JP2010236994A - Information terminal unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve user's convenience by determining whether a utilization environment is inside or outside a compartment, based on received radio signals, and switching an operation mode according to the utilization environment. <P>SOLUTION: A determination means 103 of the inside/outside of a compartment inputs signals from a communication means 102, detects whether the signals are exclusive ones from on-vehicle equipment or Bluetooth signals between pieces of Bluetooth equipment, determines that the utilization environment is inside the compartment when the exclusive signals from the one-vehicle equipment or Bluetooth signals are detected for at least a fixed amount of time, and determines that the utilization environment is outside the compartment when neither the exclusive signals nor the Bluetooth signals are detected at least for a fixed amount of time. A control means 104 inputs notification signals from the determination means 103 inside and outside the compartment, and controls connected equipment according to whether the utilization environment is inside or outside the compartment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information terminal device having functions such as navigation for performing route guidance to a set destination, AV content reproduction, and Internet connection, and more particularly to an information terminal device used inside and outside a car.

Currently, car navigation devices that are installed and used in vehicle interiors are widespread. This device calculates the current position of the vehicle using information obtained from GPS (Global Positioning System) and gyro sensors and map information, searches for a route to a set destination, and provides guidance based on the search result. It has the function. As media for storing map data, optical disc media such as CD (Compact Disc) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), HDD (Hard)
Although those using Disk Drive) have been mainstream, in recent years, those using flash memory have also been commercialized. The use of flash memory makes it possible to reduce the size of the housing, and portable navigation devices that take advantage of these features have also become widespread.

  The portable navigation device can be used not only in the vehicle interior but also outside the vehicle interior by installing a built-in battery. In view of this, a technique has been proposed in which navigation is switched between guidance for a car and guidance for a pedestrian depending on whether the navigation device is used in the vehicle interior or outside the vehicle interior.

  In the navigation device described in Patent Document 1, a holder for connecting the device is prepared in the passenger compartment, and the navigation device is installed in the holder. That is, if the holder and the navigation device are in a connected state, the vehicle Car navigation is determined as being used indoors. Further, when the navigation device is not installed in the holder, that is, when the holder and the navigation device are not connected, it is determined that the navigation device is used outside the passenger compartment, and pedestrian navigation is performed.

  In addition, a technique for determining whether the navigation device is used in a vehicle interior or outside the vehicle interior using wireless communication has been proposed. The in-vehicle terminal device described in Patent Document 2 can perform wireless communication with the in-vehicle unit installed in the vehicle, and when the wireless signal transmitted from the in-vehicle unit is received, it is used in the vehicle interior. Judgment and navigation for the car. Further, when the wireless signal transmitted from the in-vehicle unit is not received, it is determined that the wireless signal is being used outside the passenger compartment, and pedestrian navigation is performed.

Here, switching between navigation for vehicles and navigation for pedestrians means performing control suitable for the user according to the difference between the in-vehicle environment and the outside environment. For example, there is a function of performing route guidance considering different traffic regulations between cars and pedestrians. In addition, a display control technique such as changing the scale or character size of the map to be displayed or controlling the brightness of the screen has been proposed.
JP 2001-317947 A Japanese Patent No. 4161554

However, the navigation device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is determined that the vehicle is not used outside the passenger compartment in a vehicle in which a dedicated holder is not installed.
For example, if it is not your own vehicle, such as a friend's vehicle or a rented vehicle, it is expected that a dedicated holder is not installed, and it is judged that you are using it outside the vehicle even though you are using it in the vehicle It will be done. In addition, although the method of setting manually whether the navigation apparatus of patent document 1 is the use in a vehicle interior or the use outside a vehicle interior is also described, this method has the problem that it is troublesome. is there.

  Moreover, in the vehicle-mounted terminal device described in Patent Document 2, there is a problem that it is determined that the vehicle is mounted outside the passenger compartment in a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-mounted unit that cannot wirelessly communicate with the vehicle-mounted terminal device. Similar to the navigation device described in Patent Document 1, if the vehicle is not its own vehicle, it is expected that the in-vehicle unit cannot perform wireless communication with the in-vehicle terminal device. It will be judged that.

  Furthermore, in both the navigation device described in Patent Document 1 and the in-vehicle terminal device described in Patent Document 2, there is no mention of a function for switching between the vehicle interior and the exterior of the vehicle other than the function related to navigation and the function related to display.

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems, and is an information terminal device that can determine whether the vehicle is used in the vehicle interior or the vehicle exterior even when it is not its own vehicle. The purpose is to provide. Furthermore, it aims at providing the information terminal device which can improve a user's convenience by switching not only the function regarding a navigation and the function regarding a display but various functions according to the vehicle interior and the vehicle exterior.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information terminal device of the present invention inputs a signal from a communication unit that communicates with an external device and a signal from the communication unit, and is a dedicated signal from an in-vehicle device or between Bluetooth devices. Detects whether it is a Bluetooth signal, and if it detects a dedicated signal from an in-vehicle device or a Bluetooth signal for a certain time or more, it determines that the vehicle is in the vehicle interior, and detects the above-mentioned Bluetooth signal for a certain time or more. If not, input a notification signal from the vehicle interior / exterior determination means for determining that the vehicle is outside the vehicle interior and the notification signal from the vehicle interior / exterior determination means, and depending on whether the vehicle is in the vehicle interior or the vehicle exterior, It has the structure which has the control means to control.

According to the present invention, based on the radio signal received by the vehicle interior / exterior determination means, it is determined whether the environment being used is the vehicle interior or the vehicle exterior, and the control means operates according to the use environment. By switching between, it is possible to provide an information terminal device having an effect of improving user convenience.

  Hereinafter, an information terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment of the present invention, an information terminal device that determines whether the use environment is inside or outside the vehicle interior based on the received radio signal and switches the operation mode accordingly will be described.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the information terminal device according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, 101 is an information terminal device, which comprises a communication means 102, a vehicle interior / exterior judgment means 103, a control means 104, a navigation processing means 105, an input means 106, and a speaker 107.

  The communication unit 102 communicates with an external device. The communication method corresponds to, for example, wireless LAN (IEEE802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n), Bluetooth, and the like. Although not shown in FIG. 1, an antenna for performing wireless communication is connected to the communication means, and radio waves for wireless communication are received. One antenna can be configured as long as it corresponds to a wide band or a plurality of bands, but may be configured by a plurality of antennas such as using different antennas for each communication method. In addition, the information terminal apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be realized regardless of whether the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna are used in common or the individual antennas are used.

  The vehicle interior / exterior determination means 103 determines whether the information terminal device 101 is used in the vehicle interior or the vehicle exterior based on the received radio wave.

  Based on the determination result of the vehicle interior / exterior determination unit 103, the control unit 104 performs control to switch the operation, such as navigation, which is an application device, between the vehicle interior operation and the vehicle interior operation.

  The navigation processing means 105 performs processing related to navigation. The current position information calculated using GPS (Global Positioning System: not shown) and gyro sensor signals and map information stored in, for example, HDD (Hard Disc Drive) is displayed on the monitor or set. The route to the destination is searched and route guidance is performed using a map and guidance voice.

  The input unit 106 is, for example, a touch sensor in a touch panel monitor, and transmits an operation command input by the user to the control unit 104. Note that the input unit 106 may be a voice input microphone, and the user may operate the information terminal device 101 by voice recognition, or the input unit 106 may not be built in the information terminal device 101 as a remote control.

  The speaker 107 outputs sound. For example, a guidance voice for route guidance in navigation or a reproduction voice of music audio is output. Note that the sound may be output from an external speaker via an amplifier.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the navigation operation mode setting process in the information terminal device 101. Here, the operation mode is set as a vehicle mode when the information terminal device 101 is used inside the vehicle interior, and as a pedestrian mode when the information terminal device 101 is used outside the vehicle interior. The difference in navigation operation between the car mode and the pedestrian mode will be described later. Hereinafter, the detailed operation of the navigation operation mode setting process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, a navigation application is activated and navigation is started (step S201). Actually, there is an operation of turning on the power of the information terminal apparatus 101 before step S201, but this is omitted in the flowchart of FIG. Although the start of navigation is automatically performed after the information terminal device 101 is turned on, the navigation may be started by selecting from a menu instead of automatically. Here, the navigation processing is executed by the navigation processing means 105.

Next, it is determined whether or not the environment in which the information terminal device 101 is used is in the passenger compartment (step S202). If it is determined in step S202 that the vehicle is used in the vehicle interior, the process proceeds to step S203. If it is determined in step S202 that the vehicle is not used in the vehicle interior, that is, the vehicle is used outside the vehicle cabin, the process proceeds to step S204. The processing in step S202 is performed by the vehicle interior / exterior determination means 103. Details of the processing will be described later.

  In addition, although it is expressed as “whether or not it is used in the vehicle interior”, what is actually expressed as “used in the vehicle interior” is that “it should operate in the car mode” It means that. The expression “not used in the passenger compartment”, that is, “used outside the passenger compartment” means “should operate in pedestrian mode”. In other words, for example, even when it is determined that “it is used outside the passenger compartment”, the information terminal device 101 may be used in the passenger compartment as an actual place.

  If it is determined in step S202 that the vehicle is used in the vehicle interior, the navigation process is set to the vehicle mode (step S203), and the process proceeds to step S205. The processing in step S203 is performed by the control unit 104 instructing the navigation processing unit 105 based on the notification from the vehicle interior / exterior determination unit 103. Note that if the vehicle is already operating in the vehicle mode before the process of step S203, the process does not need to be performed in step S203, and the process may be shifted to step S205 as it is.

  If it is determined in step S202 that the vehicle is not used in the vehicle interior, that is, it is used outside the vehicle cabin, the navigation processing is set to the pedestrian mode (step S204), and the process proceeds to step S205. The processing in step S204 is performed by the control means 104 instructing the navigation processing means 105 based on the notification from the vehicle interior / exterior determination means 103. In addition, when already operating in pedestrian mode before performing the process of step S204, since it is not necessary to perform a process in step S204, what is necessary is just to transfer to step S205 as it is.

  Here, the difference between the car mode and the pedestrian mode will be described. In the navigation process, when the user is moving by a car and when the user is moving by a pedestrian, some processes should be changed. The typical functions are described below.

  First, there is a scale of the map to be displayed. Since movement by car is basically faster than pedestrians, it is more convenient for the user to display a map scale over a wide range. Conversely, in the case of a pedestrian, it is more convenient for the user to display in more detail, that is, in a narrow range.

  In addition, there are roads where only cars can pass or roads where only pedestrians can pass. That is, even if the destination is the same, the route may be different between when moving by car and when walking. Therefore, convenience is improved for the user by switching so that the optimum route on the road that can be moved by car in the vehicle mode is guided to the optimum route on the road that the pedestrian can move in the pedestrian mode.

  In addition, it is assumed that the information terminal apparatus 101 has a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) reception function. VICS is a service that displays information such as traffic congestion information on a road and parking lot congestion transmitted in real time from a VICS center on a navigation device or the like. Since the information transmitted from the VICS center is basically information for a user who uses a car, it is not useful information for pedestrians. Therefore, VICS reception is turned on in the vehicle mode, and VICS reception is turned off in the pedestrian mode. In this way, for example, when the processing of VICS reception is realized by a dedicated IC (Integrated Circuit: not shown in FIG. 1), VICS reception is turned off to use VICS. The power consumption in the pedestrian mode that does not need to be reduced can be reduced.

  Regarding the difference between the car mode and pedestrian mode in the navigation process, the scale of the map, the route guidance to the destination, and the ON / OFF of the VICS reception function were described, but this is not restrictive. The functions related to the navigation process can be realized in the same manner.

  In step S205, it is determined whether or not to end the navigation process. If the navigation process is terminated in step S205, the navigation operation mode setting process is terminated. If the navigation process is not terminated in step S205, that is, if the navigation process is to be continued, the process proceeds to step S202, and the above operation is repeated. Here, the end of the navigation process is manually set by the user. Specifically, the control unit 104 receives an input signal (navigation end request) from the input unit 106 and instructs the navigation processing unit 105 to perform the operation. Note that the navigation processing may be terminated by another method, for example, the navigation processing means 105 automatically terminates the navigation processing when the route guidance to a certain destination is completed.

  Note that the navigation operation mode setting process described with reference to FIG. 2 does not need to be executed continuously. For example, the process may be executed at regular intervals. Of course, it may be executed continuously, and an arbitrary time may be set according to the system resources.

  Next, FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the vehicle interior / exterior determination process performed by the vehicle interior / exterior determination means 103 in step S202. Hereinafter, the detailed operation of the vehicle interior / exterior determination process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not a radio wave is received (step S301). The radio wave reception process is performed by the communication unit 102. Here, for example, if no radio wave is received for 5 seconds, it is determined that “no radio wave is received” and the process proceeds to step S306. If a radio wave is received before 5 seconds elapses, the process proceeds to step S302. Although the waiting time of the radio wave is 5 seconds, it is not limited to this, and an arbitrary time can be set.

  If a radio wave is received in step S301, it is determined whether the received radio wave is a dedicated signal from the in-vehicle device (step S302). The vehicle interior / exterior determination means 103 performs the processing in step S302. If it is a dedicated signal, the process proceeds to step S307. If the received radio wave is other than a dedicated signal, the process proceeds to step S303.

  Here, the dedicated signal is a signal for the in-vehicle device to inform the information terminal device 101 that “the use environment is in the vehicle interior” when the in-vehicle device installed in the vehicle interior and the information terminal device 101 can communicate. is there. That is, the in-vehicle device can not only connect to the information terminal device 101 but also transmit a dedicated signal. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the in-vehicle device and the information terminal apparatus 101 communicate in the ad hoc mode in IEEE802.11b / g of the wireless LAN, and the dedicated signal is periodically transmitted from the in-vehicle device, for example, every second. Assume that the information is transmitted to the information terminal apparatus 101. Although the transmission interval of the dedicated signal is 1 second here, it is not limited to this. Any value shorter than the waiting time of the radio wave in step S301 may be used. On the contrary, when it is desired to set the transmission interval of the dedicated signal to an arbitrary time, the wireless radio wave waiting time in step S301 may be set to a time longer than that.

Although the information terminal apparatus 101 and the in-vehicle device communicate in the ad hoc mode of the wireless LAN, it can be realized in the infrastructure mode in which the devices communicate with each other via the wireless access point. Further, although the wireless LAN is set to IEEE802.11b / g, other wireless LAN systems such as IEEE802.11a and IEEE802.11n may be used. Alternatively, a wireless communication system other than the wireless LAN may be used. Further, wired communication may be used instead of wireless communication.

  When the vehicle interior / exterior determination means 103 determines that the radio wave received in step S302 is not a dedicated signal from the in-vehicle device, it next determines whether or not it is a Bluetooth signal (step S303). The Bluetooth signal is not a Bluetooth signal directly received by the information terminal apparatus 101 from the in-vehicle device, but a Bluetooth signal in which a Bluetooth signal transmitted / received between the in-vehicle device and a mobile phone is detected. If the received radio wave is a Bluetooth signal, the process proceeds to step S304; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S306.

  If it is determined in step S303 that the signal is a Bluetooth signal, it is determined whether the signal is packet data used for Bluetooth communication performed between the in-vehicle device and the mobile phone (step S304). However, the packet data transmitted / received by communication between the information terminal device 101 and the in-vehicle device is not applicable. If the packet data is used for Bluetooth communication performed between the in-vehicle device and the mobile phone, the process proceeds to step S305, and if not, the process proceeds to step S306.

  Here, the Bluetooth packet configuration will be briefly described. FIG. 4 shows a Bluetooth packet format. A Bluetooth packet includes an access code 401, a packet header 402, and a payload 403. The access code 401 is used to indicate the status of the Bluetooth piconet or to identify the piconet to communicate with. Here, the piconet is a network that is temporarily formed by a Bluetooth device. The packet header 402 includes various parameters for controlling the communication link. Payload 403 is user data and control data that are actually transmitted and received between Bluetooth devices.

  Three types of codes are defined in the access code 401. The first is called a channel access code (CAC), which is a packet transmitted from a Bluetooth device belonging to a piconet, that is, a Bluetooth device in a state where a link has been established, to a Bluetooth device of a communication partner. This is the code used for. The second is called an inquiry access code (IAC), and the third is called a call access code (DAC). IAC and DAC are packets transmitted by the Bluetooth device in the process of establishing a link. That is, when the access code 401 is CAC, it can be determined that the packet data is used for communication between Bluetooth devices. Therefore, the process in step S304 specifically determines whether or not the access code is CAC.

  Here, the access code 401 determines whether or not the packet data is used for communication between Bluetooth devices. However, even if the information terminal device 101 is connected to a certain piconet, It is determined from the included information whether the packet data is used in communication between Bluetooth devices other than the information terminal device that is the device itself (such as an in-vehicle device and a mobile phone).

  Note that it may be determined whether or not the packet data is used for communication between Bluetooth devices by other methods, such as determination based on the packet type instead of the access code 401. It is also possible to operate the processing in step S303 and the processing in step S304 as one processing.

  If it is determined in step S304 that the received radio wave is packet data used for communication between Bluetooth devices, is the packet data having the same access code 401 received for a predetermined time, for example, 5 seconds? It is confirmed whether or not (step S305). If packet data used for communication between Bluetooth devices is received for 5 seconds, the process proceeds to step S307, and if not, the process proceeds to step S306.

  If it is determined in step S301 that no radio wave is received, or if it is determined in step S303 that the received radio wave is not a Bluetooth signal, the received radio wave is used for communication between Bluetooth devices in step S304. If it is determined that the packet data is not received, and if it is determined in step S305 that the packet data used for communication between the Bluetooth devices has not been received for 5 seconds, “used outside the vehicle compartment” "" (Step S306), the vehicle interior / exterior determination processing is terminated.

  If it is determined that the radio wave received in step S302 is a dedicated signal from the in-vehicle device, and it is determined in step S305 that packet data used for communication between Bluetooth devices is received for 5 seconds. If so, it is determined that “the vehicle is being used in the vehicle interior” (step S307), and the vehicle interior / exterior determination process is terminated.

  The process of step S305 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the packet data reception determination process performed in step S305.

  First, when the information terminal apparatus 101 receives Bluetooth packet data (step S304), it reads out and stores the access code 401 in the packet data (step S501). Here, the storage destination is assumed to be a built-in RAM (Random Access Memory), for example.

  Next, two internal timers (referred to as timer 1 and timer 2) are reset and started. (Step S502) Here, the timer 1 is a timer that measures a predetermined time used for the determination in Step S305, that is, 5 seconds in the first embodiment of the present invention. For example, the timer 2 is a timer that measures 1.5 seconds.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the Bluetooth packet data next to the Bluetooth packet data received in step S304 has been received (step S503). If the next Bluetooth packet data is received, the process proceeds to step S504. If the next Bluetooth packet data is not received, the process proceeds to step S507. The waiting time for receiving the next Bluetooth packet data is, for example, 1 second. The waiting time does not have to be 1 second, and an arbitrary time can be set as long as it is shorter than the time measured by the timer 2.

  In step S504, the access code 401 of the Bluetooth packet data received in step S503 is read, and it is determined whether or not it is the same as the access code 401 stored in step S501. If the access codes 401 are the same, the process proceeds to step S505. If the access code 401 is different, the process proceeds to step S507.

In step S505, it is determined whether or not the value of timer 1 exceeds 5 seconds. If it exceeds 5 seconds, the determination in step S305 is “YES”, that is, it is determined that packet data is received (step S506), and the process ends. If it does not exceed 5 seconds, the timer 2 is reset and then restarted (step S509). And it changes to step S503 and repeats the operation | movement mentioned above.

  If it is determined in step S503 that the packet data next to the packet data received in step S304 has not been received, and if it is determined in step S504 that packet data having a different access code 401 has been received, It is determined whether or not the value of timer 2 exceeds 1.5 seconds (step S507). If it exceeds 1.5 seconds, the determination in step S305 is “NO”, that is, it is determined that no packet data has been received (step S508), and the process is terminated. If it does not exceed 1.5 seconds, the process returns to step S503, and the above-described operation is repeated.

  The Bluetooth packet data is continuously received when an application such as a hands-free call or audio streaming is being executed, for example. An example (pattern 1) of receiving Bluetooth packet data in this case is shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 601 (upward diagonal line) denotes the Bluetooth packet data received in step S304, and the access code 401 of the packet data 601 is CAC. Reference numeral 602 (shaded) denotes Bluetooth packet data having the same access code 401 as the packet data 601. The same access code 401 means that the packet data 601 is Bluetooth packet data transmitted / received in the same piconet as the packet data 601 transmitted / received. As shown in FIG. 6, when an application is being executed between Bluetooth devices, packet data with the same access code 401 is continuously received. In this case, it is determined in step S305 that “packet data used for communication between Bluetooth devices has been received for 5 seconds”. The packet data reception interval in FIG. 6 is an example, and is not limited to this, but is determined depending on the application. Therefore, the number of received packets is not limited to that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is an example (pattern 2) of packet data reception of the information terminal device 101 when a link is established between a Bluetooth device (for example, an in-vehicle device and a mobile phone) but no application is executed. In this case, packet data 602 is not continuously received at short time intervals as in the case of FIG. 6, but packet data 702 is received at certain time intervals. The packet data 702 is data for confirming the connection state of each other. In FIG. 7, for example, the transmission is made from a Bluetooth device about every second. Thus, even if the actual application is not executed, the packet data 702 can be received as long as the link is established. In this case as well, since the interval of receiving the packet data 702 is shorter than 1.5 seconds, it is determined in step S305 that “packet data used for communication between Bluetooth devices is received for 5 seconds”. . Note that the reception interval of the packet data 702 in FIG. 7 is an example, and is not limited to this.

  FIG. 8 shows an example (pattern 3) of packet data reception when an application is executed between Bluetooth devices at the start of processing in the packet data reception determination processing in step S305, but the application ends during the processing. . The packet reception interval is the same as that in the case of pattern 1 (FIG. 6) or pattern 2 (FIG. 7), and the detailed description thereof is omitted. Although the time interval for receiving the packet data changes during the packet data reception determination process, the maximum time interval is shorter than 1.5 seconds. Therefore, in step S305, “5 seconds is used for communication between Bluetooth devices. It is determined that packet data is being received.

  Contrary to the packet data reception pattern 3 in FIG. 8, when the application is not executed at the start of the packet data reception process and the application starts executing during the process, in step S305, “5 seconds , The packet data used for communication between Bluetooth devices is received.

  FIG. 9 is an example (pattern 4) of packet data reception when reception of packet data 902 is stopped during packet data reception processing. In this case, the time interval for receiving the packet data 902 is shorter than 1.5 seconds until the last packet data 902 is received, but the timer 2 exceeds 1.5 seconds before the timer 1 reaches 5 seconds. It will be. Therefore, the value of timer 2 exceeds 1.5 seconds in step S507 of the packet data reception determination process, and the determination in step S305 is “NO” (step S508).

  FIG. 10 shows an example of packet data reception (pattern 5) when packet data having a different access code 401 is received during the packet data reception process. In FIG. 10, the access code 401 is CAC, but 1003 is packet data of the access code 401 different from the packet data 1001 and the packet data 1002 (downward diagonal line). As shown in FIG. 10, since the packet reception time interval is shorter than 1.5 seconds, the packet data 1001 has a different access code 401. Therefore, in S504 of the packet data reception determination process, “different access code 401”. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S507 instead of step S505. In the packet data reception determination process, the timer 2 is not reset unless transiting to step S509. Therefore, in step S507, the value of the timer 2 exceeds 1.5 seconds, and the determination in step S305 is “NO”. However, if the packet data 1003 continues to be received thereafter, “YES” is determined in step S305 when the packet data reception determination process is performed again.

  As described above, the packet data reception pattern has been described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. However, what is determined as “YES” in step S305 of the packet data reception determination process, that is, what can be shifted to step S307 of the vehicle interior / exterior determination process. , Patterns 1, 2, and 3.

  When receiving Bluetooth packet data used in an actual vehicle interior, for example, pattern 1 is used when a hands-free call is being made, and pattern 2 is received otherwise. The same applies to audio streaming. When the audio streaming is used, the pattern 1 is obtained. When the streaming reproduction is stopped, the pattern 2 is obtained. In addition, in both cases of hands-free calling and audio streaming, there is a possibility of pattern 3 when an application is executed from the time of stoppage.

  A user who uses Bluetooth in the passenger compartment gets on the vehicle and connects a Bluetooth-compatible mobile phone or audio player to the in-vehicle device after the in-vehicle device is activated. That is, operation is started after a Bluetooth link is established. Performing a Bluetooth connection operation during driving hinders driving. In addition, when a call is received when a link is not established, a hands-free call cannot be performed. Therefore, the user can basically determine that the Bluetooth link has been established before the operation is started. And when getting off, since the power source of the in-vehicle device is turned off, the Bluetooth link is disconnected at that timing.

  Although Bluetooth communication uses weak radio waves, the vehicle interior is an environment where Bluetooth communication can be used stably because the communication distance is short. Therefore, it can be determined that the pattern 4 or the pattern 5 is not obtained.

  On the other hand, consider receiving Bluetooth packet data outside the passenger compartment. As described above, since Bluetooth uses weak radio waves, the radio waves are not received unless the communication distance with the Bluetooth device is shortened. Hands-free calling is basically not used outside the passenger compartment, and is the case of audio streaming (such as a connection between the player and the headset via Bluetooth) if radio waves are received. In this case, Bluetooth packet data cannot be received unless the user is approached. Furthermore, if the state is not maintained for 5 seconds, patterns 1 to 3 will not occur. In particular, it is expected that the user who is performing navigation is moving, so there is no possibility of this. .

  In applications where Bluetooth is used in addition to hands-free calling and audio streaming, there are peripheral devices of personal computers, for example. This is to connect the main body of the personal computer to the mouse and keyboard via Bluetooth. In addition, there is a method in which the game machine main body and the controller are connected via Bluetooth. However, in any case, it is not used in an environment where navigation is performed.

  In addition, a Bluetooth-compatible mobile phone may always transmit a Bluetooth signal depending on the setting. This is a state in which a device to be connected is being searched, and the Bluetooth packet data transmitted in this case is packet data whose access code 401 is not CAC. Therefore, if the user's mobile phone having the information terminal device 101 is set as described above, it continues to receive Bluetooth packet data, but is not judged as patterns 1 to 3. .

  From the above description, it can be determined that the reception pattern of the Bluetooth packet data received outside the passenger compartment is pattern 4 or pattern 5. For example, pattern 4 may be considered when the user passes a user who uses Bluetooth audio streaming. Furthermore, pattern 5 is used when there are a plurality of users using Bluetooth audio streaming in the vicinity.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle device corresponding to an information terminal device receives a dedicated signal, and if the corresponding in-vehicle device is not installed, the Bluetooth device By receiving packet data used for communication between (for example, an in-vehicle device and a mobile phone), an information terminal device that automatically sets the navigation processing to the car mode can be realized. Conversely, in a mode other than the vehicle mode, it operates as a pedestrian mode, and it is possible to improve user convenience by performing navigation according to the usage environment of the information terminal device.

  In-vehicle devices that are compatible with information terminal devices that you own can be installed in vehicles that you own, but in-vehicle devices that are compatible with information terminal devices that you own in vehicles owned by others or rented vehicles Equipment is not always installed. Thus, in the information terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in-vehicle devices that support Bluetooth connection are installed not only on vehicles owned by the user but also on vehicles owned by others or rented vehicles. If so, the vehicle mode and the pedestrian mode can be switched appropriately. Needless to say, even if it is a vehicle that you own, if it is compatible with Bluetooth connection even if it is not an in-vehicle device that supports the information terminal device that you own, a Bluetooth signal for Bluetooth communication such as in-vehicle device and mobile phone Can be appropriately switched between the car mode and the pedestrian mode.

In addition, although the structure of the information terminal device 101 was shown in FIG. 1, it is not restricted to this. This can be realized even if each block has a bus connection. Further, although the configuration in each block is shown in FIG. 1, since it can be realized by software processing or the like in practice, the hardware may be configured to handle a plurality of blocks by a microcomputer or the like.

  In addition, the dedicated signal used in the vehicle interior / exterior determination process is transmitted from the in-vehicle device. For example, this is automatically performed when a wireless communication link is established between the in-vehicle device and the information terminal device 101. Shall be sent. Alternatively, it can be realized by transmitting a dedicated signal request command from the information terminal device 101 after establishing a wireless communication link and using a response signal from the in-vehicle device that has received the dedicated signal request command as a dedicated signal.

  The dedicated signal is continuously transmitted from the in-vehicle device, but is not limited thereto. When the information terminal device 101 establishes a wireless communication link with the in-vehicle device, that is, when the user gets on the vehicle and starts driving the vehicle, a dedicated signal (car mode setting instruction) is transmitted, and the power source of the in-vehicle device is turned on. A dedicated signal (pedestrian mode setting instruction) may be transmitted when turning off, that is, when the user finishes driving and gets off the vehicle.

  In the packet data reception determination process described with reference to FIG. 5, the timer 2 is a timer that measures 1.5 seconds, but actually the reception interval time of the packet data 602 and 7 in FIGS. 6 and 7. Any longer time can be set. In other words, the measurement time of the timer may be set so that it can be determined that “packet data used for communication between Bluetooth devices is received for 5 seconds” in the packet data reception pattern in FIG.

  In the packet data reception determination process described with reference to FIG. 5, the timer 1 is a timer that measures 5 seconds. However, in practice, it may be arbitrarily set as long as it is longer than the time measured by the timer 2. Is possible.

  Although the timer 1 and the timer 2 are described as measuring time, a similar system can be realized with a counter that counts up according to the operation clock. In this case, a counter value used for condition determination may be set according to the frequency of the operation clock.

  In the reception of Bluetooth packet data, in the case of the reception pattern 4 in FIG. 9 and the reception pattern 5 in FIG. 10, it is determined that the information terminal device 101 is used outside the passenger compartment, but the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. Patterns 4 and 5 are merely examples, and even when other reception patterns are used, if it is determined to be used outside the vehicle compartment in the vehicle interior / exterior determination processing, the determination may be followed. On the contrary, even if the reception pattern is other than the reception pattern 1 in FIG. 6, the reception pattern 2 in FIG. 7, and the reception pattern 3 in FIG. That's fine.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the information terminal device 101 is set to the vehicle mode when receiving a dedicated signal from the in-vehicle device or packet data used for communication between Bluetooth devices. It is not limited. For example, the vehicle mode and the pedestrian mode may be set using radio waves of a keyless entry system. A keyless entry system is a system that unlocks and locks a door by recognizing a radio wave transmitted from a key body. For example, the key includes an unlocking button and a locking button, and the user can unlock and lock the door by pressing the button, so that the operation of inserting the key into the vehicle can be made unnecessary. The radio wave transmitted from the key is received, and the navigation processing of the information terminal device 101 may be set to the car mode when unlocking and the pedestrian mode when locking.

  Or you may set a vehicle mode and a pedestrian mode using the electromagnetic wave of a smart entry system. The smart entry system is the same as the keyless entry system in that it is not necessary to insert a key into the vehicle. The smart entry system is a system that improves the user's convenience without the need to press the unlock / lock button on the key body. The user only has to press a dedicated button prepared near the door knob of the vehicle. A vehicle whose dedicated button has been pressed transmits a command. The key body is always in a reception standby state, and when a command from the vehicle is received, a command is transmitted to the vehicle this time. Then, the authentication process is performed with the vehicle and the key, and when the authentication is successful, the door is unlocked and locked. The navigation processing of the information terminal device 101 may be set to either the vehicle mode or the pedestrian mode using radio waves of wireless communication performed between the vehicle and the key in this smart entry system.

  Alternatively, the navigation processing of the information terminal device 101 may be set to the vehicle mode using a radio wave that is received only by the driving vehicle, such as DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication). However, in the case of DSRC radio waves, switching from the vehicle mode to the pedestrian mode is difficult, and in this case, the user may manually switch the mode.

  Alternatively, the information terminal device 101 may transmit the pilot signal and receive the reflected wave, thereby determining that the vehicle is in the vehicle interior and setting the navigation processing of the information terminal device 101 to the vehicle mode. The transmitted pilot signal returns to the information terminal apparatus 101 through various states such as reflection, diffraction, and attenuation. Here, the vehicle interior environment is basically a closed space covered with metal, and if the arrival time of the reflected wave is shorter than a certain threshold value and the received power is larger than a certain threshold value, it is judged as the vehicle interior. can do.

  Further, it may be determined whether the environment in which the information terminal device 101 is used is in the vehicle interior or outside the vehicle interior, that is, the vehicle mode and the pedestrian mode are all set manually by the user.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the operation mode is set based on the determination in the vehicle interior / exterior determination process when the navigation process is being performed in the information terminal apparatus 101. However, the information terminal apparatus 101 is activated. Even if the navigation process is not performed in the state where the vehicle is in the vehicle, it is possible to perform the vehicle interior / exterior determination process. In this case, it may be set as the operation mode held at the time when the navigation process is started by holding as a state whether to set the vehicle mode or the pedestrian mode.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the navigation process is set to either the vehicle mode or the pedestrian mode according to the determination in the vehicle interior / exterior determination process. The setting may be performed by a user operation. In this case, for example, a message such as “Do you want to switch from the car mode to the pedestrian mode?” Or “Do you want to switch from the pedestrian mode to the car mode?” Is displayed on the output screen of the information terminal device 101. The user may select “YES” or “NO” via the input means 106. By doing in this way, the user can know the timing at which the operation mode is switched.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, an information terminal device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the information terminal device according to the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 11, reference numeral 1101 denotes an information terminal device, which includes a communication unit 102, a vehicle interior / exterior determination unit 103, a control unit 104, an input unit 106, a display control unit 1108, and a display unit 1109.

  Since the communication means 102, the vehicle interior / exterior determination means 103, the control means 104, and the input means 106 are the same as those described in the first embodiment of the present invention, description thereof is omitted here.

  The display control unit 1108 sets the display operation of the display unit 1109 to the car mode or the pedestrian mode according to the instruction of the control unit 104. Specifically, for example, assuming that the display unit 1109 is a liquid crystal monitor, the luminance of the backlight is controlled according to the operation mode.

  The cabin is darker than the outside. In particular, the interior of the car at night will be dark unless the interior lights are turned on unless the interior lights are turned on. Therefore, the user can see the display on the monitor because the surroundings are dark even when the backlight brightness is lowered. On the other hand, outside the passenger compartment is a bright environment, not to mention daytime. On the other hand, at night, the depths of mountains without streetlights are dark. For example, when the navigation function is used in the information terminal device 1101, the city is basically an urban area and has many streetlights. Therefore, even at night, the surroundings are brighter than in the passenger compartment.

  Therefore, the display control means 1108 performs processing for lowering the brightness of the backlight of the display means 1109 in the car mode and increasing the brightness of the backlight of the display means 1109 in the pedestrian mode.

  Although the display unit 1109 is a liquid crystal monitor, the display unit 1109 is not limited to this, and may be a monitor realized by another device. In the information terminal device 1101, the input unit 106 and the display unit 1109 are described as separate blocks. For example, when the input unit 106 is a touch sensor, the input unit 106 and the display unit 1109 are combined to form a touch panel monitor. It is good.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of display operation mode setting processing in the information terminal device 1101. The operation will be described below.

  First, an image display operation is started on the display unit 1109 in step S1201. Actually, it is assumed that the screen is automatically displayed on the display means 1109 when the information terminal device 1101 is powered on.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the environment in which the information terminal device 1101 is used is in the passenger compartment (step S202). This step S1202 is the same as the process in the navigation operation mode setting process of the first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, in detail, the vehicle interior / exterior determination process described with reference to FIG. 3 and the packet data reception determination process described with reference to FIG. If it is determined in step S1202 that the vehicle is used in the passenger compartment, the process proceeds to step S1203. If it is determined in step S1202 that the vehicle is not used in the vehicle interior, that is, is used outside the vehicle cabin, the process proceeds to step S1204.

If it is determined in step S1202 that the vehicle is used in the vehicle interior, the display operation is set to the vehicle mode (step S1203), and the process proceeds to step S1205. The processing in step S1203 is performed by the control means 104 instructing the display control means 1108 based on the notification from the vehicle interior / exterior determination means 103. Then, the display control means 110
In response to the instruction No. 8, the luminance of the backlight of the display unit 1109 is set to be dark. Note that if the vehicle is already operating in the vehicle mode before performing the process of step S1203, it is not necessary to perform the process in step S1203, and therefore, the process may go directly to step S1205.

  If it is determined in step S1202 that the vehicle is not used in the passenger compartment, that is, if it is used outside the passenger compartment, the display operation is set to the pedestrian mode (step S1204), and the process proceeds to step S1205. The processing in step S1204 is performed by the control unit 104 instructing the display control unit 1108 based on the notification from the vehicle interior / exterior determination unit 103. Then, the brightness of the backlight of the display unit 1109 is set bright according to an instruction from the display control unit 1108. Note that if it is already operating in the pedestrian mode before performing the process of step S1204, it is not necessary to perform the process in step S1204, and therefore, the process may go directly to step S1205.

  In step S1205, it is determined whether or not to end the image display operation. If the image display operation is terminated in step S1205, the display operation mode setting process is terminated. If the image display operation is not terminated in step S1205, that is, if the image display operation is to be continued, the process proceeds to step S202, and the above operation is repeated. Here, it is assumed that the end of the image display operation is manually set by the user. Specifically, the control means 104 receives an input signal from the input means 106 (an image display operation end request, which may actually be a power-off request for the information terminal device 1101), and instructs the display control means 1108. Is done by. Then, the display of the display unit 1109 is stopped according to an instruction from the display control unit 1108. For example, assuming that the information terminal device 1101 has a timer function, a time to turn off the power is set, and the power is automatically turned off at that time, that is, the image display operation is terminated. The image display operation may be terminated by another method.

  Note that the display operation mode setting process described with reference to FIG. 12 does not need to be executed continuously. For example, the process may be executed at regular intervals. Of course, it may be executed continuously, and an arbitrary time may be set according to the system resources.

  As described above, Embodiment 2 of the present invention can realize an information terminal device that automatically switches and sets the display operation between the car mode and the pedestrian mode according to the environment being used. When the information terminal device is used in the vehicle interior, the brightness of the liquid crystal backlight of the display means is set to be dark as the vehicle mode, and when it is used outside the vehicle interior, the brightness of the liquid crystal backlight of the display means is set as the pedestrian mode. Set to brighter. Thus, the visibility of the display screen can be improved according to the user's usage environment.

  In addition, although the specific value is not described about the setting value of the brightness of the liquid crystal backlight of the display means, if the brightness in the vehicle mode is relatively darker than the brightness in the pedestrian mode in the car mode and the pedestrian mode. The effect mentioned above can be acquired.

In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the display control means 1108 sets the brightness of the liquid crystal backlight of the display means 1109 to be dark in the vehicle mode, and brightens the brightness of the liquid crystal backlight of the display means 1109 in the pedestrian mode. However, it is not limited to this. For example, an electrically controllable polarizing filter is provided in the information terminal device 1101, and the viewing angle of the display means 1109 is widened in the car mode, and the viewing angle of the display means 1109 is narrowed in the pedestrian mode. . When used in the car mode, since the information terminal device 1101 is used in the passenger compartment, the user is expected to see the information terminal device 1101 from other than the front, for example, in the center of the dashboard. Therefore, the visibility can be improved when the viewing angle of the display means 1109 is wider. On the other hand, in the case of the pedestrian mode, it is expected that the user is using it outdoors. In this case, since the user can see the information terminal device 1101 from the front, the visibility is lowered even if the viewing angle is narrow. There is no.

  Furthermore, in the case of the vehicle mode, that is, when the information terminal device 1101 is used in the passenger compartment, even if there is a passenger, the displayed screen may be viewed because it is basically a family member or acquaintance. However, in the case of the pedestrian mode, that is, when the information terminal device 1101 is used outside the passenger compartment, there is a possibility that the screen may be seen by others, so that the effect of improving the confidentiality by narrowing the viewing angle Can be obtained.

  Further, although it has been described that the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight of the display unit 1109 is controlled according to the environment in which the information terminal device 1101 is used, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the brightness may be controlled by determining day and night according to the time and taking the result into consideration.

  With reference to FIG. 13, the luminance setting when day / night judgment is considered will be described. FIG. 13 is a table showing the luminance setting of the liquid crystal backlight of the display unit 1109. In FIG. 13, whether the row direction uses the information terminal device 1101 in the vehicle interior or outside the vehicle compartment is divided into cases, and this determination is the same as the processing described in the second embodiment of the present invention. Suppose you decide by method. Whether the row direction is daytime or night is divided into cases, for example, it is determined that it is daytime when the time is from 6 o'clock to 18 o'clock, otherwise it is night. Note that the determination of day and night based on the time is not limited to this, and the time used for the determination may be changed depending on the region and season.

  For example, the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight of the display unit 1109 when the information terminal device 1101 is used in a passenger compartment and at noon is set as a standard value. When the information terminal device 1101 is used outside the passenger compartment and it is daytime, the brightness of the liquid crystal backlight of the display means 1109 is set to be brighter than the standard value. When the information terminal device 1101 is used in the passenger compartment and at night, the brightness of the backlight is set to be darker than the standard value. When the information terminal device 1101 is used outside the passenger compartment and at night, the brightness of the liquid crystal backlight of the display unit 1109 is set to a standard value. By setting in this way, the relationship of the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight of the display means 1109 according to the usage environment of the information terminal device 1101 is as described in the second embodiment of the present invention. Brighter than when used indoors. On the other hand, the relationship of the brightness of the liquid crystal backlight of the display means 1109 according to the time when the information terminal device 1101 is used becomes brighter when used in the day than when used at night. Needless to say, this is because the surroundings are brighter in the day than in the night.

  As described above, by controlling the luminance of the liquid crystal backlight of the display unit 1109 in consideration of day / night judgment, the effect of improving the visibility of the user can be obtained more reliably. In FIG. 13, the set luminance is a standard value, darker than the standard value, and brighter than the standard value, but is not limited to this. There may be four stages, and the judgment based on the time may be performed in more detail in addition to day and night.

  In consideration of day / night judgment, for example, there is a switch of navigation display between a day image and a night image. The daytime image displays the background and map in the screen in a high brightness color, and the night image displays the background and map in the screen in a low brightness color. By doing in this way, the effect which improves visibility equivalent to the brightness | luminance control mentioned above can be acquired. The daytime image is displayed in a high luminance color and the night image is displayed in a low luminance color. However, the same effect can be obtained if the display is switched between the daytime image and the nighttime image without being limited to the luminance. be able to.

The switching between the daytime image and the nighttime image can be performed in consideration of whether the information terminal device 1101 is used in the passenger compartment or outside the passenger compartment, and whether it is daytime or nighttime. it can. For example, the information terminal device 1101 is used in the passenger compartment, and if it is daytime, a daytime image is displayed. The information terminal device 1101 is used outside the passenger compartment, and the daytime image is displayed even in the daytime. When the information terminal device 1101 is used in the passenger compartment and at night, a night image is displayed. When it is used outside the passenger compartment and at night, the daytime image is displayed regardless of the night because the surroundings are actually bright. By doing in this way, the effect which improves a user's visibility can be acquired still more reliably.
(Embodiment 3)
Hereinafter, the information terminal device in Embodiment 3 of this invention is demonstrated, referring drawings.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the information terminal device according to the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 14, reference numeral 1401 denotes an information terminal device, which includes a communication unit 102, a vehicle interior / exterior determination unit 103, a control unit 104, a display control unit 1408, a touch panel monitor 1409, and a touch sensor control unit 1410.

  Since the communication means 102, the vehicle interior / exterior determination means 103, and the control means 104 are the same as those described in the first embodiment of the present invention, description thereof is omitted here.

  The display control unit 1408 sets the display operation of the touch panel monitor 1409 to the car mode and the pedestrian mode according to the instruction from the control unit 104.

  The touch panel monitor 1409 is obtained by integrating the input unit 106 and the display unit 1109 in the information terminal device 1101. In addition to displaying various images in response to an instruction from the display control unit 1408, input data from the user is transmitted to the control unit 104.

  Touch sensor control means 1410 controls the sensitivity of the touch sensor included in touch panel monitor 1409. Specifically, in the case of the car mode, since fine operation becomes difficult due to the vibration of the car, the sensitivity of the touch sensor is set low to prevent erroneous operation. Conversely, in the pedestrian mode, since fine operations are possible, the sensitivity of the touch sensor is set high.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of touch panel operation mode setting processing in the information terminal device 1401. The operation will be described below.

  First, in step S1501, a touch panel operation is started in the touch panel monitor 1409. Here, the start of the touch panel operation means that an image is displayed on the touch panel monitor 1409 and the user can operate the touch sensor. Actually, when the information terminal device 1401 is powered on, a screen is automatically displayed on the touch panel monitor 1409, and the user can input via the touch sensor.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the environment in which the information terminal device 1401 is used is in the passenger compartment (step S1502). Note that step S1502 is the same as the processing in the navigation operation mode setting process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, in detail, the vehicle interior / exterior determination process described with reference to FIG. 3 and the packet data reception determination process described with reference to FIG. If it is determined in step S1502 that the vehicle is used in the passenger compartment, the process proceeds to step S1503. If it is determined in step S1502 that the vehicle is not used in the vehicle interior, that is, the vehicle is used outside the vehicle cabin, the process proceeds to step S1504.

If it is determined in step S1502 that the vehicle is used in the vehicle interior, the touch panel operation is set to the vehicle mode (step S1503), and the process proceeds to step S1505. The processing in step S1503 is performed by the control means 104 instructing the display control means 1408 and the touch sensor control means 1410 based on the notification from the vehicle interior / exterior determination means 103. Then, the display operation of the touch panel monitor 1409 is set to the car mode according to an instruction from the display control means 1408. Further, the touch sensor sensitivity of the touch panel monitor 1409 is set low according to an instruction from the touch sensor control means 1410. Note that if the vehicle is already operating in the vehicle mode before performing the process of step S1503, it is not necessary to perform the process in step S1503, and therefore, the process may go directly to step S1505.

  If it is determined in step S1502 that it is not used in the vehicle interior, that is, it is used outside the vehicle interior, the touch panel operation is set to the pedestrian mode (step S1504), and the process proceeds to step S1505. The processing in step S1504 is performed by the control unit 104 instructing the display control unit 1408 and the touch sensor control unit 1410 based on the notification from the vehicle interior / exterior determination unit 103. Then, the display operation of the touch panel monitor 1409 is set to the pedestrian mode according to an instruction from the display control unit 1408. Further, the touch sensor sensitivity of the touch panel monitor 1409 is set high according to an instruction from the touch sensor control means 1410. Note that if it is already operating in the pedestrian mode before performing the process of step S1504, it is not necessary to perform the process in step S1504, and therefore, the process may go directly to step S1505.

  In step S1505, it is determined whether or not to end the touch panel operation. If the touch panel operation is to be terminated in step S1505, the touch panel operation mode setting process is terminated. If the touch panel operation is not terminated in step S1505, that is, if the touch panel operation is to be continued, the process proceeds to step S1502, and the above operation is repeated. Here, it is assumed that the end of the touch panel operation is manually set by the user. Specifically, the control means 104 receives an input signal from the touch panel monitor 1409 (a touch panel operation end request, which may actually be a power OFF request of the information terminal device 1401), and the display control means 1408 and touch sensor control. This is done by instructing means 1410. Then, the image display on the touch panel monitor 1409 is stopped by an instruction from the display control means 1408. Further, the touch sensor cannot be used according to an instruction from the touch sensor control means 1410. For example, assuming that the information terminal device 1401 has an alarm function, a time to turn off the power is set, and when that time comes, the power is automatically turned off, that is, the touch panel operation is terminated. The touch panel operation may be terminated by this method.

  Note that the touch panel operation mode setting process described with reference to FIG. 15 does not need to be continuously executed. For example, the process may be executed at regular intervals. Of course, it may be executed continuously, and an arbitrary time may be set according to the system resources.

  Here, the display operation of the touch panel monitor 1409 set by the display control unit 1408 will be described.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of a display screen of the touch panel monitor 1409 in the pedestrian mode. In FIG. 16, 1401 is an example of the appearance of the information terminal device. Here, a menu screen is displayed. 1602 is a menu button in the pedestrian mode, and eight menu buttons from menus A to H are displayed. When the user touches the position of the menu button 1602 of the menu to be used by using the touch sensor, the menu is executed. Is done.

17 and 18 are display screens of the touch panel monitor 1409 in the car mode. In this example, the same menu screen as that in FIG. 16 is displayed as the car mode. Reference numeral 1702 denotes a menu button in the vehicle mode. Menus A to D are shown in FIG. 17, and menus E to H are shown in FIG. Compared to the menu button 1602 in the pedestrian mode, the menu button 1702 has a larger button size and display characters. For this reason, since the screen does not fit in, the screen is divided into two screens as shown in FIGS. When the button 1703 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 17, the screen transitions to the screen of FIG. 18, and when the button 1803 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 18, the screen transitions to the screen of FIG.

  In the case of the car mode, it is difficult to see the screen due to vibration or the like because it is driving. Therefore, in the case of the car mode, it is possible to prevent the visibility from decreasing by increasing the button size or the character size. In addition, if it is a small menu button, the adjacent menu button may be accidentally pressed. Therefore, an erroneous operation can be prevented by increasing the menu button and the interval between the buttons.

  As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, an information terminal device that automatically switches and sets the touch panel operation between the car mode and the pedestrian mode according to the environment being used can be realized. When the information terminal device is used in the vehicle interior, the sensitivity of the touch sensor is set to be lowered as the vehicle mode, and the displayed characters, buttons, and button intervals are increased. When used outside the passenger compartment, the pedestrian mode is set to increase the sensitivity of the touch sensor, and the displayed characters, buttons, and button intervals are reduced. In this way, convenience can be improved according to the user's usage environment.

  The touch panel operation has been described so as to control the sensitivity and display operation of the touch sensor of the touch panel monitor. However, even when either one is controlled, an effect of improving user convenience can be obtained.

  In addition, although specific numerical values and the like are not described for the sensitivity of the touch sensor, the effect described above can be obtained if the sensitivity is relatively lowered in the vehicle mode compared to the pedestrian mode. Similarly, in the case of the pedestrian mode, if the sensitivity is relatively higher than that in the case of the vehicle mode, an effect of preventing an erroneous operation can be obtained.

  Although the display operation has been described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18, the number and size of the displayed menu buttons are not limited to this. In the case of the car mode, as compared with the case of the pedestrian mode, the effect described above can be obtained by relatively increasing at least one of characters, buttons, and button intervals. Similarly, in the case of the pedestrian mode, as compared with the case of the vehicle mode, if at least one of the characters, buttons, and button intervals is relatively small, an effect of preventing a decrease in visibility and an effect of preventing an erroneous operation can be obtained. it can.

  Moreover, the effect mentioned above can be acquired also by changing the area | region which a touch sensor reacts in the case of a vehicle mode and a pedestrian mode, and the button size is the same. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 shows an example of a screen on which a menu is displayed on the information terminal device 1401. Reference numeral 1902 denotes a menu button. In the pedestrian mode, the area where the menu button 1902 is displayed is the area where the touch sensor reacts. Reference numeral 1904 denotes an area to which the touch sensor responds in the car mode. It is assumed that the area 1904 is not actually displayed on the touch panel monitor 1409. Even if it is not the area of the menu button 1902, when the area 1904 is pressed, the same operation as when the menu button 1902 included in the area 1904 is pressed is performed. By doing in this way, even if the display of the menu button remains as it is and the position where the user presses due to the vibration of the car deviates from the area of the menu button 1902, the information terminal device 1401 can display the menu intended by the user. Can be executed.

The touch panel operation is controlled by determining whether the mode is the car mode or the pedestrian mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the above-described effect can be obtained even when the inclination of the information terminal device 1401 is detected and controlled. For example, when the information terminal device 1401 is installed in a cradle in the passenger compartment, that is, when the information terminal device 1401 is used vertically, it is difficult to operate the touch panel, so the information terminal device 1401 is used horizontally. Reduce the sensitivity of the touch sensor compared to the case. Conversely, when the information terminal device 1401 is used horizontally, the sensitivity of the touch sensor is increased as compared with the case where the information terminal device 1401 is used vertically. By doing in this way, the effect which prevents an erroneous operation can be acquired. Whether the information terminal device 1401 is vertical or horizontal may be determined by a 3D sensor using a certain angle with respect to the ground as a threshold value.
(Embodiment 4)
Hereinafter, an information terminal device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an information terminal device according to the fourth embodiment.

  In FIG. 20, reference numeral 2001 denotes an information terminal device, which includes a communication unit 102, a vehicle interior / exterior determination unit 103, a control unit 104, an input unit 106, a speaker 2007, and an audio output control unit 2011.

  Since the communication means 102, the vehicle interior / exterior determination means 103, the control means 104, and the input means 106 are the same as those described in the first embodiment of the present invention, description thereof is omitted here.

  The speaker 2007 outputs a sound in response to an instruction from the sound output control unit 2011. Here, it is assumed that the output voice is, for example, navigation guidance voice. The sound output control unit 2011 controls the volume of sound output from the speaker 2007 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 104.

  The interior of the passenger compartment is basically a closed space, and no sound leaks outside the passenger compartment unless the volume is very high. In addition, there is a case where music or the like is being listened to by audio playback or radio broadcasting using an in-vehicle device installed in the passenger compartment, and it is necessary to prevent the audio output from the information terminal device 2001 from being erased by the volume of the music. Don't be. Furthermore, since it is an obstacle to driving when the user is driving the vehicle, it is an obstacle to driving, so the guidance voice is important information in the passenger compartment. Therefore, the volume of the sound output from the information terminal device 2001 (actually the sound output from the speaker 2007) must be set large so that the user does not miss it.

  On the other hand, there are cases where there are other people outside the passenger compartment, and the sound output from the information terminal device 2001 becomes annoying to others. Also, when using the information terminal device 2001 outside the passenger compartment, unlike the case of driving a car, information can be obtained from the screen at any time. For example, even if there is no guidance voice, a message indicating the same content is displayed. It is possible to convey information to the user by displaying it on the screen.

  For the above reasons, the audio output control unit 2011 performs processing for increasing the sound output volume of the speaker 2007 in the car mode and decreasing the sound output volume of the speaker 2007 in the pedestrian mode.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart of voice output operation mode setting processing in the information terminal device 2001. The operation will be described below.

First, in step S2101, an audio output operation is started. Here, the start of the sound output operation is a state in which sound can be output from the speaker 2007 when there is sound data to be output. That is, when there is no audio data to be output, no audio is output from the speaker 2007 even when the audio output operation is started. Actually, when the information terminal device 2001 is turned on, the speaker 2007 automatically becomes capable of outputting sound.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the environment in which the information terminal device 2001 is used is in the passenger compartment (step S202). This step S2102 is the same as the process in the navigation operation mode setting process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, in detail, the vehicle interior / exterior determination process described with reference to FIG. 3 and the packet data reception determination process described with reference to FIG. If it is determined in step S2102 that the vehicle is used in the passenger compartment, the process proceeds to step S2103. If it is determined in step S2102 that the vehicle is not used in the vehicle interior, that is, the vehicle is used outside the vehicle cabin, the process proceeds to step S2104.

  If it is determined in step S2102 that the vehicle is used in the vehicle interior, the sound output operation is set to the vehicle mode (step S2103), and the process proceeds to step S2105. The processing in step S2103 is performed by the control unit 104 instructing the audio output control unit 2011 based on the notification from the vehicle interior / exterior determination unit 103. And according to the instruction | indication of the audio | voice output control means 2011, the audio | voice output operation | movement of the speaker 2007 is set to a vehicle mode. Note that if the vehicle is already operating in the vehicle mode before performing the process of step S2103, it is not necessary to perform the process in step S2103, and therefore, the process may go directly to step S2105.

  If it is determined in step S2102 that it is not used in the vehicle interior, that is, it is used outside the vehicle interior, the sound output operation is set to the pedestrian mode (step S2104), and the process proceeds to step S2105. The processing in step S2104 is performed by the control unit 104 instructing the audio output control unit 2011 based on the notification from the vehicle interior / exterior determination unit 103. And according to the instruction | indication of the audio | voice output control means 2011, the audio | voice output operation | movement of the speaker 2007 is set to pedestrian mode. Note that if it is already operating in the pedestrian mode before performing the process of step S2104, it is not necessary to perform the process in step S2104, so that the process may be shifted to step S2105 as it is.

  In step S2105, it is determined whether or not to end the audio output operation. When the voice output operation is finished in step S2105, the voice output operation mode setting process is finished. If the audio output operation is not terminated in step S2105, that is, if the audio output operation is to be continued, the process proceeds to step S2102 and the above operation is repeated. Here, it is assumed that the end of the audio output operation is manually set by the user. Specifically, the control means 104 receives an input signal from the input means 106 (which may be a voice output end request, or may actually be a power-off request for the information terminal device 1401), and instructs the voice output control means 2011. Is done by. Then, the sound output of the speaker 2007 is stopped by the instruction of the sound output control means 2011. For example, assuming that the information terminal device 2001 has an alarm function, a time to turn off the power is set, and the power is automatically turned off at that time, that is, the voice output operation is terminated. The voice output operation may be terminated by another method.

  Note that the audio output operation mode setting process described with reference to FIG. 21 does not need to be executed continuously. For example, the process may be executed at regular intervals. Of course, it may be executed continuously, and an arbitrary time may be set according to the system resources.

As described above, Embodiment 4 of the present invention can realize an information terminal device that automatically switches and sets the audio output operation between the car mode and the pedestrian mode according to the environment being used. . When using the information terminal device in the vehicle interior, set the volume of the speaker's audio output to high as the car mode, and when using it outside the vehicle room, set the volume of the speaker's audio output to low. . In this way, according to the user's usage environment, it is possible to make it easier to hear guidance voices and the like inside the vehicle interior, and the information terminal device can be used outside the vehicle so as not to disturb others.

  In addition, although the concrete numerical value is not described about the setting value of the sound output volume of the speaker 2007, the sound volume in the car mode and the pedestrian mode may be relatively larger than the sound volume in the pedestrian mode. Further, when the information terminal device 2001 is used outside the passenger compartment, the sound output volume of the speaker 2007 is reduced, but the sound volume may be set to 0, that is, silence.

  In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the voice output from the speaker 2007 is the navigation guidance voice, but is not limited thereto. For example, music played on the information terminal device 2001 or music of a television / radio broadcast may be used. Alternatively, it may be a beep sound (reaction sound) when operated by the user.

  Further, in Embodiment 4 of the present invention, the volume of the output sound of the speaker 2007 is controlled depending on whether or not the environment in which the information terminal device 2001 is used is in the passenger compartment. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When used in the vehicle interior, for example, audio data may be transmitted to the in-vehicle device using wireless communication such as Bluetooth and output from an in-vehicle speaker installed in the vehicle. By doing in this way, the user can make it easy to hear the voice output from the information terminal device 2007.

  As described above, the information terminal device according to the present invention determines whether the environment being used is the vehicle interior or the vehicle exterior based on the received radio wave, and sets the operation mode according to the use environment. The information terminal device has an effect of improving user convenience by switching and has functions such as navigation for guiding a route to a set destination, AV content reproduction, Internet connection, etc., particularly in and out of a car. It is useful as an information terminal device.

The block diagram of the information terminal device in Embodiment 1 of this invention The flowchart for operation | movement description of the navigation operation mode setting process in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart for operation | movement description of the vehicle interior / exterior judgment process in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure showing the packet format of Bluetooth in Embodiment 1 of this invention Flow chart for explaining operation of packet data reception determination processing in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The figure of the reception pattern 1 of the Bluetooth packet data in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure of the reception pattern 2 of the Bluetooth packet data in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure of the reception pattern 3 of the Bluetooth packet data in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure of the reception pattern 4 of the Bluetooth packet data in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure of the reception pattern 5 of the Bluetooth packet data in Embodiment 1 of this invention The block diagram of the information terminal device in Embodiment 2 of this invention The flowchart for operation | movement description of the display operation mode setting process in Embodiment 2 of this invention The figure for demonstrating the brightness | luminance setting of the liquid crystal backlight of the display means in Embodiment 2 of this invention The block diagram of the information terminal device in Embodiment 3 of this invention The flowchart for operation | movement description of the touchscreen operation mode setting process in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which showed an example of the display screen of the touchscreen monitor in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which showed an example of the display screen of the touchscreen monitor in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which showed an example of the display screen of the touchscreen monitor in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which showed an example of the display screen of the touchscreen monitor in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The block diagram of the information terminal device in Embodiment 4 of this invention The flowchart for operation | movement description of the audio | voice output operation mode setting process in Embodiment 4 of this invention.

101, 1101, 1401, 2001 Information terminal device 102 Communication means 103 Car interior / exterior judgment means 104 Control means 105 Navigation processing means 106 Input means 107,2007 Speaker 1108 Display control means 1109 Display means 1408 Display control means 1409 Touch panel monitor 1410 Touch sensor Control means 2011 Audio output control means

Claims (8)

A communication means for communicating with an external device;
Inputs a signal from the communication means, detects whether the signal is a dedicated signal from an in-vehicle device or a Bluetooth signal between Bluetooth devices, and detects a dedicated signal from the in-vehicle device or a Bluetooth signal for a certain time or more. A vehicle interior / exterior determination means for determining that the vehicle is outside the vehicle interior, if the dedicated signal and the Bluetooth signal are not detected for a certain period of time or more,
An information terminal apparatus comprising: a control unit that inputs a notification signal from the vehicle interior / exterior determination unit and controls an application device depending on whether the vehicle is inside or outside the vehicle interior.   2. The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the application device is navigation processing means, and includes control means for setting the vehicle mode when in a vehicle interior and setting the pedestrian mode when outside the vehicle interior.   The said application apparatus is a display means, The control means which lowers | hangs the brightness | luminance of the backlight of the said display means when inside a vehicle interior, and raises the brightness | luminance of the backlight of the said display means when outside a vehicle interior is provided. The information terminal device described.   The application device is a display means, and in the case of a daytime time zone in the passenger compartment or a night time zone outside the passenger compartment, the brightness of the backlight of the display means is set to a standard value, and the night time zone in the passenger compartment is set. The control means for setting the brightness of the backlight of the display means to be darker than the standard value in the case, and setting the brightness of the backlight of the display means to be brighter than the standard value in the daytime time zone outside the passenger compartment. The information terminal device according to ~ 2.   The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the application device is a touch panel monitor, and includes control means for increasing a character size when the vehicle interior is inside and reducing a character size when outside the vehicle interior.   The application device is a touch panel monitor, and includes control means for enlarging a reaction area of the touch sensor of the touch panel monitor when in a vehicle interior and reducing a reaction area of the touch sensor of the touch panel monitor when outside the vehicle interior. Item 5. An information terminal device according to items 1 to 4.   The application device is a touch panel monitor, and includes control means for lowering the sensitivity of the touch sensor of the touch panel monitor when in a vehicle interior and increasing the sensitivity of the touch sensor of the touch panel monitor when outside the vehicle room. The information terminal device according to -4.     The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the application device is a speaker, and includes a control unit that increases a volume when the vehicle is in a vehicle interior and decreases a volume when the vehicle is outside the vehicle.