Abstract:
A vehicular AV device includes a communication unit preferentially wirelessly communicating with a portable media output device identified according to initially recorded device identification information; a registration unit storing in a user information storage unit user identification information of a user acquired from a user identification unit identifying the user riding in a vehicle and the device identification information acquired by the communication unit in association with each other; a device identification unit reading from the user information storage unit the device identification information associated with the user identification information of the user riding in the vehicle when the user rides in the vehicle; and an identification information notification unit notifying the communication unit of the device identification information. The communication unit communicates with the portable media output device of the notified device identification information even if the notified device identification information is not initially recorded.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to vehicular audio/visual devices that output audio/visual data and, in particular, to a vehicular audio/visual device and a vehicular audio/visual system that output audio/visual data received from a portable media output device, and it also relates to a device identification method of the vehicular audio/visual device, a program, and a computer-readable storage medium. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In some cases, plural users share a single vehicle for driving, but they have their own preferences (hereinafter simply referred to as vehicle settings) in driving positions, temperature settings, etc. Therefore, the driver riding in a vehicle is required to change the vehicle settings to suit his/her preferences. In order to deal with this cumbersome operation, techniques of automatically performing the vehicle settings have been proposed (see, e.g., Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of automatically performing the vehicle settings for each driver, in which the driver is identified using the ID code of the electronic key detected when the driver is certificated according to a keyless entry system and setting information stored in association with the ID code is read. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, in order to deal with the diversified preferences of listeners in an audio system, particularly, a technique has been proposed in which preferred sound quality is set in advance for each driver so that he/she can change the settings of sound quality just by inputting the self-identification code (see, e.g., Patent Document 2). 
         [0006]    Patent Document 1: JP-A-2003-127831 
         [0007]    Patent Document 2: JP-A-2006-96210 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Meanwhile, users sharing a single vehicle often carry their own portable music players, and an audio system has been realized in which an in-vehicle device is wired or wirelessly connected to the portable music player to reproduce music of the portable music player even in a vehicle and output the same from a speaker of the vehicle. However, a connecting operation is required for each portable music player to establish a wired or wireless connection between the in-vehicle device and the portable music player. Therefore, the driver is disadvantageously required to perform the connecting operation for his/her portable music player every time he/she rides in the vehicle. 
         [0009]    In view of the above problem, the present invention may provide a vehicular audio/visual device and a vehicular audio/visual system that reduce a connecting operation for a portable device. In addition, it may provide a device identification method of the vehicular audio/visual device, a program, and a computer-readable storage medium. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, a vehicular audio/visual device is provided that comprises: a communication unit (e.g., BT module  30 ) that preferentially wirelessly communicates with a portable media output device identified according to initially recorded device identification information (e.g., equipment ID); a registration unit  25   a  that stores in a user information storage unit (e.g., storage unit  26  and user information  26   a ) user identification information (e.g., ID code) of a user acquired from a user identification unit (e.g., matching ECU  22 ) that identifies the user riding in a vehicle and the device identification information acquired by the communication unit in association with each other; a device identification unit (e.g., identification unit  25   b ) that reads from the user information storage unit the device identification information associated with the user identification information of the user riding in the vehicle acquired by the user identification unit when the user rides in the vehicle; and an identification information notification unit  25   c  that notifies the communication unit of the device identification information read by the device identification unit. The communication unit communicates with the portable media output device of the notified device identification information even if the notified device identification information is not initially recorded. 
         [0011]    According to this configuration, the device identification information of the portable media output device can be stored in association with the user identification information of the user riding in the vehicle, and the device identification information is read and reported based on the user identification information when the user rides in the vehicle next time. Therefore, the portable media output device and the vehicular audio visual device are connected to each other without performing the connecting operation again, thereby making it possible to output audio/visual data from a device installed in the vehicle. 
         [0012]    According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicular audio/visual device and a vehicular audio/visual system that reduce a connecting operation for a portable device. In addition, it is possible to provide a device identification method of the vehicular audio/visual device, a program, and a computer-readable storage medium. 
         [0013]    Other objects and further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicular audio/visual system; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an example of a block diagram of the vehicular audio/visual system; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an example of a block diagram of a portable music player; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart for showing a registration procedure in which the vehicular audio/visual device registers user information; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows an example of the user information; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows a flowchart for showing a procedure in which the vehicular audio/visual device identifies the portable music player using the user information. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Referring to the accompanying drawings, a description is made of the best mode for carrying out an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicular audio/visual system (hereinafter simply referred to as a vehicular AV system)  10 . 
         [0021]    In a vehicle  11 , a vehicular audio/visual device (hereinafter simply referred to as a vehicular AV device)  12  is mounted. User A who drives the vehicle  11  carries a portable music player  13 A and an electronic key  14 A; user B carries a portable music player  13 B and an electronic key  14 B (hereinafter, in some cases, the portable music players  13 A and  13 B are simply referred to as a portable music player  13 , the electronic keys  14 A and  14 B are simply referred to as an electronic key  14 , and users A and B are simply referred to as the user). The electronic keys  14 A and  14 B are inherent in users A and B, respectively. 
         [0022]    According to the vehicular AV system  10  of the embodiment, users A and B are each identified according to the key ID stored in the electronic key  14 , and the equipment ID of the portable music player  13  is previously registered in the vehicular AV device  12  in association with the key ID. After the registration, the associated equipment ID is extracted when the key ID is acquired by a keyless entry system (hereinafter referred to as KLES), so that the vehicular AV device  12  can extract connecting information inherent in the portable music player  13 . Accordingly, users A and B are allowed to connect the portable music player  13  and the vehicular AV device  12  to each other without performing a connecting operation and output the audio reproduced by the portable music player  13  from a speaker. 
         [0023]    Note that in  FIG. 1  the equipment IDs of the portable music players  13 A and  13 B are A1B2C3D4 and E5F6G7H8, respectively, and the ID codes of the electronic keys  14 A and  14 B are XYZ123 and PQR456, respectively. 
         [0024]    The portable music player  13  may be of any form so long as it has an audio output function for compressed audio source data such as MP3, CDs, DVDs, And one-segment broadcasting; it does not matter what types of names such as MP3 player, portable telephone, PDA, and PHS are given. 
         [0025]    Furthermore, the portable music player  13  and the vehicular AV device  12  have their own communication devices (BT modules  45  and  30 , respectively) for mutually performing wireless communications, thereby making it possible to wirelessly transmit the reproduced audio and video data of the portable music player  13  to the vehicular AV device  12 . Examples of the wireless communications include Bluetooth (registered trademark: hereinafter referred to as BT), wireless LAN, infrared communication, etc., but BT is used for communications in the embodiment. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of the vehicular AV system  10 . Here, KLES is briefly described. In KLES, a door is automatically unlocked when the user carrying the electronic key  14  approaches the door of the vehicle  11  and is automatically locked when he/she leaves the vehicle  11 . In addition, KLES has an ignition function so that the user can start an engine with a mechanical key by rotating an ignition knob without turning an ignition switch on. 
         [0027]    A transmitting circuit  23  mounted in the vehicle modulates a carrier with the request signal output from a matching ECU  22  to transmit a request radio wave via an antenna. The transmitting circuit  23  transmits the request radio wave for each recycling time to thereby form the detection area of the electronic key  14 . A receiving circuit  24  demodulates the ID code signal transmitted from the electronic key  14  to output its ID code to the matching ECU  22 . 
         [0028]    The electronic key  14  has a battery  34 , a microcomputer  33 , a receiving circuit  31 , and a transmitting circuit  32 . The receiving circuit  31  demodulates the request radio wave transmitted from the vehicle  11  received via the antenna to output a request signal to the microcomputer  33 . In response to the input of the request signal, the microcomputer  33  outputs the previously stored ID code of the electronic key  14  to the transmitting circuit  32 . The transmitting circuit  32  modulates a carrier with the ID code to transmit the ID code signal via an antenna. 
         [0029]    The matching ECU  22  is a computer having a CPU, a memory, etc., and the ID code of the electronic key  14  is previously stored in the memory. The matching ECU  22  matches the ID code acquired from the receiving circuit  24  with the stored ID code, and it transmits a matching successful signal to a body ECU  21  if they are matched with each other. Upon receipt of the matching successful signal, the body ECU  21  unlocks the door. 
         [0030]    Furthermore, if the ID code and the stored ID code are matched with each other, the matching ECU  22  transmits the ID code received from the electronic key  14  to the vehicular AV device  12  in accordance with the request from the vehicular AV device  12 . Accordingly, the vehicular AV device  12  is allowed to identify the user who approaches the vehicle  11 . 
         [0031]    The vehicular AV device  12  is disposed, for example, on a 2DIN-type front console in the vehicle with its display section  28  facing the passenger side. An operating section  29  of the vehicular AV device  12  is provided at the periphery of the display section  28  to constitute a user interface. The operating section  29  comprises various keys, a dial, pointer operating elements such as a track pointer and a mouse, and a microphone for audio operations. Furthermore, a remote controller may be used as the operating section  29 . 
         [0032]    The vehicular AV device  12  is controlled by a control section  25  configured to be a computer having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. When the operating section  29  is operated by the user, the control section  25  executes a process for controlling respective sections to effect corresponding operations. The CPU of the control section  25  executes programs to thereby realize a registration unit  25   a  that registers the ID code and the equipment ID in user information  26   a , an identification unit  25   b  that identifies the portable music player  13  carried by the user based on the ID code, and an identification information notification unit  25   c  that notifies the BT module  30  of the equipment ID of the portable music player  13 . 
         [0033]    In a storage unit  26  connected to the control section  25 , the user information  26   a  as described below is stored. The user information  26   a  is information in which the equipment ID of the portable music player  13  is registered in association with the ID code of the electronic key  14 . 
         [0034]    The vehicular AV device  12  is capable of outputting compressed audio source data of radio, TV, DVD, MP3, etc., as a media source, and it has a radio tuner  101 , a TV tuner  102 , a DVD player  103 , and a digital signal reproduction section  104  correspondingly. On the display section  28 , video images of TV broadcasting and DVD content are displayed in accordance with the operating conditions of the vehicular AV device  12 . Furthermore, the display section  28  selectably displays these media sources in list form, and it may display the operating statuses of a TV station, a radio broadcasting station, etc., in accordance with a selected media source. Where the display section  28  serves also as the display section for a navigation system, it displays road maps. 
         [0035]    The radio tuner  101  receives, for example, AM/FM analog/digital broadcasting of a dialed broadcasting station via a predetermined antenna. The radio tuner  101  outputs the audio signal obtained by demodulating the signal of the dialed broadcasting station to a selector  105 . The TV tuner  102  receives, for example, analog/digital terrestrial broadcasting, so-called one-segment broadcasting of a dialed broadcasting station via a predetermined antenna. The TV tuner  102  adjusts receiving sensitivity in accordance with the radio field intensity from the broadcasting station and outputs video and audio signals separated based on the frequency to the selector  105 . 
         [0036]    The DVD player  103  reads a digital signal from a DVD inserted through a predetermined inserting port, decodes a video signal in MPEG2 format or the like and an audio signal in PCM format or the like to be converted into video and audio analog signals, respectively, and outputs them to the selector  105 . The digital signal reproduction section  104  decodes compressed audio source data stored in the storage unit  26  or a transportable storage medium and outputs their audio signals to the selector  105 . 
         [0037]    Furthermore, the selector  105  and the control section  25  are connected to each other, and reproduction data (audio reproduction data and video reproduction data) received by the BT module  30  as described below can be directly output to the selector  105  via the control section  25 . 
         [0038]    Upon receipt of instructions for outputting the media source such as radio from the operating section  29 , the control section  25  selects corresponding signals from among the audio and video signals input to the selector  105  and outputs the corresponding audio and video signals to an amplifier  106  and the display section  28 , respectively. After amplifying the level of the input audio signal, the amplifier  106  outputs the amplified audio signal to the speaker  27 . Furthermore, the display section  28  displays the input video signal. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of the portable music player  13 . The portable music player  13  is controlled by a control section  46  configured to be a computer having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. When an operating section  48  is operated by the user, the control section  46  executes a process for controlling various sections to effect corresponding operations. 
         [0040]    In a storage section  44  composed of a flash memory or a hard disk, compressed audio source data  49  in MP3 format or the like are stored. The control section  46  requests a decoder  41  to read the compressed audio source data  49  from the storage section  44  in accordance with the operations of a passenger. Because the compressed audio source data  49  are compressed (subjected to codec) by a predetermined compression method, the decoder  41  expands (decodes) them in accordance with the compression method. The expanded digital data are input to a D/A conversion section  42 , and the D/A conversion section  42  converts the digital data into reproduction data. 
         [0041]    The reproduction data are output to an earphone terminal, but they are partially branched to also be supplied to the BT module  45 . Accordingly, when the portable music player  13  is connected to the vehicular AV device  12  via the BT module  45 , the reproduction data are capable of being output from the speaker  27  of the vehicular AV device  12 . 
         [0042]    Note that in the embodiment a description is made of a case where the audio reproduced by the portable music player  13  is output. But, even where the reproduction data of video images such as still images and moving images are output, they can be similarly displayed on the display section  28  via the BT module  45 . 
         [0043]    Here, the BT modules  30  and  45  are described. The BT modules  30  and  45  respectively have RF sections  30   a  and  45   a  that establish wireless communications as a physical layer and BT sections  30   b  and  45   b  that perform a process in accordance with the specifications of the BT. According to BT, synchronous connection oriented (SCO) connection and asynchronous connectionless link (ACL) connection are defined as connection methods of the RF sections  30   a  and  45   a . SCO connection is a line connection type point-to-point link formed between the BT modules  30  and  45  and mainly used to transfer audio data. ACL connection is a link that establishes a packet-switching-type connection between the BT modules and mainly used to transfer data. 
         [0044]    According to BT, the (call mode) side that calls a connectable BT module using a paging message is referred to as a master station and the (stand-by mode) side that is connected in response to the paging message is referred to as a slave station. In the embodiment, the BT modules  30  and  45  serve as the master station and the slave station, respectively. When the slave station responds to the paging message, a connection is established. A network formed between the master station and the slave station is called a piconet. 
         [0045]    The BT sections  30   b  and  45   b  of the BT modules  30  and  45  each execute a process for establishing in-piconet synchronization with the other BT module, a process for encoding/decoding a transmission/reception signal, etc. In other words, the respective BT modules  30  and  45  apply digital modulation to carrier signals using transmission data when transmitted and then apply spread spectrum processing to the modulated carrier signals by frequency hopping that switches the frequency for each predetermined time. After amplifying the transmission signals to a transmission output level smaller than or equal to a specified value, the BT modules  30  and  45  transmit the amplified transmission signals to the BT modules  45  and  30 , respectively, of the other communication party via the antennas. The BT modules  30  and  45  receive the wireless signals incoming from the other communication party via the antennas and apply inverse spread spectrum processing to them, followed by digital demodulation. 
         [0046]    Here, the profile of BT is described. According to BT, the BT modules  30  and  45  as the master station and the slave station, respectively, have the same profile to thereby ensure their mutual connections. General access profile (GAP) provides basic conditions such as synchronization between a frequency and a clock for frequency hopping, link control using an ID, and control of a packet size, and decomposing and assembling of data. Service discovery application profile (SAD) is for assisting the BT modules  30  and  45  to find available services and provides a function and a procedure for searching for the services and obtaining required information. 
         [0047]    Serial port profile (SPP) provides conditions where serial communications are emulated, and it enables wireless communications via a virtual serial port. Audio reproduction data are provided in advanced audio distribution profile (A2DP) as a lower profile of SPP. A2DP ensures a sufficient data capacity by ACL connection to realize the transfer of high-quality data without using SCO connection used to transfer audio data. 
         [0048]    Furthermore, when the BT modules  30  and  45  are connected to each other, the portable music player  13  can be operated by operating the operating section  29 . In order to realize this remote operation, audio/video remote control profile (AVRCP) is provided. 
         [0049]    Where the portable music player  13  has a call function, the provision of hands free profile (HFP) enables a hands free call. HFP provides the input and output of the audio from the remote BT modules  30  and  45 . Because of the characteristics of a telephone call, HFP provides the handling of an AT command, the transmission of a radio field intensity and a caller ID, the use of a redial function and a telephone book function, echo cancellation, etc. In hands free mode, the audio from the user is transmitted from the BT module  30  to the BT module  45  via the microphone installed in the vehicle and sent out from the portable music player  13  to a telephone network. Furthermore, the audio received by the portable music player  13  is transmitted from the BT module  45  to the BT module  30  and output from the speaker  27 . 
         [0050]    The BT modules  30  and  45  are each provided with an inherent equipment ID. In order to connect the BT modules  30  and  45  to each other, a communication party is identified according to the equipment ID. When the portable music player  13  in stand-by mode enters the piconet in call mode, the portable music player  13  automatically transmits the equipment ID to the vehicular AV device  12  and is connected. However, when the BT modules  30  and  45  are first connected to each other, the input of a PIN key (ID number) is required. A correct PIN key is input to thereby complete a pairing operation. Subsequently, the connection is established only if one of the BT modules  30  and  45  enters the piconet. In other words, in the embodiment, the pairing operation corresponds to a connecting operation and the PIN key corresponds to connecting information. 
         [0051]    Where plural users share the vehicle  11 , the PIN key inherent in the portable music player  13  of the last user (e.g., user A) who has ridden in the vehicle is the default PIN key in the BT module  30  of the vehicular AV device  12 . Therefore, when the same user, user A, rides in the vehicle, the BT modules  30  and  45  are connected without the connecting operation. However, when user B rides in the vehicle, it is not until the connecting operation is performed again that the BT modules  30  and  45  can be connected to each other even if the connecting operation has previously been performed. Note that where the connecting operation has previously been performed, the connecting information and the equipment ID are stored in pairs in the BT modules  30  and  45  by a predetermined number as an upper limit. 
         [0052]    According to the embodiment, the portable music player  13  is identified based on the ID code of the electronic key  14  and the control section  25  notifies the BT module  30  of the equipment ID of the portable music player  13 , thereby notifying the BT module  30  of the connecting information to be used. Accordingly, the portable music player  13  that has previously performed the connecting operation is allowed to establish the connection with the vehicular AV device  12  without performing the connecting operation again. 
         [0053]    (Registration of the ID Code of the Electronic Key  14  and the Equipment ID of the Portable Music Player  14 ) 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart for showing a registration procedure in which the vehicular AV device  12  registers the user information  26   a . The user information  26   a  is updated when the vehicular AV device  12  is connected to a new portable music player  13 , but the process in  FIG. 4  starts from the certification of the electronic key  14  for illustrative purposes. 
         [0055]    When the user carrying the electronic key  14  approaches the door of the vehicle  11 , the electronic key  14  transmits the ID code signal to the vehicle  11  in response to the request signal. Then, the matching ECU  22  matches the transmitted ID code with the previously stored ID code. If they are matched with each other, the matching ECU  22  certifies the electronic key  14  (S 10 ). Accordingly, the body ECU  21  unlocks the door. 
         [0056]    When the user rides in the vehicle  11  and turns on an accessory power supply (ACC) (S 20 ), power is supplied to the vehicular AV device  12  and the BT module  30 . Then, the vehicular AV device  12  and the BT module  30  are activated. 
         [0057]    Upon activation of the vehicular AV device  12 , the registration unit  25   a  requests the matching ECU  22  to transmit the matching successful ID code and then acquires the ID code from the matching ECU  22  (S 30 ). Because the ID code corresponds to the identification information of the user, the user riding in the vehicle can be identified according to the ID code. For example, when users A and B ride on the vehicle, the ID codes XYZ123 and PQR456 are acquired by the registration unit  25   a , respectively. 
         [0058]    Here, the user performs the connecting operation (pairing operation) to first connect the portable music player  13  to the vehicular AV device  12 . When the connecting operation is completed, the BT module  30  acquires the equipment ID of the portable music player  13  (S 40 ). Furthermore, the BT module  30  stores the equipment ID pairing with the PIN key in the connecting operation. For example, the BT module  30  acquires the equipment ID A1B2C3D4 when user A rides in the vehicle and the equipment ID E5F6G7H8 when user B rides in the vehicle. Accordingly, the BT modules  30  and  45  are connected, thereby making it possible to output the audio reproduction data from the speaker  27 . 
         [0059]    Next, the registration unit  25   a  requests the BT module  30  to transmit the equipment ID and then acquires the equipment ID from the BT module  30 . It registers the equipment ID in the user information  26   a  in association with the ID code. 
         [0060]      FIG. 5  shows an example of the user information  26   a . The ID codes XYZ123 and PQR456 are stored in the user information  26   a  in association with the equipment IDs A1B2C3D4 and E5F6G7H8, respectively. Where the same user carries different portable music players  13 , the ID code and the equipment ID are most recently registered in pairs. In this case, the equipment ID lastly registered is recognized as the portable music player  13  that the user carries. 
         [0061]    (Identification of the Portable Music Player  13 ) 
         [0062]    A description is made of the identification of the portable music player  13  using the user information  26   a  based on a flowchart of  FIG. 6 . The process based on the flowchart of  FIG. 6  starts from the certification of the electronic key  14 . 
         [0063]    When the user carrying the electronic key  14  approaches the door of the vehicle  11 , the electronic key  14  transmits the ID code signal to the vehicle  11  in response to the request signal. Then, the matching ECU  22  matches the transmitted ID code with the previously stored ID code. If they are matched with each other, the matching ECU  22  certifies the electronic key  14  (S 10 ). Accordingly, the body ECU  21  unlocks the door. 
         [0064]    When the user rides in the vehicle  11  and turns on the accessory power supply (ACC) (S 20 ), power is supplied to the vehicular AV device  12  and the BT module  30 . Then, the vehicular AV device  12  and the BT module  30  are activated. 
         [0065]    Upon activation of the vehicular AV device  12 , the identification unit  25   b  requests the matching ECU  22  to transmit the matched ID code and acquires the ID code from the matching ECU  22  (S 30 ). For example, the identification unit  25   b  acquires the ID code XYZ123 when user A rides in the vehicle and the ID code PQR456 when user B rides in the vehicle. 
         [0066]    Next, the identification unit  25   b  extracts the equipment ID associated with the acquired ID code by referring to the user information  26   a  (S 60 ). Accordingly, the identification unit  25   b  is allowed to identify the portable music player  13  that the user carries. For example, the equipment IDs A1B2C3D4 and E5F6G7H8 are extracted when the acquired ID codes are XYZ123 and PQR456, respectively. 
         [0067]    Then, the identification information notification unit  25   c  notifies the BT module  30  of the extracted equipment ID (S 70 ). Upon notification of the equipment ID, the BT module  30  is put in call mode using the PIN key stored pairing with the equipment ID, and it is connected when the portable music player  13  enters the piconet. Accordingly, when the user operates the operating section  29 , reproduction data are transmitted from the portable music player  13  to the vehicular AV device  12  so that they can be output from the speaker  27 . 
         [0068]    As described above, according to the vehicular AV system  10  of the embodiment, the vehicular AV device  12  wirelessly communicates with the portable music player  13  to reproduce an audio or the like using the speaker  27  installed in the vehicle without performing the connecting operation every time the user rides in the vehicle. 
         [0069]    Note that the ID code of the electronic key  14  is used to identify the user in the embodiment, but biometric identification information such as the face, fingers, and fingerprints, weight, etc., may be used instead. 
         [0070]    The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0071]    The present application is based on Japanese Priority Application No. 2007-118849 filed on Apr. 27, 2007, with the Japanese Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.