JP3820966B2 - ETC OBE - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an on-board ETC device including a data transmission / reception unit that performs data communication using a dedicated band with a fixed communication device to exchange ETC information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in an ETC on-board unit, a data transmission / reception unit including a radio unit and a communication control unit for performing dedicated narrow band communication (DSRC) with a fixed communication device installed on the roadside, a charge IC card interface unit for setting IC card for payment, security unit for processing authentication data, human machine interface unit for notification of successful / unsuccessful fee collection and fee display, ETC application communication An ETC processing unit that performs control, human machine interface control, and the like is housed in the same unit case.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In conventional ETC in-vehicle devices , a fee-charging application for external devices (for example, a payment machine in a parking lot or a payment system installed in a drive-through store) using a wireless communication medium different from dedicated narrowband communication There is a problem that it is not possible to cope with this problem.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to perform the fee charging processing without complicating the overall configuration even when there are two types of fee charging applications with different wireless communication media. An object of the present invention is to provide an on-board ETC device that can be executed .
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the means described in claim 1 can be employed. According to this means, the fixed communication device is separated from the fixed communication device by a wireless communication means different from the data transmission / reception unit for performing data communication using a dedicated band with the fixed communication device to exchange ETC information. Since data communication related to fee billing processing can be performed with different external devices, fee billing processing can be executed through two types of fee billing applications with different wireless communication media. In this case, the data processing unit configured to execute the fee charging process through the data transmitting / receiving unit and the fee charging process through the wireless communication unit in a predetermined priority processing order is common to the data transmitting / receiving unit and the wireless communication unit. Since it is provided, the overall configuration is not complicated. In addition, since two types of charge billing processes using different wireless communication media are executed in the order of predetermined priority processing, the user side performs the charge billing process in order to execute these charge billing processes. There is no need to select each device according to the processing wireless communication medium, and two types of fee-charging applications can be easily used .
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First Reference Example )
Hereinafter, a first example serving as a reference for the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 1, the entire configuration of the ETC on-board unit is shown by a combination of functional blocks. In FIG. 1, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 1 is divided into a first unit 2 and a second unit 3.
[0009]
The first unit 2 includes a wireless unit 4 that performs dedicated narrowband communication (DSRC) with a fixed communication device (not shown) provided on the roadside in a unit case (not shown), for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) The communication interface unit 5 that performs standard protocol processing is incorporated. The first unit 2 is installed on a dashboard, for example, where the roadside fixed communication device has a good view.
[0010]
The second unit 3 includes an IC card interface unit 6 for setting an IC card (not shown) for charge settlement in a unit case (not shown), notification of success / failure of charge collection, charge display, and the like. Incorporates a human machine interface unit 7 for performing ETC application communication control, human machine interface control and authentication data processing for security, and a communication interface unit 9 for performing Bluetooth standard protocol processing. It has a configuration. The first unit 2 may be installed anywhere as long as the user (vehicle driver) can confirm the display by the human machine interface unit 7, and can be incorporated in an instrument panel, for example .
[0011]
According to such a configuration, the first unit 2 installed on the dashboard of the vehicle has a structure in which only the wireless unit 4 and the communication interface unit 5 are built, that is, an IC card that has to have a relatively large shape. Since the interface portion 6 is not built in, the size can be greatly reduced. For this reason, while being able to raise the freedom degree of the installation position of the whole ETC onboard equipment 1, the improvement of the design property around the dashboard of a vehicle can be aimed at. In addition, the wireless communication means 10 exchanges data between the first unit 2 and the second unit 3 including the IC card interface unit 6 and the ETC processing unit 8. Therefore, a signal line connecting both units 2 and 3 becomes unnecessary. As a result , there is no possibility of incurring a situation in which the mountability of the ETC on-vehicle device 1 to the vehicle is hindered by the presence of the signal line.
[0012]
(Second Reference Example )
FIG. 2 shows a second example which serves as a reference for the embodiment of the present invention, and only the parts different from the first example will be described below.
That is, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 11 according to the present embodiment includes a first unit 12 incorporating the wireless unit 4, the ETC processing unit 8, and the communication interface unit 5, an IC card interface unit 6, a human machine interface unit 7, and a communication interface unit. 9 is divided into a second unit 13 incorporating 9.
[0013]
Also according to this embodiment, the first unit 12 does not include the IC card interface unit 6 that has to have a relatively large shape. Therefore, the first unit 12 can be downsized. Moreover, since it is the structure which performs the data transmission / reception between the 1st unit 12 and the 2nd unit 13 by the wireless communication means 10, there exists an effect similar to 1st Example. In particular, according to the present embodiment, the second unit 13 including the human machine interface unit 7 which is a part operated and confirmed by the user is also reduced in size, so that the installation position of the second unit 13 can be freely set. The degree can be made higher than that of the configuration of the first embodiment.
[0014]
(Third Reference Example )
FIG. 3 shows a third example which serves as a reference for the embodiment of the present invention, and only the parts different from the first example will be described below.
That is, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 14 according to the present embodiment includes a first unit 15 incorporating the wireless unit 4, the human machine interface unit 7, the ETC processing unit 8, and the communication interface unit 5, the IC card interface unit 6, and the communication interface unit. 9 is divided into a second unit 16 incorporating 9.
[0015]
Also according to this embodiment, the first unit 15 does not include the IC card interface unit 6 that has to have a relatively large shape. Therefore, the first unit 15 can be downsized. In addition, since the data communication between the first unit 15 and the second unit 16 is performed by the wireless communication means 10, the same effect as the first embodiment is achieved. In particular, according to the present embodiment, the IC card interface unit 6 for setting an IC card, which is an important element in security, can be installed in a safe place (for example, in a glove box that can be locked). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in security due to forgetting to remove the IC card.
[0016]
Further, according to this embodiment, the second unit 16 can be configured to be portable. According to such a configuration, when the user leaves the vehicle, the IC card is carried as it is, so that it is possible to prevent a decrease in security due to forgetting to take the IC card. In the case where the second unit 16 is configured as a portable type, it may be an independent unit. For example, the functional unit (the IC card interface unit 6 and the communication interface) that configures the second unit 16 may be used. The unit 9) can be incorporated into a mobile device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a wearable computer, so that the expandability of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 14 can be improved.
[0017]
(Fourth Reference Example )
FIG. 4 shows a fourth example which serves as a reference for the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only parts different from the first example will be described.
That is, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 17 according to the present embodiment includes a first unit 18 incorporating the wireless unit 4, the IC card interface unit 6, the ETC processing unit 8 and the communication interface unit 5, the human machine interface unit 7 and the communication interface unit. 9 is divided into a second unit 19 incorporating 9.
[0018]
In this embodiment, since the first unit 18 does not include the human machine interface unit 7 that requires a relatively large volume, the first unit 18 can be downsized to some extent. Since the data communication between the first unit 18 and the second unit 19 is performed by the wireless communication means 10, an effect close to that of the first embodiment is achieved. In particular, according to the present embodiment, the function of the human machine interface unit 7 is used for the display and audio output functions of other devices (for example, an in-vehicle audio device, a car navigation device, a hands-free horn system, or a portable information device). Therefore, the configuration of the ETC in-vehicle device 17 can be simplified.
[0019]
In the fourth embodiment, the configuration in which all the functions of the human machine interface unit 7 are built in the second unit 19 is shown. However, for example, only the audio function of the human machine interface unit 7 is built in the first unit 18 side. The remaining functions may be built in the second unit 19 side. According to this configuration, for example, when the second unit 19 is configured as a portable type, even if the second unit 19 is forgotten to be brought into the vehicle, the toll collection by the ETC onboard device 17 is successful or unsuccessful. The notification function can be realized by the voice function built in the first unit 18, which is convenient in actual use.
[0020]
(Embodiment showing the present invention)
The Figure 5 there is shown a functional block diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, hereinafter this will be described.
That is, the ETC in-vehicle device 20 according to the present embodiment includes a DSRC radio unit 21 (corresponding to a data transmission / reception unit) for performing dedicated narrowband communication, a protocol processing unit 22 thereof, and a Bluetooth radio unit 23 for performing Bluetooth standard communication. (Corresponding to wireless communication means), an application processing section 25 (corresponding to data processing means) common to the protocol processing section 24, DSRC wireless section 21 and Bluetooth wireless section 23, and IC card (not shown) for charge settlement An IC card interface unit 26 for setting and a human machine interface unit 27 for performing notification of successful / unsuccessful fee collection and displaying a fee are provided. In this case, in addition to the control operation for the ETC, the application processing unit 25 charges at a facility where the fee-charging application is used, for example, a paid parking lot or a facility with fee payment (such as a drive-through type store). It is also configured to perform control operations for payment.
[0021]
According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, in addition to the DSRC radio unit 21 for ETC, the Bluetooth radio unit 23 installs an external device (for example, a parking machine or a drive-through type store). In addition, since data communication with a payment system is possible, even when there is a fee-charging application using a wireless communication medium different from ETC, it can be handled. In addition, since the application processing unit 25 common to the DSRC radio unit 21 and the Bluetooth radio unit 23 is provided, there is no possibility that the overall configuration becomes complicated. Moreover, even if the wireless communication media are different, the user does not need to select a device for performing the fee charging process one by one, so that the user can easily use the fee charging application without being aware of the difference in the wireless communication media. Become. In this case, the application processing unit 25 can prioritize the wireless communication media to be used. In this case, the communication using another wireless communication medium during the communication operation using the preferred wireless communication medium. Processing that suppresses the operation and prevents double activation of the application becomes possible.
[0022]
(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications or expansions are possible.
In the embodiment showing the present invention, the Bluetooth wireless unit 23 has been exemplified as an example of a wireless communication means different from dedicated narrowband communication (DSRC), but other wireless communication means such as a wireless LAN may be used. Of course. Furthermore , it is possible to provide a plurality of different systems of wireless communication means.
[Brief description of the drawings]
Figure 1 corresponds diagram showing a second reference example relating to the functional block diagram of the overall ETC devices of a first reference example relating to the invention, FIG 2 shows the present invention Figure 3 showing an embodiment of a third Figure 1 corresponds diagram showing a fourth reference example relating to rEFERENCE 1 equivalent diagram showing an example [4] the present invention Figure 5 the invention in connection with the present invention Functional block diagram of the entire ETC OBE [Explanation of symbols]
20 is an ETC in-vehicle device, 21 is a DSRC radio unit (data transmission / reception unit), 23 is a Bluetooth radio unit (wireless communication unit), 25 is an application processing unit (data processing unit), 26 is an IC card interface unit, and 27 is a human. The machine interface unit 27 is shown.

Claims (1)

In ETC vehicle-mounted device example Bei data transceiver for transferring the ETC information by performing the data communication using the dedicated band between the fixed communication device,
A wireless communication means configured in a separate system from the data transmission / reception unit and capable of data communication related to fee billing processing with an external device different from the fixed communication device;
A data processing unit that is provided in common to the data transmission / reception unit and the wireless communication unit, and that executes a fee charging process through the data transmission / reception unit and a fee charging process through the wireless communication unit in a predetermined priority processing order;
ETC devices, characterized in that it comprises a.

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