JP2006137293A - Contents down-load device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents down-load device capable of appropriately controlling down-load by preventing battery exhaustion. <P>SOLUTION: A PC 100 obtains capacity of F-RAM 212 of an on-vehicle audio device 200 and voltage of the battery 300 mounted on a vehicle, and while obtains capacity and down-load time of contents data to be down-loaded. In case wherein voltage of the battery 300 is lowered to the voltage allowing the on-vehicle audio device to receive the contents data or less, or in case wherein vacant capacity of the F-RAM 212 is not enough to store the contents data to be down-loaded, the PC 100 controls to charge the battery 300 by turning on an ignition switch 400 to turn on an engine before concluding down-load of the contents data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution device that distributes content data to an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle.

Conventionally, when content data such as music is imported into an audio playback device or the like, a method using a medium such as a CD (compact disc), a DVD (digital versatile disc), an MD (mini disc), a removable memory, A method of receiving distribution from a server via a communication line has been common (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-256151 A

  However, when applying a method of receiving distribution from a server via a communication line to an in-vehicle device, it is necessary to consider the power supply voltage. In other words, since the in-vehicle device is activated by the voltage supplied from the battery mounted on the vehicle, the so-called battery may increase depending on the length of the distribution time and the power consumption of the storage device that stores the content. There is sex. For this reason, appropriate distribution control is necessary so that the battery does not run out.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a content distribution apparatus that prevents battery from running out and enables appropriate distribution control.

  The content distribution device according to the present invention distributes content data to an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and first information for acquiring content-related information including a capacity and a distribution time of the content data The vehicle-related information is acquired from the in-vehicle device, including acquisition means, a voltage of a battery mounted on the vehicle, and a free capacity of a storage device mounted on the vehicle and preferentially storing the content data. The content data in a state in which the ignition switch of the vehicle is controlled based on the information acquisition means, the content-related information, and the vehicle-related information, and the ignition switch is controlled. Content data transmission means for transmitting to the in-vehicle apparatus.

  With this configuration, in the distribution of the content data to the in-vehicle device, the capacity and distribution time of the content data to be distributed, the voltage of the battery mounted on the vehicle, and the free capacity of the storage device that stores the content data are taken into consideration. Since the ignition switch is controlled, it is possible to prevent the battery from running out in content distribution.

  Further, in the content distribution apparatus according to the present invention, the switch control means determines that the battery voltage drop is based on the distribution time in the content related information and the voltage of the battery in the vehicle related information. A first determination means for determining whether or not the distribution of the battery is disturbed, and when it is determined that a decrease in the voltage of the battery impedes the distribution of the content data, the ignition switch is turned on. If it is determined that the battery voltage drop does not interfere with the distribution of the content data, the ignition switch is turned on.

  With this configuration, when content data delivery time is prolonged and battery voltage drop interferes with content data delivery, the battery is prevented from running out by delivering with the ignition switch turned on. On the other hand, even if the content data delivery time is long, the battery voltage drop does not interfere with the content data delivery, or the content data delivery time is short and the battery voltage drop prevents the content data delivery. In such a case, it is possible to minimize the starting of the engine of the vehicle by performing distribution with the ignition switch set to the accessory on state.

  In the content distribution device according to the present invention, the switch control unit may store content data in the storage device based on a content data capacity in the content related information and a storage device capacity in the vehicle related information. A second determination means for determining whether or not the content data can be stored, and when it is determined that the content data cannot be stored in the storage device, the ignition switch is turned on, When it is determined that the content data can be stored in the storage device, the ignition switch is turned on as an accessory.

  With this configuration, when the power consumption of the storage device is small, if content data can be stored in the storage device, the distribution is performed with the ignition switch set to the accessory-on state. If the start-up can be minimized, content data cannot be stored in the storage device, and it is necessary to store it in another storage device with high power consumption, the ignition switch should be turned on. Thus, it is possible to prevent the battery from running out.

  In the content distribution device according to the present invention, the vehicle-related information includes the presence or absence of another storage device capable of storing the content data other than the storage device or free space, and other storage in the vehicle-related information. Third determination means for determining whether or not content data can be stored in the storage device or the other storage device based on the presence or absence of the device or free space, the storage device, and the other storage device The content distribution stopping means for stopping the distribution of the content data when it is determined that the content data cannot be stored in any of the above.

  According to the present invention, in content distribution to a vehicle-mounted device, the ignition switch of the vehicle is appropriately controlled, and it is possible to prevent the battery from running out.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system. The content distribution system shown in the figure includes a personal computer (PC) 100 that functions as a server for distributing content, and an in-vehicle audio apparatus 200 that is mounted on a vehicle (not shown) and functions as a client that receives the distributed content. And a battery 300 and an ignition switch 400 mounted on the vehicle.

  The PC 100 includes a content holding unit 102 that holds content data, a content management unit 104 that manages content data, a display unit 106 that displays various images, and a content selection that selects content to be distributed according to user instructions. Unit 108, a selection result holding unit 110 that holds the selected content data to be distributed, a related information deriving unit 112 that derives the capacity and distribution time of the content data to be distributed, and the in-vehicle audio device 200. Wireless LAN module 114 that performs communication by (Local Area Network), departure time setting unit 116 that sets the departure time of the vehicle input by the user, and wireless LAN activation time setting unit that sets the time to activate wireless LAN module 114 118, various communication using the wireless LAN module 114 A communication processing unit 120 that performs processing, a switch control generation unit 122 that generates switch control information for controlling the state of the ignition switch 400, a switch control transmission processing unit 124 that performs various types of processing for transmitting switch control information, and The content distribution processing unit 126 performs various processes necessary for distribution of content data to be distributed.

  On the other hand, the in-vehicle audio device 200 controls the wireless LAN module 202 that performs wireless LAN communication with the PC 100, the communication processing unit 204 that performs various communication processes using the wireless LAN module 202, the battery 300, and the ignition switch 400. When the content data cannot be stored because the free space in the travel system control unit 208, the flash memory (F-RAM) 212, and the F-RAM 212 that store the content data is low, the content data cannot be stored. Input / output (I / O) control unit 216 for controlling hard disk drive (HDD) 214, F-RAM 212 and HDD 216 to be stored, vehicle information detection unit for detecting voltage of battery 300 and free capacity of F-RAM 212 218, Oude Audio controller 220 controls the O output, the amplifier 222 amplifies the audio signal, a speaker 224 performs audio output, and a display unit 226 which performs various image display.

  Hereinafter, content distribution processing in the content distribution system will be described with reference to flowcharts. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing details of processing prior to content distribution in the PC 100.

  For example, when a user operates an operation unit (not shown) to instruct content list display, the content management unit 104 in the PC 100 stores content data held in the content storage unit 102 in response to this instruction. Read (S101). The content data held in the content storage unit 102 includes, in addition to audio data, various attribute information such as a content ID for identifying the content data and a content name character string.

  Next, the content management unit 104 generates a content list screen using the content name character string included in the read content data, and outputs the content list screen to the display unit 106. The display unit 106 displays the content list screen (S102).

  When the user who has viewed the content list screen operates the operation unit and selects content data to be distributed, the content selection unit 108 selects content data according to the user's selection and stores the content. The data is read from the unit 102 and output to the selection result holding unit 110 (S103). The selection result holding unit 110 stores the content data corresponding to the user's selection as content data to be distributed (S104).

  When the distribution target content data is held by the selection result holding unit 110, the related information deriving unit 112 reads the distribution target content data and derives the capacity. Further, the related information deriving unit 112 derives the distribution time of the content data based on the derived capacity and the communication speed in communication from the PC 100 to the in-vehicle audio device 200, and the derived capacity. The distribution time is output to the display unit 106. The display unit 106 displays these capacity and delivery time (S105). The volume and the distribution time of the derived content data to be distributed are held by the related information deriving unit 112 as content related information.

  Next, the communication processing unit 120 determines whether or not a content data distribution instruction has been issued by the user (S106). If no delivery instruction has been issued, the departure time setting unit 116 waits for the user to input the departure time of the vehicle and sets the departure time (S107). For example, the set departure time is stored in a memory (not shown) in the departure time setting unit 116. Further, the wireless LAN activation time setting unit 118 determines the activation time of the wireless LAN module 114 from the departure time set by the departure time setting unit 116 and the content data distribution time, and this time is determined as the activation time of the wireless LAN module 114. (S108). For example, the set activation time of the wireless LAN module 114 is stored in a memory (not shown) in the wireless LAN activation time setting unit 118.

  Next, the communication processing unit 120 determines whether the activation time of the wireless LAN module 114 set by the wireless LAN activation time setting unit 118 has come (S109). When the activation time of the wireless LAN module 114 has arrived, the communication processing unit 120 activates the wireless LAN module 114 (S110). When the wireless LAN module 114 is activated, communication by the wireless LAN is possible between the PC 100 and the in-vehicle audio device 200.

  Further, the communication processing unit 120 generates a vehicle-related information request for requesting the voltage of the battery 300 and the free capacity of the F-RAM 212 in the in-vehicle audio device 200 from the in-vehicle audio device 200. A related information request is transmitted to the in-vehicle audio apparatus 200 via the wireless LAN module 114 (S111).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S106 that the content data distribution instruction has been issued by the user, the communication processing unit 120 immediately activates the wireless LAN module 114 (S110), and the PC 100 and the in-vehicle audio device 200 are connected. A wireless LAN communication is made possible, and a vehicle related information request is generated and transmitted to the in-vehicle audio apparatus 200 via the wireless LAN module 114 (S111).

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing details of processing prior to content reception in the in-vehicle audio device 200. The communication processing unit 204 in the in-vehicle audio device 200 receives the vehicle-related information request transmitted from the PC 100 via the wireless LAN module 202 (S201).

  Communication processing unit 204 then outputs the received vehicle-related information request to vehicle information detection unit 218. When a vehicle-related information request is input, the vehicle information detection unit 218 detects the voltage of the battery 300 via the traveling system control unit 208 and the free space in the F-RAM 212 via the I / O control unit 216. The capacity is detected (S202).

  The vehicle information detection unit 218 generates vehicle related information including the detected voltage of the battery 300 and the free capacity of the F-RAM 212 and outputs the vehicle related information to the communication processing unit 204. The communication processing unit 204 transmits the vehicle-related information to the PC 100 via the wireless LAN module 202 (S203).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of content distribution processing in the PC 100. The communication processing unit 120 in the PC 100 receives the vehicle-related information transmitted from the in-vehicle audio device 200 via the wireless LAN module 114 (S301). The vehicle related information received by the communication processing unit 120 is sent to the switch control generation unit 122.

  The switch control generation unit 122 includes the voltage of the battery 300 and the free capacity of the F-RAM 212 included in the vehicle related information, and the capacity and distribution of content data to be distributed in the content related information derived by the related information deriving unit 112. Based on the time, the state of the ignition switch 400 is determined (S302).

  Specifically, the switch control generation unit 122 sets the voltage of the battery 300 to the in-vehicle audio device 200 before the content data distribution ends based on the voltage of the battery 300 and the distribution time of the content data to be distributed. It is determined whether or not the voltage drops below a voltage at which content data can be received. Further, the switch control generation unit 122 determines whether or not the F-RAM 212 can store the distribution target content data based on the free capacity of the F-RAM 212 and the distribution target content data capacity. To do.

  If the voltage of the battery 300 drops below the voltage at which the content data can be received by the in-vehicle audio device 200 by the end of the delivery of the content data, the vehicle engine (not shown) is started. The battery 300 needs to be charged. Therefore, the switch control generation unit 122 determines that the ignition switch 400 is in an engine-on state.

  In addition, when the F-RAM 212 has insufficient free space and content data to be distributed cannot be stored, the HDD 214 with high power consumption stores the content data. It is necessary to start the vehicle engine and charge the battery 300. Therefore, the switch control generation unit 122 determines that the ignition switch 400 is in an engine-on state.

  On the other hand, by the time content data distribution ends, the voltage of the battery 300 does not drop below the voltage at which the in-vehicle audio device 200 can receive content data, and the F-RAM 212 stores the content data to be distributed. If it can be stored, it is not necessary to start the vehicle engine and charge the battery 300. Accordingly, the switch control generation unit 122 determines that the ignition switch 400 is in the accessory-on state.

  After determining the state of the ignition switch 400 in this manner, the switch control generation unit 122 generates switch control information including the determined state and outputs the switch control information to the switch control transmission processing unit 124. The switch control transmission processing unit 124 transmits the input switch control information to the in-vehicle audio apparatus 200 via the communication processing unit 120 and the wireless LAN module 114 (S303). Further, the content distribution processing unit 126 reads the content data to be distributed held by the selection result holding unit 110, and transmits it to the in-vehicle audio apparatus 200 via the communication processing unit 120 and the wireless LAN module 114 (S304). ).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of content reception processing in the in-vehicle audio device 200. The communication processing unit 204 in the in-vehicle audio apparatus 200 receives the switch control information transmitted from the PC 100 via the wireless LAN module 202 (S401).

  Then, the communication processing unit 204 outputs the received switch control information to the traveling system control unit 208. When the switch control information is input, traveling system control unit 208 sets the state of ignition switch 400 to the accessory-on state or the engine-on state based on the switch control information (S402).

  Subsequently, the communication processing unit 204 receives content data transmitted from the PC 100 via the wireless LAN module 202 (S403). Then, the communication processing unit 204 outputs the received content data to the I / O control unit 216. When the content data is input, the I / O control unit 216 determines whether the content data has already been received (S404). Specifically, the I / O control unit 216 compares the content ID in the received content data with the content ID in the content data stored in the F-RAM 212 and the HDD 214, and the same content ID exists. If so, it is determined that it has been received.

  If not received, the I / O control unit 216 stores the received content data in the F-RAM 212 or the HDD 214 (S405). Specifically, when the free space of the F-RAM 212 is sufficient and content data can be stored in the F-RAM 212, the F-RAM 212 is preferentially stored in the F-RAM 212. In this case, in S402, the ignition switch 400 is in an accessory-on state. On the other hand, if there is not enough free space in the F-RAM 212 and content data cannot be stored in the F-RAM 212, it is stored in the HDD 214. In this case, in S402, the ignition switch 400 is in an engine-on state.

  On the other hand, if the content data has already been received, the I / O control unit 216 discards the received content data (S406).

  As described above, in the content distribution system according to the present embodiment, the PC 100 functioning as a server acquires the free capacity of the F-RAM 212 included in the in-vehicle audio apparatus 200 functioning as a client and the voltage of the battery 300 mounted on the vehicle. The capacity of the content data to be distributed and the distribution time are acquired. When the content data distribution ends, the voltage of the battery 300 drops below a voltage at which the in-vehicle audio device 200 can receive the content data, or the F-RAM 212 has insufficient free space and is distributed. When the target content data cannot be stored, the PC 100 performs control for charging the battery 300 with the ignition switch 400 turned on. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery 300 from being lowered due to a decrease in the voltage of the battery 300.

  Note that there may be a case where the HDD 214 in the in-vehicle audio device 200 has insufficient free space and content data cannot be stored. In such a case, if the F-RAM 212 has insufficient free space and content data cannot be stored, the in-vehicle audio device 200 cannot capture the content data.

  Therefore, it is appropriate to distribute the content data in consideration of the free capacity of the HDD 214. Specifically, the vehicle information detection unit 218 in the in-vehicle audio apparatus 200 detects the voltage of the battery 300 and the free capacity of the F-RAM 212 and detects the free capacity of the HDD 214 via the I / O control unit 216. In addition, vehicle related information including these is generated. Then, the switch control generation unit 122 in the PC 100 stores the F-RAM 212 and the HDD 214 in the F-RAM 212 and the HDD 214 based on the free capacity of the F-RAM 212 and the HDD 214 in the vehicle related information and the capacity of the content data to be distributed in the content related information. It is determined whether or not any of the contents data can be stored, and when the free capacity of both the F-RAM 212 and the HDD 214 is insufficient and the contents data cannot be stored, the ignition switch 400 is used. Without determining the state, the series of processes is terminated so that the content is not distributed.

  In addition, the vehicle audio apparatus 200 may not include the HDD 214. In such a case, if the F-RAM 212 has insufficient free space and content data cannot be stored in the F-RAM 212, the in-vehicle audio device 200 cannot capture the content data.

  Therefore, it is appropriate to distribute the content data in consideration of the presence or absence of a storage device other than the F-RAM 212. Specifically, the vehicle information detection unit 218 in the in-vehicle audio device 200 has no other storage device capable of storing the voltage of the battery 300, the free capacity of the F-RAM 212, and content data other than the F-RAM 212. Vehicle-related information including information indicating that is generated. Then, the switch control generation unit 122 in the PC 100 stores the content data in the F-RAM 212 based on the free capacity of the F-RAM 212 in the vehicle related information and the capacity of content data to be distributed in the content related information. That the F-RAM 212 has insufficient free space, content data cannot be stored, and there is no other storage device in the vehicle-related information. If the information to be displayed is included, the series of processing is terminated without determining the state of the ignition switch 400.

  As described above, the content distribution device according to the present invention can appropriately control the ignition switch of the vehicle in content distribution to the in-vehicle device and prevent the battery from running out, and is useful as a content distribution device. It is.

It is a figure which shows the structure of a content delivery system. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process prior to the content delivery process in PC. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process prior to the content reception process in a vehicle-mounted audio apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the content delivery process in PC. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the content reception process in a vehicle-mounted audio apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

100 PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 Content holding part 104 Content management part 106,226 Display part 108 Content selection part 110 Selection result holding part 112 Related information deriving part 114,202 Wireless LAN module 116 Departure time setting part 118 Wireless LAN starting time setting part 120,204 Communication processing Unit 122 switch control generation unit 124 switch control transmission processing unit 126 content distribution processing unit 200 in-vehicle audio device 208 travel system control unit 212 F-RAM,
214 HDD,
216 I / O control unit 216
218 Vehicle information detection unit 220 Audio control unit 222 Amplifier 224 Speaker 300 Battery 400 Ignition switch

Claims (4)

A content distribution device that distributes content data to an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle,
First information acquisition means for acquiring content-related information comprising the volume and distribution time of the content data;
Second information acquisition for acquiring vehicle-related information including the voltage of the battery mounted on the vehicle and the free capacity of the storage device mounted on the vehicle and preferentially storing the content data. Means,
Switch control means for controlling an ignition switch of the vehicle based on the content-related information and the vehicle-related information;
A content distribution device comprising: content data transmission means for transmitting the content data to the in-vehicle device in a state where the ignition switch is controlled. The switch control means includes
First determination means for determining whether or not a drop in the voltage of the battery hinders distribution of the content data based on a distribution time in the content-related information and a voltage of the battery in the vehicle-related information. Have
When it is determined that the battery voltage drop interferes with the distribution of the content data, the ignition switch is turned on, and it is determined that the battery voltage drop does not interfere with the distribution of the content data. In this case, the content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ignition switch is set to an accessory-on state. The switch control means includes
2nd determination means which determines whether content data can be memorize | stored in the said memory | storage device based on the capacity | capacitance of the content data in the said content relevant information, and the capacity | capacitance of the memory | storage device in the said vehicle relevant information Have
When it is determined that content data cannot be stored in the storage device, the ignition switch is turned on, and when it is determined that content data can be stored in the storage device, the ignition The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch is set to an accessory-on state. The vehicle-related information includes the presence or absence of other storage devices that can store the content data other than the storage device, or free space,
Third determining means for determining whether or not content data can be stored in the storage device or the other storage device based on the presence or absence of another storage device in the vehicle-related information or a free space;
4. A content distribution stopping unit that stops distribution of the content data when it is determined that the content data cannot be stored in either the storage device or the other storage device. The content distribution apparatus described in 1.

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