JP3418365B2 - Communication terminal device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is mounted on a vehicle,
The present invention relates to a communication terminal device, that is, a fee payment device, which performs information communication of vehicle passage information with a stationary terminal device installed at an entrance or exit of a highway or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a system in which a vehicle passes through an entrance / exit of an expressway and pays a fare, a communication terminal device equipped with vehicle passage information instead of a conventional ticket and a stationary terminal device installed at a tollgate are provided. It has been proposed to send and receive between the two to automatically pay the fee, pass through the toll gate nonstop, and save time. In some countries, these systems are put to practical use.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-320514 discloses a mobile communication device mounted on a mobile, which is electrically connected to an antenna, communication means for communicating with an information recording card, and the antenna. While communicating with the outside of the mobile,
A circuit board having a circuit electrically connected to the communication means for reading and writing data from and to the information recording card via the communication means; and a case accommodating the circuit board. The case is a first case. And a second case member that is joined to the first case member to hermetically accommodate the circuit board, and holds the information recording card outside the second case member. A mobile communication device is provided, which is provided with a card holding means, and in which the communication means performs contactless communication with the information recording card when the information recording card is held in the card holding means.

Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-204501, the remote controller is constructed so that an IC card of prepaid card type can be mounted, and whether or not the IC card is mounted is detected in the remote controller. And a detecting means for
There is disclosed a remote control device for a vehicle, which is provided with a no-card notifying means for notifying that the C card is not mounted. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-235490 proposes an automatic toll collection system.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the storage function of the case and the communication / arithmetic function of the base body incorporated in the case are independent of each other, the manufacturing steps are simplified, the manufacturing is easy, the assembly is easy, and the size is small. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication terminal device suitable for commercialization, that is, an in-vehicle information communication device.

[0006]

According to the present invention, an antenna is electrically connected to communicate with a stationary terminal device at a tollgate, and an IC is electrically connected to this communication means via the communication means.
A circuit board (main board) equipped with a processing unit for reading and writing data from and to a card (information storage card), and an IC card reader / writer that stores the IC card and reads and writes to the IC card as needed are each made into a thin board shape. A communication terminal device that can be formed and independently manufactured, and that can be manufactured separately, and that can be combined and built into the upper and lower cases that can be combined with each other so as to be supported at a predetermined position by a holding or guiding portion provided in the lower case, is integrated and downsized. provide.

Further, the present invention provides an RF (Radio Frequency Radio Frequency) module having excellent directivity to a stationary terminal device, thereby providing a communication terminal device capable of performing communication.

The present invention specifically provides the following devices.

The present invention is a communication terminal device mounted on a vehicle for communicating information about vehicle passage information with a stationary terminal device, comprising a case body composed of upper and lower cases, and an IC card. It is mounted so that it can be taken in and out,
A thin IC card reader / writer capable of reading and writing information stored in an IC card, and a main board on which a communication processing unit for performing communication control and an RF module are mounted independently in a vertical direction on the case body. (EN) Provided is a communication terminal device, which is assembled and built in, and a case body is provided with an insertion opening portion of an IC card and a display device for displaying a result processed by the communication processing portion on the insertion opening portion side.

The present invention is a communication terminal device mounted on a vehicle for communicating information about vehicle passage information with a stationary terminal device, comprising a case body composed of upper and lower cases, and an IC card. It is mounted so that it can be taken in and out,
An RF including a thin IC card reader / writer capable of reading and writing information stored in an IC card, a communication processing unit for performing communication control, an antenna, a shield for giving directivity in a communication direction from the antenna, and a module substrate.
The main board on which the module is mounted is assembled in the case body in the up-down direction in a state of being independently arranged and built in, and the case body is processed by the IC card insertion opening portion and the communication processing portion on the insertion opening portion side. Provided is a communication terminal device provided with a display device for displaying a result.

According to the present invention, a bracket is further provided on the thin plate,
Provided is a communication terminal device in which a bracket is positioned on the opposite side of an antenna and the RF module is held by the thin plate, and the RF module is mounted while being inclined with respect to the main board.

The present invention further provides a communication terminal device, wherein the bracket is provided so as to extend on the opposite side of the antenna and the shield, and the length of the bracket facing the shield is shorter than the length of the bracket facing the antenna.

The present invention further provides a buzzer, which is provided with the bracket on a thin plate, holds the RF module by positioning the bracket on the opposite side of the antenna, and issues an alarm on the surface of the main board on which the RF module is mounted. Provided is a communication terminal device provided with a test terminal and a power supply terminal.

The present invention further provides a communication terminal device in which a processing device for performing communication control is provided on the main board in a planar shape.

The present invention is a communication terminal device which is mounted on a vehicle and which communicates information about vehicle passage information with a stationary terminal device. Possible to install IC
A thin IC card reader / writer capable of reading and writing information stored in a card, and a main board for communication control are provided, and a lower case holds a main body and a holder for holding the IC card reader / writer and the main board, respectively. A board insertion guide boss is formed so that the IC card reader / writer and the main board are separated and built in the case body. The case body has an IC card insertion opening and a signal for communication control to the insertion opening side. There is provided a communication terminal device provided with a display device for displaying.

The present invention further provides a communication terminal device in which an RF module including a processing device for performing communication control, an antenna, a shield for giving directivity in a communication direction from the antenna and a module substrate is mounted on the main substrate. To do.

The present invention further provides a communication terminal device in which an IC card insertion opening is formed in the lower case, and the IC card is guided to the IC card insertion opening of the IC card reader / writer.

The present invention further includes an LCD in the upper case.
A module insertion opening is formed, and when the LCD module is inserted into the LCD module insertion opening, the LCD module insertion opening is located above the IC card insertion opening of the lower case and the upper case is opened. The display device provides a communication terminal device that is pressed and fixed to the upper case when assembled in the lower case.

The present invention further provides a communication terminal, wherein the IC card reader / writer is formed in a bag shape having an IC card insertion opening, and has a spring function unit for pushing out the inserted IC card toward the IC card insertion opening. Provide a device.

The present invention is a communication terminal device which is mounted on a vehicle and which communicates information about passage information of the vehicle with a stationary terminal device. Possible to install IC
A thin IC card reader / writer capable of reading and writing information stored in the card, and a main board for performing communication control, and a holding body for holding the IC card reader / writer and the main board in a lower case,
An IC card insertion opening is formed over substantially the entire width of the main board insertion guide boss and the entrance side, the IC card reader / writer and the main board are built in the case body, and the IC card is inserted into the case body. Provided is a communication terminal device having a mouth and a display device for displaying a result of communication control on the insertion mouth side.

The present invention further provides that the IC card reader / writer is formed in a bag shape having an IC card insertion opening, and has a spring function section for pushing the inserted IC card toward the IC card insertion opening. Provided is a communication terminal device in which substantially the entire width of the lateral side of a lower case is occupied by the lengths of an IC card and a spring function unit.

The present invention further provides a buzzer, which is provided with the bracket on a thin plate, holds the RF module by positioning the bracket on the opposite side of the antenna, and issues an alarm on the surface of the main board on which the RF module is mounted. Provided is a communication terminal device provided with protrusions having a height comparable to that of an RF module such as a test terminal and a power supply unit.

The present invention further includes a mounting bracket which is mounted on a dashboard of a vehicle.

The present invention is a communication terminal device mounted on a vehicle for communicating information about vehicle passage information with a stationary terminal device, comprising a case body composed of upper and lower cases, and an IC card. It is mounted so that it can be taken in and out,
A circuit board having an IC card reader / writer function unit capable of reading and writing information stored in an IC card and a communication processing unit for performing communication control, and an antenna and a shield for giving directivity in a communication direction from the antenna, Provided is a communication terminal device in which an RF module including an inclination forming member and a module substrate is arranged to be inclined with respect to the circuit board.

The present invention further provides that the circuit board has a thin shape.
Provided is a communication terminal device including a C card reader / writer and a main board having the communication processing unit.

According to the present invention, further, the mounting tool on the dashboard of the vehicle has a mounting adjustment function, and the ET of the antenna is mounted.
Provided is a communication terminal device having a control function for a communication direction with respect to a C antenna.

[0027]

[0028]

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention before assembly. In the figure, the communication terminal device includes an upper case 1, a lower case 2, an IC card 3, and an IC.
It is composed of a card reader / writer 4, a main substrate 5, an RF module 6 and an LCD module 20 which is a display device. RF module 6 and LC on main board 5
The D module is mounted, and the buzzer 15 and the test terminal 16 are further mounted.

FIG. 2 shows details of the main board 5.

A buzzer 15, a test terminal 16 and a power supply unit 17 are arranged on the front side of the main board 5. Buzzer 1
5, since the three-wave coil test terminals 16 and the power supply unit 17 has a height, are arranged concentrated in the right portion of the front side. Further, a communication processing unit 25 is arranged in a flat shape on the back side of the main board 5. A module connector 8 to be described later is provided with a communication connector 61 connected to the communication processing unit 25.
Is connected and information is exchanged. In FIG. 1, R
The F module 6 includes a module substrate 9, on which an antenna 10, a thin plate module shield 7, a main substrate shield 12 and a module connector 8 are placed and integrated to form one integrated component. The main substrate shield 12 has a larger area than the thin plate module shield 7 and has a large shielding function. The RF module 6 is placed on the separable thin plate 23. Thin plate 23
Comprises a module bracket 14 formed by vertical blanking. Module bracket 1
4 is composed of four brackets 14a and 14b, and two brackets are arranged on each side. The bracket 14a provided in front of the thin plate 23 on which the RF module is mounted so as to face the antenna 10 has a thin plate 2 that faces the shield 7.
3 is formed to be longer than the length of the bracket 14b provided at the rear of the module board 3, so that the module board 9, that is, the RF module 6 is arranged with respect to the main board 5.
The antenna 10 is arranged with an acute angle toward the arrangement . It suffices that the RF module 6 be arranged at an angle with respect to the main board 5, the position of the bracket 14 is not important, and even if it is formed as one long thin plate, it can be arranged at an angle. Therefore, these are collectively referred to as an inclination forming member here. As will be described later, the RF module 6, that is, the antenna 10 on the RF module substrate 9 is inclined with respect to the main substrate 5 so that R
The communication direction, which is the vertical direction of the F module board 9, is tilted to the left of the vertical with respect to the main board 5, and directivity is provided. This improves the communication status. This directivity is further synergized by the action of the thin plate module shield 7.

The IC card has a case body composed of an upper case and a lower case to be joined together, and an IC card is mounted so that it can be taken in and out, and the information stored in the IC card can be read and written. An RF module including a circuit board having a communication processing unit for performing the above, and an antenna, a shield inclination forming member for giving directivity in a communication direction from the antenna, and an RF module are arranged to be inclined with respect to the circuit board. It has been done. In this case, the circuit board is composed of a thin IC card reader / writer 4 and a main board 5 having the communication processing unit.

The LCD module 20 has operation buttons 28.
(28a, 28b) is provided separately from the main substrate 5 and placed on the IC card reader / writer 4 as described later. The LCD module 20 displays the processing result of the communication processing unit 25 provided on the main board 5, for example, the charge paid for passing the vehicle. LCD module 20 includes an operation button 28 (28 a, 28 b) . 28 a is an enter button and 28 b is a menu button. Display surface 7 of the liquid crystal display device on the surface
Has 0.

The LCD module 20 displays numbers and characters on the display surface 70. The LCD module 20 has a backlight inside. The reason why the LCD module 20 has a light inside is as follows. Suitable for reading the display contents in a short time while driving a car,
Although it is downsized so as not to obstruct the field of view, it is easy to read even if the display surface is small, and it is easy to read even when the driver's seat is dark at night driving.

Next to the display surface 70, the operation buttons 28a, 28
b is provided. In this embodiment, the operation button 28
Is on the left side of the display portion, but may be provided on the right side.

The reason for providing on the left side as in this embodiment is that the communication terminal device is placed on the dashboard between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, which does not easily obstruct the view of the vehicle, and the left hand is placed at that position. This is to prevent the display from being hidden behind the hand when the driver operates it. With this arrangement, it is possible to operate while watching the display on the display surface 70.

The upper case 1 has an LCD module opening 26 for accommodating the LCD module 20, and a test terminal opening 2 for exposing the test terminal 16.
Have 7. The test terminal opening 27 is provided in the test terminal 16
For connection. The test terminal 16 is provided inside this hole. The test terminal 16 enables failure diagnosis and adjustment of the communication terminal device, and version upgrade of the program. Further, it has an operation button hole 29 for accommodating the operation buttons 28a and 28b, and an alarm sound hole 30 closed with a thin cloth for issuing an alarm sound from the buzzer 15. There is also a non-plated area 19 which will be the window of the antenna.

The IC card reader / writer 4 has a storage chamber 31 and its I inside for storing the IC card 3.
The IC card storage unit 13 has a long and narrow rectangular flat box shape having a C card entrance 36, and a processing unit 32 for reading and writing to the IC card 3. The window unit is provided at the center of the IC card storage unit 13. 33.

The lower case 2 has an IC card insertion opening 35 for inserting the IC card 3 in the front, and the upper surface is opened. The IC card insertion opening 35 can be connected to the IC card entrance 36 of the IC card reader / writer 4.
The IC card 3 is stored in the storage chamber 31 with the IC card insertion opening 35 as a guide. IC card is IC
The IC card return button 2 is stored and held in the IC card reader / writer 4 by a card holding mechanism (not shown).
The function of a spring acts by 1 and the IC card 3 can be removed by exposing a part of it to the outside.
That is, the IC card reader / writer 4 has an IC card return function.

The upper and lower cases 1 and 2 are fitted and integrally coupled, and the bease stoppers at one place prevent the coupling from separating.

The upper case 1, the main board 5, the RF module 6, the LCD module 20, which has the above-mentioned structure,
The IC card reader / writer 4 and the lower case 2 are integrally assembled, and the upper and lower cases 1 and 2 are joined together. At this time, the ICD module 20 is housed in the ICD module opening 26 and is pressed and fixed by the upper case 1 to the lower case 2. Further, by this assembly, the antenna 10 is a section that serves as an antenna communication unit of the upper case 1.
It is positioned below the band 19. An attachment 22 is provided at the lower end of the lower case 1 of the assembled communication terminal device, and is fixed to the dashboard (not shown) of the vehicle by screws. The attachment 22 may be provided with an attachment angle adjustment bracket 41 to adjust the communication direction of the communication terminal device, that is, the antenna 10. As a result, the directivity of the antenna 10 is controlled by the module brackets 14a and 14b and the module shield 7.
In addition to the effect of the above, the certainty of communication with the ETC antenna (described later) can be increased by being adjusted by the mounting angle adjustment bracket 41.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a detailed structure of the lower case 2 and the attachment 22. The lower case 2 has bosses 51 (first) (51a, 51b), (second) 52 for holding the IC card reader / writer 4 and the main board 5, respectively.
(52a, 52b), support base 53 (53a, 53
b) and the main board insertion guide boss 54 (54a, 54)
b) is provided. The bosses 51a and 51b have claw portions (first) 55a and 55b, and can firmly fix the IC card reader / writer 4. Also, the boss 52
The a and 52b have claw portions (second) 56a and 56b, and can firmly fix the main substrate 5. The boss is generically called a holder.

The main substrate 5 and the RF module 6 are arranged on the rear side of the LCD module 20. As a result, the height of the communication terminal device can be kept low. Further, the RF module 64 is fixed to one surface of the main board 5,
A CPU and a communication control LSI are arranged on the other surface (the surface on the card reader / writer side). With this arrangement, the main board can be placed close to the card reader / writer. As a whole, the space behind the LCD module 20 can be effectively used, and the height of the device can be kept low.

Assembly will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

As shown in FIG. 5, the IC card reader / writer 4 formed as an independent body has a boss 51 on the lower case 2.
It is fixed using the claw portions 55a and 55b of a and 51b. Therefore, it can be taken out by removing the claw portions 55a and 55b. At this time, the insertion opening of the IC card insertion opening 35 of the lower case 2 and the entrance of the IC card entrance 36 of the IC card reader / writer 4 are connected to each other, so that the IC card 3 can be smoothly stored in the storage chamber 31. To do.

Lower case 2 and I thus formed
By using the main board insertion guide bosses 54a and 54b in an integrated unit with the C card reader / writer 4, the main board 5
Is inserted and held, and the tabs 56 of the bosses 52a and 52b are
It is firmly fixed by a and 56b. Therefore, it is possible to remove from the integrated unit by removing the claw portions 56a and 56b. The main board 5 is shorter than the IC card reader / writer 4, and the upper front part of the IC card reader / writer 4 is a space for installing the LCD module 20. The LCD module 20 is arranged in this space, and the lower case 2, the IC card reader / writer and the LCD module 20 are integrated as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the RF module 6 is constructed by mounting the antenna 10, the shields 7a and 7b and the module connector 8 on the module substrate 9 and integrated with the thin plate 23 having the brackets 14a and 14b. And the stopper portion 51 of the bracket 14a, 14b
(51a, 51b) are the stoppers 52 (52
a, 52b) and fixed. In this case, the IC card reader / writer 4 and the main substrate 5 are controlled by the height of the bosses 52a, 52b and the height of the bosses 51a, 51b and the fixed height of the tabs 55a, 55b and 56a, 56b.
And independent of each other, that is, separated from each other with a gap therebetween. This allows sufficient heat dissipation from the circuit board. You can contact them both,
As a configuration, both are independent bodies and are electrically connected. I
When the menu button 28b with the C card 3 inserted is operated, a menu showing the functions of the communication terminal device is displayed.
Each time the menu button 28b is pressed, the contents of the menu shift in order. If the enter button 28a is pressed while the desired menu is displayed, the menu is selected.

The menu contains usage statement information and volume adjustment. When the enter button 28a is pressed while the usage statement information menu is displayed, the interest statement statement information menu is selected and the latest payment information is displayed. Further, when the menu button 28b is pressed in this state, information at the time of previous payment is displayed. When the menu of the usage statement information is thus selected, the past payment time can be traced back by operating the menu button 28b. The selection at the time of past payment is made by the menu button 28a. Information on the selected payment can be displayed. For example, the charge, the usage section, and the date and time can be sequentially displayed by the menu button 28b. When the enter button 28a is pressed while the information such as the charge is displayed, the menu of the usage statement information is ended, and the first menu is selected again.

When the enter button 28a is operated while the volume adjustment menu is displayed, this menu is selected. The buzzer sound is increased or decreased by operating the menu button 28b. The volume is confirmed with the enter button 28a, and this menu is ended.

On the rear surface of the communication terminal device, there are a connecting portion for connecting a power source and an antenna connector for connecting with an external antenna. In addition, a connector for connecting to an in-vehicle navigation may be provided.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
The same configurations as those in FIG. The difference from FIG. 1 is that in the configuration of the RF module 6, the antenna 10 is provided outside as a separate body . Therefore, as shown in the figure,
The plate 23 and the blanket 14 formed on it are omitted.
Thus, the RF module 6 can be fixed on the main substrate 5. It may be integrally manufactured with the main board 5.

The antenna 10 provided outside has a base 7
4 is placed on the dashboard of the vehicle, and is connected to the communication connector 75 of the RF module 6. This allows the same function as the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a communication state between the ETC antenna 65 provided in the stationary terminal device at the tollgate and the vehicle-mounted antenna 10 which is the above-mentioned antenna. A indicates a transmission signal from the vehicle-mounted antenna 10, and B indicates a transmission signal from the ETC antenna 65. The vehicle-mounted antenna 10 forms an angle of θ1 + θ2 with respect to the horizontal plane of the vehicle. Where θ1≈1
0 deg is the angle between the main board and the panel mounting surface of the communication terminal device, and θ2≈7 deg is the angle between the RF module board and the main board. In addition to these angles, the transmission direction of the vehicle-mounted antenna 10 is the direction affected by the shield 7.

The transmission signal from the ETC antenna 65 is within approximately 45 °, the vehicle-mounted transmission start position is reached at the point of 45 °, and the transmission from the vehicle-mounted antenna 10 is received by the ETC antenna 10 (A ₁ ), ETC. The signal is transmitted from the antenna 10 to the vehicle-mounted antenna 10 (B ₁ ) and received by the vehicle-mounted antenna 10. The vehicle moves in the vehicle traveling direction, and communication is performed as indicated by A ₂ and B ₂ by the time when the transmission by the vehicle-mounted device ends, and the information stored in the IC card 3 is read and processed by the communication processing unit 25. The result is displayed as a charge on the LCD module 20, and the processing result is written in the IC card 3.

The ETC transmission / reception circuit will be described.

The non-stop electronic system for automated collection of toll road toll collection is based on mutual transmission and reception of microwaves (5.8 GHz) between the tollgate and vehicles using toll roads. It is a system that records route charges, transit times, etc., and collects fees through a financial institution designated by an individual IC card.

Time to pass through the toll gate (36 ms
/ M = 3600s / 100km), the following information is recorded by communication repeatedly.

1) Transmission of personal information for charge deduction from the car 2) Transmission of information on entrance and exit times and charges and deduction from the tollgate 3) Security check of IC card and deduction and procedure Figure 9 shows RF The circuit used for the module is shown. In the figure, transmission information Data101 from a vehicle is modulated by an oscillator 15 MHz of 103 via a communication control unit 102,
The frequency division phase is compared at 104, and further through a VCO (voltage controlled oscillator circuit) at 105 and a doubling circuit at 106, 5.8 GH.
I'm getting z. A low-pass filter 108, a wide-range filter 107, and an amplifier AMP 109 on the way are carrier S / N improvement measures, signal switching Switch 110, Switch 1 111.
Is a transmission / reception switching mechanism. The amplifier AMP124 propagating the carrier wave takes in the transmission signal via the low-pass filter LPF125 for improving the S / N and the amplifier AMP126, and modulates the carrier wave.

The frequency received from the toll gate enters from the antenna 112 equipped with the band pass filter BPF113 for improving S / N at 5.8 GHz-40 MHz, and the mixer 1
At 14 except for 5.8 GHz of the air carrier, the frequency is set to 40 MHz in the vehicle-mounted device, demodulated by the demodulator MOD 115 and input to the reception information 102, and the withdrawal related items such as charges are output to the display panel. On the way, amplifier AMP1
16 and AMP118, bandpass filter BPF117
Is for improving S / N. Note that the IC card financial-related security check is performed using a frequency of another system in 119 units. As the drive DC power source for the vehicle-mounted device circuit, two systems are used, which are a stabilizing circuit 5.0V 122 and a 3.3V 123, from the installed battery.

For an ETC-related alarm in an emergency, the output of the audio amplifier 121 is provided by using the in-vehicle AV speaker 120 as standard equipment. The identification code storage device 127 is for protection for ensuring financial-related security.

FIG. 10 shows a basic circuit configuration of the communication terminal device. The CPU 208 controls the entire communication terminal device based on an instruction from the operation unit 220, and performs a necessary display on the display device 218 such as the LCD module 20. Output terminal 22
Reference numeral 4 is a test terminal, that is, a test terminal 16, which is used to inspect, adjust, and record a new program in the state of the communication terminal device. Therefore, the output terminal 224 is not used by the general public. Therefore, it is arranged inside the upper cover 1.

Instructions or information from the outside such as a roadside device which is a stationary terminal device is sent to the antenna 10 of the communication terminal device.
Is sent from the communication control LSI 206 to the RF module 6 via the address bus 226 and the data bus 228 and is then processed by the CPU 208. The information necessary for payment of the fee is sent to the communication control LSI 210 via the address bus 226 and the data bus 228 based on the operation of the CPU 208, modulated by the RF module 6 and transmitted from the antenna 10.

The IC card 3 used to pay the fee is I
Reading and writing are performed by the C card reader / writer 4. These controls are performed by the read / write control circuit 212 based on the operation of the CPU 208. Information read from the IC card or information to be written to the IC card is transmitted / received to / from a CPU (microcomputer) 208 that constitutes a communication processing unit 210 (25 in FIG. 1) via an address bus 226 and a data bus 228. To be done.

A power supply terminal 232 is provided on the main board 5, and currents of 3V and 5V are supplied to the 3V power supply line 236 and the 5V power supply line 238 via the DC / DC converter 234 constituting the power supply unit 17, respectively. It

The above operation is basically performed based on the operation of the user, and the user uses the operation button 28 of the input processing circuit (operation unit) 220. Further, necessary information is displayed on the display surface 70 of the display device 218 (20).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operating state of the communication terminal device. The contents displayed on the liquid crystal display in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 may be transmitted by voice. It can be transmitted by display or voice, but the description is omitted below and described as display.

A car key switch is an accessory (AC
In the state of C), the power supply voltage is supplied to the communication terminal device, and when the key switch is further operated beyond the accessory (ACC), the power is continuously supplied (402). When power is supplied, the communication terminal device changes from the power-off state 400 to the wait state 40.
Move to 6 state. On the other hand, when the power is cut off by operating the key switch (404), the communication terminal device enters the power cutoff state 400.

When the wait state 406 is entered, the communication terminal device performs self-diagnosis. For example, necessary checks of the memory (RAM) and other circuits are performed. When an abnormality is detected, a display that means "vehicle-mounted device cannot be used" is displayed. If it confirms the normality, it detects whether a card is inserted or not, and if it is not inserted, "insertion request, that is, notification of no card"
Is displayed.

When a card is inserted in the weight state 406 (408), the state shifts to the ready state 412, but radio waves from the outside can be received even in the weight state 406 with no card inserted. You cannot pay the fee when the card is not inserted in the card reader / writer, but you can exchange information without paying the fee. Examples of transfer without charges include whether the toll gates are crowded or the status of the gates such as communication of the automatic payment lane. In this case, the wait state 406 directly changes to the active state 422.

When the card is already inserted or the card is inserted (408), the state transits from the wait state 406 to the ready state 412. On the other hand, when the card is taken out (410), the state returns to the weight state 406.

In the ready state 412, it is checked whether or not the card is normal and information is properly transmitted to and from the card. It is possible that another type of card is inserted by mistake. If the card is incorrect or has some other abnormality, a display indicating "card not usable, that is, card abnormality or card error" is displayed.

If the card information cannot be read by the card reader / writer, a temporary mechanical problem may occur. Therefore, a display indicating "request to reinsert card" is displayed. The content of this abnormality is counted, and when it is repeated several times, a display that means "abnormality" is displayed next.

When it is confirmed that the card is a prescribed card from the viewpoint of giving priority to safe driving, the operation of the personal identification number and the like is omitted and the fee collection operation is performed. As an alternative, the security may be improved by confirming whether the card is the correct user, inputting a personal identification number, or confirming the fingerprint of the user and other characteristics. A prepaid card may be used as the card. In the case of a prepaid card, it is more convenient to confirm whether or not the card can be used with the communication terminal device 10, and to display "usable" or "remaining amount" when the card operates normally.

No matter what card is used, in order to reduce the burden on the user and give priority to driving safety, the card and the communication terminal device can be automatically used based on the insertion of the card. It is desirable to conduct an inspection of the above and display the result of availability.

As described above, if the card is inserted before the power is turned on, the key switch is operated to shift from 400 to the wait state 406, and when necessary checks such as memory are completed, the state is automatically shifted to the ready state 412.

When there is no reception or operation with the roadside machine in the wait state 406 or the ready state 412 for a designated time or more, for example, 5 seconds or more, the backlight of the liquid crystal display device is turned off to ensure driving safety. . This avoids unnecessary attention to the driver and improves safety. Even if the backlight is off, when a radio wave from the outside is received, the backlight of the display device is turned on and the display based on the reception is performed. That is, when there is no information and there is no need to transmit information, the display operation is stopped to prevent the operation from being disturbed.

When a radio wave from outside the vehicle such as a roadside machine is received in the wait state 406 or the ready state 412 (420
And 424), the communication terminal device transitions to the active state 422. In the active state 422, communication is performed with the wireless device of the stationary terminal device of the other party such as the roadside. When these communications are completed (418 and 426), the state returns to the original state of the wait state 406 or the ready state 412 again.

Wait state 406 and ready state 412
When the power is cut off in the active state 422 (404 or 4
16 and 428) Return all to the power-off state 400. Further, when a communication state with another communication device such as a roadside device is entered, the active state 422 is automatically set. If communication is abnormal in this state, the same as when communication ended (418 or 42
6) Return to the original state that is the wait state 406 or the ready state 412 again.

FIG. 12 shows the basic operation on the entrance side of a highway. When entering the expressway (step 500), the radio wave from the roadside wireless device is received in front of the entrance gate of the expressway to enter the active state 422. In this state, communication with the roadside wireless device is performed (step 502). Through this communication, predetermined communication such as confirmation of the other party is performed. Next, the roadside machine tells the communication terminal device whether to pay the toll at the entrance gate like the Shuto Expressway or to pass without paying the toll at the entrance gate like the general highways and pay at the exit gate (step 504).

On the highway where the toll is paid at the exit gate, a permission to pass the entrance gate is obtained by radio communication, and "for example, OK" meaning permission of passage is displayed on the display device of the communication terminal device (step 506). The communication terminal records the entrance gate name for payment at the exit gate (step 508). The basic operation on the entrance side is completed (step 510).

FIG. 13 shows the basic operation 550 on the exit side of a highway. The communication terminal device receives roadside radio waves in front of the exit gate of the expressway, the communication terminal device becomes active 422, and basic communication such as confirmation of the other party is performed (step 552). Next, the payment method is checked to see if the fee has been paid (step 554). Further, in the case of a general payment method of post-payment, the recorded entrance name of the expressway and the type of vehicle that have been recorded are sent from the communication terminal device to the roadside, and the charge is calculated on the roadside. When the charge information is received from the roadside, the charge is displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal device (step 556).
In the case of prepaid fare such as Shuto Expressway, a display indicating permission of passage, “for example, OK” is displayed. If the fee is paid at the exit gate, communication is performed to pay the fee (step 558). When payment communication is over, a display indicating that payment has been made is displayed (step 558).

It is necessary to assume that an abnormality will occur during the payment of fees. The IC card 3 always keeps the latest history so that the history can be read out if necessary. The latest history stores the contents of passage through the gate and payment of charges up to a certain amount, for example up to 100, from the present to the past. When new contents are stored, the oldest data is deleted due to the memory capacity and the recorded contents are updated.
If an abnormality occurs, this history can be read and handled.

The history display operation of the communication terminal device will be described.
When the IC card 3 is inserted, the ready state 412 is set. If you press the menu button here,
The usage history display is displayed. When the enter (confirm) button is operated in this display, this menu is selected and detailed information on past usage details is displayed. This display is displayed from the most recent one, and when the menu button is operated, the past data is displayed one by one. These data are the data stored in the IC card. When the usage history is displayed for a certain period of time, for example, 5 seconds, the display disappears automatically. However, pressing any key will restart the display. This is to improve safety. In this way, the past history can be read from the card and displayed.

[0085]

According to the present invention, the IC card reader / writer and the main board are assembled in the case in the up-down direction in a state of being independently arranged and built in, so that the manufacturing steps are simplified and the manufacturing is easy and the assembly is performed. A communication terminal device (charge payment device) that is easy and suitable for downsizing can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to give directivity to the communication direction from the antenna, and there is an advantage that communication with the ETC antenna can be surely performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state before assembly of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front side configuration diagram of a main board.

FIG. 3 is a rear side configuration diagram of a main board.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a lower case.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an assembled state.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an assembled state.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a pre-assembly state according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a communication state diagram.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the RF module used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart diagram.

FIG. 11 is an operation flow chart showing an operation state.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a basic operation on the entrance side of a highway.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a basic operation on the exit side of a highway.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Upper case, 2 ... Lower case, 3 ... IC card, 4 ... I
C card reader / writer, 5, 54, 54a, 54b ...
Main board, 6 ... RF module, 7 ... Thin module shield, 8 ... Module connector, 9 ... Module board, 10 ... Antenna, 12 ... Main board shield, 13
… IC card storage, 14… Module bracket, 1
5 ... Buzzer, 16 ... Test terminal, 17 ... Power supply section, 20 ...
LCD module, 21 ... IC card return button, 22
... Attachment, 23 ... Thin plate, 25 ... Communication processing unit, 28 ...
Operation button, 29 ... Operation button hole, 31 ... Storage room, 41
... Blanet for adjusting mounting angle, 51, 51a, 51b
... Boss (first), 52, 52a, 52b ... Boss (second), 53 ... Support base, 55, 55a, 55b ... Claw portion (first), 56, 56a, 56b ... Claw portion (second).

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Koji Abe 2520 Takaba, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi, Ltd. Inside the Automotive Equipment Group (72) Inventor Toshio Ebisawa 2520 Takaba, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture Shares Company Hitachi Ltd. Automotive equipment group (72) Inventor Toshinasa Kawamura 2520 Takaba, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi Ltd. Automotive equipment group (56) References JP-A-10-320514 (JP, A) JP-A-9-35099 (JP, A) JP-A-63-44291 (JP, A) JP-A-7-14019 (JP, A) JP-A-11-251826 (JP, A) (58) Survey Fields (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G07B 15/00

Claims (18)

(57) [Claims] 1. A communication terminal device mounted on a vehicle for communicating information about vehicle passage information with a stationary terminal device, comprising a case body composed of an upper case and a lower case to be connected and with which an IC card is inserted and removed. It has a thin IC card reader / writer which is mounted as much as possible and can read and write information stored in an IC card, and has a module substrate on which an antenna is mounted and a main substrate shield on the module substrate. An RF module is mounted on a main board on which a communication processing unit that controls communication with the IC card reader / writer is mounted, and the main board is shielded by the main board shield to mount the IC card reader / writer and the main board. Assembled vertically in the case body in the state of independent arrangement and built in, and insert the IC card in the case body A communication terminal device, wherein a display device for displaying a result processed by the communication processing unit is provided on the mouth portion side and the insertion mouth portion side. 2. A communication terminal device mounted on a vehicle for communicating information about vehicle passage information between a stationary terminal device and a stationary terminal device, comprising a case body composed of an upper case and a lower case, and inserting and removing an IC card. It has a thin IC card reader / writer that can be read and written on information stored in an IC card as much as possible, a module substrate on which an antenna is mounted, a thin module shield on the module substrate, and a main An RF module including a substrate shield is mounted on a main substrate having a communication processing unit that controls communication with the IC card reader / writer, the main substrate being shielded by the main substrate shield, and the IC card reader / writer. The main board and the main board are separately installed and assembled in the case body in the vertical direction. , The communication terminal apparatus characterized by a display device for displaying the result of processing by the communication processing section and the insertion opening side the insertion opening of the IC card is provided in the case body. 3. The RF module according to claim 2, wherein the module substrate is provided with an inclination forming member having a bracket on a surface opposite to the antenna arrangement.
A communication terminal device, wherein a module is mounted so as to be inclined with respect to the main board. 4. The communication terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the bracket is formed by cutting a thin plate. 5. The communication terminal device according to claim 2, wherein a buzzer for issuing an alarm, a test terminal, and a power supply terminal are provided on the surface of the main board on which the RF module is mounted. 6. The communication terminal device according to claim 5, wherein the main board is provided with a processing device for performing communication control in a planar shape. 7. A communication terminal device mounted on a vehicle for communicating information about vehicle passage information with a stationary terminal device, comprising a case body composed of an upper case and a lower case to be connected, and inserting and removing an IC card. It has a thin IC card reader / writer that can be read and written on information stored in an IC card as much as possible, a module substrate on which an antenna is mounted, a thin module shield on the module substrate, and a main An RF module including a substrate shield is mounted on a main substrate having a communication processing unit that controls communication with the IC card reader / writer, and the main substrate is shielded by the main substrate shield. Holder for holding IC card reader / writer and main board, and main board insertion plan Boss is formed, the storage chamber and the IC card reader writer therein to store the IC card I
An elongated rectangular flat box with a C card entrance I
The IC card reader / writer having a C card storage part and the main board are separated and built in the case body. The case body stores an IC card insertion port and a communication-controlled signal at the insertion port side. A communication terminal device comprising a display device for displaying. 8. The communication terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the lower case is provided with an angle adjustment bracket provided on a fixture so that a communication direction of the antenna is adjusted. 9. The IC card insertion opening is formed in the lower case, and the IC card insertion opening of the IC card reader / writer is I-shaped.
A communication terminal device that guides a C card. 10. The LCD module insertion opening is formed in the upper case, and the LCD module insertion opening is formed when the LCD module is inserted into the LCD module insertion opening. A communication terminal device, wherein the display device is positioned above the IC card insertion opening of the lower case and is fixed by being pressed by the upper case when the upper case is assembled to the lower case. 11. The communication terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the IC card reader / writer has a spring function unit that pushes the inserted IC card toward the IC card insertion opening. 12. A communication terminal device mounted on a vehicle for communicating information about vehicle passage information with a stationary terminal device, comprising a case body composed of an upper case and a lower case to be combined, and inserting / removing an IC card. It has a thin IC card reader / writer that can be read and written on information stored in an IC card as much as possible, a module substrate on which an antenna is mounted, a thin module shield on the module substrate, and a main An RF module including a substrate shield is mounted on a main substrate having a communication processing unit that controls communication with the IC card reader / writer, and the main substrate is shielded by the main substrate shield. Holder for holding IC card reader / writer and main board, main board insertion guide And an IC card insertion port is formed over substantially the entire width of the inlet side and the entrance side, and the IC card reader / writer and the main board are built in the case body. A communication terminal device comprising a display device for displaying a result processed by the communication processing unit on the mouth side. 13. The IC card reader / writer according to claim 12, wherein the IC card reader / writer is formed in a bag shape having an IC card insertion opening, and the inserted IC card is I
A communication terminal device characterized in that it has a spring function part that is pushed out to the C card insertion opening side, and the length of the IC card and the spring function part occupy almost the entire lateral width of the lower case. 14. A protrusion having a height comparable to that of an RF module, such as a buzzer for issuing an alarm, a test terminal, and a power supply unit, on a surface of a main board on which the RF module is mounted. A communication terminal device characterized by being provided. 15. The communication terminal device according to claim 12, wherein the antenna is provided outside as a separate body. 16. A communication terminal device mounted on a vehicle for communicating information about vehicle passage information with a stationary terminal device, comprising a case body composed of an upper case and a lower case to be combined with each other, and inserting and removing an IC card. It has a thin IC card reader / writer that can be read and written to and stored in an IC card as much as possible, and has a module board on which an antenna is mounted, a main board shield on the module board, and a tilt. An RF module including a forming material shields the main board by the main board shield on a main board on which a communication processing unit that performs communication control with the IC card reader / writer is mounted, and the main board is shielded from the main board. The IC card reader / writer is mounted so as to be inclined toward the antenna at an acute angle. It has an elongated rectangular flat box-shaped IC card storage unit having a storage chamber and an IC card inlet for storing the IC card reader / writer and the main board independently. In the case body, it is vertically assembled and built in, and the case body is provided with an insertion opening portion of the IC card and a display device for displaying a result processed by the communication processing portion on the insertion opening side. Communication terminal device. 17. A communication terminal device mounted on a vehicle for communicating information about vehicle passage information with a stationary terminal device, comprising: a case body composed of an upper case and a lower case to be connected and with which an IC card is inserted and removed. It has a thin IC card reader / writer that can be read and written on information stored in an IC card as much as possible, a module board on which an antenna is mounted, a thin module shield on the module board, and a main An RF module including a substrate shield and an inclination forming member shields the main substrate with the main substrate shield on a main substrate having a communication processing unit that performs communication control with the IC card reader / writer, and The IC card is mounted so as to be inclined with respect to the main board toward the antenna so as to form an acute angle. The reader / writer has an elongated rectangular flat box-shaped IC card storage unit having a storage chamber and an IC card entrance to store the IC card therein, and the IC card reader / writer and the main board. Are assembled and built in the case body in the vertical direction in the state of being independently arranged, and the case body has an insertion opening portion of the IC card and a display device for displaying the result processed by the communication processing portion on the insertion opening side. A communication terminal device provided. 18. The communication terminal device according to claim 16, wherein the antenna is provided outside as a separate body.