JP2001312793A - Beacon terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a beacon terminal equipment, which can be miniaturized by utilizing a TV receiver loaded inside a vehicle by integrally providing a signal receiving part for an optical beacon and a radio wave beacon so as to receive these beacons, and sharing a processing part for these beacon signals. SOLUTION: This terminal equipment has the vertical configuration of two stages provided with a communication module 1 and a data module 2, the communication module 1 is provided with a configuration related to the communication of the optical beacon signal and the radio wave beacon signal and has a transmitting/receiving part and a signal processing part for optical and radio wave beacons and the data module 2 has an image processing part, an audio signal processing part and an RF converter for accepting the signal received and processed by the communication module 1 and reporting information contained in that signal to a user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving light or radio waves including signals and transmitting information such as images, voices and characters, and more particularly to an information communication means using light or radio waves. The present invention relates to a terminal device when is used together.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As the spread of automobiles progresses, the deterioration of road traffic conditions has become a social problem, and general users are requesting this breakthrough. Therefore, VICS (Vichele Infomat
An in-vehicle information communication system called "ion & Comuunication Systems" has been proposed, and experiments have been repeated for practical use.

[0003] This system is composed of a plurality of communication media, that is, an optical beacon, a radio wave beacon, an FM multiplex, and a teleterminal. A user mounts a terminal device in a car and utilizes each communication information. The user selects the route himself. As a result, concentration of traffic flow can be prevented, and it is possible to safely and smoothly reach the destination. As such a terminal device, for example, a terminal device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-183399 corresponding to a radio beacon, which is one of communication media, can be mentioned.

[0004]

However, VIC
In S, it is necessary to have a terminal device corresponding to each communication medium, such as light and radio waves, and in a vehicle where the mounting space is limited, there may be cases where VICS cannot be mounted due to weight or cost. Can be

In recent years, many users have mounted display devices such as car TVs on vehicles. In addition to this, the VICS equipped with a display device
It is difficult inside a vehicle where space is limited.

In view of the above, a first object of the present invention is to provide a beacon terminal device which can be miniaturized by integrally providing signal receiving units for a plurality of types of beacons such as an optical beacon and a radio beacon. Is to do.

A second object of the present invention is to reduce the size of a device by utilizing the display output means of another device already present in the vehicle and devising the arrangement of each part of the device and the shape of a housing for accommodating it. It is an object of the present invention to provide a beacon terminal device capable of reducing the space required for mounting the device.

[0008]

The first and second objects are to provide a plurality of optical beacon transmitting devices for transmitting information via an optical beacon signal and a radio beacon signal, respectively, and a plurality of radio wave beacon signals. From a beacon transmitting device, a beacon terminal device that receives a beacon signal and obtains information included in the signal, an optical receiving unit that receives an optical beacon signal, a radio wave receiving unit that receives a radio beacon signal, A signal processing unit for receiving signals received by the two receiving units and obtaining information data included in the signals, and output data for converting the obtained information data and outputting the converted information data through an externally connected device A data conversion unit that generates and outputs a signal, an optical reception unit, a radio wave reception unit, a signal processing unit, and at least an optical reception unit and a data conversion unit among the data conversion units Bi and having a one housing for housing the wave receiver - can be achieved by con terminal.

[0009]

According to the present invention, information including traffic information is included.
The optical beacon and the radio beacon are received by the optical receiving unit and the radio receiving unit, respectively. In the present invention, the two receiving units are integrated and arranged in the same housing. Therefore, the size of the beacon terminal device can be reduced.

Further, in the present invention, at least one side surface of the housing is formed as a slope, and the surface is arranged so as to be in contact with an inner side surface of a slope glass of a vehicle such as a windshield. Thereby, at the time of installation of the present invention, a space inside the vehicle is not wasted without creating a dead space.

The signal processing unit receives signals output from these two receiving units and obtains information data contained in the signals. The data conversion unit generates and outputs an output data signal for outputting the obtained information data, for example, data including images and sounds, through an externally connected device.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the types of beacon signals to be received are different, it can be processed by one signal processing unit. Further, it is possible to utilize a display device already mounted on the vehicle.

For example, by converting information obtained from an optical beacon and a radio beacon into a TV radio signal (RF signal), a TV tuner and a TV display can be used.
It is possible to view and use traffic information and the like in the same manner as a TV program.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view (a) showing the appearance of the present embodiment,
It is a top view (b) and a side view (c).

In this embodiment, a case where an optical beacon and a radio wave beacon are received as information transmitting beacons will be described as an example. In order to receive each beacon, a predetermined information request signal is transmitted from the present device to an information output device arranged on the side of a road, and a beacon output from the information output device corresponding to the signal is transmitted. Description will be made assuming a case where reception is performed by this apparatus.

In this embodiment, an upper communication module 1 and a lower data module each having a truncated pyramid shape are shown.
2 in combination with the upper and lower stages.

The communication module 1 has a configuration related to communication of an optical beacon signal and a radio beacon signal, and has a transmitting / receiving unit and a signal processing unit. On the other hand, the data module 2 receives a signal received and processed by the communication module 1 and transmits an information included in the signal to a user, an image processing unit, an audio signal processing unit, and an RF converter. Data. Reference numerals 3 and 7 denote a light projecting lens for an optical beacon signal and a light receiving lens.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
It is assumed to be of a size that can be arranged at the position 50 on the dashboard without interfering with the driving operation. Similarly, if the beacon signal can be transmitted / received, the back position 51 of the back seat and the back position 52 of the side mirror are provided.
May be arranged.

Here, the size of the present embodiment depends on the specific performance of the information output device provided as an infrastructure. In particular, the strength of the output beacon signal, the necessity of the information request signal, and the like affect the specific configuration of the transmission / reception unit of the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an example of a shape that can be taken by the device of the present invention, and any shape may be used as long as a dead space that cannot be used by a user can be installed in a vehicle. .

The specific structure of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional structure taken along the line AA of FIG. 1 to show the internal structure of the communication module 1 and the data module 2, and FIG. 1 shows a configuration block.

The communication module 1 of this embodiment includes, as its constituent requirements, an optical signal transmitting / receiving unit 101 for transmitting / receiving an optical beacon signal, a radio signal transmitting / receiving unit 102 for transmitting / receiving a radio beacon signal, A switching unit 103 for switching the connection between the input and output from the external device 102 based on an external control signal; a signal processing unit 104 for receiving a signal output from the switching unit 103 and performing signal processing for extracting information; A microcomputer 105 for controlling the operation of each unit.

The data module 2 is a communication module 1
Processing unit 20 which receives a signal output from a digital camera and converts information contained therein into a voice signal and an image output signal.
1 and an image processing unit 202, a display / input / output unit 203 for displaying information based on these audio and image output signals or outputting information to the outside and receiving an external command, and converting these output signals. And normal TV
And an RF converter 204 that outputs an RF signal that can be received by the receiver. Here, the microcomputer 105
The operation of each unit included in this module is also controlled.

The optical signal transmitting / receiving section 101 is composed of a light receiving section and a light projecting section. However, if the optical beacon signal can be received, only the light receiving section may be used.

The light receiving section comprises a light receiving lens 3 and a light receiving element 4 comprising a photodiode for receiving an optical beacon.
And an amplification circuit 5 for amplifying a signal output from the light receiving element 4 and a demodulation circuit 6 for demodulating a received optical signal. The light projecting unit includes a light projecting lens 7 and a light emitting element 8 including a light emitting diode for transmitting an information request signal and the like.
A driving circuit 9 for emitting light from the light emitting element 8; and a modulation circuit 10 for modulating the optical signal in a predetermined manner so that the installed optical beacon output device can receive the information request signal.

The configuration described above is merely an example. For example, the light projecting unit may be provided separately from the communication module 1. Further, a photodiode and a light emitting diode are used as the light receiving element 4 and the light emitting element 8, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and other light receiving and emitting elements such as a CCD and a laser diode may be used.

Further, the light receiving portion and the light projecting portion are separated from each other in order to prevent mutual interference. However, as shown in FIG. 60, the light receiving element 4 and the light emitting element 8
(See FIG. 4A). FIG.
As shown in (b), a laser diode 11 used for a compact disk or the like and having a photodiode as a light receiving / emitting element disposed coaxially may be used. FIG.
If only one lens is used in such a configuration, the present apparatus can be further reduced in size.

Light receiving and projecting lenses 3, 7, and
The material 60 is made of glass or resin. Further, it may be formed integrally with the housing of the present apparatus. In addition, the lens shape of these lenses may be a flat lens such as a Fresnel lens in addition to a spherical lens, and may have a configuration having a filter function of blocking wavelengths other than the wavelength of light used for beacon communication.

The radio signal transmission / reception unit 102 comprises a reception unit and a transmission unit for transmitting / receiving a radio beacon, similarly to the optical signal transmission / reception unit 101. If a radio beacon can be received without outputting an information request signal, The receiving unit alone may be used.

The receiving section includes a receiving antenna for receiving a radio beacon, an amplifier circuit for amplifying a received signal, a down-converter, and a demodulation circuit for demodulating the received signal. On the other hand, the transmission unit includes a transmission antenna for transmitting an information request signal, a power amplification circuit for amplifying signal power for transmission, an up-converter, and a modulation circuit for modulating a signal by a predetermined method. I have.

The receiving antenna or the transmitting antenna may be arranged separately from the communication module 1 if necessary. The transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna may be the same antenna having resonance at the transmitting and receiving frequencies, and in this embodiment, the flat antenna 12 is formed of a microstrip in order to reduce the size.

The entire transmission / reception circuit 13 including the reception unit and the transmission unit excluding the antenna 12 is electromagnetically shielded using a metal case or the like in order to prevent radio wave interference or leakage.

The switching unit 103, as shown in FIG.
It is connected to the optical signal transmitting / receiving unit 101 and the radio signal transmitting / receiving unit 102 having the above configuration, and selects one of an optical beacon and a radio beacon as a signal for performing signal processing. In the present embodiment, the switching unit 103 is configured by an electronic switch.

The signal processing unit 104 is constituted by a logic circuit such as a gate array.
Synchronous detection of data contained in the signal received at 102,
The image processing unit 201 and the audio processing unit 2 of the data module 2 perform error correction, format conversion, rearrangement, and the like.
02 is output.

The microcomputer 105 controls the above-described units, monitors and checks the operation state, and the like.

According to the embodiment of the communication module 1 described above, since the two transmitting / receiving units 101 and 102, which are mostly constituted by analog circuits, are arranged in the same module, the size can be reduced. In addition, these transmission / reception units 10
The reference numerals 1 and 102 are arranged at a distance on the same substrate in order to prevent mutual signal interference, but they may be provided adjacent to each other if interference can be prevented. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 3, the communication module 1 is
The radio signal transmission / reception unit 102 may be divided into the remaining part, and the radio signal transmission / reception unit 102 and the data module 2 may be separately arranged in four modules.

Next, the data module 2 will be described.

In the data module 2, based on the data transmitted from the communication module 1, the image processing unit 201 and the audio processing unit 202 mount the image data and the audio data on a vehicle, for example. This is to generate data that can be displayed on a display device such as a TV receiver.

The image processing section 202 includes an image data processing circuit and an image generation circuit for generating image data based on data transferred from the communication module 1, and an image memory for storing data required for the image processing. Have.

The voice processing unit 201 includes a voice data processing circuit and a voice generation circuit for generating voice data based on data transferred from the communication module 1, and a voice memory for storing data necessary for voice processing. Have.

The generated image data and audio data are
An RF converter 204 via a display / input / output unit 203
Thus, the signal is converted into an RF signal which is a high-frequency signal in a VHF or UHF TV frequency band that can be received by the TV receiver. The display / input / output unit 203 outputs these data to an external device as needed.

The RF converter 204 includes an image / sound mixing circuit for mixing image data and audio data, a video signal generation circuit for generating a video signal corresponding to the data output from the mixing circuit, An RF signal generating circuit for generating an RF signal corresponding to a video signal, and an RF antenna 20 for transmitting the generated RF signal are provided.

Although a weak RF signal is emitted from the RF antenna 20, it may be directly output to the outside via a display / input / output unit 203 by a connector or the like. For example, a commercially available T
By outputting to the antenna input section of the V tuner, it is possible to view traffic information and the like in the same manner as a TV program. The video signal generation circuit may output video directly to the outside by a connector or the like. In addition, if there is a display device capable of optical communication such as infrared rays by an external device instead of transmitting by the RF antenna 20, a conversion unit for converting data into optical data is provided, and the data is output to the external device via the conversion unit. Is also good.

The display / input / output unit 203 may further include a controller 21 for selecting information or transmitting information as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the controller 21.

The controller 21 has a display 22 for displaying image data necessary for selecting and transmitting information.
And switches 23a and 23 for inputting selection from outside
b, 23c and 23d, and a microphone 2 capable of voice input
4 and a speaker 25 for listening to audio information.

This controller 21 can be a wire-remote controller or a wireless remote controller. The display 22 displays image information such as traffic information, and switches 23a, 23b, and 23.
Information is selected by any one of c and 23d, and audio information is output from the speaker 25. The microphone 24 inputs the voice of a driver, which is a user, to the apparatus, and selectively switches information by voice recognition.

According to this embodiment, the optical beacon transmission / reception unit 1
01, radio beacon transmission / reception unit 102, signal processing unit 10
4, audio processing unit 201, image processing unit 202, and R
Since the F-converter 204 is integrated, a beacon terminal device that can use both optical and radio beacons can be downsized. Furthermore, information can be obtained without having a dedicated display, and since it has a configuration having two modules of the communication module 1 and the data module 2, the configuration can be easily divided and used, and the navigation is mounted. It can be applied to cars and the like.

Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to arrange the inclined side surface of the truncated pyramid-shaped housing and the inner side surface of the inclined glass of the vehicle such as the windshield so as to be in contact with each other. Thus, when installing the present embodiment, the dead space is not created and the space inside the vehicle is not wasted. In addition, because of such a shape, the user can clearly see the vertical direction, and the stability when installed is high.

In the present embodiment, the communication module 1 and the data module 2 have been described as being integrated.
As shown in FIG. 6, the communication module 1 and the data module
It is also possible to divide and arrange the file 2. Further, the communication module 1 is used alone, and the conventional navigation module is used.
It may be configured to connect to an application device and enjoy information.

[0049]

According to the present invention, there is provided a beacon terminal device which can receive a plurality of types of beacons such as an optical beacon and a radio beacon, and which can be miniaturized by integrally providing a beacon signal receiving section. be able to.

Further, according to the present invention, a signal processing unit for inputting and outputting signals to and from a plurality of types of beacons is shared, and another display device mounted in the vehicle is used. The device was downsized, and as a result,
A beacon terminal device capable of reducing the space required for mounting the device can be provided.

[0051]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a top view showing the appearance of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a front view showing the appearance of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1C is a side view showing the appearance of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal structure in a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration block of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the configuration of the optical transmitting and receiving unit of the embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the configuration of the optical transmitting and receiving unit of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an example of the appearance of a remote controller that can be used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration in a case where a module is divided in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example of a mounting position according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication module, 2 ... Data module, 3 ... Light receiving lens, 4 ... Light receiving element, 5 ... Amplifying circuit, 6 ... Demodulation circuit, 7 ... Light emitting lens, 8 ... Light emitting element, 9 ... Drive circuit,
Reference Signs List 10: modulation circuit, 11: laser diode, 12: flat plate antenna, 13: radio wave transmission / reception circuit, 20: RF antenna, 101: optical signal transmission / reception unit, 102: radio signal transmission / reception unit, 103: switching unit, 104: signal processing unit , 105
... Microcomputer, 201 audio processing unit, 202 image processing unit, 203 display / input / output unit, 204 RF converter.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 9, 2001 (2001.4.9)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shiro Horii 2520 Kataida-shi, Ibaraki Pref.Hitachi, Ltd.Automotive Equipment Division (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Sakamoto 2520 Kataita-Kata-Oita, Ibaraki Hitachi, Ltd. In-vehicle equipment division (72) Inventor Yasunari Tanaka 2520 Kataida-shi, Ibaraki Oji-machi, Hitachi Incorporated (72) Inventor Toshio Nagashima 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Hitachi, Ltd. Inside the Video Media Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Hiroshi Hatashita 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Video Media Research Laboratory Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Junichi Takahashi 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Visual Media Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of optical beacon transmitting devices for transmitting information via an optical beacon signal and a radio beacon signal, and receiving a beacon signal from the plurality of radio beacon transmitting devices, respectively. In a beacon terminal device for obtaining information included in a signal, an optical receiving unit for receiving an optical beacon signal, a radio wave receiving unit for receiving a radio beacon signal, and receiving signals received by these two receiving units, A signal processing unit for obtaining information data included in the signal; a data conversion unit for converting the obtained information data to generate and output an output data signal to be output through an externally connected device; Unit, a radio wave receiving unit, a signal processing unit, and a data conversion unit, and at least one housing for accommodating the optical receiving unit and the radio wave receiving unit. Con terminal - bi characterized by. 2. The beacon terminal device according to claim 1, wherein at least one side surface of the housing is a slope. 3. The optical transmission device according to claim 2, further comprising: an optical transmission unit for transmitting an optical beacon signal, wherein the optical transmission unit includes a light emitting element for transmitting the optical beacon signal to the outside, and an optical system thereof. The light receiving unit has a light receiving element for receiving an optical beacon signal from the outside, and an optical system thereof, and an optical system of a light transmitting unit, and an optical system of the light receiving unit,
A beacon terminal device disposed on the same surface side of the housing. 4. An optical system according to claim 3, wherein the optical system of the transmitting unit and the optical system of the receiving unit are one optical system and are used for both emission and reception of an optical beacon signal. A beacon terminal device, wherein an element is integrally disposed so as to be optically connected to the optical system. 5. The radio wave beacon signal according to claim 2, further comprising a radio wave transmission unit for transmitting a radio wave beacon signal, wherein the radio wave transmission unit has an antenna for transmitting the radio wave beacon signal to the outside. A beacon terminal device using the antenna to receive a radio wave beacon signal from the terminal. 6. The optical reception unit according to claim 2, wherein the optical reception unit has an optical demodulation unit that demodulates the received optical beacon signal and outputs a reception signal in a predetermined signal format. The radio wave beacon signal received is demodulated, and has a radio wave demodulation unit that outputs a reception signal in the same format as the signal format in the reception unit of the optical transmission / reception unit.The signal processing unit is output from both demodulation units. A beacon terminal device having one signal processing circuit for receiving each of these received signals and outputting information data formed in a predetermined format. 7. The beacon terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the data conversion unit has an RF converter that modulates the information data into a radio signal in a TV radio frequency band and outputs the radio frequency signal. 8. The beacon terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the data conversion unit has an optical conversion unit that converts the information data into an optical signal and outputs the optical signal. 9. The beacon terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the casing has a truncated pyramid shape, and both optical systems of the light receiving unit and the light transmitting unit are provided on an upper surface. .