JP2006033375A - In-vehicle multimedia control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-vehicle multimedia control system that can appropriately cope with one multimedia device even if a plurality of users access it.
An in-vehicle multimedia control system in which multimedia devices 5 to 8 and a plurality of operation devices 2 to 4 are connected via a network 1, each of the plurality of operation devices being connected to a multimedia device that is an operation destination. In response to a command input from the operating means 2c, 3c, 4c for inputting the command and the command input from the operating means, the operation right of the multimedia device of the operation destination is acquired, and a command is issued to the multimedia device that has acquired the operation right. Control means 2a, 3a, 4a, and the multimedia device operates in accordance with a command sent from an operating device having an operation right.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle multimedia control system that controls a plurality of multimedia devices that are mounted on a vehicle and connected via an in-vehicle network, and more particularly, to a technology that controls contention of access to one multimedia device.

  Conventionally, a plurality of multimedia devices such as a DVD player, a CD player, and a television tuner are mounted on a vehicle. Such operations of a plurality of multimedia devices are performed by an operation unit or a remote controller (hereinafter abbreviated as “remote controller”) provided in each multimedia device.

  In recent years, an in-vehicle multimedia system in which a plurality of multimedia devices mounted on a vehicle are connected via a network has been considered. In this case, information from a plurality of multimedia devices is displayed on one monitor, and each multimedia device is operated by one remote controller.

  As a related technique, there is known a network connection device control system that can easily and smoothly control a device connected via a network with a remote controller (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this system, a remote control signal for controlling each device on the network is received exclusively in a network connection device in which a plurality of devices having a digital interface are connected to each other via a digital bus. A control device is provided to analyze the command of the light receiving unit and remote control signal and send control information to each device on the network. The control device centrally manages the control of devices in the network and designates the controlled device as a node. Then, control data is transferred and controlled via the network.

  In addition, as another related technique, there is known a vehicular apparatus operating apparatus that can cope with network expandability without providing a selection switch for each electric apparatus and can improve the operability of the selected electric apparatus. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2). The device operating device for a vehicle displays device names of a plurality of devices connected to a bus on a monitor screen, and a mode selection switch is included in the device names of a plurality of electrical devices displayed on the monitor screen. When one of the device names is selected, the control unit identifies and displays the device name on the screen selected by the mode selection switch, and the direction key corresponds to the device name on the screen selected by the mode selection switch. Operate the equipment.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-87883 JP 2000-94987 A

  As described above, the conventional in-vehicle multimedia system has only one monitor, and operations of a plurality of multimedia devices connected to the in-vehicle network are performed using a single remote controller. Yes. Therefore, the person in the back seat cannot enjoy multimedia resources by the multimedia device.

  Therefore, recently, there is a demand for a system in which monitors and headphones connected to an in-vehicle network are arranged in each seat so that a plurality of multimedia resources can be enjoyed in each seat. In such a system, when a user tries to reproduce a desired multimedia resource by using a monitor or headphones installed in each seat, access may be concentrated on one multimedia device. In such a case, the multimedia device accessed by a plurality of users operates so as to correspond to all accesses, so that the operation is confused.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle multimedia control system that can appropriately cope with access to one multimedia device from a plurality of users. To do.

  The in-vehicle multimedia control system according to the present invention acquires an operation right for inputting a command to the operation destination multimedia device and an operation right for the operation destination multimedia device in response to the command input from the operation means. An operation device having a control means for sending the command to the multimedia device that has acquired the operation right, and a multimedia device that operates according to the command sent from the operation device having the operation right. A multimedia device and a plurality of operation devices are connected.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the operation right of the multimedia device is given to each operation device, and only the operation device to which the operation right is given can operate the multimedia device. Even if the media device is accessed by a plurality of users, an appropriate response can be made without causing confusion in operation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle multimedia control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This in-vehicle multimedia control system includes a front operating device 2, a rear left operating device 3, a rear right operating device 4, a navigation device 5, a TV tuner 6, a DVD player 7 and a CD player 8 connected to the in-vehicle network 1. ing.

  The plurality of operation devices of the present invention include a front operation device 2, a rear left operation device 3, and a rear right operation device 4. The multimedia device of the present invention includes a navigation device 5, a television tuner 6, a DVD player 7, and a CD player 8.

  The in-vehicle network 1 is composed of, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) arranged in the vehicle. The LAN can be configured using wired or wireless.

  The front operating device 2 is disposed, for example, in front of a driver seat or a passenger seat of a vehicle. The front operating device 2 includes a monitor-equipped operating unit 2a having a monitor, a front remote control light receiving unit 2b, and a front remote control 2c. The front remote controller 2c corresponds to the operating means of the present invention. The front remote control light receiving unit 2b receives infrared rays transmitted from the front remote control 2c and sends the infrared rays to the operation unit with monitor 2a as a remote control signal. The front remote controller 2c is used to operate a plurality of multimedia devices, that is, the navigation device 5, the TV tuner 6, the DVD player 7, and the CD player 8 in common.

  The rear left operation device 3 is disposed, for example, in front of the left seat at the rear of the vehicle. The rear left operation device 3 includes a monitor-equipped operation unit 3a having a monitor, a rear left remote control light receiving unit 3b, and a rear left remote control 3c. The rear left remote control 3c corresponds to the operating means of this invention. The rear left remote control light receiving unit 3b receives the infrared rays sent from the rear left remote control 3c and sends them to the operation unit with monitor 3a as a remote control signal. The rear left remote control 3c is used to operate a plurality of multimedia devices in common.

  The rear right operation device 4 is disposed, for example, in front of the right seat at the rear of the vehicle. The rear right operation device 4 includes a monitor-equipped operation unit 4a having a monitor, a rear right remote control light receiving unit 4b, and a rear right remote control 4c. The rear right remote controller 4c corresponds to the operating means of the present invention. The rear right remote control light receiving unit 4b receives the infrared rays sent from the rear right remote control 4c and sends them to the operation unit with monitor 4a as a remote control signal. The rear right remote controller 4c is used to operate a plurality of multimedia devices in common.

  The navigation device 5 displays a map, a vehicle position mark, and a route to the destination on the monitor (not shown), and generates a guidance message by voice to guide the driver to the destination. The TV tuner 6 receives a television broadcast and generates a video signal and an audio signal. The DVD player 7 reproduces the mounted DVD and generates a video signal and an audio signal.

  The CD player 8 reproduces the loaded CD and generates an audio signal. Video signals and / or audio signals generated by the navigation device 5, the TV tuner 6, the DVD player 7, and the CD player 8 are transmitted via the in-vehicle network 1 to the front operation device 2, the rear left operation device 3, or the rear right operation device 4. Sent to.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the operation unit with monitor 2a of the front operation device 2. As shown in FIG. The configuration of the operation unit with monitor 3a of the rear left operation device 3 and the configuration of the operation unit 4a with monitor of the rear right operation device 4 are the same as the configuration of the operation unit with monitor 2a of the front operation device 2. Only the operation unit with a monitor 2a of the operation device 2 will be described.

  The operation unit with a monitor 2a of the front operating device 2 corresponds to the control means of the present invention, and includes a display unit 21, a remote control processing unit 22, a display control unit 23, an in-vehicle network control unit 24, and an overall control processing unit 25. Yes.

  The display unit 21 is composed of a liquid crystal display, for example, and is used as a monitor. The display unit 21 displays various videos and messages according to display data sent from the display control unit 23.

  The remote control processing unit 22 receives the remote control signal sent from the front remote control light receiving unit 2b and performs signal analysis. The result of the signal analysis in the remote control processing unit 22 is sent to the overall control processing unit 25.

  The display control unit 23 generates display data according to the data sent from the overall control processing unit 25 or the data sent from the in-vehicle network processing unit 24 and sends the display data to the display unit 21. As a result, a video and a message are displayed on the display unit 21.

  The in-vehicle network processing unit 24 performs communication processing for controlling communication between the operation unit with monitor 2 a of the front operating device 2 and the in-vehicle network 1. That is, the in-vehicle network processing unit 24 sends the data sent from the overall control processing unit 25 to the in-vehicle network 1 and receives the data sent from the in-vehicle network 1 to receive the overall control processing unit 25 or the display control. Send to part 23.

  The overall control processing unit 25 controls the entire front operating device 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the overall control processing unit 25. The overall control processing unit 25 includes a multimedia device state management unit 31, an internal state management unit 32, a remote control signal reception unit 33, an operation right determination unit 34, a command generation unit 35, a command transmission / reception unit 36, and an operation status notification unit 37. Has been.

  The multimedia device state management unit 31 manages the state of multimedia devices connected to the in-vehicle network 1. Specifically, data indicating which of the navigation device 5, the TV tuner 6, the DVD player 7, and the CD player 8 is operated by the front operation device 2, the rear left operation device 3, or the rear right operation device 4. Is remembered. The contents of the multimedia device state management unit 31 are updated according to data sent from the in-vehicle network processing unit 24 via the command transmission / reception unit 36. The contents of the multimedia device state management unit 31 are referred to by the operation right determination unit 34.

  The internal state management unit 32 stores data indicating whether the front operating device 2 has an operation right for each of the multimedia devices. The contents of the internal state management unit 32 are referred to and updated by the operation right determination unit 34. The remote control signal receiving unit 33 receives the analysis result of the remote control signal sent from the remote control processing unit 22 and sends it to the operation right determination unit 34.

  The operation right determination unit 34 stores the analysis result of the remote control signal sent from the remote control signal reception unit 33, the multimedia device state stored in the multimedia device state management unit 31, and the internal state management unit 32. The presence / absence of the operation right of the multimedia device is determined according to the self status. The determination result by the operation right determination unit 34 is sent to the command generation unit 35 and also to the operation status notification unit 37. The command generation unit 35 generates a command based on the determination result sent from the operation right determination unit 34 and sends the command to the command transmission / reception unit 36.

  The command transmission / reception unit 36 sends the command sent from the command generation unit 35 to the in-vehicle network processing unit 24. Further, the command transmission / reception unit 36 receives data representing the state of the multimedia device sent from the in-vehicle network processing unit 24 and sends the data to the multimedia device state management unit 31. The operation status notification unit 37 generates a message based on the operation right determination result sent from the operation right determination unit 34 and sends the message to the display control unit 23.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a DVD player 7 which is one of multimedia devices. The other multimedia devices, that is, the navigation device 5, the TV tuner 6, and the CD player 8 are connected to the front operation device 2, the rear left operation device 3, and the rear right operation device 4 via the in-vehicle network 1 that is a feature of the present invention. Since the function of communicating with the DVD player 7 is the same as that of the DVD player 7, only the DVD player 7 will be described below.

  The DVD player 7 includes a DVD mechanism unit 71, an in-vehicle network processing unit 72, a DVD mechanism control unit 73, and an overall control processing unit 74.

  The DVD mechanism unit 71 is configured by a mechanism for reproducing the mounted DVD, for example, a rotating mechanism for rotating the DVD or a mechanism for moving the head. Each mechanism of the DVD mechanism unit 71 is controlled by a control signal from the DVD mechanism control unit 73.

  The in-vehicle network processing unit 72 performs communication processing for controlling communication between the DVD player 7 and the in-vehicle network 1. In other words, the in-vehicle network processing unit 72 sends the data sent from the overall control processing unit 25 or the data read from the DVD by the DVD mechanism unit 71 to the in-vehicle network 1 and also sent from the in-vehicle network 1. Data is received and sent to the overall control processing unit 25.

  In response to an instruction from the overall control processing unit 74, the DVD mechanism control unit 73 generates a control signal for controlling the DVD mechanism unit 71 and sends it to the DVD mechanism unit 71.

  The overall control processing unit 74 controls the entire DVD player 7. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the overall control processing unit 74. The overall control processing unit 74 includes an internal state management unit 41, a DVD mechanism communication unit 42, an operation right determination unit 43, a command generation unit 44, and a command transmission / reception unit 45.

  The internal state management unit 41 stores data representing which of the front operating device 2, the rear left operating device 3, and the rear right operating device 4 has the operating right of the DVD player 7. The contents of the internal state management unit 41 are updated by an instruction from the operation right determination unit 43 and are referred to by the operation right determination unit 43. The DVD mechanism communication unit 42 controls transmission / reception of a control signal and the like performed between the DVD mechanism control unit 73 and the operation right determination unit 43.

  When a command is sent from the command transmission / reception unit 45, the operation right determination unit 43 determines the command according to its own state stored in the internal state management unit 32 and the state of the DVD obtained from the DVD mechanism communication unit 42. It judges the validity of the sender and accepts the command if it is valid. In addition, the operation right determination unit 43 instructs the command generation unit 44 to notify all multimedia devices of the right to operate the DVD player 7.

  In response to the instruction from the operation right determination unit 43, the command generation unit 44 generates a command for notifying all multimedia devices of the operation right holder of the DVD player 7 and sends the command to the command transmission / reception unit 45. The command transmission / reception unit 45 sends the command sent from the command generation unit 44 to the in-vehicle network processing unit 72. The command transmission / reception unit 45 receives a command sent from the in-vehicle network processing unit 72 and sends the command to the operation right determination unit 43.

  Next, the operation of the in-vehicle multimedia control system configured as described above according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the following, a case where the reproduction of the DVD player 7 is requested from the front remote controller 2c of the front operating device 2 will be described as an example.

  First, operation | movement of the front operating device 2 is demonstrated, referring the flowchart shown to Fig.6 (a). When receiving a reproduction request from the front remote controller 2c, the front operating device 2 first checks whether or not the operation destination device is operating (step ST10). Specifically, the remote control processing unit 22 included in the operation unit with monitor 2a of the front operating device 2 analyzes a remote control signal transmitted from the front remote control light receiving unit 2b that receives infrared rays from the front remote control 2c. As a result of this analysis, for example, if it is determined that the playback request is for the DVD player 7, a message to that effect is sent to the overall control processing unit 25. In the overall control processing unit 25, the remote control signal receiving unit 33 receives the reproduction request of the DVD player 7 sent from the remote control processing unit 22 and sends it to the operation right determination unit 34. The operation right determination unit 34 refers to the state of the DVD player 7 stored in the multimedia device state management unit 31 to check whether the DVD player 7 is operating.

  If it is determined in step ST10 that the operation destination device, that is, the DVD player 7, is not in operation, the front operating device 2 acquires an operation right (step ST13). Specifically, the operation right determination unit 34 stores in the internal state management unit 32 that itself (the front operation device 2) has the operation right of the DVD player 7. As a result, in this in-vehicle multimedia control system, the front operating device 2, the rear left operating device 3 or the rear right operating device 4 that first accessed the multimedia device that is not operating is the right to operate the multimedia device. The function is realized.

  Next, a reproduction command is transmitted to the operation destination, that is, the DVD player 7 (step ST14). More specifically, the operation right determination unit 34 instructs the command generation unit 35 to generate a playback command. In response to this instruction, the command generator 35 generates a playback command and sends it to the command transmitter / receiver 36. The command transmission / reception unit 36 sends the reproduction command received from the command generation unit 35 to the in-vehicle network processing unit 24. As a result, the reproduction command is sent to the DVD player 7 via the in-vehicle network 1.

  If it is determined in step ST10 that the operation destination device, that is, the DVD player 7, is operating, it is next checked whether or not the device itself (front operation device 2) has the operation right (step ST11). That is, the operation right determination unit 34 refers to the contents of the internal state management unit 32 and checks whether or not the operation right of the DVD player 7 is possessed.

  If it is determined in step ST11 that the user has the operation right, the sequence proceeds to step ST13, and the above-described processing is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined in step ST11 that the user does not have the operation right, a message indicating that the operation is not possible is displayed on the monitor (step ST12). Specifically, the operation right determination unit 34 sends a message indicating that the operation right is not held to the operation state notification unit 37. For example, the operation status notification unit 37 generates a message “operation not possible” and sends the message to the display control unit 23. The display control unit 23 generates display data based on the message received from the operation status notification unit 37 and sends the display data to the display unit 21. As a result, the message “operation not possible” is displayed on the display unit 21.

  Next, the operation of the DVD player 7 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When receiving a command from the multimedia device via the in-vehicle network 1, the DVD player 7 first checks whether or not it is operating (step ST20). Specifically, the in-vehicle network processing unit 72 of the DVD player 7 receives a command from the in-vehicle network 1 and sends it to the overall control processing unit 74. When the operation right determination unit 43 of the overall control processing unit 74 receives a command from the in-vehicle network processing unit 72 via the command transmission / reception unit 45, the operation right determination unit 43 refers to the internal state management unit 41, and the front operation device 2 and the rear left operation device 3. Then, it is checked whether any of the rear right operation devices 4 has the operation right of the DVD player 7. Here, if any of them has an operation right, it is determined that the device is operating, and if none of them has an operation right, it is determined that the device is not operating.

  If it is determined in step ST20 that it is not in operation, the command sender is designated as the operation authority (step ST22). Specifically, the operation right determination unit 43 stores the front operation device 2 that transmitted the command in the internal state management unit 41 as the operation right person.

  Next, everyone who is authorized to operate the multimedia device is notified (step ST23). That is, the operation right determination unit 43 creates a message indicating that the DVD player 7 is reproducing, and sends the message to the command generation unit 44. The command generation unit 44 generates a broadcast command for broadcasting a message indicating that the DVD player 7 is playing, and sends the broadcast command to the command transmission / reception unit 45. The command transmission / reception unit 45 sends the broadcast command received from the command generation unit 44 to the in-vehicle network processing unit 72. Thus, a message indicating that the DVD player 7 is playing is sent to the front operating device 2, the rear left operating device 3, and the rear right operating device 4 via the in-vehicle network 1. Each of the front operation device 2, the rear left operation device 3, and the rear right operation device 4 is omitted in FIG. 6A, but receives this broadcast command and updates the contents of the multimedia device state management unit 31. To do.

  Next, a reproduction command is accepted (step ST24). That is, the operation right determination unit 43 receives a playback command and sends a playback command to the DVD mechanism control unit 73 via the DVD mechanism communication unit 42. As a result, the DVD mechanism control unit 73 controls the DVD mechanism unit 71 to read data from the DVD, and sends the data to the in-vehicle network 1 via the in-vehicle network processing unit 72. The in-vehicle network processing unit 24 of the front operating device 2 sends the data received from the in-vehicle network 1 to the display unit 21 via the display control unit 23. As a result, the content of the DVD attached to the DVD player 7 is displayed on the display unit 21 of the front operating device 2.

  Next, the status is transmitted (step ST25). That is, the operation right determination unit 43 creates a message indicating the status of the DVD player 7 and sends it to the command generation unit 44. The command generation unit 44 generates a broadcast command for broadcasting a message representing the status of the DVD player 7 and sends the broadcast command to the command transmission / reception unit 45. The command transmission / reception unit 45 sends the broadcast command received from the command generation unit 44 to the in-vehicle network processing unit 72. Thus, a message indicating that the DVD player 7 is playing is sent to the front operating device 2, the rear left operating device 3, and the rear right operating device 4 via the in-vehicle network 1. Each of the front operation device 2, the rear left operation device 3, and the rear right operation device 4 is omitted in FIG. 6A, but receives this broadcast command and recognizes the state of the DVD player 7.

  If it is determined in step ST20 that it is operating, it is then checked whether or not the sender (the front operating device 2, the rear left operating device 3 or the rear right operating device 4) is the operating authority (step). ST21). That is, the operation right determination unit 43 refers to the internal state management unit 41 to check whether the command sender has the operation right. If it is determined in step ST21 that the sender is the operation right holder, the above-described processing of steps ST23 to ST25 is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the sender is not an operation authority, the processes in steps ST23 to ST25 are skipped.

  Consider a case where the rear left remote controller 3c of the rear left operation device 3 requests the DVD player 7 to stop. In this case, it is determined in step ST10 that the operation target multimedia device (DVD player 7) is in operation, and the sequence proceeds to step ST11. In step ST11, it is determined that the rear left operation device 3 does not have an operation right, and the sequence proceeds to step ST12. In step ST12, a message indicating that the rear left operation device 3 cannot operate the DVD player 7 is displayed on the monitor.

  As described above, according to the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the front operating device 2, the rear left operating device 3, or the rear right operating device, which are operating devices connected to the in-vehicle network 1. 4. The operation right of the navigation device 5, the TV tuner 6, the DVD player 7, or the CD player 8 which is a multimedia device is granted, and only the operation device to which the operation right is given can operate the multimedia device. Therefore, even if a single multimedia device is accessed from a plurality of operation devices, an appropriate response can be made without causing confusion in operation. In addition, while one operating device uses one multimedia device to watch a movie or the like, for example, another operating device cannot interrupt and operate the multimedia device. Can be watched.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The in-vehicle multimedia control system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is such that the operation right of the multimedia device can be transferred between the operation devices.

  The configuration of the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to Embodiment 2 is the same as the configuration of the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to Embodiment 1 except for the configuration of the overall control processing unit 25 of the operating device.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the overall control processing unit 25 included in each of the front operation device 2, the rear left operation device 3, and the rear right operation device 4 of the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to the second embodiment. . In the overall control processing unit 25, a timer determination unit 38 is added to that of the first embodiment, and the data received by the command transmission / reception unit 36 is not only the multimedia device state management unit 31 but also the operation right determination unit 34. It has also been changed to be sent to.

  The timer determination unit 38 measures whether a predetermined time (10 seconds in the second embodiment) has elapsed. The timer determination unit 38 is referred to by the operation right determination unit 34.

  Next, the operation of the in-vehicle multimedia control system configured as described above according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following description, the case where the rear left operating device 3 requests the front operating device 2 to transfer the operating right while the DVD player 7 is reproducing at the request of the front operating device 2 will be described as an example. .

  First, operation | movement of the rear left operation apparatus 3 is demonstrated, referring the flowchart shown to Fig.8 (a). When the rear left operation device 3 receives the operation right transfer request from the rear left remote controller 3c, an operation right transfer request command is transmitted to the operation right holder (step ST30). Specifically, the remote control processing unit 22 included in the operation unit with monitor 3a of the rear left operation device 3 analyzes the remote control signal transmitted from the rear left remote control light receiving unit 3b that receives infrared rays from the rear left remote control 3c. To do. As a result of this analysis, if it is determined that the operation right transfer request is received from the DVD player 7, a message to that effect is sent to the overall control processing unit 25. In the overall control processing unit 25, the remote control signal receiving unit 33 receives the operation right transfer request of the DVD player 7 sent from the remote control processing unit 22 and sends it to the operation right determination unit 34. The operation right determination unit 34 instructs the command generation unit 35 to generate an operation right transfer request command. In response to this instruction, the command generation unit 35 generates an operation right transfer request command and sends it to the command transmission / reception unit 36. The command transmission / reception unit 36 sends the reproduction command received from the command generation unit 35 to the in-vehicle network processing unit 24. As a result, the operation right transfer request command is sent to the front operating device 2 via the in-vehicle network 1. Thereafter, the rear left operation device 3 is in a state of waiting for a response command.

  When a response command is sent from the front operating device 2 to the operation right transfer request command while waiting for reception of this response command, it is checked whether or not the response command indicates transfer permission (step ST31). . That is, the operation right determination unit 34 checks whether or not the response command received from the front operation device 2 via the in-vehicle network 1, the in-vehicle network processing unit 24, and the command transmission / reception unit 36 indicates transferability.

  If it is determined in this step ST31 that the response command does not indicate transferability, a message or icon is displayed on the monitor indicating that the operation is not possible (step ST32). The processing in this step ST32 is the same as the processing in step ST12 in FIG. 6, and the display on the monitor performed in the following is also the same.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step ST31 that the response command indicates that transfer is possible, a message or icon is displayed on the monitor indicating that the operation right has been acquired (step ST33). Next, an operation right is acquired (step ST34). Specifically, the operation right determination unit 34 stores in the internal state management unit 32 that the self (rear left operation device 3) has the operation right of the DVD player 7.

  Next, everyone is notified of the operation right acquisition of the operation target device (step ST35). That is, the operation right determination unit 34 creates a message indicating that the operation right of the DVD player 7 has been acquired and sends it to the command generation unit 35. The command generation unit 35 generates a broadcast command for broadcasting the message and sends it to the command transmission / reception unit 45. The command transmission / reception unit 45 sends the broadcast command received from the command generation unit 44 to the in-vehicle network processing unit 72. As a result, a message indicating that the rear left operation device 3 has the right to operate the DVD player 7 is sent to all operation devices and multimedia devices via the in-vehicle network 1. Although not shown in FIG. 8A, each of the front operating device 2 and the rear right operating device 4 receives this broadcast command and updates the contents of the multimedia device state management unit 31. Also, the DVD player 7 receives this broadcast command and updates the contents of the internal state management unit 41.

  Next, the operation of the front operating device 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Since the flow of signals and data in the overall control processing unit 25 has already been described, the detailed operation of the overall control processing unit 25 in each step will be omitted below.

  In the front operating device 2, when the operation right transfer request command is received from the rear left operating device 3 via the in-vehicle network 1, a message to that effect is displayed on the monitor (step ST40). The display indicating that the operation right transfer request command has been received can be performed, for example, by displaying on the display unit 21 a message such as “There is an operation request” or a special icon. At this time, the timer determination unit 38 is activated. If there is no need to operate the DVD player 7, the user of the front operating device 2 operates the front remote controller 2 c and presses a button for issuing a command for transferring the operating right of the DVD player 7 to the rear left operating device 3. .

  Next, it is checked whether or not there is an input from the front remote controller 3c (step ST41). Here, if it is determined that there is an input, it is checked whether or not the input is an input for instructing transfer (step ST42). Then, if it is determined that the input is an instruction to allow assignment, a response command indicating assignment is generated and transmitted to the rear left operation device 3 (step ST45). On the other hand, if it is determined that the input is an instruction for impossibility of assignment, a response command indicating impossibility of assignment is generated and transmitted to the rear left operation device 3 (step ST44).

  If it is determined in step ST41 that there is no input from the front remote controller 3c, it is checked whether 10 seconds have elapsed (step ST43). This is performed by checking whether 10 seconds have been timed by the timer determination unit 38. If it is determined that 10 seconds have not elapsed, the sequence returns to step ST41, and thereafter steps ST41 and ST43 are repeatedly executed.

  If it is determined that 10 seconds have elapsed in step ST43 during the repeated execution of steps ST41 and ST43, it is recognized that the user of the front operating device 2 does not respond to the operation right transfer request for some reason, The sequence proceeds to step ST45.

  As described above, according to the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, one operating device (front operating device 2, rear left operating device 3 or rear right operating device) connected to the in-vehicle network 1 is used. The device 4) requests the other operation device to transfer the operation right of the multimedia device (the navigation device 5, the TV tuner 6, the DVD player 7 or the CD player 8), and the other operation device grants the operation right to the request. Since it can be transferred, it can be avoided that only one user occupies the operation of a certain multimedia device.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, in the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to Embodiment 2, a message regarding the operation right is not displayed on the monitor of the operating device but is output to the remote controller. It is what I did.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to the third embodiment. This in-vehicle multimedia control system includes a monitor operation unit 2a of the front operation device 2 of the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to the second embodiment, a monitor operation unit 3a of the rear left operation device 3, and a monitor of the rear right operation device 4. A front light emitting unit 2d that generates infrared rays, a rear left light emitting unit 3d, and a rear right light emitting unit 4d are added to the attached operation unit 4a.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the operation unit with monitor 2a of the front operation device 2. As shown in FIG. The configurations of the operation unit with monitor 3a of the rear left operation device 3 and the operation unit 4a with monitor of the rear right operation device 4 are the same as the configuration of the operation unit with monitor 2a of the front operation device 2.

  The operation unit with monitor 2a of the front operating device 2 is sent from the overall control processing unit 25 in addition to the remote control processing unit 22 receiving the remote control signal sent from the front remote control light receiving unit 2b and performing signal analysis. The point that the incoming signal is sent to the front light emitting unit 2d is different from that of the second embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a front remote controller 2c used in the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Since the configurations of the rear left remote control 3c and the rear right remote control 4c are the same as the configuration of the front remote control 2c, only the front remote control 2c will be described below.

  The front remote controller 2 c includes a light receiving unit 50, a display unit 51, a cursor operation unit 52, a key operation unit 53, and a vibration operation unit 54. The display unit 51 and the vibration operation unit 54 correspond to notification means of the present invention.

  The light receiving unit 50 receives infrared rays transmitted from the front light emitting unit 2d of the front operating device 2. The display unit 51 includes an LED, a liquid crystal display, and the like, and displays simple information. The cursor operation unit 52 is used to move the cursor displayed on the display unit 51. The key operation unit 53 is used for inputting various commands. The vibration operation unit 54 is used for notifying the user of the occurrence of an event by vibration.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the overall control processing unit 25 included in each of the front operating device 2, the rear left operating device 3, and the rear right operating device 4 of the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to the third embodiment. . The overall control processing unit 25 is configured by removing the operation status notifying unit 37 from that of the second embodiment (see FIG. 7) and changing the remote control signal receiving unit 33 to a remote control signal transmitting / receiving unit 39.

  The remote control signal transmission / reception unit 39 receives a signal from the remote control processing unit 22 and sends it to the operation right determination unit 34, and sends a message generated by the operation right determination unit 34 to the remote control processing unit 22. The remote control processing unit 22 sends the message sent from the remote control signal transmission / reception unit 39 to the front remote control 2c, the rear left remote control 3c, and the rear right remote control via the front light emitting unit 2d, the rear left light emitting unit 3d, and the rear right light emitting unit 4d. 4c is sent to each.

  In the operation of the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to the third embodiment configured as described above, the operation right determination unit 34 sends a message, the remote control signal transmission / reception unit 39, the remote control processing unit 22, and the light emitting unit (front light emitting unit 2d, The in-vehicle multimedia control system according to the second embodiment except for sending to the remote controller (front remote controller 2c, rear left remote controller 3c or rear right remote controller 4c) via the rear left light emitting unit 3d or the rear right light emitting unit 4d). Same as operation.

  The front remote controller 2c, rear left remote controller 3c, or rear right remote controller 4c that has received the message simplifies and displays the content of the message on the display unit 51, and vibrates the vibration operation unit 54. Thereby, the user of the operating device can know that a message has been received from another operating device. Note that the display screen may be flashed instead of vibrating the vibration operation unit 54 or simultaneously with vibrating the vibration operation unit 54.

  As described above, according to the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, a message is not displayed on the display unit 21 of the operation unit with a monitor of the operation device. No discomfort to users inside.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
The in-vehicle multimedia control system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention is configured to be able to block an operation right transfer request from another operation device for a certain period.

  The configuration of the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the configuration of the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to the second embodiment except for the configuration of the overall control processing unit 25 of the operating device.

  Next, the operation of the in-vehicle multimedia control system configured as described above according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. In the following, an example in which the transfer request for the operation right made to the front operating device 2 from the rear left operating device 3 is excluded in the state where the DVD player 7 is reproducing at the request of the front operating device 2 is taken as an example. I will give you a description.

  First, the operation for setting the blocking of the operation right transfer request will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The user of the front operating device 2 who has the operation right of the DVD player 7 operates the front remote controller 2c to set the cutoff time (step ST50). This setting can be performed, for example, by selecting and determining a value set in advance on the monitor by operating the cursor, or by directly inputting a number representing the cutoff time.

  Subsequently, the front operating device 2 is set to indicate that the operation right transfer request is being blocked (step ST51). As a result, even if there is an operation right transfer request for the front operating device 2, the reception of the operation right transfer request is blocked until the time set in step ST50 elapses.

  Next, the operation of the front operating device 2 that has received the operation right transfer request will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14A corresponds to the blocking means of the present invention.

  When the operation right transfer request command is received from the rear left operation device 3 via the in-vehicle network 1, the front operation device 2 checks whether or not the operation right transfer request is being blocked (step ST60). If it is determined that the operation right transfer request is being blocked, an operation right transfer request reception process is executed (step ST61). The reception process in step ST61 is the same as the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST60 that the operation right transfer request is not being blocked, a notification to the effect that it is being blocked is sent (step ST62). That is, the front operating device 2 transmits a response message indicating that the front operating device 2 is being blocked to the rear left operating device 3 that has transmitted the operation right transfer request. This response message can be, for example, “It will finish in minutes.”

  Next, the operation of the rear left operation device 3 that has received the response message to the operation right transfer request will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The rear left operation device 3 that has received the response message displays a message indicating that the operation right transfer request is being blocked on the display unit 21 of the monitor-equipped operation unit 3a (step ST70).

  As described above, according to the in-vehicle multimedia control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, by setting the time for blocking the operation right transfer request, the remote control is turned on each time there is an operation right transfer request. Since there is no need to operate and respond, the troublesomeness of the user can be eliminated.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the navigation device 5, the TV tuner 6, the DVD player 7, the CD player 8, and the like have been described as independent devices, but a configuration in which these functions are combined into one device may be used. Needless to say.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the vehicle-mounted multimedia control system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the operation part with a monitor of the front operating device which comprises the vehicle-mounted multimedia control system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the whole control process part contained in the operation part with a monitor of the front operating device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the DVD player which comprises the vehicle-mounted multimedia control system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of an overall control processing unit included in the DVD player shown in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted multimedia control system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the whole control processing part contained in the operation part with a monitor of the front operating device which comprises the vehicle-mounted multimedia control system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted multimedia control system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the vehicle-mounted multimedia control system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the operation part with a monitor of the front operating device which comprises the vehicle-mounted multimedia control system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the front remote control of the front operating device which comprises the vehicle-mounted multimedia control system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the whole control processing part contained in the operation part with a monitor of the front operating device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement which sets interruption | blocking of the operation right transfer request | requirement in the vehicle-mounted multimedia control system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement which interrupts | blocks an operation right transfer request | requirement in the vehicle-mounted multimedia control system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1 in-vehicle network, 2 front operation device, 2a operation unit with monitor of front operation device, 2b front remote control light receiving unit, 2c front remote control, 2d front re-emission unit, 3 rear left operation device, 3a rear left operation device with monitor operation 3, 3b Rear left remote control light receiving unit, 3c Rear left remote control unit, 3d Rear left light emitting unit, 4 Rear right operation device, 4a Rear right operation device with monitor operation unit, 4b Rear right remote control light receiving unit, 4c Rear right remote control unit, 4d Rear right light emitting section, 5 navigation device, 6 TV tuner, 7 DVD player, 8 CD player, 21 display section, 22 remote control processing section, 23 display control section, 24 in-vehicle network processing section, 25 overall control processing section, 31 multimedia Device state management unit, 32 Internal state management unit, 33 Remote control signal reception Unit, 34 operation right determination unit, 35 command generation unit, 36 command transmission / reception unit, 37 operation status notification unit, 38 timer determination unit, 50 light receiving unit, 51 display unit, 52 cursor operation unit, 53 key operation unit, 54 vibration operation Unit, 71 DVD mechanism unit, 72 in-vehicle network processing unit, 73 DVD mechanism control unit, 74 overall control processing unit.

Claims (7)

An operation means for inputting a command to the operation destination multimedia device, an operation right of the operation destination multimedia device in response to the command input from the operation means, and acquiring the operation right to the multimedia device having acquired the operation right An operating device having control means for sending the command to
A multimedia device that operates according to a command sent from an operation device having an operation right;
An in-vehicle multimedia control system comprising: a network connecting the multimedia device and a plurality of operation devices. The control means
A multimedia device state management unit for storing the state of the multimedia device;
An internal state management unit for storing the state of the self-operating device;
When the multimedia device state management unit indicated by the command input from the operation means indicates that the multimedia device state management unit is not operating, or indicates that it is operating and An operation for transmitting a command input from the operation means to the multimedia device of the operation destination when the internal state management unit indicates that the own operation device has an operation right of the operation destination multimedia device. The in-vehicle multimedia control system according to claim 1, further comprising a right determination unit. The control means
An operation status notifying unit for notifying the outside of the operation status based on a message from the operation right determination unit,
The operation right determination unit
The operation destination multimedia device specified by the command input from the operation means is shown to be operating, and the internal state management unit gives the own operation device the right to operate the operation destination multimedia device. The in-vehicle multimedia control system according to claim 2, wherein a message indicating that the operation is impossible is sent to the operation status notification unit when it is indicated that the operation status is not included. Multimedia devices
When a command is sent from an operating device when the device is not in operation, or when a command is sent from an operating device that is operating and has operating rights The in-vehicle multimedia control system according to claim 1. Each operation means of the plurality of operation devices,
Enter a request to transfer the operation right of the multimedia device to another operation device,
The control means
2. The vehicle-mounted multimedia according to claim 1, wherein an operation right of the multimedia device is acquired in response to a response sent from the other operation device in response to an operation right transfer request input from the operation means. Control system.   6. The in-vehicle multimedia control system according to claim 5, wherein each operation means of the plurality of operation devices includes notification means for notifying that the operation right transfer request has been received.   6. The in-vehicle multimedia control system according to claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of operation devices includes a blocking unit that blocks an operation right transfer request from another operation device.

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