JP2017135502A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment capable of achieving both quality and a real-time property of the data transmitted from external equipment.SOLUTION: On-vehicle equipment 1 comprises a WF communication unit 3 which receives screen information from a smartphone 50, a buffer 3a which temporarily stores the screen information received by the WF communication unit 3, and a control unit 4 which reads the screen information stored in the buffer 3a. The on-vehicle equipment further includes a steering switch 30 which performs an input operation, and a BT communication unit 2 which transmits the input operation performed by the steering switch 30 to the smartphone 50. The control unit 4 changes an amount of data stored in the buffer 3a on the basis of the input operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device having a buffer or the like for temporarily storing data received from the outside.

  In recent years, moving images and the like reproduced by an external device such as a smartphone are transmitted to an electronic device such as a television and displayed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In this case, normally, by providing a buffer of a predetermined size on the receiving side, loss of transmitted data is prevented and the quality of data such as image quality and sound quality is ensured. The size of this type of buffer (the amount of data to be stored) is usually a fixed value in many cases.

JP 2014-711163 A

  However, the data received as described above is not only important for the quality of the data but also for the real-time property that promptly processes the received data, such as a response to an operation. When the quality is important, the buffer size is generally increased, and when the real-time property is important, the buffer size is generally decreased. For this reason, if the buffer size is fixed, it is difficult to achieve both of the situations where quality is important and real-time characteristics are mixed.

  In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device that can achieve both the quality of data transmitted from an external device and real-time performance.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that data receiving means for receiving data from an external device, storage means for temporarily storing the data received by the data receiving means, Read control means for reading out the data stored in the storage means, input means for performing an input operation, and data transmission means for transmitting the input operation performed by the input means to the external device The read control means changes the amount of data stored in the storage means based on the input operation.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the read control unit is changed to reduce the amount of data stored in the storage unit when the input operation is performed. A change is made to increase the amount of data stored in the storage means after a certain period of time has elapsed after the input operation.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the data receiving unit receives information regarding a function operating in the external device, and the read control unit includes the information regarding the function. Based on this, the amount of data stored in the storage means is changed.

  As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1, since the amount of data stored in the storage means can be changed based on the input operation, when the input operation is performed, the operation is quickly reflected and necessary. Sometimes it is possible to make an operation that emphasizes real-time characteristics. If no input operation is performed, it is possible to perform an operation with an emphasis on quality, and it is possible to achieve both the quality of data such as an image transmitted from an external device and real-time performance.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the storage means by an input operation and perform an operation that emphasizes real-time characteristics, and further increase the size of the storage means after a certain period of time has elapsed after the input operation. Therefore, it is possible to operate with an emphasis on quality.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the size of the storage means is changed based on the information related to the function operating in the external device, the size of the storage means is changed according to the function of the application, for example. Thus, depending on the switched application, it is possible to deal with either quality-oriented or real-time-oriented.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the vehicle-mounted system which has a portable terminal and vehicle-mounted apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a steering switch shown in FIG. 1. It is a functional block diagram of the vehicle equipment shown by FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part shown by FIG. It is the sequence diagram which showed the operation | movement of the vehicle equipment shown in FIG. 1, and a smart phone.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an electronic apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle system having an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The in-vehicle system 100 includes an in-vehicle device 1 as an electronic device and a smartphone 50 as an external device, as shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and includes a display unit 13 provided in the vehicle instrument 10 and a steering switch 30 provided on the steering wheel 20. Yes.

The vehicle instrument 10 includes a speed meter 11 that displays the traveling speed of the automobile, a tachometer 12 that displays the number of revolutions of the engine, and a display unit 13.

  The display unit 13 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays a screen of an application (application program) that is being executed (displayed on the screen of the smartphone 50), which will be described later. That is, the function operating in the external device in the present embodiment indicates an application that is being executed on the smartphone 50 and being displayed on the screen of the smartphone 50.

  The display unit 13 may display various warning messages, shift indicators, and the like when the app screen is not displayed. In the present embodiment, the display unit 13 is provided separately from the speed meter 11 and the tachometer 12, but the vehicle meter 10 is configured by one liquid crystal display, and the speed meter 11 and the tachometer 12 are used as images, The meter 11, the tachometer 12, and the display unit 13 may be appropriately selected (switched) and displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the steering switch 30 includes a cross key portion 31, an enter button 32, and a return button 33. The cross key unit 31 includes an upward key 31a convex upward, a downward key 31b convex downward, a right key 31c convex right, and a left key 31d convex left. , Is composed of. The cross key unit 31 moves the cursor or menu in the direction of the pressed direction key by pressing a key in the direction indicated.

  The decision button 32 is provided on the left side of the cross key portion 31 and on the upper side of the return button 33. The determination button 32 is pressed and operated when, for example, determining (determining) a menu selected by the cross key unit 31 or the like.

  The return button 33 is provided on the left side of the cross key portion 31 and below the enter button 32. The return button 33 is operated, for example, when returning to the previous display of the current display.

  When the four direction keys are pressed, the cross key portion 31 sunk into the steering wheel 20. In addition, when the enter button 32 and the return button 33 are pressed, they sag into the steering wheel 20. That is, these keys and buttons are physically retractable. Therefore, the driver can operate by groping without paying attention to these keys and buttons. That is, the steering switch 30 corresponds to input means in the claims.

  Next, a functional configuration of the in-vehicle device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the in-vehicle device 1 includes a BT communication unit 2, a WF communication unit 3, a control unit 4, a storage unit 5, a display output unit 6, a display unit 13, and a steering switch 30. ,have.

  The BT communication unit 2 communicates with the smartphone 50 in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard as the first wireless communication method. In the present embodiment, it is used when an operation mainly performed by the steering switch 30 is transmitted to the smartphone 50 as a mouse report command in the control unit 4 described later. That is, the BT communication unit 2 functions as a data transmission unit that transmits an input operation performed by the steering switch 30 (input unit) to the smartphone 50 (external device).

  The WF communication unit 3 communicates with the smartphone 50 in accordance with the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard as the second wireless communication method. In the present embodiment, it is used when receiving screen information of an app that is operating mainly on the smartphone 50 (displayed on the screen) from the smartphone 50. That is, the WF communication unit 3 functions as a data receiving unit that receives data (screen information) from the smartphone 50 (external device). In the present embodiment, Miracast formulated by Wi-Fi Alliance is used as transmission of screen information using Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Hereinafter, an example in which Miracast of Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is used as the second wireless communication method will be described.

  The WF communication unit 3 includes a buffer 3a. The buffer 3a is configured by a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), for example, and functions as a storage unit that temporarily stores screen information of an application received from the smartphone 50. Further, the buffer 3a can change the amount (size) of data temporarily stored. This size is set by the control unit 4 for the WF communication unit 3.

  The buffer 3 a is not limited to being provided in the WF communication unit 3, but may be provided independently in the control unit 4 or between the WF communication unit 3 and the control unit 4.

  The control unit 4 governs overall control of the in-vehicle device 1. The control unit 4 is configured by a microcomputer having, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM, and the like. The control unit 4 converts the operation of the steering switch 30 into a mouse combo command based on a control program or the like stored in the ROM and transmits it to the BT communication unit 2, or the WF communication unit 3 receives and receives the buffer 3a. Is read out and output to the display output unit 6, or the size of the buffer 3a is changed. That is, the control unit 4 functions as a read control unit.

  The storage unit 5 is configured by, for example, a non-volatile memory, and stores a table for converting the operation of the steering switch 30 into an operation for each application. An example of the table is shown in FIG.

  The column whose top row in FIG. 4 is TOP is an application that is currently operating on the smartphone 50 and displayed on the screen. The right column of TOP indicates each key (button) of the steering switch 30. That is, the upper key 31a, the lower key 31b, the right key 31c, the left key 31d, the left key 33d, the return button 33, and the enter button 32, respectively.

  In FIG. 4, a map application, a music playback application, a radio application, and a browser application are listed as examples of applications. On the right side of these applications, an operation assigned when each key (button) is operated is shown. These actions are actually translated into mouse combo commands. The mouse combo command refers to a command that combines a plurality of mouse operations. For example, in the case of an enlargement operation, a combination of mouse operations such as tap + tap + drag.

  In FIG. 4, in the map application and the browser application, the portion divided by the oblique line is the operation assigned when the long press is performed below the oblique line. For example, when the map application is currently displayed on the smartphone 50, if the up direction key 31a is pressed for a short time, the operation indicates an enlargement of the map, and if the long press is performed, the operation indicates that the cursor is moved upward. .

  Further, for example, in the case of a music playback application, when the up direction key 31a is operated, an album forwarding operation is performed. Therefore, the app is converted into a combo command for album feed. In this manner, since an operation is assigned to each key (button) for each application, an operation according to the application is possible.

  The table shown in FIG. 4 may be set in advance by investigating an operation assigned to each app and a combo command that can cause the app to perform the operation.

  The display output unit 6 acquires the screen information received by the WF communication unit 3 via the control unit 4, converts the screen information into a format to be displayed on the display unit 13, and outputs it to the display unit 13.

  The smartphone 50 is a well-known portable terminal, and in this embodiment, the smartphone 50 is compatible with Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark), particularly Miracast. Note that the device is not limited to the smartphone 50, and may be any device that can be brought into the vehicle, such as a tablet terminal or a mobile phone.

  Next, the operation of the in-vehicle device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. The sequence diagram of FIG. 5 shows the sequence of the in-vehicle device 1 and the smartphone 50 in the in-vehicle system 100, and the operation on the in-vehicle device 1 side is executed by the control unit 4.

  First, in step S101, it is determined whether or not the ignition switch has been turned ON (IG ON). If the ignition switch has been turned ON (in the case of YES), in step S102, the control unit 4 controls the BT communication unit 2. Then, the smartphone 50 is requested to connect via Bluetooth (registered trademark). If it is not turned on in step S101 (in the case of NO), it waits in step S101.

  On the other hand, when the smartphone 50 receives a connection request by Bluetooth (registered trademark) in step S201, the smartphone 50 transmits a connection permission by Bluetooth (registered trademark) to the in-vehicle device 1 in step S202. In subsequent step S203, a connection request by Miracast is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1.

  Next, in the in-vehicle device 1, in step S <b> 103, the BT communication unit 2 receives a connection permission by Bluetooth (registered trademark) from the smartphone 50, and in the subsequent step S <b> 104, the WF communication unit 3 issues a connection request by Miracast. To receive.

  In the in-vehicle device 1, in step S <b> 105, the control unit 4 causes the BT communication unit 2 to transmit a request for application information (application name, type, and the like) displayed on the screen of the smartphone 50.

  In step S204, the smartphone 50 receives the application information request, and in step S205, transmits information about the application displayed on the screen.

  In the in-vehicle device 1, in step S106, the BT communication unit 2 receives application information, and in the subsequent step S107, the control unit 4 determines the size (buffer size) of the buffer 3a based on the received application information. Then, the buffer size is set for the WF communication unit 3, and in step S108, the WF communication unit 3 is allowed to transmit connection permission by Miracast to the smartphone 50.

  The buffer size is set to a predetermined value for each application. For example, in the case of a video or music playback application, the quality of data that is played back with an increased buffer size is emphasized. On the other hand, in the case of an application that may be frequently operated, such as a map application or a browser application, a response (real-time characteristics) until the operation is reflected on the display unit 13 or the like by reducing the buffer size to reduce the delay. ). The buffer size may be classified as large (small, medium, small) for each of a plurality of applications such as a quality-oriented application and a response-oriented application, or a specific numerical value may be set for each application. That is, the size of the buffer 3a (accumulating means) is changed based on the application information (information regarding functions).

  In the smart phone 50, the connection permission by Miracast is received in step S206. Thereafter, transmission of the application screen information displayed on the screen of the smartphone 50 is started by Miracast. In the in-vehicle device 1, the WF communication unit 3 receives the screen information and accumulates it in the buffer 3 a having the buffer size set in step S 107, and then the control unit 4 reads out from the buffer 3 a and passes through the display output unit 6. The screen information is displayed on the display unit 13.

  In the in-vehicle device 1, after the display of the screen information is started, in step S 109, it is determined whether or not the operation of the steering switch (STSW) 30 has been detected, and when the operation is detected (in the case of YES), step S 110. The control unit 4 makes settings for the WF communication unit 3 so as to reduce the buffer size. That is, when there is an input operation, the size of the buffer 3a (accumulation means) is changed to be reduced. The size to be reduced may be a size determined in advance as appropriate, but may be a size that provides an operation response that does not cause the user (driver) to feel stress, for example.

  In the subsequent step S111, the table shown in FIG. 4 is used to convert the combo command into the mouse combo command corresponding to the operation detected in step S109, and the BT communication unit 2 uses the Bluetooth (registered trademark) HID profile. Send as mouse report command. That is, based on the acquired application information (function), an input operation from the steering switch 30 (button) is converted into a mouse operation command that can be recognized by the smartphone 50 (portable terminal) and transmitted.

  The smartphone 50 receives the mouse report command in step S207, and reflects the received report command on the screen in step S208. For example, when a report command indicating an enlargement operation is received by the map application, the map is enlarged. When a report command such as this enlargement is reflected, the reflected screen information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 by Miracast.

  In the in-vehicle device 1, the reflected screen information is displayed on the display unit 13. Therefore, the driver can feel as if the display on the display unit 13 is directly operated by operating the steering switch 30.

  In the in-vehicle device 1, in step S <b> 112, it is determined whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed since the operation of the steering switch 30 was detected in step S <b> 109. In S113, the buffer size is returned (increased) to the value before step S110. If not (NO), the process waits in step S112. That is, after a certain period of time has elapsed after the input operation, the size of the buffer 3a (accumulation means) is changed to be increased. The fixed period is, for example, 10 seconds after the operation of the steering switch 30 is detected, such that the possibility that the subsequent operation will be reduced and the display quality of the screen information should be considered more important than the response of the operation. And it is sufficient.

  In the in-vehicle device 1, in step S <b> 114, it is determined whether an operation indicating the end of connection such as IG OFF or a connection release is received from the smartphone 50 side. The sequence ends, and if not (NO), the process returns to step S109.

  Also in the smartphone 50, in step S209, it is determined whether or not an operation indicating the end of connection or a connection release or the like has been received from the in-vehicle device 1 side. If the connection is ended (in the case of YES), this sequence is ended. If not (NO), the process returns to step S207.

  According to the above-described in-vehicle device 1, information on an app running on the smartphone 50 is acquired, the buffer size of the in-vehicle device 1 on the receiving side is determined, and an input operation from the steering switch 30 is detected. If this happens, the buffer size is reduced. That is, in the present embodiment, the buffer size is changed by paying attention to the presence / absence of a user (driver) operation. In this way, when an input operation is performed, the operation is quickly reflected, and when necessary, an operation that emphasizes response (real-time performance) can be achieved. If no input operation is performed, it is possible to perform an operation with an emphasis on display quality. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both the quality of data such as an image transmitted from the smartphone 50 and a response (real time property).

  In addition, when an input operation is performed and a certain period of time elapses after the buffer size is reduced, the buffer size is increased, so that it is possible to change from response (real-time property) emphasis to display quality emphasis.

  In addition, by exchanging commands and the like with the smartphone 50 and screen information using different communication methods (Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Miracast), it is possible to perform communication using an optimal communication method for each. Further, when one communication method is used, it is possible to prevent one communication (for example, screen information) from interfering with the other communication (for example, a command).

  In the above-described embodiment, the steering switch 30 operation is detected in step S109, and the buffer size is subsequently changed. However, change information of the operating application is received from the smartphone 50, and the changed version is received. You may make it change into the buffer size according to an application. That is, application information may be received and the buffer size may be changed based on the application information. Even in this case, in response to application switching, for applications that emphasize the quality and sound quality of the data to be played back, such as video and music playback, increase the buffer size and operate the map application, browser application, etc. If the app is likely to run frequently, the buffer size can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the screen information displayed on the display unit 13 as data received from the external device has been described. However, the information is not limited to images (moving images or still images) such as screen information, but audio information such as music. There may be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the display unit 13 in the vehicle instrument 10 has been described as the display unit. However, the display unit is not limited to the vehicle instrument 10 and may be a display unit provided at another position such as an upper part of the dashboard. Also good. Furthermore, it is not limited to the in-vehicle device 1 and may be a device installed indoors such as a television.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. That is, those skilled in the art can implement various modifications in accordance with conventionally known knowledge without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, such modifications are included in the scope of the present invention as long as the configuration of the in-vehicle device of the present invention is provided.

1 In-vehicle equipment (electronic equipment)
2 BT communication part (data transmission means)
3 WF communication part (data receiving means)
3a Buffer (accumulation means)
4 Control unit (reading control means)
30 Steering switch (input means)
50 Smartphone (external device)

Claims (3)

Data receiving means for receiving data from an external device, storage means for temporarily storing the data received by the data receiving means, and read control means for reading the data stored in the storage means In electronic equipment,
An input means for performing an input operation;
Data transmission means for transmitting the input operation performed by the input means to the external device;
Further comprising
The read control means changes the amount of data stored in the storage means based on the input operation.
An electronic device characterized by that.   The read control unit changes the amount of data stored in the storage unit to be small when the input operation is performed, and after a certain period of time elapses after the input operation, The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is changed to increase the amount. The data receiving means receives information about a function operating in the external device;
The read control means changes the amount of data stored in the storage means based on information on the function.
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein

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