JPH11306402A - Accounting state reporting device for vehicle, accounting state monitoring device and portable accounting state monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily confirm an accounting state such as proper toll collection in an accounting object area. SOLUTION: Onboard equipment specifies the position of a vehicle from a GPS signal and reports an ID code and car type information or the like (544) and when the certified result of a report is received (546), it is judged whether the vehicle is certified normal or not (548). When the vehicle is not certified as a normal vehicle, a lamp for monitor is continuously flickered (550). Corresponding to the certified result indicating whether the vehicle is normal or not, the lamp for monitor is flickered in a normal pattern or violation pattern so that it can be easily confirmed from the outside of the vehicle whether the vehicle is the normal vehicle or violating vehicle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle charging status notification device, a charging status monitoring device, and a portable charging status monitoring device, and more particularly to a vehicle charging status notification device for notifying the processing status of a charging process to the outside of a vehicle. The present invention relates to a charging status notification device, a charging status monitoring device that monitors a notified processing status, and a portable charging status monitoring device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle traveling on a toll facility, for example, a toll road, is charged according to the type of the vehicle and the traveling distance on the toll road. In order to automatically collect tolls at the entrance gate and exit gate of this toll road, a communication device having an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves to the road side as an interrogator for inquiring information to the corresponding vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as A communication device having an antenna as a transponder for responding to the inquired information (hereinafter referred to as an on-vehicle device) is disposed on a vehicle, and the on-vehicle device and the on-road device are disposed. There is a road-to-vehicle communication system that transmits and receives information wirelessly to perform charging processing. In this system, balance information is stored in advance on a prepaid card, an IC card, or the like, and a billing process is performed by subtracting a charge to be collected from the balance information.

[0003] As described above, when the fee is automatically collected, the fee cannot be properly collected when the prepaid card or the IC card is not possessed or the balance is insufficient. For this reason, there has been proposed a technology in which an external notification lamp is provided in a vehicle, and when a charge cannot be properly collected from the vehicle, the external notification lamp notifies the outside of the vehicle using the external notification lamp (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-7131). reference). According to this technology, when a vehicle corresponding to the above road-to-vehicle communication system cannot pass through an entrance gate or an exit gate without being able to properly collect a fee, a lamp directed to the outside of the vehicle-mounted device is turned on or off. In addition, it is possible for the observer to easily recognize that the fee is not properly collected.

[0004]

However, in the road-to-vehicle communication system, information is exchanged by installing on-road devices at entrances and exits of a charging area such as an entrance gate or an exit gate of a toll road. Is set in a wide range of sections, etc., and if the entrance cannot be specified, a roadside machine must be installed at all places where the entrance is expected to be located, and a large number of monitors must be arranged.

In view of the above facts, the present invention provides a vehicle charging status notification device and a vehicle charging status monitoring device that can easily confirm that a charging status, for example, a proper fee collection has been performed in a charging target area. And a portable charging state monitoring device.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: detecting means for detecting position information indicating a position of a vehicle; and detecting the position information based on a detection result of the detecting means. A charging means for performing a charging process on the vehicle when the vehicle enters a predetermined charging target area; and a notification state mounted on the vehicle and indicating a processing state of the charging process corresponding to the processing state. Notification means for notifying the outside of the vehicle, and continuation means for continuing notification by the notification means while the vehicle is present in the charging target area based on the detection result of the detection means. I have.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle charging status informing device according to the first aspect, the informing unit is a radiating unit that emits an electromagnetic wave to the outside of the vehicle.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the billing status notification device for a vehicle according to the first or second aspect, the notification means is provided near the detection means, the vehicle license plate, or the vehicle license plate. It is characterized by comprising a light source.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle charging state notification device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the notification means changes the notification state in time series. The notification is performed in a predetermined operation pattern.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle charging status informing device according to the fourth aspect, the notifying unit further includes a receiving unit for receiving a pattern signal representing the operation pattern. The processing state is reported to the outside of the vehicle based on a signal.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle charging state notification device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the notification means notifies the processing state to the outside of the vehicle. It comprises an informing means and an in-vehicle informing means for informing the inside of the vehicle, wherein the processing state is informed outside and inside the vehicle.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging status monitoring device for monitoring a notification from a notification unit provided in the vehicle charging status notification device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. Monitoring means.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the charging status monitoring apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the monitoring means monitors the notification by detecting at least brightness.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the charging status monitoring apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the monitoring means is an imaging means capable of capturing one or more images having at least brightness. And

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the charging status monitoring apparatus according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, the monitoring means comprises a predetermined monitoring pattern which is changed in time series. The notification is monitored by detecting at least the brightness in synchronization with the notification.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the charging status monitoring apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the monitoring means further includes a receiving means for receiving a pattern signal representing the monitoring pattern, and based on the pattern signal. And monitoring the notification in synchronization with the monitoring pattern.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the charging state monitoring device according to any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects, the processing state of the charging processing is determined based on a monitoring result of the monitoring means. It is characterized by further comprising a determining means for determining.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the charging status monitoring device according to the twelfth aspect, the determining means compares a notification state of the notification obtained by the monitoring means with a predetermined notification state. And a comparing unit that determines a processing state of the accounting process based on a comparison result of the comparing unit.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable charging state monitoring device, wherein a notification is provided from a notification means provided in the vehicle charging state notification device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. Receiving means for receiving a pattern signal representing a monitoring pattern that is changed in chronological order, and presenting monitoring information corresponding to the monitoring pattern in synchronization with the monitoring pattern based on the pattern signal. Presentation means.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable charging status monitoring apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, the presenting means presents monitoring information at least one of voice and light.

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

Since the location of the vehicle can be identified from the location information, the location, for example, a location determined by latitude and longitude, can be used as a predetermined map information such as a map of the whole of Japan or a map of a predetermined area of prefectures. The vehicle can correspond to the top.

When the vehicle enters a predetermined charging target area based on the detection result of the detecting means,
Execute the charging process for the vehicle. For example, when a predetermined charging target area is defined on the map information,
If it is determined whether or not the position where the vehicle corresponding to the map information exists is included in the charging target area, it is possible to determine whether the vehicle has at least entered the charging target area. Further, for example, in the charging target area, a fee to be collected for an existing vehicle is predetermined. Therefore, when a vehicle enters the charging target area, a predetermined fee should be charged, and a fee to be charged for the entered vehicle is received. The charge, that is, the collection of the fee, can be settled from a card storing balance information such as a prepaid card or an IC card, or a settlement account such as a bank account or a credit card for a user of the vehicle.

The notifying means mounted on the vehicle notifies the processing state of the charging process to the outside of the vehicle in a notification state corresponding to the processing state. The processing state includes at least a proper state indicating a state where charging is properly performed and an incorrect state indicating a state where charging is not performed. By notifying either one of them, it is possible to confirm whether or not the billing has been properly made from outside the vehicle. Therefore, for example, if the notification state to notify when the processing state is the appropriate state is made to correspond and the notification state to non-notification is made to correspond when the processing state is incorrect, it is possible to appropriately determine from the notification or non-notification and to properly It is possible to confirm whether or not a charge has been made. The notification to confirm this processing state is:
This is not always done at the place where the observer is located. Therefore, the continuation unit continues the notification by the notification unit based on the detection result of the detection unit while the vehicle is present in the charging target area.

As described above, in the vehicle charging state notification device of the present invention, the processing state of the charging processing performed when the vehicle enters the charging target area from the position of the vehicle detected by the detecting means is changed to the charging target state. Since the notification can be continuously performed in the area, it is possible to check at an arbitrary position in the charging target area without installing a roadside machine at all places where entry and exit such as entrances and exits are predicted.

As the notifying means, a radiating means for radiating electromagnetic waves to the outside of the vehicle can be used. The electromagnetic waves include light in the visible wavelength band, infrared rays, radio waves including weak ones, and microwaves. As described above, the notification state can be expressed using a waveform of a predetermined frequency, cycle, and amplitude by using an electromagnetic wave.

Here, if the notification means is installed in a place inside the vehicle that is difficult to see from the outside, it is difficult to confirm the processing state of the billing process, that is, the notification state, from outside the vehicle.
Therefore, as described in claim 3, the notification means is a detection means or a vehicle license plate or a light source installed near the vehicle license plate. This allows a monitor or the like to easily confirm the processing state of the charging process visually.

When the above-mentioned notification means notifies either one of the proper state indicating the state where charging is properly performed and the incorrect state indicating the state where charging is not performed, the notification is performed in a single notification state, that is, the electromagnetic wave is transmitted. Emitting the light or turning on the light source may be recognized by a third party other than the observer. Therefore, as described in claim 4, the notification means is caused to perform notification in a predetermined operation pattern in which the notification state is changed in time series. This operation pattern includes a pattern in which a plurality of notification states are combined with a predetermined frequency of electromagnetic waves, a predetermined radiation intensity, a predetermined lighting timing of a light source, and the like as a notification state. By notifying using the operation pattern determined in this way, recognition by a third party can be made difficult.

When the above-mentioned operation pattern is determined inside the vehicle, it can be analyzed by a third party by reverse engineering or the like. Therefore, as described in claim 5,
The notifying unit further includes a receiving unit that receives a pattern signal representing an operation pattern. The operation pattern is determined in advance outside the vehicle and transmitted to the vehicle. The notifying unit notifies the processing state to the outside of the vehicle based on the received pattern signal. Thereby, recognition and analysis by a third party can be made difficult.

Although it is easy to confirm the state of the billing process from outside the vehicle, an occupant inside the vehicle cannot recognize it. Therefore, as set forth in claim 6, the notifying means comprises an outside notifying means for notifying the processing state to the outside of the vehicle and an in-car notifying means for notifying the inside of the vehicle, and notifying the processing state to the outside and the inside of the vehicle. Thus, the processing state can be notified to a supervisor outside the vehicle and an occupant inside the vehicle. In the case where the notifying means is constituted by a lamp or the like which emits light, if the notifying means is included in a predetermined box body and the light is emitted in opposite directions of the outside notifying means and the inside notifying means, it is easy to use. The processing state can be notified to a supervisor outside the vehicle and an occupant inside the vehicle.

Incidentally, the processing status notified to the outside of the vehicle needs to be monitored outside the vehicle. Therefore, the charging status monitoring device according to claim 7 includes monitoring means for monitoring the notification from the notification device provided in the vehicle charging status notification device. As the monitoring means, a means for detecting an electromagnetic wave as described above can be employed. Thus, the notification can be easily monitored from outside the vehicle.

Although the processing state notified to the outside of the vehicle is often performed by electromagnetic waves, a change in the amount of light using a light source or blinking of light is preferably used. Therefore, as described in claim 8, the monitoring means monitors the notification by detecting at least the brightness. As a result, it is possible to perform monitoring in accordance with the change in the amount of light using the light source or the processing state notified by the blinking of the light.

Further, the monitoring means may employ an image pickup means capable of picking up one or a plurality of images having at least brightness. For example, a device having an image sensor such as a TV camera or an image sensor can be used. By using this imaging means, when a notification is made due to a change in brightness, the notification state can be easily detected.

For example, in order to prevent the processing state notified outside the vehicle from being recognized by a third party other than the supervisor, the processing state may be notified in a predetermined operation pattern in which the notification state is changed in time series. is there. Therefore, as described in claim 10, the monitoring unit monitors the notification by detecting at least the brightness in synchronization with a predetermined monitoring pattern that is changed in time series. This synchronizes with the pattern of the notified processing state, so that the monitoring of the notification state can be facilitated.

That is, when the imaging means is used as described above, the monitoring means can monitor the notification by detecting at least the brightness in synchronization with a predetermined monitoring pattern which is changed in time series. . For example, in the case of a notification state in which a lamp blinks as an appropriate state, if an image is taken in accordance with this blinking, it is easy to determine that the notification state is appropriate only when the obtained brightness is always bright.
In addition, in the case of blinking that is not synchronized with the blinking, a notification state including a dark state is set, so that it is easy to determine that the state is not proper.

Further, when synchronizing with the monitoring pattern, if the same pattern is always used, it may be recognized by a third party. Therefore, as set forth in claim 11, the monitoring means further comprises a receiving means for receiving a pattern signal representing the monitoring pattern, and monitors the notification by monitoring the notification in synchronization with the monitoring pattern based on the pattern signal. The confidentiality can be given to the pattern, and the reliability of monitoring the processing state of the charging process from outside the vehicle can be easily increased.

Using the monitoring result by the monitoring means,
The processing state can be easily and automatically determined. Therefore, as set forth in claim 12, the image processing apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines a processing state of the accounting process based on a monitoring result of the monitoring unit. As a result, the processing state of the billing process can be automatically determined easily from outside the vehicle, and monitoring can be easily performed.

The notification state may be distinguishable between a predetermined notification state and other notification states, for example, to determine an appropriate state and an incorrect state. Therefore,
As described in claim 13, the determination means compares the notification state of the notification obtained by the monitoring means with a predetermined notification state, and the processing state of the charging process based on the comparison result of the comparison means. And the processing determining means for determining the notification status, the notification state can be easily determined, and the processing state of the billing process can be easily monitored from outside the vehicle.

If the charging status monitoring device itself is large, its mobility is low, and it is difficult to monitor at an arbitrary point irregularly. Therefore, as described in claim 14, in order to monitor the notification from the notifying unit, a receiving unit that receives a pattern signal representing a monitoring pattern that is changed in time series, and the monitoring unit that monitors the notification based on the pattern signal. And a presentation unit for presenting monitoring information corresponding to the monitoring pattern in synchronization with the pattern. As a result, the convenience and mobility of charging status monitoring are improved.

The presenting means can easily present the monitoring information corresponding to the monitoring pattern by presenting the monitoring information by at least one of voice and light.

[0041]

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

[First Embodiment] In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an automatic charging system that automatically performs a charging process for a vehicle (traveling vehicle) entering a toll facility (charging target area). Things. The automatic billing system used in the present embodiment is based on information exchange between a vehicle-mounted device mounted on a vehicle and a road-side device installed on the ground side, and charges a usage fee (traveling fee). This is a system for settlement.

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

In this embodiment, one or a plurality of relay devices 50 cooperating with the general center 40 are included. Although the details will be described later, the relay device 50 has substantially the same configuration as that of the integrated center 40, and is a device that is in charge of various processes including charging-related processes for the vehicle-mounted device 30.

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

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

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

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

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

Next, the relay device 50 will be described. The relay device 50 has substantially the same configuration as the integrated center 40, but has a function as a monitoring device that monitors whether billing is properly performed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the relay device 50 has a relay control device 130. The relay control device 130
It comprises a microcomputer comprising a CPU 132, a RAM 134, a ROM 136 and an input / output port (I / O) 138, each of which is connected by a bus 140 so that commands and data can be exchanged. In addition, ROM
136 stores a processing routine described later.

The input / output port 138 is connected to a GPS communication device 150 having a GPS antenna 150A, and also connected to a terrestrial communication device 152 having a terrestrial antenna 152A. GPS communication device 150
Is for specifying the position of itself, that is, the position of the integrated center 40, by GPS signals from the GPS satellites 20, 22, and 24. In addition, the terrestrial communication device 152 includes:
This is for communicating or providing information to the vehicle-mounted device 30 mounted on the vehicle by communication, and employs a wireless communication device. Examples of the wireless communication device include FM broadcast, FM text broadcast, well-known radio wave communication, and telephone line communication such as a mobile communication device.

The input / output port 138 includes a vehicle measuring device 154 having an image pickup device 154A, and an image pickup device 156.
A car number photographing device 156 provided with A and a lamp photographing device 158 provided with an image pickup device 158A are connected. In addition, a TV camera or an image sensor can be used for these imaging devices 154A to 158A.

The relay control unit 130 has a floppy disk unit (FDU) 142 into which a floppy disk (hereinafter referred to as FD) as a recording medium can be inserted and removed.
Is connected. Note that processing routines and the like described later are
It is possible to read from and write to the FD using the FDU 142. Therefore, the processing routine described below is performed by the relay control device 1
The processing program recorded in the FD beforehand may be executed via the FDU 142 without being stored in the inside of the FD. Also, a large-capacity storage device (not shown) such as a hard disk device is connected to the relay control device 130, and the processing program recorded in the FD is stored (installed) in the large-capacity storage device (not shown) and executed. You may. The recording medium is a CD-RO
There are optical disks such as M and magneto-optical disks such as MD and MO. When these are used, a CD-ROM device, MD device, MO device, or the like may be used instead of the above-mentioned FDU.

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

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

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

The in-vehicle device 30 including the navigation system of the present embodiment can be connected to a vehicle local area network (not shown) via an input / output port 208.

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

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

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

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

An input / output port 208 is provided with an IC card 232 in which an IC card 232 storing charge balance information and the like is detachable.
A card read / write device 234 is provided. The on-vehicle device 30 stores fixed data such as an ID code including a vehicle number and vehicle type information in advance in a RAM 204 or a ROM 206.
The IC card 232 refers to the charge balance information of the IC card 232 attached by the IC card read / write device 234 and writes the charge balance information to the IC card 232. The IC card includes a prepaid card and a credit card. A monitoring lamp 227 is connected to the input / output port 208. The monitoring lamp 227 is for notifying the outside of the vehicle of the charging processing state.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the monitoring lamp 2
27 can be provided on the front surface 229A of the box 229 and installed on the dashboard of the vehicle such that the light from the monitoring lamp 227 is emitted to the outside of the vehicle. By doing so, the blinking of the monitoring lamp 227 can be easily confirmed from outside the vehicle.

By providing a display lamp that flashes in synchronization with the monitoring lamp 227 at a position different from the monitoring lamp 227, for example, at a position facing the monitoring lamp 227 (the rear surface portion 229B of the box 229), Of the monitoring lamp 227 can be confirmed in the vehicle by the blinking of the display lamp. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the display panel 22 is provided on the rear surface 229B of the box 229.
7S may be installed so that the occupant in the vehicle can easily check the current state of the billing process. in this case,
The display panel 227S includes a display indicating that the user is approaching the chargeable area, a display of a charge amount serving as a reference of the chargeable area, a display of the amount being charged, a start of the charge processing, a display of completion of the charge processing, and a charge processing. It is possible to display, for example, a display indicating that the operation cannot be performed (violation) as the current state.

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

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

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

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. First, the operation of the ground-side device (here, the integrated center 40) will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the general center 40
The information for billing processing is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 30 attached to the vehicle 32.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the general center 40,
In step 300, the GPS satellites 20, 22, 24
The GPS signal is received at the next step 302, that is, the reference position of the general center 40 (reference latitude / longitude P
o), and generates GPS correction information. This GPS correction information is obtained from GPS satellites 20, 22, and 24.
This is for correcting when a signal error is large. Since the general center 40 is fixedly installed, G
This is because even when there is a change in the GPS signals from the PS satellites 20, 22, 24, this can be specified.

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

The chargeable area information is determined by a chargeable area composed of a plurality of predetermined areas. For example, there is a configuration in which the area becomes smaller between the city center and the suburbs as it approaches the city center. As an example of such a charging target area, as shown in FIG. 7, an area A of a circular area at the center, a donut-shaped area B of a substantially concentric circle adjacent to the outer periphery of the area A, and areas A and B In the other area C, the ground side is divided into three parts. Each of these areas can be specified by latitude and longitude and its shape.

The chargeable area information is defined by a chargeable area A composed of a plurality of areas, but the charge amount can be different for each area.
For example, the charge amount is increased as approaching the city center, the charge amount is changed according to the number of uses, the charge amount is changed according to the degree of congestion, or the charge amount is changed according to the use time. be able to. In the following description, these conditions for determining the charge amount are referred to as calculation conditions (charge calculation conditions) for charging.

As the first charge calculation condition, there is the number of times of entering the area shown in the table showing the charge for each area. With this setting, the billing amount increases as the number of times of entry into the center of the billing target area increases.

As the second charge calculation condition, there is an area staying time shown in a table representing a charge for each area. With this setting, the billing amount increases as the staying time at the center of the billing target area increases.

As the third charge calculation condition, there is an area congestion degree shown in a table representing a charge for each area.
Is a vehicle speed (or an average vehicle speed) when the vehicle travels in the area shown in the table showing the charge for each area, and the fifth charge calculation condition is a table showing the charge for each area. There is a total traveling distance in the area that has traveled in the area indicated by.

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

In the present embodiment, area A is defined as a charging area (charging area), and area B surrounding area A is set as an area (buffer) for eliminating the error of the charging area. Area). This is when the position of the vehicle is identified by the GPS system,
This is to take into account errors caused by the GPS system. Area C, which is an area other than areas A and B, is an area that is not charged.

Next, the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 30 will be described. FIG.
As shown in the figure, in the vehicle-mounted device 30 attached to the vehicle,
The following interrupt processing is executed every predetermined time (for example, one minute), and in step 400, information from the ground side, that is, information from the general center 40 (or the relay device 50) is received. As described above, the information from the general center 40 is the charging target area information and the GPS correction information. In the next step 402, it is determined whether the information received is the latest information, and is the latest information. Time step 402
In step 404, the chargeable area is derived, and the GPS correction information is stored.

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

In the next step 412, the obtained latitude and longitude P
In the next step 414, the area to which the latitude and longitude P (t) belongs is determined by associating (t) with the map database stored in advance. Next, in step 416,
The latitude / longitude P (t), the date / time t, and the area are stored as a vehicle presence history. Therefore, the area where the vehicle 32 exists is stored as a history together with the date and time at every predetermined time.

Next, a charging process in the vehicle-mounted device 30 will be described. The billing process is executed every predetermined time. The predetermined time is executed at a predetermined date and time, such as every hour, every predetermined day of the week, every month at a predetermined date, and at a predetermined date and time. Note that, in the present embodiment, the execution of the billing process is performed at the integrated center 40 (or the relay device 50) instead of the predetermined time.
It shall be performed by instructions from the side.

As shown in FIG. 9, in step 420, it is determined whether or not the predetermined date and time or an instruction from the general center 40 (or the relay device 50) has been issued, thereby determining whether the conditions have been met. Judge. If the conditions do not match, the result in step 420 is NO, and the routine ends.

On the other hand, if the conditions match, step 4
In the affirmative at 20, a step 422 obtains history information. This history information is stored in step 416 in FIG.
5 is a list of vehicle presence histories stored in the storage device. In the next step 424, an arithmetic expression (charging calculation expression) is set.
The arithmetic expression is determined by the above-described arithmetic conditions. The calculation condition refers to a condition (charging calculation condition) for determining a charge amount, and includes an area entry frequency, an area stay time, and the like. The charge calculation formula is determined by the calculation conditions. In the following expression (1), the charge calculation expression is shown as a general expression in consideration of the area.

(Charge amount) = f (N _A , N _H , N _I , N _J , t) (1) where N _A is an evaluation for the area (that is, the number of times of entry into the area determined by the charge calculation condition) And stay time) Note that the area may consist of multiple N _H : congestion degree N _I : vehicle speed (average vehicle speed) N _J : total mileage in area t: date and time

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

Next, the operation of the vehicle-mounted device and the ground-side equipment while the vehicle is running will be further described. In the following description,
A case in which the fee fluctuates depending on the number of times the vehicle has entered the charging target area will be described. It is assumed that the vehicle travels along the route Rt from the start point STP to the end point EDP in the area including the areas A to C shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the route Rt shown in FIG.
The relay device 50 is installed with an area in which an image of a vehicle traveling near the upper halfway point PS3 can be taken as a check point CP. The following describes the operation of the ground-side facility performed in the relay device 50.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the power of the vehicle-mounted device is turned on, the routine proceeds to step 500, where the area where the vehicle is currently located is determined. This step 500
Performs the above-described area determination processing (FIG. 8). In the next step 502, it is determined whether or not the area determined in step 500 is a chargeable area. If the area is a chargeable area, the result in step 502 is affirmative, and the next step 5
At 04, it is determined whether or not the previous area is a charging target area (an area determined when this routine was executed last time). When the previous area is not the chargeable area, it means that the vehicle has entered the chargeable area for the first time. Therefore, the result in step 504 is negative, and in the next step 506, the chargeable area entry processing is executed and step 51 is executed.
Proceed to 6. On the other hand, if the previous area is the chargeable area, the result in step 504 is affirmative, and
Proceed to 6.

Step 502 instead of the current chargeable area
If the answer is no, the process proceeds to step 508 to determine whether or not the distance to the chargeable area is within a predetermined distance, thereby determining whether or not the vehicle is approaching the chargeable area. If the distance to the charging target area is within the predetermined distance, the result of step 508 is affirmative, and the next step 5
At 14, information indicating that the vehicle is approaching the chargeable area is provided in the form of an image or a sound, and the process returns to step 500. For example,
The display panel 227S for a certain time (see FIG. 5B)
"Approaching the charging area" is displayed on the
The information can be provided by providing a voice from the display 28 or displaying it on the display of the navigation by the display device 224.

If the result in step 508 is negative, the process proceeds to step 510, where it is determined whether the previous area is a chargeable area. If the previous area is not a chargeable area,
Return to step 500. On the other hand, when the previous time is the chargeable area, it means that the vehicle has left the current chargeable area.
In step 2, as described later, the charging area leaving process is executed, and the process proceeds to step 516.

Therefore, the intermediate point PS1 on the route Rt in FIG.
In step 514, information on approaching the charging target area is provided, and at the midpoint PS2, charging area entry processing when the vehicle first enters the charging target area is performed. Intermediate points PS3, P
In S4, since the previous area is the chargeable area, the process directly proceeds to the next. At the intermediate point PS5, the chargeable area leaving process when leaving the chargeable area is performed.

At step 516, it is determined whether or not the IC card 232 is loaded in the IC card read / write device 234. If the IC card 232 is not loaded in the IC card read / write device 234, the charging process cannot be performed, so the result is negative in step 516, and the process proceeds to step 518 to display a violation. This violation notice,
This is performed by blinking the monitoring lamp 227 in a predetermined violation pattern (for example, a timing indicating repetition of turning on and off for a certain period of time). On the other hand, when the IC card 232 is loaded in the IC card read / write device 234, the billing process can be performed, so that the affirmative determination is made in step 516 without displaying a violation, and the process directly proceeds to step 520. The violation pattern may be a pattern stored in the vehicle-mounted device in advance or a pattern received from the ground.

In step 520, the ID and the like from the ground side
That is, it is determined whether or not an inquiry about fixed data such as an ID code including a vehicle number and vehicle type information is made.
Step 52 after executing the D question processing (details will be described later).
Go to step 4; if negative, step 524
Proceed to. In step 524, it is determined whether or not an inquiry about the position of the vehicle has been made from the ground side. When the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 528 after executing position inquiry processing (details will be described later) in the next step 526, and the result is negative. In some cases, the process proceeds to step 528.

In the next step 528, it is determined whether or not the power of the vehicle-mounted device has been turned off. If the power remains on, the result in step 528 is NO and the process returns to step 500. On the other hand, when the power is turned off, the result in step 528 is affirmative, and in the next step 530, the present state is stored and the present routine is terminated. The current status storage in step 530 stores at least whether or not a violation is displayed in the above processing.

When the monitoring lamp 227 is blinking in a violation pattern, it continues to blink until the power supply of the vehicle-mounted device is shut off. Further, even when the power is shut down, the state is stored, so that it is possible to confirm that the state of the violation has existed before.

Next, the charging area entry processing in step 506 will be described in detail. This charging area entry processing is processing performed when the vehicle enters the charging target area. For example, at the halfway point PS2 (FIG. 7) on the route Rt, it is the time when the vehicle first enters the charging target area.
Is executed.

First, at step 532, it is reported that the vehicle has entered the charging area by transmitting the ID code and the current position. Note that the ID code and the current position may be added with entry information indicating that the vehicle has entered the charging target area, and transmitted. The fact that the vehicle has entered the chargeable area can be determined from the current position of the vehicle and the previous position, and may be determined on the ground side from this history information.

In the next step 534, the judgment of the receipt of the certification result is repeated until the certification result for the entry is received, and if the certification result is received, the next step 5
At 36, it is determined whether or not the own vehicle is certified as an authorized vehicle based on the received certification result. This step 53
At 4, the following information is received from the ground side. When the result of the certification is a regular vehicle, the first regular pattern and the latest billing table, which are blinking patterns of the monitoring lamp 227 indicating that the vehicle is a regular vehicle, are received (transmission from the ground side).
When the result of the certification is a violating vehicle, information for giving a violation notice is received.

The first regular pattern is used to turn on the monitoring lamp 227 at a predetermined timing (for example, to turn on the vehicle for a certain period of time) so that it is possible to confirm from the outside of the vehicle that the own vehicle is a legitimate vehicle capable of charging. And a timing indicating the repetition of turning off the light).
For example, as shown in FIG. 19, turning on of time t, turning off of time t, turning on of time t, and turning off of time 3t are repeated.
Is set as one cycle, and a pattern including two pulses having a pulse width t is set. By using this pattern, periodic blinking can be confirmed from outside the vehicle, and it can be confirmed that the vehicle is a regular vehicle.

If the in-vehicle device receives a result of the certification that is not a valid vehicle, the result in step 536 is NO, and the result in step 542 is negative.
Proceed to and perform violation processing. In this violation process, the monitoring lamp 227 blinks in a predetermined violation pattern different from the first regular pattern (for example, it is turned on at time t) so that it is possible to confirm that the own vehicle is a violation vehicle from outside the vehicle. This is done by repeatedly turning on and off, and constantly blinking).

On the other hand, when the result of the certification as an authorized vehicle is received, the result in step 536 is affirmative, and the next step 53
8, the IC card 232 is the IC card read / write device 2
Then, it is determined whether or not 34 is loaded. IC card 2
When 32 is not loaded, the billing process cannot be executed.
Proceeding to step 542, violation processing is performed. On the other hand, IC
When the card 232 is loaded, the charging process can be performed, so the result is affirmative in step 538, and the process directly proceeds to step 540 without performing the violation process, and the normal process is performed. This normal process is a process of blinking the monitoring lamp 227 in the first normal pattern so that it can be confirmed from outside the vehicle that the IC card 232 is loaded and the vehicle is capable of performing the charging process.

Next, ground-side processing corresponding to the charging area entry processing of the vehicle-mounted device will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, in step 600, the process is repeatedly executed until a report (ID code and vehicle position) including an ID code including an ID, that is, a vehicle number, is received from the ground side. The vehicle position in this report includes at least the current position of the vehicle, and may be a vehicle presence history that is the position up to that point. Upon receiving the report from the on-vehicle device, the process proceeds to step 602, where the received ID
Using the code and the vehicle position, the behavior of the ID code and the vehicle is inspected, and it is determined whether the behavior of the ID code and the vehicle is normal. In addition, ID code inspection
When a legitimate ID code is registered, inspection can be performed by referring to the registered ID code. Inspection of the behavior of the vehicle is performed by associating the position of the received vehicle with a map, etc. An inspection can be performed by determining whether the position is appropriate.

If the ID code or the like is normal, the result in step 602 is affirmative, and in the next step 604, the vehicle is recognized as a regular vehicle. If the ID code or the like is not normal, a negative determination is made in step 602, and in the next step 606, the vehicle is identified as a violating vehicle. In the next step 608, the certification result of the vehicle certified in step 604 or step 606 is transmitted to the vehicle (vehicle-mounted device).

As described above, since the monitoring lamp 227 is blinking in the first regular pattern or the violation pattern according to the certification result indicating whether or not the vehicle is a regular vehicle from the ground side, the charging process can be performed. It can be easily confirmed from outside the vehicle whether the vehicle is a regular vehicle or a violating vehicle that cannot be fulfilled.

Next, the ID inquiry process in step 522 will be described in detail. This ID inquiry process is a process performed when the vehicle is within the check point. For example, the midway point PS3 (FIG. 7) on the route Rt is when the vehicle is within the check point, and the processing in FIG. 13 is executed.

First, at step 544, fixed data such as an ID code and vehicle type information are transmitted to transmit
Reports information related to D code. Note that information indicating whether the IC card is loaded or not loaded may be included.

Next, upon receiving a certification result for the above report (Yes at step 546), it is determined whether or not the own vehicle is certified as a regular vehicle based on the received certification result (step 548). When it is determined that the vehicle is a regular vehicle, the routine ends. On the other hand, when the vehicle is not recognized as a regular vehicle, a violation process of blinking the monitoring lamp 227 in a predetermined violation pattern is performed (step 5).
50).

Next, processing on the ground side, ie, the relay apparatus, corresponding to the ID inquiry processing of the vehicle-mounted device will be described.

As shown in FIG. 14, in step 610, the process is repeatedly executed until a report from the vehicle-mounted device is received. This report includes information including an ID code, a vehicle type, and whether or not an IC card is loaded. When a report from the vehicle-mounted device is received, the process proceeds to step 612, where it is determined whether the received report is normal. This decision is reflected in the report received
The determination includes whether the D code, the vehicle type, and whether or not the IC card is loaded are all included, and whether the ID code and the behavior of the vehicle are normal.

If the report (ID code, etc.) is normal, the result in step 612 is affirmative, and the vehicle type measurement processing is performed in the next step 614. In the vehicle type measurement process, the size, height, presence / absence of towing, and the like of the vehicle are determined using the imaging information captured by the imaging device 154A of the vehicle measurement device 154. In the next step 616, step 6
It is determined whether or not the vehicle type measured in 14 matches the vehicle type in the report received in step 610. If they do not match, the result is negative, proceed to step 620, and if they match, the result is affirmative and proceed to step 618. . Next, step 618
In, the vehicle that received the report is certified as a regular vehicle.
On the other hand, if the report is not normal or the vehicle type does not match, the result is denied in step 612, the vehicle is identified as a violating vehicle in the next step 620, and after the vehicle number is photographed in the next step 622, the process proceeds to step 624. In the next step 624, step 618 or step 620
The certification result of the vehicle certified in the above is sent to the vehicle (vehicle-mounted device).

As described above, since the monitoring lamp 227 blinks in the first regular pattern or the violation pattern according to the result of the certification indicating whether or not the vehicle is a regular vehicle from the ground side, it is determined that the vehicle is a regular vehicle or a violation vehicle. Whether the vehicle is a vehicle can be easily confirmed from outside the vehicle.

Next, the position inquiry process in step 526 will be described in detail. This position inquiry process is a process of inquiring the vehicle about the location. For example, the route Rt
At the upper halfway point PS4 (FIG. 7), the vehicle is located in the chargeable area. Therefore, in order to execute the charge processing, it must be possible to confirm that the position of the vehicle exists in the chargeable area. Therefore, a position inquiry process shown in FIG. 15 is executed.

First, at step 552, the ID code and the current position are reported. In the next step 554, until the certification result is received, the judgment of the certification result reception is repeated,
When the result of the certification is received, in the next step 556, it is determined whether or not the own vehicle is certified as an authorized vehicle based on the received result of the certification. In this step 554, the following information is received from the ground side. When the result of the certification is a regular vehicle, a monitoring lamp 2 indicating that the vehicle is a regular vehicle
The second regular pattern and the latest billing table, which are the 27 blink patterns, are received (transmitted from the ground side). When the result of the certification is a violating vehicle, information for giving a violation notice is received.

If the result of the determination is that the vehicle is not an authorized vehicle, the result in step 556 is NO, and the routine proceeds to step 560, where violation processing is performed. In this violation process, the monitoring lamp 227 is set to a predetermined violation pattern (for example, repeated lighting and extinguishing for a certain period of time) so that the own vehicle can be confirmed from the outside of the vehicle as a violating vehicle in the same manner as described above. This is done by blinking at the timing shown).

On the other hand, when the result of the certification as a legal vehicle is received, the result in step 556 is affirmative, and the next step 55
In step 8, normal processing is performed. This normal process is a process of turning on the monitoring lamp 227 so that it can be rewritten into a second normal pattern representing a normal vehicle and that the charging process can be confirmed from outside the vehicle.

Next, processing on the ground side corresponding to the position inquiry processing of the vehicle-mounted device will be described. As shown in FIG. 16, in step 626, the process is repeatedly executed until a report (ID code and vehicle position) including an ID code including an ID, that is, a vehicle number, is received from the ground side. The vehicle position in this report includes at least the current position of the vehicle, and may be a vehicle presence history that is the position up to that point. When the report from the on-vehicle device is received, the process proceeds to step 628, where the behavior of the vehicle is inspected using the received vehicle position, and it is determined whether the behavior of the vehicle is normal.

If the behavior of the vehicle is normal, the result in step 628 is affirmative, and in the next step 630, the vehicle is recognized as a regular vehicle. If the behavior of the vehicle is not normal, a negative determination is made in step 628 and the vehicle is identified as a violating vehicle in the next step 632. In the next step 634, step 6
The certification result of the vehicle certified in 30 or step 632 is sent out to the vehicle (vehicle-mounted device). Step 6
At 34, the second regular pattern or information is transmitted.

As described above, since the monitoring lamp 227 blinks in the second regular pattern or the violation pattern according to the result of the certification indicating whether or not the vehicle is a regular vehicle from the ground, the vehicle is determined to be a regular vehicle or a violation. Whether the vehicle is a vehicle can be easily confirmed from outside the vehicle.

Further, since the first regular pattern is changed to a second regular pattern different from the first regular pattern,
On the ground side, the state of a regular vehicle can be easily confirmed from outside the vehicle.

Next, the charging area leaving process in step 512 will be described in detail. The charging area leaving process is a process performed when the vehicle leaves the charging target area. For example, at the halfway point PS5 (FIG. 7) on the route Rt, since the vehicle has left the charging target area, the charging region leaving process of FIG. 17 is executed.

First, in step 562, the fact that the user has left the chargeable area is reported by transmitting the ID code and the current position. Note that the fact that the vehicle has left the charging target area can be determined from the current position of the vehicle and the previous position, and may be determined on the ground side from this history information.

In the next step 564, the judgment on the receipt of the certification result is repeated until the certification result for the withdrawal is received, and when the certification result is received, the next step 56
At 6, it is determined whether or not the own vehicle has been recognized as an authorized vehicle based on the result of the determination. In this step 564, the following information is received from the ground side. If the result of the certification is a legal vehicle, the vehicle is a legal vehicle, and therefore, light-off permission information indicating light-off permission for the monitoring lamp 227 for terminating the outside of the vehicle is received (transmission from the ground side). When the result of the certification is a violating vehicle, information for giving a violation notice is received.

If the in-vehicle device receives a certification result that is not a legitimate vehicle, the result in step 566 is negative, and the result in step 572 is negative.
Then, the violating process of blinking the monitoring lamp 227 in a predetermined violating pattern is performed as described above. On the other hand, when the result of the certification as a regular vehicle is received, step 566 is executed.
In the next step 568, it is determined whether or not the IC card 232 is loaded in the IC card read / write device 234. When the IC card 232 is not loaded,
Since the charging process cannot be executed, the process proceeds to step 572, and the violation process is performed. On the other hand, when the IC card 232 is loaded, the charging process can be performed, so the result is affirmative in step 568, and the process proceeds to step 570 without performing the violation process, and the normal process is performed. This normal processing is processing for turning off the monitoring lamp 227 based on the received light-off permission information.

Next, processing on the ground side corresponding to the charging area leaving processing of the vehicle-mounted device will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, in step 636, the process is repeatedly executed until a report (ID code and vehicle position) including an ID code including an ID, that is, a vehicle number, is received from the ground side. When the report from the on-vehicle device is received, the process proceeds to step 638, where the ID code and the vehicle behavior are inspected using the received ID code and vehicle position, and whether the ID code and the vehicle behavior are normal is determined. to decide.

If the ID code or the like is normal, the result in step 638 is affirmative, and in the next step 640, the vehicle is recognized as a regular vehicle. If the ID code or the like is not normal, a negative determination is made in step 638, and in the next step 642, the vehicle is identified as a violating vehicle. In the next step 644, the certification result of the certified vehicle is transmitted to the vehicle (vehicle-mounted device). In step 644, information including a billing process start instruction indicating the start of the billing process is transmitted.

As described above, since the monitoring lamp 227 blinks in the second regular pattern or the violation pattern according to the result of the certification indicating whether or not the vehicle is a regular vehicle from the ground side, the vehicle is a regular vehicle or a violation vehicle. Whether the vehicle is a vehicle can be easily confirmed from outside the vehicle.

When the user leaves the charging area,
When the vehicle is a regular vehicle, the monitoring lamp is turned off to easily confirm that the vehicle is a regular vehicle from outside the vehicle. When the vehicle is a violation vehicle, the monitoring lamp 227 is turned on or blinks in a violation pattern. Therefore, the offending vehicle for which the charging process cannot be performed can be easily confirmed from outside the vehicle.

The above-mentioned violation pattern is always lit,
It may be always off. This makes it easy to determine when the monitoring lamp is checked from outside the vehicle.

In the above embodiment, the case where one monitoring lamp 227 is used has been described. However, the number is not limited to one, and a plurality of lamps may be used in combination.

As shown in FIG. 20, for example, the monitoring lamp 227 is replaced with a plurality of monitoring lamps 227A, 227B,
227C and 227D. In this case, the above-mentioned regular pattern can be made more complicated, and confidentiality can be improved. Further, it can also be used as a vehicle type discriminating lamp indicating the type of the vehicle on which the monitoring lamp is installed, such as a large, medium, small, or two-wheeled vehicle. Table 1 below shows the correspondence between the occupants of the vehicle and the monitoring lamps along the route Rt.

[0132]

[Table 1] In the above embodiment, the case where the monitoring lamp 227 is installed on the dashboard of the vehicle has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the installation inside the vehicle, and may be installed outside the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 21, license plates 34 and 36 are usually attached to the vehicle. By installing a monitoring lamp 38 on the license plates 34 and 36 and connecting it to the vehicle-mounted device 30, a monitoring display is made on the license plates 34 and 36, which makes it easy to confirm from outside the vehicle. Become. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, a monitoring lamp 38 capable of displaying alphanumeric characters and symbols is installed on license plates 34 and 36. The monitoring lamp 38 can display the current state of the vehicle (for example, indicating that the vehicle is a violating vehicle) with alphanumeric characters and symbols. This facilitates confirmation at a position distant from the vehicle.

Next, a description will be given of a process of automatically determining a valid vehicle or a violating vehicle determined in the embodiment from outside the vehicle, that is, on the ground side. Here, it is assumed that the process is executed in the relay device 50, and the process routine will be described. Further, the relay device 50 and the following processing can be set as a monitoring device.

As shown in FIG. 23, when the violation detection processing is executed, the normal pattern is read in step 650. This normal pattern reads all the set normal patterns. In addition, it is preferable to use the normal pattern generated by the signal received from the general center 40 in the relay device 50. By using the regular pattern generated by the received signal, the latest regular pattern can be used,
The confidentiality of the regular pattern can be improved.

At the next step 652, the vehicle is photographed for a certain period of time. This imaging may be performed so as to include at least the monitoring lamp. In step 652, a blinking pattern is extracted from the blinking time of the monitoring lamp 227 of the photographed vehicle. This extraction can be performed by measuring the time interval of turning on or off.

The photographing of the vehicle in step 652 is not limited to the photographing for the predetermined time. For example, if an electronic shutter or the like is provided in the image pickup apparatus and the electronic shutter is opened or closed in synchronization with the regular pattern, it can be synchronized with the blinking of the monitoring lamp. By doing so, it is also possible to take an image only at the time of lighting in synchronization with the blinking of the regular pattern.

In the next step 654, step 650
Then, it is determined whether or not the regular pattern read in the step 2 matches the pattern extracted in the step 652. If they match, the result in step 654 is affirmative, and the vehicle photographed in the next step 656 is determined to be a legitimate vehicle, and this routine ends.

The determination in step 654 can be synchronized with the blinking of the monitoring lamp when the electronic shutter is opened or closed in synchronization with the regular pattern by providing the electronic device with an electronic shutter or the like. Therefore, when only the lighting state is imaged in synchronization with the blinking of the regular pattern, it can be determined that the pattern matches.

For example, when the monitoring lamp 227 blinks in the pattern shown in FIG.
If 2 is set as the detection timing, when the pattern is a normal pattern, the pattern is a normal pattern when the time T1 is on and the time T2 is off. On the other hand, time T1 is turned off and time T
In at least one of the lighting states of No. 2, it can be determined that the pattern does not match, instead of lighting with the regular pattern.

On the other hand, if the patterns do not match, a negative decision is made in step 654, and the flow advances to next step 658 where it is determined that the photographed vehicle is a violating vehicle.
At 60, processing is performed on the offending vehicle. As an example of the process for the offending vehicle, there are processes such as photographing a vehicle number (license plate), photographing an occupant, and notifying a supervisor.

As described above, by photographing the blinking of the monitoring lamp according to the regular pattern, it is possible to easily and automatically discriminate between the regular vehicle and the offending vehicle.

Although the detection of the normal pattern has been described, a violation pattern may be detected. In this case, a specific violation pattern can be detected, and monitoring corresponding to the type of violation can be performed. In the above, the case where the blinking of the monitoring lamp is monitored has been described.
The present invention is not limited to the blinking of light, and may be configured to monitor notification by radio waves. In this case, the waveform such as the cycle, frequency, and amplitude of the radio wave may be used as the regular pattern.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the charge is performed by subtracting the charge from the IC card storing the charge balance information and the like has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the charge processing for the IC card, and is determined by the ID code. The fee may be settled from an account related to the user of the vehicle or a settlement account such as a credit card. In this case, if a card or account that can automatically execute the billing process is determined, the fee is notified to the vehicle-mounted device before debiting from the payable card or account. In addition, the user can confirm in advance the payment of the fee to be charged for the billing target.

[Second Embodiment] In this embodiment, a legitimate vehicle or a violating vehicle described in the above embodiment can be determined from outside the vehicle with a simple and simple configuration. Note that this embodiment has the same configuration as the above embodiment, and thus the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, a monitoring device 52 is configured by using a part of the configuration of the relay device 50 of the above embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, a simple configuration is adopted for facilitating the discrimination between a regular vehicle and a violating vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 24, in the monitoring apparatus 52 of the present embodiment, a terrestrial wave antenna having a terrestrial wave antenna 152A is provided at an input / output port (I / O) 138 of a relay control apparatus 130 composed of a microcomputer. Communication device 15
2. An imaging device 158A such as a TV camera or an image sensor.
Is connected. In addition, the input / output port (I / O) 138 includes the imaging device 15.
A display device 160 for displaying an image photographed by the lamp photographing device 158 provided with 8A is connected. Further, a printing device 166 used for printing a captured image or the like is connected to the input / output port (I / O) 138.

As shown in FIG. 25, in the present embodiment,
The monitoring lamp 39 is connected to the license plate 34 (or 3
6) Provided in the vicinity. FIG. 25 shows the blinking state of the monitoring lamp 39, FIG. 25 (A) shows the lighting state of the monitoring lamp 39, and FIG.
9 shows an extinguished state. In this way, by installing the monitoring lamp 39 near the license plate 34 attached to the vehicle and connecting it to the on-vehicle device 30,
A display for monitoring is displayed on the license plate 34. This facilitates confirmation from outside the vehicle.

Next, a description will be given of a process of determining a legal vehicle or a violating vehicle from outside the vehicle, that is, on the ground side.

As shown in FIG. 26, in the monitoring apparatus 52 according to the present embodiment, first, in step 670, the above-mentioned regular pattern is read. It is preferable that the regular pattern generated by the monitoring device 52 based on the latest signal received from the general center 40 is used. By using the regular pattern generated by the received signal, the latest regular pattern can be used,
The confidentiality of the regular pattern can be improved. The information of the regular pattern may be stored in a floppy disk, and read and used.

In the next step 672, the vicinity of the license plate 34 or 36 of the vehicle is photographed for a certain period of time. This imaging may be performed so as to include at least the monitoring lamp 39. In this step 672, at least two images synchronized with the regular pattern are extracted from a plurality of images photographed for a predetermined time. That is, an image synchronized with turning on or off of the regular pattern is extracted in synchronization with blinking of the regular pattern.

For example, when the monitoring lamp 39 blinks in the pattern shown in FIG. 19, the timings T1 and T2
If the image is extracted at the detection timing, an image that is turned on at time T1 and turned off at time T2 is obtained.

Note that the photographing of the vehicle in step 672 is not limited to the above-described photographing for a predetermined time. For example, if the imaging device is provided with an electronic shutter or the like so that the electronic shutter opens or closes in synchronization with the regular pattern (detection timing), it is possible to perform imaging in synchronization with the blinking of the monitoring lamp. By doing so, it is also possible to take an image only at the time of lighting in synchronization with the blinking of the regular pattern.

In the next step 674, the step 670 is executed.
The light-on image and the light-off image at a predetermined timing based on the regular pattern read in step 672 and the image extracted in step 672 are displayed on the display device 160. This display device 160
When the observer visually observes the image displayed in, it is possible to easily determine whether the vehicle is a regular vehicle or a violating vehicle.

FIG. 27 shows a regular pattern (see FIG. 19).
5 shows the display screen of the display device 160 for displaying the normal state and the violation state when the monitoring lamp 39 is blinked. When the monitoring lamp 39 blinks in a regular pattern (see FIG. 19), the display screen 160A is divided into four parts as shown in FIG.
A, 162C) is the detection timing T
1 and the middle part (the part composed of the regions 162B and 162D) relates to the detection timing time T2. The lower part of the screen (area 162E) relates to the captured image, and displays the date and time at the time of capturing. And
The left part (portion consisting of the areas 162A and 162B) displays the state where the monitoring lamp 39 should be in a regular pattern, and the right part (portion consisting of the areas 162C and 162D) displays the actual captured image. When the monitoring lamp 39 is turned on in a pattern other than the regular pattern, FIG.
(C) or (D).

As described above, by displaying the state in which the monitoring lamp 39 should be turned on or off and the actual photographed image on the same screen in a regular pattern, the observer can use either the regular vehicle or the offending vehicle. It is possible to easily determine whether there is.

The display screen 160A displays the shooting date and time of the shot image. In addition, since the vehicle can be specified by the license plate, if this screen is printed by the printing device 166, the appropriateness of the lighting of the monitoring lamp 39 according to the regular pattern can be stored as an output form.

In the above embodiment, it is possible to discriminate a legitimate vehicle or a violating vehicle from outside the vehicle with a simple and simple configuration by using the monitoring device having the above configuration. A simple device can be configured. A configuration example of the support device will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 28, the support device 170 for supporting the determination of a legitimate vehicle includes a receiving device 172 provided with an antenna 172A, a control device 174, and a presentation device 176, and the reception device 172 and the presentation device 176. Is connected to the control device 174. The receiving device 172 is for receiving a regular pattern similarly to the terrestrial communication device 152. The receiving device 152 only needs to receive the regular pattern, and can be configured with a simple receiver.

The control device 174 is a device for converting a signal representing a regular pattern received by the receiving device 152 into a drive signal for presentation in the presentation device 176. The presentation device 176 is configured by at least one of a sounding body such as a speaker and a buzzer, and a lamp, and presents a normal pattern in a sounding pattern or a light emitting pattern according to the normal pattern by a drive signal from the control device 174.

As described above, since the support device 170 can have a simple configuration, it can be manufactured in a portable size. This allows the watchman to carry and monitor.

[0161] In the above description, an example in which support is performed using a receiving device has been described, but a card reading device may be attached instead of the receiving device. Then, by storing the regular pattern in the IC card and reading the regular pattern, it is possible to support the monitoring pattern read from the IC card even in an area where reception failure or the like is likely to occur.

[0162]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the processing state of the charging process performed when the vehicle enters the charging target area from the position of the vehicle detected by the detecting means is described as follows. Since the notification can be continuously performed in the charging target area, it is possible to check at an arbitrary position in the charging target area without installing a roadside machine at all places where entry and exit such as entrances and exits are predicted. There is.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the radiating means for radiating the electromagnetic wave is used, there is an effect that the device can be easily manufactured.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the notifying means is a detecting means or a light source installed on the vehicle license plate, a monitoring person or the like can easily check the processing state of the charging process visually. There is an effect that can be.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the notification is performed in an operation pattern in which the notification state is changed in a time-series manner, there is an effect that recognition by a third party can be made difficult. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the processing state is reported to the outside of the vehicle based on the received pattern signal, it is possible to make the recognition and analysis by a third party difficult. is there.

According to the invention described in claim 6, since the processing state can be notified to the outside of the vehicle and the inside of the vehicle, it is possible to notify the monitoring person outside the vehicle and the occupant in the vehicle of the processing state. There is.

According to the charging status monitoring apparatus of claim 7, since the notification from the notification device can be monitored by the monitoring device, there is an effect that the processing status of the charging process can be easily monitored from outside the vehicle.

According to the eighth and ninth aspects of the present invention, the notification can be monitored by the brightness detection as the monitoring means. Therefore, when the notification due to the brightness fluctuation is made, the notification state can be easily detected. There is an effect that.

According to the tenth aspect, when the imaging means is used, the notification is monitored by detecting at least the brightness in synchronization with a predetermined monitoring pattern that is changed in time series. This makes it possible to easily determine the processing state.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the pattern signal representing the monitoring pattern is received, and the notification is monitored by detecting at least the brightness in synchronization with the monitoring pattern based on the pattern signal. There is an effect that confidentiality can be given to the monitoring pattern, and the reliability of monitoring the processing state of the charging process from outside the vehicle can be easily increased.

According to the billing state monitoring device of the twelfth aspect,
Since the determining unit determines the processing state of the charging process based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit, there is an effect that the processing state of the charging process can be easily monitored from outside the vehicle.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the determining means compares the notification state of the notification obtained by the monitoring means with a predetermined notification state, and determines the processing state of the charging process based on the comparison result. Since the determination is made, the notification state can be easily determined, and the processing state of the billing process can be easily monitored from outside the vehicle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

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

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a relay device installed on the ground side in the automatic charging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

5A and 5B are perspective views showing an example of an installation body of a monitoring lamp, wherein FIG. 5A shows a front surface, and FIG. 5B shows a rear surface.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an information transmission process executed on the ground side according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing a charging target area.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a charging target area determination process executed in the vehicle-mounted device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a billing process performed in the on-vehicle device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process of operating the vehicle-mounted device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of a charging area entry process of the vehicle-mounted device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a charging area entry process of the ground-side device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of an ID inquiry process of the vehicle-mounted device.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of an ID inquiry process (checkpoint process) of the ground-side device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of a position inquiry process of the vehicle-mounted device.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a position interrogation process of the ground-side device.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a charging area leaving process of the vehicle-mounted device.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of a charging area leaving process of the ground-side device.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a regular pattern.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing another example of the installation body of the monitoring lamp.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a monitoring lamp is installed on a vehicle number (license plate) of a vehicle outside the vehicle compartment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a monitoring lamp on a vehicle number plate (number plate).

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a violation detection process of the ground-side device.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a monitoring device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a monitoring lamp.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the monitoring device.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a display screen of the monitoring device.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a support device.

[Explanation of symbols]

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

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuyuki Furuta 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Toyota Motor Corporation (72) Inventor Haruhiko Terada 2-1, Asahimachi, Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (72 Inventor Yasuyuki Aoki 2-1-1 Asahicho, Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A detecting means for detecting position information indicating a position of a vehicle, and a charging process for the vehicle when the vehicle enters a predetermined charging target area based on a detection result of the detecting means. And a notifying unit mounted on the vehicle and notifying a processing state of the charging process to the outside of the vehicle in a notification state corresponding to the processing state, based on a detection result of the detecting unit. And a continuation unit for continuing the notification by the notification unit while the vehicle is present in the charging target area. 2. The vehicle charging status notification device according to claim 1, wherein the notification device is a radiation device that radiates an electromagnetic wave to the outside of the vehicle. 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit includes the detecting unit or a vehicle license plate or a light source installed near the vehicle license plate.
Or the charging status notification device for vehicles according to 2. 4. The pair according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit performs the notification in a predetermined operation pattern in which the notification state is changed in a time-series manner. Vehicle charging status notification device. 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the notifying unit further includes a receiving unit that receives a pattern signal indicating the operation pattern, and notifies the processing state to the outside of the vehicle based on the pattern signal. Of the vehicle charging status notification device. 6. The notifying means includes an outside notifying means for notifying the processing state to the outside of the vehicle and an in-vehicle notifying means for notifying the inside of the vehicle, and notifying the processing state to the outside and the inside of the vehicle. The charging status notification device for vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. A charging status monitoring device comprising monitoring means for monitoring notification from the notification device provided in the vehicle charging status notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 8. The charging status monitoring apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said monitoring means monitors the notification by detecting at least brightness. 9. The charging status monitoring apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the monitoring unit is an imaging unit that can capture one or a plurality of images having at least brightness. 10. The system according to claim 7, wherein the monitoring unit monitors the notification by detecting at least the brightness in synchronization with a predetermined monitoring pattern that is changed in a time-series manner. The charging status monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said monitoring means further comprises a receiving means for receiving a pattern signal representing said monitoring pattern, and monitors a notification in synchronization with said monitoring pattern based on said pattern signal. The charging status monitoring device according to claim 10. 12. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a determination unit that determines a processing state of the accounting process based on a monitoring result of the monitoring unit.
Item 2. The charging status monitoring device according to item 1. 13. The comparing means for comparing a notification state of the notification obtained by the monitoring means with a predetermined notification state, and a processing state of the charging process based on a comparison result of the comparing means. 13. The charging status monitoring apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: 14. A monitor that is changed in a time series to monitor a notification from a notification unit provided in the vehicle charging status notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A portable charging state monitoring device, comprising: a receiving unit that receives a pattern signal representing a pattern; and a presenting unit that presents monitoring information corresponding to the monitoring pattern in synchronization with the monitoring pattern based on the pattern signal. 15. The portable charging status monitoring device according to claim 14, wherein the presenting unit presents the monitoring information by at least one of voice and light.