JP2005204048A - Abnormality-detecting device for signal line, information output device, display device, and abnormality-detecting method for signal line - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To specify nonconformities due to abnormality of a video signal line, connected between the body part and a display. <P>SOLUTION: The main body part 1 of a car navigation device and the display 2 are connected via a network 3 for communication of a vehicle and a video signal line 4. A flash ROM 15 is connected to a CPU 11 on the side of the display 2. The CPU 11 requests the side of the body part 1 to conduct a test via the network 3. Image color information and position information on pixels for inspection are transmitted from the body part 1. The CPU 11 reads out and compares image color information on the pixels for inspection which is received via the video signal line 4. In case of a discrepancy, that is stored in the flash ROM 15. Consequently, the fault can be confirmed, even if the device is detached. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a signal line abnormality detection apparatus and information for detecting an abnormal state of a signal line for a configuration that performs communication via a communication signal line and transmits a video signal via a video signal line. The present invention relates to an output device, a display device, and a signal line abnormality detection method.

  In recent years, in an automobile, an in-vehicle network is being constructed in order to achieve various communication functions in the vehicle. By using this in-vehicle network, it is possible to communicate with each other by connecting various devices mounted inside the vehicle to this network. Devices that use such an in-vehicle network include, for example, a car navigation system and a video deck. In some of them, the main body and the display device are configured separately, and an in-vehicle network is used for communication, and a video signal cable for sending a video signal to the display device is connected.

In the apparatus having such a separate configuration, when an abnormality occurs in the display device on the main body side, it is necessary to detect by some method. An example of such a technique is shown in Patent Document 1.
JP-A-9-244571

Although what is shown in the above-mentioned patent document 1 is designed to detect an abnormality of the display device on the main body side via a signal line, it is not a configuration in which the above-described video signal line is separately connected. When the video signal line itself has an abnormality such as disconnection of the connector, the defective portion cannot be specified even if the failure analysis is performed with the display device or the main body removed.
For example, if an abnormality occurs in the display state of the display device and the cause is the internal configuration of the display device or signal output device, the failure location can be identified by removing the device and bringing it to the manufacturer. However, if the cause of the abnormality is a disconnection of the video signal line connector or a poor connector contact, the device itself will not have a fault even if it is brought into the manufacturer, and it will not be possible to identify the abnormal part in use. There is.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and its purpose is to be able to identify the failure location with the display device removed even when the signal line itself has a cause of failure. An object of the present invention is to provide a signal line abnormality detection device, an information output device, a display device, and a signal line abnormality detection method.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the configuration in which information is transmitted and received between the information output device and the display device through the communication signal line, and the video signal is transmitted from the information output device to the display device through the video signal line. The comparison means compares the predetermined pixel information in the display video signal generated by the information output device with the predetermined pixel information received by the display device via the video signal line, and the comparison result is inconsistent. The control means stores the occurrence of the abnormality of the signal line in the nonvolatile storage means. Thereby, it is possible to determine that there is an abnormality in the signal received via the communication signal line or the video signal line because the pixel information at the same position does not match. In the case of a failure of the display device due to such an abnormal state of the signal line, even if the failure is not specified when the display device is removed, the storage means stores the mismatch. Therefore, it is possible to specify that the signal line is abnormal.

  In the above case, in order to specify that the video signal line of the signal lines is broken, it is assumed that no abnormality has occurred in the signal transmitted via the communication signal line. If there is an abnormality in the communication signal line itself, a failure occurs in another communication function, so that the abnormality in the communication line can be detected. Accordingly, in the detection operation, it is possible to perform an operation for detecting an abnormal state of the video signal line on the assumption that the communication signal line is normal.

  According to the invention of claim 2, in the invention of claim 1, when the control means stores in the storage means, the time when the inconsistency occurs is stored together, so that more reliable and accurate data can be obtained when performing failure analysis. It becomes possible to handle.

  According to the invention of claim 3, in each of the above inventions, the comparison means and the storage means are provided on the display device side, and the predetermined pixel information in the display video signal generated by the information output device is transmitted via the communication signal line. Since it is configured to transmit from the information output device side, the abnormal state of the signal line is determined by comparing predetermined pixel information received from the information output device via both the communication signal line and the video signal line on the display device side. Thus, it is possible to detect and memorize problems such as signal line connection states and failures.

  According to the invention of claim 4, in the invention of claim 1 or 2, the comparison means and the storage means are provided on the information output device side, and the predetermined pixel information received by the display device via the video signal line is communicated. Since it is configured to transmit from the display device side via the signal line, the pixel information of the video signal transmitted from the information output device via the video signal line is sent back to the video signal line via the communication signal line. The abnormal state of the signal line can be detected by comparing with the previous pixel information data.

  According to the invention of claim 5, in each of the above inventions, when the video signal line is composed of a plurality of basic color signal lines, the predetermined pixel to be compared by the comparing means is a plurality of color signal lines of the video signal line. All of the pixels are designated as pixels having a color having a signal. As a result, when any one of a plurality of basic color signal lines has a failure such as disconnection or poor contact, a signal transmitted via the basic color signal line is lost. Pixel information synthesized based on information of all basic color signal lines cannot be transmitted correctly, and as a result, a failure can be detected.

  According to the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 5, the video signal line is a basic color signal line corresponding to the three primary colors of light of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). Since the pixel for which white or gray is displayed is designated as the predetermined pixel to be compared by the comparison means, video signals of the same level are transmitted to all the basic color signal lines. Even in the book, when the failure occurs, the transmitted pixel information is different, so that it is possible to detect which of the basic color signal lines is defective.

According to the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claim 5, the video signal lines are three basic color signal lines corresponding to the three primary colors of light of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). The configuration to be used
Since the predetermined pixel to be compared by the comparison means is designated as a pixel in which the signal levels of the three basic color signal lines are different from each other, a failure such as a short circuit or the like occurs. Even if the signal is transmitted, the output level of the transmitted video signal is detected, and the basic color signal line that is short-circuited is identified by comparing with the data of the signal level that can be generated from the combination of the short-circuited basic color signal lines. Will be able to.

  According to the invention of claim 8, in each of the above inventions, the predetermined pixel to be compared by the comparing means is set as a pixel located at an end of the display area of the display device and in an invisible area. Therefore, since it can be set as a pixel for inspection that is not accompanied by a change in display state located in a region that cannot be visually recognized on the screen of the display device, a stable detection operation can be performed.

According to the invention of claim 9, in each of the above inventions, the predetermined pixel to be compared by the comparison means is set to a fixed pixel predetermined in both the information output device and the display device. By using the pixel information of the fixed pixel without transmitting the position information of the pixel to be compared, the process for detecting an abnormality is simplified.
According to the invention of claim 10, in the inventions of claims 1 to 8, the predetermined pixel to be compared by the comparing means is set to a pixel designated from either the information output device or the display device every time of inspection. Since it did in this way, the pixel for comparison can be designated as what respond | corresponds to various conditions, and it becomes possible to perform more exact detection operation | movement by this.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle navigation system will be described below with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that in the following description, the part related to the features of the present invention will be mainly described, and the original configuration and operation of the navigation system will not be touched directly here, but to achieve a normal navigation function. It has a configuration and functions.

  FIG. 1 shows an electrical block configuration of a main body 1 as an information output device of a car navigation device and a display 2 as a display device. The main body 1 is provided at an appropriate position in the passenger compartment, and the display 2 is disposed on a dashboard, for example. In addition, the vehicle in which the car navigation device is provided is provided with a serial communication network 3 that functions as a communication signal line. The main unit 1 and the display 2 are connected to the above-described network 3 so as to function as a communication signal line, and a video signal line 4 composed of three RGB cables is connected therebetween. ing. The network 3 and the video signal line 4 function as signal lines in the present invention.

  In the main body 1, the CPU 5 controls a navigation function, and performs navigation processing such as route search and route guidance, and also performs communication processing and video signal output control. Connected to the CPU 5 are a DVD reader 7 for reading a DVD medium 6 on which map data and the like are recorded, a serial I / O circuit (SIO) 8 and a GRAM (graphic RAM) 9 for outputting a video signal. Has been. The SIO 8 is provided for serial communication with the display 2 via the network 3. The GRAM 9 is connected to the video signal line 4 via a digital / analog converter (D / A converter) 10.

  Next, in the display 2, the CPU 11 as a comparison unit and a control unit executes a communication function with the main body 1, an input process, a display process, and the like, and also has a clock function. A serial I / O circuit (SIO) 12, a touch panel 13, a GRAM (graphic RAM) 14, a flash ROM 15 and the like are connected to the CPU 11. The SIO 12 is connected to the network 3 and can exchange communication signals with the main body 1.

An analog-to-digital converter (A / D converter) 16 is connected to the GRAM 14 and receives a video signal transmitted from the main body 1 via the video signal line 4. The video signal line 4 connected to the display 2 is connected via a connector (not shown). However, if the video signal line 4 is disconnected due to a connection failure or the like, data is not input to the GRAM 14. The screen color information which is the pixel information of the GRAM 14 is interrupted and disappears.
A liquid crystal display (LCD) 17 is connected to the GRAM 14, and an image corresponding to the transmitted video signal is displayed. The touch panel 13 is provided on the screen for operation input. It has come to accept. As will be described later, the flash ROM 15 as a nonvolatile storage means stores a failure state of the video signal line.

  Next, the effect | action of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. In this configuration, the display 2 is configured to detect an abnormal state of the video signal line 4. The main body 1 transmits a video signal to the display 2 via the video signal line 4 (step S1 in FIG. 2). As a result, on the display 2 side, the video signal is written to the GRAM 14 and then to the LCD 17 A display operation corresponding to the stored contents is performed.

  The CPU 11 of the display 2 executes the program of FIG. 2 at an appropriate frequency (for example, a frequency in the range of about once per second to about once per minute). First, when the test is started, the CPU 11 requests screen color information, which is pixel information, from the main body 1 side (step S2). Transmission of the request signal at this time is performed via the network 3 which is a communication signal line. On the main body 1 side, when the screen color information request signal is received, the CPU 5 reads the screen color information of the comparison target pixel output to the GRAM 9 and transmits it to the display 2 side via the network 3 (step S3). , S4).

  At this time, position coordinate data corresponding to the display position when displaying on the LCD 17 is also added to the screen color information. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the pixel at the upper left position of the screen is (0, 0), the pixel at the lower right position is (1024, 1024), and the position of the inspection pixel is designated as coordinate data. . As an inspection pixel, a pixel included in a region P displaying a fixed color is designated as indicated by coordinates (a, b) in the figure. In addition, a pixel such as (1024, c) located at the end of the display area may be designated.

  In the display 2, when receiving the screen color information from the main body 1 side, the CPU 11 reads the screen color information data of the image signal corresponding to the coordinate data indicating the position of the pixel from the GRAM 14 (steps S5 and S6). Subsequently, the CPU 11 compares the read screen color information with the screen color information received from the main body 1 side and determines whether or not the color information matches (step S7). If the comparison results match, this indicates that the video signal received via the video signal line 4 has been received normally, so that no abnormality has occurred in the video signal line 4. Exit.

  If the comparison results do not match, the CPU 11 stores the current time data in the flash ROM 15 together with the current time data (step S9). In this case, it can be seen that there is an abnormality in either the network 3 or the video signal line 4 that is a communication signal line, but in reality, when the network 3 is abnormal, other communication functions are also abnormal. Therefore, it is possible to determine from communication other than this comparison.

  Therefore, it can be determined from this result that the video signal received via the video signal line 4 is abnormal, and this result can be stored together with the time information. It can be used as information for failure analysis that there is an abnormality even when the is removed. For example, when the display on the LCD 17 can no longer be performed and the failure is not found in the display 2 itself even after failure analysis, the video signal line 2 connected to the display 17 is abnormal such as disconnection of the connector. Can be specified.

  According to the first embodiment as described above, the flash ROM 15 is provided on the display 2 side, and the CPU 11 requests the screen color information to the main body unit 1 side and receives it via the video signal line 4. Whether the screen color information matches or not is compared, and if the comparison result does not match, the flash ROM 15 stores the time information together with the time information. Even when the signal line 4 or the network 3 is disconnected, it is possible to specify that the video signal line 4 has occurred due to an abnormality.

(Second Embodiment)
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, parts different from the first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the comparison means and the control means are not the CPU 11 of the display 2 but the CPU 5 of the main body 1. Further, the flash ROM 15 is configured not to be connected to the display 2 but to the CPU 5 of the main body 1.

FIG. 5 shows the processing contents when the above-described test is performed. Basically, the operation of the CPU 11 of the display 2 is executed by the CPU 5 of the main body 1. It is the same that the video signal is transmitted from the main body 1 side to the display 2 side via the video signal line 4 (step P1).
About the above-mentioned test, CPU5 of the main-body part 1 performs. The CPU 5 first reads the screen color information of the comparison target pixel from the GRAM 9 before making a request to the display 2 side (step P2). Thereafter, a request for screen color information is transmitted to the display 2 side via the network 3 (step P3). On the display 2 side, the requested screen color information of the pixel to be compared is read from the GRAM 14 and transmitted to the main unit 1 side via the network 3 (steps P4 and P5).

When receiving the screen color information (step P6), the CPU 5 of the main unit 1 compares the screen color information previously read from the GRAM 9 with the screen color information received from the display 2 side (step P7). Terminates the test on the assumption that the video signal line 4 is functioning normally. If they do not match, the fact that there is an abnormality in the video signal line 4 together with the current time data is stored in the flash ROM 15 in the same manner as described above, and the test is terminated (steps P8 and P9).
As a result, the abnormal state of the video signal line 4 can be stored in the flash ROM 15 in the same manner as in the first embodiment on the main body 1 side, so that the same effect can be obtained.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
Although the display 2 is configured to use the LCD 17, it can also be applied to a configuration using a PDP (plasma display), a CRT, or the like.
In addition to the example of the car navigation apparatus, the present invention can be applied to any apparatus having a display device such as a DVD deck, a video deck, or a television and connecting the main body and the display device with video signal lines.

Although the designation of the color of the pixel to be compared has been described in the case of white or gray, other color pixels may be designated. It is also possible to designate a fixed pixel for inspection. In this case, it is not necessary to transmit pixel position information.
The color of the pixel to be compared may be designated as changing over time. In this case, it is preferable to designate a pixel in which the same image color information continues for an intermediate period of the test period.

  By designating pixels that transmit color signals of different levels to the three basic color signal lines of the video signal line 4, the signals are transmitted to the display 2 side according to the state of each basic color signal line being disconnected or short-circuited. The video signal pattern is different. Therefore, by considering the combination in advance, it is possible to detect information indicating which basic color signal line is short-circuited or disconnected.

The function of detecting an abnormality in the video signal line 4 can be provided in either the main body 1 or the display 2 or can be provided so as to extend over both. Furthermore, it can also be set as the structure connected separately. Thereby, the function of the present invention can be achieved by attaching to an existing configuration later.
The test is executed once within a range of 1 second to 1 minute. However, the test may be executed at a shorter time interval or at a longer time interval. good.

The block block diagram which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention Sequence diagram showing the operation of the main unit and display The figure explaining the display area of LCD, and the position of the pixel for an inspection FIG. 1 equivalent diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention 2 equivalent diagram

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a main body (information output device), 2 is a display (display device), 3 is a network (communication signal line), 4 is a video signal line, 5 is a CPU (comparison means, control means), and 9 and 14. Is a GRAM, 11 is a CPU (comparison means, control means), 15 is a flash ROM (storage means), and 17 is an LCD (display means).

Claims (15)

An abnormality in the signal line for a configuration in which a communication signal line for communicating information and a video signal line for communicating a display video signal are connected between the information output device and the display device In the detection device,
Comparing means for comparing predetermined pixel information in the video signal for display generated by the information output device with the predetermined pixel information received by the display device via the video signal line;
Non-volatile storage means;
An apparatus for detecting an abnormality of a signal line, comprising: control means for storing in the storage means if the comparison result by the comparison means does not match. In the signal line abnormality detection device according to claim 1,
The signal line abnormality detection device, wherein the control means has a clock function and stores the time information together with time information when the comparison result does not match. The signal line abnormality detection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The comparison unit and the storage unit are provided on the display device side, and predetermined pixel information in the video signal for display generated by the information output device is transmitted from the information output device side via the communication signal line. A signal line abnormality detection device characterized by being configured as described above. The signal line abnormality detection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The comparison unit and the storage unit are provided on the information output device side, and the predetermined pixel information received by the display device via the video signal line is transmitted from the display device side via the communication signal line. A signal line abnormality detection device characterized by being configured as described above. In the signal line abnormality detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The video signal line is composed of a plurality of basic color signal lines,
An abnormality detection of a signal line, wherein the predetermined pixel to be compared by the comparison means is a pixel in which a color having a signal is set for all of the plurality of color signal lines of the video signal line apparatus. In the signal line abnormality detection device according to claim 5,
The video signal line is composed of basic color signal lines corresponding to the three primary colors of light of R (red), G (green), and B (blue),
The signal line abnormality detection device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined pixel to be compared by the comparison means is designated as a pixel that displays white or gray. In the signal line abnormality detection device according to claim 5,
The video signal line is composed of three basic color signal lines corresponding to the three primary colors of light of R (red), G (green), and B (blue),
The signal line abnormality detection device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined pixels to be compared by the comparison means are designated as pixels having different signal levels of the three basic color signal lines. In the signal line abnormality detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The signal line abnormality detecting device, wherein the predetermined pixel to be compared by the comparing means is set to a pixel located at an end portion of the display region of the display device and in an invisible region. In the signal line abnormality detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The signal line abnormality detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined pixel to be compared by the comparing means is set to a fixed pixel determined in advance by both the information output device and the display device. In the signal line abnormality detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The signal line abnormality detection device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined pixel to be compared by the comparison means is set to a pixel designated from either the information output device or the display device every time inspection is performed. Used with communication signal lines and video signal lines connected to the information output device,
Comparing means for comparing predetermined pixel information in the display video signal generated by the information output device with the predetermined pixel information received via the video signal line;
Non-volatile storage means;
A display device comprising: control means for storing in the storage means if the comparison result of the comparison means is inconsistent. A communication signal line and a video signal line are connected to the display device according to claim 11,
When predetermined pixel information is requested from the display device side, control means for transmitting the predetermined pixel information from the video signal output to the display device side via the video signal line via the communication signal line An information output device comprising: Used with communication signal lines and video signal lines connected to the display device,
Comparison means for receiving predetermined pixel information of the video signal transmitted to the display device via the video signal line via the communication signal line and comparing it with the video signal before transmission;
Non-volatile storage means;
An information output apparatus comprising: control means for storing in the storage means if the comparison result of the comparison means is inconsistent. It is used in a state where a communication signal line and a video signal line are connected to the information output device according to claim 13,
When predetermined pixel information is requested from the information output device side, control means for transmitting the predetermined pixel information from the video signal received from the display device side via the video signal line via the communication signal line A display device comprising: Anomaly detection of signal lines targeting a configuration in which a communication signal line for transferring information and a video signal line for receiving a display video signal are connected between an information output device and a display device In the method
A process of comparing data before transmission and after transmission through the video signal line for predetermined pixel information of the video signal for display;
A method for detecting an abnormality of a signal line, comprising: a step of storing the comparison result in a non-volatile storage means when the results do not match.

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