JP2000307596A - Data communication system for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data communication system for automobiles which reduces the cost and enables automobile stations to utilize various kinds of information. SOLUTION: Data tranmitter-receivers 11 and 21 for mutually transmitting and receiving data are provided to both of an automobile station 1 and a home station 2, and the transmitter-receivers 11 and 12 are connected through a cable 31 to share data between the station 1 and the station 2. The transmitter- receiver 11 within the station 1 is capable of accessing to the Internet 3 via a personal computer 22 within the station 2. Since there is no need to install a central station or a repeating station, a data communication system for automobiles is obtained at a low cost.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to high-speed and large-capacity data communication between a communication station mounted on an automobile (hereinafter referred to as an automobile station) and a home communication station (hereinafter referred to as a home station). More particularly, the present invention relates to a data communication system for a vehicle in which both a mobile station and a home station can effectively use each other's equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional data transmission / reception system for a vehicle, there is one described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-193874. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram relating to such a conventional vehicle data transmission / reception system. As shown in this figure, the conventional vehicle data transmission / reception system has a central office 40
It has one and a plurality of relay stations 403, and these are connected via a dedicated data line 402 (or telephone line).

[0003] The central office 401 is a central computer of the control center.
411, a storage device 412 for storing related data, and an inter-station interface device 413 for interfacing with the relay station 403. The relay station 403 is a control center relay station computer 431, a storage device 432 such as a CD-ROM or a hard disk storing information to be provided, an input device 435 for inputting operation commands such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a joystick. A display device 434 for displaying information, etc .; an inter-station interface device 433 for interfacing with the central station 401 and the relay station 403;
4 interface device 436. Further, the interface device 436 is connected to the connector 437 via the relay station data line 438.

In such a system for transmitting and receiving data between a device inside the vehicle and a device outside the vehicle, the central office 401 generates data and sends it to various places via a dedicated data line 402 (or telephone line). It transmits to the relay station 403 provided. The relay station 403 stores the transmitted data in the storage device 432
And the vehicle 404 and the relay station 403 can transmit and receive data through connectors 437 and 449 provided respectively.
The driver of the car 404 drives the car 404 and goes to the nearest relay station 403, where the connector 449 on the car side and the relay station 4 are connected.
By connecting with the connector 437 on the 03 side, both data can be transmitted and received.

[0005]

However, such a system requires not only a huge capital investment for installing a central station and a relay station, but also practical use unless a large number of information terminal relay stations are installed. No. In addition, despite the fact that the car and the information terminal are connected, the in-vehicle equipment cannot be effectively used because the diagnostic information of the in-vehicle equipment can be uploaded. Furthermore, the information that the relay station can distribute to the vehicle is limited to information distributed from the central station, and the information that the central station can distribute to the relay station is limited to information stored in a storage device of the central station. Therefore, there is a problem that the information supplied to the vehicle or the driver is limited to the information stored in the storage device of the central office. Also,
In recent years, electric vehicles, which are rapidly becoming popular, require a home battery to be charged. However, according to the above-described conventional system, it is necessary to prepare each connector on the vehicle side, resulting in high cost. was there.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost data communication system for automobiles. It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle data communication system capable of supplying various kinds of information other than the information stored in the storage device of the central office to the vehicle. It is another object of the present invention to provide a data communication system for a vehicle that can effectively utilize the in-vehicle device from outside. It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle data communication system that can charge a battery without providing a dedicated connector in the vehicle.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to explain the above problem, the present invention relates to a data communication system for a vehicle for transmitting and receiving data between a vehicle station and a home station. Both are provided with a data transmitting / receiving device for transmitting / receiving data, the data transmitting / receiving devices are connected by a data transmission medium, and data is shared between the automobile station and the home station. With this configuration, the installation of the central office and the relay station and the work of updating data recorded in the central office are not required.

Further, the home station is provided with an information communication device connected to the Internet via a communication line, so that the Internet can be accessed from the automobile station. With such a configuration, the automobile station can use various kinds of information existing on the Internet.

[0009] Further, the in-vehicle device is controlled from the home station via the data transmission / reception device provided in each of the home station and the automobile station. With this configuration, in-vehicle devices can be effectively used.

[0010] Further, a communication cable and a charging cable for connecting the data transmitting / receiving devices provided in the home station and the automobile station are connected to the same connector. With this configuration, it is possible to charge the battery of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle station without using a dedicated connector and cable.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a data communication system for a car for transmitting and receiving data between a car station and a home station, wherein both the car station and the home station are used. A data transmission / reception device for transmitting / receiving data, a data transmission / reception device connected to the data transmission / reception device via a data transmission medium, and an automobile data communication system for sharing data between the automobile station and the home station. It has the effect of transmitting and receiving data via a data transmission medium connected between a station and a home station and sharing the data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle data communication system according to the first aspect, an information communication device connected to the Internet is provided in the home station, and the vehicle station accesses the Internet. This is a data communication system for automobiles that enables the above, and has an effect of accessing the Internet from an automobile station via an information communication device of a home station.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle data communication system according to the first aspect, there is provided at least one in-vehicle device connected to the data transmitting / receiving device of the vehicle station, and the in-vehicle device is provided. Is a data communication system for vehicles using the control of the home station, and has the effect of using the in-vehicle equipment of the car station under the control of the home station.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a home station for a data communication system for a vehicle according to the third aspect, further comprising a control device connected to the data transmitting / receiving device, wherein the control device includes the control device. A home station that controls the in-vehicle equipment via a data transmission / reception device, and has an effect that the control device controls the in-vehicle equipment at the automobile station via the data transmission / reception device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the home station according to the fifth aspect, the control device is a home station which is a programmed computer, and the programmed computer is connected to the home station via a data transmitting / receiving device. It has the function of controlling the in-vehicle equipment of the automobile bureau.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium for use in a computer of the home station according to the fourth aspect, wherein the home station records a program for controlling the in-vehicle equipment. The computer of the home station controls the in-vehicle device using the program read from the recording medium.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automobile data communication system for transmitting and receiving data between an automobile station and a home station, wherein each of the automobile station and the home station includes a data transmission / reception device. A vehicle communication system in which a communication cable for connecting the data transmitting and receiving devices and a charging cable for charging a battery of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle station are mounted on the same connector. The data communication with the station and the charging of the battery of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle station are performed using the same connector.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a home station of the vehicle data communication system according to the seventh aspect, further comprising a charging device capable of performing data communication with a data transmitting / receiving device of the home station. The charging device is a home station that performs a charging operation in accordance with output data of the data transmitting / receiving device, and has an operation of performing a charging operation in accordance with output data of the data transmitting / receiving device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the home station according to the eighth aspect, the data transmission / reception device is a home station which is a programmed computer, and the charging device is the output data of the programmed computer. Has the effect of performing a charging operation in accordance with

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium for use in a computer of a home station according to the ninth aspect, wherein the recording medium stores a program for controlling the charging device. Using the read program, the home office computer has the effect of controlling the charging operation of the charging device.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector for an automotive data communication system according to the seventh aspect, wherein the distance between the plug of the connector and the terminal of the receptacle is greater than that of the communication cable. This is a connector having a longer side so that the communication cable can be connected and disconnected in a state where the charging cable is in contact with the connector when the connector is inserted and removed, and has an effect of preventing the charging cable from being disconnected earlier than the communication cable.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the connector according to the eleventh aspect, further comprising a plug having a plurality of projections and a receptacle having a plurality of key-shaped grooves. Is a connector that fits, rotates and holds the key-shaped groove and the projection, and has an action of preventing the plug and the receptacle from being easily disengaged.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

(First Embodiment) In a first embodiment of the present invention, the data transmission / reception devices of an automobile station and a home station are connected by a communication cable to enable data communication. From the Internet via a home station.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an automotive data communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the automobile station 1 includes a data transmission / reception device 11, the home station 2 includes a data transmission / reception device 21, and a personal computer 22 having a modem function and connected to a telephone line 33. Is connected to the Internet 3. The data transmission / reception device 21 and the personal computer 22 are connected by an RS-232-C cable 32, and the data transmission / reception devices 11 and 21 are connected by an RS-232-C cable 31. The automobile bureau 1 is installed in a car. Also, the home station 2 can be used at home,
It can also be carried and used elsewhere.

FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the data transmitting / receiving device 11 of the automobile station 1. The input device 11a such as a keyboard or a mouse for inputting an operation command, a program for controlling the data transmitting / receiving device 11 are stored, and the operation is performed. A storage device 11b such as a hard disk and a CD-ROM for storing results, a monitor 11c for displaying operation information and the like, a CPU 11d for performing calculations, and an interface card 11e for communicating with the home station 2.
It is composed of

FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of the data transmission / reception device 21 of the home station 2. An input device 21a such as a keyboard or a mouse for inputting an operation command, a program for controlling the data transmission / reception device 21 are stored, and an operation is performed. A storage device 21b such as a hard disk and a CD-ROM for storing results, a monitor 21c for displaying operation information, a CPU 21d for performing calculations, a first interface card 21e for communicating with a personal computer 22, and a vehicle station 1. It comprises a second interface card 21f for performing communication.

Data transmitting / receiving device 11 and data transmitting / receiving device 21
And the communication protocol between the data transmitting / receiving device 21 and the personal computer 22 is HDLC (High Level D).
ataLink Control) procedure.

The flow until the user of the automobile station 1 establishes a connection to the Internet 3 in the automobile data communication system configured as described above will be described.

An instruction icon for controlling the data transmission / reception device 11 is displayed on a monitor 11c in the data transmission / reception device 11 of the automobile station 1. The user of the automobile station 1 uses the input device 11a while watching the monitor 11c,
Issue an Internet connection command to 1d. While following the program stored in the storage device 11b, the CPU 11d
The command issued by the user of the automobile station 1 is determined to be an Internet connection command, and converted into data in a format that can be determined by the data transmitting / receiving device 21.
pass to e. The interface card 11e converts the received data into an RS-232-C format according to the HDLC procedure which is a communication protocol between the data transceiver 11 and the data transceiver 21.
The data is transmitted to the data transmitting / receiving device 21 via the cable 31.

The second interface card 21f in the data transmitting / receiving device 21 transfers the received data to the CPU 21d.
While following the program stored in the storage device 21b, the CPU 21d determines that the received data is an Internet connection command by the user of the automobile station 1, converts the data into data in a format that can be determined by the personal computer 22, and converts the data into a first interface. Hand to card 21e. The first interface card 21e sends the received data to the personal computer 22 via the RS-232-C cable 32 according to the HDLC procedure which is a communication protocol between the data transmitting / receiving device 21 and the personal computer 22.

The personal computer 22 determines the received data as an Internet connection command, issues an AT command to the modem in the personal computer 22, controls the modem, and communicates with a server on the Internet 3 according to the Internet protocol. Start a connection.
The personal computer 22 confirms the communication state with the Internet 3 and confirms that the communication up to the OSI application layer has been established, and then sends data indicating the completion of the Internet connection to the data transmitting / receiving device 21.

The first interface card 21e in the data transmitting / receiving device 21 receives data in accordance with the HDLC procedure which is a communication protocol between the data transmitting / receiving device 21 and the personal computer 22, and passes the data to the CPU 21d. CPU21d
Determines that the personal computer 22 has completed the connection to the Internet while following the program stored in the storage device 21b. Then, the received data is converted into data that can be determined by the data transmitting / receiving device 11 to be connected to the Internet.
pass to f. The second interface card 21f transmits the received data to the data transmitting / receiving device 11 and the data transmitting / receiving device.
According to the HDLC procedure, which is a communication protocol between
The data is transmitted to the data transmitting / receiving device 11 via the -232-C cable 31.

Interface in the data transmitting / receiving device 11
The card 11e passes the received data to the CPU 11d. CPU11d
While following the program stored in the storage device 11b,
Judge that the received data indicates the completion of the Internet connection, and monitor the image indicating that the connection has been completed.
Display on 11c. The user of the automobile bureau 1 uses the monitor 11c
The completion of the Internet connection can be determined by looking at the image indicating the completion of the Internet connection displayed in.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, by controlling the personal computer 22 of the home station 2 from the automobile station 1 and accessing the Internet 3, the central station and the relay station can be controlled. The vehicle station 1 can obtain information without limitation in quantity and range without installing equipment.

(Second Embodiment) In a second embodiment of the present invention, the data transmission / reception devices of the automobile station and the home station are connected by a communication cable to enable data communication, and the home station. Was designed to be able to use the CD / DVD changer in the automobile bureau.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an automotive data communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, components assigned the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same structures and functions.

The automobile station 4 is connected to the data transmitting / receiving device 41 by a connection cable 43.
With more than one in-vehicle equipment CD / DVD changer 42,
The home station 5 includes a data transmission / reception device 21, a personal computer 22 connected to the data transmission / reception device 21 by an RS-232-C cable 32, and a cable connected to the personal computer 22.
A TV (television receiver) 51, which is connected by 52 and can display a composite signal as an image, is provided. The data transmission / reception device 41 of the automobile station 4 and the data transmission / reception device 21 of the home station 5 are connected by the RS-232-C cable 31.

FIG. 5 shows a data transmitting / receiving device in the automobile station 4.
FIG. 41 is an internal block diagram of an input device 41a such as a keyboard or a mouse for inputting an operation command, and a data transmitting / receiving device 41.
Storage device 41b such as a hard disk and a CD-ROM for storing a program for controlling
41c for displaying operation information, etc., CPU for performing calculations
41d, a first interface card 41e for communicating with the CD / DVD changer 42, and a second interface card 41f for communicating with the data transmitting / receiving device 21. Data transceiver 41 and data transceiver 21
, The data transmission / reception device 41 and the CD / DVD changer 42, the data transmission / reception device 21 and the personal computer 22, and the communication protocol between the personal computer 23 and the TV 51 use the HDLC procedure.

In the vehicle data communication system configured as described above, the user of the home station 5
DVD of the CD / DVD changer 42 of the home station 5
The flow up to playback at 51 will be described.

The personal computer 22 of the home station 5 displays an instruction icon for controlling the personal computer 22. The user of the home station 5 issues a DVD disc playback command from the input device 21a. The personal computer 22 converts the input data into a format that can be determined by the data transmitting / receiving device 21 and, via the RS-232-C cable 32, according to the HDLC procedure that is a communication protocol between the data transmitting / receiving device 21 and the personal computer 22. To the data transmitting / receiving device 21.

The first interface card 21e in the data transmitting / receiving device 21 transfers the received data to the CPU 21d.
While following the program stored in the storage device 21b, the CPU 21d determines that the received data is a DVD disc playback command, converts the data into a format that can be determined by the data transmission / reception device 41, and sends the data to the second interface card 21f. hand over. The second interface card 21f converts the received data into an RS-232-C according to the HDLC procedure which is a communication protocol between the data transmitting / receiving device 21 and the data transmitting / receiving device 41.
The data is sent to the data transmitting / receiving device 41 via the cable 31.

The second interface card 41f in the data transmitting / receiving device 41 transfers the received data to the CPU 41d.
While the CPU 41d follows the program stored in the storage device 41b, the received data is issued by the user of the home station 5.
Judge as DVD disc playback instruction. And CD
/ DVD changer converts the data to a format that can be recognized as a DVD disc playback command, and the data transmitting / receiving device 41 and the CD / DVD changer.
According to the HDLC procedure which is a communication protocol with the CD / DVD changer 42, the data is sent to the CD / DVD changer 42 via the connection cable 43.

The CD / DVD changer 42 converts the received data
Judgment is made as a DVD disc playback command, and the playback command is executed to start playing the DVD disc. The CD / DVD changer 42 confirms the operation state, and sends the DVD disc playback data and the text data indicating the status information of the playback to the data transmitting / receiving device 41.

The first interface card 41e in the data transmitting / receiving device 41 transfers the received data to the CPU 41d.
While following the program stored in the storage device 41b, the CPU 41d determines that the received data is DVD disk playback data and text data indicating status information of playback, and converts the data into a format that can be determined by the data transmission / reception device 21. , To the second interface card 41f. Second
The interface card 41f transmits the received data to the RS-232-C cable according to the HDLC procedure which is a communication protocol between the data transmitting / receiving device 21 and the data transmitting / receiving device 41.
The data is sent to the data transmission / reception device 21 via 31.

The second interface card 21f in the data transmitting / receiving device 21 transfers the received data to the CPU 21d.
While following the program stored in the storage device 21b, the CPU 21d determines that the received data is DVD disc playback data,
It is determined that the data is text data indicating status information of reproduction, and the data is converted into a format that can be determined by the personal computer 22, and is transferred to the first interface card 21e. The first interface card 21e is
The received data is transmitted to the personal computer 22 via the RS-232-C cable 32 according to the HDLC procedure which is a communication protocol between the data transmitting / receiving device 21 and the personal computer 22.

The personal computer 22 determines that the received data is the DVD disk reproduction data and the text data indicating the status information of the reproduction, and converts those data into a composite signal and text data. And the text data is output to a monitor (not shown).

The user of the home station 5 can determine the DVD disk playback status by looking at the DVD disk playback status displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 22, for example, the track number and the playback time.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when using the CD / DVD changer 42 in the automobile station 4 from the home station 5, the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM It is possible to reduce the labor of carrying the station 4 to the home station 5.

In the above description, the CD / D is used as the in-vehicle device.
Although the VD changer 42 is illustrated, package media such as a flash memory and a card memory can be handled similarly. CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, flash memory,
By operating a package medium such as a card memory from the home station 5, data input before traveling becomes possible. Further, control data such as memory presets can be input in advance. In addition, by enabling the home station 4 to freely operate unnecessary organizing, erasing, and data storage of the automobile station 4, the time efficiency can be improved and the in-vehicle equipment can be used comfortably. Can be.

(Third Embodiment) In a third embodiment of the present invention, a communication cable for connecting a data transmission / reception device to an automobile station and a home station, and a battery of an automobile on which the automobile station is mounted are charged. To the same connector, so that data communication between the car station and the home station and charging of the battery of the car equipped with the car station are performed using the same connector. Configured.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an automotive data communication system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, components assigned the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same configurations and functions.

The automobile station 6 is mounted on an electric vehicle, and includes a data transmission / reception device 11, a battery 61, a connector
62. The battery 61 and the connector 62 are connected by a charging cable 64, and the data transmitting / receiving device 11 and the connector 62 are connected by a communication cable 65. That is, the charging cable 64 and the communication cable 65 are attached to the same connector 62. The home station 7 includes a data transmitting / receiving device 21, a charger 71 connected to the data transmitting / receiving device 21 via an RS-232-C cable 76, and a connector 72. The charger 71 and the connector 72 are connected by a charging cable 74, and the data transmitting / receiving device 21 and the connector 72 are connected by a communication cable 75. That is, the charging cable 74 and the communication cable 75 are attached to the same connector 72. Then, the connector 62 and the connector 72
Are configured to be connected by a connection cable 66 having connectors 63 and 73.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view and a longitudinal sectional view of the connectors 62 and 63. The connector 62 is a receptacle installed on the automobile station 6 side. The charging pin 62a and the communication pin 62b are erected inside the metal cylinder, and the communication pin 62b is shorter than the charging pin 62a. It is. The connector 63 is a plug for connecting the connector 62 and the connection cable 66. The connector 63 has cylindrical electrodes 63a and 63b embedded in a metal tube, and the communication electrode 63b is shorter than the charging electrode 63a. The plug has a plurality of projections (not shown), and the receptacle has a plurality of key-shaped grooves (not shown). A charging cable 63c and a communication cable 63d are connected to each cylindrical electrode, and each cable is configured to be one connection cable 66. Although not shown, the connectors 72 and 73 have the same configuration as the connectors 62 and 63. The communication protocol between the data transmitting / receiving device 21 and the charger 71 uses the HDLC procedure.

The flow of charging the battery 61 of the vehicle station 6 in the vehicle data communication system configured as described above will be described.

An instruction icon for controlling the data transmission / reception device 11 is displayed on the monitor 11c in the data transmission / reception device 11 of the automobile station 6. The user of the automobile station 6 operates the input device 11a while watching the monitor 11c to issue a battery charge command to the CPU 11d. CPU11
d, while following the program stored in the storage device 11b, determines that the command issued by the user of the automobile station 6 is a battery charging command, converts the command into a format that can be determined by the data transmitting / receiving device 21, and converts the command to the interface card 11e. Pass to The interface card 11e converts the received data according to the HDLC procedure which is a communication protocol between the data transmitting / receiving device 11 and the data transmitting / receiving device 21, and sends the data to the data transmitting / receiving device 21.

The second interface card 21f in the data transmitting / receiving device 21 transfers the received data to the CPU 21d.
While following the program stored in the storage device 21b, the CPU 21d determines that the received data is a battery charging command instructed by the user of the automobile station 1, converts the data into a format that can be determined by the charger 71, and To the interface card 21e. First interface card
21e transmits the received data according to an HDLC procedure which is a communication protocol between the data transmitting / receiving device 21 and the charger 71,
Send to charger 71.

Charger 71 determines that the received data is a battery charge command, and supplies a current to charging cable 74 in accordance with the command to start charging battery 61 of automobile station 6.

A plug having a plurality of protrusions and a receptacle having a plurality of key-shaped grooves have the same configuration as having a plurality of key-shaped grooves in the plug and a plurality of protrusions in the receptacle. The effect is obtained.

The data transmitting / receiving device 11 is connected to the battery 61
Data transmission and reception device
The data transmission / reception device 21 transmits to the charger 71,
It is also possible to control so as to perform charging according to the remaining amount of the battery 61.

As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the communication cable and the charging cable are attached to the same connector, thereby eliminating the need for a battery charging cable. Also, by increasing the distance between the connector plug and the terminal of the receptacle on the charging side compared to the communication side,
The communication side can be switched on and off while the charging side is in contact when the connector is inserted and removed, and the latch-up state can be prevented. Furthermore, by having a plug having a plurality of projections and a receptacle having a plurality of key-shaped grooves, it is possible to prevent the plug and the receptacle from being easily disengaged during mounting.

In the first to third embodiments,
The cable connecting the devices is not limited to RS-232-C, but the same effect can be obtained by using twisted pair, coaxial, optical fiber, etc. In addition, the communication protocol between devices is not limited to the HDLC procedure.
Similar effects can be obtained by using X.25 or the like. Further, the method of controlling the modem is not limited to the AT command, and similar effects can be obtained by using V.25bis or the like.

In the first to third embodiments,
Some or all of the functions of an input device, a storage device, a monitor, a CPU, and an interface card of a data transmission / reception device of an automobile station can be realized by using a car navigation device. The data transmission / reception device in the home station includes an input device, a storage device, a monitor, and a CPU.
The same effect can be obtained by using a built-in board of a personal computer for some or all of the functions of the interface card. The data transmission / reception device in the home station includes a part or all of the functions of an input device, a storage device, a monitor, a CPU, and an interface card as functions of other devices, for example, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a data communication terminal. A similar effect can be obtained by using a mobile information communication terminal such as.

Further, in the first embodiment, the personal computer in the home station is replaced with another device having a function of connecting to the Internet, such as a portable information terminal with a telephone function, a portable telephone with an information processing function, and the like. The effect is obtained.

In the second embodiment, the device connected to the data transmitting / receiving device is not limited to the CD / DVD changer, and the same effect can be obtained by connecting another device.

[0066]

As described above, in the present invention, the data transmission / reception devices of both the automobile station and the home station are connected by the data transmission medium, and the data is shared between the automobile station and the home station. This eliminates the need for installing a central station and a relay station and updating data recorded in the central station.

In addition, since the mobile station is configured to be able to access the Internet via the home station, there is an effect that the mobile station can use various kinds of information existing on the Internet.

Further, since the in-vehicle device is controlled from the home station via the data transmission / reception device provided to each of the home station and the automobile station, an effect that the in-vehicle device can be effectively utilized can be obtained.

Further, since the communication cable and the charging cable for connecting the data transmitting / receiving devices of the home station and the automobile station are connected to the same connector, the charging of the battery of the automobile equipped with the automobile station is dedicated. This can be achieved without using the connector and the cable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an automotive data communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data transmitting / receiving device in the automobile station in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a data transmitting / receiving device in the home station in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an automotive data communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a data transmitting / receiving device in the automobile station in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an automotive data communication system according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view and a longitudinal sectional view of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a conventional automobile data communication system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 4, 6 Automobile station 2, 5, 7 Home station 3 Internet 11, 21, 41 Data transmission / reception device 22 Personal computer 31, 32 RS-232-C cable 33 Telephone line 42 CD / DVD changer 51 TV 61 Battery 71 Charging Machine 62, 63, 72, 73 Connector 64, 74 Charging cable 65, 75 Communication cable

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Kaga 2-1-1, Hikosancho, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture Inside Matsushita Communication Kanazawa Research Institute Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shunji Sarashina Tsunashima-Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi 4-3-1, Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5H115 PG04 PI16 PO14 PO15 QN03 5K033 AA09 BA01 BA06 BA13 CB01 CC01 DA01 DA06 DB01 DB12 DB16 DB25

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An automotive data communication system for transmitting and receiving data between an automobile station and a home station, wherein both the automobile station and the home station include a data transmission / reception device for transmitting and receiving data. A data communication system for vehicles, wherein the data transmission / reception devices are connected by a data transmission medium, and data is shared between the vehicle station and the home station. 2. An information communication device connected to the Internet is provided in the home station so that the mobile station can access the Internet.
An automotive data communication system according to claim 1. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising at least one in-vehicle device connected to the data transmission / reception device of the vehicle station, wherein the in-vehicle device is used under the control of the home station. Data communication system. 4. The home station of a data communication system for an automobile according to claim 3, further comprising a control device connected to the data transmission / reception device, wherein the control device controls the in-vehicle device via the data transmission / reception device. A home station characterized by controlling. 5. The home station according to claim 4, wherein said control device is a programmed computer. 6. A recording medium for use in a computer of a home station according to claim 5, wherein a program for controlling said in-vehicle device from said home station is recorded. 7. An automobile data communication system for transmitting and receiving data between an automobile station and a home station, wherein the automobile station and the home station each have a data transmission / reception device, and connect the data transmission / reception devices to each other. A data communication system for vehicles, wherein a cable and a charging cable for charging a battery of a vehicle on which the vehicle station is mounted are attached to the same connector. 8. The home station of the data communication system for a vehicle according to claim 7, further comprising a charging device capable of performing data communication with a data transmitting / receiving device of the home station, wherein the charging device outputs the data of the data transmitting / receiving device. A home station that performs a charging operation according to data. 9. The home station according to claim 8, wherein said data transmitting / receiving device is a programmed computer. 10. A recording medium for use in a home station computer according to claim 9, wherein a program for controlling said charging device is recorded. 11. The connector for an automotive data communication system according to claim 7, wherein the distance between the plug of the connector and the terminal of the receptacle is longer on the charging cable side than on the communication cable side, and the connector is charged when the connector is inserted or removed. A connector characterized in that the communication cable can be intermittently connected in a state where the communication cable is in contact with the connector. 12. A plug having a plurality of projections and a receptacle having a plurality of key-shaped grooves, wherein each key-shaped groove and the projection are fitted, rotated and engaged. The connector according to claim 11, wherein