WO2005100919A1 - Automotive on-vehicle multimedia unit - Google Patents

Automotive on-vehicle multimedia unit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005100919A1
WO2005100919A1 PCT/EP2005/051678 EP2005051678W WO2005100919A1 WO 2005100919 A1 WO2005100919 A1 WO 2005100919A1 EP 2005051678 W EP2005051678 W EP 2005051678W WO 2005100919 A1 WO2005100919 A1 WO 2005100919A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
multimedia unit
processing device
digital processing
communication channel
digital
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2005/051678
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Giovanni Stefani
Adriana Di Pede
Original Assignee
Ferrari S.P.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ferrari S.P.A. filed Critical Ferrari S.P.A.
Publication of WO2005100919A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005100919A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/60—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers including speech amplifiers
    • H04M1/6033—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers including speech amplifiers for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets
    • H04M1/6041—Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
    • H04M1/6075—Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
    • B60R11/0211—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
    • H04M2250/02—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a Bluetooth interface

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an automotive on- vehicle multimedia unit, in particular for: a car.
  • BACKGROUND ART Cars are traditionally equipped with a music unit or so-called car radio for playing music inside the passenger compartment of the car.
  • Car radios were originally equipped solely with a radio tuner, but have gradually developed to comprise a cassette and/or compact disk: or minidisk player, and input channels connectable to external devices (e.g. cellular telephone speakers) to reproduce an audio signal from the external devices .
  • an on-vehicle multimedia unit is no-irmally provided with at least one external (e.g.
  • USB or Fiirewire standard digital communication port, which is noirrmally used to connect any external digital device to thxe on- vehicle multimedia unit to enable the external digital device to make use of the various functions of thie on- vehicle multimedia unit.
  • the normal working life of a car (at least 6 to 8 years) , however, has been found to be much greater than the frequency with which digital communication standards are updated, so that, haifway through the working life of the car, the on-vehicle multimedia unit is most likely unconnectable to current digital devices, on account of the digital communication standard of the on-vehicle multimedia unit having become obsolete.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic view in perspective of an automotive on-vehicle multimedia unit in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the internal structure of the on-vehicle multimedia unit in Figure 1.
  • BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates an automotive on- vehicle multimedia unit (or so-called "Info-relematic Node") .
  • Multimedia unit 1 comprises a fairly la ⁇ cge main casing 2 designed for integration in the central portion of a vehicle instrument panel; and a small auxiliary casing 3 physically separate from main casing 2.
  • Main casing 2 houses a digital processing device 4 defined by a microprocessor system having both a ROM memory, for storing an operating system, and a RAM memory.
  • a user interface device 5 is connected, to digital processing device 4, is housed in main casing 2, has a number of controls 6 (normally buttons or selector knobs) on a front wall 7 of casing 2, and enables the user to dialog with multimedia unit 1.
  • Front wall 7 of main casing 2 is fitted with a liquid crystal screen 8 controlled by digitai processing device 4 to display the content of video media.
  • Main casing 2 houses an audio device 9 for generating sounds, and which is controlled by digital processing device 4 and connected to a number of speakers (not shown in detail) distributed inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle .
  • Multimedia unit 1 may obviously comprise other devices not shown in detail, such as a music device for tuning into radio stations and playing compact music disks, a cellular telephone device (for both voice and data communication) , and a satellite device for locating the position of the vehicle.
  • Multimedia unit 1 also comprises an interface device 10 for connecting external devices 11 to digital processing device 4, and which is housed in auxiliary casing 3 and communicates with digital processing device 4 over a dedicated communication channel 12.
  • External devices 11 may, for example, be a storage device containing digital music files (typically MP3 standard) , a storage device containing digital images or films (e.g. acquired using a digital camera) , a palm-top computer, or a cellular telephone.
  • dedicated communication channel 12 provides for wireless radio-frequency (e.g. Bluetooth standard) communication.
  • dedicated communication channel 12 provides for wireless infrared communication, or cable communication (e.g. USB or Firewire standard) .
  • Interface device 10 preferably comprises a number of digital communication ports 13, and in particular at least one USB-standard digital communication portion 13, and one Firewire-standard digital communication port 13.
  • Interface device 10 also comprises at least one memory card reader 14.
  • interface device 10 also comprises an analog output for connecting headsets or any other analog device .
  • Multimedia unit 1 may even comprise a number of interface devices 10, each housed in a respective auxiliary casing 3; and digital processing device 4 may be connected to one interface device 10 at a time, or to a number of interface devices 10 simultaneously.
  • main casing 2 preferably (though not necessarily) has no digital communication ports, all external digital connection functions being performed by interface device 10 housed in auxiliary casing 3.
  • interface device 10 can be changed or integrated at very low purchase and installation cost, thus enabling interface device 10, and therefore multimedia unit 1, to keep pace easily and cheaply with developments in digital communication standards.

Abstract

An automotive on-vehicle multimedia unit (1) having a main casing (2) housing a digital processing device (4), a user interface device (5) connected to the digital processing device (4), a screen (8) controlled by the digital processing device (4), and an audio device (9) for generating sounds and controlled by the digital processing device (4); the multimedia unit (1) also has a dedicated communication channel (12) for connecting an interface device (10), which is physically separate from the main container (2) and provides for connecting a number of external devices (11) to the digital processing device (4).

Description

AUTOMOTIVE ON-VEHICLE MULTIMEDIA UNIT
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an automotive on- vehicle multimedia unit, in particular for: a car. BACKGROUND ART Cars are traditionally equipped with a music unit or so-called car radio for playing music inside the passenger compartment of the car. Car radios were originally equipped solely with a radio tuner, but have gradually developed to comprise a cassette and/or compact disk: or minidisk player, and input channels connectable to external devices (e.g. cellular telephone speakers) to reproduce an audio signal from the external devices . Alongside developments in automotive electronics, the car radio function has sometimes been integrated in a multimedia unit designed to reproduce audio signals inside the passenger compartment and the content of video media on liquid crystal screens, so that a multimedia unit performs the traditional functions of a car irradio, can reproduce the content of audio-video media (e.g. a television broadcast) , can perform satellite navigator and cellular telephone functions, permits Internet navigation, and can perform the functions of n on- vehicle computer system or external computer network local terminal . All possible applications of a multimedia unit being unpredictable, an on-vehicle multimedia unit is no-irmally provided with at least one external (e.g. USB or Fiirewire standard) digital communication port, which is noirrmally used to connect any external digital device to thxe on- vehicle multimedia unit to enable the external digital device to make use of the various functions of thie on- vehicle multimedia unit. The normal working life of a car (at least 6 to 8 years) , however, has been found to be much greater than the frequency with which digital communication standards are updated, so that, haifway through the working life of the car, the on-vehicle multimedia unit is most likely unconnectable to current digital devices, on account of the digital communication standard of the on-vehicle multimedia unit having become obsolete. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an automotive on-vehicle multimedia unit, which is cheap and easy to produce and, at the same time, eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks . According to the present invention, ttere is provided an automotive on-vehicle multimedia unit as claimed in Claim 1 and, preferably, in any one of the succeeding Claims depending directly or indirectly on
Claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic view in perspective of an automotive on-vehicle multimedia unit in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the internal structure of the on-vehicle multimedia unit in Figure 1. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates an automotive on- vehicle multimedia unit (or so-called "Info-relematic Node") . Multimedia unit 1 comprises a fairly laαcge main casing 2 designed for integration in the central portion of a vehicle instrument panel; and a small auxiliary casing 3 physically separate from main casing 2. Main casing 2 houses a digital processing device 4 defined by a microprocessor system having both a ROM memory, for storing an operating system, and a RAM memory. A user interface device 5 is connected, to digital processing device 4, is housed in main casing 2, has a number of controls 6 (normally buttons or selector knobs) on a front wall 7 of casing 2, and enables the user to dialog with multimedia unit 1. Front wall 7 of main casing 2 is fitted with a liquid crystal screen 8 controlled by digitai processing device 4 to display the content of video media. Main casing 2 houses an audio device 9 for generating sounds, and which is controlled by digital processing device 4 and connected to a number of speakers (not shown in detail) distributed inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle . Multimedia unit 1 may obviously comprise other devices not shown in detail, such as a music device for tuning into radio stations and playing compact music disks, a cellular telephone device (for both voice and data communication) , and a satellite device for locating the position of the vehicle. Multimedia unit 1 also comprises an interface device 10 for connecting external devices 11 to digital processing device 4, and which is housed in auxiliary casing 3 and communicates with digital processing device 4 over a dedicated communication channel 12. External devices 11 may, for example, be a storage device containing digital music files (typically MP3 standard) , a storage device containing digital images or films (e.g. acquired using a digital camera) , a palm-top computer, or a cellular telephone. In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, dedicated communication channel 12 provides for wireless radio-frequency (e.g. Bluetooth standard) communication. In an alternative embodiment not shown, dedicated communication channel 12 provides for wireless infrared communication, or cable communication (e.g. USB or Firewire standard) . Interface device 10 preferably comprises a number of digital communication ports 13, and in particular at least one USB-standard digital communication portion 13, and one Firewire-standard digital communication port 13. Interface device 10 also comprises at least one memory card reader 14. In one possible embodiment not shown, interface device 10 also comprises an analog output for connecting headsets or any other analog device . Multimedia unit 1 may even comprise a number of interface devices 10, each housed in a respective auxiliary casing 3; and digital processing device 4 may be connected to one interface device 10 at a time, or to a number of interface devices 10 simultaneously. As will be clear from the foregoing description, main casing 2 preferably (though not necessarily) has no digital communication ports, all external digital connection functions being performed by interface device 10 housed in auxiliary casing 3. When purchasing a vehicle equipped with a multimedia unit 1 as described above, therefore, the user is provided with an interface device 10 operating to current communication standards. If the user later decides to connect to multimedia unit 1 an external digital device 11 incompatible with the original interface device 10, the user simpiy purchases a new, small, low-cost interface device 10, which may be used in combination with or instead of the original interface device 10. In other words, being housed in auxiliary casing 3 separate from main casing" 2, interface device 10 can be changed or integrated at very low purchase and installation cost, thus enabling interface device 10, and therefore multimedia unit 1, to keep pace easily and cheaply with developments in digital communication standards.

Claims

1) An automotive on-vehicle multimedia unit (1) ; the multimedia unit (1) comprising a digital processing device (4) , a user interface device (5) connected to the digital processing device (4) , a screen (8) controlled by the digital processing device (4), an audio device (9) for generating sounds and controlled by the digital processing device (4), and an interface device (10) for connecting a number of external devices (11) to the digital processing device (4) ; the multimedia unit (1) also comprising a main casing (2) housing "the digital processing device (4) , the screen (8) , and the audio device (9); and the multimedia unit (1) being characterized in that the interface device (lO) is housed in an auxiliary casing (3) physically separate from the main casing (2) , and communicates with the digital processing device (4) over a dedicated communication channel (12) . 2) A multimedia unit (1) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the dedicated communication channel (12) provides for wireless radio-frequency communication. 3) A multimedia unit (1) as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the dedicated communication channel (-L2) provides for Bluetooth-standard wireless radio-frequency communication . 4) A multimedia unit (1) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the dedicated communication channel (12) provides for wireless infrared communication. 5) A multimedia unit (1) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the dedicated communication channel (12) provides for cable communication. 6) A multimedia unit (1) as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the dedicated communication channel (12) operates to the USB standard. 7) A multimedia unit (1) as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the dedicated communication channel (12) operates to the Firewire standard. 8) A multimedia unit (1) as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the main casing (2) has no digital communication ports . 9) A multimedia unit (1) as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the interface device (10) comprises an analog output for connecting headsets. 10) A multimedia unit (1) as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the interface device (10) comprises at least one digital communication port (13) . 11) A multimedia unit (1) as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the interface device (10) comprises at least one memory card reader (14) . 12) A multimedia unit (1) as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 11, and comprising a number of interface devices (10) , each housed in a respective auxiliary casing (3) . 13) A multimedia unit (1) as claimed in Claim 12, wherein a number of interface devices (10) are connectable simultaneously to the digital processing device (4) .
PCT/EP2005/051678 2004-04-16 2005-04-15 Automotive on-vehicle multimedia unit WO2005100919A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITBO20040219 ITBO20040219A1 (en) 2004-04-16 2004-04-16 ON-BOARD MULTIMEDIA UNIT FOR A VEHICLE
ITBO2004A000219 2004-04-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005100919A1 true WO2005100919A1 (en) 2005-10-27

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2005/051678 WO2005100919A1 (en) 2004-04-16 2005-04-15 Automotive on-vehicle multimedia unit

Country Status (2)

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IT (1) ITBO20040219A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005100919A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008071655A1 (en) 2006-12-15 2008-06-19 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method and device for recognizing an unoccupied transmission channel in a multimedia transmission system

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996032783A1 (en) * 1995-04-11 1996-10-17 Mold-Tech Plastics Limited Partnership Interface for portable communications device
US5970390A (en) * 1997-10-09 1999-10-19 Sony Corporation Transmitter and automobile audio apparatus using the same
US20020137505A1 (en) * 2000-02-18 2002-09-26 Eiche Steven A. Audio detection for hands-free wireless
WO2002100045A1 (en) * 2001-06-06 2002-12-12 Robert Bosch Gmbh Bus station in a vehicle

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996032783A1 (en) * 1995-04-11 1996-10-17 Mold-Tech Plastics Limited Partnership Interface for portable communications device
US5970390A (en) * 1997-10-09 1999-10-19 Sony Corporation Transmitter and automobile audio apparatus using the same
US20020137505A1 (en) * 2000-02-18 2002-09-26 Eiche Steven A. Audio detection for hands-free wireless
WO2002100045A1 (en) * 2001-06-06 2002-12-12 Robert Bosch Gmbh Bus station in a vehicle

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008071655A1 (en) 2006-12-15 2008-06-19 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method and device for recognizing an unoccupied transmission channel in a multimedia transmission system
US9614691B2 (en) 2006-12-15 2017-04-04 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method and device for detecting an unoccupied transmission channel in a multi-media transmission system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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