Patent Description:
A smart key system is a system that allows opening or closing of vehicle doors and externally starting a vehicle without inserting, by a driver, a separate key into a vehicle's key box or performing any special manipulation for operation. The smart key system is operated by ranging a smart key through wireless communication such as an Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) communication, and in addition to a fob key, various electronic apparatuses, which support wireless communication, such as smartphones, wearable devices, tablet personal computers (PCs), etc. can be used as smart keys.

Meanwhile, in general, the number of smart keys that can simultaneously perform ranging through the smart key system is limited. Accordingly, when a new smart key is detected while the smart key system performs ranging on all smart keys that can simultaneously perform ranging, in order to perform ranging on the new smart key entering the communication area, one of the smart keys that perform ranging should be selected to be disconnected from the ranging, but there is a problem in that the new smart key cannot perform smoothly ranging due to lack of a disconnection criterion for selecting the smart key.

The related art of the present disclosure is disclosed in <CIT> and entitled "UWB System".

<CIT> discloses ranging between a user equipment and a fixed reference node.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure according to an embodiment is to provide an electronic device and a method for performing ranging through Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) communication, and when a new electronic apparatus is detected while all channels supported by an anchor provided in a UWB communication area are occupied, the electronic device and method are capable of efficiently selecting and recovering one of the channels being occupied and assigning the recovered channel to the newly detected electronic apparatus.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, a method of operating an electronic device for performing ranging through Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) communication includes receiving state information of each moving node occupying channels provided by a plurality of anchor nodes to perform ranging on a plurality of anchor nodes provided in a UWB communication area; setting a priority between the moving nodes based on a state information; and recovering one of the channels being occupied by the moving node based on the priority.

The setting includes identifying a moving node on which ranging has never performed among the moving nodes occupying the channels by the anchor node as a first moving node; and setting a priority of the first moving node to be lower than priorities of other moving nodes.

The recovering recovers a channel being occupied by the moving node set to the lowest priority.

The recovering is performed when a new moving node is detected in the UWB communication area while all of the channels are occupied by the moving nodes.

In an embodiment, the setting may further include; identifying a moving node on which ranging is performed by one or more anchor nodes among the moving nodes occupying the channels as a second moving node; and setting a priority of the second moving node to be higher than the priorities of other moving nodes.

In an embodiment, the setting may further include calculating the number of ranging anchors which is the number of anchor nodes performing ranging on the second moving node with respect to each of the second moving node and setting a priority between the second moving nodes based on the number of ranging anchors.

In an embodiment, the setting of the priority between the second moving nodes may set a priority of the moving node having a relatively large number of the ranging anchors to be higher than a priority of the moving node having a relatively small number of the ranging anchors.

In an embodiment, the setting may include; identifying moving nodes excluding the first and second moving nodes among the moving nodes occupying the channels as third moving nodes; calculating the number of expired anchors, which is the number of anchor nodes that ranging has stopped because ranging has not performed for a predetermined time while ranging is performed on the third moving node with respect to each of the third moving nodes; and setting a priority between the third moving nodes based on the number of expired anchors.

In an embodiment, the setting of the priority between the third moving nodes may set the priority of the moving node having a relatively large number of expired anchors to be lower than the priority of the moving node having a relatively small number of expired anchors.

An electronic device for performing ranging through UWB communication includes a communication module that communicates with a plurality of anchor nodes provided in a UWB communication area and a processor which receives state information of each moving node occupying channels provided by the plurality of anchor nodes to perform ranging on the plurality of anchor nodes through the communication module, sets a priority between the moving nodes based on the state information, and recovers one of the channels being occupied by the moving node based on the priority.

The processor identifies a moving node on which ranging has never performed by the anchor node among the moving nodes occupying the channels as a first moving node, and set a priority of the first moving node to be lower than priorities of other moving nodes.

The processor recovers the channel being occupied by the moving node set to the lowest priority.

The processor recovers one of the channels when a new moving node is detected in the UWB communication area while all the channels are occupied by the moving node.

In an embodiment, the processor may identify a moving node on which ranging is performed by one or more anchor nodes among the moving nodes occupying the channels as a second moving node, and set a priority of the second moving node to be higher than the priorities of other moving nodes.

In an embodiment, the processor may calculate the number of ranging anchors, which is the number of anchor nodes performing ranging on the second moving node with respect to each of the second moving nodes, and set a priority between the second moving nodes based on the number of ranging anchors.

In an embodiment, the processor may set the priority of moving nodes having a relatively large number of ranging anchors to be higher than the priority of moving nodes having a relatively small number of ranging anchors.

In an embodiment, the processor may identify moving nodes excepting the first and second moving nodes among the moving nodes occupying the channels as third moving nodes, calculates the number of expired anchors that is the number of anchor nodes that are not ranging for a predetermined time while ranging is performed on the third moving node with respect to each of the third moving nodes, and sets a priority between the third moving nodes based on the number of expired anchors.

In an embodiment, the processor may set a priority of moving nodes having a relatively large number of expired anchors to be lower than the priority of moving nodes having a relatively small number of expired anchors.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, when all channels supported by an anchor provided in a UWB communication area are occupied and a new electronic apparatus is detected, an electronic device and a method for performing ranging through UWB communication can efficiently select and recover one of the channels being occupied and assign the recovered channel to the newly sensed electronic apparatus, thereby smoothly performing ranging on the newly detected electronic apparatus.

Hereinafter, an electronic device and a method for performing ranging through Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) communication will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings through various exemplary embodiments.

For clarity and convenience in description, thicknesses of lines, sizes of constituent elements, and the like may be illustrated in an exaggerated manner in the drawings. In addition, terms described below are defined by considering functions according to the present disclosure and may vary according to the intention of a user or a manager or according to the common practices in the art. Therefore, definitions of the terms should be defined in light of details disclosed throughout the present specification.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device that performs ranging through UWB communication. <FIG> is an exemplary diagram illustrating a vehicle to which the electronic device for performing ranging through UWB communication is applied.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device for performing ranging through UWB communication may include a communication module <NUM> and a processor <NUM>.

The communication module <NUM> may communicate with a plurality of anchor nodes <NUM> provided in a predefined UWB communication area. The plurality of anchor nodes <NUM> may be provided to be spaced apart from each other in the UWB communication area. The anchor node <NUM> may be an anchor that performs communication through UWB communication. The anchor node <NUM> may perform ranging on a moving node <NUM> located in the UWB communication area. The ranging may mean an operation in which the anchor node <NUM> measures a position of the moving node <NUM>. The moving node <NUM> may include an electronic device capable of performing communication through UWB communication. For example, the moving node <NUM> may be a smartphone, a tablet, personal computer (PC), a wearable device, or the like. Referring to <FIG>, the plurality of anchor nodes <NUM> may be provided to space apart from each other inside the vehicle, and may perform ranging on the moving node <NUM> such as a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable device, or the like operated by a digital key.

The processor <NUM> may receive state information of each moving node <NUM> occupying channels provided by the plurality of anchor nodes <NUM> to perform ranging on the plurality of anchor nodes <NUM> through the communication module <NUM>.

Herein, the channel may have a time-division concept of a wireless communication path connecting the anchor node <NUM> and the moving node <NUM>. That is, the channel may be a communication time between the anchor node <NUM> and an anchor node <NUM> assigned to each of the moving nodes <NUM> for performing ranging. The number of moving nodes <NUM> with which the anchor node <NUM> may communicate, that is, the number of channels, is limited. Channels of the plurality of anchor nodes <NUM> may be synchronized with each other. That is, the channel of each anchor node <NUM> may be occupied by the same moving node <NUM>. For example, when a first moving node occupies a channel of a first anchor node, the first moving node also occupies a channel of the anchor node other than the first anchor node.

Meanwhile, the state information may be a state of each moving node <NUM> occupying a channel provided by the anchor node <NUM>. The state of the moving node <NUM> may be divided into a state in which ranging is attempted by the anchor node <NUM> but has never performed (hereinafter, Not Sync), a state in which ranging is performed by the anchor node <NUM> (hereinafter, Sync), and a state in which ranging is stopped (hereinafter, Expiration) because ranging is not performed for a predetermined time (when ranging fails for a predetermined time, the anchor may stop ranging of a corresponding moving node by itself to minimize power consumption). For example, assuming that an anchor node A performs ranging on moving nodes a and b, attempts ranging on a moving node c, and has stopped ranging from a moving node d, the anchor node A may transmit state information including the moving nodes a and b: Sync, the moving node c: Not Sync, and the moving node d: Expiration.

The processor <NUM> may set a priority between the moving nodes <NUM> occupying a channel based on a state information of the moving node <NUM> received from each of the plurality of anchor nodes <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may indirectly estimate a degree to which the moving node <NUM> is spaced apart from a center of the UWB communication area through the state information of the moving node <NUM> received from each of the plurality of anchor nodes <NUM>, or may indirectly determine an approach intention of the moving node <NUM>, and may set the priority between the moving nodes <NUM> using an estimated or determined result.

According to the present invention, the processor <NUM> may identify the moving node <NUM>, on which ranging has never performed by the anchor node <NUM>, among the moving nodes <NUM> occupying the channel as the first moving node, and may set the priority of the first moving node <NUM> lower than the priorities of other moving nodes <NUM>. That is, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the moving node <NUM> in which all state information received from the plurality of anchor nodes <NUM> is Not Sync to be the lowest. For example, referring to <FIG>, a priority of the moving nodes <NUM> (#<NUM>) in which state information received from all of a plurality of anchor nodes <NUM> is Not Sync may be set to be lower than priorities of other moving nodes <NUM> (#<NUM>, #<NUM>, and #<NUM>).

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify the moving node <NUM> on which ranging is performed by one or more anchor nodes <NUM> among the moving nodes <NUM> occupying the channel as the second moving node, and may set the priority of the second moving node <NUM> higher than the priorities of other moving nodes <NUM>. That is, the processor <NUM> may set a priority of the moving node <NUM> in which any Sync state information is received to be higher than a priority of the moving node <NUM> in which any Sync state information is not received. For example, referring to <FIG>, the priorities of the moving nodes <NUM> (#<NUM> and #<NUM>) on which ranging is performed by one or more anchor nodes <NUM> may be set to be higher than the priorities of the moving nodes <NUM> (#<NUM> and #<NUM>) on which ranging is not performed.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may calculate the number of ranging anchors that is the number of anchor nodes <NUM> that perform ranging on the second moving node with respect to each of the second moving nodes, and may set a priority between the second moving nodes based on a calculated number of ranging anchors. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may set a priority of the moving node <NUM> having a relatively large number of ranging anchors to be higher than a priority of the moving node <NUM> having a relatively small number of ranging anchors. That is, the processor <NUM> may determine that user's access and use intention are higher as the number of ranging anchors increases, and may set the priority of a corresponding moving node <NUM> to be high. For example, referring to <FIG>, when the total number of anchor nodes <NUM> is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the moving node <NUM> (#<NUM>) having four anchor nodes <NUM> that perform ranging on the moving node <NUM> (#<NUM>) lower than the priority of the moving node <NUM> (#<NUM>) having five anchor nodes <NUM> that perform ranging on the moving node <NUM> (#<NUM>). The processor <NUM> may calculate the number of ranging anchors for each of the second moving nodes based on the state information received from each anchor node <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify the moving nodes <NUM> excluding the first and second moving nodes among the moving nodes <NUM> occupying the channel as third moving nodes, calculate the number of expired anchors that are the number of anchor nodes <NUM> that have stopped ranging because ranging is not performed for a predetermined time while ranging is performed on the third moving node with respect to each of the third moving nodes, and may set a priority between the third movement nodes based on the calculated number of expired anchors. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the moving node <NUM> having a relatively large number of expired anchors to be lower than the priority of the moving node <NUM> having a relatively small number of expired anchors. That is, the processor <NUM> determines that the user's access and use intention are lower as the number of expired anchors increases, and thus may set the priority of a corresponding moving node <NUM> to be low. For example, when the total number of anchor nodes <NUM> is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the moving nodes <NUM> having five number of anchor nodes <NUM> that is stopped ranging because ranging is not performed for a predetermined time while ranging is performed on the moving nodes <NUM> to be lower than the priority of the moving nodes <NUM> having three number of anchor nodes <NUM> that is stopped ranging because ranging is not performed for a predetermined time while ranging is performed on the moving nodes <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may calculate the number of expired anchors for each of the third moving nodes based on the state information received from each anchor node <NUM>.

According to the present invention, the processor <NUM> recovers one of channels being occupied by the moving node <NUM> based on the set priority. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may recover a channel being occupied by the moving node <NUM> set to the lowest priority.

The processor <NUM> recovers one of channels when a new moving node <NUM> is detected in the UWB communication area while channels are all occupied by the moving node <NUM>.

As described above, when a new electronic apparatus is detected while all channels supported by an anchor provided in a UWB communication area are occupied, one of channels is efficiently selected and recovered, and the recovered channel is assigned to a newly detected electronic apparatus, thereby the present disclosure can smoothly perform ranging on the newly detected electronic apparatus.

<FIG> is a first flowchart illustrating a method of operating an electronic device that performs ranging through UWB communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, a process in which the processor <NUM> recovers a channel being occupied by the moving node <NUM> and assigns the channel to a new moving node <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

First, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the new moving node <NUM> is detected in the UWB communication area (S301). The processor <NUM> may detect the moving node <NUM> through a plurality of anchor nodes <NUM> provided in the UWB communication area.

When the new moving node <NUM> is detected in the UWB communication area, the processor <NUM> may receive state information of the moving node <NUM> occupying a channel provided by the anchor node <NUM> from a plurality of anchor nodes <NUM> provided in the UWB communication area (S303).

Subsequently, the processor <NUM> may set a priority between the moving nodes <NUM> occupying the channel based on the state information of the moving node <NUM> received from the plurality of anchor nodes <NUM> (S305). A detailed process of setting, by the processor <NUM>, a priority between the moving nodes <NUM> will be described below.

Subsequently, the processor <NUM> may recover one of channels being occupied by the moving node <NUM> based on a set priority (S307). The processor <NUM> may recover a channel being occupied by the moving node <NUM> set to the lowest priority.

Subsequently, the processor <NUM> may assign a recovered channel to a new moving node <NUM> (S309).

Meanwhile, the processor <NUM> may assign a channel to the new moving node <NUM> and set a priority between the moving nodes <NUM> occupying the channel again, and may recover the channel assigned to the new moving node <NUM> and reassign the channel to the recovered moving node <NUM> when the priority of the new moving node <NUM> is lower than the priority of the moving node <NUM> from which the channel has recovered.

In the above-described embodiment, steps S303 and S305 are described as being performed after step S301, but steps S303 and S305 may be performed before step S301. That is, the processor <NUM> sets a priority between the moving nodes <NUM> before the new moving node <NUM> is detected, recovers a channel according to the priority in response to the detection of the new moving node <NUM>, and may assign the recovered channel to the new moving node <NUM>. In this case, the processor <NUM> may set the priority between the moving nodes <NUM> at a preset period.

<FIG> is a second flowchart illustrating a method of operating an electronic device that performs ranging through UWB communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, a process in which the processor <NUM> sets a priority between the moving nodes <NUM> occupying the channel will be described with reference to <FIG>.

First, the processor <NUM> may identify the moving node <NUM> on which ranging has never performed by the anchor node <NUM> among the moving nodes <NUM> occupying the channel as a first moving node (S401).

Subsequently, the processor <NUM> may set a priority of the first moving node to be lower than priorities of other moving nodes <NUM> (S403).

Subsequently, the processor <NUM> may identify the moving node <NUM> on which ranging is performed by one or more anchor nodes <NUM> among the moving nodes <NUM> occupying the channel as a second moving node (S405).

Subsequently, the processor <NUM> may set a priority of the second moving node to be higher than priorities of other moving nodes <NUM> (S407).

Subsequently, the processor <NUM> may calculate the number of ranging anchors for each of the second moving nodes (S409).

Subsequently, the processor <NUM> may set a priority between the second moving nodes based on the number of ranging anchors (S411). The processor <NUM> may set a higher priority as the number of ranging anchors increases. For example, assuming that the total number of anchor nodes <NUM> included in the UWB communication area is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set a priority of the moving node <NUM> having <NUM> ranging anchors to be higher than the priority of the moving node <NUM> having <NUM> ranging anchors.

Subsequently, the processor <NUM> may identify the moving nodes <NUM> excluding the first and second moving nodes among the moving nodes <NUM> occupying the channels as third moving nodes (S413). That is, the processor <NUM> may identify the moving node <NUM>, on which ranging is not performed by the anchor node <NUM> but has performed at least once or more, as the third moving node.

Subsequently, the processor <NUM> may calculate the number of expired anchors for each of the third moving nodes (S415).

Subsequently, the processor <NUM> may set a priority between the third moving nodes based on the number of expired anchors (S417). The processor <NUM> may set a higher priority as the number of expired anchors decreases. For example, assuming that the total number of anchor nodes <NUM> included in the UWB communication area is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the moving node <NUM> having <NUM> expired anchor to be higher than the priority of the moving node <NUM> having <NUM> expired anchor.

<FIG> is a third flowchart illustrating a method of operating an electronic device that performs ranging through UWB communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, a process of setting a priority of each moving node <NUM> in a case where seven anchor nodes <NUM> are totally provided will be described with reference to <FIG>.

First, the processor <NUM> may determine whether ranging has ever performed on a target moving node <NUM> by the anchor node <NUM>.

When it is determined that ranging has not performed on the target moving node <NUM> by the anchor node <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set a priority of the target moving node <NUM> to Z which is the lowest priority.

On the other hand, when it is determined that ranging has performed on the target moving node <NUM> by the anchor node <NUM> even once, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the number of anchor nodes <NUM> ranging the target moving node <NUM> is one or more.

When it is determined that the number of anchor nodes <NUM> performing ranging on the target moving node <NUM> is one or more, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> according to the number of anchor nodes <NUM> (the number of ranging anchors) performing ranging on the target moving node <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to A which is the highest priority when the number of ranging anchors is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to B which is one lower level than A when the number of ranging anchors is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to C which is one lower level than B when the number of ranging anchors is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to D which is one lower level than C when the number of ranging anchors is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to E which is one lower level than D when the number of ranging anchors is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to F which is one lower level than E when the number of ranging anchors is <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to G which is one lower level than F when the number of ranging anchors is <NUM>.

Meanwhile, when it is determined that the number of anchor nodes <NUM> performing ranging on the target moving node <NUM> is not one or more, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> according to the number of anchor nodes <NUM> (the number of expired anchors) that have stopped the ranging because ranging is not performed for a predetermined time.

The processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to H which is one lower level than G when the number of expired anchors is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to I which is one lower level than H when the number of expired anchors is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to J which is one lower level than I when the number of expired anchors is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to K which is one lower level than J when the number of expired anchors is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to L which is one lower level than J when the number of expired anchors is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to M which is one lower level than L when the number of expired anchors is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to N which is one lower level than M when the number of expired anchors is <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> may set the priority of the target moving node <NUM> to O which is one lower level than N when the number of expired anchors is <NUM>.

As described above, an electronic device and a method for performing ranging through UWB communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may efficiently select and recover one of channels being occupied, and assign the recovered channel to a newly sensed electronic apparatus, thereby smoothly performing ranging on the newly detected electronic apparatus when all channels supported by an anchor provided in a UWB communication area are occupied and the new electronic apparatus is detected.

Claim 1:
A method of operating electronic device for performing ranging through Ultra-Wide Band, UWB, communication comprising:
receiving state information of each of a plurality of moving nodes (<NUM>) occupying channels provided by a plurality of anchor nodes (<NUM>) to perform ranging on a plurality of anchor nodes (<NUM>) provided in a UWB communication area;
setting a priority between the moving nodes (<NUM>) based on the state information; and
recovering one of the channels being occupied by the moving nodes (<NUM>) based on the priority, characterized in that
the setting comprises:
identifying at least one moving node (<NUM>) on which ranging has never performed among the moving nodes (<NUM>) occupying the channels by the anchor node (<NUM>) as at least one first moving node (<NUM>); and
setting a priority of the at least one first moving node (<NUM>) to be lower than priorities of other moving nodes (<NUM>),
wherein the recovering recovers a channel being occupied by the moving node (<NUM>) set to the lowest priority, and
wherein the recovering is performed when a new moving node (<NUM>) is detected in the UWB communication area while all of the channels are occupied by the moving nodes (<NUM>).