JP4092806B2 - In-vehicle electronic device, main body device of in-vehicle electronic device, and front panel device of in-vehicle electronic device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an in-vehicle electronic device such as a so-called car stereo.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As car audio systems, electronic devices such as in-vehicle CD (compact disc) players, MD (mini disc) players, cassette decks, radio tuners and the like are in widespread use.
In such an in-vehicle electronic device, the outer shell shape is usually 1DIN size (front size is about 50 mm in length and width is about 178 mm) or 2DIN size (front size is about 100 mm in length and about 178 mm in width). As shown in FIG. 12, the electronic device 100 can be mounted on the front console FC in the automobile.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in such an in-vehicle electronic device 100, only the front panel portion is visible to the user, and therefore only the panel portion is used as an interface portion for the user, and various displays and operation keys are arranged. Will be.
Since only the panel portion is a device that is exposed to the user in this way, the design (aesthetics) and interface functionality of the device all depend on the design of the panel portion.
In other words, when a user purchases an in-vehicle electronic device, the design and functionality of the front panel is a major condition for product selection.
On the other hand, the operation function and performance of the electronic device main body are also conditions for product selection.
[0004]
However, as it is, the user often does not like the design of the front panel even if the operation function and performance of a certain in-vehicle electronic device can be satisfied. Of course, I like the design of the front panel, but sometimes I am dissatisfied with the operation and performance of the main unit.
In this way, there are many cases where one does not like either the performance aspect of the main body or the design aspect of the panel. In such a case, the user must select and purchase a product with a compromise. It will not be.
In other words, the user chooses whether to give some preference to the design of his or her own car and to compromise performance slightly, or to compromise the design aspect with priority on performance. Will be forced.
[0005]
In addition, after purchase, users often get bored with the design of the front panel or regret having purchased with compromised design. In such a case, the user considers replacement of the electronic device, but this replacement requires a large expense. Furthermore, disposing of electronic devices that can still be used sufficiently because they do not like the panel design due to replacement with new devices leads to wasteful resource consumption and an increase in waste. It is not preferable.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In accordance with such circumstances, the present invention makes it easy for a user to satisfy both the performance aspect and the operation function aspect of the electronic apparatus body, the design aspect of the front panel, and the operation function aspect of the on-vehicle electronic apparatus. The purpose is to be able to select.
[0007]
For this reason, in the present invention, the main body and the front panel are formed as separate devices, and the in-vehicle electronic device is formed by attaching the front panel to the main body.
The main body has a front panel mounting means on the front surface, which can be attached to and detached from a plurality of types of front panels corresponding to a predetermined communication format and formed with corresponding mounting means. Communication means capable of transmitting display data to at least the mounted front panel and receiving an operation command from the front panel, and a communication means capable of receiving communication with a predetermined communication format. Operation executing means for performing a required operation in accordance with the received operation command, and generating means for generating display data in accordance with the operation state of the operation executing means are provided. The generation means receives the display capability of the display means of the front panel transmitted from the front panel by the communication means, the generation means sets the display data type based on the display capability, and sets the set display data type. Generate display data based on So that
Also, the front panel can communicate with the main body unit attached to the main body by attaching / detaching means corresponding to the front panel mounting means, the operating means, and the attaching / detaching means, and at least the main body according to a predetermined communication format. An operation command corresponding to the operation of the operation unit can be transmitted to the unit, and a communication unit capable of receiving display data from the main unit and a display operation based on the display data received by the communication unit Display means capable of The communication means transmits the display capability of the display means to the main body. So that
[0008]
That is, in the present invention, a detachable front panel (front panel device) is formed with respect to a main body (main device) of an electronic apparatus, and a plurality of types of detachable mechanisms and communication formats are adopted by adopting a specific detachable mechanism and communication format. The front panel part can be provided to the user. Therefore, the user can combine, for example, a main body portion that is satisfactory in performance and a front panel portion that is satisfactory in design.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, for example, a main body having functions as an MD player and a radio tuner, and a front panel (panel) that can be mounted on the main body are used.
The description will be given in the following order.
1. Appearance example and attachment / detachment operation of main body and panel
2. Internal structure of main body and panel
3. Data communication between panel and main unit
4). Communication format
5. Effect of this example
6.2 DIN size example
7). Processing examples related to display control
[0010]
1. Appearance example and attachment / detachment operation of main body and panel
An example of the appearance of the in-vehicle electronic device (MD player / tuner) of this example and an attaching / detaching operation of the main body and the panel will be described with reference to FIGS.
This MD player / tuner is attached to the front console FC in the automobile as shown in FIG. 12, and is of a so-called 1DIN size.
Then, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), a panel portion (front panel) 1 and a main body portion 2 are formed, and the panel 1 and the main body portion 2 are formed as separate devices, respectively. The panel portion 1 can be removed from the main body portion 2 as shown in FIG. (FIG. 1A shows a state in which the panel unit 1 is mounted on the main body unit 2, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which the panel unit 1 is detached from the main body unit 2 and the back side of the panel unit 1. .)
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 1 (a), on the front side of the panel unit 1, there are an insertion unit 11 for inserting an MD, a display unit 12 using, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and an operation unit 15 using operators such as various keys and a jog dial. Provided. As the operation unit 15, as operation keys corresponding to the car stereo function of the main body unit 2, operations such as a channel selection key for the radio tuner, playback / fast forward / fast reverse / stop / cue (AMS) / eject, etc. of the MD player are performed. Operation keys for execution, operation keys for audio signal volume level / equalizing / effect, etc., function keys for switching tuner operation / MD player operation as operation modes, and the like are provided.
Further, the panel unit 1 is provided with a release button 13 used for removal from the main body unit 2.
[0012]
Also, from the main unit 2, a power supply line 36 for obtaining operating power from the car battery 22 (12V DC power supply), an antenna line 37 for connecting an antenna for receiving FM / AM broadcast, and MD playback audio and tuner reception broadcast Speaker lines 38, 39, 40, and 41 are provided for outputting audio from audio speakers arranged on the front left and right of the vehicle and the rear left and right of the rear seat.
[0013]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, a mechanism for attaching and detaching the panel unit 1 is provided on the front surface of the main body unit 2 and the back surface of the panel unit 1. That is, a release switch 33, a movable engaging claw 34, and a locking part 35 are formed on the main body 2 side, and the panel button 1 has the release button 13 and an engaging portion 17 corresponding to the movable engaging claw, A locked portion 18 for the locking portion 35 is formed.
[0014]
When the panel portion 1 is mounted on the main body portion 2, the engaged portion 17 is pressed in the direction of the movable engaging claw 34 with the engaged portion 18 applied to the engaging portion 35.
Although a detailed description of the mechanism is omitted, by pressing the engaged portion 17 in the direction of the movable engaging claw 34, the engaged portion 17 is locked to the movable engaging claw 34, as shown in FIG. The panel unit 1 is attached to the front side of the main body unit 2.
[0015]
On the other hand, when removing the panel unit 1, the user may push the release button 13 and pull it off. That is, when the release button 13 is pushed from the state shown in FIG. 1A, the pin 13a is pushed out from the back side of the panel portion 1, and the release switch 33 is pushed in. Then, the urging | biasing to the engagement direction of the movable engagement nail | claw 34 is cancelled | released by the internal mechanism, and the engagement state of the to-be-engaged part 17 and the movable engagement nail | claw 6 is cancelled | released, thereby FIG.1 (b). The panel portion 1 can be detached from the main body portion 2.
Such an attaching / detaching mechanism is merely an example, and actually any attaching / detaching mechanism may be formed in the panel unit 1 and the main body unit 2.
[0016]
Further, a connector 16 having, for example, eight convex contacts is formed on the back surface side of the panel portion 1, and a connector 32 having eight contacts is formed on the main body portion 2 at a position corresponding to the connector 16. Yes.
That is, when the panel portion 1 is mounted as shown in FIG. 1A, the contacts of the connectors 16 and 32 come into contact with each other, and the panel portion 1 and the main body portion 2 are connected to each other via the connectors 16 and 32. Communication is possible. Note that the number of contacts is eight only as an example.
[0017]
Further, as can be seen from FIG. 1B, the insertion portion 11 of the panel portion 1 is a hole portion that communicates from the front surface to the back surface, and a disc loading hole 31 is formed at a position corresponding to the insertion portion 11 in the main body portion 2. Has been.
1A, when the user inserts an MD from the insertion portion 11 on the front surface of the panel portion 1, the MD is inserted into the internal loading mechanism from the disk loading hole 31 of the main body portion 2. Become.
That is, the disk (MD) is inserted into and discharged from the main body 2 through the insertion portion 11 of the panel portion 1.
[0018]
As described above, the main body 2 and the panel 1 are formed separately, and the panel 1 is detachable from the main body 2. As the panel 1, for example, FIG. ) (B) As shown in (c), various front designs are prepared (manufacturers can manufacture / sell panels 1 having various designs).
That is, the type (operator, key, jog dial), number, and arrangement position of the operation unit 5 serving as the operation unit 5, the display area, the arrangement position, and the display capability as the display unit 12 (corresponding to character display, full dot display, or FIG. Various panel portions 1 (1A, 1B, 1C,...) Are provided as front design and operation functions due to differences such as 2 (c) that allows spectrum analysis display).
However, all the panel portions 1A, 1B, 1C,... Have the same configuration as described in FIG. As will be described later, a format related to data communication with the main body 2 is also specified. As a result, any of the panel portions 1A, 1B, 1C,... Can be attached to and detached from the front surface of the main body 2 shown in FIG. 2 (d), and functions as an interface part with the user regarding the operation of the main body 2. It will be.
[0019]
From this, the user can select and purchase a favorite panel part for the main body part 2, or can purchase a plurality of panel parts and use them by changing the panel parts according to the mood. Become.
[0020]
2. Internal structure of main body and panel
The internal structure of the panel part 1 and the main-body part 2 is demonstrated with FIG.
The panel unit 1 is provided with a command generation unit 22 that encodes operation information from the operation unit 15 (various operators) described above as an operation command and outputs an operation command CM. For example, the command generator 22 outputs a reproduction command CM in response to the operation of the reproduction key.
Although not shown in the example for simplicity of explanation, an infrared remote commander is prepared, for example, and an infrared light receiving unit is provided on the front surface of the panel unit 1 so that the user can use the remote commander. It is also possible to perform operations.
In this case, the command generation unit 22 may receive the signal received by the infrared light receiving unit and output an operation command CM corresponding to the received operation signal.
[0021]
The panel unit 1 is provided with a display control unit 21 that causes the display unit 12 described above to perform a display operation based on the supplied display data DD.
In this example, the display contents corresponding to the display data DD include the track number at the time of MD playback, performance time information, character information such as a song name / disc name, playback mode information, and the broadcast station name / The frequency and the like are displayed, and the output sound volume, spectrum analysis data, effect mode, and the like are displayed.
[0022]
Further, a data communication unit 20 that performs data communication with the main body unit 2 is provided. The data communication unit 20 is attached to the main body 2 as shown in FIG. 1A, and data communication with the main body 2 is possible in a state where the connectors 16 and 32 are connected.
[0023]
The main body unit 2 is provided with a data communication unit 51 that can perform data communication with the data communication unit 20 on the panel unit 1 side via the connectors 16 and 32.
Also, an audio processing unit 54 is provided as a part for executing an operation as an MD player / radio tuner, and a reproduction operation for a loaded MD and a radio broadcast reception demodulation operation are executed.
The audio output unit 55 is a so-called power amplifier, and the audio signal reproduced or demodulated by the audio processing unit 54 is amplified in the audio output unit and supplied to each speaker from the speaker lines 38, 39, 40, and 41. Output as audio.
[0024]
The audio control unit 53 is a part that controls the operation by issuing a control signal CMS to the audio processing unit 54 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 15 by the user and executes a required operation. For example, MD playback, fast forward, fast reverse, playback stop, cue (AMS), eject, AM / FM radio broadcast reception frequency tuning, output audio signal volume level / equalizing / acoustic effects (reverb etc.), Control the operation.
[0025]
The data creation unit 52 is a part that generates initial data to be transmitted to the panel unit 1 side when the operation starts (when the power is turned on), display data DD corresponding to the operation state in the audio processing unit 54, and the like.
[0026]
The power supply unit 56 performs necessary processing (for example, DC / DC converter processing) on the operation power obtained from the car battery through the power supply line 36, generates the operation power supply voltage Vcc, and supplies it to each unit.
For example, two of the eight contacts in the connectors 16 and 32 are a power contact and a ground contact. For each block of the panel unit 1, the power supply voltage Vcc obtained by the power supply unit 56 is a connector. 16 and 32.
[0027]
FIG. 4 shows the internal configuration of the audio processing unit 54.
As described above, since the in-vehicle electronic device of this example is a device as an MD player / radio tuner, the audio processing unit 54 as an operation execution unit can perform an MD playback operation and a radio reception operation.
[0028]
For this reason, the audio processing unit 54 is provided with a tuner control unit 61 and a radio tuner unit 62 to enable radio reception.
The radio tuner unit 62 is provided with an AM tuner unit 62a and an FM tuner unit 62b, and detects / demodulates AM broadcast audio and FM broadcast audio from radio waves received by a tuner antenna (not shown) and supplied by an antenna line 37. Can do. The tuner control unit 61 controls on / off of the reception operation in the radio tuner unit 62 and the reception frequency according to the control signal CMS from the audio control unit 53.
[0029]
In addition, an MD drive 63 and an MD signal processing unit 64 are provided to enable a reproduction operation for the MD.
The MD drive 63 is equipped with an MD loading mechanism, a spindle mechanism for rotating the MD, an optical head mechanism for reading data, various servo mechanisms, and the like, and reads reproduction information as music data from the loaded MD.
The MD signal processing unit performs EFM / ACIRC decoding processing, buffering processing, decompression processing for audio compression, D / A conversion processing, and the like on the playback information read by the MD drive 63, and outputs a playback audio signal .
The MD signal processing unit reads out MD management information (so-called P-TOC / U-TOC), decodes addresses during reproduction, and the like, and in response to the information and the control signal CMS from the audio control unit 53. The operation in the MD drive 63 is controlled.
[0030]
Broadcast audio received and demodulated by the radio tuner unit 62 and audio signals as reproduced audio output from the MD signal processing unit are supplied to the audio signal processing unit 65. The audio signal processing unit 65 performs volume adjustment (volume up / down) processing, surround processing, equalizing processing, echo / reverb processing, etc. on the supplied audio signal in accordance with the control signal CMS from the audio control unit 53. Then, the audio signal is supplied to the audio output unit 55.
The audio signal supplied to the audio output unit 55 in this way is output from each speaker as described above.
[0031]
Also, the broadcast signal demodulated by the radio tuner unit 62 and the audio signal as reproduced sound output from the MD signal processing unit are also supplied to the spectrum analyzer 66.
The spectrum analyzer 66 analyzes the level value of each frequency band of the audio signal.
[0032]
The state data generation unit 67 is a part that generates state data AST corresponding to the current operation state in the audio processing unit 54 and outputs it to the audio control unit 53.
The contents of the status data AST include, for example, an audio source that is currently executing an operation (in this example, AM tuner / FM tuner / MD), volume level, acoustic processing (effect) mode, spectrum analyze data, and radio tuner section 62. Channel selection frequency, playback track number in the MD drive 63, playback time information, track name / disc name, and the like, that is, information used to generate display data DD.
In order to generate the state data AST having such contents, the state data generation unit 67 obtains the information from the radio tuner unit 62, the MD signal processing unit 64, and the spectrum analyzer 66.
[0033]
3. Data communication between panel and main unit
Data communication between the panel unit 1 and the main body unit 2 having the configuration described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described.
[0034]
First, when the power is turned on, initial data INT is transmitted from the main unit 2 to the panel unit 1.
The audio control unit 53 stores, in an internal memory (for example, a nonvolatile memory), an operation state (state data) when the previous operation is turned off. That is, the source type, volume level, acoustic processing mode, spectrum analysis data at that time, the channel selection frequency when the source at that time is the radio tuner unit 62, and the case where the source at that time is MD The playback track number, playback position address, time information, and the like.
[0035]
The audio control unit 53 supplies information at the time of the previous end to the data creation unit 52, and generates initial data INT to be transmitted.
The initial data INT created by the data creation unit 52 is transmitted from the data communication unit 51 to the data communication unit 20 on the panel unit 1 side.
The data communication unit 20 transfers information related to the display operation at the time of activation among the received initial data INT to the display control unit 21 and causes the display unit 12 to execute the display operation. At least the source type data is transferred to the command generator 22. The command generator 22 sets the encoding mode of the command CM according to the source type data. This is because, for example, a key as the operation unit 15 may change the meaning of the operation depending on the source. For example, when the operator for instructing up / down is MD, the operation is to obtain the track number up / down, while when the source is the radio tuner unit 62, the operation is channel selection. It is a thing.
[0036]
When the user performs a certain operation using the operation unit 15, the command generation unit 22 generates an operation command CM corresponding to the operation (and the source at that time). The operation command CM is transmitted from the data communication unit 20 to the data communication unit 51 on the main body unit 2 side.
The data communication unit 51 transfers the received operation command CM to the audio control unit 53, and the audio control unit 53 sends the control signal CMS to the audio processing unit 54 so as to execute an operation according to the supplied operation command CM. Output. In the audio processing unit 54, various operations are executed in accordance with the control signal CMS as described above, thereby realizing the operation requested by the user.
[0037]
The state data AST is always supplied from the audio processing unit 54 to the audio control unit 53 during the period in which the operation of the audio processing unit 54 is being performed.
The audio control unit 53 transfers the supplied state data AST to the data creation unit 52, and the data creation unit 54 generates display data DD according to the state data AST. For example, the display data DD is generated according to the track number, time information, character information at the time of MD playback, the channel selection frequency at the time of radio reception, and the volume level and spectrum analysis data.
[0038]
The display data DD created by the data creation unit 52 is transmitted from the data communication unit 51 to the data communication unit 20 on the panel unit 1 side.
The data communication unit 20 transfers the received display data DD to the display control unit 21. The display control unit 21 executes a display operation on the display unit 12 based on the supplied display data DD.
Note that when the source is switched, the source type data is also transmitted together with the display data DD, and this is transferred to the command generation unit 22, and the command generation unit 22 converts the source type data into the source type data for the same reason as described above. Accordingly, the encoding mode of the command CM is set.
[0039]
By performing the various data communications as described above, the panel unit 1 and the main body unit 2 are separate devices, but the user can operate in the same manner as in a normal panel-integrated car audio device. A display operation can be provided.
Further, since such data communication is performed and the data communication format is defined, there is no problem even if the panel unit 1 is replaced as described with reference to FIG.
[0040]
4). Communication format
Here, a communication format in the communication operation will be described. This format is merely an example, and it is not always necessary to adopt this format in an actual apparatus. It suffices if a communication format unified between one or a plurality of types of main body units 2 and a plurality of types of panel units 1 are defined.
[0041]
In this example, as a communication format performed by the data communication units 20 and 51, for example, one data packet is defined as shown in FIG.
That is, following the header for identifying the synchronization and the packet head, a data packet having contents such as communication type, total data length, source type, data type, data D1, D2,... Is formed.
[0042]
The communication type is information indicating which communication among the above-described operation command CM, initial data INT, and display data DD is the data packet, and this communication type is assumed to be 2 bytes. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the values of the operation command CM, initial data INT, and display data DD are set.
For example, if the data packet is an operation command CM, the communication type is “0x00”. “0x” indicates that the subsequent numerical value is in hexadecimal notation.
[0043]
The total data length is a value indicating the data length of the data packet. This data packet has a variable length. That is, since the packet data length is varied according to the amount of data transmitted as data D1, D2,..., It is necessary to indicate the data length.
[0044]
The source type is information for specifying the source device, and for example, each value is defined as shown in FIG. “AM (0)” to “AM (2)” are first to third AM receiving devices, “FM (0)” to “FM (2)” are first to third FM receiving devices, “CD (0)” to “CD (2)” are the first to third CD players, “MD (0)” to “MD (2)” are the first to third MD players, “cassette” “(0)” and “cassette (1)” correspond to the first and second cassette decks.
Each of these values is set so as to correspond to the addition or change of equipment in the audio system.
In the case of this example having the above-described configuration, since it has three sources as an FM tuner, an AM tuner, and an MD player, the value of the source type included in the packet is “0x00”, “ 0x10 "or" 0x30 ".
[0045]
The data type is information indicating the command content and the type of data as data D1, D2,... And is defined as shown in FIG.
That is, for the operation command CM, values corresponding to respective operations such as seek, play (reproduction), stop (stop),... Are set as “0x00”, “0x01”.
For example, when an operation command CM as a reproduction operation is transmitted from the panel unit 1 to the main body unit 2, the packet has a communication type “0x00” to indicate that it is an operation command CM, and a data type “0x00”. It will be said.
On the other hand, for the packet as the initial data INT and the display data DD, the data type is “0x00”, “0x01”, etc. for various states (volume (volume), channel selection frequency, track...) As shown in the figure. Each value is defined. The data indicated by the data type is transmitted as data D1, D2,.
For example, when the current volume value (volume) is transmitted as the display data DD from the main unit 2 to the panel unit 1, the packet is indicated as the display data DD with the communication type “0x02”, and The data type is “0x00”, and the volume value is packetized as data D1.
[0046]
For example, the communication format is defined as described above.
Note that the examples in FIGS. 6 to 8 are merely illustrative examples, and the definition values and content types of each information are not limited thereto. For example, various types of data types other than those shown in FIG.
[0047]
5. Effect of this example
As described above, in the present example, the detachable panel portion 1 is formed with respect to the main body portion 2, and a specific attachment / detachment mechanism and communication format are adopted. Therefore, the manufacturer side can manufacture / sell the main body 2 and the panel 1 as independent devices, thereby allowing a general user to use a plurality of types of panel 1 for a single main body 2. Alternatively, a plurality of types of panel portions 1 can be provided for a plurality of types of main body portions 2. That is, even if the combination of the main body unit 2 and the panel unit 1 is changed, the car audio device operates without any problem.
Therefore, the user can purchase a combination of the front panel part that satisfies the design or the display / operation function with respect to the main body part 1 that satisfies the performance, and can eliminate the compromise and failure at the time of purchase. .
[0048]
Further, even if the user is tired of the design of the panel unit 1 after purchase, it is only necessary to purchase and replace the panel unit 1, so that the burden of replacement by the user can be greatly reduced, and the main body unit 2 can be used as it is. Therefore, the main body 2 is not wasted in terms of design problems. This is also suitable from the viewpoint of effective use of resources and the global environment.
Furthermore, in the case of a vehicle-mounted device, it is difficult for a general user to attach the main body 2 to the automobile console. However, in this example, it is only necessary to replace the panel 1. It does not take time.
Furthermore, when the user owns a plurality of panel units 1 by replacing or purchasing the panel unit 1, for example, the panel unit 1 can be replaced according to the mood of the day, that is, the design can be easily changed. Entertainment in the car can be improved.
[0049]
Further, from the viewpoint of the manufacturer, since the body part 2 and the panel part 1 can be designed / manufactured independently, the degree of freedom of design is greatly improved. Accordingly, it becomes easy to provide the panel unit 1 having various designs, and the options of the user can be increased.
[0050]
In addition, although it has basically been described that the panel unit 1 can be replaced with the main body unit 2, such a configuration can naturally replace the main body unit 2 with respect to the panel unit 1. It becomes.
For example, if the main unit 2 is out of order and you have to replace it, but you like the design of the panel unit 1, you can replace the main unit 2 only and the user likes it. In addition, the familiar operability can be maintained.
[0051]
6.2 DIN size example
In the above example, the 1DIN size MD player / tuner has been described as an example of the in-vehicle electronic device. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to the in-vehicle electronic device of 2DIN size.
For example, FIG. 9 shows an example of a 2DIN size CD player (front size is about 100 mm in length and about 178 mm in width).
[0052]
In this case, it is composed of the panel portion 3A and the main body portion 4. However, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a plurality of types of panel portions 3 (3A, 3B... ) Is provided.
In these panel portions 3 (3A, 3B,...), An insertion portion 19 for inserting a CD is formed, and a display portion 12, a release button 13, and an operation portion 15 are provided as in the above example.
[0053]
The front portion of the main body 4 is shown in FIG. 9C, and a disc loading hole 42 is formed at a position corresponding to the insertion portion 19. Further, a release switch 33 is provided at a position corresponding to the release button 13.
[0054]
Furthermore, although the back side of the panel portions 3A and 3B is not shown, connectors, locked portions, and engaged portions are formed on the back side of the panel portions 3A and 3B in the same manner as the panel portion 1 described above. The main body portion 4 is formed with a connector 32, a movable engagement claw 34, and a locking portion 35 at positions corresponding to them.
As described above, even in the case of a 2DIN size device, an attachment / detachment mechanism is formed as in the case of the 1DIN size device, a connector is formed, and a data communication unit as shown in FIG. 3 is provided as an internal configuration. In addition, since the above-described communication is executed, the same effect as in the 1DIN size example can be obtained.
[0055]
7). Processing examples related to display control
By the way, regardless of the 1DIN size and 2DIN size devices, as described above, the replacement of the panel unit 1 (or the panel unit 3; the same applies hereinafter) changes the display capability depending on the panel unit 1 to be attached.
For example, as the display unit 12, various types such as a display unit capable of displaying characters, a display unit capable of performing spectrum analysis display, or a display unit not compatible with these can be considered.
What kind of display capability is required in the panel unit 1 cannot be generally defined. As understood from the above description, the manufacturer provides the panel unit 1 with various display capabilities, The user selects it according to his / her preference.
[0056]
For this reason, for example, even if the main unit 2 transmits data in the panel unit 1 as the display data DD, the panel unit 1 may not be able to display it.
For this, the display control unit 21 of the panel unit 1 performs the process as shown in FIG. 10, or the data creation unit 52 performs the process as shown in FIG. It can respond.
[0057]
First, in the processing example of FIG. 10, the panel unit 1 ignores the data transmission of display data DD that cannot be displayed among the transmitted display data DD. That is, when transmission of the display data DD from the main unit 2 is received in step F101, it is determined in step F102 whether or not the display data content is displayable data, and if possible, the process proceeds to step F103 to perform display operation. If the contents cannot be displayed, the received data is discarded in step F104 so that the display is not performed.
[0058]
For example, considering that there is a panel unit 1C capable of spectrum analysis display as shown in FIG. 2C, the main body unit 1 transmits spectrum analysis data as one of the display data DD as described above. Become.
However, if the mounted panel unit 1 is a panel unit 1A that cannot perform spectrum analysis display as shown in FIG. 2A, the panel unit 1A is subjected to spectrum analysis as display data DD by the processing of FIG. If data is sent, it will be ignored.
[0059]
In addition to determining whether or not display is possible on the panel unit 1 side as described above, the display capability of the panel unit 1 mounted at that time is determined and transmitted on the main body unit 1 side as shown in FIG. There is also a method for selecting the display data DD.
[0060]
That is, in this case, when the panel unit 1 is attached to the main body unit 2, the communication is performed to transmit the display capability of the panel unit 1 to the main unit unit 2 at some timing (for this purpose, the display capability is transmitted). It is necessary to define the communication type (see FIGS. 5 and 6).
The main unit 2 displays a loop of steps F201 → F202 → F203 → F201 when there is no communication of display capability from the panel unit 1 (or when the attached panel unit 1 does not have a display capability communication function). Data DD transmission processing is performed. That is, the data creation unit 52 generates display data for all display contents and transmits it as the packet data described above. This generation / transmission operation is executed every time the status data AST is taken in and packet generation as the display data DD becomes possible.
In this case, the process of FIG.
[0061]
On the other hand, when the panel unit 1 has a display capability communication function, the display capability is transmitted to the main body unit 2 at a certain time after mounting. In this case, the process proceeds from step F201 to F204, and the data creation unit 52 sets the type of display content that can be displayed on the panel unit 1.
Thereafter, the loop processing of steps F205 and F206 is performed. That is, the data creation unit 52 generates display data only for display contents set as displayable, and transmits it as packet data described above. This generation / transmission operation is executed every time necessary status data AST is fetched and a packet as display data DD can be generated.
In this case, only the display data DD having the contents that can be displayed on the panel unit 1 is transmitted to the panel unit 1 side, so that the process shown in FIG. 10 is not necessary on the panel unit 1 side.
[0062]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the in-vehicle electronic device of the present invention, or the main body device and the front panel device constituting the in-vehicle electronic device are limited to the configurations and operations in the above-described examples. However, various modifications are possible.
For example, various types of car audio devices such as a cassette deck, a CD / MD player, an amplifier unit, a CD changer player, and an MD changer player can be considered as the types of devices, as well as the above-described MD player / tuner and CD player. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to various in-vehicle electronic devices such as video devices, television devices, navigation devices, in-vehicle personal computers, and communication devices.
In addition, it goes without saying that the configuration of each unit in the embodiment can be replaced with other means having the same function. For example, the display unit 12 is not limited to a liquid crystal panel.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As can be seen from the above description, in the present invention, a detachable front panel portion (front panel device) is formed with respect to the main body portion (main body device) of the electronic apparatus, and a specific detachable mechanism and communication format are adopted. Thus, a plurality of types of front panel units can be provided to the user.
Therefore, the user can purchase a combination of a front panel portion that is satisfactory in terms of design and a main body portion that is satisfactory in terms of performance, and can eliminate compromises and failures at the time of purchase.
[0064]
Further, even if the user is tired of the design of the front panel after purchase, it is only necessary to purchase and replace the front panel, so that the burden of replacement by the user can be greatly reduced. In addition, since the main body can be effectively used as it is, it is possible to prevent an increase in waste without wasting the main body when the user simply wants to replace the main body in terms of design problems.
Furthermore, in the case of an in-vehicle electronic device, it is difficult for a general user to mount the device on the automobile console. However, in the present invention, only the front panel portion needs to be replaced, so that it does not take time.
Further, even if such replacement of the front panel portion is performed, the front panel portion that has been used can be used effectively thereafter. In other words, if the user owns multiple front panel parts, it can be used to replace the front panel part according to the mood of the day, or to change back to the original design, etc. The front panel part used until then does not become waste. Therefore, it is suitable for effective use of resources and the global environment.
[0065]
Further, from the viewpoint of the manufacturer, the main body (main body device) and the front panel (front panel device) can be designed / manufactured independently. In other words, the degree of freedom of design is greatly improved except that a specific attachment / detachment mechanism or communication format is assumed. As a result, for example, it becomes easy to provide products with very diverse designs as the front panel unit, and the options of the user can be increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an appearance example of an in-vehicle electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of attachment and detachment of the panel unit and the main body unit of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration of a panel unit and a main body unit according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an audio processing unit of the main body according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a communication format employed in the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a definition of a communication type of a communication format according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a definition of a source type of a communication format according to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a definition of a data type of a communication format according to the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a 2DIN size vehicle-mounted electronic device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of display control processing according to the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of display data generation processing according to the embodiment;
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a mounted state of the in-vehicle electronic device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 3, 3A, 3B Panel section, 2, 4 Main body section, 11, 19 Insertion section, 12 Display section, 13 Release button, 15 Operation section, 16 Connector, 20 Data communication section, 21 Display Control unit, 22 command generation unit, 31 disk loading hole, 32 connector, 33 release switch, 51 data communication unit, 52 data creation unit, 53 audio control unit, 54 audio processing unit, 55 audio output unit, 56 power supply unit

Claims (3)

A vehicle-mounted electronic device in which a main body and a front panel are separated,
The main body is
Front panel mounting means that can attach and detach a plurality of types of front panels corresponding to a predetermined communication format and having a corresponding attaching / detaching means formed on the front surface portion,
Communication is possible with the front panel mounted, and at least display data can be transmitted to the front panel and operation commands from the front panel can be received by the predetermined communication format. Communication means;
Operation execution means for performing a required operation in response to an operation command received by the communication means;
Generating means for generating the display data in accordance with an operation state of the operation executing means;
Is provided,
The front panel is
Attaching / detaching means corresponding to the front panel mounting means of the main body,
Operation means;
It is possible to communicate in a state of being attached to the main body by the attaching / detaching means, and at least the operation command corresponding to the operation of the operating means can be transmitted to the main body by the predetermined communication format, and Communication means capable of receiving the display data from the main body,
Display means capable of performing a display operation based on the display data received by the communication means;
As well as
The communication means of the front panel transmits the display capability of the display means to the main body,
The in-vehicle electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the generation unit of the main body unit sets a display data type based on the display capability transmitted from the front panel unit, and generates display data based on the set display data type. machine. Front panel mounting means that can attach and detach a plurality of types of front panel devices corresponding to a predetermined communication format and formed with corresponding mounting and dismounting means on the front surface part,
In a state in which a certain front panel device is mounted, it is possible to communicate with the mounted front panel device, and at least display data can be transmitted to the front panel device by the predetermined communication format. Communication means capable of receiving an operation command from the front panel device;
Operation execution means for performing a required operation in response to an operation command received by the communication means;
Generating means for generating the display data in accordance with an operation state of the operation executing means;
Is provided ,
The generation unit receives the display capability of the display unit of the front panel device transmitted from the front panel device by the communication unit, and the generation unit sets a display data type based on the display capability, and the set A main body of an in-vehicle electronic device, characterized in that display data is generated based on a display data type . Attaching / detaching means that corresponds to a predetermined communication format and is attachable to and detachable from a main body device on which a corresponding front panel mounting means is formed,
Operation means;
The attachment / detachment means enables communication with the main body apparatus in a state of being attached to the main body apparatus, and at least according to the operation of the operation means with respect to the main body apparatus by the predetermined communication format. A communication means capable of transmitting a display operation command and receiving the display data from the main device;
Display means capable of performing a display operation based on the display data received by the communication means;
Is provided ,
The front panel device of an in-vehicle electronic device, wherein the communication unit transmits the display capability of the display unit to the main unit.

Images