JP2006078432A - Multimonitor system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multimonitor system capable of controlling whether installation by other monitors can be adapted to own monitor. <P>SOLUTION: The multimonitor system is equipped with a first monitor 6<SB>1</SB>to be used for processing; a second monitor 6<SB>2</SB>, capable of setting processing conditions for the processing with the first monitor; a designating means 5 for specifying whether the processing condition set up by the second monitor is to be automatically reflected to the processing performed by the first monitor; and a control means 4 the processing conditions to be reflected to the processing by the first monitoring, when automatic reflecting is specified through the designating means, by inquiring whether the processing condition is to be reflected, in response to the processing performed by the first monitor, and whether the result is specified that reflection is to be implemented, in response to the inquiry. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-monitor system that controls a plurality of monitors, and more particularly to a technique for reflecting the settings of other monitors on its own monitor.

  Conventionally, a multi-monitor system is known in which one monitor shares one resource. For example, with the recent spread of car navigation devices, it is not uncommon for two or more car navigation devices each having a monitor to be present in the vehicle. In such a case, performing similar operations separately on each car navigation device and acquiring similar information wastes time and communication costs. In view of this, a system in which a plurality of car navigation devices or a part of them operate in cooperation has been considered.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle navigation apparatus in which a second monitor is provided in a rear seat or the like in addition to a first monitor provided in a driver's seat. In this vehicle navigation device, the first signal input / output system for connecting the first monitor provided in the vicinity of the driver's seat to the video output device such as the navigation device and the television receiver is not only the first device selection switch but also when the vehicle is running. A function stop switch that is turned off is provided so that video equipment such as a television is not output when the vehicle is traveling, and the operation prohibition function during traveling in the navigation device cannot be operated, and only the specific function that can be operated during traveling can be operated. On the other hand, the second signal input / output system of the second monitor provided in the rear seat does not have the function stop switch as described above, and does not affect the first monitor, such as television reception and destination setting. Can perform the functions. This configuration eliminates the inconvenience that you cannot set the destination along the menu screen while the vehicle is running, and you cannot watch the TV on the second monitor unless the first monitor is turned off. is doing.

  In addition, as a system having a plurality of monitors, a plurality of displays for drivers and passengers can be mounted, and each display can share one image. There is also known a vehicle information display method and apparatus capable of restricting display information only for use (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, when the same display information obtained from the information source is displayed on the display devices provided in the driver's seat and the rear seat, the video signal of the base image generated from the display information is displayed. The distribution circuit divides the signal into two and outputs one of them to the rear seat display device to display all information on the rear seat display device. While the vehicle is traveling, the mask image is stored in the VRAM to generate a video signal in which the base image and the mask image are synthesized by the video synthesizing circuit, which is output to the front seat display device and a part of the information is output. Display. While the vehicle is stopped, the mask image is erased from the VRAM to display all information on the front seat display device. As a result, it is possible to improve the safety by restricting the display information of the front seat display device while the vehicle is traveling.

JP 2002-243488 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-288528

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the operation content on the second monitor in the rear seat is directly reflected on the first monitor in the front seat. In many automobiles, there are many children in the back seat, and parents in the front seat cannot know what is being operated in the back seat. For this reason, if the destination and waypoints are set on the second monitor in the rear seat and reflected directly on the first monitor in the front seat, the route displayed on the first monitor in the front seat changes, which hinders driving. There is a risk of causing. Even if an adult rides on the rear seat, it is possible that the above-described state may occur due to an erroneous operation.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-monitor system that can control whether a setting using another monitor is applied to the own monitor.

  The multi-monitor system according to the present invention includes a first monitor used for processing, a second monitor capable of setting processing conditions for processing using the first monitor, and processing conditions set by the second monitor for the first monitor. The processing condition is performed using the first monitor when it is designated by the designation means for automatically reflecting in the processing performed using, and by the designation means. There is a control means for inquiring whether or not to reflect in the processing, and for reflecting the processing condition in the processing using the first monitor when instructed to reflect in response to the inquiry.

  According to this invention, when the first monitor cannot be used, the setting can be performed using the second monitor, and the setting can be reflected in the processing of the first monitor. At this time, in the first monitor, it is possible to select whether to reflect the setting automatically or after inquiring by specifying with the specifying means. Therefore, since the contents of the first monitor can be prevented from changing suddenly if designated by the designation means, the operator can avoid various inconveniences associated with the unexpected change of the contents of the first monitor. .

  For example, when this multi-monitor system is applied to a car navigation device, when two or more monitors are installed in the vehicle and both can be operated by navigation, the destination set using the rear seat monitor is displayed in front. The driver or the person sitting in the passenger seat can decide whether or not to reflect on the seat monitor. Therefore, the route displayed on the front seat monitor can be determined by designating the setting made using the second monitor so that the setting performed using the second monitor is not automatically reflected in the processing performed using the first monitor. Since it does not change suddenly, troubles to driving can be prevented.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, a car navigation device having a plurality of monitors will be described as an example of the multi-monitor system according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to a car navigation device, and two or more devices are held in many homes. It can also be applied to mobile phones, televisions, personal computers and the like.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a car navigation apparatus to which a multi-monitor system of the present invention is applied. This car navigation device includes a GPS receiver 1, a gyro 2, a speed sensor 3, a control device 4, an automatic setting button 5, a first monitor 6 ₁ , a second monitor 6 ₂ , a first input device 7 ₁ , a second input device. and a 7 ₂ and the disk drive device 8.

  The GPS receiver 1 calculates the current position (latitude and longitude) of a vehicle on which the car navigation device is mounted based on a GPS signal obtained by receiving radio waves transmitted from GPS satellites. GPS data representing the current position of the vehicle calculated by the GPS receiver 1 is sent to the control device 4. The gyro 2 detects the traveling direction of the vehicle on which the car navigation device is mounted. The traveling direction detected by the gyro 2 is sent to the control device 4 as direction data. The speed sensor 3 measures the number of pulses generated each time a vehicle on which the car navigation device is mounted travels a certain distance. The number of pulses measured by this speed sensor is sent to the control device 4 as speed data.

  The control device 4 controls the entire car navigation device. Details of the control device 4 will be described later.

The automatic setting button 5 corresponds to the specifying means of the present invention. The automatic setting button 5 is a switch provided on the front panel (not shown) of the car navigation device. The automatic setting button 5 is used to specify whether to automatically reflect the contents set in the second monitor 6 ₂ as a first monitor ₆₁ for setting. An automatic setting signal indicating that the automatic setting button 5 has been pressed is sent to the control device 4. Instead of the automatic setting button 5 may be configured to generate an automatic setting signal at the first input device _71.

The first monitor ₆₁ is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, is disposed in front seat of an automobile. The first monitor ₆₁ may be used to display or map based on the map data sent from the control device 4, a video based on the video data sent from the control unit 4. The first input device ₇₁ is composed of, for example, from the placed panel in the first monitor ₆₁ on the display screen is used to input various data. Data input from the first input device ₇₁ is sent to the control unit 4. Driver performs the operation while viewing the first monitor _61, performs a display change first input device 7 ₁ and manipulated as needed. Note that operations that the driver can perform while the vehicle is traveling are limited to simple operations such as changing the display magnification.

Second monitor 6 ₂ has, for example, a liquid crystal display, is disposed a rear seat of an automobile. Second monitor 6 ₂ are used to display or map based on the map data sent from the control device 4, a video based on the video data sent from the control unit 4. The second input device 7 ₂ is constructed of, for example, from the placed panel in the second monitor 6 ₂ of the display screen is used to input various data. Data input from the second input device 7 ₂ is sent to the control unit 4. Second monitor 6 ₂ and the second input device 7 _second operation of the rear seat is not restricted, even during driving of the automobile, it is possible to all operations. As the first input device 7 ₁ and the second input device 7 ₂ described above is not limited to the touch panel, it is possible to use a keyboard, a remote controller, a joystick, and other various devices.

  The disk drive device 8 is composed of, for example, a DVD-ROM drive device or a CD-ROM drive device, and reproduces video data recorded on the DVD-ROM or CD-ROM. Video data reproduced by the disk drive device 8 is sent to the control device 4.

Next, details of the control device 4 will be described. The control device 4, the current position detection unit 10, and a map data storage unit 11, the route search unit 12, the image data storage unit 13, the first user interface processing unit 14 ₁ and the second user interface processing unit 14 ₂ .

  The current position detection unit 10 performs a predetermined calculation based on the GPS data sent from the GPS receiver 1, the azimuth data sent from the gyro 2, and the speed data sent from the speed sensor 3. Detects the current position of a vehicle equipped with a car navigation device. Current position data representing the current position detected by the current position detection unit 10 is sent to the route search unit 12.

The map data storage unit 11 is composed of, for example, a hard disk device (HDD) and stores map data. The map data stored in the map data storage unit 11 is sent to the route searching unit 12, the first user interface processing unit 14 ₁ and the second user interface processing unit 14 _2. In the first embodiment, the map data storage unit 11 is composed of a hard disk device, but can also be composed of a DVD-ROM drive device or a CD-ROM drive device. In this case, the map data is stored on a DVD-ROM or CD-ROM.

The route search unit 12, map data on the basis of the map data read from the storage unit 11, from the position specified by the current position data sent from the current position detecting section 10, the first input device 7 ₁ or the second input searching for a route to a destination that is input from the device 7 _2. The guidance route data representing the searched route by the route search section 12 is sent to the first user interface processing unit 14 ₁ and the second user interface processing unit 14 _2.

Image data storage unit 13, an icon to be displayed on the first monitor _61, and stores the drawing components such messages. The drawing parts stored in the image data storage unit 13 is read by the first user interface processing unit 14 _1.

The first user interface processing unit 14 ₁ controls transmission and reception of signals between the first monitor ₆₁ and the first input device 7 ₁ and the control unit 4. More specifically, the feed in the map data storage unit 11 first monitor ₆₁ generates an image signal on the basis of the map data read from, and displays a map. The feed to the first monitor ₆₁ generates a video signal based on the image data read from the disk drive unit 8 to display the image. Further, the searched route by the route searching unit 12 sends to the first monitor _61, to draw the guide route on the map being displayed. Further, in response to a second state signal from the user interface processing unit 14 _2, reads the rendering component stored in the image data storage unit 13, and displays an icon or message by sending to the first monitor _61. Further, in accordance with the automatic setting signal from the automatic setting button 5, which controls the display of the first monitor _61. Furthermore, sending the input data from the first input device _71, for example, data representing the destination and stopover on the route search unit 12.

The second user interface processing unit 14 ₂ controls the transmission and reception of signals between the second monitor 6 ₂ and the second input device 7 ₂ and the control unit 4. More specifically, the feed in the map data storage unit 11 second monitor 6 ₂ generates an image signal on the basis of the map data read from, and displays a map. The disk drive device feeding from the second monitor 6 ₂ generates a video signal based on the image data read out 8, to display an image. Further, the searched route by the route searching unit 12 sends the second monitor 6 _2, to draw the guide route on the map being displayed. The second monitor 6 _second state, i.e. to determine whether the map or image is displayed is displayed and sent to the first user interface processing unit 14 ₁ and the determination result as a state signal. Furthermore, sending the input data from the second input device 7 _2, for example, data representing a destination or waypoint in the route search unit 12.

The first user interface processing unit described above 14 ₁ and has become operable independently of the second user interface processing unit 14 _2. Thus, ₁ and the first monitor ₆₁ and the first input device _7, and the second monitor _{6 2} and the second input device _{7 2} can operate independently. As a result, or to display a map or image in both of the first monitor ₆₁ and the second monitor 6 _2, or one to display the map of the first monitor ₆₁ and the second monitor 6 _2, an image on the other It can be used for display.

  Next, the operation of the car navigation device as the multi-monitor system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the desire to set the destination or stopover during running of the vehicle occurs, the rear seat, the second monitor 6 ₂ and the second input device 7 ₂ destination and stopover using the input as the processing conditions These locations are searched (step ST10). That is, when the destination and stopover using the second input device 7 ₂ is input, the data representing these destination and waypoints are, the route search unit via the second user interface processing unit 14 ₂ as the processing condition 12 is sent. The route search unit 12 reads the map data from the map data storage unit 11 based on the received data indicating the destination and the waypoint, and searches for those locations.

Next, the destination and waypoint searched in step ST10 are set as the changed route (step ST11). Next, it is checked whether or not automatic setting has been made (step ST12). That is, the first user interface processing unit 14 ₁ checks whether the automatic setting signal has been sent by the automatic setting button 5 is pressed. When it is determined that the automatic setting signal has been received, the route search unit 12 is notified accordingly. The route search unit 12, the processing conditions registered for display on the first monitor _61, that is to change the destination and stopover (step ST15). Next, the guide route is recalculated according to the changed destination and waypoint, and the guide route obtained by this recalculation is drawn on the map (step ST16). By the above processing, the ability to automatically change the first display content of the monitor ₆₁ by the second monitor 6 ₂ and the second input device 7 _second operation is realized.

In step ST12, if the automatic setting has not been made is determined, then, as shown in FIG. 3, with a message 30 indicating the destination and stopover on the first monitor ₆₁ is displayed, the route change The button 31 is displayed and an inquiry is made (step ST13). Next, it is checked whether or not the route change button 31 has been pressed (touched) (step ST14). Here, if it is determined that the route change button 31 has not been pressed, that is, no response to the inquiry has been made, the process waits until the route change button 31 is pressed while repeatedly executing step ST14. In the case of not performing route change, by pressing a reset button (not shown), you can return the display of the first monitor ₆₁ to the original state. On the other hand, when it is determined that the route change button 31 has been pressed, that is, a response to the inquiry has been made, the processes of steps ST15 and ST16 described above are executed.

In parallel with the above operation, although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, the processing of displaying constantly the second monitor 6 ₂ state to the first monitor ₆₁ is executed. That is, the second user interface processing unit 14 _2, the signal being transmitted to the second monitor 6 _2, whether the image signal based on the map data read from the map data storage unit 11, read out from the disk drive device 8 determining whether the video signal based on the video data, and sends the state signal to the first user interface processing unit 14 _1.

The first user interface processing unit 14 _1, when the state signal received from the second user interface processing unit 14 _2, and indicate that it is the transmission of the video signal represents a DVD icon from the image data storage unit 13 reading the data, as shown in FIG. 4, to display the DVD icon 32 at a predetermined portion of the first monitor _61. On the other hand, the state signal received from the second user interface processing unit 14 _2, when the identification information indicates that the sending of the image signal, reads the data representing the map icon from the image data storage unit 13, shown in FIG. 5 as displays a map icon 33 at a predetermined portion of the first monitor _61.

As described above, the multi According monitor to the car navigation device as a system, a first monitor ₆₁ if the effect that performs automatic configuration using an automatic setting button 5 is designated according to the first embodiment of the present invention no decision on the second monitor 6 ₂ and the second input device 72 is configured with the destination and stopover are automatically reflected in the first monitor _61. On the other hand, if that is not used to automatically set using the automatic setting button 5 is specified, further, the first monitor _61, the second monitor 6 ₂ and the second input device 7 ₂ in the set destination And a message including 30 waypoints is displayed. Accordingly, the driver, by viewing the first monitor _61, by check the set destination and waypoints, to understand these changes pressing the route change button 31, the second monitor 6 ₂ and a second input device 7 ₂ destination and stopover set by using the can be reflected on the first monitor _61. Thus, for example, children's play and the rear seat, if set by erroneous operation, the driver is able to make settings are not reflected in the first monitor _61.

Further, in the _first first monitor 6, the icon image in which the second monitor 6 _2, map reproduced or DVD-ROM is displayed indicating whether the display is always displayed, the driver rear seat The operation state can be grasped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent such erroneous operation by the rear seat due to children, also waypoint on the first monitor _61, not be surprised be set to the destination suddenly.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the car navigation apparatus as a multi-monitor system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the car navigation apparatus as a multi-monitor system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the message which shows the destination and waypoint in the car navigation apparatus as a multi-monitor system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the DVD icon in the car navigation apparatus as a multi-monitor system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the map icon in the car navigation apparatus as a multi-monitor system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 GPS receiver, 2 Gyro, 3 Speed sensor, 4 Control apparatus, 5 Automatic setting button, 6 ₁ 1st monitor, 6 ₂ 2nd monitor, 7 ₁ 1st input device, 7 ₂ 2nd input device, 8 Disk drive Apparatus, 10 current position detection unit, 11 map data storage unit, 12 route search unit, 13 image data storage unit, 14 ₁ first user interface processing unit, 14 ₂ second user interface processing unit.

Claims (4)

A first monitor used for processing;
A second monitor capable of setting processing conditions for processing using the first monitor;
Designating means for designating whether or not the processing conditions set by the second monitor are automatically reflected in the processing performed using the first monitor;
If it is specified by the specifying means to be automatically reflected, an inquiry should be made as to whether or not the processing condition should be reflected in processing performed using the first monitor, and the response should be reflected in response to the inquiry. And a control means for reflecting the processing condition in the processing using the first monitor when the instruction is given. A first user interface processing unit for controlling the first monitor;
A second user interface processing unit for controlling the second monitor,
The multi-monitor system according to claim 1, wherein the first user interface processing unit and the second user interface processing unit perform processing independently.   The multi-monitor system according to claim 1, wherein the first monitor outputs information representing processing performed using the second monitor. The control means automatically applies the processing conditions set on the second monitor to the processing performed using the first monitor without making an inquiry when the designation means specifies that the reflection is automatically performed. The multi-monitor system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the multi-monitor system is reflected.

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