on the reception of the second signal. Accordingly, the driver may identify the location of the own vehicle1by checking the light spreading in all directions.

As an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller500of the vehicle1may determine whether the parking location of the vehicle1is an indoor space or an outdoor space, and may control one of the two light emitting elements141and143to output light depending on the determination result.

The controller500may identify that the vehicle1is located in an indoor space or an outdoor space based on a GPS signal received through the antenna apparatus120or location information of a navigation device of the vehicle1. For example, the controller500may identify that the vehicle1is located in an indoor space or an outdoor space when receiving a signal from the smart key through the antenna120.

When the driver presses the button of the smart key, the controller500may receive a signal from the smart key and identify that the vehicle1is located in an indoor space or an outdoor space.

When the vehicle1is located in an indoor space, the controller500may, control the light emitting element141of the two light emitting elements141and143to Output light based on the signal received from the smart key.

When the vehicle1is located in an outdoor space, the controller500may control the light emitting element143of the two light emitting elements141and143to output light based on the signal received from the smart key.

Referring toFIG.7, the antenna apparatus100may include the antenna module110, a plurality of light emitting elements144,145,146,147,148, and149, and/or the lens153.

The antenna module110may be disposed on the first portion131of the bottom member101a.

The plurality of light emitting elements144,145,146,147, and148may be disposed on the second portion133of the bottom member101a.

For example, the support member630is disposed on the second portion133of the bottom member101aso that the plurality of light emitting elements144,145,146,147, and148is disposed on sides and an upper end portion of the support member630, that is, disposed in a cubic shape, causing light to be emitted in all directions similarly to the reflector160inFIGS.4and/or5.

The lens153may be disposed above the support member630on which the plurality of light emitting elements144,145,146,147, and148is disposed.

The lens153may be a lens similar to (or identical to) the lens151ofFIG.3described above.

The light emitting element149may be disposed on a third portion135of the bottom member101a.

For example, a support member632may be disposed on the third portion135of the bottom member101aso that the light emitting element149may be disposed on one side (or rear side) of the support member632.

For example, the support member632on which the light emitting element149is disposed may be disposed at the rear of the antenna apparatus100so that, when the antenna apparatus100is attached to the vehicle1, light may be radiated to the rear of the vehicle1.

For example, assuming that the vehicle1includes the antenna apparatus100including the configuration as illustrated inFIG.7, when the driver presses the button on the smart key to find the own vehicle1, the controller500may receive a signal of the smart key through the antenna120and control the plurality of light emitting elements144,145,146,147, and148and/or the light emitting element149of the antenna apparatus100to input light.

AlthoughFIG.4illustrates that the antenna apparatus100includes the one light emitting element141, as another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the antenna apparatus100may be implemented as a configuration of including a plurality of light emitting elements and in which the lens151is disposed above the plurality of light emitting elements.

Also, althoughFIG.5illustrates that the antenna apparatus100includes the one light emitting element143, as another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the antenna apparatus100may be implemented as a configuration of including a plurality of light emitting elements and in which the reflector160is disposed above the plurality of light emitting elements.

Also, althoughFIG.6illustrates that the antenna apparatus100includes the one light emitting element141disposed below the lens151and the one light emitting element143disposed below the reflector160, as another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the antenna apparatus100may be implemented as a configuration of including a plurality of light emitting elements disposed below the lens151and a plurality of light emitting elements disposed below the reflector160.

Also, the number of the plurality of light emitting elements144,145,146,147, and148and the arrangement form of the plurality of light emitting elements144,145,146,147, and148disposed on the support member630, which are illustrated inFIG.7, may be variously changed. Also, althoughFIG.6illustrates that the antenna apparatus100includes the one light emitting element149disposed on the third portion135, as another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of light emitting elements may be provided.

Also, at least one component may be added or removed depending on the performance of the components of the vehicle1or the antenna apparatus100in the above-described embodiments. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the mutual positions of the components may be changed depending on the performance or structure of the system.

Some components of the vehicle1or the antenna apparatus100may be software and/or hardware components such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

FIG.8is a flowchart of an operation of the vehicle1(and/or the controller500of the vehicle1) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.9illustrates light emission of the antenna apparatus100and the lamps400in response to reception of a signal of a smart key of the vehicle1according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.10is a diagram illustrating predetermined visual images to be formed outside in response to the light emission of the antenna apparatus100of the vehicle1according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.8, the vehicle1may receive a signal of the smart key through the antenna120of the vehicle1(801).

The vehicle1may control at least one of the light emitting elements included in the antenna apparatus100to emit light when receiving the signal of the smart key through the antenna apparatus100(803).

For example, when receiving the signal of the smart key through the antenna apparatus100, as illustrated inFIG.9, the vehicle1may control at least one of the light emitting elements included in the antenna apparatus100to emit light and control the lamps400of the vehicle1to emit light. Accordingly, because the antenna apparatus100mounted on the roof panel of the vehicle1as well as front and rear surfaces of the vehicle1emits light, the driver may easily find the location of the vehicle1.

Additionally, the vehicle1may output the predetermined sound through the speaker300of the vehicle1upon reception of the signal of the smart key through the antenna apparatus100.

For example, the vehicle1may control at least one of the light emitting elements included in the antenna apparatus100so that any one of the predetermined visual images, as illustrated inFIG.10, is formed outside by the light of the at least one light emitting element.

Therefore, when the light of the at least one light emitting element included in the antenna apparatus100is output in the direction of a ceiling, images of various shapes may be projected on the ceiling to produce effects such as floor advertisements.

For example, the vehicle1may change the color of light to be output from the antenna apparatus100depending on the distance between the smart key and the vehicle1.

For example, when the distance between the vehicle1and the smart key is within a short first distance range, the vehicle1may control at least one of the light emitting elements included in the antenna apparatus100so that the antenna apparatus100outputs blue light having a short wavelength.

Furthermore, when the distance between the vehicle1and the smart key is within a long first distance range, the vehicle1may control at least one of the light emitting elements included in the antenna apparatus100so that the antenna apparatus100outputs red light having a long wavelength.

With these colors of light, the vehicle1may provide information about how far away the vehicle1is to the driver holding the smart key.

When an output of the radio wave radiated from the smart key is known and a strength of the radio wave received from the antenna120of the vehicle1is known, an approximate distance between the vehicle1and the smart key may be determined by the FRISS formula of Equation 1 below

The vehicle1may provide information on the distance by controlling the color of light output from at least one light emitting element based on the distance determined as described above.

In other words, the vehicle1may control at least one of the light emitting elements included in the antenna apparatus100to output light of a predetermined color based on the strength of the signal of the smart key.

For example, the vehicle1may determine the distance between the smart key and the vehicle1based on the strength of the signal of the smart key and control at least one light emitting element to output light of the predetermined color based on the distance between the smart key and the vehicle1.

The vehicle1may control at least one of the light emitting elements included in the antenna apparatus100so that light of a first color is output when the distance between the smart key and the vehicle1is included in the first distance range.

The vehicle1may control at least one of the light emitting elements included in the antenna apparatus100so that light of a second color is output when the distance between the smart key and the vehicle1is included in the second distance range.

For example, when the antenna apparatus100of the vehicle1is the antenna apparatus100ofFIG.6described above, the vehicle1may identify whether the signal of the smart key is the first signal or the second signal. The first signal may be a signal corresponding to the first button of the smart key (also referred to as the button for indoor parking), and the second signal may be a signal corresponding to the second button of the smart key (also referred to as the button for outdoor parking).

The vehicle1may control the light emitting element141of the two light emitting elements141and143to output light so that the light may be illuminated on a ceiling of an indoor parking space when the signal of the smart key is the first signal.

The vehicle1may control the light emitting element143of the two light emitting elements141and143to output light so that the light may spread in all directions when the signal of the smart key is the second signal.

For example, when the antenna apparatus100of the vehicle1is the antenna apparatus100ofFIG.6described above, the vehicle1may identify whether the vehicle1is located in an indoor space or an outdoor space based on a GPS signal or location information of the navigation device.

Accordingly, the vehicle1may control the light emitting element141of the two light emitting elements141and143to output light so that the light may be illuminated on a ceiling of an indoor parking space when a signal is received from the smart key and the vehicle1is located in an indoor space.

Also, the vehicle1may control the light emitting element143of the two light emitting elements141and143to output light so that the light may spread in all directions when a signal is received from the smart key and the vehicle1is located in an outdoor space.

In addition to the above-described embodiments, the antenna apparatus100of the vehicle1may further include an infrared signal or electromagnetic wave signal transmitter together with the light emitting module130including the light emitting element140. On the other hand, as some changes in the above-described embodiments, the antenna apparatus100of the vehicle1may include an infrared signal or electromagnetic wave signal transmitter instead of the light emitting module130including the light emitting element140. When the vehicle1is configured as described above, the smart key of the vehicle1may include the configuration illustrated inFIG.11.

FIG.11is a block diagram of the smart key according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.11, a smart key11of the vehicle1may include a receiver1101, a vibration module1103, a button1105, and/or a controller1107.

The receiver1101may also be referred to as a directional receiver, and may receive a signal output from the infrared signal or electromagnetic wave signal transmitter of the vehicle1.

The vibration module1103may be configured to vibrate the smart key11.

The button1105may include a door open button and/or a door lock button of the vehicle1.

The controller1107may be implemented as a memory for storing an algorithm for controlling the operations of components inside the smart key11or data for a program reproducing the algorithm and a processor for performing the above-described operations using data stored in the memory. In the instant case, the memory and the processor may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.

The controller1107may control the vibration module1103to vibrate the smart key11when receiving the signal from the infrared signal or electromagnetic wave signal transmitter of the vehicle1through the receiver1101.

When the vehicle1is located in a direction in which the smart key11of the vehicle1having the above configuration faces, the smart key11may receive the signal from the infrared signal or electromagnetic wave signal transmitter of the vehicle1through the receiver1101. The smart key11may control the vibration of the vibration module1103of the smart key11based on reception of the signal from the infrared signal or electromagnetic wave signal transmitter.

Because the smart key11receives the signal of the vehicle1only when the direction of the smart key11that is, the direction of the receiver1101of the smart key11faces direction of the vehicle1, that is, the direction of the infrared signal or electromagnetic wave signal transmitter of the vehicle1and generates vibration, the driver holding the smart key11may check in which direction the vehicle1is located about the driver.

As is apparent from the above, a vehicle, a control method thereof, and an antenna apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can facilitate a user to check a location of the vehicle by manipulating a smart key.

Therefore, the user can easily find the own vehicle by manipulating the smart key in large parking lots of large shopping malls, airports, and/or stadiums, improving the convenience of the user.

The disclosed exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in a form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in a form of program code, and when executed by a processor, a program module may be generated to perform the operations of the disclosed exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

The computer-readable recording medium includes any type of recording medium in which instructions readable by the computer are stored. For example, the recording medium may include a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, and the like.