INFORMATION PROCESSING TOOLS IN VEHICLES

Abstract

A GNSS antenna (12) and a switch (13) are loaded on the TCU (2). The positioning signal received by the GNSS antenna (12) from the GNSS satellite can be transmitted to the IC (11) in the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3), while the transmission destination is switched by the switch (13). Therefore, a single GNSS antenna (12) can be shared by the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3).

Description

Description INFORMATION PROCESSING TOOLS IN VEHICLES Invention Engineering Field The present invention relates to an on-vehicle information processing device provided on a vehicle. Background of the Invention In recent years, telematics devices have been provided as wireless communication devices provided in vehicles. Telematics devices are devices that communicate data with information systems and the like on the outside of the vehicle, using cellular wireless data communications, the internet, satellite positioning systems, and the like, to provide various information and services to the vehicle. Recently, many vehicles include navigation devices that obtain vehicle-related position information using a satellite positioning system and that display the current position of the vehicle on a display so that it overlaps the current position of the vehicle on a road map. In addition to the function of indicating the current position of the vehicle, navigation devices have, for example, functions to search for a recommended route to a destination designated by the user and to display the recommended route on the display for guidance. Brief Description of the Invention Each telematics and navigation device utilizes a satellite positioning system. Therefore, each device includes a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antenna that receives electrical signals (positioning signals) from the GNSS satellites. Therefore, if a vehicle includes both telematics and navigation devices, it includes two GNSS antennas. This wastes both vehicle mass and cost. This problem can be solved by sharing a single GNSS antenna by both telematics and navigation devices. However, complications can arise depending on the method of sharing, and these complications must be considered so that the GNSS antenna can be shared appropriately by both telematics and navigation devices. The object of the present invention is to provide an on-vehicle information processing device that enables a GNSS antenna to be shared, in a manner compatible with a telematics device and a navigation device. To achieve this objective, an information processing device on a vehicle according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a telematics device provided on the vehicle, the telematics device communicating position information with an exterior, the position information indicating the position of the vehicle; and a navigation device provided on the vehicle, the navigation device displaying the current position of the vehicle on a display so as to overlap the current position of the vehicle on a map. The telematics device includes a global navigation satellite system antenna that receives positioning signals from a global navigation satellite system satellite, and a switcher that switches the transmission destination of the positioning signals received by the global navigation satellite system antenna, between an interior of the telematics device and the navigation device. With this configuration, the positioning signals received by the GNSS antenna from the GNSS satellite can be transmitted to the interior of the telematics and navigation devices, while the transmission destination is switched by a switch. Therefore, a single GNSS antenna can be shared by both the telematics and navigation devices. As a result, it is possible to eliminate waste in terms of mass and cost from the vehicle, and it is possible to reduce the weight and cost of the vehicle. Furthermore, a GNSS antenna is included on the telematics device, which executes critical information processing for the vehicle. Therefore, the telematics device can acquire positioning signals instead of the navigation device, and can execute critical information processing accordingly. For example, even when the communication line between the telematics device and the navigation device is disconnected, the telematics device can acquire positioning signals, and can execute critical information processing continuously using the positioning signals. Therefore, this configuration allows GNSS antennas to be shared, appropriately by telematics devices and navigation devices. It is preferred that the telematics device should include a backup battery. If a backup battery is included in the telematics device, it is possible to process positioning signals and report vehicle-related position information to an emergency reporting center using electrical power from the backup battery, even if electrical power is not supplied from the main battery (auxiliary engine battery) provided in the vehicle, in the event of a collision accident. The navigation device may generate map matching data, and the telematics device may redirect the connection destination from the switcher from the navigation device to the telematics device, if the telematics device does not receive the map matching data generated by the navigation device, within a certain time. Thus, the positioning signal is input to the telematics device. The telematics device can obtain vehicle-related position information from the positioning signal. Furthermore, due to time constraints, it is possible to prevent, as much as possible, situations in which the user cannot communicate (e.g., talk with the operator) with the outside using the telematics device, or situations in which the user cannot report vehicle-related position information to the emergency reporting center. The first aspect of the present invention enables GNSS antennas to be shared, in a manner compatible with telematics devices and navigation devices. To achieve this objective, an information processing device on a vehicle according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a telematics device provided on the vehicle, the telematics device communicating position information with an exterior, the position information indicating the position of the vehicle; and a navigation device provided on the vehicle, the navigation device displaying the current position of the vehicle on a display so as to overlap the current position of the vehicle on a map. The telematics device includes a global navigation satellite system antenna that receives positioning signals from a global navigation satellite system satellite, and a transmitter that channels and transmits the positioning signals received by the global navigation satellite system antenna, to an interior of the telematics device and the navigation device. With this configuration, the positioning signal received by the GNSS antenna from the GNSS satellite is transmitted to the interior of the telematics device and the navigation device by the distributor, and thus, the positioning signal is transmitted to the interior of the telematics device and the navigation device. Therefore, a single GNSS antenna can be shared by the telematics device and the navigation device. As a result, it is possible to eliminate waste in terms of mass and cost of the vehicle, and it is possible to reduce the weight and cost of the vehicle. Furthermore, a GNSS antenna is included on the telematics device, which executes critical information processing for the vehicle. Therefore, the telematics device can acquire positioning signals instead of the navigation device, and can execute critical information processing accordingly. For example, even when the communication line between the telematics device and the navigation device is disconnected, the telematics device can acquire positioning signals, and can execute critical information processing continuously using the positioning signals. Therefore, this configuration allows GNSS antennas to be shared, appropriately by telematics devices and navigation devices. It is preferred that the telematics device should include a backup battery. If the backup battery is loaded in the telematics device, it is possible to process positioning signals and report vehicle-related position information to the emergency reporting center using electrical power from the backup battery, even if electrical power is not supplied from the main battery (auxiliary engine battery) provided in the vehicle, in the event of a collision accident. The navigation device can generate map matching data, the telematics device can transmit vehicle-related position information to an external server, and can receive information processed by the external server based on the vehicle-related position information, the vehicle-related position information not related to the map matching data generated by the navigation device. Thus, if map matching data is not required, for example, when facilities near a vehicle are acquired on the Internet, it is possible to use vehicle-related position information obtained from positioning signals. This reduces the volume of communication data. Furthermore, for example, if an external server, such as a retrieval server, collects information that generates personal information, it is possible to perform Internet retrieval using vehicle-related position information obtained from positioning signals. This makes it difficult for the external server to identify an individual who owns a vehicle.Furthermore, even in cases where the navigation device cannot perform a proper map match (for example, in the case of a position gap), it is possible to receive processed information (retrieval results regarding the position of a shop, acquisition results regarding the position of a tourist location, or the like) from an external server. The second aspect of the present invention allows GNSS antennas to be shared, in a manner compatible with telematics devices and navigation devices. Short Description of Image The technical features, advantages, and technical and industrial benefits of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar symbols represent similar elements, and in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device on a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the switching process for the switcher; Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device on a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the signal process. Complete Description of the Invention Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Information Processing Devices in Vehicles Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device on a vehicle (1) according to a first embodiment of the invention. The information processing device on the vehicle (1) includes a telematics communication unit (TCU) (2) and a navigation device (3). The information processing device on the vehicle (1) is provided on the vehicle, and operates by receiving an electrical power supply from the main battery (auxiliary engine battery) of the vehicle. TCU (2) (telematics device) is a device that performs data communication with information systems and the like on the outside of the vehicle, using cellular wireless data communications, the Internet, satellite positioning systems, and the like, to provide various information and services to the vehicle. The TCU (2) contains an integrated circuit (IC) (11) for information processing, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antenna (12) that receives positioning signals (GNSS signals) from a GNSS satellite, and a switch (13) that transmits the positioning signals received by the GNSS antenna (12) to the IC (11) and the navigation device (3) while the transmission destination is switched by the switch (13). The navigation device (3) is a device that obtains position information related to a vehicle using a satellite positioning system, and that displays the current position of the vehicle on a display (21) so as to superimpose the position of the current vehicle on a road map. In addition to the function of indicating the current position of the vehicle, the navigation device (3) has, for example, a function to search for a recommended route to a destination designated by the user and to display the recommended route on the display (21) for guidance. The navigation device (3) contains an integrated circuit (IC) (22) for information processing. The TCU (2) and the navigation device (3) are connected so that the TCU (2) can transmit positioning signals to the navigation device (3). That is, the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3) are equipped with an RF connector (14) and an RF connector (23), respectively. The RF connector (14) and the RF connector (23) are connected by a coaxial cable (RF cable) (31). The RF connector (14) is connected to one terminal of the switch (13) in the TCU (2). The other terminal of the switch (13) is connected to an IC (11) in the TCU (2). The RF connector (23) is connected to an IC (22) in the navigation device (3). Furthermore, the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3) are connected so that data communication can be performed. That is, the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3) are equipped with a communication connector (15) and a communication connector (24), respectively. The communication connector (15) and the communication connector (24) are connected by a communication cable (32). The communication connector (15) is connected to an IC (11) in the TCU (2). The communication connector (24) is connected to an IC (22) in the navigation device (3). The TCU (2) contains a backup battery (BUB) (16). The BUB (16) is a backup power source that supplies electrical power to each part of the TCU (2) when electrical power is not supplied from the vehicle's main battery. Transfer Process Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the diversion process for diverter (13). The process shown in Figure 2 is executed by the IC (11) of the TCU (2), when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on (IG-ON), for the transfer of the transmission destination of the positioning signal by the switch (13). In this process, first, IC (11) sets the connection destination of the switch (13) to the navigation device (3), such that the positioning signal is transmitted to the navigation device (3) (step S1). Then, IC (11) prepares the count value N of the switch number counter provided in the memory loaded in IC (11) (step S2). The count value N of the switch number counter is reset to zero, when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off. Next, IC (11) determines whether map matching data has been received from the navigation device (3) within a certain time (step S3). At the navigation device (3), the map matching process is executed when the positioning signal is received. In the map matching process, the position information related to the vehicle is obtained from the positioning signal, the position information and the map related to the road on which the vehicle is traveling, are compared, and the current position of the vehicle is corrected to the most appropriate position on the road map. The map matching data is data that indicates the current position of the vehicle after the correction is made by the map matching process. In the case where the map matching data has been received within a certain time (YES in step S3), the map matching data is received continuously. After receiving the map matching data, IC (11) stores the map matching data in memory as position information related to the vehicle. On the other hand, in the case where the map matching data has not been received within a certain time (NOT in step S3), the connection destination of the switch (13) is switched from the navigation device (3) to the interior of the TCU (2), i.e., IC (11) (step S4). Thus, a positioning signal is input to IC (11). IC (11) obtains the position information related to the vehicle from the positioning signal, and stores the position information in memory. After that, IC (11) determines whether the count value N of the diversion counter has reached a certain value X (step S5). In the case where the count value N is less than a certain value X (NOT in step S5), IC (11) diverts the connection destination of the diverter (13) from the interior of the TCU (2) to the navigation device (3) (step S1). After that, IC (11) executes the process described above. In the case where the count value N of the switching number counter has reached a certain value X (YES in step S5), IC (11) ends the process shown in Figure 2. After that, IC (11) repeats the process of obtaining the vehicle-related position information from the positioning signal and storing the position information in memory, until the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off. Function Effect As described above, the positioning signal received by the GNSS antenna (12) from the GNSS satellite can be transmitted to the interior of the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3), while the transmission destination is switched by the switcher (13). Therefore, a single GNSS antenna (12) can be shared by the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3). As a result, it is possible to eliminate waste in terms of mass and cost of the vehicle, and it is possible to reduce the weight and cost of the vehicle. Furthermore, a GNSS antenna (12) is included on the TCU (2), which executes a critical information process for the vehicle, namely, the process of acquiring position information related to the vehicle and acquiring position information related to the vehicle to an emergency reporting center, for example, in the event of a collision accident. Therefore, the TCU (2) can acquire positioning signals instead of the navigation device (3), and can execute critical information processes accordingly. For example, even if the communication line between the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3) is interrupted, the TCU (2) can acquire positioning signals, and can execute critical information processes continuously using the positioning signals. If the map matching data is not received within a certain time, the connection destination of the switch (13) is switched from the navigation device (3) to the IC (11) in the TCU (2). Thus, the positioning signal is input to the telematics device. The TCU (2) can obtain the vehicle-related position information from the positioning signal. Furthermore, due to the time constraints, it is possible to prevent, as much as possible, situations in which the user cannot communicate (e.g., a conversation with the operator) with the outside using the TCU (2), or situations in which the user cannot report the vehicle-related position information to the emergency report center. The TCU (2) contains a backup battery (16). Since the backup battery (16) is contained in the TCU (2), it is possible to process positioning signals and report vehicle-related position information to the emergency reporting center using electrical power from the backup battery (16), even if electrical power is not supplied to the TCU (2) from the main battery (auxiliary engine battery) provided on the vehicle, in the event of a collision accident. Furthermore, since the positioning signal is selectively transmitted to the IC (11) of the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3), the positioning signal can be transmitted to the IC (11) of the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3) without any loss of electrical power. Modification A first embodiment of the present invention has been described above. The present invention may be made in other modes. For example, in the first embodiment, the GNSS antenna (12) is loaded on the TCU (2). However, the GNSS antenna (12) may be provided on the outside of the TCU (2), and may be connected to the TCU (2) via a coaxial cable. In addition, various changes may be made to the configuration described above within the scope of the material described in the claims. Information Processing Devices in Vehicles Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device on a vehicle (1) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The on-vehicle information processing device (1) includes a telematics communication unit (TCU) (2) and a navigation device (3). The on-vehicle information processing device (1) is provided on the vehicle, and operates by receiving electrical power supply from the main battery (auxiliary engine battery) of the vehicle. TCU (2) (telematics device) is a device that performs data communication with information systems and the like on the outside of the vehicle, using cellular wireless data communications, the Internet, satellite positioning systems, and the like, to provide various information and services to the vehicle. The TCU (2) contains an integrated circuit (IC) (11) for information processing, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antenna (12) that receives positioning signals (GNSS signals) from a GNSS satellite, and a transmitter (17) that transmits the positioning signals received by the GNSS antenna (12) to the IC (11) and a navigation device (3) and transmits the positioning signals to the IC (11) and the navigation device (3). The navigation device (3) is a device that obtains position information relating to a vehicle using a satellite positioning system, and that displays the current position of the vehicle on a display (21) so as to superimpose the position of the current vehicle on a road map. In addition to the function of indicating the current position of the vehicle, the navigation device (3) has, for example, the function of searching for a recommended route to a destination designated by the user and of displaying the recommended route on the display (21) for guidance. The navigation device (3) contains an integrated circuit (IC) (22) for information processing. The TCU (2) and the navigation device (3) are connected so that the TCU (2) can transmit positioning signals to the navigation device (3). That is, the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3) are equipped with an RF connector (14) and an RF connector (23), respectively. The RF connector (14) and the RF connector (23) are connected by a coaxial cable (RF cable) 31. The RF connector (14) is connected to one output terminal of the distributor (17) in the TCU (2). The other output terminal of the distributor (17) is connected to an IC (11) in the TCU (2). The RF connector (23) is connected to an IC (22) in the navigation device (3). Furthermore, the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3) are connected so that data communication can be performed. That is, the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3) are equipped with a communication connector (15) and a communication connector (24), respectively. The communication connector (15) and the communication connector (24) are connected by a communication cable (32). The communication connector (15) is connected to an IC (11) in the TCU (2). The communication connector (24) is connected to an IC (22) in the navigation device (3). The TCU (2) contains a backup battery (BUB) (16). The BUB (16) is a backup power source that supplies electrical power to each part of the TCU (2) when electrical power is not supplied from the vehicle's main battery. Signal Process Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of signal processes executed on the TCU (2). The signal process shown in Figure 4 is executed by IC (11) of TCU (2), when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on (IG-ON). The positioning signal received by the GNSS antenna (12) is transmitted to the IC (11) and IC (22) of the navigation device (3), via the transmitter (17). In the signal processing, the IC (11) obtains the position information related to the vehicle from the positioning signal received by the GNSS antenna (12), and stores the position information in memory (step S1). In parallel, the IC (22) of the navigation device (3) executes a map matching process, after receiving the positioning signal. In the map matching process, the position information related to the vehicle is obtained from the positioning signal, the position information and the map related to the road on which the vehicle is traveling, are compared, and the current position of the vehicle is corrected to the most appropriate position on the road map. The map matching data is the data indicating the current position of the vehicle after the correction made by the map matching process. Further, IC (11) increases the count value N of the transfer number counter provided in the memory loaded in IC (11) (step S2). The count value N of the transfer number counter is reset to zero, when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off. Next, IC (11) determines whether map matching data has been received from the navigation device (3) within a certain time (step S3). In the case where map matching data has been received within a certain time (YES in step S3), the map matching data is received continuously. After receiving the map matching data, the IC (11) stores the map matching data in memory as vehicle-related position information (step S4). In parallel, the IC (11) continues the process of obtaining vehicle-related position information from the positioning signal received by the GNSS antenna (12) and stores the vehicle-related position information in memory (step S4). On the other hand, in the case where the map matching data has not been received within a certain time (NOT in step S3), IC (11) determines whether the count value N of the transfer number counter has reached a certain value X (step S5). In the case where the count value N is less than a certain value X (NOT in step S5), IC (11) obtains the position information related to the vehicle from the positioning signal received by the GNSS antenna (12), and stores the position information in memory (step S1). After that, IC (11) executes the process described above. In the case where the count value N of the switching number counter has reached a certain value X (YES in step S5), IC (11) terminates the process shown in Figure 4. After that, IC (11) repeats the process of obtaining the position information related to the vehicle from the positioning signal and storing the position information in the memory, until the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off (step S6). Function Effect As described above, the positioning signal received by the GNSS antenna (12) from the GNSS satellite is transmitted to the interior of the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3) by the transmitter (17), and thus, the positioning signal is transmitted to the interior of the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3). Therefore, a single GNSS antenna (12) can be shared by the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3). As a result, it is possible to eliminate waste in terms of mass and cost of the vehicle, and it is possible to reduce the weight and cost of the vehicle. Furthermore, a GNSS antenna (12) is included on the TCU (2), which executes a critical information process for the vehicle, namely, the process of acquiring position information related to the vehicle and acquiring position information related to the vehicle to an emergency reporting center, for example, in the event of a collision accident. Therefore, the TCU (2) can acquire positioning signals instead of the navigation device (3), and can execute critical information processes accordingly. For example, even if the communication line between the TCU (2) and the navigation device (3) is interrupted, the TCU (2) can acquire positioning signals, and can execute critical information processes continuously using the positioning signals. The TCU (2) contains a backup battery (16). Since the backup battery (16) is contained in the TCU (2), it is possible to process positioning signals and report vehicle-related position information to the emergency reporting center using electrical power from the backup battery (16), even if electrical power is not supplied to the TCU (2) from the main battery (auxiliary engine battery) provided on the vehicle, in the event of a collision accident. Furthermore, in the TCU (2), the vehicle-related position information obtained from the positioning signal and the map matching data including the vehicle-related position information are stored in memory. Therefore, when the map matching data is not required, for example, when facilities near the vehicle are obtained on the Internet, the TCU (2) can transmit the vehicle-related position information to an external server, using the vehicle-related position information obtained from the positioning signal, and can receive information processed by the external server based on the vehicle-related position information. Thus, it is possible to reduce the volume of communication data.Furthermore, for example, if an external server such as a retrieval server collects information that results in personal information, it may be possible to perform Internet retrieval using the position information related to a vehicle obtained from the positioning signal. This makes it difficult for the external server to identify an individual who owns the vehicle. Furthermore, even in cases where the navigation device (3) cannot perform a map match appropriately (for example, in the case of a position gap), it may be possible to receive processed information (retrieval results regarding the position of a store, retrieval results regarding the position of a tourist location, or the like) from the external server. In the TCU (2), the vehicle-related position information obtained from the positioning signal and the map matching data including the vehicle-related position information are stored in memory. However, for example, with respect to the map matching data, the last predetermined number of data pieces may be stored in memory. With respect to the vehicle-related position information obtained from the positioning signal, the last predetermined number of data pieces may not be stored in memory, and the previous data pieces may be stored in memory. That is, if appropriate, the data to be stored in memory may be combined depending on the memory capacity. Modification A second embodiment of the present invention has been described above. The present invention may be made in other modes. For example, in the second embodiment, the GNSS antenna (12) is loaded on the TCU (2). However, the GNSS antenna (12) may be provided on the outside of the TCU (2), and may be connected to the TCU (2) via a coaxial cable. Furthermore, if the positioning signal to be handled by the TCU (2) and navigation device (3) is weak, a power amplifier can be provided, and the positioning signal can be amplified. In addition, various changes may be made to the configuration described above within the scope of the material described in the claims.

Claims

1. An information processing device on a vehicle characterized by including: a telematics device (2) provided on the vehicle, the telematics device (2) communicating position information with an exterior, the position information indicating the position of the vehicle; and a navigation device (3) provided on the vehicle, the navigation device (3) displaying the current position of the vehicle on a display (21) so as to superimpose the current position of the vehicle on a map, wherein the telematics device (2) includes a global navigation satellite system antenna (12) that receives positioning signals from a global navigation satellite system satellite, and a switch (13) that switches the transmission destination of the positioning signals received by the global navigation satellite system antenna (12), between an interior of the telematics device (2) and the navigation device (3).

2. The information processing device on a vehicle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the telematics device (2) further includes a backup battery (16).

3. An information processing device on a vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the navigation device (3) generates map matching data; and the telematics device (2) switches the connection destination of the switch (13) from the navigation device (3) to the telematics device (2), if the telematics device (2) does not receive the map matching data generated by the navigation device (3), within a certain time.

4. An information processing device on a vehicle characterized by including: a telematics device (2) provided on the vehicle, the telematics device (2) communicating position information with an exterior, the position information indicating the position of the vehicle; and a navigation device (3) provided on the vehicle, the navigation device (3) displaying the current position of the vehicle on a display (21) so as to overlap the current position of the vehicle on a map, wherein the telematics device (2) includes a global navigation satellite system antenna (12) that receives positioning signals from a global navigation satellite system satellite, and a transmitter (17) that channels and transmits the positioning signals received by the global navigation satellite system antenna (12), to an interior of the telematics device (2) and the navigation device (3).

5. The information processing device on a vehicle according to Claim 4, characterized in that the telematics device (2) further includes a backup battery (16).

6. An information processing device on a vehicle according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: the navigation device (3) generates map matching data; and the telematics device (2) transmits position information related to the vehicle to an external server, and receives information processed by the external server based on the position information related to the vehicle, the position information related to the vehicle not being related to the map matching data generated by the navigation device (3).

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