JPH11273321A - Car audio system, vehicle-mounted computer, and method for controlling car audio system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To utilize both advantages by combining a compact computer with a universal OS and a car audio system. SOLUTION: A local bus B1 corresponding to the form of a CPU 11 included in a computer, a PCI bus B2 for connecting equipment 15, 21, 22, 3, 16, and 7 included in a car audio system, and a PCI bus host controller 114 for converting data form between the buses B1 and B2 are provided. An OS for the CPU 111 is stored in a flash ROM 113. The CPU 111 can speedily perform complex processing by efficiently accessing a memory 112 or the like. The computer and the car audio system can be operated smoothly. A multi-task can be facilitated, where another processing can be made with another path while an audio signal is being reproduced. Only the path corresponding to the form of the CPU 111 may be changed when the form of the CPU 111 is to be changed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for utilizing a mutual advantage by combining a small computer having a general-purpose OS with a car audio system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, semiconductor technology has made remarkable progress, and electronic devices in various fields have been downsized and improved in performance by using semiconductors. One of the electronic devices that are miniaturized and improved in performance by using semiconductors in this way is a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a "PC").
There is).

[0003] In particular, recently, small-sized personal computers called hand-held (portable) and palm-tops (hereinafter collectively referred to as "hand-held personal computers") have been increasing. Basic software suitable for such a handheld personal computer, that is, an operating system (Operat
ing System: hereinafter referred to as “OS”), for example, Wi
Windows (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) CE
Etc. are known.

[0004] Such a general-purpose OS realizes a high processing capability by meticulously managing the processing capability and memory of a CPU of a computer, and a unified and easy-to-use user interface independent of a program. Or a program of a predetermined format has the advantage that the functions of the computer can be added and changed by freely adding and changing.

Similarly, miniaturization and miniaturization by using semiconductors
Other electronic devices having higher performance include car audio systems and car navigation systems mounted on automobiles. Of these, the car audio system is commonly called a car stereo, etc.
An M or FM tuner is combined with an amplifier or a speaker. The car navigation system uses a compass, odometer, GPS, etc. to identify the current location of the car,
It is a system that displays maps on the screen and provides directions.

Recently, a car audio system is often combined with a car navigation system, a hands-free mobile phone, an alarm system for preventing theft, and the like. ].

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As described above, O
Conventionally, the handheld personal computer provided with the S and the car audio system are completely different from each other.
In other words, there have been car audio systems that have a computer in a broad sense for control, but the computer in this case is what is called an embedded system that works only for a specific purpose.

This embedded system uses a CPU having a minimum necessary capability, and performs a minimum necessary process for hardware such as accepting a switch operation and activating a disk reproducing mechanism by a small program using an assembler or the like. It was realized in. For this reason, it is not possible to use such as processing and saving data as in a personal computer, or to change and add functions by changing and adding programs.

On the other hand, the handheld personal computer does not have a function of playing music by itself or controlling a car audio system. For this reason, the user sometimes brought the handheld personal computer into the vehicle, but did not use it in connection with the car audio system.

Meanwhile, recent car audio systems include radio tuners, cassette tape decks and CDs.
Not only conventional equipment such as players, but also MD players, CD and MD autochangers, car navigation systems, voice recognition devices that recognize user commands, hands-free mobile phones, alarm systems to prevent theft, etc. Many devices are being incorporated. It is very difficult to use such increasingly complex car audio systems with only switches provided in individual devices.

That is, when the car audio system becomes complicated as described above, many switches such as operation keys and dials are located at various places in the vehicle. For this reason, it is difficult to remember which operation key is which.

That is, in order to make full use of a car audio system that is becoming increasingly complex, a compact system having advanced processing capability for controlling a complex system, an easy-to-use user interface, and flexibility for adding and changing functions related to control. It is desired to use a computer, particularly an information processing device equivalent to a handheld personal computer having a general-purpose OS for control.

[0013] Also, from the viewpoint of the handheld personal computer, in a society where automobiles are frequently used and traffic jams are frequent as in modern times, it is desired to expand the range of use in vehicles. In particular, by combining with a car audio system, it can also be used as operation keys and memory, read out information that the user wants to know in the car with a synthetic voice using a computer, and hear the voice from the speaker of the car audio system, If it can be used to access an external computer network via a mobile phone line built into the audio system, it can be used more widely than before.

A high-speed C such as that using a general-purpose OS
When a PU and a device included in a car audio system are combined, it is desirable to provide separate buses suitable for each of them, due to the difference in operation speed between the two. Further, in a car audio system in which a number of devices are combined, it is desired that a plurality of devices can be easily connected with simple and simple wiring.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and its purpose is to:
By combining a small computer having a general-purpose OS with a car audio system, mutual advantages can be obtained. Another object of the present invention is to use both a high-speed CPU and other devices smoothly by using a plurality of buses without waste. Another object of the present invention is to connect various devices in a daisy-chain type.

[0016]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a car audio system including a control computer, the computer including an operating system, the operating system comprising: Means for managing resources on a computer, means for controlling input / output including a user interface, and means for executing a program in a predetermined format. 7. The on-vehicle computer according to claim 6, further comprising: an operating system for realizing an environment necessary for executing a program of a predetermined format, a car audio system, and means for controlling the car audio system. It is characterized by. According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a car audio system control method for controlling a car audio system by using a computer having an operating system.
The operating system may include a step of realizing an environment necessary for executing a program of a predetermined format, and a step of controlling the car audio system by the program. According to the first, sixth, and eleventh aspects of the present invention, the computer for controlling the car audio system has a general-purpose OS,
This general-purpose OS maximizes the capabilities of the computer by managing resources such as CPU and memory, provides a unified and easy-to-use user interface independent of programs, and has a predetermined format. Add or change programs to easily add or change functions. For this reason, control of a complicated car audio system becomes easy. In addition, it becomes possible to use various programs and perform information processing using a device of a car audio system even in a vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a car audio system having a control computer, a first bus corresponding to a type of a CPU included in the computer is connected to a device included in the car audio system. And a second bus for the
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an in-vehicle computer provided with a car audio system, wherein a first bus corresponding to a type of a CPU included in the computer is connected to a device included in the car audio system. And a bus. According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the invention of the second aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method. In a method of controlling a car audio system using a computer, a CPU included in the computer includes And a device included in the car audio system exchanging data through a second bus for connecting the devices. And According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a car audio system having a control computer, a PC for connecting a local bus corresponding to a type of a CPU included in the computer to a device included in the car audio system.
An I bus. The invention according to claim 8 is an in-vehicle computer provided with a car audio system, wherein: a local bus corresponding to a type of a CPU included in the computer; a PCI bus for connecting a device included in the car audio system; It is characterized by having. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the car audio system according to the second or third aspect, means for converting a data format between the buses is provided. The invention of claim 9 is the invention of claim 7 or 8
The on-vehicle computer according to claim 1, further comprising means for converting a format of data between the buses. According to the second, third, seventh, eighth and twelfth aspects of the present invention, the CPU of the computer and the equipment of the car audio system exchange data using different buses corresponding to each other's format. The format is converted and transferred between the buses as necessary (claims 4 and 9). For this reason, even if the operation of the CPU is faster than the operation of each device, C
The PU does not need to match the operation cycle of each device, and can perform complicated processing at high speed by efficiently accessing a memory or the like. In addition, since the data exchanged by the CPU and the data exchanged by the devices do not compete for the same bus transmission capability, both the computer and the car audio system can operate smoothly. In addition, it is easy to perform a multitask such that a sound signal is reproduced using a bus for connecting devices, and another process is simultaneously performed using a bus corresponding to a CPU type. When the CPU is changed to another type, each device and the bus for connecting the devices are not changed, and only the bus corresponding to the CPU type is replaced with a new C type.
Since it may be changed according to the format of the PU, it is possible to easily cope with the change of the CPU.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the car audio system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a third device for connecting a plurality of devices included in the car audio system in a daisy chain format. It is characterized by having a bus. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the on-vehicle computer according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, a third bus for connecting a plurality of devices included in the car audio system in a daisy chain format is provided. It is characterized by having. In the invention of claims 5 and 10,
Multiple devices can be connected one after another in a daisy chain format. For this reason, even when the number of devices is increased or the devices are distributed and installed in various places in the vehicle, long wires are not concentrated at one place as in the star system, and the installation becomes easy. In addition, since the wiring becomes clear and easy to understand, it is easy to change the configuration and to perform maintenance and repair.

[0019]

Next, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiments") will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is a car audio system including various devices such as a CD player.
A computer having a general-purpose OS used in a hand-held personal computer is provided, and control of the car audio system is also performed by this computer. In each of the drawings used in the following description, the same members and members of the same type as those in the drawings described earlier are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[1. Configuration] [1-1. Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of this embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in this figure, a tuner amplifier unit 2, a microphone 3, a GPS antenna 4, a security control unit 5, It includes a telephone unit 6, a CD-ROM autochanger 7, and an auxiliary battery 9 for power backup.

The main unit 1 has a built-in control computer and controls the entire system by the computer. Further, the tuner amplifier unit 2 is a portion provided with a radio tuner and an amplifier for sounding a speaker (not shown), in addition to the AM and FM antennas 2a. The microphone 3 is for inputting a user's voice so that an operation by voice recognition can be performed. This voice recognition function is realized by the computer program described above.

[1-1-1. Main Unit] The main unit 1 also includes a socket 13S for inserting the compact flash card 13, and a face plate unit 15 that can be attached and detached (FIG. 1).
The compact flash card 13 is a storage medium using a flash memory and can read and write data from the main unit 1 by being inserted into a socket 13S provided in the main unit 1. The compact flash card 13 is used for exchanging data, programs, and the like with another computer, and for backing up various setting data in the car audio system.

The detachable face plate unit 15 has a display unit for displaying various information to the user, and an operation unit provided with operation keys for the user to perform various operations. DCP (Detachabl
e Control Panel). The display unit of the face plate unit 15 is, for example, a large-sized color LCD (liquid crystal display device) having 256 horizontal dots and 64 vertical dots.

If the face plate unit 15 is removed and taken out when getting off the car, even if a thief looks at the car audio system, he cannot use or resell because he sees that there is no essential display section and no operation section. Has the anti-theft effect of giving up on stealing. If the removed face plate unit 15 is carried around in the case 15a, it does not hurt itself or surrounding objects.

The face plate unit 15
Although not shown in FIG. 1, the handheld personal computer 8 and the I
An infrared communication unit for exchanging data in a format such as rDA is provided.

[1-1-2. Other Devices] The GPS antenna 4 is an antenna for receiving radio waves from GPS satellites. The signal from the GPS antenna 4 is GP
It is sent to the GPS unit in the main unit 1 via the S receiver 4a. Although not shown in FIG. 1, this GPS unit calculates the position of the receiver on the earth from radio waves. On the computer described above, the functions of the car navigation system are realized by the program, and the calculation results are passed to the functions of the car navigation system.

The security control unit 5 is a part that responds by sounding a siren 5b when theft or mischief is detected by a sensor 5a that detects vibration or impact. The telephone unit 6 is a unit for controlling functions of a car telephone, and is a part for realizing a telephone call using the telephone antenna 6a and the handset 6b. The CD-ROM autochanger 7 is a unit that reproduces a disc or music selected by a user by automatically changing several CDs set in advance.

[1-1-3. Daisy chain connection] Here, the security control unit 5, the telephone unit 6, and the CD-ROM autochanger 7
It is connected to the main unit 1 by a USB (Universal Serial Bus). This USB is a serial bus (third bus) for connecting multiple devices in a daisy chain format.
Bus).

In this embodiment, the device connected by USB in this way exchanges data with the outside,
It is configured to perform in the USB format. For example, the CD-ROM autochanger 7 includes an upstream hub and a downstream hub (HUB).
In the CD-ROM autochanger 7, digital data from a music CD or CD-ROM is temporarily stored in the ATAP.
The data is read in the I format (parallel format), and the read data is converted into a serial format USB (Universal Serial Bus) by a built-in data converter.
After being converted to the format, it is sent to USB.

With such a configuration, units 5, 6, C
Since the connection of the D-ROM autochanger 7 is a serial connection, when the units 5, 6, and 7 are installed at a location away from the main unit 1, the installation is facilitated. In FIG. 1, the unit 5, the unit 6, and the autochanger 7 are connected in this order. However, the connection order is arbitrary, and only the necessary ones may be connected.

[1-2. Internal Configuration of Main Unit] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of each of the above-described parts. In particular, FIG. is there. The whole of this figure is divided into four by a broken line, the left side is the CPU module 11, the center is the support module 12, the upper right is the external unit 30, and the lower right is the option unit 40. Among them, the CPU module 11 and the support module 12 are provided inside the main unit 1.

The external unit 30 and the optional unit 40 indicate several devices connected to the main unit 1 collectively. In addition,
2, the compact flash card 13 is shown below the CPU module 11 and the face plate unit 15 is shown above the external unit 30 for convenience of explanation.

The CPU module 11 and the support module 12 constitute a control computer for controlling the entire car audio system. Of these, CP
The U module 11 is a part that performs logical operation processing centered on the CPU 111 and the support module 12
Is a part for performing input and output with other devices included in the car audio system.

The main path of data in the CPU module 11 is a local bus B1 (first bus) formed around the CPU 111. On the other hand, the main path of data in the support module 12 is a PCI (Peripheral Co.) for connecting each device.
mponent Interconnect) bus B2 (second bus).

[1-2-1. Configuration of CPU module]
The local bus B1 of the CPU module 11
The local bus B1 includes a DRAM 112, a flash ROM 113,
CI bus host controller 114 and CPU host A
The SIC 115 and the PCMCIA / ASIC 116 are connected. The DRAM 112 includes the CPU 111
Is a part that provides a work area such as a variable area when performing information processing such as control of a car audio system.

The flash ROM 113 is a rewritable ROM, which stores software in a broad sense such as an OS, a BIOS, and an application program. O stored here
The functions of S include managing resources on a computer, controlling input / output including a user interface, and executing a program in a predetermined format.
One based on CE is conceivable.

The PCI bus host controller 11
4 connects the local bus B1 and the PCI bus B2,
This is a means for converting the format of data exchanged between these two buses.

An "ASIC" such as the CPU host ASIC 115 is an application specific integrated cipher.
rcuit is an abbreviation of IC or LSI for a general-purpose integrated circuit such as ROM, RAM, and CPU for a specific application. Specifically, this CPU host ASIC
Reference numeral 115 denotes an ASIC for interfacing the local bus B1 with the PCI bus host controller 114.
In other words, the CPU host ASIC 115 is a portion that serves as a window for data exchanged between the PCI bus B2 and the CPU module 11, and specifically, performs input / output between the CPU module 11 and the outside in place of the CPU 111. In addition to the above, it is determined whether or not the data sent from the PCI bus B2 is of a type to be passed to the CPU 111.

Then, the CPU host ASIC 115
What is to be passed to the CPU 111 is sent to the CPU 111 through the local bus B1, but it is sufficient if the predetermined response is returned mechanically without the need for the CPU 111 to perform an operation on the other data, for example, the transmitted data. For those that return such a reaction.

The PCMCIA ASIC 116 is
A compact flash card 13 is a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card) as a so-called PC card.
This is a portion for an interface corresponding to the standard of the International Association) and a portion for controlling reading and writing of data from and to the compact flash card 13.

[1-2-2. Configuration Regarding Support Module] Next, the PCI bus B2 of the support module 12 is a bus for exchanging data with various devices constituting the car audio system.
Here, as the devices connected to the PCI bus B2, there are an external unit 30 and an optional unit 40, each of which indicates several devices collectively.

That is, the external unit 30 is a separate unit from the main unit 1 shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, in this example, the face plate unit 15 which can be attached to and detached from the main unit 1, The tuner 21, the amplifier 22 and the microphone 3 provided in the tuner amplifier unit 2. The face plate unit 15 includes an infrared communication unit 127.

The option unit 40 is a unit for selecting whether or not to be incorporated in the car audio system as an option. Specifically, in this example,
GPS unit 16 and CD-ROM autochanger 7
It is. Further, a CD-R is provided inside the main unit 1.
There is an OM unit 14, and this CD-ROM unit 1
4 is also connected to the PCI bus B2. This CD-RO
The M unit 14 is a player for reading digital data from one CD or CD-ROM. These C
Both the D-ROM autochanger 7 and the CD-ROM unit 14 are compatible (compatible) in that data can be read from a so-called music CD or data can be read from a CD-ROM.

In the support module 12, the PCI
In order for the bus B2 to exchange data with these devices, the support ASIC 121 and the CODEC circuit 1
22, DSP unit 123, buffer memory 124,
A parallel / PCI driver 125 and a serial / PCI driver 126 are used.

The support ASIC 121 is a part for arranging data traffic between the support module 12 and each device, that is, where data comes from and where it is sent. The “CODEC” of the CODEC circuit 122
Is an abbreviation of “Coder / Decoder”, that is, an encoding / decoding technique for data. The CODEC circuit 122 includes, for example,
D for converting given digital data into an analog signal
A / D conversion, and conversely, A / D conversion for converting an analog signal into digital data.

The "DSP" of the DSP unit 123
Is an abbreviation for a digital sound processor, that is, a circuit that specializes in processing digital sound signals. The DSP unit 123 receives digital data representing music and the like, and sets the left and right balance set in the system. It is a part that processes digital data so that items such as volume, fader, surround, and equalizer are reflected in the content of the sound.

Further, the buffer memory 124 has a CD-R
Since an audio device such as an OM unit and a PCI bus B2 have different data read / write cycles, the buffer is a buffer for filling this difference by storing data and extracting it little by little, and is composed of an SRAM or the like.

The parallel / PCI driver 125
Is a part for converting the parallel digital data sent from the CD-ROM unit 14 into the data format of the PCI bus B2. The serial / PCI driver 126 converts serial digital data sent from the CD-ROM autochanger 7 into a data format of the PCI bus B2.

The face plate unit 15 including the infrared communication unit 127 is a support ASIC 12
1 via a high-speed serial communication circuit, and the GPS unit 16 sends a UART (Universal
It is connected by an asynchronous serial communication circuit such as Asynchronous Receiver-Transitter). CD-ROM
The unit 14 supplies the parallel / PCI driver 125 with A
They are connected by a parallel communication circuit such as TAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface). Although not shown, the infrared communication unit 127 is provided with an ASIC for exchanging data with infrared rays.

[2. Operation] This embodiment configured as described above works as follows. [2-1. Overall operation] [2-1-1. Input of Data] In this embodiment, of the data input from each device, the digital data is the data stored in the support ASIC 121 of the support module 12.
Is entered directly into. For example, data indicating which key has been pressed is sent from the face plate unit 15. The GPS unit 16 also sends digital data such as latitude and longitude calculated using radio waves from GPS satellites. Also, digital data transferred by infrared from the handheld personal computer 8 is sent from the infrared communication unit 127 provided in the face plate unit 15.

The CD-ROM unit 14 and the CD
From the ROM autochanger 7, sound data read from a music CD, that is, audio data,
Digital data read from ROM, ie CD
The ROM data is transferred to the PCI bus B by the parallel / PCI driver 125 or the serial / PCI driver 126;
2 and then sent to the support ASIC 121 via the PCI bus B2.

Further, although not shown in FIG. 2, digital data indicating the occurrence of an abnormality is sent from the security control unit 5 shown in FIG. Similarly,
Digital data, that is, character data, that informs of the incoming and outgoing telephone number of the call, that is, character data, is transmitted from the telephone unit 6 shown in FIG. Data is sent to the support ASIC 121.

Since the security control unit 5 and the telephone unit 6 are daisy-chained to the serial bus B3, information transmitted from the security control unit 5 and the telephone unit 6 is transmitted from the CD-ROM autochanger 7. Serial / PCI driver 126, just like digital data
Is converted to the data format of the PCI bus B2, and is transmitted via the PCI bus B2.

On the other hand, of the data input from each device, an analog signal is once input to the CODEC circuit 122, converted into digital data (A / D conversion) by the CODEC circuit 122, and then converted to a support AS.
It is passed to the IC 121. For example, the voice of the user is input as an analog signal from the microphone 3 and the tuner 21
Thereafter, the broadcast contents of the radio received as a result of the tuning are input as analog signals.

[2-1-2. Destination of input data] For information gathered in this way, support A
The SIC 121 plays a role in traffic control, which information is sent to where. That is, the support ASIC 121
Roughly, the sound data is processed by the DSP unit 123 and passed through the CODEC circuit 122 to the amplifier 22.
, And data other than the sound is sent to the CPU module 11. However, among the sound data, the data input from the microphone 3 is used for the CPU module 1 for voice recognition.
Send to 1.

The sound data sent to the amplifier 22 includes, for example, the contents of a radio broadcast tuned by the tuner 21, the CD-ROM unit 14 and the CD-RO.
The recorded content read from the music CD by the M autochanger 7 and the voice of the other party sent from the telephone unit 6 can be considered.

As data other than sound, for example,
Data indicating which operation key is pressed on the face plate unit 15, data such as a file transmitted from the infrared communication unit 127, digital data such as latitude and longitude transmitted from the GPS unit 16,
ROM unit 14 and CD-ROM autochanger 7
The contents of the map for the car navigation system read from the CD-ROM and the contents of the information for each area, the data sent from the security control unit 5 to notify the occurrence of an abnormality, and the telephone call sent from the telephone unit 6 Data or the like for notifying the incoming or outgoing telephone number is conceivable.

[2-1-3. Information processing in CPU module] In the CPU module 11, the support ASIC 1
When digital data is transmitted from the PCI bus 21, the PCI bus host controller 114 converts the transmitted data into a data format of the local bus B <b> 1 and passes it to the CPU host ASIC 115. This CPU host ASIC
The 115 performs input / output on behalf of the CPU 111 and, when data is passed, determines whether the data should be passed to the CPU 111 or not from the data format or the like.

That is, the CPU host ASIC 115
For data that only needs a certain mechanical response,
A predetermined response is returned to the support module 12 through the PCI bus host controller 114, but other data is passed to the CPU 111.

The CPU 111 has a flash ROM 113
The received data is processed in accordance with the OS and program codes recorded in the OS, and the DRAM 112 is used as a storage area such as a work area necessary for this processing. For example, when the user's voice input from the microphone 3 is sent, the CPU 111 compares the received user's voice with parameters and waveforms representing the features of the command words prepared in advance. It presumes that a similar command is what the user said, and performs an operation according to the command.

The reading and writing of the compact flash card 13 are performed by the CPU
CPU ASIC1 according to the request from
15 by controlling the PCMCIA ASIC 116.

The result of the information processing by the CPU 111 is transmitted to the PCI bus host controller 114 by the P bus.
After being converted into the data format of the CI bus B2, it is sent to the support module 12. The data sent to the support module 12 as a result of the information processing includes an operation command for each part and each device of the support module 12, and the support module 12 performs input / output according to the data thus sent. Is performed.

[2-1-4. Processing such as input / output by support module] For example, when a command to read data from a CD or tune a radio is received from the CPU module 11, the CD-ROM unit 14, the CD-R
The OM autochanger 7 and the tuner 21 perform operations according to the change. When a command to switch the sound source of the sound output from the speaker to a device different from the current device arrives from the CPU module 11, the support ASIC 121
The digital data to be sent to the EC circuit 122 is switched from that of the previous device to that of the newly designated device.

When outputting digital data to the amplifier 22, the amplifier 22 accepts only analog signals. Therefore, the CODEC circuit 122 converts the digital data into analog signals (D / A conversion) and outputs the analog data to the amplifier 22. I do.

For example, when display data for a user is sent from the CPU module 11 or another device to the support ASIC 121, the support ASIC 1
21 transfers the display data to the face plate unit 15 through the high-speed serial communication circuit. In this case, in the face plate unit 15, information for the user is displayed on the display unit according to the transferred display data.

Next, how the user can use the car audio system of this embodiment by the operation of each part described above will be specifically described.

[2-2. Operation and Display of Information] When operating the car audio system of this embodiment, the user may press an operation key provided on the face plate unit 15 or a predetermined operation is performed for each operation. The phrase may be uttered. For example, if the user has a CD
If you want to use the FM tuner, you can press the operation key to switch to the CD, or if you speak into the microphone 3 as a predetermined word, for example, "Shide-up" or "Efu-emu" Good.

When the user presses the operation key, the data is transmitted from the support ASIC 121 to the CPU module 1.
1, the CPU 111 sends new display data to the support ASIC 121, and the display unit of the face plate unit 15 uses this display data to display a screen for operating a radio or a screen for operating a CD. And so on.

Further, for example, when the user speaks a phrase such as "Shi-de-", an analog signal is converted from the microphone 3 into digital data by the CODEC circuit 122, and the digital data is converted to the support ASIC1.
21 to the CPU 111 via the PCI bus host controller and the CPU host ASIC 115,
Numeral 11 recognizes which word the user has said based on the digital data, and performs the same action as when an operation key is pressed according to the recognition result.

For example, the display unit of the face plate unit 15 is set as a touch panel, and functions that can be used at that time are displayed on the display unit as icons as a graphical user interface of the computer, and icons of functions desired by the user are displayed. You can make it work when you touch it with your finger. Furthermore, for example, if the display using such an icon and the voice recognition are used together, several icons are displayed at once, and the user can use the “next”
When the user speaks, the screen switches and the next several icons are displayed, and when the user speaks "return," the screen returns to the previous state.

[2-3. When listening to the radio] In the operation described above, for example, when the user speaks “Efume” and selects the FM broadcast of the radio, and the CPU 111 recognizes it, the support ASIC 121 operates the tuner in accordance with the instruction from the CPU 111. 21 is switched to the FM reception state, and the source of data sent to the amplifier 22 is switched to audio data from the tuner 21. In this case, the tuner 21 may receive the frequency selected last time, or, for example, the user speaks a phrase such as “seek-up” to change the frequency little by little, and The frequency may be automatically searched (automatic sweep).

When the user listens to the radio as described above, the received content sent from the tuner 21 is an analog signal, and this analog signal is input to the CODEC circuit 122, converted into digital data, and
It is sent to C121. Support ASIC 121 is CO
The digital data received from the DEC circuit 122 is DS
The digital data is passed to the P unit 123, and the DSP unit 123 processes the digital data in accordance with setting items such as balance and volume set in advance on the system, and sends back to the support ASIC 121.

The support ASIC 121 converts the digital data returned in this way into the CODEC circuit 12.
2 again, and the CODEC circuit 122 converts this digital data back to an analog signal and returns it.
This time, it is sent to the amplifier 22 so that it flows from the speaker.

[2-4. CD playback]
If you want to listen to music CDs, use the CD-ROM unit 14
And music CD you want to listen to the CD-ROM autochanger 7
, And instruct playback by voice such as “Start” or an instruction to jump to the next song. For example, when playing back a music CD in the CD-ROM unit 14, the CD-ROM unit 14 operates according to a command from the support ASIC 121, and audio data, which is digital data, is sent from the CD-ROM unit 14. .

Then, the parallel / PCI driver 125
Converts the audio data into the data format of the PCI bus B2 and sends the data to the support ASIC 121. When the support ASIC 121 receives the audio data from the PCI bus B2, the support ASIC 121 once passes the audio data to the DSP unit 123 for processing. When the processed audio data is received again from the DSP unit 123, the processed audio data is transferred from the digital input / output port to the CODEC circuit 122 and output to the amplifier 22 in the form of an analog signal.

When the music CD is reproduced by the CD-ROM autochanger 7, the serial audio data transmitted from the serial bus B3 is converted to the serial / audio data.
The PCI driver 126 converts the data format into the data format of the PCI bus B2.
This is performed in the same manner as in the case of 4.

The CD-ROM unit 14 and the CD-ROM unit
When the ROM autochanger 7 is compared with the CODEC circuit 122 and the DSP unit 123 relatively, the former sends a large amount of data in a long time cycle, while the latter sends data in a short time cycle. Since the processing is performed little by little, there is a cycle difference between the two.
Therefore, the support ASIC 121 stores the digital data sent together by the CD-ROM unit 14 or the CD-ROM autochanger 7 in the buffer memory 124.
And then take out the oldest part one after another
By passing the data to the unit 123 for processing, the above-described deviation is filled and the reproduction is performed smoothly.

[2-5. Use of CD-ROM and Car Navigation] When the user wants to use the functions of a car navigation system, for example,
In the unit 14, C in which data (application software, maps, etc.) for the car navigation system is recorded
After setting the D-ROM, the function of the car navigation system is activated. The function of such a car navigation system is, for example, a flash ROM 113 of the CPU module 11 as a computer program.
The program can be realized by causing the CPU 111 to execute such a program.

When such a car navigation system attempts to read map data or various information for each area recorded on a CD-ROM, for example, the digital data read from the CD-ROM unit 14 is read. Data is parallel / PCI driver 125, PCI bus host controller 114, CPU host ASIC11
The data is passed to the CPU 111 through the step S5. The CPU 111 creates a bitmap image to be displayed on the display unit of the faceplate unit 15 on the DRAM 112 based on the data such as the map received in this way.
Send it to the support module 12.

When using the car navigation system as described above, the GPS antenna 4 shown in FIG.
The radio wave from the PS satellite is received, and the GPS unit 1 shown in FIG.
6 calculates the latitude, longitude and the like from this radio wave, and this data is sent to the CPU 111. Then, the CPU 111
From these data such as latitude and longitude, can identify on the map where the car equipped with this car audio system is currently running. As a result, the current position is set as the departure point without a user input, a rough map centering on the current point is displayed, and a figure for instructing the next right or left turn is displayed. be able to.

The data for navigation includes a compact flash card 13 (or DRAM 112),
Alternatively, it may be stored in the flash ROM 113.

The operation method using voice recognition as described above can also be used when using the functions of the car navigation system.
When using a car navigation system that gives instructions such as right turn and left turn at each turn, when the user wants to see the previous instruction or the next instruction, the user can say words such as “next” or “return”. You can also switch the display one after another.

Further, such route guidance can be notified to the user by outputting a synthesized voice through the amplifier 22. In this case, it is necessary to shift the line of sight to the display unit in order to know where to turn next. Disappears.

[2-6. Use of telephone]
When making a call using the telephone unit 6, the advantage of the computer and the advantage of the car audio system can be utilized as follows. For example, the user uses a computer program to pre-register the telephone number and name of a person who he or she knows in the system, for example, the DRAM 112 and the compact flash card 13.

When a telephone call arrives, though not shown in FIG.
Through the PCI driver 126, digital data indicating that the call has arrived and digital data indicating the telephone number of the caller are sent to the support ASIC 121.
These data are further stored in the CP of the CPU module 11.
Sent to U111, CPU 111 searches whether the telephone number of the current caller is registered in the telephone numbers registered in advance.

If the telephone number of the current caller is present among the telephone numbers registered in advance, the CPU 1
11 sends back the name corresponding to the telephone number to the support module 12 so that the face plate unit 1
By displaying the name of the person who is calling 5 on the phone or by giving a synthetic voice guidance such as "From Mr. XX" through the in-vehicle speaker, the user can be notified of who is calling. it can.

When the user who knows that a call is being received by such display, guidance, ringing tone, etc., instructs to connect a telephone by uttering a predetermined phrase, the voice of the other party is turned on by a speaker. At the same time as the voice of the user input from the microphone 3
22 is converted to digital data by AS
The information is sent to the telephone unit 6 via the IC 121, the serial / PCI driver 126, and the serial bus B3, and the user can make a call in a so-called hands-free state without using a hand.

When the ringing tone sounds a certain number of times, for example, the telephone unit 6 or the CPU module 1
The answering machine function prepared in 1 answers the call.

When the user wants to make a call, for example, the telephone number and the name registered in advance are displayed one after another on the display screen, and when the party to be called is displayed, the call is made. When an icon or the like is touched with a finger, the telephone number is transferred from the CPU module 11 to the telephone unit 6 as digital data, and the telephone is automatically called.

Further, the user speaks the name registered, and C
When the PU module 11 recognizes this, it automatically sends a call to the telephone number corresponding to the name, utters the telephone number to be called one digit at a time to make it recognized, or the user utters “Ridaiyaru”. It is possible to decide where to call in recognition of this.

[2-7. Use of Security Control Unit] The security control unit 5 can be used alone, or can be used in conjunction with the telephone unit 6 described above. For example (FIG. 1), when the user leaves the car, he activates the security control unit 5 and gets off with the transmitter 5c. When a third party who has nothing to do with the user of the vehicle touches the doorknob, fiddles with the keyhole, tries to pry open the door or trunk, or moves the vehicle without permission, the sensor 5a detects the shock and vibration caused by the vibration. Feeling, sensor 5
The security control unit 5 that has received the signal from a sounds the siren 5b at a high volume, for example. This has the effect of alerting the environment outside the vehicle.

When the user himself / herself returns to the car and operates the transmitter 5c, the predetermined encryption is sent to the security control unit 5, and the function of the security control unit 5 is released. The siren will not ring when you use the keys or move the car.

The security control unit 5 is more effective if used in conjunction with the telephone unit 6. That is, when the sensor 5a detects an abnormality,
The security control unit 5 not only sounds the siren, but also sends an interrupt signal to activate the car audio system including the CPU module 11 and the support module 12. In order to enable such start-up, an electronic circuit connected to the power supply and start-up switch of the car audio system is prepared, and the electronic circuit is constantly monitored for an interrupt signal. As soon as it comes, you can turn on the power and start switch to start the car audio system.

When the CPU 111 thus activated receives the data indicating the occurrence of the abnormality from the security control unit 5, the CPU 111 sends a command to the telephone unit 6 to make a telephone call. The destination to be called at this time may be set in advance as a report destination at the time of abnormality, and may be, for example, the police, a mobile phone owned by the user, a security company, or the like. Then, when the call is connected to the called party, the other party is notified of the abnormality by listening to the synthesized voice or a previously recorded announcement. In this way, the person who is notified can rush to the site.

[2-8. Use of utility program] Also, like a normal handheld personal computer,
If functions such as an address book, a calendar, a schedule management, a voice recording, a clock, a calculator, and a game are used as the functions of the OS and the application programs, various types of information processing can be performed even in a car. Further, by deleting, replacing, or adding an application program that realizes these functions, each user can prepare an information processing environment suitable for himself / herself.

[2-9. Use of Compact Flash Card] In the car audio system of this embodiment, the use of the compact flash card 13 allows information to be exchanged with another handheld personal computer, another car audio system, or the like.

For example, the compact flash card 13
By reading a new application program or OS into the flash ROM 113 from the above, it becomes easy to add a new function or update the OS. In particular, by using a general-purpose OS, it becomes easier for a general software maker to create an application program and a function module of the OS, so that a compact flash card 13 on which the program is recorded can be easily obtained and sold. The audio system can be used more conveniently as a computer.

If personal data such as an address book created by another personal computer or a handheld personal computer is brought into the car audio system by the compact flash card 13, the work up to that point is continued on the car audio system. be able to. On the contrary, the data created by the car audio system can be transferred to another personal computer or a handheld personal computer using the compact flash card 13 to continue the operation.

If the data created by the user using the above-described utility program is backed up and copied to the compact flash card 13,
Even in the case where data is lost due to malfunction of the car audio system or use by another person, the data can be read from the compact flash card 13 into the main unit 1 again and information processing can be continued.

Also, various settings of the car audio system suitable for oneself can be stored in the compact flash card 13.
If you use a car, you can insert your compact flash card 13 into the main unit 1 and read the contents, even if someone else in your family changes the settings. You can use the car audio system with the original settings that are convenient for you.

[2-10. Communication with Handheld Personal Computer] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the infrared communication unit 1
By using 27, between the handheld PC 8
Data can be easily exchanged without the trouble of inserting and removing the compact flash card 13 and connecting with a cable or the like. For this reason, the OS and application programs are updated using files and the like recorded in the handheld personal computer 8, personal data created on the car audio system is directly transferred to the handheld personal computer 8, and the like. Backup of personal data is stored in a relatively large storage area of the handheld personal computer 8, or the settings of the car audio system are transferred to the car audio system of another vehicle through the handheld personal computer 8. Various uses such as, are also possible.

[3. Effects] As described above, in this embodiment, the computer that controls the car audio system has a general-purpose OS.
Manage resources such as PUs and memory to maximize the capabilities of the computer, provide a program-independent unified and easy-to-use user interface, and add or change programs in a predetermined format This makes it easy to add or change functions. For this reason, control of a complicated car audio system becomes easy.

Further, if the program conforms to the OS standard, various programs can be used in the vehicle, and the display unit, operation keys, and the like of the car audio system can be used.
It is also possible to perform information processing using a device such as a speaker. Of course, even in this case, the user can save his / her personal information using a large memory like a handheld personal computer, and can edit the information like a personal computer.

Also, in this embodiment, the CPU of the computer and the equipment of the car audio system exchange data using different buses corresponding to each other, and data is required between the two buses. The format is converted according to and passed. For this reason, C
Even if the operation of the PU is fast, the CPU does not need to match the operation cycle of each device, and can perform complicated processing at high speed by efficiently accessing a memory or the like. Further, since the data exchanged by the CPU and the data exchanged by the devices do not compete for the same bus transmission capability, both the computer and the car audio system can perform their respective operations smoothly.

Further, it becomes easy to perform a multitask such that a sound signal is reproduced using a bus for connecting devices and, at the same time, another process is performed using a bus corresponding to a CPU type. Also, when changing the CPU to another type, it is only necessary to change each device and the bus for connecting the devices as they are, and only change the bus corresponding to the CPU type according to the new CPU type. , The CPU can be easily changed.

In particular, in this embodiment, a plurality of devices can be connected one after another in a daisy chain format. For this reason, even when the number of devices is increased or the devices are distributed and installed in various places in the vehicle, long wires are not concentrated at one place as in the case of the star system, and the installation becomes easy. In addition, since the wiring is easy to understand, it is easy to change the configuration of the car audio system and to perform maintenance and repair.

In addition, in this embodiment, regardless of the type of data such as audio data or character data, any data is exchanged and processed as digital data via USB or the like.
It is less affected by environmental changes and noise, and the audio characteristics are stable.

[4. Other Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes other embodiments as exemplified below. For example,
In the embodiment described above, Windows CE is given as a specific example of the OS of the computer. However, this is merely an example, and it is not necessary to use another kind of existing OS or use a new OS that will appear in the future. Are also included in the scope of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a car audio system for a vehicle is controlled has been described. However, the present invention can also be used to control an electric appliance such as a stationary stereo at home. In this case, too, the advantages of the present invention, such as using new application software or reducing the size of the entire system, can be utilized.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, specific standards are given for various buses and communication circuits. However, such standards are merely examples, and are replaced with other standards that can be used in the same manner. You can also. Further, for example, the first bus and the second bus can be made internal buses by integrating the CPU module and the support module into one chip.

[0111]

As described above, according to the present invention, a computer having a general-purpose OS and a car audio system are combined to take advantage of each other, and a complicated car audio system can be easily controlled. The usage can be expanded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing an internal configuration of a main unit according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main unit 1 11 ... CPU module 111 ... CPU 112 ... DRAM 113 ... Flash ROM 114 ... PCI bus host controller 115 ... CPU host ASIC 116 ... PCMCIA / ASIC 12 ... Support module 121 ... Support ASIC 122 ... CODEC circuit 123 ... DSP Unit 124 Buffer memory 125 Parallel / PCI driver 126 Serial / PCI driver 127 Infrared communication unit 13 Compact flash card 13S Socket 14 CD-ROM unit 15 Face plate unit 15a Case 16 GPS unit 2 Tuner amplifier unit 2a Antenna 21 Tuner 22 Amplifier 3 Microphone 4 GPS antenna 4a Receiver Reference Signs List 5 security control unit 5a sensor 5b siren 5c transmitter 6 telephone unit 6a antenna 6b handset 7 CD-ROM autochanger 8 handheld personal computer 9 auxiliary battery 30 external unit 40 optional unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Sadafumi Hamajima 5-35-2 Hakusan, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Clarion Co., Ltd.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A car audio system including a control computer, wherein the computer includes an operating system, the operating system managing resources on the computer, and controlling input and output including a user interface. And a means for executing a program in a predetermined format. 2. A car audio system including a control computer, wherein a first bus corresponding to a type of a CPU included in the computer and a second bus for connecting a device included in the car audio system are provided. A car audio system comprising: a bus; 3. A car audio system including a control computer, comprising: a local bus corresponding to a type of a CPU included in the computer; and a PCI bus for connecting a device included in the car audio system. A car audio system comprising: 4. The car audio system according to claim 2, further comprising means for converting a format of data between the buses. 5. The car according to claim 1, further comprising a third bus for connecting a plurality of devices included in the car audio system in a daisy chain format. Audio system. 6. An operating system for realizing an environment required to execute a program of a predetermined format, a car audio system, and means for controlling the car audio system. In-vehicle computer. 7. An in-vehicle computer provided with a car audio system, a first bus corresponding to a type of a CPU included in the computer, and a second bus for connecting a device included in the car audio system. An in-vehicle computer, comprising: 8. An in-vehicle computer provided with a car audio system, comprising: a local bus corresponding to a type of a CPU included in the computer; and a PCI bus for connecting devices included in the car audio system. An in-vehicle computer characterized in that: 9. The in-vehicle computer according to claim 7, further comprising means for converting a data format between the buses. 10. The vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising a third bus for connecting a plurality of devices included in the car audio system in a daisy chain format. For computer. 11. A car audio system control method for controlling a car audio system using a computer having an operating system, wherein the operating system realizes an environment necessary for executing a program of a predetermined format. And controlling the car audio system by the program. A method for controlling a car audio system, the method comprising: 12. A method of controlling a car audio system using a computer, wherein a CPU included in the computer exchanges data through a first bus corresponding to a type of the CPU. A device included in the car audio system exchanging data through a second bus for connecting the device. A method for controlling a car audio system, comprising: