JP2006209622A - Electronic toll collection onboard device and keyless entry system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ETC (electronic toll collection) onboard device for preventing a user from forgetting to extract an IC card for toll payment when leaving a vehicle, with respect to an ETC onboard device utilized for an automatic toll collection system for vehicle and installed in a vehicle to communicate with an ETC roadside machine. <P>SOLUTION: The ETC onboard device 1 is provided with an operation part 19 to be operated to stop a vehicle engine 35, an IC card slot 15 for inserting the IC card 2 for toll payment and a card position detection part 16 for detecting the position of the IC card 2 inserted into the IC card slot 15. When the operation part 19 is operated to stop the engine 35, the IC card 2 inserted into the IC card slot 15 is discharged, and after the IC card 2 is taken out of the IC card slot 15, an engine control part 35 stops the engine 35. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an on-board ETC device installed in a vehicle for communication with an ETC roadside machine, and a keyless entry system using the same, which is used in an automatic toll collection system for vehicles that collects tolls.

  An ETC system (Electronic Toll Collection System) is used as a method for collecting tolls on toll roads for vehicles. This is because when a vehicle with an ETC on-board device passes through the ETC lane of the toll gate, the ETC on-board device communicates wirelessly with the ETC roadside device installed at the toll gate and automatically pays the fee. It is a system to do.

  The ETC system is used by inserting an IC card (so-called ETC card) in which IC card information such as contract information is recorded into an ETC on-vehicle device in which vehicle information is registered in advance. Alternatively, when you approach the entrance toll gate, the ETC roadside equipment installed at the toll gate reads the information on the ETC on-board device and IC card through wireless communication and automatically settles the toll for that vehicle. Is. As a result, instead of billing processing that was exchanged with cash, highway cards, magnetic cards, etc., the processing can be performed using communication, and as a result, the vehicle is temporarily stopped at the toll gate. Is expected to eliminate traffic congestion at toll gates.

  By the way, in order to use the ETC on-board device, it is necessary that the IC card is mounted on the ETC on-board device, and the user mounts the IC card on the ETC on-board device before using the ETC service, After use, remove the IC card from the ETC on-board unit. However, when the vehicle is stopped, it is complicated to remove the IC card, and the user often forgets to remove the IC card from the ETC on-vehicle device and leaves the vehicle while it is mounted on the ETC on-vehicle device. Thus, if the IC card is left in the vehicle, the IC card is likely to be stolen, so a system that prevents forgetting to remove the IC card is desired.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to use an automatic fee collection system for vehicles for collecting fees, and in an ETC on-board device installed in a vehicle to communicate with an ETC roadside device, when a user leaves the vehicle Another object of the present invention is to provide an on-board ETC device that prevents forgetting to remove an IC card for payment, and a keyless entry system using the same.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

The first of the present invention to solve the above problems is
In an ETC on-board unit that is used in an automatic toll collection system for vehicles that collects tolls and is installed in a vehicle to communicate with an ETC roadside machine,
An engine stop operating portion operated to stop the engine of the vehicle;
An IC card mounting part for mounting an IC card for payment;
IC card ejecting means for ejecting the IC card attached to the IC card attaching portion by operating the engine stop operating portion;
Engine stop means for stopping the engine after the IC card is ejected from the IC card mounting portion.

  When the user operates the engine stop operation unit, the IC card mounted on the IC card mounting unit is ejected by the IC card ejecting means. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from getting off the vehicle in a state where the user forgets to remove the IC card.

  The engine stop means stops the engine when the discharged IC card is removed from the IC card mounting portion after the IC card is discharged from the IC card mounting portion. Therefore, since the engine of the vehicle does not stop unless the user removes the IC card, it is possible to prevent the IC card from leaving the vehicle in a state where the IC card is forgotten to be removed from the ETC on-vehicle device and attached to the ETC on-vehicle device. For this reason, the IC card is not left in the vehicle and the vehicle is not left, and the effect of preventing theft can be obtained.

Furthermore, a portable device that records an ID code unique to the vehicle;
A communication unit that performs wireless communication with the portable device by periodically outputting an inquiry signal to the portable device,
Portable device determination means for determining whether or not there is a portable device for the vehicle within a predetermined range from the vehicle, by collating the ID code;
Engine starting means for performing wireless communication with a portable device and starting a vehicle engine by being operated when the portable device is present within a predetermined range;
Is provided.

  The ETC vehicle-mounted device of the present invention can be configured to include a smart key system that starts an engine when a user having a portable device performs a predetermined operation (for example, presses an engine start button).

The second of the present invention for solving the above problems is
In an ETC on-board unit that is used in an automatic toll collection system for vehicles that collects tolls and is installed in a vehicle to communicate with an ETC roadside machine,
An IC card mounting portion for mounting an IC card for paying a fee is provided adjacent to a key cylinder into which an ignition key for starting an engine of the vehicle is inserted.

  According to the above configuration, since the IC card mounting portion is provided in the vicinity of the key cylinder into which the ignition key is inserted, when the ignition key inserted into the key cylinder is removed, the ETC on-board device is glanced, and the IC card is You can prevent forgetting to unplug.

Then, the ETC on-vehicle device includes an ignition switch detection means for detecting on / off of the ignition switch of the vehicle,
An IC card ejecting means for ejecting the IC card mounted on the IC card mounting section when the ignition switch detecting means detects that the ignition switch is turned off;
It can be set as the structure containing.

  As a result, when the key inserted in the key cylinder is turned and the ignition switch is turned off, the IC card is automatically ejected from the IC card mounting portion, thereby further preventing forgetting to remove the card. it can.

  Further, a card insertion slot for inserting the IC card of the IC card mounting portion may be formed on the key insertion slot side for inserting the ignition key of the key cylinder. This makes it easier to see the IC card, so it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the IC card.

In addition, the ETC on-vehicle device includes an IC card recognition means for recognizing whether the IC card is inserted in the IC card mounting portion,
When the vehicle door is opened while the IC card is inserted into the IC card mounting portion, an alarm unit that emits an alarm sound may be included.

  Having a warning means that emits a warning sound warns the user when he / she gets off with the IC card inserted into the IC card mounting portion, so that forgetting to remove the IC card can be prevented.

  Further, the alarm means can be configured to emit an alarm sound when the vehicle door is opened while the ignition key is inserted into the key cylinder. That is, since the ignition key and the IC card warning means are shared, the number of parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The ETC vehicle-mounted device of the present invention is operated to lock and unlock a door of a vehicle, and transmits a door locking / unlocking signal wirelessly, and a door locking / unlocking signal from the transmitter. Of the keyless entry system including a receiving means for receiving the door and a door locking / unlocking means for locking / unlocking the door when receiving a door locking / unlocking signal from the transmitter. When the door is locked or unlocked, depending on whether or not the IC card is inserted into the IC card mounting portion, the outside of the vehicle Card warning blinking control means for blinking the illumination unit differently is provided. Furthermore, the flashing pattern setting means for setting the flashing pattern of the illumination unit is provided.

  With the above configuration, when the user locks or unlocks the door while the IC card is mounted on the ETC vehicle-mounted device, the illumination unit outside the vehicle blinks, unlike when the IC card is not mounted. The user can notice that the IC card is still attached.

The keyless entry system of the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
The above ETC on-board device,
A transmitter operated to lock and unlock the door of the vehicle, and wirelessly transmitting the door locking and unlocking signal;
Receiving means for receiving a door locking / unlocking signal from the transmitter;
When receiving a door locking / unlocking signal from the transmitter, door locking / unlocking means for locking / unlocking the door;
When the door is locked or unlocked, flashing control means for flashing the illumination part outside the vehicle differently depending on whether or not the IC card is inserted in the IC card mounting part,
including.

  Since the flashing control means is provided, when the door is locked or unlocked, the illumination part outside the vehicle can be flashed differently depending on whether or not the IC card is inserted into the IC card mounting part. For this reason, the user can confirm from the outside of the vehicle whether or not the IC card is mounted on the IC card mounting portion of the ETC in-vehicle device by the blinking pattern of the illumination unit.

  Furthermore, it has a flashing pattern setting means for setting a flashing pattern of the illumination unit. Thereby, the user can set a favorite blinking pattern.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Example 1
The overall configuration of the ETC system including the ETC vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This ETC system is installed at each tollgate at the exit and entrance of the toll road on the ETC on-vehicle device 1, and an ETC roadside device 61 that performs wireless communication with the ETC onboard device 1, and a management connected to the ETC roadside device 61 It includes a management center computer 62 that is installed in the center and manages the entire payment processing of usage charges for vehicles that use toll roads.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 1 includes an antenna 10 that performs wireless communication with an ETC roadside device 61 at the exit and entrance of a toll road, a wireless unit 11 that performs wireless communication control, and at least an LED or an LCD display. A display unit 18 that displays operation guidance and charges for a person who is on the vehicle including one side, a speaker 23 that sends out a voice message, etc., and an operation unit 19 that includes an engine stop operation unit that includes a plurality of buttons. The IC card control unit 14 that reads and writes information of the IC card 2 through the IC card slot 15, the overall control unit 13 that controls the entire ETC vehicle-mounted device 1, the expiration date information of the IC card 2, etc. It comprises a storage unit 17 for storing and an external device connection unit 20. Moreover, the power supply part 12 is connected with the battery of a vehicle, receives a power supply from a battery, and supplies a power supply to the ETC onboard equipment 1 whole. An IC card slot 15 serving as an IC card mounting unit is provided with a card position detection unit 16 capable of detecting the insertion state (position) of the IC card 2. The IC card slot 15 functions as an IC card ejecting unit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the overall control unit 13 includes a well-known CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, I / O 54 that is an input / output circuit, a bus line 55 that connects these components, and the like. The CPU 51 performs control based on programs and data stored in the ROM 52 and the RAM 53. The ROM 52 stores an ETC program 52a and an engine control program 52b. The ETC program 52a operates on the RAM 53 with the ETC program work memory 53a as a work area, and the engine control program 52b operates with the engine control program work memory 53b as a work area. The overall control unit 13 functions as engine stop means, IC card discharge means, and engine start means.

  The storage unit 17 is composed of a well-known flash memory that can be written and read, and stores information necessary for the operation of the ETC on-vehicle device 1. Depending on the scale of information to be stored, a configuration in which a device for reading / writing a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD or a hard disk device is connected to the external device connection unit 20 may be used.

  The display unit 18 includes a display lamp that displays an operation state, and notifies the operation state by lighting the lamp. Further, it may be configured by a liquid crystal display or the like, and the operation status may be displayed by characters, symbols or the like.

  The operation unit 19 is for the user to perform various settings and operations, and is configured as a mechanical switch, for example. As will be described later, the operation unit 19 includes a card removal switch 44, a history switch 43, a volume switch 45, an engine operation switch 41, and the like (see FIG. 3).

  When the IC card 2 is attached to the ETC on-vehicle device 1, information inside the IC card 2 is read into the ETC on-vehicle device 1. This information is transmitted as vehicle-mounted device information together with vehicle information registered in advance in the ETC vehicle-mounted device 1 during wireless communication. The ETC vehicle-mounted device 1 wirelessly communicates with an ETC roadside device 61 installed at the entrance or exit of a toll gate on a toll road to calculate a toll.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the IC card 2 includes a memory 22 composed of a known flash memory capable of writing / reading information, and an IC card control unit 14 via an IC card connector 15 of the vehicle-mounted device 1. And a control unit 21 for exchanging data between them and controlling the memory 22.

  For example, if the IC card 2 is a credit type, the memory 22 stores contractor financial institution information (bank account number, etc.) and settlement information for deducting toll road usage fees, such as the contract expiration date. Has been. The memory 22 also stores IC card information (card ID) for specifying the IC card 2 and IC card expiration date information in advance. This card ID is transmitted to the ETC roadside device 61 as part of the vehicle-mounted device information when the vehicle passes the entrance gate of the toll gate, and specifies the gate passage time and the toll gate that are returned as a response. The usage history information such as the gate number and the vehicle type is stored in the memory 22 in association with the card ID.

  Next, the ETC roadside device 61 that communicates with the ETC onboard device and the management center computer 62 connected to the ETC roadside device 61 will be described. First, the management center computer 62 includes a known CPU, memory, hard disk device, etc., and is configured as a known personal computer or workstation, and operates under the control of the CPU. The management center computer 62 is connected to the ETC roadside device 61 of each toll gate via a communication line, and is a device that comprehensively manages information on the ETC processing results from the ETC roadside device 61. In the management center computer 62, payment information for performing ETC processing with the credit card type IC card 2 is stored in a database. For example, a contractor information database. In the contractor information database, if the IC card 2 is a credit card type, information on the contractor who can use the IC card 2 (address, name, telephone number, information on the financial institution from which the usage fee is deducted, information on the contracted vehicle, etc. , Information on the vehicle-mounted device, etc.) are stored.

  The ETC roadside machine 61 is composed of a vehicle detection device, a roadside radio device, a guidance display device, a vehicle start control device, a lane control device that controls these devices, etc. installed in the entrance lane and the exit lane of the toll gate on the toll road. When a vehicle enters the entrance lane or the exit lane, wireless communication is performed with the ETC on-board device 1 mounted on the vehicle, thereby obtaining on-board device information from the ETC on-board device 1 and processing related to use of the toll road ( ETC processing etc.) is performed, and the ETC processing result is returned to the ETC on-board unit 1. The ETC process at the toll booth includes an entrance process and an exit process.

  In the entrance processing, the onboard equipment information is acquired by wireless communication with the ETC onboard equipment 1 of the vehicle entering the toll road to determine whether the onboard equipment information is correct. If the onboard equipment information is correct, the entrance information (entrance toll gate number) , Entry passage time, etc.), and recording to the IC card 2 set in the ETC on-vehicle device 1 is performed.

  The exit processing includes on-vehicle device information (IC card number, on-vehicle device ID, etc.) received by the ETC roadside device 61 from the ETC on-vehicle device 1 and entrance information of the IC card 2 (IC card number, entrance toll gate number, entrance passage time) , IC card expiry date information, etc.) and exit information held by the ETC roadside unit 61 (own tollgate number, distance to other tollgate information, time information, etc.) After determining whether the information is correct or not, it means a process of calculating a toll (usage fee) if it is correct and notifying the ETC on-board unit 1 and the management center computer 62 of the result as an ETC processing result.

  First, when a vehicle approaches an ETC gate at a toll gate entrance on a toll road such as an expressway, the ETC onboard device 1 performs wireless communication with the ETC roadside device 61 installed in the vicinity of the ETC gate and performs the above-described entrance processing. .

  Next, when the vehicle approaches the ETC gate at the toll gate exit of a toll road such as an expressway, the ETC onboard device 1 performs wireless communication with the ETC roadside device 61 installed in the vicinity of the ETC gate, and performs the above-described exit processing. Do. Through these processes, the management center computer 62 communicates with, for example, the financial institution 63 designated by the user via the network, and the usage fee is settled.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the external device connection unit 20 is configured as, for example, an in-vehicle LAN (Local Area Network), and can transmit and receive necessary data by connecting to another control device mounted on the vehicle. . The ETC vehicle-mounted device 1 is connected to a smart key system that enables the engine 35 to be started simply by operating a switch while the driver is carrying the portable device 33. Specifically, a smart control unit 31 is connected to the external device connection unit 20, and an engine control unit 34, a door lock control unit 37, and a communication unit 32 that control the engine 35 of the vehicle are further connected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the smart key system includes a smart control unit 31 mounted on a vehicle and a portable device 33 (also referred to as a wireless key) that the user should possess. A communication unit 32 is connected to the smart control unit 31. The smart control unit 31 performs wireless communication with the portable device 33 via the communication unit 32. The communication unit 32 includes known wireless communication means such as an antenna and a modulation / demodulation circuit. The smart control unit 31 has a function as portable device determination means.

  The portable device 33 is configured as a portable wireless device that can transmit and receive data to and from the smart control unit 31. The portable device 33 includes a microcomputer having a memory for recording an ID code unique to each vehicle, an antenna necessary for wireless communication, a modulation / demodulation circuit, and the like. The system is activated by an inquiry signal sent from 31 and transmits the ID code as a response signal. The portable device 33 includes a wireless switch. The wireless switch locks the door or releases the lock when the user operates the switch.

  The communication unit 32 is provided on a door for getting on and off the driver's seat, front passenger seat, and left and right rear seats of the vehicle. In many cases, the communication unit 32 is built in the handle part of the door, and periodically transmits an inquiry signal to the periphery thereof. The output of the inquiry signal is adjusted so as to reach only within a range (key response area) of about 70 cm to 1 m from the communication unit 32. Therefore, only the portable device 33 existing in the key response area can receive the inquiry signal. The portable device 33 that has received the inquiry signal transmits the ID code recorded in the memory to the communication unit 32 as a response signal.

  Further, upon receiving wireless communication with the portable device 33, the smart control unit 31 is configured to transmit a signal to the door lock control unit 37 and the engine control unit 34. Specifically, the smart control unit 31 sends a signal to the door lock control unit 37 to set the vehicle door to the locked state or the unlocked state. In response to this, the door lock control unit 37 performs motor control for bringing the door into the locked state or the unlocked state. A series of functions for automatically locking and unlocking the door is called a smart lock function.

  In addition, a signal is sent to the engine control unit 34 to permit the engine 35 to be started by a predetermined switch operation without using an actual ignition key. That is, the driver who has the portable device 33 can start the engine 35 by only operating the engine operation switch 41 (see FIG. 3) provided in the ETC on-vehicle device 1 without inserting the ignition key into the key cylinder. . Therefore, the engine control unit 34 has a function as engine starting means. Such a function is called a smart ignition function.

  FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 1. An IC card insertion slot 42 is formed on the front surface of the main body of the ETC on-vehicle device 1. By inserting the IC card (ETC card) 2 from the IC card insertion slot 42, the toll is calculated by wireless communication with the ETC roadside device 61 installed at the entrance or exit of the toll gate on the toll road. The vehicle to which the ETC onboard device 1 is attached can make a payment without stopping at the toll gate on the toll road.

  A card removal switch 44 is formed on the front surface of the main body of the ETC on-vehicle device 1. The card removal switch 44 is a switch for taking out the IC card 2 without stopping the engine 35 of the vehicle.

  The history switch 43 is a switch for outputting the usage fee settlement history by voice. When the history switch 43 is operated, for example, the user is notified of the latest usage fee by voice.

  The volume switch 45 is a switch that changes the volume of voice guidance. The user can adjust the voice guidance to a desired volume by operating the volume switch 45.

  The engine operation switch 41 is an operation switch for starting and stopping the engine 35 of the vehicle, and the driver having the portable device 33 inserts the ignition key into the key cylinder simply by operating the engine switch 41. Without stopping, the engine 35 can be started and stopped. The engine operation switch 41 is included in the operation unit 19.

  More specifically, when the driver gets into the driver's seat, the smart control unit 31 intermittently transmits an inquiry signal from the communication unit 32. When the portable device 33 receives the inquiry signal, the portable device 33 transmits an ID code signal. The smart control unit 31 collates the received ID code with a previously stored ID code.

  At this time, if the received ID code matches the ID code stored in advance, the smart control unit 31 permits the engine 35 to start. When the engine operation switch 41 is operated by the driver, the engine control unit 34 starts the engine 35.

  Further, when the driver carrying the portable device 33 operates the engine operation switch 41 while the engine 35 is starting, the IC card 2 is ejected from the IC card insertion slot 42, and when the driver removes the IC card 2, An engine stop signal is sent from the overall control unit 13 that has detected this to the smart control unit 31, and an engine stop signal is sent from the smart control unit 31 to the engine control unit 34 to stop the engine 35 of the vehicle. That is, the engine 35 is stopped when the driver operates the engine operation switch 41 to remove the IC card 33.

  The engine stop process will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The IC card 2 is inserted into the ETC vehicle-mounted device 1 to receive the ETC service while traveling the vehicle (FIG. 5A). When the driver stops the vehicle and operates the engine operation switch 41 of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 1 to stop the engine 35 (S1), the IC card 2 inserted into the IC card slot 15 is removed from the overall control unit 13. Are discharged from the IC card slot 15 (S2, FIG. 5B). The IC card slot 15 is provided with a card position detection unit 16 that detects the insertion state of the IC card 2, and monitors whether the discharged IC card 2 (half-insertion state) has been removed by the driver or the like. When the driver or the like grasps the IC card 2 with a finger or the like and the IC card 2 is removed from the IC card slot 15 (S3: YES, FIG. 5C), the card position detection unit 16 that has detected the IC card 2 A signal is input to the overall control unit 13. Then, a signal is sent from the overall control unit 13 to the smart control unit 31 and the engine control unit 34, the engine control unit 34 stops the engine 35 (S4), and the process ends.

  When the user performs a switch operation for stopping the engine 35 as in the first embodiment, the IC card 2 is ejected from the ETC on-board unit 1, and when the user removes the IC card 2, the vehicle engine 35. Can be prevented from forgetting to remove the IC card 2.

(Example 2)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. A second embodiment of the present invention is an ETC vehicle-mounted device 81 installed in the vicinity of a key cylinder 92 of an ignition key 98 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the main body of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81 is installed in the vicinity of the outer surface of a cylindrical housing portion 95 having a key cylinder 92. A cylindrical key cylinder 92 is provided inside the housing portion 95.

  Here, the fact that the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81 is positioned in the vicinity of the key cylinder 92 means that the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81 is easily within the field of view when the ignition key 98 is inserted into and removed from the key cylinder 92. As shown in FIG. 7A, a part of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81 is located on a circle 88 that is four times the radius r of the key cylinder 92, or as shown in FIGS. The key cylinder 92 may be located within a range of a circle 88 that is four times the radius r of the key cylinder 92. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 10, when the ignition key 98 inserted into the key cylinder 92 is gripped, the ETC on-board device 81 is installed at a position where the IC card 82 discharged from the ETC on-board device 81 touches the hand. It is good to be done. The IC card slot 115, which is the IC card mounting portion, only needs to be in the vicinity of the key cylinder 92, and the main body including the ETC-EUC 113 (see FIG. 11), which will be described later, is installed away from the key cylinder 92. May be.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a key insertion port 94 for inserting an ignition key 98 is formed in the rotor 93 of the key cylinder 92, and an ignition switch (not shown) is provided in the key cylinder 92. Is provided. When the ignition key 98 is inserted from the key insertion port 94 and the ignition key 98 is rotated, the rotor 93 is rotated thereby, and the vehicle engine 35 is turned on and off by the rotation operation.

  The insertion port surface 145 having the key insertion port 94 of the key cylinder 92 and the front surface 143 having the IC card insertion port 142 of the ETC in-vehicle device 81 are formed in the same direction, and the insertion port surface 145 and the front surface 143 are substantially planes. It is one. Further, the ETC on-board unit 81 is installed close to the key cylinder 92 so that the key insertion direction 146 to the key cylinder 92 and the IC card insertion direction 144 to the ETC on-board unit 81 are substantially parallel. According to such a configuration, when the driver gets off, when the key 98 is removed from the key cylinder 92, the ETC on-vehicle device 81 is seen at a glance, so that the effect of preventing the IC card 82 from being forgotten to be removed can be obtained. .

  FIG. 8 shows an example in which the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81 is mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the key cylinder 92 and the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81 adjacent to the key cylinder 92 are installed on the steering column 141 of the vehicle. Further, FIG. 9 shows another example implemented in a vehicle. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the key cylinder 92 and the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81 adjacent thereto are installed in the vicinity of the steering column 141 of the instrument panel 142 of the vehicle. 8 and 9, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81 is installed in the vicinity of the key cylinder 92 of the ignition key 98, and when the key 98 is removed from the key cylinder 92 when the driver gets off, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81 is As a result, the effect of preventing the IC card 82 from being forgotten to be removed can be obtained. The installation location of the key cylinder 92 and the ETC on-board device 81 is not limited to the example shown in the figure. The key cylinder 92 may be any position where the driver of the vehicle can easily insert the key. It only needs to be installed in the vicinity of the key cylinder 92.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the side surfaces of the key cylinder 92 and the ETC on-vehicle device 81. In FIG. 10A, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81 is installed close to the key cylinder 92, the ignition key 98 is inserted into the key cylinder 92, and the IC card 82 is inserted into the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81. In this state, when the vehicle travels on a toll road such as an expressway, the ETC service can be used. This vehicle-mounted device 81 performs radio communication with an ETC roadside device installed at the entrance or exit of the toll road tollgate. Toll fees can be calculated. The vehicle to which the ETC onboard device 81 is attached can collect tolls without stopping at the toll gate on the toll road.

  Then, in order to stop the vehicle, for example, when the vehicle reaches the destination, stop the engine, and pull out the ignition key 82 inserted into the key cylinder 92, the user holds the ignition key 82, and FIG. ), When the ignition key 98 is turned to the OFF position, an OFF signal of the ignition switch is input to the control unit of the ETC in-vehicle device 81, and the control unit ejects the IC card 82 from the card slot 115. At this time, since the IC card 82 touches the hand holding the ignition key 98, the IC card 82 is never forgotten to be pulled out.

  FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of the system. An ETC-ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 113 that is a control unit of the ETC on-vehicle device 81 is connected to the battery 165 of the vehicle and is supplied with power from the battery 165. An ETC antenna 110 for communicating with an ETC roadside device (not shown) is connected to the ETC-EUC 113, and signals from the ETC antenna 110 that transmit / receive signals to / from the ETC roadside device are sent to the ETC-EUC 113. Entered. A signal from the ETC-EUC 113 is transmitted to the ETC roadside device by the ETC antenna 110.

  The ETC-EUC 113 is connected to the IC card slot 115, and reading and writing of the IC card 82 inserted into the IC card slot 115 is performed by the ETC-EUC 113. By inserting the ETC card 82 into the IC card slot 115, it becomes possible to communicate with the ETC roadside device and receive the ETC service.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the ETC-EUC 113 includes a microprocessor in which a known CPU 151, ROM 152, RAM 153, and input / output unit (I / O port) 154 are connected to a bus line 155. The CPU 151 performs control based on programs and data stored in the ROM 152 and the RAM 153. The ROM 152 has a program storage area. An ETC program 152a is stored in the program storage area. Further, the ETC program 152a operates on the RAM 153 in a form in which the work memory for the ETC program 153a is used as a work area. The ETC-EUC 113 has functions as an ignition switch detection unit and an IC card ejection unit.

  The storage unit 117 includes a known flash memory that can be written and read, and stores information necessary for the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 81.

  The display unit 118 includes a display lamp that displays an operation state, and notifies the operation state by lighting the lamp. Further, it may be configured by a liquid crystal display or the like, and the operation status may be displayed by characters, symbols or the like.

  The operation unit 119 is for a user to perform various settings and operations, and is configured as a mechanical switch, for example.

  The IC card slot 115 is for inserting an IC card 82 for payment of a usage fee. By inserting the IC card 82 into the IC card slot 115, the IC card slot 115 communicates with an ETC roadside device and receives an ETC service. Is possible. The IC card slot 115 is provided with a card position detection unit 116 capable of detecting insertion, half-insertion, and removal of the IC card 82, and outputs a predetermined signal according to the insertion and removal of the IC card 82. The IC card slot 115 functions as an IC card ejection unit, and the card position detection unit 116 functions as an IC card recognition unit.

  The signal of the key insertion switch 124 is input to the key forgetting buzzer 125 as a key forgetting signal. The key-forgetting buzzer 125 is installed in the vehicle and issues a warning to the user in the vehicle. The signal of the ignition switch 123 is input to the ETC-EUC 113 and the key-forgetting buzzer 125.

  Further, when the ignition key is turned off (ignition switch 123 is turned off), the IC card slot 115 can recognize the insertion state of the IC card 82 ejected from the IC card slot 115 by the card position detecting unit 116. is there. If the IC card 82 is in a half-inserted state (a state in which the user has forgotten to remove it even if it is ejected) or an inserted state (not ejected), the signal is input to the key-forgetting buzzer 125. In other words, when the signal of the ignition switch 123 and the signal of the card insertion state are input to the forgetting to remove key buzzer 125 and the door is opened, the ignition key 98 is off and the IC card 82 is inserted. A buzzer will sound. The key-forgetting buzzer 125 has a function as a warning means.

  In this embodiment, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81 is connected to a keyless entry system. Next, a keyless entry system will be described. A keyless entry system is a system having a function of locking and unlocking a door of a vehicle without using an ignition key. As shown in FIG. 11, the keyless entry system includes a keyless ECU 131 mounted on a vehicle and a portable device 133 (also referred to as a wireless key 133) that the user should possess. By performing wireless communication between the portable device 133 possessed by the user and the vehicle control device (keyless ECU 131), when the user possessing the portable device 133 operates the portable device 113, the door is locked and unlocked. It is a system that provides functions to perform.

  The portable device 133 (wireless key) is configured as a portable wireless device that can transmit data to the keyless ECU 131. A predetermined operation (for example, pressing a button) by a user wirelessly communicates with the keyless ECU 131 via the antenna 132 to lock or unlock the door. The portable device 133 is for locking / unlocking the door. However, the portable device 133 may be configured separately from the ignition key 98 for starting the engine by turning on the ignition switch 123. 133 may be added to the configuration.

  The keyless ECU 131 is configured to output signals to the horn control circuit 134, the vehicle light control circuit 136, and the door lock control circuit 139. When the keyless ECU 131 receives a signal from the portable device 133, the keyless ECU 131 controls the locking and unlocking of the door. Specifically, in response to the signal from the portable device 133, the keyless ECU 131 sends a signal to the door lock control circuit 139 to set the door of the vehicle to the locked state or the unlocked state. In response to this, the door lock control circuit 139 performs motor control for bringing the door into a locked state or unlocked state.

  Further, the keyless ECU 131 sends a signal for blowing the horn 135 of the vehicle to the horn control circuit 134. The horn 135 issues a warning to a user outside the vehicle. Thereby, the horn control circuit 134 sounds the horn 135 of the vehicle and notifies that the door locking / unlocking operation has been performed. Further, the keyless ECU 131 sends a signal for blinking the vehicle width lights 137 and 138 to the vehicle light control circuit 136. As a result, the width lights 137 and 138 on the front and rear sides of the vehicle blink in a predetermined pattern to notify the user outside the vehicle that the door locking / unlocking operation has been performed.

  The keyless ECU 131 receives a signal from the card position detection unit 116 of the IC card slot 115 of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81, and the blinking pattern of the vehicle width lights 137 and 138 indicates the IC card 82 to the IC card slot 115. It is set by the user by operating the operation unit 119 so as to be different in the insertion state. For example, when the IC card 82 is not inserted, the vehicle width lights 137 and 138 blink once by locking / unlocking the door, and the IC card 82 is inserted or half-inserted (the user In a state where the IC card 82 is forgotten to be removed, the vehicle width lights 137 and 138 can be set to blink three times.

  That is, as an answer back indicating that the door is normally locked / unlocked normally, a buzzer is sounded or the width lights 137, 138 are flashed, and the flashing pattern varies depending on the insertion state of the IC card 82. Is set to The answerback is a mechanism for notifying whether or not locking / unlocking of the vehicle door by the keyless entry system is completed.

  The process of the ETC onboard equipment 81 is demonstrated using FIG. When the driver stops the vehicle and turns off the ignition switch 123 (S11), the ETC-EUC 113 to which the signal is input ejects the IC card 82 from the IC card slot 115 (S12). When the door is opened for getting off (S13), a signal from the door lock control circuit 139 is input from the keyless ECU 131 to the key-forgetting buzzer 125, and the IC card 82 is inserted into the IC card slot 115 ( S14: YES), a signal indicating that the IC card 82 is in the inserted or half-inserted state is output from the card position detecting unit 116 of the IC card slot 115, and a signal is input to the key-forgetting buzzer 125. When these signals are input to the key-forgetting buzzer 125, the key-forgetting buzzer 125 emits a buzzer sound to warn the user that the IC card 82 is inserted (S15). Since the buzzer forgetting to remove the key and the buzzer forgetting to remove the card are combined, different buzzer sounds will be generated depending on whether you forgot to remove the key, forgetting to remove the card, or both. The user can immediately understand and deal with the reason why the buzzer sound is emitted.

  On the other hand, when the driver stops the vehicle and opens the door to get off (S13), when the IC card 82 is not inserted into the IC card slot 115 (S14: NO), the IC card slot 115 Is not input to the buzzer 125 forgetting to remove the key, the buzzer sound is not emitted. Of course, if the user forgets to unplug the ignition key 98, a buzzer sound is generated to warn that.

  Furthermore, the case where a vehicle is door-locked is demonstrated using FIG. When the driver gets off the vehicle and operates the portable device 133 to lock the door (S21), it is determined whether the IC card 82 is inserted in the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81 (S22). If the IC card 82 is not inserted (S22: NO), the front and rear vehicle width lights 137, 138 blink normally, indicating that the door is locked (S23).

  On the other hand, if the IC card 82 is inserted in S22 (S22: YES), the vehicle width lights 137 and 138 blink in a pattern indicating the insertion of the IC card 82 (S24). Specifically, a signal indicating that the IC card 82 is inserted or half-inserted is output from the card position detection unit 116 of the IC card slot 115, and the keyless ECU 131 that receives the signal inserts the IC card 82. It is determined that the vehicle horn 135 of the vehicle is blown, and a signal for causing the vehicle lamp control control circuit 136 to blink the width lights 137 and 138 is executed. As a result, the vehicle horn 135 sounds, the vehicle width lights 137 and 138 blink in a pattern indicating the insertion of the IC card 82, the door is locked, and the IC card 82 is in the card slot 115 of the vehicle-mounted device 81. Is inserted.

  That is, if the IC card 82 is inserted in the ETC vehicle-mounted device 81, the vehicle width lights 137 and 138 are turned on, for example, three times and the key-forgetting buzzer 125 is blown three times as an answer back with the door locked. If the IC card 82 is not inserted in the ETC in-vehicle device 81, for example, the vehicle width lights 137 and 138 are turned on twice and the key buzzer 125 is blown twice.

  Since the ETC on-board device 81 is installed in the vicinity of the key cylinder 92 of the ignition key 98 as in the second embodiment, the ETC on-board device 81 is glanced when the ignition key 98 is operated. Forgetting to unplug the IC card 82 can be prevented.

The figure which shows the outline of an ETC system. The figure explaining a whole control part. The figure which shows the example of formation of the front surface of an ETC onboard equipment. The figure explaining the process in the case of stopping an engine. The figure explaining extraction of an IC card. ETC on-board unit installed close to the key cylinder. The figure explaining the key cylinder vicinity. The figure which shows the example 1 of mounting of an ETC onboard equipment. The figure which shows the example 2 of mounting of an ETC onboard equipment. The figure explaining discharge of an IC card. The figure which shows the outline of an ETC onboard equipment. The figure explaining ETC-EUC. The figure explaining the process when the ignition switch of an ETC onboard equipment is turned off. The figure explaining the process when the door of an ETC onboard equipment is locked.

Explanation of symbols

1 ETC on-board unit 2 IC card (ETC card)
13 Overall Control Unit 15 IC Card Slot 31 Smart Control Unit 34 Engine Control Unit 42 IC Card Insertion Port 81 ETC On-board Unit 82 IC Card (ETC Card)
92 Key cylinder 94 Key insertion slot 98 Ignition key 113 ETC-ECU
115 IC card slot 116 card position detection unit 133 portable device 142 IC card insertion slot

Claims (12)

In an ETC on-board unit that is used in an automatic toll collection system for vehicles and installed in a vehicle to communicate with an ETC roadside machine,
An engine stop operation unit operated to stop the engine of the vehicle;
An IC card mounting part for mounting an IC card for payment;
IC card ejecting means for ejecting the IC card attached to the IC card attaching portion by operating the engine stop operation portion;
Engine stop means for stopping the engine after the IC card is ejected from the IC card mounting portion;
An ETC vehicle-mounted device comprising:   2. The ETC in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the engine stop unit stops the engine when the discharged IC card is removed from the IC card mounting unit after the IC card is discharged from the IC card mounting unit. vessel. A portable device recording an ID code unique to the vehicle;
A communication unit that performs wireless communication with the portable device by periodically outputting an inquiry signal to the portable device;
Portable device determination means for determining whether or not the portable device for the vehicle exists within a predetermined range from the vehicle by checking the ID code;
Engine starting means for performing wireless communication with the portable device and starting the engine of the vehicle by being operated when the portable device is present within the predetermined range;
The ETC vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1, comprising: In an ETC on-board unit that is used in an automatic toll collection system for vehicles and installed in a vehicle to communicate with an ETC roadside machine,
An ETC vehicle-mounted device comprising an IC card mounting portion for mounting an IC card for paying a fee, adjacent to a key cylinder into which an ignition key for starting the vehicle engine is inserted. An ignition switch detecting means for detecting on / off of the ignition switch of the vehicle;
IC card ejecting means for ejecting the IC card attached to the IC card attaching portion when the ignition switch detecting means detects that the ignition switch is turned off;
The ETC vehicle-mounted device according to claim 4, comprising:   The ETC on-board unit according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a card insertion slot for inserting the IC card of the IC card mounting portion is formed on a key insertion slot side for inserting the ignition key of the key cylinder. IC card recognition means for recognizing whether the IC card is inserted in the IC card mounting portion;
The on-board ETC device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising alarm means for generating an alarm sound when the vehicle door is opened while the IC card is inserted into the IC card mounting portion.   8. The ETC on-vehicle device according to claim 7, wherein the alarm means emits an alarm sound when the door of the vehicle is opened while the ignition key is inserted into the key cylinder.   A transmitter that is operated to lock and unlock the door of the vehicle and wirelessly transmits the door locking and unlocking signal, and a receiver that receives the door locking and unlocking signal from the transmitter And a door locking / unlocking means that locks / unlocks the door when receiving the door locking / unlocking signal from the transmitter. When the door is locked or unlocked, it is connected to the flashing control means for flashing the illumination unit outside the vehicle, depending on whether the IC card is inserted in the IC card mounting unit or not. The on-board ETC device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising card warning blinking control means for blinking different external illumination units differently.   The on-board ETC device according to claim 9, further comprising a blinking pattern setting unit that sets a blinking pattern of the illumination unit. The ETC vehicle-mounted device according to any one of claims 4 to 8,
A transmitter that is operated to lock and unlock the door of the vehicle and wirelessly transmits the door locking and unlocking signal;
Receiving means for receiving the door locking / unlocking signal from the transmitter;
Upon receiving the door locking / unlocking signal from the transmitter, door locking / unlocking means for locking / unlocking the door;
When the door is locked or unlocked, flashing control means for flashing the illumination part outside the vehicle differently depending on whether or not the IC card is inserted in the IC card mounting part,
A keyless entry system comprising: The keyless entry system according to claim 11, further comprising a blinking pattern setting unit configured to set a blinking pattern of the illumination unit.

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