Video signal control device

Abstract

To provide a device for enabling an on-vehicle display device to view images while driving without impairing a driving support function, etc., and for enabling accurate navigation when the on-vehicle display device has a navigation function. [Solution] A video signal control device connected to an in-vehicle display device of a vehicle equipped with a video viewing function, wherein the in-vehicle display device is equipped with a smartphone linkage module for linking with a user's smartphone, and the video viewing function is restricted while driving, the vehicle is equipped with a signal output module capable of outputting a video signal, and the video signal control device is equipped with a control system that controls the video signal received from the signal output module to be displayed on the display screen of the in-vehicle display device via the smartphone linkage module.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of video signal control, and more particularly to a device (adapter) for controlling video signals in order to enable an in-vehicle display device to simultaneously enable video viewing while driving and vehicle functions such as driving assistance functions, and a display device having such functions. [Background technology]

[0002] In-vehicle display devices are used by users to watch television (terrestrial digital broadcasting, etc.) and other videos (DVDs, videos stored on smartphones, etc.), as well as to display car navigation information. Many of these in-vehicle display devices have limited video viewing capabilities while the vehicle is moving. Given this situation, a new technology has been proposed for a device (adapter) that can be attached to an in-vehicle display device and transmits signals indicating that the vehicle is not in motion (such as a vehicle speed signal or a parking brake signal), thereby ensuring video viewing capabilities while the vehicle is moving.

[0003] However, the use of such an adapter has problems such as making it impossible to perform accurate navigation and causing at least some of the vehicle's various driving assistance functions to not function properly. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that makes effective use of the driving assistance functions by not securing the video viewing function when the driving assistance functions are in use, while allowing video viewing while driving when the driving assistance functions are not in use.

[0004] Patent Documents 2 and 3 propose a technology that achieves both video viewing and navigation by alternately transmitting a vehicle speed pulse signal that makes it appear as if the vehicle is traveling faster than it actually is and stopping the transmission of the vehicle speed pulse signal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7130294 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7274798 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 7313640 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the techniques of Patent Documents 2 and 3 cannot solve the problems with driving assistance functions, etc. Furthermore, because the vehicle is displayed on the in-vehicle display device as if it is repeatedly traveling at high speeds and stopping, there is also a need for further improvement in the accuracy of the navigation position.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a video signal control device (adapter) that enables video viewing while driving, without affecting the vehicle's various driving assistance functions, etc. Furthermore, when the in-vehicle display device has a navigation function, it aims to provide a video signal control device that enables simultaneous use of the vehicle's navigation function and video viewing function, or background use of the navigation function, and that displays the vehicle's position on the navigation screen as accurately as in the original state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention, which solves the above problems, is configured as follows. A video signal control device connected to an in-vehicle display device of a vehicle having a video viewing function, The in-vehicle display device includes a smartphone linking module for linking with a user's smartphone, and a video viewing function is limited while the vehicle is traveling; the vehicle includes a signal output module capable of outputting a video signal; The video signal control device includes a control system that controls the video signal received from the signal output module so that it is displayed on the display screen of the in-vehicle display device via the smartphone link module.

[0009] The control system controls the display screen of the in-vehicle display device as if it were the display screen of the control system.

[0010] The control system also has the Android (registered trademark) OS installed.

[0011] The control system is also configured to be able to link with the user's smartphone.

[0012] The video signal control device further includes a signal processing module that converts the video signal output by the signal output module into a signal of an interface that can be used for display via the smartphone link module.

[0013] Furthermore, the video signal received from the signal output module is a serial signal, The video signal control device includes a deserializer that converts the serial signal into a parallel signal, located in front of the signal processing module.

[0014] Furthermore, the video signal received from the signal output module is a serial signal, The video signal control device includes a deserializer that converts the serial signal into a parallel signal; a signal processing module that converts the parallel signals output by the deserializer into signals of an interface that can be used for display via the smartphone link module, and distributes the signals into at least two; a serializer that converts one of the parallel signals distributed by the signal processing module into a serial signal; The serial signal from the serializer is output to the rear monitor of the vehicle, and the other distributed parallel signal is output to the control system.

[0015] The video signal control device further includes a CAN bus control module that is connected to a CAN bus of the vehicle and functions as a CAN node.

[0016] The in-vehicle display device also has a navigation function.

[0017] The video signal control device further includes a display device that displays the video signal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a video signal control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the video signal control device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another modified example of the video signal control device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing connections before the video signal control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a video signal control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing connections before the video signal control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which Apple® CarPlay® is installed in a vehicle and an in-vehicle display device to which the video signal control device according to the embodiment is installed for smartphone linkage. Note that, instead of this, Android AUTO or an equivalent smartphone linkage system may be used. Also, an example will be described in which the video signal from the signal output module 22 is converted into a serial signal by a serializer. Note that, in this specification, output and transmission are synonymous terms.

[0020] The vehicle to which the video signal control device 1 is connected is equipped with an in-vehicle display device 2, vehicle wiring (plug portion) 3 that supplies signals, power, etc. to the in-vehicle display device 2, and various devices (not shown) connected to this vehicle wiring.

[0021] A video signal control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes, for example, a power supply module 11, a deserializer 16, a signal processing module 12, a control system 15, and a CAN bus control module 14.

[0022] The in-vehicle display device 2 to which the video signal control device 1 is connected includes, for example, a signal output module 22, a power supply module 21, a CAN bus module 24, and a smartphone linkage module 25. The signal output module 22 may be an interface module for outputting a video signal to the in-vehicle display device 2 instead of the one included in the in-vehicle display device 2.

[0023] The vehicle wiring 3 to which the video signal control device 1 is connected includes, for example, a power plug 31 for supplying power, a CAN bus plug 34 for connecting to a CAN bus, and a smartphone (smart phone) connection plug 35 connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal for connecting to a user's smartphone. In addition, the vehicle wiring 3 may include analog signal lines for a LIN bus, in-vehicle Ethernet, a vehicle speed pulse signal, a parking brake signal, etc., a television antenna signal line, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signal line, etc., but these are not specifically shown in this specification or the accompanying drawings.

[0024] In this specification, the in-vehicle display device refers to an infotainment device (integrated type) with a video display function (display), preferably with a navigation function. The in-vehicle display device includes a display, a GNSS antenna signal input module, a vehicle speed pulse signal input module, and the like, all of which are not shown. The in-vehicle display device covered by the present invention has a video viewing function that is limited while the vehicle is traveling. Note that "the in-vehicle display device has a navigation function" means that the in-vehicle display device itself performs software processing using information such as various input signals to perform navigation; this does not apply to the ability to display a navigation screen on a smartphone via CarPlay.

[0025] In addition, in FIG. 1, the names of standards, protocols, interfaces, etc., such as GVIF (Gigabit Video Interface), LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling), IIC (Inter-Integrated Circuit), and UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter), are written on the wiring connecting each module, etc., but these are just examples, and other standards, protocols, interfaces, etc. may also be used.

[0026] 4, in the original state, the signal output module 22 of the in-vehicle display device 2 outputs a video signal to the rear monitor 4. In addition, the CAN bus module 24 is directly connected to the CAN bus plug 34, and the smartphone link module 25 is directly connected to the smartphone link plug 35.

[0027] 1 will be further described below. When 0 is a single-digit integer, the symbol 10 relates to the video signal control device 1, the symbol 20 relates to the in-vehicle display device 2, and the symbol 30 relates to the vehicle wiring 3.

[0028] The power plug 31 is connected to the power supply modules 11 and 21 of the video signal control device 1 and the in-vehicle display device 2, respectively, to supply power to both devices 1 and 2. The CAN bus plug 34 is connected to the CAN bus control module 14 of the video signal control device 1, and the CAN bus control module 14 is connected to the CAN bus module 24 of the in-vehicle display device 2, with the CAN bus control module 14 functioning as a CAN node.

[0029] The smartphone linking plug 35 is connected to the control system 15 of the video signal control device 1, and the control system 15 is connected to the smartphone linking module 25, so that the user's smartphone and the in-vehicle display device 2 can be linked via the control system 15 of the video signal control device 1.

[0030] The signal output module 22 of the in-vehicle display device 2 is connected to the deserializer 16 of the video signal control device 1 so as to be able to output a video signal, and the video signal converted into a parallel signal by the deserializer 16 is output to the signal processing module 12. When the signal output module 22 of the in-vehicle display device 2 outputs the video signal as a parallel signal, the deserializer 16 is not necessary.

[0031] The signal processing module 12 converts the parallel signal (video signal) received from the deserializer 16 into an interface signal that can be used for display via the smartphone link module 25. If such conversion is not required, the signal processing module 12 is not necessary.

[0032] The control system 15 controls the video signal received from the signal processing module 12 so that it is displayed on the display screen of the in-vehicle display device 2 via the smartphone link module 25. For example, the control system 15 controls and processes the display screen of the in-vehicle display device 2 as if it were the display screen of the control system 15, so that the video signal can be viewed on the display screen of the in-vehicle display device 2.

[0033] The CAN bus control module 14 is also connected to a deserializer 16 and a control system 15, making it possible for information in the CAN bus to be used for processing by these modules, etc. However, the CAN bus control module 14 is not an essential component of the present invention.

[0034] Here, the major difference between the genuine state (FIG. 4) and the connection (FIG. 1) using the video signal control device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is that the video signal output from the in-vehicle display device 2 is input and processed (parallelized, interface format converted) by the video signal control device 1 and output to the smartphone link module 25, and that no output is made to the rear monitor 4. Not outputting to the rear monitor 4 is done to avoid unnecessary cost increases, and parallelization and interface format conversion are means for solving implementation problems.

[0035] Generally, genuine CarPlay and the like do not allow video viewing on the in-vehicle display device 2. However, products that circumvent this are commercially available, and the means for circumventing this are also publicly known. As used in such products, for example, by controlling the display screen of the in-vehicle display device 2 as if it were the display screen of the control system 15, video viewing on the in-vehicle display device 2 becomes possible without any restrictions.

[0036] In the video signal control device 1 according to this embodiment, the video viewing restriction function is bypassed by displaying video via the smartphone link module 25. In other words, the video viewing restriction function does not function when video is displayed via the smartphone link module 25. Therefore, when the video signal control device 1 is used, the in-vehicle display device 2 receives signals similar to those input from the factory, enabling unrestricted video viewing without affecting driving assistance functions. Furthermore, if the in-vehicle display device 2 has a navigation function, unrestricted video viewing (combining navigation and video viewing) can be achieved while maintaining the vehicle's position accurately (similar to that of the factory display). The video signal includes a video signal obtained by processing a television antenna signal by a television tuner, a video signal based on data stored on a storage medium such as a DVD, and the like.

[0037] To perform such processing, in this embodiment, the smartphone link module 25 of the in-vehicle display device 2 is occupied by the video signal control device 1 and cannot be directly connected to the user's smartphone. Therefore, when linking the user's smartphone with the in-vehicle display device 2, the user's smartphone can first be connected to the control system 15 by wired connection to the vehicle's USB port (connected to the control system 15 via the smartphone link plug 35) or wirelessly connected to the control system 15 via Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like, and then output to the in-vehicle display device 2 via the smartphone link module 25.

[0038] The control system 15 is not particularly limited as long as it can perform the above-described processing, but for example, an Android system (for example, an Android OS based on the Android Open Source Project installed on required hardware (for example, an SoC (System on Chip), storage, RAM, etc.)) can be used. Furthermore, applications required for processing and other applications may also be installed.

[0039] As the SoC, for example, various SoCs that can be used for Android smartphones (such as Snapdragon (registered trademark) and Dimensity (registered trademark)) can be used. These SoCs integrate not only processing units such as a CPU and GPU, but also memory (RAM), interfaces, I / O (input / output), and communication modules (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 4G / 5G lines, etc.).

[0040] The deserializer 16 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a deserializer for video signals that is used in genuine vehicles or other deserializers. For example, it is preferable to use an in-vehicle deserializer LSI (Large Scale Integration) that adopts the GVIF or GVIF2 standard used in current vehicles.

[0041] The signal processing module 12 is not particularly limited as long as it converts signals into an interface signal that can be used for display via the smartphone link module 25. For example, a signal processing module that is also used in genuine vehicles or other signal processing modules can be used. For example, it is preferable to use a module that can output via an LVDS interface that is suitable for CarPlay output.

[0042] Furthermore, the CAN bus control module 14 for collecting, sharing, and linking data flowing within the vehicle can be configured to include an MCU (microcontroller).

[0043] It may also be connected to other information signal lines (LIN bus, Ethernet) other than the CAN bus, and may further include other modules, systems, etc., such as a control module for using these signals.

[0044] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a video signal control device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. The configuration other than the video signal control device 1 is the same as the configuration in Figure 1, except that it further includes a rear monitor 4. Similar components are assigned similar reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0045] The signal processing module 13 of the video signal control device 1 of this modified example differs from the signal processing module 12 in that it converts the interface format of the video signal and splits the video signal into two, and also differs from the configuration of Figure 1 in that it has a serializer 17 between the rear monitor 4 and the signal processing module 13.

[0046] In this configuration, the video signal from the vehicle's signal output module 22 is converted into a parallel signal by the deserializer 16 and sent to the signal processing module 13. The signal processing module 13 splits the video signal into two and performs interface conversion from GVIF to LVDS. One of the split signals is sent to the control system 15, as in the configuration of Figure 1, and the other is sent to the serializer 17, where it is serialized and then sent to the rear monitor 4.

[0047] When a video signal is also output to the rear monitor 4 as in this modified example, by adding functions to the signal processing module 13 and equipping it with a serializer 17, the signal output to the rear monitor 4 can be made equivalent to that output from the in-vehicle display device 2, allowing for stable video viewing.

[0048] Alternatively to this variant, if a GVIF format distributor is available, the video signal output from the in-vehicle display device 2 may first be distributed by the GVIF format distributor, and then one signal may be sent to the rear monitor 4 and the other may be processed by a signal processing module and sent to the control system 15.

[0049] In other words, for users who have no intention of using the rear monitor 4, the video signal control device 1 can be configured as shown in FIG. 1 without an output for the rear monitor 4, thereby reducing costs, and for users who have the intention of using the rear monitor 4, the video signal control device 1 can be configured as shown in FIG. 2 with an additional configuration for an output for the rear monitor 4, thereby realizing a video signal control device 1 that meets the needs.

[0050] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a video signal control device according to another modified embodiment of the present invention. The configuration is the same as that of Figure 2, except that the video signal control device 1 further includes a display device 18, and instead does not include a rear monitor 4. Similar components are assigned similar reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In terms of physical configuration, various modules are built into the housing of an external monitor (for the rear, passenger seat, etc.), and plugs, plug outlets, etc. for connecting to an in-vehicle display device, etc., are provided.

[0051] In this configuration, the signal that is sent to the serializer 17 and serialized is sent to the display device 18 for use. In this way, a video signal control device that combines the functions of an external rear seat monitor and a video signal control function for an in-vehicle display device can be realized for a vehicle that does not have a rear monitor 4.

[0052] The serializer 17 is not particularly limited, and for example, a serializer that can be used as a pair with the deserializer 16 can be used.

[0053] The signal processing module 13 is not particularly limited, and it is preferable to use a module that can output and distribute signals in the LVDS format, for example.

[0054] In addition, the video signal control device 1 may include a switching module that can switch to the genuine state, an input unit that accepts user input for such mode switching, and the like.

[0055] The embodiments and drawings of the present invention show examples of wiring connections of the present invention, and the present invention may be realized by other connection modes, which are also included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1. Video signal control device 11 Power Supply Module 12 Signal Processing Module 13 Signal Processing Module 14 CAN bus control module 15 Control System 16 Deserializer 17 Serializers 18 Display device 2 In-vehicle display device 21 Power Supply Module 22 Signal Output Module 24 CAN bus modules 25 Smartphone link module 3 Vehicle wiring 31 Power plug 34 CAN bus plug 35 Smartphone connection plug 4 Rear monitor

Claims

1. A video signal control device connected to an in-vehicle display device of a vehicle having a video viewing function, The in-vehicle display device includes a smartphone linking module for linking with a user's smartphone, and a video viewing function is limited while the vehicle is traveling; the vehicle includes a signal output module capable of outputting a video signal; The video signal control device is equipped with a control system that occupies the connection with the smartphone link module, controls the device to prevent direct connection between the user's smartphone and the smartphone link module, and displays the video signal received from the signal output module on the display screen of the in-vehicle display device.

2. The control system is an Android system in which the Android (registered trademark) OS is installed on hardware including a System on Chip, 2. The video signal control device according to claim 1, wherein the Android system controls the smartphone link module to use a display screen of the in-vehicle display device as a display screen of the Android system, thereby displaying the video signal on the display screen of the in-vehicle display device.

3. 2. The video signal control device according to claim 1, wherein the control system controls the smartphone link module to take over a link function with a user's smartphone, and displays the video signal received from the signal output module on a display screen of the in-vehicle display device.

4. The video signal control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to mediate a connection between a user's smartphone and the in-vehicle display device.

5. The video signal control device according to claim 1 , further comprising a signal processing module that converts the video signal output by the signal output module into an interface signal that can be used for display via the smartphone link module.

6. the video signal received from the signal output module is a serial signal, 6. The video signal control device according to claim 5, further comprising a deserializer that converts the serial signal into a parallel signal, located in a stage preceding the signal processing module.

7. the video signal received from the signal output module is a serial signal, The video signal control device includes a deserializer that converts the serial signal into a parallel signal; a signal processing module that converts the parallel signals output by the deserializer into signals of an interface that can be used for display via the smartphone link module and distributes the signals into at least two; a serializer that converts one of the parallel signals distributed by the signal processing module into a serial signal; 5. The video signal control device according to claim 1, wherein the serial signal from the serializer is output to a rear monitor of the vehicle, and another distributed parallel signal is output to the control system.

8. The video signal control device according to claim 1 , further comprising a CAN bus control module connected to a CAN bus of the vehicle and functioning as a CAN node.

9. The video signal control device described in any one of claims 1 to 4, which is for an in-vehicle display device having a navigation function.

10. 5. The video signal control device according to claim 1, further comprising a display device for displaying the video signal.

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