WO2006137244A1

WO2006137244A1 - Communication apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2006137244A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/310665
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tetsuya Yoshida
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation
Priority date: 2005-06-20
Filing date: 2006-05-29
Publication date: 2006-12-28

Abstract

A car audio apparatus (200) mounted with a communication device comprises an apparatus body section (210) and an apparatus panel section (220) mutually detachable with each other wherein a radiator (212) is arranged in the apparatus body section (210) and a waveguide (222) is arranged in the apparatus panel section (220). Under a state where the apparatus panel section (220) is attached to the apparatus body section (210), the radiator (212) and the waveguide (222) are arranged in predetermined sizes and positions at a predermined distance for enhancing the directivity and gain of a radio wave radiated from the radiator (212) or taken into the radiator (212).

Description

Specification

Communication device

Technical field

The present invention relates to a communication device mounted on a vehicle or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to the communication device described above.

Background art

In recent years, for example, an in-vehicle information processing apparatus that can efficiently communicate with various in-vehicle devices mounted inside a vehicle such as an automobile or various electronic devices outside the vehicle by radio waves has been provided.

Such an in-vehicle information processing apparatus is configured as follows, for example. In other words, the body of an in-vehicle information processor equipped with the BlueTooth function is mounted on the console in the vehicle, and the antenna for BlueTooth is installed on the ceiling in the vehicle. Then, the BlueTooth module and the BlueTooth antenna in the in-vehicle information processing apparatus main body are connected by a coaxial cable. The on-vehicle information processing apparatus body has functions of a car navigation device and a car audio device. In addition, the above-mentioned in-vehicle information processing apparatus exchanges various information with the various electronic devices in the vehicle, such as a mobile phone with a BlueTooth function, a portable audio player, a portable personal computer, etc. via the BlueTooth function (transmission / reception). (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

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[0004] In addition, this in-vehicle information processing apparatus has an antenna for BlueTooth installed on the ceiling in the vehicle, for example, installed on the front panel of the in-vehicle information processing apparatus main body, so that various electronic devices inside the vehicle In this configuration, various types of information can be transmitted and received with good transmission efficiency.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-239894

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the above-described conventional vehicle information processing apparatus, for example, the vehicle information processing As an example, the BlueTooth antenna is installed on the front panel of the physical unit itself, so the front panel cannot be opened and closed or removed to prevent theft.

[0007] Further, in the above-described conventional vehicle information processing apparatus, when the front panel on which the BlueTooth antenna is installed is opened, for example, the front panel faces downward, so that An example is the problem that the directivity of radio waves that have been directed toward the rear side is significantly worse.

Means for solving the problem

[0008] A communication device according to the invention of claim 1 includes a device main body portion mounted on a vehicle, and a device panel portion detachably attached to the device main body portion or provided to be openable and closable. A radiation member that radiates or captures radio waves used for information communication is disposed on one of the device body and the device panel, and the other of the device body and the device panel includes Radiation member force A directional member for directing the radiated or captured radio wave in an arbitrary direction is provided. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a communication device that is relevant to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view schematically showing the internal structure and the external appearance of a car audio apparatus including the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment in a partially transparent state.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the car audio apparatus of FIG. 2.

4 is a side view showing a state in which the device panel portion of the car audio device of FIG. 3 is attached to the device main body portion.

FIG. 5 is a diagram simply showing the directivity characteristics of radio waves in the car audio device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram simply showing the interior of the vehicle on which the car audio device of FIG. 4 is mounted.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view schematically showing a part of the internal structure and external appearance of another car audio device including the communication device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the car audio device of FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the opening / closing operation of the device panel portion of the car audio device of FIG.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a part of a car audio device equipped with another communication device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view partially showing a car audio device equipped with the communication device according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

101 Radiation section

102 Directional part

103 Communication circuit

104 Transmission line

200 ~ 202, 250 power -Audio equipment

210 Main unit

211 Case

212 radiator

213 Feed line

214 Communication circuit board

215 Media insert

216 Engagement piece

219 reflector

220 Device panel

221 Panel housing

222 Director

223 Operation unit

224 display

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of a communication apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Explain in detail.

[0012] (Embodiment)

(Functional configuration of communication device)

First, the contents of a communication apparatus that is relevant to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a communication apparatus that is relevant to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that a communication device that is useful in this embodiment is mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle, for example, and has an object of efficiently communicating with various electronic devices inside the vehicle by radio waves. In FIG. 1, the communication apparatus is configured to include a radiation unit 101, a directing unit 102, and a communication circuit unit 103.

The radiation unit 101 radiates or captures radio waves used for information communication. The directing unit 102 directs the radio wave radiated or captured from the radiating unit 101 in an arbitrary direction. Specifically, the directing unit 102 directs the radio wave radiated or captured from the radiating unit 101 in the A direction, for example, when the direction of arrow A in FIG. Specifically, the radiating portion 101 and the directing portion 102 are, for example, rod-shaped or plate-shaped metal members. The communication circuit unit 103 appropriately converts a radio wave radiated from or taken in from the radiating unit 101 and an electrical signal, and controls overall communication of information by the radio wave by the communication device. Communication circuit unit 103 and radiating unit 101 are connected by, for example, transmission line 104.

[0014] A communication device according to this embodiment includes a device main body (not shown) mounted on a vehicle, and a device panel (not shown) that is detachably attached to the device main body or can be opened and closed. The radiating section 101 is disposed on either the device main body section or the apparatus panel section, and the directivity section 102 is disposed on the other side of the apparatus main body section or the apparatus panel section. Arranged.

[0015] Further, the radiating unit 101 and the directing unit 102 are in a state where the device panel unit is attached to or closed from the device main body, that is, in a normal use state of a so-called communication device. In such a case, each of the apparatus main body and the apparatus panel is arranged so as to be arranged at a predetermined interval in an arbitrary direction so as to have an optimum directivity characteristic corresponding to the frequency of the radio wave.

According to such a configuration, the radiating unit 101 and the directing unit 102 are configured such that the device panel unit is a device. The radio waves are arranged at a predetermined interval so as to direct the radio wave in an arbitrary direction with optimal directivity characteristics when attached to the main body or closed. As a result, in this communication device, when the device panel unit is not attached to the device main unit or opened (for example, not in use), the radiating unit 101 is operated as a single antenna, and the device panel unit is operated. Can be operated as an antenna having directivity in an arbitrary direction by the radiating unit 101 and the directing unit 102 when mounted on the apparatus main body or in a closed state (for example, in use).

[0017] For this reason, in this communication device, the antenna characteristics of the radiating unit 101 can be changed by the mounting mode and the open / close mode of the device panel unit with respect to the device main body, and in particular the device panel in a normal use state. The directivity of radio waves and the antenna gain can be improved when the unit is attached to the device main unit or closed.

Example 1

[0018] In the following, Example 1 which works on this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, a case where the communication apparatus according to the embodiment is applied to a car audio apparatus capable of reproducing an optical disk such as a CD or a DVD will be described as an example.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view schematically showing the internal structure and external appearance of the car audio apparatus including the communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in a partially transparent state. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the car audio apparatus of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the car audio device 200 is configured to include a device main body portion 210 and a device panel portion 220 that are detachable from each other. The device body 210 and the device panel 220 are attached to each other in the normal use state of the car audio device 200, but can be separated from each other exceptionally when not in use. It has.

[0020] The apparatus main body 210 includes, for example, a rectangular housing 211 formed by punching and bending a plate-shaped metal base material, and a rod-shaped metal disposed inside the housing 211. The radiator 212 is a member, and the communication circuit board 214 is connected to the radiator 212 via a feeder line 213. Specifically, the radiating portion 101 in FIG. The function is realized by the launcher 212, and the communication circuit unit 103 realizes the function by the communication circuit board 214, for example.

[0021] Further, the apparatus main body 210 is formed in the apparatus panel section 220 on the attachment side end face 21 la of the apparatus panel section 220, and is formed in the apparatus insertion section 215 (shown only in FIG. 2) and the apparatus panel section 220. And a plurality of engagement pieces 216 that engage with the engagement holes that are not engaged and fixably support the apparatus panel section 220 with respect to the apparatus main body section 210.

It should be noted that radiator 212 is arranged at a position close to the end surface 21 la side of apparatus main body 210 and in a state where its axial direction is parallel to the opening longitudinal direction of media insertion portion 215. This radiator 212 radiates and captures radio waves used for communication of various types of information in the car audio device 200 equipped with a communication device. Then, the communication circuit board 214 appropriately converts radio waves and electrical signals that are radiated from or taken in by the radiator 212 via the feeder line 213, and controls overall communication of information by the communication device. I will do it. More specifically, the transmission line 104 in FIG.

[0023] Transmission / reception of information by radio waves in the radiator 212 is performed without using a wire line or the like as a communication medium. Standards that enable this communication include, for example, wireless LAN (Local There are various technologies such as Area Network, HomeRF (Home Radio Frequency), BlueTooth, etc. In addition, in the first embodiment, various known wireless communication technologies can be adopted, and here, information transfer For example, BlueTooth can be used as a preferable example in terms of speed and ease of handling.

[0024] On the other hand, the apparatus panel unit 220 is made of a resin molded member formed by molding a resin material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyimide (PI), and polyolefin (PO). A rectangular panel casing portion 221 and a director 222 having a rod-like metal member force disposed inside the panel casing portion 221.

Note that the directing unit 102 in FIG. 1 specifically realizes its function by, for example, a waveguide 222 or a reflector described later. Here, as described above, since the panel housing part 221 also becomes a resin molding member, a structure that does not affect the waveguiding action by the waveguide 222 is realized. Then, the radio wave to the radiator 212 of the apparatus main body 210 is transmitted.

[0026] In addition, the device panel unit 220 has, for example, a plurality of dial type and cross key type end surfaces 221a on the side opposite to the end surface 221b (shown only in FIG. 3) facing the end surface 21la of the device main body 210. An operation unit 223 is provided. In addition, the device panel unit 220 has a display 224 (for example, only in FIG. 2) that displays various information handled by a car audio device such as an icon, a cursor, a menu, a window, or a character or an image at a position recessed inward from the end surface 221a. (Shown).

[0027] For example, when the device panel unit 220 is attached to the device main body 210, the director 222 is radiated from the radiator 212 of the device main body 210 or taken into the radiator 212. Waves are directed so as to direct (send in) the radio waves to be transmitted. For this reason, when the device panel unit 220 is mounted on the device main body unit 210, the waveguide 222 has a predetermined wave action so as to cause an optimum waveguiding action with respect to the frequency (f) of the radio wave handled by the radiator 212. The apparatus panel unit 220 is arranged so as to be arranged with a predetermined size and position (for example, a length that is slightly shorter than λ 2) in the axial direction and with respect to the radiator 212.

[0028] This operation unit 223 outputs, for example, information input by the user such as characters, numerical values, and various instructions, and is a push button switch that detects physical depression Ζ non-depression, You may comprise by various known forms, such as a keyboard, a joystick, a trackball, a mouse | mouth, and the input buttons etc. which are provided in the car audio apparatus 200, etc., or these combinations. Instead of the operation unit 223 or together with the operation unit 223, for example, a microphone that inputs a sound of an external force may be employed, and an input operation may be performed using sound.

[0029] The display 224 is, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), TFT (Thin Film)

Various displays such as Transistor) liquid crystal displays, organic EL (Electroluminescence) displays, and plasma displays can be used. Specifically, the display 224 can be configured by a video display device connected to a video / audio IZF (interface) (not shown).

[0030] Further, when the display 224 is a touch panel, it is possible to detect the pressing Z non-pressing of the touch panel and input information to the car audio device 200. in this case, The touch panel is used by being laminated on the display 224, for example. Then, the control unit (not shown) of the car audio device 200 is controlled by the input operation by managing the display timing of various information on the display 224, the user operation timing with respect to the touch panel, and the position coordinates thereof. Recognize information.

[0031] As the touch panel, specifically, various known touch panels such as a resistance film type and a pressure sensitive type can be employed. For example, if a touch panel arranged in a stack on display 224 is used and the touch panel force can be input, information can be input without increasing the size of operation unit 223. It becomes possible.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the device panel portion of the car audio device of FIG. 3 is attached to the device main body portion. As shown in FIG. 4, when the apparatus panel unit 220 described above is attached to the apparatus main body unit 210, the radiator 212 disposed in the apparatus main body unit 210 and the waveguide 222 disposed in the device panel unit 220 are connected. The main body part 210 and the device panel part 220 are arranged in parallel with each other in the state in which the respective axial directions are orthogonal to the attachment direction (the arrow B direction in the figure).

[0033] In this case, the directivity of the radio wave radiated or captured by radiator 212 is increased in the direction of arrow B in the figure, and the radio wave gain is improved. In the car audio device 200 according to the first embodiment, the force that can communicate with the radiator 212 alone even when the device panel unit 220 is separated from the device main unit 210. When attached, the directivity and gain of radio waves in the direction of arrow B in the figure can be improved.

FIG. 5 is a diagram simply showing the directivity characteristics of radio waves in the car audio device of FIG. As described above, when communication is performed using radiator 212 alone with device panel unit 220 separated from device body unit 210, the directivity of radio waves is indicated by directivity curve S as shown in FIG. It is expressed in such a shape. On the other hand, when communication is performed by the radiator 212 and the director 222 with the device panel unit 220 mounted on the device body unit 210, the directivity of the radio wave is represented by a directivity curve as shown in FIG. The shape is shown as O. Therefore, when the device panel 220 is mounted on the device body 210, the B direction The directionality toward is strengthened, and it is powerful.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram simply showing the interior of the vehicle on which the car audio device of FIG. 4 is mounted. As shown in FIG. 6, according to the car audio device 200 in a normal use state in which the device panel unit 220 is mounted on the device main body unit 210, the directivity and gain of the radio waves by the radiator 212 and the waveguide 222 are reduced. Improvements provide the following advantages.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the car audio device 200 is arranged in front of the vehicle 600, the vehicle interior is present on the front side of the car audio device 200, and the engine room is present on the rear side. It becomes a state. Therefore, in the car audio device 200 in the normal use state in which the device panel unit 220 is mounted on the device main body 210, the gain is improved when the radio wave is directed with a particular emphasis on the front side rather than the rear side of the device.

Therefore, according to the car audio device 200, the radiator 212 and the waveguide 222 are arranged in the vehicle 600 so that the front side force of the vehicle 600 is also applied to the rear side to improve the directivity of the radio wave. Therefore, not only the driver's seat 611, the passenger seat 612, and the rear second row seat 620 but also the rear third row seat 630 were used to communicate with mobile information terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs and electronic devices. Even in this case, it is possible to improve the gain and perform good communication.

As described above, according to the communication device according to the first embodiment, when the device panel unit 220 is attached to the device main body unit 210, the radiator 212 and the waveguide 222 are arbitrarily used. It is possible to improve the gain and improve the communication by radio waves. The radiator 212 and the waveguide 222 are not limited to rod-shaped metal members, and various forms such as a plate-like one may be used. In addition, the director 222 may be constituted by, for example, a metal logo mark formed on the side of the end surface 221a of the device panel unit 220.

Here, in the car audio device 200 described above, the device panel unit 220 and the device of the force car audio device 200 described as the device panel unit 220 has a structure that can be attached to and detached from the device main body unit 210. The main body 210 may have a structure that can be opened and closed with respect to each other.

FIG. 7 illustrates an internal structure of another car audio device including the communication device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exterior of the apparatus and a simplified illustration partially showing the exterior. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the car audio apparatus of FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the opening / closing operation of the device panel section of the car audio device of FIG. In the following, the same parts as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the car audio device 201 is configured to include a device main body portion 210 and a device panel portion 220 having a structure that can be opened and closed with respect to each other. The device body 210 includes a radiator 212 and a communication circuit board 214, and the device panel 220 includes a director 222. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the apparatus panel section 220 and the apparatus main body section 210 are connected to each other by a joint section 229 interposed therebetween so as to be freely opened and closed in the direction of arrow C in FIG. Yes.

[0042] The car audio apparatus 201 configured as described above is configured so that the apparatus panel unit 220 and the apparatus main body part 210 are configured to be openable and closable with respect to the apparatus main body part 210. In the closed state, as described above, in order to realize the same structure as the state in which the apparatus panel unit 220 is attached to the apparatus main body 210, the radiator 212 and the waveguide 222 are used to The gain can be improved. In the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment, in order to further improve the directivity and gain of radio waves, a structure provided with a reflector as described later as well as the waveguide 222 may be adopted.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of a car audio device equipped with another communication device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the car audio device 202 is configured to include a device main body portion 210 and a device panel portion 220 having a structure that can be attached to and detached from each other and that can be opened and closed. The device body 210 includes a radiator 212 and a communication circuit board 214, and the device panel 220 includes a waveguide 222.

[0044] In addition, device main body 210 is placed at a position opposite to waveguide 222 via radiator 212 when device panel 220 is attached to device main body 210 or in a closed state. And a reflector 219 that reflects radio waves emitted or captured by the radiator 212. The reflector 219 reflects the radio wave emitted from the radiator 212 of the apparatus main body 210 or taken into the radiator 212 so as to be directed (sent back) in an arbitrary direction.

[0045] For this reason, the reflector 219 is an optimum reflector for the frequency (f) of the radio wave handled by the radiator 212. It is arranged in the device main body 210 so as to be arranged with a predetermined size (for example, an axial length slightly longer than λΖ2), a predetermined position and a distance from the radiator 212 so as to cause an action. Talk!

As described above, the communication device of the first embodiment is mounted, and according to the cardio device 202 configured as described above, the device panel unit 220 is mounted on the device body unit 210. Alternatively, in the closed state, the directivity and gain of the radio wave can be further improved by the radiator 212, the director 222, and the reflector 219.

Example 2

[0047] Next, a car audio apparatus including the communication device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In the car audio devices 200 to 202 of the first embodiment, the radiator 212 (and the reflector 219) is provided on the device main body 210 side, and the director 222 is provided on the device panel 220 side. A structure with improved performance and gain has been realized.

[0048] On the other hand, in the car audio device including the communication device according to the second embodiment, the reflector is provided on the device main body side, and the radiator is provided on the device panel side, thereby improving radio wave directivity and gain. A structure that achieves the above is realized. In the second embodiment, the same portions as those already described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a part of the car audio device equipped with the communication device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the car audio device 250 includes a device main body portion 210 and a device panel portion 220 having a structure that can be attached to and detached from each other and that can be opened and closed. The apparatus body 210 includes a reflector 219 and a communication circuit board 214, and the apparatus panel 220 includes a radiator 212. The radiator 212 and the communication circuit board 214 are connected, for example, when the device panel unit 220 is attached to the device main body 210 via a feeder line 213 connected to a connector unit (not shown).

[0050] The reflector 219 arranged in the apparatus main body 210 directs (sends back) the radio wave radiated from or taken into the radiator 212 arranged in the apparatus panel unit 220 in an arbitrary direction. ) Reflect. The reflector 219 has a predetermined size (for example, the length in the axial direction is slightly longer than λΖ2) so as to cause an optimal reflection effect on the frequency (f) of the radio wave handled by the radiator 212. , With a predetermined position and distance to radiator 212 The device main body 210 is disposed so as to be disposed.

[0051] The car audio device 250 configured as described above has the device panel unit 220 as the device main body without using the waveguide 222 used in the car audio devices 200 to 202 of the first embodiment. When the unit 210 is in a closed state, the radiator 212 and the reflector 219 can improve the directivity and gain of the radio wave.

[0052] As described above, the communication device of the second embodiment is mounted, and according to the cardio device 250 configured in this manner, the device panel unit 220 is mounted on the device main body unit 210. Alternatively, in the closed state, the radio wave directivity and gain can be further improved by the radiator 212 on the device panel 220 side and the reflector 219 on the device body 210 side.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the case where the communication device of the present invention is applied to a car audio device for a mobile body is illustrated, but the present invention can also be applied to other devices. Yes, it can be widely applied to electronic devices that perform radio wave communication. The communication device according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in the first and second embodiments. For example, the device panel unit 220 includes a plurality of directors 222, or the device main unit 210. Further, the device panel unit 220 may be provided with a director 222, and other configurations may be employed.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] An apparatus main body mounted on a vehicle, and an apparatus panel that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body or movably openable and closable.

One of the device body and the device panel is used for information communication.

V Radiation member that emits or captures radio waves is arranged,

A directing member for directing the radio wave radiated from or taken in from the radiation member in an arbitrary direction is disposed on the other side of the apparatus main body part and the apparatus panel part. A communication device.

[2] The radiation member and the directing member are:

When the device panel is attached to the device main body or in a closed state, the device panel unit has a predetermined interval in the arbitrary direction so as to have an optimum directivity characteristic corresponding to the frequency of the radio wave. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is arranged to be arranged.

[3] The directional member is

The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is configured by at least one of a waveguide member that guides the radio wave in an arbitrary direction and a reflection member that reflects the radio wave in an arbitrary direction.

4. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the radiating member is disposed in the device main body portion, and the waveguide member is disposed in the device panel portion.

5. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the reflection member is disposed in the device main body portion, and the radiation member is disposed in the device panel portion.

6. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the radiating member and the directing member have a bar-shaped metal member force.

[7] The communication device according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the device panel unit has a resin molding member force.