Vehicle control device

Abstract

A vehicle control device is provided that allows a user to watch television even while the vehicle is traveling and can reduce a decrease in accuracy of an in-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 certain period of time. Then, depending on the measurement result, the vehicle speed pulse signal with the ON / OFF time ratio adjusted is transmitted to the in-vehicle navigation device within a certain period of time T2. Furthermore, after transmitting the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal to the in-vehicle navigation device within the certain period of time T2, the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal is not transmitted to the in-vehicle navigation device within a certain period of time T3.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, car television devices (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as televisions) installed in in-vehicle navigation devices such as manufacturer-supplied or dealer-optional devices have a function that prevents the driver from watching the television while the vehicle is moving in order to ensure the safety of the driver. However, this is inconvenient for passengers in the front passenger seat or back seat who are not driving, as they cannot watch television while the vehicle is moving.

[0003] In view of this, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a system has been proposed that allows television viewing even while the 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, while the technology described in Patent Document 1 makes it possible to watch television even while the vehicle is traveling, it stores vehicle information received from the vehicle by the in-vehicle navigation device without transmitting it for a certain period of time, and then transmits the vehicle information all at once after the certain period of time to the in-vehicle navigation device. This means that there is a possibility that the vehicle's position recognized by the in-vehicle navigation device may deviate from the actual position, which may 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 problem, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle control device that allows a user to watch television even while the vehicle is traveling and that can reduce the deterioration in accuracy of an 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 the embodiments described below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0008] The vehicle control device according to the invention of claim 1 is a vehicle control device that enables viewing of a car television device mounted on an in-vehicle navigation device while the vehicle is traveling, A first receiving means (for example, see the CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 and steps S12 and S13 shown in FIG. 2) for receiving a vehicle speed pulse signal (for example, the vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in FIG. 3(b)) from a vehicle; A second receiving means (for example, CPU2 shown in FIG. 1 and step S4 shown in FIG. 2) for receiving a switch signal for turning the car television device on or off; If the switch signal is ON, a measuring means (for example, CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 and step S13 shown in FIG. 2) measures how many times the vehicle speed pulse signal is received by the first receiving means within a first fixed time period; a transmission means (for example, see the CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 and steps S15 and 17 shown in FIG. 2) for transmitting a vehicle speed pulse signal (for example, an adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC shown in FIG. 3(a)) in which an ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal is adjusted according to the measurement result measured by the measurement means, for a second fixed time period (for example, a fixed time period T2 shown in FIG. 3(a)) to the in-vehicle navigation device, After transmitting the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal to the in-vehicle navigation device within the second certain time, the transmission means is configured not to transmit the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal to the in-vehicle navigation device within a third certain time (for example, a certain time T3 shown in FIG. 3(a)). death, The transmitting means (for example, see the CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 and steps S15 and 17 shown in FIG. 2) checks the number of receptions measured by the measuring means (for example, see the CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 and step S13 shown in FIG. 2) in order to check the change in vehicle speed. If the number of receptions is less than a predetermined number of pulses (for example, see step S14: YES in FIG. 2), the transmitting means determines that the vehicle speed is low, adjusts the ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal in msec units, and transmits the adjusted signal to the in-vehicle navigation device (for example, see step S15 shown in FIG. 2). On the other hand, if the number of receptions is not less than the predetermined number of pulses (for example, see step S14: NO in FIG. 2), the transmitting means determines that the vehicle speed is high, adjusts the ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal in μsec units, and transmits the adjusted signal to the in-vehicle navigation device (for example, see step S17 shown in FIG. 2).It is characterized by the following.

[0010] Claim 2 The vehicle control device according to the present invention is as described above. 1 In the vehicle control device described above, the third fixed time (e.g., the fixed time T3 shown in FIG. 3(a)) is set to a time longer than the second fixed time (e.g., the fixed time T2 shown in FIG. 3(a)). Effect 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 the parentheses are those of the embodiments described below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0012] According to the invention of claim 1, if the switch signal is ON, the number of times the vehicle speed pulse signal is received by the first receiving means within a first fixed time is measured. Then, depending on the measurement result, a vehicle speed pulse signal with an adjusted ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal (e.g., adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC shown in FIG. 3(a)) 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 deviate 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, the fixed time T3 shown in FIG. 3(a)). This allows viewing of the car television device (not shown) during this period.

[0014] Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to watch television even while the vehicle is traveling, and it is possible to reduce the deterioration of the accuracy of the in-vehicle navigation system.

[0015] moreover, Claim 1 According to the invention, the ON / OFF time ratio of a vehicle speed pulse signal (for example, 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., 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 of the accuracy of the in-vehicle navigation device.

[0016] Claim 2 According to the present invention, it becomes easier to watch television while the vehicle is moving. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the vehicle control device according to the embodiment; FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4A shows a timing chart of a vehicle speed pulse signal after adjustment, and FIG. 4B shows a timing chart of a vehicle speed pulse signal from a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[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 figure.

[0019] <Outline of vehicle control device> The vehicle control device according to this embodiment allows the user to watch television even while the vehicle is traveling, and can reduce the deterioration of the 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). To explain in more detail, the vehicle control device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 2 that performs various controls in an integrated manner. As shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 2 can receive a vehicle speed pulse signal PA from the vehicle as shown in FIG. 3(b) via a level converter 3. The level converter 3 performs a process of converting the signal into a voltage that the CPU 2 can receive. The vehicle speed pulse signal PA refers to a signal for a period T1 that combines one ON (Hi level) and one OFF (Low level) as shown in FIG. 3(b). Thus, such a vehicle speed pulse signal PA is transmitted from the vehicle in succession 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 for turning 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, an LED 6 built into the switch 5 shown in Fig. 1 is connected to the CPU 2. As a result, the CPU 2 shown in Fig. 1 controls the switch 5 to be turned on when the switch 5 is ON (when watching a car television device (not shown) mounted on a car navigation device (not shown)), and controls the switch 5 to be turned off when the switch 5 is OFF (when not watching a car television device (not shown) mounted on a car navigation device (not shown)).

[0023] As shown in Fig. 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] As shown in Fig. 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] As shown in Fig. 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 general description of the vehicle control device 1 shown in FIG.

[0027] <Description 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 vehicle control device 1 is powered on, 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 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 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, the CPU 2 checks the switch signal received from the 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, so the CPU 2 performs control to light up the LED 6 built into the switch 5 shown in Fig. 1 (step S5). Next, the CPU 2 performs control to output a "beep beep" sound from the buzzer 7 shown in Fig. 1 (step S6), and performs processing to set the 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) is to be turned OFF while the vehicle is moving, so the CPU 2 performs control to turn off the LED 6 built into the switch 5 shown in Fig. 1 (step S8). Next, the CPU 2 performs control to output a "beep" sound from the buzzer 7 shown in Fig. 1 (step S9), and performs processing to set the flag to OFF (step S10).

[0033] Thus, when the CPU 2 finishes the process of step S7 or step S10 described above, it checks the flag (step S11). If the flag is set to OFF (step S11: OFF), the CPU 2 does not process the vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in Fig. 3(b) received through the level converter 3 shown in Fig. 1, and transmits it to the in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) through the level converter 4 shown in Fig. 1 (step S12). Then, after that process, the CPU 2 returns to the process of step S4 again and repeats the process 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 (e.g., 0.6 seconds) (step S13).

[0035] Next, the CPU2 checks the measurement result (step S14). If the number of times the signal is received within a certain time (e.g., 0.6 seconds) is less than the predetermined number of pulses (step S14: YES), the CPU2 determines that the vehicle is currently traveling at a low speed (e.g., about 10 km / h), adjusts the ON / OFF time ratio of the received vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in FIG. 3(b) in msec units, and generates an adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC as shown in FIG. 3(a). After such adjustment, the CPU2 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 time T2 (e.g., 0.5 seconds) shown in FIG. 3(a) (step S15). Note that the adjustment is, for example, to adjust so that three times the number of pulses measured within the certain time (e.g., 0.6 seconds) can be transmitted within the certain time T2 (e.g., 0.5 seconds) shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0036] Next, after completing the process of step S15, the CPU 2 does not transmit the adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal PAC to the in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) for a certain time T3 (e.g., 1.0 second) shown in Fig. 3(a) (step S16). As a result, during the certain 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 the car television device (not shown) can be viewed even while the vehicle is moving. After the process of step S16, the CPU 2 returns to the process of step S4 again and repeats the process described above.

[0037] On the other hand, if the number of receptions within a certain 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, adjusts the ON / OFF time ratio of the received vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in FIG. 3(b) in μsec units, and generates 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 time T2 (e.g., 0.5 seconds) shown in FIG. 3(a) (step S17). Note that the adjustment is, for example, to adjust so that three times the number of pulses measured within a certain time (e.g., 0.6 seconds) can be transmitted within the certain time T2 (e.g., 0.5 seconds) shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0038] Next, after completing the process of step S17, the CPU 2 does not transmit 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 the car television device (not shown) can be viewed even while the vehicle is moving. After the process of step S16, the CPU 2 returns to the process of step S4 again and repeats the process described above.

[0039] The above is the processing content of 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 according to the measurement result, 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 makes it possible to process the vehicle speed pulse signal PA shown in Fig. 3(b) in real time, thereby reducing the possibility that the vehicle position recognized by the in-vehicle navigation device will deviate from the actual position.

[0041] In addition, 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 (e.g., 1.0 second) 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 traveling, and it is possible to reduce the deterioration of the accuracy of the in-vehicle navigation system.

[0043] Also, 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 according to 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 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 traveling. In other words, if the display is switched too quickly, the television screen may not be displayed to a level that the user can 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 exemplified in this embodiment are merely examples, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described 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 enables viewing of a car television device mounted on an in-vehicle navigation device while the vehicle is traveling, a first receiving means for receiving a vehicle speed pulse signal from a vehicle; a second receiving means for receiving a switch signal indicating whether to turn the car television device on or off; a measuring means for measuring how many times the vehicle speed pulse signal is received by the first receiving means within a first fixed time period if the switch signal is ON; a transmitting means for transmitting a vehicle speed pulse signal, the ON / OFF time ratio of which is adjusted in accordance with the measurement result obtained by the measuring means, to the in-vehicle navigation device for a second fixed period of time, said transmission means transmits said adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal to said in-vehicle navigation device for said second fixed time period, and then does not transmit said adjusted vehicle speed pulse signal to said in-vehicle navigation device for a third fixed time period; The transmission means checks the number of receptions measured by the measurement means in order to check a change in vehicle speed, and if the number of receptions is less than a predetermined number of pulses, determines that the vehicle speed is low, adjusts the ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal in units of msec, and transmits the adjusted signal to the in-vehicle navigation device, while if the number of receptions is not less than the predetermined number of pulses, determines that the vehicle speed is high, adjusts the ON / OFF time ratio of the vehicle speed pulse signal in units of μsec, and transmits the adjusted signal to the in-vehicle navigation device.

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

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