Patent ID: 12246675

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A driving assistance system10relating to the present embodiment is described hereinafter.

FIG.1is a drawing illustrating the schematic structure of the driving assistance system10relating to the present embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the driving assistance system10includes a vehicle20, an electronic key50and a user terminal70. The vehicle20and the electronic key50can communicate wirelessly with one another, and the vehicle20and the user terminal70can communicate wirelessly with one another.

The vehicle20may be any of a gasoline-powered vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. In the present embodiment, as an example, the vehicle20is a gasoline-powered vehicle.

The electronic key50is a portable equipment that the user of the vehicle20possesses. Remote operation of the vehicle20(e.g., locking and unlocking of the doors) can be carried out at the electronic key50through wireless communication with the vehicle20. The electronic key50is an example of the “portable device”.

The user terminal70is a portable terminal that the user of the vehicle20possesses. As examples, a portable personal computer (a notebook PC), a smart phone, a tablet terminal or the like can be used as the user terminal70. In the present embodiment, as an example, the user terminal70is a smart phone.

Hardware structures of the vehicle20are described next.FIG.2is a block drawing illustrating the hardware structures of the vehicle20.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the vehicle20is structured to include an onboard device15, plural ECUs (Electronic Control Units)30, LF (Low Frequency) transmitting section31, an RF (Radio Frequency) receiving section32, actuators33˜36, a microphone40, a camera41, sonar sensors42, an input switch43, a monitor44, a speaker45, and a GPS device46.

The onboard device15is structured to include a CPU21(Central Processing Unit), a ROM22(Read Only Memory), a RAM23(Random Access Memory), a storage24, an in-vehicle communication I/F (InterFace)25, an input/output I/F26and a wireless communication I/F27. The CPU21, the ROM22, the RAM23, the storage24, the in-vehicle communication I/F25, the input/output I/F26and the wireless communication I/F27are connected to as to be able to communicate with one another via an internal bus28.

The CPU21is a central computing processing unit, and executes various programs and controls the respective sections. Namely, the CPU21reads-out programs from the ROM22or the storage24, and executes the programs by using the RAM23as a workspace. The CPU21carries out control of the above-described respective structures, and various computing processings, in accordance with programs that are recorded in the ROM22or the storage24.

The ROM22stores various programs and various data. The RAM23temporarily stores programs and data as a workspace.

The storage24is structured by a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory or the like, and stores various programs and various data. In the present embodiment, vehicle ID information that is ID (identification) information unique to the vehicle20is stored in the storage24.

The in-vehicle communication I/F25is an interface for connection with the ECUs30. This interface uses communication standards in accordance with CAN protocol. The in-vehicle communication I/F25is connected to an external bus29.

The plural ECUs30are provided for the functions of the vehicle20respectively. In the present embodiment, a comparing ECU30A, a driving ECU30B, a steering ECU30C, a braking ECU30D, and a shift ECU30E are provided.

The LF transmitting section31and the RF receiving section32are connected to the comparing ECU30A.

The LF transmitting section31are communication units that carry out wireless communication in the LF band, and transmit LF signals, which are radio waves in the LF band, to an LF receiving section65that is described later. The LF transmitting section31are set at plural places of the vehicle20. The LF signal is an example of the “predetermined signal”.

The RF receiving section32is a communication unit that carries out wireless communication in the RF band, and receives RF signals, which are radio waves in the RF band, from an RF transmitting section66that is described later.

The actuators33are connected to the driving ECU30B. As an example, an electric motor, an engine and the like are included among the actuators33. In the present embodiment, owing to the driving ECU30B controlling the actuators33, the vehicle20can be made to travel even if the driver does not operate the accelerator pedal.

The actuators34are connected to the steering ECU30C. As an example, the electric power steering device is included among the actuators34. In the present embodiment, owing to the steering ECU30C controlling the actuators34, the steered wheels can be turned and the vehicle20can be turned, even the driver does not operate the steering wheel.

The actuators35are connected to the braking ECU30D. As an example, the braking actuator that operates the brakes by electromagnetic driving force is included among the actuators35. In the present embodiment, owing to the braking ECU30D controlling the actuators35, the vehicle20can be stopped even if the driver does not operate the brake pedal.

The actuators36are connected to the shift ECU30E. As an example, a shift actuator that carries out switching of the shift position (D, R, P and the like) of the drive transmission mechanism, and switching between locking of the shift mechanism and releasing of locking of the shift mechanism, and the like is included among the actuators36. In the present embodiment, owing to the shift ECU30E being controlled by the actuators36, the shift position can be switched, locking of the shift mechanism can be carried out, and the locking of the shift mechanism can be released even if the driver does not operate the shift lever.

The input/output I/F26is an interface for communicating with the microphone40, the camera41, the sonar sensors42, the input switch43, the monitor44, the speaker45, and the GPS device46that are installed in the vehicle20.

The microphone40is provided at a front pillar, the dashboard or the like of the vehicle20, and is a device that picks-up the voice emitted by the user of the vehicle20. Note that the microphone40may be provided at the camera41that is described hereinafter.

As an example, the camera41is structured to include a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or the like. The camera41is, as an example, provided at the front portion of the vehicle20, and captures image of the region ahead of the vehicle. The images captured by the camera41are used, for example, in order to recognize the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle that is traveling ahead of the own vehicle, as well as the traffic lanes, traffic signals and the like. The images captured by the camera41are stored in the storage24. Note that the camera41may be structured by an imaging device that has another application, such as a drive recorder or the like. Further, the camera41may be connected to the onboard device15via the ECUs30(e.g., a camera ECU).

The sonar sensors42are provided at the four corners of the vehicle20or the like, and are devices that detect the distances between the vehicle20and obstacles by using ultrasonic waves.

The input switch43is provided at the instrument panel, the center console, the steering wheel or the like, and is a switch at which operation by the finger of the driver is inputted. For example, a push-button-type ten key, a touch pad, or the like can be employed as the input switch43.

The monitor44is provided at the instrument panel or the meter panel or the like, and is a liquid crystal monitor for suggesting operations relating to the functions of the vehicle20, and displaying images relating to explanations of these functions. The monitor44may be provided as a touch panel that also has the function of the input switch43.

The speaker45is provided at the instrument panel, the center console, a front pillar, the dashboard or the like, and is a device for suggesting operations relating to the functions of the vehicle20, and outputting a voice relating to explanations of these functions. Note that the speaker45may be provided at the monitor44.

The GPS device46is a device that measures the current position of the vehicle20. The GPS device46includes an unillustrated antenna that receives signals from GPS satellites. Note that the GPS device46may be connected to the onboard device15via a car navigation system that is connected to the ECUs30(e.g., a multimedia ECU).

The wireless communication I/F27is a communication unit that carries out wireless communication using Bluetooth®, and carries out BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) communication with a communication section77that is described later.

Hardware structures of the electronic key50are described next.FIG.3is a block drawing illustrating hardware structures of the electronic key50.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the electronic key50includes a microcomputer60, the LF receiving section65, the RF transmitting section66, a lock button67, and an unlock button68.

The microcomputer60is structured to include a CPU61, a ROM62, a RAM63and a storage64. A control program64A, which is for executing at least the setting processing that is described later, and key ID information64B, which is information of the ID unique to the electronic key50, are stored in the storage64.

The LF receiving section65is a communication unit that carries out wireless communication in the LF band, and receives LF signals from the LF transmitting section31.

The RF transmitting section66is a communication unit that carries out wireless communication in the RF band, and transmits RF signals to the RF receiving section32.

The lock button67is a button that can be operated in order to lock the doors of the vehicle20. The lock button67is an example of the “locking portion”.

The unlock button68is a button that can be operated in order to unlock the doors of the vehicle20. The unlock button68is an example of the “unlocking portion”.

Note that the doors, which are locked by the lock button67being operated or are unlocked by the unlock button68being operated, are the driver's seat door at the driver's seat side, the front passenger's seat door at the front passenger's seat side, and rear doors at the rear portion of the vehicle20.

At the electronic key50, when the lock button67is operated, the RF transmitting section66transmits an RF signal that includes a lock request to lock the doors. Further, at the electronic key50, when the unlock button68is operated, the RF transmitting section66transmits an RF signal that includes an unlock request to unlock the doors.

In contrast, at the vehicle20, in a case in which an RF signal including a lock request is received, the onboard device15controls an unillustrated door lock device so as to set all of the doors in a locked state. Further, at the vehicle20, in a case in which an RF signal including a unlock request is received, the onboard device15controls an unillustrated door lock device so as to set all of the doors in an unlocked state.

At the vehicle20, locking and unlocking of the doors is carried out not only by operation of the electronic key50, but also by operation of door buttons, which are provided at the driver's seat door and the front passenger's seat door and the like, by the user who possesses the electronic key50. In this case, on the basis of the electronic key50receiving an LF signal transmitted from the vehicle20, the electronic key50transmits an RF signal to the vehicle20and thereby notifies the vehicle20that the electronic key50exists in a range at which the electronic key50can receive LF signals from the vehicle20. Then, in a case in which the vehicle20receives the RF signal transmitted from the electronic key50, when a door button is operated by a user, the onboard device15controls the door lock device so as to set all of the doors in the locked state or the unlocked state.

Here, the electronic key50has, as sensitivities of receiving the LF signals transmitted from the vehicle20, two types of sensitivities that are standard sensitivity and high sensitivity that is a higher reception sensitivity than the standard sensitivity. The standard sensitivity is an example of the “first sensitivity”, and the high sensitivity is an example of the “second sensitivity”. In the present embodiment, the reception sensitivity is usually set to the standard sensitivity. When the unlock button68is operated in a case in which the reception sensitivity is the standard sensitivity, the reception sensitivity is changed from the standard sensitivity to the high sensitivity. When the reception sensitivity becomes high sensitivity, the electronic key50can receive LF signals at positions that are further from the vehicle20than in the case of standard sensitivity, even if the signal intensities of the LF signals transmitted from the vehicle20are the same. Details thereof are described later.

The functional structures of the electronic key50are described next.FIG.4is a block drawing illustrating an example of the functional structures of the electronic key50.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the CPU61of the electronic key50has, as the functional structures thereof, a changing section61A and a measuring section61B. These respective functional structures are realized by the CPU61reading-out the control program64A that is stored in the storage64, and executing the control program64A. The CPU61is an example of the processor.

When the unlock button68is operated in a case in which the reception sensitivity of LF signals is the standard intensity, the changing section61A changes the reception sensitivity to high sensitivity that is a higher reception sensitivity than the standard sensitivity. The LF receiving section65has an amp for changing the reception sensitivity, and the reception sensitivity is changed due to the amount of current flowing to the amp being adjusted. The changing section61A increases the reception sensitivity by increasing the amount of current flowing to the amp, and changes the reception sensitivity from the standard sensitivity to the high sensitivity.

Further, in a case in which a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception sensitivity of LF signals being changed to high sensitivity, the changing section61A changes the reception sensitivity to the standard sensitivity. Moreover, when the lock button67is operated in a case in which the reception sensitivity of LF signals is high sensitivity, the changing section61A changes the reception sensitivity to the standard sensitivity. As described above, in a case in which the reception sensitivity is changed from high sensitivity to standard sensitivity, the changing section61A lowers the reception sensitivity by decreasing the amount of current flowing to the amp, and changes the reception sensitivity from high sensitivity to standard sensitivity.

The measuring section61B has a timer that measures the time elapsed from the time when the reception sensitivity is set to high sensitivity. Each time that that elapsed time is measured, the measuring section61B resets the timer, and starts measuring.

Hardware structures of the user terminal70are described next.FIG.5is a block drawing illustrating the hardware structures of the user terminal70.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the user terminal70has a CPU71, a ROM72, a RAM73, a storage74, an input portion75, a display portion76, and the communication section77. These structures are connected so as to be able to communicate with one another through a bus78.

The CPU71is a central computing processing unit, and executes various programs and controls the respective sections. Namely, the CPU71reads-out programs from the ROM72or the storage74, and executes the programs by using the RAM73as a workspace. The CPU71carries out control of the above-described respective structures, and various computing processings, in accordance with the programs that are recorded in the ROM72or the storage74.

The ROM72stores various programs and various data. The RAM73temporarily stores programs and data as a workspace.

The storage74is structured by a storage device such as an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory or the like, and stores various programs and various data.

The input portion75includes various buttons, a microphone, a camera and the like, and is used in order to carry out various types of input.

The display portion76is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information. The display portion76may be a touch panel type display so as to function as the input portion75as well.

The communication section77is a communication unit that carries out wireless communication using Bluetooth®, and carries out BLE communication with the wireless communication I/F27.

FIG.6is a flowchart illustrating the flow of setting processing that sets the reception sensitivity of the electronic key50. The setting processing is carried out due to the CPU61reading-out the control program64A from the storage64, and expanding and executing the program in the RAM63. Note that it is assumed that the reception sensitivity before the setting processing is carried out is set to the standard sensitivity.

In step S10shown inFIG.6, the CPU61judges whether or not a setting of high sensitivity has been received. If it is judged that a setting of high sensitivity has been received (step S10: YES), the CPU61moves on to step S11. On the other hand, if the CPU61judges that a setting of high sensitivity has not been received (step S10: NO), the CPU61moves on to step S16. As an example, the CPU61judges that a setting of high sensitivity has been received in a case in which the unlock button68is operated by a user of the vehicle20.

In step S11, the CPU61sets the reception sensitivity to high sensitivity. Then, the CPU61moves on to step S12.

In step S12, the CPU61carries out setting of the timer. Then, the CPU61moves on to step S13. As the setting of the timer, the CPU61resets the timer, and thereafter, starts measuring of the time elapsed from the time when the reception sensitivity was set to high sensitivity.

In step S13, the CPU61judges whether or not a setting of high sensitivity has been received. If it is judged that a setting of high sensitivity has been received (step S13: YES), the CPU61returns to step S12. On the other hand, if the CPU61judges that a setting of high sensitivity has not been received (step S13: NO), the CPU61moves on to step S14.

In step S14, the CPU61judges whether or not resetting of the sensitivity has been received. If it is judged that resetting of the sensitivity has been received (step S14: YES), the CPU61moves on to step S16. On the other hand, if the CPU61judges that resetting of the sensitivity has not been received (step S14: NO), the CPU61moves on to step S15. As an example, in a case in which the lock button67is operated by a user of the vehicle20, it is judged that resetting of the sensitivity has been received.

In step S15, the CPU61judges whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of measuring by the timer in step S12. If it is judged that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S15: YES), the CPU61moves on to step S16. On the other hand, if the CPU61judges that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S15: NO), the CPU61returns to step S13.

In step S16, the CPU61sets the reception sensitivity to standard sensitivity. Then, the CPU61ends the setting processing.

Next, explanation is given of the flow of processings by which the doors of the vehicle20are locked or unlocked due to the user who possesses the electronic key50operating a door button. Hereinafter, as an example, explanation is given of the flow of processings by which the doors of the vehicle20are unlocked due to the user operating a door button. The unlocking of the doors can be executed in a case in which the vehicle20has succeeded in authenticating the electronic key50.

Here, the authenticating of the electronic key50is carried out as follows for example. The comparing ECU30A transmits an LF signal from the LF transmitting section31to the LF receiving section65. When the LF receiving section65receives the LF signal, the CPU61of the electronic key50transmits an RF signal, which includes the key ID information64B, from the RF transmitting section66to the RF receiving section32.

The comparing ECU30A compares the key ID information64B and the vehicle ID information stored in the storage24, and, in a case in which the key ID information64B and the vehicle ID information match, the comparing ECU30A judges that authentication of the electronic key50is successful. On the other hand, in a case in which the RF signal is not received within a predetermined time from the transmission of the LF signal, or in a case in which the key ID information64B and the vehicle ID information do not match, the comparing ECU30A judges that authentication of the electronic key50has failed.

FIG.7is a first explanatory drawing of the driving assistance system10.FIG.7illustrates a situation in which the doors of the vehicle20are unlocked due to the user operating a door button in a case in which the reception sensitivity of the LF signal is the standard sensitivity.

Here, inFIG.7, the three vehicles20that are vehicle20A, vehicle20B and vehicle20C are parked in a row. User U illustrated inFIG.7is the driver of the vehicle20A, and operates a door button of the vehicle20A. Moreover, range R1illustrated by the dashed line inFIG.7is the range in which the LF signal, which is transmitted from the vehicle20A, can be received in a case in which the LF signal reception sensitivity of the electronic key50that the user U possesses is the standard sensitivity.

First, in order to unlock the doors of the vehicle20A, the user U approaches the vehicle20A up to entering within the range R1. When the user U enters into the range R1, the electronic key50that the user U possesses receives an LF signal transmitted from the vehicle20A, and transmits an RF signal, which includes the key ID information64B, to the vehicle20A. The vehicle20A that has received the RF signal compares the key ID information64B and the vehicle ID information stored in the storage24. In a case in which the key ID information64B and the vehicle ID information match, the vehicle20A judges that authentication of the electronic key50is successful. As a result thereof, the doors of the vehicle20A can be unlocked by operation of a door button of the vehicle20A.

Then, the user U operates a door button of the vehicle20A. As a result thereof, the onboard device15of the vehicle20A controls the door lock device to set all of the doors in the unlocked state.

Driving assistance of the vehicle20that is carried out at the driving assistance system10is described next. This driving assistance is an operation that advances or reverses the vehicle20in accordance with operation of the user terminal70, in a situation in which the user of the vehicle20is outside of the vehicle. In the same way as at the time of the unlocking of the doors of the vehicle20due to operation of a door button by the user who possesses the electronic key50that is illustrated inFIG.7, this driving assistance operation can be executed in a case in which the vehicle20is successful in authenticating the electronic key50. A case in which the vehicle20succeeds in authenticating the electronic key50is an example of a “case in which it has been confirmed that the portable device has received a predetermined signal”.

FIG.8is a second explanatory drawing of the driving assistance system10.FIG.8illustrates a situation of carrying out the driving assistance operation (hereinafter called “remote garage exiting”) of causing the vehicle20to advance in accordance with operation of the user terminal70in a case in which the reception sensitivity of the LF signal is high sensitivity. Note that explanation of the portions ofFIG.8that are common toFIG.7is omitted. Here, in the driving assistance system10, the LF signal that is transmitted from the vehicle20to the electronic key50is called a signal for executing the driving assistance operation of advancing or reversing the vehicle20in accordance with operation of the user terminal70.

InFIG.8, the reception sensitivity has been changed to high sensitivity on the basis of the user U having operated the unlock button68, and the range in which the LF signal transmitted from the vehicle20A can be received is range R2which is broader than the range R1illustrated inFIG.7. Note that, inFIG.8, on the basis of the user U having operated the unlock button68, all of the doors of the vehicle20A are in the unlocked state.

InFIG.8, because the user U exists within the range R2, the electronic key50possessed by the user U receives the LF signal transmitted from the vehicle20A, without the user U approaching the vehicle20A any further. Thereafter, the electronic key50transmits an RF signal including the key ID information64B to the vehicle20A. The vehicle20A that has received the RF signal compares the key ID information64B and the vehicle ID information stored in the storage24, and, in a case in which the key ID information64B and the vehicle ID information match, judges that authentication of the electronic key50is successful. As a result thereof, remote garage exiting can be executed as a driving assistance operation.

After authentication of the electronic key50is successful, the user U operates a predetermined application on the user terminal70, and causes an operation signal for remote garage exiting to be transmitted from the user terminal70to the vehicle20A. At the vehicle20A that receives the operation signal, the driving ECU30B, the steering ECU30C, the braking ECU30D and the shift ECU30E control the respective actuators33˜36on the basis of the operation signal, and cause the vehicle20A to advance in the direction of arrow A to a predetermined position. Note that, on the basis of the fact that the vehicle20A has advanced forward in accordance with operation of the user terminal70, the onboard device15of the vehicle20A controls the door lock device to set all of the doors in the locked state.

After the vehicle20A stops at a predetermined position, the user U operates the unlock button68and unlocks the doors of the vehicle20A. Due to the above processes, the remote garage exiting ends.

Note that, in a case of carrying out remote garage exiting, after the vehicle20stops at a predetermined position, the doors of the vehicle20may be unlocked without receiving an operation of the unlock button68by the user. In this case, in a case in which remote garage exiting is carried out after all of the doors of the vehicle20have been set in the unlocked state on the basis of the unlock button68having been operated, the onboard device15controls the door lock device so as to set all of the doors in the unlocked state, on the basis of the fact that the vehicle20has stopped at a predetermined position. Moreover, in remote garage exiting, in a case in which the doors of the vehicle20are unlocked without receiving an operation of the unlock button68by the user, notice may be given of information expressing that the doors have been unlocked by at least one of the vehicle20, the electronic key50and the user terminal70.

Further, in remote garage exiting, in a case in which an RF signal including a locking request or an RF signal including an unlocking request is received from the electronic key50during the time the vehicle20is being advanced forward, the braking ECU30D controls the actuators35and stops the vehicle20.

Here, in the driving assistance system10, remote garage exiting can be executed not only in a case in which the LF signal reception sensitivity of the electronic key50is high sensitivity, but also in a case in which the reception sensitivity is the standard sensitivity. However, in a case in which the reception sensitivity is the standard sensitivity, as illustrated inFIG.7, after the user approaches the vehicle20up until the range R1that is the range in which LF signals can be received, the user must move away from the vehicle20in order to clear the way, and this is inconvenient for the user. Accordingly, in a case of executing remote garage exiting, it is preferable to change the LF signal reception sensitivity of the electronic key50to high sensitivity.

As described above, the electronic key50has the unlock button68configured to enable an operation for unlocking the doors of the vehicle20is possible. If the unlock button68is operated in a case in which the reception sensitivity of the LF signals transmitted by wireless communication from the vehicle20is the standard sensitivity, the CPU61of the electronic key50changes the reception sensitivity to high sensitivity that is a higher reception sensitivity than standard sensitivity. As a result thereof, at the electronic key50, the reception sensitivity is changed to high sensitivity in a state in which it is recognized that a user of the vehicle20has unlocked the doors. Therefore, in a case of carrying out driving assistance under the condition that the electronic key50has been detected, convenience for the user can be ensured without any detriment to the security of the vehicle20.

Further, at the electronic key50, in a case in which a predetermined time has elapsed since the changing the reception sensitivity to high sensitivity, the CPU61changes the reception sensitivity to standard sensitivity. As a result thereof, at the electronic key50, even if the user of the vehicle20forgets that the reception sensitivity has been changed to high sensitivity, the reception sensitivity is automatically changed to standard sensitivity after a predetermined time elapses, and therefore, security risks to the vehicle20are reduced.

Further, the electronic key50has the lock button67configured to enable an operation for locking the doors of the vehicle20is possible. When the lock button67is operated in a case in which the reception sensitivity is high sensitivity, the CPU61of the electronic key50changes the reception sensitivity to standard sensitivity. As a result thereof, at the electronic key50, the reception sensitivity can be changed to standard sensitivity in accordance with operation of the electronic key50. Therefore, due to the reception sensitivity being changed to the standard sensitivity at the time when the user moves away from the vehicle20, security risks to the vehicle20can be reduced.

Further, the driving assistance system10has the electronic key50, the vehicle20that can communicate wirelessly with the electronic key50, and the user terminal70that can communicate with the vehicle20. In the driving assistance system10, the vehicle20executes the driving assistance operation of advancing or reversing the vehicle20in accordance with operation of the user terminal70in a case in which authentication of the electronic key50is successful, which is a case of confirming that the electronic key50has received the transmitted LF signal. As a result thereof, in the driving assistance system10, in a situation in which the user of the vehicle20is outside of the vehicle, in a case in which the driving assistance operation of advancing or reversing the vehicle20is executed in accordance with operation of the user terminal70under the condition that the electronic key50has been detected, convenience for the user can be ensured without any detriment to the security of the vehicle20.

Further, the above-described electronic key50can carry out both locking of the doors of the vehicle20and changing of the LF signal reception sensitivity to standard sensitivity by operation of the lock button67, and can carry out both unlocking of the doors of the vehicle20and changing of the LF signal reception sensitivity to high sensitivity by operation of the unlock button68. In this way, the electronic key50does not have a button that is used exclusively to enable operation for changing the reception sensitivity of LF signals, and therefore, the reception sensitivity of LF signals can be changed by a simple structure that uses existing buttons.

(Other Points)

In the above-described embodiment, the lock button67and the unlock button68are provided as buttons of the electronic key50, but other buttons may be provided in addition thereto. For example, an open/close button for opening/closing a back door of the vehicle20may be provided as a button of the electronic key50.

Although the electronic key50is used as an example of the portable device in the above-described embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and examples of the portable device are portable terminals such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal and the like. For example, in a case in which a portable terminal is an example of the portable device, in the driving assistance system10, the user terminal70may be an example of the portable device, or a portable terminal other than the user terminal70may be an example of the portable device. Further, in a case in which an example of the portable device is made to be a portable terminal, icons that are displayed on the screen of the portable terminal are examples of the locking portion and the unlocking portion.

In the above-described embodiment, in a case in which the LF signal reception sensitivity of the electronic key50is changed, change information that expresses that the reception sensitivity has been changed may be reported at at least one of the vehicle20, the electronic key50and the user terminal70. Further, different change information may be reported in a case in which the reception sensitivity is changed to high sensitivity and in a case in which the reception sensitivity is changed to standard sensitivity. For example, if predetermined sounds are output from the electronic key50in cases in which the reception sensitivity is changed, a high-pitched sound may be output when the reception sensitivity is changed to high sensitivity, and a low-pitched sound may be output when the reception sensitivity is changed to standard sensitivity.

Note that any of various types of processors other than a CPU may execute the setting processing that is executed due to the CPU61reading software (a program) in the above-described embodiment. Examples of processors in this case include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) whose circuit structure can be changed after production such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) and the like, and dedicated electrical circuits that are processors having circuit structures that are designed for the sole purpose of executing specific processings such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and the like, and the like. Further, the setting processing may be executed by one of these various types of processors, or may be executed by a combination of two or more of the same type or different types of processors (e.g., plural FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, or the like). Further, the hardware structures of these various types of processors are, more specifically, electrical circuits that combine circuit elements such as semiconductor elements and the like.

Further, the above-described embodiment describes a form in which the control program64A is stored in advance (is installed) in the storage64, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The control program64A may be provided in a form of being recorded on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or the like. Further, the control program64A may in a form of being downloaded from an external device over a network.