JP4570181B2 - In-vehicle data receiver - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an in-vehicle data receiving apparatus that is mounted on a vehicle, communicates with a communication base, and receives data broadcast by a broadcasting station.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there are a communication device and a receiving device as in-vehicle data receiving devices. The communication device can perform two-way communication between the vehicle and the communication base (information center), and the reception device can receive a large amount of broadcast data broadcast from a broadcasting station, although it is one-way communication. it can. Conventionally, the communication device and the receiving device are independently mounted on the vehicle.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional in-vehicle data receiving apparatus, since the communication apparatus and the receiving apparatus are independently mounted, when the user tries to obtain information, the user selects and operates either the communication apparatus or the receiving apparatus. There was annoyance that had to be done. Moreover, since two devices are mounted, space is required. Furthermore, if the operation methods of the communication device and the receiving device are different or the policies are different, there is a problem that the user may use the wrong method or obtain necessary information.
[0004]
In the receiving device, necessary information is obtained from a large amount of broadcast data according to the menu included in the broadcast data. However, it takes time to search for a menu from a large amount of broadcast data. It is not always possible to acquire.
The present invention integrates a communication device capable of two-way communication with a receiving device capable of acquiring a large amount of broadcast data in an in-vehicle data receiving device, and further allows a broadcast data menu to be acquired quickly. It is intended to do.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to achieve the above object. In the present invention, communication means for performing bidirectional communication, reception means for receiving broadcasts, storage means for storing received broadcast data, display means for displaying received broadcast data, and bidirectional means by the communication means In an in-vehicle data receiving apparatus comprising communication data and data processing means for processing the broadcast data, the storage means stores selection information for selecting a necessary menu, and the data processing means The broadcast data menu information is acquired by the means, the broadcast data is selected based on the received broadcast data menu and the selection information, and only the selected broadcast data is stored in the storage means .
[0006]
According to the present invention, the menu can be obtained quickly and reliably rather than searching for a menu from a large amount of broadcast data. Also, information obtained from the communication means can be set from the same menu.
The menu information can be acquired when the apparatus is turned on. Normally, when a vehicle device is turned on, the menu is often inconsistent with the broadcast data. Therefore, the data processing means automatically obtains the menu information when the power is turned on, so that the broadcast data is always obtained. Menu information consistent with the above can be obtained.
[0007]
Note that the menu information can be stored in the storage means so that either the acquisition by the communication means or the acquisition from the storage means can be selected as the acquisition of the menu information when the power is turned on. According to this, the communication cost can be reduced by reducing the number of times of communication by the communication means.
In the present invention, broadcast data can be selected based on menu information. The user sets the necessity of broadcast data for each menu information in advance, and the data processing means selects only the necessary broadcast data based on this setting. At this time, the menu information can be prioritized or only updated broadcast data can be selected.
[0008]
In the present invention, when the received broadcast data is missing, the missing data can be supplemented by acquiring the data by the communication means. Alternatively, it is possible to request broadcast data to be rebroadcasted to the communication base by the communication means and receive the broadcast data again. Thereby, even if the communication state deteriorates and the received broadcast data is lost, it can be quickly compensated.
[0009]
Furthermore, in the present invention, the received broadcast data can be decoded or processed with information obtained by the communication means.
In the present invention, the communication cost can also be reduced by enabling the setting to prohibit communication by the communication means.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of an in-vehicle data receiving apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
The in-vehicle data receiving apparatus 11 includes a communication device 12 and a receiver 13.
The communication device 12 is a two-way communication device such as a mobile phone or MCA (multi-channel access) radio, and the communication data amount is relatively small. In the illustrated example, the communication device 12 performs two-way communication with a communication base 21 such as an information center.
[0011]
The receiver 13 receives a broadcast (one-way communication) transmitted from the broadcast station 22. As the receiver 13, a plurality of devices corresponding to various broadcasts can be provided. In the illustrated example, the broadcasting station 22 performs digital broadcasting, and the receiver 13 receives digital broadcasting content and data. The received contents are output from a display, a speaker, etc., but illustration of those devices is omitted.
[0012]
In common with the communication device 12 and the receiver 13, a data processing device 14, a storage unit 15, a display device 16, and an operation unit 17 are provided. The data processing device 14 includes a CPU and is provided to process data related to the communication device 12 and the receiver 13. The storage unit 15 includes a memory and the like, and stores a program for operating the data processing device 14, data transmitted / received by the communication device 12 and the receiver 13, various setting values, and the like. The display device 16 displays the data output from the data processing device 14. The operation unit 17 includes keys and the user inputs various setting data using the operation unit 17.
[0013]
The in-vehicle data receiving apparatus 11 shown in the figure has both the communication device 12 and the receiver 13, so that the policies and operation methods of both devices can be unified. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from misusing the usage method or failing to acquire necessary data.
FIG. 2 shows a menu acquisition operation in the in-vehicle data processing apparatus 11.
Since the amount of data of the digital broadcast received by the receiver 13 is large, the user selects a desired broadcast according to the menu. The menu is acquired from the broadcast data and displayed on the display device 16. However, it takes time to acquire and display a menu from a large amount of broadcast data, and the user may not be able to obtain desired broadcast data in a timely manner. In the in-vehicle data receiving apparatus 11 of the present embodiment, a menu of broadcast data is acquired in a timely manner by bidirectional communication using the communication device 12.
[0014]
When the on-vehicle data receiver 11 is powered on (S11), the data processing device 14 issues a menu request to the communication base 21 by the communication device 12 (S12). The communication base 21 transmits broadcast data and a communication menu in response to the request.
When the data processing device 14 receives the menu (S13), the receiver 13 acquires broadcast data (S14). The data processing device 14 displays a menu on the display device 16 (S15), and the user confirms the desired broadcast according to the displayed menu and operates the operation unit 17 to select the desired broadcast.
[0015]
According to the above process, the latest menu of broadcast data can be acquired simultaneously with the power-on of the in-vehicle data receiving apparatus 11. This makes it possible to obtain the menu more quickly and reliably than searching for a menu from a large amount of broadcast data, and the user can reliably obtain a desired broadcast. Also, information obtained from the communication device 12 can be selected from the same menu.
[0016]
In addition, when the in-vehicle data receiving apparatus 11 is turned on, the previously acquired menu and the received broadcast data are often inconsistent, but by obtaining a new menu each time the power is turned on, the menu and Consistency with broadcast data can always be maintained.
However, when the communication device 12 is a mobile phone, acquiring a menu every time the power is turned on may incur a call charge and may be uneconomical. In addition, when the in-vehicle data receiving device 11 is mounted on a delivery vehicle, the power is frequently turned on / off. Therefore, even if a menu acquired before power-on is used, There is little loss of consistency. In such a case, the communication fee can be reduced by storing the menu once acquired in the apparatus and using the stored menu when the power is turned on again.
[0017]
For this reason, in the above process, when the menu is received (S13), the menu is written in the storage means 15 (S16). Thereafter, when the on-vehicle data receiving apparatus 11 is turned on, the menu can be received from the communication base 21 and the menu can be called from the storage means 15.
The user sets whether to acquire the menu from the operation unit 17 by communication or from the storage unit. For example, the user sets the menu acquisition destination to communication at the start of work on one day, and thereafter changes to the storage side. Alternatively, when the user does not need to look at the menu, it is always set to the storage side.
[0018]
When the power is turned on, the data processing device 14 checks the setting state of the menu acquisition destination by the user (S17). If it is set on the storage side, the menu is acquired from the storage means 15 (S18), and if it is set on the communication side, the process returns to the above-described menu request issuance process (S12). The menu is received from 21 (S13).
[0019]
FIG. 3 shows a process for automatically checking the consistency between the menu and the broadcast data.
Consistency between the menu and broadcast data must be maintained at all times. When the menu is stored in the storage unit 15 as in the example of FIG. 2 described above, consistency cannot be achieved over time. On the other hand, if it is possible to automatically check the consistency between the menu and the broadcast data, it is convenient for the user. Further, if the menu is acquired by communication when consistency is achieved, communication can be saved.
[0020]
When the data processing apparatus 14 acquires broadcast data from the receiver 13 (S31), the data processing apparatus 14 verifies the menu based on the content of the broadcast data (S32). Here, if the menu and the broadcast data match, the menu is not acquired by communication, and the process proceeds to the acquisition of the next broadcast data (S31).
On the other hand, if consistency is not achieved, it is determined whether or not communication prohibition is set (S33). When the user does not need to acquire the menu, the user sets prohibition of communication through the operation unit 17.
[0021]
If communication is not prohibited, the communication device 12 issues a menu request to the communication base 21 (S34), receives the latest menu (S35), and then proceeds to acquisition of the next broadcast data (S31). If communication is prohibited, the menu is not reacquired and the process proceeds to acquisition of the next broadcast data (S31).
According to the above processing, the menu is acquired by the expensive communication device 12 only when the menu and the broadcast data are not consistent, so that the menu can always be consistent and the communication cost can be reduced. be able to. In addition, even if the menu and broadcast data are not consistent, it is possible to select whether or not to perform the menu by communication, so unnecessary communication can be prevented and communication costs can be reduced. it can.
[0022]
FIG. 4 shows a process of selecting necessary data from the broadcast data received by the receiver 13 and further storing the data according to the character of the data.
It is difficult to assume what the user can use from a large amount of broadcast data received by the receiver 13. On the other hand, in this process, necessary broadcast data is selected based on the acquired menu. In addition, information that does not have real-time properties is stored, and the burden on the in-vehicle data receiving device 11 is reduced.
[0023]
When the broadcast data is obtained by the receiver 13 (S41), the data processing device 14 compares the broadcast data with the menu (S42), acquires the broadcast data menu, and verifies the menu (S43). For this menu verification, the user uses the operation unit 17 to set the necessity for each menu. For example, traffic information and weather forecast are necessary, and music is unnecessary. If it is set that the menu of the received broadcast data is not necessary, the data processing device 14 discards the data (S44), and if it is set to be necessary, proceeds to the next process. As a result, processing for accumulating unnecessary broadcast data becomes unnecessary, and the burden on the apparatus can be reduced.
[0024]
The data processing device 14 performs data verification (S45) on the menu set as necessary. Here, the broadcast data acquired this time is compared with the corresponding broadcast data stored in the storage means 15, and it is determined whether or not the current broadcast data is updated with respect to the stored broadcast data. As a result, if not updated, the current broadcast data is discarded (S46), and if updated, the process proceeds to the next process. As a result, it is possible to reduce the rewrite processing of broadcast data for information that does not have real-time properties.
[0025]
The data processing device 14 collates priorities for the necessary and updated broadcast data (S47). For this purpose, the user sets a priority order for each necessary menu using the operation unit 17. For example, the priority order of traffic information is set first, and the priority order of weather forecast is set second. The data processing device 14 accumulates the broadcast data in the accumulating unit 15 based on the set priority order (S48). Thereby, the limited capacity | capacitance of the storage means 15 can be used efficiently. Further, when using broadcast data stored in the storage means 15, there is an advantage that information can be obtained instantaneously as seen from the user.
[0026]
FIG. 5 shows a process of complementing the received broadcast data using two-way communication when there is a lack.
If the broadcast data received by the receiver 13 is missing due to the deterioration of the radio wave environment, etc., and good quality data cannot be acquired, then it must wait until the same broadcast is performed. On the other hand, in this example, even if there is a lack in the broadcast data, the missing portion is obtained by the communication device 12, so that the broadcast data is supplemented or a re-broadcast request is made, so that the lack is quickly obtained. Make no broadcast data available.
[0027]
When the data processor 14 obtains broadcast data from the receiver 13 (S51), the data processor 14 determines whether or not the broadcast data is missing (S52). Here, if there is no omission, the process shifts to a normal operation (S53), but if it is determined that there is omission, the set criterion is referred to (S54). The criterion information is set to an arbitrary value by the user using the operation unit 17.
[0028]
The lack of broadcast data is compared with a determination criterion, and it is determined whether the degree of loss is large or small (S55). When the degree of lack of broadcast data is small, the data missing by communication is acquired, and the broadcast data is complemented by the data. In this case, it is first determined whether or not communication prohibition is set (S56). For example, when driving near the limit of the service area and the radio wave environment is always bad, data loss continues. In such a situation, it is expensive to communicate each time a loss is detected, so the user sets prohibition of communication through the operation unit 17. If the result of determination (S56) is that communication is prohibited, the process proceeds to normal processing.
[0029]
If communication is not prohibited, the communication device 12 sends a data request to the communication base 21 (S57). If data is received (S58), the broadcast data is supplemented by the data and the normal operation is resumed. Thus, by acquiring missing data through communication, it becomes possible to obtain necessary information without waiting for the next broadcast.
[0030]
The case where the degree of omission is determined to be large in S55 occurs, for example, when a vehicle enters a tunnel and does not reach radio waves. When the degree of omission is large, it takes too much time to obtain data with a small-capacity communication device 12, and communication costs increase. Therefore, a request is issued from the broadcast station 22 to retransmit the broadcast data, and the request is made. Wait for the broadcast data to be rebroadcast promptly.
[0031]
If it is determined in S55 that the degree of omission is large, it is determined whether or not communication permission is set (S59). There are cases where broadcast data is important information for the user and it is desirable to obtain the data reliably even if the communication cost is added. For this case, the user can set communication permission by the operation unit 17. If communication is enabled in S59, the process returns to the process when it is determined that the degree of omission is small, and the process proceeds to the data request process by communication (S56 and later). If communication is not enabled, the process proceeds to rebroadcast request processing.
[0032]
Prior to the retransmission request, it is determined whether the request prohibition is set (S60). Even when the degree of omission is large, there is a case where it is desired to prohibit the retransmission request by the communication device 12 in order to reduce the communication cost. In this case, the user sets prohibition of retransmission request through the operation unit 17. If prohibition of retransmission request is not set, a retransmission request (S61) is performed. If the prohibition is set, the process proceeds to the normal operation without performing the retransmission request, and the broadcast data is processed with the absence. If prohibition is not set, a retransmission request is made.
[0033]
According to the example of FIG. 4 described above, since the user can arbitrarily set the determination criterion for lack, it is necessary to take into account the individual information needs and the share of communication costs in consideration of individual situations. Can be adapted to
FIG. 6 shows a process when special information is included in the broadcast data.
For example, broadcast data may include special information to be charged. In this case, in this example, data decoding management and the like are performed by communication with the communication base 21.
[0034]
When the data processor 14 obtains broadcast data from the receiver 13 (S71), the data processor 14 determines whether or not the broadcast data is special data such as a billing target (S72). If the data is not special data, the process proceeds to a normal operation (S77). If it is special data, the communication device 12 makes an inquiry to the communication base 22 using the user ID (S73). In response to this, the communication base 22 transmits a key for decoding (S74).
[0035]
The data processing device 14 determines whether or not decoding is possible (S75). Whether or not decoding is possible is set in advance by the user using the operation unit 17 and stored in the storage unit 15. As a result, the user automatically sets whether or not to receive a special broadcast in advance, and the apparatus automatically determines whether or not to use the broadcast data.
If decoding is possible in S75, the data processing device 14 decodes the broadcast data using the received key (S76), and proceeds to normal operation (S77). If decoding is impossible, the process proceeds to normal processing (S77).
[0036]
FIG. 7 shows processing when the broadcast data received by the receiver is processed with the unique information obtained via the communication device.
When receiving broadcasts of music, video, etc., it is necessary to perform sound field control and video control according to user preferences or vehicle environment. In this example, music or video can be automatically processed based on the unique information stored in the communication base.
[0037]
When the receiver 13 obtains the broadcast data (S81), it is determined whether or not communication is set (S82). The user determines whether or not to automatically perform sound field control and video control using the operation unit 17, and sets whether communication is possible or not.
Here, if communication permission is set, the communication device 12 requests unique information from the communication base 21 (S83). The communication base 21 returns unique information such as information corresponding to the user's vehicle type (S84). This unique information can also include information previously set by the user as personal information.
[0038]
Next, the data processing device 14 refers to the adjustment information (S85). In addition to the control based on the unique information sent from the communication base 21, the user can set the adjustment means (operation unit 17) according to his / her preference. The data processing device 14 performs various settings based on the adjustment information and the unique information (S86), thereby controlling the sound field and video of the broadcast.
[0039]
According to this example, it is possible to set the characteristics of the in-vehicle data receiving device of each vehicle from the unique information obtained by communication. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a vehicle-mounted data receiving device customized for each vehicle, and the vehicle-mounted data receiving device can be configured with general-purpose equipment. In addition, by prohibiting communication, it is possible to cope with a user who does not like setting by communication. Furthermore, even when the adjustment by communication does not match the user's preference, the adjustment can be made according to the user's preference.
[0040]
FIG. 8 shows a process in the case of storing user specific information at the communication base.
As described in the example of FIG. 7 above, the in-vehicle data receiving apparatus has adjustment information set for each user. This adjustment information is stored in the storage unit 15 on the apparatus side. However, when the battery is removed during vehicle maintenance, the stored information may disappear. In this case, adjustment information must be set again. In this example, adjustment information is included in the unique information and stored in the communication base 21. This eliminates the need for resetting after vehicle maintenance. Further, the amount of information stored in the storage unit 15 can be reduced.
[0041]
When the data processing device 14 creates the adjustment information, the data processing device 14 includes the specific information and transmits the adjustment information to the communication base 21 by the communication device 12 (S91). The communication base 21 stores this.
Thereafter, as described with reference to FIG. 2 above, when the communication device 12 transmits a menu request when the power is turned on (S92), the communication base 21 transmits unique information including adjustment information at the same time as the menu. The processing device 14 obtains the unique information (S94). In the data processing device 14, as shown in S86 of FIG. 7 described above, each setting is performed based on the acquired unique information. According to this example, since the unique information is obtained simultaneously with the acquisition of the menu, it is not necessary to perform communication only for obtaining the unique information, and the communication cost can be reduced.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, in a vehicle-mounted data receiving device, a communication device capable of bidirectional communication and a receiving device capable of acquiring a large amount of broadcast data are integrated, and a broadcast data menu can be quickly acquired. Can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an in-vehicle data receiving apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing menu acquisition processing of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing menu verification processing of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
4 is a flowchart showing processing for accumulating necessary data among broadcast data in the in-vehicle data receiving apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing for complementing the lack of received broadcast data in the data processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
6 is a flowchart showing processing when special information is included in broadcast data in the data processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
7 is a flowchart showing processing in the case where broadcast data is processed with specific information obtained via a communication device in the in-vehicle data receiving device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing when the unique information in FIG. 7 is stored at the communication base.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Vehicle-mounted data receiver 12 ... Communication apparatus 13 ... Receiver 14 ... Data processing apparatus 15 ... Storage means 16 ... Display apparatus 17 ... Operation part 21 ... Communication base 22 ... Broadcasting station

Claims (4)

A communication means for performing bidirectional communication;
Receiving means for receiving broadcasts;
Storage means for storing received broadcast data;
Display means for displaying received broadcast data;
In-vehicle data receiving apparatus comprising: bidirectional communication data by the communication means; and data processing means for processing the broadcast data.
In the storage means, selection information for selecting a necessary menu is stored,
The data processing means includes
Obtaining the menu information of the broadcast data by the communication means;
The broadcast data is selected based on the received broadcast data menu and the selection information,
Only the selected broadcast data is stored in the storage means ,
The data processing means includes
In-vehicle data, wherein the received broadcast data is missing and the broadcast data is supplemented by acquiring data by the communication means only when the degree of lack of the broadcast data is small Receiver device. Receiving means for receiving broadcast data transmitted from a broadcasting station;
Communication means for acquiring menu information capable of selecting broadcast data received by the receiving means from other than the broadcasting station;
Display means for displaying the menu information acquired by the communication means;
Processing for receiving the selected broadcast data by the receiving means when the user selects broadcast data to be received by the receiving means based on the menu information displayed on the display means Means,
A broadcast data receiving device comprising :
The broadcast data receiving apparatus, wherein the communication means acquires the menu information when the broadcast data receiving apparatus is powered on . It further comprises storage means for storing the menu information received by the communication means,
The display means, when the power is turned on again in the broadcast data receiver is capable of displaying the stored menu information in the storage unit, the broadcast data receiving apparatus according to claim 2. Storing means for storing the menu information received by the communication means;
4. The broadcast data receiving apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising an operation unit that enables selection of acquisition of menu information by the communication unit and acquisition of menu information from the storage unit.

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