JP3931006B2 - Vehicle information reporting device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle information notification device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, on toll roads such as expressways, gates are installed in at least one place, and charges are collected as vehicles (own vehicles) pass through the gates. As a toll collection system for collecting the toll, there are an open system in which a gate is installed at one place on a toll road and a closed system in which a gate is installed at two or more places on a toll road.
[0003]
In the open system, for example, an entrance gate is installed at the entrance of a toll road, and a fixed fee is collected at the entrance gate. In some cases, a gate is installed on the way or at the exit of the toll road, and a fixed fee is collected at the way or on the exit gate.
[0004]
Also, in the closed system, for example, entrance and exit gates are installed at the entrance and exit of the toll road, a pass ticket is issued at the entrance gate, and the distance the vehicle has passed through the toll road at the exit gate, In addition, a fee corresponding to the type of vehicle is collected.
[0005]
For this purpose, a pass ticket composed of a magnetic card is used, and a toll collection device is provided to collect a charge based on the pass ticket. The toll collection device is, for example, disposed at the entrance gate of a toll road, issuance of a pass ticket according to the type of vehicle, and is provided at the exit gate, and a predetermined fee based on the pass ticket. A toll collection machine is provided. In the pass ticket, information indicating the type of vehicle and from which interchange the toll road is entered, that is, entrance information is recorded.
[0006]
When the pass ticket is issued by the ticket issuing machine when the vehicle passes through the entrance gate, the road user, that is, the driver pulls out the pass ticket from the ticket issuing machine and passes through the toll road. Also, when the vehicle passes the exit gate, if the driver passes the pass ticket to the toll collector, the toll collector inserts the toll ticket into the toll collection port and operates the toll collector. To do. The toll collector reads the vehicle type and entrance information recorded on the pass ticket, calculates the toll and collects it.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional toll collection device, a toll is taken out from the ticketing machine at the entrance gate, a toll collecting machine is inserted into the toll collector at the exit gate, or cash is collected based on the calculated fee. In addition to the need for an operation to insert, it is necessary to read the vehicle type and entrance information recorded in the pass ticket, calculate the fee, and issue a receipt. Therefore, during that period, the vehicle is stopped, and when the number of vehicles increases, the vicinity of the entrance and exit gates is congested.
[0008]
Therefore, automatic toll collection system (ETC, EPR, etc.) that automatically collects and collects charges without stopping the vehicle at the entrance and exit gates (hereinafter referred to as being compatible with automatic toll collection systems) For this reason, “ETC” is attached).
[0009]
In this case, an ETC gate is installed at the entrance and exit gates in addition to a general gate through which ordinary vehicles pass, as a gate for automatic toll collection for vehicles that use the automatic toll collection system. . When using the automatic toll collection system, the contract period and contract target of the contract between the vehicle owner, driver, etc. and the road manager in the card slot of the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle When a prepaid card in which contract information such as the type of vehicle to be recorded is inserted, wireless communication is performed between the roadside apparatus disposed at the entrance and exit ETC gates and the vehicle-mounted device. Then, at the ETC gate at the entrance, the control device connected to the roadside radio device at the entrance records the entrance information on the prepaid card. In addition, at the exit ETC gate, the control device connected to the exit-side roadside wireless device reads the contract information and the entrance information from the prepaid card, calculates the fee based on the contract information and the entrance information, and settles it. Collect.
[0010]
Therefore, there is no need to remove the prepaid card from the ticketing machine at the entrance ETC gate, or insert a prepaid card into the toll collection machine or insert cash based on the calculated fee at the exit ETC gate. In addition, the contract information and the entrance information recorded on the prepaid card can be read to calculate the fee and issue a receipt, so that the work can be simplified. It is also possible to shorten the time required for the work. As a result, even if the number of vehicles passing through increases, the vicinity of the ETC gates at the entrance and exit will not be congested.
[0011]
By the way, the toll road includes an ETC compatible toll road that can use the automatic toll collection system and a non-ETC compatible toll road that cannot use the automatic toll collection system. In the ETC-compatible toll road, all interchanges are automatic toll collection compatible interchanges (hereinafter referred to as “ETC compatible interchanges”) having ETC gates corresponding to the automatic toll collection system. Not limited to, there are non-fee automatic receipt compatible interchanges (hereinafter referred to as “non-ETC compatible interchanges”) that do not have ETC gates at the entrance and exit.
[0012]
Therefore, even when trying to use the automatic toll collection system when traveling on toll roads, it is not known whether the interchange to be used is an ETC compatible interchange or a non-ETC compatible interchange until it reaches the entrance and exit gates. Therefore, the driver cannot drive the vehicle smoothly.
[0013]
In addition, even if the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange, if the driver passes through the general gates at the entrance and the exit assuming that the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange, the fee cannot be settled and collected.
[0014]
If the vehicle is stopped when passing through the ETC gates at the entrance and exit, assuming that the driver is a non-ETC compatible interchange in spite of being an ETC compatible interchange, The vicinity of the ETC gate at the entrance and exit is congested.
[0015]
The present invention solves the problems of the conventional toll collection device so that the driver can run the vehicle smoothly, and the toll can be settled and collected without fail. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle information notification device that can prevent the vicinity of a receiving gate from being congested.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in the vehicle information notification device of the present invention, the fee is settled by the fee settlement card based on wireless communication performed between the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle and the wireless device.
[0017]
Then, based on the automatic toll collection system information recorded on the recording means and whether the interchange has an automatic toll collection gate corresponding to the automatic toll collection system, the interchange is an automatic toll collection system. ETC gate presence / absence search means that determines whether the ramp is compatible or not, and if the interchange is not compatible with the automatic toll collection system, informs the driver that the interchange is not compatible with the automatic toll collection system Notification processing means.
[0020]
In another vehicular information notification device according to the present invention, the ETC gate presence / absence search means further determines whether or not the interchange is compatible with an automatic toll collection system when entering the rampway from a general road. .
[0021]
In still another vehicle information notifying device of the present invention, the ETC gate presence / absence searching means further determines whether the interchange is compatible with the automatic toll collection system when entering the rampway from the main road of the toll road. Judging.
[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0028]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the vehicle information notifying device in the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0029]
In the figure, 21 is a vehicle-mounted device mounted on a vehicle (not shown) for using an automatic toll collection system on a toll road (not shown) such as an expressway, 23 is a roadside wireless device on the entrance side as a wireless device, 24 Is a roadside wireless device on the exit side as a wireless device, 91 is a gate specifying processing means for specifying a gate to be passed on a toll road, and 92 is an automatic toll collection corresponding gate corresponding to the automatic toll collection system. A gate determination processing means 93 for determining whether or not the ETC gate is a notification processing means for notifying the driver of the determination result by the gate determination processing means 92.
[0030]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an automatic toll collecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an ETC gate at the entrance according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the onboard equipment in an embodiment.
[0031]
In the figure, 11 is a toll road, 12 is an entrance of the toll road 11, 13 is an exit of the toll road 11, and the entrance 12 is provided with a general gate 14 and an ETC gate 15 as a gate for automatic toll collection. A general gate 16 and an ETC gate 17 are installed. The general gates 14 and 16 are gates for the vehicle 20 that passes through the toll road 11 without using the automatic toll collection system, and the ETC gates 15 and 17 pass through the toll road 11 using the toll collection system. It is a gate for the vehicle 20 to perform. A roadside wireless device 23 as a wireless device for performing wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device 21 is disposed in the ETC gate 15, a roadside wireless device 24 is disposed in the ETC gate 17, and the roadside wireless devices 23, 24 are It is connected to the control device 26.
[0032]
In FIG. 2, a general gate 14 and an ETC gate 15 are installed at the entrance 12, and one general gate 16 and an ETC gate 17 are installed at the exit 13, respectively. Two or more gates can be installed.
[0033]
The ETC gate 15 includes a roadside wireless device 23, vehicle detectors 31 to 33 that detect the vehicle 20 passing through the ETC gate 15, a start controller 34 for stopping the vehicle 20 as necessary, and the vehicle 20. A roadside indicator 35 that displays whether or not the vehicle is allowed to pass, and a camera 36 for photographing the vehicle 20 as necessary.
[0034]
In addition, a roadside wireless device for a notice for notifying the entrance 12 by performing wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device 21 on the rampway 38 before the ETC gate 15 for entering the toll road 11 from the general road. 39, information on whether or not the automatic toll collection system can be used at a predetermined interchange, information on a card for payment settlement that can be written and read, that is, information on the IC card 41 as a card for fee settlement Etc. can be transmitted and received between the vehicle-mounted device 21 and the roadside apparatus 39.
[0035]
In addition to the roadside radio device 24, the ETC gate 17 includes a vehicle detector (not shown) for detecting the vehicle 20 passing through the ETC gate 17, and a start controller (not shown) for stopping the vehicle 20 as necessary. A roadside indicator (not shown) that displays whether or not the vehicle 20 is allowed to pass and a camera (not shown) for photographing the vehicle 20 are provided as necessary.
[0036]
A rampway (not shown) in front of the ETC gate 17 for exiting the toll road 11 from the toll road 11 is used for a notice (not shown) for notifying the exit 13 by performing wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device 21. A roadside wireless device is provided, and information on whether the automatic toll collection system can be used at a predetermined interchange, information on the IC card 41, etc. can be transmitted and received between the vehicle-mounted device 21 and the roadside wireless device. It can be done.
[0037]
In the general gates 14 and 16, a not-shown pass ticket comprising a magnetic card is used, and a toll collection device is provided to collect a charge based on the pass ticket. For example, the toll collection device is disposed at a general gate 14 and is disposed at a ticketing machine 18 that issues a pass ticket according to the type of the vehicle 20 and a general gate 16, and a predetermined fee is charged based on the pass ticket. A toll collection place 19 is provided. The ticket issuing machine 18 records the type and entrance information of the vehicle 20 on the magnetic stripe or the like of the pass ticket.
[0038]
When the passing ticket is issued by the ticket issuing machine 18 when the vehicle 20 passes the general gate 14, the driver extracts the passing ticket from the ticket issuing machine 18 and passes through the toll road 11. Further, when the driver passes the pass ticket to the toll collector when the vehicle 20 passes through the general gate 16, the toll collector inserts the toll ticket into the toll collector and operates the toll collector. . The toll collector reads out the type and entrance information of the vehicle 20, calculates a fee based on the type and entrance information of the vehicle 20, settles and collects it. The fee can be paid by cash or a card such as a prepaid card, a postpaid card, a credit card, an IC card, or a PC card.
[0039]
By the way, the vehicle-mounted device 21 includes a control unit 43 that performs overall control of the vehicle-mounted device 21, a memory 44 as a first recording unit, a notification unit 45, a card slot 46 into which the IC card 41 is inserted and removed, and a roadside radio. An antenna 48 connected to the control unit 43 is provided to perform wireless communication with the devices 23 and 24. In this case, since the vehicle-mounted device 21 is fixed to the dashboard or the like of the vehicle 20 so that it cannot be easily removed, the vehicle 20 can be specified by the vehicle-mounted device 21. The memory 44 records contract information such as a contract period of a contract previously made between a vehicle owner, a driver, etc., and a road manager, a type of vehicle to be contracted, and the like. Information, interchange data indicating interchange information, and the like are recorded.
[0040]
The control unit 43 is connected to a current position detection device 51 as first current position detection means for detecting the current position of the vehicle 20. The current position detection device 51 includes a GPS (global positioning sensor), an optical or radio beacon sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a distance sensor, a steering sensor, a gyro sensor, and the like.
[0041]
The GPS detects a current position on the earth by receiving radio waves generated by an artificial satellite, and the beacon sensor receives current position information from beacons arranged along a road. Detect position. The geomagnetic sensor detects the azimuth of the vehicle by measuring geomagnetism, and the distance sensor detects a distance between predetermined points on the road. As the distance sensor, for example, a sensor that measures the rotational speed of a wheel and detects a distance based on the rotational speed, a sensor that measures acceleration, integrates the acceleration twice, and detects a distance is used. Can do. The steering sensor is for detecting a rudder angle. For example, an optical rotation sensor attached to a rotating part of a steering wheel, a rotation resistance sensor, an angle sensor attached to a wheel, etc. Is used. The gyro sensor detects a rotational angular velocity of the vehicle. For example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like is used. Then, by integrating the rotational angular velocity detected by the gyro sensor, the direction in which the vehicle is facing can be detected.
[0042]
The GPS and beacon sensors can detect the current position independently. In the case of a distance sensor, the distance detected by the distance sensor and the direction detected by the geomagnetic sensor and the gyro sensor. The current position is detected by combining them. Further, the current position can also be detected by combining the distance detected by the distance sensor and the steering angle detected by the steering sensor.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, the IC card 41 is used, but a PC card or the like can be used instead of the IC card 41. The IC card 41 collects a fee from a prepaid amount like a prepaid card, or collects a fee later from an account of a financial institution such as a postpaid card or a credit card. It is issued based on a contract signed between the driver and the road manager, and in principle, an expiration date is set. Then, in the memory 47 built in the IC card 41, information on the card contents such as the expiration date and the limit of use is recorded. When the IC card 41 has a prepaid card function, a balance is also recorded in the memory 47 as card content information. In the present embodiment, the contract information and the entrance information are recorded in the memory 44, but can also be recorded in the memory 47. In the present embodiment, the balance is recorded in the memory 47, but may be recorded in the memory 44. Furthermore, the contract information, the entrance information, the balance, etc. can be sent to a management center (not shown) by wireless communication and recorded in a memory of the management center.
[0044]
The notification unit 45 includes a display device (not shown), a sound output device (not shown), and the like. The display screen of the display device displays the communication result between the vehicle-mounted device 21 and the roadside wireless devices 23, 24, whether the vehicle-mounted device 21 and the IC card 41 are functioning normally, and the like. Will be notified. As the display device, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, a hologram device that projects a hologram on a windshield, or the like can be used. In addition, the voice output device includes a voice synthesizer and a speaker, and outputs sound information, for example, guidance information composed of voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer, fee information, and the like from the speaker and notifies the driver. In addition to the voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer, it is also possible to output sounds such as high tones and low tones, or various guidance information recorded in advance on a tape, an electronic recording medium, or the like from a speaker.
[0045]
By the way, when the IC card 41 is inserted into the card slot 46, when the vehicle 20 passes through the ETC gates 15 and 17, wireless communication is performed between the vehicle-mounted device 21 and the roadside wireless devices 23 and 24. When the vehicle 20 passes through the ETC gate 15 at the entrance 12, the control unit 26 records entrance information in the memory 44. In addition, when the vehicle 20 passes through the ETC gate 17 at the exit 13, the control unit 43 reads the contract information and the entrance information from the memory 44, calculates the fee based on the contract information and the entrance information, and calculates The notified fee is notified to the driver by the notification unit 45 and is sent to the control device 26. The control device 26 settles and collects the calculated fee.
[0046]
Accordingly, not only is it unnecessary to extract the pass ticket from the ticket issuing machine 18, insert the pass ticket into the toll collection machine, or insert cash based on the calculated fee, but also the contract from the memory 44. Since the processing for reading the information and the entrance information and calculating the fee and the processing for issuing the receipt by the control device 26 can be performed separately, the work in the ETC gates 15 and 17 can be simplified. It is also possible to shorten the time required for this. As a result, even if the number of vehicles passing through increases, the vicinity of the ETC gates 15 and 17 does not become crowded.
[0047]
Even when passing through the general gates 14 and 16, the automatic toll collection system can be used. In that case, the IC card 41 is handed over to a toll collector at a card processing station (not shown) at the general gate 14, and the entrance information is recorded in the memory 44. At the general gate 16, the IC card 41 is sent to the toll collector at the toll collection station 19. You can also pay the fee. For this purpose, an IC card processing machine (not shown) is arranged at the card processing station and the fee collection station 19, and the IC card processing machine and the control device 26 are connected. Similarly, the automatic toll collection system can also be used when passing through an interchange that does not include the ETC gates 15 and 17, that is, a general gate of a non-ETC compatible interchange.
[0048]
Next, information related to the automatic fee collection system, that is, ETC information will be described.
[0049]
FIG. 5 is an image diagram of toll road data in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an ETC data file in the memory in the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0050]
Toll road data as shown in FIG. 5 is recorded in the memory 44 (FIG. 4). The toll road data includes main line data DA1 indicating the main line of the toll road 11 (FIG. 2), main line and rampway. 38 (FIG. 3), branch point data DA2 indicating a branch point, ramp way link data DA3 indicating a link of the ramp way 38, interchange data DA4, and the like.
[0051]
The interchange data DA4 is recorded in an automatic fee collection system information data area (hereinafter referred to as “ETC data area”) 84 formed in the memory 44. The interchange data DA4 includes, for each interchange, position coordinates indicating the position of the interchange, the name of the interchange, information on connection roads of general roads connected to the toll road 11, whether the interchange has ETC gates 15 and 17, that is, interchanges. Is an ETC-compatible interchange or a non-ETC-compatible interchange, an automatic toll collection gate presence / absence flag (hereinafter referred to as “ETC gate presence / absence flag”), ETC gate detailed information, and fee information for each type of vehicle 20 , Automatic toll collection system landmark data (hereinafter referred to as “ETC landmark data”) and the like.
[0052]
The detailed ETC gate information includes a gate number of each gate in the interchange and a gate flag that is set corresponding to the gate number and indicates whether the gate is an ETC gate or a general gate. The ETC landmark data is data for adding a landmark to an ETC compatible interchange on a display screen opened on the display device. In the present embodiment, the interchange data DA4 is recorded in the memory 44, but can also be recorded in the memory 47.
[0053]
Next, the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 21 will be described.
[0054]
7 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted device in the first embodiment, FIG. 8 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted device in the first embodiment, and FIG. Is a third flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a first diagram showing a display example of a message by the display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a second diagram illustrating a display example of a message by the display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0055]
First, when a driver operates an ignition key (not shown) to start an engine (not shown) of the vehicle 20 (FIG. 3), a power supply (not shown) of the vehicle-mounted device 21 is turned on. Then, the first card presence / absence check processing means (not shown) of the control unit 43 (FIG. 4) checks whether or not the IC card 41 is present depending on whether or not the IC card 41 is inserted in the card slot 46, and the IC card 41 is present. Determine whether or not. When the IC card 41 is present, a first card validity determination processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 43 performs a card content check / recording process. In other words, the first card validity judgment processing means reads and checks information on the card contents from the memory 47, judges the validity of the IC card 41, and records the judgment result in the memory 44. Then, the first notification processing unit 93 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 43 displays a predetermined message such as “expiration date has expired” or “balance is insufficient” on the display screen. Is displayed to the driver, the card content information, and the card validity check processing means 92 to determine the card content check result recorded in the memory 44.
[0056]
On the other hand, when the IC card 41 is not present, the control unit 43 notifies the driver that the IC card 41 is not inserted by displaying a message prompting the insertion of the IC card 41 on the display screen. It waits for the IC card 41 to be inserted into the slot 46.
[0057]
Subsequently, a first current position tracking processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 43 performs current position tracking processing, and the current position detection device 51 detects and tracks the current position. In order to use the toll road 11, when the vehicle 20 arrives at a predetermined interchange and enters the ramp way 38 from a general road, the first ETC gate presence / absence retrieval means (not shown) of the control unit 43 receives information on the interchange. , The ETC data area 84 (FIG. 6) is referred to, and the interchange data DA4 connected to the ramp way 38 is extracted from the ramp way link data DA3 of the ramp way 38 in which the vehicle is currently traveling. Based on the ETC gate presence / absence flag of data DA4, it is determined whether the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange or a non-ETC compatible interchange. The first current position tracking processing means constitutes a gate specifying processing means 91 for specifying a gate to pass on the toll road 11.
[0058]
When the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange, the first notification processing means 93 displays a predetermined message such as “ETC gate can be used at the interchange” on the display screen. Thus, the driver is notified that the interchange to be used is an ETC compatible interchange. The first ETC gate presence / absence retrieval means constitutes a gate judgment processing means 92 for judging whether or not the gate is a gate corresponding to the automatic fee collection system.
[0059]
Subsequently, a first reception standby processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 43 waits for reception of radio waves from the roadside apparatus 39 by the vehicle-mounted device 21. Then, when the radio wave is received by the vehicle-mounted device 21, the first vehicle guidance processing means of the control unit 43 is based on the determination result by the first card validity determination processing means recorded in the memory 44. It is determined whether the IC card 41 is valid. If the IC card 41 is valid, the ETC gate guidance process is performed to guide the vehicle 20 to the ETC gate 15. If the IC card 41 is not valid, the general gate guidance process is performed. The vehicle 20 is guided to the general gate 14. At this time, the first notification processing means 93 displays on the display screen, for example, “Guide to ETC gate”, “Expiration date has passed. Is displayed, and the driver is notified that the general gate 14 or the ETC gate 15 will be guided. In this case, since the vehicle 20 is before traveling on the toll road 11, whether or not the IC card 41 is valid is determined, for example, based on whether or not the expiration date of the IC card 41 has elapsed.
[0060]
When the vehicle 20 is guided to the ETC gate 15, the first on-vehicle device side transmission / reception processing means (not shown) of the control unit 43 and the first roadside transmission / reception processing means (not shown) of the control device 26 are transmitted and received on the entrance side information. Process. Further, wireless communication is performed between the roadside apparatus 23 and the vehicle-mounted device 21, and a first entrance information recording processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 43 stores the entrance information sent from the roadside apparatus 23. 44.
[0061]
On the other hand, when the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange, the first notification processing means 93 displays, for example, “There is no ETC gate in the interchange. The driver is notified that the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange. Subsequently, when the vehicle 20 reaches a position a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 15, the first vehicle guidance processing means performs a general gate guidance process to guide the vehicle 20 to the general gate 14. At this time, the first notification processing unit 93 displays a predetermined message such as “Guide to general gate” on the display screen, and notifies the driver that the general gate 14 will be guided.
[0062]
Subsequently, the first current position tracking processing means performs a current position tracking process, and the current position detection device 51 detects and tracks the current position. Then, the driver causes the vehicle 20 to travel to, for example, the nearest interchange of the destination. When the vehicle 20 enters the rampway 38 from the main line of the toll road 11, the first ETC gate presence / absence search means refers to the ETC data area 84 to search for interchange information, and based on the ETC gate presence / absence flag. It is then determined whether the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange or a non-ETC compatible interchange.
[0063]
When the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange, the first notification processing means 93 displays a predetermined message such as “ETC gate can be used at the interchange” on the display screen. Thus, the driver is notified that the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange.
[0064]
Subsequently, a second reception standby processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 43 waits for the vehicle-mounted device 21 to receive a radio wave from the roadside radio device for warning on the exit side.
[0065]
And when the said onboard equipment 21 receives the said electromagnetic wave, the 1st charge calculation process means (not shown) of the control part 43 will calculate a charge based on the said contract information and entrance information. Further, the first vehicle guidance processing means judges whether the IC card 41 is valid based on the judgment result recorded in the memory 44. If the IC card 41 is valid, the ETC gate guidance Processing is performed to guide the vehicle 20 to the ETC gate 17. If the vehicle 20 is not valid, general gate guidance processing is performed to guide the vehicle 20 to the general gate 16. At this time, the first notification processing means 93 displays a message “Balance is insufficient. I will guide you to the general gate” on the display screen as shown in FIG. 11, for example. “Guided to ETC gate”, “Expiration date has passed. Guidance to general gate”, “Price exceeds usage limit. Guide to general gate”, etc. Or the like is displayed, the driver is notified of guidance to the general gate 16 or the ETC gate 17. In this case, since the vehicle 20 has passed the toll road 11, whether or not the IC card 41 is valid is determined not only by whether or not the expiration date of the IC card 41 has elapsed, for example, a balance is calculated. Judgment is made based on whether the fee is higher than the calculated fee and whether or not the calculated fee exceeds the usage limit.
[0066]
When the vehicle 20 is guided to the ETC gate 17, when the vehicle 20 passes through the ETC gate 17, the first onboard equipment side transmission / reception processing means and the first roadside transmission / reception processing means perform exit side information transmission / reception processing. I do. In addition, wireless communication is performed between the roadside device 23 and the vehicle-mounted device 21, and contract information and entrance information are sent to the control device 26. And the control apparatus 26 calculates a charge separately based on the said contract information and entrance information, settles and collects. It is also possible to send the fee calculated by the first fee calculation processing means to the control device 26 and omit the calculation of the fee by the control device 26.
[0067]
On the other hand, when the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange, the first notification processing means 93 displays, for example, “There is no ETC gate in the interchange. The driver is notified that the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange. Subsequently, when the vehicle 20 reaches a position a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 17, the first vehicle guidance processing means performs a general gate guidance process to guide the vehicle 20 to the general gate 16. At this time, the first notification processing unit 93 displays a predetermined message such as “Guide to general gate” on the display screen, and notifies the driver that the general gate 16 will be guided.
[0068]
In the present embodiment, each message is displayed on the display screen of the display device, but each message is output by voice by using a voice output device instead of the display screen of the display device. You can also.
[0069]
Thus, when the automatic toll collection system is to be used when passing through the toll road 11, it enters the ramp way 38 from the general road and reaches the gate of the entrance 12, and from the main line of the toll road 11 to the ramp way. Since the driver can know whether the interchange to be used is an ETC compatible interchange or a non-ETC compatible interchange before entering the exit 38 and reaching the exit 13 gate, the driver can smoothly drive the vehicle 20. .
[0070]
In addition, the driver does not pass through the general gates 14 and 16 assuming that the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange, so that the fee can be reliably settled and collected. .
[0071]
And since it is assumed that the driver is a non-ETC compatible interchange in spite of being an ETC compatible interchange, the vehicle 20 will not be stopped when passing through the ETC gates 15, 17. When there is a large amount, it is possible to prevent the vicinity of the ETC gates 15 and 17 from being congested.
[0072]
Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: The presence or absence of the IC card 41 is checked.
Step S2: It is determined whether or not the IC card 41 is present. If the IC card 41 is present, the process proceeds to step S4. If not, the process proceeds to step S3.
Step S3 The driver is notified that the IC card 41 is not inserted.
Step S4 A card content check / recording process is performed.
Step S5: The card content information is notified to the driver.
Step S6 A current position tracking process is performed.
Step S7 It waits to enter the ramp way 38 from the general road.
Step S8: Interchange information is searched.
Step S9: It is determined whether the interchange is an ETC compatible. If it is an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S11. If not an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S10.
Step S10 The driver is notified that it is a non-ETC compatible interchange.
Step S11 The driver is notified that it is an ETC compatible interchange.
Step S12 Wait for the radio wave to be received by the vehicle-mounted device 21.
Step S13: It is determined whether the IC card 41 is valid. If the IC card 41 is valid, the process proceeds to step S15. If the IC card 41 is not valid, the process proceeds to step S14.
Step S14: General gate guidance processing is performed, and the process proceeds to step S18.
Step S15 ETC gate guidance processing is performed.
Step S16 The entrance side information transmission / reception process is performed.
Step S17 The entrance information is recorded.
Step S18 Current position tracking processing is performed.
Step S19 It waits to enter the ramp way 38 from the main line.
Step S20: Interchange information is searched.
Step S21: It is determined whether the interchange is an ETC compatible. If it is an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S23, and if not an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S22.
Step S22 The driver is notified that it is a non-ETC compatible interchange, and the process proceeds to step S26.
Step S23 The driver is notified that it is an ETC compatible interchange.
Step S24 It waits for radio waves to be received by the vehicle-mounted device 21.
Step S25: Determine whether the IC card 41 is valid. If the IC card 41 is valid, the process proceeds to step S27, and if not valid, the process proceeds to step S26.
Step S26 A general gate guidance process is performed and the process is terminated.
Step S27 An ETC gate guidance process is performed.
Step S28 The exit side information transmission / reception process is performed and the process is terminated.
[0073]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention provided with a navigation device will be described.
[0074]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the vehicle-mounted device / navigation device unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0075]
In the figure, 41 is an IC card as a writable / readable charge settlement card, 47 is a memory built in the IC card 41, 61 is an on-board device mounted on the vehicle 20 (FIG. 2), 71 is the card The navigation device is connected to the vehicle-mounted device 61. The vehicle-mounted device 61 performs wireless communication with the control unit 63 that performs overall control of the vehicle-mounted device 61, the card slot 46 into which the IC card 41 is inserted and removed, and the roadside wireless devices 23 and 24 as wireless devices. For this purpose, an antenna 68 connected to the controller 63 is provided.
[0076]
The navigation device 71 includes a control unit 73 that controls the entire navigation device 71, a data recording unit 72, a memory 74 as a second recording unit, a communication unit 75, a notification unit 76, an input unit 77, and the vehicle 20. A current position detection unit 81 as a second current position detection means for detecting the current position, an antenna 82 connected to the current position detection unit 81, and an antenna 83 connected to the communication unit 75. The notification unit 76 includes a display device (not shown), a sound output device (not shown), and the like. The display screen of the display device displays operation guidance, operation menus, operation key guidance, a route to the destination, guidance along the traveling route, and the like, and the vehicle-mounted device 21 and the roadside wireless device 23. , 24, whether or not the vehicle-mounted device 21 and the IC card 41 are functioning normally is displayed, and the driver is notified. In the present embodiment, the control unit 63 and the control unit 73 are connected by a cable, but may be connected by communication using the antenna 68, the communication unit 75, and the antenna 83.
[0077]
The current position detector 81 includes a GPS, an optical or radio beacon sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a distance sensor, a steering sensor, a gyro sensor, and the like.
[0078]
The data recording unit 72 is composed of a recording medium such as a CD, MD, DVD, and the like, and includes a map data file, an intersection data file, a node data file, a road data file, a photo data file, a hotel in each area, a gas station, a sightseeing spot. A facility information data file in which facility information such as guidance is recorded is provided. In each of these data files, in addition to the data for searching the route, a guide map along the searched route is displayed on the display screen, and characteristic photographs and frame diagrams at intersections or routes are displayed. Various data for displaying the distance to the next intersection, the traveling direction at the next intersection, and other guidance information. The data recording unit 72 also records various data for outputting predetermined information by the audio output device.
[0079]
By the way, intersection data relating to each intersection is recorded in the intersection data file, node data relating to the node is recorded in the node data file, and road data relating to the road is recorded in the road data file, respectively. Road conditions are represented. The node data is an element representing the position and shape of the road in the map data recorded in the map data file, and includes data indicating each node on the road and a link connecting each node. And according to the road data, the width of the road itself, the gradient, the cant, the bank, the road surface condition, the number of lanes of the road, the point where the number of lanes decreases, the point where the width becomes narrower, etc. Is the radius of curvature, intersection, T-junction, corner entrance, etc. In addition to road crossings, downhill roads, uphill roads, road types (toll roads such as expressways, national roads, general roads, etc.) , The ramp way 38 (FIG. 3) of the toll road 11 and the toll booth are represented.
[0080]
The memory 74 is composed of a recording medium such as a magnetic core and a semiconductor memory, and a path to a destination in addition to a RAM and a control program used as a working memory when the control unit 73 performs various arithmetic processes. A ROM in which various programs for searching for a route, route guidance during traveling, determination of a specific section, and the like are recorded. Contract information and entrance information are recorded in the RAM. In the present embodiment, the contract information and the entrance information are recorded in the RAM. However, a memory is provided in the vehicle-mounted device 61 and recorded in the memory 47 or in the memory 47. You can also. Also, predetermined information can be received from the information center or the like by the communication unit 75, recorded in a flash memory or the like, read out and used.
[0081]
As the data recording unit 72, a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a magnetic core, a semiconductor memory, a floppy disk, a magnetic drum, an optical disk, an IC card, or an optical card is used instead of a CD, MD, DVD, or the like. can do. As the memory 74, a recording medium such as a CD, an MD, a DVD, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic drum, an optical disk, an IC card, and an optical card may be used in place of the magnetic core and the semiconductor memory. it can.
[0082]
In the present embodiment, various data are recorded in the data recording unit 72 and various programs are recorded in the ROM. The data and the programs are recorded on the same external recording medium. You can also. In this case, for example, a flash memory (not shown) may be provided in the memory 74, and the data and programs may be read from the external recording medium and written to the flash memory. Therefore, each data and each program can be updated by exchanging an external recording medium. As described above, the program recorded in various recording media can be activated to perform various processes based on the data.
[0083]
Further, the communication unit 75 includes an information sensor (not shown), receives road information such as traffic jams, traffic accident information, and D-GPS information that detects GPS detection errors received by the information sensor. Various types of data are sent to and received from FM transmitters, telephone lines, etc. that are not used.
[0084]
It should be noted that at least a part of each data and each program for realizing the function of the present invention is received by the communication unit 75 via a transmission medium such as a wireless communication network from an information center and recorded in the flash memory or the like. You can also
[0085]
The input unit 77 corrects the position at the start of traveling by operating a keyboard, a mouse, a barcode reader, a light pen, a remote control device for remote control, etc., which are arranged separately from the notification unit 76. Or set a destination. Further, the input unit 77 is configured by a touch panel displayed as an image on a display device, and input is performed by touching a key or menu of the touch panel, or a microphone or the like (not shown) is used as the input unit 77, Input can be made by voice.
[0086]
In the navigation device 71 configured as described above, a guide / display processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 73 displays a current position and a surrounding map on the display screen by performing a guide / display process. When the driver operates the input unit 77 to set a destination, a route search processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 73 searches for a route from the current position to the destination by performing a route search process. When the route is searched, the guidance / display processing means performs route guidance information output processing to display the route, the current position, and the surrounding map on the display screen, and starts route guidance. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle 20 according to the route guidance.
[0087]
Next, the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 61 will be described.
[0088]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0089]
First, when the driver operates an ignition key (not shown) to start an engine (not shown) of the vehicle 20 (FIG. 2), a power supply (not shown) of the vehicle-mounted device 61 (FIG. 12) is turned on. Then, the second card presence / absence check processing means (not shown) of the control unit 63 checks the presence / absence of the IC card 41 based on whether or not the IC card 41 is inserted in the card slot 46 and determines whether or not the IC card 41 is present. To do. When the IC card 41 is present, the second card content checking / recording processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 63 reads and checks the card content information such as the balance, expiration date, and usage limit amount from the memory 47, and checks the contents. Is recorded in a buffer or the like (not shown) of the control unit 63. A transfer processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 63 sends the check content to the navigation device 71 and records it in the memory 74. In the navigation device 71, the control unit 73 notifies the driver of the check contents.
[0090]
On the other hand, if there is no IC card 41, the control unit 63 notifies the navigation device 71 that there is no IC card 41, and the control unit 73 displays a message prompting the insertion of the IC card 41 on the display screen. The driver is notified that the IC card 41 is not inserted, and waits for the IC card 41 to be inserted into the card slot 46.
[0091]
Subsequently, when the vehicle 20 enters the ramp way 38 from the general road in order to use the toll road 11, the third reception standby processing means (not shown) of the control unit 63 is sent from the roadside apparatus 23 by the vehicle-mounted device 61. Wait for radio waves to be received. And when the said onboard equipment 61 receives the said electromagnetic wave, when the vehicle 20 passes the ETC gate 15 as a gate for automatic toll collection, a second onboard equipment side transmission / reception processing means (not shown) of the control unit 63, The second road-side transmission / reception processing unit (not shown) of the control device 26 performs entrance-side information transmission / reception processing. Then, wireless communication is performed between the roadside wireless device 23 and the vehicle-mounted device 61, and the transfer processing means sends the entrance information sent from the roadside wireless device 23 to the navigation device 71. In this case, the name of the interchange specified based on the current position is used as the entrance information.
[0092]
After passing through the ETC gate 15 in this way, the driver travels the vehicle 20 to the nearest interchange of the destination, and enters the ramp way 38 from the main line of the toll road 11, and the control unit 63 is not shown in the fourth. The reception standby processing means waits for the vehicle-mounted device 61 to receive a radio wave from the roadside apparatus 24.
[0093]
And when the said electromagnetic wave is received by the onboard equipment 61, when the vehicle 20 passes the ETC gate 17, the said 2nd onboard equipment side transmission / reception processing means and a 2nd roadside transmission / reception processing means will be an exit side information transmission / reception process. I do. Further, wireless communication is performed between the roadside apparatus 24 and the vehicle-mounted device 61, and the transfer processing unit is information indicating the nearest interchange of the destination sent from the roadside apparatus 24, that is, exit information. Is stored in the memory 74, and the contract information and the exit information are sent to the control device 26. In this case, the name of the interchange specified based on the current position is used as the exit information. And the control apparatus 26 calculates a charge based on the said contract information and exit information, settles and collects.
[0094]
Whether the vehicle 20 has entered the rampway 38 from a general road or whether the vehicle 20 has entered the rampway 38 from the main line of the toll road 11 is determined by the current position of the vehicle 20 detected by the current position detection unit 81, And based on the road data recorded in the data recording part 72, it is performed by using a map matching technique.
[0095]
Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S31: The presence or absence of the IC card 41 is checked.
Step S32: Whether the IC card 41 is present is determined. If the IC card 41 is present, the process proceeds to step S34, and if not, the process proceeds to step S33.
Step S33 The driver is notified that the IC card 41 is not inserted, and the process returns to step S31.
Step S34 A card content check / recording process is performed.
Step S35: The contents of the check are sent to the navigation device.
Step S36 The driver is notified of the check details.
Step S37 It waits for radio waves to be received by the vehicle-mounted device 61.
Step S38: Inlet side information transmission / reception processing is performed.
Step S39 The entrance information is sent to the navigation device 71.
Step S40 It waits for radio waves to be received by the vehicle-mounted device 61.
Step S41 The exit side information transmission / reception process is performed and the process is terminated.
Step S42: Exit information is sent to the navigation device 71.
[0096]
Next, the operation of the navigation device 71 will be described.
[0097]
FIG. 14 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the navigation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the navigation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Is a third flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 17 is a fourth flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 19 is a sixth flowchart showing the operation of the navigation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a sixth flowchart showing the operation of the navigation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0098]
First, the navigation device 71 (FIG. 12) determines whether or not there is a route search request from the driver. When there is a route search request by the driver, the driver sets the destination by operating the input unit 77 and determines whether to give priority to the toll road 11 (FIG. 2) or to give priority to the general road. When the search condition is set, the second route search processing means searches for a route from the current position to the destination by performing route search processing. Note that when setting the destination, a passing point can be set at the same time.
[0099]
Subsequently, the control unit 73 acquires route information from the data recording unit 72 based on the searched route and records it in the memory 74. In this case, when the toll road 11 is prioritized in the route search conditions, a route that gives priority to the toll road 11 is searched, and data on the section of the toll road 11 on the route, the interchange to be used, etc. is stored as route information. 74. Then, the second fee calculation processing means (not shown) of the control unit 73 refers to the road data recorded in the data recording unit 72 and the ETC data area 84 (FIG. 6) of the road data, based on the fee information. The fee for the section traveling on the toll road 11 in the route is calculated and recorded in the memory 74. At this time, the card content information is read from the memory 47, and the charge and the balance are compared to determine whether the charge exceeds the balance. If the fee exceeds the balance, the second notification processing means (not shown) of the control unit 73, for example, “The balance is insufficient. The general gate will be guided.” Based on the card content information on the display screen. Message (see Fig. 11) or a predetermined message such as "Balance is insufficient. Do you want to change the route?" To notify the driver that the fare exceeds the balance. To do. Further, when changing the route, the predetermined section is changed from the toll road 11 to the general road so that the toll road 11 can be used within the balance.
[0100]
Subsequently, the second current position tracking processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 73 performs current position tracking processing, and the current position detecting unit 81 detects and tracks the current position. Then, when the vehicle 20 reaches a predetermined interchange and enters the ramp way 38 from a general road, the second ETC gate presence / absence search means (not shown) of the control unit 73 searches the ETC data area 84 to search for information on the interchange. Referring to FIG. 4, it is determined whether the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange or a non-ETC compatible interchange based on the ETC gate presence / absence flag in the interchange data DA4. The second current position tracking processing means constitutes a gate specifying processing means 91 (FIG. 1) for specifying a gate to pass on the toll road 11.
[0101]
When the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange, the second notification processing means displays a predetermined message such as “ETC gate can be used at the interchange” on the display screen. To notify the driver that the interchange to be used is an ETC compatible interchange.
[0102]
Subsequently, the second current position tracking processing unit performs current position tracking processing, and the current position detecting unit 81 detects and tracks the current position. When the vehicle 20 reaches a position a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 15, the second vehicle guidance processing means (not shown) of the control unit 73 reads the card content information from the memory 47 and compares the charge with the balance. Whether or not the charge exceeds the balance, and based on the result of the determination and the check contents recorded in the memory 74, it is determined whether or not the IC card 41 is valid. In some cases, an ETC gate guidance process is performed to guide the vehicle 20 to the ETC gate 15, and if not valid, a general gate guidance process is performed to guide the vehicle 20 to the general gate 14. When the IC card 41 is valid, the second notification processing means displays a predetermined message such as “I will guide you to the ETC gate” on the display screen, and the IC card 41 is valid. Notify the driver to that effect. In addition, when the IC card 41 is not valid, for example, a predetermined message such as “Balance is insufficient. General gate will be guided” (see FIG. 11) or “the expiration date has passed. A message such as “I will guide you to the general gate.” And “Balance is insufficient. Do you want to change the route?” Is displayed to notify the driver that the IC card 41 is not valid. Then, when changing the route, the predetermined section is changed from the toll road 11 to the general road so that the toll road 11 can be used within the balance.
[0103]
In this case, an interchange closest to the destination in the balance range may be specified, and the route may be searched again so as to get down to the general road at the interchange. In addition, specify the interchanges that can get off to the general road within the balance range (all interchanges from the interchange that entered the toll road 11 to the interchange closest to the destination within the balance range) and select the driver Prompt and re-search the route to get down to the general road at the selected interchange.
[0104]
On the other hand, when the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange, the second notification processing means displays on the display screen, for example, “There is no ETC gate in the interchange. Please remove the card and hand it to the staff”. Is displayed to notify the driver that the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange (see FIG. 10). Subsequently, the second vehicle guidance processing means performs general gate guidance processing to guide the vehicle 20 to the general gate 14. At this time, the second notification processing means displays a message such as “Guide to general gate” on the display screen and notifies the driver that the general gate 14 will be guided.
[0105]
Subsequently, the second current position tracking processing unit performs current position tracking processing, and the current position detecting unit 81 detects and tracks the current position. Then, while the vehicle 20 is traveling on the route until the vehicle 20 reaches the destination, the guidance / display processing means performs route guidance information output processing, thereby displaying the route, current position on the display screen. And the surrounding map is displayed and route guidance is performed.
[0106]
Next, the second current position tracking processing means performs a current position tracking process, and the current position detector 81 detects and tracks the current position. Then, the control unit 73 waits for whether the vehicle 20 has reached the nearest interchange of the destination, that is, waiting for the main road of the toll road 11 to enter the ramp way 38, and from the main line of the toll road 11 to the ramp way 38. When entering, the second ETC gate presence / absence determination processing means (not shown) of the control unit 73 refers to the ETC data area 84 and, based on the ETC gate presence / absence flag, the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange or a non-ETC compatible Determine if it is an interchange.
[0107]
When the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange, the second notification processing means displays a predetermined message such as “ETC gate can be used at the interchange” on the display screen. To notify the driver that the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange. Subsequently, the second vehicle guidance processing means performs an ETC gate guidance process to guide the vehicle 20 to the ETC gate 17. At this time, the second notification processing means notifies the driver of guidance to the ETC gate 17 by displaying a predetermined message such as “Guide to ETC gate” on the display screen.
[0108]
In addition, when the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange, the second notification processing means displays on the display screen, for example, “There is no ETC gate in the interchange. Please remove the card and hand it to the staff”. Is displayed to notify the driver that the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange (see FIG. 10). Subsequently, the second vehicle guidance processing means performs general gate guidance processing to guide the vehicle 20 to the general gate 16. At this time, the second notification processing means displays a message such as “Guide to general gate” on the display screen and notifies the driver that the general gate 16 will be guided. In the present embodiment, the display timing is performed after the vehicle 20 enters the ramp way 38 from the main line, but the interchange is being searched for a route and going to the general road. Can be performed before the vehicle 20 enters the ramp way 38 from the main line.
[0109]
On the other hand, when there is no route search request, the second current position tracking processing unit performs current position tracking processing, and the current position detection unit 81 detects and tracks the current position. In order to use the toll road 11, when the vehicle 20 reaches a predetermined interchange and enters the ramp way 38 from a general road, the second ETC gate presence / absence retrieval means retrieves information on the interchange. With reference to the ETC data area 84, it is determined whether the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange or a non-ETC compatible interchange based on the ETC gate presence / absence flag.
[0110]
When the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange, the second notification processing means displays a predetermined message such as “ETC gate can be used at the interchange” on the display screen. To notify the driver that the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange.
[0111]
Subsequently, the second current position tracking processing unit performs current position tracking processing, and the current position detecting unit 81 detects and tracks the current position. When the vehicle 20 reaches a position a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 15, the second vehicle guidance processing means determines whether the IC card 41 is valid based on the determination result recorded in the memory 74. If the IC card 41 is valid, the ETC gate guidance process is performed to guide the vehicle 20 to the ETC gate 15, and if not valid, the general gate guidance process is performed to guide the vehicle 20 to the general gate 14. . When the IC card 41 is valid, the second notification processing means displays a predetermined message such as “I will guide you to the ETC gate” on the display screen, and the IC card 41 Notify the driver that it is valid. In addition, when the IC card 41 is not valid, for example, a message “Balance is insufficient. I will guide the general gate” is displayed (see FIG. 11), or “the expiration date has passed. A message such as “I will guide you to the gate” and “Balance is insufficient. Do you want to change the route?” Is displayed to notify the driver that the IC card 41 is not valid. Then, when changing the route, the predetermined section is changed from the toll road 11 to the general road so that the toll road 11 can be used within the balance.
[0112]
In addition, when the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange, the second notification processing means displays on the display screen, for example, “There is no ETC gate in the interchange. Please remove the card and hand it to the staff”. Is displayed to notify the driver that the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange (see FIG. 10). Subsequently, the second vehicle guidance processing means performs general gate guidance processing to guide the vehicle 20 to the general gate 14. At this time, the second notification processing means displays a predetermined message such as “Guide to general gate” on the display screen, and notifies the driver that the general gate 14 will be guided.
[0113]
Subsequently, the second current position tracking processing unit performs current position tracking processing, and the current position detecting unit 81 detects and tracks the current position. Then, based on the current position, when it is found that the vehicle 20 has entered the main road of the toll road 11 from the ramp way 38, the entrance information recording processing means (not shown) of the control unit 73 displays the entrance information transferred from the vehicle-mounted device 61. Record in the memory 74.
[0114]
When entering the main road of the toll road 11 in this way, the driver travels the vehicle 20 to the nearest interchange of the destination. Subsequently, the second current position tracking processing unit performs current position tracking processing, and the current position detecting unit 81 detects and tracks the current position. Then, when the vehicle 20 reaches the nearest interchange of the destination and enters the ramp way 38 from the main line of the toll road 11, the exit information recording processing means (not shown) of the control unit 73 outputs the exit information transferred from the vehicle-mounted device 61. Is recorded in the memory 74.
[0115]
Next, the second ETC gate presence / absence retrieval means refers to the ETC data area 84 in order to retrieve information on the interchange, and based on the ETC gate presence / absence flag, whether the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange or non-ETC compatible Determine if it is an interchange.
[0116]
When the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange, the second notification processing means displays a predetermined message such as “ETC gate can be used at the interchange” on the display screen. To notify the driver that the interchange is an ETC compatible interchange.
[0117]
Subsequently, the second fee calculation processing means calculates and records a fee based on the contract information and the entrance information. The second card validity determination processing unit (not shown) of the control unit 73 performs card validity determination processing, reads the check contents from the memory 74, and determines the validity of the IC card 41 based on the check contents. The determination result is recorded in the memory 74.
[0118]
On the other hand, when the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange, the second notification processing means displays on the display screen, for example, “There is no ETC gate in the interchange. Please remove the card and hand it to the staff”. By displaying a message, the driver is notified that the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange. Subsequently, the second vehicle guidance processing means performs general gate guidance processing to guide the vehicle 20 to the general gate 16. At this time, the second notification processing means displays a predetermined message such as “Guide to general gate” on the display screen and notifies the driver that the general gate 16 will be guided. In the present embodiment, the display timing is performed after the vehicle 20 enters the ramp way 38 from the main line. However, when an interchange to go out on a general road is specified in advance. Alternatively, it can be performed before the vehicle 20 enters the ramp way 38 from the main line.
[0119]
Subsequently, the second current position tracking processing unit performs current position tracking processing, and the current position detecting unit 81 detects and tracks the current position. When the vehicle 20 reaches a position a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 17, the second vehicle guidance processing means determines whether the IC card 41 is valid based on the determination result recorded in the memory 74. If the IC card 41 is valid, ETC gate guidance processing is performed to guide the vehicle 20 to the ETC gate 17, and if not valid, the general gate guidance processing is performed to guide the vehicle 20 to the general gate 16. . When the IC card 41 is valid, the second notification processing means displays a predetermined message such as “I will guide you to the ETC gate” on the display screen, and the IC card 41 is valid. Notify the driver to that effect. In addition, when the IC card 41 is not valid, for example, a message “Balance is insufficient. I will guide the general gate” is displayed (see FIG. 11), or “the expiration date has passed. A message such as “I will guide you to the gate” and “Balance is insufficient. Do you want to change the route?” Is displayed to notify the driver that the IC card 41 is not valid. Then, when changing the route, the predetermined section is changed from the toll road 11 to the general road so that the toll road 11 can be used within the balance.
[0120]
In the present embodiment, each message is displayed on the display screen of the display device. However, each message is voiced by using an audio output device instead of the display screen of the display device. It can also be output.
[0121]
Whether the vehicle 20 has entered the rampway 38 from a general road or whether the vehicle 20 has entered the rampway 38 from the main line of the toll road 11 is determined by the current position of the vehicle 20 detected by the current position detection unit 81, And based on the road data recorded in the data recording part 72, it is performed by using a map matching technique.
[0122]
In this way, when using the automatic toll collection system when passing through the toll road 11, it is necessary to enter the ramp way 38 from the general road and reach the gate of the entrance 12, and from the main road of the toll road 11 to the ramp. By entering the way 38 and reaching the gate of the exit 13, it is possible to know whether the interchange to be used is an ETC compatible interchange or a non-ETC compatible interchange, so that the driver can drive the vehicle 20 smoothly. it can.
[0123]
In addition, the driver does not pass through the general gates 14 and 16 assuming that the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange, so that the fee can be reliably settled and collected. .
[0124]
And since it is assumed that the driver is a non-ETC compatible interchange in spite of being an ETC compatible interchange, the vehicle 20 will not be stopped when passing through the ETC gates 15, 17. When there is a large amount, it is possible to prevent the vicinity of the ETC gates 15 and 17 from being congested.
[0125]
Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S51: It is determined whether there is a route search request. If there is a route search request, the process proceeds to step S52, and if not, the process proceeds to step S79.
Step S52: The destination is set.
Step S53: Route search conditions are set.
Step S54: Route search processing is performed.
Step S55: Route information is acquired and recorded.
Step S56: Calculate and record the fee.
Step S57 A current position tracking process is performed.
Step S58 It waits to enter the ramp way 38 from a general road.
Step S59: Interchange information is searched.
Step S60: It is determined whether the interchange is an ETC compatible. If it is an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S63. If it is not an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S61.
Step S61 The driver is notified that it is a non-ETC compatible interchange.
Step S62: General gate guidance processing is performed, and the process proceeds to step S68.
Step S63 The driver is notified that it is an ETC compatible interchange.
Step S64 A current position tracking process is performed.
Step S65: It is determined whether or not a position a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 15 has been reached. If it has reached a position a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 15, the process proceeds to step S66, and if not, the process returns to step S64.
Step S66: to determine whether the IC card 41 is valid. If the IC card 41 is valid, the process proceeds to step S67. If the IC card 41 is not valid, the process proceeds to step S62.
Step S67 ETC gate guidance processing is performed.
Step S68 A current position tracking process is performed.
Step S69: It is determined whether the vehicle is traveling on the route. If the vehicle is traveling on the route, the process proceeds to step S70. If the vehicle is not traveling, the process returns to step S54.
Step S70: Route guidance information output processing is performed.
Step S71 A current position tracking process is performed.
Step S72 It waits to enter the ramp way 38 from the main line.
Step S73: Interchange information is searched.
Step S74: It is determined whether the interchange is an ETC compatible. If it is an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S77. If not an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S75.
Step S75 The driver is notified that it is a non-ETC compatible interchange.
Step S76: A general gate guidance process is performed, and the process ends.
Step S77 The driver is notified that the interchange is compatible with ETC.
Step S78 The ETC gate guidance process is performed and the process is terminated.
Step S79 A current position tracking process is performed.
Step S80 It waits to enter the ramp way 38 from a general road.
Step S81: Interchange information is searched.
Step S82: Whether the interchange is an ETC compatible or not is determined. If it is an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S85. If it is not an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S83.
Step S83 The driver is notified that it is a non-ETC compatible interchange.
Step S84: General gate guidance processing is performed, and the process proceeds to step S93.
Step S85 The driver is notified that it is an ETC compatible interchange.
Step S86 A current position tracking process is performed.
Step S87: It is determined whether or not a position a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 15 has been reached. If it has reached a position a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 15, the process proceeds to step S88, and if not, the process returns to step S86.
Step S88: It is determined whether the IC card 41 is valid. If the IC card 41 is valid, the process proceeds to step S89; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S84.
Step S89 An ETC gate guidance process is performed.
Step S90 A current position tracking process is performed.
Step S91 It waits to enter the main line from the ramp way 38.
Step S92 The entrance information is recorded.
Step S93 The current position tracking process is performed.
Step S94 It waits to enter the ramp way 38 from the main line.
Step S95: Exit information is recorded.
Step S96: Interchange information is searched.
Step S97: Determine whether the interchange is an ETC compatible. If it is an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S100, and if it is not an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S98.
Step S98 The driver is notified that it is a non-ETC compatible interchange.
Step S99 A general gate guidance process is performed and the process is terminated.
Step S100 The driver is notified that it is an ETC compatible interchange.
Step S101 Calculate and record a charge.
Step S102: Card validity judgment processing is performed.
Step S103 The current position tracking process is performed.
Step S104: It is determined whether or not a position a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 17 has been reached. If the position has reached a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 17, the process proceeds to step S105, and if not, the process returns to step S103.
Step S105: Determine whether the IC card 41 is valid. If the IC card 41 is valid, the process proceeds to step S107. If the IC card 41 is not valid, the process proceeds to step S106.
Step S106: General gate guidance processing is performed and the processing is terminated.
Step S107 An ETC gate guidance process is performed and the process ends.
[0126]
By the way, after passing through a predetermined toll road 11, there is a case of transferring to another toll road connected to the toll road 11. Therefore, it is determined whether other toll roads are toll roads that support automatic toll collection (hereinafter referred to as “ETC toll roads”), and if they are ETC toll roads, an automatic toll collection system can be used. A third embodiment which can be performed will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 2nd Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol.
[0127]
20 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 21 is a third flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a toll road connection state in the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a message display example by the display device in the third embodiment of the present invention. Since the first and fourth to sixth flowcharts are the same as those in the second embodiment, the description of FIGS. 14 and 17 to 19 is cited. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where there is a request for a route search is described, but when there is no route search request, after passing through a predetermined toll road 11 (FIG. 2), the toll road 11 The present invention can also be applied when transferring to other toll roads connected to.
[0128]
In this case, according to the route guidance, after entering the main road of the toll road 11 from the ramp way 38 (FIG. 3), the current position detection unit 81 performs the current position tracking process as in the second embodiment, and the vehicle Until the destination 20 reaches the destination, the guidance / display processing means performs route guidance information output processing to display the route, the current position, and the surrounding map on the display screen, thereby performing route guidance.
[0129]
Subsequently, the current position tracking process is performed, and when the vehicle 20 enters the ramp way 38 from the main line of the toll road 11, the second ETC gate presence / absence search means searches the ETC data area 84 (FIG. 6) to search for interchange information. ) To determine whether the interchange 86 is an ETC compatible interchange or a non-ETC compatible interchange.
[0130]
When the interchange 86 is an ETC compatible interchange, the driver is notified that the interchange 86 is an ETC compatible interchange, and the vehicle 20 is guided to the ETC gate 17. When the interchange 86 is a non-ETC compatible interchange, the driver is notified that the interchange 86 is a non-ETC compatible interchange, and the vehicle 20 is guided to the general gate 16. In this way, the vehicle 20 leaves the toll road 11.
[0131]
By the way, when the road 85 is connected to the toll road 11, the vehicle 20 travels on the road 85 when exiting from the interchange 86 of the toll road 11, but when the road 85 is a toll road, The road 85 is entered via the interchange 87.
[0132]
Therefore, the control unit 73 reads out the route information after exiting the interchange 86 from the route information recorded in the memory 74, and determines whether the road 85 is a toll road based on the route information. To do. Then, when the road 85 is a toll road, the second current position tracking processing means performs the current position tracking processing, and when entering the ramp way 38 from the general road, the second ETC gate presence / absence searching means In order to search for information, the ETC data area 84 is referred to, and based on the ETC gate presence / absence flag, it is determined whether the interchange 87 is an ETC compatible interchange or a non-ETC compatible interchange.
[0133]
When the interchange 87 is an ETC compatible interchange, the second notification processing means displays, for example, “The road to be connected is an ETC compatible toll road. An ETC gate can be used at the interchange. The driver is notified that the interchange 87 is an ETC compatible interchange.
[0134]
Subsequently, the second current position tracking processing means performs current position tracking processing, and when the vehicle 20 reaches a position a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 15, the second vehicle guidance processing means If the IC card 41 is valid, the ETC gate guidance process is performed to guide the vehicle 20 to the ETC gate 15. If the IC card 41 is not valid, the general gate guidance process is performed to Guide to gate 14. When the IC card 41 is valid, the second notification processing means displays a predetermined message such as “I will guide you to the ETC gate” on the display screen, and the IC card 41 is valid. Notify the driver to that effect. In addition, when the IC card 41 is not valid, for example, a message “Balance is insufficient. I will guide the general gate” is displayed (see FIG. 11), or “the expiration date has passed. A message such as “I will guide you to the gate” and “Balance is insufficient. Do you want to change the route?” Is displayed to notify the driver that the IC card 41 is not valid. When changing the route, the predetermined section is changed from a toll road to a general road so that the toll road can be used within the range of the balance.
[0135]
Further, when the interchange 87 is a non-ETC compatible interchange, the second notification processing means, for example, “There is no ETC gate at the interchange. Please display a message such as "Please do not have an ETC gate at the interchange. Please remove the card and hand it to the attendant" to indicate that Interchange 87 is not an ETC compatible interchange. The person in charge. In this case, the name of the exit of the interchange 86 and the name of the entrance of the interchange 87 are displayed.
[0136]
In the present embodiment, each message is displayed on the display screen of the display device. However, each message is voiced by using an audio output device instead of the display screen of the display device. It can also be output.
[0137]
In this embodiment, when exiting the interchange 86, after the ETC gate guidance or general gate guidance is performed, the route information after exiting the interchange 86 is read, and the road 85 is determined based on the route information. Whether or not the road 85 is a toll road is determined. When leaving the interchange 86, the driver is notified whether the interchange 86 is an ETC compatible interchange and then whether or not the road 85 is a toll road. It can also be judged. Furthermore, it is possible to determine whether the road 85 is a toll road before notifying the driver whether the interchange 86 is an ETC compatible interchange.
[0138]
Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S111 A current position tracking process is performed.
Step S112: It is determined whether the vehicle is traveling on the route. If the vehicle is traveling on the route, the process proceeds to step S113. If the vehicle is not traveling, the process returns to step S54.
Step S113: Route guidance information output processing is performed.
Step S114 A current position tracking process is performed.
Step S115 It waits to enter the ramp way 38 from the main line.
Step S116: Search for information on the interchange 86.
Step S117: It is determined whether the interchange is an ETC compatible. If it is an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S120, and if not an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S118.
Step S118 The driver is notified that it is a non-ETC compatible interchange.
Step S119: General gate guidance processing is performed.
Step S120 The driver is notified that the interchange is an ETC compatible.
Step S121 An ETC gate guidance process is performed.
Step S122: The route information after exiting the interchange 86 is read.
Step S123: It is determined whether the road 85 is a toll road. If the road 85 is a toll road, the process proceeds to step S124. If the road 85 is not a toll road, the process ends.
Step S124 A current position tracking process is performed.
Step S125 It waits to enter the ramp way 38 from a general road.
Step S126: Search for information on the interchange 87.
Step S127: It is determined whether the interchange is an ETC compatible. If it is an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S130. If not an ETC compatible interchange, the process proceeds to step S128.
Step S128 The driver is notified that the interchange is a non-ETC compatible interchange.
Step S129: Perform general gate guidance processing, and return to step S68.
Step S130 The driver is notified that it is an ETC compatible interchange.
Step S131 A current position tracking process is performed.
Step S132: It is determined whether or not a position a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 15 has been reached. If it has reached a position a predetermined distance before the ETC gate 15, the process proceeds to step S133. If it has not reached, the process returns to step S131.
Step S133: Determine whether the IC card 41 is valid. If the IC card 41 is valid, the process proceeds to step S134; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S129.
Step S134 Perform ETC gate guidance processing, and return to Step S68.
[0139]
In each of the above embodiments, information related to the automatic toll collection system is transmitted and received between the vehicle-mounted devices 21 and 61 and the roadside wireless devices 23 and 24. The information can also be transmitted and received by performing direct wireless communication between them. In that case, information on the current position detected by the current position detection device 51 on the vehicle-mounted device 21 or the current position detection unit 81 on the vehicle-mounted device 61 is transmitted to the information center as needed via the communication unit. When it is determined that the vehicle 20 is approaching the ETC gates 15 and 17 based on the information, the guidance information of the ETC gates 15 and 17 is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted devices 21 and 61. The vehicle-mounted devices 21 and 61 receive the guide information and the like by a communication unit.
[0140]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.
[0141]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the vehicle information notification device, the charge is charged by the charge settlement card based on the wireless communication performed between the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle and the wireless device. Settlement.
[0142]
Then, based on the automatic toll collection system information recorded on the recording means and whether the interchange has an automatic toll collection gate corresponding to the automatic toll collection system, the interchange is an automatic toll collection system. ETC gate presence / absence search means that determines whether the ramp is compatible or not, and if the interchange is not compatible with the automatic toll collection system, informs the driver that the interchange is not compatible with the automatic toll collection system Notification processing means.
[0143]
In this case, the interchange is automatically charged based on the automatic toll collection system information recorded in the recording means and whether the interchange has an automatic toll collection gate corresponding to the automatic toll collection system. The rampway determines whether the system is compatible, and if the interchange is not compatible with the automatic toll collection system, the driver is notified that the interchange is not compatible with the automatic charge collection system.
[0144]
Therefore, the interchange to be used is an automatic toll collection interchange until it reaches the entrance gate by entering the rampway from the general road and before entering the rampway from the main road on the toll road to the exit gate. Since it can be determined whether there is an interchange corresponding to non-fee automatic toll collection, the driver can smoothly drive the vehicle.
[0145]
In addition, the driver will not pass through the general gate assuming that the interchange is compatible with automatic toll collection even though it is a non-toll automatic receipt compatible interchange. it can.
[0146]
And even though it is an automatic toll collection compatible interchange, it is assumed that the driver is a non toll automatic receipt compatible interchange, and the vehicle will not stop when passing through the automatic toll collection compatible gate. When there is a large number of cars, it is possible to prevent the vicinity of the automatic toll collection gate from becoming crowded.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a vehicle information notification device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a toll collection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an ETC gate at the entrance according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the vehicle-mounted device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an image diagram of toll road data according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an ETC data file in the memory according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted device in the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a third flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a first diagram illustrating a message display example by the display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a second diagram illustrating a display example of a message by the display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an on-vehicle device / navigation device unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a first flowchart showing an operation of the navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a third flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a fourth flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a fifth flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a sixth flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device in the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a third flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device in the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a toll road connection state in the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a display example of a message by the display device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Toll road
12 entrance
15, 17 ETC gate
20 vehicles
21, 61 Onboard equipment
23, 24 Roadside radio equipment
38 Rampway
43, 73 Control unit
51 Current position detection device
71 Navigation device
81 Current position detector
91 Gate specific processing means
92 Gate judgment processing means

Claims (3)

The vehicle information notification device to settle the fee by fee payment cards based on radio communication between the vehicle-mounted device and a wireless device mounted on the vehicle, stored in the record unit, the position of interchange, and It said interchange based on the automatic toll receiving system information about whether provided with automatic toll collection corresponding gates corresponding to the automatic toll collection system, to determine whether the interchange is compatible with the automatic toll collection system in the ramp ETC gate presence / absence search means, and notification processing means for notifying the driver that the interchange is not compatible with the automatic toll collection system when the interchange is not compatible with the automatic charge collection system. Vehicle information notification device . Before SL ETC gate existence search means, a general road with the entering the ramp, the vehicle information notifying apparatus according to claim 1 for determining whether interchange corresponds to the automatic toll collection system. The ETC gate existence search means, with the main of the toll road to the ramp way, the vehicle information notifying apparatus according to claim 1 for determining whether interchange corresponds to the automatic toll collection system .

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