JP3879699B2 - Information display device remote control system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a remote operation system for an information display device. The remote control system for an information display device according to the present invention is applied to, for example, a car navigation device mounted on a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A car navigation device, which is an example of an information display device, may require a complicated operation process that involves a plurality of operations when performing functions such as setting and changing the current location and destination of a vehicle. In such a car navigation device, complicated operations are prohibited due to safety issues when the vehicle is traveling, and operations are accepted when the vehicle is parked or stopped. However, if the operation is uniformly prohibited on condition that the vehicle is traveling, for example, an operation by a passenger other than the driver cannot be performed. In order to solve such poor usability, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses identifying whether the operator is a driver or another passenger.
[0003]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of Patent Document 1. In FIG. In Patent Document 1, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is running by a vehicle speed sensor. If the vehicle is running, the light receiving element 51 identifies whether or not the operator of the information display device by the remote operation device 50 is a driver. When it is identified as a driver, the acceptance of the operation is prohibited, and when it is identified as a passenger other than the driver, the acceptance of the operation is permitted.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-248466
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described prior art, when the operator of the car navigation device is a driver, the operation of the car navigation device is prohibited, and the driver cannot operate the car navigation device while the vehicle is traveling. There was a problem of being bad.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an information display device that can suppress a reduction in convenience by allowing a driver to operate the information display device without impairing safety even during traveling. The object is to provide a remote control system.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The remote control system for an information display device according to claim 1 is a remote control system for an information display device that is mounted on a vehicle and displays various types of information. The remote control system includes an information display device and an external center. The information display device includes a display unit, an operation switch that is prohibited from being operated while the vehicle is running, an operation switch that inputs a command for specifying information to be displayed on the display unit, and a command from the operation switch A control unit that performs predetermined arithmetic processing based on the command, generates information corresponding to the command, and displays the information on the display unit, and a first communication unit that communicates with the outside. The display data creating unit creates display data for displaying display information desired by the user on the display unit, and the display data creating unit by communicating with the first communication unit. And a second communication unit for transmitting display data to the information display device, the control unit of the information display device, during running of the vehicle, when the operating switch the operation is prohibited is selected, the first communication Display data created by the display data creation unit of the external center, and the information about the display information desired by the passenger of the vehicle is transmitted to the external center by voice. The information based on is displayed on a display part.
[0008]
According to this, for example, in a car navigation device or the like, when it is desired to execute a function that involves a plurality of switch operations, driving by receiving display data created by a display data creation unit of an external center A person can execute a desired function, and without sacrificing safety even while the vehicle is traveling, can suppress a reduction in convenience.
[0009]
Further, according to this, when the driver tries to execute the desired function of the information display device, the first communication unit can make a request for creating display data to the external center, and the first communication is separately performed. There is no need to perform a cumbersome operation such as pressing a communication button or the like.
[0010]
In the remote control system for an information display device according to claim 2 , the first communication unit has a hands-free function. As a result, when the driver executes a desired function of the information display device, operations other than driving the vehicle can be reduced, so that safety is not impaired even while the vehicle is traveling, and reduction in convenience is suppressed. can do.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote operation system for an information display device, comprising voice recognition means, which is displayed on a display data creation section based on information relating to display information desired by a vehicle occupant input to the voice recognition means It is characterized by creating data. This eliminates the need for an operator at the external station in addition to the operation and effect of the first aspect.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a remote control system for an information display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an example in which the remote operation system of the information display device of the present invention is applied to a car navigation device will be described.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the in-vehicle device 100 and the center 40 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the in-vehicle device 100 includes a car navigation device 1 and a hands-free device 20. The hands-free device 20 is connected to a mobile phone 30, and the mobile phone 30 performs communication between the information display device 100 and the center 40 via a communication network.
[0014]
First, the car navigation apparatus 1 will be described. The car navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a position detection device 2, a map data input device 7, an operation device 8, a display device 10, an audio output device 11, a memory 12, a remote control device 13, a VICS receiver 15, and the like. It is comprised by the control part 9 grade | etc., To connect.
[0015]
The car navigation apparatus 1 performs a navigation function such as displaying a surrounding road map together with the current position, and further displaying a guide route to the destination. With respect to the guide route, when the destination position is designated from the remote controller 14 via the operation device 7 or the remote controller device 13, the control unit 9 obtains the current position detected by the position detector 2 and the map data of the map data input device 7. Use to calculate the route. The route calculated in this way is displayed on the display device 10, and the map is enlarged and voice guidance is provided at a branch point or an intersection to be turned left or right. As such a method for automatically setting an optimum route, for example, a known Dijkstra method is employed.
[0016]
The control unit 9 is configured as a normal computer, and includes a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, and a bus line for connecting these configurations. In the ROM, a program to be executed by the car navigation device 1 is written, and a CPU or the like executes predetermined arithmetic processing according to this program. Various functions of the car navigation device 1 are defined corresponding to commands instructed by the operation device 8 or the like, and based on information generated by performing arithmetic processing by the control unit 9 based on the commands, Various operations such as guide route display are executed. Furthermore, the control unit 9 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor or a parking sensor (not shown), and determines whether the vehicle is running / stopped and outputs the determination result to the hands-free device 20 described later.
[0017]
The position detection device 2 includes a well-known geomagnetic sensor 3, a gyro sensor 4, a distance sensor 5, and a GPS receiver 6 for GPS (Global Positioning System) that detects the position of the vehicle based on radio waves from a satellite. Have. Since these have errors of different properties, they are configured to be used while being complemented by a plurality of sensors. Depending on the accuracy of each sensor, the position detection device 2 may be configured as a part of the above-described ones, and a steering rotation sensor (not shown), a vehicle speed sensor for each rolling wheel, or the like may be used.
[0018]
The map data input device 7 is a device for inputting various data such as map data, landmark data, and background data, and transmits various data in response to a request from the control unit 9. A CD-ROM or DVD-ROM is generally used as a storage medium for storing these various data, but a writable storage medium such as a memory card or a hard disk can also be employed.
[0019]
The operation device 8 includes a joystick or a touch switch or a panel switch integrated with the display device 10 and is used for various inputs. The display device 10 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays a road map around the vehicle generated by map data input from the map data input device 7 and a touch switch corresponding to a predetermined function. This touch switch includes a permission switch SW that can be operated by a rider (including a driver) traveling in the vehicle and a prohibition switch SW that is prohibited from being operated by a passenger traveling in the vehicle. The permission switch SW and the prohibition switch SW will be described in detail later. The audio output device 11 includes a speaker, an audio amplifier, and the like, and is used for audio guidance and the like.
[0020]
The VICS receiver 15 is a device that receives information such as road traffic information distributed from the VICS center via beacons laid on the road and FM broadcast stations in various places. Road traffic information includes, for example, traffic congestion information such as the degree of congestion of each link mentioned above and travel time (required travel time) for each link, restriction information such as traffic closures due to accidents and construction, and closures of entrances and exits of expressways, etc. is there. Note that the degree of congestion is expressed in a plurality of evaluation stages (for example, congestion, congestion, empty space, etc.). The received road traffic information is processed by the control unit 9. For example, traffic jam information, regulation information, and the like are displayed superimposed on a map displayed on the screen of the display device 10.
[0021]
Next, the hands-free device 20 for performing a hands-free call and the mobile phone 30 connected to the hands-free device 20 will be described. Hands-free calling is a method in which a passenger makes a call with another phone without holding the mobile phone 30 by connecting the mobile phone 30 and the hands-free device 20 wirelessly or in a wired manner in the passenger compartment. It is a system that enables Note that the mobile phone 30 used for communication with the outside may be a vehicle-mounted phone in which a microphone, a speaker, and the like are installed in a vehicle.
[0022]
First, the hands-free device 20 is installed in the passenger compartment, and includes a control unit 21 to which the voice switching unit 22 and the Bluetooth communication unit 23 are connected. The control unit 21 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and controls the voice switching unit 22 and the Bluetooth communication unit 23. The determination result of the vehicle travel / stop determination from the car navigation device 1 described above is when the vehicle is traveling, and when the mobile phone 30 receives an incoming call or the prohibition switch SW displayed on the display device 10 is Turns on when pressed. Note that Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
[0023]
The voice switching unit 22 is connected to a microphone and a speaker, performs processing such as amplification on the transmitted voice input to the microphone, and transmits the processed transmitted voice signal to the mobile phone 30 via the Bluetooth communication unit 23. Send to. Further, the received voice input from the mobile phone 30 via the Bluetooth communication unit 23 is subjected to processing such as amplification, and the processed received voice signal is generated from the speaker.
[0024]
The hands-free device 20 is detachably connected to a cigarette lighter socket (not shown) in the interior of the automobile, and is supplied with power (ACC power) from the automobile battery.
[0025]
Next, the mobile phone 30 performs communication with the outside via a known communication network. The mobile phone 30 includes a display 32, a keyboard 33, a communication unit 34, an audio switching unit 35, and a Bluetooth communication unit 36 that are connected to the control unit 31.
[0026]
The control unit 31 is a control unit that mainly has a microcomputer and controls each component. The keyboard 33 is formed by arranging a number of keys such as a “call start” key, a “call end” key, and a “number” key. The display 32 is for displaying a caller telephone number and the like. The voice switching unit 35 is connected to a microphone and a speaker, and performs processing such as amplification on the transmitted voice signal and the received voice signal when communicating with the outside.
[0027]
The communication unit 34 communicates with the outside by transmitting the transmission voice signal input from the voice switching unit 35 to the communication network, and outputs the received voice signal received from the outside to the voice switching unit 35. . Furthermore, data signals such as commands are transmitted and received.
[0028]
The Bluetooth communication unit 36 is for performing short-range wireless communication with the Bluetooth communication unit 20 on the hands-free device 20 side. For example, a secondary battery is used as the power source of the mobile phone 1.
[0029]
Note that when communicating with the outside by the hands-free device 20, the microphone and the speaker provided in the hands-free device 20 are used, and the microphone and the speaker of the mobile phone 30 are not used.
[0030]
Here, the center 40 communicatively connected to the in-vehicle device 100 via a communication network will be described based on the drawings. The center 40 is provided with a center side terminal 41 operated by an operator, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the center side terminal 41.
[0031]
The center side terminal 41 includes a control unit 42, a communication unit 43, a database 44, a display 45, a keyboard 46, and a voice switching unit 47. The operator operates the center side terminal 41 by operating information displayed on the display 45 using the keyboard 46.
[0032]
The control unit 42 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, controls each component, performs processing such as compression of various data from the database 44, and creates display data in a format that can be processed by the in-vehicle device 100. It is. Here, the display data is a basis for performing various displays on the display device 10 of the car navigation apparatus 1, and is a command defined corresponding to various functions input by the operation device 8 or the like. This is equivalent to the information for display when the control unit 9 performs arithmetic processing on the selection status or the command.
[0033]
The communication unit 43 and the voice switching unit 47 are for the operator of the center 40 to talk with the passengers of the vehicle, and the communication unit 34 is for transmitting the above display data to the outside. Note that the configuration and the like are the same as those of the mobile phone 30 described above, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0034]
The database 44 is various data such as map data and facility data, and is input to the control unit 42 when creating the above-described display data, and the display data is created by the operation of the operator. As a storage medium for storing these various data, a writable storage medium such as a hard disk is employed.
[0035]
Here, regarding the operations of the in-vehicle device 100 and the center 40, a case where a destination is added during route guidance will be described as an example. FIG. 3 is an image diagram illustrating an example of a display example of the display device 10.
[0036]
With respect to the car navigation device 1 of the in-vehicle device 100, at the time of route guidance, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the vehicle position M and a thick guide route are displayed on the map on the display device 10 to reach the destination. Route guidance is provided. Further, an operation switch SW indicating predetermined functions such as “narrow area”, “wide area”, “addition”, “setting”, and “menu” is displayed below the display device 10. These operation switches SW are defined in correspondence with commands for specifying information to be displayed on the display device 10. By operating a desired operation switch SW, a command corresponding to the operation switch SW is processed by the control unit 9, and a map corresponding to the command, an image of a new operation switch SW, or the like is displayed on the display device 10. It is what is done.
[0037]
The plurality of operation switches SW includes a permission switch SW that can be operated by a passenger traveling in the vehicle and a prohibition switch SW that is prohibited from being operated by the passenger traveling in the vehicle in consideration of safe driving of the vehicle. Including. In the example of FIG. 3A, the “narrow area” and “wide area” operation switch SW for changing the scale of the map surrounded by the solid line is the permission switch SW, and “addition” “ “Setting” “menu” is the prohibition switch SW.
[0038]
Here, for example, when there is a place where the user wants to stop between the current location and the destination (addition of destination), first, when the above-described “add” operation switch SW is operated, the state shown in FIG. As described above, the screen is switched to the destination addition setting screen on which the operation switches SW for a plurality of setting methods are displayed. Next, when, for example, “facility” is operated on this destination addition setting menu screen, the screen is switched to a facility addition setting screen on which a plurality of facility-specific operation switches SW are displayed. Therefore, for example, when “bank” is operated, a list of banks is displayed as shown in FIG. 3D, and a desired bank can be added to the guidance route by selecting a desired bank from the list. . This operation corresponds to a normal operation performed while the vehicle is stopped, which will be described later.
[0039]
Such an operation switch SW that involves a plurality of operations is not suitable as an operation switch SW that is operated while the vehicle is running, because it takes a long time to gaze at the screen to perform the operation. Therefore, the operation switch SW corresponding to a function involving a plurality of operations is assigned to the prohibition switch SW that prohibits the operation while the vehicle is running. In addition, regarding the operation switch SW that can execute the function corresponding to the operation switch SW by one operation, the time for gazing at the screen to perform the operation is short, and the safety is deteriorated even while the vehicle is running. There are few. Therefore, the operation switch SW that can execute the corresponding function by one operation is assigned to the permission switch SW that permits the operation while the vehicle is running. If the prohibit switch SW is pressed while the vehicle is running, the calculation process by the control unit 9 is not performed, the hands-free device 20 is turned on, communication with the center 40 is started, and the function is performed in cooperation with the center 40. It is something to execute. Note that the map code shown in FIG. 3B is a registered trademark of Denso Corporation.
[0040]
Here, operation | movement with the vehicle-mounted apparatus 100 and the center 40 is demonstrated based on a flowchart. FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing the operation of the in-vehicle device 100, and FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing the operation of the center side terminal 41.
[0041]
First, when the prohibit switch SW that is prohibited during operation of the vehicle such as “addition” is pressed, the process of FIG. 4A starts, and based on a signal from a vehicle speed sensor or a parking sensor in S1. The controller 9 determines whether the vehicle is running. If it is stopped, the process proceeds to step 7 and the above-described normal operation is performed. When the vehicle is traveling, the hands-free device 20 is turned on in S2, a hands-free call is started using the mobile phone 30 via the Bluetooth communication unit 23, and an operator of the center 40 is called. In S3, it is determined whether the operator of the center 40 has responded. If there is a response, the process proceeds to S4. If there is no response, the process in S3 is repeated. When the operator of the center 40 responds in S3, the conversation with the operator of the center 40 is started, and the call processing with the passenger of the vehicle in FIG.
[0042]
On the vehicle side, in S4, the vehicle occupant informs the operator of the center 40 of information such as the current position and the destination, and displays the desired display information such as “□□ Add bank to guide route”. Requests the operator of the center 40 to create data. In S8, the operator of the center 40 receives a request to create display data relating to information such as the current position and destination of the vehicle and display information as described above. In S9, the requested drop-in is performed in consideration of the current position and destination. Display data for adding a place to the guide route is created using the database 44, and the display data is transmitted to the vehicle in S10.
[0043]
In S5, it is determined whether the display data can be received on the vehicle side. If received, the process proceeds to S6, and if not received, the process is repeated from S4. In S6, the received display data is executed by the control unit 9, so that the guide route displayed on the display device 10 is changed and a new guide route to which a bank is added is displayed. Become.
[0044]
Thus, when operating the car navigation device 1 that involves a plurality of operations while the vehicle is traveling, the passenger uses the mobile phone 20 and the hands-free device 30 to request display data from the operator. Then, by receiving display data created by the operator of the center 40 and executing display processing based on the display data, the time for gazing at the screen is reduced even while the vehicle is running, and desired without sacrificing safety. Can perform the functions.
[0045]
As a modification, when calling an operator of the center 40, information on which operation switch SW is selected and operated may be automatically transmitted to the center side terminal 42 of the center 40. By doing so, the operator can determine what kind of request is made at the time of starting the dialogue with the vehicle occupant, and the display data creation time can be shortened.
[0046]
As another modification, a voice recognition device may be provided instead of the operator of the center 40, and the voice related to the command creation request from the vehicle occupant may be recognized by this voice recognition device. By doing so, the number of operators at the center 40 can be reduced, so that the cost can be reduced.
[0047]
In addition, although this Embodiment demonstrated regarding operation of the car navigation apparatus 1, it is not limited to this, You may apply also when downloading contents, such as music information. Furthermore, by defining the functions of the information display device in association with the commands, all the information display devices can be operated according to the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing configurations of an in-vehicle device 100 and a center 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a center side terminal 41 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an image diagram showing an example of a display example of the display device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
4A is a flowchart showing the operation of the in-vehicle device 100, and FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing the operation of the center side terminal 41. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information display device in a vehicle according to the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car navigation apparatus, 9 Control part, 20, Hands free apparatus, 30 Mobile phone 40 center, 41 Center side terminal, 42 Control part, 100 In-vehicle apparatus

Claims (3)

A remote operation system for an information display device that is mounted on a vehicle and displays various types of information, the remote operation system comprising an information display device and an external center,
The information display device includes:
A display unit;
An operation switch that is prohibited from being operated while the vehicle is running includes an operation switch that inputs a command for specifying information to be displayed on the display unit;
A control unit that performs predetermined arithmetic processing based on a command from the operation switch, generates information corresponding to the command, and displays the information on the display unit;
A first communication unit that communicates with the outside,
The external center is
A display data creation unit that creates display data for displaying display information desired by a passenger of the vehicle on the display unit;
A second communication unit that transmits display data created by the display data creation unit to the information display device by communicating with the first communication unit;
The control unit of the information display device starts communication between the first communication unit and the second communication unit when an operation switch that prohibits the operation is selected while the vehicle is running, Information relating to display information desired by the passenger is transmitted to the external center by voice, and information based on the display data created by the display data creation unit of the external center is displayed on the display unit. Remote control system for display devices. The remote operation system for an information display device according to claim 1 , wherein the first communication unit has a hands-free function . The external center includes voice recognition means, recognizes a voice that conveys information related to display information desired by a passenger of the vehicle, and creates display data in the display data creation unit. The remote control system for an information display device according to claim 1 or 2 ,

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