JP7473267B1 - Adapter for car navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

An adapter that influences a navigation system's determination of whether a vehicle is in a predetermined state, and at least improves the likelihood that the adapter will continue to influence the determination after the navigation system has been updated.
[Solution] An adapter (10) configured to be connected between a signal source (32) in a vehicle and a navigation system (20) installed in the vehicle, the signal including a plurality of signals indicating whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state, and the navigation system (20) determines whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state based on one or more first signals of the plurality of signals.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

This disclosure relates to an adapter for an in-vehicle navigation system.

Conventionally, in-vehicle navigation systems (particularly factory navigation systems) are equipped with a function that prevents the driver from watching TV while driving, for safety reasons, as there is a possibility that the driver may become distracted if they watch TV while driving. However, this means that passengers in the front seat, who are not hindered from driving, cannot watch TV while driving, so adapters (hereinafter also referred to as "disabling devices") that allow the driver to watch TV even while driving are manufactured and sold.

Such a navigation system is
Parking brake signal (also called "parking signal"; indicates whether the parking brake of the vehicle is activated or whether the parking brake is released and the vehicle can be driven),
A drive mode signal (which changes depending on the position of the vehicle's shift lever, and indicates "P" (parking position) as the drive mode if the vehicle's shift lever is in, for example, a parking mode position);
Vehicle speed pulse signal (includes a vehicle speed pulse when the vehicle is moving and does not include a vehicle speed pulse when the vehicle is stopped),
Brake hold signal (indicates that the brakes are on hold and the vehicle is stopped)
etc., and if it is determined that the vehicle is moving, television viewing is prevented. Conventional in-car television adapters, however, allow television viewing even while driving by converting the vehicle signals and sending them to the navigation system as if the vehicle were stopped, even when the vehicle is moving (including blocking the signals from being sent to the original navigation system and sending a specified signal).

In recent vehicles, the parking brake signal, drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, brake hold signal, etc. are supplied to the navigation system as CAN-BUS (Controller Area Network) signals from the vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit, an electronic control unit mainly installed in automobiles) via one or more communication lines. As described above, the navigation system uses any of the parking brake signal, drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, brake hold signal, etc. to determine whether the vehicle is moving or stopped. Therefore, for example, when a parking brake signal indicating that the parking brake has been released and the vehicle is moving is to be transmitted from the vehicle to the navigation system, a conventional release device converts the parking brake signal into a signal indicating that the parking brake has not been released (the vehicle is stopped) and transmits it to the navigation system, thereby making the navigation system recognize that the vehicle is stopped even when the vehicle is actually moving, thereby enabling television viewing.

However, in recent vehicles, software updates (hereafter also referred to as "version upgrades"; rewriting software to create different software) are being carried out to fix bugs in the navigation system and vehicle ECU software, ensure stable operation, and improve performance. Software updates can be performed remotely using communication devices installed in the vehicle, or by connecting a dedicated version upgrade device to the vehicle at an automobile dealership, etc., but in either case, the software in the navigation system and vehicle ECU is modified, resulting in a change in specifications.

In addition to software updates, version upgrades also include replacing the ECU itself with a new one and changing other vehicle parts, which means changes to the specifications of the vehicle and navigation system.

Therefore, for example, when a navigation system is upgraded, the signal used to determine whether the vehicle is moving or stopped may be changed from a parking brake signal to a vehicle speed pulse signal. In such a case, if a conventional release device is configured to convert the parking brake signal into a signal indicating that the vehicle is stopped even when the vehicle is moving, it may become impossible to watch television while the vehicle is moving.

For this reason, many manufacturers that manufacture and sell unlocking devices state in their instruction manuals that "If the specifications of the vehicle or navigation system change due to an upgrade or other reason, this product (unlocking device) may become unusable."

Patent No. 7274798

This disclosure has been made in light of the above, and the objective of one embodiment of this disclosure is to provide an adapter that allows television viewing even if the navigation system or vehicle ECU is upgraded and the specifications change.

An objective of another embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide an adapter that influences a navigation system's determination of whether a vehicle is in a given state, and at least improves the likelihood that the adapter will continue to influence the determination even after the navigation system has been updated.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure aims to provide an adapter that influences a navigation system's determination of whether a vehicle is in a given state, and at least improves the likelihood that the adapter will continue to influence the determination even after both the navigation system and the source of the signal in the vehicle (e.g., the vehicle ECU) have been updated.

The above-mentioned predetermined state includes at least one of a state in which the vehicle is stopped and a state in which the vehicle cannot be driven. The above-mentioned update also includes a software update of the device to be updated (either or both of the navigation system and the signal source) and a replacement of the device itself.

To solve the above problem, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an adapter for controlling a CAN-BUS signal provided to a navigation system mounted on a vehicle, the parking brake signal, drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, brake hold signal, etc. being supplied to the navigation system as CAN-BUS signals, the navigation system using any of the parking brake signal, drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, brake hold signal, etc. to determine whether the vehicle is stopped or moving, and the adapter is configured to enable television viewing even when the vehicle is moving, even if the means for determining whether the vehicle is stopped or moving changes due to a version upgrade.

In addition, an upgrade of the vehicle ECU may change the data content of the parking brake signal, drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, brake hold signal, etc. transmitted from the vehicle ECU. In preparation for such a case, the adapter according to one embodiment may be configured to control data including data when the vehicle is stopped after the expected change, so that television viewing is possible even if the data has changed.

In one embodiment, the navigation system may be configured to use a parking brake signal, drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, brake hold signal, etc., as CAN-BUS signals in combination with a vehicle speed pulse signal and a parking signal as conventional analog signals to determine whether the vehicle is stopped or moving.

The parking brake signal, drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, brake hold signal, etc., as CAN-BUS signals, and the vehicle speed pulse signal and parking brake signal as conventional analog signals, may be used to determine whether the vehicle is stopped or moving, so the adapter in one embodiment may be configured to control two or more or all of these signals.

In one embodiment, the navigation system may further use or use a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal as a means for determining whether the vehicle is stopped or moving, and the adapter may be configured to control the GPS signal.

In one embodiment, the navigation system is equipped with a test mode, i.e., a mode provided by the navigation system manufacturer for testing purposes, and the test mode may allow television viewing even while the vehicle is moving. Switching to the test mode may be performed by supplying a signal to a test terminal provided on the navigation system and/or by supplying a special signal as a CAN-BUS signal.

In one embodiment, in order to accommodate changes in the data content of the parking brake signal, drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, brake hold signal, etc. transmitted from the vehicle ECU due to an upgrade of the vehicle ECU, the adapter may be configured to control multiple of these signals to convert the data contained in the signals into data indicating that the vehicle is stopped.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an adapter configured to be connected between a signal source in a vehicle and a navigation system mounted on the vehicle, the signal includes a plurality of signals indicating whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state, the navigation system is configured to determine whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state for one or more first signals of the plurality of signals, while being capable of updating a signal for determining whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state from the one or more first signals to another one or more signals of the plurality of signals, the adapter has a function of converting, for each of two or more second signals of the plurality of signals, the signal received from the source and not indicating that the vehicle is in the predetermined state into a signal indicating that the vehicle is in the predetermined state and transmitting the converted signal to the navigation system, the predetermined state including at least one of a state in which the vehicle is stopped and a state in which the vehicle is unable to travel, the number of the two or more second signals being greater than the number of the one or more first signals, and the two or more second signals including the one or more first signals or the two or more second signals being equal to the plurality of signals.

In an embodiment, the one or more first signals include a third signal including a plurality of data units, a first data unit of the plurality of data units indicating whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state, the navigation system is further configured to determine whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state for the first data unit while updating the data unit for determining whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state from the first data unit to another data unit of the plurality of data units, and the function of the adapter may include a function of converting the data of the third signal received from the source and including the first data unit that does not indicate that the vehicle is in the predetermined state so as to indicate that the vehicle is in the predetermined state, copying the converted data to at least a portion of the data units other than the first data unit of the plurality of data units included in the third signal, and transmitting the converted data to the navigation system.

In an embodiment, the multiple signals may include two or more of a vehicle speed pulse signal, a parking brake signal, a drive mode signal, a brake hold signal, a GPS signal, and an ADAS signal, and the state in which the vehicle is stopped may include a state in which the vehicle speed pulse signal does not include a vehicle speed pulse, a state in which the GPS signal indicates that the vehicle is stopped, and a state in which the ADAS signal indicates that the vehicle is stopped, and the state in which the vehicle is unable to travel may include a state in which the parking brake signal indicates that the parking brake of the vehicle is applied, a state in which the drive mode signal indicates that the drive mode of the vehicle is in the parking position, a state in which the brake hold signal indicates that the brake hold of the vehicle is applied, and a state in which the ADAS signal indicates that the vehicle is unable to travel.

In an embodiment, the two or more second signals may include two or more of the vehicle speed pulse signal, the parking brake signal, the drive mode signal, the brake hold signal, a GPS signal, and an ADAS signal.
In an embodiment, the vehicle speed pulse signal may include one or both of a vehicle speed pulse signal as an analog signal and a vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal, and the parking brake signal may include one or both of a parking brake signal as an analog signal and a parking brake signal as a CAN-BUS signal.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an adapter configured to be connected between a source of a signal in a vehicle and a navigation system mounted on the vehicle, the signal includes a third signal including a plurality of data units, a first data unit of the plurality of data units indicates whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state, the navigation system is configured to determine whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state for the first data unit while being able to update a data unit for determining whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state from the first data unit to another data unit of the plurality of data units, the adapter has a function of converting data of the first data unit of the third signal received from the source and including the first data unit that does not indicate that the vehicle is in the predetermined state so as to indicate that the vehicle is in the predetermined state, copying the converted data to at least a part of the data units other than the first data unit of the plurality of data units included in the signal, and providing the converted data to the navigation system, and the predetermined state includes at least one of a state in which the vehicle is stopped and a state in which the vehicle is unable to run.

In an embodiment, the source may be configured to update a data unit indicating whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state from the first data unit to another data unit included in the plurality of data units.

In an embodiment, the navigation system may have a television viewing function that is enabled when it is determined that the vehicle is in the specified state for all of the one or more first signals.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure described above, it is possible to watch television while driving even if the specifications are changed due to an upgrade of the navigation system or vehicle ECU.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to at least reduce the possibility that an adapter will stop functioning due to an update to a navigation system or the like.

FIG. 1 is an example block diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is an example block diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 4 is a graph showing a waveform of a vehicle speed pulse signal when the vehicle is stopped. 4 is a graph showing a waveform of a vehicle speed pulse signal when a vehicle is traveling at 10 km/h. 4 is a graph showing a waveform of a vehicle speed pulse signal when a vehicle is traveling at 20 km/h. 4 is a graph showing voltage when the parking brake of the vehicle is applied. 4 is a graph showing voltage when the parking brake of the vehicle is released. FIG. 1 is an example block diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The following describes the implementation of this disclosure with reference to the drawings.

1 Block diagram according to an embodiment As shown in Fig. 1, a navigation system 20 according to an embodiment includes a display unit 21, a TV tuner unit 22, a navigation unit 23, an audio playback unit 24, and a CAN-BUS signal input unit 25. These may be integrated or separate. Note that the navigation system 20 may be a genuine unit for the manufacturer of the vehicle in which it is installed, but is not limited to a genuine unit from the manufacturer as long as it has a similar configuration. Note also that the components included in the navigation system 20 shown in Fig. 1 are merely examples.

As shown in FIG. 1, a television adapter 10 according to one embodiment is provided with a CAN-BUS control unit 11 that is located between a CAN-BUS signal line that connects a vehicle ECU 32 and a navigation system 20 and is configured to convert signals sent from the vehicle ECU 32 and transmit them to the navigation system. The CAN-BUS control unit 11 may be further configured to convert signals sent from the navigation system 20 and transmit them to the vehicle ECU 32.

From FIG. 1, it can be seen that the TV adapter 10 (an example of an adapter) can be configured to be connected between the vehicle ECU 32 (an example of a signal source in a vehicle) and the navigation system 20 installed in the vehicle.

The operation unit 50 in FIG. 1 also includes a switch 51 and an indicator 52, and is configured to allow the user to select whether or not to allow television viewing even while the vehicle is moving.

A user can switch the television adapter 10 between ON and OFF by operating the switch 50, and the indicator 52 can show whether the television adapter 100 is ON or OFF.

Note that although the operation unit 50 is shown as a separate entity in FIG. 1, it may be integrated with the television adapter 10. Furthermore, the operation unit 50 need not exist. If the operation unit 50 does not exist, the television adapter 10 may always be ON, or may switch between ON and OFF in response to detecting that a certain operation has been performed in the vehicle or the navigation system 20 from a CAN-BUS signal transmitted from one or both of the vehicle ECU 32 and the navigation system 20, or may switch between ON and OFF based on a switch or the like provided separately in the vehicle, or these may be used in combination.

Although only one vehicle ECU 32 and one vehicle signal detector 31 (sensors, switches, etc., which may include a vehicle speed pulse sensor 221 and a parking brake switch 223, which will be described later) are shown in FIG. 1, in reality there may be multiple of them. The actual CAN-BUS connection between the vehicle ECU and the navigation system is explained in FIG. 2 below.

Figure 2 shows the CAN-BUS connections that connect the vehicle ECU and the navigation system, and the vehicle signal detection connections of each ECU.

A CAN-BUS signal is generally made up of multiple data units, each of which contains an ID indicating which device (ECU) the signal was sent from, and data indicating the state or the operation it is instructing.

For example, in the case of the vehicle speed pulse ECU 211, the ID indicating which device it is is 1A2. The vehicle speed pulse ECU 211 is connected to the vehicle speed pulse sensor 21, which is the source of the vehicle speed pulse.

The vehicle speed pulse indicates whether the vehicle is stopped or how fast it is traveling. Figure 3A is a graph of an example waveform of a vehicle speed pulse signal when the vehicle is stopped, and the signal does not change from 0V. Figure 3B is a graph of an example waveform of a vehicle speed pulse signal when the vehicle is traveling at 10km/h, and the signal repeats 5V and 0V at regular intervals. Figure 3C is a graph of an example waveform of a vehicle speed pulse signal when the vehicle is traveling at 20km/h, and it can be seen that the signal repeats 5V and 0V at regular intervals, just like Figure 3B, but the pulse interval is 1/2 compared to Figure 3B. In other words, it can be seen that the number of vehicle speed pulses generated is twice as much because a vehicle speed of 20km/h is twice as fast as 10km/h. Please note that the vehicle speed pulse signals shown in Figures 3A to 3C are merely examples, and there are various forms of voltage and number of pulses depending on the vehicle manufacturer and model.

It should be understood that when the vehicle is stopped, the vehicle speed pulse signal does not include a vehicle speed pulse. In other words, the state in which the vehicle is stopped includes a state in which the vehicle speed pulse signal does not include a vehicle speed pulse.

In FIG. 2, the vehicle speed pulse signal is input from the vehicle speed pulse sensor 21 to the vehicle speed pulse ECU 211 as an analog signal as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, where it is converted into a CAN-BUS signal and transmitted to the communication line.

Here, the contents of the CAN-BUS signal sent from the vehicle speed pulse ECU 211 will be explained. If the CAN-BUS signal is measured with a measuring device, the communication contents can be seen in hexadecimal. According to the measuring device, the CAN-BUS signal is composed of data such as '1A2' '00', and the first 1A2 (the data of the first data unit) of this data indicates the ID of the ECU 11, and the next 00 (the data of the next data unit) indicates the vehicle speed data. For example, this data will be '1A2' '00' when the vehicle is stopped (vehicle speed 0 km/h), '1A2' '0A' when the vehicle is traveling at 10 km/h, and '1A2' '14' when the vehicle is traveling at 20 km/h. Note that the above explanation of the CAN-BUS signal is an example for easy understanding, and the actual CAN-BUS signal has a more complicated signal configuration.

In other words, it will be understood that the vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal is an example of a signal that indicates whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state (including at least one of a state in which the vehicle is stopped and a state in which the vehicle cannot run; the same applies below).

It will also be understood that the vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal includes multiple data units, and the first data unit of these multiple data units (the data unit containing data '00', '0A' or '14' in the above explanation) indicates whether or not the vehicle speed pulse signal is in a state in which no vehicle speed pulse is included, and therefore indicates whether or not the vehicle is in a specified state.

For example, normally, when the vehicle is traveling at 10 km/h, data '1A2' '0A' is sent from the vehicle speed pulse ECU 211 to the navigation system 210 via the CAN-BUS communication line, and the navigation system can use this data to detect how fast the vehicle is traveling or whether it is stopped. Note that according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the television adapter 10 is present between the vehicle speed pulse ECU 211 and the navigation system 210, in an embodiment of the present invention, data from the vehicle speed pulse ECU 211 is not sent directly to the navigation system 210. This is also true for at least some of the other ECUs described below.

That is, it will be understood that the navigation system 210 may be configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state with respect to the vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal. More specifically, it will be understood that the navigation system 210 may be configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state with respect to a first data unit included in the vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal.

The CAN-BUS control unit 11 of the television adapter 10 shown in FIG. 1 can convert the data '1A2' '0A' input when the vehicle is traveling at 10 km/h, for example, to '1A2' '00' and send it to the navigation system 20. As a result, even if the vehicle is actually traveling at 10 km/h, the navigation system 20 will determine that the vehicle is stopped or in a specified state, making it possible to watch television.

In other words, it can be understood that the television adapter 10 (an example of an adapter) has the function of converting a vehicle speed pulse signal received as a CAN-BUS signal from the vehicle speed pulse ECU 211 (an example of a signal source in a vehicle) that does not indicate that the vehicle is in a specified state into a signal that indicates that the vehicle is in a specified state, and then transmitting the signal to the navigation system 20.

More specifically, it will be understood that the above function of the television adapter 10 can include a function to convert the data of the first data unit (in the above explanation, the data unit whose data is '0A') that does not indicate that the vehicle is in a specified state to the navigation system 20, and then transmit the converted data to the navigation system 20 after converting the data of the first data unit to indicate that the vehicle is in a specified state (in the above explanation, '0A' is converted to '00').

Figure 4 is a graph showing an example voltage of the parking brake signal, where the voltage is 0V when the parking brake is applied (therefore, the vehicle is stopped and cannot be driven) and 5V when the parking brake is released (the vehicle can be driven). As with the description of the vehicle speed pulse signal above, the parking brake signal, which is an analog signal that changes between ON and OFF of the parking brake switch 223 in Figure 2, is converted to a CAN-BUS signal by the parking brake ECU 212 in Figure 2 and transmitted to the CAN-BUS communication line. The state in which the parking brake is applied means that the vehicle is stopped and cannot be driven, and is therefore one of the conditions that allows television viewing.

That is, it will be understood that a state in which the vehicle cannot be driven includes a state in which the parking brake signal indicates that the vehicle's parking brake is applied.

It will also be understood that the parking brake signal as a CAN-BUS signal is similar to the vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal.

It will also be understood that the navigation system 210 may be configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state for a parking brake signal as a CAN-BUS signal, in the same manner as for a vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the television adapter 10 can also have the function of converting the parking brake signal as a CAN-BUS signal in the same manner as the vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal, and then transmitting it to the navigation system 210.

The brake hold ECU 213 shown in Figure 2 is related to the brake hold function. The brake hold function is intended to reduce the need for the driver to continue to apply the foot brake when waiting at traffic lights, etc. The function is activated when the driver applies the foot brake to decelerate while driving and the vehicle speed reaches 0 km/h, and holds the brake applied even if the driver releases his/her foot from the foot brake.

The brake hold ECU 213 in FIG. 2 transmits a brake hold signal, indicating whether the brake hold is activated (whether the brakes are held while applied), to the communication line as a CAN-BUS signal. When the brake hold is activated, the vehicle cannot run. In other words, a state in which the vehicle cannot run includes a state in which the brake hold signal indicates that the vehicle's brake hold is activated. A state in which the brake hold is activated means that the vehicle is stopped and cannot run, and is therefore one of the conditions that allows television viewing.

In other words, it will be understood that the brake hold signal as a CAN-BUS signal is similar to the CAN-BUS signal from the vehicle speed pulse ECU 211.

It will also be understood that the navigation system 210 may be configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a specified state for a brake hold signal as a CAN-BUS signal, in the same manner as for a vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the television adapter 10 can also have the function of converting the brake hold signal as a CAN-BUS signal in the same manner as the vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal, and then transmitting it to the navigation system 210.

The drive mode ECU 214 in FIG. 2 is an ECU that controls the drive mode of the vehicle. The drive modes include, for example, "P", "R", "N", "D", and "L". Here, "P" is the parking position, "R" is reverse (the vehicle is moving backwards), "N" is neutral, "D" is drive (the vehicle is moving forwards), and "L" is low mode (low-speed forwards). As explained above, the drive mode ECU 214 in FIG. 2 transmits a drive mode signal indicating the state of the vehicle to the communication line as a CAN-BUS signal. When the drive mode signal indicates that the drive mode of the vehicle is "P" (parking position), the vehicle cannot run. In other words, the state in which the vehicle cannot run includes a state in which the drive mode signal indicates that the drive mode of the vehicle is the parking position. The drive mode "P" state is one of the conditions that allows watching television, since the vehicle is stopped and cannot run.

In other words, it will be understood that the drive mode signal as a CAN-BUS signal is similar to the vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal.

It will also be understood that the navigation system 210 may be configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a specified state based on the drive mode signal as a CAN-BUS signal, in the same manner as the vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the television adapter 10 can also have the function of converting the drive mode signal as a CAN-BUS signal in the same manner as the vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal, and then transmitting it to the navigation system 210.

The instrument panel ECU 215 in Figure 2 is an ECU that controls the display of the meter panel, and mainly uses data received from CAN-BUS communication to display the vehicle's traveling speed, whether the parking brake is ON or OFF (whether the parking brake is applied or not), the drive mode, and the operating status of the brake hold.

The ADAS-ECU 216 in Figure 2 is connected to a camera module 27 and a radar sensor 28, and controls the ADAS (advanced driving assistance system).

The ADAS is a device that automatically applies the brakes when it determines based on cameras, radar sensors, etc. that there is a risk of a collision, and the ADAS-ECU 216 may also send a signal to the CAN-BUS to determine whether the vehicle is moving or stopped. In other words, the CAN-BUS signal from the ADAS-ECU 216 (hereinafter referred to as the "ADAS signal") may indicate whether the vehicle is in a specified state or not. More specifically, the ADAS signal may indicate that the vehicle is stopped, or that the vehicle cannot be driven.

In other words, it will be understood that the ADAS signal as a CAN-BUS signal is similar to the vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal.

It will also be understood that the navigation system 210 may be configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a specified state for the ADAS signal as a CAN-BUS signal, in the same manner as for the vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the television adapter 10 can also have the function of converting the ADAS signal as a CAN-BUS signal in the same manner as the vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal, and then transmitting it to the navigation system.

Please note that the description of FIG. 2 is an example provided to clearly explain an embodiment of the present disclosure.

2 Regarding the First Embodiment A vehicle according to an embodiment and the navigation system 20 in Fig. 1 are configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state, and if it is determined that the vehicle is in the predetermined state, television viewing is possible, but if it is not, television viewing is not possible, and the navigation system 20 is configured to use whether the parking brake is applied as a means for determining whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state. Therefore, even if the drive mode is parking, the vehicle speed pulse signal is 0 km/h, and the brake hold is applied, television viewing is not possible unless the parking brake is applied.

The navigation system 20 detects the parking brake signal from the CAN-BUS, and at the same time, the drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, brake hold signal, etc. are all supplied to the navigation unit via CAN-BUS communication.

In other words, in an embodiment of the present invention, the signal (CAN-BUS signal) transmitted by the vehicle ECU 32 (including the vehicle speed pulse ECU 211, parking brake ECU 212, brake hold ECU 213, drive mode ECU 214, etc., which are examples of signal sources in the vehicle) and the signal (CAN-BUS signal) received by the navigation system 20 via the TV adapter 10 include a number of signals indicating whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined state, while it will be understood that the navigation system 20 may be configured to determine whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined state based on one of these signals, the parking brake signal.

The television adapter 10 in FIG. 1 is located between the vehicle ECU 32 and the navigation system 20, and is configured to convert the parking brake signal supplied from the vehicle ECU 32 to indicate that the parking brake is engaged (the vehicle is stopped and cannot be driven) even when the parking brake is released (the vehicle can be driven), and transmit the converted signal to the navigation system 20. This makes it possible to watch television even when the vehicle is driving.

In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the television adapter 10 of FIG. 1 is configured to convert the drive mode signal, the vehicle speed pulse signal, and the brake hold signal, as well as the parking brake signal.

As a result, as mentioned in the section on means for solving the problem, even if the specifications of the navigation system 20 are changed due to an upgrade and the signal for determining whether the vehicle is in a specified state is changed from a parking brake signal to a brake hold signal, it is possible to watch television while driving.

Furthermore, even if the change due to an upgrade of the navigation system 20 is such that the signal for determining whether or not the vehicle is in a specified state is changed not from a parking brake signal to a brake hold signal, but to both the parking brake signal and the brake hold signal, and television viewing is not possible unless it is determined that the vehicle is in a specified state based on both the parking brake signal and the brake hold signal, the television adapter 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can handle this change.

Similarly, even if the signals for determining whether the vehicle is in a specified state are changed to a parking brake signal, a drive mode signal, a vehicle speed pulse signal, and a brake hold signal, and television viewing is prevented unless it is determined that the vehicle is in a specified state for all of these signals, the television adapter 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure allows television viewing while driving.

In addition, in the above description, the navigation system 20 uses only the parking brake signal as a means for determining whether the vehicle is in a specified state. However, there may be navigation systems that use both the parking brake signal and the vehicle speed pulse signal as a means for determining whether the vehicle is in a specified state. In preparation for specification changes due to version upgrades, even for such navigation systems, the television adapter 10 may have a function for converting the drive mode signal and brake hold signal that are not used by the navigation system, in addition to the parking brake signal and the vehicle speed pulse signal.

Furthermore, in the above description, the navigation system 20 uses only the parking brake signal as a means for determining whether the vehicle is in a specified state. However, in the case of a navigation system that uses a vehicle speed pulse signal as a means for determining whether the vehicle is in a specified state, the television adapter 10 may have a function for converting the parking brake signal, drive mode signal, and brake hold signal that are not used by the navigation system, in addition to the vehicle speed pulse signal.

In other words, it will be understood that the navigation system 20 is configured to determine whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined state for one or more first signals (such as the parking brake signal in the above description. Please note that the signals in the above description are merely examples) among the multiple signals indicating whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined state, while the television adapter 10 (an example of an adapter) can have a function to convert, for each of two or more signals (the parking brake signal, drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, and brake hold signal in the above description. Please note that the signals in the above description are merely examples) among the multiple signals indicating whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined state, the signal received from the generating source (the vehicle ECU 32 in the above description) that does not indicate that the vehicle is in a predetermined state, into a signal indicating that the vehicle is in a predetermined state, and then transmit the converted signal to the navigation system 20. It will also be understood that the navigation system 20 can have a television specification function that is enabled only when it is determined that the vehicle is in a predetermined state for all of the one or more signals.

It will also be understood that the navigation system 20 may be configured to be able to update the signal for determining whether the vehicle is in a specified state from the one or more first signals to another one or more of the multiple signals (such as both the parking brake signal and the brake hold signal in the above description. Please note that the signals in the above description are merely examples.)

It will also be understood that the number of the two or more second signals is greater than the number of the one or more first signals, and the two or more second signals can include the one or more first signals. Alternatively, it will be understood that the two or more second signals are equal to a plurality of signals indicating whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined state, i.e., the television adapter 10 can have the function of performing the conversion as described above for all of the plurality of signals indicating whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined state that may be input to the navigation system 20.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that such a television adapter 10 improves the likelihood that the television adapter 10 will continue to influence the navigation system 20's determination of whether the vehicle is in a specified state even after the navigation system 20 has been updated.

3. Second embodiment A vehicle according to a certain embodiment and the navigation system 20 in Fig. 5 are configured to allow television viewing when the vehicle is in a predetermined state, but not allow television viewing otherwise. The navigation system 20 is also configured to use whether the parking brake is applied as a means for determining whether the vehicle is stopped or moving. Therefore, with this navigation system 20, even if the drive mode is "P", even if the vehicle speed pulse signal indicates 0 km/h as the vehicle speed, and even if the brake hold is applied, television viewing is not allowed unless the parking brake is applied.

The navigation system 20 is also connected to the CAN-BUS, but determines whether the parking brake is applied based on the parking brake signal as an analog signal derived from the parking signal (analog) 34 in FIG. 5 (which may be the parking brake switch 223). At the same time, the navigation system 20 is also supplied with the parking brake signal, drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, brake hold signal, etc. as CAN-BUS signals, but determines whether the vehicle is stopped based only on the parking signal 34 as an analog signal.

The television adapter 10 of the second embodiment in FIG. 5 has both an analog signal control unit 12 and a CAN-BUS control unit 11, and the analog signal control unit 12 has a function of converting the vehicle speed pulse signal received as an analog signal from the vehicle speed pulse signal (analog) 33 (which may be the vehicle speed pulse sensor 221) and the parking brake signal received as an analog signal from the parking signal (analog) 34 so that they indicate that the vehicle is in a specified state even if the vehicle is not in the specified state.

In the second embodiment, originally, it would be possible to watch television by converting only the parking brake signal as an analog signal to indicate that the vehicle is in a specified state even if it is not, but the television adapter 10 also converts the vehicle speed pulse signal as an analog signal in the same way, and further has the function of converting the parking brake signal, drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, brake hold signal, etc. as CAN-BUS signals in the same way.

As described above, by converting the vehicle speed pulse signal as an analog signal, the parking brake signal as a CAN-BUS signal, the drive mode signal, the vehicle speed pulse signal, the brake hold signal, etc., which are not currently used by the navigation system 20 to determine whether the vehicle is in a specified state, even if the navigation system 20 is upgraded to a version where the means for determining whether the vehicle is in a specified state is changed from the parking signal as an analog signal to the parking brake signal as a CAN-BUS signal, or changed to another signal, it will be possible to watch television while the vehicle is driving and not in a specified state.

In the above explanation, the signal currently used by the navigation system 20 to determine whether the vehicle is in a specified state is a parking signal as an analog signal, but this signal is changed to a parking signal as a CAN-BUS signal after an upgrade. The same is true in the opposite case, and also in the case where the signal currently used is a parking signal as a CAN-BUS signal and is changed to a parking signal as an analog signal after an upgrade.

Furthermore, although the above explanation is based on the case where the signal currently being used is a parking signal, it should be noted that the same can be done if the signal is a vehicle speed pulse signal or other signal (e.g., a GPS signal or an ADAS signal).

That is, the multiple signals from the signal generating sources in the vehicle (such as the vehicle ECU 32, the vehicle speed pulse sensor 21, and the parking brake switch 32 in the above description; please note that the above description is merely an example of the signal generating sources) that indicate whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state can include a vehicle speed pulse signal, a parking brake signal, a drive mode signal, a brake hold signal, a GPS signal, and an ADAS signal, and it will be understood that the vehicle speed pulse signal can include one or both of a vehicle speed pulse signal as an analog signal and a vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal, and the parking brake signal can include one or both of a parking brake signal as an analog signal and a parking brake signal as a CAN-BUS signal.

It will be understood that the navigation system 20 may be configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state for the vehicle speed pulse signal and parking brake signal as analog signals, in the same manner as for the vehicle speed pulse signal and parking brake signal as CAN-BUS signals. For example, it will be understood that the navigation system 20 can determine that the vehicle is in a predetermined state based on the vehicle speed pulse signal as an analog signal not including a pulse for a predetermined period of time or the signal being constant at a predetermined voltage (e.g., 0 V) for a predetermined period of time. It will be understood that the navigation system 20 can determine that the vehicle is in a predetermined state based on the parking brake signal as an analog signal being at a predetermined voltage (e.g., 0 V).

Furthermore, it will be understood that the television adapter 10 can also have the function of converting the vehicle speed pulse signal and parking brake signal as analog signals in the same manner as the vehicle speed pulse signal and parking brake signal as CAN-BUS signals, and then transmitting them to the navigation system. For example, it will be understood that the television adapter 10 can convert the vehicle speed pulse signal as an analog signal in any manner so that it does not contain a pulse or so that it is constant at a predetermined voltage (e.g., 0 V). It will also be understood that the television adapter 10 can convert the parking brake signal as an analog signal in any manner so that it is a predetermined voltage (e.g., 0 V).

4. Regarding the Third Embodiment A vehicle and navigation system 20 in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment are configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state, and if it is determined that the vehicle is in the predetermined state, television viewing is permitted, but if not, television viewing is prohibited. The navigation system 20 is configured to use whether the parking brake is applied as a means for determining whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state.

The navigation system 20 detects the parking brake signal from the CAN-BUS, and at the same time, the drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, brake hold signal, etc. are all supplied to the navigation system 20 via CAN-BUS communication.

The parking brake ECU 212 transmits a parking brake signal as a CAN-BUS signal. The parking brake signal as a CAN-BUS signal is composed of data such as '1A3' '00' 'FF' 'EE'. The data 1A3 of the first data unit of this parking brake signal indicates the ID of the parking brake ECU. The data 00 of the second data unit of this parking brake signal indicates that the parking brake is applied, and if it is released the data will be other than 00, such as 0A. The data FF and EE of the third and fourth data units of this parking brake signal are data unrelated to the application of the parking brake. Therefore, when the parking brake is not applied, the parking brake ECU 212 transmits data such as '1A3' '0A' 'FF' 'EE', but if only the second piece of data is converted to '1A3' '00' 'FF' 'EE' and then transmitted to the navigation system 20, it becomes possible to watch television even when the vehicle is moving and not in a specified state. However, the television adapter 10 according to the third embodiment is configured to convert the above data to '1A3' '00' '00' '00'.

By also converting the data of the third and fourth data units, which currently do not indicate the parking brake operation status, to 00, even if the parking brake ECU 212 is upgraded and the data unit indicating the parking brake operation status is changed from the second to the third or fourth data unit and a corresponding update is made to the navigation system 20, it will still be possible to watch television while driving and the vehicle is not in a specified state.

By converting data for data units that are no longer in use in this way, it will be possible to more widely accommodate specification changes that occur with version upgrades.

In other words, it will be understood that the navigation system 20 may be further configured to be able to update the data unit for determining whether or not the vehicle is in a specified state from the first data unit (in the above description, the second data unit constituting the parking brake signal as a CAN-BUS signal. Please note that this data unit is merely an example) to another data unit among the plurality of data units (in the above description, the third or fourth data unit constituting the parking brake signal as a CAN-BUS signal. Please note that this data unit is merely an example).

It will also be understood that the parking brake ECU 212 (an example of a signal source in the vehicle) may be configured to be able to update the data unit indicating whether the vehicle is in the specified state from the first data unit to the other data unit.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the television adapter 10 (which is an example of an adapter) can include a function of copying the converted data ('00' in the above description; please note that this data is merely an example) to at least a portion of the data units other than the first data unit among the multiple data units (the third and fourth data units in the above description; please note that these data units are merely examples) and then transmitting it to the navigation system.

5. Regarding the Fourth Embodiment The second embodiment is a method for converting both analog signals and CAN-BUS signals, and the method of the third embodiment can be further combined therewith, or the methods of the first to third embodiments can be used in combination.

Furthermore, in the explanations of the first to third embodiments, it is described that the parking brake signal, drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, and brake hold signal are all converted, but it is not necessary to change all of them, or, in addition to the parking brake signal, drive mode signal, vehicle speed pulse signal, and brake hold signal, an ADAS signal, a GPS signal, or other signals that are assumed to be usable for determining whether the vehicle is in a specified state may be added and converted.

The method of converting the vehicle speed pulse signal to make it appear as if the vehicle is stopped even when the vehicle is moving may be the conversion method described in Patent No. 7274798.

6 Conclusion Although several examples of the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that these are merely examples and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the described embodiments can be modified, added, improved, etc. as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The technical scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should be defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (9)

an adapter configured to be connected between a source of signals in a vehicle and a navigation system installed in the vehicle ;
The navigation system;
A system for a vehicle comprising :
the signal includes a plurality of signals indicating whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state;
the navigation system is configured to determine whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state for one or more first signals of the plurality of signals, while being capable of updating a signal for determining whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state from the one or more first signals to another one or more signals of the plurality of signals;
the adapter has a function of converting, for each of two or more second signals among the plurality of signals, the signal received from the generation source and which does not indicate that the vehicle is in the predetermined state, into a signal indicating that the vehicle is in the predetermined state, and transmitting the converted signal to the navigation system;
The predetermined state includes at least one of a state in which the vehicle is stopped and a state in which the vehicle cannot travel,
the two or more second signals include the one or more first signals and the one or more further signals ; or
the two or more second signals are equal to the plurality of signals;
Vehicle systems . 2. The vehicle system according to claim 1,
the one or more first signals include a third signal including a plurality of data units;
a first data unit of the plurality of data units indicating whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state;
The navigation system is further configured to determine whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state for the first data unit while updating a data unit for determining whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state from the first data unit to another data unit of the plurality of data units;
The function of the adapter is to detect the third signal received from the source, the third signal including the first data unit not indicating that the vehicle is in the predetermined state,
converting the data in the first data unit to indicate that the vehicle is in the predetermined state;
a function of copying the converted data to at least a part of the data units other than the first data unit among the plurality of data units included in the third signal, and then transmitting the data to the navigation system;
the at least some of the data units other than the first data unit of the plurality of data units include the other data unit;
Vehicle systems . 2. The vehicle system according to claim 1,
the plurality of signals include a vehicle speed pulse signal, a parking brake signal, a drive mode signal, a brake hold signal, a GPS signal, and an ADAS signal;
The state in which the vehicle is stopped is
A state in which the vehicle speed pulse signal does not include a vehicle speed pulse;
a state in which the GPS signal indicates that the vehicle is stopped;
the ADAS signal includes a state indicating that the vehicle is stopped;
The state in which the vehicle cannot run is as follows:
the parking brake signal indicating that the parking brake of the vehicle is engaged;
a state in which the drive mode signal indicates that the drive mode of the vehicle is in a parking position;
a state in which the brake hold signal indicates that the brake hold of the vehicle is activated;
The ADAS signal includes a state indicating that the vehicle is not driveable.
Vehicle systems . 4. The vehicle system according to claim 3,
the two or more second signals include the vehicle speed pulse signal, the parking brake signal, the drive mode signal, the brake hold signal, a GPS signal, and an ADAS signal;
Vehicle systems . 5. The vehicle system according to claim 3,
the vehicle speed pulse signal includes one or both of a vehicle speed pulse signal as an analog signal and a vehicle speed pulse signal as a CAN-BUS signal,
The parking brake signal includes one or both of a parking brake signal as an analog signal and a parking brake signal as a CAN-BUS signal.
Vehicle systems . an adapter configured to be connected between a source of signals in a vehicle and a navigation system installed in the vehicle ;
The navigation system;
A system for a vehicle comprising :
the signal includes a third signal including a plurality of data units;
a first data unit of the plurality of data units indicating whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state;
the navigation system is configured to determine whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state for the first data unit, while being able to update a data unit for determining whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state from the first data unit to another data unit among the plurality of data units;
the adapter detects the third signal received from the source, the third signal including the first data unit not indicating that the vehicle is in the predetermined state,
converting the data in the first data unit to indicate that the vehicle is in the predetermined state;
a function of copying the converted data to at least a part of a data unit other than the first data unit among the plurality of data units included in the signal, and providing the data to the navigation system;
The predetermined state includes at least one of a state in which the vehicle is stopped and a state in which the vehicle cannot travel,
the at least some of the data units other than the first data unit of the plurality of data units include the other data unit;
Vehicle systems . 7. The vehicle system according to claim 2 or 6,
the source is configured to update a data unit indicating whether the vehicle is in the predetermined state from the first data unit to another data unit included in the plurality of data units;
Vehicle systems . 2. The vehicle system according to claim 1 ,
the navigation system has a television viewing function that is enabled when it is determined that the vehicle is in the predetermined state for all of the one or more first signals;
Vehicle systems . 7. The vehicle system according to claim 6 ,
the navigation system has a television viewing function that is enabled when it is determined that the vehicle is in the predetermined state for the first data unit ;
Vehicle systems .