JP3183030B2 - Beacon terminal device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a receiving terminal for receiving information signals transmitted from an optical beacon and a radio beacon.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of automobiles, the deterioration of road traffic conditions has become a social problem, and there is an increasing demand for overcoming this. One solution is VICS (V
An in-vehicle information communication system called an ehicleInformation & Communication System has been proposed, and experiments have been repeated for practical use. This system consists of multiple communication media, namely, optical beacon, radio beacon, FM multiplexing, and teleterminal. The user installs a terminal device in the car and utilizes each communication information to make the route selection by himself / herself. Do. As a result, concentration of traffic flow can be prevented, and it is possible to safely and smoothly reach the destination. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-183399 discloses a terminal device related to a radio beacon as a communication medium.

[0003]

However, when installing a terminal device corresponding to each communication medium of VICS in a vehicle having a limited mounting space, it is necessary to reduce the size of the device. Another important issue is to reduce the cost of the apparatus. Furthermore, it is important to be able to easily extract information from each communication medium as needed and according to the situation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a small, low-cost, easy-to-use beacon terminal device that can receive both optical beacons and radio beacons.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an optical beacon transceiver and a radio beacon transceiver are integrated, and the circuit is shared to reduce the size and cost of the transceiver. planned. Furthermore, an easy-to-use beacon terminal device can be provided by automatically selecting and switching information of an optical beacon and a radio beacon using a position signal of a GPS receiver.

[0006]

[Function] Optical beacon transceiver, radio beacon transceiver,
By configuring the GPS receiver on the same substrate or in the same chassis, the size of the transceiver can be reduced, and the signal processing circuit, the image processing circuit, the display device, and the like can be shared to reduce the cost.

Further, it is possible to confirm the position of the beacon transmitter using the GPS position signal, and automatically switch between optical beacon reception and radio beacon reception.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a basic block diagram of the first embodiment. Optical signal transmitting / receiving unit 1, radio signal transmitting / receiving unit 3, switching unit 5, optical signal processing unit 2, radio signal processing unit 4, microcomputer 6, microcomputer 7, image processing unit 8, audio processing unit 9, display /
It comprises an input / output unit 10 and a GPS receiving unit 11.

The optical signal transmitting / receiving unit 1 has functions of transmitting and receiving an optical signal, driving / amplifying an optical signal, detecting an optical signal, and modulating / demodulating data. The radio signal transmitting / receiving unit 3 includes a transmitting / receiving antenna for a radio signal, a transmitting / receiving radio signal. , Amplification, radio signal detection, data modulation / demodulation, etc. Optical and radio signal processing unit 2,
Reference numeral 4 has functions such as data serial-parallel conversion, data reproduction, data error correction, synchronization timing extraction, and filter.

The switching unit 5 can switch the data bus between optical signal data and radio signal data to be transmitted and received by means of a microcomputer by means of a switch or the like.

The microcomputer 6 controls the optical signal transmitting / receiving section 1, the radio signal transmitting / receiving section 3, the optical and radio signal processing sections 2 and 4, and the switching section 5. In this, the communication area of the optical signal or the radio signal is determined by detecting the optical signal or the radio signal. In addition, the switching unit 5 is controlled by the position information received and demodulated by the GPS receiving unit 11 to switch the received data.

The above-mentioned components are also realized as a terminal device as the traffic information data output terminal unit 12, and the voice processing unit 9, the image processing unit 8, and the display / input / output unit 10 are used according to the purpose of use. It is also possible to select.

The audio processing unit 9 and the image processing unit 8 perform data processing in cooperation with the microcomputer 7. In addition, it performs data format conversion, arrangement of common parts of optical signal data and radio signal data, clarification and extraction of differences, data maintenance management, and the like. The microcomputer 6 and the microcomputer 7 may be combined into one microcomputer.

The image processing unit 8 converts the received and arranged data into character / image information to be displayed on the display / input / output unit 10 or transmits character / image information sent from the display / input / output unit 10 to transmission data. Convert to

The voice processing unit 9 performs voice synthesis, voice recognition, voice input / output, etc. for voice guidance of the received and organized data.

The microcomputer 7 controls the audio processing unit 9 and the image processing unit 8, transmits and receives data to and from the display / input / output unit 10, and accumulates character / image information and the like as necessary, and converts it into a database. .

The display / input / output unit 10 is a man-machine interface for displaying characters or image information on a display, inputting / outputting voice guidance, inputting / outputting switches, and the like.

Although this embodiment is based on a transmitting / receiving apparatus, it may be a transmitter or a receiver alone.

As described above, since the microcomputer 7, the image processing unit 8, the audio processing unit 9, the display / input / output unit 10 and the like are commonly used for the reception of the optical beacon and the reception of the radio wave beacon, the receiver can be reduced in size and cost.

Further, the traveling position information of the own vehicle is obtained from the GPS signal, and it is determined whether to perform the optical beacon reception or the radio beacon reception in accordance with the installation information of the nearest beacon transmitter. By switching, reception can be easily switched. If not only latitude and longitude information but also altitude information is used as a position signal, a radio beacon is installed on an overpass or an elevated road to receive beacon transmission waves from the lower road and beacon transmission waves from the upper road. Even in such a situation, correct reception can be performed based on the position information. Further, in this case, a good reception state can be obtained even when switching to the optical beacon reception with less signal leakage to another lane. The position information of the grounded beacon can be obtained not only from the transmission information of the optical beacon and the radio beacon but also from the CD-ROM.

FIG. 2 shows the circuit arrangement on the substrate of the receiver of the embodiment shown in FIG. Each circuit block is arranged on a single substrate 14. The board 14 is configured to be able to divide the board sections 15 and 16 forming the traffic information data output terminal section 12 and the board sections 17 and 18 forming the image processing section 8 and the voice processing section 9 and the like. With such a configuration, even when the traffic information data output terminal unit 12 is used as a terminal device, it is not necessary to redesign the board. In addition, the substrate part 15,
16 can also be divided.
In the case of using a different configuration, the receiver can be downsized by using the substrate portion 16 separately. Further, the radio beacon receiver is arranged adjacent to the GPS receiver. In this way, the radio signal transmitting / receiving section 2 and the high frequency receiving section of the GPS receiving section 11 can be shared.

FIG. 3 shows a basic block diagram of the second embodiment. In FIG. 3, components that perform the same operations as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from FIG. 1 in that a sensor 20 is used without using the GPS receiver 12. The switching unit 5 is automatically switched by a signal from a sensor. The traffic information data output terminal unit 21 is also realized as a terminal device.

In the case where an optical sensor is used as a sensor, even when there is a possibility that error reception may occur under strong sunlight by detecting the intensity of sunlight, switching to radio wave beacon reception is always good. Traffic information can be received. The light receiving direction of the optical sensor is changed to the optical signal transmitting / receiving unit 1.
By selecting the same direction as the optical signal transmission / reception direction of the light emitting and receiving unit in the above, sunlight interference avoidance can be performed more accurately. Further, it is more effective if the optical sensor and the light emitting / receiving unit are integrally configured. As a measure against sunlight, it is also possible to respond preferentially to reception of a radio wave beacon in a time zone when the altitude of sunlight increases.

Next, when a humidity sensor is used as a sensor, the condition of rainy weather is detected, and when it is difficult to receive an optical signal due to raindrops or a water curtain on the windshield of a car in rainy weather, radio beacons are always switched to good reception. Traffic information can be received.

Further, when a speed sensor is used as a sensor, more information can be obtained by switching to reception of a radio beacon having a longer signal reach when the car is traveling at a low speed due to traffic congestion. .

Next, a case where an AGC voltage obtained from a radio signal transmitting / receiving unit is used as switching information will be described. The radio signal transmitter / receiver generates an AGC voltage according to the reception level of the signal transmitted from the radio beacon. However, if the reception area of the radio beacon is detected using the AGC voltage and the automatic switching is performed, the sensor is not used. The reception can be easily switched.

FIG. 4 shows the circuit arrangement on the substrate of the receiver of the embodiment shown in FIG. Each circuit block is arranged on a single substrate 22. The board 22 is configured to be able to divide a board section 23 forming the traffic information data output terminal section 21 and a board section 24 forming the image processing section 8, the voice processing section 9, and the like. With such a configuration, there is no need to renew the board design even when the traffic information data output terminal unit 21 is used as a terminal device.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment comprising a GPS receiver and a beacon receiver. In FIG. 5, components having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 30 denotes a GSP receiving unit which receives and demodulates a high-frequency reception signal, and 31 denotes a signal processing unit which performs calculation of demodulated data and the like. 32 is a CD-ROM
And is used for displaying road map information. With this receiver configuration, the accuracy of the navigation system can be improved by correcting an error in the position information obtained from the GPS signal based on the accurate position information obtained from the optical beacon signal.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a receiver in which an optical beacon receiver and an FM multiplex receiver capable of receiving an FM multiplex broadcast capable of obtaining traffic information from the FM broadcast are integrated and shared. In FIG. 6, components having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 33 denotes an FM multiplex reception unit, and reference numeral 34 denotes an FM multiplex signal processing unit. With such a configuration, the nearest intersection information and traffic information of a nearby area can be obtained by the optical beacon receiver, and a wide range of traffic information can be obtained by the FM multiplex receiver. As a reception switching method, it is convenient to preferentially display the optical beacon reception status and display it when the data of the FM multiplex broadcast is updated.

[0031]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a small, inexpensive and easy-to-use beacon terminal device capable of receiving both optical beacons and radio beacons.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a receiver according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit layout diagram on a substrate of the receiver according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a receiver according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit layout diagram on a substrate of a receiver according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a receiver according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a receiver according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical signal transmission / reception part, 2 ... Optical signal processing part, 3 ... Radio signal transmission / reception part, 4 ... Radio signal processing part, 5 ... Switching part, 6,
7 microcomputer, 8 image processing unit, 9 audio processing unit, 10
... Display / input / output unit, 11 ... GPS receiving unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI H04B 10/14 10/26 10/28 (72) Inventor Shunichi Takahashi 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Hitachi, Ltd. Factory Video Media Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Yasunari Tanaka 2520 Oji Takaba, Katsuta-shi, Ibaraki Hitachi, Ltd.Automotive Equipment Division (72) Inventor Shiro Horii 2520 Oji Takaba, Katsuta-shi, Ibaraki Hitachi, Ltd.Automotive Inside the Equipment Division (72) Inventor Hiroshi Araki 2520 Oji Takaba, Katsuta-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi, Ltd.Automotive Equipment Division (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Sakamoto 2520 Oji Takaba, Katsuta-shi, Ibaraki Hitachi, Ltd.Automotive Equipment Business (56) References JP-A-6-66917 (JP, A) JP-A-2-183399 (JP, A) JP-A-6-66917 195596 (JP, A) JP-A-7-249193 (JP, A) JP-A-6-251289 (JP, A) JP-A-7-134794 (JP, A) JP-A-6-317765 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G08G 1/09-1/0969 G01S 1/70 H04B 10/04 H04B 10/06 H04B 10/14 H04B 10/26 H04B 10/28

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] An apparatus has at least a transmitting section and a receiving section for an optical signal, or a transmitting and receiving section and a transmitting section and a receiving section for a radio signal, or a transmitting and receiving section and a receiving section for a GPS signal. An information terminal device comprising a signal processing unit and an image processing unit for recognizing traffic information and the like, the information terminal device having a switching circuit for switching between an optical signal and a radio signal, and a position obtained from a GPS reception signal. A beacon terminal device wherein a switching circuit is selectively switched by a signal. 2. A receiving terminal having at least a receiver capable of receiving information from a radio wave beacon and a GPS receiver, and transmitting a radio beacon closest to the vehicle running based on longitude, latitude and altitude position information obtained from the GPS receiver. A beacon terminal device for identifying a device. 3. A transmission signal, a reception signal, a transmission signal, a reception signal, a transmission signal, a reception signal, and a radio signal.
Alternatively, an information terminal device including a signal processing unit and an image processing unit for recognizing traffic information and the like from a transmission / reception signal, the information terminal device having a switching circuit for switching between an optical signal and a radio signal, and A beacon terminal device, wherein a switching circuit is selectively switched according to the intensity of sunlight obtained. 4. The beacon terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the light receiving direction of the optical sensor is substantially the same as the light signal receiving direction of the light emitting and receiving unit constituting the optical signal transmitting and receiving unit. 5. The light sensor according to claim 3, wherein the light sensor and the light emitting and receiving unit are integrally formed, and the light receiving direction of the light sensor is substantially the same as the light signal receiving direction of the light emitting and receiving unit. Beacon terminal device. 6. An optical signal transmitter / receiver which is compatible with a road traffic information communication system and has functions of transmitting and receiving an optical signal, driving / amplifying an optical signal, detecting an optical signal, and modulating / demodulating data.
Radio signal transmission / reception antenna, radio signal transmission / reception unit having functions such as transmission / reception radio signal amplification, radio signal detection, and data modulation / demodulation, optical signal processing unit, radio signal processing unit, and switching unit for switching between reception of optical signal and radio signal , A microcomputer, an audio processing unit, and an image processing unit. These are formed on a single substrate, and at least the audio processing unit and the image processing unit are configured to be able to separate the single substrate into two parts. Characteristic beacon terminal device. 7. It has at least an optical signal transmitting section, a receiving section, or a transmitting / receiving section and a radio signal transmitting / receiving section, or a transmitting / receiving section, and recognizes traffic information or the like from a transmitted signal, a received signal, or a transmitted / received signal. Information terminal device comprising a signal processing unit and an image processing unit, the information terminal device has a switching circuit for switching between an optical signal and a radio signal, and the information terminal device depends on the magnitude of the AGC voltage obtained from the radio signal receiving unit. A beacon terminal device for selectively switching a switching circuit. 8. The beacon terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit for outputting information based on an output signal from said switching circuit.