JP2012099930A - On-vehicle device system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an "on-vehicle device system" capable of saving power consumption without sacrificing, as much as possible, appropriate search processing for a receivable broadcasting station by a tuner.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle device system comprises: a plurality of on-vehicle devices including a tuner; and a processing unit which performs receivable station search processing (S12) by operating the tuner in the background. The processing unit comprises: power shut-off control means (S19) which shuts off power supply to the tuner upon the completion of the receivable station search processing; determination means (S20 to S22) which determines whether or not preset conditions for starting the receivable station search processing are met; and receivable station search processing start control means (S25) which starts the receivable station search processing by resuming the power supply to the tuner if the conditions for starting the receivable station search processing are determined to be met.

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device system including a plurality of in-vehicle devices including a tuner that receives information broadcast from a broadcasting station and a processing unit.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed a broadcast receiving apparatus capable of confirming a current area based on carrier frequencies from a plurality of broadcast stations that can be received in the current area. For example, the CPU in the broadcast receiving apparatus detects carrier frequencies from a plurality of broadcast stations that can be normally received in the current region by the FM broadcast receiver while switching the reception frequencies in stages, and detects the detected plurality of frequencies. A broadcast receiving device that searches the regional broadcast station data memory based on the current location, specifies the current region, displays the name of the broadcast station together with the region name that matches the current region, and automatically selects a broadcast station that matches the region. It has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In such a broadcast receiving apparatus, a receiving station search process for always checking a broadcasting station capable of receiving information is performed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-93394

  Incidentally, there is an in-vehicle device system in which a plurality of in-vehicle devices including a broadcast receiving device (tuner) described in Patent Document 1 are integrated. In such an in-vehicle device system, it is possible to select not only a tuner but also an operation of an in-vehicle device other than a tuner such as a CD or DVD playback or a navigation device, and provide various functions in the vehicle to the occupant. be able to.

  Further, in an in-vehicle system in which a plurality of in-vehicle devices including the broadcast receiving device (tuner) are integrated, in order to be able to always provide a good reception operation by the tuner, in-vehicle devices other than the tuner Even when the operation is selected, there is a case where the tuner is operated in the background of the operation of the in-vehicle device and the search process of the receiving station (broadcast station) can be executed. However, if the receiving station search process is always performed in the background of the operation of other in-vehicle devices, the receiving station search process is performed even if the vehicle has not moved to the extent that the receivable receiving station changes. Therefore, there is a problem from the viewpoint of power saving.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an in-vehicle device system capable of saving power consumption without sacrificing an appropriate search for a receivable broadcasting station by a tuner as much as possible. Is.

  The in-vehicle device system according to the present invention is configured to back up the operation of a plurality of in-vehicle devices including a tuner that receives information broadcast from a broadcasting station and the operation of the in-vehicle devices other than the tuner. An in-vehicle device system having a processing unit that performs a receiving station search process for operating a tuner in the ground and checking a broadcasting station capable of receiving information by the tuner, wherein the processing unit includes the receiving station search process Power cutoff control means for shutting off the power supply to the tuner, determination means for judging whether or not a predetermined condition for starting the reception station search process is satisfied, and the reception station search When it is determined that the condition to start processing is satisfied, power supply to the tuner is resumed and the receiving station search processing is started. Configuration and composed with a reception station search start control means that.

  According to such a configuration, when the receiving station search process that is performed using the tuner that receives power supply in the background of the operation of the in-vehicle device other than the tuner is completed, the power supply to the tuner is cut off, and then received. When the conditions for starting the station search process are satisfied, the power supply to the tuner is resumed and the reception station search process is started, so the reception station search process can be performed without always supplying power to the tuner. When the condition to be started is satisfied, power is supplied to the tuner and the receiving station search process is performed.

  In the in-vehicle device system according to the present invention, the processing unit includes own vehicle position acquisition means for storing the own vehicle position in the storage unit when the receiving station search process is performed, and the determination by the determination means. The condition for starting the receiving station search process may be a condition that the traveling distance from the vehicle position stored in the storage unit has reached a predetermined distance.

  According to such a configuration, without supplying power to the tuner at all times, power supply to the tuner is cut off after the receiving station search process is performed until the vehicle travels a predetermined distance, and the vehicle travels the predetermined distance. In this case, power is supplied to the tuner and the receiving station search process is performed. In other words, it is possible to prevent the next receiving station search process from being performed until a long distance (predetermined distance) has been traveled so that a broadcast station that can be received by the tuner is expected to change.

  In the in-vehicle device system according to the present invention, the processing unit includes an investigation time storage unit that stores, in the storage unit, a time when the reception station search process is performed, and the reception related to the determination by the determination unit The condition for starting the station search process may be a condition that a predetermined time has elapsed from the time stored in the storage unit.

  According to such a configuration, without supplying power to the tuner at all times, power supply to the tuner is interrupted until a predetermined time elapses after the receiving station search process is performed, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, Power is supplied to the tuner, and a receiving station search process is performed.

  In the in-vehicle device system according to the present invention, when the receiving station capable of receiving information obtained by the receiving station search process is changed, the processing unit uses information indicating a place including the own vehicle position as a receiving environment changing place. A reception condition change acquisition means for storing in the storage unit, and the condition for starting the reception station search process related to the determination by the determination means is that the vehicle position is a reception environment change place stored in the storage unit; It can be set as the condition of being included.

  According to such a configuration, the reception environment change place stored in the storage unit as a position where the position of the vehicle changes after the reception station search process is performed without supplying power to the tuner at all times. When the vehicle is included in the reception environment change location, power supply to the tuner is performed and reception station search processing is performed.

  The in-vehicle device system according to the present invention provides power supply before starting the receiving station search process when it is determined that the predetermined condition for starting the receiving station search process by the determining unit is satisfied. Receiving environment change judging means for judging whether or not there is a change in the information receiving station at the resumed tuner, and the receiving environment change judging means changes to a broadcasting station capable of receiving information at the tuner. When it is determined that there is no power, a power re-shutoff control unit that shuts off power supply to the tuner may be provided.

  According to such a configuration, when the power supply to the tuner is cut off, a predetermined condition for starting the receiving station search process is satisfied, so that the tuner is again supplied with power, and the receiving station search process is performed. Before the start of the search, it is searched whether there is a change in the broadcast station capable of receiving information, and when it is determined that there is no change in the broadcast station capable of receiving information at the tuner, the receiving station search process It becomes possible to cut off the power supply of the tuner without performing the operation.

  In the in-vehicle device system according to the present invention, the reception environment change determination means sets the information reception level from a predetermined number of broadcasting stations among all the receiving stations which are already capable of receiving information in the receiving station search process. Accordingly, it can be configured to determine whether or not there is a change in the broadcasting station capable of receiving information in the tuner.

  According to such a configuration, information can be received at the tuner according to the information reception level from a predetermined number of broadcasting stations among all the receiving stations that are already supposed to be able to receive information in the receiving station search process. Since it is determined whether or not there is a change in the broadcasting station, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the broadcasting station capable of receiving information only by acquiring information reception levels from a predetermined number of broadcasting stations among all the receiving stations. It becomes possible to do.

  According to the in-vehicle device system of the present invention, the power supply to the tuner is performed and the receiving station search process is performed when the condition for starting the receiving station search process is satisfied without always supplying power to the tuner. Therefore, the power consumption can be saved as compared with the case where power is always supplied to the tuner without sacrificing an appropriate search for a broadcast station that can be received by the tuner as much as possible.

It is a block diagram which shows the vehicle equipment system concerning embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating a processing procedure of processing performed by the tuner in the background when the operation of the vehicle-mounted device other than the tuner by the vehicle-mounted device system illustrated in FIG. 1 is selected. FIG. 6 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating a processing procedure of processing performed by the tuner in the background when the operation of the vehicle-mounted device other than the tuner by the vehicle-mounted device system illustrated in FIG. 1 is selected.

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

  The in-vehicle device system according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device system 100 includes a processing unit 11 configured by a computer unit (including a CPU). The processing unit 11 includes a tuner (receiver) 17 that receives information broadcast from a broadcasting station (for example, a broadcast program), a CD / DVD playback device 18 that can play back CDs and DVDs, and a host vehicle. Are respectively connected to the navigation device 19 for guiding to the set destination. In addition, the processing unit 11 includes a storage unit 14 (for example, a hard disk unit) that stores various information such as map information for use in the navigation device 19 and reception levels for each broadcast station of information received by the tuner 17. It is connected. Further, the processing unit 11 is provided in the vehicle interior, and includes a display unit 13 configured by an LCD or the like, an operation unit 12 including operation buttons and a touch panel configured in the display unit 13, and the like. An output circuit 15 for supplying an audio signal to the speaker 16 is connected.

  The processing unit 11, the tuner 17, the CD / DVD playback device 18, and the navigation device 19 provided in the in-vehicle device system 100 are connected to an electric wire 22 for supplying power from the power supply device 20. In the electric wire 22 for transmitting this electric power, an electric wire 22b extending in the other direction from the middle part of the electric wire 22a extending from the power supply device 20 is connected to the processing unit 11. Further, a switch 21a is connected to the tip of the electric wire 22a. For example, when an occupant (user) starts the engine of the vehicle (ignition operation) and becomes conductive (the switch is turned on), electric power is supplied to the electric wire 22c. It comes to be supplied. An electric wire 22d connected to the navigation device 19, an electric wire 22e connected to the CD / DVD playback device 18, and an electric wire 22f connected to the tuner 17 are connected to the electric wire 22c. The electric wire 22f connected to the tuner 17 is provided with a switch 21b so that the electric wire 22f is turned on (a switch is turned on) when a predetermined condition described later is satisfied.

  With such a configuration, power is supplied to the tuner 17 only when the switch 21b is conductive (power ON state). For example, when the operation of the tuner 17 is selected, the processing unit 11 acquires information from a broadcasting station (for example, FM radio broadcasting station) received by the tuner 17 as an audio signal, and outputs the signal. The audio is output from the speaker 16 via the circuit 15.

  For example, the processing unit 11 operates the tuner 17 in the background of the selected operation when the operation of the in-vehicle device (CD / DVD playback device 18 or navigation device 19) other than the tuner 17 is selected. The tuner 17 performs a receiving station search process for checking a broadcasting station capable of receiving information. Further, the processing unit 11 has a power supply cutoff function (power supply cutoff means) for cutting off the power supply to the tuner 17 when the reception station search process is completed, and a condition for starting a predetermined reception station search process. When the determination function (determination means) for determining whether or not the condition is satisfied and the determination function determines that the condition for starting the reception station search process is satisfied, the power supply to the tuner 17 is resumed and reception is performed. A receiving station search process start control function (receiving station search process start control means) for starting the station search process.

  The processing unit 11 having the above functions executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

  In FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the processing unit 11 acquires the in-vehicle device selected by the occupant (user) by operating the operation unit 11, and determines whether or not the selected in-vehicle device is the tuner 17. For example, when the in-vehicle device selected by the occupant is the tuner 17 (hereinafter referred to as tuner mode), the processing unit 11 performs processing in the tuner mode (S11). Specifically, information broadcast from a broadcast station (for example, a radio station) received by the tuner 17 is acquired as an audio signal, and the audio signal is output as audio from the speaker 16 via the output circuit 15. Then, the processing unit 11 monitors the selection of a mode that uses an in-vehicle device other than the tuner 17 (for example, the navigation device 19) (S12), and shifts to a mode that uses an in-vehicle device other than the tuner. When (YES in S12), the receiving station search process is performed in the background without stopping the power supply to the tuner 17 (S13). Specifically, the processing unit 11 causes the tuner 17 to perform a receiving station search process for examining the broadcast stations capable of receiving information as described above. Data (reception field environment information) relating to broadcast stations capable of receiving information acquired by the receiving station search process is generated in a list format, for example, and the list is stored in the storage unit 14.

  Then, the processing unit 11 determines whether or not the receiving station search process performed in the background by the tuner 17 is completed (S14). Accordingly, when it is determined that the receiving station search process performed in the background by the tuner 17 has been completed (YES in S14), the processing unit 11 is located in the own vehicle where the own vehicle is located when the receiving station search process is performed. The position is stored in the storage unit 14 (S15). Specifically, the processing unit 11 calculates the map information stored in the storage unit 14 and the GPS unit or the like provided in the navigation device 19 and stores the obtained vehicle position in the storage unit 14 (own vehicle). Position acquisition means). In addition, the processing unit 11 (survey time storage means) stores the time when the receiving station search process is performed in the storage unit 14 (S15).

  After storing the vehicle position and time when the receiving station search processing is performed in the processing S15 and processing S16 in this manner in the storage unit 14, the processing unit 11 receives the reception field environment previously stored in the storage unit 14. The information is compared with the reception field environment information generated based on the information acquired by the reception station search process of the above-described process S13, and it is determined whether the reception station capable of receiving information has changed (S17). Thereby, the processing unit 11 (reception status change acquisition means), when it is determined that the receiving station capable of receiving information obtained by the receiving station search process has changed, information indicating the location including the vehicle position (for example, (Regional name such as prefecture name including the current position) is stored in the storage unit 14 as a receiving environment change place (S18). Then, the processing unit 11 shuts off the power supply to the tuner 17 (S19). Similarly, when it is determined in the processing S17 that the receiving station capable of receiving information does not change (NO in S17), the processing unit 11 11 cuts off power supply from the power supply device 20 to the tuner 17 by turning off a switch 21b provided on the electric wire 22f (power cut-off control means).

  Then, the processing unit 11 determines whether or not a condition for starting the receiving station search process determined in advance by the determination function described above is satisfied (determination means). First, the processing unit 11 determines whether or not a certain time (for example, one hour) has elapsed from the time when the receiving station search process stored in the storage unit 14 was performed in the above-described process S16 (for example, 1 hour). S20). Accordingly, when it is determined that a certain time has not elapsed since the time when the receiving station search process stored in the storage unit 14 was performed (NO in S20), the processing unit 11 subsequently proceeds to process S15. Then, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has moved a certain distance (for example, 30 km) from the own vehicle position when the receiving station search process stored in the storage unit 14 is performed (S21).

  Accordingly, when it is determined that the vehicle has not moved a certain distance from the vehicle position when the receiving station search process stored in the storage unit 14 is performed (NO in S21), the processing unit 11 stores the process in step S18. It is determined whether or not it is located at the reception environment change place stored in the unit 14 (S22). As a result, when it is determined that it is not located at the reception environment change location stored in the storage unit 14 (NO in S22), the processing unit 11 determines whether or not the tuner mode is selected (S23). ). Thus, when the tuner mode is selected by the occupant (YES in S23), the processing unit 11 finishes the processing by the determination function shown in the above-described processing S20 to S22 and supplies the electric power to the tuner 17 through the electric wire 22f. The switch 21b provided inside is turned on (S24). Then, the processing unit 11 shifts to processing in the tuner mode (S11), and performs the above-described processing S11 to S23.

  On the other hand, when the tuner mode is not selected in the process S23 (NO in S23), the processing unit 11 repeatedly performs the determination process from the process S20 to S22. As a result, in the determination process in steps S20 to S22, when any prescribed condition is satisfied (YES in S20, YES in S21, YES in S22), the processing unit 11 goes to the tuner 17. In order to resume the power supply, the switch 21b provided in the electric wire 22f is turned on (S25), and a reception check is performed to determine whether or not there is a change in the broadcasting station capable of receiving information in the tuner 17 (S26). Then, it is determined whether or not the reception status has changed (S27). Specifically, the processing unit 11 receives a predetermined number of broadcasting stations from all the receiving stations (reception field environment information stored in the storage unit 14) that are already capable of receiving information in the receiving station search process. In accordance with the information reception level, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the broadcasting station capable of receiving information by the tuner 17 (reception environment change determination means). The predetermined number of broadcasting stations that perform the reception check in the above-described processing S26 can be freely set by the occupant. For example, among the reception environment information stored in the storage unit 14, the broadcasting station having the highest information reception level is available. The search order can be freely set, such as a broadcasting station with the next lowest information reception level, a broadcasting station with the second highest information reception level, and so on.

  As a result, when it is determined that there is no change in the broadcast station capable of receiving information by the tuner 17 according to the information reception level from a predetermined number of broadcast stations among all the receiving stations (NO in S27), the processing is performed. The unit 11 (power re-cutoff control means) immediately ends the reception check and cuts off the power supply to the tuner 17 (S19). On the other hand, when it is determined that there has been a change in the broadcasting station capable of receiving information by the tuner 17 according to the information reception level from a predetermined number of broadcasting stations among all the receiving stations (YES in S27), the processing unit 11 shifts to processing S13, and in the background again, causes the tuner 17 to perform the receiving station search process for checking the above-described broadcast stations capable of receiving information.

  With the configuration as described above, the processing unit 11 can receive various information from the broadcasting station and various information when the receiving station search process is performed in the background when the operation of the in-vehicle device other than the tuner 17 is selected. The tuner 17 is turned off after the broadcast consultation level information and the like are stored in the storage unit 14, and the power supply to the tuner 17 is cut off unless various predetermined conditions are satisfied. Further, only a predetermined number of information is received from the broadcasting station when various predetermined conditions are satisfied, and the power supply to the tuner 17 is immediately shut off if there is no change in the reception status. It has become. With these configurations, the processing unit 11 performs various controls to cut off the power from the power supply device 20 to the tuner 17, so that the search can be performed without sacrificing an appropriate search for the broadcast station (reception station search processing). It is possible to save power consumption used for processing (receiving station search processing).

  As described above, the in-vehicle device system according to the present invention does not supply power to the tuner at all times, and when the condition for starting the receiving station search process is satisfied, the tuner is supplied with power and received. Since station search processing is performed, there is an effect that power consumption can be saved as compared with the case where power is always supplied to the tuner, without sacrificing the appropriate search for a broadcast station that can be received by the tuner as much as possible. The present invention is useful as an in-vehicle device system including a plurality of in-vehicle devices including a tuner that receives information broadcast from a broadcasting station and a processing unit that performs processing of the tuner.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Processing unit 12 Operation part 13 Display part 14 Memory | storage part 15 Output circuit 16 Speaker 17 Tuner (receiver)
18 CD / DVD playback device 19 Navigation device 100 In-vehicle device system

Claims (6)

When an operation of a plurality of in-vehicle devices including a tuner that receives information broadcast from a broadcasting station and an in-vehicle device other than the tuner is selected, the tuner is operated in the background of the operation of the in-vehicle device. An in-vehicle device system having a processing unit for performing a receiving station search process for examining broadcast stations capable of receiving information by a tuner,
The processing unit is
When the receiving station search process is completed, power cutoff control means for cutting off power supply to the tuner;
Determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition for starting the receiving station search process is satisfied;
Receiving station search processing start control means for restarting power supply to the tuner and starting the receiving station search processing when it is determined that the condition for starting the receiving station search processing is satisfied. In-vehicle device system. The processing unit is
Having own vehicle position acquisition means for storing the own vehicle position in the storage unit when the receiving station search processing is performed;
The condition for starting the receiving station search process related to the determination by the determination means is a condition that a traveling distance from the vehicle position stored in the storage unit has reached a predetermined distance. In-vehicle device system. The processing unit is
It has an investigation time storage means for storing the time when the receiving station search process is performed in the storage unit,
The in-vehicle device system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the condition for starting the receiving station search process related to the determination by the determination means is a condition that a predetermined time has elapsed from the time stored in the storage unit. . The processing unit is
When a receiving station capable of receiving information obtained by the receiving station search process is changed, it has reception status change acquisition means for storing information representing a place including the vehicle position in a storage unit as a receiving environment change place,
The condition for starting the receiving station search process related to the determination by the determination means is a condition that the vehicle position is included in a reception environment change location stored in the storage unit. The in-vehicle device system described in 1. When it is determined that a predetermined condition for starting the reception station search process by the determination unit is satisfied, information reception at the tuner for which power supply has been resumed is started before the reception station search process is started. A reception environment change determination means for determining whether there is a change in a possible broadcast station;
2. A power re-cutoff control unit that cuts off power supply to the tuner when it is determined by the reception environment change judgment unit that there is no change in a broadcast station capable of receiving information in the tuner. The in-vehicle device system in any one of thru | or 4.   The reception environment change determination means receives information at the tuner according to information reception levels from a predetermined number of broadcast stations among all the reception stations that are already considered to be capable of receiving information in the reception station search process. The in-vehicle device system according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether there is a change in possible broadcast stations.

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