JP2007228336A - On-board audio/video device and source selecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an "on-board audio/video device and source selecting method" capable of contributing to a reduction in operating complicatedness related to source selection by simultaneously checking contents of information which are respectively provided by a plurality of sources. <P>SOLUTION: In the on-board audio/video device provided with an inputting means, a sound outputting means, a display means and a control means for controlling the respective means, when receiving an instruction for image display through the inputting means, the control means posts sound images S(A), S(B) and S(C) of a plurality of sources at respectively different positions, simultaneously outputs sounds to the sound outputting means and displays icons IC(A), IC(B) and IC(C) respectively specifying the sources at respective positions corresponding to the localization of the sound images of the respective sources A, B and C on the screen DP of the display means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle audio / video device and a source selection method, and more particularly, audio (audio) information output from a source such as a radio receiver or a CD player to a passenger in a vehicle, and a TV receiver. This is useful for enhancing the convenience of operation when selecting each source in an in-vehicle audio / video (A / V) device that provides various entertainment such as video (video) information output from a source such as a DVD player. Regarding technology.

  Entertainment that can be enjoyed in the vehicle cabin includes sources that can provide video information such as DVD players and TV receivers from sources such as AM / FM radio receivers, cassette players, and CD players. A wide variety of sources can now be selected. As a method for selecting a source, there are, for example, a method of sequentially selecting a source by operating a rotary or toggle type switch, and a method of selecting from a source displayed on a screen by a touch operation. Such a method is not much different from the conventional method, despite the increase in the types of sources that can be enjoyed as entertainment information.

  For example, taking the case where six types of sources (FM, AM, TV, DVD, CD, HDD) are connected to the A / V device as an example, in the conventional method, a key operation related to source selection is performed once. Each time it is performed, FM → AM → TV → DVD → CD → HDD → FM → AM →... For this reason, for example, when switching the source to “DVD” when the currently selected source is “FM”, it is necessary to perform the key operation three times. If this is done, it is necessary to perform five more key operations in order to select the target source “DVD”.

  As described above, in the conventional source selection method, when one source is selected from a plurality of sources, it is determined whether the source is suitable for the user after switching to a certain source, or whether the source is the target. If not, the source was switched again. In other words, multiple source switching operations were required to find a favorite source.

As a technique related to the above-described conventional technique, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, in an in-vehicle audio device, a navigation guidance voice is transmitted to a driver without causing discomfort to the passengers, or a navigation guidance voice. And phone voice can be distinguished. In addition, as described in Patent Document 2, in an in-vehicle acoustic device integrated system, sound information in an automobile is integrated and managed, and information corresponding to the situation is transmitted in a form that can be easily recognized by a passenger. There is something that you can do.
JP 2000-65592 A JP-A-7-159190

  As described above, in the conventional in-vehicle A / V device, when one source is selected from a plurality of sources, the source selection is necessary for the user because a plurality of source switching operations are required to find a favorite source. There is a problem that the operation related to is troublesome.

  Further, in the conventional method of selecting each source by sequentially switching in this way, it is possible to switch from the elapsed source (for example, from “FM” currently selected in the above example to “DVD” in the middle of reaching the target source). If there is "AM" and "TV"), the time required to switch to the target source increases because the progress source is temporarily connected and disconnected each time, There was also a problem that the control for that was complicated.

  Further, in the conventional method, when the information of the selected source is being enjoyed (for example, listening to a CD), what kind of information is currently available on the other source unless the selection is switched to the other source. You can't know if the information is provided (for example, if you are doing something interesting on TV or doing something interesting on FM).

  The present invention has been created in view of the problems in the prior art, and enables the confirmation of the contents of information provided by each of a plurality of sources at the same time, thereby contributing to the reduction of the troublesome operations related to source selection. An object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle audio / video device and a source selection method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, according to the present invention, an input unit that inputs a user instruction, an audio output unit that outputs audio of a selected source, and a display unit that provides information through a screen; Control means for controlling input / output of information with respect to the input means, voice output means and display means, wherein the control means is configured to output the voice output means when a screen display instruction relating to source selection is input. In contrast, the sound images of the plurality of sources are localized at different positions in the passenger compartment and output simultaneously, and at the respective positions corresponding to the localization of the sound images of the plurality of sources on the screen of the display means, An in-vehicle audio / video device characterized by displaying a character or an icon specifying a source is provided.

  According to the in-vehicle audio / video apparatus according to the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the icons of the sources A, B, and C on the source selection screen DP set based on the screen display instruction by the control unit. The sound images S (A), S (B), S (C) of the source at different positions corresponding to the arrangement of IC (A), IC (B), IC (C) (different directions as viewed from the user), respectively. Is localized.

  Thereby, even if sound is simultaneously output from each of the sources A, B, and C, it is possible to audibly determine what information is provided from which source based on the difference in the position of each sound image. . That is, it is possible to simultaneously confirm what information (contents) each of the plurality of sources A, B, and C displayed on the source selection screen DP provides. In addition, since multiple sources (icons) are displayed on the screen at a time so that the contents can be confirmed, the number of operations required to select a desired source from the multiple sources is relatively ( (Compared to the conventional type), and the troublesome operation related to source selection can be reduced.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a source selection method performed using the in-vehicle audio / video device according to the above aspect. Details of this source selection method will be described with reference to embodiments of the invention described later.

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

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an in-vehicle audio / video (A / V) device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The in-vehicle A / V device 30 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of sources (in the example shown, FM radio receiver 1, AM radio receiver 2, TV receiver 3, DVD player 4, HDD 5, CD player 6). A control unit 10 composed of a microcomputer, a selector 11, a digital signal processor (DSP) 12, amplifiers 16L and 16R for amplifying audio signals output through the DSP 12, and each amplifier Speakers 17L and 17R, a display device 18, an operation unit 19, and a remote controller 20 are provided. Moreover, you may provide the display apparatus 21 with a touch panel as shown with the broken line in a figure as needed.

  In the example shown in the figure, only six types of sources (FM1 / AM2 / TV3 / DVD4 / HDD5 / CD6) are shown, but other sources such as a cassette player, an MD player, a memory stick, etc. are mounted as appropriate. is doing. Although not shown in particular, the sources 1 to 6, the control unit 10 (selector 11, DSP 12), the speakers 17L and 17R (amplifiers 16L and 16R), the display device 18 and the operation systems 19 to 21 Are connected to each other via a bus such as an optical fiber.

  Each of the sources 1 to 6 receives, as a basic operation, information related to an operation / selection instruction input via the operation unit 19 or the remote controller 20 via the control unit 10, and relates to the operation / selection instruction. Based on the information, its own operating state is set or changed, and information indicating the result (current operating state) is sent to the bus as an audio / video signal. For example, in the case of the “FM” source 1, in response to an operation instruction given from the operation unit 19 or the like, an FM signal is received and demodulated to generate an audio signal, which is converted into digital audio data. Convert and send to the bus. In the case of the “DVD” source 4, the video signal recorded on the recording surface of the DVD selected by the user is read in response to an operation instruction given from the operation unit 19 or the like, and the reproduced video data is read. Send to the bus.

  The control unit 10 controls the entire apparatus 30, and is basically sent from the selected source via the bus based on the operation / selection instruction input from the operation unit 19, the remote controller 20, or the like. It controls the operation of acquiring the audio / video (A / V) data and reproducing the A / V information, and the operation of displaying the information indicating the operation status and the operation state on the display device 18. In this case, the acquired audio data is sent to the speakers 17L and 17R (amplifiers 16L and 16R) via the selector 11 and the DSP 12 based on the control from the control unit 10. Also, the acquired video data is sent to the display device 18 by the control unit 10 via the bus. Further, as a process related to the present invention, the control unit 10 controls the display of the source selection screen and its screen switching based on an instruction from the operation unit 19 or the like as described later, It has a function of controlling the localization of the sound image of the source.

  Based on the control from the control unit 10, the selector 11 selects and outputs outputs from a predetermined number of sources (three types of sources in the present embodiment) among the plurality of sources 1 to 6. In the illustrated example, the outputs of the sources FM1, TV3, and CD6 are selected through the selector 11 (indicated by broken lines).

  The DSP 12 includes monaural processing units 13a, 13b, and 13c provided corresponding to outputs of the three types of sources (in this case, FM1, CD6, and TV3) selected by the selector 11, and a monaural processing unit 13a. The mixer 14a that mixes and outputs the audio signal (output of FM1) output from the audio signal (output of FM1) and the audio signal (output of CD6) output from the monaural processing unit 13b, and the audio output from the monaural processing unit 13b A mixer 14b that mixes and outputs the signal (output of CD6) and the audio signal (output of TV3) output from the monaural processing unit 13c, and an audio output control unit 15 that inputs the outputs of the mixers 14a and 14b. And.

  Each of the monaural processing units 13a to 13c is a block that simply adds and outputs the L channel signal and the R channel signal. Depending on the type of source, an audio signal may be included in only one channel (L channel or R channel), so if this “monauralization” is not performed, the original signal from the speakers 17L and 17R is finally obtained. This is because there is a possibility that the voice of the user cannot be heard.

  The audio output control unit 15 adjusts the volume of the audio signal output from each of the mixers 14a and 14b based on the control from the control unit 10, or stops the output of the audio signal. Do. The audio signals output from the mixers 14a and 14b are appropriately subjected to audio processing through the audio output control unit 15, further D / A converted, input to the corresponding amplifiers 16L and 16R, and amplified, respectively. The signals are supplied to the corresponding speakers 17L and 17R and output as audio.

  The speakers 17L and 17R are installed on the front left side (near the passenger seat) and the front right side (near the driver's seat), respectively, in the passenger compartment. In the illustrated example, only two speakers 17L and 17R are shown for simplification of explanation, but a required number of speakers are actually installed in a predetermined place in the vehicle interior. At least four speakers are installed at least one on the left rear side (near the left side of the rear seat) and one on the right rear side (near the right side of the rear seat).

  The display device 18 is installed at a substantially middle position of the center console so that the driver and the passenger in the front passenger seat can share the display device 18 and includes, for example, an LCD monitor. The screen of the display device 18 includes information acquired from each source based on control from the control unit 10 (for example, video (video) information acquired from TV3, DVD4, etc., broadcast reception acquired from FM1, AM2). Frequency information, disc number obtained from CD6, information on the number of tracks, elapsed time, etc.) are displayed. Furthermore, as information related to the present invention, as will be described later, a source selection screen and a plurality of source characters or icons included in the screen are displayed based on control from the control unit 10.

  The operation unit 19 is installed in the form of an “operation panel” below the display device 18, and various operation keys for performing various setting operations on the sources 1 to 6, for example, power ON / OFF and Key for adjusting volume, key for selecting source, number key, preset key for performing a predetermined function, shift key with an arrow (FF / REW operation by operating the arrow part, Instructing operations such as seek up / down operations). Further, as operation keys related to the present invention, keys for inputting “screen display” and “screen switching” instructions related to source selection are provided. The remote controller 20 is connected to the control unit 10 by infrared communication, for example, and includes keys having functions equivalent to various operation keys provided in the operation unit 19. When the remote controller 20 is used, operation information instructed by the user can be input to the control unit 10 without having to bother to extend the hand as in the operation unit 19, which is advantageous in terms of operability. is there.

  Moreover, the display device 21 with a touch panel provided as necessary is arranged on the center console in the vehicle interior instead of the display device 18. The display device with a touch panel 21 includes an LCD panel as a display unit 21b, and a touch panel 21a (a resistance pressure sensitive method, a capacitive coupling method, or the like) including a transparent electrode disposed on the LCD panel. A touch position detection unit (not shown) that detects the position touched by the finger of the operator (in this case, the driver or the passenger in the passenger seat) on the touch panel 21a and outputs the result to the control unit 10 is provided. Yes.

  In the in-vehicle A / V device 30 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the control unit 10 and the DSP 12 cooperate with each other as a “control unit”, and the speakers 17L and 17R serve as a “sound output unit”. 18 or the display unit 21b in the display device with a touch panel 21 corresponds to “display means”, and the operation unit 19, the remote controller 20 or the touch panel 21a attached to the display device 21 corresponds to “input means”.

  Next, a source selection method performed using the in-vehicle A / V device 30 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the screen display relating to the source selection performed in the apparatus 30 and the sound image of the source localized at that time. In the figure, (a) shows an example of a source selection screen set on the screen of the display device 18 by the control unit 10 based on a user instruction input from the operation unit 19, the remote controller 20 or the like. Icons IC1, IC6, and IC3 for specifying three types of sources (FM, CD, and TV in order from the left) are displayed at different positions on the source selection screen 41, respectively. On the other hand, (b) shows a sound image (sound source) of each source displayed on the screen, that is, an image showing which sound can be heard in which direction when viewed from the driver (passenger on the driver side / passenger side). It is a thing. In this case, as shown in the drawing, the sound images S1, S6, and S6 of the sources are respectively located at different positions in the vehicle interior corresponding to the arrangement of the icons IC1, IC6, IC3 of the sources (FM, CD, TV) on the source selection screen 41. S3 is localized. This localization is performed by the DSP 12 based on control from the control unit 10.

  In this apparatus 30, first, when an instruction of “screen display” relating to source selection is input from the operation unit 19, the remote controller 20, etc., the screen of the display device 18 is displayed on the screen of the display device 18 based on the control from the control unit 10. As shown in FIG. 5, icons IC1, IC6, and IC3 for specifying three types of sources (FM, CD, and TV in order from the left) are displayed.

  At this time, the DSP 12 performs “monaural processing” on each signal output from the source (FM, CD, TV) through the monaural processing units 13a to 13c based on the control from the control unit 10, As an audio signal to be supplied to the left speaker 17L, an output obtained by mixing the output of the “FM” source and the output of the “CD” source by the mixer 14a is output, while as an audio signal to be supplied to the right speaker 17R. The mixer 14b outputs the output of the “CD” source and the output of the “TV” source mixed. The audio signals output from the mixers 14a and 14b are appropriately subjected to audio processing through the audio output control unit 15 as described above, further D / A converted, and amplified through the corresponding amplifiers 16L and 16R, respectively. The sound is supplied to the corresponding speakers 17L and 17R and output.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, the sound images S1 and S1 of the sources (FM, CD, TV) on the source selection screen 41 are respectively located at different positions corresponding to the arrangement of the icons IC1, IC6, and IC3. S6 and S3 are localized. At this time, the sound of each source (FM, CD, TV) is output simultaneously through the speakers 17L and 17R, but the sound images of each source are localized at different positions as shown in the figure, For any passenger on the passenger seat side, it is possible to aurally determine which sound is being output from which source.

  That is, it is possible to simultaneously confirm what information (contents) each source provides for a plurality of sources displayed on the source selection screen 41. This makes it easy to find a source that suits your taste from a plurality of sources. For example, when the passenger on the passenger side wants to listen to the content of “CD”, the source (CD) is selected via the operation unit 19 or the like (or the source (CD) on the touch panel 21a is touched. The target source (CD) can be easily selected.

  If no “source selection” instruction is input to any of the sources (FM, CD, TV) while the source selection screen 41 (FIG. 3A) is being displayed, the operation unit 19 is further operated. By inputting a “screen switching” instruction relating to source selection via the remote controller 20 or the like, the next source selection screen 42 is displayed as shown in FIG. Similar to the source selection screen 41, the source selection screen 42 displays icons IC4, IC5, and IC2 that specify three types of sources (DVD, HDD, and AM in order from the left) at different positions on the screen. Yes. At the time of the display, the DSP 12 controls each of the sources (DVD, HDD, AM) on the screen 42 at different positions corresponding to the arrangement of the icons IC4, IC5, and IC2 based on the control from the control unit 10. Control is performed so that the sound image of the source is localized (see FIG. 3B).

  In the conventional source selection method, each source is sequentially selected each time a key operation related to source selection is performed. Therefore, when six types of sources are installed, the target source is the fifth. In some cases, the key operation has to be performed five times. However, in the source selection method according to the present embodiment (see FIGS. 3 and 4), three types of sources are displayed on the screens 41 and 42 at the same time. Since the contents can be confirmed, the “screen display” operation and “screen switching” operation related to the source selection are performed, and the purpose is selected from the three types of sources (4th to 6th) displayed on the screen. Since the “source selection” operation for selecting the source (fifth) is performed, the operation relating to the source selection may be performed three times in total.

  As described above, according to the source selection method performed using the in-vehicle A / V device 30 according to the present embodiment, the contents of three types of sources can be confirmed simultaneously on the screen. The number of operations necessary to select a desired source from 1 to 6 can be reduced, and the troublesomeness of the operation related to source selection can be greatly reduced. Thereby, the convenience of operation when selecting a source can be greatly improved (improvement of user merit).

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the sound images of the three sources are output simultaneously when the sound images of the three types of sources (FIG. 3B) are localized at different positions in the vehicle interior has been described as an example. (To display multiple sources (characters or icons) at the same time on the source selection screen, localize the sound image of each source in different positions according to the display arrangement, and check the contents of each source) Obviously, it is not always necessary to output the sound of each source at the same time while the source selection screen is displayed, for example, the sound of each source is sequentially switched in time series and output. An example of such a case is shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, first, as shown in (a), only the sound of the “FM” source among the sources (FM, CD, TV) is displayed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 to 2) while the source selection screen 41a is displayed. At this time, the icon IC1 ′ of the source (FM) is displayed in a relatively conspicuous display mode (blinking mode in the illustrated example). Next, as shown in (b), during the display of the source selection screen 41b, only the audio of the “CD” source among the sources is output for a predetermined time, and similarly, the icon IC6 ′ of the source (CD) blinks. To display. Next, as shown in (c), while the source selection screen 41c is displayed, only the sound of the “TV” source among the sources is output for a predetermined time, and similarly, the icon IC3 ′ of the source (TV) blinks. To display. Thereafter, returning to (a), the same processing is repeated.

  As described above, the audio of each source (FM, CD, TV) is sequentially switched and output in time series during the period in which the source selection screens 41a to 41c are displayed. Compared to this, there is an advantage that it is possible to more surely understand what information (voice) is output for each source.

  In addition, when the sound of each source (FM, CD, TV) is sequentially switched and output in time series, the icons IC1 ′ and IC6 of the source that are outputting sound on the source selection screens 41a, 41b, and 41c, respectively. Since “, IC3” is displayed in a blinking manner, it can be ascertained from which source the sound currently being listened to is output, which can further contribute to the improvement of user merit.

  In the above-described embodiment, when displaying the source selection screen (the screens 41 and 42 in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the screens 41a, 41b and 41c in FIG. 5), an “icon” is displayed as information for specifying each source. However, as is clear from the gist of the present invention, information that can specify each source is sufficient, and “characters” may be displayed instead of icons.

  In the above-described embodiment, the icons of the respective sources are displayed when the source selection screen (the screens 41 and 42 in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the screens 41a, 41b, and 41c in FIG. 5) is displayed. If a source that outputs video information is included in the sources displayed above, the video information (for example, TV when the source is TV3 is used instead of the source icon). You may make it display the image | video currently displayed on the screen.

  In the example of screen switching shown in FIG. 4, the screen is switched at once from the three types of sources (icons) currently displayed to the next three types of sources (icons). The screen may be sequentially switched while shifting the source one by one by operating.

It is a figure for demonstrating the source selection which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle-mounted audio / video (A / V) apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the screen display which concerns on the source selection performed in the apparatus of FIG. 2, and the sound image of the said source localized at that time. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen switch which concerns on source selection. It is a figure which shows an example of the switching output of the audio | voice from each source in the display of a source selection screen.

Explanation of symbols

1-6 Audio / video (A / V) source,
10: Control unit (control means),
11 ... selector,
12 ... DSP (control means),
13a to 13c: monaural processing unit,
14a, 14b ... mixer,
15 ... Audio output control unit,
17L, 17R ... Speaker (audio output means),
18 ... display device (display means),
19 ... operation part (input means),
20 ... remote control (input means),
21a: Touch panel (input means),
30: In-vehicle audio / video (A / V) device,
DP, 41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 42 ... source selection screen,
IC (A), IC (B), IC (C), IC1 to IC6, IC1 ', IC3', IC6 '... (identifies the source) icon,
S (A), S (B), S (C), S1, S3, S6... Sound image.

Claims (11)

Input means for inputting user instructions;
Audio output means for outputting the audio of the selected source;
Display means for providing information through a screen;
Control means for controlling input / output of information with respect to the input means, voice output means and display means,
When an instruction for screen display relating to source selection is input, the control means causes the sound output means to localize sound images of a plurality of sources at different positions in the passenger compartment and simultaneously output the sound, and to display the display A vehicle-mounted audio / video device, wherein a character or an icon for specifying the source is displayed at each position corresponding to the localization of the sound images of the plurality of sources on the screen of the means.   2. The in-vehicle audio / video device according to claim 1, wherein the control means switches the sound of each source in time series and outputs it instead of outputting the sound of the plurality of sources simultaneously.   The said control means displays the character or icon of the said source during audio | voice output in the display mode relatively conspicuous, when switching and outputting the sound of each said source | sauce sequentially in time series. The in-vehicle audio / video device according to 2.   The control means, when the instruction for switching the screen related to the source selection is input when the instruction for source selection is not input for any of the plurality of sources displayed on the screen of the display means, The sound images of different sources are localized at different positions and output simultaneously, and the source is specified at each position corresponding to the localization of the sound images of the sources on the display means. The in-vehicle audio / video device according to claim 1, wherein a character or an icon to be displayed is displayed.   The control unit displays the video information instead of the character or icon when the source outputs video information when displaying the character or icon specifying the source on the screen of the display unit. The in-vehicle audio / video device according to claim 1, wherein The sound output means has at least two speakers respectively installed on the front left side and the front right side of the vehicle interior;
The control means causes the sound signals of the first, second, and third sources to be localized in the vicinity of the front left side, the front center, and the front right side of the vehicle interior and output simultaneously to the two speakers, The in-vehicle audio / audio device according to claim 1, wherein characters or icons for specifying the source are displayed at respective positions corresponding to the localization of the sound image of the source on the screen of the display means. Video device.   The control means performs monaural processing on the signals output from the first, second and third sources, respectively, and further outputs each of the signals output from the first and second sources to one speaker. 7. The in-vehicle apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the signal is mixed and output, and the signals output from the second and third sources are mixed and output to the other speaker. Audio / video device. In an in-vehicle audio / video device including display means having a screen and sound output means for outputting sound of a source selected based on a user instruction,
When there is an instruction to display a screen related to source selection, the sound output means causes the sound images of a plurality of sources to be localized at different positions in the passenger compartment and simultaneously output sound,
Characters or icons for identifying the sources are displayed at positions corresponding to the localization of the sound images of the plurality of sources on the screen of the display means,
When a selection instruction is given to any of the sources corresponding to a plurality of characters or icons displayed on the screen, the sound of the source is output through the audio output unit. Source selection method.   9. The source selection method according to claim 8, wherein instead of simultaneously outputting the sound of the plurality of sources, the sound of each source is sequentially switched and output in time series.   10. The source according to claim 9, wherein when the sound of each source is sequentially switched and output in time series, the characters or icons of the source being output are displayed in a relatively conspicuous display mode. Selection method.   When there is no selection instruction for any of the sources corresponding to the plurality of characters or icons displayed on the screen, when there is a screen switching instruction for source selection, another plurality of sources The sound image of each source is localized at different positions and output simultaneously, and at the respective positions corresponding to the localization of the sound images of the plurality of sources on the screen of the display means, characters or icons for identifying the sources are respectively provided. The source selection method according to claim 8, wherein display is performed.

Images