JP2001256593A - Device for receiver traffic information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a traffic information receiver capable of quickly acquiring traffic information after getting in a vehicle. SOLUTION: This receiver is provided with a receiving means receiving the traffic information in data form, an accessory switch marking power from a power supply feedable or unfeedable to a device including the receiving means installed in the vehicle, a deciding means deciding that the receiver is in a state to receive the traffic information, and a controlling means which feeds the power from the power supply to the receiving means regardless of the state of the accessory switch and controls so as to make the receiving means operable when the deciding means decides that the receiver is in the state to receive the traffic information during the time when the accessory switch makes the power from the power supply unfeedable to the device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a traffic information receiving apparatus capable of acquiring traffic information immediately after getting on a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Data traffic information (VICS information) such as traffic congestion information and regulation information is multiplexed and transmitted on FM broadcast waves or transmitted from a transmission facility installed on the roadside or the like. On the vehicle side, an FM multiplex receiver or the like is installed, and after the driver or the like gets on the vehicle, the power switch of the vehicle is switched from an OFF position to an ACC (accessory) position with an engine key. Turn on the power of navigation equipment, audio equipment, etc.,
Prepare to receive traffic information. Then, the reception frequency of the FM tuner is tuned to the transmission frequency at which the traffic information is transmitted, the coded and multiplexed traffic information is separated, and the traffic congestion position and the like are displayed on a map on the navigation screen. Convert to information and display characters on the display screen. In addition, voice synthesis is performed, and voice is output from a speaker or the like.

[0003]

In the conventional traffic information receiving apparatus, the driver can receive the traffic information only after the driver switches the power switch of the vehicle from the OFF position to the ACC position using the engine key. However, traffic information is F
Since data is transmitted by multiplexing it into M broadcast waves, the data transmission speed is limited, and when there is much traffic information to be received, such as traffic congestion information, it takes a long time to complete the reception of all traffic information. You will have to wait. During this time, even if the user gets on the vehicle, the traveling route cannot be determined so as to avoid traffic congestion and restrictions, which causes a problem that the departure is delayed accordingly.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a traffic information receiving device capable of acquiring traffic information immediately after getting on a vehicle.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a receiving means for receiving data-converted traffic information, and a device provided on a vehicle, which includes the receiving means, provided by a power supply. An accessory switch for supplying power or a non-supplying state; a determination unit for determining that the traffic information is to be received; and the power from the power supply to the device is set to a non-supplying state by the accessory switch. When the receiving means is determined to be in a state to receive the traffic information while the receiving means is in operation, power is supplied from a power source to the receiving means irrespective of the state of the accessory switch, and the receiving means operates. And a control means for controlling so that

[0006] Further, time detecting means for detecting time is provided, and the determining means determines that the traffic information is to be received when the time detecting means detects that a predetermined time has been reached. It is characterized by doing.

[0007] The light quantity detecting means for detecting the light quantity is provided, and the judging means judges that the traffic information should be received when the light quantity detecting means detects that the light quantity exceeds a predetermined light quantity. It is characterized by doing.

In addition, the portable telephone device includes a portable telephone device for receiving a reception instruction signal for instructing to receive traffic information from a telephone outside the vehicle, wherein the determining means is provided when the reception instruction signal is received by the portable telephone device. , It is determined that the traffic information is to be received.

Also, there is provided signal receiving means for receiving, from a transmitter outside the vehicle, a reception instruction signal for instructing reception of traffic information, wherein the determination means receives the reception instruction signal by the signal reception means. Sometimes, it is determined that the traffic information is to be received.

[0010] Further, there is provided switching state detecting means for detecting a switching state of the accessory switch, wherein the control means comprises:
Within a predetermined time after the power from the power supply is supplied so that the receiving means is in the operating state, when the switching state detecting means cannot detect that the accessory switch has been switched to the power supply state, The power from the power supply to the receiving means is not supplied, and the receiving means is controlled so as to be in an operation stop state.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a traffic information receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the drawings.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a portable telephone for receiving a reception instruction signal for instructing the traffic information receiving unit 23 to be in a receivable state. The portable telephone 11 is transmitted from a telephone at home or the like via a portable telephone relay station (not shown). Receiving the reception instruction signal transmitted. Reference numeral 12 denotes a receiver for receiving a reception instruction signal for instructing the traffic information reception unit 23 to be in a receivable state, and a reception transmitted from a transmitter (not shown) paired with the receiver 12. An instruction signal is received. Reference numeral 13 denotes an optical sensor that outputs a signal (electromotive force, resistance value, or the like) corresponding to the amount of light, and is configured by a photodiode, a phototransistor having an amplifying action, or a circuit including these. Reference numeral 14 denotes a timer such as a clock for detecting a predetermined time (or time period).

2 is a process for controlling the power of the traffic information receiving unit 23 to be on or off based on a reception instruction signal received by the mobile phone 11 or the receiver 12 and a detection signal from the optical sensor 13 or the timer 14, A process of specifying the position of the vehicle based on the position data from the receiver 21 and the map information of the map database 22, a process of searching for a traveling route to the input destination, and guiding the vehicle along the searched route. A control unit that performs processing, processing to receive traffic information, etc.
It is composed of a microcomputer, ROM, RAM and the like. Reference numeral 21 denotes a GPS receiver that receives a radio wave from an artificial satellite (GPS satellite) and calculates position data from the signal. Reference numeral 22 denotes a map database including a CD-ROM or a DVD (Digital Video Disk) on which map information is recorded, a reading device thereof, and the like.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a traffic information receiving unit which receives traffic information such as regulation information and traffic congestion information multiplexed and transmitted on an FM broadcast wave, and a receiving circuit 23a for receiving a radio wave (FM wave) of a predetermined frequency; It comprises a PLL circuit 23b for setting a reception frequency, and a decoder 23c for separating multiplexed character information from a received radio wave and converting a coded signal into a character signal or the like. 24a converts traffic information and corresponding map information received on the basis of a signal from the control unit 2 into display data for drawing on a display unit 24c such as a liquid crystal display element and converts the converted data into a video memory (V-RAM or the like) 24b or the like. It is a display control unit that writes and outputs to the display unit 24c in response to a request. Reference numeral 24c denotes a display unit including a liquid crystal display panel for displaying traffic information and map information, a driving circuit, and the like. 2
Reference numeral 5 denotes a voice output unit for voice-synthesizing traffic information and guidance information based on an instruction from the control unit 2 and performing voice guidance using a speaker or the like. An input unit 26 includes operation switches for instructing various inputs, settings, and operations.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a manual main switch for activating a navigation device, an audio device, a traffic information receiving device and the like. Reference numeral 32 denotes a power supply circuit A for supplying a voltage required for operating the navigation device and the audio device. Reference numeral 33 denotes a changeover switch for operating the power supply circuit 35 so as to activate the traffic information receiving unit 23 in accordance with the reception instruction signal from the control unit 2 even when the ACC switch 4 of the vehicle is in the off state. 34 is the ACC switch 4 of the vehicle
The mobile phone 11 and the receiver 1 are
2, a power supply circuit B for supplying a voltage necessary for the operation of the optical sensor 13, the timer 14, and the control unit 2. Reference numeral 35 denotes a power supply circuit C that supplies a voltage necessary for the operation of the traffic information receiving unit 23. The power supply circuit C is also connected to the main switch 31, and is in an operating state when the ACC switch 4 and the main switch 31 of the vehicle are on even when the changeover switch 33 is off.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an ACC (accessory) switch which is installed in the vehicle and controls the power supply of the mounted equipment. The ACC switch is operated by an engine key, and when turned on, the power supply voltage from the battery is installed in the navigation device or audio device. Thus, the vehicle can be supplied to a vehicle wiper, a lamp system, and the like in addition to the traffic information receiving device. Incidentally, the ACC switch 4 is also in the ON state during the operation of the engine (the position where the engine key is ON). Further, a signal indicating the on / off state of the ACC switch 4 is supplied to the control unit 2.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a receiving process performed by the control unit 2 of the traffic information receiving apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the drawings. This process is always executed regardless of the state of the power switch of the vehicle.

In step S1, it is determined whether or not it is set to receive the traffic information, and if it is set to receive the traffic information, the process proceeds to step S2, where it is set to receive the traffic information. If not, move on to other processing. That is, even if the engine key (ACC switch) is off, if a condition that satisfies a predetermined condition is satisfied, it is determined whether or not the setting is such that traffic information is automatically received. This determination is made based on the state of the input unit 26 operated by the user.

In step S2, it is determined whether or not the ACC switch 4 is turned on, and the ACC switch 4 is turned on.
Is on, the process proceeds to step S15,
If the C switch 4 is off, the process proceeds to step S3.
This is to determine whether the driver has boarded the vehicle. This determination is made based on the operation state of the engine key (the ACC switch 4 of the vehicle).

In step S3, it is determined whether or not a reception instruction signal has been received by the receiver 12. If the reception instruction signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S7. If the reception instruction signal has not been received, the process proceeds to step S4. The reception instruction signal is used when the driver wants to receive traffic information before the driver gets on the vehicle and turns on the ACC switch 4.
This is transmitted by a user's operation from a transmitter (not shown) paired with 2 and is determined by whether or not the receiver 12 has received a signal of a code corresponding to the reception instruction. still,
Such a transmitter is not limited to a dedicated transmitter, and for example, a remote control transmitter used for keyless entry for locking and unlocking a door of a vehicle may be applied.

In step S4, it is determined whether or not a reception instruction signal has been received by the mobile phone 11. If the reception instruction signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S7. If the reception instruction signal has not been received, the process proceeds to step S5. This reception instruction signal is
When the driver wants to receive traffic information before turning on the ACC switch 4 after getting on the vehicle, the traffic information is transmitted from a telephone (not shown) at home or the like via a public line. At 11, it is determined whether a signal of a code corresponding to the reception instruction has been received.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not the designated time has come. If the designated time has come, step S5 is executed.
7 and if the specified time has not come, step S6.
Move on to That is, even if the ACC switch 4 is in the off state, it is determined whether or not it is time to receive traffic information in advance.
The time is set by a user's operation by the timer 14 slightly before (eg, 30 minutes) (for example, 10 minutes before the time required for receiving the traffic information).

In step S6, it is determined whether or not it is morning. If it is morning, the process proceeds to step S7. If not, the process proceeds to another process. It is assumed that the time when traffic information is received in advance is the time of commuting in the morning. The time when the optical sensor 13 detects that the predetermined amount of light has been reached is determined as morning. When it is determined that the morning is due to the light amount alone, the time at which the traffic information is received varies depending on the season and the weather, so that the time is used in combination with the timer 14 during a predetermined time period (for example, between 7:00 am and 8:00 am). It is also conceivable to judge that it is morning when the light amount reaches the predetermined light amount, or to give priority to the judgment of the timer 14 when the predetermined light amount cannot be detected by the optical sensor 13 during a predetermined time period.

In step S7, an instruction is given to turn on the power of the traffic information receiving unit 23 for receiving traffic information, and the process proceeds to step S8. In other words, the control unit 2 is in a state in which traffic information should be received (reception instruction signal received by the receiver 12, reception instruction signal received by the mobile phone 11, detection of a predetermined time by the timer 14, and morning by the optical sensor 13). Is detected), the switch 33 is turned on to receive the traffic information regardless of the on / off state of the ACC switch 4, and the traffic information receiving unit 23 is set in a receivable state. Then, the power supply circuit C35 is operated.

In step S8, the traffic information is received from the traffic information receiving section 23, and the process proceeds to step S9. That is, when the power of the traffic information receiving unit 23 is supplied in step S7 (the power supply circuit C35 operates), the traffic information receiving unit 23 starts operating, and the receiving circuit 23a can receive desired traffic information. The PLL circuit 23c outputs a signal having a difference frequency so that a signal having a predetermined intermediate frequency is obtained. Then, it is determined whether or not there is an FM broadcast wave having a predetermined reception level or higher, and it is determined whether or not a broadcast wave of a receivable frequency includes a code corresponding to traffic information specified in advance. . If there is no receivable FM broadcast wave, the frequency is sequentially changed to detect a reception level and a reception code. The received traffic information is converted into characters and the like by the decoder 23b. Since the transmission frequency of the traffic information is predetermined (about one broadcasting station in one prefecture), the frequency corresponding to the broadcasting station is preset on the traffic information receiving unit 23 side.
The frequency may be sequentially scanned only for the broadcasting stations (two or three broadcasting stations in the case of straddling the prefectures).

In step S9, the received traffic information is stored in a memory (not shown), and the flow advances to step S10. That is, the received traffic information is stored in the memory in the control unit 2 until the driver gives an output instruction.

In step S10, it is determined whether or not the ACC switch 4 of the vehicle is turned on, and the ACC switch 4 is turned on.
Is turned on, the process proceeds to step S11. If the ACC switch 4 is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S13. This is for determining whether or not the driver has boarded the vehicle.
This is performed based on the OFF detection signal. If the ACC switch 4 is in the ON state, the traffic information receiving unit 23 receives traffic information.
In addition, the power supply circuit A32 operates and the navigation unit (GPS receiver 21, map database 22, display control unit 24a, V-RAM 24b, display unit 24c, audio output unit 25), CD player, MD player, cassette player And the like (not shown) are also operable. The main switch 31 is turned on (or turned on in advance) by the user.

In step S11, as described above, ACC
When the switch 4 and the main switch 31 are on, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to output the traffic information received and stored in the memory. If there is an output instruction, the process proceeds to step S12. If not, move to another process. This determination is made based on the state of the input unit 26 operated by the driver or the like to output the received traffic information.

In step S12, the received traffic information is displayed on the display unit 24c, and the voice output unit 25 outputs the voice information to perform another process. That is, the traffic information stored in the memory in the control unit 2 is read, and for example, a traffic congestion point or a restriction point is displayed on the navigation screen (on the map of the display unit 24c) in a superimposed manner according to the specified output method. , The traffic congestion status or the like is displayed on the screen by text, and the voice output unit 25 outputs traffic congestion information or the like synthesized by voice.

In step S13, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed.
And waits if the predetermined time has not elapsed. This is to determine the time from the start of the traffic information reception until the driver gets on the board. The predetermined time is set to, for example, about 30 minutes, and it is determined whether the driver is on board during that time. to decide.

In step S14, the traffic information receiving unit 23
Is instructed to be turned off, and the process proceeds to another process. That is, since the driver does not board the vehicle even after the predetermined time elapses after the operation of the traffic information receiving unit 23, an instruction is given to turn off the power of the traffic information receiving unit 23 to suppress battery consumption. The switch 33 is turned off to stop the operation of the power supply (power supply circuit C35) of the traffic information receiving unit 23. When the reception instruction signal is received by the mobile phone 11 or the receiver 12, it is known that the driver will be boarding soon. However, the detection signal from the optical sensor 13 or the timer 14 detects the power of the traffic information reception unit 23 (power supply circuit). When C35) is turned on, the traffic information receiving unit 23 is turned on at a predetermined amount of light and at a predetermined time regardless of the driver's intention to board. The traffic information receiving unit 23 is turned off. Since the power supply circuit B34 is always operating, the mobile phone 11, the receiver 12, the optical sensor 13, the timer 14, and the control unit 2 are operating. Can start receiving.

In step S15, normal traffic information is received, and the process proceeds to another process. That is, since the driver gets on the vehicle and operates the ACC switch 4 to turn on the power supply circuit A32 (the main switch 31 is also turned on or is turned on in advance), the traffic information is received by normal processing. For example, the traffic information received by the traffic information receiving unit 23 is immediately displayed on the display unit 24c and output from the audio output unit 25 as a voice, even if there is no output instruction from the driver.

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, since the power switch of the traffic information receiving section 23 is turned on in advance and the traffic information is received before the driver gets on the board, the driver can receive the traffic jam. A traveling route can be immediately determined based on information and the like.

The above-described processing is for the case of receiving traffic information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be similarly applied to the case of receiving a multiplex broadcast (such as a general text broadcast).

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a traffic information receiving apparatus capable of acquiring traffic information immediately after getting on a vehicle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a traffic information receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a reception process performed by a control unit 2 of the traffic information receiving device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ··· mobile phone, 24a ··· display control unit, 12 ··· receiver, 24
b: V-RAM, 13: optical sensor,
24c: display unit, 14: timer,
25: voice output unit, 2: control unit, 26: input unit, 23 ...
..Traffic information receiving section, 31..main switch, 23a..receiving circuit, 32 ..
..Power supply circuits A and 23b ... decoders
33... Changeover switch, 23 c... PLL circuit, 34... Power supply circuit B, 21.
· GPS receiver, 35 ··· Power supply circuit C
22 ··· Map database, 4 ··· A
CC switch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04B 7/26 H04H 1/00 Q 9A001 H04H 1/00 H04B 7/26 HF term (Reference) 2C032 HB23 HB25 HC01 HC31 HD23 2F029 AA02 AB07 AC02 AC06 AC14 AC18 AC20 5H180 AA01 BB05 BB13 BB15 CC01 EE18 FF05 FF10 FF13 FF22 FF25 FF33 5K061 AA03 BB17 CC02 CC16 EF01 EF06 FF02 5K067 AA21 BB04 EJ02 BB04 9

Claims (6)

[Claims] A receiving means for receiving data traffic information; an accessory switch for supplying or not supplying power from a power supply to a device including the receiving means installed in a vehicle; Determining means for determining that traffic information is to be received; and receiving the traffic information by the determining means while the accessory switch is in a non-supplying state from the power supply to the device. A control unit that supplies power from a power supply to the receiving unit and controls the receiving unit to be in an operating state, when it is determined that the receiving unit is in the state, regardless of the state of the accessory switch. Traffic information receiving device. 2. A time detecting means for detecting a time, wherein the judging means judges that the traffic information is to be received when the time detecting means detects that a predetermined time has been reached. The traffic information receiving device according to claim 1, wherein 3. A light quantity detecting means for detecting a light quantity, wherein the judging means judges that the traffic information is to be received when the light quantity detecting means detects that a predetermined light quantity is exceeded. The traffic information receiving device according to claim 1, wherein 4. A portable telephone device for receiving, from a telephone outside the vehicle, a reception instruction signal for instructing to receive traffic information, wherein said determining means comprises: receiving said reception instruction signal by said mobile telephone device; 2. The traffic information receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the traffic information is to be received. 5. A signal receiving means for receiving, from a transmitter outside the vehicle, a reception instruction signal for instructing to receive traffic information, wherein said determination means receives said reception instruction signal by said signal reception means. 2. The traffic information receiving device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the traffic information is in a state to be received. 6. A switching state detecting means for detecting a switching state of the accessory switch, wherein the control means is provided within a predetermined time after power is supplied from the power supply so that the receiving means is in an operating state. When the switching state detecting means does not detect that the accessory switch has been switched to the power supply state, the power from the power supply to the receiving means is not supplied, and the receiving means enters an operation stop state. 6. The traffic information receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the traffic information is controlled in such a manner.