JP2005192166A - Communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication apparatus which can process a plurality of communication systems in parallel with a simple configuration and further can improve the efficiency of communication. <P>SOLUTION: Software-configurable three modulation/demodulation sections 21-23 are assigned to four different communication schemes of a GPS receiving section 11, an ETC transmitting/receiving section 12, a VICS receiving section 13 and a LAN transmitting/receiving section 14. In such a case, communication schemes to be assigned to the modulation/demodulation sections 21-23 are determined based on information resulting from assigning any one of the modulation/demodulation sections 21-23 for monitoring to sequentially demodulate GPS communication, ETC communication, VICS communication and LAN communication, specifying a traveling road by a traveling location acquisition section 33 and acquiring a vehicle speed by a vehicle speed acquisition section 34, thereby realizing efficient communication corresponding to a vehicle state, a communication state and the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device that uses a plurality of communication methods, and more particularly to a low-cost and compact in-vehicle communication device that has a simple configuration.

  In recent years, with the diversification of communication methods, various different modulation methods are used. When receiving and demodulating information modulated by different methods, it is necessary to use a demodulation method corresponding to each modulation method. However, when multiple communication methods are used in a single device, each modulation method is used. On the other hand, if a dedicated demodulator is provided, the configuration of the apparatus becomes complicated and large, and the cost increases. In addition, since the outputs of multiple demodulators are connected to the decoder, it is necessary to increase the impedance of the demodulator output to attenuate switching transients and similar anomalies, and cross modulation between different demodulators can be avoided. Need to be lost.

  For this reason, the universal modem disclosed in Patent Document 1 employs a software configurable modulator / demodulator adapted to various modulation schemes, so that a plurality of different modulations can be achieved without increasing the number of demodulators and modulators. Communication using the method is realized.

JP-A-10-243409

  By the way, if a plurality of modulation schemes are switched and used as in the above-described prior art, it is important to which modulation scheme a software configurable modulator / demodulator is allocated to which modulation scheme.

  For example, in-vehicle communication devices are equipped with communication functions such as GPS (Global Positioning System), ETC (Electronic Toll Collection), VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System), and LAN (Local Area Network). Each of these modulation schemes is different, but each communication needs to be executable in parallel.

  This is because if the user uses information such as music or video immediately, the communication used simultaneously may be one system, but acquisition of location information by GPS, navigation processing, toll payment for toll roads by ETC, etc. This is because it may be necessary in parallel with other communications.

  In addition, for music and moving images, a user may use a plurality of communication methods in parallel, such as recording information obtained by another communication method while viewing one communication.

  On the other hand, position information obtained by GPS communication is less necessary when the vehicle is stopped, and ETC communication is less necessary if the vehicle is not traveling on a toll road. Therefore, it is desirable to suppress the use of a shared modulator / demodulator and improve the communication efficiency in other communication systems for such a low communication system.

  However, the conventional technique has a problem that a plurality of communication methods cannot be performed in parallel because a plurality of communication methods share a single modulator / demodulator. In addition, since the need for communication cannot be automatically taken into account, the modulation scheme that the modulator / demodulator performs is left to the user's decision or based on preset priorities. There was a problem that communication efficiency was lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art and to solve the problems, and provides a communication apparatus that realizes parallel processing of a plurality of communication methods and further improves communication efficiency. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the communication device according to the invention of claim 1 executes a plurality of communication means using different modulation schemes and at least one of modulation and demodulation, And two or more modulation / demodulation means less than the number of communication means capable of changing the method used for modulation and / or demodulation, and assigning means for assigning the method to be used for each of the modulation / demodulation means It is characterized by.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the communication apparatus includes a plurality of communication units using different modulation schemes, executes at least one of modulation and demodulation, and uses the modulation and / or demodulation. Two or more modulation / demodulation means less than the number of communication means that can change the system are assigned to the communication means and used.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the first aspect, one of the modulation / demodulation means is a monitor demodulation means for sequentially demodulating reception results from the plurality of communication means, and the assigning means. Is characterized in that, based on the demodulation result by the monitoring demodulating means, the allocation of the scheme used by the modulation / demodulation means other than the monitoring demodulating means is determined.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the communication device allocates one of the plurality of modulation / demodulation means for monitoring, sequentially demodulates the reception results by the plurality of communication means, and sends the other communication means based on the monitoring result. Determine the communication method to be assigned.

  Further, the communication device according to the invention of claim 3 further comprises speed acquisition means for acquiring speed information of the mobile body when mounted on the mobile body in the invention of claim 1 or 2, wherein the assigning means Is characterized in that a method to be allocated to the modulation / demodulation means is determined based on speed information acquired by the speed acquisition means.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the communication device acquires the moving speed when mounted on the moving body, and determines a method to be assigned to the modulation / demodulation means based on the acquired moving speed.

  Further, the communication device according to the invention of claim 4 further comprises a position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the mobile body when mounted on the mobile body in the invention of claim 1, 2 or 3, The assigning means determines a method to assign to the modulation / demodulation means based on the position information obtained by the position information obtaining means.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the communication apparatus acquires the position information when mounted on the mobile body, and determines a method to be assigned to the modulation / demodulation means based on the acquired position information.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the position information acquisition unit acquires the position information using any one of the plurality of communication units.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the communication apparatus acquires the position information of the moving body using any one of the plurality of communication means, and determines a method to be assigned to the modulation / demodulation means based on the acquired position information.

  The communication device according to a sixth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the communication means used by the position information acquiring means is a GPS receiving means.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the communication device is a vehicle-mounted communication device that acquires position information of the vehicle by GPS communication and determines a method to be assigned to the modulation / demodulation means based on the acquired position information.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the fourth, fifth or sixth aspect of the invention, the moving body is a vehicle, and the assigning means is based on the position information acquired by the position information acquiring means. Then, a traveling road on which the vehicle travels is identified, and a system to be assigned to the modulation / demodulation means is determined based on the identified traveling road.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the communication device acquires a position information when mounted on a vehicle, specifies a traveling road from the acquired position information, and assigns the method to the modulation / demodulation means based on the identified traveling road. decide.

  A communication apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a communication apparatus having a plurality of communication means using different modulation schemes, which performs at least one of modulation and demodulation, and Alternatively, a modulation / demodulation means capable of changing the method used for demodulation, a monitoring means for monitoring the necessity of use of the plurality of communication means, and a method used by the modulation / demodulation means are determined based on the monitoring result by the monitoring means. And a method determining means.

  According to the invention of claim 8, the communication apparatus includes a plurality of communication means using different modulation schemes, monitors the necessity of use of the plurality of communication means, and uses the modulation / demodulation means as the communication means based on the monitoring result. Assign to and use.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the monitoring means includes a monitoring demodulation means for sequentially demodulating reception results from the plurality of communication means, and the method determining means is The method used by the modulation / demodulation means is determined based on the demodulation result of the monitor demodulation means.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the communication apparatus monitors the necessity of use of the communication means by the monitor demodulation means for sequentially demodulating the reception results by the plurality of communication means, and monitors the monitoring result, that is, the monitor by the monitor demodulation means. Based on the result, assignment of modulation / demodulation means to communication means is determined.

  When the communication device according to the invention of claim 10 is mounted on a mobile object in the invention of claim 8 or 9, the monitoring means has a speed acquisition means for acquiring speed information of the mobile object. The method determining means determines the method used by the modulation / demodulation means based on the speed information.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the communication device is mounted on a mobile body, the communication speed is monitored, and the assignment of the modulation / demodulation means to the communication means is determined based on the monitoring result, that is, the movement speed.

  When the communication device according to the invention of claim 11 is mounted on a mobile object in the invention of claim 8, 9 or 10, the monitoring means acquires position information of the mobile object. And the method determining means determines a method to be used by the modem based on the position information.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when the communication device is mounted on the mobile body, the position thereof is monitored, and the assignment of the modulation / demodulation means to the communication means is determined based on the monitoring result, that is, the position information.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, wherein the moving body is a vehicle, and the monitoring unit specifies a traveling road of the vehicle based on the position information. The method determining means determines a method to be used by the modulation / demodulation means based on the identified traveling road.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the communication device is mounted on a vehicle, the communication device acquires its position information, identifies and monitors the traveling road, and communicates the modulation / demodulation means based on the monitoring result, that is, the traveling road. Determine assignments to means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the communication apparatus includes a plurality of communication units using different modulation schemes, performs at least one of modulation and demodulation, and is used for the modulation and / or demodulation. Since the modulation / demodulation means less than the number of communication means that can be changed is assigned to the communication means, the configuration is simplified by reducing the number of modulation / demodulation units, the cost is reduced, and the size is reduced. There is an effect that it is possible to obtain a communication apparatus capable of realizing parallel processing of communication methods and further improving communication efficiency.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the communication apparatus allocates one of the plurality of modulation / demodulation means for monitoring, sequentially demodulates the reception results by the plurality of communication means, and based on this monitor result, another communication means Since the communication system to be assigned to is determined, the assignment of the modulation / demodulation means is determined based on the usage status of the plurality of communication means, and a communication device capable of improving the communication efficiency can be obtained.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 3, the communication device acquires the moving speed when mounted on the moving body, and determines a method to be assigned to the modulation / demodulation means based on the acquired moving speed, so that it corresponds to the moving situation. Thus, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a communication device that realizes efficient communication.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 4, the communication device acquires the position information when mounted on the mobile body, and determines the method to be assigned to the modulation / demodulation means based on the acquired position information. As a result, it is possible to obtain a communication device that realizes communication efficiency improvement.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 5, the communication device acquires the position information of the mobile body using any of the plurality of communication means, and determines a method to be assigned to the modulation / demodulation means based on the acquired position information. There is an effect that it is possible to obtain a communication device that easily obtains position information and realizes communication efficiency.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the communication device is a vehicle-mounted communication device that acquires vehicle position information by GPS communication and determines a method to be assigned to the modulation / demodulation means based on the acquired position information. Thus, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a communication device that realizes communication efficiency corresponding to the position information acquired by the GPS.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the communication device acquires position information when mounted on a vehicle, specifies a traveling road from the acquired position information, and assigns it to the modulation / demodulation means based on the identified traveling road. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a communication device that realizes efficient communication corresponding to the traveling road.

  According to the invention of claim 8, the communication apparatus includes a plurality of communication means using different modulation methods, monitors the necessity of using the plurality of communication means, and communicates the modulation / demodulation means based on the monitoring result. Since it is assigned to each means and used, it is possible to realize parallel processing of multiple communication methods and further improve communication efficiency, in addition to simplifying the configuration, reducing costs and downsizing by reducing the number of modems There is an effect that a communication device can be obtained.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the communication apparatus monitors the necessity of use of the communication means by the monitor demodulation means for sequentially demodulating the reception results by the plurality of communication means, and the monitoring result, that is, by the monitor demodulation means. Since the assignment of the modulation / demodulation means to the communication means is determined based on the monitoring result, the assignment of the modulation / demodulation means can be decided based on the usage status of the plurality of communication means, and a communication device capable of improving the communication efficiency can be obtained. There is an effect.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the communication device monitors the moving speed when mounted on a moving body, and determines the assignment of the modulation / demodulation means to the communication means based on the monitoring result, that is, the moving speed. There is an effect that it is possible to obtain a communication device that realizes communication efficiency corresponding to the movement situation.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 11, when the communication device is mounted on the mobile body, its position is monitored, and the assignment of the modulation / demodulation means to the communication means is determined based on the monitoring result, that is, the position information. There is an effect that it is possible to obtain a communication device that realizes communication efficiency corresponding to the position of the moving body.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the communication device is mounted on a vehicle, the communication device acquires its position information, identifies and monitors the traveling road, and based on the monitoring result, that is, the traveling road, Since the assignment to the communication means is determined, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a communication device that realizes communication efficiency corresponding to the traveling road.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A communication device 1 shown in the figure is an in-vehicle communication device, and is connected to an ETC unit 2, a LAN unit 3, and a navigation unit 4.

  The communication device 1 includes a GPS receiving unit 11, an ETC transmitting / receiving unit 12, a VICS receiving unit 13, a LAN transmitting / receiving unit 14, modems 21 to 23, a code processing unit 31, a communication processing unit 32, and a travel position acquisition unit. 33 and a vehicle speed acquisition unit 34.

  The GPS receiving unit 11 is a processing unit that receives communication from a GPS artificial satellite, and includes an RF-IF and an analog-digital converter therein. The GPS receiver 11 IF-detects and amplifies the received radio wave, converts the analog signal into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal. This output can be output to any of the modems 21 to 23.

  The ETC transmission / reception unit 12 is a processing unit that communicates with an ETC terminal installed at a toll gate or the like, and includes an RF-IF, an analog-digital converter, and a digital-analog converter therein. The ETC transmission / reception unit 12 performs IF detection amplification on the radio wave received from the ETC terminal, converts the analog signal into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal. This output can be output to any of the modems 21-23.

  Further, when receiving data to be transmitted from the modems 21 to 23, the ETC transceiver 13 converts the data from a digital signal to an analog signal and transmits it to the ETC terminal.

  The VICS receiving unit 13 is a processing unit that acquires and provides traffic information such as the presence / absence of traffic congestion through FM multiplex broadcasting or communication with a transmitter on the road, and includes an RF-IF, an analog / digital converter, and A digital-analog converter is provided. The VICS receiving unit 13 performs IF detection amplification on the received radio wave, converts the analog signal into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal. This output can be output to any of the modems 21-23.

  The LAN transmitting / receiving unit 14 is a processing unit that is connected to a network such as the Internet via wireless communication, and includes an RF-IF, an analog-digital converter, and a digital-analog converter therein. The LAN transmission / reception unit 14 performs IF detection amplification on the received radio wave, converts the analog signal into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal. This output can be output to any of the modems 21-23.

  In addition, when receiving data to be transmitted from the modems 21 to 23, the LAN transceiver 14 converts the data from a digital signal to an analog signal and transmits the data.

  The modulators / demodulators 21 to 23 are programmable / modulating units that can be programmed, demodulate data according to an arbitrary demodulation method, and output the data to the code processing unit 31. Further, the output from the code processing unit 31 is modulated in accordance with an arbitrary modulation method, and is output to any of the GPS receiving unit 11, the ETC transmitting / receiving unit 12, the VICS receiving unit 13, and the LAN transmitting / receiving unit 14.

  Each of the modems 21 to 23 is connected to the GPS receiver 11, the ETC transmitter / receiver 12, the VICS receiver 13, and the LAN transmitter / receiver 14, and the modulation scheme and demodulation scheme thereof can be switched.

  Therefore, the modems 21 to 23 can modulate and demodulate any of GPS, ETC, VICS, and LAN. Here, the correspondence relationship between the modems 21 to 23 and the communication method (modulation method) is controlled by the communication control unit 32.

  The code processing unit 31 decodes (decodes) the outputs of the modems 21 to 23 and sends them to the corresponding output destination. That is, if the output from the modems 21 to 23 is data received by the ETC receiver 12, the decoding result is output to the ETC unit 2. Similarly, if the output from the modems 21 to 23 is data received by the LAN transceiver 14, the decoding result is output to the LAN unit 3.

  Further, if the output from the modems 21 to 23 is data received by the GPS receiving unit 11, the code processing unit 31 outputs the decoding result to the position information acquisition unit 42 inside the navigation unit 4. Similarly, if the output from the modems 21 to 23 is data received by the VICS receiver 13, the code processor 31 outputs the decoding result to the position information acquisition unit 42 inside the navigation unit 4.

  The ETC unit is a unit that executes automatic payment for tolls and the like based on data received by the ETC transmission / reception unit 12, and the LAN unit 3 has a function of providing data received by the LAN transmission / reception unit 14 to the user. It is a unit having.

  The navigation unit 4 is a unit for guiding the route to the driver based on the planned route set by the user and the current position of the vehicle. The navigation unit 4 includes a VICS information acquisition unit 41, a position information acquisition unit 42, a guide processing unit 43, and map data 44 therein.

  The position information acquisition unit 42 performs a process of calculating the current position of the host vehicle based on the data received by the GPS receiving unit 11 and supplying the current position to the guide processing unit 43. The VICS information acquisition unit 41 supplies the data received by the VICS reception unit 13, that is, traffic information to the guide processing unit 43.

  The guide processing unit 43 uses the current position acquired by the position information acquisition unit 42 and the map data 44 to identify the road on which the host vehicle is traveling, and to the driver based on the traveling road of the host vehicle and traffic information. Perform route guidance. In addition, the guide processing unit 43 transmits the identified traveling road and current position of the host vehicle to the traveling position acquisition unit 33 inside the communication device 1.

  Furthermore, when there is data to be transmitted, the ETC unit 2, the LAN unit 3, and the navigation unit 4 output the data to the code processing unit 31 inside the communication device 1. The code processing unit 31 encodes the data output from the ETC unit 2, the LAN unit 3, and the navigation unit 4, and outputs the encoding result to any of the modulation / demodulation units 21 to 23. Here, which of the modulation / demodulation units 21 to 23 outputs the encoding result is determined according to the assignment by the communication control unit 32.

  The communication control unit 32 is a control unit that totally controls the operation of the communication device 1. The communication control unit 32 has an allocation processing unit 32a therein. The allocation processing unit 32a determines a correspondence relationship between the modems 21 to 23 and the communication method (modulation method), and performs a process of rewriting the circuit configuration of the modems 21 to 23.

  Here, the allocation processing unit 32a uses the traveling road and the current position of the host vehicle acquired by the traveling position acquisition unit 33, the speed of the host vehicle acquired by the vehicle speed acquisition unit 34, and the like in the modulation units 21 to 23. Determine the assignment.

  That is, the communication device 1 has a function of integrating and managing communication functions in the ETC unit 2, the LAN unit 3, and the navigation unit 4. Furthermore, three programmable modulators / demodulators are allocated and used for four communications (GPS, ETC, VICS, and LAN) having different modulation schemes.

  Next, a specific example of modulation scheme allocation by the allocation processing unit 32a will be described. A specific allocation method can be arbitrarily determined. For example, one of the modulation / demodulation units is assigned exclusively for demodulation, and GPS, ETC, VICS, and LAN are sequentially demodulated to determine the necessity of communication, and the modulation method and demodulation method required for necessary communication are assigned to other modulation / demodulation units. Can be assigned.

  That is, communication efficiency can be improved by allocating one of the modulation / demodulation units for monitoring and determining the allocation to the other modulation / demodulation units. In FIG. 2, the modem 21 is a monitor demodulator 21a, and GPS, ETC, VICS, and LAN communications are sequentially demodulated and monitored, and the modulation method and demodulation method of the modem 22 are determined based on the monitoring results. . Here, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, first, the case of one monitoring demodulator and one modulator / demodulator will be described.

  The operation of the configuration shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the monitoring demodulator 21a first receives ETC communication from time T10 to time T11, and receives GPS communication from time T11 to time T12. Thereafter, VICS communication is received from time T12 to time T13, and LAN communication is received from time T13 to time T14.

  Further, ETC communication is received again from time T14 to time T15, and GPS communication is received again from time T15 to time T16. Thereafter, the VICS communication is received again from time T16 to time T17, and the LAN communication is received from time T17 to time T18. Further, ETC communication is received from time T18 to time T19.

  As described above, the monitor demodulator 21a sequentially receives ETC, GPS, VICS, and LAN in time series. If the necessity of communication is detected in the demodulation result, the assignment processing unit 32a assigns the modulation method and the demodulation method corresponding to the communication in which the necessity arises to the modem unit 22.

  In FIG. 3, the necessity of VICS communication is detected by demodulation from time T12 to time T13, and VICS communication is assigned to the modem unit 22 from time T13. Thereafter, the necessity of ETC communication is detected by demodulation from time T14 to time T15. Therefore, the configuration of the modem unit 22 is changed to correspond to ETC communication.

  Furthermore, since the necessity of LAN communication is detected by demodulation from time T17 to time T18, the configuration of the modem unit 22 is changed again to correspond to LAN communication.

  When there is a need for communication on the own vehicle side such as LAN communication, communication assignment to the modem unit 22 is actively executed on the own vehicle side. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the communication device 1 when communication is required on the own vehicle side. Also in the figure, the monitor demodulator 21a sequentially monitors ETC, GPS, VICS, and LAN.

  Here, when there is an input from the user regarding the LAN communication and the necessity of communication occurs, the configuration of the modem unit 22 is changed regardless of the monitor result, and communication is started corresponding to the LAN communication.

  Further, when a communication request for VICS or ETC occurs while LAN communication is continuing, the LAN communication is interrupted, and the configuration of the modem unit 22 is made to correspond to VICS and ETC, respectively, to perform communication. It should be noted that the acquisition of traffic information by VICS and the fee settlement by ETC have a high priority over LAN communication, and the communication by VICS and ETC is considered to take a short time for LAN communication. In the example shown, LAN communication is interrupted and VICS communication and ETC communication are executed. However, the communication priority can be arbitrarily set.

  Furthermore, this priority may be set by referring to not only the type of communication but also the content of communication, or may be determined by predicting the time required for communication. In addition, when long-time communication is performed using a plurality of communication methods, a plurality of communication may be performed substantially in parallel by alternately switching and executing each communication.

  By the way, only reception such as GPS communication is necessary, and when the load on reception is small, desired communication is completed only by decoding by the monitor demodulator 21a. Therefore, communication using the modem unit 22 is not necessary. However, even when only demodulation is performed, if the communication load is large, it is desirable to perform assignment to the modem unit 22.

  Next, allocation of communication methods based on vehicle speed will be described. Communication by GPS is performed to acquire the position of the host vehicle, and is not necessary when the host vehicle is stopped. Similarly, communication by ETC is mainly used for fee settlement when traveling on a toll road, and is less necessary when the host vehicle is stopped.

  Therefore, the speed of the host vehicle is acquired by the vehicle speed acquisition unit 34, and when the host vehicle is stopped, the demodulation of the GPS communication and the ETC communication by the monitoring demodulator 21a is stopped, so that another communication method, Communication such as VICS and LAN can be made more efficient.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining communication method allocation based on vehicle speed. As shown in the figure, the speed of the host vehicle is “0” from time T30 to time T34, that is, the host vehicle is stopped, and the host vehicle is moving after time T34.

  Therefore, the monitoring demodulator 21a alternately monitors the VICS communication and the LAN communication from the time T30 to the time T34 when it is stopped. Thereafter, after time T34 during movement, the allocation processing unit 32a sequentially monitors ETC, GPS, VICS, and LAN.

  In this way, by determining the allocation to the modulation / demodulation unit based on the vehicle speed, unnecessary communication is eliminated in accordance with the state of the host vehicle, and communication efficiency in other communication systems with high necessity is improved. Is possible.

  Moreover, regarding acquisition of the state of the host vehicle, other information may be used in addition to the vehicle speed. For example, ETC communication is mainly used for toll payment when traveling on toll roads. Therefore, ETC communication is monitored only when the host vehicle is traveling on a toll road, and is suspended while traveling on a general road. You may make it do.

  Specifically, the traveling road of the host vehicle is specified by the navigation unit 4 and supplied to the traveling position acquisition unit 33. Therefore, the assignment processing unit 32a assigns the communication method to the modem based on the traveling road supplied to the traveling position acquisition unit 33.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the assignment of communication methods based on the identified traveling road. As shown in the figure, the host vehicle is traveling on a general road from time T40 to time T44, and is traveling on a toll road after time T44.

  Therefore, the monitoring demodulator 21a sequentially monitors GPS, VICS, and LAN from time T40 to time T44 while traveling on a general road. Thereafter, after time T44 during traveling on the toll road, the allocation processing unit 32a sequentially monitors ETC, GPS, VICS, and LAN.

  Thus, the determination of the necessity of communication can be performed using various information, and communication efficiency can be improved. In addition, although a case where a plurality of modems are provided is illustrated here, a communication system based on information such as a vehicle speed and a traveling road is used even in a configuration having a single modem for a plurality of communication systems. By executing the allocation, communication efficiency can be improved.

  Next, the case of a monitor demodulating unit 1 system and a modem unit 2 system will be described. Even when there are a plurality of modulation / demodulation units to be allocated based on the monitoring result by the monitor demodulation unit 21a, the operations of the respective modems are the same, and the allocation processing unit 32a is the monitor demodulation unit 21a. The allocation to each modulator is determined based on the vehicle speed information, the traveling road, and the like.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation example in the case of one system for the demodulation unit for monitoring and two systems for the modulation / demodulation unit. In the figure, the monitor demodulator 21a sequentially demodulates and monitors communications in ETC, GPS, VICS, and LAN.

  Here, since the necessity of VICS communication is detected by demodulation from time T52 to time T53, the allocation processing unit 32a allocates VICS communication to the modem unit 22. Furthermore, since the necessity of ETC communication is detected by demodulation from time T54 to time T55, and the modem unit 22 is continuing VICS communication, the allocation processing unit 32a allocates ETC communication to the modem unit 23.

  Thereafter, the necessity of LAN communication is detected by demodulation from time T57 to time T58, and since the VICS communication by the modem unit 22 has been completed, the allocation processing unit 32a changes the configuration of the modem unit 22. Then, LAN communication is assigned.

  As described above, the modulation / demodulation unit 21 is allocated for monitoring, a plurality of communications are sequentially demodulated, and the communication methods are assigned to the other modulation / demodulation units 22 and 23 based on the demodulation results, thereby satisfying the number of communication methods. All communications can be performed efficiently with no modem.

  Also, if the modem unit has three or more systems, that is, two or more systems other than the modem unit allocated for monitoring, a plurality of communications can be executed simultaneously in parallel. .

  By the way, it is not always necessary to use one of the communication schemes for the plurality of modulation / demodulation units for monitoring. For example, all communications may be performed sequentially in a time-sharing manner, or communication schemes may be assigned without using a monitoring demodulator depending on vehicle speed information, traveling roads, or the like.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation example in the case of assigning communication methods to the two modems 21 and 22 using vehicle speed information. In the figure, the host vehicle is stopped from time T60 to time T61, and the host vehicle is moving after time T61.

  While the host vehicle is stopped, the necessity of GPS communication and ETC communication is low, and two types of highly necessary communication are VICS communication and LAN communication. Therefore, the assignment processing unit 32a assigns the VICS communication exclusively to the modem unit 21 and assigns the LAN communication exclusively to the modem unit 23.

  Thereafter, after the host vehicle starts moving at time T61, the allocation processing unit 32a sequentially allocates GPS, ETC, VICS, and LAN to the modems 21 and 22. Specifically, between time T61 and time T62, GPS is assigned to the modem unit 21, ETC is assigned to the modem unit 22, VICS is assigned to the modem unit 21 between time T62 and time T63, and LAN is assigned to the modem unit 22. Assigned.

  Further, between time T63 and time T64, GPS is assigned to the modem unit 21, ETC is assigned to the modem unit 22, VICS is assigned to the modem unit 21 and LAN is assigned to the modem unit 22 from time T64 to time T65. .

  Therefore, VICS communication and LAN communication can be selectively executed while the host vehicle is stopped, and GPS communication, ETC communication, VICS communication, and LAN communication can all be executed while the host vehicle is traveling.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation example when assigning communication methods to the two modulation / demodulation units 21 and 22 based on the traveling road. In the figure, the host vehicle travels on a general road from time T70 to time T75, and travels on a toll road after time T75.

  While the host vehicle is traveling on a general road, the necessity for ETC communication is low, and three types of communication with high necessity are GPS communication, VICS communication, and LAN communication. Therefore, the allocation processing unit 32a sequentially allocates GPS communication, VICS communication, and LAN communication to the modem units 21 and 22.

  Specifically, between time T70 and time T75, the modem 21 performs GPS communication from time T70 to time T72, LAN communication from time T72 to time T74, and VICS communication from time T74 to time T75. The modem 22 is assigned LAN communication from time T70 to time T71, VICS communication from time T71 to time T73, and GPS communication from time T73 to time T75.

  Thereafter, after the host vehicle starts traveling on the toll road at time T75, the allocation processing unit 32a sequentially allocates GPS, ETC, VICS, and LAN to the modems 21 and 22. Specifically, from time T75 to time T76, LAN is assigned to the modem unit 21, ETC is assigned to the modem unit 22, VICS is assigned to the modem unit 21 from time T76 to time T77, and GPS is assigned to the modem unit 22. Assigned.

  Further, between time T77 and time T78, LAN is assigned to the modem unit 21, ETC is assigned to the modem unit 22, VICS is assigned to the modem unit 21 between time T78 and time T79, and GPS is assigned to the modem unit 22. .

  Therefore, GPS communication, VICS communication, and LAN communication can be selectively executed while traveling on a general road, and all GPS communication, ETC communication, VICS communication, and LAN communication can be performed while traveling on a toll road. .

  As described above, the communication device 1 according to the present embodiment efficiently uses all the four types of communication of GPS communication, ETC communication, VICS communication, and LAN communication by switching and using the three modulation / demodulation units 21 to 23. Can be executed automatically.

  Therefore, in addition to the effects of simplifying the configuration, reducing the cost, and reducing the size by reducing the number of modulation / demodulation units, it is possible to obtain the effects of realizing parallel processing of a plurality of communication methods and further improving the communication efficiency.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the communication method is assigned and switched based on the speed of the vehicle and the road is described as an example. However, any information can be used for the assignment of the communication method. For example, the reception strength of each communication may be detected, and the modulation / demodulation unit may be assigned based on the detection result.

  In the present embodiment, an in-vehicle communication device is cited and described by showing four communication methods of GPS, ETC, VICS, and LAN. However, the use of the present invention is not limited to this, The present invention can be widely used in communication devices that execute a plurality of communications with different modulation methods and demodulation methods.

  As described above, the communication device according to the present invention is useful for a communication device that supports a plurality of communication methods, and is particularly suitable for downsizing and cost reduction of the communication device.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the communication apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure in the case of allocating one of the modulation / demodulation parts for a monitor, and determining the allocation with respect to another modulation / demodulation part. It is explanatory drawing explaining the operation | movement in the structure shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement when the necessity of communication arises by the own vehicle side. It is explanatory drawing explaining the allocation of the communication system based on vehicle speed. It is explanatory drawing explaining the allocation of the communication system based on a traveling road. It is a figure explaining the operation example in the case of the demodulation part for monitoring 1 system | strain, and the modulation / demodulation part 2 system | strain. It is a figure which shows the operation example in the case of assigning the communication system with respect to two modulation / demodulation parts using vehicle speed information. It is a figure which shows the operation example in the case of assigning the communication system with respect to the two modem parts 21 and 22 based on a traveling road.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication apparatus 2 ETC unit 3 LAN unit 4 Navigation unit 11 GPS receiving part 12 ETC transmission / reception part 13 VICS receiving part 14 LAN transmission / reception part 21-23 Modulation / demodulation part 21a Monitoring demodulation part 31 Code processing part 32 Communication control part 32a Assignment processing part 33 Travel position acquisition unit 34 Vehicle speed acquisition unit 41 VICS information acquisition unit 42 Position information acquisition unit 43 Guide processing unit 44 Map data

Claims (12)

A plurality of communication means using different modulation schemes;
Modulation / demodulation means for performing at least one of modulation and demodulation and capable of changing a method used for the modulation and / or demodulation;
For each of the modulation / demodulation means, assigning means for assigning the method to be used;
A communication apparatus comprising:   One of the modulation / demodulation means is a monitor demodulation means for sequentially demodulating the reception results by the plurality of communication means, and the assignment means is based on the demodulation results by the monitor demodulation means. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an assignment of a method used by a modulation / demodulation unit other than is determined.   When mounted on a mobile body, the apparatus further comprises speed acquisition means for acquiring speed information of the mobile body, and the assignment means determines a method to be assigned to the modulation / demodulation means based on the speed information acquired by the speed acquisition means. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein:   A method of assigning the modulation / demodulation means to the modulation / demodulation means based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means, further comprising position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the mobile object when mounted on the mobile object; 4. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein:   The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the position information acquisition unit acquires the position information using any one of the plurality of communication units.   6. The communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the communication means used by the position information acquisition means is a GPS reception means.   The mobile body is a vehicle, and the allocating unit specifies a traveling road on which the vehicle travels based on the position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit, and determines the driving / demodulating unit based on the specified traveling road. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein an allocation method is determined. A communication device having a plurality of communication means using different modulation schemes,
Modulation / demodulation means capable of executing at least one of modulation and demodulation and changing a method used for the modulation and / or demodulation;
Monitoring means for monitoring the necessity of use of the plurality of communication means;
Based on the monitoring results by the monitoring means, a method determining means for determining a method used by the modem means;
A communication apparatus comprising:   The monitoring means includes a monitoring demodulation means for sequentially demodulating the reception results by the plurality of communication means, and the method determining means is a method used by the modulation / demodulation means based on the demodulation results by the monitoring demodulation means The communication device according to claim 8, wherein the communication device is determined.   When mounted on a mobile object, the monitoring means has speed acquisition means for acquiring speed information of the mobile object, and the system determination means is a system used by the modulation / demodulation means based on the speed information The communication device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the communication device is determined.   When mounted on a moving body, the monitoring means has position information acquiring means for acquiring position information of the moving body, and the method determining means is used by the modulation / demodulation means based on the position information. The communication apparatus according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein a system is determined.   The moving body is a vehicle, the monitoring means identifies a traveling road of the vehicle based on the position information, and the method determining means is used by the modulation / demodulation means based on the identified traveling road. The communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a method to be determined is determined.

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