JP2001103055A - On-vehicle inter-audio and visual equipment communication device, and communication method and communication program recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle inter-audio and visual equipment communication device which has no limit on system configuration and also high extensibility of the system configuration and also to provide a communication program recording medium. SOLUTION: There are provided plural slave units 120-160, which have prescribed temporary addresses and control the AV devices 27-67 respectively, are prepared together with a master unit 110 which controls the units 120-160 via a network 103, an address management part 111 which recognizes the units 120-160 on the basis of the temporary addresses and assigns and gives the permanent addresses to the units 120-160, the address storage parts 121-161 which store the permanent addresses and a communication parts 125-165 which perform the communication on the basis of the permanent addresses.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system between on-vehicle audio and visual devices, and more particularly to a communication device between a plurality of on-vehicle audio and visual devices connected to each other via a network such as a LAN. , A communication method and a medium on which a communication program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of on-vehicle audio and visual (hereinafter abbreviated as "AV") system has been provided through a network such as a LAN and a plurality of slave units respectively controlling a plurality of AV devices. A plurality of AV devices are connected to each other, and a master unit controls a slave unit via a network.

The master unit has a function as a server of the network system, and the slave unit has a function as a client of the network system.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a conventional on-vehicle AV equipment system. The conventional on-vehicle AV equipment system 1 includes, for example, a master unit 10 mounted on a dashboard of a vehicle and four slave units 20, 30, 40, and 50, which are connected to each other via a network 3. ing.

The master unit 10 includes a control unit 11 composed of a microcomputer for executing a predetermined program, a memory, and the like, and an operation unit 13 for allowing an operator to operate the master unit 10 and each of the slave units 20 to 50. And a communication unit 15 for controlling communication between the master unit 10 and each of the slave units 20 to 50 via the network 3. The operation unit 13 includes a display such as a liquid crystal display and an LED, various input devices such as input buttons, switches, levers, and microphones, and a sound output device such as a speaker. The communication unit 15
It includes all means necessary for connection and communication, such as an interface card, a cable, a hub, and communication software for enabling connection of a master unit and a slave unit on a network such as a LAN.

In the example of the conventional system shown in FIG. 5, slave units 20 to 50 control AV devices such as a radio tuner, a CD player, an MD player and a CD changer, respectively. Here, the slave unit 50 for controlling the CD changer is installed in the trunk of the vehicle, and the other slave units 20 to 40
Is installed in the dashboard of the vehicle together with the master unit 10.

The slave unit 20 includes a control unit 21 including a microcomputer and a memory, a communication unit 25 for controlling communication between the master unit 10 and each of the slave units 20 to 50 via the network 3, and a radio tuner. And a radio tuner unit 27 that includes an operation unit that allows the operator to operate.

The slave unit 30 includes a control unit 31 including a microcomputer, a memory, and the like; a communication unit 35 for controlling communication between the master unit 10 and each of the slave units 20 to 50 via the network 3;
CD including an operation unit that allows the D player to be operated by an operator
And a player section 37.

The slave unit 40 includes a control unit 41 including a microcomputer, a memory, and the like; a communication unit 45 for controlling communication between the master unit 10 and each of the slave units 20 to 50 via the network 3;
MD including an operation unit for allowing a D player to be operated by an operator
And a player unit 47.

The slave unit 50 includes a control unit 51 including a microcomputer and a memory, a communication unit 55 for controlling communication between the master unit 10 and each of the slave units 20 to 50 via the network 3,
C including an operation unit that allows the operator to operate the D changer
And a D changer section 57.

In the above-described conventional on-vehicle AV equipment system, a physical address is fixedly assigned in advance to each unit connected to the same network 3 for each type of AV equipment based on the rules of each system. Have been. For example, the physical address # 1 for the master unit 10, the physical address # 2 for the slave unit 20 for the radio tuner, the physical address # 3 for the slave unit 30 for the CD player, and the slave unit 40 for the MD player.
, The physical address # 4, and the physical address # 5 for the CD changer slave unit 50. Based on this unique physical address, the units establish communication with each other on the network 3.

[0012]

However, in such a conventional on-vehicle AV equipment system, since a unique physical address is predetermined for each unit as described above, There is a problem that two or more units having the same physical address cannot be connected. For example, two 6-unit CD changers having the same physical address are connected to the network 3,
It was not possible to make it function as a 12-unit CD changer. Therefore, there is a problem that a restriction on the system construction is added, and the expandability of the system configuration is reduced.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and a plurality of slave units can be connected on the same network without regard to the type and the number of AV devices controlled by the respective slave units. Becomes possible,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle-mounted audio / visual device communication device that eliminates restrictions on system construction and enhances expandability of the system configuration.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of slave units can be connected on the same network without regard to the type and number of AV devices controlled by each of the plurality of slave units, and there is no restriction on system construction. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for communication between on-vehicle audio and visual devices, which has a high scalability of the system configuration.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to connect to the same network without worrying about the type and the number of AV devices controlled by a plurality of slave units, and there is no restriction on system construction. Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer-readable medium that records a communication program for in-vehicle audio and visual devices, which enhances the expandability of the system configuration.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus for in-vehicle audio and visual equipment having a plurality of slave units each having a predetermined temporary address and controlling a plurality of audio and visual equipment, respectively. A master unit that has an address and is connected to the slave unit via a predetermined network and controls the slave unit. Recognizing means for recognizing a unit via the network, address assigning means for assigning and assigning a real address to each of the slave units recognized by the recognizing means, and address storage for storing the real address assigned by the address assigning means Means and this address Based on the stored present address means has a configuration which is characterized by comprising a communication means for communicating between said master unit and the slave unit.

Here, the master unit has a function as a server of the network system, and the slave unit has a function as a client of the network system. A controlled by slave unit
As the V device, for example, a radio tuner, a CD player, an MD player, a CD changer, an MD changer,
Various things such as a TV tuner, a car navigation system, and a DVD player are conceivable.

The communication means includes all means necessary for connection and communication such as an interface card, a cable, a hub, and communication software for enabling connection of the master unit and the slave unit on a network such as a LAN. Communication may be wireless or wired.

With this configuration, it is possible to connect the on-vehicle audio and visual devices on the same network without regard to the type and number of AV devices controlled by the plurality of slave units. There is no restriction on system construction, and the expandability of the system configuration is improved.

The address assigning means may assign and assign a different address as the real address for each slave unit recognized by the recognizing means. Or,
The address assigning means may assign and assign the same address to the slave unit as the real address.

According to the method of the present invention, a communication method between a vehicle-mounted audio and visual device has a predetermined temporary address, a plurality of slave units each controlling a plurality of audio and visual devices, and a unique address. Recognizing the slave unit in a method for communication between the in-vehicle audio and visual devices, the method comprising: causing a master unit connected to the slave unit via a predetermined network to control the slave unit. A step of assigning and assigning a real address to the slave unit recognized in the recognition step, a step of storing the real address allocated in the address assigning step, and a step of storing the real address stored in the address storing step. Zu Te, characterized in that it comprises a communication step of performing communication between said master unit and the slave unit.

According to this method, a plurality of slave units can be connected on the same network without regard to the type and the number of AV devices controlled by each of the plurality of slave units. The scalability of the configuration is increased.

Further, the address assigning step may include a step of assigning and assigning a different address to each slave unit recognized in the recognition step as the real address. Alternatively, the address assigning step may include assigning and assigning the same address to the slave unit as the real address.

Further, the computer-readable medium storing the communication program for in-vehicle audio and visual devices according to the present invention has a predetermined temporary address, and a plurality of slave units are provided with a plurality of audio and visual devices, respectively. Controlling,
Causing a master unit having a unique address to be connected to the slave unit via a predetermined network to control the slave unit; recognizing the slave unit; and recognizing the slave recognized in the recognition step. An address assigning step of assigning and assigning a real address to the unit; a step of storing the real address assigned in the address assigning step; and a step of storing the master unit and the address based on the real address stored in the address storing step. A communication step for performing communication between slave units and a communication program for causing a computer to execute the communication step are recorded.

According to this configuration, in the communication program between the in-vehicle audio and visual devices, it is possible to connect to the same network without worrying about the type and number of AV devices controlled by the plurality of slave units. As a result, there is no restriction on system construction, and a medium recording a communication program with high expandability of the system configuration can be provided.

[0026] The address assigning step may include a step of assigning and assigning a different address as the real address to each slave unit recognized in the recognition step. Alternatively, the address assigning step may include assigning and assigning the same address to the slave unit as the real address.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an AV device system showing a first embodiment of a vehicle-mounted AV device communication device according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the AV device system 101 of the first embodiment includes a master unit 110
And the five slave units 120, 130, 140,
150 and 160;
03.

The master unit 110 includes a control unit 11 composed of a microcomputer, a memory, and the like, a master unit 110 and each of the slave units 120 to 1.
An operation unit 13 that enables the operator to operate the communication unit 60; and a communication unit 11 that controls communication between the master unit 110 and each of the slave units 120 to 160 via the network 103.
5 and an address management unit 111. The master unit 110 has a physical address # 1. Here, the control unit 11 and the operation unit 1 of the master unit 110
3 is the same as the control unit and the operation unit 13 of the master unit 10 of the conventional AV equipment system 1 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the same components as those of the conventional AV device system 1 shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the slave units 120 to 160 are radio tuners, CD players, M
It controls an AV device including a D player and two CD changers. Here, the slave units 150 and 160 for controlling the CD changer are:
The other slave units 120 to 140 are installed together with the master unit 110 in the dashboard of the vehicle, and are installed in the trunk of the vehicle.

The slave unit 120 includes a control unit 21 including a microcomputer and a memory, a communication unit 125 that controls communication with the master unit 110 via the network 103, and a radio tuner that can be operated by an operator. Radio tuner unit 27 including an operating unit
And an address storage unit 121.

The slave unit 130 includes a control unit 31 including a microcomputer and a memory, a communication unit 135 that controls communication with the master unit 110 via the network 103, and enables the operator to operate the CD player. And an address storage unit 131.

The slave unit 140 includes a control unit 41 composed of a microcomputer, a memory, and the like, a communication unit 145 that controls communication with the master unit 110 via the network 103, and enables an MD player to operate the MD player. And an address storage unit 141.

The slave unit 150 includes a control unit 51 including a microcomputer and a memory, a communication unit 155 for controlling communication with the master unit 110 via the network 103, and a CD changer operable by an operator. CD changer unit 57 including an operating unit
And an address storage unit 151.

The slave unit 160 includes a control unit 61 including a microcomputer and a memory, a communication unit 165 for controlling communication with the master unit 110 via the network 103, and a CD changer that can be operated by an operator. CD changer section 67 including an operating section
And an address storage unit 161.

Here, the slave units 120 to 160
Have a temporary address for each device type. The slave units 120 to 140 have a temporary address TMP
2 to 4 and slave units 150 and 160
Are the same type of device, so the same temporary address TM
P5.

Address management unit 1 of master unit 110
Numeral 11 is for recognizing the slave units 120 to 160 via the network 103 based on the temporary addresses of the slave units 120 to 160, and assigning and assigning different real addresses to the recognized slave units 120 to 160.

The slave units 120 to 160 store the assigned real addresses in the address storage units 121 to 1.
61. The address storage units 121 to 161
May be any storage device, such as a nonvolatile storage device or a temporary storage device, or a fixed storage device or a removable storage device.

The communication between the master unit 110 and the slave units 120 to 160 is performed based on the real addresses stored in the address storage units 121 to 161.
5 to 165, respectively.

The communication units 125 to 165 are connected and communicated with an interface card, a cable, a hub, and communication software for enabling connection of the master unit 110 and the slave units 120 to 160 on the network 103 such as a LAN. Includes all necessary means. Communication may be wireless or wired.

Next, the AV equipment system 1 of the present embodiment
01 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In step P1, the slave unit 120
A temporary address is set to .about.160. Here, the temporary addresses TMP2 to TMP2 are assigned to the slave units 120 to 140.
4 are set, and slave units 150 and 160 are set.
Are the same type of device, so the same temporary address TM
P5 is set. In the following step P2, the slave units 120 to 160 log in to the network 103 with the temporary address.

In the following step P3, the master unit 11
0 address management unit 111 recognizes slave units 120 to 160 that have logged in on network 103. In a succeeding step P4, the recognized slave unit 1
Different real addresses # 2 to # 6 are assigned to 20 to 160, respectively. In the subsequent step P5, the slave units 120 to 160 store the real addresses assigned from the master unit 110 in the address storage units 121 to 161 respectively. Thereafter, in step P6, communication is performed between the master unit 110 and the slave units 120 to 160 via the communication units 125 to 165 based on the real address.

Further, when a new slave unit (not shown) logs in on the network 103, the above processing may be repeated.

In the above-described processing, every time one slave unit logs in to the network 103, a series of processing is performed for each logged-in slave unit. A series of processing may be repeated,
Alternatively, the processing of each step may be sequentially performed on a plurality of slave units simultaneously.

Next, the AV equipment system 1 of the present embodiment
01 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example of a communication program in each of the slave units 120 to 160, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example of a communication program in the master unit 110.
These communication programs are described in a predetermined program language, and are recorded on a recording medium in a format that can be read and executed by a computer of each unit.

According to FIG. 3, each slave unit 120
The communication programs 160 to 160 include steps S1 to S5. In step S1, each slave unit 120
A temporary address is set to ~ 160. Although not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, each of the slave units 120 to 160
A temporary address is registered in advance in a predetermined temporary address storage table provided for each. In the following step S2, each of the slave units 120 to 160 logs in to the network 103 based on the temporary address. After login, in the following step S3, each slave unit 120
To 160 monitor whether or not this address has been assigned.
When the real address is assigned from the master unit 110, the process proceeds to step S4, and the assigned real address is stored in the address storage units 121 to 161 respectively. In the following step S5, communication with the master unit 110 is started based on the real address.

Referring to FIG. 4, the communication program of the master unit 110 includes steps M1 to M3. In step M1, the address management unit 111 of the master unit 110 monitors whether there is a logged-in slave unit on the network 103. If the login slave unit is recognized, the process proceeds to step M2,
Assign this address to the recognized slave unit,
Give. In this embodiment, the real addresses given to the slave units are all different addresses. In the subsequent step M3, communication is started between the master unit 110 and the slave unit based on the real address.

Address management unit 1 of master unit 110
In step 11, the network 1 is always in step M1.
It is monitored whether there is a newly logged-in slave unit on the server 03, and if a newly logged-in slave unit is detected, steps M2 and M3 are executed.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Here, first, the master unit 110 is connected to the network 103, and then the slave units 120 to 160 are sequentially connected to the network 103.
3 will be described.

In the master unit 110, the communication program shown in FIG. 4 is executed, and in step M1, monitoring of the login of the slave unit to the network 103 is performed.

On the other hand, when the slave unit 120 executes the communication program of FIG. 3, a temporary address TMP2 is set to the slave unit 120 in step S1. Next, in step S2, the slave unit 120 logs in to the network 103. Master unit 110
However, in step M1 of the communication program shown in FIG. 4, the connection of the slave unit 120 to the network 103 is recognized, the process proceeds to step M2, and # 2 is assigned to the slave unit 120 as the real address and assigned.

On the other hand, in the slave unit 120, FIG.
In step S3 of the communication program, the real address # 2 is received, the process proceeds to step S4, the real address # 2 is stored in the address storage unit 121, and the process proceeds to step S5, where communication between the master unit 110 and the slave unit 120 is performed. Is started.

Similarly, the master unit 110 continuously monitors the login of the slave unit to the network 103 in step M1 of the communication program in FIG.
When the slave unit 130 executes the communication program of FIG. 3, a temporary address TMP3 is set in the slave unit 130 in step S1. Next, step S2
Then, the slave unit 130 logs in to the network 103. The master unit 110 recognizes the connection of the slave unit 130 to the network 103 in step M1 of the communication program shown in FIG. 4, and proceeds to step M2 where the address # 3 different from the address assigned to the slave unit 120 is used. The address is assigned to the slave unit 130 and assigned.

On the other hand, in the slave unit 130, FIG.
In step S3 of the communication program, the real address # 3 is received, the process proceeds to step S4, the real address # 3 is stored in the address storage unit 131, and the process proceeds to step S5, where communication between the master unit 110 and the slave unit 130 is performed. Is started.

The slave units 140 and 150 are similarly processed, are given real addresses # 4 and # 5, respectively, and
Communication with 10 is started.

Finally, while the master unit 110 continues to monitor the slave unit's login to the network 103 in step M1 of the communication program of FIG. 4, the slave unit 160 executes the communication program of FIG. When executed, the temporary address TMP5 is set in the slave unit 160 in step S1. This temporary address TMP5 is the same address as the temporary address of the slave unit 150. Next, step S2
Then, the slave unit 160 logs in to the network 103. The master unit 110 recognizes the connection of the slave unit 160 to the network 103 in step M1 of the communication program in FIG. 4, proceeds to step M2, and has an address # 6 different from the address assigned to the preceding slave units 120 to 150. Is assigned to the slave unit 160 as a real address and is given.

On the other hand, in the slave unit 160, FIG.
In step S3 of the communication program, the real address # 6 is received, the flow proceeds to step S4, the real address # 6 is stored in the address storage unit 131, and the flow proceeds to step S5, where communication between the master unit 110 and the slave unit 160 is performed. Is started.

As described above, in the AV equipment system 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the address management unit 111 is provided in the master unit 110, and each slave unit 120
Slave unit 12 based on the temporary address of
0 to 160 are recognized via the network 103, and, for example, different real addresses # 5 and # 6 can be allocated and assigned to the slave units 150 and 160 having the same temporary address TMP5, respectively. Communication between the master unit 110 and all the slave units 120 to 160 becomes possible.

As described above, it is possible to connect to the same network without worrying about the type and number of AV devices controlled by a plurality of slave units, and there is no restriction on system construction. The scalability of the configuration is increased.

In the first embodiment, the master unit 1
10 address management units 111, each slave unit 1
Although different real addresses are assigned and assigned to the respective devices 20 to 160, the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the same real address may be assigned and assigned to a device of a specific different type. Is also possible.

For example, the slave units 130 and 1
40 has temporary addresses TMP3 and TMP4, but the address management unit 111 of the master unit 110
The slave units 130 and 140 may be recognized via the network 103 based on the provisional address, and the same real address # 3 may be assigned and assigned to the recognized slave units 130 and 140.

The slave units 130 and 140 are
The real address # is stored in the address storage units 131 and 141.
3 is stored. Thereafter, communication is performed simultaneously between the master unit 110 and the slave units 130 and 140 based on the real address # 3. That is, the slave units 130 and 140 are regarded and controlled by the master unit 110 as slave units of the same AV device.

A of another embodiment having the above-described configuration
In the V device system, for example, the master unit 110 regards the slave units 130 and 140 as a slave unit of one AV device and controls them. Playback control can be performed on the MD player unit 47 of the unit 140 at the same time, and control such as simultaneous output of audio from different AV devices can be performed. Thereby, various sound effects can be expected.

What combination of the same real address is given to the slave units having different temporary addresses, or different real addresses are given to the slave units having the same temporary address,
Selection can be determined in a timely manner according to the specifications of the AV equipment system, and these are within the scope of ordinary design changes.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the AV equipment system, the master unit 110 is provided with the address management unit 111 and the slave units 120 to 16 are provided.
0 has respective temporary addresses in advance, so that the address management unit 111 of the master unit 110 recognizes the slave units 120 to 160 via the network 103 based on the temporary addresses of the slave units 120 to 160. , Recognized slave units 120-16
0 are assigned different real addresses # 2 to # 6,
This makes it possible to connect to the same network without worrying about the type and number of AV devices controlled by a plurality of slave units, and eliminates restrictions on system construction. Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication device, a communication method, and a communication program recording medium for in-vehicle audio and visual devices having an excellent effect that the expandability of the system configuration is enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an AV device system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an AV in the AV device system shown in FIG.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an inter-device communication method.

3 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication program between AV devices of a slave unit in the AV device system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication program between AV devices of a master unit in the AV device system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional AV device system.

[Explanation of symbols]

110 Master unit 111 Address management unit (recognition unit, address assignment unit) 120, 130, 140, 150, 160 Slave unit 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 63 Control unit 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 Communication unit (communication unit) 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 Address storage unit (address storage unit)

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of slave units each having a predetermined temporary address and controlling a plurality of audio and visual devices, respectively, and having a unique address, being connected to the slave unit via a predetermined network, A communication unit for in-vehicle audio and visual equipment, comprising: a master unit that controls the slave unit; and a recognition unit that recognizes the slave unit via the network based on the temporary address. Address assigning means for assigning and assigning a real address to each of the recognized slave units, address storing means for storing the real address assigned by the address assigning means, and the real address stored in the address storing means. Master unit and the slave Car audio and visual equipment communication apparatus characterized by comprising a communication means for performing communication between the units. 2. The in-vehicle audio and visual device according to claim 1, wherein the address assigning unit assigns and assigns a different address as the real address to each slave unit recognized by the recognizing unit. Communication device. 3. The in-vehicle audio / visual device communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the address assigning means assigns and assigns the same address to the slave unit as the real address. 4. A plurality of slave units each having a predetermined temporary address and controlling a plurality of audio and visual devices respectively, and having a unique address and being connected to the slave unit via a predetermined network. Causing the master unit to control the slave unit, comprising: a recognition step of recognizing the slave unit; and a real address assigned to the slave unit recognized in the recognition step. Allocating and assigning an address assigning step; storing the real address assigned in the address assigning step; and communicating between the master unit and the slave unit based on the real address stored in the address storing step. Car audio and visual device communication method characterized by comprising: a communication step, the performing. 5. The in-vehicle audio system according to claim 4, wherein the address assigning step has a step of assigning and assigning a different address to each of the slave units recognized in the recognition step as the real address. And communication method between visual devices. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the address assigning step includes assigning and assigning the same address to the slave unit as the real address. . 7. Having a plurality of slave units each having a predetermined temporary address and controlling a plurality of audio and visual devices, respectively, having a unique address, and connecting to the slave units via a predetermined network. Causing the master unit to control the slave unit; and recognizing the slave unit on a computer-readable medium storing a communication program for causing a computer to execute the slave unit. An address assigning step of assigning and assigning a real address to the unit, a step of storing the real address assigned in the address assigning step, and the master unit based on the real address stored in the address storing step The slave unit between vehicle audio and visual equipment between recorded computer-readable media communication program to execute a communication step, to the computer for communicating. 8. The communication program recording according to claim 7, wherein said address assigning step includes a step of assigning and assigning a different address for each slave unit recognized in said recognition step as said real address. Medium. 9. The communication program recording medium according to claim 7, wherein the address assigning step includes assigning and assigning the same address to the slave unit as the real address.