JP2006108995A - Mobile content server and fixed content server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile content server and a fixed content server which allow different users to simultaneously use, inside and outside a house, the contents stored in a home server at a low cost. <P>SOLUTION: A communication means 11 of an onboard content server 1 can communicate with a communication means 22 of a home content server 2 by way of LAN. The onboard content server 1 downloads the content data stored in the storage device 21 of the home content server 2 by way of the communication means 11, and stores it in a storage device 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is a fixed content server that is installed in a building, stores content such as music and video, transmits the stored content in response to a request, and downloads and moves content from the fixed content server The present invention also relates to a mobile content server that provides content to a user.

  Conventionally, as a method of enjoying content such as music and video on a vehicle, a method of reproducing the content by using a car audio or an in-vehicle DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) player has been mainstream.

  In recent years, music servers equipped with a hard disk, devices connected to the Internet using a telephone line, and the like have been installed in vehicles.

In addition, devices that download and view content stored in a personal computer (PC) in the home using a telephone line (see, for example, Patent Document 1), or bring a PC directly into a vehicle as a player, In some cases, content stored on a PC or the like at home can always be used.
JP 2001-313741 A

  However, in the method of bringing content as media into the vehicle as described above, the media is moved between the vehicle and the home, and different users at the home and the vehicle cannot use the content at the same time.

  In addition, as a method for solving such a problem, there is a method of using the content stored in a home PC or the like using a telephone line as described above. In this case, depending on the content, the content is downloaded. There were problems such as increased communication fees and longer download times.

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems, and is a low-cost mobile content server capable of simultaneously using content stored in a home server by different users at home and at the destination. An object is to provide a fixed content server.

  The mobile content server of the present invention is a mobile content server that acquires content from a server in a building and provides the content to the user while moving, a wireless communication means for transmitting and receiving data by short-range wireless communication, It has a configuration comprising download management means for downloading content data by wireless communication means, and content storage means for storing content data downloaded by the download management means.

  With this configuration, content data is downloaded to the mobile content server using short-range wireless communication. If a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the like is used as short-range wireless communication, content data can be downloaded to the mobile content server by the wireless LAN in the building.

  Here, the position detection means for detecting its own position and the communication state when communication is performed by the wireless communication means are recorded in association with the position detected by the position detection means, thereby creating communication state distribution data. Communication state distribution data creating means for performing download based on the communication state distribution data.

  With this configuration, the communication state at the time of actual communication is recorded for each position, and downloading is performed based on this data. Therefore, the communication state can be predicted and downloaded.

  The mobile content server is mounted on a vehicle, and includes engine key detection means for detecting that the engine key of the vehicle is within a certain area from the vehicle, and the download management means is configured such that the engine of the vehicle The download is started when the engine key detecting means detects the presence of the engine key during the stop.

  With this configuration, it is possible to predict that the vehicle will be driven by the approach of the engine key, and to start downloading before the vehicle is driven, thereby increasing the download capacity while suppressing power consumption.

  The mobile content server is mounted on a vehicle and includes door lock state detection means for detecting release of the door lock of the vehicle, and the download management means is configured to detect the door lock state detection means while the engine of the vehicle is stopped. Download starts when it detects that the door is unlocked.

  With this configuration, it is possible to predict that the vehicle will be driven by releasing the door lock, and to start downloading immediately before the vehicle is driven, thereby increasing the download capacity while suppressing power consumption.

  The mobile content server includes a download completion time estimation unit that is mounted on a vehicle and estimates a time until the download is completed based on a data volume and a communication speed that are not yet downloaded, and the download management unit includes the vehicle When there is content data that has not been downloaded when the engine stops, the time until the download estimated by the download completion estimation means is displayed is displayed.

  With this configuration, when the vehicle engine stops, it is possible to notify the driver of the time taken to download the content data being downloaded.

  The download control means includes engine control means for controlling start of the vehicle engine and stop after a set time, and the download management means includes content data that has not been downloaded when the vehicle engine is stopped. For example, the engine control unit operates the engine for the time until the download estimated by the download completion estimation unit is completed, then stops the engine, and downloads during this engine operation.

  With this configuration, when the vehicle engine is stopped, if there is content data being downloaded, the engine is operated only for the time estimated to end the download, the content data is downloaded, and the power is not consumed. Data can be downloaded.

  In addition, the power management unit includes a power management unit that monitors a capacity state of the power source of the vehicle, and the download management unit includes a download process execution state, a time until the download estimated by the download completion estimation unit, and the power management. The information including the capacity state of the power source detected by the means is transmitted to the set server.

  With this configuration, it is possible to know the execution status of the download process, the time until the download is completed, the capacity state of the power source, and the like even at a place away from the vehicle.

  Further, communication capacity estimation means for estimating the data capacity that can be downloaded with the movement route and movement speed based on the distribution data of the communication state created by the communication state distribution data creation means, the movement route, and the movement speed. The download management means is configured to cause the communication capacity estimation means to estimate the data capacity based on the set travel route and travel speed, and to download the content data based on the estimated data capacity.

  With this configuration, the downloadable data capacity is estimated based on the travel route and the travel speed, and the content data is downloaded based on the data capacity. Therefore, the download can be performed by predicting the data capacity that can be downloaded.

  Further, the download management means preferentially downloads content data having a data capacity smaller than the estimated data capacity.

  With this configuration, content data having a data size within the predicted downloadable data capacity is preferentially downloaded, and content data predicted to be reliably downloaded is preferentially downloaded.

  Further, the download management means, when the data size of content data having a high download priority is larger than the estimated data capacity, transmits the content data by dividing it into the estimated data capacity. The configuration is required for the server in the building.

  With this configuration, when it is predicted that high-priority content data cannot be downloaded at one time, the server is requested to divide and transmit the content data, and the content data can be reliably downloaded.

  Further, the download management means, when the data size of content data having a high download priority is larger than the estimated data capacity, compresses the content data to the estimated data capacity and transmits the compressed data. The configuration is required for the server in the building.

  With this configuration, when it is predicted that high-priority content data cannot be downloaded at one time, the server is requested to compress and transmit the content data, and the content data can be downloaded reliably.

  In addition, the download management means requests the server in the building to store the content data in a portable storage medium when the total data capacity of the content data that needs to be downloaded exceeds a set value. It was set as the structure to do.

  With this configuration, when the total data capacity of content data that needs to be downloaded exceeds the set value, the server is requested to store the content data on a portable storage medium, and this storage medium ensures that the content data is stored. Can be obtained.

  In addition, the mobile content server is mounted on a vehicle, and the portable storage medium is a storage device provided in an engine key of the vehicle.

  With this configuration, the content data is stored in the engine key of the vehicle, and the content data can be reliably acquired.

  The download management unit includes a route search unit that searches for a route to reach a set destination, and the download management unit uses the route searched by the route search unit and the set moving speed to determine the communication capacity estimation unit. The data volume is estimated, and the content data is downloaded based on the estimated data volume.

  With this configuration, the data capacity that can be downloaded by the route searched by the route search means is estimated, and the content data is downloaded based on this data capacity. Therefore, the download can be performed by predicting the data capacity that can be downloaded through the searched route.

  Further, the download management means, when the estimated data capacity in the route searched by the route search means is smaller than the total data capacity of the content data that needs to be downloaded, based on the communication state distribution data, It is configured to calculate and display a moving speed at which all content data that needs to be downloaded can be downloaded.

  With this configuration, the moving speed at which all the content data that needs to be downloaded is displayed is displayed. By moving at this moving speed, the data capacity for the content data that needs to be downloaded can be downloaded, and the route is changed. Downloading of necessary content data can be completed without any problem.

  Further, the download management means, when the estimated data capacity in the route searched by the route search means is smaller than the total data capacity of the content data that needs to be downloaded, based on the communication state distribution data, The route that can download all the content data that needs to be downloaded is selected and displayed.

  With this configuration, a route for downloading all the content data that needs to be downloaded is displayed, and by moving along this route, the data capacity for the content data that needs to be downloaded can be downloaded, and the speed is changed. Downloading of necessary content data can be completed without any problem.

  The fixed content server of the present invention is a fixed content server that is installed in a building and transmits content stored in response to a request, and acquired by wireless communication means that transmits and receives data by short-range wireless communication Content storage means for storing content data, and transmitting the content data via the wireless communication means in response to a download request for the content data received via the wireless communication means. ing.

  With this configuration, content data is transmitted in response to a download request using short-range wireless communication. If a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the like is used as short-range wireless communication, content data can be downloaded via a home wireless LAN.

  Here, when a request to divide and transmit the content data is received via the wireless communication means, the content data is divided and transmitted to the instructed data capacity.

  With this configuration, content data that cannot be downloaded at one time on the user side is divided and transmitted, and the content data can be reliably downloaded.

  Further, when a request for compressing and transmitting the content data is received via the wireless communication means, the content data is compressed to a designated data capacity and transmitted.

  With this configuration, content data that cannot be downloaded at one time on the user side is compressed and transmitted, and the content data can be reliably downloaded.

  In addition, when a request for storing the content data in a portable storage medium is received via the wireless communication unit, the content data is stored in the designated storage medium.

  With this configuration, content data that cannot be downloaded at a time on the user side is stored in a storage medium, and the content data is read via the storage medium, so that the content data can be reliably acquired.

  According to the present invention, content data is downloaded from a server in a building via short-range wireless communication. Therefore, content stored on a server in a building can be transferred to a building and a destination at low cost. Can be used simultaneously by different users.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a content use system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the content use system according to the present embodiment acquires and stores various contents from a home content server 2 (fixed content server) 2 that acquires various contents and stores them in a storage device. An in-vehicle content server (mobile content server) 1 and a vehicle engine key 3 having a function capable of short-range communication with the vehicle or the in-vehicle content server 1 are provided.

  The in-vehicle content server 1 performs data communication with the home content server 2, for example, a communication means 11 such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) device, and detects the current position and running state of the vehicle, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System). Vehicle position travel speed detection means 12 such as a travel speed detection device calculated from a vehicle speed pulse, route search means 13 having a route search function used in a car navigation system, and the operation of the in-vehicle content server 1 Sometimes, a power management means 14 for monitoring the remaining capacity of the battery mounted on the vehicle, a download management means 15 for managing the download of contents from the home content server 2, and a large storage such as a hard disk for storing the downloaded contents. Capacity storage device and writable DVD storage device And a storage device 16 such as a storage device.

  The download management unit 15 includes a communication area determination unit 151 that determines whether or not the area can communicate with the home content server 2, and a communication capacity (downloadable data capacity) in the area based on the travel route and travel speed in the area. The communication capacity estimating means 152 for estimating the communication capacity and the communication time estimating means 153 for calculating the downloadable time based on the information of the power management means 14 are provided.

  The home content server 2 stores data acquired from various media and performs data communication with the in-vehicle content server 1 and a storage device 21 such as a mass storage device such as a hard disk or a writable DVD storage device. Various contents are input from various media to the communication device 22 such as a wireless local area network (LAN) device and the storage device 21 as home content, and the content stored in the storage device 21 is output to various media. For example, an Internet connection device for acquiring content from a server on the Internet and an input / output device 23 such as an input / output device such as a memory card are provided.

  As the input / output device 23, various drives such as a DVD and a CD (Compact Disc), a broadcast receiving tuner, and the like may be added.

  In such a content usage system, as shown in FIG. 2, the home content server 2 includes various drive functions such as DVD / CD and memory card, various tuners such as analog and digital TV, analog and digital radio, and the Internet. An input / output device 23 such as connection means is provided, and various contents (music, video, news, homepage, etc.) that can be acquired from these are stored in a storage device 21 such as a hard disk.

  The in-vehicle content server 1 downloads and accumulates content accumulated in the home content server 2 via a wireless LAN.

  Further, the home content server 2 stores, as download management information, the presence / absence of a download continuation file that was interrupted in the middle of the previous download, the state of a file waiting for download, and the like.

  The download management information is transmitted to the home content server 2 as a result of performing the download process in the in-vehicle content server 1 with respect to the contents of the file to be downloaded transmitted from the home content server 2 to the in-vehicle content server 1, Created and updated by difference information with respect to the latest contents of the content server 2.

  By the way, the communicable area of the wireless LAN is generally able to communicate up to a maximum of about 300 m with good visibility, but actually the communicable area greatly varies depending on the surrounding environment such as a shielding object.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an area A1 in which wireless LAN data transmission / reception can be performed when there is a building where the home content server 2 is installed, a surrounding road, and a building.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless LAN transceiver installed in the home content server 2 has a complex transmission / reception area that varies depending on the presence of a shield from surrounding buildings, the material of the shield, and the like.

  Here, for example, if the vehicle travels on a travel route as shown in FIG. 4, it can travel within a communicable area for a relatively long time, and content with a relatively large data capacity can be downloaded. However, when traveling on a travel route as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to travel in a communicable area only for a relatively short time, so that only content with a small data capacity can be downloaded.

  Further, when the vehicle travels on a travel route as shown in FIG. 6, it can always travel within the communicable area. Therefore, content with a very large data size can be downloaded if the laps are repeated.

  Thus, it is difficult to simply estimate the communicable area based on the distance from the home content server 2, and it is necessary to grasp the communicable area in order to download content with a large data capacity.

  A method for efficiently transmitting and receiving data between the home content server 2 and the in-vehicle content server 1 in such a situation will be described.

  First, learning of the data communicable area and the communication speed will be described.

  FIG. 7 is an example showing the home content server 2 and its surrounding roads and surrounding radio wave shielding objects. As described above, it is difficult to estimate the communicable area and the communication speed at that point in an environment where there is a shield.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, when the vehicle is traveling, the vehicle position obtained from the vehicle position travel speed detecting means 12 mounted on the vehicle and the actual communication with the home content server 2 at that position are performed. Collect data associated with the communication state (disconnected, communication speed, etc.) to create communication speed distribution data.

  For example, a road represented by a dotted line in FIG. 8 indicates an initialized state, that is, a state in which the communication speed is unknown because the in-vehicle content server 1 is not communicating with the home content server 2 while traveling. Next, FIG. 9 shows a state where the vehicle travels on the road R1 and the in-vehicle content server 1 collects the position and the communication state for every fixed distance, for example.

  Further, FIG. 10 shows a state in which the vehicle travels around the home content server 2 and the in-vehicle content server 1 has learned the communication speed for all road networks.

  Further, the learning of the communication speed at each point can be performed by additionally updating data such as a pair of longitude, latitude, and communication speed as shown in FIG.

  In this way, by sequentially learning the communicable area and communication speed in the vicinity of the home content server 2 during traveling, it is possible to know roads and parking lots where communication can be performed efficiently.

  In addition, the downloadable data capacity can be estimated from the vehicle travel path and travel speed, and the accuracy can be improved by repeated learning.

  Next, the state immediately after stopping and immediately before driving will be described with respect to the state where the vehicle is stopped in the garage.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing data communication processing in a state immediately before the vehicle departs from the garage.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the download management means 15 first determines whether or not the vehicle engine key 3 is present in a predetermined area (S11), and the user holds the predetermined value from the vehicle while holding the vehicle engine key 3. Determine if you are approaching the area.

  The presence / absence of the vehicle engine key 3 is a communication technology already used in some vehicle types such as radio type, such as an intelligent key that locks / unlocks a door using RF-ID (Radio Frequency IDentification). Confirm using.

  If the vehicle engine key 3 does not exist in the predetermined area, the process is terminated. When the vehicle engine key 3 is present in the predetermined area, it is determined whether communication with the home content server 2 is possible (S12). If communication with the home content server 2 is possible, it is determined whether there is content to be downloaded from the home content server 2 to the in-vehicle content server 1 (S13). Whether or not there is content to be downloaded is always determined by download management information managed by the home content server 2. For example, it is information such as whether there is content newly added to content already downloaded to the in-vehicle content server 1 or whether there is content that the user has specified to download. If there is no content to be downloaded, the process ends.

  If there is content to be downloaded, information on the content file to be downloaded is acquired (S14), and download is started.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a positional relationship among the home content server 2, the in-vehicle content server 1, and the vehicle engine key 3 when it is determined in S12 that communication with the home content server 2 is possible.

  It is a condition for starting communication that the vehicle engine key 3 exists in the area A2 that can communicate with the vehicle, and that the vehicle (in-vehicle content server 1) is in the area A3 that can communicate with the home content server 2. Yes.

  Next, the download management means 15 determines whether or not all the files to be downloaded have been downloaded (S15). If the file to be acquired still remains, the power management means 14 determines whether or not the power capacity of the battery mounted on the vehicle remains above the threshold (S16), and if the power capacity exceeds the threshold, The file to be downloaded is downloaded for a certain time (S17), the process returns to S15, and the same processing is repeated thereafter.

  If the download is completed in S15, or if the power supply capacity is less than the threshold in S16, management information is created for the file to be downloaded, the file that has been downloaded, the remaining file, the status of the file being downloaded, etc. It transmits to the content server 2 (S18).

  If communication with the home content server 2 becomes impossible during the download, the management information is transmitted to the memory of the vehicle engine key 3 and the content is transferred to the home content server 2 when returning home. You may make it do.

  In the present embodiment, it is determined whether the vehicle engine key 3 exists in a predetermined area (a certain distance from the vehicle). This is because the driver has approached to drive the vehicle. It is for detection.

  The approach of the driver is not an essential configuration because the power management of the battery is performed, but for example, when implemented only by the power management, if the driver has not driven the vehicle for a while, the power capacity by natural discharge etc. It can cause shortages.

  For this reason, download is performed when the approaching state of the driver is detected, and the vehicle is driven immediately after the driver and the power supply is charged, thereby avoiding a shortage of power capacity.

  Next, the operation of the download process immediately after the vehicle is stopped will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process for continuously operating the engine by a timer from the remaining download time and the remaining battery capacity when the download process of the file to be acquired when the vehicle is stopped is not completed.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the download management means 15 first determines whether the engine switch of the vehicle has been turned off (S21), and ends the process if the engine switch is not turned off.

  If the engine switch is off, it is determined whether the file to be acquired is being downloaded (S22). If not, the process is terminated.

  If the file to be acquired is being downloaded, the power management means 14 checks the power capacity state of the vehicle battery (S23). For example, a commercially available battery capacity meter power source capacity is measured by monitoring a discharge amount and a charge amount.

  Next, the time required to download the remaining data of the file to be acquired is calculated from the size of the undownloaded data of the file to be acquired and the communication speed (S24).

  Next, the power consumption estimated from the time required to download the remaining data of the file to be acquired is calculated, and the required engine operating time (power generation) is calculated from this power consumption and the power capacity state of the vehicle battery. (Machine operation time) is calculated (S25), a message indicating that there is a file to be acquired and the calculated engine operation time is to be downloaded is displayed, and an instruction from the driver is determined (S26).

  If the instruction from the driver is to continue the download, the timer is set to the engine operating time required for the download, the engine switch is turned on, and the engine is controlled so that the engine switch is turned off at the set time (S27). Then, download processing (S28) is performed.

  The engine operating time may be updated in accordance with a change in communication speed during downloading. Further, the engine operation time information may be transmitted to the home content server 2 so that the state is monitored from the home content server 2.

  If the instruction from the driver is to cancel the download, the management information of the download interruption status is created and the created management information is transmitted to the home content server 2 (S29).

  By controlling the download process in this way, even if the download process is continued after the vehicle stops, the necessary content can be downloaded without causing the battery to be overdischarged. In addition, since the engine is operated by the timer for the time required for downloading and the engine switch is turned off, the necessary content can be downloaded without forgetting to turn off the engine.

  Next, a state when the vehicle departs from the garage or returns to the garage will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a download process when the vehicle departs from the garage or returns to the garage.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the download management means 15 acquires the position of the vehicle by the vehicle position travel speed detection means 12 (S41), and determines whether communication with the home content server 2 is possible (S42). If communication is impossible, the process returns to S41 and repeats until communication is possible.

  If communication is possible, refer to the communication speed distribution data, calculate the downloadable data capacity from the acquired current position and current speed of the vehicle (S43), and determine the file to be preferentially downloaded according to the contents Depending on the set download mode, such as a content priority mode and a size priority mode for preferentially downloading a file that can be completely acquired by a single download process, a download process that meets the conditions is performed (S44). For example, if there is a file to be continuously downloaded from the previous time in the content content priority mode, the continuation of the corresponding file is downloaded.

  When the download is completed, data in which the vehicle position and the communication state (communication speed) information obtained in the current travel are associated is created and stored in the communication speed distribution data for learning (S45).

  Thus, by sequentially learning the communicable area and communication speed around the home content server 2 during travel, the accuracy of estimating the downloadable data capacity from the travel path, travel speed, and the like can be improved.

  Then, management information is created regarding the file that has been downloaded, the remaining file, the status of the file being downloaded, and the like, transmitted to the home content server 2 (S46), and the process returns to S41.

  Next, if you want to complete the download of the file before entering the communication area and before the end of the operation, or after starting the operation until going out of the communicable area, how to efficiently communicate data around the home content server 2 The method will be explained.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing for efficiently performing data communication around the home content server 2.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the download management means 15 determines whether there is content to be downloaded from the home content server 2 to the in-vehicle content server 1 (S51). If there is no content to be downloaded, the process ends.

  If there is content to be downloaded, the data size of the content file to be downloaded is calculated (S52).

  Then, the communication speed distribution data is presented to the user, and the user is allowed to select a travel route (S53). This data is data learned at the time of travel, and is data that statistically represents the distribution of the travel position of the vehicle and the communication speed.

  From the route selected by the user and the current speed of the vehicle, the total communicable capacity (downloadable data capacity) in the communicable area on the route is estimated from the communication speed distribution data (S54).

  Next, it is determined whether the data size of the content file to be downloaded is within the estimated total communication capacity (S55). If the data size of the content file to be downloaded is less than the estimated total communication capacity, a download process is performed (S59).

  If the data size of the content file to be downloaded is greater than the estimated total communication capacity, the vehicle speed (recommended) to ensure the communication speed that enables the download of the file to be downloaded on the selected route. (Speed) is calculated (S56), and a message for selecting whether to drive the vehicle at the calculated recommended speed or to calculate a route for securing a communication speed at which a file to be downloaded at the current speed can be downloaded is displayed. An instruction from the user is determined (S57). When the vehicle is driven at the recommended speed, a download process is performed (S59).

  When the vehicle is driven at the current speed, a route that can secure a communication speed at which a file to be downloaded at the current speed can be secured is calculated, the calculated route is presented to the user (S58), and a download process is performed (S59). . This route is calculated by, for example, costing at the communication speed for roads in the communicable area, and calculating the route that maximizes the downloadable data capacity from the current speed, travel distance, and communication speed. .

  When the download is completed, management information is created regarding the file that has been downloaded, the remaining file, the status of the file being downloaded, and the like, and transmitted to the home content server 2 (S60).

  FIG. 17 shows the data transmission / reception between the home content server 2 and the in-vehicle content server 1 when the size of the file to be downloaded exceeds the downloadable data capacity, and the file is divided or data compressed. 4 is a flowchart showing processing for selecting whether to download or save to a storage medium.

  Saving to a storage medium is a relatively large file to be downloaded. For example, if the file size exceeds two times the downloadable data capacity, it is not a wireless LAN data communication. This is done to ensure that data is brought into the vehicle using storage media such as a hard disk.

  First, the download management unit 15 determines whether there is content to be downloaded from the home content server 2 to the in-vehicle content server 1 (S71). If there is no content to be downloaded, the process ends.

  If there is content to be downloaded, the downloadable data capacity is calculated (S72). This includes the communication speed when the vehicle is stopped in the garage, the communication speed distribution data, the travel route and travel speed data collected daily, and the set download period (in the garage, Until the vehicle exits the communicable area, each period from entering the communicable area to entering the garage and stopping, etc.).

  Next, it is determined whether the size of the content file to be downloaded exceeds the downloadable data capacity (S73). If the downloadable data capacity is not exceeded, a download process is performed (S77).

  When the downloadable data capacity is exceeded, the download mode in which one of dividing the file to download, compressing and downloading the file, or saving to the storage medium is determined (S74). ).

  When saving to the storage medium, a request to save to the storage medium is transmitted to the home content server 2 (S75), and the process ends. This request is transmitted to the vehicle engine key 3, and when the vehicle is not driven (when the vehicle engine key 3 is near the home content server 2), the vehicle engine key 3 is connected to the home content server 2. You may communicate and request to save the file on the storage medium. Further, the file may be stored in the memory of the vehicle engine key 3.

  When the file is divided or data is compressed and downloaded, a request for file division or data compression is transmitted to the home content server 2 (S76), and download processing is performed (S77).

  When the download is completed, management information is created for the file that has been downloaded, the remaining file, the status of the file being downloaded, and the like, and transmitted to the home content server 2 (S78). The management information may be transmitted to the memory of the vehicle engine key 3 and the content may be transferred to the home content server 2 when returning to the home.

  Next, processing of the home content server 2 will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the home content server 2 when a request for the download mode is generated from the in-vehicle content server 1.

  The home content server 2 determines whether there is a download mode request from the in-vehicle content server 1 (S81), and repeats the determination if there is no request.

  If there is a request for the download mode, it is determined what the requested download mode is (S82).

  If the request for the download mode is saving to the storage medium, the specified content file is saved to the storage medium (S83), and the process is terminated. Examples of the storage medium include a memory card, a portable hard disk, and a storage device capable of non-contact communication such as an intelligent key.

  If the request for the download mode is file division, the specified content file is set to the set size or the size that matches the downloadable data capacity for each period of return, stop, and departure, (S84), and the divided data is transmitted to the in-vehicle content server 1 (S85).

  If the download mode request is data compression, the specified content file is set to the set size, or the size that matches the downloadable data capacity for each period of return, stop, and departure, (S86), and the compressed data is transmitted to the in-vehicle content server 1 (S85).

  By doing in this way, when saved in the storage medium, the desired content is saved in the storage medium, so that the content is surely saved in the in-vehicle content server 1 by bringing the storage medium when the vehicle is driven next time. Can do. Moreover, if it preserve | saves in the memory of the vehicle engine key 3, a content can be reliably preserve | saved in the vehicle-mounted content server 1 at the time of a next vehicle driving.

  Further, when the file is divided and when the file is data-compressed, the content can be reliably transmitted to the in-vehicle content server 1.

  Next, the content to be downloaded to the in-vehicle content server 1 is based on the download management information created by comparing the management information of the content stored in the home content server 2 with the management information received from the in-vehicle content server 1. Extracted.

  Regarding these contents, as the management of contents downloaded to the in-vehicle content server 1, the contents of the in-vehicle content server 1 and the home content server 2 are completely synchronized (the contents of the in-vehicle content server 1 and the contents of the home content server 2 are completely synchronized). However, it may be difficult to consider the capacity of the storage device of the in-vehicle content server 1 and the frequency of download. Therefore, it is conceivable to specify a file to be downloaded in advance on the home content server 2 side.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing processing for designating content to be downloaded to the in-vehicle content server 1 by the home content server 2.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the home content server 2 determines the set download mode (S91).

  If the download mode is a set location such as a garage and there is a waiting time to select content to download based on the data capacity that can be downloaded while the vehicle is stopped for the set time, A communication speed, a set time, and the like are set (S92).

  Daily use roads in which the download mode selects the content to be downloaded based on the data capacity that can be downloaded while traveling at the average speed on the road that is used most frequently from the travel route and travel speed collected every day In this case, the road that is used most frequently and the average speed of traveling on this road are calculated and set (S93).

  If the download mode is the minimum communication capacity that selects the content to be downloaded based on the downloadable data capacity while traveling on the route with the smallest downloadable data capacity, the communication speed is the slowest from the communication speed distribution data The route and the average speed traveling along this route are calculated and set (S94).

  Next, the downloadable data capacity is calculated based on the data set in each mode (S95).

  Then, contents having a data size that can be downloaded within the calculated downloadable data capacity are extracted from the contents that have not been downloaded to the in-vehicle content server 1 (S96).

  The downloadable content may be rearranged according to size, update date and time. Furthermore, you may rearrange according to the user's preference set.

  Then, from the extracted downloadable content file, the content to be actually downloaded is determined by the arrangement order of the extracted data and the user's selection (S97). When there is a content download request from the in-vehicle content server 1, information on the content to be downloaded is transmitted to the in-vehicle content server 1 according to this determination.

  By doing in this way, the content which can be downloaded according to download mode can be designated with respect to the vehicle-mounted content server 1, and the data communication to the vehicle-mounted content server 1 can be performed efficiently.

  In this embodiment, the home content server 2 such as a home PC and the in-vehicle content server 1 communicate with each other directly via a wireless LAN. However, buildings such as service areas and gas stations that are expected to spread in the future. It is also possible to communicate with a hot spot installed in a wireless LAN and connect to a home content server 2 such as a home PC via the hot spot. Further, the above hot spot may be regarded as the home content server 2 and various contents provided there may be downloaded.

  As described above, the mobile content server and the fixed content server according to the present invention are low-cost, and the effect that content stored in a server in a building can be simultaneously used by different users in a building and at a destination. A fixed content server that is installed in a building, stores content such as music and video, transmits the stored content on demand, and downloads and moves content from this fixed content server However, it is useful as a mobile content server that provides content to the user.

The block diagram of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the utilization form of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention The figure which showed an example of the area which can perform data transmission / reception of the wireless LAN of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the travel path which drive | works the wireless LAN communication area for the comparatively long time of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the driving | running route which drive | works within the communication area of wireless LAN only for the comparatively short time of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the travel path which always drive | works in the communication area of wireless LAN of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention. The figure which showed an example of the home content server of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention, the surrounding road, and an electromagnetic wave shield The figure which showed the state in which the communication speed of the home content server and its periphery of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention is unknown The figure which showed the state of the result of having collected the position and the communication state for every fixed distance of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention The figure which showed the state which performed communication speed learning with respect to all the roads of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of the learning result of the communication speed of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention The flowchart which showed the process of the data communication in the state just before the vehicle in the vehicle-mounted content server of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention departs from a garage. The figure which shows the positional relationship of the home content server of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention, an in-vehicle content server, and a vehicle engine key. The flowchart which showed the process which continues an engine from the remaining download time and battery remaining capacity at the time of the vehicle stop of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention The flowchart which showed the process of the download when the vehicle of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention departs from a garage, or a vehicle returns to a garage. The flowchart which showed the process which performs data communication efficiently around the home content server of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention The flowchart which showed the process when the size of the file which should be downloaded of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention exceeds the data capacity which can be downloaded The flowchart which showed the process of the content server when the request | requirement about the download mode of the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention generate | occur | produced The flowchart which showed the process which designates the file which the content utilization system in one embodiment of this invention downloads with a home content server

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 In-vehicle content server 11 Communication means 12 Vehicle position travel speed detection means 13 Route search means 14 Power supply management means 15 Download management means 151 Communication area determination means 152 Communication capacity estimation means 153 Communication time estimation means 16 Storage device 2 Home content server 21 Storage Device 22 Communication means 23 Input / output device 3 Vehicle engine key

Claims (20)

A mobile content server that acquires content from a server in a building and provides the user with the content while moving, wireless communication means for transmitting and receiving data by short-range wireless communication, and downloading content data by the wireless communication means A mobile content server comprising: a download management unit that stores content data that stores content data downloaded by the download management unit. A communication state in which a position detection unit that detects its own position and a communication state when communication is performed by the wireless communication unit is recorded in association with a position detected by the position detection unit, and distribution data of the communication state is created. 2. The mobile content server according to claim 1, further comprising: distribution data creation means, wherein the download management means downloads based on the distribution data of the communication state. The mobile content server is mounted on a vehicle, and includes engine key detection means for detecting that the engine key of the vehicle is within a certain area from the vehicle, and the download management means is configured such that the engine of the vehicle is stopped. The mobile content server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the download is started when the engine key detecting means detects the presence of the engine key. The mobile content server is mounted on a vehicle and includes door lock state detection means for detecting release of a door lock of the vehicle, and the download management means is configured such that the door lock state detection means is a door while the engine of the vehicle is stopped. 3. The mobile content server according to claim 1, wherein download is started when unlocking is detected. The mobile content server includes a download completion time estimation unit that is mounted on a vehicle and estimates a time until the download is completed from a data volume that has not been downloaded and a communication speed, and the download management unit includes an engine of the vehicle. The time until the download estimated by the download completion estimation means is displayed if there is content data that has not been downloaded when the download is stopped. The mobile content server described in Crab. Engine control means for controlling the start of the engine of the vehicle and stop after a set time, the download management means, if there is content data that has not been downloaded when the engine of the vehicle is stopped, 6. The engine control unit according to claim 5, wherein the engine is operated only for a time until the download estimated by the download completion estimation unit is completed, then the engine is stopped, and the download is performed during the engine operation. The mobile content server described. Power management means for monitoring the capacity state of the power supply of the vehicle, wherein the download management means includes a download processing execution status, a time until download estimated by the download completion estimation means, and the power management means. The mobile content server according to claim 6, wherein information including the detected capacity state of the power supply is transmitted to the set server. Based on the communication state distribution data created by the communication state distribution data creation means, the movement route, and the movement speed, the communication capacity estimation means for estimating the data capacity that can be downloaded at this movement route and movement speed, The download management unit causes the communication capacity estimation unit to estimate a data capacity based on a set travel route and travel speed, and downloads content data based on the estimated data capacity. Mobile content server. 9. The mobile content server according to claim 8, wherein the download management unit preferentially downloads content data having a data capacity smaller than the estimated data capacity. When the data size of the content data having a high download priority is larger than the estimated data capacity, the download management means is configured to divide the content data into the estimated data capacity and transmit the divided data. The mobile content server according to claim 8, wherein the mobile content server is requested to the server. When the data size of the content data having a high download priority is larger than the estimated data capacity, the download management means compresses the content data to the estimated data capacity and transmits the data in the building. The mobile content server according to claim 8, wherein the mobile content server is requested to the server. The download management means requests the server in the building to store the content data in a portable storage medium when the total data capacity of the content data that needs to be downloaded exceeds a set value. The mobile content server according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The mobile content server according to claim 12, wherein the mobile content server is mounted on a vehicle, and the portable storage medium is a storage device provided in an engine key of the vehicle. Route search means for searching for a route to reach a set destination, and the download management means sends data to the communication capacity estimation means based on the route searched by the route search means and the set moving speed. The mobile content server according to claim 8, wherein the content data is estimated and content data is downloaded based on the estimated data capacity. The download management means, when the estimated data capacity in the route searched by the route search means is smaller than the total data capacity of the content data that needs to be downloaded, based on the communication state distribution data, The mobile content server according to claim 14, wherein the mobile content server calculates and displays a mobile speed at which all of the content data can be downloaded. The download management means, when the estimated data capacity in the route searched by the route search means is smaller than the total data capacity of the content data that needs to be downloaded, based on the communication state distribution data, 15. The mobile content server according to claim 14, wherein a route capable of downloading all content data is selected and displayed. A fixed content server that transmits content stored in response to a request installed in a building, wireless communication means for transmitting and receiving data by short-range wireless communication, and content for storing acquired content data A fixed content server, comprising: a storage unit, wherein the content data is transmitted via the wireless communication unit in response to a download request for the content data received via the wireless communication unit. 18. The fixed content server according to claim 17, wherein upon receiving a request to divide and transmit the content data via the wireless communication means, the content data is divided and transmitted to an instructed data capacity. . 18. The fixed content server according to claim 17, wherein upon receiving a request to compress and transmit the content data via the wireless communication means, the content data is compressed to a specified data capacity and transmitted. . 18. The fixed content server according to claim 17, wherein upon receiving a request to store the content data in a portable storage medium via the wireless communication unit, the content data is stored in the designated storage medium. .