Patent Publication Number: US-10787855-B2

Title: Vehicle door opening/closing control device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-154222 filed on Aug. 9, 2017 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a vehicle door control device that controls the opening/closing of vehicle doors. 
     Related Art 
     A vehicle door includes a door lock and a door latch. The door is locked and unlocked using the door lock, and the door can be opened by releasing the door latch when the door lock is in an unlocked state. Although locking and unlocking a door lock using electronic key authentication is well known, to release a door latch an operator typically operates a mechanical latch mechanism. 
     Technology for “hands free” unlocking and opening of vehicle doors has been proposed. For example, in the technology described by Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2007-162459 (Patent Document 1), when an electronic key ID is authenticated by a smart ECU, the door lock of a vehicle door being approached by a user is placed in an “unlock standby mode”. Based on the door lock being placed in the unlock standby mode, a laser transceiver emits a laser beam, and when a portion of the body of the user, such as a foot, enters a region illuminated by the laser beam, the amount of reflected laser beam light received by the laser transceiver changes. A door lock ECU unlocks the door lock based on this change, and a door opening ECU releases the latch of the vehicle door, allowing the vehicle door to be popped open. 
     SUMMARY 
     However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, to open a front door, an operator needs to manually actuate a mechanical mechanism so as to release a latch. Further, although it is possible to unlock the door locks and release the door latches of the rear doors, door lock actuation sections for actuating door locks cannot be actuated separately to door latch actuation sections for actuating door latches, and there is therefore room for improvement. 
     In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle door opening/closing control device capable of controlling a door lock actuation section separately to a door latch actuation section. 
     In a first aspect, a vehicle door opening/closing control device includes a door lock actuation section, a door latch actuation section, an authentication section, a lock instruction section, a latch instruction section, and a controller. The door lock actuation section actuates a door lock. The door latch actuation section actuates a door latch. The authentication section authenticates an electronic key of an operator. The lock instruction section detects at least one of an approach of or contact by a hand of the operator and instructs actuation of the door lock. The latch instruction section is provided separately from the lock instruction section, detects at least one of an approach of or contact by the hand of the operator, and instructs actuation of the door latch. The controller performs lock control so as to actuate the door lock actuation section in accordance with instruction from the lock instruction section in cases in which a pre-registered electronic key has been authenticated by the authentication section. The controller also performs latch control so as to actuate the door latch actuation section in accordance with instruction from the latch instruction section in cases in which the door lock is in an unlocked state. 
     In the first aspect, the door lock actuation section actuates the door lock and the latch instruction section is provided separately to the lock instruction section and actuates the door latch. 
     The authentication section authenticates an electronic key held by an operator. For example, the authentication section acquires identification information pre-stored in an electronic key via wireless communication or the like, and then authenticates whether or not the electronic key is a pre-registered electronic key. 
     The lock instruction section detects at least one of the approach of, or contact by, a hand of an operator and instructs actuation of the door lock. Namely, the lock instruction section enables the door lock to be locked and unlocked by the touch of a hand of the operator. 
     The latch instruction section detects at least one of the approach of, or contact by, a hand of an operator, and instructs actuation of the door latch. Namely, the latch instruction section enables the door latch to be released by the touch of a hand of the operator, and release of the door latch allows the door to be opened. 
     The controller performs lock control so as to actuate the door lock actuation section in accordance with instruction from the lock instruction section in cases in which a pre-registered electronic key has been authenticated by the authentication section, thereby enabling the door lock to be locked and unlocked by an occupant holding a pre-registered electronic key. Further, the controller performs latch control so as to actuate the door latch actuation section in accordance with instruction from the latch instruction section in cases in which the door lock is in an unlocked state, thereby enabling release of the door latch and allowing the vehicle door to be opened. The door lock actuation section is thereby able to be controlled separately to the door latch actuation section. 
     In a second aspect, a vehicle door opening/closing control device includes a door lock actuation section, a door latch actuation section, an authentication section, a detection section, and a controller. The door lock actuation section actuates a door lock. The door latch actuation section actuates a door latch. The authentication section authenticates an electronic key of an operator. The detection section detects an operation determined according to at least one of contact by or an approach of a hand of the operator. The controller performs control so as to actuate the door lock actuation section and unlock the door lock in cases in which the door lock is in a locked state, a pre-registered electronic key has been authenticated by the authentication section, and a predetermined first operation has been detected based on a detection result from the detection section. The controller also performs control so as to actuate the door latch actuation section and release the door latch in cases in which the door lock is in an unlocked state, and a predetermined second operation has been detected based on a detection result from the detection section. 
     In the second aspect, the door lock actuation section actuates the door lock and the door latch actuation section actuates the door latch 
     The authentication section authenticates an electronic key held by an operator. For example, the authentication section acquires identification information pre-stored in an electronic key via wireless communication or the like, and then authenticates whether or not the electronic key is a pre-registered electronic key. 
     The detection section detects an operation determined according to at least one of contact by, or the approach of, a hand of an operator. 
     The controller performs control so as to actuate the door lock actuation section and unlock the door lock in cases in which the door lock is in a locked state, a pre-registered electronic key has been authenticated by the authentication section, and a predetermined first operation has been detected based on a detection result from the detection section, thereby enabling the door lock to be locked and unlocked by an occupant holding a pre-registered electronic key. Further, the controller performs control so as to actuate the door latch actuation section and release the door latch in cases in which the door lock is in an unlocked state, and a predetermined second operation has been detected based on a detection result from the detection section, thereby enabling release of the door latch and allowing the vehicle door to be opened. The door lock actuation section is thereby able to be controlled separately to the door latch actuation section. Moreover, a reduction in a number of components is possible since the door lock actuation section and the door latch actuation section are able to be controlled using a single detection section. 
     Note that as in a third aspect, the controller may further perform control so as to actuate the door lock actuation section and lock the door lock in cases in which the door lock is in an unlocked state and a predetermined third operation has been detected based on a detection result from the detection section. This allows the door lock to be transitioned from an unlocked state to a locked state without an increase in a number of components. As in a fourth aspect, the third operation may be the same as the first operation or the second operation. This simplifies lock control and allows a door lock to be placed into a locked state by an easy-to-understand operation. 
     As in a fifth aspect, the controller may further perform control so as to actuate the door lock actuation section and unlock the door lock, and so as to actuate the door latch actuation section and release the door latch, in cases in which the door lock is in a locked state, a pre-registered electronic key has been authenticated by the authentication section, and a predetermined fourth operation has been detected based on a detection result from the detection section. It is thereby possible to unlock the door lock and release the door latch with a single operation. 
     Further, as in a sixth aspect, in cases in which the door lock is in a locked state, a pre-registered electronic key has been authenticated by the authentication section, and the first operation has been detected, the controller may perform control so as to actuate the door lock actuation section of a vehicle door where the detection section that detected the first operation is provided and unlock the door lock, and in cases in which the door lock is in a locked state, a pre-registered electronic key has been authenticated by the authentication section, and a predetermined fifth operation has been detected, the controller may perform control so as to actuate the door lock actuation sections of all vehicle doors and unlock the door locks. This allows the unlocking of the door lock of a single vehicle door to be performed separately to the unlocking the door locks of all vehicle doors. 
     Note that as in a seventh aspect, the detection section may be provided at an outside handle. This enables a smooth transition to an opening/closing operation of the vehicle door after unlocking the door locks. 
     As described above, the present disclosure has the advantageous effect of enabling a vehicle door opening/closing control device capable of controlling a door lock actuation section separately to a door latch actuation section to be provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a vehicle door opening/closing control device according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2A  is a diagram illustrating a state in which an operator has placed a hand on an outside handle of a vehicle door; 
         FIG. 2B  is a diagram illustrating a cross-section taken along A-A in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a diagram illustrating an example in which a handle sensor is a pressure sensor or a strain sensor; 
         FIG. 3B  a diagram illustrating an example in which a handle sensor is a capacitive sensor; 
         FIG. 3C  is a diagram illustrating an example in which a handle sensor is a millimeter wave radar; 
         FIG. 3D  is a diagram illustrating an example in which a handle sensor detects a change in pressure; 
         FIG. 3E  is a diagram illustrating a cross-section taken along B-B in  FIG. 3D ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a diagram illustrating an example of detection values in a case in which a handle sensor continuously detects the hand of an operator for at least a predetermined length of time after initially detecting the hand of the operator; 
         FIG. 4B  is a diagram illustrating an example of detection values in a case in which the length of time that a handle sensor detects the hand of an operator is less than a predetermined length of time; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an example flow of door opening/closing control performed by a control device of a vehicle door opening/closing control device according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a vehicle door opening/closing control device according to a second exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross-section illustrating a handle-inside sensor and a handle-outside sensor provided to an outside handle; 
         FIG. 7B  is a diagram illustrating an example placement for a handle-outside sensor; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an example flow of door opening/closing control performed by a control device of a vehicle door opening/closing control device according to the second exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating an example flow of door opening/closing control performed by a control device of a vehicle door opening/closing control device according to a third exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Detailed explanation follows regarding examples of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, with reference to the drawings. 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a vehicle door opening/closing control device according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 2A  is a diagram illustrating a state in which an operator has placed a hand on an outside handle of a vehicle door, and  FIG. 2B  is a diagram illustrating a cross-section taken along A-A in  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 3A  is a diagram illustrating an example in which a handle sensor is a pressure sensor or a strain sensor.  FIG. 3B  is a diagram illustrating an example in which a handle sensor is a capacitive sensor.  FIG. 3C  is a diagram illustrating an example in which a handle sensor is a millimeter wave radar.  FIG. 3D  is a diagram illustrating an example in which a handle sensor detects a change in pressure.  FIG. 3E  is a diagram illustrating a cross-section taken along B-B in  FIG. 3D . Note that in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , “UP” indicates an upper side of the vehicle, and “OUT” indicates an outer side in a vehicle width direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a vehicle door opening/closing control device  10  according to the present exemplary embodiment includes an authentication section  14 , a door latch actuation section  16 , a door lock actuation section  18 , a handle sensor  20  that serves as a detection section, and a control device  12  that serves as a controller. 
     The control device  12  is configured by a microcomputer in which a central processing unit (CPU)  12 A, read-only memory (ROM)  12 B, random-access memory (RAM)  12 C, and an I/O (input/output interface)  12 D are each connected to a bus  12 E. 
     The authentication section  14 , the door latch actuation section  16 , the door lock actuation section  18 , and the handle sensor  20  are each connected to the I/O  12 D. A program or the like for controlling opening/closing of vehicle doors is stored in the ROM  12 B of the control device  12 . The RAM  12 C is, for example, used as working memory for the CPU  12 A to perform various calculations. Note that although one each of the door latch actuation section  16  and the door lock actuation section  18  are illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the door latch actuation section  16  and the door lock actuation section  18  are provided in correspondence with the vehicle doors. For example, four each of the door latch actuation sections  16  and the door lock actuation sections  18  are provided when there are four doors. 
     The authentication section  14  performs an authentication by detecting an electronic key  15  held by an operator, and then communicates the authentication result to the control device  12 . The electronic key  15  is what is known as a smart key. Authentication of the electronic key  15  is performed by the authentication section  14  acquiring identification information pre-stored in the electronic key  15  using, for example, a type of wireless communication protocol and then authenticating whether or not the electronic key is a pre-registered electronic key. 
     The door latch actuation section  16  actuates a door latch provided to a vehicle door using a motor, for example, so as to release the door latch and place the vehicle door in an openable state. 
     The door lock actuation section  18  actuates a door lock provided to a vehicle door using a motor, for example, so as to lock or unlock the door lock. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , the handle sensor  20  is provided to an outside handle  32  of a vehicle door  30 . The handle sensor  20  detects at least one of contact by, or the approach of, the hand of an operator at the vehicle inner side of the outside handle  32 , and outputs a detection result to the control device  12 . Various touch sensors, for example a capacitive or an optical touch sensor, may be employed as the handle sensor  20 . Another example of the handle sensor  20 A may employ a sensor such as a pressure sensor or a strain sensor. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 3A , a sensor  20 A, in this case a pressure sensor or a strain sensor, may be provided at a vehicle inner side portion of the outside handle  32  that is contacted by a finger of an operator. Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the outside handle  32  may be provided with a cover  34  configured by an elastic member such as rubber, with a capacitive sensor  36  provided in the outside handle  32  and a dielectric  38  provided to the cover  34 . Configuration may be such that a change in capacitance (a change in the distance between electrodes) is detected. Providing the cover  34  enables the erroneous detection of something other than the touch of a hand, such as rain, to be prevented. Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 3C , a range sensor  40 , such as a millimeter wave radar or a light-emitting and -receiving element, may be provided within the vehicle door  30 , so as to detect a change in a distance (D 0 -D 1 ) reflected from the outside handle  32  back to the outside handle  32 . Note that in cases in which millimeter wave radar is employed, a cup portion  30 A of the outside handle  32  is made with resin. Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 3D  and  FIG. 3E , a cover  34  configured by an elastic member such as rubber may be provided to the outside handle  32 , pressure-detecting tubes  42  may be provided between the cover  34  and the outside handle  32 , and pressure change due to the pressure-detecting tubes  42  being made to flex by a finger is detected by a pressure measurement section  44 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the control device  12  is configured to detect plural types of operations based on detection results from the handle sensor  20 . Namely, the control device  12  detects operations determined by at least one of contact by, or the approach of, the hand of an operator. In the present exemplary embodiment, the method to differentiate plural types of operations is, for example, a method in which operation type is differentiated according to the length of time the hand of an operator is in contact with the handle sensor  20 . 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the control device  12  detects a first operation in cases in which the length of time that the handle sensor  20  detects the hand of an operator is less than a predetermined length of time. In cases in which the first operation has been detected when the lock of the vehicle door  30  is in a locked state, the control device  12  actuates the door lock actuation section  18  so as to unlock the vehicle door  30 . Note that in the present exemplary embodiment, the door locks of all vehicle doors  30  are unlocked in cases in which the first operation has been detected. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the control device  12  detects a second operation in cases in which the handle sensor  20  continuously detects the hand of an operator for at least a predetermined length of time after initially detecting the hand of the operator. In cases in which the second operation has been detected when the lock of vehicle door  30  is in an unlocked state, the control device  12  actuates the door latch actuation section  16  so as to release the door latch of the vehicle door  30  and open the vehicle door  30 . 
     The control device  12  also detects a third operation in cases in which in which the length of time that the handle sensor  20  detects the hand of an operator is less than a predetermined length of time. Although this operation is the same as the first operation, the state of the lock differs. Namely, the third operation is deemed to be detected in cases in which an operation the same as the first operation has been detected but the lock of the vehicle door  30  is in an unlocked state. In cases in which the third operation has been detected when the lock of the vehicle door  30  is in the unlocked state, the control device  12  actuates the door lock actuation section  18  so as to lock the lock of the vehicle door  30 . Thus having the third operation be the same as the first operation simplifies lock control and enables door locks to be placed into a locked state by an easy-to-understand operation. 
     The control device  12  further detects a fourth operation in cases in which the handle sensor  20  continuously detects the hand of an operator for at least a predetermined length of time after initially detecting the hand of the operator. Although this operation is the same as the second operation, the state of the lock differs. Namely, the fourth operation is deemed to be detected in cases in which an operation the same as the second operation has been detected but the lock of the vehicle door  30  is in a locked state. In cases in which the fourth operation has been detected when the lock of the vehicle door  30  is in a locked state, the control device  12  actuates the door lock actuation section  18  so as to unlock the lock of the vehicle door  30 , and actuates the door latch actuation section  16  so as to release the door latch of the vehicle door  30  and open the vehicle door  30 . Note that when unlocking the lock, the door lock actuation sections  18  of all vehicle doors  30  are actuated so as to unlock the respective locks. 
     Explanation follows regarding the specific processing performed by the control device  12  of the vehicle door opening/closing control device  10  according to the present exemplary embodiment, configured as described above.  FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an example flow of door opening/closing control performed by the control device  12  of the vehicle door opening/closing control device  10  according to the present exemplary embodiment. Note that the processing of  FIG. 5  relates to an example that focuses on operations related to the opening/closing of a vehicle door  30  from outside the vehicle, and processing such as for lock operations from inside the vehicle is omitted therefrom. 
     At step  100 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the vehicle door  30  is in a locked state. Here, for example, a determination is made as to whether or not the lock of the vehicle door  30  is locked based on the actuation state of the door lock actuation section  18 . Alternatively, a lock sensor, switch, or the like may be provided in order to determine a locked state. Processing transitions to step  102  in cases in which determination is affirmative, and processing transitions to step  116  in cases in which determination is negative. 
     At step  102 , the CPU  12 A scans for an electronic key  15 , and then processing transitions to step  104 . Namely, the authentication section  14  searches for an electronic key  15  held by an operator. 
     At step  104 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not an authentication key has been detected. Here, a determination is made as to whether or not a pre-registered electronic key  15  has been detected by the authentication section  14 . Processing transitions to step  106  in cases in which determination is affirmative. In cases in which determination is negative, processing returns to step  102  and the processing described above repeats. 
     At step  106 , the CPU  12 A performs operator hand detection using the handle sensor  20  and then processing transitions to step  108 . 
     At step  108 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the fourth operation has been detected. Here, a determination is made as to whether or not after initially detecting the hand of the operator, the handle sensor  20  continuously detected the hand of the operator for at least a predetermined length of time. Processing transitions to step  110  in cases in which determination is affirmative, and processing transitions to step  112  in cases in which determination is negative. 
     At step  110 , the CPU  12 A actuates the door lock actuation sections  18  so as to unlock the locks of all of the vehicle doors  30 , and actuates the door latch actuation section  16  of the vehicle door  30  on which the hand of the operator was detected so as to release this door latch and open the vehicle door  30 , after which processing returns to step  100  and the processing described above repeats. 
     At step  112 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the first operation has been detected. Here, a determination is made as to whether or not the length of time that the handle sensor  20  detected the hand of the operator after initially detecting the hand of an operator is less than the predetermined length of time. Processing transitions to step  114  in cases in which determination is affirmative. In cases in which determination is negative, processing returns to step  100  and the processing described above repeats. 
     At step  114 , the CPU  12 A actuates the door lock actuation sections  18  so as to unlock the locks of all of the vehicle doors  30 , after which processing returns to step  100  and the processing described above repeats. 
     At step  116 , the CPU  12 A performs operator hand detection using the handle sensor  20  and then processing transitions to step  118 . 
     At step  118 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the second operation has been detected. Here, a determination is made as to whether or not after initially detecting the hand of an operator, the handle sensor  20  continuously detected the hand of the operator for at least the predetermined length of time. Processing transitions to step  120  in cases in which determination is affirmative, and processing transitions to step  122  in cases in which determination is negative. 
     At step  120 , the CPU  12 A actuates the door latch actuation section  16  so as to release the door latch and open the vehicle door  30 , and then processing transitions to step  122 . 
     At step  122 , the CPU  12 A performs operator hand detection using the handle sensor  20  and then processing transitions to step  124 . 
     At step  124 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the third operation has been detected. Here, a determination is made as to whether or not after initially detecting the hand of an operator, the handle sensor  20  continuously detected the hand of the operator for at least the predetermined length of time. Processing transitions to step  126  in cases in which determination is affirmative. In cases in which determination is negative, processing returns to step  100  and the processing described above repeats. 
     At step  126 , the CPU  12 A actuates the door lock actuation sections  18  so as to lock the locks of all of the vehicle doors  30 , after which processing returns to step  100  and the processing described above repeats. 
     Such control by the control device  12  enables door latches to be controlled separately to door locks based on detection results from a single handle sensor  20 . 
     Further, providing the handle sensor  20  to an outside handle  32  enables a smooth transition to an opening/closing operation of the vehicle door  30  after unlocking the door locks. 
     Second Exemplary Embodiment 
     Next, explanation follows regarding a vehicle door opening/closing control device according to a second exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a vehicle door opening/closing control device  11  according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     In the previous exemplary embodiment, a single handle sensor  20  is used to detect plural operations and the door locks are controlled separately to the door latches. However, the present exemplary embodiment includes two handle sensors. Namely, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the present exemplary embodiment is configured similarly to the previous exemplary embodiment except for that instead of the handle sensor  20 , a handle-inside sensor  22 , serving as a latch instruction section, and a handle-outside sensor  24 , serving as a lock instruction section, are provided. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the handle-inside sensor  22  is provided at the vehicle inner side of an outside handle  32 , and the handle-outside sensor  24  is provided at the vehicle outer side of the outside handle  32 . Sensors similar to that employed for the handle sensor  20  in the previous exemplary embodiment may be employed as the handle-inside sensor  22  and the handle-outside sensor  24 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the handle-outside sensor  24  may be positioned at positions such that both the handle-inside sensor  22  and the handle-outside sensor  24  are able to be grasped and operated by an operator, or as illustrated in  FIG. 7B , the handle-outside sensor  24  may be provided near a vehicle front or vehicle rear attachment point of the outside handle  32 . 
     The control device  12  performs lock control to actuate the door lock actuation sections  18  and latch control to actuate the door latch actuation sections  16  based on detection results from the handle-inside sensor  22  and the handle-outside sensor  24 . 
     Specifically, the control device  12  detects a first operation in cases in which the handle-outside sensor  24  detects the hand of an operator and the lock of the vehicle door  30  is in a locked state. When the first operation has been detected, the control device  12  actuates the door lock actuation section  18  so as to unlock the door lock of the vehicle door  30 . 
     The control device  12  detects a second operation in cases in which the handle-inside sensor  22  detects the hand of an operator and the lock of the vehicle door  30  is in an unlocked state. When the second operation has been detected, the control device  12  actuates the door latch actuation section  16  so as to release the door latch of the vehicle door  30  and allow the vehicle door  30  to be opened. 
     The control device  12  detects a third operation in cases in which the handle-outside sensor  24  detects the hand of an operator and the lock of the vehicle door  30  is in an unlocked state. When the third operation has been detected, the control device  12  actuates the door lock actuation section  18  so as to lock the lock of the vehicle door  30 . 
     The control device  12  detects a fourth operation in cases in which both the handle-inside sensor  22  and the handle-outside sensor  24  detect the hand of an operator and the lock of the vehicle door  30  is in a locked state. When the fourth operation has been detected, the control device  12  actuates the door lock actuation section  18  so as to lock the lock of the vehicle door  30 , and the door latch actuation section  16  releases the door latch of the vehicle door  30  and opens the vehicle door  30 . 
     Explanation follows regarding the specific processing performed by the control device  12  of the vehicle door opening/closing control device  11  according to the present exemplary embodiment, configured as described above.  FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an example flow of door opening/closing control performed by the control device  12  of the vehicle door opening/closing control device  11  according to the present exemplary embodiment. Note that the processing of  FIG. 8  relates to an example that focuses on operations related to the opening/closing of a vehicle door  30  from outside the vehicle, and processing such as for lock operations from inside the vehicle is omitted therefrom. Note that processing that is the same as that of the previous exemplary embodiment is explained using the same reference numerals. 
     At step  100 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the vehicle door  30  is in a locked state. Here, for example, a determination is made as to whether or not the lock of the vehicle door  30  is locked based on the actuation state of the door lock actuation section  18 . Alternatively, a lock sensor, switch, or the like may be provided in order to determine a locked state. Processing transitions to step  102  in cases in which determination is affirmative, and processing transitions to step  117  in cases in which determination is negative. 
     At step  102 , the CPU  12 A scans for an electronic key  15 , and then processing transitions to step  104 . Namely, the authentication section  14  searches for an electronic key  15  held by an operator. 
     At step  104 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not an authentication key has been detected. Here, a determination is made as to whether or not a pre-registered electronic key  15  has been detected by the authentication section  14 . Processing transitions to step  105  in cases in which determination is affirmative. In cases in which determination is negative, processing returns to step  102  and the processing described above repeats. 
     At step  105 , the CPU  12 A performs operator hand detection using the handle-inside sensor  22  and the handle-outside sensor  24  and then processing transitions to step  107 . 
     At step  107 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the hand of an operator has been detected by both the handle-inside sensor  22  and the handle-outside sensor  24 . Namely, the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the fourth operation has been detected. Processing transitions to step  110  in cases in which determination is affirmative, and processing transitions to step  113  in cases in which determination is negative. 
     At step  110 , the CPU  12 A actuates the door lock actuation sections  18  so as to unlock the locks of all of the vehicle doors  30 , and actuates the door latch actuation section  16  of the vehicle door  30  on which the hand of the operator was detected so as to release this door latch and open the vehicle door  30 , after which processing returns to step  100  and the processing described above repeats. 
     At step  113 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the hand of an operator was only detected by the handle-outside sensor  24 . Namely, the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the first operation has been detected. Processing transitions to step  114  in cases in which determination is affirmative. In cases in which determination is negative, processing returns to step  100  and the processing described above repeats. 
     At step  114 , the CPU  12 A actuates the door lock actuation sections  18  so as to unlock the locks of all of the vehicle doors  30 , after which processing returns to step  102  and the processing described above repeats. 
     At step  117 , the CPU  12 A performs operator hand detection using the handle-inside sensor  22  and then processing transitions to step  119 . 
     At step  119 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the hand of an operator was detected by the handle-inside sensor  22 . Namely, the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the second operation has been detected. Processing transitions to step  120  in cases in which determination is affirmative, and processing transitions to step  123  in cases in which determination is negative. 
     At step  120 , the CPU  12 A actuates the door latch actuation section  16  so as to release the door latch and open the vehicle door  30 , and then processing transitions to step  123 . 
     At step  123 , the CPU  12 A performs operator hand detection using the handle-outside sensor  24  and then processing transitions to step  125 . 
     At step  125 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the hand of an operator was detected by the handle-outside sensor  24 . Namely, the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the third operation has been detected. Processing transitions to step  126  in cases in which determination is affirmative. In cases in which determination is negative, processing returns to step  100  and the processing described above repeats. 
     At step  126 , the CPU  12 A actuates the door lock actuation sections  18  so as to lock the locks of all of the vehicle doors  30 , after which processing returns to step  100  and the processing described above repeats. 
     Such control enables door latches to be controlled separately to door locks based on detection results from two handle sensors (the handle-inside sensor  22  and the handle-outside sensor  24 ). 
     Note that as in the first exemplary embodiment, the handle-inside sensor  22  and the handle-outside sensor  24  of the present exemplary embodiment may each be configured to detect plural operations according to operation time lengths. 
     Third Exemplary Embodiment 
     Next, explanation follows regarding a vehicle door opening/closing control device according to a third exemplary embodiment. This is a modified example of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, the door lock actuation sections  18  of all vehicle doors  30  are actuated so as to unlock the door locks in cases in which the first operation is detected when the door locks are in a locked state. However, in the present exemplary embodiment, in cases in which the first operation is detected when the door locks are in a locked state, only the door lock of the vehicle door  30  corresponding to the handle sensor  20  that detected a hand is unlocked. 
     Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, as illustrated by the dashed line in  FIG. 2B , a fifth operation is detected in cases in which successive first operations are detected or in cases in which another first operation is detected after one of the door locks has been unlocked by a first operation. In cases in which the fifth operation is detected, the control device  12  actuates the door lock actuation sections  18  of all vehicle doors  30  so as to release the locks. 
     Explanation follows regarding the specific processing performed by the control device  12  of the vehicle door opening/closing control device according to the present exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating an example flow of door opening/closing control performed by the control device  12  of the vehicle door opening/closing control device according to the present exemplary embodiment. Note that processing that is the same as that in  FIG. 5  is explained using the same reference numerals. 
     At step  101 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the vehicle doors  30  are all in a locked state. Here, for example, a determination is made as to whether or not the locks of the vehicle doors  30  are all locked based on the actuation states of the door lock actuation sections  18 . Alternatively, lock sensors, switches, or the like may be provided in order to determine locked states. Processing transitions to step  102  in cases in which determination is affirmative, and processing transitions to step  116 A in cases in which determination is negative. 
     At step  102 , the CPU  12 A scans for an electronic key  15 , and then processing transitions to step  104 . Namely, the authentication section  14  searches for an electronic key  15  held by an operator. 
     At step  104 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not an authentication key has been detected. Here, a determination is made as to whether or not a pre-registered electronic key  15  has been detected by the authentication section  14 . Processing transitions to step  106  in cases in which determination is affirmative. In cases in which determination is negative, processing returns to step  102  and the processing described above repeats. 
     At step  106 , the CPU  12 A performs operator hand detection using the handle sensor  20  and then processing transitions to step  108 . 
     At step  108 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the fourth operation has been detected. Here, a determination is made as to whether or not after initially detecting the hand of the operator, the handle sensor  20  continuously detected the hand of the operator for at least a predetermined length of time. Processing transitions to step  110  in cases in which determination is affirmative, and processing transitions to step  112  in cases in which determination is negative. 
     At step  110 , the CPU  12 A actuates the door lock actuation sections  18  so as to unlock the locks of all of the vehicle doors  30 , and actuates the door latch actuation section  16  of the vehicle door  30  for which the hand of the operator was detected by the handle sensor  20  so as to release this door latch and open the vehicle door  30 , after which processing transitions to step  122 . Note that in the present exemplary embodiment, at step  110 , configuration may be such that only the lock of the vehicle door  30  for which the hand of an operator was detected by a handle sensor  20  is unlocked and has its door latch released. 
     At step  112 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the first operation has been detected. Here, a determination is made as to whether or not the length of time that the handle sensor  20  detected the hand of the operator after initially detecting the hand of an operator is less than the predetermined length of time. Processing transitions to step  114 A in cases in which determination is affirmative. In cases in which determination is negative, processing transitions to step  115 . 
     At step  114 A, the CPU  12 A actuates the door lock actuation section  18  corresponding to the vehicle door  30  for which a handle sensor  20  detected the hand of an operator, so as to unlock its lock, after which processing transitions to step  115 . 
     At step  115 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the fifth operation has been detected. Here, a determination is made as to whether or not two operations for which the length of time the hand of an operator was detected was less than the predetermined length of time were detected in succession. Alternatively, a determination is made as to whether or not an additional first operation was detected after actuation of the door lock actuation section  18  in response to a first operation. Processing transitions to step  114 B in cases in which determination is affirmative. In cases in which determination is negative, processing returns to step  101  and the processing described above repeats. 
     At step  114 B, the CPU  12 A actuates the door lock actuation sections  18  so as to unlock the locks of all of the vehicle doors  30 , after which processing returns to step  101  and the processing described above repeats. 
     At step  116 A, the CPU  12 A performs operator hand detection using the handle sensor  20  of the unlocked vehicle door  30  and then processing transitions to step  118 . 
     At step  118 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the second operation has been detected. Here, a determination is made as to whether or not after initially detecting the hand of an operator, the handle sensor  20  continuously detected the hand of the operator for at least the predetermined length of time. Processing transitions to step  120 A in cases in which determination is affirmative, and processing transitions to step  122  in cases in which determination is negative. 
     At step  120 , the CPU  12 A actuates the door latch actuation section  16  so as to release the door latch and open the vehicle door  30 , and then processing transitions to step  122 . 
     At step  122 , the CPU  12 A performs operator hand detection using the handle sensor  20  and then processing transitions to step  124 . 
     At step  124 , the CPU  12 A makes a determination as to whether or not the third operation has been detected. Here, a determination is made as to whether or not after initially detecting the hand of an operator, the handle sensor  20  continuously detected the hand of the operator for at least the predetermined length of time. Processing transitions to step  126  in cases in which determination is affirmative. In cases in which determination is negative, processing transitions to step  115 . 
     At step  126 , the CPU  12 A actuates the door lock actuation sections  18  so as to lock the locks of all of the vehicle doors  30 , after which processing returns to step  101  and the processing described above repeats. 
     With such control by the control device  12 , in contrast to the previous exemplary embodiments, it is possible to unlock only the lock of the vehicle door  30  corresponding to a handle sensor  20  that detected a hand. Such control also allows the unlocking of the door lock of a single vehicle door  30  to be performed separately to the unlocking of the door locks of all vehicle doors  30 . 
     Note that in the first exemplary embodiment and the third exemplary embodiment, the third operation is the same as the first operation, and the first operation is distinguished from the third operation according to the lock state. However, there is no limitation thereto. For example, the third operation may be the same as the second operation (the hand of an operator being continuously detected for at least the predetermined length of time after initial detection of the hand of an operator by the handle sensor  20 ). 
     Further, as in the third exemplary embodiment, the second exemplary embodiment may be configured such that in cases in which the handle-outside sensor  24  has detected the hand of an operator a first time (a door lock unlock operation), only the vehicle door  30  provided with the handle-outside sensor  24  that detected the hand of the operator is unlocked. Configuration may further be such that in cases in which a second door lock unlock operation is performed, the door locks of all vehicle doors  30  are unlocked. 
     Further, although plural operations are detected according to a length of time a hand of an operator is detected in the first exemplary embodiment and the third exemplary embodiment, there is no limitation thereto, and configuration may be such that plural operations are detected using a number of times that a hand of an operator is detected. Alternatively, configuration may be such that plural operations are detected using a combination of detection time length and a number of detections. Alternatively, in cases in which a pressure sensor is employed as the detection section, plural operations may be detected using operation force, or plural operations may be detected using a combination of detection time length, number of detections, and operation force. 
     Further, although the exemplary embodiments above are described using examples in which a handle sensor  20 , handle-inside sensor  22 , or handle-outside sensor  24  is provided to the outside handle  32  of a vehicle door  30 , there is no limitation thereto, and a handle sensor  20 , handle-inside sensor  22 , or handle-outside sensor  24  may be provided to a part of a vehicle body other than a door. 
     Further, the processing performed by the control device  12  in the exemplary embodiments above may be software-based processing performed by executing a program, or may be processing performed by hardware. Alternatively, a combination of software-based processing and hardware-based processing may be employed. In cases in which the processing is software-based, the program may be stored and distributed using various storage media. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the above configurations, and obviously various other modifications may be implemented within a range not departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.