JP4942499B2 - In-vehicle machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device such as an in-vehicle navigation device.

  There are portable devices that can provide services such as music playback and television broadcast reception. There are in-vehicle devices that can provide services equivalent to those provided by these portable devices.

JP 2004-132771 A

  Conventionally, to continuously receive a service provided by a portable device from an in-vehicle device in a vehicle, the user has to perform a complicated operation on the in-vehicle device. For example, assume that a user listens to a song on a portable music player before getting into the vehicle. If the user continues to listen to the song on the in-vehicle device in the car, the user must request the on-vehicle device to select and play the song. Such an operation is troublesome.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is possible to continuously provide a service provided by an external device in an in-vehicle device without requiring the user to perform an operation complicatedly. .

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the present invention, the in-vehicle device (for example, in-vehicle navigation device) acquires information about the service provided by the external device (for example, portable music player), and based on the acquired information. And continue to provide equivalent services.

  For example, the present invention is an in-vehicle device that can be connected to a portable external device, and receives from the external device information for specifying information output by the external device, and the external device Using information for specifying the information output by the device, information acquisition means for acquiring the information output by the external device, and output means for outputting the information acquired by the information acquisition means, I have.

  The receiving means may receive information for specifying a portion that has been output out of information that has been output by the external device. The output means uses the information for specifying the output part, specifies the part output by the external device from the information acquired by the information acquisition means, and outputs from the specified part You may make it do.

  The information acquisition means stores information corresponding to the information output by the external device using information for specifying the information output by the external device in the storage device of the in-vehicle device. It may be determined whether or not. And when it is memorize | stored, you may make it acquire the information equivalent to the information which the said external device output from the said memory | storage device. If not stored, predetermined alternative information may be acquired. If not stored, the information output from the external device may be acquired from the external device.

  In addition, the receiving unit may be information regarding a setting (for example, a television channel) for outputting the information output by the external device. The output unit may output the information output by the external device using a setting for outputting the information.

  The external device may be a game machine, a broadcast receiver, a music player, an image player, or the like.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a service providing system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The service providing system of this embodiment includes an in-vehicle device 100 such as an in-vehicle navigation device and a portable external device 200.

  The in-vehicle device 100 is used for communication with an arithmetic device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, and an HDD, an input device such as a hard switch and a touch panel, an audio output device such as a speaker, a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and the like. The computer system includes a communication interface, a bus connecting these, and the like. The in-vehicle device 100 includes a main control unit 101, an input processing unit 102, an output processing unit 103, a content storage unit 104, and a communication interface 105 as functional configurations.

  The in-vehicle device 100 includes a wheel speed sensor, a gyro sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving device, and the like for its basic operation in order to function as an in-vehicle navigation device.

  The main control unit 101 is a central unit that performs various processes. For example, the current position is detected based on information output from various sensors and a GPS receiver. Further, the user instruction received via the input processing unit 102 is analyzed, and a predetermined process corresponding to the instruction is performed. Further, based on the content information 300 stored in the content storage unit 104, predetermined content is output to a display or an audio output device via the output processing unit 103. Further, it connects to the external device 200 via the communication interface 105, and transmits / receives information.

  The input processing unit 102 performs a process of receiving an instruction from a user and sending it to the main control unit 101 using a hard switch, a touch panel, or the like.

  The output processing unit 103 performs processing for outputting sound and images to a sound output device (speaker) and a display device in accordance with instructions from the main control unit 101.

  The content storage unit 104 stores content information 300. The content information 300 includes content (for example, music, images, moving images, etc.) reproduced by a display device or an audio output device. The content information 300 stores content data (for example, song data) 302 corresponding to a content ID (for example, when the content is a song, song ID) 301 for identifying the content.

  The communication interface 105 mediates transmission / reception of information with the external device 200 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 101.

  In the present embodiment, the external device 200 is a portable device that can output sound and images. For example, it may be an AV player, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a portable television, or the like.

  The external device 200 includes an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, and an HDD, an input device such as a hard switch and a touch panel, an audio output device such as a speaker, a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and the like. A computer system including a communication interface for communicating with the bus, a bus connecting these, and the like. The external device 200 includes a main control unit 201, an input processing unit 202, an output processing unit 203, a content storage unit 204, and a communication interface 205 as functional configurations.

  The main control unit 201 is a central unit that performs various processes. For example, a user instruction received via the input processing unit 202 is analyzed, and a predetermined process corresponding to the instruction is performed. In addition, the content stored in the content storage unit 204 is called and output to a display or an audio output device via the output processing unit 203. Further, it is connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 100 via the communication interface 205 to transmit / receive information.

  The input processing unit 202 includes a hard switch, a touch panel, and the like, and performs processing for receiving an instruction from the user and sending it to the main control unit 201.

  The output processing unit 203 performs processing for outputting sound and images to a sound output device (speaker) and a display device in accordance with instructions from the main control unit 201.

  The content storage unit 204 stores content (for example, music, images, moving images, etc.) to be reproduced by a display device or an audio output device.

  The content storage unit 204 stores content information 310. The content information 310 includes content (for example, music, images, moving images, etc.) reproduced by a display device or an audio output device. The content information 310 stores content data (for example, song data) 312 corresponding to a content ID (for example, when the content is a song, song ID) 311 for identifying the content.

  The communication interface 205 mediates transmission / reception of information with the in-vehicle device 100 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 201.

  Note that the functional configurations of the in-vehicle device 100 and the external device 200 are achieved by the CPU executing a predetermined program. For the content storage units 104 and 204, ROM, HDD, or the like is used.

  Further, the connection between the in-vehicle device 100 and the external device 200 may be wired or wireless. The communication interfaces 105 and 205 have a function corresponding to a communication method.

<Description of operation>
Next, a characteristic operation of the service providing system shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the service providing system.

  When the power is turned on, the main control unit 101 of the in-vehicle navigation device 100 checks the connection with the external device 200 via the communication interface 105 (S11). If the power is already turned on, the main control unit 101 periodically checks the connection with the external device 200.

  When the main control unit 101 detects a connection with the external device 200, the main control unit 101 makes an inquiry about the content being output to the external device 200 (S12). Specifically, the main control unit 101 requests the external device 200 to transmit to the in-vehicle device 100 information for specifying the content being output from the external device 200 and the portion being output.

  In response to this, the main control unit 201 of the external device 200 extracts information for specifying the content currently being output and information for specifying the output part, and sends the information to the in-vehicle device 100 via the communication interface 205. Transmit (S13).

  This will be specifically described. The in-vehicle device 100 and the external device 200 can output content including music and images. Therefore, content information 300 and 310 is stored in the respective content storage units 104 and 204.

  The input processing unit 202 of the external device 200 accepts designation of content to be output (for example, music to be played) from the user via the input device. The main control unit 201 instructs the output processing unit 203 to output the content received by the input processing unit 202. The output processing unit 203 searches the content information 310 in the content storage unit 204 for the instructed content, and outputs (reproduces) the content.

  When there is an inquiry from the in-vehicle device 100 during the output of the content, the main control unit 201 of the external device 200 specifies the content ID 311 of the content that is currently output and information that identifies the output portion (for example, the start of the song) Is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted navigation device 100 via the communication interface 205.

  The main control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device 100 receives information (content ID 311) for specifying the content and information for specifying the output part from the external device 200. Then, the main control unit 101 checks whether content corresponding to the content being output by the external device 200 is stored in the content information 300 (S14). For example, when the song ID is received from the external device 200 as information for specifying the content being output, the main control unit 101 stores the content data 302 corresponding to the received song ID in the content information 300. Find out if you have.

  When the corresponding content is stored in the content information 300 (Y in S14), the main control unit 101 outputs the content from the continuation of the part output by the external device 200. To instruct.

  The output processing unit 103 acquires content data 302 corresponding to the content output from the external device 200 from the content information 300. And it outputs from the continuation of the part which the external apparatus 200 output using the information (For example, time from the start of a music) which specifies the part which the external apparatus 200 output. For example, when the time from the start of a song is received as information for specifying the portion being output, the output processing unit 203 reproduces from the portion corresponding to the time from the start of the song in the song data (S15). .

  On the other hand, when the content being output by the external device 200 is not included in the content information 300 (N in S14), the output processing unit 104 ends the process without outputting the content.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  According to this embodiment, the service provided by the portable device can be continuously provided by the in-vehicle device. That is, the music that the user has listened to can be played in the vehicle without requiring the user to perform a special operation. For a user, a song that has been listened to with an earphone of a portable device can be heard from a speaker of the in-vehicle device when it enters the car.

<Modification>
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, you may receive the setting of whether to perform service cooperation (providing the service which the external apparatus 200 provides continuously with the vehicle equipment 100) from a user. For example, the main control unit 101 receives a selection as to whether or not to coordinate services via the input processing unit 102. Only when it is selected that the services are to be linked, the main control unit 101 makes an inquiry to the external device 200 (S12 in FIG. 2).

  Alternatively, when the main control unit 201 of the external device 200 detects a connection with the in-vehicle device 100, the main control unit 201 receives a selection as to whether or not to coordinate services through the input processing unit 202. The main control unit 201 performs a process (S13 in FIG. 2) of transmitting information related to the content being output to the in-vehicle device 100 only when the service is selected to be linked.

  Further, the service may not be linked depending on the state of the vehicle. For example, when it can be determined from the wheel speed sensor or the gyro that the vehicle is traveling, the main control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device 100 does not perform service cooperation.

  Further, for example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, when the in-vehicle device 100 does not store the content output by the external device 200 (N in S14), the alternative content may be output (S16). .

  In such a case, the content storage unit 104 of the in-vehicle device 100 stores alternative content (for example, a song specified in advance by the user). When the main control unit 101 determines that the content corresponding to the content being output by the external device 200 is not included in the content information 300 (N in S14), the main control unit 101 outputs the alternative content to the output processing unit 103. Instruct. The output processing unit 103 outputs the alternative content stored in the content storage unit 104 to an audio output device or a display device.

In addition, as illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 4, when the in-vehicle device 100 does not store the content output from the external device 200 (N in S <b> 14), the content being output by the external device 200 is acquired from the external device 200. You may make it carry out (S17-S19). Specifically , the main control unit 101 requests the external device 200 to transmit the content being output via the communication interface 105. In response to this, the main control unit 201 of the external device 200 acquires the content data 302 of the content being output from the content information 310 and transmits it to the in-vehicle device 100 via the communication interface 205. The output processing unit 103 of the in-vehicle device 100 outputs content using the content data 302 received from the external device 200 (S19).

  Note that the output processing unit 103 may output a message notifying that content is to be received from the external device 200, such as “Download content” before receiving the content from the external device 200. The content reception request may be sent to the external device 200 only when a download request is received from the user via the input device.

  Further, content that can be output by the external device 200 is not always output by the in-vehicle device 100 as it is. In such a case, the output processing unit 103 of the in-vehicle device 100 converts the content data 302 acquired from the external device 200 into data that can be output by the in-vehicle device 100, and then outputs the data to a display or an audio output device.

  The in-vehicle device 100 may output a part of the content being output by the external device 200 instead of all of the content. For example, when the external device 100 that is playing content including music and images is connected to the in-vehicle device 100 that is displaying a map or the like, the output processing unit 103 displays only the music without displaying the map display. 200 content being played back.

  Further, when acquiring the content data 302 from the external device 200, the output processing unit 103 may acquire only necessary data instead of all of the content data 302. For example, the output processing unit 103 notifies the external device 200 of the necessary data type (for example, only music) among the content data being output. The main control unit 201 of the external device 200 transmits only data related to music among the content data 302 being output to the in-vehicle device 100. In this way, the amount of data to be transmitted can be reduced.

In addition, the main control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device 100 may receive the same content as the content being played back by the external device 200 from another server device, not from the external device 200, via a communication network or the like. Good.

  The in-vehicle device 100 may have a function of switching a content source (a storage device of the in-vehicle device 100, a storage device of the external device 200, a server device on a network, etc.). For example, the input processing unit 102 of the in-vehicle device 100 receives a content source designation from the user. The output processing unit 103 accesses the source specified by the user and acquires the content.

  Further, the main control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device 100 may receive settings necessary for outputting the information output by the external device 200 from the external device 200. For example, when both the in-vehicle device 100 and the external device 200 can receive a television broadcast, the main control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device 100 tells the external device 200 the channel on which the external device 200 is selected. Request. And the output process part 103 of the vehicle equipment 100 selects a channel taught from the external device 200, receives a television broadcast, and displays it.

  In addition, the main control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device 100 receives setting values such as volume, sound quality, and image quality of information output from the external device 200 from the external device 200, and uses the received setting values for content. May be output. In this way, it is possible to ensure not only the identity of the content but also the identity of the output method.

  In addition, when the external device 200 has a route guide function, the in-vehicle device 100 can continuously perform route guidance. For example, it is assumed that the external device 200 has a function of storing map data, searching for a route to a set destination, and performing route guidance. Then, it is assumed that the main control unit 201 of the external device 200 is requested to transmit information regarding the content being output from the in-vehicle device 100 during the route guide. The main control unit 201 transmits information for specifying the displayed map (for example, map mesh ID), the searched route, and information for the route guide to the in-vehicle device 100. The output processing unit 103 of the in-vehicle device 100 searches a map of an area specified by information received from the external device 200 from map data stored in the storage device, and displays the map on the display. In addition, information for the route and route guide received from the external device 200 is displayed on the map.

  When the external device 200 is a game machine, the content data 312 in the content storage unit 204 includes a program for executing the game. In such a case, the main control unit 201 of the external device 200 transmits necessary information to the in-vehicle device 100 so that the game being executed in the external device 200 can be continuously played by the in-vehicle device 100. Specifically, for the game being executed, information (content ID 311) for identifying the game and a setting value for reproducing the current development of the game are transmitted to the in-vehicle device 100. The output processing unit 103 of the in-vehicle device 100 uses the information (content ID 311) specifying the game received from the external device 200 as a key, and the content (program) 302 of the game being executed by the external device 200 from the content information 300. Get and execute. At this time, using the setting value received from the external device 200 for reproducing the current development of the game, the external device 200 is executed from the continuation of the game being executed. In this way, the user can continue to enjoy the game that was enjoyed on the external device 200 on the in-vehicle device 100.

  The in-vehicle device is not limited to the in-vehicle navigation device, but may be an audio device.

  In the above description, if the operation of the in-vehicle device and the operation of the external device are reversed, the service provided by the in-vehicle device can be continuously provided by the external device.

  In addition to the in-vehicle device, seamless service cooperation can be performed among a plurality of information output devices.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a service providing system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of content information. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation.

Explanation of symbols

100 in-vehicle device 101 main control unit 102 input processing unit 103 output processing unit 104 content storage unit 105 communication interface 200 external device 201 main control unit 202 input processing unit 203 output processing unit 204 content storage unit 205 communication interface

Claims (5)

An in-vehicle device that can be connected to a portable external device,
Receiving means for receiving from the external device information for specifying the information output by the external device;
Information acquisition means for acquiring information output by the external device using information for specifying information output by the external device;
Output means for outputting the information acquired by the information acquisition means ,
The information acquisition means includes
Using information for specifying information that has been output by the external device, it is determined whether the information that has been output by the external device is stored in the storage device of the in-vehicle device,
If stored, obtain information corresponding to the information output by the external device from the storage device,
When not stored , the vehicle-mounted device is characterized in that substitute information designated in advance is output from the storage device so as to be output as a substitute for information output by the external device . An in-vehicle device that can be connected to a portable external device,
Receiving means for receiving from the external device information for specifying the information output by the external device;
Information acquisition means for acquiring information output by the external device using information for specifying information output by the external device;
Output means for outputting the information acquired by the information acquisition means ,
The information acquisition means includes
Using information for specifying information that has been output by the external device, it is determined whether the information that has been output by the external device is stored in the storage device of the in-vehicle device,
If stored, obtain information corresponding to the information output by the external device from the storage device,
If not stored, obtain the information output by the external device from the external device
In-vehicle device characterized by this. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The receiving means includes
Receiving information related to settings for outputting the information output by the external device;
The output means includes
Using the setting for outputting the information, the information output by the external device is output. An information output method for an in-vehicle device that can be connected to a portable external device,
A receiving step of receiving information for identifying the information output by the external device from the external device;
An information acquisition step of acquiring information output by the external device using information for specifying information output by the external device;
Outputting the information obtained by the information obtaining step , and
The information acquisition step includes
Determining whether the information output by the external device is stored in the storage device of the in-vehicle device, using information for specifying the information output by the external device;
If stored, obtaining information corresponding to information output by the external device from the storage device; and
If the information is not stored , the vehicle-mounted device includes a step of acquiring, from the storage device, alternative information designated in advance so as to be output as an alternative to the information output by the external device. Information output method. An information output method for an in-vehicle device that can be connected to a portable external device,
A receiving step of receiving information for identifying the information output by the external device from the external device;
An information acquisition step of acquiring information output by the external device using information for specifying information output by the external device;
Outputting the information obtained by the information obtaining step , and
The information acquisition step includes
Determining whether the information output by the external device is stored in the storage device of the in-vehicle device, using information for specifying the information output by the external device;
If stored, obtaining information corresponding to information output by the external device from the storage device; and
If not stored, obtaining information output from the external device from the external device; and an information output method for an in-vehicle device.

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