JPH07156713A - General purpose controller for on-vehicle electronic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To connect a desired electronic appliance to a controller for an on- vehicle electronic appliance, and attain an additional function by a combination of plural appliances. CONSTITUTION:An electronic controller 30 is provided with a CPU 31 for signal processing, and the CPU 31 is provided with external ROM 32 and ROM 33, and is connected to an operation part 34 for inputting a processing mode. The CPU 31 executes a program stored in the external ROM 32 in corporation with the operation part and the RAM 33. To the CPU 31, a general purpose interface 35 is connected. To the general purpose interface 35, electronic appliances 11-18 such as a television tuner are connected through exclusive interfaces 11a-18a. The general purpose interface 35 has functions such as receiving a change-over signal from the CPU 31, transmitting a signal from the CPU 31 for the electronic appliances necessary to execute a desired operating mode, and transmitting a signal from the electronic appliance to the CPU 31 through the exclusive interfaces 11a-18a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a general-purpose control device for a vehicle-mounted electronic device for controlling the operation of a plurality of electronic devices such as a navigation system mounted on a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a general-purpose control device for a vehicle-mounted electronic device of this type is disclosed in Service Technical Report No. issued by Nippon Denso Co., Ltd. (issued in 1991). As shown on pages 3 to 4, a television, a video camera, a radio, an audio player, a GPS (position confirmation system), a map storage CDROM, an engine control unit (ECU) for the vehicle, which are mounted on the vehicle. With regard to electronic devices such as car phones, common display devices and operation parts were shared to reduce costs and save space. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the television tuner 1a, the back monitor camera 1b, the radio tuner 1c, and the audio player 1d are individually connected to the CPU 4 via the dedicated interfaces 2a, 2b, 2c, and the GPS 3a,
The map storage CDROM 3b, the vehicle-mounted ECU 3c, and the car phone 3d are directly connected to the CPU 4, and individual electronic devices are selected by the operation unit 5 connected to the CPU 4 and input to the CPU 4 to control their operation and connected to the CPU 4. The operation contents are displayed on the image display device 6 and the voice output device 7.

[0003]

However, the general-purpose control device for the on-vehicle electronic device described above reduces the cost and space of the control device by sharing the image display device, the audio output device, and the operation unit. Although achieved, it has the following problems. That is, in the case of the general-purpose control device for the vehicle-mounted electronic device, a CPU that connects the electronic devices
The terminal of is predetermined. Therefore, if some of the above electronic devices are not desired or need not be used, the corresponding terminals of the CPU are completely wasted. Conversely, there is the inconvenience that a device other than the specified electronic device, such as the printer 8, cannot be newly added. On the other hand, in order to intentionally add a new electronic device, it is necessary to change the CPU itself, and the labor of replacement and the cost of parts become enormous, so it is almost impossible to actually add a new electronic device. It is possible. Further, in the above-described general-purpose control device for the vehicle-mounted electronic device, since each electronic device is directly connected to the CPU, it is not possible to utilize a new system with high added value by combining the functions of a plurality of electronic devices. There is also. The present invention is
It is an object of the present invention to provide a general-purpose control device for a vehicle-mounted electronic device that can solve the above problems.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the structural features of the present invention are: control means for controlling the operation of a plurality of electronic devices mounted on a vehicle; electronic devices; and the control means. And a control switching means for switching the connection between the electronic device and the control means under the control of the control means, a storage means for storing information necessary for control by the control means, and a control for the control means. In the lower part, there is provided a display means for displaying at least the operation result of the electronic device by video or audio.

[0005]

In the present invention configured as described above, in response to the switching signal from the control means, the connection with the control means is switched to the electronic device requiring the control switching means, and the signal from the control means is transmitted. It is possible to transmit the signal to the electronic device or, conversely, to send a signal from the electronic device to the control unit, and the control unit can freely control each electronic device. Further, the control switching means can be increased or decreased to an arbitrary number according to the number of electronic devices desired to be used. Therefore, addition of a new electronic device is connected to the control switching means and software for controlling the additional electronic device is further added. It can be easily realized by preparing the wear. The software can be changed easily by using a medium such as a floppy disk, an IC card, a CDROM, etc.

Further, according to the present invention, since the control means can collect all the information from the electronic equipment or the like through the control switching means, it is possible to integrate the electronic equipment to form a new system. become. Below is an example of a new system. (1) Reservation Information Retrieval System By using GPS, it is possible to display the current position or the position of a movie theater on the image display means. When this is combined with a car telephone, the telephone line is connected to a specific station that provides information registered in advance by the control means,
For example, a system configuration is possible in which the control means receives the movie information (screening content, screening time) sent from the specific station and causes the display means to display the image. Further, when the user wants to make a reservation to enter the desired movie theater, the control means can connect the telephone line to the other movie theater by operating the switch. In addition, the other movie theater is equipped with a reservation facility that can support the general-purpose control device for the on-vehicle electronic devices. If information can be exchanged, the control means connects the telephone line to the reservation facility. By giving and receiving signals, it is possible to make a reservation for entry without human intervention.

(2) Data bank system For example, by tying up the general-purpose control device of the on-vehicle electronic device with a telephone service such as dial Q2, various music, game, and other data can be transmitted via the telephone line to the on-vehicle electronic device. It can be input to the electronic device of the general-purpose control device of the device. Data such as music may be stored in the storage means and then reproduced using the display means. By utilizing such a data bank system, a music tape and a CDROM are not required, and further, an audio player is not required. Further, since the map data can be obtained by using this system, it is not necessary to prepare a map CDROM for the navigation system.

(3) Position grasp system When a plurality of automobiles head to a specific destination, and want to know the position of another car for a break or the like, the position of another car can be determined by a combination of GPS and telephone. , Can be displayed on the image display device. Furthermore, by simply supporting the resting place or the like on the screen, it is possible to automatically inform the other car of the place and the route. As described above, according to the present invention,
A new system can be easily configured by integrating the electronic devices, and space can be saved in the vehicle by removing unnecessary electronic devices, and new value can be created.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the arrangement of various electronic devices inside a passenger car to which the present invention is applied. An electronic control unit 30 including an image display unit 21 is provided on the front panel of the passenger car. Next to the image display device 21,
An audio player 11 is provided. Further, a first antenna 12b for GPS (artificial satellite utilization position detection system) is provided inside the windshield.
There is a car phone 1 on the left and right partition of the front seat.
3 is provided. A magnetic field sensor 12c for GPS is provided on the top plate. A second GPS antenna 12d and a GPS receiver 12 are provided behind the back seat. A TV antenna 14b, a radio antenna 15b, and a TV tuner 14 are provided on the right side of the GPS receiver 12. Further, a CD ROM player 23 is provided beside the TV tuner 14. A radio tuner 15 and a camera control device 16b are provided on the lower left side of the back seat. A back monitor camera 16 is attached in the rear trunk.

Next, the circuit configuration of the electronic control unit 30 will be described. The electronic control unit 30, as shown in FIG. 2, is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) for signal processing.
31 is provided, and an external ROM 3 external to the CPU 31
2 and the RAM 33 are connected. The external ROM 32 is
Media such as floppy disks, IC cards, and CDs are used. An operation unit 34 for inputting an operation mode is connected to the CPU 31. The CPU 31 uses the operation unit 3
4 and RAM 33 in cooperation with the computer program shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 stored in the external ROM 32. A general-purpose interface 35 is connected to the CPU 31. The general-purpose interface 35 is connected to the television tuner 14 and the back monitor camera 1 via the dedicated interfaces 11a to 18a.
6, radio tuner 15, audio player 11, G
A PS receiver 12, an in-vehicle ECU (engine control unit) 17, a car phone 13 and a printer 18 are connected. The general-purpose interface 35 receives the switching signal from the CPU 31, connects the CPU 31 to an electronic device required to execute a desired operation mode, and transmits a signal from the CPU 31 to the connected electronic device, or vice versa. Dedicated interfaces 11a-1 for signals from electronic devices
It fulfills the function of sending to the CPU 31 through 8a. Also, C
The PU 31 includes the image display device 21 and the speaker 22.
The audio output device 22 including a is connected.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described. When the starter switch of the vehicle equipped with the control device for the on-vehicle electronic device is turned on, the CPU 31 of the electronic control device 30 starts the processing of the main program shown in FIGS. Initialize various variables in. Below, CPU
31 is steps 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62,
At 64, 66, 68, 70 and 72, it is determined which of a reservation information search system, a data bank system and a position grasping system using various electronic devices or a plurality of electronic devices is selected. For example, when the GPS system is selected by the user operating the operation unit 34, the CPU 31
Under the judgment of "YES" in step 54, the program shifts to step 55 to execute the GPS processing routine. As a result, the CPU 31 uses radio waves from the satellites received by the GPS antennas 12b, 12c, 12d and compares the map data stored in the external ROM (eg, CDROM) 32 with an image display of the current position of the vehicle. It is displayed on the device 21. The same process is performed when another electronic device is selected.

Next, a case where the reservation information search system is selected will be described. That is, when the reservation information search is selected by the operation unit 34, the CPU 31 shifts the program to the step 67 under the judgment of "YES" at the step 66, and executes the "reservation information search routine" shown in FIG. Is started in step 80. Step 81
At step 82, a position grasping process by GPS is performed.
At, the CPU 31 outputs a position display signal to the image display device 21, and displays a map showing the position on the screen. Next, C
In step 83, the PU 31 reads various information such as town information from the external information providing source or the dial Q2 service destination by the external ROM 32 or the telephone, outputs the information item display signal, and displays it on the image display device 21. By referring to this display, the user operates the operation unit 34 to specify a desired reservation item, for example, information about a movie. In response to this, the CPU 31 executes the program in step 85 under the determination of “YES” in step 84.
To the external RO in step 85.
The reservation information display signal is read out from M32 or an external information source by a telephone line connection, and the image display device 22 is caused to display the local movie theater, the contents of the show, the show period, and the like.

The user designates a desired movie theater through the operation unit 34 based on the movie theater information displayed on the image display device 21. In response to this, the CPU 31 makes a step 8
Under the judgment of "YES" at 6, the program is moved to step 87, and at step 87 the telephone line is connected to the designated movie theater. Next, the CPU 31 executes step 8
At 8, it is determined whether or not it is connected to the partner telephone, and when it is connected, the program is shifted to step 89 under the determination of "YES". This allows the user to make an admission reservation through direct dialogue with the other movie theater. Then, when the dialogue ends and the line connection with the partner telephone ends, the CPU 31 ends the execution of the program in step 90 under the judgment of "YES" in step 89.

On the other hand, when the partner movie theater is provided with an automatic reservation device that can be connected to the electronic control unit of this system, the telephone line is connected to the automatic reservation device and a response signal is sent from the automatic reservation device. come. In response to this, the CPU 31
In step 88, the program shifts to step 91 under the judgment of “NO”, and the automatic reservation device displays the show time,
It is determined whether or not an information signal such as an available seat is sent.
When the automatic reservation device sends an information signal such as the show time and the seats that can be reserved, the CPU 31 responds to this by shifting the program to step 92 under the judgment of “YES” in step 91, and The display signal is output to the image display device 21. Here, when the user makes a desired admission reservation through the operation unit 34, the CPU 31 shifts the program to the step 94 under the judgment of "YES" at the step 93, and automatically makes an admission reservation signal through the telephone line. Output to the device and the admission reservation is accepted. Then, when the user wants to print out the reservation content by the printer 18, the user performs a printer printing out operation using the operation unit 34. In response, the CPU 31 returns “YES” in step 95.
If so, the program moves to step 96,
A printer drive signal is output, and in step 90, the execution of the program ends. When the printing of the reservation result is unnecessary, the CPU 31 shifts the program to step 90 under the judgment of "NO" in step 95, and finishes the execution.

As described above, in the above reservation information system, the CPU 31 can exchange signals with the GPS receiver 12 and the car telephone 13 via the general-purpose interface 35, so that the conventional electronic control can be performed. It has become possible to acquire the convenient function of obtaining admission reservations for movie theaters, etc., which was not possible with the device.

Next, the case where the data bank system is selected will be described. That is, when the data bank mode is selected by the operation unit 34, the CPU 31 shifts the program to step 69 under the judgment of "YES" in step 68, and executes the "data bank processing routine" shown in FIG. Is started in step 100. Then, the CPU 31 determines in step 101 the external ROM 32.
The various menus stored in are read and a menu display signal is output and displayed on the image display device 21. And
When the user selects music from the menu displayed on the image display device 21 by using the operation unit 34, for example, the CPU 31 shifts the program to step 103 under the determination of “YES” in step 102, Connect the telephone line to the data bank that stores the selected music menu and send the menu contents. When the music menu signal is input from the data bank, the CPU 31 executes step 1
When it is judged as "YES" at 04, the program is shifted to step 105, the menu data display signal is output to the voice output display device 22, and the music is played. When the telephone input of the menu contents is completed, the CPU 31 shifts the program to step 107 under the judgment of “YES” in step 106 and terminates the execution of the program.

As described above, in the above-mentioned data bank system, the CPU 31 can exchange signals with the external ROM 32 and the car telephone 13 through the general-purpose interface 35, so that the music menu is stored. It has become possible to acquire the convenient function of being able to obtain the desired music menu from the data bank. By enhancing this function, it is not necessary to accommodate an audio tape, a map CDROM or the like in the vehicle, and it is possible to save space in the vehicle.

Next, the case where the position grasping system is selected will be described. The position grasping system is a system that accurately displays the position of another vehicle whose position you want to know on the map on the display screen. Therefore, in order to use this position grasping system, it is a requirement that another vehicle is also provided with the electronic control device. First, the operation unit 34
When the position grasping mode is selected by, the CPU 31 shifts the program to step 71 under the judgment of "YES" in step 70, and the CPU 31 executes the "position grasping process routine" shown in FIG. At step 111, the position recognizing process by GPS is performed. At step 112, the CPU 31 outputs a position recognizing signal to the image display device 21 and displays a map showing the position on the screen. Then, the user inputs the telephone number of the car whose position the user wants to know by telephone. In response to this, the CPU3
In step 113, the program shifts to step 114 under the judgment of "YES" in step 113, and the telephone signal is transmitted to connect the telephone line to the telephone of the partner vehicle whose position is to be known.

When the position data is input from the other vehicle, the CPU 31 shifts the program to step 116 under the judgment of "YES" in step 115 and outputs the position display signal to the image display device 21, Display the position of the other vehicle on the display screen. Then, in step 117, it is determined whether or not the position grasping communication has ended, that is, whether the user has turned on the end of the position grasping mode of the operation unit 34. When the user has not yet turned on the end of the position grasping mode, the CPU 31 shifts the program to step 118 under the judgment of “NO” in step 117,
Stand by for a certain period of time. Then, after the end of the standby state, the program is returned to step 114, and the processes of steps 114 to 118 are repeated, and the position grasping process is performed.

When the position grasp mode end switch is turned on, the CPU 31 returns "NO" in step 117.
If so, the program moves to step 119 and the execution of the program ends. As described above, in the above-mentioned position grasping system, a plurality of automobiles equipped with an electronic control device are connected by a telephone line, and by using GPS to communicate each other's positions in real time,
It is possible to obtain a convenient function that allows you to easily recognize a distant vehicle at a distant location due to traffic congestion and route differences, and to notify the other vehicle of a specific meeting place.

Then, when the position grasping mode end switch is turned on, the CPU 31 determines "YE" in step 117.
Under the judgment of "S", the program is moved to step 119, and the execution of the program is terminated. As mentioned above,
In the above-mentioned position grasping system, a plurality of automobiles equipped with an electronic control unit are connected by a telephone line and their positions are communicated with each other by using GPS so that they are located apart from each other due to congestion of roads or differences in routes. It is possible to obtain a convenient function that allows the other vehicle to be easily recognized and to notify the other vehicle of a specific meeting place or the like.

In the above embodiment, eight types of electronic devices such as televisions and radios are used as electronic devices, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of electronic devices can be adopted. Further, in the above embodiment, three types of unique systems in which a plurality of electronic devices are combined by using the electronic control device are shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various electronic devices are combined to provide various functions. It is possible to configure the system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of an automobile to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a part of a flowchart of a main program executed by the CPU of FIG.

4 is a part of a flowchart of a main program executed by the CPU of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a reservation information search routine shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a data bank routine shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a position grasping routine shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic control device according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

11: audio player, 12: GPS receiver, 1
3; Car phone, 14; TV tuner, 15; Radio tuner, 16; Back monitor camera, 17; In-vehicle EC
U, 18; printer, 11a to 18a; interface, 21; image display device, 22; audio output device, 30;
Electronic control unit, 31; CPU, 32; External ROM, 3
3; RAM, 34; operation unit, 35; general-purpose interface.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Haruyuki Tsuzuki 3 Iyama, Shinomemachi-cho, Anjo City, Aichi Anden Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A control means for controlling the operation of a plurality of electronic devices mounted on a vehicle, and a control means provided between the electronic device and the control means, the electronic device being controlled by the control means. Control switching means for switching connection between means, storage means for storing information necessary for control by the control means, and display for displaying at least video or audio operation result of the electronic device under control of the control means A general-purpose control device for a vehicle-mounted electronic device, comprising: