JP4747010B2 - Rent fee meter, setting change recording medium, and setting change method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a program execution means that is mounted on a vehicle such as a taxi vehicle or an accompanying vehicle at the time of driving agency, and that functions to calculate a rent fee according to the distance traveled by the program. The present invention relates to a built-in rental fee meter, a setting change recording medium used for changing the function of the rental fee meter, and a setting changing method.

  Conventionally, as this type of meter, there is a taxi meter that calculates and sequentially displays a rental fee according to the travel distance mounted on a taxi vehicle based on an approved fee system. For example, a taxi meter captures and processes a distance signal whose period changes according to axle rotation generated when a distance sensor on the vehicle body side inputs rotation according to axle rotation from a part of the transmission. Is calculated by In addition, the fee system is for ensuring the convenience and reliability of the user while ensuring the clarity of the rental fee.

  However, as a taxi meter, to calculate the rent fee according to the mileage etc. even if the measurement of the mileage that is the basis for calculating the rent fee is not accurate or the measured mileage is accurate If the tariff system applied to is not as approved, taxi meter reliability will be impaired.

  Therefore, in order to use taximeters that operate under the newly approved fare system, taxi operators have traditionally inspected the performance and notation of the taximeter itself after it has been manufactured and shipped. Each test that proves that it passed both inspections (head inspection) and inspections (equipment inspection) of mileage error, notation, etc. (equipment inspection) with taxi meter body mounted on taxi vehicle Seals (head inspection seals and device inspection seals) had to be made respectively. These seals are effective in eliminating the fraud of tampering with mileage measurement and tolling.

  Against this background, conventionally, when the fare system has been revised, a taxi meter already mounted on the taxi vehicle is removed from the taxi vehicle, and an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM inside the taxi vehicle By changing the data and programs related to the charge system stored in the storage means that can hold the stored contents without backup power supply, the charge calculation processing by the new charge system can be performed, and again Attaching to a taxi vehicle and re-use. This is because the change work is related to the inside of the taximeter body, and it is assumed that the taximeter manufacturer works.

  In this change work by the taximeter manufacturer, the data and programs related to the toll system to be changed were stored by using the memory card reader / writer (R / W) that the taximeter prepares for taxi vehicle operation records. The memory card is inserted into the R / W card insertion slot and read to change the data and programs related to the charge system already stored in the storage means. In the case of taximeters not equipped with R / W, a connector for connecting a setting device for changing data and programs is provided, and the change data stored in the memory in the setting device connected via the connector is used. Data and programs are sent and read from the setting device side, and data and programs related to the fee system already stored in the storage means are changed.

  For this reason, what has to be done with the revision of the fare system is that the taxi meter has been removed from the taxi vehicle in order to carry out the work, despite the setting changes accompanying the revision of the fare system. Then, when the taxi meter is attached to the original taxi vehicle after performing the change work, there is a problem accompanied by troublesome work in which both the head test and the device test must be performed again.

  Therefore, in the past, even if the taxi company itself could change data and programs related to the price system on behalf of the taximeter manufacturer without removing the taxi meter from the taxi vehicle, Have been proposed that can be fully accommodated.

  In this proposed taximeter, there is an operation switch that cannot be operated by the shield plate that is always sealed, and only when the operation switch is operated after the seal is released, the work can be changed with a memory card or setting device. It is comprised so that. When the operating fee system is revised, the taxi operator receives a loan from the taximeter manufacturer for the memory card or setting device for revision work, unlocks the shielding plate and operates the operation switch. The memory card or setting device is used for the change, and after that, after the inspection equivalent to the device inspection, the shielding plate is sealed again and the operation switch cannot be operated. Tampering is prevented (for example, see Patent Document 1).

With this proposed taximeter, it is not necessary to remove the taximeter from the taxi vehicle when the tariff system is revised, so the taxi operator can make changes while the taximeter is mounted on the taxi vehicle. The operator only needs to lend the memory card or setting device for the revision work to the taxi operator, and the inspection for the re-sealing of the shielding plate and the sealing work based on the result are performed. Since the device inspection and the sealing work performed based on the result are not necessary, the work performed in accordance with the revision of the fee system is greatly reduced.
JP 2004-46563 A

  However, in the proposed taximeter, although the work to be done with the revision of the fee system has been greatly reduced, inspection and sealing work are still required after the change work when the fee system is revised.

  Therefore, taxis that enable operations that can fully cope with tampering without having to perform inspections and sealing work after changing the functions of taximeters in accordance with changes in data and programs related to fare systems. As a meter, it is determined whether the memory card inserted into the card insertion slot of the memory card R / W or the setting device connected to the connector is genuine for revision, and only when it is authentic In addition to providing a function to perform change processing, the device number for identifying the taximeter and the vehicle body number for identifying the taxi vehicle on which the taximeter is mounted are stored in advance, and the taxi meter charges are displayed during the change processing. It is conceivable to have a function of transmitting to the setting device for display on the display device or to display on the display device of the setting device.

  In such a taximeter, when the change work is performed, the device number as the specific information for specifying the taximeter on the display unit of the taximeter or the setting device and the specific information for specifying the vehicle on which the taximeter is mounted are used. Since the body number is displayed, a record of the displayed equipment number and body number is taken, and this record and a database showing the correspondence between the equipment number and the body number stored in advance as management data By collating, it becomes possible to check whether the change work has been done for things other than taximeters that should be changed in setting information such as data and programs related to the fee system, and the loaned memory card and setting device When diverted to something other than taximeters that should be changed, the records and database are inconsistent. Since seen, it can be prevented from being diverted to the alteration of the fee-based.

  However, this setting change method is not only easy for the operator to make a recording mistake, but basically, the recording by the operator does not perform a change operation that is not in the record, that is, the object of the charge system change Since it does not guarantee that it has not been diverted to falsification of taximeters that are not, it could not be said to be sufficient to prevent diversion of the tariff system.

  In addition, what has been described above has the same function as a taxi meter, and includes a toll meter mounted on an accompanying vehicle at the time of driving agency, and calculates a toll fee according to the distance traveled by the program. Occurs in a rental fare meter with built-in program execution means that realizes the function to perform.

  Therefore, in view of the present situation described above, the present invention enables the operation that makes it difficult for the change of the setting fee information used for changing the setting information to be used for the alteration of the rental fee meter other than the one that needs to be changed. An object is to provide a charge meter, a setting change recording medium, and a setting change method.

As shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. 1 (a), a rental charge meter according to claim 1 made to solve the above-mentioned problem is mounted on a vehicle and operates by a program to perform various processes. As one of the execution means, in the rental fee meter incorporating the rental fee calculation means 101-1, which calculates the rental fee according to the travel distance of the vehicle with reference to the fee information related to the predetermined fee system, Non-volatile storage means 104b, 104c for storing at least one of the program and the fee system information as setting information so as to be electrically rewritable, and a setting for changing the setting information stored in the non-volatile storage means Change information and availability information indicating whether or not the setting change information can be used are acquired from an external storage unit, and the acquired availability information can use the setting change information. The setting change means 101-2 for electrically rewriting and changing the setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage means based on the fixed change information acquired by the information acquisition means. And the availability information is frequency information indicating the number of times the setting change information can be used, and the setting change means 101-2 determines that the constant change information can be used when the frequency information is not 0. When the setting information is changed based on the setting change information based on the determination by the means 101-21 and the determination unit, the number information is decremented to reduce the number of times that can be used. Number of times information changing means 101-22, and writing information to the external storage means to replace the changed number of times information with the previous number of times information. And an outputting unit 101-23 to.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the rent fare calculation means 101-1 incorporated as one of the program execution means for operating the rent fare meter mounted on the vehicle according to the program and performing various processes is provided in advance. A renting fee corresponding to the mileage of the vehicle is calculated with reference to pricing information related to the determined fee system. The non-volatile storage means 104b and 104c store at least one of the program and the fee system information as setting information so as to be electrically rewritable. The setting change unit 101-2 acquires the setting change information for changing the setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage unit and the availability information indicating whether or not the setting change information can be used from the external storage unit, When the acquired availability information indicates that the setting change information can be used, the setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage unit is electrically rewritten and changed based on the setting change information acquired by the information acquisition unit. Accordingly, the non-volatile information based on the setting change information acquired from the external storage means other than the rental charge meter acquired from the external storage means for the availability information indicating that the setting change information can be used by the availability information acquired from the external storage means. The setting information stored in the sex storage means cannot be electrically rewritten and changed. Further, the availability determination unit 101-21 included in the setting change unit 101-2 determines that the fixed change information can be used when the number of times information that is the availability information indicating the number of times the setting change information can be used is not zero. When the number information changing unit 101-22 changes the setting information based on the setting change information based on the determination by the availability determining unit, the number information changing unit 101-22 decrements the number information and reduces the number of times that can be used. The output means 101-23 outputs the changed number information as write information for the external storage means to replace the previous number information. Therefore, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1, a numerical value corresponding to the number of rental charge meters that need to be changed in the setting information is stored as an initial value of the number-of-times information stored in the external storage means. If the change of the setting information of the rental fee meter that needs to be changed is completed, the number of times information becomes 0, so the setting information is changed using the setting change information stored in the external storage means. I can't do that.

The rent meter according to claim 2 , which is made to solve the above-mentioned problem, is a display for displaying the number of times that can be used based on the acquired number of times information on the display unit 110 in the rent meter according to claim 1. Control means 101-24 is further provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the display unit 110 displays the number of times that can be used based on the number of times information acquired by the display control means 101-24, in addition to the operation of the second aspect of the present invention, the display is displayed. It is possible to know the number of rental charge meters whose setting information can be changed according to the setting change information stored in the external storage means.

The rental fare meter according to claim 3 , which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, is the rental fare meter according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the readout area MC 2 storing the setting change information and the number-of-times information are rewritten. The external storage means consisting of a portable recording medium MC having a read / write area MC3 stored freely is detachably mounted, and the setting change information is read from the reading area of the mounted recording medium, Read / write means 160 for reading the number of times information from the read / write area, writing the changed number of times information output by the output means to the read / write area, and rewriting the previous number of times information. It is further provided with the feature.

According to the invention described in claim 3, the external storage means comprising the portable recording medium MC having the reading area MC2 storing the setting change information and the reading / writing area MC3 storing the number of times information in a rewritable manner. The read / write unit 160 that is detachably mounted reads the setting change information from the read area of the mounted recording medium and the frequency information from the read / write area, and the changed number information that the output unit outputs. In addition to the operation of the invention of claim 1 or 2 , the reading provided for collecting taxi vehicle operation data in a portable recording medium is performed. The writing means can be used as the reading / writing means 160.

The setting change recording medium according to claim 4 made to solve the above problem is a setting change recording medium MC used for changing the function of the rent meter according to claim 1 or 2. And a read area for storing the setting change information for changing the setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage means, and a read / write area for storing the number of times information in a rewritable manner. The read / write area is changed by the output means when the setting information stored in the setting information storage means is changed by the setting change information stored in the read area. The number of times information is written and is replaced with the previous number of times information.

According to invention of Claim 4, the setting change information for changing the setting information memorize | stored in the non-volatile storage means is the recording medium MC for setting change used in order to change the function of a rental charge meter And a read / write area in which the number of times information is stored in a rewritable manner. The read / write area is stored in the setting information storage means by the setting change information stored in the read area. When the set information is changed, the changed number of times information output by the output means is written and replaced with the previous number of times information. Therefore, every time the setting information is changed by the setting change information stored in the reading area MC2. The number information stored in the read / write area is changed and decreased.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for changing a setting according to claim 5 , wherein the rental charge meter mounted in the vehicle operates the rental charge calculation means incorporated as one of the program execution means for performing various processes. A non-volatile storage means as set information and at least one of a program to be executed and a fee system information relating to a predetermined fee system that is referred to when the rental fee calculation unit calculates a rental fee according to a travel distance of the vehicle to allowed to rewrite changeably stored, when changing the setting information, the number of information acquires the number information indicating the number of times available setting change information and the setting change information from the external storage unit, and the obtained Indicates that the setting change information can be used, the setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage means is changed based on the acquired setting change information. Characterized in that it.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the program for operating the rental charge calculation means incorporated as one of the program execution means in which the rental charge meter mounted on the vehicle performs various processes, and the rental charge calculation means Stores at least one of the fee system information related to a predetermined fee system that is referred to when calculating the toll fee according to the travel distance of the vehicle as setting information in an electrically rewritable and changeable manner. . When changing the setting information, the setting change information and the number of times information indicating the number of times the setting change information can be used are acquired from the external storage unit, and the acquired number of times information indicates that the setting change information can be used. Based on the acquired setting change information, the setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage means is changed. Therefore, except Chinhashi fee meter acquires count information from the external storage unit number information acquired from the external storage means indicates that the availability of setting change information based on the setting change information acquired from the external memory nonvolatile The setting information stored in the sex storage means cannot be electrically rewritten and changed.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the availability information obtained from the external storage means is obtained from the external storage means except for the rental fee meter obtained from the external storage means, indicating that the availability information obtained from the external storage means can be used. The setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage means cannot be electrically rewritten and changed based on the setting change information, and the setting change is performed together with the availability information indicating that the setting change information can be used from the external storage means. The setting change information used to change the setting information can be changed because the setting information can be changed using the acquired setting change information only when the information is acquired. It is possible to provide a rental fee meter that can be used to make it difficult to be used for tampering with other rental fee meters.

In addition, as an initial value of the number of times information stored in the external storage means, it is possible to store a numerical value corresponding to the number of rental fare meters that need to be changed in setting information, and rent that needs to be changed. When the operation of changing the setting information of the fare meter is completed, the number of times information becomes 0. Therefore, the setting information cannot be changed using the setting change information stored in the external storage means, and is stored in the external storage means. The changed setting information can no longer be used more times than the number stored together as the initial value of the frequency information, and it is possible to operate with sufficient support for falsification of programs related to the fee system and fee system information. Can be.

According to the invention described in claim 2, since it is possible to know the number of rental fee meters that can change the setting information according to the setting change information stored in the external storage means by the displayed numerical value, You can see the completion.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the reading / writing means provided for collecting the taxi vehicle operation data on the portable recording medium can be used as the reading / writing means 160, There is no need to separately provide means for reading and writing to the recording medium.

According to the invention described in claim 4, since the number of times information stored in the read / write area is changed and reduced every time the setting information is changed by the setting change information stored in the read area,
After the number-of-times information becomes 0, the setting change information stored in the external storage unit together with this cannot be used as information for changing the setting information.

According to the invention described in claim 5, the number of times information acquired from the external storage means is acquired from the external storage means except for the rent meter that acquired the number of times information indicating that the setting change information can be used from the external storage means. Since the setting information stored in the non-volatile storage means cannot be electrically rewritten and changed based on the changed setting change information, the setting change information used to change the setting information needs to be changed It is possible to make it difficult to be diverted to tampering with other renting fee meters.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a taxi meter which is an embodiment of a rental charge meter according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, the taximeter includes a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as MCOM) 100 that operates according to a program, and a display unit 110, an operation unit 120, and a signal input / output (I / O) unit connected to the MCOM 100. 130 and a data input / output (I / O) unit 140, which are mounted on a taxi vehicle (not shown) and used.

  The MCOM 100 generates a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a ROM 102 that is a read-only memory, a RAM 103 that is a readable / writable memory, an EEPROM 104 that is an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory, and data for year, month, date, and time. A so-called one-chip microcomputer incorporating a calendar unit 105 and a bus line for interconnecting these with the CPU 101 is preferably used.

  The display unit 110 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel, and a driver that drives the display panel based on display data from the CPU 101, and performs various displays in addition to the display of the rent price. Although not shown in detail, the operation unit 120 includes an option button that can be used as an arbitrary operation button depending on settings in addition to a dedicated operation button such as a tariff operation button essential for a taximeter. Is input to the CPU 101.

  The signal input / output (I / O) unit 130 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals, and a travel sensor (not shown) provided in the taxi vehicle is generated as an input signal according to the travel of the taxi vehicle. A travel signal or the like whose cycle changes according to the vehicle speed is input and taken into the CPU 101. As an output signal, a sign signal or the like is output from the CPU 101 for displaying the tariff state set by the CPU 101 by the tariff operation on a tariff display (not shown) provided in the taxi vehicle and notifying the outside.

  The data input / output (I / O) unit 140 is an interface for inputting and outputting digital data. In the data I / O unit 140, a receipt amount based on the rental fee displayed on the display unit 110 based on the print data output from the CPU 101, and an issue based on the date / time data generated by the calendar unit 105. In addition to the printer 150 that prints the date and the like and issues a receipt, data is read from the memory card in order to collect the operation record data for grasping the operation status of the taxi vehicle in a memory card as a portable recording medium. A memory card reader / writer (R / W) 160 for writing data is connected to the connector. The printer 150 and the memory card R / W 160 are connected to the CPU 101 via, for example, an RS-23C bidirectional communication line. In particular, between the memory card R / W 160 and the CPU 101, write data and read data are connected. Is exchanged.

  The CPU 101 operates as a program execution unit that operates according to a program and performs various processes. Typically, the CPU 101 refers to fee system information related to a predetermined fee system, and calculates a rental fee according to the travel distance of the vehicle. Works as a fare calculation means. Even if the CPU 101 only works as a typical renting fee calculation means, the fare information includes basic distance, basic fee up to the basic distance, meter rising distance after exceeding the basic distance, and charges after each meter rising distance. Information is required as pricing information. The program is based on the function of measuring that the mileage is a basic distance, based on the mileage signal input to the signal I / O unit 130, and that the mileage has been crushed thereafter, the fare information referred to, and the measured distance. It is necessary to have a function to calculate the rent price.

  In addition, for example, when changing the calculation of the rental fee so that it takes into account not only the distance but also the elapsed time, the elapsed time corresponding to the distance after the basic distance driving is added as the pricing information. A change is made to the pricing information, and the program also has a function to measure the time after traveling for the basic distance, and when the measured time reaches the elapsed time before traveling for the distance, After that, it is necessary to make a change to add a function that increases the charge.

  Contrary to the above, when the renting fee calculation means is initially configured to calculate the renting fee taking into account the elapsed time, when changing to not take into account the elapsed time Needs to be changed to delete the elapsed time from the rate information and delete the corresponding function from the program.

  As described above, there is a case where not only the fee system information and the program are changed, but also only one of them is changed. For example, the function of the rental charge calculation means is not changed, and when the basic charge or the subsequent charge is increased, it can be dealt with by revising only the charge system information. On the contrary, when adding a function to calculate the late night premium without changing the pricing system information, the premium is calculated based on the rental charge calculated by the rental charge calculation means. This is the case when a change is made to add a program to realize a function for calculating the rent by adding the rent to the original rent.

  In any case, the setting information can be electrically rewritten so that addition, deletion, revision, etc. can be made to preset information (hereinafter referred to as setting information) such as program and fee information. It is written and stored in the EEPROM 104 as a nonvolatile storage means for storing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the storage of the fee information and program in the EEPROM 104 is performed by dividing the storage area into a fee storage area 104b and a program storage area 104c. Initially, a considerable amount of unrecorded areas 104b2 and 104c2 are secured in addition to the recorded areas 104b1 and 104c1, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the EEPROM 104 includes, as shown in FIG. 3, device information that specifies a taximeter, for example, device information including a device number, and vehicle information that includes a vehicle number on which the taximeter is mounted, for example. It is used for a specific information storage area as specific information storage means for storing the specific information. The reason why the specific information is stored in the EEPROM 104 is known in advance for the device number, but the vehicle information is fixed when the taximeter is mounted on the taxi vehicle and cannot be known before that. This is because it is necessary to be written by the writing means after this. The specific information including the device information and the vehicle body information can be used to specify a taximeter mounted on a specific taxi vehicle.

  The specific information is written into the EEPROM 104 by, for example, disconnecting the printer 150 connected to the connector and connecting a setting device 170 having an operation unit and a display unit instead, and then operating the key of the operation unit. This can be done by inputting specific information.

  The CPU 101 also has setting change information for changing the setting information consisting of the fee system information and the program stored in the EEPROM 104 when the taximeter is switched from the normal mode in which the taximeter operates normally to the change mode, Whether or not the setting change information can be used is acquired from the external storage means, and when the acquired permission information indicates that the setting change information can be used, it is stored in the EEPROM 104 based on the acquired setting change information. It functions as a setting change means for changing the set information.

  Switching from the normal mode of the taximeter to the change mode is easy for anyone by, for example, performing simultaneous operation of two buttons that are not operated together in normal operation among the operation buttons of the operation unit. It is not possible to switch modes, and erroneous operations can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, when the CPU 101 is switched to the change mode, the function of causing the memory card R / W 160 provided for the taximeter to collect the operation record data in the memory card to read and send the data from the memory card. Is given. Thereby, using a memory card which is a portable recording medium as an external storage means, a setting change memory card MC storing setting change information and availability information indicating whether or not the setting change information can be used is stored. By inserting the memory card R / W 160 into the memory card R / W 160 before switching to the change mode, the memory card R / W 160 reads information from the setting change memory card MC, so that the setting change memory card MC as an external storage means Setting change information and availability information can be acquired.

  The CPU 101 temporarily stores the acquired setting change information and availability information in the work area in the RAM 103. Then, when the stored availability information indicates that the setting change information can be used, it functions as a setting changing means for electrically rewriting and changing the setting information already stored in the EEPROM 104 based on the setting change information. As described above, the setting change information includes the program change information and the fee system change information, but the acquired setting change information may be either or both. In any case, the presence / absence of the acquired setting change information is determined, and the charge information and the programs in the areas 104b and 104c in the EEPROM 104 are rewritten and changed in a predetermined order, for example, charge information and program.

  The CPU 101 functioning as the setting change unit obtains, from the external storage unit, the charge system for changing the charge system information stored as the setting information in the EEPROM 104 and the availability information indicating whether the setting change information can be used. When the acquired availability information indicates that the setting change information can be used, the fee information stored in the EEPROM 104 is changed based on the fee change information, and the program stored as the setting information in the EEPROM 104 is changed. Program change information is acquired, and the program stored in the EEPROM 104 is changed based on the acquired program change information.

  As the availability information acquired by the CPU 101 serving as the setting change unit together with the setting change information from the external storage unit, the number information indicating the number of times the setting change information stored in the external storage unit can be used is used. When the availability information is the number of times information, the CPU 101 first displays the numerical value of the acquired number of times information on the display unit 110. From the numerical values displayed on the display unit 110, it is possible to know that the setting information can be changed by the setting change information stored in the external storage means, and the number of renting fare meters that can be further changed. . Then, the CPU 101 serving as a setting change unit serves as an availability determination unit that determines that the fixed change information can be used when the number information is not 0, and when the setting information is changed based on the setting change information by the determination by the availability determination unit, As write information for external storage means to work as a number information change means for decrementing the number of times information and to reduce the number of times that can be used for the number information, and to replace the changed number information with the previous number information Works as output means for output.

  As described above, the CPU 101 serving as the setting change unit needs to change the setting information as the initial value of the number of times information stored in the external storage unit by acting as the availability determination unit, the number of times information changing unit, and the output unit. The number corresponding to the number of taximeters to be stored is memorized, and the number of times is decremented every time the taximeter setting information changing work is completed, and the setting information needs to be changed. When all the taximeters to be changed are changed, the frequency information finally becomes zero. After the count information finally becomes 0, the setting change information stored in the external storage means can no longer be used for the setting change, and as a result, the setting change information is diverted to those other than those that are required. It is possible to prevent the information from being used for falsification.

  Note that the rate information related to the rate system is not so large as the amount of information, so it is possible to revise, delete, and add or change the rate information by rewriting all existing information. It is also possible by rewriting. Regarding the program, the program described in relation to the existing program can be changed by revising, deleting, and adding functions to the existing program by writing the program in the unrecorded area.

  Of course, there are parts of the program that are not affected by revisions, deletions, and additions of functions, so when you change the program, store the program separately in parts that may be affected As for programs stored as potentially affected, it is possible to revise, delete, and add changes by rewriting the entire program including the existing program. In this case, if the amount of information rewriting increases and it takes time, it is better to make changes with partial correction.However, if rewriting is possible and the rewriting time is not so long, all Since it is possible to remove unnecessary programs without leaving unnecessary programs, it is preferable to reduce the unrecorded area prepared in advance in the EEPROM 104.

  Thereafter, the changed number of times information output by the CPU 101 is sent as write information to the memory card R / W 160 via the data I / O unit 140, and the setting change memory attached to the memory card R / W 160 Stored in the card MC.

  Note that the setting change memory card MC as the setting change recording medium used for changing the function of the rental charge meter indicates that the memory card is for setting change as shown in FIG. First read area MC1 storing card identification information and setting change information (charge system change information, program change information) for changing setting information (charge system information, program change) stored in EEPROM 104 are read data And a read / write area MC3 in which a numerical value as the number of times information as read / write information is stored so as to be freely read / written. The numerical value stored in the read / write area MC3 is read together with the setting change information stored in the read area MC2 and acquired by the rent meter, and the setting stored in the EEPROM 104 by the acquired setting change information. When information is changed, it is decremented and changed each time, and is output to the memory card R / W 160 via the data I / O unit 140. The memory card R / W 160 changes the setting. It is stored in the read / write area MC3 of MC.

  The memory card R / W160 in which the setting change memory card MC, which is the recording medium described above, is detachably attached, receives setting change information from the read area MC2 of the attached recording medium, and count information from the read / write area MC3. Are read and written, and the changed number of times information output by the output means is written in the read / write area MC3 to rewrite the previous number of times information.

  Details of the operation of the taximeter outlined above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 showing the processing performed by the CPU 101 in accordance with the program.

  The CPU 101 starts its operation when the power is turned on, and performs a normal mode operation as a taximeter while referring to the pricing information stored in the EEPROM 104 according to the program stored in the ROM 102 or the EEPROM 104. For example, when an actual vehicle tariff button that monitors the operation of the tariff button of the operation unit 120 and instructs the start of renting is operated, the fare corresponding to the mileage of the vehicle is referred to by referring to the fare information related to the predetermined fare system. Processing such as calculating the fare and displaying the fare on the display unit 110 based on the calculated rent, or causing the printer 150 to print a receipt based on the rent fare data and date / time / date data. The normal process to be performed is performed (step S1).

  When the change mode switching operation is performed by two specific operation buttons of the operation unit 120 during the normal process (when step S2 is YES), the CPU 101 switches the operation mode to the change mode, and the memory card R It is determined whether or not a memory card is attached to W160 (step S3). When the CPU 101 determines that the memory card is inserted (when step S3 is YES), the CPU 101 reads and acquires the card identification information from the first read area MC1 of the inserted memory card. It is determined whether or not the memory card is for setting change based on the acquired card identification information (step S4). If the result of determination is not for changing settings (NO in step S4), a message prompting the user to insert the correct card is displayed on the display unit 110 (step S5), and the correct card is awaited.

  When a setting change card is inserted (when step S4 is YES), CPU 101 reads and acquires setting change information of second read area MC2 and number of times information of read / write area MC3. (Step S6), the acquired setting change information is stored in the work area of the RAM 103 (Step S7). Thereafter, the CPU 101 causes the display unit 110 to display based on the numerical value of the acquired number of times information (step S8). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the setting change information can be used based on whether or not the count information is 0 (step S9). Proceed to (Step S16), and if possible (YES), proceed to the next Step S10.

  When the charge change information is included in the setting change information stored in the RAM 103 (when step S10 is YES), the charge information stored in the EEPROM 104 is changed based on the charge change information (step S11). Then, the change of the fee-based information based on all the fee-based change information is completed (when step S10 is NO), and then the program change information is present in the setting change information (when step S12 is YES). Based on the program change information, the program stored in the EEPROM 104 is changed (step S13). When the program change based on all the program change information is completed (when step S12 is NO), the number information is decremented (step S14), and the program is written to the setting change memory card MC. Information is output to the memory card R / W 160 (step S15), and is written in the read / write area MC3 of the setting change memory card MC and replaced with the original number of times information.

  At this time, by displaying on the display unit 110 that the setting information changing operation has been completed, the operator can be notified of the completion of the operation. Then, when the setting change memory card MC is removed from the memory card R / W 160 by the operator (when step S16 is YES), the operation of the taximeter is switched from the change mode to the original normal mode.

  As described above, when the setting information stored in the EEPROM 104 is changed based on the setting change information stored in the setting change memory card MC, the numerical value of the number information is decremented and changed, and then the original number information. Instead, the data is written into the read / write area MC3 of the setting change memory card MC.

  Accordingly, the number of times information stored in the read / write area MC3 of the memory card MC for setting change loaned from the taximeter manufacturer to the taxi operator corresponds to the number of taximeters that need to change the setting information. By storing the numerical value to be stored, the numerical value of the count information becomes 0 when the change work of the taximeter to be changed is completed, and the setting change information stored in the setting change memory card MC is set as the setting information. Therefore, the setting change information of the setting change memory card cannot be used for tampering with anything other than the taximeter to be changed. Moreover, the number of taximeters whose setting information has been changed by the memory card can be captured by the numerical value of the number of times information stored in advance at the time of lending, and the consideration of the lending setting change memory card can be When the setting information is changed according to the number of taximeters changed, it can be effectively used to calculate the consideration.

  In the embodiment described above, the memory card R / W160 for operation recording attached to the taximeter is used as the external storage means, and the memory card, which is a portable recording medium that is detachably attached to the taximeter, is used. Although what was utilized was demonstrated, in the case of the taximeter which does not have the memory card R * W160, the setting device 170 mentioned above for writing specific information in the EEPROM104 can be used.

  In this case, the setting device 170 is provided with an EEPROM that works as a nonvolatile storage means like the memory card and a read / write area MC3, and the numerical value of the number of times information similar to the setting change memory card is written in these areas. To do. When the taximeter is switched to the change mode, the printer 150 is disconnected and the setting device 170 is connected instead, so that the setting change memory card MC mounted on the memory card R / W 160 is used as the external storage means. The same change work as that performed using the EEPROM in the setting device 170 can be performed as an external storage means.

  In the setting change method for changing the setting information of the taximeter with the taximeter having the above-described configuration and the setting change memory card MC, one of the program execution means for the rent meter installed in the vehicle to perform various processes. Set at least one of the program that operates the built-in renting fee calculation means and the fare information related to the predetermined fare system that the renting fee calculation means refers to when calculating the renting fee according to the mileage of the vehicle Information is stored in the EEPROM so as to be electrically rewritable and changeable. When changing the setting information, the setting change information and the availability information indicating whether the setting change information can be used are acquired from the setting change memory card MC, and the acquired availability information indicates that the setting change information can be used. The setting information stored in the EEPROM is changed based on the acquired setting change information. Accordingly, the availability information obtained from the setting change memory card MC is obtained from the setting change memory card MC except for the taximeter that obtained the availability information indicating that the setting change information can be used from the setting change memory card MC. The setting information stored in the EEPROM cannot be electrically rewritten and changed based on the setting change information. When setting changes are made in this way, taxis other than those that require changing the setting change information used to change the setting information to the setting change memory card that is the external storage means used for the setting change work Operation that makes it difficult to be used for tampering with the meter can be made possible. That is, it is possible to prevent a taximeter setting change that should not be changed, that is, a taximeter tampering.

  In the embodiment described above, the case where the availability information indicating whether the setting change information can be used is the frequency information indicating the number of times the setting change information can be used has been described. However, as the availability information, the setting change information is set. Taxi meter specified by the device information mounted on the vehicle specified by the vehicle body information, comprising the device information specifying the taximeter that can be used for changing the information and the vehicle body information specifying the vehicle on which the taxi meter is mounted. Information indicating that the setting change information can be used may be used.

  In this case, information specifying both the taximeter to be changed and the vehicle equipped with it is stored in the read / write area MC3 of the setting memory card in place of the frequency information, and the taxi from which this information has been acquired In the meter, the acquired information is compared with the specific information stored in the specific information storage area 104a of the EEPROM 104. If the information corresponding to the specific information of the taximeter is in the acquired information, the setting change information is Change the setting information using the acquired setting change information as information indicating that it can be used. If the corresponding information is not found in the acquired information, it indicates that the setting change information cannot be used. The setting information may not be changed by the information. In this case, the CPU 101 has device information for identifying the taximeter and body information for identifying the vehicle on which the rental fare meter is mounted, and information corresponding to the specific information stored in the specific information storage area 104a is availability information. It works as an availability determination means for determining that the setting change information can be used. Then, the setting information is changed based on the setting change information by the determination by the availability determination means. Therefore, only the taximeter that stores the specific information corresponding to the availability information stored in the setting change memory card MC together with the setting change information in the specific information storage area 104a can change the setting information by the setting change information. become.

  As described above, when the setting information is changed by the acquired setting change information, the CPU 101 outputs information indicating that the information used as availability information in the change has been used so as not to be read again. Then, writing may be performed corresponding to the availability information stored in the read / write area MC3 of the setting change memory card MC. In such a case, since the setting change information based on the used availability information is never used twice, the same taximeter is not mistakenly changed twice. At this time, when the date and time data for the change work is stored in the read / write area MC3 using the data generated by the calendar unit 105, each taximeter is collected by collecting this data. It becomes possible to manage the change date and time of the setting information.

  However, this method of using specific information is based on the premise that a database of specific information has been built and the taximeter to be changed can be specified upon change. In other words, the method of using the number information as the availability information for the former embodiment is more advantageous.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the rent meter is a taxi meter has been described. However, the present invention is mounted on a companion vehicle in which the fare varies depending on the travel distance of the companion vehicle at the time of driving agency, for example. It can also be applied to a toll meter.

It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the rental charge meter concerning this invention, (a) is a general view, (b) is a partial change figure. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the taximeter which is one Embodiment of the rental charge meter which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the information memorize | stored in the storage area in EEOROM in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of each area allocated in a memory card for setting change in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart which the process in FIG. 2 performs according to a program.

Explanation of symbols

101-1 Rent fee calculation means (CPU)
101-2 Setting change means (CPU)
101-21 availability determination means (CPU)
101-22 Number information changing means (CPU)
101-23 Output means (CPU)
101-24 Display control means (CPU)
101-25 availability determination means (CPU)
104 EEPROM
104a Specific information storage means (specific information storage area)
104b Non-volatile storage means (charge information storage means)
104c Nonvolatile storage means (program storage area)
110 Display unit 160 Reading / writing means (memory card R / W)
MC External storage means (setting change memory card)
MC2 reading area (second reading area)
MC3 read / write area

Claims (5)

As one of the program execution means that is installed in the vehicle and operates according to the program to perform various processes, the toll that calculates the toll according to the distance traveled by referring to the pricing information about the predetermined pricing In rent meter with built-in fee calculation means,
Non-volatile storage means for storing at least one of the program and the fee system information as setting information in an electrically rewritable manner;
The setting change information for changing the setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage means and the availability information indicating whether the setting change information can be used are acquired from the external storage means, and the acquired availability information Indicates that the setting change information can be used, a setting for electrically rewriting and changing the setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage unit based on the fixed change information acquired by the information acquisition unit Change means ,
The availability information is number information indicating the number of times the setting change information can be used,
The setting change means determines whether the fixed change information can be used when the number of times information is not 0, and when the setting information is changed based on the setting change information by the determination by the availability determination means, Number of times information changing means for making a change to the number of times information to decrement the number of times that can be used by decrementing the number of times information, and writing information to the external storage means to replace the changed number of times information with the previous number of times information A fare meter having output means for outputting as a fare meter. The rental charge meter according to claim 1 , further comprising display control means for causing a display unit to display the number of times that can be used based on the acquired number of times information . The external storage means comprising a portable recording medium having a read area storing the setting change information and a read / write area storing the number-of-times information in a rewritable manner is detachably attached and the attached The setting change information is read from the reading area of the recording medium and the number of times information is read from the reading / writing area, and the changed number of times information output by the output means is written to the reading / writing area. Read / write means for rewriting previous count information is further provided.
  The rental charge meter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. A setting change recording medium used for changing the function of the rent meter according to claim 1 or 2,
  A read area storing the setting change information for changing the setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage means;
  A read / write area in which the number of times information is stored in a rewritable manner;
  The read / write area has the changed number of times output by the output means when the setting information stored in the setting information storage means is changed by the setting change information stored in the read area. Information is written and replaced with previous count information
  A setting change recording medium characterized by the above. A program for operating a renting fee calculation means incorporated as one of program execution means for performing various processes by a renting fee meter mounted on the vehicle, and the renting fee calculation means according to the mileage of the vehicle Store at least one of the pricing information related to a predetermined pricing system to be referred to when calculating the running price as setting information so that it can be electrically rewritten and changed in the nonvolatile storage means,
  When changing the setting information, the setting change information and the number information indicating the number of times the setting change information can be used are acquired from the external storage unit, and the acquired number information indicates that the setting change information can be used. The setting information stored in the non-volatile storage unit is changed based on the acquired setting change information.
  A setting change method characterized by that.

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