JP3352036B2 - Mobile charging system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a charging apparatus for a mobile object, and more particularly, to a mobile object traveling in an area to be charged for exchanging information such as toll collection with a user of the mobile object. The present invention relates to a mobile charging apparatus for performing charging processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A moving object such as a vehicle traveling on a toll facility (for example, a toll road) is charged according to the type of the vehicle and the traveling distance on the toll road. In order to automatically collect tolls at the entrance and exit gates of this toll road,
A communication device having an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves on the road side (hereinafter referred to as a road machine) is provided as an interrogator for inquiring information to the corresponding vehicle, and a response for replying to the inquired information is provided. There is a road-to-vehicle communication system in which a communication device having an antenna (hereinafter, referred to as an in-vehicle device) is provided in a vehicle, and information is wirelessly transmitted and received between the in-vehicle device and a road device.

For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 10-63903 proposes a technique for collecting a toll for a vehicle in consideration of passing through an entrance, an intermediate route, and an exit of a toll road which is a specific area.

[0004]

However, when information is exchanged using the road-to-vehicle communication system as described above, on-road devices must be installed at entrances and exits of toll roads, such as entrance gates and exit gates of toll roads. Must. If the toll road or other to-be-charged area is one-dimensional, it is easy to install the on-road aircraft. However, if the to-be-charged area is defined by a wide range of sections, the on-road aircraft should be installed at all entrances and exits. It has to be installed, which is costly depending on the number of entry and exit points.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a mobile object billing apparatus capable of performing a billing process for a user of a mobile body with a simple configuration.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a billing processing apparatus for a moving body, comprising: a detecting means for detecting positional information of the moving body; A chargeable area is defined and a buffer area is defined at a boundary between the chargeable area and an area other than the chargeable area, and the map information and the position information are associated with each other, and either the chargeable area or the buffer area is set. Determining means for determining an approach state indicating whether the moving body has entered at least,
Generating means for generating billing information for the moving object based on the determination result of the determining means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the mobile billing apparatus according to the first aspect, the generation unit includes a storage unit in which predetermined fee data corresponding to the approach state is stored in advance. And generating the billing information using the billing data in the storage means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the mobile charging apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the charging target area includes at least a pay area and a free area, and the buffer area is It is characterized in that it is defined between the pay area and the free area.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the charging apparatus for a mobile unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, the charging target area includes at least a plurality of pay areas. The buffer region is defined between adjacent pay regions.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the mobile charging apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the plurality of pay areas include pay areas of different charge systems.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the charging apparatus for a mobile body according to the fifth aspect, the buffer area is set for each of a plurality of pay areas.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the charging apparatus for a mobile object according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the buffer area is charged to any one of adjacent areas. It is characterized in that the fee is determined based on the fee.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the charging apparatus for a mobile object according to any one of the fourth to seventh aspects, the buffer area is selected from a plurality of areas around the buffer area. The fee is determined based on the fee of the area.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the billing processing apparatus for a mobile unit according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the mobile unit may store the entry state history as the history of the charging target area. When moving to the same chargeable area again after moving to the buffer area, the generation unit prohibits generation of charge information related to entry into the chargeable area.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the billing processing apparatus for a mobile object according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the generating means is configured to calculate a distance based on a traveling distance in the charging target area. It is characterized by generating billing information related to a fee determined by

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the billing processing apparatus for a mobile unit according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the generation unit is configured to execute the processing when the generation unit crosses a boundary between adjacent areas. The information processing apparatus further includes a storage unit configured to store a traveling distance in the charging target area, and generates charging information based on the stored traveling distance.

In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a billing processing apparatus for a moving body, comprising: self-moving body position detecting means for detecting a position of the own moving body; predetermined map information; and predetermined map information. A chargeable area, a buffer area defined at a boundary between the chargeable area and an area other than the chargeable area, storage means for storing charging data relating to the chargeable area, and the map information and the position are associated with each other. Determining means for determining whether or not the moving body has entered at least one of the charging target area and the buffer area; and, based on a determination result of the determining means, Charging processing means for performing charging processing relating to the charging target area.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the billing apparatus for a mobile body according to the twelfth aspect, the billing processing means performs billing processing using an IC card in which balance information is stored. I do.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the detecting means detects position information of a moving body such as a vehicle. As this detection means, an in-vehicle navigation system capable of indicating a route to a destination or displaying a map for driving assistance can be used. As is well known, this navigation system can easily detect the position of its own moving body, for example, a position determined by latitude and longitude, using a GPS system. Also, a transmitting means such as a transmitting device for transmitting a signal including an identifier for identifying the own moving body is provided on the moving body side, and the transmitting side receives the transmitted signal to detect the position information on the ground side. Can be

Incidentally, the detection of the position of the moving object may include a detection error. When a detection error is included, the true position of the moving object is a position in a specific area having a predetermined size corresponding to the detected position and corresponding to the detection error. Therefore, the position information includes a possibility that the moving object exists in a specific area which is determined in advance in accordance with the detection error from the detected position.

Therefore, a charging target area is determined in the predetermined map information, and a buffer area is determined at a boundary between the charging target area and an area other than the charging target area. It is preferable that the size of the buffer region is set to a size corresponding to the detection error. The map information, the charging target area, and the buffer area can be stored by further providing a map information storage unit.

The determining means firstly associates the position information detected by the detecting means with predetermined map information. That is, since the position of the moving object can be specified from the position information, this position, for example, a position determined by latitude and longitude, is set on predetermined map information such as a map of the whole of Japan or a map of a predetermined area among prefectures. A moving object can be made to correspond. Based on the correspondence result, the determination means determines an approach state indicating whether or not the moving object has entered at least one of the charging target area and the buffer area. A charge target area and a buffer area are defined on this map information. Therefore, if it is determined whether or not the position of the moving object corresponding to the map information is included in the chargeable area or the buffer area, it is possible to determine whether the moving object has at least entered the chargeable area. That is, when there is a detection error, it is possible to correspond to a specific area where the moving object may have been present on the map information based on the position of the moving object based on the position information. Therefore, when the moving object is located in the buffer area, the moving object may not be located in the charging target area. On the other hand, when the moving object is located in the chargeable area beyond the buffer area, the specific area determined by the detection error, that is, the position of the true moving object is located at least in the chargeable area. With this, the determination means determines, as the entry state, whether or not the moving object has entered at least the charging target area.

[0023] The generating means generates billing information for the moving object based on the determination result of the determining means. For example, in the charging target area, a fee to be received for an existing moving object is predetermined. Therefore, when the moving object enters the charging target area, a predetermined fee is to be charged, and the fee to be charged for the moving object is generated as the charging information.

As described above, in the charging apparatus for a moving object according to the present invention, the buffer area is provided at the boundary of the charging area, and the position of the moving object detected by the detecting means is made to correspond to the map information. An entry state indicating whether or not the moving object has entered the area is determined, and billing information for the moving object is generated according to the entering state, so that a detection error occurs in the detection of the position of the moving object. Can be reliably determined to be within the chargeable area, and without having to install on-road equipment at all entrances and exits, such as entrances and exits, it is possible to generate billing information for the moving body in accordance with the entry state, which is simple. With this configuration, a billing process can be performed for a user of a mobile object.

In some cases, the occupant (driver) may not recognize that the area where the mobile is currently traveling is a chargeable area or is approaching the chargeable area. Therefore, in the billing processing device for a moving body, when the vehicle approaches the billing area, that is, when the vehicle enters the buffer area, a notice indicating that the moving body has approached or entered the billing area based on the position information. By further providing notification means for notifying information, it is possible to notify the occupant in advance when entering the charging target area or approaching the charging target area, It is possible to make it easier for the occupant to respond to entry into the area.

It is to be noted that the charge to be received for the moving object existing in the chargeable area is often determined in advance.
Therefore, as described in claim 2, the generation means includes a storage means in which predetermined fee data corresponding to the approach state is stored in advance. Therefore, billing information can be easily generated using the billing data in the storage means. The charge data may be set in a plurality of stages for each vehicle type, travel time, and the like, and may be stored as a charge table.

Here, the chargeable area may include a free area such as a public area inside. That is, the chargeable area may be composed of a pay area and a free area. Therefore, in claim 3, the charging target area includes at least a pay area and a free area, and a buffer area is defined between the pay area and the free area. By doing so, even in a charging target area in which a pay area and a free area are mixed, it is possible to determine that the moving object is present in the charging target area, which is a pay area, and to collect unnecessary charges. Nothing to do.

When the chargeable area is composed of a plurality of pay areas, the charge may be different depending on which pay area the mobile unit is located in. Therefore,
As described in claim 4, when the chargeable area includes at least a plurality of pay areas, a buffer area is defined between adjacent pay areas. By doing so, even if the chargeable area has a plurality of payable areas,
It can be determined that the moving object is present in the corresponding chargeable area, which is the pay area, and the toll is not unstable.

In the billing target area where a plurality of pay areas exist, the plurality of pay areas can include pay areas having different charge systems. In this case, it is possible to reliably determine that the moving object is present in the chargeable area, which is the corresponding pay area, and thus it is possible to reliably collect the target toll system.

The buffer area is defined at the boundary between the chargeable area and an area other than the chargeable area. Charges may be set in the charging target area, and charges may be set in a buffer area provided at the boundary. However, the number of chargeable areas belonging to the buffer area is not always one. Then, as described in claim 7, the buffer area can determine the charge based on the charge of any one of the adjacent areas. That is, the buffer area is defined at the boundary, but at least the area exists on both sides of the boundary, so that the rate is determined based on the rate of one of the adjacent areas, Appropriate rates can be set.

In the buffer area, a plurality of pay areas may exist in the vicinity. Therefore, as described in claim 8, a fee can be set in the buffer region based on a fee of an area selected from a plurality of regions around the buffer region. In this way, an appropriate fee can be set for the buffer area. By the way, the moving object may move between the charging target area and the buffer area. For example, the vehicle may travel near the boundary between the charging target area and the buffer area. Therefore, as described in claim 9, when the history of the entry state indicates that the moving body has moved from the chargeable area to the buffer area and then moved to the same chargeable area again, In addition, generation of billing information related to entry into the billing target area is prohibited. In this way, no billing information is generated for entry into the same billing target area, and unnecessary collection is not performed.

Other than toll collection for entry,
As described in claim 10, the generation means can generate charging information related to a fee determined based on a mileage in the charging target area. That is, the fee can be charged according to the traveling distance in the charging target area.

In this case, as described in claim 11,
The generation unit further includes a storage unit that stores a traveling distance in the charging target area when straddling a boundary between adjacent areas, and generates charging information based on the stored traveling distance. In this way, it is not necessary to collect the tolls one after another, and the toll collection can be performed at the time when the traveling in the charging target area is completed.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging system
The position of the own moving body is detected by the own moving body position detecting means. Thus, the position of the own moving body can be specified on the moving body side. For example, the above-described navigation system or the like can be employed as the self-moving-body position detecting means. The storage means includes a map information set in advance, a chargeable area defined in the map information, a buffer area defined at a boundary between the chargeable area and an area other than the chargeable area, and a chargeable area. Billing data is stored. The determination unit associates the stored map information with the detected position, and determines an approach state indicating whether or not the moving object has entered at least one of the charging target area and the buffer area. Based on the result of the determination by the determining means, the charging processing means performs a charging process for the mobile object with respect to the charging target area.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the billing processing means can perform a billing process using an IC card storing balance information.

[0036]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] In the first embodiment, a vehicle (traveling vehicle) entering a toll facility (charging target area) using road-to-vehicle communication performed between an on-vehicle device and a road device. The present invention is applied to an automatic billing system that automatically performs a billing process. The automatic billing system used in the present embodiment is a system for settling a fee or the like by communicating between an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a road device on the ground side. is there.

FIG. 1 shows a conceptual configuration of an automatic charging system 10 according to the present embodiment. The automatic charging system 10 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 32 and has a GPS satellite 2
GPS antenna for receiving signals from 0, 22, and 24 and terrestrial antenna for terrestrial communication (details will be described later)
And a general center 40 as a road device fixedly installed on the ground and equipped with a GPS antenna 42 for receiving GPS signals from GPS satellites 20, 22, 24. Have been. General Center 40
Also has a terrestrial antenna 44 for terrestrial communication.

The on-vehicle device 30 includes GPS satellites 20, 22,
The position of the own vehicle 32 is specified by the GPS signal from 24 and transmitted to the integrated center 40 by terrestrial communication. The general center 40 performs a charging process (calculation) on the charging target area based on the received position of the vehicle 32, and transmits the result to the vehicle-mounted device 30. The in-vehicle device 30 collects a fee based on the received accounting result. Note that the fee collection may be performed on the integrated center 40 side, and only the result may be transmitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the integrated center 40 installed on the ground side has a center control device 100.
The center control device 100 includes a CPU 102, a RAM 10
4, a microcomputer comprising a ROM 106 and an input / output port (I / O) 108, each of which is connected by a bus 110 so that commands and data can be exchanged. The ROM 106 stores a processing routine described below.

A GPS communication device 120 having a GPS antenna 42 is connected to the input / output port 108, and a terrestrial communication device 12 having a terrestrial antenna 44.
2 are connected. The GPS communication device 120 is a GPS communication device.
This is for specifying the position of itself, that is, the position of the general center 40 by the GPS signals from the S satellites 20, 22, 24. Also, the terrestrial communication device 122 is for communicating or providing information to the vehicle-mounted device 30 mounted on the vehicle through communication, and a wireless communication device is employed. An example of the wireless communication device is an FM broadcast or an FM broadcast.
There are telephone line communications such as teletext, well-known radio communication, and mobile communication devices.

The input / output port 108 has a memory 1
24 are connected. The memory 124 stores the charge table 12 storing charge information indicating the charge of the chargeable area.
4A, a map database 124B storing map information for determining a charging target area, and a user management database 124C storing individual information of users who can be connected to the integrated center and should be managed.

The center control device 100 has a floppy disk unit (FDU) 11 into which a floppy disk (hereinafter referred to as FD) as a recording medium can be inserted and removed.
2 are connected. Note that a processing routine described later can be read from and written to the FD using the FDU 112. Therefore, a processing routine to be described later may be recorded in the FD in advance without being stored inside the center control device 100, and the processing program recorded in the FD via the FDU 112 may be executed. The center control device 10
0, a large-capacity storage device (not shown) such as a hard disk drive may be connected, and the processing program recorded in the FD may be stored (installed) in the large-capacity storage device (not shown) and executed. As a recording medium, C
There are optical disks such as D-ROMs, magneto-optical disks such as MDs and MOs, and disks such as DVDs. When these are used, CD-ROMs may be used instead of the above-mentioned FDU.
A device, an MD device, an MO device, a DVD device, or the like may be used.

Next, the on-vehicle device 30 will be described. The in-vehicle device 30 used in the present embodiment is configured by applying the present invention to a navigation system that provides route assistance information to a driver by video or audio. The in-vehicle device 30 including the navigation system is mounted on an instrument panel of a vehicle 32 for communicating with a road device.

As shown in FIG. 3, the on-vehicle devices 30 including the navigation system of the present embodiment
0, a CPU 202, a RAM 204, a ROM 206,
And an apparatus main body 200 composed of a microcomputer including an input / output port (I / O) 208.
Note that the RAM 204 is a backup ram, and backs up (stores) the stored information even when the power is turned off. A floppy disk unit (FD device) 236 into which a floppy disk FD can be inserted and removed is connected to the input / output port 208. Note that R
The OM 206 stores a processing routine and various data described below.

The various data and processing routines to be described later can be read from and written to the floppy disk FD using the FD device 236. Therefore, the processing routine to be described later may be recorded on the floppy disk FD in advance without being stored in the ROM 206, and the processing program recorded on the floppy disk FD via the FD device 236 may be executed. Also, a large-capacity storage device (not shown) such as a hard disk device is connected to the device main body 200,
The processing program recorded on the floppy disk FD may be stored (installed) in a mass storage device (not shown) and executed. Examples of the recording medium include an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk such as an MD and an MO, and a disk such as a DVD. When these are used, the FD device 236 can be used instead of the FD device 236 or a CD-ROM device. An MD device, an MO device, a DVD device, or the like may be used.

The in-vehicle device 30 including the navigation system of the present embodiment can be connected to a vehicle local zone network (not shown) via the input / output port 24.

The input / output port 208 has an on-board GP
An on-vehicle GPS device 220 having an S antenna 220A is connected, and a terrestrial communication device 222 having a terrestrial antenna 222A is connected. Automotive GPS
The device 220 is adapted to transmit G signals from the GPS satellites 20, 22, 24.
This is for specifying the position of the own vehicle 32 by the PS signal. The terrestrial communication device 222 is for communicating or providing information to the terrestrial side by communication, and a wireless communication device is employed. Examples of the wireless communication device include FM broadcast, FM text broadcast, well-known radio wave communication, and telephone line communication such as a mobile communication device. Therefore,
As the terrestrial communication device 222, a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone or an on-vehicle phone device can be used. Conversation) can be made possible.

The input / output port 208 has a memory 2
30 are connected. The memory 230 stores a charge table 23 storing charge information indicating the charge of the chargeable area.
0A, a map database 23 storing map information for providing route assistance information to the driver by video and audio.
0B.

Also, the input / output port 208 has a display device 224 for providing the driver with route assist information by video, and an audio device 228 having a speaker 228A for providing audio information to the driver. And an input device 226 such as a keyboard and a switch device. The display device 224 can display map information. The audio device 228 is connected to the device body 12.
This is for converting any one of the digital signal and the analog signal output from the audio signal into a drive signal for the speaker 228A and outputting the signal.

The data to be stored in the memory 230 may be stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk FD or a hard disk device using the FD device 236.

Further, the input / output port 208 is provided with an IC card read / write device 234 to which an IC card 232 in which charge balance information and the like are stored is detachable. The in-vehicle device 30 stores fixed data such as an ID code including a vehicle number and vehicle type information in advance in a RAM 204 or a ROM.
206, the IC card read / write device 2
Reference is made to the charge balance information of the attached IC card 232 by the user 34, and the charge balance information is written to the IC card 232. The IC card includes a prepaid card and a credit card. The display device 229 is connected to the input / output port 208. The display device 229 is for informing the inside and outside of the vehicle of the entry of the zone, the state of the billing process, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the display device 229 is provided with a monitoring lamp 227 on a front portion 229A, and is provided on the dashboard of the vehicle.
7 can be installed so as to be emitted outside the vehicle. By doing so, the monitoring lamp 22
The blinking of 7 can be easily confirmed from outside the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the display device 229 is provided with a display panel 227S on the rear surface portion 229B so that the occupant in the vehicle can easily check the current state of entry into the zone and the state of billing processing. It has a configuration. In this case, on the display panel 227S, a display indicating that the user is approaching the charging target zone, a display of a charging amount serving as a reference of the charging target zone, a display of the amount being charged (see FIG. 4C), and a start of the charging process are displayed. It is possible to display, as a current state, a display, a display indicating completion of charging processing, a display indicating that charging processing cannot be executed (violation), and the like.

The mounting position (mounting position) of the vehicle-mounted device 30
Is not limited to the instrument panel of the vehicle as described above, but may be any position at which communication with the ground side is possible by an antenna, and may be, for example, inside a vehicle such as a rear seat. Further, the in-vehicle device 30 may have a separate configuration including the in-vehicle device body and the antenna. When the in-vehicle device main body and the antenna are configured separately as described above, only the antenna can be installed on the instrument panel or at a position in the direction of the rear seat as described above, and the mounting position information indicates that the antenna is It shall be registered for the installed position.

The vehicle-mounted device is always supplied with power from the vehicle-mounted battery when the ignition is turned on. Also,
It is assumed that the vehicle-mounted device can acquire the date and time information of the year, month and day and the current time by using a built-in clock (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 32.

In the above description, the charge table is stored in the memory of both the vehicle-mounted device 30 and the integrated center 40. However, in the case where the charge information is obtained by a device for calculating the charge to be charged or by communication. The information may be stored in the other device, and may be stored in only one of the memories.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. First, the operation of the ground side, that is, the operation of the integrated center 40 will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the general center 40
The information for billing processing is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 30 attached to the second device.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the general center 40,
In step 300, the GPS satellites 20, 22, 24
The GPS signal is received at the next step 302, that is, the reference position of the general center 40 (reference latitude / longitude P
o), and generates GPS correction information. This GPS correction information is obtained from GPS satellites 20, 22, and 24.
This is for correcting when a signal error is large. Since the general center 40 is fixedly installed, G
This is because even when there is a change in the GPS signals from the PS satellites 20, 22, 24, this can be specified.

In the next step 304, predetermined charging target zone information is read, and GPS correction information is transmitted together with the charging target zone information in the next step 306. This transmission can be performed by FM broadcasting or a telephone line.

In this embodiment, the case where the GPS correction information is generated will be described. However, as described below,
Since the to-be-charged zone is composed of the core area and the buffer area (determined according to the error of the GPS signal),
The generation of the S correction information is not essential, and only the charging target zone information may be transmitted.

Here, when the GPS is used, a predetermined amount (for example, a maximum of 100 m) of a position recognition error (detection error) is used.
It is known to have Therefore, in the present embodiment, the charging target zone is configured by a core region to be substantially charged and a buffer region corresponding to a position recognition error when using GPS.

Therefore, the charging target zone information is defined by a charging target zone Z composed of a core area and a buffer area. As an example of such a charging target zone Z, as shown in FIG. 8, a core region 50 which is a circular zone A at a central portion, and a substantially concentric donut-shaped zone adjacent to the outer periphery of the core region 50. B, which is a buffer area 52, and a ground area around the chargeable zone Z is a core area 50.
And a non-target zone C other than the core region 50 and the buffer region 52. Each of these areas can be specified by latitude and longitude and its shape.

As shown in FIG. 9, zone A is
It can be determined by determining a plurality of positions on the boundary line between the zone and the zone B, determining a straight line passing through points at adjacent positions, and obtaining a closed space. Specifically, zones A and B
When an arbitrary position on the boundary line with is defined as a point Ai (a _Xi , a _Yi ), a straight line passing through the point A _i and the point A _{i + 1} can be expressed by the following equation (1).

[0065] _{(y-a Yi) / (} x-a Xi) = (a Yi + 1 -a Yi) / (a Xi + 1 -a Xi) ··· (1) Therefore, zone A is, of the following It is only necessary to meet the conditions.

(Y−a _Yi ) / (x−a _Xi ) − (a _{Yi + 1} −a _Yi ) / (a _{Xi + 1} −a _Xi ) <0, where i = 1 to (m−1) m : Number representing the last point on the boundary line

In the present embodiment, the billing amount is determined for (the core area 50 of) the billing target zone. In order to determine the charge amount, calculation conditions for determining the charge amount (charge calculation conditions)
Is stipulated. The charge calculation conditions include the following. (1) Zone charging to be charged when entering the zone The charging amount increases as the number of times of entering the charging target zone increases (2) Distance charging to charge according to the mileage traveled in the zone The mileage in the charging target zone (3) Time charging for charging according to the time traveled in the zone The charging amount increases as the staying time in the charging target zone increases. Other charging calculation conditions include: There are congestion charging in which the charging amount changes according to the degree of congestion in the zone, and vehicle speed charging in which the charging amount changes in accordance with the vehicle speed (or the average vehicle speed) when traveling in the zone.

By including the table based on the above-mentioned accounting calculation conditions in the accounting target zone information, it is possible to specify the area and the fee for the accounting target zone.

In the following, a case will be described in which there is only one charging target zone Z. However, charging target zone information may be defined in a charging target region composed of a plurality of zones. In this case, the billing amount can be different for each zone. For example, it is possible to increase the charge amount as approaching the city center, or to change the initial charge amount for a predetermined zone.

Next, the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 30 will be described. FIG.
As shown in the figure, in the vehicle-mounted device 30 attached to the vehicle,
The following interrupt processing is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, one minute). At step 400, information from the ground side, that is, information from the general center 40 is received. As described above, the information from the general center 40 is the charging target zone information and the GPS correction information. In the next step 402, it is determined whether the information received is the latest information, and is the latest information. Is affirmative in step 402, the next step 404 is to derive the charging target zone,
The S correction information is stored.

On the other hand, if the received information is not the latest information, the determination in step 402 is negative, and in the next step 406, the GPS signals from the GPS satellites 20, 22, and 24 are received. The date and time (year, month, day, time) are read, and in the next step 410, the position of the vehicle, that is, the position of the vehicle 32 (latitude and longitude P (t))
Ask for. When the latitude / longitude P (t) is obtained, the stored GPS correction information can be used.
In step 406, the traveling state of the vehicle such as the traveling distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle can be detected and read.

In the next step 412, the obtained latitude and longitude P
In the next step 414, the zone to which the latitude and longitude P (t) belongs is determined by associating (t) with the map database stored in advance. That is, it is determined whether the area is the buffer area 52 (zone B), the core area 50 (zone A), or the other area (zone C).

In the next step 415, the above step 4
It is determined whether the zone determined in 14 is included in the charging target zone Z, that is, whether it is the buffer area 52 (zone B) or the core area 50 (zone A). Step 4
If the result is affirmative in step 15, it means that the vehicle has entered the charging target zone Z or the vehicle is traveling continuously in zone Z, and the state is displayed on the display panel 227S in the next step 417 (FIG. 4 (B)). On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 415, it means that the vehicle has either entered the charging target zone Z or is traveling outside of the zone Z, and in the next step 416, the display panel 227S
If the status is displayed above, delete it.

In the next step 418, the above information,
That is, the latitude / longitude P (t), the date / time t, and the zone are stored as the vehicle presence history. In the next step 419, a billing process is executed as described later. Table 1 below shows an example of the list of the vehicle presence histories.

[0075]

[Table 1] The “Charging” column in the above table is an identifier indicating whether or not the charging process described below has been performed, and indicates that the charging process has been performed when the “*” mark is given. .

As described above, the vehicle 32
Is stored as a history together with the date and time.

Here, the above-described zone determination will be described.

The charging target zone is a charging target zone for a vehicle entering the zone, and is not set as a charging target when a vehicle exists outside the zone. As described above, it is known that the use of GPS has a predetermined amount of position recognition error. Thus, for example,
As shown in FIG. 10, when the actual vehicle 32 is located outside the to-be-charged zone Z, the current position detected by the GPS is within the recognized position existence probability circle 54 having the position recognition error distance R as a radius. Any one point. Therefore, if a detection is made at a position in the overlapping area 56 of the recognition position existence probability circle 54 and the charging target zone Z (see the shaded portion in FIG. 10), it does not actually enter the charging target zone. Without
You will be charged. That is, the overlapping area 56 is an erroneous charging area.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the chargeable zone is constituted by the buffer region 52 and the core region 50 having a width of a distance r (R <r) longer than the position recognition error distance R. Accordingly, when the vehicle actually exists outside the charging target zone, the recognition position existence probability circle 54 in position detection by GPS may overlap the buffer region 52 but does not reach the core region 50. Therefore, when the vehicle is in the buffer region 5
When it is recognized as 2, the vehicle may not be present in the chargeable zone, and therefore, the existence of the vehicle in the chargeable zone is denied.

Specifically, as shown in FIG.
When the own vehicle detection position 33 by GPS is outside the charging target zone Z (zone C), the actual position of the vehicle is an arbitrary point in the recognition position existence probability circle 54, but the vehicle is within the charging target zone. Since it may not exist, the existence in the charging target zone is denied. As shown in FIG. 11B, even when the vehicle detection position 33 moves in the approaching direction to the charging zone Z and is within the buffer area 52, the vehicle may not be present in the charging zone. Also, as shown in FIG. 11C, even when the vehicle detection position 33 is within the buffer area 52 near the core area 50, the vehicle may not exist in the chargeable zone. Deny the existence of Then, as shown in FIG. 11 (D), when the own vehicle detection position 33 moves into the core area 50, the recognition position existence probability circle 54 is all included in the chargeable zone Z. Determine the presence in the target zone.

Therefore, the vehicle detection position 33 is set to the core area 5
If you charge only when it is detected that it is within 0,
There is no charge when not actually entering the chargeable zone. That is, a vehicle existing outside the charging target zone is not recognized as existing in the charging target zone. With this setting, when the vehicle moves in the direction approaching the core region 50, only the vehicle detected as being in the core region 50 can be reliably identified as being in the charging target zone.

Next, the charging process in the vehicle-mounted device 30, which is the process of step 419 in FIG. 6, will be described. The billing process is
For example, it is executed every predetermined time. The predetermined time is executed at a predetermined date and time, such as every hour, every predetermined day of the week, every month at a predetermined date, and at a predetermined date and time. The execution of the charging process may be performed by an instruction from the general center 40. In the present embodiment, a description will be given on the condition that these execution timings are used.

As shown in FIG. 7, in step 420, it is determined whether or not the conditions have been met by determining whether or not the predetermined date and time or an instruction from the general center 40 has been given. If the conditions do not match,
If the answer in step 420 is negative, this routine ends.

On the other hand, if the conditions match, step 4
In the affirmative at 20, a step 422 obtains history information. This history information is stored in step 416 in FIG.
2 is a list (Table 1) of vehicle existence histories stored in FIG. In the next step 424, an arithmetic expression (charging calculation expression) is set. The arithmetic expression is determined by the above-described arithmetic conditions. This calculation condition refers to a condition (charging calculation condition) for determining a billing amount, and includes a number of times of entering a zone, a zone staying time, and the like. The charge calculation formula is determined by the calculation conditions. In the following expression (2), the charge calculation expression is shown as a general expression in consideration of the zone.

(Charge amount) = f (N _A , N _B , N _C , t) (2) where N _A , N _B , N _C : Evaluation for zones A to _C (that is, charge calculation conditions) The number of times of entry and the length of stay for each zone determined by

In the next step 426, a fee is calculated by using the above-described calculation formula and history information. When the charge calculation is completed, the process proceeds to step 428, where it is determined whether or not the IC card 232 storing the charge balance information and the like is loaded in the IC card read / write device 234. I
If the C card 232 is not loaded in the IC card read / write device 234, the charging process cannot be performed, so the result in step 428 is denied, the process proceeds to step 430, and the calculated fee is stored in the memory. Remembering this charge may include previous unpaid charges,
Perform the integration process. On the other hand, when the IC card 232 is loaded in the IC card read / write device 234, a charging process can be performed, so the result is affirmative in step 428 and a charging process is performed in step 432. This billing process is a process of subtracting the calculated billing amount from the balance of the IC card 232.

For example, the charging calculation condition is only the number of times of entering the zone ($ 100 / times), and when the history information reaches from the start point STP to the end point EDP as shown in FIG.
Alternatively, when the route is the route Rb, the billing amount is as follows.

The charge amount of Ra = 100 × 1 + 0 × 1 + 0 × 1 = ￥ 100 The charge amount of Rb = 100 × 0 + 0 × 1 + 0 × 1 = ￥ 0 Thus, it is lower when the route is selected avoiding the central part. It becomes the billing amount. That is, there is no charge even when passing through the buffer area 52.

As described above, in the present embodiment,
The position of the vehicle is specified by the GPS signal, and when the vehicle has entered the charging target zone, the occupant in the vehicle is notified. The to-be-charged zone includes a buffer area corresponding to the GPS error amount and a core area as an area to be actually charged. When it is recognized that the zone is located in the buffer area, no charging is performed. As a result, even if the position recognition error of the vehicle is shifted by the maximum error in the direction approaching the charging target zone, the vehicle located outside the charging target zone is determined to be in the charging target zone to be charged. There is no. For this reason, there is no transition to erroneous charging processing due to a GPS position recognition error.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Since this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, a plurality of core areas are provided in the charging target zone.

As described above, by charging a fee only for vehicles existing in the core area, it is possible to prevent erroneous charges for vehicles located outside the charging target zone, but it is not possible to collect a fee for the buffer area. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, erroneous charging for vehicles located outside the charging target zone is prevented, and toll collection is possible in a predetermined buffer area in the charging target zone.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment,
Basically, the charging zone Z includes a core area 50 and an internal buffer area 60, and an outer buffer area 62 is provided on the outer periphery of the charging zone Z. That is, a buffer area 53 including an internal buffer area 60 and an external buffer area 62 is provided at the boundary of the charging target zone Z. As described in the above embodiment, the width r (position recognition error distance R <r) of the inner buffer region 60 and the outer buffer region 62 is determined according to the error of the GPS signal.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment,
Based on the basic configuration shown in FIG.
a, the chargeable zone Zb, and the chargeable zone Zc are adjacent to each other to form a chargeable zone Zabc. The charging target zone Za includes three core areas 5 that are the zone A.
0A, an internal buffer area 60A, and an external buffer area 62A. The chargeable zone Zb includes a core area 50B, which is a zone B, an internal buffer area 60B, and an external buffer area 62B. Core region 50C, inner buffer region 60C, outer buffer region 62
C.

By making the charging zones Za to Zc adjacent to each other, a part of the internal buffer area 60A of the charging zone Za is partially overlapped with the external buffer area of the charging zone Zb. It includes an overlapping buffer area 60Ac overlapping with the external buffer area, a charging zone Zb, and an overlapping buffer area 60Abc overlapping with the external buffer area of the charging zone Zc. In addition, a part of the external buffer area 62A of the charging zone Za is partially overlapped with the external buffer area 62a of the charging zone Zb.
b, includes an overlapping buffer area 62ac overlapping the external buffer area of the charging target zone Zc.

A part of the inner buffer area 60B of the charging zone Zb is partially overlapped with the outer buffer area of the charging zone Za, and an overlapping buffer area 60Bc overlapping the outer buffer area of the charging zone Zc. , A buffer zone 60Bac overlapping the external buffer area of the charging zone Za and the charging zone Zc. Similarly, a part of the internal buffer area 60C of the charging zone Zc includes an overlapping buffer area 60Ca overlapping with the external buffer area of the charging zone Za, an overlapping buffer area 60Cb overlapping with the external buffer area of the charging zone Zb, and charging. Target zone Za
And an overlapping buffer area 60Cab overlapping with the external buffer area of the charging zone Zb. Further, a part of the external buffer area 62B of the charging target zone Zb includes an overlapping buffer area 62bc overlapping with the external buffer area of the charging target zone Zc.

Next, the billing amount related to the billing target zone in the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the charging amounts shown in Table 2 below are determined for each charging target zone.

[0097]

[Table 2]

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. First, details of the operation of the integrated center 40 will be described. The general center 40 transmits information for a billing process to the vehicle-mounted device 30 attached to the vehicle 32. In the present embodiment, predetermined charging target zone information in the above embodiment is read (step 30 in FIG. 5).
4) When the GPS correction information is transmitted together with the charging target zone information (step 306 in FIG. 5), the charging target zone information shown in Table 2 is further used. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and thus detailed description is omitted.

Next, the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 30 will be described. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, in step 413, the processing of steps 400 to 412 in FIG.
When the correspondence between (t) and the map database is established, the zone to which the map belongs is determined as follows. First, step 4
At 30, it is determined whether or not the current latitude and longitude P (t) is included in the charging target zone Zabc. Step 43
If the result is 0, the zone recognition is unnecessary, and the process of zone recognition is prohibited in step 440, and the process proceeds to step 418. On the other hand, if the result in step 430 is affirmative, the flow advances to step 432 to determine whether or not the latitude and longitude P (t) is included in any of the buffer areas. That is, it is determined whether or not any of the internal buffer areas 60A, 60B, and 60C is included. If the result in step 432 is negative, the position is within the core area, so the flow advances to step 446, where the core area is defined as a zone to which the latitude and longitude P (t) belongs.
The zone to which (t) belongs is determined.

If the result in step 432 is affirmative, the buffer area includes the overlapping area, and in the next step 434, a zone overlapping the corresponding buffer area, that is, a zone shared by the buffer area is searched. In the next step 436, it is determined whether or not the free area is included in the zone of the search result searched in step 434. This is because the buffer area of the free area is not charged. If there is a free zone, the determination in step 436 is negative, and the process proceeds to step 440, where no zone is recognized.

If there is no free area, and the result in step 436 is affirmative, in step 438, a plurality of zones are searched in step 434, and it is determined whether or not there is a difference between the zones. If the search result is in one zone or there is no difference in price, step 4
In step 444, the search result determines the zone of the internal buffer area as one to which the latitude / longitude P (t) belongs, in one step or a plurality of zones, and proceeds to step 448.

On the other hand, if the result in step 438 is affirmative, the flow proceeds to step 442, in which the lowest-priced zone is determined as the zone to which the latitude / longitude P (t) belongs, and the flow proceeds to step 448.

When the zone determination is completed or not recognized,
As in the above embodiment, the latitude / longitude P (t), the date / time t, and the zone are stored as a vehicle presence history, and charging is performed (steps 418 and 419 in FIG. 6). When the zone is not authorized, a blank or a predetermined zone that is not charged may be stored. When the above processing is executed for the table of Table 2, the areas determined as the charging target zone Za are the core area 50A, the overlap buffer area 60A,
60Ab, 60Abc, 60Ac, 60Ba, 60Bc
a, 60Cab and 60Ca. The areas determined as the charging target zone Zb are the core area 50B, the internal buffer area 60B not including the overlapping buffer area, and the overlapping buffer areas 60Bc and 60Cb. In addition, charging target zone Z
The area determined as c is the core area 50C and the internal buffer area 60C not including the overlapping buffer area.

As described above, the vehicle 32 is provided at predetermined time intervals.
Is stored as a history together with the date and time, and charging is performed for the charging target zone.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the outer buffer area and the inner buffer area are determined as the buffer areas at the boundary of the charging zone, and it is determined which buffer area includes the detected position. ing. As a result, erroneous charging for vehicles located outside the charging target zone can be prevented, and toll collection can be performed in the buffer area. Also,
The lowest chargeable chargeable zone among the chargeable zones belonging to the determined buffer area is defined as the corresponding zone, and the chargeable zone can be identified by giving priority to the user's profit. In addition, priority is given to the case where the free zone is included, and it becomes possible to identify the charging target zone in which the interest of the user is prioritized.

In the above embodiment, when a vehicle enters a charging target zone, when a vehicle approaches a charging target zone, when a vehicle enters a parking fee charging target zone, when a parking fee charging zone It is preferable that the user be notified by a video, a sound, or the like when the vehicle approaches the vehicle. By making such a notification, it is possible to prevent the user from being billed without being recognized. Further, it is preferable to notify the user of the estimated charge or the charge before and after the charge processing.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the fee is obtained based on the history information has been described. However, the billing process may be sequentially performed without using the history information.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described.

In the above embodiment, the charging zone is constituted by the core area and the buffer area, and the processing for not charging the vehicles outside the charging zone is performed. It may move back and forth near the border or to neighboring billing zones. In this case, regardless of driving only in the chargeable zone,
There may be a case where duplicate billing occurs assuming that the user enters and exits the billing target zone a plurality of times.

The present embodiment is intended to reliably detect entry into the same charging target zone and to prevent duplicate charging. In this embodiment, since the configuration is substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 15, the chargeable zones in the present embodiment are a chargeable zone Za composed of a core area 50A as zone A and a buffer area 52A as zone a, and a core as zone B. The area 50B and the chargeable zone Zb composed of the buffer area 52B, which is the zone b, are adjacent to each other. Buffer area 52A and buffer area 5
2B is the width r (position recognition error distance R) determined in accordance with the GPS signal error, as described in the above embodiment.
<R) is defined.

In the present embodiment, as shown in Table 3 below, information to which a flag is added is stored as vehicle presence history information. This flag indicates the charging target zone where the vehicle is located. When the flag first enters the core region of the charging target zone, a value indicating the zone is set, and the flag moves to the core region of the next charging target zone. It is maintained until.

[0113]

[Table 3]

Next, the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 30 will be described. Note that the processing on the ground side is the same as that in the above-described embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, the zone determination process in the process of the on-vehicle device 30 is substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and a different portion is added below, that is, a flag is added in the flag setting and the vehicle presence history storage process shown in Table 3 above. The storage of information will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 16, in steps 413 and 414, the current latitude / longitude P (t) is associated with the map database, and the zone to which the latitude / longitude P (t) belongs is determined. Thus, the flag is determined. First, in step 450, it is determined whether or not the current latitude and longitude P (t) is included in the core area of the charging target zone. If negative at step 450,
Since the current latitude / longitude P (t) is outside the buffer area or the charging target zone, it is further determined in the next step 452 whether the current latitude / longitude P (t) is within the charging target zone. If the result of the determination in step 452 is negative, it is not necessary to set the flag related to the billing process. Therefore, the flag F is reset in step 456, and the process proceeds to step 462. At step 462, the history information with the flag added is stored. On the other hand, if the result in step 452 is affirmative, the latitude / longitude P (t) is a buffer area,
Proceed to step 458 to maintain the flag, step 46
Proceed to 2.

If the result in step 450 is affirmative, the flow advances to step 454 to determine whether the charging target zone indicated by the currently set flag F and the charging target zone including the zone determined in step 414 are the same zone. Judge. If the determination in step 454 is affirmative, the flag is maintained in the next step 458, assuming that the core area has already been entered, and the flow proceeds to step 462. On the other hand, if the result in step 454 is negative, it means that the current core area has been entered by moving from a different core area. Therefore, in the next step 460, the flag indicating the charging target zone including the zone determined in step 414 above is set. F is set as a new flag, and in the next step 462, the history information to which the flag has been added is stored, and this routine ends.

Next, the billing process in the vehicle-mounted device 30 (FIG. 6)
Step 419) will be described. The billing process is executed every predetermined time. The predetermined time is executed at a predetermined date and time, such as every hour, every predetermined day of the week, every month at a predetermined date, and at a predetermined date and time. It should be noted that this billing process may be performed when entering or entering the core area. The execution of the billing process may be performed according to an instruction from the general center 40.

Note that the billing process of this embodiment is substantially the same as the billing process of FIG. 7, and will be described with reference to the process of FIG. First, when an instruction is given from a predetermined date and time, a boundary crossing, or the general center 40 side (step 42 in FIG. 7).
0 is affirmative), and history information is acquired (step 422).
This history information is a list (Table 3) of the vehicle presence history including the flag F stored in step 462 of FIG. In the next step 424, an arithmetic expression (charging calculation expression) is set.

The arithmetic expression is determined by the above-described arithmetic conditions. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the number of times of zone entry is adopted as the arithmetic condition, ie, the accounting arithmetic condition.
A charge calculation formula is determined based on the calculation conditions (charge based on the number of times of entry for each zone). This billing calculation formula is the same as the above formula (2), but a calculation example of the evaluation value is shown below.

Assume that N _A and N _B are evaluation values for zones A and B, and evaluation value N _A = {(1 in core area A, other 0) × (1 in previous flag A, other 0)} evaluation value N _B = {(1 in core area B, other 0) × (1 in previous flag B, other 0)}.

That is, the flag F indicating the charging target zone
Is the same, one entry is converted to one entry, regardless of how many entries into the core area. In other words, the core region A
And the number of groups of records including consecutive flags A is the number of times of entry into the chargeable zone Za to be charged. Similarly, the number of groups including records in which the core area B is included and the flag B is continuous is the charging target zone Zb.
Is the number of times of entry for charging.

If the unit price (for example, $ 100 / time) charged by the number of times of entry is added to this evaluation value, a fee is obtained.

Accordingly, the charge is calculated using the set calculation formula and the history information (step 426), and the IC card 23
When the IC card 2 is not loaded in the IC card read / write device 234, the calculated fee is stored in the memory by the integration process (step 430 after negative in step 428). On the other hand, the IC card 232 is
If it is loaded in the IC card 34, a billing process of subtracting the billing amount from the balance of the IC card 232 is performed (step 432 after affirmation in step 428).

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the history information is a path from the start point STP to the end point EDP, and even if the core area 50A is entered a plurality of times, the entry into the charging zone Za is made once. Therefore, the charge amount is one entry into the chargeable zone Za and one chargeable zone Zb
And approach.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when traveling in the charging target zone, the flag indicating the corresponding charging target zone is maintained in the set state. Even if there are a plurality of entries into the core area to be charged, the charge can be made for one charge. For this reason, there is no occurrence of duplicate billing in the same billing target zone.

In the present embodiment, the case where the fee is obtained based on the history information has been described. However, the present invention can be easily applied to the case where the billing process is performed at the time of entry. In this case, the flag indicating the charging target zone may be held while being in the charging target zone, and charging may be performed only when the flag indicating the corresponding charging target zone is not set. .

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the processing for charging the inside of the charging target zone is performed. However, if the charge is less than one unit, the charge is cut off. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the state of less than one unit is held and deferred at the next time, and integration is to be performed in a continuous case. In this embodiment, since the configuration is substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, in the present embodiment, the integration memory Xi (i
= A, B, C: corresponding to the zone), and an accumulation memory Ti relating to time (i = A, B, C: corresponding to the zone). These integration memories may be configured as independent memories, or may be configured using memory variables.

In the present embodiment, description will be made using the charging target zone shown in FIG. Further, in the present embodiment, description will be given assuming that the vehicle presence history information has a fee system shown in Table 4 below.

[0129]

[Table 4]

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. First, details of the operation of the integrated center 40 will be described. The general center 40 transmits information for a billing process to the vehicle-mounted device 30 attached to the vehicle 32. In the present embodiment, predetermined charging target zone information in the above embodiment is read (step 30 in FIG. 5).
4) When the GPS correction information is transmitted together with the charging target zone information (step 306 in FIG. 5), the charging target zone information shown in Table 4 is further used. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and thus detailed description is omitted.

Next, the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 30 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 17, when the current latitude / longitude P (t) is associated with the map database in step 413, the zone to which the current latitude / longitude P (t) belongs is determined as follows. First, the current latitude / longitude P (t) is set to the charging target zone Za.
If it is not included in bc (No in step 430), the zone is not recognized (step 440), and this routine ends. On the other hand, if the latitude / longitude P (t) is included in the charging target zone Zabc (Yes in step 430), the latitude / longitude P (t) is in one of the buffer areas, that is, the internal buffer areas 60A and 60A.
It is determined whether it is included in any of B and 60C (step 432). If the answer in Step 432 is negative, the integration memory (Xi, Ti) is stored in Step 470.
Is checked in the next step 472 to determine whether or not data is stored in the accumulation memory (Xi, Ti) other than the corresponding zone. If the data is not stored, the result in step 472 is NO and the process proceeds to step 446. On the other hand, step 47
If affirmative at 2, the accumulation memory (Xi, Ti) other than the corresponding zone is reset at step 474, and the routine proceeds to step 446. In step 446, the core area is determined as a zone to which the latitude and longitude P (t) belongs.

If the result in step 432 is affirmative, the shared zone is searched as described above (step 43).
4) It is determined whether or not the free area is included in the zone of the searched search result (step 436). If there is a free area (No at Step 436), the routine is terminated without performing zone recognition (Step 440).

When there is no free area (step 43)
6 is affirmative), it is determined whether there is a charge difference in the searched zone (step 438). If the search result is one zone or there is no charge difference (negative in step 438), the search result is returned. Determines the zone of the internal buffer area among the one zone or the plurality of zones as the zone to which the latitude / longitude P (t) belongs (step 444). Determine as zone to which longitude P (t) belongs (Step 4)
42).

In the next step 476, the current travel distance α and travel time β in the corresponding zone are calculated, and in the next step 478, the integral calculation of the travel distance and travel time in the relevant zone is executed. It is stored in the memory (Xi, Ti). The travel distance α and the travel time β may be obtained by using the function of the navigation system itself, or may be obtained from a odometer and a clock provided in the vehicle. In the next step 480, it is determined whether or not the stored value in the integration memory has reached the charging unit. If the value has not reached, the present routine is terminated. Charge the charge per charge unit.

For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the history information is a path from the start point STP to the end point EDP, and the point at which the vehicle passes the boundary between the buffer area and the core area is defined as a point P1,
P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P
It is assumed to be 10. Since the zone from the start point STP to the point P1 is not a charging target zone, the zone is not determined. During the period from the point P1 to the point P2, the vehicle travels in the external buffer area of the chargeable area Za, but since the chargeable zone has not yet been determined, the accumulation memory has been reset. Point P2
During the period from to point P3, the vehicle travels in the internal buffer area of the charging zone Za, but since the charging zone has not yet been determined, the accumulation memory has been reset.

Between point P3 and point P4, when reaching (or straddling) point P3, charging area Za is determined, and charging is performed based on the traveling distance and the traveling time. Since the area between the points P4 and P5 is the internal buffer area of the charging zone Za, the accumulation memory (X _A ,
T _A ) is integrated and the other integration memories (X _B , T _B , X _C ,
T _C ) is maintained. However, the charging target zones Zb and Zc
Has not been charged yet and has been reset.

[0138] Between point P5 and point P6,
Zc, which is the internal buffer area,
c accumulation memory (X_C, T_C) Is the accumulation and other accumulation memory
(X _A, T_A, X_B, T_B) Is retained. From point P6 to point P
7 is an internal buffer area of the charging zone Za.
Therefore, the accumulation memory (X_A, T_A)
Is integrated and the other integration memory (X_B, T_B, X_C, T_C)
Be held. Between the points P7 and P8, the charging target zone Z
b, the chargeable zone Zb
Integration memory (X_B, T_B) Is the accumulation and other accumulation memory
(X_A, T_A, X_C, T_C) Is retained.

When reaching (or straddling) point P8
Is the next chargeable area, so the chargeable zone Z
b accumulation memory (X_B, T_B) (X)_A,
T_A, X _C, T_C) Is reset and the points P8 to P9
The integration memory (X_B, T_B) Is the product
It is loaded and charged for mileage and mileage. Point P9
From the point P10 to the internal buffer area of the charging zone Zb.
Since it is a zone area, the integration memory of the charging target zone Zb
(X_B, T_B) Accumulates and the other accumulation memory (X_A, T_A, X
_C, T_C) Is retained. And the end point from point P10
Until the EDP, it is outside the charging zone, so
The memory is reset.

As described above, in this embodiment, the traveling distance and the traveling time of the vehicle traveling in the buffer area are integrated until the vehicle reaches the charge unit, and thereafter, the charge is collected in the charge unit. Therefore, even if the zone authorization changes frequently, it is possible to collect a fee in accordance with the change.

[0141]

As described above, according to the present invention, the buffer area is provided at the boundary of the charging area, and the charging information for the vehicle is generated from the position of the vehicle detected by the detecting means and the map information. Therefore, even if a detection error occurs in the detection of the position of the vehicle, it can be reliably determined that the vehicle is present in the chargeable area, and without installing a roadside machine at all entrances and exits such as entrances and exits. Thus, there is an effect that billing information for the vehicle can be generated according to the approach state, and the billing process can be properly performed for the user of the vehicle with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conceptual configuration of an automatic charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a general center installed on the ground side in the automatic charging system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a vehicle-mounted device in the automatic charging system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a display device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an information transmission process executed in the integrated center according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a charging target zone determination process executed in the vehicle-mounted device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a billing process performed in the vehicle-mounted device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an image diagram showing a charging target zone.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example for determining a charging target zone.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a detection error according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for describing zone determination around a buffer area according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a charging target zone according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating charging target zones according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a trajectory of a vehicle traveling in a charging target zone according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a trajectory of a vehicle traveling in a charging target zone according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 GPS satellite 30 On-board unit 32 Vehicle 40 General center 42 GPS antenna 44 Terrestrial antenna

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Haruhiko Terada 2-1-1 Asahi-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuyuki Aoki 2-1-1 Asahi-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Aisin Seiki (56) References JP-A-8-86862 (JP, A) JP-A-11-265469 (JP, A) JP-A-11-74726 (JP, A) Table 8-508357 (JP, A) A) WO 97/4421 (WO, A1) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G07B 15/00 G01C 21/00

Claims (13)

(57) [Claims] 1. A detecting means for detecting position information of a moving body, a chargeable area is defined in predetermined map information, and a buffer area is defined on a boundary between the chargeable area and an area other than the chargeable area. Determining means for associating the map information with the position information and determining an entry state indicating whether or not the moving object has entered at least one of the chargeable area and the buffer area; and determination of the determination means. Generating means for generating charging information for the mobile object based on the result; 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit includes a storage unit in which predetermined fee data corresponding to the approach state is stored in advance, and the charging information is generated using the fee data in the storage unit. The mobile charging apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The chargeable area includes at least a pay area and a free area, and the buffer area is defined between the pay area and the free area. A charging apparatus for a mobile object according to claim 1. 4. The chargeable area is configured to include at least a plurality of pay areas, and the buffer area is defined between adjacent pay areas. 2. The mobile charging apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The mobile charging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of pay areas include pay areas having different charge systems. 6. The charging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the buffer area is set for each of a plurality of pay areas. 7. The mobile object according to claim 1, wherein a charge is set based on a charge of one of adjacent areas in the buffer area. Billing device. 8. The method according to claim 4, wherein a charge is set for the buffer area based on a charge of an area selected from a plurality of areas around the buffer area. Mobile charging system. 9. When the moving body moves from the chargeable area to the buffer area and then to the same chargeable area again as the history of the entry state, the generating means includes: The billing processing apparatus for a mobile body according to claim 1, wherein generation of billing information related to the entry is prohibited. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates charging information related to a fee determined based on a mileage in the charging target area. Mobile charging system. 11. The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit configured to store a mileage in the chargeable area when straddling a boundary of an adjacent area, based on the stored mileage.
The charging processing apparatus for a mobile body according to claim 1, wherein the charging information is generated. 12. A self-moving object position detecting means for detecting a position of a self-moving object, predetermined map information, a chargeable area defined in the map information, and a chargeable area other than the chargeable area. A buffer area defined at the boundary with the area, storage means for storing charging data relating to the charging target area, and the map information and the position are associated with each other, and the charging information is stored in either the charging target area or the buffer area. Determining means for determining an entering state indicating whether or not the moving body has entered at least; and charging processing means for performing charging processing on the charging target area for the own moving body based on a determination result of the determining means. Mobile billing device provided. 13. The mobile charging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said charging processing means performs charging processing using an IC card in which balance information is stored.