JP2010199863A - In-vehicle communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-vehicle communication apparatus capable of securing a time of a sleep state, reducing power consumption, and turning to a standby state capable of settling a charge quickly. <P>SOLUTION: The in-vehicle communication apparatus 10 includes a CPU 1 for performing short-range radio communication with an on-road unit in a wake-up state and shifting from the sleep state to the wake-up state and from the wake-up state to the sleep state while a vehicle travels, and a VICS communication circuit 5 for communicating with the outside and acquiring road traffic information. Then, when the VICS communication circuit 5 acquires information indicating that there is a toll road ahead while the vehicle travels, the CPU 1 authenticates a card for making vehicle information related to charge payment communicate with the on-road unit. When the VICS communication circuit 5 acquires information indicating that there is no toll road ahead, the CPU 1 is shifted from the wake-up state to the sleep state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle communication device that communicates information about tolls such as toll roads and enables automatic payment.

  The conventional in-vehicle communication device is activated when the accessory power supply is turned on, and this activated state is always continued when the ignition switch is on, in other words, during driving of the vehicle. The case where communication by the in-vehicle communication device is actually necessary is when, for example, a toll road is used. And in a general driver, the time which requires the said communication is very short compared with the whole driving time of a vehicle. For this reason, the longer the vehicle usage period, the greater the amount of power consumption required to enter the activated state, which is wasteful energy consumption in the long run and waste of fuel and the like.

  By the way, as a prior art for setting an in-vehicle communication device from a wake-up state to a sleep state when a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, a device described in Patent Document 1 is known. This prior art shifts from a wake-up state to a sleep state when narrowband wireless communication from a road device is not received within a predetermined monitoring time.

Japanese Patent No. 41161922

  However, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, there is a case where the in-vehicle communication device is not in a communicable state when communication is required. For this reason, for example, when using ETC (Registered Trademark, Electronic Toll Collection System, so-called non-stop automatic payment system) and running on a toll road, after wake-up from the sleep state and card authentication, until the standby state is reached. Because it takes a certain amount of time, it may not be in time for payment.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle communication device that can secure a sleep state time to reduce power consumption and can quickly enter a standby state in which a fee can be settled. It is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the following technical means can be employed. The invention related to the in-vehicle communication device according to claim 1 performs the narrow-range wireless communication with the road unit in the wake-up state, which is the operating state, from the sleep state where the operation stops while the vehicle travels. A main control circuit that shifts to a wake-up state and from a wake-up state to a sleep state, and road traffic information communication means that communicates with the outside to acquire various road traffic information including toll road information,
When the road traffic information communication means acquires information that there is a toll road ahead while the vehicle is traveling, the main control circuit communicates vehicle information related to toll payment with the on-road unit on the toll road. When the card is authenticated and the road traffic information communication means acquires information that there is no toll road ahead, the main control circuit shifts from the wake-up state to the sleep state.

  According to this invention, when the road traffic information communication means acquires the place information where the toll road is not within the predetermined range, the main control circuit is controlled to the sleep state, and the toll road is within the predetermined range. If it is obtained, the card is authenticated. As a result, when the vehicle is not heading to the toll road, the main control circuit is put into a sleep state to save power, and when the vehicle is approaching the toll road, the card is first authenticated and the fee can be settled. Prepare for standby quickly. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle communication device that can secure the time of the sleep state and reduce the power consumption, and can quickly reach the standby state of the fee settlement, and the fee settlement is appropriately performed.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the main control circuit is maintained in a wake-up state while the vehicle is traveling on the toll road, and after the vehicle finishes traveling on the toll road. When the road traffic information communication means acquires information indicating that there is no toll road ahead when the road is shifted to traveling on a general road, the wake-up state is shifted to the sleep state.

  According to this invention, when the toll road running state shifts to the general road running state and the vehicle moves away from the toll road, the main control circuit shifts from the wake-up state to the sleep state. As a result, since the vehicle quickly enters the sleep state after getting off the toll road, the operation time of the main control circuit can be further shortened, and power saving can be achieved.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising storage means for storing operation states of a wake-up state and a sleep state,
The main control circuit performs the narrow area wireless communication with the facility other than the toll road, and when the narrow area wireless communication is terminated, the operation state stored in the storage means before performing the narrow area wireless communication with the facility. It is characterized by being controlled.

  According to the present invention, the storage means for storing the operation state before performing the narrow area wireless communication with the facility is provided, and the main control circuit is controlled to the operation state before the communication after the end of the narrow area wireless communication. Thereby, for example, when the main control circuit is in a sleep state before communication with the facility, the main control circuit is in a sleep state even after entering a wake-up state using a facility such as a parking lot that requires fee settlement. When the main control circuit is in a sleep state due to use of the facility, etc., when it is in a wake-up state before communication with the facility, the device is returned to the wake-up state after that. Can do. By controlling to the original operation state in this way, control that can achieve the object of the present invention can be executed even if some narrow area wireless communication is performed.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the card interface communicates with the card even when the road traffic information communication means acquires various road traffic information. The main control circuit is shifted from the wake-up state to the sleep state when the state is not possible.

  According to the present invention, when the card interface cannot communicate with the card, for example, when the card is not set in the in-vehicle communication device, it is not necessary to enter the wake-up state. The main control circuit is assumed to be in the sleep state. Thereby, further power saving can be achieved by the control that actively executes the sleep state reflecting the intention of the driver.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the vehicle-mounted communication apparatus of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the action | operation of a vehicle-mounted communication apparatus. It is a pattern diagram for demonstrating the operation example of a vehicle-mounted communication apparatus.

(First embodiment)
The in-vehicle communication device 10 according to the first embodiment which is an embodiment of the present invention is an on-board device for ETC used in an automatic fee payment system such as a toll road. Such an in-vehicle device is equipped with, for example, an IC card, communicates with a road device when passing through a toll gate on a toll road, and vehicle information (for example, entrance information) related to a fee stored in the IC card. ) And exit processing, communication processing related to fee settlement is performed. Furthermore, the in-vehicle communication device 10 performs communication processing with various applications (for example, so-called VICS (registered trademark, road traffic information system)) provided on general roads, facilities other than toll roads (for example, parking facilities, various registrations). Communication processing with member use facilities).

  The main control circuit of the in-vehicle communication device 10 shifts from the sleep state in which the operation is stopped when the predetermined condition is satisfied to the operating wake-up state, and from the wake-up state to the sleep state when another predetermined condition is satisfied. Configured to transition to.

  A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining an in-vehicle communication device 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an in-vehicle communication device 10 is mounted on a vehicle, and includes a CPU 1, a RAM / ROM 2, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 3, a power supply unit 4, a VICS communication circuit 5, an ETC communication circuit 6, and a card. An interface 7 is provided.

  The CPU 1 is a main control circuit that controls all processes in the in-vehicle communication device 10. In the wake-up state, the CPU 1 detects the presence or absence of an IC card and performs narrowband wireless communication with a roadside device through the ETC communication circuit 6 to settle a fee. In addition to processing, the VICS communication circuit 5 has a function of communicating with an optical VICS (optical beacon, optical vehicle sensor) or the like that is on the road to acquire road traffic information. The CPU 1 exchanges signals with the VICS communication circuit 5, the ETC communication circuit 6, the RAM / ROM 2, the HMI 3, and the card interface 7 when executing the function. For example, the CPU 1 executes a program read from the ROM of the RAM / ROM 2, reads information from the ROM and RAM at the time of execution, writes information to the RAM, and sends the information to the card interface 7 as necessary. Information is written to and read from the connected IC card, and card authentication and card settlement processing are performed.

  The power supply unit 4 is a power supply unit that sends operating power to the CPU 1, the VICS communication circuit 5, and the ETC communication circuit 6. The power supply unit 4 supplies power to the CPU 1, the VICS communication circuit 5, and the ETC communication circuit 6 when the accessory power supply is turned on or the ignition switch is turned on. In the power supply unit 4, the road traffic information acquired by the VICS communication circuit 5 includes the presence of a toll road toll gate (toll road entrance) (for example, information that the vehicle is heading to a toll gate within a predetermined distance). If it is, the wakeup signal output from the VICS communication circuit 5 is received, and operating power for setting the wakeup state to the CPU 1 is supplied. Further, the power supply unit 4 indicates that the road traffic information acquired by the VICS communication circuit 5 does not include a toll road toll gate (toll road entrance) (for example, information that there is no toll gate within a predetermined distance from the vehicle). Is included, the sleep signal output from the VICS communication circuit 5 is received, and the supply of operating power to the CPU 1 is stopped.

  The power supply unit 4 always supplies power to the VICS communication circuit 5, and the VICS communication circuit 5 is always in a wake-up state. Further, the power supply unit 4 may supply power to the ETC communication circuit 6 in the same manner as power supply to the CPU 1 so that the ETC communication circuit 6 is put in a wake-up state or a sleep state together with the CPU 1.

  Connected to the CPU 1 is an ETC communication circuit 6 for ETC communication as wireless communication means. The ETC communication circuit 6 is a circuit that performs narrow-area wireless communication with a roadside device, and includes a reception circuit unit and a transmission circuit unit. A reception antenna is connected to the reception circuit unit, and a transmission antenna is connected to the transmission circuit unit. When a signal is received by the receiving antenna and a signal of a predetermined condition is input to the receiving circuit unit, the ETC communication circuit 6 outputs a wake-up signal to the CPU 1, thereby causing the CPU 1 to enter a wake-up state. . Further, when the road traffic information acquired by the VICS communication circuit 5 includes the presence of a toll gate on the toll road, the CPU 1 is supplied with operating power from the power supply unit 4 that has received the wake-up signal and wakes up. It goes up.

  The VICS communication circuit 5 is an example of road traffic information communication means for communicating with the outside and acquiring various road traffic information including toll road information. Optical VICS, FM-VICS (FM multiplex broadcasting), radio wave VICS ( It is a circuit that performs wireless communication with a radio wave beacon, an ultrasonic vehicle detector, or the like. The VICS communication circuit 5 is connected to the CPU 1 and outputs a wake-up signal or a signal for causing the CPU 1 to wake up when a signal of a predetermined condition is input, whereby the CPU 1 shifts to a wake-up state or sleep state. Or move to.

  The HMI 3 includes an input device and a notification device (not shown). The input device includes buttons, switches, and the like, and outputs signals based on user operations on these to the CPU 1. The notification device is based on a display that displays characters, graphics, and the like based on an input of a video signal from the CPU 1, a plurality of LEDs that are lit and blinking based on the control of the CPU 1, and an audio signal input from the CPU 1. It consists of speakers that output sound. The notification device provides the user with information related to fee payment based on the control result of the CPU 1, information stored in the IC card, road traffic information obtained through the VICS communication circuit 5, operating status of the in-vehicle communication device 10, etc. Notice.

  The card interface 7 has a function of reading information stored in the IC card and a function of writing information, and has a function of electrically connecting the IC card and the CPU 1. An IC card can be removably inserted into the card interface 7. The card interface 7 has, for example, a movable part, and further includes a sensor that electrically detects that the movable part has moved when the IC card is inserted, thereby detecting that the IC card has been inserted. Be able to.

  The IC card stores individual payment information for realizing an application for entering and exiting the gate of a vehicle, information on charging history, individual payment information for using facilities other than the aforementioned toll road, etc. Is a card that can be carried individually. An application refers to a process belonging to an application layer defined in DSRC. The individual settlement information includes an IC card individual identification number. The individual identification number of the IC card is also information for specifying a person (individual or group) to be charged.

  Next, the operation of the in-vehicle communication device 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the in-vehicle communication device 10.

  When the ignition switch is turned on, the flowchart of FIG. 2 starts. First, a wake-up signal is output to the CPU 1, and the CPU 1 enters the wake-up state by supplying power from the power supply unit 4 (step 10). In step 20, the CPU 1 determines whether or not an IC card is mounted on the IC card mounting portion through the card interface 7. If it is determined in step 20 that an IC card is mounted, card authentication is performed in step 30 and it is confirmed that the IC card can be used, and the automatic payment system is ready for use.

  Then, regardless of whether the IC card is attached or not attached in step 20, it is next determined in step 40 whether or not the optical VICS is received through the VICS communication circuit 5. The signal received here may be another signal as long as road traffic information including information on toll roads can be acquired. If it is determined in step 40 that the optical VICS has not been received, in step 50, the current operating state of the CPU 1 (whether it is a wake-up state or a sleep state) is stored in the RAM / ROM 2 serving as storage means. .

  If it is determined in step 40 that any optical VICS has been received, it is determined in step 41 whether the current operation state of the CPU 1 is a wake-up state in which the CPU 1 is activated or a sleep state in which the operation is stopped. If it is determined in step 41 that it is in the sleep state, a wake-up signal is output to the CPU 1 and the CPU 1 is put into a wake-up state by supplying power from the power supply unit 4 (step 42). Conversely, if it is determined in step 41 that the wake-up state is present or after the processing in step 42, the road traffic information received from the optical VICS in step 40 is displayed on the display or is notified by voice (step 43).

  Next, in step 44, as in step 20 described above, it is determined whether or not an IC card is mounted in the IC card mounting portion. If it is determined in step 44 that the IC card is not attached, a sleep signal is output to the CPU 1 in step 45, and the power supply from the power supply unit 4 is stopped, so that the CPU 1 enters a sleep state. When the IC card is not attached to the in-vehicle communication device 10, this transition to the sleep state is considered as a situation where the driver does not need to use the IC card and the IC card is not attached. Executed to prioritize the driver's will and save power.

  If it is determined in step 44 that an IC card is mounted, it is next determined in step 40 whether or not the optical VICS information received includes information indicating that there is a toll road ahead. (Step 46). If it is determined in step 46 that information indicating that there is a toll road ahead is not included, that is, information indicating that there is a toll road charge within a predetermined distance range is included, but only general road information is determined. In step 45, the CPU 1 is set in the sleep state. Then, the process proceeds to step 50 described above, and the current operating state of the CPU 1 is stored.

  In step 46, information indicating that there is a toll road ahead is included, that is, if there is a toll road charge within a predetermined distance range and information indicating that the toll road toll is approaching If it is determined, the process proceeds to step 47, where card authentication, which is the same process as in step 30 described above, is performed, and it is confirmed that the IC card can be used, and the automatic payment system is ready for use. Then, the process proceeds to step 50 described above, and the current operating state of the CPU 1 is stored.

  Next, in step 60, it is determined whether or not the intensity (RSSI value) of the signal received by the narrow area wireless communication is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. If it is determined in step 60 that the RSSI value of the received signal is less than a predetermined threshold value or if a signal from the optical VICS or the like has not been received in step 40, the process returns to step 40. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 60 that the RSSI value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it is considered that road traffic information that requires the CPU 1 to be in a wake-up state is acquired by the received signal. In step 70, it is determined whether the current operation state of the CPU 1 is a wake-up state or a sleep state.

  If it is determined in step 70 that the vehicle is in a wake-up state, vehicle information relating to fee payment etc. is communicated in a narrow area wireless communication area formed by a road unit installed at a toll booth on a toll road. Then, narrow area wireless communication is executed (step 74). Then, the HMI 3 displays information to be notified to the user from the information acquired in step 75 on a display or the like, or notifies the user by voice. Further, in step 46, the in-vehicle communication device 10 executes charge settlement processing using an IC card. In this fee settlement process, billing information is transmitted to the fee settlement processing center by communication with the fee settlement processing center via a communication network connected to the roadside device, and billing processing based on this billing information is performed. It is. Next, in step 77, after completing the narrow area wireless communication in step 74, the CPU 1 is controlled to the operation state (original state) stored in step 50 before performing the narrow area wireless communication. Return.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 70 that it is in the sleep state, a wake-up signal is output to the CPU 1 and the CPU 1 is put into a wake-up state by supplying power from the power supply unit 4 (step 71). In step 72, the CPU 1 determines whether or not an IC card is attached to the IC card attachment portion through the card interface 7. If it is determined in step 72 that an IC card is installed, card authentication is performed in step 73, and it is confirmed that the IC card can be used, and the automatic payment system is ready for use. Step 74, Step 75, Step 76, and Step 77 are sequentially executed.

  If it is determined in step 72 that the IC card is not attached, the above-described step 74, step 75, and step 77 are executed in order. At this time, in step 74, a case where narrow area wireless communication is performed with a facility that does not use an IC card, and a facility that requires the use of an IC card (for example, a toll road, a parking lot using an automatic payment system, etc.) Narrow-area wireless communication may be performed. In the former case, the facility is used without any problem, and in step 75, the user is notified of the use result not including the charge settlement, and the user is not warned to install the IC card. . In the latter case, in step 75, since it cannot be used properly at present, a warning for prompting the user to correctly install the IC card is notified.

  Next, some examples of operation patterns in the in-vehicle communication device 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a pattern diagram for explaining an operation example of the in-vehicle communication device 10.

  For example, when the vehicle is traveling on the general road 30 at the position of the vehicle 20 in FIG. 3, the VICS communication circuit 5 of the in-vehicle communication device 10 includes information that the toll gate 51 of the toll road 50 is nearby. Is received from the road antenna 41, step 46 shown in FIG. By this determination, card authentication is first performed, and the subsequent processing from step 50, step 60, step 70, and step 74 to step 77 is performed in order. As described above, since the card authentication is completed before the narrow area wireless communication is performed at the toll gate 51 by the communication with the road antenna 41, the information communication regarding the fee is properly performed when the toll gate 51 is reached. The standby state is in place.

  Next, after the VICS communication circuit 5 receives the information including the toll road 50 from the road antenna 41 of FIG. 3, the vehicle is a facility 31 other than the toll road (for example, a parking lot facility, a facility using various registered members). A case where the toll road 50 is used from the toll gate 51 will be described. In this case, when the facility 31 is used, the CPU 1 remains in a wake-up state, and information for using the facility 31 is narrow-band wirelessly communicated by the ETC communication circuit 6. Then, when the narrow area wireless communication at the facility 31 is completed, step 77 shown in FIG. 2 is executed, and the CPU 1 enters the original stored wake-up state. Then, when the vehicle leaves the facility 31 and returns to the general road 30 and enters the general road 32 from the P1 point toward the toll gate 51, the general road 32 has no road antenna and cannot acquire toll road information. It is in the up state, and the standby state for information communication regarding charges is in place.

  Further, once the engine is stopped at the facility 31, the CPU 1 goes to a sleep state. However, when leaving the facility 31, the engine 1 is activated to enter a wake-up state, and this state is left as it goes to the toll gate 51. become. In this case, if an IC card is mounted in step 20 of FIG. 2, card authentication is performed in step 30 and the toll booth 51 is in a standby state for information communication regarding charges. In addition, when the engine is started from the state where the vehicle is stopped between the road antenna 41 and the facility 31 and heads for the toll gate 51, the engine is started to enter the wake-up state, and the IC is displayed in step 20 shown in FIG. If a card is mounted, the card is authenticated at step 30 and then goes to the toll gate 51.

  Next, a case where the vehicle 20 further proceeds on the general road 30 beyond the P1 point will be described. In this case, the VICS communication circuit 5 receives information including that there is no toll gate on the toll road 50 for a while from the road antenna 42, so in step 46 it is determined to execute step 45 next, The CPU 1 enters a sleep state. Thus, while traveling on a road away from the toll road 50, the CPU 1 is set in the sleep state, so that useless power consumption can be prevented. Then, when the vehicle 20 further advances, the VICS communication circuit 5 receives information including that the toll gate 52 is nearby from the road antenna 43, so that it is determined in step 46 to execute step 47 next. First, card authentication is performed, and the subsequent processing from step 50, step 60, step 70, and step 74 to step 77 is performed in order. When the vehicle 20 uses the toll road 50 from the toll gate 52 via the P2 point, the card authentication is completed before performing the narrow area wireless communication at the toll gate 52 by communication with the road antenna 43. Therefore, when the user arrives at the toll booth 52, a standby state in which information communication regarding charges is properly performed is prepared.

  Next, a case where the vehicle 20 is traveling on the toll road 50 and gets off at the toll gate 52 will be described. In this case, the CPU 1 traveling on the toll road 50 is in a wake-up state. Then, the vehicle 21 getting off the toll gate 52 enters the general road 30 from the point P2 via the general road 33, and the VICS communication circuit 5 acquires the road traffic information from the road antenna 43 or the road antenna 44. The VICS communication circuit 5 receives information from the road antenna 43 or the road antenna 44 that includes information that there is no toll gate on the toll road 50 beyond where the vehicle travels. Therefore, in step 46, it is determined to execute step 45 next. , CPU1 goes to sleep. Thereby, while driving on a road away from the toll road, the CPU 1 is set in the sleep state, so that useless power consumption can be prevented.

  Further, when the vehicle is traveling on the toll road 50, if the vehicle stops in the service area or the like, the CPU 1 is temporarily put into a sleep state by stopping the engine. However, when the vehicle is traveling on the toll road 50 again, When activated, the car enters a wake-up state, and heads for the toll booth where it is expected to get off in this state. In this case, since the IC card is installed after the narrow area wireless communication of the entrance information is performed at the toll booth, the toll booth is ready for toll payment settlement.

  The effect which the vehicle-mounted communication apparatus 10 of this embodiment brings is described. The in-vehicle communication device 10 performs narrow area wireless communication with a road device in the wake-up state, and serves as a main control circuit that shifts from the sleep state to the wake-up state and from the wake-up state to the sleep state while the vehicle is traveling. CPU 1 and a VICS communication circuit 5 serving as a road traffic information communication means for acquiring various road traffic information including toll road information by communicating with the outside. If the VICS communication circuit 5 acquires information that there is a toll road ahead while the vehicle is running, the CPU 1 is a card for communicating vehicle information related to fee payment with a roadside device on the toll road. When the VICS communication circuit 5 acquires information that there is no toll road ahead, the CPU 1 shifts from the wake-up state to the sleep state.

  According to this configuration, when the vehicle is not heading to the toll road, the CPU 1 (main control circuit) is put in the sleep state to save power, and when the vehicle is approaching the toll road, the card is first authenticated. The vehicle information related to the fee settlement is prepared so that it can quickly stand by in a communicable state. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption by securing the time in the sleep state, and quickly reach the standby state for the charge settlement. As described above, the in-vehicle communication device 10 performs the use prediction determination as to whether or not the toll road automatic payment system is required and makes the in-vehicle communication device 10 sleep based on the result of the determination, By performing simple card authentication, the user's intention to use the automatic payment system is inferred to reduce power consumption and take necessary measures for the next communication.

  Moreover, the vehicle-mounted communication apparatus 10 may make the ETC communication circuit 6 into a sleep state and a wake-up state together with the CPU 1. According to this, it is possible to reduce extra activation of the ETC communication circuit 6 as well.

  Further, the in-vehicle communication device 10 is configured so that the VICS communication circuit 5 that acquires various road traffic information is always in a wake-up state. According to this, the vehicle-mounted communication device 10 can surely carry out communication preparation of the ETC communication circuit 6 by being able to always acquire information on toll roads.

  Further, the CPU 1 is maintained in a wake-up state while the vehicle is traveling on a toll road. If the VICS communication circuit 5 obtains information that there is no toll road ahead when the vehicle shifts to a general road after the vehicle has finished driving on the toll road, the CPU 1 shifts from the wake-up state to the sleep state. Is done.

  According to this, when the vehicle travels from the toll road traveling state to the general road traveling state and the vehicle moves away from the toll road, the CPU 1 transitions from the wake-up state to the sleep state. Since the vehicle quickly enters the sleep state after getting off the toll road, the operation time of the CPU 1 is further shortened, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  The in-vehicle communication device 10 includes storage means for storing the wake-up state and the sleep state operation state. And CPU1 is memorize | stored in a memory | storage means before performing narrow area | region wireless communication with the facility 31, when narrow area | region wireless communication is performed between facilities 31 other than a toll road, and this narrow area wireless communication is complete | finished. Controlled to the operating state.

  According to this, CPU1 returns to the operation state before communication after completion | finish of narrow area wireless communication. Thereby, for example, when the CPU 1 is in a sleep state before communication with the facility, the CPU 1 returns to the sleep state even after entering a wake-up state using a facility that requires fee settlement such as a parking lot. It becomes like this. Further, when the CPU 1 is in the sleep state due to the use of the facility by some system that does not use the in-vehicle communication device 10 when it is in the wake-up state before the communication with the facility 31, the CPU 1 returns to the wake-up state. become. As described above, the CPU 1 is controlled to return to the original operation state, so that even when any narrow-area wireless communication is performed, the power consumption reduction and the toll road automatic payment system, which are the objects of the present invention, are achieved. Control capable of achieving proper use can be executed.

  When the VICS communication circuit 5 acquires various road traffic information, the in-vehicle communication device 10 causes the CPU 1 to shift from the wake-up state to the sleep state when the card interface 7 cannot communicate with the IC card. .

  According to this, when the card interface 7 cannot communicate with the IC card, for example, when the IC card is not mounted and set in the in-vehicle communication device 10, it is necessary to prioritize the driver's intention and enter the wake-up state. The CPU 1 is assumed to be in a sleep state. Therefore, power saving reflecting the driver's intention can be achieved.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is.

  In the above embodiment, the information acquired by the road traffic information acquisition means is VICS information, but is not limited to this information. As described above, whether there is a toll road tollgate around the vehicle. Other information providing means may be used as long as the information can be acquired.

  In the in-vehicle communication device 10 of the above embodiment, the signal received by the VICS communication circuit 5 which is an example of the road traffic information acquisition unit in the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is an optical VICS signal, but this is only an example. Instead, other types of signals may be used.

1 ... CPU (main control circuit)
2 ... RAM / ROM (storage means)
5 ... VICS communication circuit (road traffic information communication means)
6 ... ETC communication circuit 7 ... Card interface 10 ... In-vehicle communication device 31 ... Facility 50 ... Toll road

Claims (4)

In the wake-up state, which is in operation, narrow-range wireless communication is performed with the on-road unit, and while the vehicle is running, the sleep state is stopped from the sleep state where the operation is stopped, and the sleep state is the sleep state. A main control circuit to transition to the state;
Road traffic information communication means for communicating with outside and acquiring various road traffic information including toll road information;
With
While driving the vehicle,
When the road traffic information communication means acquires information indicating that the toll road is ahead, the main control circuit communicates vehicle information regarding toll payment with the on-road unit on the toll road. Authenticate the card,
When the road traffic information communication means acquires information indicating that there is no toll road ahead, the main control circuit is shifted from the wake-up state to the sleep state. The main control circuit includes:
While the vehicle is traveling on the toll road, the wake-up state is maintained,
After the vehicle finishes traveling on the toll road, when the road traffic information communication means acquires information indicating that there is no toll road ahead when the vehicle shifts to traveling on a general road, the wake-up state The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 1, wherein the in-vehicle communication device is shifted from the sleep state to the sleep state. Furthermore, the storage means for storing the operation state of the wake-up state and the sleep state,
The main control circuit performs narrow area wireless communication with a facility other than the toll road, and when the narrow area wireless communication is terminated, the storage means before performing the narrow area wireless communication with the facility. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 1, wherein the in-vehicle communication device is controlled by the operation state stored in the vehicle.   Even when the road traffic information communication means acquires various road traffic information, the main control circuit shifts from the wake-up state to the sleep state when the card interface cannot communicate with the card. The in-vehicle communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

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