JP5628612B2 - In-vehicle information system, in-vehicle device, information terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle information system used by being mounted on a vehicle, and an in-vehicle device and an information terminal used in the in-vehicle information system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a mobile phone map display method that receives a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal, detects a current position, and displays a map near the current position to provide vehicle route guidance (Patent Document 1). reference). There is also known a technique for transmitting information displayed on a mobile phone screen from a mobile phone to an in-vehicle device and displaying the information on a display of the in-vehicle device (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-57503 A JP 2003-244343 A

  By applying the technique described in Patent Document 2 in the map display method described in Patent Document 1, a map image near the current position is transmitted from a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone to the in-vehicle device, It can be displayed on the device. However, if the GPS signal cannot be received at the current position, for example, in a tunnel, the current position cannot be correctly detected. Thus, information necessary for detecting the current position at the information terminal Must be obtained from the vehicle. On the other hand, if such information is constantly transmitted from the vehicle to the information terminal, the amount of information communicated between the vehicle and the information terminal becomes excessive, which may cause a reduction in processing capacity due to a communication delay or the like. In view of such a situation, it is desired to reduce the amount of information communicated between the vehicle and the information terminal while reliably obtaining the information from the vehicle when the information terminal requires the information.

An in-vehicle information system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a portable information terminal and an in-vehicle device, and the information terminal determines whether vehicle information output from the vehicle is necessary, Request means for requesting vehicle information to the in-vehicle device when the determination means determines that the vehicle information is necessary, and vehicle information receiving means for receiving vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device in response to a request by the request means And a GPS signal receiving means for receiving the GPS signal, and the determining means determines that the vehicle information is necessary when the GPS signal is not normally received by the GPS signal receiving means. Vehicle information collecting means for collecting vehicle information and vehicle information transmitting means for transmitting the vehicle information collected by the vehicle information collecting means to the information terminal when vehicle information is requested from It is an feature.
A vehicle-mounted information system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a portable information terminal and a vehicle-mounted device, and the information terminal determines whether vehicle information output from the vehicle is necessary. When the determination means determines that the vehicle information is necessary, request means for requesting the vehicle information to the in-vehicle device, and vehicle information for receiving the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device in response to the request by the request means Receiving means, and the determining means determines that the vehicle information is necessary when the vehicle is traveling near a predetermined branch point, and the in-vehicle device is requested to receive the vehicle information from the information terminal. Vehicle information collecting means for collecting vehicle information and vehicle information transmitting means for transmitting the vehicle information collected by the vehicle information collecting means to the information terminal, wherein the vehicle information collecting means obtains information on the travel lane of the vehicle. The vehicle The information terminal is characterized by identifying a road on which the vehicle travels after passing through a branch point based on vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device and received by the vehicle information receiving means. .
A portable information terminal which is one embodiment of the present invention is connected to an in-vehicle device, and determines whether or not vehicle information output from the vehicle is necessary, and vehicle information is required by the determination unit. Requesting means for requesting vehicle information from the in-vehicle device, vehicle information receiving means for receiving vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device in response to a request by the requesting means, and a GPS signal for receiving a GPS signal A receiving unit is provided, and the determining unit determines that the vehicle information is necessary when the GPS signal is not normally received by the GPS signal receiving unit .
A portable information terminal according to another aspect of the present invention is connected to an in-vehicle device, and determines whether vehicle information output from the vehicle is necessary, and vehicle information is required by the determination unit. When it is determined that the vehicle information is requested to the vehicle-mounted device, and vehicle information receiving means for receiving vehicle information transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device in response to a request by the requesting device. When the vehicle is traveling near a predetermined branch point, it is determined that the vehicle information is necessary, and the information terminal is based on the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device and received by the vehicle information receiving means. A road on which the vehicle travels after passing through a branch point is specified.
An in-vehicle device according to the present invention is connected to a portable information terminal, and when vehicle information is requested from the information terminal, vehicle information collecting means for collecting vehicle information, and vehicle information collected by the vehicle information collecting means. Vehicle information transmitting means for transmitting to the information terminal, the vehicle information collecting means collects information relating to the traveling lane of the vehicle as vehicle information, and road marking based on an image obtained by photographing at least one of the front and rear of the vehicle Information representing line detection results is collected as vehicle information, and the information terminal requests vehicle information when the vehicle is traveling near a predetermined branch point, and is transmitted from the in-vehicle device and received by the vehicle information receiving means. The road on which the vehicle travels after passing through the branch point is specified based on the vehicle information.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when the information from a vehicle is required in an information terminal, the information amount communicated between a vehicle and an information terminal can be reduced, acquiring that information reliably.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the vehicle-mounted information system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a vehicle-mounted apparatus and a portable terminal. It is a figure which shows the flow of the information in a vehicle-mounted apparatus and a portable terminal. It is a figure which shows the flow of the information in a vehicle-mounted apparatus and a portable terminal. It is a flowchart of the process in a vehicle-mounted apparatus. It is a flowchart of the process in the portable terminal by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process in the portable terminal by 2nd Embodiment.

-First embodiment-
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle information system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The in-vehicle information system shown in FIG. 1 is used by being mounted on a vehicle, and is realized by connecting an in-vehicle device 1 and a portable terminal 2 to each other via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 3. The in-vehicle device 1 is fixed in the vehicle, and is installed, for example, in an instrument panel of the vehicle. The mobile terminal 2 is a portable information terminal that can be carried by a user, and is, for example, a mobile phone or a smartphone.

  The in-vehicle device 1 is provided with a display unit 11 and operation switches 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, and 12e. The display unit 11 is a display monitor capable of displaying various images, and is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display. The operation switches 12a to 12e are switches for detecting a user's input operation, and various functions are assigned according to the process that the in-vehicle device 1 is executing. The user can cause the in-vehicle device 1 to execute a desired function by operating any switch among the operation switches 12a to 12e. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the operation switch 12a is a dial switch that can be rotated to the left and right, and the operation switches 12b to 12e are button switches that can be pressed, the arrangement, structure, The number is not limited to this example. The display unit 11 may be a touch panel display monitor, and some or all of the operation switches may be omitted.

  The mobile terminal 2 is provided with a display unit 21. The display unit 21 is a touch panel display monitor capable of displaying various images, and is configured by combining, for example, a touch sensor that detects a touch position and a liquid crystal display. The user can cause the portable terminal 2 to execute a desired function by touching an arbitrary position on the display unit 21 with a finger or the like according to the content of the image displayed on the display unit 21. In addition, although the example which used the display part 21 as the touchscreen type display monitor was demonstrated here, it is good also as a normal display monitor which is not a touchscreen type. In that case, it is preferable to provide the portable terminal 2 with various operation switches according to the contents of the process executed by the portable terminal 2. Alternatively, the display unit 21 may be a touch panel display monitor, and an operation switch corresponding to a predetermined operation may be provided in the mobile terminal 2.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of the in-vehicle device 1 and the mobile terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle device 1 includes a control unit 10, a display unit 11, an operation unit 12, an audio output unit 13, a memory unit 14, and an interface unit 15. On the other hand, the portable terminal 2 includes a control unit 20, a display unit 21, an operation unit 22, an audio output unit 23, a memory unit 24, an interface unit 25, a wireless communication unit 26, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) reception unit 27.

  In the in-vehicle device 1, the control unit 10 includes a microprocessor, various peripheral circuits, RAM, ROM, and the like, and executes various processes based on a control program recorded in the memory unit 14. By the processing performed by the control unit 10, various image display processing, audio output processing, and the like are executed.

  Furthermore, the control unit 10 collects vehicle information output from the vehicle in response to a request from the mobile terminal 2 and outputs the vehicle information to the mobile terminal 2. The vehicle information includes information such as a vehicle speed, a yaw rate, and a GPS signal as information for detecting the current position of the vehicle in the mobile terminal 2. The vehicle speed is information relating to the speed of the vehicle, and is calculated based on, for example, a vehicle speed pulse output from a vehicle speed sensor mounted on the vehicle. The yaw rate is information related to the direction of the vehicle and represents the rotational speed of the vehicle in the yaw direction. This yaw rate is calculated based on, for example, vehicle speed pulses output from vehicle speed sensors installed on the wheels of the vehicle and outputs from yaw rate sensors mounted on the vehicle. The GPS signal is information relating to the current position of the vehicle and represents the content of the GPS signal received by a GPS receiver (not shown) installed in the vehicle. That is, the in-vehicle device 1 collects information on at least one of the speed of the vehicle, the direction of the vehicle, and the current position of the vehicle as vehicle information by the processing of the control unit 10. The vehicle information is collected via, for example, a CAN (Controller Area Network) (not shown) that is a communication network provided in the vehicle.

  The display unit 11 is a display monitor configured by a liquid crystal display or the like as described above with reference to FIG. The operation unit 12 is a switch for detecting a user input operation, and is realized by, for example, the operation switches 12a to 12e illustrated in FIG. As described above, the display unit 11 and the operation unit 12 may be integrated by using the display unit 11 as a touch panel display monitor. The content of the user input operation performed on the operation unit 12 is output to the control unit 10 and reflected in the processing performed by the control unit 10.

  The sound output unit 13 includes an amplifier, a speaker, and the like, and can output various sounds under the control of the control unit 10. For example, music that reproduces music data read from the portable terminal 2 or a recording medium (not shown), guidance voice for guiding the vehicle to the destination, and the like are output from the voice output unit 13.

  The memory unit 14 is a nonvolatile data storage device, and is realized by, for example, an HDD (hard disk drive), a flash memory, or the like. The memory unit 14 stores various data such as the above-described control program used in the control unit 10, for example. Reading and writing of data in the memory unit 14 is performed as necessary under the control of the control unit 10.

  The interface unit 15 performs interface processing necessary when information is transmitted to and received from the portable terminal 2 via the USB cable 3 under the control of the control unit 10. For example, the information output from the control unit 10 is converted into a predetermined signal format and transmitted to the mobile terminal 2, or the information output from the mobile terminal 2 in the predetermined signal format is received and output to the control unit 10. Or Interface processing by the interface unit 15 is performed in accordance with a communication standard defined by USB.

  On the other hand, in the mobile terminal 2, the control unit 20 is configured by a microprocessor, various peripheral circuits, RAM, ROM, and the like, similar to the control unit 10 of the in-vehicle device 1, and is stored in a control program recorded in the memory unit 24. Various processes are executed based on the above.

  The display unit 21 is a touch panel display monitor as described above. The operation unit 22 is a part for detecting a user input operation. In FIG. 2, the display unit 21 and the operation unit 22 are shown as separate configurations, but actually, the operation unit 22 has a structure integrated with the touch panel display unit 21. Alternatively, when the operation switch is provided in the mobile terminal 2 as described above, the operation switch corresponds to the operation unit 22. The content of the user input operation performed on the operation unit 22 is output to the control unit 20 and reflected in the processing performed by the control unit 20.

  The sound output unit 23 includes an amplifier, a speaker, and the like, and can output various sounds under the control of the control unit 20. For example, when a call is made using the mobile terminal 2, the voice of the other party is output from the voice output unit 23.

  The memory unit 24 is a non-volatile data storage device similar to the memory unit 14 of the in-vehicle device 1, and stores various data to be used in the processing of the control unit 20. The memory unit 24 stores various application programs (hereinafter simply referred to as applications) acquired by the user in advance. The user can implement various functions in the mobile terminal 2 by selecting any one of the various applications stored in the memory unit 24 and causing the control unit 20 to execute the selected application.

  The interface unit 25 performs interface processing based on a communication standard defined by USB, as with the interface unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 1. That is, communication between the in-vehicle device 1 and the mobile terminal 2 is performed in a state where the interface unit 15 and the interface unit 25 are connected to each other via the USB cable 3.

  The wireless communication unit 26 performs wireless communication for connecting the mobile terminal 2 to another mobile terminal or a server via a wireless communication network (not shown). The mobile terminal 2 can make a call with another mobile terminal or download an arbitrary application from the server by wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit 26. In the wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit 26, for example, a mobile phone network or an Internet network via a wireless LAN can be used as the wireless communication network.

  The GPS receiver 27 receives a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite and outputs it to the controller 20. The GPS signal includes information on the position and transmission time of the GPS satellite that transmitted the GPS signal as information for obtaining the current position and the current time of the mobile terminal 2. Accordingly, by receiving GPS signals from a predetermined number or more of GPS satellites, the control unit 20 can calculate the current position and the current time based on these pieces of information.

  Next, the navigation process performed in this vehicle information system is demonstrated. This in-vehicle information system can perform a navigation process for guiding a vehicle to a destination by executing a navigation application in the portable terminal 2 in a state where the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable terminal 2 are connected. it can. In this navigation processing, a map image in which a map near the current position is drawn on the mobile terminal 2 is created, and the map image is transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 to the in-vehicle device 1. As a result, a map image near the current position can be displayed on the display unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1. Further, a recommended route from the departure point to the destination is searched in advance in the mobile terminal 2, and when the vehicle approaches a guidance point on the recommended route, a guidance voice corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle at the guidance point is output. Information is transmitted from the portable terminal 2 to the in-vehicle device 1. Thereby, the guidance voice can be output from the voice output unit 13 of the in-vehicle device 1.

  Note that various data such as map data necessary for the mobile terminal 2 to execute the navigation application may be stored in advance in the memory unit 24 of the mobile terminal 2. Alternatively, only the minimum necessary data is stored in the memory unit 24, and when the mobile terminal 2 executes the navigation application, the wireless communication unit 26 is used to connect to a predetermined server, and the necessary data is stored. You may make it acquire each time.

  In the above navigation processing, when the GPS signal is normally received by the GPS receiver 27, the mobile terminal 2 detects the current position based on the GPS signal. On the other hand, when the GPS signal cannot be normally received, the vehicle information as described above is requested to the in-vehicle device 1. In response to this request, when vehicle information such as vehicle speed, yaw rate, and GPS signal is collected by the in-vehicle device 1 and transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 to the portable terminal 2, the portable terminal 2 determines the current position based on the vehicle information. Detection is performed.

  For example, when the vehicle speed and yaw rate are transmitted as vehicle information from the in-vehicle device 1, the mobile terminal 2 uses the position based on the last received GPS signal as a reference, and determines the moving distance and moving direction of the vehicle from there as the vehicle speed and yaw rate. And the current position is estimated from the calculation result. When a GPS signal is transmitted as vehicle information from the in-vehicle device 1, the current position is calculated based on the GPS signal. By estimating or calculating the current position in this way, the current position can be detected based on the vehicle information. You may use combining these detection methods.

  In addition, the mounting position of the mobile terminal 2 in the vehicle and the installation position of the GPS receiver are not necessarily the same, and are usually different. Also, the reception sensitivity with respect to the GPS signal is not necessarily the same between the portable terminal 2 and the GPS receiver. Therefore, depending on the surrounding environment of the vehicle, the GPS signal reception unit 27 of the mobile terminal 2 cannot receive the GPS signal, but the vehicle GPS reception device may be able to receive the GPS signal. In such a case, the GPS receiving unit 27 cannot receive a GPS signal, and the GPS signal is transmitted as vehicle information from the in-vehicle device 1.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of information in the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable terminal 2 when requesting vehicle information from the portable terminal 2 to the in-vehicle device 1 in the navigation process described above. In FIG. 3, reference numerals 31, 32, and 33 indicate the functions of the in-vehicle device 1 related to the collection and transmission of vehicle information, and reference numerals 34, 35, and 36 indicate the functions of the mobile terminal 2 related to the request for vehicle information. Indicates the function.

  A function indicated by reference numeral 31 represents an application program executed in the in-vehicle device 1 in order to accept a request for vehicle information from the mobile terminal 2. The application program 31 is different from the above-described application executed on the mobile terminal 2.

  The function indicated by reference numeral 32 represents an HID (Human Interface Device) driver which is a part of driver software used for the in-vehicle device 1 to perform USB communication. As is well known, various classes classified according to the functions of connected devices are defined in the USB, and common driver software is provided for each class. The HID driver 32 is driver software provided for the HID class. The HID class is a class mainly used in connection with an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse.

  The function indicated by reference numeral 33 is a USB host that executes transmission of information from the in-vehicle device 1 to the portable terminal 2 and reception of information transmitted from the portable terminal 2 to the in-vehicle device 1 in accordance with a communication standard defined by USB. Represents.

  The function denoted by reference numeral 34 is a USB device that executes transmission of information from the portable terminal 2 to the in-vehicle device 1 and reception of information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 to the portable terminal 2 in accordance with a communication standard defined by USB. Represents.

  The function indicated by reference numeral 35 represents an HID driver used by the mobile terminal 2 for performing USB communication.

  A function denoted by reference numeral 36 represents an application program executed in the portable terminal 2, that is, the navigation application described above.

  In the in-vehicle device 1, the application program 31 and the HID driver 32 among the above functions are realized in the control unit 10. On the other hand, the USB host 33 is realized in the interface unit 15. Similarly, in the mobile terminal 2, the application program 36 and the HID driver 35 are realized in the control unit 20. On the other hand, the USB device 34 is realized in the interface unit 25.

  When the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable terminal 2 are connected while the applications 31 and 36 are being executed in the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable terminal 2, respectively, as shown in (1) in FIG. Interrupt (IN) is set for the host 33. When the interrupt (IN) is set, the USB host 33 is set to perform polling at predetermined intervals.

  The USB host 33 in which the interrupt (IN) has been set transmits the token packet (IN) to the USB device 34 at predetermined intervals as shown in (2) and (6) to perform polling. The token packet (IN) is used to check whether there is information to be transmitted from the information receiving side to the transmitting side in the interrupt transfer mode, which is one of the communication modes defined by USB. . As a result, an inquiry as to whether or not there is a request for vehicle information from the USB host 33 to the USB device 34 is made at predetermined intervals.

  When receiving the token packet (IN) from the USB host 33, the USB device 34 refers to a buffer memory provided in the interface unit 25. As a result, when the information to be transmitted is not accumulated in the buffer memory, “NAK” indicating that there is no information is returned to the USB host 33 as shown in (3).

  In the portable terminal 2, when the GPS signal cannot be normally received by the GPS signal receiving unit 27, the application 36 outputs a vehicle information request to the HID driver 35 as shown in (4). Upon receiving this vehicle information request, the HID driver 35 sets request data corresponding to the vehicle information request in the buffer memory in the interface unit 25 as shown in (5). This request data indicates the contents of data requested as vehicle information.

  When the request packet is set in the buffer memory in this way and the token packet (IN) is transmitted from the USB host 33 as shown in (6), the USB device 34 is provided in the interface unit 25. Refers to the buffer memory. Then, as shown in (7), the request data in the buffer memory is divided into packets of a predetermined data size, and each request data packet is returned to the USB host 33. At this time, the USB device 34 transmits a request data packet using USB interrupt transfer.

  When receiving the request data packet from the USB device 34, the USB host 33 outputs the request data packet to the HID driver 32 as shown in (8). Further, as shown in (9), “ACK” indicating that the request data packet has been normally received is returned to the USB device 34.

  The HID driver 32 outputs the request data packet output from the USB host 33 to the application 31 as indicated by (10). Based on the request data packet, the in-vehicle device 1 recognizes that the vehicle information is requested from the portable terminal 2 by the application 31.

  FIG. 4 shows the in-vehicle device 1 when the vehicle information is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 to the portable terminal 2 when the vehicle information is requested from the portable terminal 2 to the in-vehicle device 1 as shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the flow of the information in the portable terminal. In FIG. 4, reference numerals 31 to 36 denote the same functions as those in FIG.

  When transmitting vehicle information from the in-vehicle device 1 to the portable terminal 2, the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable terminal 2 use a control transfer mode which is a communication mode different from the interrupt transfer mode described in FIG. In the control transfer mode, a communication procedure called a setup stage is first performed, and then a communication procedure called a data stage is performed.

  At the setup stage, as shown in (11), the HID driver 32 of the in-vehicle device 1 transmits a setup token for performing settings necessary for control transfer in the mobile terminal 2 to the HID driver 35 of the mobile terminal 2. . Upon receiving this setup token, the HID driver 35 returns “ACK” to the HID driver 32 as shown in (12). The transmission of the setup token and the reply of “ACK” between the HID driver 32 and the HID driver 35 are performed via the USB host 33 of the in-vehicle device 1 and the USB device 34 of the portable terminal 2.

  In the data stage, the application 31 of the in-vehicle device 1 outputs vehicle information data to the HID 32 as shown in (13). When the vehicle information data is output from the application 31, the HID 32 outputs the vehicle information data to the USB host 33 as shown in (14).

  When the vehicle information data is output from the HID 32, the USB host 33 outputs a token packet (OUT) to the USB device 34 as shown in (15), and then outputs the vehicle information data. At this time, the vehicle information data is transmitted after being divided into buckets having a predetermined data size.

  When the USB device 34 receives the vehicle information data from the USB host 33, the USB device 34 writes the vehicle information data to the buffer memory. The HID 35 reads the vehicle information data written in the buffer memory and outputs it to the application 36 as shown in (16). When all the vehicle information data transmitted from the USB host 33 is received and written in the buffer, the USB device 34 displays “ACK” indicating that the vehicle information data is normally received as shown in (17). Reply to 33. The application 36 detects the current position by the method as described above based on the vehicle information data output from the HID 35.

  When information is transmitted and received between the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable terminal 2 in accordance with the flow described above, and the GPS signal cannot be normally received by the portable terminal 2, vehicle information is transmitted from the portable terminal 2 to the in-vehicle device 1. Requests are made. In response to this request, vehicle information is collected in the in-vehicle device 1 and transmitted to the mobile terminal 2. And vehicle information is received in the portable terminal 2, and a present position is detected based on vehicle information.

  In addition, transmission of the vehicle information from the vehicle-mounted apparatus 1 to the portable terminal 2 is performed at predetermined intervals such as 1 second. Therefore, when the vehicle information transmission cycle is longer than the cycle in which the vehicle speed and yaw rate are output from the vehicle, the vehicle information is accumulated by integrating the values of the information collected during each transmission cycle. The travel distance and the travel direction may be calculated, and the calculation result may be transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 to the mobile terminal 2 as vehicle information. Note that the integration of information and the calculation of the moving distance and moving direction may be performed in the in-vehicle device 1 or may be performed on the vehicle side. On the other hand, regarding the GPS signal in the vehicle information, it is preferable to transmit the latest value obtained in each transmission cycle from the in-vehicle device 1 to the portable terminal 2 regardless of the output cycle from the vehicle and the transmission cycle of the vehicle information. .

  Flow charts of the above-described processing in the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable terminal 2 are shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of processing in the in-vehicle device 1, and FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of processing in the mobile terminal 2.

  First, the flowchart of FIG. 5 will be described. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is executed by the control unit 10 and the interface unit 15 in the in-vehicle device 1.

  In step S10, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the mobile terminal 2 is connected. As shown in FIG. 1, when the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable terminal 2 are connected via the USB cable 3, the process proceeds to the next step S20.

  In step S20, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the navigation application is being executed in the mobile terminal 2 determined to be connected in step S10. If the navigation application is being executed by the portable terminal 2, the process proceeds to step S30, and if not, the process returns to step S10.

  In step S <b> 30, the control unit 10 sets the interrupt (IN) as described with reference to FIG. 3 to the USB host 33 of the interface unit 15 by the HID driver 32.

  In step S40, the interface unit 15 determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed since the last polling by the USB host 33. If the predetermined period has elapsed since the previous polling, the process proceeds to the next step S50.

  In step S <b> 50, the interface unit 15 polls the USB device 34 of the mobile terminal 2 by the USB host 33. Here, as described with reference to FIG. 3, polling is performed by transmitting a token packet (IN) from the USB host 33 to the USB device 34, and the mobile terminal 2 is inquired whether there is a request for vehicle information.

  In step S60, the interface unit 15 determines whether a request data packet is transmitted from the USB device 34 of the portable terminal 2 in response to the polling performed in step S50 by the USB host 33. When the request data packet is transmitted from the USB device 34, the process proceeds to the next step S70. On the other hand, when the request data packet is not transmitted from the USB device 34 and “NAK” is returned, the process returns to step S40 and waits until the next polling cycle.

  In step S70, the control unit 10 collects the vehicle information as described above from the vehicle. The contents of the vehicle information collected at this time are determined based on the request data packet transmitted from the USB device 34.

  In step S <b> 80, the control unit 10 transmits the setup token as described in FIG. 4 to the HID driver 35 of the mobile terminal 2 by the HID driver 32.

  In step S90, the control unit 10 transmits the vehicle information data collected in step S70 to the portable terminal 2. At this time, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the vehicle information data output by the application 31 in the control unit 10 is sequentially output to the HID 32 and the USB host 33. In the interface unit 15, the token packet (OUT) and the vehicle information data are transmitted from the USB host 33 to the USB device 34 of the mobile terminal 2. Here, as described above, each vehicle information data packet is transmitted using USB control transfer.

  In step S100, the control unit 10 determines whether or not to end the navigation process. When the connection between the in-vehicle device 1 and the mobile terminal 2 is released, or when the navigation application is no longer executed in the mobile terminal 2, it is determined that the navigation process is ended, and the flowchart of FIG. On the other hand, if it does not correspond to such a situation, it is determined that the navigation process is not terminated, and the process returns to step S40 and waits for the next polling cycle.

  Next, the flowchart of FIG. 6 will be described. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed by the control unit 20 and the interface unit 25 when a navigation application is executed on the mobile terminal 2.

  In step S110, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the in-vehicle device 1 is connected. As shown in FIG. 1, when the in-vehicle device 1 and the mobile terminal 2 are connected via the USB cable 3, the process proceeds to the next step S120.

  In step S120, the control unit 20 determines whether vehicle information is necessary. Here, it is determined that the vehicle information is necessary when the GPS signal is not normally received by the GPS receiver 27, and it is determined that the vehicle information is unnecessary when the GPS signal is normally received. Whether or not the GPS signal is normally received by the GPS receiving unit 27 can be determined based on the reception strength of the GPS signal in the GPS receiving unit 27, the accuracy required from the arrangement of each GPS satellite, and the like. Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the GPS signal is normally received by determining from the map data or the like whether or not the vehicle is traveling at a point where reception of the GPS signal is difficult, such as in a tunnel. May be. If it is determined in step S120 that vehicle information is necessary, the process proceeds to step S130. If it is determined that vehicle information is not necessary, the process proceeds to step S150.

  In step S <b> 130, the control unit 20 outputs a vehicle information request for requesting vehicle information to the mobile terminal 2. Here, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the vehicle information request is output from the application 36 to the HID driver 35.

  In step S140, the control unit 20 determines request data based on the vehicle information request output from the application 36 in step S130 by the HID driver 35, and sends the request data to the transmission buffer memory in the interface unit 25. To set. Here, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the request data corresponding to the vehicle information request is stored in the buffer memory by the HID driver 35. If step S140 is performed, it will progress to step S160.

  In step S150, the control unit 20 detects the current position based on the GPS signal received by the GPS receiving unit 27. Thus, when the GPS signal is normally received, the current position of the mobile terminal 2, that is, the current position of the vehicle is detected based on the GPS signal.

  In step S <b> 160, the interface unit 25 determines the presence / absence of polling from the in-vehicle device 1 by the USB device 34. When the interface unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 1 executes step S50 of FIG. 5 and polling is performed by transmitting a token packet (IN) from the USB host 33 to the USB device 34, the next step S170 is performed. Proceed to On the other hand, if the token packet (IN) is not transmitted from the USB host 33 to the USB device 34 and polling is not performed, the process returns to step S120.

  In step S <b> 170, the interface unit 25 determines whether the request data is set in the transmission buffer memory by the USB device 34. If the vehicle information request is output in step S130 described above and the request data corresponding to the vehicle information request is set in the buffer memory in step S140, the process proceeds to step S180. On the other hand, if steps S130 and S140 are not executed and the request data is not set in the buffer memory, the process proceeds to step S220.

  In step S180, the interface unit 25 transmits the request data set in the buffer memory to the USB host 33 by the USB device 34 in units of packets. Here, as described above, each request data packet is transmitted using USB interrupt transfer. Thus, when it is determined that the mobile terminal 2 needs the vehicle information, the mobile terminal 2 requests the vehicle information 1 from the mobile terminal 2. When all the request data packets have been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S190.

  In step S <b> 190, the control unit 20 determines whether a setup token is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 by the HID driver 35. When the HID driver 32 executes step S80 in FIG. 5 and the setup token is transmitted in the control unit 10 of the in-vehicle device 1, after performing the transmission setting according to the setup token, the process proceeds to the next step S200.

  In step S200, the control unit 20 receives the vehicle information data transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 when the control unit 10 of the in-vehicle device 1 executes step S90 in FIG. At this time, as described with reference to FIG. 4, in the interface unit 25, the vehicle information data transmitted from the USB host 33 of the in-vehicle device 1 is accumulated in the buffer memory by the USB device 34. Then, the vehicle information data in the buffer memory is read out by the HID 35 and output to the application 36.

  In step S210, the control unit 20 detects the current position based on the vehicle information data received in step S200. Here, as described above, the moving distance and moving direction of the vehicle are calculated based on the vehicle speed and yaw rate transmitted as vehicle information from the in-vehicle device 1, or the current position based on the GPS signal transmitted as vehicle information is calculated. To detect the current position. Thereby, when the GPS signal is not normally received, the current position of the mobile terminal 2, that is, the current position of the vehicle is detected based on the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1. If step S210 is performed, it will progress to step S230.

  In step S <b> 220, the interface unit 25 returns “NAK” indicating that there is no request for vehicle information from the mobile terminal 2 to the in-vehicle device 1 by the USB device 34 to the USB host 33. If step S220 is performed, it will progress to step S230.

  In step S230, the control unit 20 determines whether or not to end the navigation process. Here, as in step S100 of FIG. 5, when the connection between the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable terminal 2 is released, or when a predetermined operation for ending the navigation application is performed by the user, It is determined that the navigation process is finished, and the flowchart of FIG. 6 is finished. On the other hand, if it does not correspond to such a situation, it is determined that the navigation process is not ended, the process returns to step S120, and the process as described above is repeated.

  According to 1st Embodiment described above, there exists the following effect.

(1) The portable terminal 2 determines whether vehicle information is required by the process of the control unit 20 (step S120). As a result of this determination, when it is determined that the vehicle information is necessary, a vehicle information request is output (step S130), request data corresponding to the vehicle information request is set in the buffer memory (step S140), It transmits to the vehicle-mounted apparatus 1 by the interface part 25 (step S180). Thereby, vehicle information is requested | required of the vehicle-mounted apparatus 1. FIG. And the vehicle information transmitted from the vehicle-mounted apparatus 1 according to this request | requirement is received (step S200). On the other hand, when the vehicle information is requested from the portable terminal 2 by the process of the control unit 10, the in-vehicle device 1 collects the vehicle information from the vehicle (Step S <b> 70) and transmits the collected vehicle information to the portable terminal 2. (Step S90). Since it did in this way, when the information from a vehicle is required in the portable terminal 2, the information amount communicated between a vehicle and an information terminal can be reduced, acquiring that information reliably.

(2) The control unit 20 of the mobile terminal 2 determines that the vehicle information is necessary when the GPS signal is not normally received by the GPS receiving unit 27 in step S120. On the other hand, when the vehicle information is requested from the portable terminal 2, the control unit 10 of the in-vehicle device 1 receives the vehicle speed related to the vehicle speed, the yaw rate related to the vehicle direction, and the GPS signal related to the current position of the vehicle in step S <b> 70. At least one piece of information is collected as vehicle information. Since it did in this way, even if it is a time when a GPS signal is not received normally in the portable terminal 2, the present position can be detected by the portable terminal 2 based on the vehicle information collected by the vehicle-mounted apparatus 1. FIG.

(3) When the GPS signal is normally received by the GPS receiver 27 by the processing of the controller 20, the portable terminal 2 detects the current position based on the GPS signal (step S150). On the other hand, when the GPS signal is not normally received by the GPS receiver 27, the current position is detected based on the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 in step S90 and received in step S200 (step S210). Since it did in this way, in the portable terminal 2, a present position is detectable by the optimal method according to the reception condition of a GPS signal.

-Second Embodiment-
In the first embodiment described above, the in-vehicle information system that detects the current position in the mobile terminal 2 based on the vehicle information output from the in-vehicle device 1 when the GPS signal cannot be normally received by the mobile terminal 2. The example of was described. On the other hand, in the second embodiment described below, when the vehicle is traveling near a predetermined branch point, the vehicle determines the branch point based on the vehicle information output from the in-vehicle device 1. An example of an in-vehicle information system for specifying a road that travels after passing in the mobile terminal 2 will be described.

  The configuration of the in-vehicle information system according to the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. In the in-vehicle information system according to the present embodiment, the configurations of the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable terminal 2 are the same as those shown in FIG. Furthermore, the flow of information when requesting vehicle information from the mobile terminal 2 to the in-vehicle device 1 and the flow of information when transmitting vehicle information from the in-vehicle device 1 to the mobile terminal 2 are shown in FIGS. Is the same as

  In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 2 performs navigation processing in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. In this navigation processing, the mobile terminal 2 performs map matching processing by comparing the current position with the position of the road in the map data, and identifies the traveling road of the vehicle. In this way, the vehicle is surely guided by specifying the traveling road of the vehicle.

  Here, in general, in the map matching process, for example, when a vehicle passes a narrow-angle branch point, it may be difficult to determine which road the vehicle is traveling among a plurality of roads after the branch. Are known. A narrow-angle branch point is a branch point having a relatively narrow branch angle, and corresponds to, for example, a Y-shaped branch point on a highway or the like.

  Therefore, in the in-vehicle information system according to the present embodiment, when the vehicle approaches a predetermined branch point such as a narrow-angle branch point, the road marking line (white line on the road) is recognized from the mobile terminal 2 to the in-vehicle device 1. Request the result as vehicle information. The vehicle is equipped with a camera installed so that the road surface in front of the vehicle can be photographed, and an image recognition device that recognizes the position and type of the road marking line in front of the vehicle based on an image captured by the camera. . When there is a request for vehicle information from the portable terminal 2 to the in-vehicle device 1, the in-vehicle device 1 acquires the recognition result of the road marking line by the image recognition device and transmits it to the portable terminal 2 as vehicle information.

  When the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 is received, the mobile terminal 2 determines the travel lane of the vehicle before the branch point based on the recognition result of the road marking line represented by the vehicle information. For example, if the road marking line existing on the right side is a solid line and the road marking line existing on the left side is a dotted line, it can be determined that the vehicle is traveling in the right traveling lane. On the other hand, if the road marking line on the right side is a dotted line and the road marking line on the left side is a solid line, it can be determined that the vehicle is traveling in the left lane. it can. Here, it is assumed that there are two traveling lanes in front of the branch point, and a road marking line is shown as a dotted line between the traveling lanes.

  By determining the travel lane of the vehicle before the branch point as described above, the mobile terminal 2 can determine which road the vehicle travels after passing the branch point. That is, when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling in the right travel lane, it can be determined that the road on which the vehicle travels after passing through the branch point is a road that branches rightward from the branch point. On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on the left lane, it can be determined that the road on which the vehicle travels after passing through the branch point is a road that branches leftward from the branch point. In this way, the road on which the vehicle travels after passing through the branch point is specified in the mobile terminal 2, and the result is reflected in the map matching.

  In the above description, the case where two traveling lanes exist before the branch point has been described. Similarly, when there are three or more traveling lanes, the road on which the vehicle travels after passing the branch point is specified in the same manner. be able to. That is, for each branch point for which vehicle information is requested from the mobile terminal 2 to the in-vehicle device 1, information on the number of lanes before the branch point and which road after each branch corresponds to each branch point Is recorded in advance in the map data, the road on which the vehicle travels after passing through each branch point can be specified by the portable terminal 2 based on the vehicle information.

  Alternatively, based on the recognition result of the road marking line represented by the vehicle information, the position of the thickest broken road marking line among the road marking lines ahead of the vehicle is detected, and the vehicle after passing the branch point is detected from the detection result. A traveling road may be specified. In general, before the narrow-angle branch point, a thick broken-line road marking line is drawn between lanes connected to each road after branching, and the road marking line represents a branch. Therefore, by determining whether the road marking line exists on the left or right side of the vehicle based on the vehicle information, the road on which the vehicle travels after passing through each branch point can be specified in the mobile terminal 2.

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of processing executed in the mobile terminal 2 of the in-vehicle information system according to this embodiment. In FIG. 7, process steps that execute the same processes as those in the flowchart of FIG. 6 are given common step numbers. In the following description, the contents of the processing steps assigned with the step numbers common to those in FIG. 6 are omitted unless particularly required. The flowchart of the process executed in the in-vehicle device 1 is the same as that according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

  In step S121, the control unit 20 determines whether vehicle information is necessary. Here, unlike the case of step S120 in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not vehicle information is necessary based on the positional relationship between a specific branch point such as a narrow-angle branch point and the vehicle. The branch point (target branch point) to be determined may be specified in advance in the map data, or may be determined from the branch angle. If the vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance from the target branch point, it is determined that the vehicle information is necessary, and the process proceeds to step S130. On the other hand, if the vehicle is not approaching within the predetermined distance from the target branch point, it is determined that the vehicle information is unnecessary, and the process proceeds to step S160.

  In step S211, the control unit 20 specifies the traveling road of the vehicle after passing through the target branch point based on the vehicle information data received in step S200. Here, the traveling lane of the vehicle before the target branch point is determined by the method described above, and the traveling road of the vehicle after passing through the target branch point is specified based on the determination result. At this time, in step S200, it is assumed that the information related to the travel lane of the vehicle, that is, the information indicating the recognition result of the road marking line by the image recognition device as described above is received from the in-vehicle device 1 as the vehicle information data. . If step S211 is performed, it will progress to step S230.

  According to the second embodiment described above, in addition to the function and effect described in (1) in the first embodiment, the following function and effect (4) are achieved.

(4) The control unit 20 of the portable terminal 2 determines that vehicle information is necessary when the vehicle is traveling near a predetermined branch point (step S121). On the other hand, when the vehicle information is requested from the portable terminal 2, the control unit 10 of the in-vehicle device 1 detects the road marking line based on the information about the traveling lane of the vehicle, that is, the image obtained by photographing the front of the vehicle in step S <b> 70. Is collected as vehicle information and transmitted to the portable terminal 2 in step S90. Based on the vehicle information thus transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 and received in step S200, the control unit 20 of the portable terminal 2 identifies the road on which the vehicle travels after passing the branch point (step S211). Since it did in this way, even if it is a case where a vehicle passes the branch point in which map matching processing is difficult, the travel road of the vehicle after a branch point passage can be pinpointed reliably.

  In the second embodiment described above, the front of the vehicle is photographed by a camera mounted on the vehicle, and the detection result of the road marking line based on the photographed image is collected by the in-vehicle device 1 as vehicle information. In the portable terminal 2, the driving lane of the vehicle is specified. However, the travel lane of the vehicle can be specified in the same manner using a captured image obtained by capturing the rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, when a captured image obtained by capturing the rear of the vehicle is used, the traveling lane of the vehicle can be specified even after passing through the branch point. That is, the in-vehicle device 1 can collect information representing the detection result of the road marking line based on an image obtained by photographing at least one of the front and rear of the vehicle as vehicle information.

  Further, in the second embodiment described above, information indicating the reliability of the recognition result of the road marking line by the image recognition device may be further included in the vehicle information and transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 to the portable terminal 2. . In this way, it is possible to specify the travel road of the vehicle after passing through the branch point on the portable terminal 2 after appropriately determining how much importance is given to the content of the vehicle information.

  In the present invention, the in-vehicle information system described in the first embodiment and the in-vehicle information system described in the second embodiment may be employed independently or in combination. . That is, the in-vehicle device 1 can collect information on at least one of the speed of the vehicle, the direction of the vehicle, the current position of the vehicle, and the traveling lane of the vehicle as vehicle information and transmit it to the portable terminal 2. Moreover, the portable terminal 2 can detect a present position based on these vehicle information, or can specify the traveling road of the vehicle after passing a branch point.

  Vehicle information other than that described in the above embodiments may be collected by the in-vehicle device 1 and transmitted to the mobile terminal 2. Any information may be collected and transmitted as vehicle information as long as it can be collected in the vehicle and is necessary depending on the situation in the process executed by the mobile terminal 2.

  In each of the embodiments described above, an example in which the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable terminal 2 are connected to each other via the USB cable 3 and vehicle information is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 to the portable terminal 2 by USB communication has been described. The present invention can also be realized by using the communication method. For example, wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless USB, or wired communication other than USB can be used. Any communication method may be adopted as long as vehicle information collected in response to a request from the mobile terminal 2 can be transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 to the mobile terminal 2.

  Each embodiment and various modifications described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these contents as long as the features of the invention are not impaired. Moreover, you may use combining said each embodiment and modification example arbitrarily.

1: vehicle-mounted device, 2: portable terminal, 3: USB cable, 10: control unit, 11: display unit,
12: operation unit, 13: audio output unit, 14: memory unit, 15: interface unit,
20: Control unit, 21: Display unit, 22: Operation unit, 23: Audio output unit, 24: Memory unit,
25: interface unit, 26: wireless communication unit, 27: GPS receiving unit

Claims (10)

An in-vehicle information system having a portable information terminal and an in-vehicle device,
The information terminal
Determining means for determining whether vehicle information output from the vehicle is necessary;
Request means for requesting the vehicle information to the in-vehicle device when the determination means determines that the vehicle information is necessary;
Vehicle information receiving means for receiving the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device in response to a request by the request means ;
GPS signal receiving means for receiving GPS signals,
The determining means determines that the vehicle information is necessary when the GPS signal is not normally received by the GPS signal receiving means,
The in-vehicle device is
Vehicle information collecting means for collecting the vehicle information when the vehicle information is requested from the information terminal;
An in-vehicle information system comprising: vehicle information transmission means for transmitting the vehicle information collected by the vehicle information collection means to the information terminal. The in-vehicle information system according to claim 1,
The vehicle information collection unit collects information on at least one of the speed of the vehicle, the direction of the vehicle, and the current position of the vehicle as the vehicle information. In the in-vehicle information system according to claim 1 or 2,
The information terminal includes position detection means for detecting a current position,
The position detecting means includes
When the GPS signal is normally received by the GPS signal receiving means, the current position is detected based on the GPS signal,
When the GPS signal is not normally received by the GPS signal receiving means, the current position is detected based on the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device and received by the vehicle information receiving means. In-vehicle information system. An in-vehicle information system having a portable information terminal and an in-vehicle device,
The information terminal
Determining means for determining whether vehicle information output from the vehicle is necessary;
Request means for requesting the vehicle information to the in-vehicle device when the determination means determines that the vehicle information is necessary;
Vehicle information receiving means for receiving the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device in response to a request by the request means;
The determination means determines that the vehicle information is necessary when the vehicle is traveling near a predetermined branch point,
The in-vehicle device is
Vehicle information collecting means for collecting the vehicle information when the vehicle information is requested from the information terminal;
Vehicle information transmission means for transmitting the vehicle information collected by the vehicle information collection means to the information terminal,
The vehicle information collection means collects information on the travel lane of the vehicle as the vehicle information,
The in-vehicle information is characterized in that the information terminal specifies a road on which the vehicle travels after passing the branch point based on the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device and received by the vehicle information receiving means. system. The in-vehicle information system according to claim 4,
The vehicle information collecting means collects information representing a detection result of a road marking line based on an image obtained by photographing at least one of the front and rear of the vehicle as the vehicle information. A portable information terminal connected to an in-vehicle device,
Determining means for determining whether vehicle information output from the vehicle is necessary;
Request means for requesting the vehicle information to the in-vehicle device when the determination means determines that the vehicle information is necessary;
Vehicle information receiving means for receiving the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device in response to a request by the request means;
GPS signal receiving means for receiving GPS signals,
The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines that the vehicle information is necessary when the GPS signal is not normally received by the GPS signal reception means. The information terminal according to claim 6,
The vehicle information receiving means, the speed of the vehicle, the orientation of the vehicle, the current position, and information, which comprises receiving either at least one information related to the traffic lane of the vehicle as the vehicle information of the vehicle Terminal . In the information terminal according to claim 6 or 7,
Provided with position detection means for detecting the current position,
The position detecting means includes
When the GPS signal is normally received by the GPS signal receiving means, the current position is detected based on the GPS signal,
When the GPS signal is not normally received by the GPS signal receiving means, the current position is detected based on the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device and received by the vehicle information receiving means. Information terminal. A portable information terminal connected to an in-vehicle device,
Determining means for determining whether vehicle information output from the vehicle is necessary;
Request means for requesting the vehicle information to the in-vehicle device when the determination means determines that the vehicle information is necessary;
Vehicle information receiving means for receiving the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device in response to a request by the request means;
The determination means determines that the vehicle information is necessary when the vehicle is traveling near a predetermined branch point,
The information terminal specifies a road on which the vehicle travels after passing the branch point based on the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device and received by the vehicle information receiving means. . An in-vehicle device connected to a portable information terminal,
Vehicle information collection means for collecting the vehicle information when vehicle information is requested from the information terminal;
Vehicle information transmission means for transmitting the vehicle information collected by the vehicle information collection means to the information terminal,
The vehicle information collecting means includes
Collect information on the vehicle lane as the vehicle information,
Collecting information representing the detection result of a road marking line based on an image obtained by photographing at least one of the front and rear of the vehicle as the vehicle information;
The information terminal
Requesting the vehicle information when the vehicle is traveling near a predetermined branch point;
An in-vehicle device that identifies a road on which the vehicle travels after passing through the branch point based on the vehicle information transmitted from the in-vehicle device and received by the vehicle information receiving means.

Images