Patent Description:
Smart keys are introduced in vehicles and configured to unlock doors according to a driver's approach.

In a smart key system, when a driver with a smart key approaches his/her vehicle and approaches an immobilizer unit mounted in the vehicle, the immobilizer unit performs a process of authenticating whether a smart key of the driver is a valid key, and when the smart key is the valid key, the immobilizer unit operates as a smart key function.

When the smart key function is operated in the vehicle to which the smart key system is applied, the driver having the valid smart key can access the vehicle without a manual operation and unlock a door or trunk of the vehicle, and start an engine for driving with only a simple touch without manually starting the engine.

However, the smart key system can improve the user's convenience, but there is no method of distinguishing a person who has a smart key and approaches a vehicle from a legitimate user (driver), and there is a problem in that there is no means to restrict an outsider who approaches the vehicle to open a door even when the driver having the smart key unlocks the door.

Accordingly, the method of operating a button of the smart key multiple times or registering and identifying a driver's portable terminal is performed, but there is a problem in that power consumption is high while waiting to receive a signal from the portable terminal and causes accidents such as battery discharge.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method of easily detecting a driver's approach, blocking unnecessary external access, and reducing power consumption.

<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> are related prior art documents.

Various embodiments are directed to providing a lock control apparatus for a vehicle and a method of controlling the same that switch an operation mode of the plurality of anchors installed in the vehicle to reduce power consumed by a plurality of anchors and receives a signal of a terminal through the anchors to easily control a lock of the vehicle.

In addition, various embodiments are directed to providing a lock control apparatus for a vehicle and a method of controlling the same by which security performance is improved.

In an embodiment, a lock control apparatus for a vehicle according to the present disclosure is defined by independent claim <NUM>.

In an embodiment, among the plurality of anchors, the processor may control a first anchor to enter the sleep mode when a signal is not received from the first anchor for a first time or longer, and maintain a second anchor in the waiting mode when a signal is received from the second anchor.

In an embodiment, the processor may reset the plurality of anchors to enter the waiting mode when a state in which the number of anchors transmitting the signal of the terminal is less than a set number is maintained for a second time or longer.

In an embodiment, the processor may compare a position of the door at which the detection signal is input with the position of the terminal when the detection signal is input, and unlock a corresponding door when the positions matches each other, and maintain the door in the locked state when the positions do not match each other.

In an embodiment, the plurality of anchors may operate with a first current in the waiting mode, and operate with a second current smaller than the first current in the sleep mode.

In an embodiment, the plurality of anchors may be installed at a plurality of positions of the vehicle to transmit the signal of the terminal to the processor through the communication module when receiving the signal of the terminal and receive a ultra-wide band (UWB) signal of the terminal.

In an embodiment, the detector may be a sensor or a button installed at a handle provided on each of a plurality of doors.

In addition, a method of controlling a lock control apparatus for a vehicle according to the present disclosure is defined by independent claim <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the method may further include calculating a position of the terminal based on the signal of the terminal when the signal of the terminal is received from the at least one of the plurality of anchors.

In an embodiment, the method may further include: comparing a position of the door with the position of the terminal in response to a detection signal input from at least one of a plurality of doors; unlocking a corresponding door when the positions match each other as a comparison result; and maintaining the door in a locked state when the positions do not match each other.

In an embodiment, the detection signal may be input from a sensor or a button installed on a handle provided on each of the plurality of doors.

In an embodiment, the entering of the sleep mode may further include: among the plurality of anchors, switching a mode of an anchor in which the waiting time is a first set time or longer to the sleep mode; and maintaining a second anchor in the waiting mode when a signal is received from the second anchor.

In an embodiment, the entering of the waiting mode may include resetting the plurality of anchors to enter the waiting mode when a state in which the number of anchors transmitting the signal of the terminal is less than a set number is maintained for a second set time or longer.

According to one aspect, a lock control apparatus and for a vehicle and a method of controlling the same according to the present disclosure can switch a mode of an anchor for receiving a signal to the sleep mode so as to reduce power consumption and switch the mode according to situations so that the signal can be received, and thus it is possible to minimize power consumption by efficiently controlling the anchor, prevent the hacking of a smart key, and easily track the position of a terminal so that the performance of the anchor is improved.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve stability and improve security performance of a vehicle by controlling the lock of a door.

As is traditional in the corresponding field, some exemplary embodiments may be illustrated in the drawings in terms of functional blocks, units, and/or modules. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that these block, units, and/or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits such as logic circuits, discrete components, processors, hard-wired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, and the like. When the blocks, units, and/or modules are implemented by processors or similar hardware, they may be programmed and controlled using software (e.g., code) to perform various functions discussed herein. Alternatively, each block, unit, and/or module may be implemented by dedicated hardware or as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed processors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this process, the thicknesses of lines or the sizes of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description. In addition, terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present disclosure, which may vary depending on the intention or custom of a user or an operator. Accordingly, these terms should be defined based on the contents throughout this specification.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a lock control apparatus for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, a vehicle <NUM> includes a plurality of anchors <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a detector <NUM>, a door driver <NUM>, a data memory <NUM>, a display <NUM>, and a processor <NUM> for controlling overall operations.

The vehicle <NUM> may be an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle that travels using a motor driven using a charged power of a battery and may be equally applied to an internal combustion engine vehicle operated by an engine.

The plurality of anchors <NUM> are devices for communication with a terminal <NUM> and receive a signal transmitted from the terminal <NUM>.

The plurality of anchors <NUM> receive the signal transmitted from the terminal <NUM> that is an initiator (ultra-wide band (UWB) Initiator). The terminal <NUM> is preferably registered in advance.

In this case, the terminal <NUM> is a device set as the initiator and registered in advance and may use a fixed object (FOB) or a mobile communication terminal. In addition, the terminal <NUM> may include a smart key.

The plurality of anchors <NUM> and the terminal <NUM> wirelessly communicate with each other in a UWB method.

The UWB is a wireless communication method that uses a signal with the bandwidth of <NUM> or higher in a frequency band of <NUM> to <NUM> and is a technique for calculating a distance between communication subjects by multiplying a signal arrival time between the communication subjects by the speed of light using a time of flight (ToF) technique.

The plurality of anchors <NUM> include first to seventh anchors.

The plurality of anchors <NUM> are installed at a plurality of positions in the vehicle <NUM> to receive a signal of the terminal <NUM> and transmit the received signal to the processor <NUM> through the communication module <NUM>.

The communication module <NUM> transmits or receives data in the vehicle using controller area network (CAN) communication.

The communication module <NUM> may include a module for wireless communication other than CAN communication to receive traffic information or the like from the outside.

The detector <NUM> includes a plurality of sensors installed in the vehicle. The detector <NUM> includes a temperature sensor, a door sensor, a seating sensor, a distance sensor, etc. In addition, the detector <NUM> includes a button installed on a door handle.

In addition, the detector <NUM> further includes a proximity sensor (not shown) for detecting an object approaching the vehicle within a certain distance, and a touch sensor installed on the door handle to detect a touch.

The proximity sensor is installed on each of the plurality of doors to detect the object approaching within the certain distance, and the touch sensor receives a detection signal by detecting a case of gripping the door handle and inputs the detection signal to the processor. When the button on the door handle is operated, a detection signal may be input to the processor like the touch sensor.

The door driver <NUM> locks the door and unlocks the door according to a switch or button operation.

In addition, the door driver <NUM> locks or unlocks the door in response to the detection signal of the detector <NUM> and a control command of the processor <NUM>. The door driver <NUM> may control opening or closing of windows installed on the door.

The data memory <NUM> stores control data for controlling operations of the vehicle, reference data for determining an operating state, traveling data for controlling traveling, and the like. The data memory <NUM> stores sensor data detected through the detector <NUM> and data that is transmitted or received through the communication module <NUM>.

The display <NUM> includes at least one display and a plurality of lamps and displays the operating state of the vehicle, whether there is an abnormality, and the like. The display <NUM> may include a front navigation display, a head-up display (HUD), etc..

The processor <NUM> controls the traveling of the vehicle according to a traveling algorithm of an autonomous traveling system as well as a steering device (not shown) and a brake system (not shown) operating by the driver. The processor <NUM> controls the brake system so that a brake is automatically set when the vehicle is parked or stopped.

The processor <NUM> locks or unlocks the vehicle after a position of the terminal is determined in response to signals received from the plurality of anchors <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may unlock any one door or may simultaneously control a plurality of doors.

In addition, the processor <NUM> may control an engine to start based on the signals received from the plurality of anchors <NUM>. The processor <NUM> controls the engine to start when the terminal is positioned inside the vehicle.

The processor <NUM> may unlock the vehicle in response to the signals received from the plurality of anchors <NUM> and the detection signal of the detector <NUM>.

In addition, the processor <NUM> may analyze the signals received from the plurality of anchors <NUM>, calculate the position of the terminal <NUM>, and track a change in position.

When the processor <NUM> receives signals from at least three anchors, the processor <NUM> calculates a distance between positions of the terminal <NUM> and the vehicle based on a triangulation method using corresponding signals. The processor <NUM> may calculate the position of the terminal using one or two signals. However, since a more accurate position can be calculated using three or more signals are used, it is preferable that the processor calculates the position of the terminal using three or more signals.

The processor <NUM> may stop waiting states of some anchors by switching the modes of some anchors to a sleep mode according to the number of anchors receiving a signal for a first set time among the plurality of anchors <NUM>.

In addition, the processor <NUM> may switch the mode of the anchor to the waiting mode by resetting the anchor entered in the sleep mode to release the sleep mode.

Accordingly, the vehicle <NUM> may identify the position of the terminal <NUM> through the plurality of anchors <NUM> and compare the position of the terminal <NUM> with the location of the door according to the detection signal of the detector <NUM> to unlock the door at a designated position.

In addition, the vehicle <NUM> maintains the locked state when the position of the terminal <NUM> and the position of the door according to the detection signal are different. Meanwhile, when the terminal is positioned inside the vehicle, the vehicle <NUM> controls an engine to start based on the signal of the anchor.

<FIG> is a reference view for describing an operation of receiving, by an anchor, a signal of a terminal in the lock control apparatus in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the plurality of anchors <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM>) are installed in the vehicle <NUM>.

The plurality of anchors <NUM> receive a signal transmitted from the terminal <NUM> through UWB communication to transmit the received signal to the processor <NUM>. Each of the plurality of anchors <NUM> to <NUM> is connected to a CAN communication line N of the communication module <NUM> to transmit the signal to the processor <NUM>.

The plurality of anchors <NUM> receive the signal transmitted from the terminal <NUM> while operating in the waiting mode, and the number of anchors receiving the signal varies depending on the position of the terminal <NUM> and the position of the anchor.

When the terminal <NUM> is positioned adjacent to a driver seat at the left of the vehicle <NUM>, a first anchor <NUM>, a fourth anchor <NUM>, a fifth anchor <NUM>, and a seventh anchor <NUM> receive the signal of the terminal <NUM>.

Meanwhile, a second anchor <NUM>, a third anchor <NUM>, and a sixth anchor <NUM> do not receive the signal because the vehicle <NUM> or objects inside the vehicle function as obstacles.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, when the terminal <NUM> is positioned adjacent to a passenger seat at the right of the vehicle <NUM>, the second anchor <NUM>, the third anchor <NUM>, the fifth anchor <NUM>, and the sixth anchor <NUM> may receive the signal.

When the processor <NUM> receives the signal from at least one anchor, the processor <NUM> calculates the position of the terminal <NUM> in response to the received signal.

In addition, the processor <NUM> finds the anchor receiving the signal and controls the anchor to enter the sleep mode in response to the number of the anchors receiving the signal, a waiting time, or the like or switches the mode of the anchor in a signal waiting state to the waiting mode by resetting the anchor in the sleep mode.

As shown in <FIG>, the first anchor <NUM>, the fourth anchor <NUM>, the fifth anchor <NUM>, and the seventh anchor <NUM> receive the signal of the terminal <NUM> at a first time to transmit the signal to the processor <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the second anchor <NUM>, the third anchor <NUM>, and the sixth anchor <NUM> do not receive the signal of the terminal <NUM> and maintain the waiting mode for receiving a signal of the terminal.

The second anchor <NUM>, the third anchor <NUM>, and the sixth anchor <NUM> wait until receiving a signal of the terminal. When the anchor <NUM> waits for a long time, that is, the waiting time has elapsed for a first set time or longer, power consumption increases.

The processor <NUM> switches the mode of a corresponding anchor to the sleep mode when a state in which a signal is not received from the anchor is maintained for the first set time or longer.

The sleep mode is a mode in which the anchor operates in a power saving state in a ranging state in which the anchor waits to receive the signal of the terminal.

Meanwhile, when the terminal <NUM> is positioned at the same position as in <FIG> in a state in which the second anchor <NUM>, the third anchor <NUM>, and the sixth anchor <NUM> have entered to the sleep mode, the second anchor <NUM>, the third anchor <NUM>, and the sixth anchor <NUM> may not receive the signal due to a state in the sleep mode even in receivable positions.

Accordingly, the processor <NUM> resets the plurality of anchors <NUM> to enter the waiting mode when the state in which the number of anchors receiving the signal is less than a set number is maintained for a second set time (m).

When the fifth anchor <NUM> receives a signal and transmits the signal to the processor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may not identify an accurate position of the terminal, but may identify a direction of the terminal, and reset the plurality of anchors by determining that the terminal is positioned adjacent to the vehicle by a certain distance.

The processor <NUM> resets the plurality of anchors, and thus the second anchor <NUM>, the third anchor <NUM>, and the sixth anchor <NUM> enters the waiting mode to receive a signal of the terminal <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> calculates a position of the terminal <NUM> based on the signals received from the second anchor <NUM>, the third anchor <NUM>, the fifth anchor <NUM>, and the sixth anchor <NUM>, and transmits the control command to the door driver <NUM> in response to the detection signal received from the detector <NUM>.

Accordingly, the door driver <NUM> may control the door of the passenger seat to be unlocked.

Meanwhile, when a detection signal according to a handle touch is input from a door of a driver's rear seat in a state in which the terminal <NUM> is determined to be positioned adjacent to the passenger seat based on signals received from the second anchor <NUM>, the third anchor <NUM>, the fifth anchor <NUM>, and the sixth anchor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> maintains the locked state because the position of the terminal and a position at which the door attempts to be opened are different.

When the mode is set to open the door, the processor <NUM> may unlock the plurality of doors in response to the detection signal and the signal of the terminal.

In addition, the processor <NUM> determines a position of the terminal <NUM> based on the signals received from the plurality of anchors <NUM> and controls an engine of the vehicle to start when the terminal is positioned inside the vehicle.

<FIG> is a reference view for describing ranging for receiving the signal of the terminal in the lock control apparatus in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the plurality of anchors <NUM> maintain a waiting state to receive a signal of the terminal <NUM>.

A signal of the terminal is generated at a certain period, and the signal is received once per block, and the signal is transmitted for each block at certain time intervals.

Accordingly, the anchor waits to receive a signal transmitted from the terminal <NUM> to a first block <NUM> and second to eighth blocks.

When the first block <NUM> is in a range from a <NUM>th time t0 to a first time t1, each of the second to eighth blocks may maintain the waiting state at the second to seventh times t2 to t7 that have the same time interval.

One block may be composed of about <NUM>, and one round may be divided into <NUM> to <NUM>, but may be changed according to settings.

As shown in <FIG>, one block, for example, the first block <NUM> is composed of first to eighth rounds <NUM> to <NUM>.

The signal of the terminal <NUM> may be received during one round.

In this case, a second current I02 is applied to the anchor while the anchor receives the signal, and the anchor maintains a first current I01 after receiving the signal. For example, the first current I01 is about <NUM> mA, and the second current I02 is about <NUM> mA.

Since the signal is received once in the first block <NUM>, a corresponding anchor has the first current I01 after the signal is received in the first round <NUM>.

Meanwhile, as shown in <FIG>, when the signal is not received in the first round <NUM>, the anchor maintains a waiting state in order of a second round <NUM> and a third round <NUM>. In this case, a current of the anchor while waiting becomes the second current I02.

Accordingly, when the waiting state continues for the first set time or longer, the power consumption of the anchor increases, and when a plurality of anchors maintain the waiting state, power consumption may increase in proportion to the number of anchors.

The processor <NUM> controls the anchor not receiving the signal to enter the sleep mode after waiting for the first set time.

In addition, when the number of anchors receiving the signal is a certain number or less and maintained for the second set time according to the number of anchors receiving the signal, the processor <NUM> resets the plurality of anchors to enter the waiting mode.

For example, since at least three signals are required to track a position of the terminal <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may reset the plurality of anchors when a state in which the number of anchors receiving the signal is less than <NUM> is maintained for the second set time or longer.

The processor <NUM> may calculate a position of the terminal using one or two signals even when signals are received from less than three anchors. However, since a more accurate position may be calculated when three or more signals are used, the reset of the anchor may be determined based on the three signals.

When a state in which the number of anchors receiving the signal is zero is maintained for the first set time or longer, all anchors enter the sleep mode.

In this case, when all anchors enter the sleep mode, the processor <NUM> may reset the plurality of anchors to enter the waiting mode periodically in a unit of a designated time because the anchor may not receive a signal of the terminal even when the terminal transmits the signal.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing a method of controlling the lock control apparatus for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the plurality of anchors <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM>) installed in the vehicle <NUM> wait in the waiting mode to receive a signal transmitted from a corresponding terminal with respect to a pre-registered terminal <NUM> (S310).

When a certain anchor among the plurality of anchors receives a signal from the terminal <NUM> or the smart key (S320), the anchor receiving the signal transmits data for signal reception to the processor <NUM> using CAN communication through the communication module <NUM>.

When the processor <NUM> does not receive a signal from the anchor for a first set time (n) or longer (S330), that is, when the anchor does not receive a signal of the terminal <NUM> for the first set time or more, the processor <NUM> switches the modes of the plurality of anchors to the sleep mode (S340).

For example, in a state in which the first anchor <NUM> and the fourth anchor <NUM> receive a signal at the first time and transmit the received signal to the processor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> controls the first anchor <NUM> to maintain the waiting mode when receiving a signal from the first anchor <NUM> at the second time, and controls the fourth anchor <NUM> to enter the sleep mode when not receiving a signal from the fourth anchor <NUM> until the nth time has elapsed from the first time.

Accordingly, the first anchor <NUM> maintains the waiting state, and the fourth anchor <NUM> enters the sleep mode and does not receive the signal. When the signal is not received from the first anchor <NUM> until the nth time has elapsed from the second time, the processor <NUM> also switches the mode of the first anchor <NUM> to the sleep mode.

Meanwhile, when a signal is received from at least one anchor, the processor <NUM> counts the number of anchors receiving the signal, and determines whether the number of anchors receiving the signal is greater than or equal to a set number (S350).

In other words, the processor <NUM> receives the signal of the terminal <NUM> and counts the number of anchors transmitting the signal to the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may also calculate a position of the terminal using one or two signals, but preferably calculate a position using at least three signals in order for a more accurate position.

Accordingly, since the accurate position can be calculated using at least three signals, three or more may be used for the set number. The set number may be changed in some cases.

When the number of anchors receiving the signal is less than the set number, the processor <NUM> counts the time for which a state in which the number of anchors receiving the signal is less than the set number is maintained, and when the counted time is the second set time (m) or longer (S360), the processor <NUM> resets the plurality of anchors <NUM> to <NUM> to release the sleep mode and switches the modes of the plurality of anchors <NUM> to <NUM> to the waiting mode (S370).

When the number of anchors is less than the set number, the processor <NUM> calculates a position of the terminal based on the received signal.

When the number of anchors receiving the signal is greater than or equal to the set number, the processor <NUM> calculates a position of the terminal <NUM> using the plurality of signals received from the anchors (S380).

In addition, the processor <NUM> determines whether the detection signal is input from the detector <NUM> (S390).

The processor <NUM> may receive a detection signal received from the touch sensor installed on the door. In addition, when the button installed on the door handle is operated, the processor <NUM> may receive a detection signal according to the button operation.

When a door handle signal, that is, a signal from the sensor or the button, is not received, the processor <NUM> repeatedly calculates a position of the terminal <NUM> through the anchor, and tracks the position of the terminal <NUM> accordingly (S310 to S390).

When a signal according to the sensor or button operation of the door handle is received, the processor <NUM> compares a position of the door at which the signal is received with the calculated position of the terminal <NUM> to determine whether the positions are the same (S400).

Meanwhile, when the position of the door at which the signal is received and the position of the terminal <NUM> are different, the processor <NUM> outputs a warning (S410) and maintains the locked state.

When the position of the door at which the signal is received and the position of the terminal <NUM> are the same, the processor <NUM> unlocks the door of the vehicle <NUM> (S420).

When the position of the door and the position of the terminal are the same, the processor <NUM> may unlock only the same door as the position of the terminal according to settings. In addition, when the position of the door and the position of the terminal are the same, the processor <NUM> may unlock all of the plurality of doors.

Claim 1:
A lock control apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
a plurality of anchors (<NUM>-<NUM>) configured to receive a signal transmitted from a terminal (<NUM>);
a communication module (<NUM>) configured to transmit and receive a signal using controller area network (CAN) communication;
a detector (<NUM>) installed on a door and configured to input a detection signal; and
a processor (<NUM>) configured to receive the signal of the terminal (<NUM>) from at least one of the plurality of anchors (<NUM>-<NUM>) through the communication module (<NUM>), calculate a position of the terminal (<NUM>) based on the signal of the terminal (<NUM>), determine whether to unlock the door in response to the position of the terminal (<NUM>) and the detection signal, and control an engine of the vehicle to start,
wherein the processor (<NUM>) is configured to control the plurality of anchors (<NUM>-<NUM>) to enter a sleep mode in response to waiting times of the plurality of anchors, whereby the sleep mode is a mode in which an anchor is configured to operate in a power saving state in a ranging state in which the corresponding anchor waits to receive the signal of the terminal (<NUM>), and
wherein, when the signal is received from at least one of the plurality of anchors (<NUM>-<NUM>), the processor (<NUM>) is configured to count a number of anchors receiving the signal, and determine whether the number of anchors receiving the signal is greater than or equal to a set number,
wherein when the number of anchors receiving the signal is less than the set number, the processor (<NUM>) is configured to count a time in which the number of anchors receiving the signal is less than the set number, and when the counted time is a set time, the processor (<NUM>) is configured to reset the plurality of anchors (<NUM>-<NUM>) to release the sleep mode and to switch the modes of the plurality of anchors (<NUM>-<NUM>) to a waiting mode; and
wherein, when the number of anchors receiving the signal is greater than or equal to the set number, the processor (<NUM>) is configured to calculate a position of the terminal (<NUM>) using the plurality of signals received from the anchors.