JP2004106665A - Equipment connection system and vehicle-mounted equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily connect digital vehicle-mounted equipment and external digital equipment. <P>SOLUTION: An IEEE1394 connection port 11a is provided near an operation section 11e in a digital monitor 11 that is installed in an instrument panel 20b in a plurality of vehicle-mounted equipment. An external DV camera 16 makes connection to the connection port 11a via an IEEE1394 connection cable 17, and mutually transmits digital data with a network including a digital monitor 11, an audio apparatus 12, a navigation apparatus 13, and a DVD apparatus 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device connection system for bringing an external device into a vehicle and connecting the device to an on-vehicle device, and particularly to an improvement in connectivity of an external digital device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a device connection system that allows an external electric device such as a video camera to be connected to an in-vehicle device. In such a system, such a system is provided around a dashboard in a vehicle or around a center console. External electrical devices are often connected through connection ports.
[0003]
FIG. 5 shows a conventional connection port 2, which is independently provided below a dashboard 3 a of an instrument panel 3 in the vehicle 1. The connection port 2 corresponds to the input of analog data, and has a left audio input terminal 2a, a right audio input terminal 2b, and a video input terminal 2c in order from the left.
[0004]
The connection port 2 is connected to an analog monitor 4 mounted on the upper center of the instrument panel 3 and an audio device 5 mounted on the center console 3b by a wire harness (not shown) inside the instrument panel 3. Have been. The audio device 5 is connected to a speaker 6 provided in a lining of a door of the vehicle 1.
[0005]
For example, an analog video camera is connected to the connection port 2 as an external device with left and right audio connection cables and video connection cables, and audio and video data are output from the analog video camera. Is displayed, and a sound is output from the speaker 6. Note that the connection port 2 can be connected to an electric device such as a game device that outputs analog data in addition to the analog video camera.
[0006]
On the other hand, a digital device such as a DV (digital video) camera 7 that outputs digital data can also perform analog output, but a digital device that does not have a terminal for analog connection is directly connected to the connection port 2. can not connect. Therefore, in order to connect such digital equipment, as shown in FIG. 5, a port replicator 8 having a terminal for analog connection is interposed, and three connection cables 9a to 9c for left and right audio and video are connected. To connect the port replicator 8 and the connection port 2. A system for connecting various on-vehicle devices is also disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP, 2002-152244, A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the conventional connection port 2 is provided separately and independently from the on-board equipment such as the analog monitor 4 and the audio device 5, it is necessary to manufacture the connection port 2 in a single form, A process such as mounting and connection with each in-vehicle device is required, and there is a problem that the cost related to the connection port 2 is large. In addition, since the connection port 2 is often attached to an inconspicuous portion of the instrument panel 3 such as below the dashboard 3a, when connecting an external device to the connection port 2, the occupant of the vehicle needs to be connected to the upper side. There is a problem that the connection work must be performed with the body bent, and the connection workability is not good.
[0009]
Furthermore, since the connection port 2 supports only the input of data from an external device, it cannot support a mode in which the data of the in-vehicle device is output to the external device. There is a problem that cannot be shared with other devices. Further, when an external digital device does not have a terminal for analog connection in the main body, it is necessary to intervene a device such as a port replicator, so that there is a problem that connection is troublesome.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by digitizing an in-vehicle device and directly providing a connection port corresponding to digital data in one of the in-vehicle devices, the cost related to the connection port is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device connection system and an in-vehicle device capable of reducing and reducing the number of external digital devices.
In addition, the present invention provides a device connection with an improved usability of data between a vehicle-mounted device and an external device by enabling a connection port to output (transmit) data in addition to data input (reception). It is intended to provide a system and an in-vehicle device.
[0011]
Furthermore, the present invention enables conversion of data according to a different connection standard when connecting an external digital device, so that both data can be converted regardless of the connection standard of the vehicle-mounted device and the connection standard of the external device. An object of the present invention is to provide a device connection system and a vehicle-mounted device that can smoothly connect digital devices.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An apparatus connection system according to a first aspect of the present invention is an apparatus connection system in which a connection port for connecting an external apparatus to a network including a plurality of in-vehicle apparatuses is provided, wherein at least one of the plurality of in-vehicle apparatuses is a vehicle. It is mounted so as to be exposed in a room, and the connection port corresponds to transmission and / or reception of digital data, and is provided at a location where the in-vehicle device is exposed to the vehicle compartment. And
[0013]
In the device connection system according to the second invention, the connection port is connected based on a first connection standard, the plurality of vehicle-mounted devices are connected based on a second connection standard, and the connection port is provided. The in-vehicle device converts the data according to the first connection standard into the data according to the second connection standard, and / or converts the data according to the second connection standard into data according to the first connection standard. And converting means for converting the data into converted data.
[0014]
An in-vehicle device according to a third aspect of the present invention is provided with an operation unit, and in an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle for transmitting and / or receiving digital data, a device connection is provided at a location where the operation unit is provided Is provided.
[0015]
In the in-vehicle device according to a fourth aspect, the connection port is configured to make a connection based on a first connection standard, and a connection portion that connects the device based on a second connection standard, and a connection portion that complies with the first connection standard. Converting means for converting data into data according to the second connection standard and / or converting data according to the second connection standard into data according to the first connection standard. Features.
[0016]
In the first invention and the third invention, since the connection port corresponding to the transmission of digital data is provided in the digital in-vehicle device included in the network formed in the vehicle, the digital external device can be directly connected. Can be connected to in-vehicle equipment. Further, since the connection port is provided at the exposed portion of the vehicle-mounted device mounted so as to be exposed in the vehicle compartment, it is possible to easily connect the external device.
[0017]
Note that the on-vehicle devices displayed in the vehicle compartment include audio devices and monitors installed on the instrument panel of the vehicle. By providing a connection port near the operation unit including the operation switches and buttons of the in-vehicle device, the occupant of the vehicle connects the external device in the same posture as when operating the operation switches and buttons. Thus, the burden on the occupant for connecting the external device can be reduced, and the connectivity can be improved.
[0018]
Further, since the connection port is provided in the vehicle-mounted device, the connection port is integrated with the vehicle-mounted device, so that the manufacturing process and the mounting process of a single connection port are eliminated, and the cost related to the connection port can be reduced. Further, when the connection port supports transmission and reception of digital data, data can be used mutually between the vehicle-mounted device and the external device, and the data of each device can be used effectively.
[0019]
In the second invention and the fourth invention, even when the connection standard of the connection port is different from the connection standard relating to the connection between the in-vehicle devices, the in-vehicle device having the connection port is provided with the conversion unit, so that different connection standards are used. Devices outside of the standard can be connected to the connection port without being aware of the difference in the connection standard.
[0020]
As connection standards, there are USB (Universal Serial Bus) of serial interface and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.) 1394 and the like. Therefore, for example, USB is applied as the first connection standard of the connection port, and IEEE1394 is applied as the second connection standard for connecting the in-vehicle devices, and the conversion unit converts the data corresponding to the USB and the data corresponding to the IEEE1394. By doing so, data can be used between the devices.
[0021]
Note that the size of the packet of the data to be transmitted, the configuration of the packet, the header information inside the packet, and the like are different between different connection standards. A process is performed to convert from one according to the connection standard to one according to the other connection standard.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments.
FIG. 1 shows a device connection system 10 built in a vehicle 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The device connection system 10 connects a digital monitor 11, an audio device 12, a navigation device 13, and a DVD device 14, which are digital in-vehicle devices, with communication cables 15a to 15c to form a network 15, and a connection port to the digital monitor 11. 11a is provided so that a DV camera 16 which is an external digital device can be connected.
[0023]
The network 15 of the present embodiment uses IEEE1394 as a connection standard for in-vehicle devices, and accordingly, each of the in-vehicle devices 11 to 14 is provided with a connection unit 11b to 14a corresponding to the IEEE1394 connection standard. An IEEE 1394 network 15 is constructed by sequentially connecting the communication cables 15a to 15c to these connection units 11b to 14a in a daisy chain system.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, the digital monitor 11 included in the network 15 is installed in the upper part of the center of the instrument panel 20b in the cabin 20a of the vehicle 20. The digital monitor 11 is installed in this manner, and is exposed in the passenger compartment 20a. An operation unit 11e including a screen, operation switches 11c, operation buttons 11d, and the like is provided on a surface on the side opposite to the driver's seat and the passenger seat. Is provided to enable operation in a natural posture from the driver's seat or the passenger seat.
[0025]
Further, the digital monitor 11 is provided with a connection port 11a below the operation unit 11e, which is a location easily accessible from the driver's seat and the passenger seat. The connection port 11a corresponds to transmission and reception of digital data, and is formed in an IEEE1394 female terminal shape. Since the IEEE 1394 uses packets for data transmission, data packets are transmitted and received at the connection port 11a.
FIG. 3 shows an internal configuration of a portion mainly related to transmission and reception of data of the digital monitor 11. The connection port 11a and the connection unit 11b are connected to a 1394 file (PHY) LSI 11f that transmits and receives packets, and transmission and reception of the 1394 file LSI 11f are controlled by a 1394 link control LSI 11g. The packet includes destination information of the data, and the 1394 link control LSI 11g detects the destination information and determines acquisition or discard of the received packet.
[0027]
The CPU 11h connected to the 1394 link control LSI 11g performs various controls so as to display the acquired packet data on the screen, and the ROM 11i stores programs for various controls of the CPU 11h. The RAM 11j temporarily stores data and files related to control.
[0028]
Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the audio device 12 and the DVD device 14 are respectively installed with an operation unit exposed on a center console 20c, and the navigation device 13 which does not normally perform an operation is provided with an instrument panel 20b. In the glove box 20d.
[0029]
On the other hand, the DV camera 16, which is an external device, has an IEEE1394 connection terminal 16a corresponding to transmission of digital data of a captured image and reception of digital image data. Therefore, by connecting one terminal 17a of the connection cable 17 of the IEEE1394 6-pin specification to the connection terminal 16a of the DV camera 16 and connecting the other terminal 17b to the connection port 11a of the digital monitor 11, the DV camera 16 Are connected to the network 15.
[0030]
In the IEEE 1394 network 15, one of the in-vehicle devices 11 to 14 functions as an IRM (Isochronous Resource Manager) that manages resources of the network 15. Therefore, by connecting the terminal 17b of the connection cable 17 to the connection port 11a as described above, the digital device functioning as an IRM recognizes the connection of the DV camera 16 to the network 15, and Make an assignment. After the band is allocated as described above, data transmission between the DV camera 16 and each of the in-vehicle devices 11 to 14 becomes possible.
[0031]
Specifically, the image data of the DV camera 16 can be transmitted and displayed on the digital monitor 11, and the DVD image data can be transmitted from the DVD device 14 and recorded on the DV tape of the DV camera 16. Become. Further, since the connection cable 17 of the 6-pin specification can supply power, the power supplied to the network 15 is supplied via the connection cable 17 to charge the battery mounted on the DV camera 16. Can be.
[0032]
When the connection cable 17 is connected to the connection port 11a of the digital monitor 11 as described above, since the connection port 11a is located at a position easily accessible from both the driver's seat and the passenger seat, the operation is the same as the operation for the digital monitor 11. The connection work can be performed in a comfortable posture.
[0033]
The device connection system according to the first embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in-vehicle devices provided with connection ports for connecting external devices are shown in FIG. It may be provided near the operation unit of the audio device 12 or the DVD device 14 installed on the center console 20c. Further, when the types of in-vehicle devices included in the network 15 and the external devices to be connected are limited, the connection port 11a is made to correspond to only one of transmission and reception without making it correspond to both transmission and reception. You may.
[0034]
Further, external devices connected to the connection port include, in addition to the DV camera 16, a digital camera having an IEEE1394 connection terminal, a printer, a storage device such as a hard disk, a CD device, an MD device, a tape playback device, A memory medium reproducing device, a game device, a portable information device such as a PDA, a personal computer, a mobile phone, and the like can be applied.
[0035]
FIG. 4 shows components related to conversion of transmission data in a digital monitor 21 which is an in-vehicle device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The overall connection configuration of the device connection system using the digital monitor 21 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but the connection standard for the connection port is different from that of the first embodiment. . That is, in the second embodiment, the connection ports are connected by USB as the first connection standard, and the portion relating to the connection between the in-vehicle devices is the same as the first embodiment as the second connection standard. IEEE 1394 is applied.
[0036]
The external digital device has a USB connection port so that it can be connected according to the USB standard. A USB connection cable is used to connect the external digital device and the digital monitor 21 to the USB connection side. 21a is connected.
[0037]
The digital monitor 21 is a USB PHY (PHY) LSI 22 for transmitting and receiving USB standard data packets via a USB standard female terminal-shaped connection port 21a for connecting an external digital device, and controlling the transmission and reception of USB standard packets. And a conversion IC 24 serving as a conversion unit is connected to the USB termination control LSI 23. The conversion IC 24 is connected to a RAM 27 for temporarily recording a packet related to the conversion process, and a ROM 28 storing a program related to the process of the conversion IC 24, a table related to the conversion, and the like.
[0038]
On the other hand, the IEEE 1394 connection side for connecting the in-vehicle device controls the transmission and reception of IEEE 1394 standard data packets via the IEEE 1394 connection unit 21b. A 1394 link control LSI 25 is provided. The 1394 link control LSI 25 is connected to the above-described conversion IC 24.
[0039]
The conversion IC 24 performs a mutual conversion process between USB standard data and IEEE 1394 standard data for each standard packet. When the conversion IC 24 receives the USB standard packet, the received data packet is temporarily set to a state in which all elements related to the USB standard are removed, and then the data packet from which the element is removed is stored in a table stored in the ROM 28. Based on the IEEE 1394 standard, the data is converted into a data packet. The data packet thus converted is transmitted from the 1394 file LSI 26 via the connection unit 21b under the control of the 1394 link control LSI 25.
[0040]
On the other hand, a packet of IEEE 1394 standard data is also converted by the conversion IC 24 in the same manner as described above. That is, the IEEE 1394 standard data packet received by the conversion IC 24 through the connection unit 21b is in a state where all the IEEE 1394 standard elements are removed, and then converted to a USB standard data packet based on the table. The converted data packet is transmitted from the USB file LSI 22 via the connection port 21a under the control of the USB termination control LSI 23.
[0041]
By performing such conversion, the digital monitor 21 can connect an external digital device having a USB standard connection terminal to the IEEE 1394 network to perform mutual use of data. Properties can be further improved.
[0042]
In the second embodiment, the configuration other than the above-described portions is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description is omitted. Also, in the second embodiment, a modification similar to the first embodiment can be applied. When the data transmission direction is one-way between the network and the external device, the conversion IC 24 A configuration corresponding to only the conversion process that matches the above may be adopted. Further, various external devices described in the first embodiment can also be connected to the in-vehicle digital device according to the second embodiment by providing a USB connection terminal.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, in the first invention and the third invention, since the connection port is provided in the digital in-vehicle device, there is no need to provide a separate connection port, and the cost related to the connection port is reduced. In addition, the connection of external digital devices can be facilitated, and data can be effectively used between the devices by enabling the connection port to transmit and receive. In the second invention and the fourth invention, when the connection standard of the connection port and the connection standard of the in-vehicle devices are different, the in-vehicle device having the connection port converts data according to each connection standard. External devices having different standards can also be connected, and the connectivity to external devices can be further increased to improve the applicability of the system.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a device connection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an in-vehicle instrument panel showing a connection state of a digital monitor and a DV camera.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a digital monitor.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a digital monitor according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an in-vehicle instrument panel showing a connection state of a conventional DV camera.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 Device connection system 11, 21 Digital monitor 11a, 21a Connection port 11b, 21b Connection unit 12 Audio device 13 Navigation device 14 DVD device 15 Network 15a to 15c Communication cable 16 DV camera 16a Connection terminal 17 Connection cable 20 Vehicle 24 Conversion IC

Claims (4)

In a device connection system provided with a connection port for connecting an external device to a network including a plurality of in-vehicle devices,
At least one of the plurality of in-vehicle devices is mounted so as to be displayed in a passenger compartment,
The connection port is
A device connection system that supports transmission and / or reception of digital data, and is provided at a location where the vehicle-mounted device is exposed to a vehicle compartment. The connection port is configured to make a connection based on a first connection standard, the plurality of in-vehicle devices are connected based on a second connection standard,
The in-vehicle device provided with the connection port,
The conversion from the data according to the first connection standard to the data according to the second connection standard, and / or the conversion from the data according to the second connection standard to the data according to the first connection standard. The device connection system according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion unit that performs the conversion. An operation unit is provided, and in-vehicle equipment for mounting on a vehicle that transmits and / or receives digital data,
A vehicle-mounted device, wherein a connection port for device connection is provided at a location where the operation unit is provided. The connection port is configured to perform connection based on a first connection standard,
A connection unit for connecting devices based on a second connection standard;
The conversion from the data according to the first connection standard to the data according to the second connection standard, and / or the conversion from the data according to the second connection standard to the data according to the first connection standard. The in-vehicle device according to claim 3, further comprising a conversion unit that performs the conversion.

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