JP4486786B2 - Protective device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device, a protection device, a protection method, and a protection control program for protecting an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) device mounted on a vehicle from an impact such as vibration.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in-vehicle devices such as navigation devices and car audio devices have been used HDD (Hard Disk Drive) devices that use magnetic disks as data recording media. Since the HDD device has a larger storage capacity than an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, it can store a large amount of video data, music data, and the like. In addition, the stored data can be rewritten as necessary. Recording / reproduction to / from the HDD device becomes possible. When the HDD device is used in a moving body such as a vehicle, careful attention to vibration is required. This is largely attributable to the structure of the HDD device. That is, a general HDD device has a sensor for reading magnetic information on a magnetic disk called a magnetic head on a magnetic disk that rotates at a high speed. The head floats a very small distance from the magnetic disk. As a result, it is possible to maintain a non-contact state in which the magnetic disk and the magnetic head maintain a stable minute distance. If the magnetic disk suddenly stops rotating or a large vibration occurs, if the magnetic head touches the surface of the magnetic disk due to an impact, mechanical damage will occur on the surface of the magnetic disk. The information that has been done will be lost forever. If the damage becomes considerably large, there is a possibility that the magnetic head or the main body of the HDD apparatus cannot be used without being limited to data loss.
[0003]
To solve this problem, the HDD device and the vehicle sensor are provided in the vehicle, and when the vehicle sensor detects the vehicle running, the HDD is automatically turned off to enter the standby state. A method of protecting the HDD during traveling has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-74038
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above prior art, when the start of the movement of the vehicle is detected by the vehicle sensor, the HDD device is automatically turned off to protect the HDD device, and the vehicle is running. Since the power supply of the HDD device is always turned off, there is a problem that the HDD device cannot be used during traveling (information cannot be read from or written to the HDD device). Further, if the HDD device is protected after being detected by the vehicle sensor, there is a possibility that the HDD device is already subjected to an impact such as vibration and it is too late.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and is capable of protecting an HDD device from shocks such as vibrations regardless of when the vehicle is running or stopped, an in-vehicle device, a protection device, a protection method, and The purpose is to provide a protection program.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protection device for protecting a hard disk device mounted on a vehicle from an impact, a speed information acquisition means for acquiring travel speed information of the vehicle, and a direction indicator. and driving operation information obtaining means for obtaining the flashing operation regarding that information, the travel information acquisition unit having, when the traveling speed of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined threshold value, if the direction indicator blinks operation has been performed And a control means for performing protection control of the hard disk device.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a navigation device is illustrated as an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the navigation device 1 is roughly divided into a main body 1a and a user interface 1b. A main CPU 11 is provided in the main body 1a, and the main CPU 11 executes operation control of each part of the navigation device 1 and various calculations. The storage unit 12 stores a program executed by the main CPU 11 and includes an SRAM (Static RAM), an SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), or a Flash ROM.
[0020]
The CPU peripheral circuit 14 is a circuit that functions as an interface for each component (device) included in the navigation device 1. The CPU peripheral circuit 14 is connected to the main CPU 11 and the storage unit 12, and also includes an HDD device 15. The GPS unit 16, the VICS receiving unit 17, the voice unit 18, the sensor unit 20, the vehicle interface (I / F) unit 21, and the display control unit 22 are connected.
[0021]
The HDD device 15 is a magnetic recording device mounted on a vehicle, and the HDD device 15 stores map data, information data (character data, image data, etc.) for navigation, music data, and the like. The GPS unit 16 receives position information of the device 1 from an external device, receives a signal indicating the position information from a positioning satellite (not shown), and outputs the signal to the CPU peripheral circuit 14. The VICS receiving unit 17 receives VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) information from FM multiplex broadcasting or a transmitter on the road and outputs it to the CPU peripheral circuit 14. The VICS information includes traffic jams and traffic regulations that are currently occurring, and the road traffic information is grasped in real time by receiving the VICS information.
[0022]
The audio unit 18 synthesizes audio data and outputs it as an analog audio signal to the amplifier 19 under the control of the main CPU 11, and the amplifier 19 amplifies the analog audio signal and outputs it to a speaker (not shown). The voice data synthesized by the voice unit 18 is mainly voice for navigation (guidance).
[0023]
The sensor unit 20 detects acceleration generated in the vehicle, and is an angular velocity sensor, for example. The angular velocity sensor detects turning of the vehicle and the like, and the detection result is output to the main CPU 11 via the CPU peripheral circuit 14.
[0024]
The vehicle I / F unit 21 is an interface to which various sensors included in the vehicle are connected so as to be capable of electrical communication. The vehicle I / F unit 21 is connected to the vehicle traveling speed (hereinafter simply referred to as “speed”). The reverse operation, the brake operation, and the blinker blinking operation are input to the main CPU 11.
[0025]
The display control unit 22 converts the image data from the main CPU 11 into RGB signals and outputs the RGB signals to the VIDEO signal processing circuit 23 provided in the user interface unit 1b. The VIDEO signal processing circuit 23 receives the RGB signals from the display control unit 22, converts them into video signals to be displayed by the display 24, and outputs them to the display 24. The display 24 displays a map, a menu screen for prompting the user to operate, and includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). In addition, the user interface unit 1b is provided with an input unit 25 having a touch panel or an operator and a remote control light receiving unit 26 for receiving an instruction signal from a remote control device (not shown). A user instruction is input from the light receiving unit 26 and is output to the CPU peripheral circuit 14.
[0026]
In the above configuration, the main CPU 11 specifies the position of the host vehicle based on the position information received by the GPS unit 16, specifies the traveling direction from the output of the sensor unit 20, etc., and is stored in the HDD device 15. The drawing data in which the position of the vehicle is superimposed on the map data is generated, and the drawing data is displayed on the display 24 as a map, thereby realizing a function as a navigation device. In addition, the main CPU 11 reads out voice data corresponding to the position of the host vehicle from the HDD device 15 and sends it to the voice unit 18 in order to make a user (such as a driver) voice guidance according to a preset route. Output and perform navigation by voice guidance. Furthermore, the main CPU 11 performs route change, traffic jam guidance, and the like by voice or display based on the VICS information received by the VICS receiver 17.
[0027]
Further, the navigation device 1 outputs an output signal from the sensor unit 20 and an input signal from the vehicle I / F unit 21 in order to protect the HDD device 15 from an impact such as vibration generated while the vehicle is running. Based on this, the HDD 15 is protected. Hereinafter, this protection operation will be described in detail.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a protection operation processing procedure executed by the main CPU 11 of the navigation device 1. This process is started when the power of the HDD device 15 in the vehicle is turned on (or when the HDD device 15 may need to be protected, such as when the engine of the vehicle is started or when a driver or the like operates a switch) When it is necessary to protect the HDD device 15, the location of the magnetic head of the HDD device 15 is not affected by vibration from the position in the normal operation state (normal operation position) (for example, the innermost part of the disk). Control (hereinafter referred to as “evacuation mode”) is performed so as to move to the circumference, the outside of the platter, or a position away from the magnetic disk surface (standby operation position).
[0029]
As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the following four cases are classified as conditions for the main CPU 11 to execute the save mode.
[0030]
(Condition 1) When it is determined that the HDD device 15 should be protected from the movement of the vehicle when changing the traveling direction, that is, the relationship between the angular speed and the speed of the vehicle (step S1: YES)
(Condition 2) When it is determined that the HDD device 15 should be protected based on the vehicle speed, the brake operation, and the blinker blinking operation (step S2: YES)
(Condition 3) When there is a building on the traveling route of the vehicle that causes an impact such as vibration on the vehicle (step S3: YES)
(Condition 4) When the angle of the road that the vehicle can pass based on the traveling route information of the vehicle is larger than a predetermined value and a relatively large angular velocity is expected to be generated (step S4: YES)
The above (Condition 1) protects the HDD device 15 when there is a high possibility that an impact such as vibration is applied to the HDD device 15 according to the actual behavior of the vehicle. The angular velocity generated in the vehicle and the vehicle For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the relationship to be shifted to the evacuation mode is determined in advance by experiments or the like. As shown in this figure, if the angular velocity is larger than the first threshold value (30 (degrees / second in the illustrated example)), the main CPU 11 executes the retreat mode regardless of the vehicle speed to indicate a sudden turn. The Further, even when the angular velocity is relatively small, if the vehicle speed is larger than the second threshold (40 Km / h in the illustrated example), the inertial force becomes large and the retreat mode is executed.
[0031]
The above (Condition 2) protects the HDD device 15 when it is determined that there is a high possibility that an impact such as vibration is applied to the HDD device 15 based on the operation performed by the driver. Specifically, even if the angular velocity detection value from the sensor unit 20 indicates a detection value close to straight ahead, there is a possibility that an impact such as vibration may be applied to the HDD device 15 due to a sudden turn or a sudden stop. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the vehicle speed is higher than a third threshold (in the illustrated example, 50 Km / h), the main CPU 11 performs a braking operation (rapid stop), or turns right or left. When a blinker blinking operation (rapid turn) suggesting an operation is performed, a relatively large impact or vibration is expected to be applied to the HDD device 15 by the brake operation and the right / left turn operation, so the retreat mode is executed.
[0032]
The above (Condition 3) protects the HDD device 15 by predicting in advance that an impact or vibration will occur in the vehicle based on a building existing on the traveling route of the vehicle. Specifically, the main CPU 11 determines that a building having a height difference such as a railroad crossing, a pedestrian crossing, or a parking lot (see FIG. 6) is on a predetermined distance on a traveling route expected to pass by the car navigation function. When approaching (for example, 20 meters), it is expected that a relatively large impact or vibration will be applied to the HDD device 15 due to the height difference of the building, so the timing at which the vehicle will enter the building is determined. Calculate and execute the save mode at this timing. Note that the main CPU 11 may execute the evacuation mode not only in the building but also when the vehicle is expected to pass through a road with a poor road surface condition such as a gravel road. Moreover, when it is predicted that the vehicle will deviate from the road based on a preset travel route, the main CPU 11 may predict that the vehicle will pass through a place with a difference in height and execute the evacuation mode.
[0033]
In the above (Condition 4), when a relatively large inertia force is expected to be applied to the HDD device 15 when the vehicle passes through the road based on the angle of the road on the vehicle traveling route and the speed of the vehicle. The HDD device 15 is protected. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the road angle is defined by the included angle θ between the straight traveling direction of the vehicle and the actual road. The relationship between the road angle and the vehicle speed to be shifted to the evacuation mode is obtained in advance by experiments as shown in FIG. 5, for example. As in (Condition 1), the road angle is the fourth threshold value. If it is greater than (60 degrees in the illustrated example) (that is, if a relatively large angular velocity is expected), the main CPU 11 executes the evacuation mode regardless of the vehicle speed, and the road angle is compared. Even if the vehicle speed is small, if the vehicle speed is greater than the fifth threshold value (40 Km / h in the illustrated example), the inertial force becomes large, so the retreat mode is executed.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 2, when any of the above (Condition 1) to (Condition 4) is satisfied, the retreat mode is executed (Step S5), and the magnetic head of the HDD device 15 is subjected to vibration or shock. Move to an unaffected location. While the evacuation mode is being executed, data cannot be read from the HDD device 15 by evacuating the magnetic head of the HDD device 15. Therefore, when executing the save mode, the main CPU 11 reads in advance from the HDD device 15 the amount of data that is expected to be read during execution of the save mode, and stores it in the storage unit 12. During execution of the save mode, the main CPU 11 accesses the storage unit 12 instead of the HDD device 15 and reads data. Thereby, for example, when various data such as music data stored in the HDD device 15 is being reproduced, even if the save mode is executed, the data is continuously reproduced, and for example, the music is interrupted. Is prevented.
[0035]
If the data stored in the storage unit 12 from the HDD device 15 alone causes a problem such as a restriction on the function of the navigation device during execution of the save mode, the main CPU 11 restricts the function. Is displayed on the display 13 to notify the user (step S6).
[0036]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, whether or not vibration or impact is applied to the HDD device 15 is determined in advance, and the retraction control of the magnetic head of the HDD device 15 is performed based on the determination result. Before the HDD device 15 is actually subjected to vibration or impact, the HDD device 15 can be reliably protected.
[0037]
The above-described embodiments merely show one aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified within the scope of the present invention.
[0038]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the navigation device is exemplified as the in-vehicle device including the HDD device 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the travel speed of the vehicle, route information regarding the traveling route, or driving operation information regarding the driving operation is acquired. Any device may be used as long as it has a function to do so.
[0039]
Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the navigation device 1 may include an information communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an external communication device, and may receive various information (for example, own vehicle position information and traffic information) from the communication device. good.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, an in-vehicle device, a protection device, a protection method, and a protection program capable of protecting the HDD device from an impact such as vibration regardless of whether the vehicle is running or stopped are provided. Is done.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an angular velocity at which a retreat mode is executed and a vehicle speed.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between the speed of a vehicle in which a retreat mode is executed, a brake operation, and a blinker blinking operation.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between a vehicle speed at which a retreat mode is executed and a road angle.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining conditions for executing a save mode;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a road angle;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 12 Memory | storage part 13 Indicator 15 HDD apparatus 16 GPS part 20 Sensor part 21 Vehicle interface (I / F) part

Claims (1)

In a protective device for protecting a hard disk device mounted on a vehicle from an impact,
A velocity information acquiring means for acquiring the traveling speed information of the vehicle, the driving operation information obtaining means for obtaining information about the direction indicator flashing operation, the travel information acquisition means having,
And a control unit that performs protection control of the hard disk device when a direction indicator blinking operation is performed when the traveling speed of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Images