JP2009080540A - Communication system for vehicle and car navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent any failure caused by a contact failure between an onboard unit and an IC card, in a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: This car navigation device 3 is configured of a navigation control device 4; an own location detector 6; and a map database 7 or the like, and connected through an onboard LAN 13 to an ETC onboard unit 2. The navigation control device 4 transmits a reset command to the ETC onboard unit 2 when the vehicle approaches an ETC gate within a prescribed distance. The ETC onboard unit 2 is provided with a control circuit 18; a radio communication part 19 for communicating with an ETC roadside unit 14; a card processing circuit 20; and a card connector 26 in which the ETC card 15 is set. The device authenticates the ETC card 15 when a power is turned on, and is enabled. When receiving a reset command, the control circuit 18 temporarily turns off the ETC onboard unit 2 then turns it on in a reset operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle communication system in which a charge billing process is performed by road-to-vehicle communication between a vehicle-mounted device that can be used in a state where a contact type IC card is set and a roadside device, The present invention also relates to a car navigation apparatus having a function of controlling on / off of the power supply of the ETC on-vehicle device.

  In recent years, tolls are automatically settled by road-to-vehicle communication (DSRC) between ETC roadside equipment installed at toll gates on toll roads such as expressways and ETC on-board equipment installed in vehicles. ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) systems that allow vehicles to pass through toll booths without stopping have become widespread. The ETC vehicle-mounted device can be used by setting (inserting) an ETC card (contact IC card) owned by the user and having a charge settlement function.

  More specifically, the ETC in-vehicle device includes a card connector on which an ETC card can be set in and out, a card processing circuit for reading and writing data to the ETC card, a control circuit for controlling the whole, and an antenna. The wireless communication unit includes a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the ETC roadside device. In general, this ETC vehicle-mounted device is used in cooperation with a car navigation device.

  When the ETC on-board unit is turned on with the ETC card set to the card connector, or when the ETC on-board unit is turned on and the ETC card is set on the card connector, whether or not they are authorized parties. When the mutual authentication operation to be confirmed is performed and the authentication is correctly performed, the ETC system can be used in an activated state in which access to the ETC card is possible. The mutual authentication operation described above takes about several seconds.

By the way, as described above, the ETC card is composed of a contact type IC card, and the contact electrode provided on the surface of the card comes into contact with the contact provided on the card connector, so that the ETC card is electrically connected to the ETC on-board device. Connection is made. However, the electrical connection between the contact electrode of the ETC card and the contact of the card connector is temporarily disconnected during traveling of the vehicle due to factors such as vibration during traveling of the vehicle and contamination of the contact electrode surface. There are cases where it will be. Once such a contact abnormality occurs, the ETC card is deactivated, and when it goes to the toll booth (ETC roadside machine) in that state, normal billing processing is not performed, for example, the gate bar does not open It will cause problems such as. Therefore, conventionally, countermeasures as shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have been considered.
JP 2006-172208 A JP 2006-323744 A

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, an ETC pre-check gate (check instruction device) for transmitting a radio wave for instructing an operation check is provided approximately 1 km before the ETC gate at the exit of the toll road. Accordingly, a check operation is started to check whether the ETC card is normally inserted or whether the authentication has been normally performed, and the driver is notified when an abnormality is detected.

  Moreover, in patent document 2, the abnormality of an ETC card is detected by always monitoring the voltage level of the data input / output line among the communication lines connecting the ETC card and the ETC in-vehicle device. When it is determined that the error has occurred, the recovery process is performed and the user is notified of the abnormality.

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide an ETC pre-check gate (check instruction device) in addition to the ETC roadside device on the roadside of the toll road, which requires a large facility as a whole. Further, in the technique of the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, it is necessary to add means for detecting a contact abnormality, such as a circuit for monitoring the voltage level of the communication line, and there is a problem that the configuration is complicated accordingly. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to easily prevent a problem associated with the occurrence of a contact abnormality between the vehicle-mounted device and the IC card, but to simplify the configuration for that purpose. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle communication system and a car navigation device that can be completed.

  In a vehicle-mounted device in which a contact type IC card is set, contact abnormalities such as contact separation between the card connector and the IC card due to vehicle vibration are temporary (instantaneous). In most cases, even if there is such a temporary contact abnormality, the contact between the card connector and the IC card is easily returned to the contact state.

  The inventor of the present invention pays attention to the fact that an in-vehicle device such as an ETC on-vehicle device is generally linked with a map database or a car navigation device having a vehicle position detection function, and after turning off the power of the on-vehicle device once again. Focusing on the fact that by performing a reset (initialization) operation to turn on, even if the above-mentioned contact abnormality has occurred, it is possible to easily return to an activated state accessible to the IC card. The invention was accomplished.

  That is, the vehicle communication system of the present invention includes an on-vehicle device that is mounted on a vehicle and can be used in a state where a contact type IC card is set, and the road-to-vehicle space between the on-vehicle device and the roadside device. In the case where the fee billing process is performed by communication, a judgment means for judging whether or not the position of the own vehicle is within a predetermined distance from the roadside machine, and within a predetermined distance from the roadside machine by this judgment means And a reset means for executing a reset operation for turning the vehicle-mounted device on once and then turning it on again.

  According to this, when it is determined by the determination means that the own vehicle has approached the roadside machine within a predetermined distance, the reset operation for the vehicle-mounted device is executed by the reset means. Therefore, even if a contact abnormality due to vehicle vibration or the like occurs in the vehicle-mounted device, it can be easily returned to an activated state where the IC card can be accessed before communication with the roadside device. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems associated with the IC card being in an inactive state.

  At this time, since the reset operation is performed at the most effective timing immediately before reaching the roadside machine (toll gate), it is possible to prevent the occurrence of trouble when passing through the toll gate. Many reset operations are not performed unnecessarily. In addition, since the determination means can be carried on the car navigation device side, it is possible to add a separate device for detecting the position of the vehicle, and whether or not a contact abnormality has occurred. By performing the reset (initialization) operation, means (configuration) for detecting a contact abnormality becomes unnecessary. As a result, a simple configuration can be achieved.

  In the vehicular communication system according to the present invention, when the reset operation is performed by the reset unit, the storage unit that stores the roadside unit that is the target of the determination unit, and the roadside unit that is stored in the storage unit Can be provided with a restricting means for restricting the execution of the reset operation again even when the judging means judges that the roadside machine has come within a predetermined distance (invention of claim 2).

  According to this, for example, due to the shape of the road, the convenience of driving by the driver, etc., if the host vehicle approaches repeatedly within a predetermined distance of a specific roadside device, there are restrictions. The number of executions of the reset operation is limited by the means. Therefore, it is possible to suppress unnecessary reset operation, and it is possible to prevent problems caused by frequent reset operations.

  In the vehicular communication system of the present invention, the reset means can be configured to execute a reset operation on condition that the position of the host vehicle is separated from the roadside machine by a predetermined minimum distance or more. (Invention of Claim 3). According to this, even if there is a situation that requires a certain amount of time for the authentication operation after the reset operation of the vehicle-mounted device, for example, during the authentication operation, the problem that the host vehicle approaches the distance to communicate with the roadside device Can be prevented in advance.

  Furthermore, since there is a low possibility that a contact abnormality will occur only after a short time has elapsed since the previous power-on of the in-vehicle device, the reset means is set for a predetermined time from when the on-vehicle device is turned on. It is also possible to configure so that the reset operation is executed on the condition that the time elapses (the invention of claim 4). According to this, it is possible to suppress unnecessary reset operation, and it is possible to prevent problems caused by frequent reset operation.

  In the vehicle communication system of the present invention, the vehicle-mounted device is applied to an ETC vehicle-mounted device for paying a toll by communication with an ETC roadside device installed at a gate portion of a toll gate on a toll road. (Invention of claim 5).

  The car navigation apparatus of the present invention includes a host vehicle position detection unit that is mounted on a vehicle and detects the current position of the host vehicle, and a map data storage unit that stores map data including the position of the ETC roadside unit. An ETC on-board unit that is mounted on a vehicle and can be used in a state where a contact type IC card is set is provided with a function of controlling on / off of the power, and the position of the host vehicle is the ETC roadside device. A determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle has approached within a predetermined distance, and when the determination means determines that the vehicle has approached the ETC roadside machine within a predetermined distance, And a reset means for executing a reset operation to turn it on again (invention of claim 6).

  According to this, even if the contact abnormality due to the vibration of the vehicle or the like occurs in the ETC vehicle-mounted device, it is easily returned to the activated state where the IC card can be accessed before performing communication with the ETC roadside device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems associated with the IC card being in an inactive state. Further, a simple configuration can be achieved without adding a configuration such as a means (configuration) for detecting a contact abnormality.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle communication system used in an ETC system will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a vehicular communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. The vehicular communication system 1 includes an on-board ETC on-board unit 2 and a car navigation device 3 connected thereto. It is configured as a system that cooperates with.

  First, the configuration of the car navigation device 3 will be briefly described. The car navigation device 3 is mainly configured by a navigation control device 4 that mainly controls a microcomputer and performs overall control. As will be described later, the navigation control device 4 is provided with a memory 4a as storage means for storing information related to ETC (a list described later). The navigation control device 4 is connected to an external device connection unit 5, a vehicle position detector 6 as vehicle position detection means, and a map database 7 as map data storage means.

  Among them, the vehicle position detector 6 is configured to include a GPS receiver, a geomagnetic sensor, a gyro sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, etc., although not shown in detail, and the navigation control device 4 determines the current position of the vehicle from these signals ( (Absolute position) is calculated with high accuracy. The map database 7 stores, for example, map data all over Japan, facility data associated therewith, data for reproducing a road map on the screen of a display device, and the like. At this time, the map data includes position information of an ETC roadside machine (ETC gate) described later.

  And the ETC vehicle equipment 2 is connected to the said external apparatus connection part 5 via in-vehicle LAN13, for example, and the cooperation with the car navigation apparatus 3 is achieved. The navigation control device 4 includes an operation switch group 8 for a user to give various operation instructions, a display device 9 capable of displaying a navigation screen, a voice output device 10 for voice guidance, and an external memory 11. For example, a communication device 12 for acquiring road traffic information or the like by communication with a VICS (registered trademark) center or the like is also connected.

  Thus, the navigation control device 4 calculates the current position (absolute position) of the host vehicle C with high accuracy based on the signal from the host vehicle position detector 6 by the software configuration (and hardware configuration). In addition, a location function that displays the current position (and direction of travel) of the host vehicle on the screen of the display device 9 together with a road map around the host vehicle and a recommended travel route to the destination designated by the user are automatically displayed. Various navigation functions such as a route guidance function for automatically calculating and guiding the route are executed.

  Further, when the navigation control device 4 receives the signal output from the ETC in-vehicle device 2 via the external device connection unit 5, the audio output device 10 accordingly confirms that the ETC card has been confirmed. ETC card is not inserted "," We have passed the toll booth. The fee is XX yen. "ETC related voice guidance is given, and necessary messages are displayed on the display device 9. It is like that. As will be described later, the navigation control device 4 transmits a reset command to the ETC vehicle-mounted device 2. The car navigation device 3 is supplied with power from an in-vehicle battery when the vehicle ACC is on.

  Here, the ETC system will be briefly described. The ETC system includes, for example, an antenna 14a of an ETC roadside device 14 as a roadside device installed at a toll gate (ETC gate) such as an entrance / exit of a toll road such as an expressway, and an antenna 2a of an ETC onboard device 2 mounted on a vehicle. By carrying out so-called road-to-vehicle communication (narrow-range communication called DSRC) with the vehicle, the vehicle can pass through the toll gate without stopping, and the toll is automatically settled at that time It is what is done. At this time, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 2 can be used with the ETC card 15 having a charge settlement function set (inserted connection).

  Although detailed description is omitted, when the roadside unit 14 detects the approach of the vehicle in the ETC lane, the roadside unit 14 performs necessary communication with the ETC on-board unit 2 and executes gate opening / closing control, billing processing, and the like. At this time, necessary information such as gate passage information and billing information is transmitted to the ETC vehicle-mounted device 2.

  In this case, the ETC card 15 is a known contact type (contact type) IC card, and a total of, for example, eight (or six) contact electrodes are provided at predetermined positions on the surface of the plastic card incorporating the IC chip. It is comprised. The ETC card 15 (IC chip) includes a control unit 16 mainly composed of a microcomputer (CPU) and a storage unit 17 including a flash memory. In the storage unit 17, contract information (ID information, user information, information on credit function) is recorded in advance, and usage history information (information of ETC gates passed) and the like are written therein.

  And the said ETC onboard equipment 2 is comprised as follows. That is, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 2 includes a control circuit 18 that is configured mainly by a microcomputer and controls the whole, and performs wireless communication with the ETC roadside device 14 via the antenna 2a connected to the control circuit 18. A wireless communication unit 19, a card processing circuit 20, a power supply unit 21, an external device connection unit 22, a storage unit 23, a display unit 24, and an input operation unit 25 are provided. A card connector 26 connected to the card processing circuit 20 is also provided.

  The ETC card 15 is set (inserted) in the card connector 26 so that it can be inserted and removed. A plurality of contacts provided on the card connector 26 are provided with the ETC card 15 set. The ETC card 15 is in contact with each contact electrode to be electrically connected. The card processing circuit 20 reads and writes data from and to the ETC card 15 via a card connector 26.

  The power supply unit 21 is configured to be supplied with power from an in-vehicle battery when the vehicle ACC is turned on, and is configured to generate a predetermined DC voltage and supply power to each unit. The external device connection unit 22 exchanges data with the car navigation device 3 via the in-vehicle LAN 13. The storage unit 23 includes, for example, a flash memory, and stores data in which vehicle information and the like are registered in advance when mounted on a vehicle, and various data necessary for billing processing is stored. ing. The display unit 24 displays, for example, by a lamp whether or not communication with the ETC roadside device 14 has been normally performed. The input operation unit 25 includes a usage history confirmation switch.

  As will be described later in the explanation of the operation (flowchart explanation), the control circuit 18 of the ETC on-board unit 2 has the software configuration so that the ETC card 15 is turned on when the power of the ETC on-board unit 2 is turned on. In the state where the ETC card 15 is set in the card connector 26, a mutual authentication operation is performed to check whether the ETC onboard device 2 and the ETC card 15 are authorized parties. . When the authentication is correctly performed, the ETC card 15 can be accessed and activated (communication with the ETC roadside device 14) is enabled.

  In this embodiment, when the control circuit 18 receives a reset command from the car navigation device 2 via the external device connection unit 22, the control circuit 18 temporarily turns off the power of the ETC on-vehicle device 2 and then turns on the power again. A reset operation to turn on is executed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control circuit 18 of the ETC on-vehicle device 2 functions as a reset means.

  On the other hand, as will be described later in the description of the operation, the navigation control device 4 of the car navigation device 3 always detects the vehicle position when the power is turned on, and determines the vehicle position based on the map data. The distance to the nearest ETC gate (ETC roadside machine 14) is calculated. Then, it is determined whether or not the vehicle position is within a predetermined distance (for example, a straight distance of 500 m) with respect to the ETC gate, and when the vehicle position is within the predetermined distance, the ETC in-vehicle is connected via the external device connection unit 5. A reset command is transmitted to the device 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, the navigation control device 4 functions as a determination unit.

  At this time, in this embodiment, when the navigation control device 4 transmits the reset command, the navigation control device 4 displays the information recorded on the memory 4a in the list of the ETC gate, the vehicle position, and the time. And the like, and a reset flag related to the ETC gate is set (turned on). Therefore, the memory 4a functions as a storage unit.

  Further, in this embodiment, the navigation control device 4 turns off the reset flag related to the ETC gate recorded in the list of the memory 4a when it is determined that the vehicle position is within a predetermined distance from the ETC gate. And that a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed since the last power-on (reset operation) of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 2, and the predetermined minimum distance from the ETC gate to the vehicle position The reset command is transmitted on the condition that the distance is more than (for example, 300 m in a linear distance). Therefore, the navigation control device 4 functions as a limiting unit.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, in the ETC vehicle-mounted device 2 having the above-described configuration, the contact electrode of the ETC card 15 and the card during travel of the vehicle due to factors such as vibration during travel of the vehicle and dirt on the contact electrode surface of the ETC card 15. In some cases, the electrical connection between the contacts of the connector 22 is temporarily disconnected. Once such a contact abnormality occurs, the ETC card 15 becomes inactive, and when it goes to the toll booth (ETC roadside machine 14) in that state, normal billing processing is not performed. There are circumstances that can cause problems such as not opening.

  In the present embodiment, the following control is performed in the ETC on-vehicle device 2 and the car navigation device 3 in order to deal with such a problem. That is, the flowchart of FIG. 2A shows a processing procedure executed by the control circuit 18 when the ETC on-vehicle device 2 is turned on, and the flowchart of FIG. 2B is a navigation control of the car navigation device 3. The procedure of the process relevant to transmission of the reset command with respect to ETC onboard equipment 2 which the apparatus 4 performs is shown.

  First, in FIG. 2A, for example, when ACC is turned on in the vehicle and power is supplied to the ETC on-board unit 2 (step S1), the control circuit 18 sets the ETC card 15 to the card connector 26 ( It is determined whether it has been inserted (step S2). If the ETC card 15 is not set (No in step S2), a warning that the ETC card 15 is not inserted is given to the user (driver) (step S3).

  When the ETC card 15 is set (inserted) (Yes in step S2), activation for supplying power to the ETC card 15 is performed (step S4). Mutual authentication is performed to confirm whether or not each other is a legitimate partner with the ETC card 15 (step S5), and information written in the ETC card 15 is read when the authentication is correctly performed. (Step S6). As a result, access to the ETC card 15 is enabled and the ETC system can be used (communication with the ETC roadside device 14) (step S7). . In addition, since communication between the ETC onboard equipment 2 and the ETC roadside machine 14 is known, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  In the available state of the ETC system, the reset command transmitted from the car navigation device 3 is always monitored (step S8). When a reset command is received from the car navigation device 2 (Yes in step S8), the power of the ETC on-vehicle device 2 is temporarily turned off by itself (step S9), and a reset operation is performed to return to step S1 and turn on the power again. It has become so. When this reset operation is performed, processing such as activation and authentication is performed again (steps S4 to S6).

  On the other hand, in FIG. 2B, the navigation control device 4 of the car navigation device 3 turns on the vehicle position when the vehicle ACC is turned on and power is supplied to the car navigation device 3 (step S11). 6 is detected (step S12), and based on the result, the position of the host vehicle is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 together with a map (step S13). At the same time, the distance between the own vehicle position and the ETC gate (ETC roadside machine 14) located at a distance relatively close to the own vehicle position (for example, a range of an extent within the same prefecture) is calculated (step S14). . At this time, when there are a plurality of ETC gates, the distance to each ETC gate is obtained.

  In the next step S15, it is determined whether or not the distance between the vehicle position and the ETC gate (ETC roadside machine 14) is a predetermined distance (for example, 500 m) or less. If the distance between the vehicle position and the ETC gate exceeds the predetermined distance (No in step S15), the processing from the vehicle position detection in step S12 is repeated. If the distance between the vehicle position and one of the ETC gates is within the predetermined distance (Yes in step S15), the target is included in the list in the memory 4a (within the predetermined distance). ) ETC gate information, own vehicle position, and time are recorded (step S16). Next, referring to the list, the own vehicle position, time, and reset status (reset flag on / off state) for each ETC gate Is confirmed (step S17).

  Here, first, in step S18, it is determined whether or not the target ETC gate has been reset (the reset flag is turned on (set)), and has already been reset (the reset flag is set). If ON (Yes in step S18), the process returns to step S12 without transmitting a reset command. On the other hand, if the reset has not yet been applied (the reset flag is OFF) (No in step S18), the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, it is determined whether or not the current position of the vehicle is at least a minimum distance (for example, 300 m) from the target ETC gate. If the vehicle position or the ETC gate is approaching a distance shorter than the minimum distance (No in step S19), the process returns to step S12 without transmitting a reset command. On the other hand, if the vehicle position or the ETC gate is more than the minimum distance (Yes in step S19), the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20, whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed since the power supply of the ETC on-vehicle device 2 was turned on last time (in this case, when the power supply is turned on or when the previous reset command was transmitted). Is judged. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in step S20), the process returns to step S12 without transmitting a reset command.

  On the other hand, if the predetermined time or more has elapsed (Yes in step S20), a reset command is transmitted to the ETC vehicle-mounted device 2 in step S21. Thus, the reset operation is performed in the ETC vehicle-mounted device 2. Thereafter, a reset flag is set (turned on) on the list in the memory 4a (step S22), and the process returns to step S12.

  With the above control, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the vehicle is traveling on the route R1 with respect to the ETC gate G, the position of the host vehicle is within a predetermined distance A1 (centered on the ETC gate G). For example, a reset command is transmitted from the car navigation device 3 to the ETC in-vehicle device 2 when it is determined that the vehicle has entered within a circle having a radius of 500 m. And the ETC onboard equipment 2 which received the reset command performs the reset operation | movement which turns on again, after turning off its power supply once.

  At this time, in the ETC in-vehicle device 2, the contact abnormality such as the contact separating between the card connector 22 and the ETC card 15 due to the vibration of the vehicle is temporary (instantaneous). In most cases, even if there is such a temporary contact abnormality, the contact between the card connector 22 and the ETC card 15 is easily returned to the contact state. When a reset (initialization) operation is performed in which the power supply of the ETC on-board unit 2 is turned off and then turned on again, even if the above-described contact abnormality has occurred, the activated state in which the ETC card 15 can be accessed It can be easily returned to.

  Therefore, even if a contact abnormality due to vehicle vibration or the like occurs in the ETC on-board unit 3 before the position of the host vehicle reaches the range A1 of the predetermined distance from the ETC gate G, Before communication (before reaching the ETC gate G), it is possible to easily return to the activated state where the ETC card 15 can be accessed, and there is a problem associated with the ETC card 15 being deactivated. Occurrence can be prevented in advance.

  In addition, as shown by the route R2 in FIG. 3, the vehicle temporarily moves within a predetermined distance range A1 (for example, a circle with a radius of 500 m, for example, centered on the ETC gate G) due to, for example, the shape of the road or the convenience of the driver ) After entering the range, it is also possible to exit the range A1 and enter the range A1 again. In this case, the reset operation is performed in the ETC on-board unit 3 when entering the range A1 for the first time, and the reset flag is turned on. Therefore, the reset operation (reset is performed when entering the range A1 for the second time. Command transmission) is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress unnecessary reset operation, and it is possible to prevent problems caused by frequent reset operations.

  In FIG. 3, the range A2 indicates the range of the minimum distance (for example, a circle having a radius of 300 m centered on the ETC gate G). If the vehicle position is within the range A2, the range A2 is reset. No operation (reset command transmission) is performed. As a result, even if there is a circumstance that requires a certain amount of time for the authentication operation of the ETC on-vehicle device 3, for example, during the authentication operation, the problem that the own vehicle approaches the distance to communicate with the ETC roadside device 14 in advance. Can be prevented.

  Furthermore, although not shown, for example, when two ETC gates G (for example, an exit of one toll road and an entrance of another toll road that is connected to it) are located relatively close to each other, one ETC The ETC on-board unit 3 is reset when it enters the range A1 for the gate G. Immediately after that, even if it enters the range A1 for another ETC gate G, the power source of the ETC on-board unit 3 is If a predetermined time has not elapsed since the time when the switch is turned on (the previous reset operation), the reset operation (reset command transmission) is not performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, attention is paid to the fact that the ETC vehicle-mounted device 2 is linked to the car navigation device 3 having the map database 7 and the own vehicle position detection unit 6, and is also caused by the vibration of the vehicle. The contact abnormality of the ETC card 15 is temporary (instantaneous), and by performing a reset (initialization) operation that turns the power on the ETC on-board unit 2 off and then on again, the contact abnormality occurs before that. When it is determined that the host vehicle has approached the ETC gate within a predetermined distance, paying attention to the fact that it can be easily returned to the activated state accessible to the ETC card 15 even if The ETC onboard device 3 is configured to execute a reset operation.

  Thereby, the reset operation of the ETC on-board unit 3 is performed at the most effective timing immediately before reaching the ETC roadside device 14, and the ETC card 15 can be easily returned to the activated state where it can be accessed. The occurrence of trouble can be prevented in advance. Many reset operations are not performed unnecessarily. In addition, a contact abnormality is detected by performing a reset (initialization) operation without adding a separate device for detecting the vehicle position or the like, and irrespective of whether or not the contact abnormality has occurred. Means (configuration) are not required. As a result, according to the present embodiment, while it is possible to prevent problems associated with the occurrence of contact abnormality between the ETC on-vehicle device 2 and the ETC card 15, it is possible to simplify the configuration for that purpose. It is possible to obtain such an excellent effect.

  FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the above embodiment in that the ETC vehicle-mounted device 2 performs the reset operation by itself based on the reception of the reset command from the car navigation device 3, and the ETC vehicle-mounted device 31 and the power line ( The car navigation device 33 (navigation control device (not shown)) controls on / off of the switch 32 for connecting and disconnecting to + B or ACC.

  That is, when the car navigation device 33 (navigation control device) is turned on (ACC on), the car navigation device 33 turns on the switch 32 to supply power to the ETC vehicle-mounted device 31. As in the above embodiment, when the vehicle position is detected and it is determined that the vehicle position is within a predetermined distance from the ETC gate, the switch 32 is controlled to turn on the power supply of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 31. After being turned off, a reset operation for turning it on again is executed. Therefore, in this case, the car navigation device 33 (navigation control device) functions as a determination unit and a reset unit.

  Even in this embodiment, similar to the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent problems associated with the occurrence of contact abnormality between the ETC vehicle-mounted device 31 and the ETC card 15, but the configuration for that can be simplified. It is possible to obtain an excellent effect that it can be completed. Further, in this embodiment, the reset operation can be performed without depending on the configuration of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 31 itself. Therefore, even if the ETC vehicle-mounted device 31 and the car navigation device 33 are made by different manufacturers, for example, the present invention is implemented. The merit that it can be done can be obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, the ETC on-board device used in the ETC system is given as a specific example. However, other than that, for example, the parking fee of the parking lot is automatically determined by communication between the roadside device and the on-board device. The present invention can also be applied to a system that performs settlement with the above. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, specific numerical values such as a predetermined distance, a minimum distance, and a predetermined time are merely examples, and in-vehicle devices and car navigation systems are also given. Various modifications can be made to the hardware configuration of the apparatus, and the like can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope not departing from the gist.

The block diagram which shows one Example of this invention and shows roughly the electrical structure of an ETC onboard equipment and a car navigation apparatus The flowchart which shows the procedure of control in an ETC onboard equipment (a) and a car navigation apparatus (b). The figure which shows the range of the ETC gate and the predetermined distance, the route of the vehicle schematically The block diagram which shows the other Example of this invention and shows a principal part structure

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a vehicle communication system, 2 is an ETC vehicle-mounted device (vehicle-mounted device), 3 is a car navigation device, 4 is a navigation control device (determination means, restriction means), 4a is a memory (storage means), and 6 is its own. Vehicle position detection unit (own vehicle position detection means), 7 is a map database (map data storage means), 13 is an in-vehicle LAN, 14 is an ETC roadside machine (roadside machine), 15 is an ETC card (IC card), 18 is a control A circuit (reset means), 26 is a card connector, 31 is an ETC on-vehicle device (on-vehicle device), 32 is a switch, and 33 is a car navigation device (determination means, reset means).

Claims (6)

A vehicle-mounted device that is mounted on a vehicle and that can be used in a state where a contact type IC card is set is provided, and charge processing is performed by road-to-vehicle communication between the vehicle-mounted device and a roadside device. In the vehicle communication system,
A judging means for judging whether or not the position of the own vehicle has approached the roadside machine within a predetermined distance;
When it is determined by the determining means that the roadside unit is approaching within a predetermined distance, the vehicle-mounted device is provided with reset means for executing a reset operation for turning on again after turning off the power supply of the vehicle-mounted device. Vehicle communication system. Storage means for storing the roadside machine that is the target of the determination means when a reset operation is performed by the reset means;
The roadside machine stored in the storage means is provided with a limiting means for restricting the execution of the reset operation again even when the judgment means judges that the roadside machine has come within a predetermined distance. The vehicle communication system according to claim 1.   The said reset means is comprised so that a reset operation may be performed on condition that the position of the own vehicle is separated more than the predetermined minimum distance with respect to the said roadside machine. Vehicle communication system.   The said reset means is comprised so that a reset operation may be performed on condition that predetermined time has passed since the time of the power supply of the said onboard equipment being turned on. The vehicle communication system according to any one of the above.   5. The on-board device is an ETC on-board device for paying a toll by communication with an ETC roadside device installed at a gate portion of a toll gate on a toll road. The vehicle communication system according to any one of the above. A vehicle position detection means mounted on the vehicle for detecting the current position of the vehicle, and a map data storage means for storing map data including the position of the ETC roadside unit;
A car navigation device having a function of controlling on / off of an ETC on-vehicle device that is mounted on a host vehicle and can be used in a state where a contact type IC card is set,
A judging means for judging whether or not the position of the own vehicle has approached the ETC roadside machine within a predetermined distance;
Reset means for executing a reset operation for turning on again after the power of the ETC on-board unit is once turned off when it is judged by the judging means that the ETC roadside machine is approaching within a predetermined distance. Car navigation device.

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