Charge processing device, charge processing system and charge processing card

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.

1 . A charge processing device comprising: 
 detecting means for detecting position information representing a position where a moving body is located;    charge means for, based on a result of a detection by the detecting means, executing charge processing for the moving body when the moving body has entered into an area where a charge is applied which area is set based on predetermined map information in correspondence with a predetermined area in the map information;    notification means which is mounted on the moving body and which notifies the outside of the moving body of a processing state of the charge processing in a notifying state corresponding to the processing state; and    continuing means for continuing a notification by the notification means when the moving body is located inside the area in which a charge is applied, based on a result of the detection by the detecting means.    
     
     
         2 . The charge processing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the notification means is a radiation means for radiating electromagnetic waves towards the outside of a vehicle.  
     
     
         3 . The charge processing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the notification means is constructed as a light source disposed on the detecting means, or on a number plate the moving body, or in an area around the number plate of the moving body.  
     
     
         4 . The charge processing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the notification means performs notification in a predetermined operating pattern in which the notification state is altered in the manner of a time series.  
     
     
         5 . The charge processing device according to  claim 4 , wherein the notification means is further provided with receiving means for receiving a pattern signal representing the operating pattern, and notification of the processing state is made to the outside of a vehicle based on the pattern signal.  
     
     
         6 . The charge processing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the notification means is structured from a vehicle exterior notification means for notifying the outside of the vehicle of the processing state, and a vehicle interior notification means for notifying the inside of the vehicle of the processing state, and notification of the processing state is made to the interior and exterior of the vehicle.  
     
     
         7 . A charge processing device comprising: 
 observation means for observing a notification from notification means provided in a charge processing device of a moving body which charge processing device of a moving body comprises: 
 detecting means for detecting position information representing a position where the moving body is located;  
 charge means for, based on a result of a detection by the detecting means, executing charge processing for the moving body when the moving body has entered into an area where a charge is applied which area is set based on predetermined map information in correspondence with a predetermined area in the map information;  
 the notification means which is mounted on the moving body and which notifies the outside of the moving body of a processing state of the charge processing in a notifying state corresponding to the processing state; and  
 continuing means for continuing a notification by the notification means while the moving body is located inside the area in which a charge is applied, based on a result of the detection by the detecting means.  
   
     
     
         8 . The charge processing device according to  claim 7 , wherein the observation means observes a notification by detecting at least brightness.  
     
     
         9 . The charge processing device according to  claim 7 , wherein the observation means is an image pickup means capable of picking up either one or a plurality of images having at least brightness.  
     
     
         10 . The charge processing device according to  claim 7 , wherein the observation means observes a notification by detecting at least brightness in synchronization with the observation pattern determined in advance that is altered in the manner of a time series.  
     
     
         11 . The charge processing device according to  claim 10 , wherein the observation means is further provided with receiving means for receiving a pattern signal indicating the observation pattern, and the observation means observes a notification in synchronization with the observation pattern based on the pattern signal.  
     
     
         12 . The charge processing device according to  claim 7 , wherein the charge processing device is further provided with deciding means for deciding a processing state of the charge processing based on an observation result by the observation means.  
     
     
         13 . The charge processing device according to  claim 12 , wherein the deciding means is provided with comparing means for comparing a notification state of a notification obtained by the observation means with a predetermined notification state, and processing deciding means for deciding a processing state of the charge processing based on a comparison result by the comparing means.  
     
     
         14 . A charge processing device which is portable comprising: 
 receiving means for receiving a pattern signal indicating an observation pattern altered in the manner of a time series in order to observe a notification from a notification means provided in the charge processing device of a moving body which charge processing device of a moving body comprises: 
 detecting means for detecting position information representing a position where a moving body is located;  
 charge means for, based on a result of a detection by the detecting means, executing charge processing for the moving body when the moving body has entered into an area where a charge is applied which area is set based on predetermined map information in correspondence with a predetermined area in the map information;  
 the notification means which is mounted on the moving body and which notifies the outside of the moving body of a processing state of the charge processing in a notifying state corresponding to the processing state; and  
 continuing means for continuing a notification by the notification means during the moving body is located inside the area in which a charge is applied, based on a result of the detection by the detecting means, and,  
 presenting means for presenting notification information corresponding to the observation pattern in synchronization with the observation pattern based on the pattern signal.  
   
     
     
         15 . The charge processing device according to  claim 14 , wherein the presenting means presents observation information by at least one of sound and light.  
     
     
         16 . A charge processing device carried by a user or mounted on a moving body comprising: 
 means for detecting a ground position;    storage means for storing area specifying information which is set based on predetermined map information in correspondence with a predetermined area in the map information, and credit information;    relative position determining means for calculating whether the ground position detected by the ground position detecting means is inside or outside an area represented by the area specifying information in the storage means;    distance measuring means for measuring a distance moved within the area; and    charge processing means for updating the credit information based on a distance measured by the distance measuring means.    
     
     
         17 . The charge device according to  claim 16 , wherein the charge device further comprises notification means for notifying a user about information representing the area specifying information and the credit information.  
     
     
         18 . The charge processing device according to  claim 16 , wherein the charge processing device further comprises: notification control means for generating approach information that the charge processing device is approaching the area represented by the area specifying information based on the ground position detected by the ground position detecting means and the area specifying information of the storage means; and notification means for notifying a user about information representing the approach information, the area specifying information, and the credit information.  
     
     
         19 . A charge processing system comprising: 
 a charge processing device that is carried by a user or mounted on a moving body and is provided with 
 means for detecting a ground position,  
 communication means for receiving area specifying information which is set based on predetermined map information in correspondence with a predetermined area in the map information,  
 storage means for storing received area specifying information, and credit information,  
 relative position determining means for calculating whether the ground position detected by the ground position detecting means is inside or outside an area represented by the area specifying information in the storage means;  
 distance measuring means for measuring a distance moved inside the area, and  
 charge processing means for updating the credit information based on a distance measured by the distance measuring means; and  
 a transmitting station that includes  
 public notification information storage means for storing the area specifying information, and  
 transmitting means for the transmitting area specifying information of the public notification information storage means.