JP2006011623A - On-vehicle communication terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide on-vehicle communication terminal equipment for preventing an antenna from being seen from the outside of a vehicle when it is not necessary to communicate with a road side unit, and for surely communicating with the road side unit when it is necessary to communicate with the road side unit. <P>SOLUTION: In on-vehicle communication terminal equipment loaded at a vehicle side in an automatic toll collecting system for collecting toll through communication between the vehicle and the outside of the vehicle when the vehicle passes the toll gate of a toll road, a shading device(sun visor) 3 mounted on the vehicle is integrally mounted on a shading board for enabling an antenna 4 for communicating with the outside of the vehicle to shade the sun light, and the antenna is connected to the main body of the on-vehicle communication terminal equipment, and the shading device is provided with a moving means for moving the shading board mounted with the antenna between the shading position having the shading function and the storage position saved from the shading position. Also, when the on-vehicle communication terminal equipment communicates through the antenna with the outside of the vehicle, the on-vehicle communication terminal equipment moves the shading board mounted with the antenna from the storage position to the shading position side by the moving means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle communication terminal device mounted on a vehicle side in an automatic fee collection system that collects a fee by communication between the vehicle and the outside of the vehicle when the vehicle passes through an entrance / exit of a toll road.

  In a system in which cars pass through entrances and exits of toll roads such as expressways and pay fees, transmission / reception devices equipped with information on entry / passage / exit of vehicles and stationary types installed at toll gates instead of conventional tickets An automatic toll collection system that saves time and labor costs by exchanging with the transmitter / receiver (roadside machine), electronically automating the calculation, billing, payment, and recording of charges and passing through the tollgate nonstop. (ETC) has been put into practical use and is becoming popular.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the on-board communication terminal device (ETC on-board unit) in the automatic toll collection system has an instrument panel (instrument panel) that can reliably communicate with the roadside unit using the antenna for communicating with the toll gate. The upper part 9 is attached to the central upper part 8 of the front window 2. The instrument panel upper part 9 and the central upper part 8 of the front window 2 are less likely to interfere with radio waves, and are suitable for communication with the toll booth antenna.

  However, since the mounting positions as described above are easily noticeable by passengers, there is a demerit that the design in the vehicle interior is damaged, and it is obvious that the ETC on-board unit is mounted from outside the vehicle. Is at risk of being stolen. Also, considering safety equipment such as an air bag system, it is becoming difficult to dispose the ETC in-vehicle device and the antenna equipment in front of the vehicle interior. Therefore, an ETC vehicle-mounted device is devised in which an antenna pattern is provided at a position where a room mirror is attached (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, in the vehicle wireless door lock device, for the low-cost vehicle wireless door lock device that maintains good directional characteristics and looks good by devising the use of a sun visor that is easily visible from outside the vehicle compartment. A receiving antenna and the wireless door lock device have been devised (see Patent Document 2).

  Further, in the sun visor, a sun visor device that automatically discharges / stores in accordance with the amount of light incident on the vehicle has been devised (see Patent Document 3).

JP 2001-044730 A JP 09-310548 A JP-A-11-170864

  In the example of Patent Document 1, there is a restriction that an antenna pattern must be provided in accordance with the shape of the mounting portion of the room mirror, and there is a problem that sufficient reception sensitivity cannot be obtained. In addition, since the shape of the mounting portion of the rearview mirror varies depending on the vehicle or the vehicle type, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the antenna pattern and thus the manufacturing cost of the vehicle increase.

  In the example of Patent Document 2, the application range is limited to the vehicle wireless door lock device. However, the sun visor is used for purposes other than the original function of the sun visor, such as a built-in mirror and a small holder.

  Against the background of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to make the antenna invisible from the outside of the vehicle when communication with the roadside device is not necessary, and reliably with the roadside device when communication with the roadside device is required. It aims at providing the vehicle-mounted communication terminal device which can communicate.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  This invention provides the vehicle-mounted communication terminal device for solving the said subject. That is, according to claim 1, in the in-vehicle communication terminal device mounted on the vehicle side in the automatic toll collection system that collects tolls by communication between the vehicle and the outside of the vehicle when the vehicle passes through the entrance / exit of the toll road, An antenna for communication with the vehicle is integrally attached to a light shielding plate of a light shielding device (sun visor) attached to the vehicle for the purpose of shielding the sun light, and the antenna is connected to the body of the in-vehicle communication terminal device. The connected light-shielding device includes a moving means for moving a light-shielding plate to which an antenna is attached between a light-shielding position having a light-shielding function and a retracted position retracted from the light-shielding device. When communicating with the outside of the vehicle, the in-vehicle communication system is characterized in that the light shielding plate with the antenna attached is moved from the storage position to the light shielding position side by the moving means. Configured as a terminal device.

  The present invention incorporates an antenna of an in-vehicle communication terminal device in a sliding sun visor and moves the sun visor to a position where the antenna transmission / reception function is exerted immediately before passing through the gate of the toll gate. Communication is possible. In the above configuration, the size of the antenna is sufficiently small compared to the size of the light shielding plate of the sun visor, so there is no restriction on the design of the antenna pattern, and an optimal antenna can be designed and sufficient reception sensitivity can be obtained. . Further, although the shape of the light shielding plate of the sun visor varies depending on the vehicle or vehicle type, the same antenna pattern can be used, so that the production cost of the antenna pattern can be reduced due to the mass production effect. Moreover, since it is not known that the in-vehicle communication terminal device is mounted from outside the vehicle without impairing the indoor design, there is no risk of the in-vehicle communication terminal device being stolen.

  According to claim 2, the moving means of the light shielding plate in the in-vehicle communication terminal device of the present invention includes a guide portion that guides and supports the light shielding plate so as to be movable between the storage position and the light shielding position, and stores the light shielding plate. A configuration including a driving device that drives between the position and the light shielding position can be adopted. With this configuration, when communication with the toll gate is required, the driving device automatically moves the shading plate to a communicable position while being supported by the guide portion, so the driver's operation load does not increase. Further, by storing the light shielding plate after passing through the gate of the toll gate, it is possible to suppress the driver's view from being obstructed when passing the toll gate. Moreover, since it is not known that the in-vehicle communication terminal device is mounted from outside the vehicle without impairing the indoor design, there is no risk of the in-vehicle communication terminal device being stolen.

  According to claim 3, the moving means of the light shielding plate in the in-vehicle communication terminal device of the present invention includes a space for storing the light shielding plate below the front portion of the roof of the vehicle, and the guide portion of the moving means has the light shielding plate. The light shielding plate is slidably guided from the retracted position that fits under the roof front to the light shielding position that protrudes from the front end of the roof to the windshield of the vehicle. A motor that drives the light shield plate to the maximum range is further received, and the motor receives the premise signal for moving the light shield plate antenna to a position where it can be transmitted and received outside the vehicle. It can be configured to move to a transmission / reception enabled position. With this configuration, when communication with the toll gate is required, the shading plate automatically moves to a communicable position, so that the operation load on the driver does not increase. Moreover, since it is not known that the in-vehicle communication terminal device is mounted from outside the vehicle without impairing the indoor design, there is no risk of the in-vehicle communication terminal device being stolen.

  According to claim 4, the antenna in the in-vehicle communication terminal device of the present invention has a configuration in which the light shielding plate is movably guided by the guide portion and attached to the leading end in the moving direction of the light shielding plate. Can do. With this configuration, it is possible to minimize the protrusion of the light shielding plate to the windshield when communicating with the toll gate, and to suppress the driver's view from being obstructed when passing the toll gate. Also in this configuration, when communication with the toll gate is necessary, the shading plate automatically moves to a communicable position, so the driver's operation load does not increase.

  According to claim 5, the light shielding plate in the in-vehicle communication terminal device of the present invention is formed with an extension portion or a convex piece portion for antenna installation so as to protrude further forward in the moving direction from the leading end. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which an antenna is attached to the part or the convex piece part. With this configuration, when the communication with the toll gate is carried out, the projection of the light shielding plate to the windshield side is only the extension or the convex piece, and this obstructs the driver's view when passing the toll gate. Further suppression is possible. In addition, when the extension part or the convex piece part is housed in the light shielding plate, the interior design is not impaired and it is not known that the in-vehicle communication terminal device is mounted from the outside of the vehicle, so that the in-vehicle communication terminal device may be stolen. Also disappear. Even in this configuration, when communication with the toll gate is necessary, the shading plate automatically moves to a communicable position, so that the operation load on the driver does not increase.

  According to claim 6, the premise signal for moving the antenna of the light shielding plate in the in-vehicle communication terminal device of the present invention to a position where transmission and reception are possible is a prediction signal for predicting that the vehicle passes through the gate of the toll gate, An in-vehicle communication terminal or a separately provided control unit receives the prediction signal, and a driving device or a motor is driven by the prediction signal to move the light shielding plate. With this configuration, when communication with the toll gate is necessary (that is, when the premise signal is received), the shading plate automatically moves to a position where communication is possible, so the driver's operation load does not increase. Further, since the light shielding plate moves after detecting the approach to the toll gate, the time that hinders the driver's view can be minimized. Even in this configuration, when communication with the toll gate is necessary, the shading plate automatically moves to a communicable position, so that the operation load on the driver does not increase.

  According to claim 7, the prediction signal for predicting that the vehicle in the in-vehicle communication terminal device of the present invention passes through the gate of the toll gate is that the vehicle has received a radio wave transmitted from the vicinity of the gate of the toll gate. The output signal, or the distance calculation value between the toll gate position data stored in the electronic map data in the vehicle navigation device and the current position data of the vehicle given by the position recognition means provided in the vehicle Output when it is determined that is less than or equal to a certain value, or when the image of the front monitoring camera mounted on the vehicle is determined to be an image near the toll gate by the image recognition means Or a signal that is output when an authentication medium that identifies the user of the automatic toll collection system is inserted into the in-vehicle communication terminal device. Both are a single signal, of which at least one drive unit or motor based on the signal can be the structure for moving the light shielding plate comprising an antenna. Even in this configuration, when communication with the toll gate is necessary, the shading plate automatically moves to a communicable position, so that the operation load on the driver does not increase.

  By using any one of the above signals according to the above configuration, it is possible to accurately predict passing through the toll gate. If two or more of the above signals are used in combination, it is possible to predict the passage through the toll gate more accurately. In addition, it is possible to minimize the time that obstructs the driver's view due to the movement of the light shielding plate as the gate passes through the toll gate.

  Provided is an in-vehicle communication terminal device that makes an antenna invisible from the outside of a vehicle when communication with a roadside device is not necessary, and can reliably communicate with the roadside device when communication with a roadside device is required. This object was realized by incorporating the antenna of the in-vehicle communication terminal device in the electric sun visor.

  Hereinafter, an in-vehicle communication terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an in-vehicle communication terminal device of the present invention. In this configuration, an antenna 4 of an in-vehicle communication terminal device (hereinafter referred to as an ETC in-vehicle device) 11 (see FIG. 5) is built in the head side end portion of the sun visor 3 on the driver's seat side (the light shielding device or light shielding plate of the present invention). The main body of the ETC on-vehicle device 11 is connected by a wire harness (not shown). This wire harness is arranged along the attachment frame of the front window 2, for example. There are no particular restrictions on the mounting position of the ETC on-vehicle device 11 as long as it is invisible from the outside of the vehicle, and it may be built in the sun visor 3 or may be mounted on the lower part of the dashboard or the center console.

  Since the configuration of the ETC on-board unit and the fee collection method at the toll booth are well known, a detailed description is omitted.

  The sun visor 3 is configured to be discharged / stored in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In FIG. 1, the sun visor 3 is in a full discharge position. The sun visor 3 is also mounted on the passenger seat side, but the antenna 4 of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 11 is not incorporated. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the antenna 4 of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 11 is built in the sun visor on the passenger seat side and the antenna of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 11 is not built in the sun visor 3 on the driver seat side. Furthermore, the antenna 4 of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 11 may be built in the sun visor 3 on both the driver seat side and the passenger seat side so as to improve the reception sensitivity.

  2 to 4 show side views of the sun visor 3 on the driver's seat side as seen from the passenger seat side. 2 shows that when the sun visor 3 moves in the rear direction of the vehicle and is completely stored, FIG. 3 shows that the sun visor 3 moves in the front direction of the vehicle and can communicate with an ETC roadside device installed at the toll gate. 4 shows a case where the sun visor 3 is moved further forward than in FIG. 3 and is completely discharged.

  A ceiling portion 1 (molded ceiling or the like) of an automobile is fixedly disposed over the entire ceiling or a part of the ceiling. The ceiling portion 1 has a space 6a (space) extending in the vehicle width direction between the upper portion of the front seat (driver's seat and front passenger seat) as shown in FIG. Is formed.

  In the space 6a, rails 5 and 50 (the guide portion of the present invention, see FIG. 9) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction are fixedly disposed in a forwardly lowered state at positions above the driver seat and the passenger seat. The sun visor 3 is movably supported on the rails 5 and 50. The sun visor 3 can be composed of an opaque light shielding plate or a translucent light reducing plate (transmission type anti-glare visor). The sun visor 3 is driven by a drive unit 16 (described later) and moves along the rails 5 and 50.

  The sun visor 3 moves in the front direction of the vehicle in accordance with the operation of the slide visor SW (switch) 14, thereby forming a slit-like opening 6 b (extending in the vehicle width direction in the vicinity of the front end of the ceiling 1. It is discharged from the front window 2 and positioned in the state in use (discharge position) disposed between the front window 2 and the viewpoint of the occupant (driver, assistant). Further, the sun visor 3 is positioned in the non-use state (storage position) accommodated in the space 6a by moving in the vehicle rearward direction. In the space 6a, a sun visor position detector 18 (details will be described later) for detecting the position of the sun visor 3 is fixedly provided on the rails 5, 50 and the like.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration diagram of the control unit 15 (shading device of the present invention) that controls the drive of the sun visor 3 and its peripheral devices. The control unit 15 is configured as a normal computer, and includes a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output circuit (not shown), and a bus line for connecting these configurations. The CPU controls the program and data stored in the ROM and RAM. The ROM has a program storage area and a data storage area. A drive control program is stored in the program storage area. Data necessary for the operation of the drive control program is stored in the data storage area. Moreover, it has the non-volatile memory 15a which memorize | stores information required for operation | movement of the control part 15.

  The control unit 15 includes an operation permission signal from the ETC on-board unit (main body unit) 11, a gate from a known navigation device 13 that detects the current position of the vehicle and displays it on the electronic map data or guides the route to the destination. A confirmation signal and a gate passing signal are input. Further, the control unit 15 receives an IG signal indicating the state of the ignition switch 12 and a switch signal indicating the state of the slide visor SW (switch) 14 for driving the sun visor 3. Details of these signals will be described later.

  The control unit 15 may be disposed integrally with the drive unit 16 at a place where the operation of the sun visor 3 is not hindered in the space 6a, or may be disposed at the lower part of the dashboard.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the navigation device 13 includes a known geomagnetic sensor 92, gyroscope 93, distance sensor 94, and a GPS receiver 95 for GPS that detects the position of the vehicle based on radio waves from a satellite. A detector 91 (position recognition means of the present invention), so-called map matching data for improving the accuracy of position detection, and various data including road data representing road connections are stored on a CD-ROM, DVD, or the like. A map data input device 96 for inputting from 118, an operation switch group 97, a remote control (hereinafter referred to as remote control) sensor 111, a speaker 115 for performing voice guidance, an external memory 99, a display device 100, and a connected control thereof. A circuit 80 and a remote control terminal 112 are provided.

  The control circuit 80 is configured as a normal computer, and includes a well-known CPU 81, ROM 82, RAM 83, I / O 84 which is an input / output circuit, and a bus line 85 which connects these configurations. The CPU 81 controls the program and data stored in the ROM 82 and RAM 83. The ROM 82 has a program storage area 82a and a data storage area 82b. A navigation program (hereinafter referred to as a navigation program) 82p is stored in the program storage area 82a. Data necessary for the operation of the navigation program 82p is stored in the data storage area 82b. The navigation program 82p operates on the RAM 83 in such a manner that the navigation program work memory 83w is used as a work area.

  With such a configuration, the navigation device 13 is displayed on the display device when the driver operates the operation switch 97 or the remote control terminal 112 when the navigation program 82p included in the CPU 81 of the control circuit is activated. When the route guidance process for displaying the destination route on the display device 100 is selected from the menu, the following process is performed. That is, when the driver inputs the destination based on the map on the display device 100, the current position of the vehicle is obtained based on the satellite data obtained from the GPS receiver 95, and the optimum route from the current position to the destination. Is obtained. Then, the guidance route is displayed on the road map on the display device 100 so as to guide the driver to the appropriate route. As a method for automatically setting an optimal route, a method such as the Dijkstra method is known. In addition, the display device 100 and the speaker 115 transmit a message according to the guidance and operation state during operation.

  The road data included in the navigation device 13 (that is, the storage medium 118) includes ETC tollgate position data. When it is determined that the distance between the current position of the vehicle and the position of the ETC toll gate is within a predetermined distance, a gate confirmation signal (a premise signal and a prediction signal of the present invention) is sent to the control unit 15. Also, after it is determined that the distance between the current position of the vehicle and the position of the ETC toll booth is within a predetermined distance, the distance between the current position of the vehicle and the position of the ETC toll booth is more than a predetermined distance. In this case, a gate passing signal (a premise signal of the present invention, a prediction signal) is sent to the control unit 15.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a driving unit (shading device, moving means of the present invention) for driving the sun visor 3, and the driving unit 16 includes a motor 17 (shading device, driving device of the present invention) and a sun visor position detector 18 (shading of the present invention). Device) and is installed together with the sun visor 3 in the space 6a (see FIG. 2). The motor 17 is driven by a control signal from the control unit 15 regardless of the type. The sun visor position detector 18 has a configuration in which the resistance value varies depending on the discharge position of the sun visor 3, and the control unit 15 detects the voltage value generated by the resistance value to detect the position of the sun visor 3. For example, when the detected voltage value is 0V, the sun visor 3 is completely stored, and when the detected voltage value is 5V, the sun visor 3 is completely discharged. The position of the sun visor 3 can be specified by the voltage value.

  A method of detecting the discharge position of the sun visor 3 from the number of rotations of the motor 17 may be adopted. From the gear ratio of the gears used for the transmission mechanism 76 and the pinions 72 and 74 (see FIG. 9), the moving distance of the sun visor 3 per one rotation of the motor 17 can be calculated. The position where the sun visor 3 is completely stored is defined as a zero point, and the moving distance of the sun visor 3 (that is, the current position of the sun visor 3) is represented by the number of rotations of the motor 17 with the zero point as a reference.

  A specific example of the drive unit 16 of the sun visor 3 is shown in FIG. The sun visor 3 is connected to a support member 54 that extends in the vehicle width direction so as to be rotatable around a rotary shaft 56 that extends in the vehicle width direction. In the vicinity of both side ends of the support member 54, racks 58 and 60 extend in the vehicle rearward direction and are fixedly connected. Rollers 62 and 64 are rotatably attached to both end portions of the support member 54. The rollers 62 and 64 are rotatably accommodated in the grooves 66 and 68 of the rails 5 and 50.

  A rod 70 is rotatably attached to the rear ends of the rails 5 and 50 at a right angle to the rails 5 and 50. Pinions 72 and 74 are connected near both ends of the rod 70 and mesh with the racks 58 and 60, respectively. The rotation of the motor 17 is transmitted to the rod 70 via the transmission mechanism 76. By driving the motor 17, the racks 58, 60 move along the rails 5, 50, and the sun visor 3 moves in the retracting direction or the discharging direction. In FIG. 9, the direction of arrow A is the discharge direction. In addition, as long as the drive part 16 is a structure driven with the motor 17, there will be no restriction | limiting in particular in the structure.

  Next, the drive control process of the sun visor 3 when approaching the ETC toll gate will be described with reference to FIG. This process is repeatedly executed together with other processes in a drive control program executed by a well-known CPU (not shown) included in the control unit 15.

  First, the state of the IG signal is monitored. This IG signal is input to an input port of the CPU, for example, and when there is an IG signal, the input port detects an H level, and when there is no IG signal, the input port detects an L level. When there is no IG signal (the ignition switch is in an off state) (S1: No), this drive control process is performed after waiting for the ignition switch to be in an on state or after executing another process of the drive control program drive control process. carry out.

  When there is an IG signal (the ignition switch is in an on state) (S1: Yes), the presence / absence of an operation permission signal from the ETC on-vehicle device 11 is checked. The operation permission signal is input to, for example, an input port of a CPU (not shown) of the control unit 15. When the operation is permitted, the H level is detected at the input port, and when the operation is not permitted, the L is detected at the input port. The level is detected. When the operation is not permitted (S2: No), the process waits until the operation is permitted.

  On the other hand, if the operation is permitted (S2: Yes), it is determined whether the ETC toll gate is approaching. That is, the presence or absence of a gate confirmation signal from the navigation device 13 is detected. When there is no gate confirmation signal (S3: No), the process returns to step S2, and the presence / absence of the operation permission signal from the ETC on-vehicle device 11 is checked. On the other hand, when the gate confirmation signal is detected (S3: Yes), the position of the sun visor 3 is detected from the voltage of the sun visor position detector 18.

  The position of the antenna 4 built in the sun visor 3, that is, the position of the discharge position of the sun visor 3 where the antenna 4 can communicate with the roadside machine of the ETC toll booth is determined by the roadside of the antenna 4 and the ETC toll booth. It can be calculated in advance from the radio characteristics of the aircraft. Information on the position where the sun visor 3 can communicate with the roadside device is stored in the nonvolatile memory 15 a of the control unit 15.

  If the position detected by the sun visor position detector 18 is discharged to the outside (front window 2 side) from the position where it can communicate with the roadside machine of the ETC toll gate (S4: Yes), the position of the sun visor 3 is the current position. The motor 17 is not driven (S5).

  On the other hand, if the detected current position of the sun visor 3 is not discharged to the outside (direction A in FIG. 9) from the position where it can communicate with the roadside machine of the ETC toll gate (S4: No), the current position of the sun visor 3 is moved. The previous position is stored in the nonvolatile memory 15a. Then, the motor 17 is driven in the discharge direction of the sun visor 3 (FIG. 5: forward rotation) (S8). When the sun visor position detector 18 detects that the sun visor 3 has reached a communicable position (S4: Yes), the driving of the motor 17 is stopped (S5).

  After stopping the driving of the motor 17, the presence / absence of a gate passing signal from the navigation device 13 indicating that the vehicle has passed the ETC toll gate is detected. When the gate passage signal is not detected (S6: No), the process waits until the gate passage signal is detected. On the other hand, when the gate passage signal is detected (S6: Yes), if the current position of the sun visor 3 is different from the position before the movement stored in the nonvolatile memory 15a, the sun visor 3 is returned to the position before the movement. Therefore, when the motor 7 is driven and the sun visor position detector 18 detects that the sun visor 3 has reached the position before the movement, the driving of the motor 17 is stopped (S7).

(Modification 1)
In the embodiment described above, the approach to the ETC toll gate and the determination of the passage are performed based on the information from the navigation device, but the vehicle is provided with a front monitoring camera 19 (a camera in FIG. 5) that monitors the front of the vehicle. A method for determining whether the image data taken by the front monitoring camera 19 is approached and passed to the ETC toll gate by the image recognition unit 20 (image recognition means of the present invention) using a known image recognition process. It may be used. In FIG. 6, the contents of step S3 and step S6 are as follows.

  Reference image data for recognizing an ETC toll gate is stored in the nonvolatile memory 15a of the control unit 15. That is, the ETC toll booth is photographed in advance by the in-vehicle camera, and the characteristics of the ETC toll booth are extracted from the photographed image and stored as reference image data. When the image recognition unit 20 performs image recognition processing on the image data captured by the front monitoring camera 19 and includes more than a predetermined number of features of the ETC toll gate, it is determined that the ETC toll gate has been approached. Then, a signal to that effect (a premise signal of the present invention, a prediction signal) is sent to the control unit 15. (Equivalent to S3). The signal is input to, for example, an input port of a CPU (not shown) of the control unit 15. When the signal approaches the ETC toll gate, the H level is detected at the input port. The L level is detected. When the control unit 15 receives a signal indicating that it has approached the ETC toll gate (S3: Yes), the process proceeds to step S4.

  In addition, when it is determined that the ETC toll booth has been approached, the image recognition processing of the image data captured by the front monitoring camera 19 by the image recognition unit 20 does not include a predetermined number of features of the ETC toll booth. Then, it is determined that the vehicle has passed the ETC toll gate, and a signal to that effect (a premise signal of the present invention, a prediction signal) is sent to the control unit 15 (corresponding to S6). When the control unit 15 receives a signal indicating that it has passed the ETC toll gate (S6: Yes), the process proceeds to step S7.

  Since the configuration other than the method for determining the approach to the ETC toll gate and the passage through the ETC toll gate is the same as the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Modification 2)
In addition to roadside devices that collect tolls, ETC toll gates are equipped with radio wave transmitters that indicate the presence of ETC toll gates. A configuration may be adopted in which the reception strength of the radio wave of the radio wave transmitter is detected to determine approach to the ETC toll gate and passage through the ETC toll gate. In this case, a receiver 21 (see FIG. 5) is connected to the control unit 15, and the receiver 21 can receive radio waves from a radio wave transmitter. The intensity of the received radio waves is converted into a voltage signal. The data is converted and sent to the control unit 15. In FIG. 6, the contents of step S3 and step S6 are as follows.

  When the voltage signal fetched from the receiver 21 exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the ETC toll gate is approached, and a signal to that effect (a premise signal and a prediction signal of the present invention) is sent to the control unit 15 (S3). Equivalent). The signal is input to, for example, an input port of a CPU (not shown) of the control unit 15. When the signal approaches the ETC toll gate, the H level is detected at the input port. The L level is detected. When the control unit 15 receives a signal indicating that it has approached the ETC toll gate (S3: Yes), the process proceeds to step S4. Further, the control unit 15 directly takes in a signal obtained by converting the intensity of the radio wave received by the receiver 21 into a voltage signal, and the control unit 15 compares the voltage signal with a threshold value stored in advance in the non-volatile memory 15a. A method of determining approach or passage to a place may be taken.

  When the voltage signal fetched from the receiver 21 falls below a predetermined value after determining that the ETC toll gate has been approached, it is determined that the ETC toll gate has passed and the control unit 15 is notified of the signal ( The premise signal and prediction signal of the present invention are sent (corresponding to S6). When the control unit 15 receives a signal indicating that it has passed the ETC toll gate (S6: Yes), the process proceeds to step S7.

  Since the configuration other than the method for determining the approach to the ETC toll gate and the passage through the ETC toll gate is the same as the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Modification 3)
The ETC in-vehicle device is usually configured to insert and use an ETC card (authentication medium of the present invention) including information on the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle, and the toll payment method. For this reason, a configuration may be adopted in which insertion of the ETC card and discharge are detected to determine approach to the ETC toll gate and passage through the ETC toll gate. In this case, a signal for detecting insertion and ejection of an ETC card (a premise signal of the present invention, a prediction signal) is sent from the ETC vehicle-mounted device 11 to the control unit 15. The signal is input to, for example, an input port of a CPU (not shown) of the control unit 15. When insertion of an ETC card is detected, an H level is detected at the input port, and when an ETC card ejection is detected, the input is input. The L level is detected at the port. In FIG. 6, the contents of step S4 and step S6 are as follows.

  The control unit 15 monitors the presence or absence of a signal for detecting insertion of an ETC card from the ETC on-vehicle device 11 (corresponding to S3). When the control unit 15 receives a signal indicating that the insertion of the ETC card is detected (S3: Yes), the control unit 15 determines that the ETC toll gate is approached, and proceeds to step S4. After determining that the ETC toll booth has been approached, the presence / absence of a signal for discharging insertion of the ETC card from the ETC on-board unit 11 is monitored (corresponding to S6). When the control unit 15 receives a signal indicating that the insertion of the ETC card has been detected (S6: Yes), the control unit 15 determines that the ETC toll gate has passed and proceeds to step S7.

  Since the configuration other than the method for determining the approach to the ETC toll gate and the passage through the ETC toll gate is the same as the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The method for determining approach to the ETC toll gate and passage through the ETC toll gate described above uses the navigation device 13, uses the front monitoring camera 19 (Modification 1), and uses the receiver 21 (Modification 2). ), One that detects insertion / ejection of an ETC card (Modification 3), or a configuration in which at least two or more combinations are used.

  The shape of the sun visor 3 used in the configuration example of the present invention is substantially rectangular. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the convex portion (in the present invention) is formed on the long side portion on the front side in the discharge direction of the sun visor 3 (direction of arrow A). (Extension part or convex piece part) 3a may be provided, and the structure which incorporates the antenna 4 in this convex shape part 3a may be taken. In addition, the formation position of the convex-shaped part 3a may be anywhere as long as it is a long side part in the discharge direction front side of the sun visor 3, and there is no restriction on the size of the convex-shaped part 3a.

  In the case of this configuration, the sun visor 3 is discharged and stored as follows. When the sun visor 3 is completely stored, all portions including the convex portion 3a are stored in the space 6a (see FIG. 2). When it is determined that the control unit 15 has approached the ETC toll booth, when the sun visor 3 is completely stored, only the convex shaped portion 3a is discharged. The area that blocks the field of view of the front window 2 when only the convex portion 3a is discharged is smaller than the area that blocks the field of view of the front window 2 when the sun visor configured as shown in FIG. 9 is discharged to the communicable position. Contributes to ensuring safety during driving without obstructing the driver's view.

  The other configurations and operations of the sun visor and the in-vehicle communication terminal device when the sun visor 3 has the configuration shown in FIG. 8 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the knowledge of those skilled in the art can be used without departing from the spirit of the claims. Various modifications based on this are possible.

The schematic diagram which shows the structure of a sun visor. The figure which shows all the storage states of a sun visor. The figure which shows the state discharged | emitted to the position which a sun visor can receive. The figure which shows the total discharge state of a sun visor. The block diagram for demonstrating the structure of a control part and its periphery part. The flowchart for demonstrating the drive control process of a sun visor. The figure which shows the attachment position of the ETC onboard equipment (antenna) by a prior art. The figure for demonstrating the structure of the sun visor which has a convex-shaped part. The figure which shows an example of a structure of a drive part. The block diagram which shows the structure of a navigation apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Ceiling 2 Front window 3 Sun visor (shading plate, shading device)
3a Convex shape part (extension part or convex piece part)
4 Antenna 5,50 Rail (guide part)
11 In-vehicle communication terminal equipment (ETC in-vehicle device)
12 Ignition switch 13 Navigation device 14 Slide visor SW
15 Control unit (shading device)
16 Drive unit (shading device, moving means)
17 Motor (shading device, drive device)
18 Sun visor position detector (shading device)
19 Front monitoring camera 20 Image recognition unit (image recognition means)
21 receiver 96 position detector (position recognition means)

Claims (7)

In the in-vehicle communication terminal device mounted on the vehicle side in the automatic toll collection system that collects tolls by communication between the vehicle and the outside when the vehicle passes through the entrance and exit of the toll road
An antenna for performing communication with the outside of the vehicle is integrally attached to a light-shielding plate of a light-shielding device (sun visor) attached to the vehicle for the purpose of shielding sunlight, and the antenna is connected to the vehicle-mounted communication terminal device. Connected to the main body,
The light shielding device includes a moving means for moving the light shielding plate to which the antenna is attached between a light shielding position having a light shielding function and a retracted position retracted therefrom.
When the in-vehicle communication terminal device communicates with the outside of the vehicle via the antenna, the light shielding plate to which the antenna is attached is moved from the storage position to the light shielding position side by the moving means. In-vehicle communication terminal device.   The means for moving the light shielding plate includes a guide unit that guides and supports the light shielding plate so as to be movable between the storage position and the light shielding position, and the light shielding plate between the storage position and the light shielding position. The in-vehicle communication terminal device according to claim 1, comprising a driving device for driving.   The moving means of the light shielding plate has a space for storing the light shielding plate below the front part of the roof of the vehicle, and the guide part of the moving means is located from the storage position where the light shielding plate is stored below the front part of the roof. The light shielding plate is slidably guided from the front end of the roof to the light shielding position protruding toward the windshield of the vehicle, and a motor that drives the light shielding plate as a maximum range from the storage position to the light shielding position is provided as the driving device. In addition, upon receiving a precondition signal for moving the antenna of the light shielding plate to a position where it can be transmitted and received outside the vehicle, the motor moves the light shielding plate to a position where the antenna can be transmitted and received within the range from the storage position to the light shielding position. The in-vehicle communication terminal device according to claim 2 to be made.   The in-vehicle communication according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the antenna is attached to a leading end portion in a moving direction of the light shielding plate, in which the light shielding plate is movably guided by the guide portion. Terminal device.   The light shielding plate is formed with an antenna installation extension or convex piece so as to protrude further forward in the movement direction from the leading end, and the antenna is attached to the extension or convex piece. The in-vehicle communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The premise signal for moving the antenna of the light shielding plate to a position where transmission and reception can be performed is a prediction signal for predicting that the vehicle passes the gate of the toll gate, and the vehicle-mounted communication terminal or a separately provided control unit predicts the prediction signal. 6. The in-vehicle communication terminal device according to claim 2, wherein a signal is received, and the driving device or motor is driven by the prediction signal to move the light shielding plate.   The prediction signal that predicts that the vehicle will pass through the gate of the toll gate is a signal that is output when the vehicle receives a radio wave transmitted from the vicinity of the gate of the toll gate, or an electronic device in the vehicle navigation device. Output when it is determined that the distance calculation value between the position data of the toll gate stored in the map data and the current position data of the vehicle provided by the position recognition means provided in the vehicle is below a certain value Or a signal output when the image recognition means determines that the image of the front monitoring camera mounted on the vehicle is an image near the gate of the toll gate, or automatic toll collection at the in-vehicle communication terminal device At least one of the signals output when an authentication medium for identifying the system user is inserted, and at least one of them One of the in-vehicle communication terminal apparatus according to claim 6 for moving signals the drive or motor based on the light shielding plate comprising the antenna.

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