JP4276722B2 - In-vehicle electronic device connection confirmation system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connection confirmation system for confirming the connection of an external unit to a control unit of an electronic device, and in particular, to confirm the connection of an in- vehicle electronic device with improved connection confirmation of an external unit that is frequently attached to and detached from a control unit. The present invention relates to a system and a control method thereof .
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an ordinary vehicle-mounted acoustic system, an external unit such as a compact disc (CD) player, a mini disc (MD) player, or a cassette player is connected to a control unit including a control device, an amplifier and a tuner via a data bus. Are connected so that various data can be exchanged between the control unit and each external unit.
[0003]
In such an acoustic system, the connection confirmation of the external unit is executed when the control unit executes processing according to a predetermined program. This is a system check in which, when an external unit is connected, the connection state is determined, an external device to be controlled by the center unit is determined according to the determination result, and a processing procedure related to the external device is incorporated into the system. Is to do.
[0004]
By the way, the front panel of the control unit described above is provided with operation units such as a power switch, a volume controller, a music selection button, and a channel selection button. And a user can use an acoustic system by operating this operation part. The front panel provided with such an operation unit may be configured as a DCP (Detachable Control Panel) unit that is detachable from the control unit. When the user leaves the vehicle body, the DCP unit is removed from the control unit body and carried, thereby making the control unit body and the external unit left on the vehicle body substantially unusable and the sound system being stolen. This is to prevent this.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the acoustic system including the DCP unit as described above, when the DCP unit is detached from the control unit and then attached again, the control unit side determines that a new external unit is connected, and at the time of initial connection. In the same way, the connection check of the entire system is performed. However, since the removal of the DCP unit is performed every time the user leaves the vehicle body, it is naturally scheduled to be performed frequently. Therefore, it is not preferable in view of the processing efficiency of the system to repeat the connection confirmation that requires a predetermined processing time each time the DCP unit is attached to the control unit, and the user cannot resume the use until the connection confirmation is completed. It is.
[0006]
The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object thereof is an external unit that is frequently attached and detached among external units connected to a control unit of an electronic device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection confirmation system for a vehicle-mounted electronic device that can efficiently and promptly perform processing of a control unit by minimizing the connection confirmation for the above and a control method therefor.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an identification number transmitted from the external unit when the external unit is detachably connected to at least one external unit storing a different identification number for each unit. In the in-vehicle electronic device connection confirmation system that includes a control unit that stores and stores an external unit having the stored identification number, the control unit receives the identification number transmitted from the external unit Means for transmitting “information indicating connection state” to the external unit, the external unit stores the “information indicating connection state”, and stores the memory when the connection with the control unit is released The volatile memory from which the contents are erased and the “information indicating the connection state” are stored and stored regardless of the connection with the control unit. A nonvolatile memory for holding the contents, and a writing means for writing the storage contents of the nonvolatile memory to the volatile memory when connected to the control unit, and after the writing by the writing means, the volatile Means for detecting whether or not the memory content exists in the memory; means for transmitting an identification number to the control unit if the memory content does not exist in the volatile memory; and the memory content in the volatile memory. Comprises means to be controlled by the control unit without transmitting an identification number to the control unit.
[0008]
The in-vehicle electronic device connection confirmation system according to claim 1 can also be understood as an invention of a control method of the in-vehicle electronic device connection confirmation system, as described in claim 2.
[0013]
In the first and second aspects of the invention as described above, when the external unit is first connected to the control unit, it is detected that there is no connection state storage in the volatile memory and the nonvolatile memory. Therefore, the external unit requests the control unit to determine the connection state, and the system check is performed. The result is stored in the volatile memory and the nonvolatile memory. Thereafter, when the external unit is removed from the control unit to prevent theft, the stored contents of the volatile memory are erased, but the stored contents of the nonvolatile memory are retained. Furthermore, when the external unit is attached to the control unit again, it is detected that the determination result of the connection state is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the determination result is written in the volatile memory. Then, it is detected that the determination result exists in the volatile memory, and the external unit does not make a connection state determination request to the control unit, and the system check is not performed. Therefore, in the case of an external unit that is frequently attached and detached, the system check is omitted when attaching and detaching the second transition, and the processing efficiency is improved.
[0015]
In the invention according to claim 2 as described above, the second storage means can hold the memory even after the external unit is detached from the control unit. Therefore, even when the user removes the external unit to prevent theft, if the adjustment value of the control unit set at that time is stored in the second storage means, the user can control the external unit. When the unit is mounted again, there is no need to set an adjustment value again. Then, after the self-diagnosis is performed by changing the adjustment value of the function of the control unit in a factory or the like, the reset instruction means of the control unit is operated before shipment. Then, an instruction from the reset instruction means is transmitted to the external unit, and this is detected, so that the stored contents of the second storage means are initialized. Therefore, when the user uses the system for the first time, the occurrence of inconvenience as in the case where the adjustment value setting at the time of self-diagnosis is held is prevented.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
(1) Configuration of Embodiment 1-1. Overall Configuration The electronic device connection confirmation system according to the present embodiment is configured in a center unit 1 and a DCP unit 2 that control in-vehicle acoustic devices, as shown in the overall configuration diagram of FIG. In the present embodiment, a DCP unit 2 and a CD player 3 are connected to the center unit 1 from the outside via a data bus 4. The center unit 1 and the DCP unit 2 are connected via an initial line 5. Further, the center unit 1 and the DCP unit 2 are connected to the main power supply via the main power supply line 6.
[0018]
1-1-1. The center unit center unit 1 is provided with a control circuit 10, a connection state storage unit 11, a reset button 12, and a transmission / reception unit 13. The connection state storage unit 11 is a memory that stores identification numbers received from the DSP unit 2 and the CD player 3. The reset button 12 is a switch through which the user inputs an instruction to restart the control circuit 10. The transmission / reception unit 13 transmits / receives information to / from the DCP unit 2 and the CD player 3 via the data bus 4. For example, the identification number from the CDP unit 2 and the CD player 3, and connection confirmation Has a function of receiving a command or the like for requesting or sending an instruction input by the reset button 12.
[0019]
1-1-2. The DCP unit DCP unit 2 includes a control circuit 20, an operation unit 21, an identification number storage unit 22, a confirmation request command storage unit 23, a volatile memory 24, a nonvolatile memory 25, and a transmission / reception unit 26. The operation unit 21 is a switch including a plurality of operation buttons for power supply, volume adjustment, music selection / playback, and the like. The identification number storage unit 22 is a memory that stores the identification number of the DCP unit 2 itself. The confirmation request command storage unit 23 is a memory that stores a command for requesting the center unit 1 to confirm connection.
[0020]
The volatile memory 24 and the nonvolatile memory 25 are memories that store identification numbers of external units connected to the center unit 1. The volatile memory 24 is connected to the main power supply line 6 together with the control circuit 20 and is backed up. However, when the connection between the center unit 1 and the DCP unit 2 is released, the stored contents disappear. .
[0021]
On the other hand, even if the connection between the center unit 1 and the DCP unit 2 is released, the stored contents of the nonvolatile memory 25 are retained. The non-volatile memory 25 is configured to store adjustment values such as volume, balance, and fader set by the user operating the operation unit 21. .
[0022]
The transmission / reception unit 26 transmits / receives information to / from the center unit 1 via the data bus 4. For example, the transmission / reception unit 26 transmits an identification number and a command for requesting connection confirmation to the center unit 1. It has a function of receiving an instruction input from the reset button 12.
[0023]
1-1-3. CD player The CD player 3 is provided with a control circuit 30, an identification number storage unit 31, a confirmation request command storage unit 32, and a transmission / reception unit 33. The identification number storage unit 31 is a memory that stores the identification number of the CD player 3 itself. The confirmation request command storage unit 32 is a memory that stores a command for requesting the center unit 1 to confirm connection. The transmission / reception unit 32 transmits / receives information to / from the center unit 1, and has a function of transmitting an identification number, a command for requesting connection confirmation, and the like to the center unit 1, for example.
[0024]
1-2. Configuration of Control Circuits for Center Unit and DCP Unit The functions provided for the above-described control circuits 10 and 20 in the center unit 1 and DCP unit 2 to perform connection confirmation will be described with reference to FIG. The functions of these control circuits are actually realized by controlling the microcomputer mounted in each unit with software such as an embedded program.
[0025]
In this case, what kind of CPU is used, what kind of programming system is used, whether software is recorded in a ROM chip, whether it is read from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and executed. Various configurations are possible. Therefore, in FIG. 1, the present embodiment will be described using virtual circuit blocks each having a certain function. Note that a description of functional parts of the control circuit 10 as a general sound reproduction system is omitted.
[0026]
1-2-1. The center unit control circuit control circuit 10 is provided with connection state determination means 10a, system check means 10b, reset means 10c, and initial line control means 10d. The connection state determination means 10a is a means for determining the connection state with these external units when receiving identification numbers and confirmation request commands from the DCP unit 2 and the CD player 3. The system check means 10b is a means for executing a system check in which the external unit determined to be connected by the connection state determination means 10a is controlled by the center unit 1. The reset unit 10 c is a unit that restarts the system in response to an input from the reset button 12. The initial line control means 10 d is means for controlling the initial line 5 in response to an input from the reset button 12.
[0027]
1-2-2. The control circuit control circuit 20 of the CDP unit is provided with operation input control means 20a, connection information control means 20b, write control means 20c, storage detection means 20d, reset detection means 20e, and initialization means 20f. The operation input control means 20a is a means for generating an instruction signal for power source switching, volume adjustment, music selection / playback, etc. to the center unit 1 in accordance with an input from the operation unit 21. The connection information control means 20b is a means for controlling an identification number transmitted / received in the DCP unit 2 and a command for requesting connection confirmation.
[0028]
The writing control means 20 c is means for controlling writing of identification numbers into the volatile memory 24 and the nonvolatile memory 25. The storage detection unit 20 d is a unit that detects the storage contents stored in the volatile memory 24 and the nonvolatile memory 25. The reset detection unit 20 e is a unit that detects an instruction input from the reset button 12 of the center unit 1. The initialization unit 20f is a unit that initializes the nonvolatile memory 25 when an instruction input is detected by the reset detection unit 20e.
[0029]
(2) Operation of Embodiment The operation of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0030]
2-1. Procedure for Confirming Connection First, as shown in FIG. 2, when the DCP unit 2 is connected to the center unit 1, the DSP unit 2 is connected to the main power supply via the main power supply line 6 (step 201). . And the memory | storage detection means 20d in the DCP unit 2 detects the presence or absence of the memory content of the non-volatile memory 25 and the volatile memory 24 (step 202, 204). Here, since there is no storage content in the nonvolatile memory 25 and the volatile memory 24 at the time of initial connection, when this is detected by the storage detection means 20d, the connection information control means 20b causes the identification number storage section 22 and the confirmation to be confirmed. The identification number and confirmation request command stored in the request command storage unit 23 are transmitted to the center unit 1 (step 205).
[0031]
In the center unit 1, the connection state determination means 10a operates in response to the reception of the confirmation request command, and it is determined that the DCP unit 2 is connected based on the received identification number (step 206). The identification number representing such a connection state is stored in the connection state storage unit 11 and is transmitted again to the DCP unit 2 side and stored in the volatile memory 24 and the nonvolatile memory 25 (step 207).
[0032]
Thus, when it is determined that the DCP unit 2 is connected by the connection state determination unit 10a, a system check is performed by the system check unit 10b (step 208). After the system check, according to the operation of the operation unit 21 by the user, volume adjustment, music selection / playback instruction, and the like can be performed to perform an operation as a normal sound system (step 209).
[0033]
Next, when the user leaves the vehicle body, the DCP unit 2 is removed from the center unit 1 and carried. When the DCP unit 2 is removed from the center unit 1 in this way, the stored contents of the volatile memory 24 disconnected from the main power supply disappear, but the stored contents of the nonvolatile memory 25 are retained.
[0034]
In this state, when the user returning to the vehicle body connects the DCP unit 2 to the center unit 1 again, the DSP unit 2 is connected to the main power supply via the main power supply line 6 (step 201). Then, the storage detection unit 20d detects whether or not an identification number representing the connection state is stored in the nonvolatile memory 25. At the time of this reconnection, the connection state is detected in the nonvolatile memory 25 as described above. Since it is held (step 202), this is detected, and the writing control means 20c writes the storage content of the nonvolatile memory 25 into the volatile memory 24 (step 203). Thereafter, the storage detection unit 20d detects whether or not the storage content exists in the volatile memory 24. However, since the storage content exists in the volatile memory 24 by the writing process, this is detected. (Step 204), shift to normal operation (Step 209).
[0035]
When the CD player 3 is connected to the center unit 1, the identification number and confirmation request command are transmitted from the identification number storage unit 31 and the confirmation request command storage unit 32 to the center unit 1. When the center unit 1 receives the confirmation request command, the connection state determination unit 10a determines the connection of the CD player 3, stores the identification number in the connection state storage unit 11, and performs the system check by the system check unit 10b. Is done.
[0036]
2-2. System Reset Procedure As described above, adjustment values set by the user are stored in the nonvolatile memory 25. The stored contents are retained even if the connection between the center unit 1 and the DCP unit 2 is released. Accordingly, when the user removes the DCP unit 2 when leaving the vehicle body and then attaches the DCP unit 2 again, the adjustment value stored in the non-volatile memory 25 can be stored without the user having to reset the adjustment value. Use can be started on the basis.
[0037]
By the way, in a factory or the like that manufactures each unit, at the final stage of the manufacturing process, a diagnosis is made as to whether or not the manufactured product operates normally. For example, in the case of an on-vehicle audio device, such diagnosis is performed by connecting a self-diagnosis device to the vehicle via a bus and changing adjustment values such as volume, balance, and fader of the audio device. Since the adjustment value is stored in the non-volatile memory 25 as described above, the memory is retained even if the DCP unit 2 is removed from the center unit 1 after the self-diagnosis is completed.
[0038]
However, the range of change in the adjustment value during such self-diagnosis is wider than the range of change in the adjustment value during normal use. For example, after the self-diagnosis, the adjustment value of the volume may be maximum. There is. Therefore, if the product is shipped from the factory in such a state, when the user purchases the product for the first time, for example, the volume may suddenly become maximum, which may damage the device. There is.
[0039]
In order to avoid this, in the present embodiment, when the reset button 12 provided on the center unit 1 is pressed to instruct the system to be restarted before shipping from the factory, the nonvolatile memory 25 of the DCP unit 2 is instructed. The contents are also configured to be initialized. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the reset button 12 of the center unit 1 is pressed (step 301), the system on the center unit 1 side is restarted by the reset means 10c (step 302).
[0040]
Then, the initial line control means 10d switches the active state of the initial line 5 to the communicable active state (step 303), so that the instruction input from the reset button 12 is transmitted to the DCP unit 2 side via the initial line 5. (Step 304). Thereafter, the initial line control means 10d switches the initial line 5 to an inactive state where communication is impossible (step 305).
[0041]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, in the DCP unit 2, when the instruction input of the reset button 12 is received from the center unit 1 (step 401), the instruction input is detected by the reset detection means 20e (step 402). The initialization unit 20f initializes the nonvolatile memory 25 (step 403). In this way, shipment from the factory is performed with the nonvolatile memory 25 initialized.
[0042]
(3) Effects of Embodiment The effects of the present embodiment as described above are as follows. That is, for the DCP unit 2 that is frequently attached / detached from / from the center unit 1, connection confirmation is performed only at the initial connection, and connection confirmation is not performed even if attachment / detachment is repeated thereafter. For this reason, the processing efficiency of the system is improved, and the user can resume the use at an early stage after the DCP unit 2 is mounted, which is convenient.
[0043]
Further, since the nonvolatile memory 25 is utilized as the adjustment value storage means, the adjustment value set to the user's favorite value by the user's operation is held as it is, and it is not necessary to set the adjustment value again. It is.
[0044]
Furthermore, since the non-volatile memory 25 can be easily initialized after the self-diagnosis and before shipment from the factory by operating the reset button 12, the adjustment value must be set when the user first uses the product after purchasing it. Has been initialized, and the situation where the volume suddenly becomes maximum is prevented.
[0045]
(4) Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the external unit connected to the center unit 1 which is a control unit is not limited to the DCP unit 2 or the CD player 3, but other audio devices such as an MD player, a cassette player, an amplifier, a tuner, a television, etc. It may also be an electronic device other than an audio device, such as a navigation system. The number of connected external units can be freely increased or decreased.
[0046]
It is also possible to omit the initial line 5 and transmit / receive a reset instruction via the data bus 4 only. In addition, as one of the operation units 21 on the DCP unit 2 side, a switch for inputting an instruction to initialize the nonvolatile memory 25 can be separately provided. Furthermore, a recording medium on which a computer program for realizing the functions of the present invention is recorded is also an aspect of the present invention.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention as described above, the processing of the control unit is efficiently performed by minimizing the connection confirmation of the external unit that is frequently attached and detached among the external units connected to the control unit of the electronic device. It is possible to provide an in- vehicle electronic device connection confirmation system that can be performed quickly and well , and a control method thereof.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a connection confirmation system for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for confirming connection of a DCP unit in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the center unit side when the reset button is pressed according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the DCP unit side when the reset button is pressed according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Center unit 2 ... DCP unit 3 ... CD player 4 ... Data bus 5 ... Initial line 10, 20, 30 ... Control circuit 10a ... Connection state determination means 10b ... System check means 10c ... Reset means 10d ... Initial line control means 11 Connection state storage unit 12 Reset button 13, 26, 33 Transmission / reception unit 20a Operation input control unit 20b Connection information control unit 20c Write control unit 20d Storage detection unit 20e Reset detection unit 20f Initialization unit 21 ... operation units 22 and 31 ... identification number storage units 23 and 32 ... confirmation request command storage unit 24 ... volatile memory 25 ... non-volatile memory 201 transition ... each step of the procedure

Claims (2)

At least one external unit storing a different identification number for each unit;
When an external unit is detachably connected, an identification number transmitted from the external unit is stored, and an in-vehicle electronic device provided with a control unit that controls the external unit having the stored identification number In the confirmation system,
The control unit is
When receiving the identification number transmitted from the external unit, comprising means for transmitting "information indicating connection state" to the external unit,
The external unit is
A volatile memory that stores the “information indicating the connection state” and that erases the stored content when the connection with the control unit is released;
Non-volatile memory that stores the “information indicating the connection state” and holds the stored contents regardless of whether or not connected to the control unit;
Writing means for writing the storage content of the nonvolatile memory to the volatile memory when connected to the control unit;
Means for detecting whether or not storage content exists in the volatile memory after writing by the writing means;
Means for transmitting an identification number to the control unit if there is no stored content in the volatile memory;
An in-vehicle electronic device connection confirmation system comprising: means for controlling by a control unit without transmitting an identification number to the control unit when stored content exists in the volatile memory. When a control unit and an external unit, which are electronic devices, are connected to each other,
In the control method of the connection confirmation system of the in-vehicle electronic device that determines the connection state and sets the external unit as the control target of the control unit,
A volatile memory capable of storing the determination result and erasing the stored content upon disconnection from the control unit;
A non-volatile memory capable of storing the determination result and capable of holding the stored content regardless of the presence or absence of connection with the control unit;
When the external unit and the control unit are connected,
When it is detected that there is no connection state determination result in the volatile memory and the nonvolatile memory provided in the external unit,
A step of determining a connection state;
Storing the determination result in the volatile memory and the nonvolatile memory;
Holding the storage content of the non-volatile memory even when the storage content of the volatile memory is erased by disconnecting the external unit and the control unit;
Thereafter, when the external unit and the control unit are connected, the determination result stored in the nonvolatile memory is written to the volatile memory;
A step of not determining the connection state when it is detected that a determination result exists in the volatile memory provided in the external unit;
A control method for a connection confirmation system for an in-vehicle electronic device, comprising:

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