Abstract: A position recognition device for deciding a zone where a moving object takes a position. The device comprises: a travel distance decider for deciding whether or not the moving object has traveled a predetermined distance corresponding to the detection error of the position of the moving object; and a zone decider for deciding the zone where the moving object takes a position, if the travel distance decider decides that the moving object has traveled the predetermined distance. According to the invention, therefore, “the decision of the zone where the moving object exists” is not made, in case the position of the moving object cannot be precisely detected. Therefore, the precision in the decision of the zone where the moving object exists is improved, and it is unnecessary to set a buffer zone that “the decision of the zone where the moving object exists is not made if the moving object takes a position in the neighborhood” as the reference for deciding the existing zone of the moving object.

Abstract: An on-vehicle automatic charging apparatus 10 obtains its own position information from GPS signals from GPS satellites 51 to 53, determines on the basis of the position information whether conditions for charging are satisfied, and subtracts a calculated charge amount from an inserted prepaid car, when the conditions for charging are satisfied. At this time, information used for calculation of the charge amount is written into the prepaid card as a charge record. When the prepaid card is inserted into a card issuing machine 20 in order to increase the balance, the card issuing machine 20 reads the written charge record and transmits it to a center computer 30. The center computer 30 distributes the charge amount to management companies on the basis of the charge record.

Abstract: A system for charge processing tolls and the like. A vehicle mounted device detects the position of a vehicle 32 using GPS, and transmits position information via a wireless channel to a central station. The central station performs charge processing (calculation) for an area in which a charge is applied based on the position of the vehicle, and transmits the charge to the vehicle mounted device. The vehicle mounted device collects a toll from a prepaid card or IC card or the like on the basis of the received charge processing result.

Abstract: When a monitor apparatus judges that a vehicle has stopped at a predetermined position (step 705), the monitor apparatus transmits pseudo position information of the vehicle (dummy data) to an automatic charging apparatus (step 725). The automatic charging apparatus calculates a charge amount on the basis of the dummy data, and transmits the result of the calculation to the monitor apparatus. The monitor apparatus receives the result (step 735) and judges on the basis of the result whether the automatic charging apparatus is in an anomalous state (step 740). Since the above-described successive operations are performed only when the vehicle stays, the status of another automatic charging apparatus not monitored is not misidentified as the status of an automatic charging apparatus to be monitored.

Abstract: A toll collection arrangement based on the position and travel of a vehicle. A charging area is defined with a buffer area surrounding it. Charges are made when a vehicle enters the charging area for the first time from the buffer area. Later excursions from the charging area into the buffer area and returns from the buffer area to the charging area are not double charged. Vehicle position information can be GPS based.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a device which detects positional information of a moving vehicle. That information is then used to determine whether the moving vehicle is preparing to enter an area where a charge is applied. If a charge is to be applied, the device notifies those inside and outside the moving vehicle of the processing state of the charge processing. The present invention provides for a multitude of notification means. In addition, the present invention provides for a device which is able to collect many different types of information while detecting position and charge information.

Abstract: A charging system which carries out position confirmation of a moving body at a place where there is a radio wave blocked facility, and which carries out automatic detection of GPS antenna blockage for avoiding charging. The charging system includes a GPS positioning device for recognizing a vehicle position, a vehicle speed pulse measuring device for dead reckoning navigating, a monitor device which generates information expressing a current position by using these, and a charging processing which judges whether or not a recognized current position is within a charge area and which carries out data processing for charging. The monitor includes a simple map database which includes positions of facilities or geographical features at which GPS positioning is impossible, and when GPS positioning is impossible, the facility or geographical feature corresponding to the current position is detected, and that position is made to be a current position.

Abstract: When a monitor apparatus judges that a vehicle has stopped at a predetermined position (step 705), the monitor apparatus transmits pseudo position information of the vehicle (dummy data) to an automatic charging apparatus (step 725). The automatic charging apparatus calculates a charge amount on the basis of the dummy data, and transmits the result of the calculation to the monitor apparatus. The monitor apparatus receives the result (step 735) and judges on the basis of the result whether the automatic charging apparatus is in an anomalous state (step 740). Since the above-described successive operations are performed only when the vehicle stays, the status of another automatic charging apparatus not monitored is not misidentified as the status of an automatic charging apparatus to be monitored.

Abstract: An on-vehicle automatic charging apparatus 10 obtains its own position information from GPS signals from GPS satellites 51 to 53, determines on the basis of the position information whether conditions for charging are satisfied, and subtracts a calculated charge amount from an inserted prepaid car, when the conditions for charging are satisfied. At this time, information used for calculation of the charge amount is written into the prepaid card as a charge record. When the prepaid card is inserted into a card issuing machine 20 in order to increase the balance, the card issuing machine 20 reads the written charge record and transmits it to a center computer 30. The center computer 30 distributes the charge amount to management companies on the basis of the charge record.

Abstract: A charge applicable area Z is formed from a core area 50 and a buffer area 52 whose width r is set in accordance with the amount of error in the position recognition of a GPS in order that a charge is only applied to a vehicle that has entered a charge applicable area Z and that no charge is applied to a vehicle outside this area. As a result, when a vehicle is located outside the charge applicable area, although the recognized position existence probability circle 54 used in the GPS position detection may overlap with the buffer area 52, it does not go as far as the core area 50. Accordingly, even if the vehicle is recognized as being in the buffer area 52, it is possible that the vehicle is not actually located inside the charge applicable area, therefore no specifying that the vehicle is located inside the charge applicable area is authorized.

Abstract: A portable terminal such as a cellular phone and an in-vehicle device such as a vehicle navigation system are connected. After detecting the connection between the portable terminal and the in-vehicle device, a control unit of the cellular phone supplies display data to be displayed on its screen to the in-vehicle device. A control unit of the in-vehicle device displays on a screen the display data supplied from the portable terminal. Touch switches such as alphanumeric keys of the cellular phone are further displayed in the blank area of the screen of the in-vehicle device, enabling operation of the cellular phone from the in-vehicle device.

Abstract: A position recognition device for deciding a zone where a moving object takes a position. The device comprises: a travel distance decider for deciding whether or not the moving object has traveled a predetermined distance corresponding to the detection error of the position of the moving object; and a zone decider for deciding the zone where the moving object takes a position, if the travel distance decider decides that the moving object has traveled the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A route guiding apparatus provides information for a route using public transportation as an alternative to a vehicular route. In addition to searching for a vehicular route from a current location to a destination, it is determined whether the current location and the destination are within a zone in which public transportation can be used. When the current location and the destination are determined to be within a public transportation zone, a route using public transportation is searched for. Subsequently, the cost of the route using public transportation and the cost of the vehicular route are compared. When the cost of the public transportation route falls within a predetermined limit, the apparatus indicates the public transportation route. The route costs are calculated considering factors such as required travel time and ticket fees. The apparatus may also recommend public transportation when no parking is available near the destination, or based on traffic information concerning the vehicular route.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a charging system which carries out position confirmation of a moving body at a place where there is a radio wave blocked facility, and which carries out automatic detection of GPS antenna blockage for avoiding charging.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus for vehicles according to the present invention has a display device for displaying road information. The navigation system is designed to selectively display the road information which is close to the current position of the vehicle and/or the demands of the driver from a large amount of road information (each of which consists of image data to be displayed and logical data on which logical determination can be made).

Abstract: A navigation apparatus for vehicles has a display device for displaying map information. On the screen of the display device, a current position of the vehicle on which this navigation apparatus is mounted is displayed. Also, a route to a preset destination starting from the current position is displayed at the maximum length.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation apparatus which selects possible target nodes stored in memory based on the present position of the vehicle and then eliminates those nodes not possible to reach after comparing the bearing from the present position of the vehicle to each selected node with the present bearing of the vehicle. The navigation apparatus determines that the vehicle is traveling on a road-not-in-memory when the number of possible nodes is reduced to zero. The navigation apparatus repeatedly searches, after each predetermined travel distance, for possible nodes within a progressively widening search circle, the radius of which is related to the distance traveled. When a target is found which is stored in memory the apparatus determines that the vehicle has returned to travel on a road stored in memory.

Abstract: Disclosed is a navigation apparatus for showing a driver the current position of his vehicle by estimating the vehicle position on the basis of the travel direction and travel distance thereof and matching the current vehicle position thus estimated to map information stored previously. The apparatus disclosed is capable of navigating a vehicle with accuracy even if it is traveling on a road which is not stored in memory; in that case, the apparatus repeats comparison of the vehicle travel direction with the directions in which lie the current vehicle position and respective nodes stored in memory, and accumulates the comparison results so as to infer the arrival of the vehicle at its destination which corresponds to one of the nodes stored in memory.

Abstract: An automotive navigation system has a receiver for receiving data signals on present position of the vehicle transmitted from satellites. A present position detecting system detects the present position of the vehicle on the basis of the data signals. A display device shows the present position of the vehicle on the basis of the output of the present position detecting system. Change of the output of the present position detecting system to be given to the display device is inhibited when the vehicle is at a stop.