An automobile mounted electronic device with detachable front panel

Abstract: In an automobile mounted electronic device having an automobile mounted electronic device body and a faceplate (15) attached to this automobile mounted electronic device body detachably, the faceplate (15) is composed of a faceplate for right steering wheel car and a faceplate for left steering wheel car, and both the faceplates (15) are constituted so that they can be connected to the mounted-into-automobile device body.

Description: The present invention relates to a mounted-into-automobile device having a detachable faceplate. Generally, a mounted-into-automobile device is known, in which there are provided a body of the mounted-into-automobile device such as a mounted-into-automobile system provided with a car audio or a personal computer, and a faceplate (DCP: Detachable Control Panel) that is detachably attached to this mounted-into-automobile device body, and in which this faceplate can be taken out of a car in order to prevent it from being stolen in case that a person goes away from the car. This concept has been described in US 5 619 515 which shown the features of the preamble of claim 1. In this kind of the mounted-into-automobile device, a faceplate for right steering wheel car and a faceplate for left steering wheel car are prepared hitherto; and in consideration of a visual field from a driver, easiness of operation, cover of display with his operating hand and arm, and the like, a faceplate design (arrangement of buttons, display and the like) is made on the assumption that a right steering wheel is used in a car for Japan, and on the assumption that a left steering wheel is used in a car for the U.S.A. or Europe. For example, a system for Japan is on sale with a faceplate for right steering wheel car set in an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) of the Japanese version, and a system for the U.S.A or Europe is on sale with a faceplate for left steering wheel car set in OS of the English version. However, in the above conventional constitution, there is a problem that optimum user interface cannot be obtained. For example, in case that a mounted-into-automobile device of the Japanese version OS is mounted into a car imported to Japan (left steering wheel car), the faceplate set there is a faceplate for right steering wheel car. Therefore, the faceplate for right steering wheel car is attached to the left steering wheel car, so that the optimum user interface cannot be obtained. In order to solve this problem, not only the faceplate but also the mounted-into-automobile device must be manufactured, classified into one for right steering wheel car and one for left steering wheel car, so that there is a problem that a manufacturing cost increases. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the invention is to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional art and to provide a mounted-into-automobile device that can obtain optimum user interface with simple constitution and at a low cost. This object is solved by the invention as claimed in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims. The first aspect of the invention relates to a mounted-into-automobile device comprising: an attaching portion to which a faceplate is be detachably attached, wherein both of a faceplate for a right steering wheel car and a faceplate for a left steering wheel car are capable to be attached to the attaching portion. The second aspect of the invention is directed to an mounted-into-automobile device, further comprising: memory means in which an operating system is stored rewritably, wherein the operating system is constituted rewritably according to the faceplate that is attached. The third aspect of the invention relates to a mounted-into-automobile device comprising: an attaching portion to which a faceplate is be detachably attached, recognizing means that recognizes classification data of the faceplate that is attached to the attaching portion, and specification setting means that sets operating specification on the basis of the classification data that is recognized by the recognizing means. The fourth aspect of the invention is directed to an mounted-into-automobile device, wherein the specification setting means includes, memory means that stores a plurality of operation programs corresponding to the classification data, and selection means that selects the operation program on the basis of the classification data. The fifth aspect of the invention is directed to an mounted-into-automobile device, wherein the classification data represents a classification of the faceplate for right steering wheel car/for left steering wheel car. The sixth aspect of the invention relates to an mounted-into-automobile device, wherein the classification data represents a country. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a front view of a mounted-into-automobile device body. Fig. 2 is a front view of a faceplate. Fig. 3 is a back view of the faceplate. Fig. 4 is a front view of a faceplate for left steering wheel car. Fig. 5 is a front view of a faceplate for right steering wheel car. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing one mode for carrying out the invention. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing one mode for carrying out the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One mode for carrying out the invention will be described below with reference to drawings. Fig. 1 is a front view of a mounted-into-automobile device body. In front of this mounted-into-automobile device body 1, an insertion port 2 of recording medium such as CD, MD and the like is formed, and also a connector contact 4 is formed. To this mounted-into-automobile device body, a faceplate (DCP: Detachable Control Panel) 15 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is attached detachably. At the back of this faceplate 15, a connector contact 5 is formed, which is connected to the above connector contact 4 of the mounted-into-automobile device body 1 in case that the faceplate 15 is attached to the mounted-into-automobile device body 1. In case that this faceplate 15 has been attached to the mounted-into-automobile device body 1, a command signal by button operation from the faceplate 15 side, a signal for performing display on LCD of the faceplate 15, infrared remote control data, and the like are transmitted through the above connector contacts 4, 5. This faceplate 15 can be detached from the mounted-into-automobile device body 1 by operating a button 6 for faceplate detachment located on the upper left in Fig. 2. In a mounted-into-automobile system in which a part of a car audio and a personal computer are mounted, the mounted-into-automobile device body 1 is expensive. Therefore, for the burglarproof purpose, in case that a person goes away from the car, he detaches the faceplate 15 that is an operational portion from the mounted-into-automobile device body and takes it out of the car. Hereby, in case that only the mounted-into-automobile device body 1 having no operational portion is stolen, it cannot be used, so that the stealing itself means nothing. In the faceplate 15, a faceplate for right steering wheel car and a faceplate for left steering wheel car are prepared. Fig. 4 shows a faceplate 15A for left steering wheel car. A button group A used much is arranged on a driver side (left side). A cursor key 31 is arranged on the left side so that a display 32 is not covered with his hand or arm when the cursor key is operated. On the upper left of the faceplate, the button 6 for faceplate detachment is arranged. A ten key 33 for dialing and character input is arranged in a lump on the right side of the display. Fig. 5 shows a faceplate 15 B for right steering wheel car. In this case, members other than the button 6 for faceplate detachment are arranged so that they and those in the faceplate 15A for left steering wheel car are bisymmetrical. The cursor key 31 and the ten key 33 are blocked, and the button arrangement in the blocked button group in the faceplate 15B is same as that in the faceplate 15A (for example, the order of the ten key is 1, 2, 3... from the upper left). Fig. 6 is a block diagram of this system. The whole of this figure is divided into four by broken lines. A CPU module 11 is located on the left of the center, a support module 12 is located in the center, an external unit 30 is located on the upper right, and an option unit 40 is located on the lower right. The CPU module 11 and the support module 12 of them are provided inside of the mounted-into-automobile device 1. The external unit 30 and the option unit 40 indicate respectively some devices connected to the mounted-into-automobile device body 1 in a lump. In Fig. 6, for convenience of explanation, a compact flash card 13 is shown downward in the CPU module 11, and a faceplate 15 is shown upward in the external unit 30. The CPU module and the support module 12 constitute a control computer that controls the whole of this system. The CPU module 11 is a part that performs logical operation with CPU 111 central, and the support module 12 is a part that performs input and output of data between it and other devices included in this system. In the CPU module 11, a main path of data is a local bus B1 formed with the CPU 111 central. On the other hand, in the support module 12, a main path of data is a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus B2 for connecting each device. The local bus B1 of the CPU module 11 fits a mode of the CPU 111; and to this local bus B1, DRAM 112, a flash ROM 113, a PCI bus host controller 114, CPU host ASIC115, and PCMCIA. ASIC116 are connected. The DRAM 112 of them is a part which provides a work area such as an area of variable when the CPU 111 performs data processing such as control of this system. The flash ROM 113 is rewritable, and stores in a wide sense software such as OS, BIOS, and an application program. The function of the OS stored here is to manage resources on a computer, to control input and output including user interface, to execute a program of the predetermined mode and the like; and, for example, Windows CE (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation)-based OS and the like are thought. In this mode for carrying out the invention, OS, for example, Japanese version OS is stored in the flash ROM 113. The OS stored in this flash ROM 113 is constituted rewritably using the compact flash card 13. For example, in case that the OS stored there is of Japanese version, it can be rewritten to OS of English version. When initial power is input, the OS in the flash ROM 113 is expanded on the DRAM 112, and usually the OS on the DRAM 112 is executed. The PCI bus host controller 114 connects to the local bus B1 and the PCI bus B2, and converts a mode of data exchanged between the two buses. ┌ASIC┘ of the CPU host ASIC 115 is an abridgment of Application Specific Integrated Circuit, and indicates IC or LSI made for the specific purpose as opposed to a general-purpose IC such as ROM, RAM, and CPU. Specifically, this CPU host ASIC 115 is ASIC for interface between the local bus B1 and the PIC bus host controller 114. Namely, this CPU host ASIC 115 is a part that becomes a window of the data exchanged between the PCI bus B2 and the CPU module 11. Specifically, it performs input and output of data between the CPU module 11 and the outside instead of the CPU 111 and also judges whether the data sent from the PCI bus B2 should be pass to the CPU 111. The data that should be passed to the CPU 111 is passed through the local bus B1 to the CPU 111 by the CPU host ASIC 115; but regarding other data than it, for example, the sent data of which the operation needn't be performed by the CPU 111 and which is satisfied by mechanically returning the predetermined reaction, such the reaction is returned. The PCMCIA·ASIC 116 is a part for interface corresponding to the fact that the compact flash card 13 is based on standards of PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) as a so-called PC card, and a part which controls reading and writing of data in relation to the compact flash card 13. Next, the support module 12 will be described. The PCI bus B2 of the support module 12 is a bus for exchanging data between the support module 12 and the various devices constituting this system, and constitutes transmission means for transmitting audio data from the devices and digital data in a digital mode. Here, as a device connected to this PCI bus B2, there are the external unit 30 and the option unit 40, and these units respectively indicate some devices in a lump. Namely, the external unit 30 is another unit than the mounted-into-automobile device body 1; and in this example, specifically, the unit 30 comprises a faceplate 15 detachable from the mounted-into-automobile device body 1, a tuner 21 and an amplifier 22 provided in a tuner amplifier unit, and a microphone 3. The faceplate 15 of them includes an infrared remote control unit 127. The option unit 40 is a unit that can be selected as an option which is incorporated into this system; and in this example, specifically, the unit 40 comprises a GPS unit 16 and a CD-ROM auto-changer 7. There is a CD-ROM unit 14 inside of the mounted-into-mobile device body 1, and this CD-ROM unit 14 is also connected to the PCI bus B2. This CD-ROM unit 14 is a player for reading out audio data or digital data from a sheet of music CD or CD-ROM. Since both these CD-ROM auto-changer 7 and CD-ROM unit 14 can read out data from the so-called music CD and also can read out data from the CD-ROM, they are compatible. In order to exchange the data between the support module 12 and these devices, a support ASIC 121, a CODEC circuit 122, DSP unit 123, a buffer memory 124, a parallel/PCI driver 125, and a serial/PCI driver 126 are used. The support ASIC 121 of them is a means for determining which data that has come from where is sent to where, between the support module 12 and each device, and in other words, it is a part that controls communication of data. Further, ┌CODEC┘ of the CODEC circuit 122 is an abbreviation of "Code/Decoder", that is, technology of A/D conversion and D/A conversion of data. This CODEC circuit 122 is a part that converts the provided digital data into an analog signal, that is, performs D/A conversion, or that converts the analog signal into a digital signal, that is, performs A/D conversion. Namely, this CODEC circuit 122 has a function of A/D conversion means that converts analog signals provided from the device into digital audio data, and a function of D/A conversion means that converts the processed audio data into analog signals. The amplifier 22 for driving a speaker with the converted analog signals and the CODEC circuit 122 constitute an audio output means for outputting the processed audio data as analog signals. ┌DSP┘ of the DSP unit 123 is an abbreviation of a digital sound processor, that is, an abbreviation meaning a circuit that processes signals of digital sound specially. This DSP unit 123 is a part which, when audio data expressing music and the like is given thereto, processes the audio data so that items such as balance of left and right, volume, fader, surround, and equalizer which are set in the system are reflected in contents of sound. The buffer memory 124 is a buffer for making up a different in cycle of reading and writing data between the audio device such as the CD-ROM unit and the PCI bus B2 by storing data and taking out it little by little, and it is composed of SRAM and the like. The parallel/PCI driver 125 is a part that converts audio data and digital data of a parallel mode into those of a data mode of the PCI bus B2. Further, the serial/PCI driver 126 is a mode converting means that converts audio data and digital data of a serial mode that are sent from the CD-ROM auto changer 7 in a USB mode into those of a data mode corresponding to the PCI bus B2. The faceplate 15 including the infrared remote control unit 127 is connected to the support ASCIC 121 through a start-stop synchronization serial communication circuit such as UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transitter). The CD-ROM unit 14 is connected to the parallel/PCI driver 125 through a parallel communication circuit such as ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface). Further, the infrared remote control unit 127 is provided with ASIC (not shown) that performs data exchange by infrared rays. Further, the CPU module 11, and the CODEC circuit 122, the DSP unit 123 and the buffer memory 124 of the support module 12 constitute a processing means for processing the digital audio data and the digital data. Next, the operation of the mode for carrying out the invention will be described. In this mode, similarly to the conventional constitution, as a system for the U.S.A and Europe, a mounted-into-automobile device is prepared, in which a faceplate 15A for left steering wheel car is set in OS of English version; and as a system for Japan, a mounted-into-automobile device is prepared, in which a faceplate 15B for right steering wheel car is set in OS of Japanese version. And, in case that the left steering wheel car is used in the U.S.A, and Europe, a mounted-into-automobile device is mounted in which the English version OS and the faceplate 15A for the left steering wheel car make a set; and in case that the right steering wheel car is used in Japan, a mounted-into-automobile device is mounted in which the Japanese version OS and the faceplate 15B for the right steering wheel car make a set. However, for example, in case that the mounted-into-automobile device of the Japanese version OS is mounted into a car imported to Japan (left steering wheel car), the faceplate set there is the faceplate 15B for the right steering wheel car. Therefore, the faceplate for right steering wheel car is attached to the left steering wheel car, so that the optimum user interface cannot be obtained. In this mode, into the above imported car, a mounted-into-automobile device in which the English version OS and the faceplate 15A for the left steering wheel car are set is mounted, and the English version OS stored in the flash ROM 113 of this mounted-into-mobile device body 1 is rewritten into the Japanese version OS using the CD or the compact flash card 13. Hereby, in this mounted-into-automobile device, the Japanese version OS and the faceplate 15A for the left steering wheel car are set. Therefore, in case that a Japanese uses a left steering wheel car, he can obtain the optimum user interface. The above mode is one example; and in the mode for carrying out the invention, only by rewriting the OS stored in the flash ROM 113 of the mounted-into-automobile body 1 and making properly the faceplate for right steering wheel car or the faceplate for left steering wheel car, the optimum user interface can be obtained regardless of the destination, a kind of car and the like. Next, processing in case that the application software stored in the flash ROM 113 of the mounted-into-automobile device 1 has a difference between the right steering wheel car and the left steering wheel car will be described as another mode for carrying out the invention. Fig. 7 is a flowchart of this processing. Firstly, whether an engine key (ACC) of a car is in ON is judged (S1). In case that the ACC is in OFF state, a flow finishes. On the other, in case the ACC is in ON state, whether a faceplate 15 is attached to a mounted-into-automobile device body 1 is checked (S2, S3). In case that this faceplate 15 is not be attached to the device body, processing proceeds through a step S3-2 to a step S4; and in case that the faceplate 15 is attached there, the processing proceeds directly to the step S4. Namely, even if the ACC is in the ON state, in case that the faceplate 15 is not be attached, this system doest not start. However, in case that the ACC is in ON with this faceplate 15 not attached and thereafter the faceplate 15 is attached, the processing proceeds to the step S3-2 and this system starts after the faceplate 15 has been attached. Then, the system enters Power-On waiting state and the processing proceeds to the step S4. In case that the faceplate 15 is not attached, the flow finishes. The above step S4 shows the-Power-On waiting state. When Power On is executed using a power button on the faceplate 15, the present faceplate state stored in the DRAM 112, exactly a value (1 or 0) indicating that the faceplate 15 when turn the ACC OFF at the last time is for the left steering wheel car or the right steering wheel car is read (S5). And, in a step S6, from a faceplate 15 attached really, data indicating that its faceplate 15 is for the left steering wheel car or the right steering wheel car is read. Then, a result in the step S5 is compared with a result in the step S6 (S7). In case that they are the same value, the attached faceplate is taken as the same faceplate 15 as the faceplate at the last ACC OFF time, and the processing proceeds to a step S9. In case that they are the different value, the attached faceplate 15 is taken as an exchanged faceplate, and the processing proceeds to a step 8. In this step 8, the present faceplate state (FP-state) is rewritten to the value of the faceplate 15 attached really (FP-LR) and the processing proceeds to a step S9. In the step S9, the final state of the faceplate 15 is judged. For example, in case that FP-state = 1, the attached faceplate 15 is for the left steering wheel car. Therefore, the processing proceeds to a step S10 and application software for left steering wheel car stored in the flash ROM 113 is started. Further, in case that FP-state = 0, the attached faceplate 15 is for the right steering wheel car. Therefore, the processing proceeds to a step S10-2 and application software for right steering wheel car stored in the flash ROM 113 is started. In this mode, when the above processing is executed, firstly, data for right steering wheel car or for left steering wheel car is previously stored in a memory (not shown) of the faceplate 15, and the mounted-into-automobile device body 1 is provided with a faceplate flag indicating which of the left steering wheel car and the right steering wheel car the faceplate 15 is for. Hereby, which faceplate 15 is attached to the mounted-into-automobile body 1 is recognized, and the processing of changing the application software is automatically executed. There is, for example, a case that a position displayed on the display 32 is different because of the difference of the faceplate 15. In this mode, since the application software is changed automatically, its displayed position is automatically corrected. A registry item of 1-bit is provided for the faceplate 15; at the OS starting time, its registry data is read; and when each application software is set up, either the application software for right or the application software for left is started. In case that the flash ROM 113 of the mounted-into-automobile device body 1 has full memory capacity, OS of the plural languages may be stored in this flash ROM 113. By inputting a country code to a memory (not shown) of the faceplate 15, the language of the OS is automatically determined and either the application software for right or the application software for left is started by the above registry data. In the above constitution, the data indicating that the faceplate is for the right steering wheel car or for the left steering wheel car is previously stored in the memory of the faceplate 15. However, this data may not be stored in the memory of the faceplate 15 but High/Low of a terminal (FP-LR) of micro computer of the faceplate 15 may represent this data. In the invention, by exchanging only the faceplate, the user interface that is most suitable for both of the right steering wheel and the left steering wheel can be provided. Further, by rewriting the OS and exchanging the faceplate, the system can also correspond to multi-languages. Further, an effect that regardless of the using language of a user and a kind of car, the optimum user interface can be provided can be obtained.

Claims: A mounted-into-automobile device comprising: a faceplate (15A, 15B) an attaching portion (1) to which said faceplate (15A; 15B) is to be detachably attached, characterised by both of a faceplate (15B) with a user interface adapted for a right steering wheel car and a faceplate (15A) with a user interface adapted for a left steering wheel car are capable to be attached to said attaching portion. The mounted-into-automobile device according to claim 1, further comprising: memory means (113) in which an operating system is stored rewritably, said operating system being constituted rewritably according to said faceplate that is attached. The mounted-into-automobile device according to claim 1 further comprising: recognizing means adapted to recognize classification data of said faceplate that is attached to said attaching portion, and specification setting means adapted to set operating specification on the basis of the classification data that is recognized by said recognizing means. The mounted-into-automobile device according to claim 3, wherein said specification setting means includes, memory means (113) adapted to store a plurality of operation programs corresponding to the classification data, and selection means adapted to select the operation program on the basis of the classification data. The mounted-into-automobile device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the classification data represents a classification of said faceplate for right steering wheel/for left steering wheel car. The mounted-into-automobile device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the classification data represents a country. A method of operating a mounted-into-automobile device according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the step of attaching one of said faceplates to said attaching portion.

Inventors: ENDO HIROYOSHI, ENDO, HIROYOSHI, Endo, Hiroyoshi, c/o Clarion Co. Ltd.
Applicants: CLARION CO LTD, CLARION CO., LTD.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B60R11
IPC codes: B60L3, H02G3, G11B31, B60L1, B60R11, G11B33