JP2004217171A - Remote control device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control device for a vehicle capable of restricting complicated functional operation by a driver by a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: A remote controller 2 having various menu switches 5 and joy sticks 4 to transmit a control signal to equipment to be an operational objective by radiocommunication and provided with a connector 6 for electric connection and a storage part 7 mounted in the neighborhood of an assistant driver's seat or a rear seat and provided with a connector 8 free to be electrically connected to the connector 6 are provided. The remote controller 2 changes a function to operate the equipment to be the operational objective in accordance with the connecting state of the connector 6 and the connector 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle remote control for remotely controlling a device mounted on a vehicle, such as a navigation device, and particularly to a technique for improving operability.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A device such as a navigation device mounted on a vehicle may involve a complicated input operation, and in such a case, a driver may look into an operation screen during operation. Therefore, conventionally, there has been proposed an operation device which limits an operation function so that only a simple operation can be performed while the vehicle is running, and can switch to a normal operation function when the vehicle is stopped. By using such a device, a complicated operation is restricted while the vehicle is running, so that it is possible to avoid a problem that the driver looks at the operation screen.
[0003]
However, when such a conventional method is used, there is a problem that an occupant other than the driver is restricted in the operation functions, despite the fact that a complicated operation is possible.
[0004]
Then, in order to solve such a problem, the one described in JP-A-2001-310683 (hereinafter, referred to as Patent Document 1) has been proposed. In Patent Document 1, a remote control device and a receiver for remote control are provided on both the driver's seat side and the passenger's seat side. With the remote controller, complicated operations cannot be performed.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-310683 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in Patent Document 1 described above, since two remote control devices and two receivers are required, there is a problem that the device configuration is enlarged and the cost is increased.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle having a simple configuration and capable of restricting a complicated function operation by a driver. A remote control device is provided.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vehicle remote control device for remotely controlling a device mounted on a vehicle, the control device having various operators and transmitting a control signal to a device to be operated by wireless communication. In addition, a remote controller with a movable connector for electrical connection, and a connection terminal unit having a fixed connector that is attached near a passenger seat or a rear seat and can be electrically connected to the movable connector, And the remote control device changes a function of operating the device to be operated in accordance with a connection state between the moving-side connector and the fixed-side connector.
[0009]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when the remote control device is removed from the connection terminal portion while the vehicle is running, the operation functions when operating the device are limited, so that the driver concentrates on the remote control operation for a long time. That trouble can be avoided. In addition, when the remote controller is connected to the connection terminal, all functions can be operated even while the vehicle is running, so that operability can be improved.
[0010]
Furthermore, unlike the related art, there is no need to mount two remote control devices and two receivers, so that the device scale can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall layout diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle remote control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle remote control device 1 includes a remote control device 2 for driving various devices mounted on the vehicle by a driver or other occupants by remote control, and a door trim on a passenger seat side. 3 and a storage section (connection terminal section) 7 for storing the remote controller 2.
[0012]
2A is a front side perspective view of the remote controller 2, FIG. 2B is a rear side perspective view, and FIG. 3 schematically shows various operators mounted on the front side. FIG. As shown in the figure, the remote controller 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and on the front side, menu switches (operators) such as "navigation menu", "information", "audio", and "air conditioner". 5 and a joystick (operator) 4 are provided.
[0013]
By appropriately operating the menu switch 5 and the joystick 4, a control signal is transmitted to a receiver provided on the vehicle instrument panel (installation panel) to operate various devices (devices to be operated). Can be done.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 2B, a connector (moving connector) 6 is attached to the rear surface of the remote controller 2.
[0015]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the remote controller 2 is stored in the storage section 7 provided in the door trim 3 on the passenger seat side. As shown in the figure, the storage section 7 is formed in a groove shape capable of storing the remote controller 2, and the bottom of the storage section 7 is connected to the connector 6 provided in the remote controller 2. (Fixed-side connector) 8 is provided for electrical connection.
[0016]
When the remote controller 2 is stored in the storage section 7, the connector 6 and the connector 8 are connected, and these are electrically connected. The connector 8 is electrically connected to various devices (devices to be operated) mounted on the vehicle via electric wires.
[0017]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of the vehicle remote control device 1. As illustrated, the remote controller 2 outputs a control signal to a device such as the navigation unit 9 by wireless communication. Further, when the remote controller 2 is stored in the storage section 7 and the connector 6 and the connector 8 are connected, the remote controller 2 outputs a control signal to the navigation unit 9 via the electric wire 11. . Further, an “ACC” line and a “GND” line are connected to the storage unit 7, and when the remote controller 2 is stored in the storage unit 7, a charging voltage is supplied to the remote controller 2. It is supposed to be.
[0018]
The remote control device 2 is set to have different operation functions when the vehicle is running and when the vehicle is stopped. That is, the operation function is changed according to the speed signal given from the speed sensor mounted on the vehicle.
[0019]
Specifically, when the vehicle is running, the operation function of the remote controller 2 is restricted to prevent the driver from concentrating on the remote controller operation for a long time, and all operations can be performed when the vehicle is stopped. Thus, the operating function is changed.
[0020]
Further, the remote controller 2 is set to have different operation functions when the two connectors 6 and 8 are not connected and when they are connected. That is, when the two connectors 6 and 8 are not connected, the operation function of the remote controller 2 is restricted to some extent, and a complicated operation cannot be performed (first operation function). At this time, the transmission of the control signal between the remote controller 2 and the device to be operated (the navigation unit 9) is performed by a wireless signal.
[0021]
When the two connectors 6 and 8 are connected, the operation functions of the remote controller 2 are not limited, and all functions including complicated operations can be operated (second operation). Operation function). That is, the same operation as when the vehicle is stopped can be performed. At this time, the transmission of the control signal between the remote controller 2 and the device to be operated is performed by wired communication via the electric wire 11.
[0022]
Next, the operation of the vehicle remote control device 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. Now, when the driver of the vehicle operates the navigation unit 9 using the remote control device 2, the remote control device 2 is removed from the storage section 7, and the two connectors 6, 8 are connected. Therefore, the operation functions of various devices by the remote controller 2 are limited. Therefore, it is not possible to perform a complicated operation, for example, an operation of correcting a destination during traveling.
[0023]
Further, when the remote controller 2 is stored in a storage portion 7 provided in the door trim 3 on the passenger seat side, and when the connector 6 and the connector 8 are connected, an occupant sitting in the passenger seat can perform remote control operation. When the device 2 is operated, all operation functions are valid, so that a complicated operation can be performed. In this case, the driver cannot operate the remote controller 2 (since the remote controller 2 cannot be reached), so that the driver cannot perform complicated operations.
[0024]
In this way, the driver who is driving the vehicle is restricted from performing complicated operations, and the passenger in the passenger seat can perform all operations including the complicated operations.
[0025]
Thus, in the vehicle remote control device 1 according to the present embodiment, when the remote controller 2 is stored in the storage unit 7 (when the connectors 6 and 8 are connected), it is not stored. In the case (when the connectors 6 and 8 are not connected), the operation function of the remote controller 2 is changed, so that the driver concentrates on the operation of the remote controller 2 for a long time while the vehicle is running. That can be prevented.
[0026]
In addition, since the occupant sitting in the passenger seat can perform all operations, it is possible to perform complicated operations even while the vehicle is running, and operability can be significantly improved. Therefore, for example, when the driver is restricted from performing complicated remote control operations while driving, when he wants to change the destination by navigation, or when he cannot find a place to stop the vehicle due to heavy traffic, or In the case where the vehicle cannot be stopped while traveling on a highway, the driver hands the remote control 2 to the passenger in the passenger seat, and the driver stores the remote control 2 in the storage unit 7. Thus, complicated operations can be performed (the effects of claims 1, 2, 3, and 6).
[0027]
Further, when the connector 6 and the connector 8 are connected, a signal for notifying the connection is transmitted to the operation target device such as the navigation unit 9, and an indicator (not shown) indicating this is lit on the receiving side. I do. Therefore, the driver can recognize whether or not a complicated operation is currently possible (the effect of claim 4).
[0028]
Further, in the present embodiment, the two connectors 6 and 8 can be connected in a state where the remote controller 2 is stored in the storage portion 7 formed in the door trim 3, so that the storage property is good. Effect).
[0029]
Further, since the vehicle remote control device 1 according to the present embodiment does not use two remote control devices and two receivers as in the related art, the device scale can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.
[0030]
As described above, the vehicle remote control device 1 of the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of each unit is an arbitrary configuration having the same function. Can be replaced by
[0031]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the storage portion 7 is provided in the door trim 3 on the passenger seat side, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided behind the center console. According to such a configuration, not only the occupant in the front passenger seat but also the occupant sitting in the rear seat can operate (the effect of claim 7).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of a vehicle remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating a configuration of a remote controller, in which FIG. 2A illustrates a front side and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state of an operator on a surface of a remote controller.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where a remote controller is attached to a storage unit.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle remote control device according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Remote control device for vehicles 2 Remote control device 3 Door trim 4 Joystick (operator)
5 Menu switch (operator)
6. Connector (moving side connector)
7 Storage section (connection terminal section)
8 Connector (fixed side connector)
9 Navigation unit 11 Electric wire

Claims (7)

In a vehicle remote control device for remotely controlling a device mounted on a vehicle,
A remote controller having various controls, transmitting a control signal to a device to be operated by wireless communication, and having a movable connector for electrical connection;
A connection terminal unit having a fixed side connector that is attached near the passenger seat or the rear seat and that can be electrically connected to the moving side connector,
The remote control device for a vehicle, wherein the remote control device changes a function of operating the device to be operated according to a connection state between the movable connector and the fixed connector. In a vehicle remote control device for remotely controlling a device mounted on a vehicle,
A remote controller having various controls, transmitting a control signal to a device to be operated by wireless communication, and having a movable connector for electrical connection;
A connection terminal unit having a fixed side connector that is attached near the passenger seat or the rear seat and that can be electrically connected to the moving side connector,
The remote control device transmits a control signal to the device to be operated with a first operation function when the movable connector and the fixed connector are not connected,
When the moving-side connector and the fixed-side connector are connected, transmitting a control signal to the device to be operated with a second operation function having more functions than the first operation function. A remote control device for vehicles. The connection terminal unit is connected to the device to be operated by an electric wire, and the remote controller transmits a control signal by wireless communication when the movable connector and the fixed connector are not connected. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when the movable connector and the fixed connector are connected, a control signal is transmitted via the electric wire. Remote control device. 4. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein a signal indicating a connection state between the movable connector and the fixed connector is transmitted to the device to be operated. 5. The remote control device for a vehicle according to claim 1. The remote control device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal portion includes a storage groove for storing the remote controller. The remote control device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the storage groove is provided in a door trim on a passenger seat side. The vehicle remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the storage groove is provided near a center console of the vehicle.

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