Abstract: A toll charging system of this invention is implemented by a roadside apparatus, onboard device, portable telephone, and charging apparatus. The roadside apparatus is to detect a vehicle entering a charging area and transmit charging information to the vehicle. An onboard device and portable telephone are arranged in the vehicle. The charging information transmitted from the roadside apparatus is received by the onboard device. The onboard device generates vehicle identification information and outputs to the portable telephone instruction information instructing to transmit the charging information and vehicle identification information. On the instruction information, the portable telephone transmits the charging information and vehicle identification information. The charging apparatus receives the charging information and vehicle identification information, identifies the vehicle on the vehicle identification information, and executes charge processing for the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for automatic collection of tolls includes an in-vehicle toll processor having memory for storing a toll-money-available quantity purchased by the user, and a toll-facility-identification site that transmits a toll-facility-identifier signal indicating the identity of the upcoming toll facility. As the vehicle approaches the identification site, the in-vehicle processor receives the identifier signal and calculates the toll to be debited. When the vehicle passes through the toll facility, the in-vehicle processor transmits its identity, its net balance and the toll, which it debits from an account balance. The in-vehicle processor may increment a low balance, in which case it transmits information which is relayed to a central system for billing. Various means for shutting down delinquent in-vehicle components or identifying offender vehicles are described.

Abstract: A moving object detection method and apparatus is proposed in which a plurality of heads are installed above a detection line traversing a road, their outputs undergo A/D conversion and binary conversion, and the outputs are then linked along the detection line. A vehicle detection preprocessor performs, on the obtained linked 0/1 existence data, vehicle detection preprocesses of filling-up, noise rejection, width maintaining, Y character profile prevention, delaying, maximum width checking, and so forth, in a predetermined sequence. A vehicle detection processor separates and detects entering vehicles, existing vehicles, corrected/deleted vehicles, and so forth, from the linked 0/1 existence data after vehicle detection preprocessing. False detection of moving objects is reduced.

Abstract: A method and a device for image registration of the external characteristics and the number plate of a vehicle in a road toll unit for checking the payment status relating to a toll fee, which is intended to be collected by means of remote communication. During the checking and payment operation, the vehicle is followed by successive video recordings. In these recordings, a marker is connected to the vehicle. The same marker is connected to the image of the number plate and to an image of the physical shape of the vehicle. In the event of incorrect payment, a search may be performed based upon both the image of the number plate and the associated image of the physical shape of the vehicle, which are connected together by means of the successive following of the position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A transponder is selectively mounted on a vehicle. The transponder receives its operation energy through magnetic coupling with the loop coil when the vehicle comes over the loop coil, and transmits predetermined information specific to the vehicle to the vehicle detection circuit. The vehicle detection circuit time divisional performs a supply of the operation energy to the transponder and a reception of the information from the transponder, detects a presence of a vehicle in accordance with a change in the output from the loop coil, and judges from the information received from the transponder whether the detected vehicle is a predetermined vehicle.

Abstract: A computerized Expressway Control System functions to identify the occupancy status of a vehicle such that solo driver vehicles can be automatically charged for use of the expressway. The system requires no additional equipment in the vehicle. Enforcement is readily achieved by an automated audit system.

Abstract: A method, program, and system for managing traffic flow on a road system are provided. The invention comprises associating a user fee with a particular lane on a road, monitoring all vehicles within the lane, and charging the user fee to all vehicles within the lane. In one embodiment, monitoring vehicles within the designated lane is done by means of radio frequency A identification (RFID) readers which interrogate transponders within a vehicle and identify the driver or vehicle. The driver/vehicle is associated with a user account and the user fee is charged directly to the account.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide an electronic toll collection system for suppressing multi-path. For this end, the electronic toll collection system automatically collects tolls by establishing wireless communication between a roadside antenna 23 of a toll gate and a vehicle unit 33 installed in a traveling vehicle. It features a road-to-vehicle wireless communication zone of the tollgate covered with a structure 22 including radio wave absorbing material. The inner surface is preferably made from a radio wave absorbing member 11 including a mixture 13 of magnetic material and synthetic rubber. The roadside antenna 23 is installed inside the structure 22, thereby enabling the roadside antenna 23 to wireless communicate only with ETC vehicles traveling in the structure 22 and preventing multi-path between the roadside antenna 23 and vehicles traveling outside the structure 22 (or outside the communication zone).

Abstract: An RF roadway toll collection system uses an upstream reader to communicate with a vehicle borne transponder carrying a Smart Card to calculate the toll and debit the Smart Card balance in the amount of the toll payment required. A transaction manager is notified of the toll payment from the upstream reader and notifies a downstream reader of the vehicle identification and payment status. The downstream reader confirms the vehicle identification and payment status and signals if the toll has been paid.

Abstract: A server transmits parking lot occupancy information over the Internet. The parking lot occupancy information is capable of being reproduced by a remote display device as a real-time representation of the parking lot indicating vacant parking spaces. When presented with the real-time representation of the parking lot, a commuter readily can locate an available parking space or decide to search for parking elsewhere.

Abstract: Loop sensing apparatus for detecting vehicles traveling along a lane of a roadway comprises an outer loop producing a region of magnetic field with the same polarity and an inner loop sized to fit within this region of constant polarity. The inner loop provides two regions of opposite polarity, so that field produced by the outer loop has a null effect on the inner loop. Detection circuitry energizes both the outer and inner loops individually for separate detection of vehicles passing over the loops.

Abstract: A plurality of roadside wireless devices are provided on a roadside of an entry of a toll area. A first roadside wireless device, which communicates with a vehicle-mounted device over wireless communication, sends unique information obtained from the vehicle-mounted device to a second roadside wireless device located, downstream to the first roadside wireless device, along a moving direction of the vehicle. The second roadside wireless device checks if unique information on the vehicle-mounted device obtained from the vehicle-mounted device matches the unique information on vehicle-mounted device notified from the first roadside wireless device to judge if the moving direction is a direction of entry into a toll area and charges the vehicle-mounted device for toll only when it is judged that the moving direction is the direction of entry into the toll area.

Abstract: A navigation system provides a user thereof with warnings or advisories about toll gates that require exact change. The warnings or advisories are provided when the navigation system calculates a solution route to a destination specified by the user. The warnings or advisories are also provided when the user queries the navigation system about a particular specified portion of a road. The navigation system uses a geographic database that includes data about roads in a geographic region. The geographic database includes data about toll gates located along portions of roads including data about whether a toll gate along a portion or a road requires exact change.

Abstract: A method for reading a license plate disposed on a vehicle includes determining whether a license plate image is required, automatically processing the license plate image in response to determining that the license plate image is required, providing at least one verified image, and determining whether to manually read the license plate image by matching the license plate image with the at least one verified image.

Abstract: A method for determining a vehicle trip on a roadway includes providing a plurality of vehicle detections from a plurality of gateways, determining a maximum travel time between corresponding pairs of the plurality of gateways, correlating corresponding pairs of the plurality of vehicle detections by determining that a travel time between each of the gateways of each of the corresponding pairs of detections is less than a corresponding maximum travel time, determining a plurality of chainable detections, and determining the boundaries of the trip.

Abstract: A method and a system for registering tickets includes defining a waking zone with a transceiver unit having a transmitting unit, defining a registration zone with a registration transceiver unit, providing tickets having a processor, a memory, a ticket receiver, and a ticket transceiver for communicating between the waking zone and the tickets, transmitting a first information unit from the transmitting unit to the ticket receiver of a ticket located in the waking zone, activating the ticket transceiver of the ticket located in the waking zone with an item of information contained in the first information unit, at a beginning of ticket registration, setting up a bi-directional communication between the registration transceiver unit and a ticket transceiver of a ticket located in the registration zone through additional information units, and registering ticket presence to establish a service to be used or a defined presence.

Abstract: The present automated vehicle regulation compliance enforcing system is comprised of an on-board monitoring system for being installed on a heavy truck, and an interrogation system for being installed in enforcement vehicles and inspection stations. The monitoring system is comprised of a processor connected to speed and weigh sensors installed in the truck and trailers. The processor is arranged to monitor various operating parameters of the truck, such as loading, load distribution, speed, driver maintenance information, driving time, and mileage. The processor is also connected to an interface which enables the truck operator to input driver and vehicle information, and a transceiver for communicating with the interrogation system. The interrogation system is comprised of a processor connected to a transceiver, and arranged to interrogate the monitoring system to download data.

Abstract: A non-stop toll collection system has a plurality of road-side radio apparatuses having mutually different radio communication regions, which transmit identification signals responsive to the installation locations thereof, a vehicle-mounted apparatus, which receives an identification signal, records a communication log for each road-side radio apparatus, in response to the identification signal, and transmits the communication log, wherein each of the plurality of road-side radio apparatuses receives the communication log and wherein, in the case in which the communication log indicates that another road-side radio apparatus and the vehicle-mounted apparatus have already communicated, the vehicle-mounted apparatus is instructed to perform billing processing.

Abstract: A protective shield is disclosed for housing an electronic toll collection identifier on the outside surface of a motor vehicle. It includes a flat, rectangular base portion with openings at the four corners. Screws are used to install the electronic toll collection identifier and the base portion to the motor vehicle, generally in the vicinity of the license plate. Rubber-coated arms extend outward from the base and substantially surround the electronic toll collection identifier, and thereby protect it from frontal impact.

Abstract: A protective shield is disclosed for housing an electronic toll collection identifier on the outside surface of a motor vehicle. It includes a flat, rectangular base portion with openings at the four corners. Screws are used to install the electronic toll collection identifier and the base portion to the motor vehicle, generally in the vicinity of the license plate. Rubber-coated arms extend outward from the base and substantially surround the electronic toll collection identifier, and thereby protect it from frontal impact.

Abstract: This invention is to provide a travel time information arithmetic operation method and apparatus for calculating travel time information using data obtained by a toll collection system. The travel time information arithmetic operation apparatus includes a travel time arithmetic operation section for calculating a travel time (time required by a vehicle to travel from a given point to another given point) of a vehicle on the basis of data obtained by the toll collection system installed on a tollroad and representing the entry point, entry time, exit point, exit time, and model of the vehicle, and date, a tollgate data storage section for storing the data obtained by the toll collection system and travel time data obtained by the travel time arithmetic operation section, and a travel time information arithmetic operation section for calculating an average travel time value using the travel time n-minutes accumulated data stored in the tollgate data storage section and generating travel time information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dispensing a product at a toll station. In accordance with the present invention, a first method is disclosed for distributing a product at a toll station. The method includes receiving an account identifier to identify an account. The method further includes outputting an offer to distribute a product. The offer may include offer criteria such as price in the case of a sale, or rental period, rental fee and extra fees such as late fees in the case of a rental. The method further includes detecting acceptance of the offer and dispensing the product. The method also includes processing a transaction based on the account identifier and the offer criteria.

Abstract: An electronic toll collection system (ETCS) for use in a tollgate for charging a car without the need for the car to stop, in which communication failures or errors due to reflected waves from a structure or a passing car are prevented. A roadside communication antenna which communicates with a vehicle-mounted communication antenna for charging, and a car sensor which detects a car (cars) in an area wider than a designed communication area are installed at the tollgate. As an electromagnetic wave path judgment section obtains data on the profile and position of a car which has entered the tollgate, from a car data detector, it calculates electromagnetic wave paths of direct and reflected waves which connect the roadside communication antenna 21 and the vehicle-mounted antenna in each of the cars, and calculates the receiving electric field strength for each of the paths.

Abstract: A method and a device for image registration of the external characteristics and the number plate of a vehicle (4) in a road toll unit (1) for checking the payment status relating to a toll fee, which is intended to be collected by means of remote communication. During the check-up and payment operation, the vehicle is followed by successive video recordings. In these recordings, a marker is connected to the vehicle. The same marker is connected to the image of the number plate and to an image of the physical shape of the vehicle (4). In the event of incorrect payment, a search may be based on both the image of the number plate and the associated image of the physical shape of the vehicle which are connected together by means of the successive following of the position. The class of the vehicle may thus be determined, in accordance with a classification scheme based on the physical properties of the vehicle, from the image of the external characteristics of the vehicle for determining the toll fee.

Abstract: A road antenna apparatus includes a road antenna 104 which is mounted on a post 103 and at an elevated position on a road R and establishes radio communication with an on-vehicle radio device 102 mounted in a vehicle 101 which is traveling over the road; and a laser-beam emitting device 111 which is mounted on the road antenna and radiates a laser beam onto a predetermined position 113 on the surface of the road. An offset in the angle at which a road antenna is mounted can be readily ascertained on the basis of a distance between a predetermined position on the surface of the road and a position 114 on the road surface onto which a laser beam is actually radiated.

Abstract: A road antenna apparatus includes a road antenna 104 which is mounted on a post 103 and at an elevated position on a road R and establishes radio communication with an on-vehicle radio device 102 mounted in a vehicle 101 which is traveling over the road; and a laser-beam emitting device 111 which is mounted on the road antenna and radiates a laser beam onto a predetermined position 113 on the surface of the road. An offset in the angle at which a road antenna is mounted can be readily ascertained on the basis of a distance between a predetermined position on the surface of the road and a position 114 on the road surface onto which a laser beam is actually radiated.

Abstract: SYSTEM TO CONTROL AND SUPERVISE VEHICLE TRANSIT IN THE PUBLIC PARKING AREAS, consisting of the implementation of hardware and software permitting at the entrance of a public car park, the association of the radio-frequency identification device code located in the vehicle with the ticket dispatched or the used card. At the car park exit, this system permits to detect ticket and/or card exchange between different vehicles and accordingly to prevent the theft of a vehicle by using a ticket or card different from that related to said vehicle. Likewise, it detects and prevents the execution of fraudulent operations derived from exchanging tickets and/or cards.

Abstract: A road antenna apparatus includes a road antenna 104 which is mounted on a post 103 and at an elevated position on a road R and establishes radio communication with an on-vehicle radio device 102 mounted in a vehicle 101 which is traveling over the road; and a laser-beam emitting device 111 which is mounted on the road antenna and radiates a laser beam onto a predetermined position 113 on the surface of the road. An offset in the angle at which a road antenna is mounted can be readily ascertained on the basis of a distance between a predetermined position on the surface of the road and a position 114 on the road surface onto which a laser beam is actually radiated.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide an electronic toll collection system for suppressing multi-path. For this end, the electronic toll collection system automatically collects tolls by establishing wireless communication between a roadside antenna 23 of a toll gate and a vehicle unit 33 installed in a traveling vehicle. It features a road-to-vehicle wireless communication zone of the tollgate covered with a structure 22 including radio wave absorbing material. The inner surface is preferably made from a radio wave absorbing member 11 including a mixture 13 of magnetic material and synthetic rubber. The roadside antenna 23 is installed inside the structure 22, thereby enabling the roadside antenna 23 to wireless communicate only with ETC vehicles traveling in the structure 22 and preventing multi-path between the roadside antenna 23 and vehicles traveling outside the structure 22 (or outside the communication zone).

Abstract: A fixed station and an on-board apparatus are constructed to carry out a short range communication. The on-board apparatus specifies an application from a command included in reception data received from the fixed station and starts a corresponding processing, when an acquired command is a menu selection command. A menu including commodities and charges are displayed. When a selected item is determined, the determined content is displayed. When an IC card unit receives an IC card for settling the charge, the charge is settled by rewriting the IC card by data exchange via wireless communication. A short range wireless unit is used to ensure individuality of the communication. This short range communication may also be used at a vehicle repair shop, at a curved corner on a travel path or the like.

Abstract: A geographic information service system is disclosed, having a geographic information supply server that supplies geographic information by certain regions; an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) terminal that transmits registration information service requests and geographic information service requests from a vehicle; a Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) base station that communicates bi-directionally with the ETC terminal by a DSRC method; and a DSRC server in communication with the DSRC base station that analyzes a message transmitted from the DSRC base station and supplies a requested geographic information service by communicating with the geographic information supply server.

Abstract: A road antenna apparatus includes a road antenna 104 which is mounted on a post 103 and at an elevated position on a road R and establishes radio communication with an on-vehicle radio device 102 mounted in a vehicle 101 which is traveling over the road; and a laser-beam emitting device 111 which is mounted on the road antenna and radiates a laser beam onto a predetermined position 113 on the surface of the road. An offset in the angle at which a road antenna is mounted can be readily ascertained on the basis of a distance between a predetermined position on the surface of the road and a position 114 on the road surface onto which a laser beam is actually radiated.

Abstract: A traffic monitoring, driver assistance, and communications system includes lane terminals arranged along a direction of travel of a highway, each lane terminal including a sensor for detecting passage of a vehicle, a communication antenna, a terminal transceiver for communicating with a passing vehicle through the communication antenna, and a network backbone linking the lane terminals to a data processor for compiling information on passing vehicles sensed. The system permits complex toll assessment on toll roads. By using a larger number of short range antennas, cellular communication is possible with a very large number of moving vehicles without increasing bandwidth because the cells are relatively small.

Abstract: The TIP-system concerns a class of systems for collecting and/or disseminating information in relation to traffic, whereby information about individual persons and/or vehicles can be collected and checked on reliability (trustworthiness) in such a way that yet sufficient (privacy) protection can be offered against illegitimate tracing of individual persons and/or vehicles. Also, these systems can easily be prepared for future expansion (extensions), refinements and possible other changes. So, one may start using a simple variation and gradually introduce more and more applications and refinements. TIP-systems can be used, for example, for imposing all sorts of traffic fees, that is, for traffic pricing.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to pay a toll without stopping a car and without providing a special lane for electronic payment, thereby reducing a traffic jam. The toll payment system comprises a portable telephone on a car, a base station connected with the portable telephone, a server connected with the base station. The server comprises a first memory for storing a location of the base station, a second memory for storing a unit price for each section along the highway and data identifying a contractor or contracted car, a driving route identification unit for identifying a driving route on the basis of the location stored in the first memory and a base station connected under a certain manner, a toll calculation, and a charging unit.

Abstract: A toll collection system obtains the data showing that the vehicle enters into the entrance of a toll road and data obtained from the on board unit mounted on the vehicle as the entrance passing data and the data showing that the vehicle exits from the exit of the toll road and the data peculiar to the on board unit mounted on the vehicle obtained by wireless communication with the on board unit as the exit passing data. Furthermore, the system specifies the utilization by the vehicle basing upon the obtained exit passing data and the entrance passing data and also, obtains the data read out from the number plate provided on the vehicle and specifies the vehicle basing upon the data read out from the number plate, when the utilization by the vehicle cannot be specified.

Abstract: A vehicle status device and system for remotely updating and monitoring the status of a vehicle. The vehicle status device is located in a vehicle and reports status information for the vehicle and an owner to an interrogating unit. The device includes a database of status information for the vehicle and owner. An update receiver in the device receives updated information from a wide area paging network for storage in the database. An interrogation receiver receives an interrogation signal from the interrogating unit, and a response transmitter transmits encoded status information, including a vehicle identification (VID), to the interrogating unit in response. The updating and monitoring system also includes an interrogating unit which includes an interrogation transmitter for transmitting the interrogation signal to the vehicle status device, and a response receiver for receiving the encoded status information from the vehicle status device.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the correct operation of an electronic debiting appliance which is arranged in a vehicle and makes log entries on a mobile memory module in the context of a use accounting system for the use of a road network or for the entering of a stipulated geographical zone by the vehicle. The use of the road or geographical zone which is subject to charges is automatically recognized by the debiting appliance on the basis of data which is held in a carried memory device and identifies the roads or geographical zones which are subject to charges, and on the basis of data which can be received wirelessly in the vehicle from a navigation satellite system for the purpose of determining the particular current geographical vehicle position. A control device is used which is also set up for receiving data from the navigation satellite system.

Abstract: The system provides a method for gathering and sending monitored traffic data via a short messaging system message over a wireless network through a publicly switched telephone network (“PSTN”) to a central computer. A remote traffic monitoring unit acts as a data collection device collecting data regarding the traffic count and other conditions at its particular location. The remote traffic monitoring unit can monitor different types of traffic—for example, motor vehicles, trains, and pedestrians. The system routes data messages including monitored traffic count data from the remote traffic monitoring unit to a central computer and routes control information from the central computer to the remote traffic monitoring unit.

Abstract: To obtain a communication method which makes it possible to perform continuously communication through roadside antennas alternately arranged for a time sharing operation. Roadside antennas are arranged so that communication ranges are suitably overlapped for making the time sharing operation possible, and an on-vehicle device searches a communication frame from an adjacent next antenna during the communication with one of the roadside antennas at the overlapping point, and in the case where an FCMS can continuously be received, a switching from the communicating antenna to the adjacent antenna is instantaneously performed to make it possible to continue the communications between the roadside devices and the on-vehicle device.

Abstract: An improved annual license plate tab affixed to a license plate designed to inform law enforcement personnel if the annual motor vehicle registration period has expired. The tab includes a built-in microchip that store a unique motor vehicle identification code associate with the motor vehicle. The tab includes a transmitter that is activated and transmits the motor vehicle identification code to a wireless receiver operated nearby by law enforcement personnel. The body may also include a bar code or other identification means which enable the law enforcement personnel to quickly access the information. Also disclosed herein is a method of determining the validity of the registration using the above described tab.

Abstract: A vehicle location system which operates to provide a location of a vehicle. Specifically, if a payment due date associated with the vehicle has passed and a payment has not been received for the vehicle, the vehicle location system operates to provide the vehicle's location to a service agency. The service agency can then locate and repossess the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle location system can be activated if it is detected that the vehicle is being tampered with. The location of the vehicle can be determined using global positioning satellites or by triangulation using base stations in mobile radio systems.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that allow a customer to order drive-through menu items using an RF tag (104). A customer vehicle (102) is equipped with a radio-frequency (RF) tag (104). Prior to placing an order, the customer opens an account and creates a default menu using a food vendor's web site. To order items from the default menu, the customer approaches a drive-through order station (312) at a fast food vendor location (318). As vehicle 102 passes order station (312) a first transponder (110A) queries RF tag (104) and processes a return signal (114). Identification information is extracted from return signal (114) such that the customer's order, consisting of the default menu items, is prepared. The customer's vehicle 102 then approaches pick-up station (316) and a second transponder (110B) queries RF tag (104) and subsequently bills the customer's account for the ordered items.

Abstract: A vehicle status device and system for remotely updating and locally indicating the status of a vehicle. The vehicle status device is located in a vehicle and indicates status information for the vehicle on a vehicle-status indicator on the vehicle when the device is interrogated by an interrogating unit. The device includes a database of status information for the vehicle and owner. An update receiver in the device receives encoded updated information from a wide area paging network for storage in the database. An interrogation receiver receives an interrogation signal from the interrogating unit, and a processor decodes the status information and sends it to the status indicator in response. The system also includes an interrogating unit which includes a police radar transmitter or a laser transmitter for transmitting the interrogation signal to the vehicle status device. The status indicator includes a set of summary status lights and may also include an LCD display for detailed status information.

Abstract: If acquisition of measured position and time data (position/time) from a position detection unit fails, a “GPS OFF mode” is set, and the latest position and time data is stored as start data. Thereafter, when the position and time data is obtained successfully, and the operation is recovered from the “GPS OFF mode”, the “GPS OFF mode” is cancelled. Also, the obtained position and time data (restoration data) is stored. Monitor data is formed from the start data and the restoration data. The monitor data is transmitted to a management center through road-vehicle communication. Also, history data of the position and time stored in the position detection unit during the “GPS OFF mode” is read. If the history data satisfies the toll charging condition, the toll charging data is formed and is transmitted to the management center.

Abstract: A DSRC car-mounted equipment which self-diagnoses its communication function and informs the driver of the result, comprising a first local oscillator 30 for generating a car-mounted equipment frequency fosc, a demodulator 16 for detecting the electric field intensity HE and for picking up reception data D1, a car-mounted controller 40 for fetching the reception data by changing over the transmission/reception change-over switch SW1 and for sending transmission data D2, a second local oscillator 31 that outputs a frequency for detecting abnormal condition corresponding to an on-the-road equipment frequency fs, and means for judging the condition of the transmission/reception circuit using the frequency for judging abnormal condition, wherein the transmission/reception change-over switch is connected to the reception circuit, abnormal condition is judged from at least either the electric field intensity or the reception data detected based on a leakage power of the frequency for detecting abnormal condition, a

Abstract: A structure for an infrared ray communication device placed over a lane which encloses a wireless infrared communication device and includes an upper cover for an attachment lens, an attachment lens, a rain shield, a light guiding device, a fixed support for an emitting module, a fixed support for a receiving module, a circuit board socket, a trough for a transformer, fixed hooks, and a rain shield. The device is placed over a path of a passing vehicle, and used to receive infrared rays and to proceed with data transmission.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system and method in the present invention comprises a navigation apparatus transmitting a current position of a vehicle and a target destination of the vehicle, and a base station receiving the current position and the target destination, searching a route information from the current position to the target destination, and transmitting the route information to the navigation apparatus. The base station includes an information storage section storing added information with regard to road features, a route searching section searching the added route information from the information storage section, a transmitting section transmitting the route information to the navigation apparatus and then transmitting the added information to the navigation apparatus. The navigation apparatus displays the route information and the added route information each of which is transmitted from the base station.

Abstract: A gate apparatus for judging the entrance and exit of a vehicle, which is attached with a wireless tag that is stored with a data peculiar to the vehicle, and, on which an on-board unit having a wireless communication function is mounted. In the gate apparatus, the data peculiar to the vehicle is procured by the wireless communicating with the wireless tag, and the data of the on-board unit stored in the on-board unit and IC card data set in the on-board unit are procured by the wireless communicating with the on-board unit.

Abstract: An automated vehicle parking system for a plurality of remote parking facilities that communicates with a vehicle approaching or leaving the remote facility with RF signals, or the like, that identifies the vehicle and sends the vehicle identification number, time of day, and lane number to a first computer at the remote facility for calculating the parking cost of a given vehicle based on rates for said given individual vehicle stored in the first computer of each of the plurality of remote parking facilities and having a central computer coupled to each remote facility for providing a single bill to a user of several remote facilities and advising each remote facility first computer of the total fees due for all users of that remote facility during specified periods.