JP5633460B2 - Control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device.

  As mobile phones become widespread in society, proposals for cooperation between automobiles and mobile phones are also being made. For example, Patent Document 1 below proposes a technique for displaying a navigation application for a mobile phone on a vehicle-mounted display.

JP 2010-26104 A

  In the current situation where mobile phones have become smart phones, it is possible to consider various possibilities of collaboration with in-vehicle devices that have not been considered in the past. Smartphones have a larger display and operation screen, and can be operated with a touchpad, improving the user interface. Therefore, for example, if a system for controlling an in-vehicle device with a smartphone is constructed, it is considered that convenience for the user is enhanced.

  There are points to consider when using a smartphone as an operating device for an in-vehicle device. For example, when equipped with a box (or cradle) for fixing a smartphone, there are multiple models of smartphones, each of which has a different size. In addition, when the communication between the smartphone and the vehicle side is a wired connection in consideration of the communication speed, the standard and position of the external input terminal of the smartphone are usually different for each smartphone, and it is necessary to cope with it.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to connect a smartphone (or a tablet-type information terminal) to a vehicle in a wired manner and control it as an operation device for an in-vehicle device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device that can cope with differences in the specifications and positions of connection terminals.

In order to achieve the above object, a control device according to the present invention exposes a tablet-type information terminal that is arranged in a vehicle interior of a vehicle and includes a display screen having a touchpad function, and the display screen is exposed in the vehicle interior. A fixed portion that is fixed in such a manner, a display portion that is disposed in a vehicle interior of the vehicle, a connection portion that is connected to the external connection terminal of the tablet information terminal fixed to the fixed portion, and the connection portion. The signal indicating the operation input to the touch pad of the information terminal transmitted via the connection unit is received via the connection unit, and the display content displayed on the display unit can be selected, and the vehicle is mounted based on the selection result and a control means for performing control of the apparatus, in a state in which the tablet information terminal are not fixed to the fixed portion, it performs the tablet information terminal and the wireless communication, the tablet information terminal Come, shape, and a wireless communication unit for obtaining information on standards and the position of the connecting portion, comprising the.

  As a result, in the control device according to the present invention, the tablet type information terminal is fixed to the fixed part of the vehicle, the external connection terminal is connected by wire communication, and the vehicle interior corresponds to the touch to the touch pad of the tablet type information terminal. Since the display contents displayed on the display unit arranged in the display area can be selected, the operation of the in-vehicle device can be executed based on the selection of the display contents. It can be used as an operation device of the apparatus, and high convenience can be achieved in a situation where the performance of the tablet information terminal is improved. In particular, since the tablet type information terminal is connected to the vehicle by wired communication, the problem of slow communication speed in the case of wireless communication can be avoided.

  The fixing portion may have a housing shape with an upper opening, and the connection portion may be provided on an inner wall surface of the housing shape.

  According to this invention, since the user accommodates the tablet information terminal in the housing shape from the upper opening and connects the connection unit arranged on the inner wall surface and the tablet information terminal by wired communication, the tablet information A structure can be provided in which the terminal is stably fixed and securely connected by wire communication.

  The control means transmits first software for displaying the operation screen of the in-vehicle device on the display screen of the tablet information terminal to the tablet information terminal connected by wire communication to the connection unit. A transmission unit may be provided.

  According to the present invention, the software is transmitted to the tablet information terminal in order to display the operation screen of the in-vehicle device, so that the user can display, for example, an icon in the operation screen of the in-vehicle device displayed on the display screen of the tablet information terminal. The vehicle-mounted device can be operated by an operation such as touching. Therefore, the in-vehicle device can be operated by operating the tablet information terminal.

  Moreover, the display content displayed on the display unit may be an operation screen indicating a method for inputting an operation of the in-vehicle device by a user.

  According to this invention, since the operation screen showing the operation input method of the in-vehicle device by the user is displayed on the display unit on the vehicle side, the user can input the in-vehicle device by touch operation input to the tablet information terminal while looking at the large display unit of the vehicle Can be controlled. Therefore, the convenience of in-vehicle device operation can be improved by effectively using the tablet type information terminal with higher functionality.

  Display control means for controlling the display content displayed on the display screen when the application software included in the tablet information terminal connected to the connection unit by wired communication is executed, to be displayed on the display unit May be provided.

  According to the present invention, when the application software (application) provided in the tablet information terminal is executed, the display content on the tablet information terminal side is displayed on the display unit on the vehicle side. It can be seen on the display on the vehicle side. Therefore, in combination with the above, it is possible to realize both functions of the operation of the in-vehicle device by the tablet information terminal and the display on the vehicle side when the application of the tablet information terminal is executed, and the convenience is further improved.

  The fixing unit may include a movable wall for fixing the tablet information terminal even if the size and shape of the tablet information terminal are different.

  According to this invention, the fixed part can also fix the tablet-type information terminal from which a magnitude | size and a shape differ by moving a wall part reliably. Therefore, it can be applied to various types of tablet information terminals.

  Moreover, it is good also as providing the charging means for charging the tablet type information terminal fixed to the said fixing | fixed part.

  According to the present invention, since the tablet information terminal can be charged by the charging means, charging is also performed by effectively using the configuration in which the tablet information terminal is connected by wire communication, and the battery of the tablet information terminal is avoided. be able to.

  The tablet type information terminal may be provided with a switching means for switching between a state where the tablet type information terminal is connected by wired communication and a state where the tablet type information terminal is not connected by wired communication.

  According to this invention, it is possible to switch between the state where the tablet-type information terminal is used for the operation of the in-vehicle device and the state where it is simply placed by the switching means.

  Further, the switching means may be arranged in the fixed portion as a switch that receives an input from a user.

  According to the present invention, the user can easily switch between a state in which the tablet-type information terminal is used for the operation of the in-vehicle device and a state in which the tablet-type information terminal is simply placed by operating a switch provided in the fixed portion.

  In addition, when the tablet type information terminal is placed on the fixed part, the connection unit connects the external connection terminal of the tablet type information terminal by wired communication according to the position of the external connection terminal in the tablet type information terminal. You may do that.

  According to this invention, since the external connection terminal of the tablet information terminal is connected by wire communication according to the position of the external connection terminal in the tablet information terminal, the position of the external connection terminal in the tablet information terminal of a different model or model number The tablet type information terminal can be securely connected by wire communication.

  In addition, wireless communication with the tablet information terminal is performed in a state where the tablet information terminal is not fixed to the fixed portion, and information on the size, shape, connection portion standard and position of the tablet information terminal is obtained. It may be provided with a wireless communication unit.

  According to the present invention, before the tablet information terminal is fixed to the fixing unit, the size, shape, standard and position information of the tablet information terminal is acquired by wireless communication. After acquiring information about the size, shape, and standard and position of the tablet information terminal, the tablet information terminal can be securely fixed and the external connection terminal can be connected by wire communication.

  The fixing unit may include a first fixing unit that fixes the tablet information terminal using the size and shape information of the tablet information terminal acquired by the wireless communication unit.

  According to this invention, after acquiring information on the size and shape of the tablet information terminal through wireless communication, the tablet information terminal can be securely fixed.

  In addition, the connection unit includes first connection means for connecting the external connection terminal of the tablet information terminal by wire communication using the standard and position information of the connection unit of the tablet information terminal acquired by the wireless communication unit. May be.

  According to the present invention, the external connection terminal of the tablet information terminal can be reliably connected by wire communication after acquiring the standard and position information of the connection unit of the tablet information terminal by wireless communication.

  In addition, the fixing unit includes a mounting surface on which the tablet information terminal is mounted, and a step forming unit that forms a step indicating a position on which the tablet information terminal is mounted on the mounting surface. Also good.

  According to the present invention, the step indicating the position where the tablet information terminal is placed is formed on the placement surface on which the tablet information terminal is placed, so that the user can touch the step with the fingertip, for example, Appropriate placement location of the type information terminal can be recognized. Therefore, more appropriate fixation of the tablet information terminal can be realized.

  Moreover, the said fixing | fixed part may be provided with the 1st input means which receives the input from the user who adjusts the position of the horizontal direction of the tablet-type information terminal fixed to the fixing | fixed part.

  According to the present invention, the user can adjust the fixed position of the tablet information terminal in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the tablet information terminal can be fixed at a horizontal position that is most convenient for the user.

  Moreover, the said fixing | fixed part may be provided with the 2nd input means which receives the input from the user who adjusts the position of the vertical direction of the tablet-type information terminal fixed to the fixing | fixed part.

  According to the present invention, the user can adjust the fixed position of the tablet information terminal in the vertical direction. Therefore, the tablet information terminal can be fixed at a vertical position that is most convenient for the user.

  Further, from the tablet type information terminal, according to the acquisition means for acquiring the model name and model number information of the tablet type information terminal, and the model name and model number information of the tablet type information terminal acquired by the acquisition unit, It is good also as providing the 2nd transmission means which transmits the software for controlling the said vehicle equipment by contact operation with respect to the said tablet-type information terminal fixed by the fixing | fixed part to the said tablet-type information terminal.

  According to the present invention, information on the model name and model number of the tablet information terminal is acquired, and software for controlling the in-vehicle device is transmitted to the tablet information terminal according to the information. The on-vehicle device can be appropriately controlled according to the terminal performance.

  Further, from the tablet type information terminal, according to the acquisition means for acquiring the model name and model number information of the tablet type information terminal, and the model name and model number information of the tablet type information terminal acquired by the acquisition unit, Third transmission means for transmitting display software of the display screen of the tablet information terminal for controlling the in-vehicle device by a contact operation on the tablet information terminal fixed by a fixing unit to the tablet information terminal; May be provided.

  According to the present invention, the model name and model number information of the tablet information terminal is acquired, and display software for controlling the in-vehicle device is transmitted to the tablet information terminal according to the information. Depending on the performance of the display screen of the terminal, the display processing of the tablet information terminal can be appropriately executed when controlling the in-vehicle device.

  Further, from the tablet type information terminal, according to the acquisition means for acquiring the model name and model number information of the tablet type information terminal, and the model name and model number information of the tablet type information terminal acquired by the acquisition unit, The fixing unit may include fixing control means for controlling the fixing unit to fix the tablet information terminal so that the display screen of the tablet information terminal is arranged at a predetermined position.

  According to this invention, the model name and model number information of the tablet information terminal is acquired, and the display screen of the tablet information terminal is fixed to a predetermined position according to the information. The position of the tablet information terminal can be determined appropriately according to the size and shape of the terminal.

  Further, from the tablet type information terminal, according to the acquisition means for acquiring the model name and model number information of the tablet type information terminal, and the model name and model number information of the tablet type information terminal acquired by the acquisition unit, Display control means for converting the display image on the display screen of the tablet-type information terminal and controlling the display image to be displayed on the display unit.

  According to the present invention, since the model name and model number information of the tablet information terminal is acquired and the display content of the tablet information terminal is displayed on the display unit on the vehicle side according to the information, the tablet information terminal The display control of the vehicle-side display unit can be appropriately executed according to the difference between the display screen performance and the vehicle-side display unit performance.

The block diagram in one Example of the control apparatus of this invention. The flowchart which shows the example of the control processing procedure in a control apparatus. The flowchart which shows the example of the control processing of vehicle equipment. The flowchart which shows the example of the execution process of application software. The figure which shows the example of the arrangement position of a center display or a box. The figure which shows the example of fixation of the smart phone in a box. The figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of a connector. The figure which shows the 1st example of a display with a center display and a smart phone. The figure which shows the 2nd example of a display with a center display and a smart phone. The figure which shows the 3rd example of a display with a center display and a smart phone. The figure which shows the 4th example of a display with a center display and a smart phone. The figure which shows the 5th example of a display with a center display and a smart phone. The figure which shows the example of a display of the icon in a smart phone. The figure which shows the example of a display regarding the smart phone position adjustment in a center display. The figure which shows the example of a display regarding the display position adjustment with the smart phone in a center display.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus configuration of a control system 1 according to the present invention. The control system 1 includes a vehicle 2 and a smartphone 3. In the vehicle 2, an air conditioner device 4, an audio / video device 5, a navigation device 6, a center display 7, and a box 8 are arranged. The above configuration is connected by in-vehicle communication and can exchange information with each other. In the present invention, a tablet information terminal (tablet computer) having a display / operation screen having a touchpad function may be used instead of the smartphone 3.

  The air conditioner 4 adjusts the air conditioning in the passenger compartment under the control of the control unit 40. The audio / video device 5 controls audio / video (sound, video) -related processing, that is, playback of audio software (CD, etc.), playback of video software (DVD video, Blu-ray disc, etc.), radio, etc. Broadcast reception and output, television broadcast reception and output, etc.

  The navigation device 6 is a known device that calculates a current position of the vehicle 2 by receiving a signal from a GPS satellite or the like.

  The center display 7 constitutes a display screen in the air conditioner device 4, the audio / video device 5, and the navigation device 6 by a liquid crystal display, for example. Alternatively, the display screen and the operation input screen of the air conditioner device 4, the audio / video device 5, and the navigation device 6 may be configured with a touch panel function. The location of the center display 7 may be the vehicle center position on the instrument panel (dashboard), for example, as shown in FIG.

  The box 8 is a main part of the present invention, and when the smartphone 3 is placed, the front, back, left and right wall portions move to fix the smartphone 3, and further connect to the connector of the smartphone 3 by wire communication.

  The box 8 includes a bottom surface portion 800, a front wall portion 810, a rear wall portion 820, a left wall portion 830, and a right wall portion 840. Examples of these arrangement positions are shown in FIG. The location of the box 8 may be a center console (between the driver seat and the passenger seat) as shown in FIG. In the description of the present specification, directions such as front, rear, left, and right (and further upward and downward) are directions in a state in which the vehicle is in the traveling direction.

  In FIG. 6, the bottom surface portion 800 is a surface on which the smartphone 3 is placed with the touch panel 34 facing upward, which is disposed in the box 8 so as to be substantially horizontal. The bottom surface portion 800 includes a step portion 801 located in the depth direction thereof, a pressure sensor 802 disposed on the bottom surface of the step portion 801, and a drive portion 803 that drives the bottom surface portion 800 in the vertical direction. The step portion 801 is a portion where a part of the bottom surface portion 800 is recessed to form a step for fitting the smartphone 3.

  When the user places the smartphone on the bottom surface portion 800, the user may recognize the position of the recess formed by the stepped portion 801 with a hand or a finger and fit the smartphone 3. The pressure sensor 802 detects the placement of the smartphone 3. The bottom surface portion 800 is movable in the vertical direction, and the drive unit 803 drives the bottom surface portion 800 to move in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the front wall portion 810 is a wall portion arranged on the vehicle front side in the box 8, and is fixed in contact with the side surface on the vehicle front side of the smartphone 3 placed on the bottom surface portion 800. To do. The front wall portion 810 includes a connector 811 and a drive portion 812. The connector 811 is a terminal for performing wired communication connection with the connector 35 when the connector 35 (described later) of the smartphone 3 placed on the bottom surface portion 800 is on the vehicle front side. The drive part 812 drives the front wall part 810 and the connector 811 so that the front wall part 810 and the connector 811 move on the surface of the box 8.

  The rear wall portion 820 is a wall portion disposed on the vehicle rear side in the box 8, and abuts and fixes to the side surface on the vehicle rear side of the smartphone 3 placed on the bottom surface portion 800. The rear wall portion 820 includes a connector 821 and a drive portion 822. The connector 821 is a terminal for performing wired communication connection with the connector 35 when the connector 35 (described later) of the smartphone 3 placed on the bottom surface portion 800 is on the vehicle rear side. The drive unit 822 drives the rear wall 820 and the connector 821 so that the rear wall 820 and the connector 821 move on the surface of the box 8.

  The left wall portion 830 is a wall portion disposed on the left side of the vehicle in the box 8 and abuts and fixes to the left side surface of the smartphone 3 placed on the bottom surface portion 800. The left wall part 830 includes a connector 831 and a drive part 832. The connector 831 is a terminal for making a wired communication connection with the connector 35 when the connector 35 (described later) of the smartphone 3 placed on the bottom surface portion 800 is on the left side of the vehicle. The drive unit 832 drives the left wall 830 and the connector 831 so that the left wall 830 and the connector 831 move on the surface of the box 8.

  The right wall portion 840 is a wall portion disposed on the right side of the vehicle in the box 8, and abuts and fixes to the side surface of the smartphone 3 placed on the bottom surface portion 800 on the right side of the vehicle. The right wall part 840 includes a connector 841 and a drive part 842. The connector 841 is a terminal for making a wired communication connection with the connector 35 when the connector 35 (described later) of the smartphone 3 placed on the bottom surface portion 800 is on the right side of the vehicle. The drive unit 842 drives the right wall portion 840 and the connector 841 so that the right wall portion 840 and the connector 841 move on the surface of the box 8.

  The box 8 further includes a control unit 850, a wireless communication unit 860, and a mounting switch 870. The control unit 850 instructs the drive units 803, 812, 822, 832, and 842 to drive, and controls transmission / reception of information between the smartphone 3 and the box side (vehicle 2 side) through the connectors 811, 821, 831, and 841. . The control unit 850 allows the user to operate the in-vehicle device (or the in-vehicle device such as the air conditioner device 4, the audio / video device 5, the navigation device 6) by touching the touch panel of the smartphone 3 with a finger, The display content of the touch panel of the smartphone 3 is displayed on the center display 7, and control is performed so that the user can execute various application software (applications) of the smartphone 3 while watching the center display 7.

  The control unit 850 includes a charge control unit 851, a hands-free control unit 852, and a nonvolatile memory 853. The charging control unit 851 controls charging from the battery 90 of the vehicle 2 to the smartphone 3 fixed to the box 8. The hands-free control unit 852 uses the speaker 91 and the microphone 92 provided in the vehicle 2 to control a hands-free call on the smartphone 3 fixed to the box 8.

  The non-volatile memory 853 is a non-volatile memory that stores the smartphone size / connector standard / position information 854 and the control software 855. The smartphone size and connector standard / position information 854 includes information on the size and shape of the smartphone 3 for each model name / model number of the smartphone 3, the standard of the connector 35 of the smartphone 3 (for example, a USB connector, etc.) and position information. It is a set. The control software 855 is software that needs to be provided in the box 8 in order to operate the above-described in-vehicle device by a touch operation on the smartphone 3 fixed to the box 8. Further, the drive units 803, 812, 822, 832, and 842 are driven based on information stored in the nonvolatile memory 853 (for example, smartphone size and connector standard / position information 854).

The wireless communication unit 860 is a device for performing wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 33 of the smartphone 3. Here, the wireless communication may be short-range wireless communication according to, for example, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.
The mounting switch 870 is provided on the surface of the box 8, for example, and is pressed by the user to fix the smartphone 3 placed in the box 8 and connect the connector so that communication is possible, or simply the box 8 is a switch for selecting whether or not to be placed in the state.

  6 and 7 show examples of driving the front wall portion 810, the rear wall portion 820, the left wall portion 830, and the right wall portion 840 of the box 8. As shown in these drawings, the front wall portion 810, the rear wall portion 820, the left wall portion 830, and the right wall portion 840 are driven by the driving portions 812, 822, 832, and 842 while being in contact with each other. Then, it is held in contact with the side surface of the smartphone 3 without gaps, and is clamped and fixed. The drive units 812, 822, 832, and 842 are respectively arranged such that the front wall portion 810, the rear wall portion 820, the left wall portion 830, and the right wall portion 840 are parallel to the vehicle front, rear, left, and right directions. You can move it. The driving unit 803 may drive the bottom surface part 800 in the vertical direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the connectors 811, 821, 831, 841 arranged on the front wall portion 810, the rear wall portion 820, the left wall portion 830, and the right wall portion 840 are the same plural connectors. What is necessary is just to provide a structure. In the example of FIG. 7, the connectors 811, 821, 831, and 841 are all arranged on a disk-shaped base D with the connectors C 1, C 2, and C 3. Assume that the connector C1, the connector C2, and the connector C3 have different connector standards and shapes.

  The drive units 803, 812, 822, 832, and 842 are arranged along the side surface of the smartphone 3 with the base D up to a position facing the connector position of the smartphone 3 based on the model name and model number information of the smartphone 3 as described later. (This translation may include not only horizontal movement but also vertical movement).

  Then, the drive units 803, 812, 822, 832, and 842 rotate the platform D so that the connector C1, C2, or C3 that matches the connector 35 of the smartphone 3 faces the smartphone 3 side, and finally the platform D Is moved in parallel to the smartphone 3 side, and the connector C1, C2 or C3 is inserted and attached to the connector 35 of the smartphone 3.

  7 is merely an example of a connector structure, and a plurality of connectors 811, 821, 831, and 841 are provided on one side surface, the case where a plurality of connectors 35 are provided on one side surface of the smartphone 3 can be handled. The arrangement of the three connectors C1, C2, and C3 is also an example, and all (typical) connector standards used in the various smartphones 3 may be included.

  Next, in the present invention, the smartphone 3 realizes a function that allows the in-vehicle device to be operated by a user performing a contact operation input to the smartphone 3 side while being fixed in the box 8 and connected to the connector. Is needed to.

  The smartphone 3 includes a CPU 30, a RAM 31, a nonvolatile memory 32, a wireless communication unit 33, for example, an electrostatic transparent touch panel 34 and a connector 35 arranged on a liquid crystal display screen (not shown). The CPU 30 executes various types of information processing in the smartphone 3, and the RAM 31 is a temporary storage unit for the information processing work area of the CPU 30. The liquid crystal display screen is visible to the user through the transparent touch panel 34.

  The non-volatile memory 32 is a non-volatile storage unit that stores various information for the smartphone 3, and stores various application software (applications) 321, 322,. Further, the non-volatile memory 32 stores control software 320 for realizing a function that allows the user to operate the in-vehicle device by performing a contact operation input to the touch panel 34 of the smartphone 3.

  The wireless communication unit 33 is a communication unit for wireless communication (short-range wireless communication) with the above-described wireless communication unit 860. The touch panel 34 is a display operation screen that receives a touch operation input to the user's screen at the same time that the touch pad function is added to the liquid crystal display, for example. The connector 35 is a connection terminal that enables the smartphone 3 and various external devices to be connected to transmit and receive information, and in the present invention, in particular, the connector 811, 821, 831, 841 (any one) of the box 8. To enable transmission and reception of information with the vehicle 2 side.

  With the above configuration, the control system 1 fixes the smartphone 3 in the box 8 and controls the in-vehicle device by an operation input to the smartphone 3. The display 7 realizes a function of executing display processing at that time. The processing procedure for this is shown in FIGS. The processing procedures of FIGS. 2 to 4 may be programmed in advance and stored in, for example, the non-volatile memories 853 and 32, and may be called and executed by the control unit 850 and the CPU 30.

  In the processing procedure of FIG. 2, first, in S <b> 10, the control unit 850 determines whether or not it is detected that the smartphone 3 is placed on the bottom surface part 800 of the box 8. This detection may be performed by the pressure sensitive sensor 802. If the placement of the smartphone 3 is detected (S10: YES), the process proceeds to S20, and if not detected (S10: NO), the process repeats S10 and waits for detection. Note that a step (concave portion) may be formed along the outer edge of the position where the stepped portion 801 previously fixed the smartphone 3 at the stage before S10.

  After proceeding to S20, the control unit 850 and the CPU 30 establish a wireless communication connection between the wireless communication unit 33 of the smartphone 3 and the wireless communication unit 860 of the box 8. This connection establishment may be automatically executed when the wireless communication unit 33 of the smartphone 3 falls within the short-range wireless communication range of the wireless communication unit 860 of the box 8 as in the normal short-range wireless communication. .

  Subsequently, in S <b> 30, the CPU 30 transmits information on the model name and model number of the smartphone 3 from the wireless communication unit 33. Control unit 850 receives the same information by wireless communication unit 860.

  Subsequently, in S40, the control unit 850 calls the information on the size and shape of the smartphone 3 and the information on the standard and position of the connector 35 corresponding to the model name and model number information received in S30 from the nonvolatile memory 853. . As described above, the nonvolatile memory 853 stores the model name and model number information of the smartphone 3, the size and shape information of the smartphone 3, and the standard and position information of the connector 35 in association with each other.

  The vehicle 2 includes, for example, a (wide area) wireless communication unit, and acquires the latest information on the model name and model number of the smartphone 3, the size and shape of the smartphone 3, the standard and position of the connector 35 from a predetermined server device, and is nonvolatile The content stored in the memory 853 may be updated (automatically). In this case, it can respond to the new model of the smart phone 3 being put on the market one after another.

  Next, in S50, the control unit 850 determines whether or not the mounting switch 870 is turned on by the user. When the on operation is performed (S50: YES), the process proceeds to S60. When the on operation is not performed (S50: NO), S50 is repeated to wait for the on operation. The operation of turning on the mounting switch by the user is a command for fixing the smartphone 3 and connecting the connector to the control unit 850.

  After proceeding to S60, the control unit 850 drives the front wall portion 810, the rear wall portion 820, the left wall portion 830, and the right wall portion 840 by the driving portions 812, 822, 832, and 842 to move the smartphone 3 forward, backward, left, and right. To fix it. The movement of the front wall portion 810, the rear wall portion 820, the left wall portion 830, and the right wall portion 840 may be performed as shown in FIG. In the process of S60, the front wall part 810, the rear wall part 820, the left wall part 830, and the right wall part 840 may be moved according to the size and shape information of the smartphone 3 called in S40.

  Subsequently, in S70, the control unit 850 determines whether the smartphone 3 is placed vertically or horizontally. This processing is performed when both vertical and horizontal placement are allowed in the present invention. If it is limited to only one of the vertical placement and the horizontal placement, S70 may be skipped.

  Subsequently, in S80, the control unit 850 drives the connectors 811, 821, 831, and 841 (any one of them) by the driving units 812, 822, 832, and 842, and makes a wired communication connection with the connector 35 of the smartphone 3. In this process, the connectors 811, 821, 831, 841 (any one) may be driven in accordance with the standard and position information of the connector 35 in the smartphone 3 called in S 40. Of course, the connectors 811, 821, 831, 841 facing the side surface of the smartphone 3 that does not have the connector 35 do not have to be driven.

  Subsequently, in S90, control unit 850 connects the charging connector. Assume that the connector 35 of the smartphone 3 includes a charging connector, and the connectors C1, C2, and C3 on the box side also include a charging connector. The charging connector standard and position information are also included in the information called in S40.

  Subsequently, in S <b> 100, the control unit 850 transmits the model name / model number of the center display 7 to the smartphone 3. Accordingly, the smartphone 3 acquires information on the screen size and performance (resolution, etc.) of the center display 7.

  Subsequently, in S110, the control unit 850 downloads the control software 320 to the smartphone 3 side through the connector 35. The control software 320 is software that controls the control according to the present invention in cooperation with the control software 855. The download of the control software 320 may be a software download corresponding to the smartphone model, model number, center display 7 model, model number, and the like. For example, the download in S110 may be executed only when the smartphone 3 is used for the first time in the present invention. If the control software 320 has already been installed in the smartphone 3, S110 may be skipped.

  Subsequently, in S <b> 120, the control unit 850 executes display processing related to the fixed position adjustment of the smartphone 3 on the center display 7. FIG. 14 shows an example of the display. The same image as FIG. 14 may be downloaded to the smartphone 3 through the connector 35 and displayed on the touch panel 34 that forms the display screen of the smartphone 3 (as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 described later).

  Subsequently, in S130, the user executes a fixed position adjustment input of the smartphone 3. In the example of FIG. 14, on the touch panel 34 corresponding to the positions of “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “up”, and “down” icons (soft buttons) displayed on the display screen. When the user's finger contacts the position, the position of the fixed smartphone 3 moves to the front, back, left, right, up, and down. Thereby, the smart phone 3 can be fixed to a user's desired position. If “default” is selected, for example, it is assumed that the position is fixed at the same position as when it was fixed last time.

  Subsequently, in S140, the user selects a desired icon by a touch operation from among icons of various apps viewed through the touch panel 34 of the smartphone 3 and icons indicating in-vehicle device operations. A display example in that case is shown in FIG.

  In this display example, icons 34a of a plurality of application software (applications) stored (installed) in the smartphone 3 are displayed side by side, and along with them, an in-vehicle device (air conditioner device 4, audio, video device 5, navigation device 6). ) Icons 34b, 34c, 34d and 34e are displayed. The same image may be displayed on the center display 7. The user starts the execution of the selected application software and the operation of the selected in-vehicle device by selecting an icon displayed on the touch panel 34 by a touch operation input with a finger.

  Subsequently, in S150, display processing on the center display 7 side is executed. In S160, display processing on the display screen side of the smartphone 3 is executed. Details of the display processing in S150 and S160 will be described later. In the state where the display processing of S150 and S160 is performed, the user performs various operations in S170.

  In step S180, the control unit 850 determines whether the mounting switch 870 has been turned off. When the off operation is performed (S180: YES), the process proceeds to S190, and when the off operation is not performed (S180: NO), the process proceeds to S140, and the above processing is executed. After proceeding to S190, the control unit 850 pops up the smartphone 3. Specifically, for example, the connectors 811, 821, 831, 841 are detached (pulled out), and the front wall 810, the rear wall 820, the left wall 830, and the right wall 840 are moved to fix the smartphone 3. It is only necessary to execute an operation such as lifting the smartphone 3 by eliminating the step (concave portion) caused by the step portion 801. The above is the processing procedure of FIG.

  3 and 4 show more detailed examples of the processing from S140 to S170 in FIG. The example of FIG. 3 is an example displayed on the center display 7 when executing the applications 321, 322, etc. of the smartphone 3, and the example of FIG. It is an example to control.

  In the processing procedure of FIG. 3, first, in S200, the user touches the icon of the in-vehicle device to be operated from the icons of various apps displayed on the display screen of the smartphone 3 visually viewed through the touch panel 34 and the icons indicating the in-vehicle device operation. 34 is selected by touching operation. In the example of FIG. 13, the user touches and selects a desired icon from the icons 34b, 34c, 34d, and 34e of the air conditioner, audio, video, and navigation.

  Subsequently, in S210, the control unit 850 executes display processing on the center display 7. This may be the same as the display content of the operation screen of each normal vehicle-mounted device when not related to the present invention. Subsequently, a display image on the touch panel 34 of the smartphone 3 is calculated by the control software 855 in S220. Subsequently, in S230, the control unit 850 transmits the image data calculated in S220 to the smartphone 3 through the connector 35. In S240, the CPU 30 displays the image data transmitted in S220 on the touch panel 34.

  Examples of display on the center display 7 and the touch panel 34 in S210 and S240 are shown in FIGS. The example of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 is an example of a display in the case of operation of a vehicle-mounted apparatus, FIG. 8 is a case where the smart phone 3 is installed vertically and FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 8, the center display 7 displays a normal operation screen of the in-vehicle device (that is, an operation screen when not related to the present invention). An icon (or function display of an adjacent button) B1 is displayed in the display content. The same image as that displayed on the center display 7 is also displayed on the display screen of the smartphone 3. The user can operate the in-vehicle device by touching the icon B <b> 1 displayed on the touch panel 34.

  At that time, since the aspect ratio of the touch panel 34 of the smartphone 3 and the aspect ratio of the center display 7 are different, the display position on the touch panel 34 may be set as shown in FIGS. In the case of Fig.8 (a), the display image of the center display 7 is displayed on the area | region ahead of the vehicle of the touch panel 34 (The wavy line part has shown the same image). In the case of FIG. 8B, the display image of the center display 7 is displayed in the central area of the touch panel 34. In the case of FIG. 8C, the display image of the center display 7 is displayed in a region on the vehicle rear side of the touch panel 34.

  The user may be allowed to set and input any one of FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C (or another location). In that case, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the display area is displayed on the center display 7, and the user touches a position corresponding to “front” and “back” on the touch panel 34, thereby What is necessary is just to adjust to the front-back direction.

  9, the center display 7 displays the normal operation screen of the in-vehicle device (that is, the operation screen when not related to the present invention). An icon (or function display of an adjacent button) B1 is displayed around the display content.

  The same image as that displayed on the center display 7 is also displayed on the touch panel 34 of the smartphone 3. At that time, the aspect ratio of the touch panel 34 of the smartphone 3 and the aspect ratio of the center display 7 may be the same or different, and accordingly the display position on the touch panel 34 is as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C. Should be set.

  In the case of FIG. 9A, the aspect ratio of the center display 7 and the aspect ratio of the horizontally placed touch panel 34 are the same. In this case, the display image of the center display 7 is displayed on the touch panel 34 as it is (the wavy line portion shows the same image). In the case of FIG. 9B, the horizontally placed touch panel 34 is horizontally longer than the center display 7. In this case, the remaining area is provided on the left and right sides of the touch panel 34, and the display image on the center display 7 is displayed on the center area in the left and right direction on the touch panel 34.

  In the case of FIG. 9C, the center display 7 is horizontally longer than the horizontally placed touch panel 34. In this case, the remaining area is provided above and below the touch panel 34, and the display image of the center display 7 is displayed in the center area in the vertical direction of the touch panel 34.

  In S220, the display position on the touch panel 34 as described above is calculated. At the same time, considering the resolution of the center display 7 and the resolution of the touch panel 34, the image is converted into an image that matches the resolution of the touch panel 34. In S250, the user performs various operations on the in-vehicle device. The above is the processing procedure of FIG.

  If the smartphone 3 receives an incoming call in the middle of the process of FIG. 3 (FIGS. 4 and 5), it immediately switches to the call by the hands-free call control unit 852, and when the call ends, the process of FIG. 3 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is performed. Just go back. This frees the user from the inconvenience of having the smartphone 3 bothered to leave the box 8 for a call.

  Next, in the process of FIG. 4, first, in S300, the user selects a desired app icon from the icons of various apps displayed on the touch panel 34 and the icons indicating the operation of the in-vehicle device by the touch operation of the finger. Subsequently, in S310, the CPU 30 executes display processing on the touch panel 34 of the smartphone 3. This may be the same as the display content of each normal application screen when not related to the present invention.

  Subsequently, in S320, the CPU 30 calculates a display image on the center display 7 by the control software 320. Subsequently, in S330, the CPU 30 transmits the image data calculated in S320 to the control unit 850 through the connector 35. Subsequently, in S340, the control unit 850 displays the image data transmitted in S320 on the center display 7.

  Display examples on the center display 7 and the touch panel 34 in S310 and S340 are shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, FIG. 10A shows a case where the smartphone 3 is placed vertically, and FIGS. 10B, 11A and 11B show a case where the smartphone 3 is placed horizontally. In any case, the normal display content (display content when not related to the present invention) at the time of executing each application is displayed on the touch panel 34 of the smartphone 3.

  The display contents include icons (soft buttons) B2 and B3. The user can perform various operations in the application by touching the icons B <b> 2 and B <b> 3 displayed on the touch panel 34. Then, the display content on the smartphone 3 side is transmitted through the connector 35, and the same content is displayed on the center display 7. However, as in FIGS. 8 and 9, the display position on the center display 7 is adjusted according to the situation where the aspect ratio of the screen is the same or different.

  In the case of Fig.10 (a), the display image of the vertically installed smart phone 3 is displayed on the center area | region of the left-right direction of the center display 7 (a wavy line part has shown the same image). The left and right sides of the center display 7 have a remaining area. FIG. 10B shows a case where the aspect ratio of the touch panel 34 of the horizontally placed smartphone 3 and the aspect ratio of the center display 7 are the same. In this case, the display image on the touch panel 34 may be displayed on the center display 7 as it is.

  FIG. 11A shows a case where the center display 7 is horizontally longer than the touch panel 34 of the horizontally placed smartphone 3. In this case, the display image on the touch panel 34 may be displayed in the center region in the left-right direction of the center display 7. The left and right sides of the center display 7 have a remaining area.

  FIG. 11B shows a case where the touch panel 34 of the horizontally placed smartphone 3 is horizontally longer than the center display 7. In this case, the display image on the touch panel 34 may be displayed in the center region in the left-right direction of the center display 7. The left and right sides of the center display 7 have a remaining area.

  In S320, the display position on the center display 7 as described above is calculated. At the same time, considering the resolution of the center display 7 and the resolution of the touch panel 34, the image is converted into an image that matches the resolution of the center display 7. In S350, the user performs various operations related to the application. The above is the processing procedure of FIG.

  In addition to the display as described above, the control software 320 and 855 form a correspondence relationship between the same positions of the display images on the touch panel 34 and the center display 7, and the user touches the finger on the touch panel 34. Thus, a signal indicating the contact operation is transmitted to the vehicle side by wire, and an operation based on the correspondence relationship is performed. 8 to 10, assuming that the user performs a blind touch on the touch panel 34 of the smartphone 3, the display on the touch panel 34 may be only icons (buttons) B1, B2, and B3. Furthermore, nothing needs to be displayed on the touch panel 34.

  As an example different from the displays in FIGS. 10 and 11, there is an example in FIG. In the example of FIG. 12, the navigation application of the smartphone 3 is executed and the map image displayed on the touch panel 34 is also displayed on the center display 7 (in this example, for example, the vehicle side may not be equipped with a navigation device). .

  In this example, the control software 320 also transmits a map image outside the range displayed on the touch panel 34 to the center display 7, and in addition to the map image displayed on the touch panel 34 in the center display 7. Corresponding to the screen size of the center display 7, the map image is also extended and displayed in the left and right areas. This allows the user to see a wider map image that could not be seen on the touch panel 34 of the smartphone 3, so that there is an advantage that the periphery of the vehicle position can be confirmed more widely on the map image. As in this example, the control software 320 may create an image that extends the display image on the touch panel 34 to the left and right and extend vertically, and transmits the image to the center display 7.

  The above embodiments may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the claims. For example, although the center display 7 is used in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and an arbitrary display unit (a navigation display unit different from the center display 7, a meter display, etc.) may be used. Good. Further, although the fixing of the smartphone 3 and the connection of the connector 35 are automatically performed in the above description, it may be simplified so that the user manually performs this.

  In the above description, the operation of the in-vehicle device from the smartphone 3 and the display on the center display of the app of the smartphone 3 have been described. You may have installed an application.

In this case, for example, the control software 320 and the control software 855 cooperate to calculate the current position of the vehicle, for example, by using the information such as the vehicle speed to obtain a more accurate calculation result by the vehicle-side navigation device 6. Adopting the map information (including map-related information such as POI), the more detailed one of them is adopted. Then, the adopted map information may be converted in accordance with the performance (resolution, etc.) of the center display 7 and displayed on the center display 7.
In addition, when navigation display is performed on the center display based on the navigation application of the smartphone 3, the vehicle speed information and direction information are poor in the navigation application. Of course, the navigation accuracy may be improved.

1 Control System 2 Vehicle 3 Smartphone (Tablet Type Information Terminal)
4 Air conditioner device (on-vehicle device)
5 Audio / video equipment (on-vehicle equipment)
6 Navigation device (on-vehicle device)
7 Center display (display section)
8 Box (fixed part)

Claims (19)

A fixing unit that is arranged in a vehicle interior of the vehicle and that fixes a tablet information terminal having a display screen having a touchpad function so that the display screen is exposed in the vehicle interior;
A display unit disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle;
A connection unit for connecting the external connection terminal of the tablet information terminal fixed to the fixed unit by wire communication;
A signal indicating an operation input to the touchpad of the information terminal transmitted via the connection unit is received via the connection unit, and display contents displayed on the display unit can be selected, and the selection result Control means for controlling the in-vehicle device based on
In a state where the tablet information terminal is not fixed to the fixed part, wireless communication with the tablet information terminal is performed, and information on the size, shape, standard and position of the tablet information terminal is acquired. A wireless communication unit;
A control device comprising: A fixing unit that is arranged in a vehicle interior of the vehicle and that fixes a tablet information terminal having a display screen having a touchpad function so that the display screen is exposed in the vehicle interior;
A display unit disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle;
A connection unit for connecting the external connection terminal of the tablet information terminal fixed to the fixed unit by wire communication;
A signal indicating an operation input to the touchpad of the information terminal transmitted via the connection unit is received via the connection unit, and display contents displayed on the display unit can be selected, and the selection result Control means for controlling the in-vehicle device based on
From the tablet type information terminal, obtaining means for obtaining the model name and model number information of the tablet type information terminal;
In accordance with the model name and model number information of the tablet information terminal acquired by the acquisition means, software for controlling the in-vehicle device by the contact operation on the tablet information terminal fixed by the fixing unit, A second transmission means for transmitting to the tablet information terminal;
A control device comprising: A fixing unit that is arranged in a vehicle interior of the vehicle and that fixes a tablet information terminal having a display screen having a touchpad function so that the display screen is exposed in the vehicle interior;
A display unit disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle;
A connection unit for connecting the external connection terminal of the tablet information terminal fixed to the fixed unit by wire communication;
A signal indicating an operation input to the touchpad of the information terminal transmitted via the connection unit is received via the connection unit, and display contents displayed on the display unit can be selected, and the selection result Control means for controlling the in-vehicle device based on
From the tablet type information terminal, obtaining means for obtaining the model name and model number information of the tablet type information terminal;
The tablet type information for controlling the in-vehicle device by a contact operation on the tablet type information terminal fixed by the fixing unit according to the model name and model number information of the tablet type information terminal acquired by the acquisition unit Third transmission means for transmitting display software for the display screen of the terminal to the tablet information terminal;
A control device comprising: A fixing unit that is arranged in a vehicle interior of the vehicle and that fixes a tablet information terminal having a display screen having a touchpad function so that the display screen is exposed in the vehicle interior;
A display unit disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle;
A connection unit for connecting the external connection terminal of the tablet information terminal fixed to the fixed unit by wire communication;
A signal indicating an operation input to the touchpad of the information terminal transmitted via the connection unit is received via the connection unit, and display contents displayed on the display unit can be selected, and the selection result Control means for controlling the in-vehicle device based on
From the tablet type information terminal, obtaining means for obtaining the model name and model number information of the tablet type information terminal;
According to the model name and model number information of the tablet information terminal acquired by the acquisition means, the display unit of the tablet information terminal is arranged at a predetermined position so that the display screen of the tablet information terminal is arranged at a predetermined position. Fixing control means for controlling fixing;
A control device comprising: A fixing unit that is arranged in a vehicle interior of the vehicle and that fixes a tablet information terminal having a display screen having a touchpad function so that the display screen is exposed in the vehicle interior;
A display unit disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle;
A connection unit for connecting the external connection terminal of the tablet information terminal fixed to the fixed unit by wire communication;
A signal indicating an operation input to the touchpad of the information terminal transmitted via the connection unit is received via the connection unit, and display contents displayed on the display unit can be selected, and the selection result Control means for controlling the in-vehicle device based on
From the tablet type information terminal, obtaining means for obtaining the model name and model number information of the tablet type information terminal;
According to the model name and model number information of the tablet information terminal acquired by the acquisition means, a display image on the display screen of the tablet information terminal is converted and controlled to be displayed on the display unit. Display control means;
A control device comprising: The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fixed portion has a housing shape with an open top, and the connection portion is provided on an inner wall surface of the housing shape. The control means transmits the software for displaying the operation screen of the in-vehicle device on the display screen of the tablet information terminal to the tablet information terminal connected by wire communication to the connection unit. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising means. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the display content displayed on the display unit is an operation screen indicating a method of inputting an operation of the in-vehicle device by a user. Second display control for controlling display content displayed on the display screen when the application software provided in the tablet information terminal connected to the connection unit by wired communication is executed, on the display unit The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising means. The control according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the fixing portion includes a movable wall portion that fixes the tablet information terminal even if the size and shape of the tablet information terminal are different. apparatus. Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 comprising a charging means for charging the tablet information terminal which is fixed to the fixed portion. Control device according to any one of the tablet information terminal and a state of being wired communication connection, according to claim 1 to 11 comprising a switching means and a state of not being wired communication connection, switch between. The control device according to claim 12 , wherein the switching unit is arranged in the fixed portion as a switch that receives an input from a user. When the tablet type information terminal is placed on the fixed part, the connection unit connects the external connection terminal of the tablet type information terminal by wire communication according to the position of the external connection terminal in the tablet type information terminal. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 . The fixing unit control apparatus according to the radio communication unit acquired the tablet information terminal size, claim 1, further comprising a first fixing means for fixing the tablet information terminal using the information of the shape . The connection unit includes first connection means for connecting the external connection terminal of the tablet information terminal by wired communication using the standard and position information of the connection unit of the tablet information terminal acquired by the wireless communication unit. The control device according to claim 1 or 15 . The fixing part is
A mounting surface on which the tablet information terminal is mounted;
A step forming means for forming a step indicating a position where the tablet information terminal is placed on the placement surface;
Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 16 with a. The fixing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 17 having a first input means for receiving input from a user to adjust the horizontal position of the tablet information terminal fixed to the stationary part Control device. The fixing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 18 comprising a second input means for accepting input from a user to adjust the vertical position of the tablet information terminal fixed to the stationary part Control device.