Device and method for controlling vehicle by recognizing digital key

A device for controlling a vehicle, the device comprising:

• a communication circuit, wherein the communication circuit includes a first communication module and a second communication module at different locations of the vehicle, and the first communication module and the second communication modules have predetermined cover areas covering at least portions of the vehicle;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory,
• wherein the processor is configured to:
• recognize a trigger event for recognizing an external digital key corresponding to the vehicle;
• establish wireless communication with a plurality of external terminals including the external digital key via the communication circuit using a first communication protocol;
• recognize a received signal strength for each of the plurality of external terminals via the wireless communication;
• determine respective priorities of the plurality of external terminals based on the received signal strengths;
• monitor a location of at least one of the plurality of external terminals based on the respective priorities using a second communication protocol via the communication circuit;
• recognize a communication module located at a location closer to a location where the trigger event has occurred among the first communication module and the second communication module;
• and
• assign a weight to a received signal strength of a terminal existing in a cover area corresponding to the communication module at the closer location.