JP2000311261A - On-vehicle device for automatic toll collection system and navigator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a navigator capable of preventing the driver of a vehicle passing through a toll road entrance with an issued pass received from entering into a dedicated lane (ETC lane) for an automatic toll collection system mistakenly at an exit toll gate due to misunderstanding, etc., by providing a deciding means that decides whether the vehicle driver passes through a toll road entrance by the automatic toll collection system (the so-called ETC) or with the issued pass received and a signaling mean that notifying the driver of the purport at least before an exit of the toll road when the deciding means decides that the driver receives the issued pass and passes through the entrance. SOLUTION: This navigator mounted on a vehicle which is not provided with an on-vehicle device that performs transmission and reception with a roadside device set to a toll road and carries out toll collection is provided with a deciding means A5 that decides whether the driver of a vehicle passes through a toll road entrance by an automatic toll collection system or with an issued pass received and a signaling means A14 that notifies the driver of the purport at least before a toll road exit when the means A5 decides that the driver receives the issued pass and passes through the entrance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an in-vehicle vehicle for an automatic toll collection system for exchanging information with an entrance or an exit of a toll road or a roadside device installed in front of these toll collection. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a navigation device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an automatic toll collection system (Electronic Toll) has been developed for the purpose of non-stop at tollgates on toll roads, mitigation of traffic congestion, cashlessness, and reduction of human expenses.
Collection so-called ETC) has been developed. That is, when a vehicle passes an entrance of a toll road, the vehicle includes a roadside device installed at an entrance or an exit of a toll road, an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and an IC card that is attached to and detached from a card reader of the on-vehicle device. , Transmit and receive information between the onboard equipment and the entrance roadside equipment, and when the vehicle passes through the exit of the toll road,
This is an automatic toll collection system that calculates the toll road usage fee of the vehicle and enables toll collection from the account of the IC card owner (JP-A-8-305908, JP-A-8-305908).
-2594, JP-A-8-305914, JP-A-1
0-222705).

[0003] By the way, at the entrance and exit of the toll road, a normal lane for issuing a toll ticket to enable the use of both ordinary vehicles that are not ETC-compatible vehicles and ETC-compatible vehicles, and an exclusive toll collection system. Lane (E
TC lane).

[0004] Thus, both lanes (normal lane, ETC)
When a lane is additionally provided, a vehicle that has passed the normal lane on the entrance side is allowed to pass on the normal lane on the exit side. Also, an ETC-compatible vehicle that has passed through the ETC lane on the entrance side is allowed to pass on the ETC lane on the exit side. Furthermore, an ETC-compatible vehicle that has passed through the ETC lane at the entrance side can also pass through the normal lane at the exit side if means for reading the IC card information by an attendant operation at the toll road exit can be provided in advance at the exit tollgate. is there.

[0005] However, a vehicle passing through a normal lane at the entrance of a toll road by issuing a toll ticket issues an E at the toll road exit tollgate.
Passing through the TC lane is restricted (prohibited) because it is impossible to collect tolls. However, in each of the above-mentioned conventional devices, vehicles that have passed through toll road entrances by issuing toll tickets It is impossible to prevent intrusion into the ETC lane in advance, so if a vehicle that has passed through a toll road entrance due to a ticket issue tries to pass through the exit tollgate on the ETC lane due to misunderstanding of the occupants, etc. There was a concern that the vehicle control gate provided on the road side would be closed and traffic congestion would occur.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a judging means for judging whether the vehicle has passed an entrance of a toll road by an automatic toll collection system (so-called ETC) or by issuing a toll ticket. When it is determined by this determination means that the vehicle has passed by issuing a toll ticket, at least in front of the exit of the toll road, a notification device for notifying that fact is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device capable of preventing a lane (ETC lane) dedicated to an automatic toll collection system from being erroneously invaded at an exit tollgate due to a passenger's misunderstanding or the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned determination means automatically determines at the entrance of the toll road based on the current position measured by the current position positioning means. Toll collection system dedicated lane (ET
(C lane) to determine whether or not the vehicle has passed the lane (ETC lane) dedicated to the automatic toll collection system at the entrance of the toll road from the current position where the positioning has been performed. With the goal.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first aspect, a receiving means (ET) for receiving a roadside signal for an automatic toll collection system from a roadside device.
C antenna), and based on the input from the receiving means, the determination means determines whether or not the vehicle has passed through the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system (ETC lane) at the entrance of the toll road, thereby determining the current position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device capable of improving the reliability of determination as compared with a navigation device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in an on-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system, a judging means for judging whether a vehicle has passed a toll road entrance by the system or a toll ticket issuance, and this judging means Is provided at least in front of the exit of the toll road when it is determined that the vehicle has passed by issuing a toll ticket. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle-mounted device for an automatic toll collection system which can prevent an accidental intrusion into an automatic toll collection system dedicated lane (ETC lane) at an exit tollgate.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the fourth aspect of the present invention, a current position measuring means for measuring a current position is provided, and the determining means determines the position by the current position measuring means. When the vehicle position passes through the toll road entrance on the map, whether to pass through the automatic toll collection system or to pass through a toll ticket depends on whether or not a roadside signal for the automatic toll collection system is received from the roadside device. An object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system that can improve the reliability of the determination by making the determination.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the fourth aspect, when the current position measured by the current position positioning means is near the entrance or the exit of the toll road, the navigation device is provided. , A request signal is transmitted to the in-vehicle device, and the request signal is transmitted when necessary by executing the determination of the determination unit or the notification of the notification unit in response to the request signal, thereby reducing the load on the in-vehicle device side. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system that can perform the operation.

[0012] The invention according to claim 7 of the present invention, in addition to the object of the invention according to claim 4 or 6, is characterized in that when the vehicle passes through the entrance by the automatic toll collection system and when the vehicle passes through the entrance by issuing a toll ticket. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system capable of improving the discriminability of occupants by differentiating the notification mode of the notification means and capable of satisfactorily discriminating whether the vehicle has passed through a toll road entrance. I do.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the fourth or seventh aspect, a predetermined signal from a roadside device provided in front of an exit tollgate on a toll road is provided.
When an (exit notice signal) is received, the notifying means notifies the in-vehicle device of the automatic toll collection system which can execute the notification at an appropriate notification timing by receiving the above-mentioned predetermined signal. And

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the objects of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh aspects, the above-mentioned notifying means notifies the guidance direction at the toll road exit. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system that can improve convenience.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in a navigation device connectable to an on-board device for an automatic toll collection system, a detecting means for detecting whether or not the on-board device is connected to the navigation device; The lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system just before the entrance or exit of the toll road when the disconnection of the onboard equipment is detected by the means
(ETC lane) by providing a notifying means for notifying that the vehicle cannot pass through the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the intrusion into the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system by mistake when the in-vehicle device is not connected. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device capable of making the navigation device ETC-compliant by connection.

The invention according to claim 11 of the present invention, in addition to the object of the invention according to claim 10, is to notify the normal lane by the notification means when the detection means detects the disconnection of the vehicle-mounted device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device capable of notifying an automatic toll collection system dedicated lane of intrusion restriction just before an entrance or exit of a toll road.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the tenth aspect, a connecting means for connecting the on-vehicle equipment and the navigation device is provided, and the connecting means is connected by the detecting means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device that can reliably detect the connection of the vehicle-mounted device by detecting the presence or absence of the connection of the vehicle-mounted device based on the presence or absence of the device, and can prevent malfunction on the navigation device side. I do.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the tenth aspect, the navigation device detects whether or not the vehicle is a vehicle equipped with on-vehicle equipment by initial setting. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device capable of reducing the load on the side.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the fourth aspect, a roadside signal from a roadside device of an automatic toll collection system when a vehicle passes through an entrance of a toll road is provided. Receiving means (see ETC antenna)
However, by providing a determination means for determining whether or not the entrance passage signal has been received within a predetermined time, the vehicle has passed through the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system at the entrance of the toll road without performing positioning and detection of the current position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle-mounted device for an automatic toll collection system that can determine whether the vehicle has passed through a normal lane, and can execute appropriate notification on the near side of an exit of a toll road.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first, second, third, tenth, eleventh, and thirteenth aspects, an automatic toll collection system is provided at a toll road entrance. A storage means for storing that the vehicle has passed the dedicated lane is provided, and when the vehicle has passed the toll road exit or after notification by the notification means, the dedicated lane passage storage data of the storage means is reset, so that the next time the toll road is used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device capable of reliably preventing malfunction due to remaining stored data.

According to the invention of claim 16 of the present invention, in addition to the object of the invention of claims 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 14, the automatic toll collection system at the entrance of the vehicle at the toll road is provided. A storage means for storing that the vehicle has passed the dedicated lane is provided, and when the vehicle has passed the toll road exit or after notification by the notification means, the dedicated lane passage storage data of the storage means is reset, so that the next time the toll road is used. It is an object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system capable of reliably preventing a malfunction due to remaining stored data.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first, second, third, tenth, eleventh, and thirteenth aspects, an entrance of a toll road through which a vehicle passes is provided. When there is no exit toll road on the toll road by canceling or determining whether the lane has passed through the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system or the normal lane when the tollgate is not issuing tickets It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device capable of preventing a malfunction that occurs in a navigation device.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or fourteenth aspects, an entrance of a toll road through which a vehicle passes is provided. When there is no exit toll road on the toll road by canceling or determining whether the lane has passed through the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system or the normal lane when the tollgate is not issuing tickets It is an object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system capable of preventing malfunctions occurring in a vehicle.

[0024]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an on-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system which performs transmission and reception with a roadside device set on a toll road to execute toll collection. A navigation device mounted on a vehicle that does not have an automatic toll collection system, and a determination device that determines whether the vehicle has passed through a toll road entrance by issuing a toll ticket. When the determination is made, the navigation device is provided with a notifying means for notifying at least just before the exit of the toll road.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a current position measuring means for measuring a current position of the vehicle, and the determining means is a current position measuring means. It is a navigation device that determines whether or not the vehicle has passed the dedicated lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system at the entrance of the toll road based on the current position measured in the above.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, receiving means for receiving a roadside signal for an automatic toll collection system from a roadside device, It is a navigation device that determines whether or not the vehicle has passed a dedicated lane dedicated to an automatic toll collection system at an entrance of a toll road based on an input from a receiving unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system for executing toll collection by transmitting / receiving data to / from a roadside device installed on a toll road. A determination means for determining whether the vehicle has passed by the above-mentioned system or by passing a toll ticket is provided. When the determination means determines that the vehicle has passed by issuing a toll ticket, a notification to that effect is provided at least before the exit of the toll road. It is a vehicle equipment for an automatic toll collection system provided with means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation device having a current position measuring means for measuring a current position,
When the vehicle position determined by the current position positioning means passes through the toll road entrance on the map, the determination means determines whether or not a roadside signal for an automatic toll collection system has been received from a roadside device. It is an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation device having a current position measuring means for measuring a current position,
When the current position measured by the current position positioning means is near the entrance or exit of the toll road, a request signal is transmitted from the navigation device to the in-vehicle device, and upon receiving the request signal, the judgment of the judgment means or the notification of the notification means is made. It is an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system to be executed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth or sixth aspect of the present invention, the notifying means determines whether the automatic judging means has passed the automatic toll collection system. It is an on-board device for an automatic toll collection system that performs notification at least in front of an exit of a toll road in a manner different from passing by a toll ticket.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth or seventh aspect of the present invention, the notification means includes a predetermined signal from a roadside device provided in front of an exit tollgate on a toll road. Is a vehicle-mounted device for an automatic toll collection system that issues a notification when it receives a.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth aspect of the present invention, the notifying means notifies the guidance direction at the toll road exit. It is an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation device connectable to an on-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system, and a detecting means for detecting whether or not the on-vehicle device is connected to the navigation device. And a notifying means for notifying that the lane cannot be passed through the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system in front of the entrance or exit of the toll road when the detection of the in-vehicle device is detected by the detection means. Features.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the tenth aspect, when the disconnection of the on-vehicle device is detected by the detection means, the notification means transmits the signal to the normal lane. It is a navigation device that performs guidance notification.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the tenth aspect, a connecting means for connecting the vehicle-mounted device and the navigation device is provided.
The detection means is a navigation device which detects the presence or absence of connection of the on-vehicle device based on the presence or absence of connection of the connection means.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the tenth aspect, the detecting means is a navigation device for detecting whether or not the vehicle is equipped with an on-vehicle device by initial setting. Features.

According to the invention of claim 14 of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the invention of claim 4, when the own vehicle passes through the entrance of the toll road, the roadside signal from the roadside device of the automatic toll collection system. Is an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system provided with a determination unit for determining whether an entrance passage signal is received within a predetermined time.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first, second, third, tenth, eleventh, or thirteenth aspect, the present invention provides an automatic toll collection system at the entrance of a toll road. The navigation device is provided with storage means for storing that the vehicle has passed the dedicated lane, and resets the dedicated lane passage storage data of the storage means when the vehicle has passed the toll road exit or after notification by the notification means. And

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or fourteenth aspects of the present invention, an automatic toll collection system is provided at the entrance of a toll road. An on-board device for an automatic toll collection system that has storage means for storing that the vehicle has passed the dedicated lane, and resets the dedicated lane passage storage data of the storage means when the vehicle has passed the toll road exit or after notification by the notification means. It is characterized by being.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first, second, third, tenth, eleventh, or thirteenth aspect, the entrance of the toll road through which the vehicle passes is a toll ticket. When the tollgate is a non-ticketing toll booth, the navigation device is characterized in that it is a navigation device that determines whether or not the lane has passed through the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system or the normal lane.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or fourteenth aspects of the present invention, an entrance of a toll road through which a vehicle passes is provided. When the tollgate is a non-ticketing toll booth, it is characterized in that it is an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system which determines whether or not the lane has passed through a lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system or a normal lane or cancels storage.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the determining means determines whether the vehicle has passed the entrance of the toll road by the automatic toll collection system or by issuing a toll ticket. When the determining means determines that the ticket has been passed by issuing a toll ticket, the notifying means notifies the user of the fact at least before the exit of the toll road. As a result, vehicles passing through the toll road entrance due to issuance of a toll ticket may be misunderstood by the occupants, etc. at the exit tollgate to the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system (E
There is an effect that it is possible to prevent inadvertent entry into the (TC lane).

According to the invention described in claim 2 of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the above-described current position positioning means measures the current position of the vehicle, and the determination means determines whether or not the vehicle has an automatic toll collection system at a toll road entrance based on the measured current position. It is determined whether the vehicle has passed the dedicated lane. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the vehicle has passed the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system at the entrance of the toll road from the current position of the measured vehicle.

According to the third aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the receiving means receives a roadside signal for an automatic toll collection system from a roadside device, and the determining means based on an input from the receiving means. It is determined whether or not the own vehicle has passed through the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system. As a result,
There is an effect that the determination certainty can be improved as compared with the case where the current position is measured.

According to the invention described in claim 4 of the present invention,
The above-described determination means determines whether the own vehicle has passed the toll road entrance by the automatic toll collection system or has passed by issuing a toll ticket, and the notifying means described above has determined that the determination means has passed the toll road ticket issuance, Notify at least just before the exit of the toll road. As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent an ETC-compatible vehicle that has passed the toll road entrance by issuing a toll ticket from inadvertently entering the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system at the exit tollgate due to misunderstanding of the occupant or the like. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned current position measuring means measures the current position of the own vehicle, and the above-mentioned judging means makes the measured own vehicle position pass through the toll road entrance on the map. At this time, whether to pass by the automatic toll collection system or to pass by a toll ticket is determined depending on whether or not a roadside signal for the automatic toll collection system is received from the roadside device. Therefore, there is an effect that the reliability of the determination can be improved.

According to the invention described in claim 6 of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the fourth aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned current position positioning means measures the current position of the own vehicle, and the navigation device sets the vehicle-mounted device when the measured current position is near the entrance or exit of the toll road. , A request signal is transmitted, and upon receipt of the request signal, the above-described determination means or notification means performs notification. Since the request signal is transmitted only when necessary, the load on the in-vehicle device can be reduced.

According to the invention described in claim 7 of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 4 or 6, when the determination means determines that the vehicle has passed by the automatic toll collection system, the notification means differs from the passage by a toll ticket at least at the exit of the toll road. To execute the notification.
As a result, the discriminability and the recognizability to the occupant are improved, and there is an effect that it is possible to satisfactorily distinguish which lane has passed the toll road entrance.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the fourth or seventh aspect of the present invention, when the notification means receives a predetermined signal from a roadside device provided in front of an exit tollgate on a toll road, a notification is made. By receiving the exit notice signal (see the exit notice signal), the notification can be executed at an appropriate notification timing.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in claims 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the above-mentioned notification means notifies the guidance direction at the toll road exit, so that there is an effect that the convenience can be improved. .

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device which can be connected to the on-board device for the automatic toll collection system, the detecting means determines whether or not the on-board device is connected to the navigation device. When the detection means detects the disconnection of the in-vehicle device, the notification means notifies that the vehicle cannot pass through the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system just before the entrance or the exit of the toll road. As a result, it is possible to prevent the intrusion into the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system by mistake when the in-vehicle device is not connected, and it is possible to make the navigation device ETC-compliant when the in-vehicle device is connected. .

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the tenth aspect, when the detection means detects that the vehicle-mounted device is not connected, the above-mentioned notification is made. Since the means normally informs the guidance to the lane, there is an effect that, when the on-vehicle device is not connected, the restriction on the intrusion into the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system is provided just before the entrance or the exit of the toll road.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the tenth aspect, the connecting means connects the in-vehicle device and the navigation device, and the detecting means connects. The presence / absence of the connection of the vehicle equipment is detected based on the presence / absence of the connection of the means. For this reason, the connection of the in-vehicle device can be reliably detected by the detection means described above,
There is an effect that a malfunction on the navigation device side can be prevented.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the tenth aspect, the detecting means detects whether or not the vehicle is equipped with an on-vehicle device by initial setting. As a result, there is an effect that the load on the navigation device can be reduced.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the fourth aspect, the above-mentioned receiving means is provided when the vehicle passes through the entrance of the toll road. The roadside signal from the roadside device is received, and the determination means determines whether or not the entrance passage signal has been received within a predetermined time. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the vehicle has passed the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system or the normal lane at the entrance of the toll road without performing positioning and detection of the current position. There is an effect that the notification can be executed.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the first, second, third, tenth, eleventh and twelfth aspects of the present invention are provided.
In addition to the effect of the invention described in 3, the storage means stores that the vehicle has passed through the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system at the entrance of the toll road. After the notification is performed, the dedicated lane passage storage data of the storage unit is reset. As a result, there is an effect that a malfunction due to remaining stored data can be reliably prevented when the toll road is used next time.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or fourteenth aspects of the present invention, the above-mentioned storage means requires that the own vehicle be charged Although the fact that the vehicle has passed through the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system at the entrance of the road is stored, when the vehicle has passed the exit of the toll road or after the notification by the notification means, the dedicated lane passage storage data of the storage means is reset. As a result, there is an effect that a malfunction due to remaining stored data can be reliably prevented when the toll road is used next time.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned claim 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, or 1
In addition to the effect of the invention described in 3 above, when the entrance of the toll road through which the vehicle passes is a tollgate that does not issue a toll ticket, whether the vehicle has passed through the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system or the normal lane Cancel the judgment or storage.
For this reason, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent a malfunction that occurs when there is no exit tollgate on a toll road.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or fourteenth aspects, the entrance of the toll road through which the own vehicle passes is provided. Is a tollgate that does not issue a toll ticket, the determination or storage of whether the vehicle has passed through the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system or the normal lane is canceled. For this reason, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent a malfunction that occurs when there is no exit tollgate on a toll road.

[0060]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings show the in-vehicle equipment and the navigation device for an automatic toll collection system. First, referring to FIG. 1, an example of the arrangement of roadside equipment in an automatic toll collection system (Electronic Toll Collection; hereinafter simply referred to as an ETC system) will be described. explain.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of roadside equipment. A normal gate 3 for issuing a toll ticket and an entrance antenna 4 by an ETC system are installed at an entrance 2 of a toll road 1. A normal lane 5 is provided corresponding to 3, and a lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system (hereinafter simply referred to as an ETC lane) 6 is provided corresponding to the entrance antenna 4.

Further, on the front side of the toll road entrance 2, an entrance front antenna 7 for transmitting an entrance notice signal (predetermined signal) is provided. An antenna 13 is provided on the near side of the toll road exit 8 for transmitting an exit notice signal (predetermined signal).

Although this embodiment exemplifies a case where the front side of the entrance to the entrance 2 both have six lanes, the number of lanes is not limited. Further, at the exit 8 of the toll road 1, a conventional normal gate 9 for collecting cash as a usage fee,
An exit antenna 10 by the TC system is installed, a normal lane 11 is provided corresponding to the normal gate 9, and an ETC lane 12 is provided corresponding to the exit antenna 10. In this embodiment, the lane before the exit is 5 lanes, and the exit 8 is 6 lanes.
Although the case of a lane is illustrated, it is not limited to this number of lanes.

Here, the above-mentioned ETC system includes the antennas 4, 7, 10, and 13 installed at the entrance 2 and the exit 8 of the toll road 1 or in front of them, the on-board equipment mounted on the vehicle, and the on-board equipment. A credit card or other IC card attached to and detached from the card reader,
When the vehicle passes through the entrance 2 of the toll road, information is transmitted and received between the vehicle-mounted device and the entrance antenna 4, and the vehicle is moved to the exit 8
Is a system that calculates the toll road usage fee for the vehicle when it passes through the ETC lane 12, and enables the collection of tolls from the IC card owner's account. And reduce human expenses.

FIG. 2 shows a navigation device 14 mounted on the vehicle. A GPS receiver 16 is connected to a GPS antenna 15 for receiving radio waves from a GPS satellite (not shown). A gyro 17 as a traveling direction (relative running direction) detecting means and a vehicle speed sensor 18 as a vehicle speed detecting means are connected to the CPU 20, respectively.

The above components 16, 17, and 18 are used for the vehicle.
On the other hand, the CPU 20 is connected to a map memory 22 such as a CD-ROM for storing road map information.

The CPU 20 executes a ROM operation based on inputs from the GPS receiver 16, the gyro 17, and the vehicle speed sensor 18.
In accordance with the program stored in the storage 23, the display unit 24 and the notification unit 25 are drive-controlled, and the position of the vehicle is displayed on the map read from the map memory 22. The RAM 26 stores the ETC lane passage storage data (flag F = 1 shown in FIG. 3).
Necessary data and maps, such as a reference, are stored.

As the display section 24, display means such as an LCD or a dot matrix display can be used, and as the notification section 25, a sound notification means including a speaker or a buzzer can be used.

Here, the CPU 20 determines a means for determining whether the vehicle has passed the toll road entrance 2 by the ETC system or by issuing a toll ticket (see the fifth step A5 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3). Notification means for notifying at least in front of the toll road exit 8 when the determination means determines that the toll ticket has been issued (see the fourteenth step A14 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3);
A storage means for storing that the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2 (see the sixth step A6 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3), and a notification means when the vehicle has passed the toll road exit 8 or Each step A12, A14
(See step A16 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3) and data reset means for resetting (see F = 0) the ETC lane passage storage data (see flag F) of the storage means after the notification by the reference vehicle. Canceling means for determining whether or not the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 or the normal lane 5 or cancels the storage when the entrance 2 of the toll road 1 is a tollgate where no toll ticket is issued.
(NO in the third step A3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3)
(See Judgment).

In this embodiment, the above-mentioned determination means (see the fifth step A5) is based on the current position of the own vehicle measured by the current position positioning means 21, and the own vehicle passes through the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2. It is configured to determine whether or not it has been done. The operation of the navigation device thus configured will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In a first step A 1, the CPU 20 detects the current position of the own vehicle based on the input from the current position positioning means 21, and in a next second step A 2, the CPU 20 determines the position of the own vehicle and the map memory 22. It is determined whether or not the current position is the toll road entrance 2 based on the comparison with the map information from, and when the determination is NO, the process proceeds to the eighth step A8, and when the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next third step A3.

In the third step A3, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the entrance 2 is a ticket issuing office. When the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next fourth step A4, while when the determination is NO (the entrance 2 does not issue a toll ticket). At the time of the tollgate), the judgment (fifth
(See step A5) or store (see sixth step A6)
The processing is terminated for the purpose of canceling and the process returns to the first step A1.

At the above-described fourth step A4, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 from the current position. At the next fifth step A5, the CPU 20 determines whether the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6. The passage determination of the ETC lane 6 is performed based on the determination. When the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the sixth step A6, and when the determination is NO, the process proceeds to another seventh step A7.

In the above-mentioned sixth step A6, the CPU 20 stores the flag F = 1 as ETC lane passage storage data in a predetermined area of the RAM 26 in an updatable manner. On the other hand, in the seventh step A7, the CPU 20 stores the flag F = 0 in a predetermined area of the RAM 26.

The flag F indicates that when F = 1, the vehicle has passed through the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2.
When F = 0, it indicates that the vehicle has passed the normal lane 5 at the entrance 2 of the toll road.

On the other hand, in the aforementioned eighth step A8, the CPU
20 determines whether the current position of the own vehicle is just before the exit tollgate of the toll road 1 from both the measured current position of the own vehicle and the map information.
1 and when the determination is YES, the next ninth step A
Move to 9.

In the ninth step A9, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the exit 8 is a toll gate.
On the other hand, when the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next tenth step A10.

In the tenth step A10, the CPU 20
Reads the flag F from a predetermined area of the RAM 26, and in the next eleventh step A11, the CPU 20 executes the flag determination. When F = 1, the twelfth step A12
On the other hand, when F = 0, the fourteenth step A14
Move to

In the twelfth step A12, the CPU 2
0 drives the display unit 24 and / or the notification unit 25 in response to F = 1 to display and sound notification to the occupant that the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the entrance 2, and in the next thirteenth step A13, The CPU 20 guides the own vehicle, especially the ETC-compatible vehicle, to the ETC lane 12 at the toll road exit 8.

On the other hand, in the above-described fourteenth step A14, C
The PU 20 corresponds to the display unit 24 or the notification unit 2 corresponding to F = 0.
5 or both are driven to display and sound to the occupant that the vehicle has not passed through the ETC lane 6 at the entrance 2, that is, passed through the normal lane 5, and the next fifteenth step A1
At 5, the CPU 20 guides the vehicle to the normal lane 11 at the toll road exit 8. Next, in a sixteenth step A16,
The CPU 20 resets the flag F, that is, sets F = 0,
After finishing the process, the process returns to the first step A1.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 (an embodiment corresponding to the first, second, fifteenth, and seventeenth aspects), the above-described determination means (see the fifth step A5) includes a toll road entrance. 2
It is determined whether the vehicle has passed by the ETC system or by passing a toll ticket, and the notification means (see step A14) determines that the determining means (see step A5) has passed by issuing a pass ticket. When it is determined (when F = 0),
At least just before the exit of the toll road 1 is notified.
As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent a vehicle that has passed through the toll road entrance 2 by issuing a toll ticket from inadvertently entering the ETC lane 12 at the exit tollgate due to misunderstanding of a passenger or the like.

Further, the above-mentioned current position measuring means 21 measures the current position of the vehicle and determines it (refer to the fifth step A5).
Determines whether or not the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2 based on the measured current position.
Therefore, the toll road entrance 2
Has the effect that it can be determined whether or not the vehicle has passed through the ETC lane 6.

Further, the above-mentioned storage means (sixth step A
6) remembers that the vehicle has passed through the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2.
When the vehicle has passed through or after the notification by the notification means, the ETC lane passage storage data (see the flag F) of the storage means (see the sixth step A6) is reset (see the flag F = 0). As a result, there is an effect that a malfunction due to remaining stored data can be reliably prevented when the toll road is used next time.

In addition, when the entrance 2 of the toll road 1 through which the vehicle passes is a toll gate that does not issue a toll ticket, it is necessary to determine or store which of the ETC lane 6 and the normal lane 5 has passed. Cancel (refer to NO determination in third step A3). For this reason, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent a malfunction that occurs when there is no exit tollgate on the toll road 1.

As described in the embodiment, the above-mentioned notifying means (see the twelfth step A12) is used when the judgment means (see the fifth step A5) judges that the vehicle has passed by the ETC system (when F = 1). The notification is executed at least in front of the exit of the toll road 1 in a manner different from that of passing by a toll ticket.
As a result, the discriminability and the recognizability to the occupant are improved, and there is an effect that it is possible to satisfactorily distinguish which lane has passed through the toll road entrance 2.

Further, as described in the embodiment, the above-mentioned notification means (see steps A12 and A14) is provided at the toll road exit 8
Since the notification of the guidance direction is performed, there is an effect that the convenience can be improved.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the navigation device. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, an ETC antenna 27 as receiving means for receiving roadside signals from the antennas 4, 7, 10, and 13 as roadside devices is additionally connected to the CPU 20 with respect to the embodiment of FIG. Things. Although a signal processing unit is interposed between the ETC antenna 27 and the CPU 20 as needed, the same reference numerals in FIG. 4 denote the same parts as in FIG. 2, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Here, the above-mentioned CPU 20 determines whether the vehicle has passed the toll road entrance 2 by the ETC system or by issuing a toll ticket (see the fifth step B5 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5). Notification means for notifying at least in front of the toll road exit 8 when the determination means determines that the toll ticket has been issued (see the fifteenth step B15 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5);
A storage means for storing that the vehicle has passed through the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2 (see the sixth step B6 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5), and a notification means when the vehicle has passed the toll road exit 8 or Each step B13, B15
(See the 17th step B17 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5) for resetting the ETC lane passage storage data (see the flag F) of the storage means after the notification by the reference vehicle, and the entrance of the toll road 1 where the own vehicle passes. When 2 is a tollgate that does not issue a toll ticket, cancellation means for canceling determination or storage of which lane of the ETC lane 6 and the normal lane 5 (the third step B3 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5). (See NO determination)
Doubles.

Further, in this embodiment, the determination means
The fifth step B5 is configured to determine whether or not the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2 based on the input from the ETC antenna 27. The operation of the navigation device thus configured will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the first step B1, the CPU 20 detects the current position of the own vehicle based on the input from the current position positioning means 21, and in the next second step B2, the CPU 20 executes the above-mentioned own vehicle position and the map memory 22. It is determined whether or not the current position is the toll road entrance 2 based on the comparison with the map information from, and when the determination is NO, the process proceeds to the eighth step B8, and when the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next third step B3.

In the third step B3, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the entrance 2 is a ticket issuing office. When the determination is YES, the CPU 20 shifts to the next fourth step B4, while when the determination is NO (the entrance 2 does not issue a toll ticket). At the time of the tollgate), the judgment (fifth
(See step B5) or store (see sixth step B6)
The processing is terminated for the purpose of canceling and the process returns to the first step B1.

In the above-described fourth step B4, the CPU 20 transmits the ETC signal from the entrance antenna 4 to the ETC antenna 27.
It is determined whether or not the own vehicle has passed through the ETC lane 6 based on the reception of the ETC lane 6, and in the next fifth step B5, the CPU 2
A value of 0 executes a pass judgment of the ETC lane 6 based on the judgment result in the fourth step B4. When the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the sixth step B6, while when the determination is NO, the process proceeds to another seventh step B7.

In the above-mentioned sixth step B6, the CPU 20 stores the flag F = 1 as ETC lane passage storage data in a predetermined area of the RBM 26 in an updatable manner. On the other hand, in the seventh step B7, the CPU 20 stores the flag F = 0 in a predetermined area of the RBM 26.

The flag F indicates that when F = 1, the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2.
When F = 0, it indicates that the vehicle has passed the normal lane 5 at the entrance 2 of the toll road.

On the other hand, in the aforementioned eighth step B8, the CPU
20 determines whether the current position of the own vehicle is near the exit tollgate of the toll road 1 from both the measured current position of the own vehicle and the map information.
1 and when the determination is YES, the next ninth step B
Move to 9.

In the ninth step B9, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the exit 8 is a toll gate.
On the other hand, when the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next tenth step B10.

In the tenth step B10, the CPU 20
Determines whether there is an exit notice signal based on whether or not the ETC antenna 27 has received the exit notice signal (predetermined signal) from the near-exit antenna 13, returns to the first step B 1 when NO is determined, YES with notice signal
When the determination is made, the process proceeds to the next eleventh step B11.

In the eleventh step B11, the CPU 20
Reads the flag F from the predetermined area of the RBM 26, and in the next twelfth step B12, the CPU 20 executes the flag determination. When F = 1, the thirteenth step B13
On the other hand, when F = 0, the fifteenth step B15
Move to

In the above-described thirteenth step B13, the CPU 2
0 drives the display unit 24 and / or the notification unit 25 or both in response to F = 1 to display and sound notification to the occupant that the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the entrance 2, and in the next fourteenth step B14, The CPU 20 guides the own vehicle, especially the ETC-compatible vehicle, to the ETC lane 12 at the toll road exit 8.

On the other hand, in the fifteenth step B15, C
The PU 20 corresponds to the display unit 24 or the notification unit 2 corresponding to F = 0.
5 or both are driven to display and sound notification to the occupant that the vehicle has not passed through the ETC lane 6 at the entrance 2, that is, passed through the normal lane 5, and the next 16th step B1
At 6, the CPU 20 guides the vehicle to the normal lane 11 at the toll road exit 8. Next, in a seventeenth step B17,
The CPU 20 resets the flag F, that is, sets F = 0,
After finishing the process, the process returns to the first step B1.

As described above, the ET is added to the navigation device 14.
The embodiment shown in FIG.
According to the embodiments corresponding to 3, 15, and 17), the above-mentioned receiving means (see the ETC antenna 27) receives the ETC signal for the ETC system from the roadside equipment (see the entrance antenna 4), and the above-mentioned determination means (see the ETC antenna 27). The fifth step B5) determines whether or not the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2 based on the input from the receiving means (see the ETC antenna 27). As a result, there is an effect that the determination certainty can be improved as compared with the case where the current position is measured.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,
In other respects, the operation and effect are almost the same as those of the previous embodiment. FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 show still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an ETC unit 30 as an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system is connected to the navigation device 14 described above.

The above-described ETC unit 30 transmits and receives information to and from each of the antennas 4, 7, 10, and 13.
A C antenna 27; a transmission / reception processing unit 31 for transmitting and receiving transmission / reception information; a card reader 33 for permitting attachment / detachment of the card 32 and reading the information on the card 32; A display unit 34 and a notifying unit 35 such as a buzzer or a sound notifying unit for notifying the occupant of necessary information are provided.

Further, based on the input from the transmission / reception processing unit 31 and the card reader 33, the CPU 40 according to the program stored in the ROM 36, the display unit 34, the notification unit 35,
The transmission / reception processing unit 31 and the card reader 33 are driven and controlled, and the RAM 37 stores necessary data and maps.

Here, as the above-mentioned card 32, a credit card, an electronic money card, a cash card, or the like can be used. Moreover, in this embodiment, the CPU 40 of the ETC unit 30 and the CPU 20 of the navigation device 14 are connected via the line 38.

Since the configuration of the navigation device 14 is the same as that of FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts in FIG. 6 as those in the previous figure, and the detailed description is omitted.

The CPU 20 determines whether the vehicle has passed the toll road entrance 2 by the ETC system or by issuing a toll ticket (see the sixth step C6 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7). When the judging means judges that the toll has been passed by issuing a toll ticket, the notifying means notifying at least immediately before the exit of the toll road (refer to the seventeenth step C17 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7) and the current position positioning means 21 determine the position. Request signal transmitting means (refer to the fourth step C4 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7) for transmitting a request signal from the CPU 20 of the navigation device 14 to the CPU 40 of the ETC unit 30 when the determined current position is the toll road entrance 2; When the current position measured by the position positioning means 21 is near the exit of the toll road 1, the navigation device 4 of ETC from CPU20
Request signal transmitting means for transmitting a request signal to the CPU 40 of the unit 30 (refer to the eleventh step C11 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7);
A storage means for storing that the vehicle has passed through the ETC lane 6 (see the seventh step C7 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7), and a notification means when the vehicle has passed the toll road exit 8 (see the respective steps C15 and C17). After notification by the ETC lane passing storage data (flag F
Data reset means (see step 19 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7) for resetting the ETC lane 6 and the ETC lane 6 when the entrance 2 of the toll road 1 where the own vehicle passes is a tollgate where no toll ticket is issued. It also serves as a canceling unit (see the NO determination of the third step C3 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7) for determining which lane of the normal lane 5 has been passed or canceling the storage.

Further, in this embodiment, the above-described determination means
(Refer to the sixth step C6) In response to the request signal described above, the determination is executed, and when the vehicle position measured by the current position positioning means 21 passes through the toll road entrance 2 on the map, the ETC antenna 27 is turned on. It is configured to make a determination based on whether or not a roadside signal (ETC signal) from the roadside entrance antenna 4 has been received.

The above-mentioned notifying means (the seventeenth step C1)
7) receives the above-mentioned request signal, executes the notification, and transmits a predetermined signal (exit notice signal) from an antenna 13 in front of the exit provided before the exit tollgate on the toll road 1 to E.
It is configured to execute the notification when the TC antenna 27 receives the signal.

Further, the notifying means (the fifteenth step C15
(See the sixth step C6).
When it is determined that the vehicle has passed by the TC system (F = 1), the notification is executed at least in front of the exit of the toll road 1 in a manner different from that of passing by a toll ticket.

Each of the above notifying means (each step C1)
5, C17) is configured to notify the guidance direction at the exit of the toll road 1. The operation of the in-vehicle device for the automatic toll collection system configured as described above will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart on the navigation device side shown in FIG. 7 and the flowchart on the ETC unit 30 side shown in FIG.

First, the processing on the navigation device side will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the first step C1, the CPU 20 detects the current position of the own vehicle based on the input from the current position positioning means 21, and in the next second step C2, the CPU 20 determines the position of the own vehicle and the map from the map memory 22. It is determined whether or not the current position is the toll road entrance 2 based on comparison with the information.
On the other hand, when the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next third step C3.

In the third step C3, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the entrance 2 is a ticket issuing office. If YES, the process proceeds to the next fourth step C4, whereas if NO, the entrance 20 does not issue a toll ticket. At the time of the tollgate), the judgment (6th
(See step C6) or store (see seventh step C7)
The processing is terminated for the purpose of canceling and the process returns to the first step C1.

In the above-described fourth step C4, the CPU 20 transmits a request signal to the CPU 40 of the ETC unit 30 via the line 38. Next, in a fifth step C5,
The CPU 20 receives a signal (response signal) from the ETC unit 30 as to whether or not the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6. This signal is input from the CPU 40 of the ETC unit 30 to the CPU 20 via the line 38.

Next, in a sixth step C6, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the own vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 based on the reception result in the fifth step C5. Thus YE
When the determination is S, the process proceeds to the seventh step C7, and when the determination is NO, the process proceeds to another eighth step C8.

In the above-described seventh step C7, the CPU 20 updatesably stores the flag F = 1 as ETC lane passage storage data in a predetermined area of the RCM 26. On the other hand, in the eighth step C8, the CPU 20 stores the flag F = 0 in a predetermined area of the RCM 26.

The flag F indicates that when F = 1, the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2.
When F = 0, it indicates that the vehicle has passed the normal lane 5 at the entrance 2 of the toll road.

On the other hand, in the aforementioned ninth step C9, the CPU
20 determines whether the current position of the own vehicle is near the exit of the toll road 1 from both the measured current position of the own vehicle and the map information, and when NO is determined, ends the processing and returns to the first step C1. When the determination is YES, the next tenth step C1
Move to 0.

In the above-described tenth step C10, the CPU 2
0 determines whether the exit 8 is a tollgate or not, and when the NO determination is made that the exit 8 is merely an exit, for example, the nineteenth step C
On the other hand, when the determination is YES, the next eleventh
Move to step C11. This eleventh step C11
Then, the CPU 20 transmits a request signal to the CPU 40 of the ETC unit 30.

Next, in a twelfth step C12, the CPU 20
Receives a signal from the ETC unit 30 indicating whether or not the vehicle has passed the exit notice position, that is, the position where communication with the exit front antenna 13 shown in FIG. 1 is possible. Thus, the first
When NO is determined in the two-step C12, the first step C1
On the other hand, when the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next thirteenth step C13.

At the thirteenth step C13, the CPU 20
Reads the flag F from the predetermined area of the RCM 26, and in the next fourteenth step C14, the CPU 20 executes the flag determination. When F = 1, the fifteenth step C15
On the other hand, when F = 0, the seventeenth step C17
Move to

In the fifteenth step C15, the CPU 2
0 corresponds to F = 1, drives the display unit 24 and / or the notification unit 25, and displays and sounds to the occupant that the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the entrance 2, and in the next sixteenth step C16, CPU 20 owns vehicle at toll road exit 8
(ETC-compatible vehicle) to the ETC lane 12.

On the other hand, in the above-described seventeenth step C17, C
The PU 20 corresponds to the display unit 24 or the notification unit 2 corresponding to F = 0.
5 or both are driven to display and sound to the occupant that the vehicle has not passed through the ETC lane 6 at the entrance 2, that is, passed through the normal lane 5, and the next 18th step C1
At 8, the CPU 20 guides the vehicle to the normal lane 11 at the toll road exit 8.

Next, at a nineteenth step C19, the CPU 20
Resets the flag F, that is, sets F = 0, and returns to the first step C1 after finishing the processing. The above is the description of the flowchart on the navigation device 14 side.
Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The process on the 0 side will be described.

In the first step D1, the CPU 40 sets the ETC
Execute signal reception detection. This ETC signal is transmitted and received by the transmission / reception processing unit 31 when the ETC antenna 27 receives the signal.
Is input to the CPU 40 via the.

Next, in a second step D2, the CPU 40 detects the reception of a request signal from the CPU 20 on the navigation device 14 side. Next, in a third step D3,
The CPU 40 determines whether or not there is a request signal.
When the determination is O, the process returns to the first step D1 in order to reduce the load on the ETC unit 30, and when the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next fourth step D4.

In the fourth step D4, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the own vehicle has passed the toll gate entrance of the toll road 1 based on the detected ETC signal. When the determination is NO, the process proceeds to the eighth step D8. When the determination is YES, the next fifth
Move to step D5.

In the fifth step D5, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the own vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6. ET
When the C antenna 27 receives the roadside signal from the entrance antenna 4, it means that the own vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6, so the determination in the fifth step D5 is executed based on the detection content in the first step D1. You. Thus, when the determination is YES in the fifth step D5 (when passing through the ETC lane), the process proceeds to the sixth step D6, and when the determination is NO (when passing through the normal lane), the process proceeds to another seventh step D7.

In the above-mentioned sixth step D6, the CPU 40 transmits to the CPU 20 of the navigation device 14 a signal indicating that the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned seventh step D7, the CPU
40 transmits to the CPU 20 of the navigation device 14 a signal indicating that the vehicle has not passed through the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2, that is, passed through the normal lane 5.

By the way, in the above-mentioned eighth step D8, C
PU40 is the ETC antenna 27 is the antenna 13 near the exit
It is determined whether or not an exit notice signal (predetermined signal) has been received. If the determination is NO, the process returns to the first step D1, while if the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next ninth step D9.

At the ninth step D9, the CPU 40 transmits a signal indicating that the exit notice signal has been received to the CPU 20 of the navigation device 14 side. The contents of the processing in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 are reflected in steps C5 and C12 in the flowchart in FIG.

As described above, the embodiment shown in FIGS.
According to (an embodiment corresponding to claims 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 18), the above-described determination means (sixth step C6
) Determines whether the vehicle has passed through the toll road entrance 2 by the ETC system or by issuing a toll ticket, and the above-mentioned notifying means (refer to the seventeenth step C17) indicates that the determining means has passed by issuing the toll ticket. When the determination is made, the user is notified at least before the exit of the toll road 1. As a result, the ETC-compatible vehicle that has passed through the toll road entrance 2 due to the issuance of a toll ticket may be misunderstood by an occupant or the like at the exit tollgate (see FIG. 1).
There is an effect that it is possible to prevent the intrusion into the lane 12 by mistake.

Further, the above-mentioned current position measuring means 21 measures the current position of the own vehicle, and determines the above-mentioned judging means (sixth step C).
6) is determined by whether or not a roadside signal for the ETC system is received from a roadside device (see the entrance antenna 4) when the measured vehicle position passes through the toll road entrance 2 on the map. It is determined whether the ticket has been passed or a ticket has been issued. Therefore, there is an effect that the reliability of the determination can be improved.

Further, the above-mentioned current position measuring means 21 measures the current position of the vehicle, and the navigation device 14 displays the on-board equipment (ETC unit 30) when the measured current position is near the entrance 2 or the exit 8 of the toll road. ), And upon receiving this request signal, the determination means (see the sixth step C6) or the notification means (see the seventeenth step C17) performs notification. Since the request signal is transmitted only when necessary, the load on the on-vehicle device (see the ETC unit 30) can be reduced.

In addition, the notifying means (refer to the fifteenth step C15) is determined by the determining means (refer to the sixth step C6).
When it is determined that the vehicle has passed by the C system (when F = 1),
The notification is executed at least in front of the exit of the toll road 1 in a manner different from that of passing by a toll ticket. As a result, the discriminability and the recognizability to the occupant are improved, and there is an effect that it is possible to satisfactorily distinguish which lane has passed through the toll road entrance 2.

Further, the above-mentioned notifying means (the fifteenth step C)
15 or 17th step C17) is notified when a predetermined signal (refer to the exit notice signal) from the roadside device (refer to the exit side antenna 13) provided in front of the exit tollgate of the toll road 1 is notified. There is an effect that the notification can be executed at an appropriate notification timing by receiving the predetermined signal (refer to the exit notice signal).

Further, the above-mentioned notification means (each step C1
5, C17) informs the guidance direction at the toll road exit 8, so that there is an effect that the convenience can be improved.

In addition, the above-mentioned storage means (seventh step C
7) remembers that the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2, but the vehicle has
Or the notification means (steps C15, C1
7), the ETC lane passage storage data (see the flag F) of the storage means is reset (see F = 0) (see the nineteenth step C19). As a result, there is an effect that a malfunction due to remaining stored data can be reliably prevented when the toll road is used next time.

Further, when the entrance 2 of the toll road 1 through which the vehicle passes is a tollgate that does not issue a toll ticket, it is necessary to determine or store which of the ETC lane 6 and the normal lane 5 has passed. Cancel (third step C3
No determination). For this reason, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent a malfunction that occurs when there is no exit tollgate on the toll road 1.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a navigation device 14 which can be connected to an ETC unit 30 is provided, and an ETC is provided by a connector 39 as a connecting means. Unit 30
CPU 40 on the navigation device side and CPU 2 on the navigation device 14 side
0 is connected.

The CPU 2 on the navigation device 14 side
To 0, a manual switch 41 for initially setting whether or not the vehicle is equipped with the ETC unit 30 is connected. In FIG. 9, the same portions as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Here, the above-mentioned CPU 20 detects whether or not the ETC unit 30 is connected to the navigation device 14 (the fourth means in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10).
And a notifying means (not shown in FIG. 10) for notifying that the ETC lanes 6 and 12 cannot pass before the entrance or the exit of the toll road 1 when the disconnection of the ETC unit 30 is detected by this detecting means. (Refer to steps S9 and S13 in the flowchart.)
A determining means (see the sixth step S6 in the flow chart shown in FIG. 10) for determining whether the vehicle has passed by the system or by issuing a toll ticket; Exit 8
And a storage means for storing that the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2 (see FIG. 10). Flowchart 7
Data reset for resetting the ETC lane passage storage data (see the flag F) of the storage means when the vehicle passes the toll road exit 8 or after the notification by the notification means (see steps S19 and S21). means
(23rd step S23 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10)
), And when the entrance 2 of the toll road 1 where the vehicle passes is a toll gate where no toll ticket is issued, the determination or storage of which lane of the ETC lane 6 or the normal lane 5 is canceled is canceled. It also serves as a canceling unit (refer to NO determination in the fifth step S5 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10).

In addition, the detection means (the fourth step S)
When the disconnection of the ETC unit 30 is detected by (4), the above-mentioned notification means (see steps S9 and S13) is configured to guide the vehicle to the normal lanes 5 and 11 (at steps S10 and S10). See S14).

The detecting means (refer to the fourth step S4) detects whether or not the ETC unit 30 is connected based on whether or not the CPUs 20 and 40 are connected by the connector 39, or determines whether or not the vehicle is equipped with the ETC unit 30. Even if the manual switch 41 is used, it is configured to be detected by the initial setting.

The operation of the thus configured navigation device will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of the navigation device shown in FIG. 10 and the flowchart of the ETC unit 30 shown in FIG. First, FIG.
With reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the first step S1, the CPU 20 sets the ETC
It is detected whether or not the vehicle is equipped with the unit 30. in this case,
The detection may be performed based on the initial setting (initial setting) by the manual switch 41, or the CPU 20 or 40
The detection may be performed based on the presence / absence of the connector 39 that connects between them.

Next, in the second step S2, the CPU 20 detects the current position of the own vehicle based on the input from the current position positioning means 21, and in the next third step S3, the CPU 20 determines the current position of the own vehicle. It is determined whether or not the current position is before the entrance tollgate of the toll road 1 based on comparison with the map information from the map memory 22. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to the eleventh step S11. If the determination is YES, the next fourth step S4 is performed. Move to

In the fourth step S4, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the ETC unit 30 is mounted on the basis of the detection result in the first step S1, and when the determination is NO, the process proceeds to the ninth step S9, while the determination is YES. When the determination is made, the process proceeds to the next fifth step S5.

In the above-described ninth step S9, the CPU 20 drives the display unit 24 or the notification unit 25, or both, and
At the entrance 2 of the toll road 1, the impossibility of passing through the ETC lane 6 is displayed and notified, and in the next tenth step S10, the CP
U20 returns to the first step S1 after executing the guidance process to the normal lane 5.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned fifth step S5, the CPU
20 determines whether or not the entrance 2 is a ticketing office. When YES is determined, the process proceeds to the next sixth step S6, while when NO is determined.
If (the entrance 2 is a tollgate that does not issue a toll ticket), the process proceeds to the eighth step S8 in order to cancel the determination (see the sixth step S6) or the storage (see the seventh step S7) described later. Note that, instead of the configuration in which the process proceeds to the eighth step S8 when the determination is NO, the first step S1 is performed when the determination is NO.
May be adopted.

In the above-described sixth step S6, CPU 20 determines whether or not the own vehicle has passed ETC lane 6, and YES
When the determination is made, the process proceeds to the seventh step S7, and when the determination is NO, the process proceeds to another eighth step S8.

In the above-described seventh step S7, the CPU 20 stores a flag F = 1 as ETC lane passage storage data in a predetermined area of the RAM 26 in an updatable manner. On the other hand, in the eighth step S8, the CPU 20 stores the flag F = 0 in a predetermined area of the RAM 26.

The flag F indicates that when F = 1, the vehicle has passed through the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2.
When F = 0, it indicates that the vehicle has passed the normal lane 5 at the entrance 2 of the toll road.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned eleventh step S11, C
The PU 20 determines whether or not the current position of the own vehicle is just before the exit tollgate of the toll road 1 from both the measured current position of the own vehicle and the map information. When the determination is NO, the process ends and the first step S1 is performed. The process returns, and when YES is determined, the process proceeds to the next twelfth step S12.

In this twelfth step S12, the CPU 20
Determines whether or not the ETC unit 30 is mounted on the basis of the detection result in the first step S1. When the determination is NO, the process proceeds to the thirteenth step S13, and when the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next fifteenth step S15. .

At the above-mentioned thirteenth step S13, the CPU 2
0 drives the display unit 24 and / or the notification unit 25 to display and notify that the vehicle cannot pass through the ETC lane 12 at the exit 8 of the toll road 1, and the next fourteenth step S14
Then, the CPU 20 executes the process of guiding to the normal lane 11, and then returns to the first step S1.

In the fifteenth step S15, the CPU 2
0 determines whether the exit 8 is a tollgate or not. When the NO determination is made such that the exit 8 is a mere exit, for example, the 23rd step S
While skipping to 23, when the determination is YES, the next 16th
Move to step S16.

In the sixteenth step S16, the CPU 20
Determines whether or not a signal indicating whether or not the vehicle has passed the exit notice position from the ETC unit 30 is received. When the vehicle arrives at a position where it can receive the exit notice signal (predetermined signal) from the exit front antenna 13, the ETC antenna 27 receives the exit notice signal, and the CPU 40 of the ETC unit 30 sends the signal to the CPU 20 of the navigation device 14. A signal indicating that the exit notice signal has been received is input.

Therefore, in the sixteenth step S16, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned signal input via the line 38 has been received. When the determination is NO, the process returns to the first step S1. 17 Step S17
Move to

In the seventeenth step S17, the CPU 20
Reads the flag F from a predetermined area of the RAM 26, and in a next eighteenth step S18, the CPU 20 executes a flag determination. When F = 1, a nineteenth step S19
On the other hand, when F = 0, the 21st step S21
Move to

In the above-described nineteenth step S19, the CPU 2
0 drives the display unit 24 and / or the notification unit 25 in response to F = 1, and displays and sounds to the occupant that the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the entrance 2, and at the next twentieth step S20, CPU 20 at the toll road exit 8 ETC
The corresponding vehicle is guided to the ETC lane 12.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned twenty-first step S21, C
The PU 20 corresponds to the display unit 24 or the notification unit 2 corresponding to F = 0.
5 or both are driven to display and sound to the occupant that the vehicle has not passed through the ETC lane 6 at the entrance 2, that is, passed through the normal lane 5, and the next 22nd step S2
In step 2, the CPU 20 guides the vehicle to the normal lane 11 at the toll road exit 8. Next, in a twenty-third step S23,
The CPU 20 resets the flag F, that is, sets F = 0,
After finishing the process, the process returns to the first step S1.

The above is the description of the flowchart on the navigation device 14 side. Next, the processing on the ETC unit 30 side will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In a first step Q1, the CPU 40 detects reception of an ETC signal. When the ETC antenna 27 receives the signal, the ETC signal is transmitted via the transmission / reception processing unit 31 to the CP.
Input to U40.

Next, in a second step Q2, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the own vehicle has passed the tollgate entrance of the toll road 1 based on the detected ETC signal, and proceeds to the sixth step Q6 when NO is determined. On the other hand, when the determination is YES, the next third
Move to step Q3.

In the third step Q3, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the own vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6. ET
When the C antenna 27 receives the roadside signal from the entrance antenna 4, it means that the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6, so that the determination in the third step Q3 is executed based on the detection content in the first step Q1. You. Thus, when the determination is YES in the third step Q3 (when passing through the ETC lane), the process proceeds to the fourth step Q4, and when the determination is NO (when passing through the normal lane), the process proceeds to another fifth step Q5.

In the above-described fourth step Q4, the CPU 40 transmits to the CPU 20 of the navigation device 14 a signal indicating that the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2.

On the other hand, in the above-described fifth step Q5, the CPU
40 transmits to the CPU 20 of the navigation device 14 a signal indicating that the vehicle has not passed through the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2, that is, passed through the normal lane 5.

By the way, in the above-mentioned sixth step Q6, C
PU40 is the ETC antenna 27 is the antenna 13 near the exit
It is determined whether or not an exit notice signal (predetermined signal) has been received from the user. If the determination is NO, the process returns to the first step Q1, while if the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next seventh step Q7.

In the seventh step Q7, the CPU 40 transmits a signal indicating that the exit notice signal has been received to the CPU 20 of the navigation device 14. This FIG.
Are reflected in steps S6 and S16 in the flowchart of FIG.

As described above, according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 (embodiments corresponding to claims 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 17), the navigation device capable of being connected to the ETC unit 30. At 14, the detection means (see fourth step S4) detects whether or not the ETC unit 30 is connected to the navigation device 14, and the notification means (see steps S9 and S13) is detected by the detection means. When the disconnection of the ETC unit 30 is detected, the ETC lane 6 is located just before the entrance or exit of the toll road 1.
12 is notified that passage is impossible. As a result, when the ETC unit 30 is not connected, the ETC lanes 6, 12
Can be prevented from intruding into
When the C unit 30 is connected, there is an effect that the navigation device 14 can be made ETC-compliant.

Further, the above-mentioned detecting means (fourth step S4
When the ETC unit 30 detects that the ETC unit 30 is not connected by using the above-described notification means (steps S9 and S9).
13) usually provides guidance to lanes 5 and 11, so when ETC unit 30 is not connected, ETC lanes 6 and 12 are located just before the entrance or exit of toll road 1.
There is an effect that the intrusion restriction can be notified.

Further, the connection means (connector 3
9) is the ETC unit 30 and the navigation device 1
4 and the above-mentioned detecting means (refer to the fourth step S4).
Is the ETC unit 30 depending on whether the connection means is connected or not.
Detects the presence or absence of a connection. For this reason, the detection means described above
The connection of the ETC unit 30 can be reliably detected in (see the fourth step S4), and the malfunction of the navigation device 14 can be prevented.

In addition, the above-mentioned detecting means (fourth step S
4) detects whether or not the vehicle is equipped with the ETC unit 30 by initial setting (see manual initial setting of the manual switch 41). As a result, there is an effect that the load on the navigation device 14 can be reduced.

The above-mentioned storage means (seventh step S7
(See ETC lane 6 at toll road entrance 2)
Is stored, but when the own vehicle passes the toll road exit 8 or the informing means (each step S19, S21
After the notification of the ETC lane (refer to the flag F) in the storage means (refer to the seventh step S7) is reset (set to F = 0) in the 23rd step S23. As a result, there is an effect that a malfunction due to remaining stored data can be reliably prevented when the toll road is used next time.

Further, when the entrance 2 of the toll road 1 through which the own vehicle passes is a toll gate that does not issue a toll ticket, the judgment or storage of which of the ETC lane 6 and the normal lane 5 has been canceled is canceled. (Refer to NO determination in the fifth step S5). For this reason, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent a malfunction that occurs when there is no exit tollgate on the toll road 1.

Further, as described in the embodiment, the above-mentioned notifying means (see steps S19 and S21) is used when the judgment means (see step S6) judges that the ETC system has passed (when F = 1). ), At least in front of the exit of the toll road 1, the notification is executed in a mode different from that of passing by a toll ticket. As a result, the identification and recognition of the occupants are improved,
There is an effect that it is possible to satisfactorily distinguish which lane has passed the toll road entrance 2.

Further, as described in the embodiment, the above-mentioned notification means (see steps S19 and S21) is provided at the toll road exit 8
Since the notification of the guidance direction is performed, there is an effect that the convenience can be improved.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, only the ETC unit 30 is used. 12, the same parts as those in the previous figure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, the above-described CPU 40 also serves as the following units.

That is, a judging means (see the fourth step U4 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 13) for judging whether the vehicle has passed the toll road entrance 2 by the ETC system or by issuing a toll ticket. When it is determined that the vehicle has passed, the informing means (see the twelfth step U12 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 13) that notifies the driver at least in front of the toll road exit 8; A storage means for storing the passage (see the sixth step U6 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 13), and when the vehicle has passed the toll road exit 8 or after the notification by the notification means (see each step U10, U12). ETC lane passage storage data of means
(Refer to the fourteenth step U14 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 13) for resetting (refer to the flag F) and ETC when the entrance 2 of the toll road 1 where the own vehicle passes is a tollgate where no toll ticket is issued. Canceling means (refer to NO determination in the third step U3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13) for determining which lane of the lane 6 or the normal lane 5 has been passed or canceling the storage; 2, when receiving the roadside signal from the entrance antenna 4 of the ETC system (ET)
C antenna 27) for determining whether or not the entrance passage signal has been received within a predetermined time (for example, about 5 minutes)
(Refer to the fourth step U4 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, and in this embodiment, the fourth step U4 also serves as both the above-described determination unit and the determination unit.)

Also in this embodiment, when the determining means (refer to the fourth step U4) determines that the vehicle has passed by the ETC system, the notifying means (refer to the tenth step U10) is at least in front of the exit of the toll road 1. The notification is configured to be executed in a mode different from that of passing by a toll ticket.

Further, the above-mentioned notifying means (each step U1
0, U12) is configured to notify when a predetermined signal (exit announcement signal) is received from an exit antenna 13 provided in front of an exit tollgate on the toll road 1. Furthermore, the above-mentioned notification means (each step U10,
U12) is configured to notify the guidance direction at the exit 8 of the toll road 1.

The operation of the in-vehicle device for the automatic toll collection system thus configured will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the first step U1, the CPU
40 detects the reception of the ETC signal from the ETC antenna 27, and in the next second step U2, the CPU 40
It is determined whether or not the C antenna 27 has received an entrance notice signal (predetermined signal) from the near-entrance antenna 7 on the roadside. When the determination is NO, the process returns to the first step U1, while the determination is YES.
When the determination is made, the process proceeds to the next third step U3.

In the third step U3, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the entrance 2 is a ticket office. When the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next fourth step U4, whereas when the determination is NO (the entrance 2 does not issue a toll ticket). At the time of the tollgate), the judgment (4th
(See step U4) or storage (see sixth step U6)
Is terminated for the purpose of canceling, and the process returns to the first step U1.

In the above-described fourth step U4, the CPU 40 determines that the ETC antenna 27 has been operated within a predetermined time (third step U3).
It is determined whether or not an ETC passage signal as an entrance passage signal has been received from the roadside entrance antenna 4 within a predetermined time after the YES determination in (1).

When the own vehicle passes through the toll road entrance 2 through the ETC lane 6, the ETC antenna 27 receives the entrance passage signal. Does not receive the entrance passage signal. Therefore, it is possible to determine which lane the vehicle has passed by the determination in the fourth step U4. If YES is determined in the fourth step U4, the process proceeds to a sixth step U6, and if NO is determined, the process proceeds to a fifth step U5.

In the above-described fifth step U5, the CPU 40 stores a flag F = 1 as ETC lane passage storage data in a predetermined area of the RAM 37 in an updatable manner. On the other hand, in the sixth step U6, the CPU 40 stores the flag F = 1 in a predetermined area of the RAM 37.

The flag F indicates that when F = 1, the vehicle has passed through the ETC lane 6 at the toll road entrance 2.
When F = 0, it indicates that the vehicle has passed the normal lane 5 at the entrance 2 of the toll road.

Next, in a seventh step U7, the CPU 40
It is determined whether or not the TC antenna 27 has received the exit notice signal (predetermined signal) from the antenna 13 just before the exit. When the determination is NO, the process returns to the first step U1. When the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next eighth step U8. I do.

In the above-described eighth step U8, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the exit 8 is a toll gate.
On the other hand, when the determination is YES, the process shifts to the next ninth step U9.

In this ninth step U9, CPU 40 sets R
The flag F is read from a predetermined area of the AM 37, and the flag is determined. When F = 1, the process proceeds to the tenth step U10, and when F = 0, the process proceeds to the twelfth step U12.

At the above-mentioned tenth step U10, the CPU 4
0 drives the display unit 34 and / or the notification unit 35 in response to F = 1 to display and sound notification to the occupant that the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 at the entrance 2, and in the next eleventh step U11, CPU 40 at the toll road exit 8 ETC
The corresponding vehicle (own vehicle) is guided to the ETC lane 12.

On the other hand, in the twelfth step U12, C
The PU 40 corresponds to the display unit 34 or the notification unit 3 corresponding to F = 0.
5 or both are driven to display and sound notification to the occupant that the vehicle has not passed through the ETC lane 6 at the entrance 2, that is, has passed through the normal lane 5, and the next thirteenth step U1
At 3, the CPU 40 guides the vehicle to the normal lane 11 at the toll road exit 8. Next, in a fourteenth step U14,
The CPU 40 resets the flag F, that is, sets F = 0,
After finishing the process, the process returns to the first step U1.

As described above, the embodiment shown in FIGS.
(Embodiments corresponding to Claims 4, 7, 8, 9, 14, 16, 18) According to the above-mentioned receiving means (ETC antenna 27)
ET) when the vehicle passes through the entrance 2 of the toll road 1
The roadside signal (ETC signal) from the roadside equipment of the C system (refer to each antenna 4 and 7) is received, and the discriminating means (refer to the fourth step U4) receives the entrance passing signal (the signal from the entrance antenna 4) within a predetermined time. Is received or not.

Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the vehicle has passed the ETC lane 6 or the normal lane 5 at the entrance 2 of the toll road 1 without performing positioning and detection of the current position. Has an effect that an appropriate notification can be executed. In other respects, the operation and effect are almost the same as those of the previous embodiment.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the determining means of the present invention corresponds to each of steps A5, B5, C6, S6, and U4 under CPU control of the embodiment. The notifying means includes steps A12 and A1.
4, B13, B15, C15, C17, S9, S13,
S19, S21, U10, U12, the receiving means corresponds to the ETC antenna 27, the roadside device corresponds to each of the antennas 4, 7, 10, and 13, and the onboard device corresponds to the ETC antenna.
The detecting means corresponds to the unit 30 and the fourth step S4
, The connection means corresponds to the connector 39, the determination means corresponds to the fourth step U4, the dedicated lane passage storage data corresponds to the flag F = 1, and the storage means corresponds to each of steps A6 and B6. , C7, S7, U6, the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system at the entrance of the toll road is ET
A predetermined signal from a roadside device corresponding to the C lane 6 and provided in front of the toll gate on the toll road is transmitted to the antenna 1 before the exit.
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, though it corresponds to the exit notice signal from the third embodiment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the arrangement of roadside devices on a toll road.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control process.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the navigation device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control process.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing control processing on the navigation device side.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing control processing on the in-vehicle device side.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the navigation device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing control processing on the navigation device side.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing control processing on the in-vehicle device side.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the in-vehicle device for the automatic toll collection system of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control process.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Toll road 2 ... Entrance 4, 7, 10, 13 ... Antenna (roadside equipment) 5, 11 ... Normal lane 6 ... ETC lane (lane exclusively for automatic toll collection system) 8 ... Exit 14 ... Navigation device 21 ... Current position positioning Means 27 ETC antenna (receiving means) 30 ETC unit (vehicle equipment) 39 Connector (connecting means) A5, B5, C6, S6, U4 ... Judging means A12, A14, B13, B15, C15, C17, S
19, S21, U10, U12 ... notification means S4 ... detection means S9, S13 ... notification means A6, B6, C7, S7, U6 ... storage means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G08G 1/09 G08G 1/09 DF term (Reference) 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB07 AC02 AC09 AC13 AC16 AC18 AC20 3E027 EA01 EB02 EC01 EC06 EC07 EC10 5H180 AA01 BB13 CC12 DD02 EE10 FF04 FF05 FF22 FF25 FF32 5J062 AA05 BB01

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A navigation device mounted on a vehicle having no on-board equipment for an automatic toll collection system for transmitting and receiving data to and from a roadside device set on a toll road, the toll road being provided. Is provided by an automatic toll collection system or a toll ticket issuance, and when the determination means determines that the vehicle has passed by issuing a toll ticket, it is notified at least before the exit of the toll road. Navigation device provided with a notifying means for performing 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a current position measuring means for measuring a current position of the vehicle, wherein said judging means determines whether or not the vehicle is at the entrance of the toll road based on the current position measured by the current position measuring means. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the vehicle has passed a lane. 3. Receiving means for receiving a roadside signal for an automatic toll collection system from a roadside device, wherein the determination means causes the own vehicle to enter a lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system at a toll road entrance based on an input from the receiving means. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the vehicle has passed. 4. An on-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system for transmitting and receiving to and from a roadside device installed on a toll road to execute toll collection. For an automatic toll collection system, comprising: a determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle has passed, and when the determination means determines that the vehicle has passed by issuing a toll ticket, at least in front of the exit of the toll road. In-vehicle equipment. 5. A navigation device having a current position measuring means for measuring a current position, wherein said judging means determines whether or not the vehicle position measured by the current position measuring means passes through a toll road entrance on a map. The in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system according to claim 4, wherein the determination is made based on whether a roadside signal for the automatic toll collection system is received from the device. 6. A navigation device having a current position positioning means for positioning a current position, wherein when the current position measured by the current position positioning means is near an entrance or an exit of a toll road, the navigation device transmits the current position to a vehicle-mounted device. 5. The in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system according to claim 4, wherein a request signal is transmitted, and upon receiving said request signal, judgment by said judging means or notification by said notifying means is executed. 7. The system according to claim 4, wherein, when the determining unit determines that the vehicle has passed by the automatic toll collection system, the notifying unit performs the notification at least in front of the exit of the toll road in a manner different from that of passing by a toll ticket. Or the in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system according to 6. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said notifying means receives a predetermined signal from a roadside device provided in front of an exit tollgate on a toll road.
The on-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system according to claim 4 or 7, wherein the notification is performed. 9. The on-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system according to claim 4, wherein said notifying means notifies a guidance direction at a toll road exit. 10. A navigation device connectable to an on-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system, comprising: detecting means for detecting whether the on-vehicle device is connected to the navigation device; A notification device for notifying that the vehicle cannot pass through the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system just before the entrance or the exit of the toll road when the disconnection is detected. 11. The navigation device according to claim 10, wherein when the detection means detects the disconnection of the on-vehicle device, the notification means performs a guidance notification to a normal lane. 12. The navigation apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a connecting means for connecting the on-vehicle equipment and the navigation apparatus, and wherein the detecting means detects whether or not the on-vehicle equipment is connected based on whether or not the connecting means is connected. 13. The navigation device according to claim 10, wherein said detecting means detects whether or not the vehicle is equipped with an on-vehicle device by initial setting. 14. A receiving means for receiving a roadside signal from a roadside device of an automatic toll collection system when a vehicle passes through an entrance of a toll road determines whether or not a reception signal has been received within a predetermined time. The in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system according to claim 4, further comprising a determination means for performing the determination. 15. A storage means for storing that the own vehicle has passed the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system at the entrance of the toll road, wherein the storage means is provided when the own vehicle passes through the toll road exit or after notification by the notification means. And resetting the data stored in the dedicated lane passage.
14. The navigation device according to 11, 12, or 13. 16. A storage means for storing that the own vehicle has passed the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system at the entrance of the toll road, and the storage means is provided when the own vehicle passes the exit of the toll road or after notification by the notification means. 4. The dedicated lane passage storage data is reset.
14. The in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system according to 8, 9, or 14. 17. When the entrance of the toll road through which the vehicle passes is a tollgate where no toll ticket is issued, the judgment or storage of which of the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system and the normal lane is canceled. Claims 1, 2, 3, 1
14. The navigation device according to 0, 11, 12 or 13. 18. When the entrance of the toll road through which the vehicle passes is a tollgate where no toll ticket is issued, the judgment or storage of which of the lane dedicated to the automatic toll collection system and the normal lane is canceled. Claims 4, 5, 6,
14. The in-vehicle device for an automatic toll collection system according to 7, 8, 9 or 14.