WO2007032654A1

WO2007032654A1 - In-vehicle multifunctional information device

Info

Publication number: WO2007032654A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/003710
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kwang Baig
Original assignee: Maxan Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-09-16
Filing date: 2006-09-18
Publication date: 2007-03-22

Abstract

An in-vehicle multifunctional information device provides not only an audio function but also a variety of multimedia content to the driver. The device includes a main body, a monitor, and an input panel. The main body includes a main controller for controlling the overall operation of the device, selectively receiving and outputting a terrestrial broadcast signal, and providing a plurality of user applications. The monitor outputs a broadcast signal provided from the main body or outputs content reproduced by a user application. The input panel includes a sub controller for displaying a user application menu provided from the main body, receiving and processing an operating command input by the user, and detecting starting or stopping of an engine of the vehicle and an operating state of the main body that is in operation and controlling the operation of the main body.

Description

IN-VEHICLE MULTIFUNCTIONAL INFORMATION DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an in-vehicle multifunctional information device, and more particularly to an in-vehicle multifunctional information device that can provide not only an audio function but also a variety of multimedia content to a driver.

Description of the Related Art

Most vehicles have a car audio unit to listen to the radio or music. The driver can obtain information from a terrestrial radio signal received through the car audio unit and can listen to music from a music CD or cassette tape in the car audio unit, providing entertainment while driving the vehicle.

As technologies for high image quality, small-size liquid crystal displays have been developed, in-vehicle TVs having TV tuners for receiving and outputting terrestrial broadcast signals have been developed and provided to users.

In-vehicle navigation systems have also been developed to offer convenience to drivers when driving vehicles. The in-vehicle navigation system is a system that receives a destination input by the user and conducts route guidance to the destination. Most of the navigation systems receive GPS signals from a GPS satellite, calculate the current position of a vehicle that is traveling, calculate a route with the shortest distance to the destination, and display the calculated route on a map or conduct voice guidance of the route.

With development of audio and video compression technologies such as MP3 and MPEG4, a variety of portable multimedia devices have been developed and have gained great popularity.

However, in order to use the navigation system and multimedia data, the driver must individually purchase devices necessary for them. In addition, in order to attach the purchased devices to the vehicle and to allow them to cooperate with the car audio unit, the driver must use separate connection equipment or attaching means.

The driver may be distracted from driving when operating a variety of devices installed around the driver' s seat. In addition, a number of dedicated holders used to fix the variety of devices to the interior of the vehicle damage the internal appearance of the vehicle.

An in-vehicle multimedia device, which is commonly referred to as a car PC, has been developed to overcome these problems. The car PC reproduces and provides a variety of multimedia data.

However, since the overall operation of the car PC is controlled using a single controller (for example, a CPU) , fluctuating power may be supplied to the car PC due to the limited environment of the car PC inside the vehicle. The car PC has no way to prevent a power supply overload or an increase in the temperature of the power supply above a specified temperature, which may cause a failure in the car PC.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle multifunctional information device that can not only receive terrestrial TV and radio broadcasts but also provide a variety of multimedia content to the user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle multifunctional information device that includes not only a main controller to control the overall operation of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device but also a sub controller to control the operation of the main controller according to the state of the main controller, so that the system can be kept more stable.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle multifunctional information device that has, in addition to a main controller to control the overall operation of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device, a sub controller to detect and provide states of the vehicle to the user and to control the operation of the main controller according to the state of the main controller and starting or stopping of the engine of the vehicle, so that the system can be kept more stable.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle multifunctional information device that can capture and provide a rear image of a vehicle to a driver through a monitor when the vehicle moves backward. It is another object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle multifunctional information device that can control brightness of a monitor and input buttons according to a headlight control by the driver and an operating state of the vehicle. It is another object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle multifunctional information device that can store and provide a state information record of a vehicle so that the state information record can be used as information useful for maintenance of the vehicle such as the time to perform inspection and repair of the vehicle or the time to replace consumables of the vehicle at a later time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle multifunctional information device that can provide a variety of control means for voice reading, voice recognition, and the like to ensure safe driving of the driver.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an in-vehicle multifunctional information device provided in a front panel, the device comprising a main body provided in a depression in a front panel, the main body having therein a monitor receiving space with a front opening, the main body including a main controller for controlling overall operations of the in- vehicle multifunctional information device, selectively receiving and outputting a terrestrial broadcast signal, and providing a plurality of user applications; a monitor for outputting a broadcast signal output from the main body or outputting content reproduced by a user application, the monitor being provided in the monitor receiving space, wherein the monitor moves forward and is then erected vertically through driving means; and an input panel coupled to a front side of the main body such that the input panel opens and closes, the input panel including a sub controller for displaying a user application menu provided from the main body, receiving and processing an operating command input by a user, and detecting starting or stopping of an engine of a vehicle and an operating state of the main body that is in operation and controlling an operation of the main body.

The input panel is attached to the front side of the main body such that the input panel opens and closes. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device is inserted in a space that is formed in the vehicle to install a car audio unit. When the user inputs a drive command through the input panel, the monitor, which has been housed in a receiving space, is slid out of the receiving space and is then driven according to the drive command. When the in-vehicle multifunctional information device is activated, a user application menu provided by the main body according to an operating program stored in a memory provided in the main body is displayed on the monitor. The user inputs a command to run a desired application through a touch screen of the monitor or through the input panel and the main body receives the command and runs the application.

User applications provided by the main body include a player required to reproduce terrestrial TV and radio broadcasts and music or video, a car navigation application, a wireless Internet browser, etc. In a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device includes individual controllers for the main body and the input panel, which are referred to as main and sub controllers. The sub controller provided in the input panel detects starting or stopping of the engine of the vehicle and controls the power of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device and controls the operation of the in- vehicle multifunctional information device according to the state of the main body, thereby ensuring that the system is kept more stable.

Preferably, the input panel includes one or more navigation keys, a touch pad, and a power (or voltage) detector, in addition to the sub controller. The navigation keys receive an operating command from the user. The touch pad displays state information of the main body and a user application menu provided by the main body. The touch pad receives and outputs selection information of an application on the menu from the user. The touch pad supports a pointing device function of a user interface provided through the monitor. The power detector detects and outputs power or voltage supplied to the main body. The sub controller includes an input signal processor, a power manager, and an operation controller. The input signal processor processes an input signal from the touch pad. The power manager receives a power detection signal output from the power detector, calculates the level of power according to the power detection signal, and controls the operation of the main body according to the calculated power level. The operation controller detects starting or stopping of the engine of the vehicle and controls the operation of the in- vehicle multifunctional information device.

According to the present invention, the single in- vehicle multifunctional information device not only functions as a car audio unit but also provides a variety of multimedia content to the user so that there is no need to install a number of multimedia devices in the vehicle. The main body controls the overall operation of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device while the sub controller in the input panel controls the operation of the main body, so that the system can be kept more stable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view schematically showing the in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a main body and a monitor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view schematically illustrating a user application that is provided through the monitor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an input panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing menus displayed on a touch pad of the input panel shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a main body and a monitor according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an input panel according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rear image that is captured by a rear detection camera as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and is then displayed on the monitor;

FIG. 10 is a side view schematically illustrating an in- vehicle multifunctional information device according to another aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional plan view according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The above and other aspects of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Now, the preferred embodiments will be described in detail so that the present invention will be easily understood and realized by those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view illustrating the in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to the preferred embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 according to the present invention is preferably manufactured to have a size suitable for insertion into a car audio container provided to contain a car audio in a vehicle. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 includes a main body 100, a monitor 200, and an input panel 300. The main body 100 is provided in a depression in a front panel of the vehicle. A monitor receiving space 107 with a front opening is defined in the main body 100. The main body 100 includes a main controller that controls overall operations of the in- vehicle multifunctional device 10, selectively receives and outputs a terrestrial broadcast signal, and provides a plurality of user applications. The monitor 200 is included in the monitor receiving space 107. Driving means 103 and 105 cause the monitor 200 to move forward and then to be erected vertically. The monitor 200 displays content reproduced by a user application or a broadcast signal output from the main body 100. The input panel 300 is coupled to the front side of the main body 100 such that it is slidably opened and closed. The input panel 300 displays a user application menu provided from the main body 100 and receives and processes an operating command input by the user. The input panel 300 includes a sub controller for detecting an operation state of the main body 100 and controlling the operation of the main body 100.

For example, the main body 100 may be implemented to have a shape similar to a car audio. The main body 100 is inserted in the front panel of the vehicle. A monitor receiving space 107 with a front opening is defined in a front upper end of the main body 100 to receive the monitor 200. One or more gears 201 are provided on an end portion of the monitor 200 to allow an ejected monitor 20 to be erected vertically through rotation of the motor. Initially, the monitor 200 is received in the monitor receiving space 107 and, when the driver inputs a driving command, the driving means 103 and 105 in the main body 100 cause the monitor 200 to move forward so that it is ejected from the monitor receiving space 107. When the ejection is completed, the monitor 200 engages the gears 201 provided on the monitor 200, which causes the monitor 200 to be erected vertically so that the driver can view a screen displayed on the monitor 200. The driving means 103 and 105 for ejecting and erecting the monitor 200 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2. The driving means 103 and 105 included in the main body 100 of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 according to the present invention include a guide 101, a forward movement driver 103, and an erection driver 105. The guide 101 is provided between the monitor 200 and the monitor receiving space 107 to guide the monitor 200 when the monitor 200 moves forward. The forward movement driver 103 is provided on a rear portion of the monitor 200 to move the monitor forward along the guide 101. The erection driver 105 erects the monitor 200 vertically when the monitor 200 has moved forward.

The guide 101 guides the monitor 200 along a path to allow the monitor to be properly inserted into and ejected from the monitor receiving space 101. The guide 101 may be formed as a groove formed in the main body 100. The guide 101 guides the monitor 200 along a correct path when the monitor is ejected and inserted through the driving means 103 and 105.

The forward movement driver 103 includes a forward movement drive motor 103-1, a driving shaft 103-2, and deceleration means 103-3. The forward movement drive motor

103-1 produces a driving force causing the monitor 200 to move forward along the guide 101. The driving shaft 103-2 includes a roll for converting the driving force (i.e., a rotation movement) of the forward movement drive motor 103-1 into a translation movement for moving the monitor 200 forward or backward. The deceleration means 103-3 is connected to the driving shaft 103-2 and includes a number of gears for accurate ejection and insertion of the monitor 200. When power is supplied to the main body 100, the forward movement driver 103 drives the forward movement drive motor 103-1 and a rotation movement of the forward movement drive motor 103-1 is converted into a translation movement through the driving shaft 103-2 and the deceleration means 103-3. The converted translation movement is transferred to the monitor 200 through transfer means such as a link to cause the monitor 200 to move forward. When the monitor 200 has been completely ejected to a specified position, driving the forward movement drive motor 103-1 is terminated so that the monitor 200 no longer moves forward. When the ejection of the monitor 200 has been completed through the forward movement driver 103-1, the erection driver 105 erects the monitor 200 vertically. The erection driver 105 includes at least one pair of gear drivers 105-1 that transfer a driving force of an erection drive motor 105-2 so that the monitor 200 is erected vertically when the monitor has moved forward.

The erection driver 105 includes the erection drive motor 105-2 which produces a driving force for erecting the ejected monitor 200 vertically. The gear drivers 105-1 included in the erection driver 105 transfer the driving force of the erection drive motor 105-2 and engage the gears 201 provided on an end portion of the monitor to erect the monitor 200 vertically. When the ejection of the monitor 200 through the forward movement driver 103 is completed, the erection driver 105 drives the erection drive motor 105-2. Then, through acceleration means 105-3 and a gear driver 105-1 which are connected to the respective driving shafts and which include a number of gears for accurately erecting the monitor 200, a driving force produced by the erection drive motor 105-2 is transferred to the gears 201 provided on an end portion of the monitor 200, thereby causing the monitor 200 to be erected vertically. As described above, the drivers 103 and 105 allow the monitor 200 to be inserted into the main body 200 and to be ejected from the main body when power is supplied to the main body 100.

The functions of the main body 100 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the main body and the monitor of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 100 includes a tuner unit 110, a memory 120, and a main controller 130. The tuner unit 110 selectively receives and outputs a terrestrial TV or radio signal. The memory 120 stores an operating program for the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10, a plurality of user applications, and a plurality of content items. The main controller 130 controls the overall operation of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10. The main body 100 according to the present invention further includes an optical drive 140 that accesses data stored in optical storage media such as CD and DVD and a plurality of input buttons 150 that includes a power button to activate and deactivate the main body 100.

The tuner unit 110 includes radio and TV tuners that selectively receive and output a terrestrial broadcast signal. The radio tuner selectively receives and outputs a radio broadcast desired by the user from among terrestrial broadcasts input through a radio antenna provided on the main body 100. The TV tuner selectively receives and outputs a TV broadcast desired by the user from among terrestrial broadcasts input through a TV antenna provided on the main body 100.

The memory 120 may be embodied as a high capacity hard disk for computer systems. More preferably, the memory 120 is embodied as a hard disk for laptop computers to reduce the size of the main body 100.

The memory 120 stores an operating system such as MS Windows or Linux for operating the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10. The memory 120 also stores user applications that operate in conjunction with the operating program to provide video and audio content and various other types of content. The memory 120 also stores video and audio data and various user data compressed according to a coding method such as MP3 and MPEG4 that are to be reproduced through user applications. Access to such data stored in the memory 120 is controlled by the operating program run by the main controller 130.

For example, the optical drive 140 is implemented as a drive that can handle CD-ROM and DVD-ROM or CD and DVD. The main controller 130 accesses data stored in an optical disc through the optical drive 140 and provides the data to the user through the monitor 200. The optical drive 140 is known in the art and a detailed description thereof is omitted herein. The main controller 130 controls the overall operation of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device and includes a broadcast signal processor 131 and a command processor 132. The broadcast signal processor 131 extracts video or audio data from a TV or radio signal output from the tuner unit 110 and provides the extracted video or audio data to the monitor 200. The command processor 132 provides, through the monitor 200, a user interface provided as the operating program runs, and processes an operating command input through the monitor 200 or the input panel 300. When a radio function is selected by the user through the operating program, the broadcast signal processor 131 separates an audio signal from a radio broadcast signal received by the radio tuner, converts the separated audio signal into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal to the monitor 200.

When a TV function is selected by the user through the operating program, the broadcast signal processor 131 processes and outputs a TV broadcast signal received by the radio tuner to the monitor 200. The TV broadcast signal is received as a signal that combines video and audio signals. The broadcast signal processor 131 includes a video/audio separation circuit that separates the received TV broadcast signal into video and audio signals. The video and audio signals separated by the video/audio separation circuit are output to the monitor 200. According to a drive command for the main body 100, the command processor 132 accesses and runs the operating program stored in the memory 120 to control the overall operation of the main body 100. According to the operating program, the command processor 132 runs a user application selected by the user and reproduces and provides content including multimedia data stored in the memory 120 or the optical drive 140.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the main controller 130 according to the present invention further includes a key guide information provider 133 that provides guide information of input keys on the input panel 300 that are used as a different type of keys depending on the user application.

Specifically, the key guide information is information of input keys on the input panel 300 that are assigned a different type of functions depending on a user application that is selected and driven by the user. For example, the key guide information provider 133 provides images of a plurality of keys provided on the input panel 300 and provides text of the guide information of the respective functions of the keys.

When the input keys on the input panel 300 are set as navigation keys 310, the key guide information provider 133 displays images of the navigation keys 310 on the monitor 200 and provides text information of the respective functions assigned to the navigation keys. As the information of keys that are assigned different functions depending on the application is provided to the user, the user can more easily use the in-vehicle multifunctional information device. According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to the present invention supports a navigation function. In this aspect, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 according to the present invention further includes a GPS antenna that is detachably coupled to the main body 100 and receives and outputs a GPS signal output from a GPS satellite, and the main controller 130 further includes a navigation information provider 134 that receives a GPS signal output from the GPS antenna and calculates a current position of the vehicle, and displays travel information of the vehicle based on the calculated position on the monitor 200.

The GPS antenna, which is detachably coupled to the main body 100, receives and outputs a GPS signal to the navigation information provider 134. The navigation information provider 134 receives a GPS signal and calculates a current position of the vehicle. The navigation information provider 134 then searches map information in the memory 120 based on the calculated current position to retrieve and output a map of an area within a specific distance from the calculated current position, together with the current position and travel direction of the vehicle, to the monitor 200. The navigation system is known in the art and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted herein. According to another aspect of the present invention, the main body 100 of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to the present invention includes a wireless Internet module 160 that establishes a connection with the Internet and transmits and receives data to and from the Internet to provide Internet services to the user.

The wireless Internet module 160 establishes a connection with a wireless communication network of an area where wireless Internet services are available and transmits and receives data to and from the wireless communication network through a wireless Internet protocol to provide wireless Internet services to the user. Here, the wireless Internet services include not only wireless Internet services provided through the current wireless Internet protocol such as Netspot or Wibro services provided by Korea Telecom (KT) but also wireless Internet services provided through future wireless Internet protocols that will be developed and used at a later time. This allows the user to receive an Internet service without separate equipment in an area where the wireless Internet service is provided. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to the present invention may further include a wired Internet module to provide wired Internet services.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to the present invention further includes an interface unit 170 that transmits and receives data to and from an external input or output device.

For example, the interface unit 170 may be embodied as a USB port. The interface unit 170 can be connected to a variety of external devices such as storage devices, mobile communication terminals, and cameras that support USB communication. The interface unit 170 may also be embodied as an RS232 or other conventional serial port.

In addition, when an Internet card is connected to the in-vehicle multifunctional information device through the Interface unit 170, the device can receive wired Internet services. That is, the Internet card can be detachably coupled to the in-vehicle multifunctional information device through the Internet unit 170 to receive wired Internet services.

The monitor 200 is housed in a receiving space defined in the in-vehicle multifunctional information device. When a command to drive the device is input or when the engine of the vehicle starts, the monitor 200 is slid out of the receiving space and then displays video and audio data output from the main body 100. The monitor 200 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 4 is a view schematically illustrating a user application that is provided through the monitor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the monitor 200 includes a touch screen 210 and at least one audio output unit 220. The touch screen 210 displays a user interface or content output from the main body 100, and receives an operating command through the user interface and outputs the operating command to the main body 100. The audio output unit 220 outputs audio data output from the main body 100. The monitor 200 may further include input buttons 230 such as a power button and a volume button to adjust the volume of audio output through the audio output unit 220.

The touch screen 210 provides a user interface provided by an operating program run by the command processor 132 of the main body 100 and displays a plurality of user application menus registered in the main body 100 and stored in the memory 120. The touch screen 210 uses pressure sensor lines closely arranged in a lattice pattern on the surface of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device of a specific size to transfer a pressed position on the screen to the command processor 132 of the main body 100. In another method, the surface of the LCD device is charged, and the amount of charges lost when a position on the screen is touched is detected using sensors arranged around the surface to determine the touched position. In an alternative method, infrared light emitting diodes (LED) are arranged around the screen to form an infrared light lattice, and, when a position on the screen is touched, the absence of infrared light that is blocked by the touching is detected to determine the touched position. Using these methods, the touch screen 210 detects and transfers the touched position to the command processor 132 to perform a function corresponding to the input position.

The input function of the touch screen 210 supports all features of the pointing device function such as click, draw, and scroll supported by a mouse for general computers. The command processor 132 associates a position detected on the touch screen 210 with an operating command displayed on the user interface to process the operating command.

The audio output unit 220 may be a speaker that converts audio data output from the broadcast signal processor 131 of the main body 100 and audio data output during the operation of a variety of user applications into audible sound.

The input panel 300 is attached to the front side of the main body 100 by hinging an end thereof to the main body 100 such that the input panel 300 opens and closes. The input panel 300 detects starting or stopping of the engine of the vehicle and an operating state of the main body 100 and controls the operation of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device, displays user application menus that can be provided by the main body 100, and provides input selection information to the main body 100. The input panel 300 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the input panel shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing menus displayed on the touch pad of the input panel shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the input panel 300 includes one or more navigation keys 310, a touch pad 320, a power detector 330, and a sub controller 340. The navigation keys 310 receive an operating command from the user. The touch pad 320 displays state information of the main body 100 and a user application menu provided by the main body 100. The touch pad 320 receives and outputs selection information of an application on the menu from the user. The touch pad 320 supports a pointing device function of a user interface provided through the monitor 200. The power detector 330 detects and outputs power supplied to the main body 100. The sub controller 340 controls the overall operation of the input panel 300, and detects the operating state of the main body 100 and controls the operation of the main body 100. Preferably, two navigation keys 310 are provided on the left and right sides of the touch pad 320 that is provided on the front side of the input panel 300 at the center thereof. One of the two navigation keys 310 is used to perform multimedia player functions such as play, pause, stop, next track, and previous track of multimedia data. The other navigation key 310 functions both as arrow direction keys and an enter key of a keyboard.

The touch pad 320 is embodied as a small touch screen 210 that displays state information of the main body 100 and a user application menu provided by the main body 100, receives and outputs selection information of an application on the menu from the user, and supports a pointing device function of a user interface provided through the monitor 200.

The touch pad 320 supports a mode function that provides user applications provided by the main body 100 in a stepwise manner. When the mode function is selected by the user, the touch pad 320 displays menus of user applications, sequentially from higher to lower menus, so that the user can easily select a user application on each menu such as a music, video, or navigation application.

In addition to the input function for selecting desired functions, the touch pad 320 supports a pointing device function to move a pointer on the screen of the monitor 200, in place of the mouse. The touch pad 320 also provides state information of the main body 100 including, for example, the level of power (or voltage) supplied to the main body 100 and a change in the temperature of the main body 100.

The touch pad 320 operates in conjunction with state detectors provided on the vehicle, and receives and displays, for example, vehicle battery information, fuel state information, vehicle temperature information, and vehicle speed information from the state detectors.

The power detector 330 is provided between a power supply terminal of the main body 100 and a generator that supplies power to all electrical devices used in the vehicle. The power detector 330 detects power, which is supplied from the generator of the vehicle to the main body 100, and outputs the detected signal to the sub controller 340.

The sub controller 340 controls the overall operation of the input panel 300 and detects an operating state of the main body 100 and controls the operation of the main body 100. The sub controller 340 i'ncludes an input signal processor 341, a power manager 342, and an operation controller 343. The input signal processor 341 processes an input signal from the touch pad 320. The power manager 342 receives a power detection signal output from the power detector 330, calculates the level of power according to the power detection signal, and controls the operation of the main body 100 according to the calculated power level. The operation controller 343 detects starting or stopping of the engine of the vehicle and controls the operation of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10.

The input signal processor 341 receives or collects a user application provided by the main body 100 and displays the user application on the touch pad 320. The input signal processor 341 provides selection information of a user application, which has been input through the touch pad 320, and position information, which the user has input through the touch pad 320 using the pointing device function, to the command processor 132 of the main body 100.

The power manager 342 receives a power detection signal output from the power detector 330 and calculates the level of power supplied to the main body 100. If the calculated power level is not suitable for driving the main body 100, for example, if excessive power or power lower than the minimum power required to drive the main body 100 is being supplied to the main body 100, the power manager 342 outputs a signal for stopping the operation of the main body 100 to the command processor 132 of the main body, which prevents electrical damage to the main body 100 that would otherwise be caused by uneven power supplied thereto due to the limited environment of the vehicle. The operation controller 343 detects starting or stopping of the engine of the vehicle and controls the operation of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10. When the driver starts the engine of the vehicle, the operation controller 343 detects the starting of the engine of the vehicle and transmits a drive command to the main body 100, and the main controller 130 of the main body 100 receives the drive command and drives each component of the main body 100.

According to an aspect of the present invention, when stopping of the engine of the vehicle is detected, the operation controller 343 according to the present invention allows the operation of the main body 100 and the monitor 200, other than the sub controller 330, to be kept in standby mode. In the standby mode, the operation of the main body 100 is not completely stopped and instead, as with the power management function of Windows, the operation of internal circuitry of the main body 100 is stopped while the RAM operates to drive the controller to consume the minimum power required to drive the controller.

Even if the engine of the vehicle stops and the main body 100 and the monitor 200 are kept in the standby mode, the sub controller 330 operates to continuously detect the state of the vehicle, so that, when the user restarts the engine of the vehicle, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 can be used in a short time without any delay due to the booting process of the operating program. Thus, the sub controller 330 is preferably embodied as a small, low power, temperature-resistant processing unit. According to an aspect of the present invention, the operation controller 343 according to the present invention detects the level of a battery that supplies power to the in- vehicle multifunctional information device 10 and stops the operation of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 when the detected battery level is a specific level or less.

This prevents electrical damage to the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 caused by abnormal power supplied to the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 and also prevents discharge of the battery of the vehicle caused by unnecessary operation of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the sub controller 330 according to the present invention further includes a vehicle information provider 344 that receives state information of the vehicle, including vehicle battery information, fuel state information, vehicle temperature information, and vehicle speed information, which are provided from detectors for detecting states of the vehicle, and displays the received state information of the vehicle on the touch pad 320.

Specifically, the vehicle information provider 344 operates in conjunction with detectors such as a power (or voltage) detection circuit for detecting the power (or voltage) level of a battery provided in the vehicle, a fuel gauge for measuring the fuel level, a thermometer for measuring the temperature of the engine, and a speedometer for measuring the speed of the vehicle, and displays state information of the vehicle such as vehicle battery information, fuel state information, vehicle temperature information, and vehicle speed information, which are provided from the detectors, on the touch pad 320.

This allows the user to check, at a glance, the states of the vehicle on the touch pad 320 of the input panel 300.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the sub controller 340 according to the present invention detects a change in the temperature of main body 100 as the main body 100 operates and controls the operation of the main body 100. In this aspect, the input panel 300 further includes a temperature detector 350 that detects a change in the temperature of the main body 100 and outputs a temperature detection signal to the power manager 342. The power manager 342 receives the temperature detection signal output from the temperature detector 350, determines whether or not the temperature of the main body 100 is out of a suitable temperature range for driving the main body 100, and controls the operation of the main body 100 according to the determination. The temperature detector 350 can be embodied as a temperature sensor that detects the internal temperature of the main body 100. The temperature detector 350 detects a change in the internal temperature of the main body 100, which may rise due to the operation of the vehicle or due to heat produced as the main body 100 operates, and outputs the temperature change to the power manager 342.

The power manager 342 receives a temperature detection signal output from the temperature detector 350 and calculates the internal temperature of the main body 100. If the calculated internal temperature is not suitable for driving the main body 100, for example, if the temperature of internal circuits of the main body 100 is out of a suitable temperature range for driving the circuits (i.e., if the temperature thereof is too low or high) , the power manager 342 outputs a signal for stopping the operation of the main body 100 to the command processor 132 of the main body, thereby preventing the main body 100 from being damaged by heat.

As described above, the input panel 300 detects the operating state of the main body 100 and controls the operation of the main body 100 according to the detected operating state, thereby preventing damage to the main body 100 and thus keeping the system more stable.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to the present invention further includes a remote controller 400 that transmits an operating command received from the user to the main body 100 through wireless communication. The remote controller 400 includes a plurality of input buttons and transmits operating commands input from the user to the main body 100 through infrared communication with the main body 100. The remote controller 400 is known in the art and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted herein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a main body and a monitor according to another embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an input panel according to another embodiment of the present invention. According to an additional aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the in- vehicle multifunctional information device 10 according to the present invention further includes a rear detection camera 500 and a rear image provider 345. The rear detection camera 500 is mounted on a rear portion (for example, a bumper) of a vehicle to capture and output a rear image of the vehicle. The sub controller 340 detects an operation by the driver for selecting reverse gear of the vehicle and drives the rear detection camera 500 when the vehicle is maintained in the reverse gear for a predetermined time or more. The rear image provider 345 receives a rear image output from the rear detection camera 500 and displays the rear image on a monitor 200. For example, a small-size CCD or CMOS camera is enough for the rear detection camera 500, which is mounted on a rear portion of the vehicle, preferably at a specific position of the bumper. The rear detection camera 400 is driven according to a control signal form the rear image provider 345 to capture a rear image of the vehicle and send the rear image to the rear image provider 345. ,

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rear image that is captured by a rear detection camera as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and is then displayed on the monitor. When the driver operates the gear shift to engage the reverse gear, the rear image provider 345 detects this operation and outputs a control signal for driving the rear detection camera 500 when a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) has passed after the detection. The rear detection camera 500 is driven according to the control signal to capture and transmit a rear image to the rear image provider 345. The rear image provider 345 displays the rear image on the monitor 200. If a reverse gear operation is detected, the rear image provider 345 outputs the image to the monitor when a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) has passed after the detection, regardless of whether the power of the main body 100 is on or off.

Even when the user application is running, the rear image provider 345 outputs the rear image input from the rear detection camera 500 after pausing the operation of the user application. When the main body 100 is not running, i.e., when the power of the main body 100 is off, only the monitor 200 is activated to output the rear image input from the rear detection camera 500.

Accordingly, when the vehicle moves backward, the in- vehicle multifunctional information device 100 according to the present invention captures and provides a rear image of the vehicle to the driver through the monitor 200, thereby achieving safer reverse driving.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the sub controller 340 of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 100 according to the present invention controls the brightness of a backlight of the monitor according to the state of the vehicle. Accordingly, the sub controller 340 according to the present invention further includes a light controller 346 that detects starting or stopping of the engine of the vehicle and the on/off of headlights of the vehicle and outputs a control signal for controlling the brightness of the monitor 200. Additionally, the user can set the brightness of the backlight of the monitor 200 for each state (or condition) of the vehicle.

The light controller 346 adjusts the brightness of the monitor 200 and the brightness of lights of input buttons provided on the input panel and the main body 100 to their preset values according to a headlight control signal. When "ACC" on the key box in the vehicle is on, the brightness of the lights is set to the maximum level and the lights are controlled according to changes in signals input from headlight controlling means when "ACC" is on. Day/night switching of the backlight of the monitor 200 depends on changes in the headlight control signal and the brightness of the backlight is automatically adjusted to a level set by the driver.

For example, when "ACC" is off, the engine of the vehicle is off and therefore no detection signal is input to the light controller 346 so that the backlight of the monitor 200 and the lights of the input buttons are not activated regardless of signals input from the headlight controlling means. When the driver turns on "ACC", the light controller 346 detects the turning-on of "ACC" and sets the brightness of lights of the input buttons to the maximum level while setting the brightness of the backlight of the monitor 200 to a level suitable for day driving set by the driver and controls the lights of the input buttons and the backlight of the monitor 200 to be driven with the set brightness levels.

In addition, when the driver turns on "ACC" and a headlight drive signal or control signal is also input from the headlight controlling means, the light controller 346 sets the brightness of the lights of the input buttons to the minimum level and sets the brightness of the backlight of the monitor 200 to a level suitable for night driving set by the driver and controls the lights of the input buttons and the backlight of the monitor 200 to be driven with the set brightness levels.

In addition, the light controller 346 according to the present invention can perform the brightness setting according to the levels of brightness of the headlights controlled by the headlight controlling means.

Accordingly, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 according to the present invention can control the brightness of the monitor 200 and the input buttons according to both the operating state of the vehicle and a headlight control by the driver, thereby allowing the driver to efficiently use the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 regardless of environmental changes.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 collects and stores vehicle state information and provides the collected and stored information record to the driver and a vehicle mechanic, thereby making it possible to confirm the accurate time to perform regular inspection and repair of the vehicle or the accurate time to replace consumables of the vehicle at a later time. Accordingly, the sub controller 340 according to the present invention includes a vehicle state information provider 347 which receives and stores vehicle state information record collected by an electronic control unit (ECU) included in the vehicle and provides the stored vehicle state information record.

The ECU included in the vehicle is a device that controls components such as the engine, the automatic transmission, and the ABS using a computer. The ECU is originally designed to accurately control the key features of the engine such as ignition time, fuel injection, idle rotation, and limit value setting. However, along with the development of the performance of vehicles and computers, the ECU functions not only to control the automatic transmission but also to collect state information of all components of the vehicle such as a driving system, a brake system, and a steering system and then to control the components according to the collected state information.

For example, the ECU makes reference to predetermined ignition time and fuel injection manifold absolute pressure (MAP) values according to the rate of rotation, intake air flow, intake pressure, accelerator opening, and the like, of the engine and adjusts a coolant temperature sensor, an oxygen sensor, and the like and controls the opening and closing rate of the injector. In this manner, the ECU performs functions such as determining the fuel injection rate and ignition time. The vehicle state information provider 347 stores state information of each component of the vehicle collected by the ECU of the vehicle and stores a record of the control of the ECU according to the state information to the driver or provides the stored information and record to a mechanic through an electronic device included in a vehicle repair shop.

The state information provided by the vehicle state information provider 347 makes it possible to confirm the accurate time to perform regular inspection and repair of the vehicle or the accurate time to replace consumables of the vehicle at a later time, thereby achieving convenient vehicle maintenance and repair. According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the main controller 130 according to the present invention can control operations associated with content currently provided to the driver according to a contact motion applied to the touch screen 210 of the monitor 200. In the case of a conventional car audio or in-vehicle multimedia apparatus, the driver operates buttons on its front panel or buttons on its screen by touching the buttons, which may cause a risk to safe driving.

Accordingly, the main controller 130 according to the present invention further includes a motion detector 135 that controls operations associated with content provided through the monitor 200 according to a motion applied to the touch screen 210 of the monitor 200. Specifically, when the driver performs a predetermined gesture (for example, a fingertip movement from left to right, from right to left, from bottom to top, or from top to bottom) at any position on the touch screen 210 while touching the touch screen 210 with their finger without depressing a specified operating button, the motion detector 135 detects the gesture and outputs a control signal associated with a corresponding operation such as an operation of a multimedia player, an operation for changing channels, an operation for showing the desktop, or an operation for switching menus.

This function of the motion detector 135 can be efficiently used for content-related operations, for example, a music selection and volume control operation and a page movement operation of an e-book.

The function of the motion detector 135 will now be described with reference to page movement of an e-book. In general, an e-book viewer provides an electronic document having multiple pages and moves and provides pages of the electronic document when receiving a page movement command through specified input means. In the case of a display unit such as the touch screen 210 on which input and display are performed at the same time, page movement is performed using a page movement button displayed at a specific position of the LCD screen.

However, since the specified input button or the page movement button displayed on the touch screen 210 is small in size, it is difficult to design a structure or a program which allows the driver to operate the button while driving. Accordingly, when the driver inputs a motion from left to right or from right to left at any position on the touch screen 210 with their finger without using any special input button or a page movement button, the motion detector 135 according to the present invention detects the motion and moves between pages of an electronic document.

Accordingly, operations associated with content provided to the driver can be controlled using, as a command input means, the motion detected by the touch screen 210 rather than a button located at a specified position, thereby contributing to safe driving.

Viewing the monitor to check information while driving may cause a risk to safe driving. Accordingly, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 according to the present invention converts text included in a variety of content displayed on the monitor 200 into audio signals and provides the audio signals so that the driver can hear the text included in the content. To accomplish this, the main controller 130 according to the present invention further includes a voice reader 136 for converting text content, which is provided by the command processor 132 and is then displayed through an electronic document, a schedule manager, email, or an Internet browser, into audio signals and then outputting the audio signals.

The voice reader 136 converts text information displayed on the monitor 200, such as a variety of text content/information included in an Internet browser used during web surfing, a variety of document files, email, and schedule information, or a variety of vehicle state information, into computer-synthesized voice and provides the computer-synthesized voice to the driver so that the driver can hear the displayed text information without viewing the monitor 200 while driving. The voice reader 136 extracts text from an Internet browser used during web surfing, a variety of document files, email, and schedule information, or from vehicle state information provided to the driver and converts the extracted text into an audio signal and outputs the audio signal through audio output means.

The in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 according to the present invention contributes to safe driving by converting text included in an Internet browser used during web surfing, a variety of document files, email, and schedule information, or text included in vehicle state information provided to the driver into an audio signal and providing the audio signal to the driver as described above.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 according to the present invention receives and uses the voice of the driver for operating functions of the device 10 while driving, thereby allowing the driver to easily activate a variety of applications provided by the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 and to easily operate their features without operating the touch screen 210, the input buttons 150, the remote controller, and the like with their hand while driving.

To accomplish this, the main controller 130 according to the present invention further includes a voice recognition processor 137 that recognizes a voice operation command of the driver and outputs a content-related operation control signal corresponding to the voice operation command and outputs a control signal corresponding to the voice operation command to each component of the device. The voice recognition processor 137 identifies a voice of the driver and outputs a content-related operation control signal corresponding to the voice and outputs a control signal corresponding to the voice to each component of the device.

The most common method for voice recognition is to perform frequency analysis of a voice wave to extract and separate voice ranges which characterize vowel sounds and their equivalent features. A temporally-continuous record of frequency analysis results is referred to as a sonagram. A highly skilled person can visually identify a voice by viewing patterns recorded in its sonagram. However, an error may occur when many persons speak or when a person speaks a lot. Voice recognition includes not only such spoken word recognition but also speaker recognition for recognizing a person who speaks. Accordingly, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 according to the present invention can control overall operations of the device through voice control commands spoken by the driver. This allows convenient control of the device without operating the input buttons 150 or the touch screen 210, thereby contributing to safe driving.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to the present invention further includes an auxiliary monitor 600 for persons sitting in the back seat of the vehicle and selectively provides different content to the monitor 200 and the auxiliary monitor 600 through a multitasking function of the main controller 130. Accordingly, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 further includes the auxiliary monitor 600 electrically connected to the main body 100 to display content provided from the main body 100 and the main controller 130 further includes a multitasking provider 138 that supports multitasking and selectively provides different content through the monitor 200 and the auxiliary monitor 600 according to an operation command of the driver.

For example, the auxiliary monitor 600 may be implemented as a small-size liquid crystal display. The auxiliary monitor 600 is connected to a connector, which may be included in the main body 100, through a separate cable or is connected to the main body 100 through a wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth or Zigbee to receive and display content provided from the multitasking provider 138 in the main controller 130.

An operation program installed on the main controller 130 of the main body 100 according to the present invention is implemented as an operating system having a multitasking function such as Microsoft Windows or Embedded Linux.

Multitasking is the ability to allow one user to process two or more tasks at the same time or to run two or more programs at the same time with one computer. For example, multitasking allows the user to open a number of different programs on a number of windows and conduct tasks with the programs at the same time after creating the windows on one computer. Most operating systems installed on computers support multitasking and the operating program of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 according to the present invention also supports multitasking.

The multitasking provider 138 executes a number of content-related operations according to an operation command of the driver and selectively provides the executed content- related operations according to monitor selection information from the driver. For example, when the driver inputs a command to reproduce a moving image file and to activate a navigation application (or system) , the command processor 132 activates a multiplayer for reproducing the moving image file and activates the navigation application. When the driver selects the monitor 200 connected to the main body 100 as a display for the navigation application and selects the auxiliary monitor 600 as a display for the moving image player, the multitasking provider 138 can display a navigation screen for the driver on the monitor 200 connected to the main body 100 and can reproduce multimedia data for watching a movie on the auxiliary monitor 600 provided in the back seat for the persons sitting in the back seat. Using the remote controller, the touch screen, or the buttons on the touch screen, the driver can easily switch applications such as a navigation application and multimedia player displayed on the monitor 200 in the front seat and the auxiliary monitor 600. Accordingly, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10 according to the present invention can provide a variety of content to a desired place in the vehicle such as the driver seat and the back seat using the multitasking function of the main controller 130 and the auxiliary monitor 600 electrically connected to the main body.

FIG. 10 is a side view schematically illustrating an in- vehicle multifunctional information device according to another aspect of the present invention and FIG. 11 is a sectional plan view according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the in- vehicle multifunctional information device according to the present invention includes a main body 100, a monitor 200, and an input panel 300. The main body 100 includes a main controller that controls overall operations of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device 10, selectively receives and outputs a terrestrial broadcast signal, and provides a plurality of user applications. The monitor 200 is provided upright on the front side of the main body 100 such that the monitor 200 can be inclined when its lower portion moves forward by driving means 109 included in the main body 100. The monitor 200 outputs a broadcast signal output from the main body 100 or content reproduced by a user application. The input panel 300 is coupled to the front side of the main body 100 such that it is slidably opened and closed. The input panel 300 displays a user application menu provided from the main body 100 and receives and processes an operating command input by the user. The input panel 300 includes a sub controller for detecting an operation state of the main body 100 and controlling the operation of the main body 100. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the monitor 200 according to the present invention is attached to a front surface of the main body 100 such that one end portion of the monitor 200 is slidably coupled to a guide groove defined on the front surface of the main body 100 and another end portion thereof is hinged to drive shafts connected to the driving means 109 included in the main body 100.

When power is applied to the main body 100, the driving means 109 included in the main body 100 starts driving and driving shafts connected to the driving means 109 extend out of the main body 100 to push out a lower end of the monitor 200. This causes an upper end of the monitor 200 to move downward along the guide groove so that the monitor 200 is inclined to guarantee the optimal viewing angle to the user. The driving means 109 includes a drive motor 109-1 and transfer means 109-2. The drive motor 109-1 applies a driving force to driving shafts 109-3. The transfer means 109-2 transfers a driving force of the drive motor 109-1 to the driving shafts 109-3. Specifically, the transfer means 109-2 includes rack and pinion gears for converting a rotation of the drive motor 109-1 into a translation motion and transferring the translation motion to the driving shafts 109- 3. The translation motion from the transfer means 109-2 causes the driving shaft 109-3 to be extracted and inserted from and into the main body 100.

When power is supplied to the main body 100, the drive motor 109-1 of the driving means 109 starts driving and the torque of the drive motor 109-1 is converted into a translation motion through a plurality of gears provided in the transfer means. The converted translation motion is transferred to the driving shafts 109-3 so that the driving shafts 109-3 are extracted from the main body 100 to push out the lower end of the monitor 200 hinged to the driving shafts 109-3. This causes the upper end of the monitor 200 to move down along the guide groove defined on the main body 100, thereby inclining the monitor 200.

Industrial Applicability

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention provides an in-vehicle multifunctional information device which has the following advantages. First, the in- vehicle multifunctional information device not only functions as a car audio unit but also provides a variety of multimedia content to the user so that there is no need to install a number of required multimedia devices in the vehicle. Main and sub controllers are separately provided in the main body and the input panel to separately control the main body and the input panel. The main body controls the overall operation of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device while the operation of the main body is controlled through the input panel, thereby preventing damage to the main body and thus keeping the system more stable.

In addition, when the vehicle moves backward, the in- vehicle multifunctional information device captures and provides a rear image of the vehicle to the driver through the monitor, thereby achieving safer reverse driving.

Further, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device controls the brightness of the monitor and the input buttons according to both the operating state of the vehicle and a headlight control by the driver, thereby allowing the driver to efficiently use the in-vehicle multifunctional information device regardless of environmental changes.

Furthermore, the state information provided by the vehicle state information provider makes it possible to confirm the accurate time to perform regular inspection and repair of the vehicle or the accurate time to replace consumables of the vehicle at a later time, thereby achieving convenient vehicle maintenance and repair. In addition, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device uses the entirety of the touch screen 210 rather than a button located at a specified position as means for inputting a page movement command, thereby achieving convenient page movement of an electronic document and contributing to safe driving. Moreover, the state information provided by the vehicle state information provider makes it possible to confirm the accurate time to perform regular inspection and repair of the vehicle or the accurate time to replace consumables of the vehicle at a later time, thereby achieving convenient vehicle maintenance and repair.

In addition, operations associated with content provided to the driver can be controlled using, as a command input means, a motion detected by the touch screen 210 rather than a button located at a specified position, thereby contributing to safe driving.

Further, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device also contributes to safe driving by converting text included in an Internet browser used during web surfing, a variety of document files, email, and schedule information, or text included in vehicle state information provided to the driver into an audio signal and providing the audio signal to the driver.

Furthermore, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device can control overall operations of the device through voice control commands spoken by the driver, which allows convenient control of the device without operating the input buttons or the touch screen, thereby contributing to safe driving.

In addition, the in-vehicle multifunctional information device can provide a variety of content to a desired place in the vehicle such as the driver seat and the back seat using the multitasking function of the main controller and the auxiliary monitor electrically connected to the main body.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims that are intended to embrace all modifications that those skilled in the art can easily construe without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An in-vehicle multifunctional information device provided in a front panel, the device comprising: a main body provided in a depression in a front panel, the main body having therein a monitor receiving space with a front opening, the main body including a main controller for controlling overall operations of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device, selectively receiving and outputting a terrestrial broadcast signal, and providing a plurality of user applications; a monitor for outputting a broadcast signal output from the main body or outputting content reproduced by a user application, the monitor being provided in the monitor receiving space, wherein the monitor moves forward and is then erected vertically through driving means; and an input panel coupled to a front side of the main body such that the input panel opens and closes, the input panel including a sub controller for displaying a user application menu provided from the main body, receiving and processing an operating command input by a user, and detecting starting or stopping of an engine of a vehicle and an operating state of the main body that is in operation and controlling an operation of the main body.

2. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 1, wherein the driving means includes: a guide provided between the monitor and the receiving space to guide the monitor when the monitor moves forward; a forward movement driver provided on a rear portion of the monitor to move the monitor forward along the guide; and an erection driver provided on a rear portion of the monitor to erect the monitor vertically when the monitor has moved forward.

3. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 2, wherein the forward movement driver includes a driving shaft having a roll for transferring a driving force of a motor so that the monitor moves forward along the guide; and the erection driver includes at least one pair of gear drivers for transferring a driving force of a motor so that the monitor is erected vertically when the monitor has moved forward.

4. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 1, wherein the input panel further includes : at least one navigation key for receiving an operating command from the user; a touch pad for displaying state information of the main body and a user application menu provided by the main body and receiving and outputting selection information of an application on the menu from the user, the touch pad supporting a pointing device function of a user interface provided through the monitor; a power detector for detecting power supplied to the main body and outputting the detected power, the sub controller including: an input signal processor for processing an input signal from the touch pad; a power manager for receiving a power detection signal output from the power detector, calculating a power level according to the power detection signal, and controlling an operation of the main body according to the calculated power level; and a driver controller for detecting starting or stopping of an engine of a vehicle and controlling an operation of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device.

5. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 4, wherein, when stopping of the engine of the vehicle is detected, the operation controller allows the main body and the monitor, other than the sub controller, to be kept in standby mode.

6. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 5, wherein the operation controller detects a battery level of the vehicle and stops the operation of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device when the detected battery level is a specific level or less.

7. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 4, wherein the sub controller further includes a vehicle information provider for receiving vehicle state information provided from detection means that detects states of a vehicle and displaying the received vehicle state information on the touch panel.

8. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle state information includes vehicle battery information, fuel state information, and vehicle speed information.

9. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 4, wherein the input panel further includes a temperature detector for detecting a change in temperature of the main body and outputting a temperature detection signal to the power manager, and wherein the power manager receives the temperature detection signal output from the temperature detector, determines whether or not the temperature of the main body is out of a suitable temperature range for driving the main body, and controls an operation of the main body according to the determination.

10. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 1, wherein the main body further includes: a tuner unit for selectively receiving and outputting a TV or radio signal; a memory for storing an operating program for the in- vehicle multifunctional information device, a plurality of user applications, and a plurality of content items, the main controller including: a broadcast signal processor for extracting video or audio data from a terrestrial TV or radio signal output from the tuner unit and providing the extracted video or audio data to the monitor; and a command processor for providing, through the monitor, a user interface provided as the operating program runs and processing an operating command input through the input panel or the monitor.

11. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 1, wherein the monitor includes: a touch screen for displaying a user interface or content output from the main body, receiving an operating command through the user interface, and outputting the operating command to the main body; and at least one audio output unit for outputting audio data output from the main body.

12. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 10, wherein the main controller further includes : a key guide information provider for displaying a navigation key of the input panel for each user application and corresponding key guide information on the monitor.

13. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 1 or 10, further comprising: a GPS antenna for receiving and outputting a GPS signal output from a GPS satellite, the GPS antenna being detachably coupled to the main body, and wherein the main controller further includes a navigation information provider for receiving a GPS signal output from the GPS antenna and calculating a current position of a vehicle, and displaying travel information of the vehicle based on the calculated position on the monitor.

14. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 10, wherein the main body further includes : a wireless Internet module for establishing a connection with a wireless Internet and transmitting and receiving data to and from the wireless Internet.

15. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 10, wherein the main body further includes: an interface unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device.

16. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 1, further comprising: a remote controller for transmitting an operating command input by the user to the main body through wireless communication .

17. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 1, further comprising: a rear detection camera mounted on a rear portion of a vehicle for capturing and outputting a rear image of the vehicle.

18. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 4 or 17, wherein the sub controller further includes a rear image provider for detecting a reverse gear operation of the vehicle when the reverse gear operation is maintained for a predetermined time, activating the rear detection camera, and displaying a vehicle rear image output from the rear detection camera on the monitor.

19. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 4, wherein the sub controller further includes a light controller for detecting starting or stopping of an engine of the vehicle and a headlight control signal of the vehicle and then controlling brightness of the monitor.

20. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 4, wherein the sub controller further includes a vehicle state information provider for receiving and storing vehicle state information collected by an electronic control unit included in the vehicle and providing the stored vehicle state information record.

21. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 10, wherein the main controller further includes a motion detector for controlling an operation associated with content provided through the monitor according to a motion applied to a touch screen of the monitor.

22. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 10 or 21, wherein the main controller further includes a voice reader for converting text content, which is provided by the command processor and is then displayed on the monitor through an electronic document, a schedule manager, email, or an Internet browser, into an audio signal and outputting the audio signal.

23. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 10, wherein the main controller further includes a voice recognition processor for recognizing a voice operation command of a driver and outputting a content- related operation control signal corresponding to the voice operation command and outputting a control signal corresponding to the voice operation command to each component of the device.

24. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 10, further comprising: an auxiliary monitor electrically connected to the main body for displaying content provided from the main body, wherein the main controller further includes: a multitasking provider that supports multitasking and selectively provides different content through the monitor and the auxiliary monitor according to an operation command of a driver.

25. An in-vehicle multifunctional information device provided in a front panel, the device comprising: a main body including a main controller for controlling overall operations of the in-vehicle multifunctional information device, selectively receiving and outputting a terrestrial broadcast signal, and providing a plurality of user applications; a monitor provided upright on a front side of the main body such that the monitor can be inclined when a lower portion of the monitor moves forward by driving means included in the main body, the monitor outputting a broadcast signal output from the main body or outputting content reproduced by a user application; and an input panel coupled to a front side of the main body such that the input panel opens and closes, the input panel including a sub controller for displaying a user application menu provided from the main body, receiving and processing an operating command input by a user, and detecting an operating state of the main body and controlling an operation of the main body.

26. The in-vehicle multifunctional information device according to claim 25, wherein the driving means includes driving shafts inserted in both sides of the main body such that the driving shafts are movable forward and backward through driving of a motor, front portions of the driving shafts being hinged to both sides of a lower portion of the monitor.