Vehicle control device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device capable of viewing a television even when a vehicle is traveling, and reducing deterioration in accuracy of an on-vehicle navigation device.SOLUTION: If the switch signal is ON, the CPU measures how many times the vehicle speed pulse signal is received within a predetermined time. According to the measurement result, a vehicle speed pulse signal in which the time ratio of ON / OFF of the vehicle speed pulse signal is adjusted is transmitted to the on-vehicle navigation device in a T2 for a fixed time. Furthermore, after the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal has been transmitted to the vehicle-mounted navigation device within the T2 for a fixed time, the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal is not transmitted to the vehicle-mounted navigation device within the T3 for a fixed time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, car television sets (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as television sets) installed in in-vehicle navigation systems, such as manufacturer-supplied or dealer-optional systems, have been equipped with a function that prevents viewing while the vehicle is moving in order to ensure the driver's safety. However, this has been inconvenient for passengers in the front or rear seats who are not driving, as they are also unable to watch television while the vehicle is moving.

[0003] Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, a system has been proposed that allows television viewing even while a vehicle is moving. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7313640 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, although the technology described in Patent Document 1 above allows television viewing even while the vehicle is moving, the vehicle information received by the in-vehicle navigation device from the vehicle is stored without being transmitted for a certain period of time, and then the vehicle information is transmitted all at once to the in-vehicle navigation device after the certain period of time has passed. This means that the vehicle's position as recognized by the in-vehicle navigation device may deviate from the actual position, which could result in a decrease in the accuracy of the in-vehicle navigation device (the accuracy of position recognition for navigation).

[0006] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device that allows television viewing even while the vehicle is moving and that can reduce the deterioration in accuracy of the in-vehicle navigation device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following means: Note that the parentheses indicate reference symbols of embodiments to be described later, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0008] The vehicle control device according to the invention of claim 1 is a vehicle control device that allows viewing of a car television device installed in an in-vehicle navigation device while the vehicle is traveling, and comprises: a first receiving means (see, for example, the CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 and steps S12 and S13 shown in FIG. 2) that receives a vehicle speed pulse signal from the vehicle (for example, the vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in FIG. 3(b)); a second receiving means (see, for example, the CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 and step S4 shown in FIG. 2) that receives a switch signal for turning the car television device on or off; and a measuring means (see, for example, the CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 and step S13 shown in FIG. 2) that measures how many times the vehicle speed pulse signal is received by the first receiving means within a first certain period of time if the switch signal is on. and a transmitting means (for example, see CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 and steps S15 and S17 shown in FIG. 2) for transmitting a vehicle speed pulse signal (for example, adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC shown in FIG. 3(a)) in which the ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal is adjusted according to the measurement result measured by the measuring means, for a second fixed time period (for example, fixed time period T2 shown in FIG. 3(a)), wherein after transmitting the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal to the vehicle navigation device for the second fixed time period, the transmitting means does not transmit the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal to the vehicle navigation device for a third fixed time period (for example, fixed time period T3 shown in FIG. 3(a)).

[0009] The vehicle control device according to the invention of claim 2 is the vehicle control device of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means transmits a signal in which the ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal is adjusted in units of msec to the in-vehicle navigation device (e.g., see step S15 shown in FIG. 2) if the measurement result measured by the measuring means (e.g., see CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 and step S13 shown in FIG. 2) is less than a predetermined number of pulses (e.g., see step S14: YES shown in FIG. 2), and transmits a signal in which the ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal is adjusted in units of μsec to the in-vehicle navigation device (e.g., see step S17 shown in FIG. 2) if the measurement result measured by the measuring means (e.g., see step S14: NO shown in FIG. 2) is not less than the predetermined number of pulses (e.g., see step S14: NO shown in FIG. 2).

[0010] The vehicle control device of the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the vehicle control device described in claim 1 or 2 above, the third fixed time (for example, the fixed time T3 shown in Figure 3(a)) is set to a time longer than the second fixed time (for example, the fixed time T2 shown in Figure 3(a)). [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] Next, the effects of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the reference symbols in parentheses are those of the embodiments described below, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0012] According to the invention of claim 1, if the switch signal is ON, the first receiving means measures how many times the vehicle speed pulse signal is received within a first fixed time. Then, depending on the measurement result, a vehicle speed pulse signal (e.g., adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC shown in FIG. 3(a)) with an ON / OFF time ratio adjusted is transmitted to the in-vehicle navigation device within a second fixed time (e.g., fixed time T2 shown in FIG. 3(a)). This allows the vehicle speed pulse signal (e.g., vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in FIG. 3(b)) to be processed in real time, thereby reducing the possibility that the vehicle position recognized by the in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) will differ from the actual position.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 1, after the above processing, the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal is not transmitted to the in-vehicle navigation device for a third fixed time (for example, fixed time T3 shown in FIG. 3(a)). This allows viewing on a car television device (not shown) during this period.

[0014] Therefore, according to the present invention, television viewing is possible even while the vehicle is moving, and the deterioration of the accuracy of the in-vehicle navigation device can be reduced.

[0015] According to the invention of claim 2, the ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal (for example, the vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in FIG. 3(b)) is adjusted in either msec or μsec units depending on whether the measurement result is less than a predetermined number of pulses, i.e., depending on the current vehicle speed. This makes it possible to further reduce the possibility that the vehicle position recognized by the in-vehicle navigation device will deviate from the actual position, even if the vehicle speed changes midway. Therefore, this makes it possible to further reduce the deterioration in the accuracy of the in-vehicle navigation device.

[0016] According to the invention as defined in claim 3, it becomes easier to watch television while the vehicle is moving. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing details of the vehicle control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 10A is a timing chart of the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal, and FIG. 10B is a timing chart of the vehicle speed pulse signal from the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle control device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, when directions such as up, down, left, and right are indicated, they refer to up, down, left, and right when viewed from the front of the illustration.

[0019] <Outline of vehicle control device> The vehicle control device according to this embodiment allows television viewing even while the vehicle is traveling and reduces the degradation of accuracy of the in-vehicle navigation device. Specifically, the vehicle control device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is electrically connected to an in-vehicle navigation device (not shown). More specifically, the vehicle control device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 2 that performs various overall control operations. As shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 2 can receive a vehicle speed pulse signal PA from the vehicle via a level converter 3, as shown in FIG. 3(b). The level converter 3 converts the signal into a voltage that can be received by the CPU 2. The vehicle speed pulse signal PA is a signal having a period T1, as shown in FIG. 3(b), that combines one ON (high level) and one OFF (low level). Thus, such vehicle speed pulse signals PA are transmitted consecutively from the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 3(b).

[0020] On the other hand, the CPU 2 shown in Fig. 1 receives the vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in Fig. 3(b) via the level converter 3, adjusts the ON / OFF time ratio of the received vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in Fig. 3(b), and generates an adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC as shown in Fig. 3(a). The CPU 2 shown in Fig. 1 then transmits the generated adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC to an in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) via the level converter 4 shown in Fig. 1. The level converter 4 performs processing such as converting the signal into a voltage that can be received by the in-vehicle navigation device (not shown).

[0021] 1, a switch 5 that turns on / off a car television device (not shown) mounted on an in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) is connected to the CPU 2. The CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 is capable of receiving a switch signal from the switch 5.

[0022] Also, as shown in Fig. 1, the CPU 2 is connected to an LED 6 built into the switch 5 shown in Fig. 1. As a result, the CPU 2 shown in Fig. 1 controls the LED to be turned on when the switch 5 is ON (when watching a car television device (not shown) mounted on an in-vehicle navigation device (not shown)), and controls the LED to be turned off when the switch 5 is OFF (when not watching a car television device (not shown) mounted on an in-vehicle navigation device (not shown)).

[0023] 1, a buzzer 7 is connected to the CPU 2. As a result, the CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 controls the buzzer 7 to output various sounds according to the situation.

[0024] 1, a ROM 8 is connected to the CPU 2. The ROM 8 shown in FIG. 1 stores programs and various parameters that do not require modification.

[0025] 1, a RAM 9 is connected to the CPU 2. The RAM 9 shown in FIG. 1 temporarily stores data.

[0026] The above is a summary of the vehicle control device 1 shown in FIG.

[0027] <Explanation of the processing contents of the vehicle control device> Next, the vehicle control device 1 will be described in more detail by explaining the processing contents of the vehicle control device 1 according to this embodiment with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0028] When the power is turned on to the vehicle control device 1, the CPU 2 shown in Fig. 1 performs various initial settings (step S1). Specifically, the CPU 2 performs input / output settings for the I / O, performs initial settings for the I / O, and initializes the RAM 9 shown in Fig. 1.

[0029] Next, the CPU 2 checks a jumper (not shown) (step S2).

[0030] Next, if the jumper is shorted, the CPU 2 determines that the car television device (not shown) cannot be viewed while driving, and therefore controls the buzzer 7 shown in Fig. 1 to output a "beep, beep" sound. If the jumper is not shorted (open), the car television device (not shown) can be viewed while driving, and therefore controls the buzzer 7 shown in Fig. 1 to output a "beep, beep" sound (step S3). This notifies the user of the jumper status and prompts them to check whether the settings are correct.

[0031] Next, CPU 2 checks the switch signal received from switch 5 shown in Fig. 1 (step S4). If the switch signal is ON (step S4: YES), this means that the car television device (not shown) is to be turned ON while the vehicle is moving, and CPU 2 controls to light up LED 6 built into switch 5 shown in Fig. 1 (step S5). Next, CPU 2 controls to output a "beep beep" sound from buzzer 7 shown in Fig. 1 (step S6), and performs processing to set a flag to ON (step S7).

[0032] On the other hand, if the switch signal is OFF (step S4: NO), this means that the car television device (not shown) should be turned OFF while the vehicle is moving, so the CPU 2 controls the LED 6 built into the switch 5 shown in Fig. 1 to turn off (step S8). Next, the CPU 2 controls the buzzer 7 shown in Fig. 1 to output a "beep" sound (step S9), and performs processing to set the flag to OFF (step S10).

[0033] Thus, after completing the processing of step S7 or step S10 described above, the CPU 2 checks the flag (step S11). If the flag is set to OFF (step S11: OFF), the CPU 2 transmits the vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in Fig. 3(b) received via the level converter 3 shown in Fig. 1 to the in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) via the level converter 4 shown in Fig. 1 without performing any processing (step S12). Then, after this processing, the CPU 2 returns to the processing of step S4 again and repeats the processing described above.

[0034] On the other hand, if the flag is set to ON (step S11: ON), the CPU 2 measures the vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in Fig. 3(b) received via the level converter 3 shown in Fig. 1. That is, the CPU 2 measures how many times the vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in Fig. 3(b) is received within a certain period of time (for example, 0.6 seconds) (step S13).

[0035] Next, the CPU 2 checks the measurement result (step S14). If the number of times the signal is received within a certain period of time (e.g., 0.6 seconds) is less than the predetermined number of pulses (step S14: YES), the CPU 2 determines that the vehicle is currently traveling at a low speed (e.g., approximately 10 km / h) and adjusts the ON / OFF time ratio of the received vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in FIG. 3(b) in millisecond units to generate an adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC as shown in FIG. 3(a). After this adjustment, the CPU 2 continues to transmit the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC to the in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) via the level converter 4 shown in FIG. 1 for a certain period of time T2 (e.g., 0.5 seconds) shown in FIG. 3(a) (step S15). Note that the adjustment is, for example, such that three times the number of pulses measured within the certain period of time (e.g., 0.6 seconds) can be transmitted within the certain period of time T2 (e.g., 0.5 seconds) shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0036] Next, after completing the processing of step S15, the CPU 2 prevents the transmission of the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC to the in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) for a certain period of time T3 (e.g., 1.0 second) shown in Fig. 3(a) (step S16). As a result, during the certain period of time T3 (e.g., 1.0 second) shown in Fig. 3(a), the in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) determines that the vehicle is stopped, so that viewing on the car television device (not shown) becomes possible even while the vehicle is moving. After processing step S16, the CPU 2 returns to processing step S4 and repeats the above-described processing.

[0037] On the other hand, if the number of times the signal is received within a certain period of time (e.g., 0.6 seconds) is not less than the predetermined number of pulses (step S14: NO), the CPU 2 determines that the vehicle is currently traveling at high speed and adjusts the ON / OFF time ratio of the received vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in FIG. 3(b) in μsec increments to generate an adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC as shown in FIG. 3(a). After such adjustment, the CPU 2 continues to transmit the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC to the in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) via the level converter 4 shown in FIG. 1 for a certain period of time T2 (e.g., 0.5 seconds) shown in FIG. 3(a) (step S17). Note that the adjustment is, for example, such that three times the number of pulses measured within the certain period of time (e.g., 0.6 seconds) can be transmitted within the certain period of time T2 (e.g., 0.5 seconds) shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0038] Next, after completing the processing of step S17, the CPU 2 prevents the transmission of the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC to the in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) for a certain period of time T3 (e.g., 1.0 second) shown in Fig. 3(a) (step S16). As a result, during the certain period of time T3 (e.g., 1.0 second) shown in Fig. 3(a), the in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) determines that the vehicle is stopped, so that viewing on the car television device (not shown) becomes possible even while the vehicle is moving. After processing step S16, the CPU 2 returns to the processing of step S4 and repeats the processing described above.

[0039] The above-described processing is performed by the vehicle control device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0040] Therefore, according to the present embodiment described above, the ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in Fig. 3(b) is adjusted in accordance with the measurement results, and an adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC as shown in Fig. 3(a) is generated. Then, the CPU 2 shown in Fig. 1 transmits the generated adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC to an in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) via the level converter 4 shown in Fig. 1. This allows the vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in Fig. 3(b) to be processed in real time, thereby reducing the possibility that the vehicle position recognized by the in-vehicle navigation device will differ from the actual position.

[0041] Furthermore, after the above processing, the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC is not transmitted to the in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) for a certain period of time T3 (for example, 1.0 seconds) shown in Figure 3(a), so that the car television device (not shown) can be viewed during this period.

[0042] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to watch television even while the vehicle is moving, and it is possible to reduce the decrease in accuracy of the in-vehicle navigation system.

[0043] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in FIG. 3(b) is adjusted in either msec or μsec units depending on the current vehicle speed. This further reduces the possibility that the vehicle position recognized by the in-vehicle navigation device will deviate from the actual position even if the vehicle speed changes midway. Therefore, this further reduces the degradation of the accuracy of the in-vehicle navigation device.

[0044] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the fixed time T3 (e.g., 1.0 second) shown in FIG. 3(a) is set to a time longer than the fixed time T2 (e.g., 0.5 second) shown in FIG. 3(a). This makes it easier to watch television while the vehicle is moving. In other words, if the display is switched too quickly, the television screen may not be displayed long enough for the user to see. Therefore, in this embodiment, the fixed time T3 (e.g., 1.0 second) shown in FIG. 3(a) is set to a time longer than the fixed time T2 (e.g., 0.5 second) shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0045] <Description of Modifications> It should be noted that the contents illustrated in this embodiment are merely examples, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Vehicle control device 2 CPU (first receiving means, second receiving means, measuring means, transmitting means) PA Vehicle speed pulse signal PAC adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal (adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal) T2 Fixed time (second fixed time) T3 Fixed time (third fixed time)

Claims

1. A vehicle control device that allows viewing of a car television device mounted on an in-vehicle navigation device while the vehicle is traveling, comprising: a first receiving means for receiving a vehicle speed pulse signal from the vehicle; a second receiving means for receiving a switch signal for turning the car television device on or off; a measuring means for measuring, if the switch signal is on, how many times the vehicle speed pulse signal is received by the first receiving means within a first fixed time; and a transmitting means for transmitting, to the in-vehicle navigation device, a vehicle speed pulse signal in which the on / off time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal has been adjusted according to the measurement result of the measuring means, for a second fixed time; and the vehicle control device is configured such that, after transmitting the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal to the in-vehicle navigation device within the second fixed time, the transmitting means does not transmit the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal to the in-vehicle navigation device for a third fixed time.

2. 2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means transmits to the in-vehicle navigation device a signal in which the ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal is adjusted in units of msec if the measurement result measured by the measuring means is less than a predetermined number of pulses, and transmits to the in-vehicle navigation device a signal in which the ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal is adjusted in units of μsec if the measurement result measured by the measuring means is not less than the predetermined number of pulses.

3. The vehicle control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third certain time is set to be longer than the second certain time.

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