Patent ID: 12257979

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is understood that the term “vehicle” or “vehicular” or other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g. fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two or more sources of power, for example both gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout the specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “unit”, “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

Further, the control logic of the present disclosure may be embodied as non-transitory computer readable media on a computer readable medium containing executable program instructions executed by a processor, controller or the like. Examples of computer readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact disc (CD)-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash drives, smart cards and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed in network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable media is stored and executed in a distributed fashion, e.g., by a telematics server or a Controller Area Network (CAN).

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. In adding the reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the identical or equivalent component is designated by the identical numeral even when they are displayed on other drawings. Further, in describing the embodiment of the present disclosure, a detailed description of the related known configuration or function will be omitted when it is determined that it interferes with the understanding of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

In describing the components of the embodiment according to the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), and the like may be used. These terms are merely intended to distinguish the components from other components, and the terms do not limit the nature, order or sequence of the components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG.1is a block diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further,FIG.2is a view for describing a method for determining an approach direction of a smart key according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, a vehicle100senses a smart key (or a key)10located outside the vehicle100and switches a state of a vehicle door to a locked or an unlocked state based on a distance from the smart key10. In this connection, the smart key10, which is a remote controller that may remotely control the vehicle100, may be implemented as a smart key fob, a key fob, a keyless go card, or a digital key. the digital key may be implemented in a smartphone. Although not shown in the drawing, the smart key10may include an LF receiver that receives a low frequency (LF) signal transmitted from the vehicle100, an RF transmitter that transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal, a processor that controls overall operations of the smart key10, and a memory that stores software executed by the processor.

The vehicle100includes a touch detector110, a transceiver120, a door latch130, and a controller140.

The touch detector110includes one or more touch sensors111to113respectively mounted in door handles of the vehicle100. For example, the first touch sensor111, the second touch sensor112, and the third touch sensor113may be respectively installed in a driver's seat door handle, a passenger seat door handle, and a trunk door handle of the vehicle.FIG.1illustrates that the three touch sensors111to113are arranged in the vehicle100, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Further, each touch sensor may be installed in each of all door handles of the vehicle100.

The first to third touch sensors111to113, which are capacitive touch sensors, are configured to sense a change in capacitance resulted from contact with a human body or a specific object and convert the change in the capacitance into an electrical signal. The first to third touch sensors111to113output high or low based on whether the change in the capacitance generated when in contact with the human body exceeds a preset threshold. The controller140may determine that a touch input of a user has occurred when receiving the high signal from the touch sensor111,112, or113, and determine that the touch input of the user has not occurred when receiving the low signal.

The transceiver120includes at least two LF antennas121arranged on the door handle of the vehicle. For example, each LF antenna121may be installed on each of the driver's seat door handle, the passenger seat door handle, and the trunk door handle. In the drawing, one LF antenna121is disclosed, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The number of arranged LF antennas121may be the same as the number of door handles of the vehicle. Alternatively, the LF antennas may be respectively arranged at front, rear, and side portions of the vehicle100. The LF antenna121transmits a searching signal for searching for the smart key10in a LF band in response to an instruction of the controller140, that is, an LF signal.

The transceiver120may further include an RF receiver122that receives a response signal from the smart key10. The RF receiver122may receive the response signal (i.e., an RF signal) in an RF band. The response signal may include information on a signal strength of the LF signal. The smart key10measures the signal strength (i.e., a frequency magnitude) of the LF signal when receiving the LF signal transmitted from the vehicle100. The smart key10transmits the response signal including the measured signal strength of the LF signal as the RF signal. When receiving the response signal from the smart key10, the RF receiver122transmits the received response signal to the controller140.

The transceiver120may be implemented as a communication device for supporting wireless communication between the vehicle100and the smart key10. The wireless communication may use at least one of Ultra Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). The communication device may include at least two antennas arranged on the door handle of the vehicle. The communication device may include a communication circuit transmitting the searching signal and receiving the response signal using the at least two antennas. The smart key10may include a communication circuit supporting wireless communication with the vehicle10.

The door latch130is connected to the door handle of the vehicle100to assist vehicle door opening and closing of the user. In addition, the door latch130may be coupled to a door striker to lock or unlock the vehicle door.

The controller140may be independently implemented as shown inFIG.1or may be implemented as an identity authentication unit (IAU) that performs user authentication processing or an integrated body unit (IBU) that performs functions such as vehicle body control, smart key control, and the like. Referring toFIG.1, the controller140includes a processor141and a memory142. The processor141controls overall operations of the controller140. The processor141may be implemented as at least one of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, and a microprocessor. The memory142may store software programmed for the processor141to perform a predetermined operation. In addition, the memory142may store input data and/or output data based on an operation of the processor141. The memory142may be implemented as at least one of storage media (recording media) such as a flash memory, a hard disk, an SD card (Secure Digital Card), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a SRAM (Static RAM), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), an EPROME (Erasable and Programmable ROM), a register, a removable disk, and the like.

When the smart key10is located outside the vehicle100, the controller140operates the LF antenna121to transmit the searching signal (that is, the LF signal). The controller140may transmit the searching signal through the LF antenna121at a predetermined cycle.

After transmitting the searching signal, the controller140determines whether the smart key10is sensed based on whether the response signal to the transmitted searching signal is received. When receiving the response signal within a predetermined time after transmitting the searching signal, the controller140recognizes that the smart key10is located within a critical distance (e.g., 2 m) from the vehicle100. The critical distance refers to a distance at which LF communication and/or RF communication may be achieved. In other words, when receiving the response signal from the smart key10, the controller140determines that the vehicle100has sensed the smart key10. When not receiving the response signal from the smart key10within the predetermined time after transmitting the searching signal, the controller140recognizes that the smart key10has deviated from a vicinity of the vehicle100. That is, the controller140determines that the vehicle100has not sensed the smart key10.

When it is recognized that the smart key10has deviated from the vicinity of the vehicle, the controller140instructs (commands) each of the first touch sensor111to the third touch sensor113to activate a sleep mode. Each of the first touch sensor111to the third touch sensor113switches an operation mode thereof from an active mode to the sleep mode in response to the instruction of the controller140. Each touch sensor111,112, or113attempts to activate the sleep mode and then transmits, to the controller140, whether the sleep mode activation is completed, that is, the sleep mode activation result.

In addition, when the smart key10has deviated from the vicinity of the vehicle, the controller140identifies the state of the vehicle door and controls the door latch130to switch the state of the vehicle door from the unlocked state to the locked state when the vehicle door is in the unlocked state.

When the vehicle door is in the locked state and the first touch sensor111to the third touch sensor113are in the sleep mode, the controller140transmits the searching signal through the LF antenna121at the predetermined cycle. In this connection, the controller140may transmit the searching signal by driving the at least two LF antennas in a predetermined order. When receiving the response signal from the smart key10within the predetermined time after transmitting the searching signal, the controller140recognizes that the smart key10is approaching the vehicle.

In addition, the controller140may determine an approach direction of the smart key10, that is, an approach direction of the user based on the response signal received from the smart key10after transmitting the searching signal. In particular, the controller140may determine the approach direction of the smart key based on a timing of receiving the response signal from the smart key10. Alternatively, the controller140may determine the approach direction of the smart key10based on the signal strength of the searching signal included in the response signal to the transmitted searching signal.

For example, as shown inFIG.2, the controller140transmits a first searching signal through a first LF antenna mounted on the driver's seat door handle, and receives a first response signal of the smart key10to the first searching signal. Subsequently, the controller140transmits a second searching signal through a second LF antenna mounted on the passenger seat door handle, then receives a second response signal to the second searching signal, then transmits a third searching signal through a third LF antenna mounted on the trunk door handle, and then receives a third response signal to the third searching signal. The controller140may recognize, as the approach direction of the smart key10, a direction in which a door handle equipped with a LF antenna, which transmitted a searching signal that is mapped to a response signal with the least reception timing among reception timings (that is, times consumed to receive the response signals after transmitting the searching signals, respectively) of the first to third response signals, is mounted. Alternatively, the controller140compares signal strengths of the first to third searching signals respectively included in the first to third response signals to select a searching signal having the largest signal strength, and recognizes, as the approach direction of the smart key10, a direction in which a door handle equipped with a LF antenna, which transmitted the selected searching signal, is mounted. The controller140may recognize the approach direction of the smart key10using a triangulation method, when the vehicle100and the smart key10include respectively communication circuits for supporting the wireless communication protocol.

The controller140instructs wake-up to the touch sensor111,112, or113mounted in the vehicle door handle mapped to the determined approach direction of the smart key10. The touch sensor111,112, or113that received the wake-up command from the controller140switches the operation mode from the sleep mode to a wake-up mode. The controller140may sense the touch input of the user through the awakened touch sensor111,112, or113. When sensing the touch input of the user, the controller140identifies the location of the smart key10. In other words, the controller140identifies the distance between the vehicle100and the smart key10. When the distance between the vehicle100and the smart key10is within a predetermined reference distance, the controller140controls the door latch130to unlock the vehicle door. When unlocking the vehicle door, the controller140may only unlock a vehicle door that matches the approach direction of the smart key10. In addition, the controller140may unlock only a vehicle door in which a touch sensor that sensed the touch input of the user is mounted.

When the distance between the vehicle100and the smart key10is larger than the reference distance, the controller140switches the unlocked state of the vehicle door to the locked state through the door latch130. At this time, the controller140maintains a current state when the state of the vehicle door is the locked state.

As another embodiment, the controller140may output a warning through an output device (not shown) in the vehicle when sensing a touch input through the touch sensor mounted in at least one of vehicle door handles other than the vehicle door handle mapped to the determined approach direction of the smart key10. the output device may include at least one of display devices, a speaker, or any combination thereof. For example, if a touch input occurs on a touch sensor mounted on the passenger's vehicle door handle while a user having the smart key10is located around the driver's seat of the vehicle, the controller140may sense the touch input and output a warning sound through a speaker mounted in the vehicle.

FIG.3is a flowchart illustrating a process of activating a sleep mode of a touch sensor in a vehicle door according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The controller140determines whether the smart key10is not sensed in the vicinity of the vehicle (S110). The controller140drives the LF antenna121to search for the smart key10located in the vicinity of the vehicle and transmits the searching signal as the LF signal. When receiving the response signal from the smart key10within the predetermined time after transmitting the searching signal, the controller140determines that the smart key10is located in the vicinity of the vehicle (that is, the smart key is sensed). On the other hand, when not receiving the response signal from the smart key10within the predetermined time after transmitting the searching signal, the controller140determines that the smart key10has deviated from the vicinity of the vehicle (that is, the smart key is not sensed).

When the smart key10is not sensed in the vicinity of the vehicle, the controller140switches the operation mode of the at least one of the touch sensors111to113to the sleep mode (S120). When the smart key10has deviated from the vicinity of the vehicle and not sensed, the controller140commands each of the at least one of the first to third touch sensors111to113mounted in each of the vehicle door handles to activate the sleep mode. Each of the at least one of the first to third touch sensors111to113attempts to activate the sleep mode in response to the command of the controller140, and then transmits the sleep mode activation result to the controller140. Each of the at least one of the touch sensors111to113switches the operation mode from the active mode to the sleep mode. When the switch to the sleep mode is completed (succeeds), each of the at least one of the touch sensors111,112, and113transmits a result information notifying the completion of the sleep mode activation to the controller140. On the other hand, when the switch to the sleep mode fails, each of the at least one of touch sensors111,112, and113transmits a result information notifying the failure of the sleep mode activation to the controller140.

The controller140determines whether the sleep mode activation of the at least one of the touch sensors111to113is completed based on the sleep mode activation result (S130). When the sleep mode activation of each of the at least one of touch sensors111,112, and113is completed, the controller140waits for a preset time and performs operations again from S110.

When the at least one of the touch sensors111,112, and113fails to activate the sleep mode for a predetermined number of times or more, the controller140determines that the at least one of the touch sensors111,112, and113, which failed to activate the sleep mode, has failed and stores a failure code in the memory142(S140). When power is supplied to the vehicle100later, the controller140may output a touch sensor failure notification to a cluster and/or an infotainment device based on the failure code.

In S110, when the smart key10is sensed in the vicinity of the vehicle, the controller140maintains a current operation mode of each touch sensor111,112, or113(S150). In other words, the controller140allows each touch sensor111,112, or113to maintain the wake-up mode (or the active mode).

FIG.4is a flowchart illustrating a method for preventing a malfunction of a touch sensor in a vehicle door according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The controller140determines whether the smart key10is sensed in the vicinity of the vehicle (S210). The controller140drives the LF antenna121to search for the smart key10located in the vicinity of the vehicle, and transmits the searching signal as the LF signal. The controller140may transmit the searching signal by sequentially operating the at least two LF antennas mounted on the vehicle100based on a priority for every predetermined search cycle. When receiving the response signal from the smart key10within the predetermined time after transmitting the searching signal, the controller140determines that the smart key10is located in the vicinity of the vehicle (that is, the smart key is sensed). On the other hand, when the response signal is not received from the smart key10within the predetermined time after transmitting the searching signal, the controller140determines that the smart key10has deviated from the vicinity of the vehicle (that is, the smart key is not sensed).

When the smart key10is sensed in the vicinity of the vehicle, the controller140senses the approach direction of the smart key10(S220). The controller140may determine the approach direction of the smart key10based on the reception timing of the response signal. In addition, the controller140may determine the approach direction of the smart key10based on the signal strength of the searching signal included in the response signal. For example, the controller140sequentially transmits the first searching signal, the second searching signal, and the third searching signal respectively through the first LF antenna, the second LF antenna, and the third LF antenna respectively mounted on the driver's seat door handle, the passenger seat door handle, and the trunk door. Then, the controller140receives the first response signal, the second response signal, and the third response signal respectively to the first searching signal, the second searching signal, and the third searching signal. In this connection, the controller140may measure the reception timings of the first response signal, the second response signal, and the third response signal. When the measured reception timings of the first response signal, the second response signal, and the third response signal are respectively 70 ms, 300 ms, and 50 ms, the controller140may determine that the smart key10, that is, the user is approaching the trunk. Alternatively, the controller140may compare the signal strengths of the first searching signal, the second searching signal, and the third searching signal respectively included in the first response signal, the second response signal, and the third response signal, and may determine that the user is approaching the passenger seat when the signal strength of the second searching signal is determined to be the greatest.

The controller140switches the touch sensor111,112, or113installed in the door mapped to the determined approach direction of the smart key10to the wake-up mode (S230). In other words, the controller140wakes up the touch sensor111,112, or113installed in the vehicle door handle mapped to the determined approach direction of the smart key10. For example, when the approach direction of the smart key10is the driver's seat, the controller140switches the operation mode of the touch sensor111,112, or113mounted in the driver's seat door handle to the wake-up mode.

The controller140determines whether the touch input of the user is sensed through the awakened touch sensor111,112, or113(S240). The awakened touch sensor111,112, or113may measure the change in the capacitance resulted from the touch of the user and output the high or the low signal based on a difference between the measured change and the preset threshold.

When the touch input of the user is sensed by the awakened touch sensor111,112, or113, the controller140identifies the location of the smart key10to lock or unlock the vehicle door (S250). When the high signal is received from the awakened touch sensor111,112, or113, the controller140may sense the distance between the vehicle100and the smart key10. When the sensed distance exceeds the predetermined critical distance, the controller140locks the vehicle door through the door latch130. In addition, when the sensed distance does not exceed the predetermined critical distance, the controller140unlocks the vehicle door through the door latch130.

When the touch input is not sensed for the predetermined time by the awakened touch sensor111,112, or113, the controller140switches the operation mode of the awakened touch sensor111,112, or113from the wake-up mode to the sleep mode (S260). In other words, when the touch sensor111,112, or113installed in the door that matches the approach direction of the smart key10wakes up and does not sense the touch input of the user for the predetermined time, the controller140allows the corresponding touch sensor111,112, or113to reactivate the sleep mode.

When the smart key10is not sensed in the vicinity of the vehicle in S210, the controller140maintains the current operation mode of each touch sensor111,112, or113(S270). In other words, the controller140allows each touch sensor111,112, or113to maintain the sleep mode.

The description above is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present disclosure, and various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present disclosure. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present disclosure but to illustrate the present disclosure, and the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments. The scope of the present disclosure should be construed as being covered by the scope of the appended claims, and all technical ideas falling within the scope of the claims should be construed as being included in the scope of the present disclosure.

According to the present disclosure, the touch sensor mounted in the vehicle door is operated based on the approach direction of the smart key located outside the vehicle, thereby preventing a malfunction of the touch sensor and preventing vehicle discharge by reducing vehicle dark current consumption.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, a risk of vehicle theft is reduced by operating only the touch sensor mounted in the door in the approach direction of the user holding the smart key, so that a security of the vehicle may be secured.

Hereinabove, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified and altered by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure claimed in the following claims.