JP3910316B2 - In-vehicle device for automatic fee collection - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device used in an automatic toll collection (ETC) system and the system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 6 shows an example of a circuit block configuration of an in-vehicle device used in a conventional automatic toll collection system.
[0003]
Conventionally, in this type of in-vehicle device, an in-vehicle radio unit 1 having an antenna 2, a transmission / reception unit 3, and a modulation / demodulation unit 4 for communicating with an external roadside radio device (not shown); And a control processing unit 5 and an ETC processing unit 6 for assembling data to be transmitted to the external roadside apparatus. The ETC processing unit 6 controls the control processing unit 5, the human machine interface unit 7, the other interface unit 8, and the security unit 9. On the other hand, the security unit 9 is connected to the IC card 11 through the IC card reader / writer unit 10 and exchanges data with the IC card 11. The human machine interface unit 7 is usually provided with an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, and a sound generation unit 14.
[0004]
Next, the operation of the conventional example will be described. In payment of toll road usage fee, vehicle information or entrance toll gate data possessed by the security unit 9 is sent to the in-vehicle wireless unit 1 through the ETC processing unit 6 and the control processing unit 5, and the modulation / demodulation unit 4 The signal is modulated and sent to the roadside radio apparatus installed at the roadside toll gate via the aerial line 2 via the transmission / reception unit 3. In the roadside toll gate, billing information is generated based on the transmitted vehicle information, entrance tollgate data, and the like, and the billing information is transmitted to the in-vehicle wireless device using the roadside wireless device. The in-vehicle device receives billing information from the roadside toll gate through the antenna 2 and the transmission / reception unit 3, performs demodulation processing in the demodulation unit 4, and decodes / processes it in the control processing unit 5 and ETC processing unit 6. The decrypted billing information is written into the IC card 11 through the security unit 9 and the IC card reader / writer unit 10, thereby paying a fee. At the same time, the display unit 13 and the sound generation unit 14 notify the user of the payment amount and the like. Further, the data written in the IC card 11 is sequentially displayed by operating the operation unit 12.
[0005]
Usually, an in-vehicle device having this type of function uses a high-frequency radio wave, and therefore needs to be installed in a place where an aerial line with respect to the roadside wireless device can be seen. Therefore, in the case of an integrated type having all the above functions in the apparatus, the in-vehicle apparatus is generally installed on the dashboard of the vehicle. In addition, the aerial line is separated from the main body of the apparatus, and the aerial line is installed on the dashboard of the vehicle or the back of the rearview mirror. A separate in-vehicle device can also be used.
[0006]
Thus, even in the above-described conventional in-vehicle device, by collecting vehicle information, billing information, and the like by wireless communication with the roadside wireless device, it is possible to automatically collect tolls without the intervention of the collector. Also, billing information and usage history can be notified to the user.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the integrated automatic toll collecting in-vehicle device in which all the above-described conventional functions are housed in the device, it is installed on the vehicle dashboard, so that it is exposed to direct sunlight and exposed to high temperatures. Therefore, it is necessary to use heat-resistant parts and materials, and the cost of the in-vehicle device becomes expensive. In addition, the IC card for finalizing the fee must be changed to a heat-resistant card, which increases the cost. Moreover, since it can be seen from outside the vehicle that the IC card is installed in the in-vehicle device, there is a risk of theft. In order to prevent this, if the IC card is stored in the in-vehicle device, the size of the in-vehicle device increases. In addition, since all functions are stored, the in-vehicle device becomes large, and the field of view is blocked during driving. In addition, there are problems such as difficulty in viewing characters and the like, and difficulty in operating buttons. Furthermore, in a vehicle with a radio wave shield, it is necessary to install an in-vehicle device outside the passenger compartment. In this case, an integrated device needs to have waterproofness in addition to heat resistance, and the in-vehicle device becomes expensive.
[0008]
On the other hand, in a separate in-vehicle device that has a configuration in which an aerial line is separated and connected to the main body with a coaxial cable or the like, the heat resistance is reduced because the main body can be installed in a place not exposed to direct sunlight. In addition, installing the IC card in a place where the IC card cannot be seen from outside the vehicle is effective in preventing theft. In addition, when installed in a vehicle with radio wave shielding, it can be used by installing an aerial outside the vehicle. However, since a high frequency signal is transmitted using a coaxial cable, the attenuation cannot be ignored and the length of the coaxial cable is limited. Accordingly, there is a problem that the installation location of the apparatus main body is limited and the installation work becomes difficult.
[0009]
The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and it is an automatic toll collecting in-vehicle device that is small in size, heat resistant, has good operability, can prevent the IC card from being stolen, and is easy to install. It is to provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The in-vehicle device for automatic toll collection according to the present invention has a master unit and a slave unit that transmit and receive information wirelessly, and wireless means that performs modulation and demodulation to communicate with an external roadside radio device via an antenna in the master unit Control means for controlling the wireless means, data processing means for decoding information, and voice generating means for generating voice in the master unit, and operating means for controlling the master unit in the slave unit And a display means and a read / write means for reading and writing to the IC card, and a transmission / reception means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the master unit and the slave unit by infrared rays. With this configuration, it is not necessary to process wires, harnesses, etc., so that installation work is facilitated, and a coaxial cable or the like for transmitting a high frequency signal is not used, so that the length of the cable is not limited. In addition, an accurate instruction can be given to the master unit. Further, since the IC card can be installed in a place where it cannot be seen from outside the vehicle, it is possible to prevent theft. Then, confirmation by voice can be performed on the base unit side.
[0017]
Further, the present invention is an automatic toll collection system comprising the automatic toll collection in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a roadside radio device for transmitting and receiving data related to tolls via radio. A system with improved device performance can be constructed.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a circuit block configuration of an on-board apparatus for automatic toll collection according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, the reference numerals used in the explanation of FIG. It is.
[0019]
The in-vehicle device in the present embodiment includes a parent device A1 and a child device B1 connected by infrared wireless. The base unit A1 includes an in-vehicle radio unit 1 having an antenna 2, a transmission / reception unit 3, and a modulation / demodulation unit 4 for communicating with an external roadside radio device (not shown), and data from the in-vehicle radio unit 1. A control processing unit 5 and an ETC processing unit 6 are provided for decoding and assembling data to be transmitted to the external roadside apparatus. The ETC processing unit (parent device) 6 controls the control processing unit 5, the other interface unit 8, and the security unit 9. An infrared transmission / reception unit 15 is connected to the other interface unit 8, thereby enabling mutual communication with the slave unit B. The security unit 9 is connected to the IC card 11 by the IC card reader / writer unit 10 installed in the slave unit B through the other interface unit 8, and exchanges data with the IC card 11. On the other hand, the other interface unit 17 having the infrared transmission / reception unit 16 is installed on the side of the child device B1 to enable mutual communication with the parent device A. Further, the ETC processing unit (slave unit) 18 controls the IC card reader / writer unit 10, the human machine interface unit 7, and other interface units 17. The human machine interface unit 7 is normally connected with an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, and a sound generation unit 14. Since the base unit A1 needs to be installed in a place where the roadside antenna 1 can be seen, it is generally installed on the dashboard of the vehicle. On the other hand, the slave unit B1 can be installed at an arbitrary position.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. In payment of toll road usage fee, the base unit A1 sends vehicle information or entrance tollgate data etc. possessed by the security unit 9 to the in-vehicle wireless unit 1 through the ETC processing unit (base unit) 6 and the control processing unit 5 Then, the modulation / demodulation unit 4 performs predetermined modulation, and transmits the signal to the roadside radio device (not shown) of the roadside toll gate via the antenna 2 via the transmission / reception unit 3. In the roadside toll gate, billing information is generated based on the received vehicle information, entrance tollgate data, and the like, and the billing information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device using the roadside wireless device. The base unit A1 of the in-vehicle device receives the billing information from the roadside toll gate through the aerial line 2 and the transmission / reception unit 3, performs the demodulation processing in the modulation / demodulation unit 4, and controls the control processing unit 5, ETC processing unit (main unit) ) Decipher and process at 6. The decrypted billing information is transmitted to the slave unit B through the security unit 9, the other interface unit 8, and the infrared transmission / reception unit 15. In the slave unit B1, the billing information is received by the infrared transmission / reception unit 16 and written to the IC card 11 through the other interface unit 17, ETC processing unit (slave unit) 18, and IC card reader / writer unit 10. As a result, the fee is paid. At the same time, the display unit 13 and the sound generation unit 14 of the slave unit B notify the user of the fee and the like. Further, the data written in the IC card 11 is sequentially displayed by operating the operation unit 12.
[0021]
Thus, according to the first embodiment, as the automatic toll collecting in-vehicle device, the master unit A1 having the function of communicating with the external roadside wireless communication device via the antenna 2, the operation unit 12, It can be separated into the display unit 13, the sound generation unit 14, and the slave unit B1 having the IC card reader / writer unit 10 that communicates with the IC card 11, and the base unit A1 and the slave unit B1 can communicate with each other by infrared rays. By doing so, since the handset B1 can be installed in a place not exposed to direct sunlight, the heat resistance is reduced, and inexpensive parts and materials can be used. Further, it is not necessary to make the IC card 11 also have high heat resistance, which has the advantage that the cost of the in-vehicle device can be reduced. Further, since the IC card 11 is provided on the handset B1 side where it can be installed at an arbitrary location, the IC card 11 can also be installed in a place where it cannot be seen from the outside of the vehicle, and theft can be prevented. In addition, the base unit A1 installed on the dashboard can be reduced in size, and the view is not obstructed during driving. In addition, problems such as difficulty in viewing displayed characters and the like and difficulty in operating buttons and the like can be solved. Further, even a vehicle that has been subjected to radio wave shielding can be used by installing the base unit A1 outside the vehicle. At this time, it is not necessary to process wires, harnesses, etc., so that installation work is facilitated, and a coaxial cable or the like for transmitting a high-frequency signal is not used, so that the length is not limited.
[0022]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an on-board device for automatic fee collection in the second embodiment of the present invention. As a configuration in the second embodiment, instead of the configuration in the first embodiment, the IC card interface unit 10 and the IC card 11 provided on the handset B1 side are replaced with the security unit on the base unit A2 side. 9 is connected directly. The operation of the present embodiment can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. As for the effect, the automatic toll collecting in-vehicle device has a function of intercommunication with an external roadside wireless communication device via the antenna 2 and an IC card reader / writer unit 10 to communicate with the IC card 11. The main unit A2 having a function and the slave unit B2 having the operation unit 12, the display unit 13, and the voice generation unit 14 are separated so that the base unit A2 and the slave unit B2 can communicate with each other by infrared rays. Thus, the handset B2 can be installed in a place not exposed to direct sunlight, so that the heat resistance is reduced, and it is possible to use inexpensive parts and materials. In addition, the base unit A2 installed on the dashboard can be reduced in size, and there is no possibility of blocking the view during driving. Furthermore, problems such as difficulty in viewing displayed characters and the like and difficulty in operating buttons and the like can be solved. In addition, since it does not require processing of wires, harnesses, etc., installation work is facilitated, and no coaxial cable or the like is used, so there is no restriction on the length.
[0023]
(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of an on-board device for automatic fee collection in the third embodiment of the present invention. As a configuration in the third embodiment, instead of the configuration in the first embodiment, the voice generation unit 14 provided in the child device B1 is connected to the ETC processing unit (parent device) 6 of the parent device A. It is a thing. The operation of the present embodiment can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. As for the effect, the automatic toll collecting in-vehicle device has a function of intercommunication with an external roadside wireless communication device via the aerial 2 and a master unit A3 having a sound generation unit 14, an operation unit 12, and a display unit 13. The slave unit B3 having the IC card reader / writer unit 10 that communicates with the IC card 11 is separated, and the master unit A3 and the slave unit B3 can communicate with each other by infrared rays. Can be installed in a place not exposed to direct sunlight, heat resistance is reduced, and inexpensive parts and materials can be used. Further, it is not necessary to make the IC card 11 also have high heat resistance, which has the advantage that the cost of the in-vehicle device can be reduced. In addition, since the IC card 11 is provided on the side of the handset B3 that can be installed at an arbitrary location, the IC card 11 can also be installed in a place that cannot be seen from the outside of the vehicle, so that it is possible to prevent theft. In addition, the base unit A3 installed on the dashboard can be reduced in size, and the view is not obstructed during driving. In addition, problems such as difficulty in viewing displayed characters and the like and difficulty in operating buttons and the like can be solved. In addition, since it does not require processing of wires, harnesses, etc., installation work is facilitated, and no coaxial cable or the like is used, so there is no restriction on the length.
[0024]
(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of an on-board device for automatic fee collection in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As a configuration in the fourth embodiment, instead of the configuration in the first embodiment, the IC card interface unit 10 and the IC card 11 provided in the slave unit B1 are used as the security unit 9 of the master unit A. Directly connected, and further, the voice generation unit 14 provided in the child device B1 is connected to the ETC processing unit (parent device) 6 of the parent device A4. The operation of this embodiment can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. As for the effect, the automatic toll collecting in-vehicle device has a function of intercommunication with an external roadside wireless communication device via the antenna 2 and an IC card reader / writer unit 10 to communicate with the IC card 11. By separating the master unit A4 having the function and the voice generation unit 14 and the slave unit B4 having the operation unit 11 and the display unit 12, and enabling mutual communication between the master unit A4 and the slave unit B4 by infrared rays. Since the handset B4 can be installed in a place not exposed to direct sunlight, the heat resistance is reduced, and inexpensive parts and materials can be used. In addition, the base unit A4 installed on the dashboard can be reduced in size, and there is no possibility of blocking the view during driving. Furthermore, problems such as difficulty in viewing displayed characters and the like and difficulty in operating buttons and the like can be solved. In addition, since it does not require processing of wires, harnesses, etc., installation work is facilitated, and no coaxial cable or the like is used, so there is no restriction on the length.
[0025]
(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of an on-board apparatus for automatic fee collection in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the configuration of the fifth embodiment, a head-up display unit 19 is added to the configuration of the parent device A1 of the first embodiment, and the child device B1 is left as it is. The operation of the present embodiment can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. As for the effect, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, since the head-up display unit 19 is provided in the base unit A5, the state of the base unit A5 and the received information are projected on the windshield of the vehicle. Since the driver can check the information without moving his / her line of sight, the driver can contribute to safe driving.
[0026]
(Embodiment 6)
In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the IC card reader / writer unit 10 for processing the IC card 11 of the child device B1 is transferred to the parent device A5 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. The operational effect is equivalent to the operational effect of the fifth embodiment plus the operational effect of the second embodiment.
[0027]
(Embodiment 7)
In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the sound generator 14 of the child device B1 is transferred to the parent device A5 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. This is equivalent to the effect of the third embodiment plus the effect of the third embodiment.
[0028]
(Embodiment 8)
In the eighth embodiment of the present invention, the IC card reader / writer unit 10 and the sound generation unit 14 of the child device B1 are transferred to the parent device A5 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. The operational effect is equivalent to the operational effect of the fifth embodiment plus the operational effect of the fourth embodiment.
[0029]
In each of the above embodiments, the mutual connection between the master unit and the slave unit is realized using infrared rays. However, the same effect can be obtained by using other media such as radio waves.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above embodiments, the present invention has a parent device and a child device connected to each other wirelessly, and the parent device communicates with an external roadside wireless device via an antenna. Control processing means for controlling the wireless means, data processing means for processing data to be transmitted / received by communication, and transmission / reception means for performing wireless communication with the slave, wherein the slave is It is an on-board device for automatic toll collection that includes a transmission / reception means for performing wireless communication with a base unit and an operation means for controlling the base unit, and the handset can be installed in a place not exposed to direct sunlight. Sexuality is reduced. Further, since the IC card can be installed in a place where it cannot be seen from outside the vehicle, it is possible to prevent theft. Furthermore, even a vehicle that has been subjected to radio wave shielding can be used by installing the master unit outside the vehicle. In addition, it is not necessary to handle wires, harnesses, etc., so installation work is easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an on-board device for automatic fee collection according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration of an on-vehicle device for automatic fee collection according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an on-board device for automatic fee collection in the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an on-board vehicle for automatic fee collection in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an on-board device for automatic fee collection in a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of an on-board device for automatic fee collection in a conventional example. Block diagram showing the configuration 【Explanation of symbols】
A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 Master unit B1, B2, B3, B4 Slave unit 1 Onboard radio unit 2 Antenna 3 Transmit / receive unit 4 Modulation / demodulation unit 5 Control processing unit 6 ETC processing unit (main unit)
7 Human machine interface unit 8 Other interface unit 9 Security unit 10 IC card reader / writer unit 11 IC card 12 Operation unit 13 Display unit 14 Sound generation unit 18 ETC processing unit (child device)
15, 16 Infrared transmission / reception unit 17 Other interface unit 19 Head-up display unit

Claims (1)

Wireless means for performing modulation / demodulation to communicate with an external roadside wireless device via an antenna to the parent machine, and a control processing means for controlling the wireless means. And a data processing means for decoding information and a sound generating means for generating sound in the parent device, and reading and writing to the slave device, an operating means for controlling the parent device, a display means, and an IC card. An on-board device for automatic fee collection comprising a read / write unit, and a transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives information to and from the base unit and the slave unit by infrared rays.

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