Europaisches Patentamt
`
`European Patent Office
`
`Office europeen des brevets
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`(11)
`
`EP 0 953 486 A2
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`(19)
`
`'
`
`(12)
`
`(43) Date of publication:
`03.11.1999 Bulletin 1999/44
`
`(21) Application number: 99108462.5
`
`(22) Date of filing: 30.04.1999
`
`(51) Int. Cl.6: B60R 25/00, H048 7/26
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE CH CY DE DK ES Fl FR GB GR IE IT LI LU
`MC NL PTSE
`Designated Extension States:
`AL LT LV MK RO SI
`
`(30) Priority: 30.04.1998 JP 12131998
`30.04.1998 JP 12069198
`
`(71) Applicant: CLARION Co., Ltd.
`Tokio (JP)
`
`(72) Inventors:
`• Okagaki, Hiroyuki,
`c/o Clarion Co., Ltd.
`Tokyo (JP)
`
`• Hamashima, Sadafumi,
`c/o Clarion Co., Ltd.
`Tokyo (JP)
`• Kanazawa, Satoru,
`c/o Clarion Co., Ltd.
`Tokyo (JP)
`• Kurihara, Nobuhiro,
`c/o Clarion Co., Ltd.
`Tokyo (JP)
`
`(74) Representative:
`Fritsche, Rainer, Dipl.-Wirtsch.-lng.
`EisenfOhr, Speiser & Partner
`Patentanwalte
`Arnulfstrasse 25
`80335 Munchen (DE)
`
`(54)
`
`Automotive information system and method of controlling the same, recording medium
`storing control program, disk playback apparatus, and semiconductor integrated circuit
`
`An automotive information system has a main
`(57)
`unit including a CPU and component units connected to
`the main unit through a universal serial BUS (USB),
`such as a car audio system including a CD-ROM auto(cid:173)
`changer, a security control system, and a telephone
`system. At least one of the USS-connected component
`device, e.g., the security control system and/or the tele(cid:173)
`phone system, has a detecting unit that detects occur(cid:173)
`rence of an event such as illegal approach to the
`automobile or receipt of telephone call. The USS-con(cid:173)
`nected component device also has a start signal trans(cid:173)
`mitting unit that transmits a start signal to the main unit
`when occurrence of the event is detected by the detect(cid:173)
`ing unit. The main unit has a start signal receiving unit
`and a power control unit that serves turn on the power
`supply to the main unit in response to the start signal
`received by the start signal receiving unit. The main unit
`also has an inquiring unit which inquires the USB-con-
`nected component devices whether these component
`devices have sent the start signal. The USS-connected
`component device has an answering unit which
`answers the inquiry.
`
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`Printed by Xerox (UK) Business Services
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`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page 1
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`

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`EP 0 953 486 A2
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`2
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`Description
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive
`system which is composed of systems such as a car
`audio system and also to a method of controlling such
`an automotive information system, as well as to a stor(cid:173)
`age medium that stores a control program. The present
`invention also
`is concerned with an
`information
`processing apparatus, an electronic device and a con(cid:173)
`trol unit that are suitable for use in the automotive infor(cid:173)
`mation system. The present invention also pertains to a
`disk playback apparatus, as well as to a semiconductor
`integrated circuit, suitable for use in the automotive
`information system.
`
`2. Description of the Related Arts
`
`[0002] Car audio systems that are used on automo(cid:173)
`biles are known. Such a car audio system has a major
`function to provide audio information through a speaker
`mounted on the automobile, based on sound informa-
`tion acquired through a radio tuner, a cassette tape
`deck or a CD player. Current progress in the semicon(cid:173)
`ductor technology has made it possible to combine with
`a car audio system various systems or apparatuses
`such as a car navigation system, a CD auto-changer or
`an MD auto-changer, cellular phone and so forth. In this
`specification, such a consolidated system will be
`referred to as "an automotive information system", while
`systems or apparatuses combined with a car audio sys-
`tem will be collectively referred to also as "peripheral
`devices".
`Automotive information system of the kind
`[0003]
`described generally employs highly complicated wring
`layouts. For instance, a complicated wiring layout is
`necessary when a compatible auto-changer that is
`adapted both for music CDs and CD-ROMs is con(cid:173)
`nected via cables to a main unit of the automotive infor(cid:173)
`mation system that has a car audio function and car
`navigation function. The auto-changer reads sound
`data (audio data) from a music CD and reads also dig-
`ital data such as car navigation program data and map
`data.
`[0004] Hitherto, the connection between the main unit
`of the automotive information system and the auto(cid:173)
`changer required. besides an electric power cable and
`control cables, an analog cable corresponding to a
`LINE-OUT terminal and an optical fiber for digital output
`that are used for transmission of audio data acquired
`from a music CD, as well as a digital signal cable which
`is used exclusively for digital data read from a CD-ROM
`and which is adapted to, for example, an ATAPI inter(cid:173)
`face.
`[0005] Despite the sophisticated and complicated wir-
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`ing layout, the audio function and car navigation func(cid:173)
`tion of the known automotive information system are
`available only on an automobile and, therefore, have
`limited use.
`Automotive information systems are also
`[0006]
`known of the type that has a microcomputer incorpo(cid:173)
`rated in the main unit of the system or in each of the
`devices constituting the system. Such microcomputers,
`however, are of a low grade that is intended only for con-
`trolling mechanical motions of the system or controlling
`display of characters. It is impossible to add new func(cid:173)
`tions or modify existing functions on such microcomput(cid:173)
`ers. In addition, control of supply of electrical power is
`possible only from the main unit to which cables and
`lines are concentrated. Namely, although supply of elec(cid:173)
`trical power to peripheral devices is controllable from
`the main unit, no function is available for enabling one or
`more peripheral devices to turn on and off the power
`supply to the main unit of the system.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0007] Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present
`invention to provide an automotive information system
`having a simplified wiring layout and having a function to
`enable a peripheral device of the automotive informa-
`tion system to start the main unit of the system.
`It is also an object of the present invention to
`[0008]
`provide an automotive
`information system having
`enhanced anti-theft or security effect.
`It is also an object of the present invention to
`[0009]
`provide au automotive information system in which
`audio data read from a disk is output as digital data of
`the same form as other digital data that are deal with in
`the automotive information system.
`[0010] To these ends, according to the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, there is provided an automotive information sys(cid:173)
`tem, comprising: a main unit having means for detecting
`a start signal, and means for turning on a power supply
`to the main unit in response to the start signal, and at
`least one device connected to the main unit and having
`means for detecting that a predetermined condition has
`been satisfied, and means for sending the start signal to
`the main unit.
`[0011] The invention also provides a method of con(cid:173)
`trolling an automotive information system having a main
`unit and at least one device connected to the main unit,
`the method comprising the steps of: enabling the device
`to detect that a predetermined condition has been satis-
`tied; causing the device to send a start signal to the
`main unit when the satisfaction of the predetermined
`condition is detected; causing the main unit to detect the
`start signal, and enabling the main unit to turn on power
`supply to the main unit in response to the start signal.
`[0012] With these features, it is possible to turn on the
`power supply to the main unit of the automotive informa(cid:173)
`tion system simply by sending a start signal from one of
`the devices constituting the system. Thus, the automo-
`
`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page 2
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`EP 0 953 486 A2
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`tive information system can have a wider use by incor(cid:173)
`porating a system such as a telephone system and/or a
`security system. For instance, the power supply to the
`main unit of the automotive system that has been turned
`off can be turned on when a call is received by the tele-
`phone unit connected to the main unit, so that the sys-
`tem becomes alive to enable hand-free telephone
`conversation by means of a speaker and a microphone,
`with the aid of an amplifier incorporated in the main unit.
`Similarly, the power supply to the main unit can be
`turned on in response to a signal received from a secu-
`rity control system informing of occurrence of an
`extraordinary event, so that the automotive information
`system wakes up to inform the user of the occurrence of
`the extraordinary event through the functioning of the
`telephone system.
`[0013]
`In accordance with the present invention, there
`is provided also an information processing apparatus,
`comprising a main unit and at least one device con(cid:173)
`nected to the main unit, wherein the device includes:
`means for detecting that a predetermined condition has
`been satisfied; and means for sending a start signal to
`the main unit upon detection of satisfaction of the prede(cid:173)
`termined condition; and wherein the main unit includes:
`means for detecting the start signal; means for turning
`on power supply to the main unit in response to the start
`signal; and means for inquiring, when the power supply
`is turned on in response to the start signal, the device
`whether the device has sent the start signal; and
`wherein the device includes means for answering the
`inquiry.
`[0014] With these features, the main unit can identify
`the source of the start signal, i.e., from which one of the
`devices the start signal has been received. It is there-
`fore not necessary to employ independent start signal
`lines for the respective devices.
`[0015] The present invention also provides an auto(cid:173)
`motive information system cable for connecting main
`unit of an automotive information system and a device
`included in the automotive information system, compris-
`ing: a first power line that enables electrical power to be
`supplied from the main unit to the device when the
`power supply to the main unit ahs been turned on; a
`data line for enabling exchange of data between the
`main part and the device; a second power line for ena-
`bling backup power to the device at least when the
`power supply to the main unit has not been turned on;
`and a signal line for transmitting a start signal from the
`device to the main unit.
`[0016]
`In accordance with these features, the main
`unit cannot be supplied with electrical power through
`the first power line when the power supply has been
`turned off, but can be supplied with electrical power
`through the second power line from a backup power
`supply on an automobile. It is therefore possible to send
`the start signal to the main unit via the signal line, under
`the assist of the backup power supplied through the
`second power line. Thus, addition of the second power
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`line and the signal line to a cable such as a USB (Uni(cid:173)
`versal Serial BUS)enables exchange of various kinds of
`data between the main unit and the devices, without
`requiring provision of an independent power cable for
`supplying power to the main unit when the power supply
`has been turned off and without necessitating any sig(cid:173)
`nal cable for transmitting the start signal.
`[0017] The present invention also provides an auto(cid:173)
`motive information system comprising a main unit, and
`a security control unit and a wireless telephone unit that
`are connected to the main unit, wherein the security
`control unit includes; a sensor for sensing an extraordi(cid:173)
`nary event; and means for sending a start signal to the
`main unit: wherein the main unit includes: means for
`detecting the start signal; means operative to turn on
`power supply to the main unit in response to the start
`signal: and means for sending, when the power supply
`is turned on in response to the start signal received from
`the security control unit, a notification request signal to
`the wireless telephone unit to request the wireless tele(cid:173)
`phone unit to send a notification of occurrence of the
`extraordinary event; and wherein the wireless telephone
`unit includes: means for detecting the notification
`request signal; and means for activating the telephone
`function or the wireless telephone unit in response to
`the notification request signal to notify a user of the
`occurrence of the extraordinary event.
`[0018]
`Provided also is a method of controlling an
`automotive information system having a main unit, and
`a security control unit and a wireless telephone unit that
`are connected to the main unit, the method comprising
`the steps of: enabling the security control unit to sense
`an extraordinary event; causing, when the extraordinary
`event is sensed, the security control system to send a
`start signal to the main unit; enabling the main unit to
`detect the start signal; enabling the main unit to turn on
`power supply to the main unit in response to the start
`signal; causing, when the power supply is turned on in
`response to the start signal received from the security
`control unit, the main unit to send a notification request
`signal to the wireless telephone unit to request the wire(cid:173)
`less telephone unit to send a notification of occurrence
`of the extraordinary event; causing the wireless tele(cid:173)
`phone unit to detect the notification request signal; and
`activating a telephone function of the wireless tele(cid:173)
`phone unit in response to the notification request signal
`to notify a user of the occurrence of the extraordinary
`event.
`[0019]
`In accordance with these features, the power
`supply to the main unit is turned on when on extraordi(cid:173)
`nary event is detected by the security control unit, so
`that the main unit causes the wireless telephone unit to
`inform the user of the occurrence of the extraordinary
`event. Upon receipt of the information, the user can
`make haste to the place where the automobile is
`parked. It is thus possible to achieve higher anti-theft or
`security effect than that offered by mere activation of a
`siren or the like.
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`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page 3
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`

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`The automotive information system of the
`[0020]
`invention also permits hand-free telephone conversa(cid:173)
`tion. To this end, the present invention provides an auto(cid:173)
`motive system comprising a main unit, a wireless
`telephone unit connected to the main unit, a speaker,
`and a microphone; wherein the wireless telephone unit
`includes: means for detecting receipt of a telephone
`call; and means for sending a start signal to the main
`unit upon detection of the receipt of the telephone call;
`wherein the main unit includes: means for detecting the
`start signal; means for turning on power supply to the
`main unit in response to the start signal; means for
`informing a user of the receipt of the telephone call
`when the power supply to the main unit is turned on in
`response to the start signal received from the wireless
`telephone unit; means for detecting a responding oper(cid:173)
`ation of the user for responding to the telephone call;
`and means for sending, when the responding operation
`is detected, connecting instruction to the wireless tele(cid:173)
`phone unit to request the wireless telephone unit to con-
`nect the telephone call to the main unit; wherein the
`wireless telephone unit further includes: means for
`detecting
`the connecting
`instruction; and means
`responsive to the connecting instruction, for connecting
`the telephone call to the main unit; and wherein the
`main unit further includes means for enabling the user
`to communicate with the telephone caller by means of
`the speaker and the microphone.
`[0021] The invention also provides a method of con(cid:173)
`trolling an automotive system having a main unit, a wire-
`less telephone unit connected to the main unit, a
`speaker, and a microphone, the method comprising the
`steps of: enabling the wireless telephone unit to detect
`receipt of a telephone call; causing the wireless tele(cid:173)
`phone unit to send a start signal to the main unit upon
`detection of the receipt of the telephone call; enabling
`the main unit to detect the start signal; enabling the
`main unit to turn on power supply to the main unit in
`response to the start signal; enabling the main unit to
`inform a user of the receipt of the telephone call when
`the power supply to the main unit is turned on in
`response to the start signal received from the wireless
`telephone unit; enabling the main unit to detect a
`responding operation of the user for responding to the
`telephone call; causing the main unit to send connecting
`instruction to the wireless telephone unit to request the
`wireless telephone unit to connect the telephone call to
`the main unit; causing the wireless telephone unit to
`detect the connecting instruction; and causing the wire-
`less telephone unit to connect the telephone call to the
`main unit in response to the connecting instruction; and
`causing the main unit to enable the user to communi(cid:173)
`cate with the telephone caller by means of the speaker
`and the microphone.
`In accordance with these features, when tele-
`[0022]
`phone call is received by the automotive telephone,
`e.g., a cellular phone, the power supply to the main unit
`is turned on to activate the automotive information sys-
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`tern. When the user wishes to be connected to the call,
`he conducts a predetermined operation which automat(cid:173)
`ically triggers the telephone unit to connect the tele(cid:173)
`phone call to the user, whereby hand-free telephone
`conversation is conducted by using the speaker and the
`microphone, with the aid of an amplifier incorporated in
`the automotive information system.
`[0023] The present invention also provides an elec(cid:173)
`tronic device which is incorporated in the automotive
`information system and which can start the main unit of
`the system. Thus, the present invention provides an
`electronic device to be connected to a control unit of an
`automotive information system, comprising: means for
`detecting that a predetermined condition has been sat(cid:173)
`isfied; means for sending a start signal to the control
`unit upon detection of satisfaction of the predetermined
`condition; and means for answering an inquiry given by
`the control unit as to whether the electronic device has
`sent the start signal.
`[0024] The present invention also provides a control
`unit that constitutes the main unit of an automotive infor(cid:173)
`mation system and that can be started up by a device
`which is one of the constituent devices of the automo(cid:173)
`tive information system. Thus, the present invention
`provides an automotive information system control unit
`implementing an automotive information system in
`cooperation with at least one electronic device con(cid:173)
`nected thereto, the automotive information system con(cid:173)
`trol unit comprising: means for detecting a start signal
`sent from the electronic device; means for turning on
`power supply to the main unit upon detection of the start
`signal; and means for inquiring, when the power supply
`is turned on in response to the start signal, the elec(cid:173)
`tronic device whether the electronic device has sent the
`start signal.
`[0025] With these features, it is possible to implement
`an automotive
`information system by assembling
`together electronic devices and control unit selected
`from among various types of electronic devices and
`control units, thus offering a greater degree of freedom
`in the configuration of the automotive information sys(cid:173)
`tem.
`In accordance with another aspect of the
`[0026]
`present invention, there is provided a disk playback
`apparatus according to the present invention comprises
`means for reading audio data and digital data from
`recording mediums, and a decoder for converting both
`the read audio data and digital data into output data in
`the same protocol format.
`[0027] A disk playback method of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion is implemented in the disk playback apparatus of
`the present invention, and comprises the steps of read(cid:173)
`ing audio data and digital data from recording mediums,
`and converting both the read audio data and digital data
`into output data in the same protocol format.
`[0028] With the above features, when any of audio
`data and digital data is read from a recording medium,
`the read data is converted into the same protocol for-
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`mat. Therefore, the whole or a part of processing of the
`audio data and the digital data can be realized with the
`same procedure and configuration.
`In the disk playback apparatus, preferably, the
`[0029]
`audio data is read from a musical CD, and the digital
`data is read from a CD-ROM.
`[0030] With the above features, a disk playback appa(cid:173)
`ratus of the so-called compatible type reading audio
`data from a musical CD and digital data from a CD(cid:173)
`ROM can be used to perform both playback of music
`and digital information processing required in car navi(cid:173)
`gation, etc.
`In the disk playback apparatus, preferably, the
`[0031]
`decoder converts both the audio data and the digital
`data into output data in the ATAPI format.
`[0032] Also, in the disk playback method, preferably,
`the converting step converts both the audio data and
`the digital data into output data in the ATAPI format.
`[0033] With the above features, the disk playback
`apparatus produces output data in the ATAPI format.
`Any of the audio data read from a musical CD and the
`digital data read from a CD-ROM can be therefore eas-
`ily processed with the same IDE interface through com(cid:173)
`munication using a command packet similarly to a
`SCSI.
`The disk playback apparatus, preferably, fur(cid:173)
`[0034]
`ther comprises a controller for outputting both the output
`data converted from the audio data and the output data
`converted from the digital data in the same interface for(cid:173)
`mat.
`[0035] Also, the desk playback method, preferably, fur-
`ther comprises a step of outputting both the output data
`converted from the audio data and the output data con(cid:173)
`verted from the digital data in the same interface format.
`[0036] With the above features, the output data con-
`verted from the audio data and the output data con(cid:173)
`verted from the digital data are both outputted in the
`same interface format. Accordingly, both the output data
`can be transmitted through the same cable.
`The disk playback apparatus, preferably, fur-
`[0037]
`ther comprises a controller for outputting both the output
`data converted from the audio data and the output data
`converted from the digital data through the same daisy
`chain line.
`[0038] With the above features, since a plurality of
`units including the disk playback apparatus are con(cid:173)
`nected one after another through a daisy chain line, an
`automotive information system having simpler wiring
`can be easily constructed.
`In the disk playback apparatus, preferably, the
`[0039]
`daisy chain line comprises a universal serial bus.
`[0040] With the above features, since a universal
`serial bus (USB) is employed as the daisy chain line, a
`number of various units can be easily connected.
`In the disk playback apparatus, preferably, the
`[0041]
`controller sends the output data converted from the
`audio data by isochronous transfer.
`[0042] With the above features, the transfer capacity
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`of the daisy chain line is not affected by the availability
`factor of a bus unlike the case of using bulk transfer.
`Since the constant transfer capacity and transfer timing
`are always ensured, a plurality of units can transfer suc-
`cessive data simultaneously.
`In the disk playback apparatus, preferably, the
`[0043]
`controller sends the output data converted from the dig(cid:173)
`ital data by bulk transfer.
`With the above features, bulk transfer is
`[0044]
`employed to send digital data which does not require it
`to be ensured that a certain amount of data is trans-
`ferred for a certain period of time. The bulk transfer pro(cid:173)
`vides much higher quality of transferred data than the
`isochronous transfer because error correction and
`retransmission of data are made in the bulk transfer if
`there occurs an error in data transfer.
`The disk playback apparatus, preferably, fur(cid:173)
`[0045]
`ther comprises control means for transferring the output
`data converted by the decoder to the controller.
`[0046] Also, the disk playback method, preferably, fur(cid:173)
`ther comprises a step of transferring the output data
`converted by the converting step to the outputting step
`with at least one of direct memory access and parallel
`bit-number conversion.
`[0047] With the above features, the control means
`changes the bit width of data transferred, and controls
`the direct memory access (DMA) transfer. It is therefore
`possible to achieve increased flexibility of unit combina(cid:173)
`tions and smooth data transfer between the decoder
`30 and the controller.
`In the disk playback apparatus, preferably, the
`[0048]
`control means controls direct memory access.
`[0049] With the above features, since data read from
`a disk is transferred at a high speed using DMA, even
`audio data read from a medium having a large mount of
`data and high sound quality, such as a musical CD, can
`also be easily processed.
`In the disk playback apparatus, preferably, the
`[0050]
`control means converts the number of bits that is a unit
`of the output data transferred from the decoder to the
`controller.
`[0051] With the above features, the number of bits is
`converted which is a unit of the output data transferred
`from the decoder to the controller. Therefore, a decoder
`and a controller employing different numbers of bits as
`respective units in processing, e.g., an ATAPI decoder
`employing 16 bits and a USB controller employing 8
`bits, can be used in a combined manner.
`The disk playback apparatus, preferably, fur(cid:173)
`[0052]
`ther comprises a ROM storing a program to control the
`controller, and an address latch for accessing the ROM
`from the controller.
`[0053] With the above features, by the operation of the
`address latch, a part of an address bus used for access(cid:173)
`ing the ROM from the controller can serve also as a
`data bus. Supposing, for example, that the controller
`outputs data having an address designated by 16 bits,
`i.e., bits O - 15, and the ROM sends back data of 8 bits,
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`the data of 8 bits read from the ROM can be received by
`the ports of the controller which have been used for out(cid:173)
`putting the data, by holding the bits 8 - 15 of the address
`bus in the latch.
`[0054] These and other objects, features and advan-
`tages of the present invention will become clear from
`the following description when the same is read in con(cid:173)
`junction with the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`5
`
`10
`
`the ATAPI decoder writes data in an S-RAM through
`DMA data transmission; and
`FIG. 16 is an illustration of an operation of the data
`converter, showing particularly the manner in which
`data is read by the USB controller from the S-RAM
`through DMA transmission.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI(cid:173)
`MENTS
`
`[0055]
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall con(cid:173)
`figuration of an automotive information system
`embodying the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a function for
`turning on power supply to a main unit of the auto(cid:173)
`motive information system by a start signal given by
`a component device of the system;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal
`structure of the main unit;
`FIG. 4 is an illustration of a practical form of the
`configuration of a CPU host ASIC incorporated in
`the automotive information system;
`FIG. 5 is an illustration of the configuration of an
`interrupt control register incorporated in the auto(cid:173)
`motive information system;
`FIG. 6 is an illustration of the processing performed
`by the interrupt control register;
`FIG. 7 is an illustration of a change in the signal
`handled by an interrupt signal monitoring circuit;
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process for turn-
`ing on power supply to the main unit by a start sig(cid:173)
`nal given by a component device;
`FIG. 9 is an illustration of a change in a reset signal
`employed in the automotive information system;
`FIG. 10 is a function block diagram showing the
`configuration of the CD-ROM auto-changer used in
`a second embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 11 is an illustration or a concept of address
`latching
`function
`implemented
`in
`the second
`embodiment, in a state in which no strobe signal
`has been issued;
`FIG. 12 is an illustration of a concept of address
`latching
`function
`implemented
`in
`the second
`embodiment, in a state in which a strobe signal has
`been issued;
`FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a practical con(cid:173)
`figuration of a data converter incorporated in the
`second embodiment;
`FIG. 14 is an illustration of an operation of the data
`converter used in the second embodiment, showing
`particularly the manner in which a USB controller
`makes access to the ATAPI decoder in a interactive
`manner;
`FIG. 15 is an illustration of an operation of the data
`converter, showing particularly the manner in which
`
`15
`
`20
`
`[0056] A first embodiment of the present invention will
`now be described with specific reference to FIGs. 1 to 9.
`[0057] The embodiment is implemented by combining
`various hardware architectures and a computer which
`operates under the control of software. Various kinds of
`software to be used for controlling the computer are
`formed by combining various kinds of commands which
`are described in this specification. The term "software"
`includes not only the program codes but also data to be
`relied upon when the program codes are executed. The
`software thus formed achieves the advantage offered by
`the present invention, by making effective use of not
`only various kinds of audio devices incorporated in the
`automotive information system but also of physical
`25 processing devices such as a CPU and various kinds of
`chip sets.
`[0058] The hardware and the software implementing
`the present invention can have a wide variety. For
`instance, a certain function may be implemented either
`30 by a physical electronic circuit such as an LSI or by soft(cid:173)
`ware, depending on factors such as the overall circuit
`configuration and processing performance of the CPU.
`A variety of types of software can be used, such as
`compiler, assembler, microprogram, and so forth. When
`the software or program for implementing the present
`invention is stored in a storage medium, such a storage
`medium by itself provides an aspect of the present
`invention.
`Thus, the present invention can be imple-
`[0059]
`40 mented in various forms by using a computer. The fol(cid:173)
`lowing description of
`the embodiment,
`therefore,
`proceeds by making reference to the drawings showing
`imaginary circuit blocks
`that
`implement
`functions
`employed in the invention.
`
`35
`
`1. Configuration
`
`1-1. Overall configuration
`
`[0060] The automotive information system of the first
`embodiment has a main unit which conducts overall
`control of the whole system and a plurality of compo(cid:173)
`nent devices or units connected to the main unit. The
`first embodiment features a function for enabling one or
`more component units to start the main unit by turning
`on a power supply to the main unit. A description will be
`given first of the component units connected to the main
`unit 1, with reference to FIG. 1 which shows function
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`6
`
`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page