Claims:
1. A driving environment setting system (1) which has a controller (20) mounted on a vehicle and a plurality of portable devices,
wherein each of the portable devices is provided with
a magnetic field strength detection unit (13) which detects a magnetic field strength of wireless communication electric waves sent from the controller (20), and
a portable device communication unit (12) which sends, to the controller (20) via wireless communications, identification information which is specific information of own device, and the magnetic field strength; and
wherein the controller (20) is provided with
a wireless antenna (21) for performing wireless communications with the portable devices,
a controller communication unit (22) which receives the identification information and the magnetic field strength, sent from one or more portable devices which are communicable via the wireless antenna (21), and
a driving environment setting unit (23) which determines a driver portable device, which is the portable device corresponding to a driver of the vehicle, from among the one or more portable devices from which the identification information and the magnetic field strength were received, based on the magnetic field strength of one or more portable devices, and changes a driving environment of a driving seat of the vehicle, based on the identification information of the driver portable device.

2. The driving environment setting system (1) according to claim 1,
wherein the wireless antenna (21) is disposed in a position closer to the driving seat, than a non-driving seat which is a vehicle seat other than the driving seat, and
wherein the driving environment setting unit (23) determines a portable device with a greatest magnetic field strength, as the driver portable device.

3. The driving environment setting system (1) according to claim 1,
wherein the wireless antenna (21) is disposed in a position closer to a non-driving seat, which is a vehicle seat other than the driving seat, than the driving seat, and
wherein the driving environment setting unit (23) determines a portable device with a minimum magnetic field strength, as the driver portable device.

4. The driving environment setting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the portable device is a portable device in a smart key system.

5. The driving environment setting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the portable device is a mobile phone.

6. The driving environment setting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the driving environment setting unit (23) re-determines the driver portable device periodically, even after the driver portable device is determined for a first time.

7. The driving environment setting system (1) according to claim 6,
wherein in a case where the re-determined driver portable device is different from the previous time determined driver portable device,
the driving environment setting unit (23) notifies a difference to a driver.

8. The driving environment setting system (1) according to claim 6 or 7,
wherein in a case where the re-determined driver portable device is different from the previous time determined driver portable device, the driving environment setting unit (23) changes the driving environment again, based on the identification information of the re-determined driver portable device.

9. The driving environment setting system (1) according to claim 8,
wherein in a case where the driving environment setting unit (23) changes the driving environment again, the driving environment setting unit (23) changes the driving environment gradually.

10. The driving environment setting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
wherein the portable device is provided with an environment setting storage unit (14) which stores setting data of the driving environment,
wherein the portable device communication unit (12) sends the setting data of the driving environment to the controller (20), in addition to the identification information and the magnetic field strength, and
wherein the controller communication unit (22) receives the setting data of the driving environment from one or more portable devices which are communicable, in addition to the identification information and the magnetic field strength, and
wherein the driving environment setting unit (23) changes the driving environment of the driving seat of the vehicle, based on the identification information of the driver portable device and the setting data of the driving environment.

11. The driving environment setting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
wherein the controller (20) is provided with an environment setting storage unit (24) which stores the setting data of the driving environment which is correlated with the identification information, about each of the plurality of portable devices, and
wherein the driving environment setting unit (23) reads out, from the environment setting storage unit (24), the setting data of the driving environment which corresponds to the identification information of the driver portable device, and changes the driving environment of the driving seat of the vehicle based on the read out setting data of the driving environment.

12. The driving environment setting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
wherein a magnitude of a decreasing rate of the magnetic field strength of wireless communication electric waves, sent from the wireless antenna (21), with respect to an increase in a distance from the wireless antenna (21) of the controller (20) is larger than a magnitude of a decreasing rate of the magnetic field strength of wireless communication electric waves, sent from the portable device, with respect to an increase in a distance from the portable device.

13. The driving environment setting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
wherein the vehicle is a two wheeled vehicle, and has a front seat designated as the driving seat, and a rear seat designated as a non-driving seat which is a vehicle seat other than the driving seat.

14. The driving environment setting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
wherein the vehicle is a four wheeled vehicle.

15. The driving environment setting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
wherein the vehicle is a marine vessel.
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

DRIVING ENVIRONMENT SETTING SYSTEM

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ORGANISED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF JAPAN, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 7-3, MARUNOUCHI 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 1008310 JAPAN

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.
DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The present disclosure relates to a driving environment setting system.

BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
In Patent Document 1, there is disclosed a technology in which, a vehicle mounted device sets the driving environment of a driving seat, such as the position of a driver’s seat, the position of a mirror, and the position of a steering, based on the environment specific information, which is received via wireless communications from a portable device which a user possesses, and detection results by a feature detection means for detecting physical features of a user, and so on. According to the technology of Patent Document 1, the vehicle mounted device is configured so that, in the case where there are a plurality of users who fulfill a certain condition, a true user can be specified from among the plurality of users, by the external operation which is performed by a user.

CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003]
Patent Document 1: JP 5001028 B

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0004]
However, according to the technology of Patent Document 1, a camera, a fingerprint identification device, and the like, for detecting physical features, such as a face, fingerprints, and so on of a user, need to be mounted in a vehicle, and thereby, the system experiences the increase in cost, and furthermore, a user is required to perform an authentication operation, and then, the system becomes less convenient to users. Further, an external operation needs to be performed by a user, in order to specify the user, and then, an increase in the cost is entailed by the installation of an external operation mechanism, and further, the system becomes less convenient to users.
[0005]
Therefore, the present application aims at providing a driving environment setting system which is capable of specifying a driver, without the addition of a device which detects physical features of a driver, and without the request to the driver to perform an operation.

Solution to Problem
[0006]
The driving environment setting system in accordance with the present disclosure, is a driving environment setting system which has a controller mounted on a vehicle and a plurality of portable devices,
wherein each of the portable devices is provided with
a magnetic field strength detection unit which detects a magnetic field strength of wireless communication electric waves sent from the controller, and
a portable device communication unit which sends, to the controller via wireless communications, identification information which is specific information of own device, and the magnetic field strength; and
wherein the controller is provided with
a wireless antenna for performing wireless communications with the portable devices,
a controller communication unit which receives the identification information and the magnetic field strength, sent from one or more portable devices which are communicable via the wireless antenna, and
a driving environment setting unit which determines a driver portable device, which is the portable device corresponding to a driver of the vehicle, from among the one or more portable devices from which the identification information and the magnetic field strength were received, based on the magnetic field strength of one or more portable devices, and changes a driving environment of a driving seat of the vehicle, based on the identification information of the driver portable device.

Advantage of Invention
[0007]
According to the driving environment setting system in accordance with the present disclosure, a driver can be determined automatically from among a plurality of users, based on the magnetic field strength of wireless communication electric waves, which are sent from the controller and are detected by portable devices, which are possessed by respective users, without providing a device which detects physical features of a driver, such as a camera, a fingerprint identification device, and so on. Therefore, the driving environment setting system can specify a driver, without the addition of an authentication use device for specifying a driver and without the request to a user to perform an operation. Accordingly, the cost increases of the system are limited, and further, improved convenience can be afforded to a driver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008]
FIG.1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a driving environment setting system in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
FIG.2 is a functional block diagram of a first portable device in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
FIG.3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the first portable device in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
FIG.4 is a functional block diagram of a controller in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
FIG.5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the controller in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
FIG.6 is a drawing which shows the arrangement of a wireless antenna, in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, in a case where the vehicle is a two wheeled vehicle.
FIG.7 is a drawing which shows the arrangement of a wireless antenna, in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, in a case where the vehicle is a four wheeled vehicle.
FIG.8 is a drawing which shows the relationship between a distance and a magnetic field strength, in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
FIG.9 is a flow chart for explaining the processing of the controller, in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
FIG.10 is a drawing which shows the arrangement of a wireless antenna, in accordance with Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, in a case where the vehicle is a two wheeled vehicle.
FIG.11 is a drawing which shows the arrangement of a wireless antenna, in accordance with Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, in a case where the vehicle is a four wheeled vehicle.
FIG.12 is a functional block diagram of a first portable device in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure.
FIG.13 is a functional block diagram of a controller in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0009]
1. Embodiment 1
With reference to the drawings, explanation will be made about a driving environment setting system 1 in accordance with Embodiment 1. The driving environment setting system 1 has a controller 20 which is mounted on a vehicle, and a plurality of portable devices. In the present embodiment, the vehicle is a wheeled vehicle.
[0010]
FIG.1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of the driving environment setting system 1 and its peripheral devices, in accordance with the present embodiment. As a plurality of portable devices, there are provided with a first portable device 10a, a second portable device 10b, and a third portable device 10c. The plurality of portable devices are allowed to be provided in any number, as long as two or more devices are provided. In the present embodiment, the plurality of portable devices are portable devices in a smart key system. The smart key system is a system which authenticates a user via wireless communications, without using a mechanical lock, and the portable device works as an electronic lock. Further, it is probable that, the portable device has the function of a remote controller, which remotely handles the locking or unlocking of the doors of a wheeled vehicle, the start-up of an engine, and the like.
[0011]
< Each of the vehicle mounted devices >
The controller 20 is connected with other vehicle mounted devices via an in-vehicle network 100, so that communications can be performed each other. In the present embodiment, a steering lock device 110, a seat position controller 120, a steering wheel position controller 130, a mirror position controller 140, an air condition controller 150, a navigation device 160, a multimedia device 170, a cruise controller 180, and the like, are provided, as other vehicle mounted devices. It is to be noted that, the number and type of vehicle mounted devices, which are provided in a wheeled vehicle, is changed appropriately in accordance with the specifications of a wheeled vehicle, and some of the exemplary illustrated vehicle mounted devices are allowed not to be provided there, and a vehicle mounted device, other than the exemplary illustrated vehicle mounted devices, can be provided there.
[0012]
The steering lock device 110 is a mechanism for locking a steering. In the present embodiment, a lock release demand switch is provided in a driving seat, and when a driver operates the lock release demand switch, the operating information of the lock release demand switch is inputted into the controller 20. As will be described later, when the operating information (lock release demand) of the lock release demand switch is inputted, the controller 20 authenticates with the first portable device 10a to the third portable device 10c. In the case where the authentication is successfully achieved, the controller transmits an instruction for the lock release to the steering lock device 110. When the instruction for the lock release is transmitted, the steering lock device 110 drives an actuator and releases the steering lock.
[0013]
The seat position controller 120, the steering wheel position controller 130, the mirror position controller 140, the air condition controller 150, the navigation device 160, the multimedia device 170, and the cruise controller 180, and the like, are devices which change the driving environment of a driving seat, based on the instructions from the controller 20.
[0014]
Based on the instructions from the controller 20, the seat position controller 120 drives an actuator, and changes the position of a seat in the driving seat (the height of a seat, the seat position in a front and back direction, and others). Based on the instructions from the controller 20, the steering wheel position controller 130 drives an actuator, and changes the position of a steering wheel in the driving seat (the height of a steering wheel, the steering wheel position in a front and back direction, and others). Based on the instructions from the controller 20, the mirror position controller 140 drives an actuator, and changes the position of each of the mirrors (the angle of a mirror, and others), such as a side view mirror, a rear view mirror and the like. Based on the instructions from the controller 20, the air condition controller 150 changes the setting of an air conditioning device, such as a temperature, a volume of air flow, and the like.
[0015]
Based on the instructions from the controller 20, the navigation device 160 changes the stored data, such as the positon of a home, the history of destinations, and others. Based on the instructions from the controller 20, the multimedia device 170 changes the setting on the image quality, luminosity, and the like of a display, the setting on the volume, sound quality, and the like of a loudspeaker, and the setting on the preset channel and the like of a television and a radio. Based on the instructions from the controller 20, the cruise controller 180 changes the setting of the drivability, such as a sport mode, a fuel consumption mode and the like.
[0016]
< Basic constitution of a portable device >
Next, explanation will be made about the constitution of the first portable device 10a to the third portable device 10c, with the use of a block diagram which is show in FIG.2. The first portable device 10a to the third portable device 10c are constructed in a similar manner, and then, the first portable device 10a is explained on their behalf. The first portable device 10a is provided with a wireless antenna 11, a portable device communication unit 12, a magnetic field strength detection unit 13, and an environment setting storage unit 14.
[0017]
Each of the functional parts 12 to 14 and others, in the first portable device 10a, can be achieved by processing circuits, which are provided in the first portable device 10a. For example, as shown in FIG.3, the first portable device 10a is provided with an arithmetic processing device 101 (computer), as a processing circuit, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, a storage device 102, which exchanges data with the arithmetic processing device 101, a wireless antenna 11, a communication device 103, which performs wireless communications with the controller 20 using the wireless antenna 11, and so on.
[0018]
As the arithmetic processing device 101, there can be provided with an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an IC (Integrated Circuit), a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), various kinds of logic circuits, and various kinds of signal processing circuits, and so on. Further, it is allowable that, same kind or different kinds of devices are provided, as the arithmetic processing device 101, and respective procedures are shared and performed in those devices. Various kinds of storage devices, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, and so on, are used as the storage device 102.
[0019]
In this regard, the function of the respective functional parts 12 to 14, which are provided in the first portable device 10a, is achieved by the arithmetic processing device 101, which executes the software (program) stored in the storage device 102, and collaborates with other hard wares, such as the storage device 102, the communication device 103, and the wireless antenna 11 and the like. It is to be noted that, setting data, like the identification information, which the respective functional parts 12 to 14 and others use, are stored in the storage device 102, such as a ROM or a flash memory, as a part of software (program).
[0020]
The wireless antenna 11 is an antenna for performing wireless communications with the controller 20. The environment setting storage unit 14 stores the setting data of the driving environment of a driving seat. The environment setting storage unit 14 is provided in the storage device 102, such as a rewritable and nonvolatile flash memory and so on. As mentioned above, the setting data of the driving environment of a driving seat include one or more of, the setting data of the position of a seat in the driving seat, which is fitted to a user who possesses the first portable device 10a, the setting data of the position of a steering wheel, the setting data of the position of a mirror, the setting data of an air conditioning device, the stored data of a navigation device, the setting data of a multimedia device, and the setting data of a cruise controller. It is to be noted that, as will described later, when the setting data of the driving environment are changed by a driver's operation or the like, with holding a state where the first portable device 10a is determined to be a driver portable device, the setting data of the driving environment are sent from the controller 20 to the first portable device 10a, and stored in the environment setting storage unit 14. [0021]
The magnetic field strength detection unit 13 detects the magnetic field strength of wireless communication electric waves, which are sent from the controller 20. The communication device 103 detects the intensity of the electric waves of the controller 20 (wireless antenna 21), which are received by the wireless antenna 11, and the magnetic field strength detection unit 13 obtains the information on the intensity of the received electric waves, as a magnetic field strength, from the communication device 103.
[0022]
The portable device communication unit 12 sends, to the controller 20 via wireless communications, the identification information which is specific information on own device (in the present example, a first portable device 10a), and the magnetic field strength which is detected by the magnetic field strength detection unit 13. In the present embodiment, the portable device communication unit 12 sends the setting data of the driving environment to the controller 20, in addition to the identification information and the magnetic field strength. It is to be noted that, the portable device communication unit 12 performs wireless communications, using the communication device 103 and the wireless antenna 11. In the case where the portable device communication unit 12 is out of the wireless communications service with the wireless antenna 21 of the controller 20, and cannot detect the magnetic field strength, or in the case where the portable device communication unit 12 is out of the wireless communications service with the wireless antenna 11 of the first portable device 10a, and cannot communicate with the controller 20, the portable device communication unit 12 does not send data such as the identification information and so on, to the controller 20.
[0023]
< Basic constitution of the controller 20 >
Next, explanation will be made about the constitution of the controller 20, with the use of a block diagram which is shown in FIG.4. The controller 20 is provided with a wireless antenna 21, a controller communication unit 22, and a driving environment setting unit 23, and so on.
[0024]
The respective functional parts 22 and 23 and others, of the controller 20, are achieved by the processing circuits which are provided in the controller 20. For example, as shown in FIG.5, the controller 20 is provided with an arithmetic processing device 201 (computer), as a processing circuit, such as a CPU, a storage device 202, which exchanges data with the arithmetic processing device 201, a wireless antenna 21, an external communication device 203 which performs wireless communications with each of the portable devices, with the use of the wireless antenna 21, an in-vehicle communication device 204 which performs wire communications with each of the vehicle mounted devices, like the steering lock device 110 to the cruise controller 180 and others, via the in-vehicle network 100, and a human interface device 205 and so on.
[0025]
As the arithmetic processing device 201, there can be provided with an ASIC, an IC, a FPGA, various kinds of logic circuits, and various kinds of signal processing circuits, and so on. Further, it is allowable that, same kind or different kinds of devices are provided, as the arithmetic processing device 201, and respective procedures are shared and performed in those devices. Various kinds of storage devices, such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, and the like, are used, as the storage device 202. The human interface device 205 has a manual operation button which receives an input by a user, a display, a loudspeaker, and the like. The human interface device 205 can employ some devices which are diverted from other vehicle mounted devices.
[0026]
Then, the function of respective functional parts 22 and 23, which are provided in the controller 20, is achieved by the arithmetic processing device 201, which executes the software (program) stored in the storage device 202, and collaborates with other hard wares, such as the storage device 202, the communication device 203, the in-vehicle communication device 204, the human interface device 205, and the wireless antenna 21, and the like. It is to be noted that, the setting data, which the respective functional parts 22 and 23 and others use, are stored, as a part of the software (program), in the storage device 202, such as a ROM or a flash memory.
[0027]
The wireless antenna 21 is an antenna for performing wireless communications with each of the portable devices. The controller communication unit 22 receives the identification information and the magnetic field strength, sent from one or more portable devices which are communicable via the wireless antenna 21. In the present embodiment, the controller communication unit 22 receives, in addition to the identification information and the magnetic field strength, the setting data of the driving environment, from one or more portable devices which are communicable. It is to be noted that, the controller communication unit 22 correlates the received magnetic field strength and setting data of the driving environment, with the corresponding identification information, and stores those correlated data in the storage device 202, such as a RAM or a flash memory.
[0028]
The driving environment setting unit 23 determines a driver portable device, which is a portable device corresponding to the driver of a wheeled vehicle, from among one or more portable devices from which the identification information and the magnetic field strength and the like were received, and changes the driving environment of a driving seat, based on the identification information of the driver portable device. It is to be noted that, in the case where a single portable device received the identification information and the magnetic field strength and the like, the driving environment setting unit 23 determines the single portable device as a driver portable device.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, the driving environment setting unit 23 reads out, from the storage device 202, the setting data of the driving environment which corresponds to the identification information of the driver portable device, and transmits the respective setting data to each of the vehicle mounted devices, and changes each of the driving environments.
[0030]
To be more specific, the driving environment setting unit 23 transmits, to the seat position controller 120, the setting data of the position of a seat in the driving seat, which are included in the setting data of the driving environment, and changes the position of the seat. The driving environment setting unit 23 transmits, to the steering wheel position controller 130, the setting data of the position of a steering wheel, which are included in the setting data of the driving environment, and changes the position of the steering wheel. The driving environment setting unit 23 transmits, to the mirror position controller 140, the setting data of the position of a mirror, which are included in the setting data of the driving environment, and changes the position of the mirror. The driving environment setting unit 23 transmits, to the air condition controller 150, the setting data of the position of a steering wheel, which are included in the setting data of the driving environment, and changes the position of the steering wheel.
[0031]
The driving environment setting unit 23 transmits, to the navigation device 160, the setting data of a navigation device, like the stored data, such as the position of a home, the history of destinations, and others, which are included in the setting data of the driving environment, and changes the setting of the navigation device 160. The driving environment setting unit 23 transmits, to the multimedia device 170, the setting data of a multimedia device, such as the setting of a display, the setting of a loudspeaker, the setting of preset channels, and the like, which are included in the setting data of the driving environment, and changes the setting of the multimedia device 170. The driving environment setting unit 23 transmits, to the cruise controller 180, the setting data of a cruise controller, such as the setting of the drivability, which are included in the setting data of the driving environment, and changes the setting of the cruise controller 180.
[0032]
< Determination of a driver portable device, fitted to the arrangement of the wireless antenna 21 >
In the present embodiment, the wireless antenna 21 of the controller 20 is disposed in a position closer to the driving seat than a non-driving seat, which is a seat of a wheeled vehicle, other than the driving seat. For example, as shown in FIG.6, in the case where the wheeled vehicle is a two wheeled vehicle, the wheeled vehicle has a front seat 40 designated as a driving seat, and a rear seat 41 designated as a non-driving seat. Then, the wireless antenna 21 is disposed in a position closer to the front seat 40, than the rear seat 41. In the example which is shown in FIG.6, the wireless antenna 21 is provided in the vicinity of the steering wheel of a driving seat.
[0033]
Further, as shown in FIG.7, in the case where the wheeled vehicle is a four wheeled vehicle, the wheeled vehicle has a right hand side front seat 50 designated as a driving seat, and a left hand side front seat 51, a right hand side rear seat 52, and a left hand side rear seat 53, three of them designated as non-driving seats. Then, the wireless antenna 21 is disposed in a position closer to the right hand side front seat 50, than the non-driving seats 51 to 53. In the example shown in FIG.7, the wireless antenna 21 is provided in the vicinity of the steering wheel of the driving seat.
[0034]
For the reason described above, a distance between the wireless antenna 21 and a portable device which is possessed by a driver, sitting on the driving seat, becomes smaller than a distance between the wireless antenna 21 and a portable device which is possessed a fellow passenger, sitting on the non-driving seat. Accordingly, the magnetic field strength of the wireless antenna 21 which is detected by the portable device of the driver, becomes stronger than the magnetic field strength of the wireless antenna 21 which is detected by the portable device of the fellow passenger.
[0035]
Then, the driving environment setting unit 23 determines the driver portable device from among one or more portable devices from which the identification information and the magnetic field strength and the like were received, based on the magnetic field strength of the one or more portable devices. In the present embodiment, the driving environment setting unit 23 determines a portable device with the greatest magnetic field strength as a driver portable device, from among one or more portable devices from which the identification information and the magnetic field strength and the like were received. According to this constitution, the driver portable device which is possessed by a driver can be determined with a sufficient degree of accuracy, through the magnitude of the magnetic field strength.
[0036]
< Communications coverage range of the wireless antenna 21 >
In FIG.6 and FIG.7, there is shown a communications coverage range, in which wireless communication electric waves which are sent from the wireless antenna 21 of the controller 20 can reach and communications can be achieved. The LF (Low Frequency) frequency band of about 10 kHz is used for the sending electric waves of the wireless antenna 21, and the communications coverage range of the wireless antenna 21 is around 2 meters. For the reason above, as is shown in FIG.8 which shows the relationship between the distance from the wireless antenna 21 and the magnetic flux density of sending electric waves, the magnetic flux density changes largely with the change in distance of around 2 meters, which corresponds to the distance difference between a driver sitting seat and a non-driver sitting seat. Accordingly, the position of a portable device can be determined with a sufficient degree of accuracy, through the magnitude of the magnetic field strength of the wireless communication electric waves, which are sent from the wireless antenna 21, and the driver portable device which is possessed by a driver can be determined.
[0037]
In contrast, the communications coverage range of the sending electric waves of the wireless antenna 11 of a portable device is around several tenths of meters, so that the remote handling of the controller 20 can be achieved by a portable device. The UHF (Ultra High Frequency) frequency band of several hundred MHz is used for the sending electric waves of the wireless antenna 11. In this situation, the magnetic flux density changes poorly with the change in distance of around 2 meters, which corresponds to the distance difference between a driver sitting seat and a non-driver sitting seat. Accordingly, the position of a portable device cannot be determined with a sufficient degree of accuracy, through the magnitude of the magnetic field strength of the wireless communication electric waves, which are sent from the wireless antenna 11.
[0038]
As mentioned above, in the present embodiment, the magnitude of the decreasing rate of the magnetic field strength of the wireless communication electric waves, which are sent from the wireless antenna 21, with respect to the increase in the distance from the wireless antenna 21 of the controller 20 is larger than the magnitude of the decreasing rate of the magnetic field strength of the wireless communication electric waves, which are sent from the wireless antenna 11, with respect to the increase in the distance from the wireless antenna 11 of a portable device. Accordingly, the magnetic field strength is detected on the portable device side, and thereby, the position of a portable device can be determined with a sufficient degree of accuracy, and the driver portable device which is possessed by a driver can be determined.
[0039]
< Detailed explanation of operations >
Next, explanation will be made in detail about operations of the driving environment setting system 1. In the two wheeled vehicle of FIG.6, the steering lock device 110 is provided in the vicinity of the steering wheel of a driving seat. The wireless antenna 21 of the controller 20 is provided on the lower side of the meter in a driving seat. Then, the portable device (in the present example, a first portable device 10a) which is possessed by a driver, sitting on the front seat 40, is located in a position closer to the wireless antenna 21 of the controller 20, than a portable device (in the present example, a second portable device 10b) which is possessed by a fellow passenger, sitting on the rear seat 41.
[0040]
Explanation will be made about procedures which are performed in the above mentioned situation, with the use of a flow chart which is shown in FIG.9. In Step S01, the controller 20 proceeds to Step S02, in the case where the release operation of a steering lock by a driver is detected (Step S01: Yes), based on the signal from a lock release demand switch, as a human interface device 205, and repeatedly performs Step S01, in the case where the release operation is not detected (Step S01: No).
[0041]
In Step S02, with regard to one or more portable devices which are communicable via the wireless antenna 21 of the controller 20, the controller communication unit 22 performs authentication communication sequentially, whether the portable device is in agreement with a plurality of registered portable devices (in the present example, the first portable device 10a to the third portable device 10c), which are registered in the controller 20. For example, the controller communication unit 22 communicates with a portable device among one or more portable devices which are communicable and receives the identification information and the like. Then, the controller communication unit 22 compares the received identification information, with the identification information of a plurality of registered portable devices, which are preliminary stored in the storage device 202 of the controller 20; and in the case where both of the identification information are in agreement, the controller communication unit 22 determines the in-agreement portable device as a portable device with which the authentication is successfully achieved. The controller communication unit 22 carries out sequentially the authentication communication, to a plurality of portable devices which are communicable until a first agreement is reached on the identification information. In addition to the identification information, the controller communication unit 22 receives the magnetic field strength and the setting data of the driving environment, from the portable device with which the authentication is successfully achieved.
[0042]
The controller communication unit 22 proceeds to Step S03, in the case where the authentication is successfully achieved with at least one of the registered portable devices, and the controller communication unit 22 returns to Step S01, in the case where the authentication is successfully achieved with none of the registered portable devices.
[0043]
Further, in Step S02, the magnetic field strength detection unit 13 of a portable device, which received the electric waves of the controller 20, detects the magnetic field strength of the wireless communication electric waves, which are sent from the controller 20. Then, in addition to the identification information, the portable device communication unit 12 of the portable device, with which the authentication is successfully achieved, sends the magnetic field strength and the setting data of the driving environment, to the controller 20.
[0044]
In Step S03, the controller communication unit 22 correlates, with the identification information, the magnetic field strength and the setting data of the driving environment, both of which are received from the portable device with which the authentication is successfully achieved in Step S02, and stores the correlated data in the storage device 202, such as a RAM or a flash memory.
[0045]
In Step S04, the controller 20 transmits an instruction for the lock release to the steering lock device 110, because there exists a portable device with which the authentication is successfully achieved.
[0046]
In Step S05, the controller communication unit 22 determines whether the authentication communication is performed to all of the portable devices which are communicable. In the case where the authentication communication is performed to all of the portable devices which are communicable (Step S05: Yes), the controller communication unit 22 proceeds to Step S08, and in the case where the authentication communication is not finished (Step S05: No), the controller communication unit proceeds to Step S06.
[0047]
In Step S06, the controller communication unit 22 performs the authentication communication sequentially like in Step S02, to one or more portable devices, which did not perform the authentication communication and can communicate with. Then, the controller communication unit 22 proceeds to Step S07, in the case where the authentication is successfully achieved (Step S06: Authentication success), and proceeds to Step S05, in the case where the authentication is not successfully achieved (Step S06: Authentication unsuccess). In Step S07, like in Step S03, the controller communication unit 22 correlates, with the corresponding identification information, the magnetic field strength and the setting data of the driving environment, both of which are received from the portable device with which the authentication is successfully achieved in Step S06, and stores the correlated data in the storage device 202, such as a RAM or a flash memory.
[0048]
In Step S08, in the case where there are a plurality of portable devices with which the authentication is successfully achieved, the driving environment setting unit 23 determines a portable device with the greatest magnetic field strength, as a driver portable device, from among the plurality of portable devices with which the authentication is successfully achieved. By contrast, in the case where a single portable device successfully achieved the authentication, the driving environment setting unit 23 determines the single portable device as a driver portable device.
[0049]
Then, in Step S09, as mentioned above, the driving environment setting unit 23 reads out, from the storage device 202, the setting data of the driving environment which corresponds to the identification information of the portable device, and transmits each of the setting data to each of the vehicle mounted devices, and changes each of the driving environments.
[0050]
As mentioned above, in the driving environment setting system 1, after a user performs the release operation of a steering lock in the vicinity of a driving seat, the controller 20 determines the portable device with the greatest magnetic field strength, as a driver portable device, from among a plurality of registered portable devices, which are located in the region where electric waves sent from the wireless antenna 21 of the controller 20 can reach and wireless communications can be performed. [0051]
Then, the controller 20 changes the driving environment of a driving seat, based on the identification information of a driver portable device, and the corresponding setting data of the driving environment. For the above mentioned reason, a driver can be determined from among a plurality of users, using the portable devices for authenticating a user, and without providing a device for determining the physical features of a driver, such as a camera and a fingerprint identification device and so on. Therefore, by a simple hardware configuration, the driving environment setting system 1 can determine the driver portable device which is a portable device possessed by a driver, from among a plurality of portable devices, and can improve automatically the driving environment of the driving seat, to fit with the driver, based on the identification information of a driver portable device, and the like. Thereby, the driving environment setting system 1 can be reduced in the cost increase, and further, can offer improved convenience to a driver.
[0052]
2. Embodiment 2
Next, explanation will be made about the driving environment setting system 1 in accordance with Embodiment 2. The explanation for the constituent parts which are the same as those of the above mentioned Embodiment 1 will be omitted. Although the basic configurations of the driving environment setting system 1 according to the present embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1, the disposed position of the wireless antenna 21 of the controller 20 and the determination method for the driver portable device, in accordance with the magnetic field strength in the driving environment setting unit 23, are different from those of Embodiment 1.
[0053]
In the present embodiment, the wireless antenna 21 of the controller 20 is disposed in a position closer to a non-driving seat than a driving seat, where the non-driving seat is a vehicle seat other than the driving seat. For example, as is shown in FIG.10, the wireless antenna 21 is disposed in a position closer to the rear seat 41 than the front seat 40, in the case where the vehicle is a two wheeled vehicle. In the example which is shown in FIG.10, the wireless antenna 21 is provided in the vicinity of a stop lamp, which is placed on the backside of the rear seat 41.
[0054]
Further, as is shown in FIG.11, the wireless antenna 21 is disposed in a position close to the left hand side rear seat 53, which is most distant from the right hand side front seat 50 in the driving seat, in the case where the vehicle is a four wheeled vehicle.
[0055]
In the above situation, the distance between a portable device which is possessed by the driver sitting on the driving seat and the wireless antenna 21 becomes larger than the distance between a portable device which is possessed by a fellow passenger sitting on the non-driving seat and the wireless antenna 21. Accordingly, the magnetic field strength of the wireless antenna 21 which is detected by the portable device of the driver becomes smaller than the magnetic field strength of the wireless antenna 21 which is detected by the portable device of the fellow passenger.
[0056]
Then, the driving environment setting unit 23 determines the portable device with the minimum magnetic field strength, as a driver portable device, from among one or more portable devices from which the identification information, the magnetic field strength, and the like were received. According to this constitution, a driver portable device which is possessed by a driver can be determined with a sufficient degree of accuracy, through the magnitude of the magnetic field strength.
[0057]
Although procedures in Step S01 to Step S07, and in Step S09, which are shown in FIG.9 of Embodiment 1, are similar to those of the present embodiment, the procedure in Step S08 of FIG.9 is different from that of Embodiment 1. According to the present embodiment, in the case where there are a plurality of portable devices with which the authentication is successfully achieved, the driving environment setting unit 23 determines, in Step S08, a portable device with the minimum magnetic field strength as a driver portable device, from among a plurality of portable devices with which the authentication was successfully achieved. In contrast, in the case where a single portable device successfully achieved the authentication, the driving environment setting unit 23 determines the single portable device as a driver portable device.
[0058]
3. Embodiment 3
Next, explanation will be made about the driving environment setting system 1 in accordance with Embodiment 3. The explanation for the constituent parts which are the same with those of the above mentioned Embodiment 1 or 2 will be omitted. Although the basic configurations of the driving environment setting system 1 according to the present embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1 or 2, an environment setting storage unit is provided in the controller 20, and then, the procedure relevant to this part is different from that of in Embodiment 1 or 2.
[0059]
In FIG.12, shown is the block diagram of a first portable device 10a in accordance with the present embodiment. It is to be noted that, other portable devices are similar in construction to the first portable device 10a. Unlike in FIG.2 of Embodiment 1 or 2, the first portable device 10a is not provided with an environment setting storage unit 14.
[0060]
For the reason above, the portable device communication unit 12, which sends the identification information and the magnetic field strength of the host device, to the controller 20 via wireless communications like in Embodiment 1, does not send the setting data of the driving environment to the controller 20, unlike in Embodiment 1.
[0061]
In contrast, in FIG.13, shown is the block diagram of the controller 20 in accordance with the present embodiment. Unlike in FIG.4 of Embodiment 1 or 2, the controller 20 is provided with an environment setting storage unit 24 which stores the setting data of the driving environment which is correlated with the identification information, about each of the plurality of portable devices. The environment setting storage unit 24 is provided in the storage device 202 of the controller 20, such as a rewritable and nonvolatile flash memory and so on.
[0062]
The driving environment setting unit 23 reads out, from the environment setting storage unit 24, the setting data of the driving environment which corresponds to the identification information of a driver portable device, and changes the driving environment of a driving seat, based on the read out setting data of the driving environment.
[0063]
It is to be noted that, when the setting data of the driving environment are changed by the operation of a driver or the like, the controller 20 updates the setting data of the driving environment in the environment setting storage unit 24, which correspond to the identification information of a portable device, that is set as a driver portable device.
[0064]
In Step S03 or Step S07 which is shown in FIG.9 of Embodiment 1, unlike in Embodiment 1, the controller communication unit 22 correlates, with the identification information, the magnetic field strength received from the portable device with which the authentication was successfully achieved, and stores the correlated data in the storage device 202, such as a RAM or a flash memory.
[0065]

Lastly, other embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained. It is to be noted that, the configuration in each of the embodiments to be explained below is not limited to the one which is separately utilized, and can be utilized also in combination with the configurations of other embodiments as long as no discrepancy occurs.
[0066]
(1) In each of the above mentioned embodiments, explained is an exemplary case where the vehicle is a wheeled vehicle. However, as long as the vehicle is a vehicle which is provided with a driving seat and a non-driving seat, various kinds of vehicles, for example, a marine vessel, can be employed. In the case of Embodiment 1, even other types of vehicles can be employed, as long as the wireless antenna 21 of the controller 20 is disposed in a position closer to the driving seat than a non-driving seat, as shown in FIG.6 and FIG.7. In the case of Embodiment 2, even other types of vehicles can be employed, as long as the wireless antenna 21 of the controller 20 is disposed in a position closer to a non-driving seat than the driving seat, as shown in FIG.10 and FIG.11. In the case where the vehicle has two or more non-driving seats, even other types of vehicles can be employed, as long as the wireless antenna 21 of the controller 20 is disposed in a position close to the non-driving seat which is most distant from the driving seat.
[0067]
(2) In each of the above mentioned embodiments, explained is an exemplary case where the portable device is a portable device in a smart key system. However, a mobile phone can be used as a portable device. Also in this case, the mobile phone has a wireless antenna 11, an arithmetic processing device 101, a storage device 102, and a communication device 103, and further, an application which operates in the mobile phone can be a portable device communication unit 12, a magnetic field strength detection unit 13, and the like.
[0068]
(3) In each of the above mentioned embodiments, explained is an exemplary case where the driving environment setting system is configured so that, the controller 20, which is triggered by a release operation of the steering lock, communicates with one or more portable devices which are communicable determines a driver portable device, and changes the driving environment of a driving seat, based on the identification information of the driver portable device. However, the controller 20 does not have to be triggered by a release operation of the steering lock. The controller can always search a portable device which are communicable and when a portable device which are communicable is found, the controller 20 can start a series of procedures. Or, when another operation, such as an ON operation of the electric power switch in a vehicle is received as a trigger, the controller 20 can start a series of procedures.
[0069]
(4) In each of the above mentioned embodiments, explained is an exemplary case where the driving environment setting unit 23 determines the driver portable device just one time. However, the driving environment setting unit 23 can re-determine a driver portable device periodically, even after the driving environment setting unit determined a driver portable device for the first time. According to these constitutions, in the case where drivers are switched on the way, or even in the case where an erroneous decision is made, the driving environment setting system can determine a driver portable device which is possessed by a driver, with a sufficient degree of accuracy, by performing the re-determination.
[0070]
Then, in the case where the re-determined driver portable device is different from the previous time determined driver portable device, the driving environment setting unit 23 can notify the difference to a driver. Notifying the difference is performed by voices from a loudspeaker and signs on a display. According to these constitutions, the driver who is notified the difference can check and reset the driving environment.
[0071]
Or, in the case where the re-determined driver portable device is different from the previous time determined driver portable device, the driving environment setting unit 23 can change the driving environment again, based on the identification information of the re-determined driver portable device. According to these constitutions, the driving environment can be set automatically again, and the driving environment setting system can become more convenient to a driver. Further, the driving environment setting unit 23 can make a driver to judge the necessity of re-changing in the driving environment, through the human interface device 205, before the driving environment is changed again. In the case where the need to the re-changing is selected, the driving environment is changed again, and in the case where the need to the re-changing is not selected, the driving environment is not changed again.
[0072]
The driving environment setting unit 23 can change the driving environment gradually, in the case where the driving environment setting unit changes the driving environment again. According to these constitutions, it becomes possible to prevent the sudden change in the driving environment, while driving a vehicle.
[0073]
Although the present disclosure is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations to one or more of the embodiments. It is therefore understood that numerous modifications which have not been exemplified can be devised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, at least one of the constituent components may be modified, added, or eliminated. At least one of the constituent components mentioned in at least one of the preferred embodiments may be selected and combined with the constituent components mentioned in another preferred embodiment.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0074]
1 Driving environment setting system, 12 Portable device communication unit, 13 Magnetic field strength detection unit, 14 Environment setting storage unit, 20 Controller, 21 Wireless antenna, 22 Controller communication unit, 23 Driving environment setting unit, 24 Environment setting storage unit