jp h09 237399

50
JP,09-237399,A(1997) PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN (11)Publication number : 09-237399 (43)Date of publication of application : 09.09.1997 (51)Int.Cl. G08G 1/042 B60R 21/00 G01R 33/02 G01V 3/08 G01V 3/10 // G01C 21/00 (21)Application number : 08-043933 (71)Applicant : CANON ELECTRON INC (22)Date of filing : 01.03.1996 (72)Inventor : KAWASE MASAHIRO TAZAKI SHINICHI (54) METHOD, DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE DETECTION

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Page 1: Jp h09 237399

JP09-237399A(1997)

PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN

(11)Publication number 09-237399

(43)Date of publication of application 09091997

(51)IntCl G08G 1042

B60R 2100

G01R 3302

G01V 308

G01V 310

G01C 2100

(21)Application number 08-043933 (71)Applicant CANON ELECTRON INC

(22)Date of filing 01031996 (72)Inventor KAWASE MASAHIRO

TAZAKI SHINICHI

(54) METHOD DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE DETECTION

(57)Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED To improve

reliability by making the magnetic

detection of an vehicle highly precise

through the use of a magnetic sensor

consisting of plural small magnetic

detection elements

SOLUTION The magnetic sensor 12

plurally arranging along the longitudinal

direction of the vehicle the magnetic

detection elements 1A to 11N with

magnetic field detecting sensitivity in a

direction vertical to the ground is

installed on or in the ground within the

passing width of the vehicle Through t

use of a selector 21 a timer counter 20 and RAM 26 storing the early value

of external magnetic intensity a control part 19 measures each chang

external magnetic field intensity basing on the state of no vehicle with

respect to each magnetic detection element as a reference based on the

intensity of external magnetic field detected by each magnetic dete

element Then the part 19 judges vehicle detection depending on wheth

the total sum of the respective absolute values of the measured values

exceeds a prescribed combined threshold values

he

e of

ction

er

CLAIMS

[Claim(s)]

[Claim 1]In a vehicle detecting method which detects a magnetic field

generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically A magnetic sensor which put in order two or more

magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground A vehicle detecting method detecting vehicles by

the judgment of whether external magnetic field intensity change as on the

basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism detecting

elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no

vehicles is measured and total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S

[Claim 2]The vehicle detecting method according to claim 1 setting said

joint threshold S as a value of a product which hung threshold s in the

case of one magnetism detecting element and a square root of the

addition numbers n of said measurement value added in order to ask for

said total

[Claim 3]An absolute value of two or more measurement values of a

measuring result of the aforementioned external magnetic field intensity

change is arranged in descending it is considered as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2

ordinal number of --) and they are the following expression about this

value threshold s in the case of one magnetism detecting element and a

square root of said addition numbers n [Mathematical formula 1]

The vehicle detecting method according to claim 2 judging with having

detected vehicles when it compared whether it is alike it would set would

substitute one by one from k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression

would be satisfied and the above-mentioned expression was satisfied

[Claim 4]The vehicle detecting method according to claim 2 or 3 setting

threshold s in the case of said one magnetism detecting element as the

range of 005-01 gauss

[Claim 5]It is a vehicle detecting device which detects a magnetic field

generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of two or more magnetism

detecting elements arranged so that it may have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface and may rank with a

ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or underground along with a

vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement means which measures

each of external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism detecting element

based on external magnetic field intensity detected by each of two or more

of said magnetism detecting elements A vehicle detecting device having a

judging means which judges vehicle detection by whether total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means exceeds predetermined

joint threshold S

[Claim 6]It has a memory measure which memorizes a value of external

magnetic field intensity detected by said two or more magnetism detecting

elements in the state where said measurement means does not have

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard The vehicle detecting

device according to claim 5 measuring the aforementioned external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of an initial value memorized

to this memory measure

[Claim 7]A Colpitts oscillator in which said magnetism detecting element

incorporated a magnetic impedance component which attached a coil It

comprises a comparator [ predetermined comparison voltage output of

a detector circuit which detects an output of this oscillator and this

detector circuit ] By detecting external magnetic field intensity applying

an AC bias magnetic field to said magnetic impedance component with

said coil A Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which a pulse which is two

kinds from which pulse width differs according to external magnetic field

intensity in an output of said comparator appears by turns is obtained The

vehicle detecting device according to claim 5 or 6 wherein said

measurement means measures external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where ask for data of a difference of pulse width

of two kinds of said pulses as external magnetic field strength data and

said vehicles cannot be found based on this data

[Claim 8]It is a vehicle detection system which carries out vehicle

detection to any 1 clause from Claim 5 to 7 using a vehicle detecting

device of a description A judging means which judges whether whether

vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And a vehicle detection system characterized by having an output

means to which vehicles output information on a purport that on a

magnetic sensor was left and enabling it to manage parking vehicles with

the output of said car presence information and information

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[Detailed Description of the Invention]

[0001]

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

[0002]

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

[0011]

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using the magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing the vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using the vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

[0012]

[Means for solving problem]In the vehicle detecting method which

according to this invention detects the magnetic field generated from

vehicles with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order

to solve above-mentioned SUBJECT The magnetic sensor which put in

order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along

with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed in the ground surface in

the band pass of vehicles or underground The external magnetic field

intensity change as on the basis of the state where each of two or more of

said magnetism detecting elements detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles was measured and the method of

detecting vehicles by the judgment of whether total of the absolute value

of two or more measurement values of this measuring result exceeds

predetermined joint threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method the influence of the

zero crossing point which the magnetic field polarity looked at by

distribution of the magnetic field strength in the case of measuring the

magnetic field generated from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

reverses can be avoided and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection

can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects the magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically The magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with the ground surface in the band pass of vehicles

or underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction The

measurement means which measures each of external magnetic field

intensity change as on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to

each magnetism detecting element based on the external magnetic field

intensity detected by each of two or more of said magnetism detecting

elements Total of each absolute value of the measurement value of

external magnetic field intensity change measured by this measurement

means adopted the composition of the vehicle detecting device which has

a judging means which judges vehicle detection by whether predetermined

joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of the small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using the magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using the vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention The judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on the magnetic sensor whether it stopped on

the magnetic sensor based on the decided result of the vehicle detection

by the judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on the

magnetic sensor were left The car presence information on the purport

that vehicles have stopped on a magnetic sensor based on the decided

result of this judging means And it has an output means to which vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor was

left and the composition of the vehicle detection system which enabled it

to manage parking vehicles with the output of said car presence

information and information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition the advantage of the vehicle

detecting device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence

information and information can be outputted based on highly precise

and reliable vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of

parking vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect a magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes a magnetic field of a center of the body by width

of the length of a half of the body shown in the range of H seal in a figure

of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because movement speed of a

difference in the length of each body and the body at the time of

Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of data of four examples and a zero

cross exists an absolute value of a measurement value may go into a

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of a magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in a case of vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of a position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d a measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration a device which raises detection probability further

is required

[0030]Then an absolute value of a measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added A value of a product which on the other hand hung

said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a magnetism

detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the time of

detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set up as

joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of an

added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of an

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as a

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that a product

of a noise for one element and a square root of the addition numbers n

serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to earn the whole

SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]Sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the sensitivity

of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it is

satisfied also with practical resolution in a case where it connects with a

circuit of a magnetism detecting element of conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and conditions of (3) are

also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in performance

resulting from an outside dimension of a magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

a path of a wire and a magnetic film of conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to contents

reported at a society etc about magnetic field detection which uses the

Colpitts oscillating circuit about conditions of (4) there is a problem

practically

[0053]For example an application of a magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by an amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation type

micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through a coil directly twisted around a wire of an element applying a DC

bias magnetic field and making it operate in a field where sensitivity is high

he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of an output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 2: Jp h09 237399

(57)Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED To improve

reliability by making the magnetic

detection of an vehicle highly precise

through the use of a magnetic sensor

consisting of plural small magnetic

detection elements

SOLUTION The magnetic sensor 12

plurally arranging along the longitudinal

direction of the vehicle the magnetic

detection elements 1A to 11N with

magnetic field detecting sensitivity in a

direction vertical to the ground is

installed on or in the ground within the

passing width of the vehicle Through t

use of a selector 21 a timer counter 20 and RAM 26 storing the early value

of external magnetic intensity a control part 19 measures each chang

external magnetic field intensity basing on the state of no vehicle with

respect to each magnetic detection element as a reference based on the

intensity of external magnetic field detected by each magnetic dete

element Then the part 19 judges vehicle detection depending on wheth

the total sum of the respective absolute values of the measured values

exceeds a prescribed combined threshold values

he

e of

ction

er

CLAIMS

[Claim(s)]

[Claim 1]In a vehicle detecting method which detects a magnetic field

generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically A magnetic sensor which put in order two or more

magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground A vehicle detecting method detecting vehicles by

the judgment of whether external magnetic field intensity change as on the

basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism detecting

elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no

vehicles is measured and total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S

[Claim 2]The vehicle detecting method according to claim 1 setting said

joint threshold S as a value of a product which hung threshold s in the

case of one magnetism detecting element and a square root of the

addition numbers n of said measurement value added in order to ask for

said total

[Claim 3]An absolute value of two or more measurement values of a

measuring result of the aforementioned external magnetic field intensity

change is arranged in descending it is considered as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2

ordinal number of --) and they are the following expression about this

value threshold s in the case of one magnetism detecting element and a

square root of said addition numbers n [Mathematical formula 1]

The vehicle detecting method according to claim 2 judging with having

detected vehicles when it compared whether it is alike it would set would

substitute one by one from k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression

would be satisfied and the above-mentioned expression was satisfied

[Claim 4]The vehicle detecting method according to claim 2 or 3 setting

threshold s in the case of said one magnetism detecting element as the

range of 005-01 gauss

[Claim 5]It is a vehicle detecting device which detects a magnetic field

generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of two or more magnetism

detecting elements arranged so that it may have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface and may rank with a

ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or underground along with a

vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement means which measures

each of external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism detecting element

based on external magnetic field intensity detected by each of two or more

of said magnetism detecting elements A vehicle detecting device having a

judging means which judges vehicle detection by whether total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means exceeds predetermined

joint threshold S

[Claim 6]It has a memory measure which memorizes a value of external

magnetic field intensity detected by said two or more magnetism detecting

elements in the state where said measurement means does not have

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard The vehicle detecting

device according to claim 5 measuring the aforementioned external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of an initial value memorized

to this memory measure

[Claim 7]A Colpitts oscillator in which said magnetism detecting element

incorporated a magnetic impedance component which attached a coil It

comprises a comparator [ predetermined comparison voltage output of

a detector circuit which detects an output of this oscillator and this

detector circuit ] By detecting external magnetic field intensity applying

an AC bias magnetic field to said magnetic impedance component with

said coil A Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which a pulse which is two

kinds from which pulse width differs according to external magnetic field

intensity in an output of said comparator appears by turns is obtained The

vehicle detecting device according to claim 5 or 6 wherein said

measurement means measures external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where ask for data of a difference of pulse width

of two kinds of said pulses as external magnetic field strength data and

said vehicles cannot be found based on this data

[Claim 8]It is a vehicle detection system which carries out vehicle

detection to any 1 clause from Claim 5 to 7 using a vehicle detecting

device of a description A judging means which judges whether whether

vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And a vehicle detection system characterized by having an output

means to which vehicles output information on a purport that on a

magnetic sensor was left and enabling it to manage parking vehicles with

the output of said car presence information and information

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[Detailed Description of the Invention]

[0001]

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

[0002]

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

[0011]

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using the magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing the vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using the vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

[0012]

[Means for solving problem]In the vehicle detecting method which

according to this invention detects the magnetic field generated from

vehicles with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order

to solve above-mentioned SUBJECT The magnetic sensor which put in

order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along

with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed in the ground surface in

the band pass of vehicles or underground The external magnetic field

intensity change as on the basis of the state where each of two or more of

said magnetism detecting elements detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles was measured and the method of

detecting vehicles by the judgment of whether total of the absolute value

of two or more measurement values of this measuring result exceeds

predetermined joint threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method the influence of the

zero crossing point which the magnetic field polarity looked at by

distribution of the magnetic field strength in the case of measuring the

magnetic field generated from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

reverses can be avoided and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection

can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects the magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically The magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with the ground surface in the band pass of vehicles

or underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction The

measurement means which measures each of external magnetic field

intensity change as on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to

each magnetism detecting element based on the external magnetic field

intensity detected by each of two or more of said magnetism detecting

elements Total of each absolute value of the measurement value of

external magnetic field intensity change measured by this measurement

means adopted the composition of the vehicle detecting device which has

a judging means which judges vehicle detection by whether predetermined

joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of the small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using the magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using the vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention The judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on the magnetic sensor whether it stopped on

the magnetic sensor based on the decided result of the vehicle detection

by the judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on the

magnetic sensor were left The car presence information on the purport

that vehicles have stopped on a magnetic sensor based on the decided

result of this judging means And it has an output means to which vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor was

left and the composition of the vehicle detection system which enabled it

to manage parking vehicles with the output of said car presence

information and information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition the advantage of the vehicle

detecting device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence

information and information can be outputted based on highly precise

and reliable vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of

parking vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect a magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes a magnetic field of a center of the body by width

of the length of a half of the body shown in the range of H seal in a figure

of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because movement speed of a

difference in the length of each body and the body at the time of

Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of data of four examples and a zero

cross exists an absolute value of a measurement value may go into a

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of a magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in a case of vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of a position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d a measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration a device which raises detection probability further

is required

[0030]Then an absolute value of a measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added A value of a product which on the other hand hung

said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a magnetism

detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the time of

detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set up as

joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of an

added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of an

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as a

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that a product

of a noise for one element and a square root of the addition numbers n

serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to earn the whole

SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]Sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the sensitivity

of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it is

satisfied also with practical resolution in a case where it connects with a

circuit of a magnetism detecting element of conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and conditions of (3) are

also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in performance

resulting from an outside dimension of a magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

a path of a wire and a magnetic film of conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to contents

reported at a society etc about magnetic field detection which uses the

Colpitts oscillating circuit about conditions of (4) there is a problem

practically

[0053]For example an application of a magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by an amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation type

micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through a coil directly twisted around a wire of an element applying a DC

bias magnetic field and making it operate in a field where sensitivity is high

he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of an output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 3: Jp h09 237399

vehicles or underground A vehicle detecting method detecting vehicles by

the judgment of whether external magnetic field intensity change as on the

basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism detecting

elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no

vehicles is measured and total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S

[Claim 2]The vehicle detecting method according to claim 1 setting said

joint threshold S as a value of a product which hung threshold s in the

case of one magnetism detecting element and a square root of the

addition numbers n of said measurement value added in order to ask for

said total

[Claim 3]An absolute value of two or more measurement values of a

measuring result of the aforementioned external magnetic field intensity

change is arranged in descending it is considered as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2

ordinal number of --) and they are the following expression about this

value threshold s in the case of one magnetism detecting element and a

square root of said addition numbers n [Mathematical formula 1]

The vehicle detecting method according to claim 2 judging with having

detected vehicles when it compared whether it is alike it would set would

substitute one by one from k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression

would be satisfied and the above-mentioned expression was satisfied

[Claim 4]The vehicle detecting method according to claim 2 or 3 setting

threshold s in the case of said one magnetism detecting element as the

range of 005-01 gauss

[Claim 5]It is a vehicle detecting device which detects a magnetic field

generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of two or more magnetism

detecting elements arranged so that it may have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface and may rank with a

ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or underground along with a

vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement means which measures

each of external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism detecting element

based on external magnetic field intensity detected by each of two or more

of said magnetism detecting elements A vehicle detecting device having a

judging means which judges vehicle detection by whether total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means exceeds predetermined

joint threshold S

[Claim 6]It has a memory measure which memorizes a value of external

magnetic field intensity detected by said two or more magnetism detecting

elements in the state where said measurement means does not have

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard The vehicle detecting

device according to claim 5 measuring the aforementioned external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of an initial value memorized

to this memory measure

[Claim 7]A Colpitts oscillator in which said magnetism detecting element

incorporated a magnetic impedance component which attached a coil It

comprises a comparator [ predetermined comparison voltage output of

a detector circuit which detects an output of this oscillator and this

detector circuit ] By detecting external magnetic field intensity applying

an AC bias magnetic field to said magnetic impedance component with

said coil A Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which a pulse which is two

kinds from which pulse width differs according to external magnetic field

intensity in an output of said comparator appears by turns is obtained The

vehicle detecting device according to claim 5 or 6 wherein said

measurement means measures external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where ask for data of a difference of pulse width

of two kinds of said pulses as external magnetic field strength data and

said vehicles cannot be found based on this data

[Claim 8]It is a vehicle detection system which carries out vehicle

detection to any 1 clause from Claim 5 to 7 using a vehicle detecting

device of a description A judging means which judges whether whether

vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And a vehicle detection system characterized by having an output

means to which vehicles output information on a purport that on a

magnetic sensor was left and enabling it to manage parking vehicles with

the output of said car presence information and information

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[Detailed Description of the Invention]

[0001]

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

[0002]

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

[0011]

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using the magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing the vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using the vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

[0012]

[Means for solving problem]In the vehicle detecting method which

according to this invention detects the magnetic field generated from

vehicles with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order

to solve above-mentioned SUBJECT The magnetic sensor which put in

order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along

with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed in the ground surface in

the band pass of vehicles or underground The external magnetic field

intensity change as on the basis of the state where each of two or more of

said magnetism detecting elements detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles was measured and the method of

detecting vehicles by the judgment of whether total of the absolute value

of two or more measurement values of this measuring result exceeds

predetermined joint threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method the influence of the

zero crossing point which the magnetic field polarity looked at by

distribution of the magnetic field strength in the case of measuring the

magnetic field generated from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

reverses can be avoided and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection

can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects the magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically The magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with the ground surface in the band pass of vehicles

or underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction The

measurement means which measures each of external magnetic field

intensity change as on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to

each magnetism detecting element based on the external magnetic field

intensity detected by each of two or more of said magnetism detecting

elements Total of each absolute value of the measurement value of

external magnetic field intensity change measured by this measurement

means adopted the composition of the vehicle detecting device which has

a judging means which judges vehicle detection by whether predetermined

joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of the small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using the magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using the vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention The judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on the magnetic sensor whether it stopped on

the magnetic sensor based on the decided result of the vehicle detection

by the judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on the

magnetic sensor were left The car presence information on the purport

that vehicles have stopped on a magnetic sensor based on the decided

result of this judging means And it has an output means to which vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor was

left and the composition of the vehicle detection system which enabled it

to manage parking vehicles with the output of said car presence

information and information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition the advantage of the vehicle

detecting device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence

information and information can be outputted based on highly precise

and reliable vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of

parking vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect a magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes a magnetic field of a center of the body by width

of the length of a half of the body shown in the range of H seal in a figure

of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because movement speed of a

difference in the length of each body and the body at the time of

Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of data of four examples and a zero

cross exists an absolute value of a measurement value may go into a

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of a magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in a case of vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of a position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d a measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration a device which raises detection probability further

is required

[0030]Then an absolute value of a measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added A value of a product which on the other hand hung

said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a magnetism

detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the time of

detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set up as

joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of an

added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of an

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as a

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that a product

of a noise for one element and a square root of the addition numbers n

serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to earn the whole

SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]Sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the sensitivity

of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it is

satisfied also with practical resolution in a case where it connects with a

circuit of a magnetism detecting element of conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and conditions of (3) are

also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in performance

resulting from an outside dimension of a magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

a path of a wire and a magnetic film of conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to contents

reported at a society etc about magnetic field detection which uses the

Colpitts oscillating circuit about conditions of (4) there is a problem

practically

[0053]For example an application of a magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by an amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation type

micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through a coil directly twisted around a wire of an element applying a DC

bias magnetic field and making it operate in a field where sensitivity is high

he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of an output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 4: Jp h09 237399

each of external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism detecting element

based on external magnetic field intensity detected by each of two or more

of said magnetism detecting elements A vehicle detecting device having a

judging means which judges vehicle detection by whether total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means exceeds predetermined

joint threshold S

[Claim 6]It has a memory measure which memorizes a value of external

magnetic field intensity detected by said two or more magnetism detecting

elements in the state where said measurement means does not have

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard The vehicle detecting

device according to claim 5 measuring the aforementioned external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of an initial value memorized

to this memory measure

[Claim 7]A Colpitts oscillator in which said magnetism detecting element

incorporated a magnetic impedance component which attached a coil It

comprises a comparator [ predetermined comparison voltage output of

a detector circuit which detects an output of this oscillator and this

detector circuit ] By detecting external magnetic field intensity applying

an AC bias magnetic field to said magnetic impedance component with

said coil A Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which a pulse which is two

kinds from which pulse width differs according to external magnetic field

intensity in an output of said comparator appears by turns is obtained The

vehicle detecting device according to claim 5 or 6 wherein said

measurement means measures external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where ask for data of a difference of pulse width

of two kinds of said pulses as external magnetic field strength data and

said vehicles cannot be found based on this data

[Claim 8]It is a vehicle detection system which carries out vehicle

detection to any 1 clause from Claim 5 to 7 using a vehicle detecting

device of a description A judging means which judges whether whether

vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And a vehicle detection system characterized by having an output

means to which vehicles output information on a purport that on a

magnetic sensor was left and enabling it to manage parking vehicles with

the output of said car presence information and information

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[Detailed Description of the Invention]

[0001]

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

[0002]

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

[0011]

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using the magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing the vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using the vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

[0012]

[Means for solving problem]In the vehicle detecting method which

according to this invention detects the magnetic field generated from

vehicles with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order

to solve above-mentioned SUBJECT The magnetic sensor which put in

order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along

with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed in the ground surface in

the band pass of vehicles or underground The external magnetic field

intensity change as on the basis of the state where each of two or more of

said magnetism detecting elements detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles was measured and the method of

detecting vehicles by the judgment of whether total of the absolute value

of two or more measurement values of this measuring result exceeds

predetermined joint threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method the influence of the

zero crossing point which the magnetic field polarity looked at by

distribution of the magnetic field strength in the case of measuring the

magnetic field generated from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

reverses can be avoided and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection

can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects the magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically The magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with the ground surface in the band pass of vehicles

or underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction The

measurement means which measures each of external magnetic field

intensity change as on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to

each magnetism detecting element based on the external magnetic field

intensity detected by each of two or more of said magnetism detecting

elements Total of each absolute value of the measurement value of

external magnetic field intensity change measured by this measurement

means adopted the composition of the vehicle detecting device which has

a judging means which judges vehicle detection by whether predetermined

joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of the small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using the magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using the vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention The judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on the magnetic sensor whether it stopped on

the magnetic sensor based on the decided result of the vehicle detection

by the judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on the

magnetic sensor were left The car presence information on the purport

that vehicles have stopped on a magnetic sensor based on the decided

result of this judging means And it has an output means to which vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor was

left and the composition of the vehicle detection system which enabled it

to manage parking vehicles with the output of said car presence

information and information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition the advantage of the vehicle

detecting device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence

information and information can be outputted based on highly precise

and reliable vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of

parking vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect a magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes a magnetic field of a center of the body by width

of the length of a half of the body shown in the range of H seal in a figure

of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because movement speed of a

difference in the length of each body and the body at the time of

Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of data of four examples and a zero

cross exists an absolute value of a measurement value may go into a

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of a magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in a case of vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of a position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d a measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration a device which raises detection probability further

is required

[0030]Then an absolute value of a measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added A value of a product which on the other hand hung

said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a magnetism

detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the time of

detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set up as

joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of an

added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of an

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as a

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that a product

of a noise for one element and a square root of the addition numbers n

serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to earn the whole

SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]Sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the sensitivity

of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it is

satisfied also with practical resolution in a case where it connects with a

circuit of a magnetism detecting element of conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and conditions of (3) are

also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in performance

resulting from an outside dimension of a magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

a path of a wire and a magnetic film of conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to contents

reported at a society etc about magnetic field detection which uses the

Colpitts oscillating circuit about conditions of (4) there is a problem

practically

[0053]For example an application of a magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by an amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation type

micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through a coil directly twisted around a wire of an element applying a DC

bias magnetic field and making it operate in a field where sensitivity is high

he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of an output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 5: Jp h09 237399

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And a vehicle detection system characterized by having an output

means to which vehicles output information on a purport that on a

magnetic sensor was left and enabling it to manage parking vehicles with

the output of said car presence information and information

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[Detailed Description of the Invention]

[0001]

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

[0002]

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

[0011]

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using the magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing the vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using the vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

[0012]

[Means for solving problem]In the vehicle detecting method which

according to this invention detects the magnetic field generated from

vehicles with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order

to solve above-mentioned SUBJECT The magnetic sensor which put in

order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along

with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed in the ground surface in

the band pass of vehicles or underground The external magnetic field

intensity change as on the basis of the state where each of two or more of

said magnetism detecting elements detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles was measured and the method of

detecting vehicles by the judgment of whether total of the absolute value

of two or more measurement values of this measuring result exceeds

predetermined joint threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method the influence of the

zero crossing point which the magnetic field polarity looked at by

distribution of the magnetic field strength in the case of measuring the

magnetic field generated from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

reverses can be avoided and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection

can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects the magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically The magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with the ground surface in the band pass of vehicles

or underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction The

measurement means which measures each of external magnetic field

intensity change as on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to

each magnetism detecting element based on the external magnetic field

intensity detected by each of two or more of said magnetism detecting

elements Total of each absolute value of the measurement value of

external magnetic field intensity change measured by this measurement

means adopted the composition of the vehicle detecting device which has

a judging means which judges vehicle detection by whether predetermined

joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of the small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using the magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using the vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention The judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on the magnetic sensor whether it stopped on

the magnetic sensor based on the decided result of the vehicle detection

by the judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on the

magnetic sensor were left The car presence information on the purport

that vehicles have stopped on a magnetic sensor based on the decided

result of this judging means And it has an output means to which vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor was

left and the composition of the vehicle detection system which enabled it

to manage parking vehicles with the output of said car presence

information and information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition the advantage of the vehicle

detecting device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence

information and information can be outputted based on highly precise

and reliable vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of

parking vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect a magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes a magnetic field of a center of the body by width

of the length of a half of the body shown in the range of H seal in a figure

of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because movement speed of a

difference in the length of each body and the body at the time of

Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of data of four examples and a zero

cross exists an absolute value of a measurement value may go into a

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of a magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in a case of vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of a position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d a measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration a device which raises detection probability further

is required

[0030]Then an absolute value of a measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added A value of a product which on the other hand hung

said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a magnetism

detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the time of

detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set up as

joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of an

added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of an

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as a

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that a product

of a noise for one element and a square root of the addition numbers n

serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to earn the whole

SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]Sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the sensitivity

of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it is

satisfied also with practical resolution in a case where it connects with a

circuit of a magnetism detecting element of conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and conditions of (3) are

also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in performance

resulting from an outside dimension of a magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

a path of a wire and a magnetic film of conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to contents

reported at a society etc about magnetic field detection which uses the

Colpitts oscillating circuit about conditions of (4) there is a problem

practically

[0053]For example an application of a magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by an amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation type

micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through a coil directly twisted around a wire of an element applying a DC

bias magnetic field and making it operate in a field where sensitivity is high

he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of an output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 6: Jp h09 237399

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

[0011]

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using the magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing the vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using the vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

[0012]

[Means for solving problem]In the vehicle detecting method which

according to this invention detects the magnetic field generated from

vehicles with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order

to solve above-mentioned SUBJECT The magnetic sensor which put in

order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along

with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed in the ground surface in

the band pass of vehicles or underground The external magnetic field

intensity change as on the basis of the state where each of two or more of

said magnetism detecting elements detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles was measured and the method of

detecting vehicles by the judgment of whether total of the absolute value

of two or more measurement values of this measuring result exceeds

predetermined joint threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method the influence of the

zero crossing point which the magnetic field polarity looked at by

distribution of the magnetic field strength in the case of measuring the

magnetic field generated from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

reverses can be avoided and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection

can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects the magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically The magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with the ground surface in the band pass of vehicles

or underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction The

measurement means which measures each of external magnetic field

intensity change as on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to

each magnetism detecting element based on the external magnetic field

intensity detected by each of two or more of said magnetism detecting

elements Total of each absolute value of the measurement value of

external magnetic field intensity change measured by this measurement

means adopted the composition of the vehicle detecting device which has

a judging means which judges vehicle detection by whether predetermined

joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of the small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using the magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using the vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention The judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on the magnetic sensor whether it stopped on

the magnetic sensor based on the decided result of the vehicle detection

by the judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on the

magnetic sensor were left The car presence information on the purport

that vehicles have stopped on a magnetic sensor based on the decided

result of this judging means And it has an output means to which vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor was

left and the composition of the vehicle detection system which enabled it

to manage parking vehicles with the output of said car presence

information and information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition the advantage of the vehicle

detecting device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence

information and information can be outputted based on highly precise

and reliable vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of

parking vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect a magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes a magnetic field of a center of the body by width

of the length of a half of the body shown in the range of H seal in a figure

of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because movement speed of a

difference in the length of each body and the body at the time of

Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of data of four examples and a zero

cross exists an absolute value of a measurement value may go into a

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of a magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in a case of vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of a position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d a measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration a device which raises detection probability further

is required

[0030]Then an absolute value of a measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added A value of a product which on the other hand hung

said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a magnetism

detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the time of

detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set up as

joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of an

added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of an

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as a

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that a product

of a noise for one element and a square root of the addition numbers n

serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to earn the whole

SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]Sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the sensitivity

of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it is

satisfied also with practical resolution in a case where it connects with a

circuit of a magnetism detecting element of conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and conditions of (3) are

also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in performance

resulting from an outside dimension of a magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

a path of a wire and a magnetic film of conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to contents

reported at a society etc about magnetic field detection which uses the

Colpitts oscillating circuit about conditions of (4) there is a problem

practically

[0053]For example an application of a magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by an amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation type

micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through a coil directly twisted around a wire of an element applying a DC

bias magnetic field and making it operate in a field where sensitivity is high

he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of an output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 7: Jp h09 237399

intensity change as on the basis of the state where each of two or more of

said magnetism detecting elements detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles was measured and the method of

detecting vehicles by the judgment of whether total of the absolute value

of two or more measurement values of this measuring result exceeds

predetermined joint threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method the influence of the

zero crossing point which the magnetic field polarity looked at by

distribution of the magnetic field strength in the case of measuring the

magnetic field generated from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

reverses can be avoided and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection

can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects the magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically The magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with the ground surface in the band pass of vehicles

or underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction The

measurement means which measures each of external magnetic field

intensity change as on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to

each magnetism detecting element based on the external magnetic field

intensity detected by each of two or more of said magnetism detecting

elements Total of each absolute value of the measurement value of

external magnetic field intensity change measured by this measurement

means adopted the composition of the vehicle detecting device which has

a judging means which judges vehicle detection by whether predetermined

joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of the small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using the magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using the vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention The judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on the magnetic sensor whether it stopped on

the magnetic sensor based on the decided result of the vehicle detection

by the judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on the

magnetic sensor were left The car presence information on the purport

that vehicles have stopped on a magnetic sensor based on the decided

result of this judging means And it has an output means to which vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor was

left and the composition of the vehicle detection system which enabled it

to manage parking vehicles with the output of said car presence

information and information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition the advantage of the vehicle

detecting device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence

information and information can be outputted based on highly precise

and reliable vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of

parking vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect a magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes a magnetic field of a center of the body by width

of the length of a half of the body shown in the range of H seal in a figure

of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because movement speed of a

difference in the length of each body and the body at the time of

Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of data of four examples and a zero

cross exists an absolute value of a measurement value may go into a

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of a magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in a case of vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of a position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d a measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration a device which raises detection probability further

is required

[0030]Then an absolute value of a measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added A value of a product which on the other hand hung

said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a magnetism

detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the time of

detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set up as

joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of an

added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of an

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as a

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that a product

of a noise for one element and a square root of the addition numbers n

serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to earn the whole

SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]Sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the sensitivity

of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it is

satisfied also with practical resolution in a case where it connects with a

circuit of a magnetism detecting element of conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and conditions of (3) are

also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in performance

resulting from an outside dimension of a magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

a path of a wire and a magnetic film of conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to contents

reported at a society etc about magnetic field detection which uses the

Colpitts oscillating circuit about conditions of (4) there is a problem

practically

[0053]For example an application of a magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by an amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation type

micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through a coil directly twisted around a wire of an element applying a DC

bias magnetic field and making it operate in a field where sensitivity is high

he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of an output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 8: Jp h09 237399

according to this invention The judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on the magnetic sensor whether it stopped on

the magnetic sensor based on the decided result of the vehicle detection

by the judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on the

magnetic sensor were left The car presence information on the purport

that vehicles have stopped on a magnetic sensor based on the decided

result of this judging means And it has an output means to which vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor was

left and the composition of the vehicle detection system which enabled it

to manage parking vehicles with the output of said car presence

information and information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition the advantage of the vehicle

detecting device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence

information and information can be outputted based on highly precise

and reliable vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of

parking vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect a magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes a magnetic field of a center of the body by width

of the length of a half of the body shown in the range of H seal in a figure

of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because movement speed of a

difference in the length of each body and the body at the time of

Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of data of four examples and a zero

cross exists an absolute value of a measurement value may go into a

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of a magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in a case of vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of a position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d a measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration a device which raises detection probability further

is required

[0030]Then an absolute value of a measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added A value of a product which on the other hand hung

said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a magnetism

detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the time of

detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set up as

joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of an

added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of an

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as a

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that a product

of a noise for one element and a square root of the addition numbers n

serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to earn the whole

SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]Sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the sensitivity

of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it is

satisfied also with practical resolution in a case where it connects with a

circuit of a magnetism detecting element of conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and conditions of (3) are

also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in performance

resulting from an outside dimension of a magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

a path of a wire and a magnetic film of conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to contents

reported at a society etc about magnetic field detection which uses the

Colpitts oscillating circuit about conditions of (4) there is a problem

practically

[0053]For example an application of a magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by an amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation type

micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through a coil directly twisted around a wire of an element applying a DC

bias magnetic field and making it operate in a field where sensitivity is high

he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of an output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 9: Jp h09 237399

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect a magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes a magnetic field of a center of the body by width

of the length of a half of the body shown in the range of H seal in a figure

of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because movement speed of a

difference in the length of each body and the body at the time of

Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of data of four examples and a zero

cross exists an absolute value of a measurement value may go into a

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of a magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in a case of vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of a position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d a measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration a device which raises detection probability further

is required

[0030]Then an absolute value of a measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added A value of a product which on the other hand hung

said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a magnetism

detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the time of

detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set up as

joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of an

added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of an

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as a

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that a product

of a noise for one element and a square root of the addition numbers n

serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to earn the whole

SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]Sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the sensitivity

of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it is

satisfied also with practical resolution in a case where it connects with a

circuit of a magnetism detecting element of conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and conditions of (3) are

also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in performance

resulting from an outside dimension of a magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

a path of a wire and a magnetic film of conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to contents

reported at a society etc about magnetic field detection which uses the

Colpitts oscillating circuit about conditions of (4) there is a problem

practically

[0053]For example an application of a magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by an amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation type

micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through a coil directly twisted around a wire of an element applying a DC

bias magnetic field and making it operate in a field where sensitivity is high

he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of an output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 10: Jp h09 237399

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of a magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in a case of vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of a position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d a measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration a device which raises detection probability further

is required

[0030]Then an absolute value of a measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added A value of a product which on the other hand hung

said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a magnetism

detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the time of

detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set up as

joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of an

added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of an

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as a

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that a product

of a noise for one element and a square root of the addition numbers n

serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to earn the whole

SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]Sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the sensitivity

of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it is

satisfied also with practical resolution in a case where it connects with a

circuit of a magnetism detecting element of conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and conditions of (3) are

also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in performance

resulting from an outside dimension of a magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

a path of a wire and a magnetic film of conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to contents

reported at a society etc about magnetic field detection which uses the

Colpitts oscillating circuit about conditions of (4) there is a problem

practically

[0053]For example an application of a magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by an amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation type

micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through a coil directly twisted around a wire of an element applying a DC

bias magnetic field and making it operate in a field where sensitivity is high

he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of an output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 11: Jp h09 237399

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]Sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the sensitivity

of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it is

satisfied also with practical resolution in a case where it connects with a

circuit of a magnetism detecting element of conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and conditions of (3) are

also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in performance

resulting from an outside dimension of a magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

a path of a wire and a magnetic film of conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to contents

reported at a society etc about magnetic field detection which uses the

Colpitts oscillating circuit about conditions of (4) there is a problem

practically

[0053]For example an application of a magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by an amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation type

micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through a coil directly twisted around a wire of an element applying a DC

bias magnetic field and making it operate in a field where sensitivity is high

he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of an output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 12: Jp h09 237399

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]Sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the sensitivity

of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it is

satisfied also with practical resolution in a case where it connects with a

circuit of a magnetism detecting element of conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and conditions of (3) are

also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in performance

resulting from an outside dimension of a magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

a path of a wire and a magnetic film of conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to contents

reported at a society etc about magnetic field detection which uses the

Colpitts oscillating circuit about conditions of (4) there is a problem

practically

[0053]For example an application of a magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by an amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation type

micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through a coil directly twisted around a wire of an element applying a DC

bias magnetic field and making it operate in a field where sensitivity is high

he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of an output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 13: Jp h09 237399

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]Sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the sensitivity

of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it is

satisfied also with practical resolution in a case where it connects with a

circuit of a magnetism detecting element of conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and conditions of (3) are

also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in performance

resulting from an outside dimension of a magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

a path of a wire and a magnetic film of conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to contents

reported at a society etc about magnetic field detection which uses the

Colpitts oscillating circuit about conditions of (4) there is a problem

practically

[0053]For example an application of a magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by an amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation type

micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through a coil directly twisted around a wire of an element applying a DC

bias magnetic field and making it operate in a field where sensitivity is high

he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of an output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 14: Jp h09 237399

[0056]So in this embodiment circuitry of a magnetism detecting element

shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]Circuitry of a magnetism detecting element shown in drawing 4

consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in a

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

an A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out A ripple waveform

corresponding to a bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of an adjacent peak corresponding to intensity of the external

magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B point as

shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the comparison

voltage Vref which crosses a voltage waveform of said ripple with a

comparator a Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to intensity

of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]A signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock from

a microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass filter it

may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave and it

may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next details of operation of circuitry of a magnetism detecting

element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 15: Jp h09 237399

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and an unsymmetrical magnetic

field which an external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 An impedance change (ripple waveform) from which height

of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 16: Jp h09 237399

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes the Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges the

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and the Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that the clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass the signal

of the AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is

formed and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each

magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 The

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 17: Jp h09 237399

feed zone of this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12

side

[0070]Next the vehicle detection operation by the composition of drawing

8 is explained First the initial value of the external magnetic field intensity

used as the standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change

in the state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with

the magnetic sensor 12 the pulse signal which detected external magnetic

field intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 18: Jp h09 237399

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][An embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9

and drawing 10 explain an embodiment of a vehicle detection system for

parking-vehicles management in a motor pool using a vehicle detecting

device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle detection system

it is needless to say that a portion of the magnetic sensor 12 is provided in

a ground surface of a motor pool or underground at least and it carries

out of a vehicle detecting device of drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing functional composition of a

vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those other

than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by hardware

and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing 8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where there are no vehicles based on a detection result of external

magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of

the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This measurement means 27

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 19: Jp h09 237399

has the initial value memory measure 28 which memorizes a value of

external magnetic field intensity detected by the magnetism detecting

elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no vehicles as an initial

value used as a standard and measures external magnetic field intensity

change on the basis of an initial value memorized to this memory measure

28 The memory measure 28 is specifically constituted as RAM26 of

drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 20: Jp h09 237399

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 External magnetic field intensity by each magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect as

mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for

measurement data of external magnetic field intensity of A-B mentioned

above based on the detection result this is set up as initial value data

used as a standard which asks for external magnetic field intensity change

and it memorizes to recording equipment of RAM26 grade Since there are

no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the control section 19 checks

information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of vehicles into a motor pool ie a

ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity from vehicles by

each magnetism detecting element are performed in a procedure

mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having advanced into a

motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of a difference of each

measurement data A-B and initial value data separately and the total was

over predetermined joint threshold S and when not having progressed and

exceeded for the following procedure it returns to Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 21: Jp h09 237399

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

[0092]

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 22: Jp h09 237399

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

[Field of the Invention]This invention detects the magnetic field generated

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 23: Jp h09 237399

from vehicles such as a car with a magnetic sensor and detects vehicles

magnetically namely relates to the vehicle detecting method which

detects the existence of vehicles thruor passage a vehicle detecting

device and a vehicle detection system

PRIOR ART

[Description of the Prior Art]Conventionally the sensor which detects

vehicles such as a car is used in the use of measuring the distinction of

the existence of parking in the managerial system of a motor pool and the

traffic of the vehicles in a traffic control system

[0003]Usually since vehicles such as a car are tinged with magnetism

using the metallic material which is easy to be tinged with magnetism such

as a steel plate it is detecting the magnetic field generated from vehicles

with a magnetic sensor and it is possible to recognize existence of

vehicles or passage

[0004]Conventionally in the motor pool the loop coil type magnetic

sensor was buried in the earth and it has been used for vehicle detection

in it A loop coil type magnetic sensor is that generate a magnetic field by

an eddy current in the metal part of the body of vehicles to the alternating

current sent through a coil or the magnetic field from the bodys own

magnetization interlinks with a loop coil A coils own inductance changes

it is changed as change of oscillating frequency or amplitude in a circuit

and vehicle detection is performed by the existence of the change

[0005]However although the loop coil type magnetic sensor is spreading

by detection of vehicles it has the following problems

[0006]- Since a loop coil opens an interval a little with vehicles and is

installed in order to detect the inductance variation in vehicles existence

there is the necessity of enlarging size of a sensitivity secured upper coil

(about 1mx1m)

[0007]- If metal bodies such as a steel rod are in the neighborhood SN

cannot be taken enough

[0008]- Since a loop coil is large and power consumption is large it is not

fit for continuous energization use

[0009]- A coil is a size which is about 1mx1m and the burden of

construction expense is heavy in subterranean installation

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 24: Jp h09 237399

[0010]Then although the small magnetic sensor was used and the

substitution was considered When the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis was measured near the zero

crossing point which remarkable unevenness is made to distribution of

magnetic field strength and magnetic field polarity reverses by the local

magnetization of Body Manufacturing Division article each which it has it

turned out that the dead point which does not exceed a threshold required

for the judgment of vehicle detection arises

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[Effect of the Invention]According to the vehicle detecting method of this

invention so that clearly from the above explanation to the ground surface

in the band pass of vehicles or underground The magnetic sensor which

put in order two or more magnetism detecting elements which have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface along with the vehicles longitudinal direction is installed The

external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the state where

each of a magnetism detecting element detects external magnetic field

intensity and there are no vehicles is measured Since total of the absolute

value of two or more measurement values of this measuring result was

made to detect vehicles by the judgment of whether to exceed

predetermined joint threshold S The influence of the zero crossing point

which the magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of the magnetic

field strength in the case of measuring the magnetic field generated from a

vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided and highly

precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0093]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with the vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to the vehicle detecting device of this invention a magnetic

sensor For example it can constitute from small size which consists of

plurality of the small magnetism detecting element constituted using the

magnetic impedance component as a magnetic sensor of low power

consumption Compared with the equipment using the conventional loop

coil type sensor prolonged continuous use is possible installation can

also be easily performed by low cost and the use of vehicle detection can

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 25: Jp h09 237399

be expanded

[0094]According to the vehicle detection system using the vehicle

detecting device of this invention By vehicle detection enjoy the

advantage of the vehicle detecting device of this invention highly precise

and reliable exact car presence information information can be

outputted and the outstanding effect of being available is acquired

effectively [ because of management of parking duration the empty area

display in a scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] as management of

parking vehicles

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[Problem to be solved by the invention]Then a reliable vehicle detecting

method in which SUBJECT of this invention can perform magnetic

detection of vehicles with high precision using a magnetic sensor which

consists of two or more small magnetism detecting elements And it is in

providing a vehicle detection system which is a vehicle detecting device

which performs vehicle detection by the method can attain a

miniaturization and can be used effective in management of parking

vehicles using a vehicle detecting device of low power consumption and

this vehicle detecting device

MEANS

[Means for solving problem]In a vehicle detecting method which according

to this invention detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a

magnetic sensor and detects vehicles magnetically in order to solve

above-mentioned SUBJECT A magnetic sensor which put in order two or

more magnetism detecting elements which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface along with a vehicles

longitudinal direction is installed in a ground surface in a band pass of

vehicles or underground External magnetic field intensity change as on

the basis of the state where each of two or more of said magnetism

detecting elements detects external magnetic field intensity and there are

no vehicles was measured and a method of detecting vehicles by the

judgment of whether total of an absolute value of two or more

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 26: Jp h09 237399

measurement values of this measuring result exceeds predetermined joint

threshold S was adopted

[0013]According to such a vehicle detecting method influence of a zero

crossing point which magnetic field polarity looked at by distribution of

magnetic field strength in a case of measuring a magnetic field generated

from a vehicles pars basilaris ossis occipitalis reverses can be avoided

and highly precise and reliable vehicle detection can be performed

[0014]According to this invention it is a vehicle detecting device which

detects a magnetic field generated from vehicles with a magnetic sensor

and detects vehicles magnetically A magnetic sensor which consists of

two or more magnetism detecting elements arranged so that it may have

magnetic field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground

surface and may rank with a ground surface in a band pass of vehicles or

underground along with a vehicles longitudinal direction A measurement

means which measures each of external magnetic field intensity change as

on the basis of the state where there are no vehicles to each magnetism

detecting element based on external magnetic field intensity detected by

each of two or more of said magnetism detecting elements Total of each

absolute value of a measurement value of external magnetic field intensity

change measured by this measurement means adopted composition of a

vehicle detecting device which has a judging means which judges vehicle

detection by whether predetermined joint threshold S is exceeded

[0015]While being able to perform reliable vehicle detection with high

degree of accuracy with a vehicle detecting method of this invention

according to such composition the magnetic sensor can consist of small

size which consists of plurality of a small magnetism detecting element

constituted for example using a magnetic impedance component as a

magnetic sensor of low power consumption

[0016]It is a vehicle detection system which performs vehicle detection

using a vehicle detecting device by above-mentioned this invention

according to this invention A judging means which judges whether

whether vehicles advanced on a magnetic sensor whether it stopped on a

magnetic sensor based on a decided result of vehicle detection by a

judging means of said vehicle detecting device and on a magnetic sensor

were left Car presence information on a purport that vehicles have

stopped on a magnetic sensor based on a decided result of this judging

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 27: Jp h09 237399

means And it has an output means to which vehicles output

information on a purport that on a magnetic sensor was left and

composition of a vehicle detection system which enabled it to manage

parking vehicles with the output of said car presence information and

information was adopted

[0017]According to such composition an advantage of a vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed exact car presence information

and information can be outputted based on highly precise and reliable

vehicle detection and it can use effective in management of parking

vehicles

[0018]

[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter an embodiment of the

invention is described with reference to figures

[0019][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting method] Drawing 1 - 3 explain

the embodiment of the vehicle detecting method by this invention first

[0020]In this embodiment as shown in drawing 1 to the ground surface

14 in the width which the vehicles (car) 10 pass or underground The

magnetic sensor 12 which has arranged two or more magnetism detecting

elements 11A 11B and 11C which have magnetic field detection

sensitivity in the direction (Z direction) vertical to a ground surface so that

it may stand in a line along with the longitudinal direction of the vehicles 10

is installed and vehicle detection is performed

[0021]The external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of the

state where each magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12

detects external magnetic field intensity and there are no vehicles 10 is

measured and total of the absolute value of two or more measured

magnetic-field-strength change detects vehicles by the judgment of

whether to exceed a predetermined joint threshold

[0022]This method was drawn from the following examining results

[0023]First on the ground surface 14 in the width which the vehicles 10

pass as shown in drawing 2 The magnetic sensor 12 which comprised one

magnetism detecting element which has magnetic field detection sensitivity

in the Z direction which is a vertical direction to the ground surface 14 is

arranged the vehicles 10 were moved on the sensor 12 the magnetic

sensor 12 detected external magnetic field intensity external magnetic

field intensity change was measured and the situation of the change was

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 28: Jp h09 237399

investigated The variation of external magnetic field intensity made the

measurement value in the state where there are no vehicles 10 the initial

value used as a standard and displayed a changed part from it The

element using the magnetic impedance component mentioned later as a

magnetic sensing device was used for the magnetism detecting element

Two or more vehicles performed the sampling Four data measuring of a

characteristic example is shown in drawing 2 (a) - (d) in it

[0024]Generally magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar

magnet has a peak of reverse polarity at both ends of the bar magnet 16

like drawing 3 and has a tendency which carries out a zero cross in the

center section On the other hand it can guess that the body of a car

constitutes a roughly big bar magnet from a vehicles longitudinal direction

from it being in agreement with how of data measuring of drawing 2 to

lengthen the skirt near the both-ends peak of magnetic field distribution of

drawing 3 by (c) and (d) especially if it observes near the both ends of a

magnetic field change However attitude of a peak has dispersion

considerably by overall magnetic-field-strength distribution and it does

not become a beautiful form like a bar magnet because local

magnetization exists by part each of a body pars basilaris ossis occipitalis

[0025]Since detection of vehicles will detect the magnetic field of a body

center section if detection of parking vehicles is taken into consideration

for example it observes the magnetic field of the center of the body by the

width of the length of the half of the body shown in the range of H seal in

a figure of each data measuring of drawing 2 It is because the movement

speed of the difference in the length of each body and the body at the

time of Measurement Division had dispersion that the length of H seal

differs

[0026]Also when unevenness is looked at by magnetic-field-strength

change within the limits of H seal of the data of four examples and a zero

cross exists the absolute value of a measurement value may go into the

DETTO point on which it is less than threshold s and one magnetism

detecting element is not enough as it for vehicle detection at a certain

thing

[0027]When threshold s of one magnetism detecting element considers

the resolution of a magnetism detecting element and SN of a circuit 005

gauss of a minimum is a limit and considering that a maximum has about

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 29: Jp h09 237399

01 gauss vehicles like drawing 2 (c) in the maximum of the magnetic field

change by vehicles it is difficult to set up exceeding 01 gauss

[0028]Then two or more magnetism detecting elements are arranged

along with a vehicles longitudinal direction and if vehicle detection is

carried out by whether either exceeds threshold s detection probability will

increase

[0029]However in the case of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) when four

magnetism detecting elements have been arranged to each of the position

corresponding to four points a in a figure b c and d the measurement

value by which element will also be less than 005 gauss If such a case is

taken into consideration the device which raises detection probability

further is required

[0030]Then the absolute value of the measurement value of two or more

magnetic-field-strength change which detected external magnetic field

intensity by each of two or more magnetism detecting elements and was

measured is added The value of the product which on the other hand

hung said number (addition numbers of a measurement value) n of a

magnetism detecting element of added square roots on threshold s at the

time of detection by an independent magnetism detecting element is set

up as joint threshold S If vehicle detection is judged by whether total of

the added result of said absolute value exceeds joint threshold S it is

detectable by high probabilities

[0031]A noise component serves as a mean square to addition of the

output of each magnetism detecting element and if it is considered as the

noise component of the respectively same size this will use that the

product of the noise for one element and the square root of the addition

numbers n serves as a noise at the time of combination and will try to

earn the whole SN

[0032]For example magnetic-field-strength change a of the data

measuring of the vehicles of drawing 2 (d) b c and d of four points It

will be 003G-004G-002G-003G and if threshold s of independent

detection is set to 005G when these are added it will be 012G and

005xroot4=01 gauss is set to joint threshold S total of the added result

of an output will exceed joint threshold S and detection of it will be

attained

[0033]Therefore when the magnetic field component of a direction

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 30: Jp h09 237399

vertical to the ground surface of the magnetic field generated from

vehicles is detected by two or more Magnetism detecting elementn and the

magnetic-field-strength change by vehicles existence is measured It

turned out that it is suitable that the total adding each of the absolute value

of magnetic-field-strength change measured based on the detection result

of n magnetism detecting elements of a result performs vehicle detection

by whether joint threshold S as independent threshold sxrootn is exceeded

[0034]By the way since a magnetic-field-detection output may become

near a zero cross with a certain element and total of the above-mentioned

added result may become low when detecting as mentioned above by two

or more magnetism detecting elements the method explained below can

also be chosen as a method of raising vehicle detection efficiency further

[0035]Arrange in descending each absolute value of the measurement

value of the external magnetic field intensity change from the initial value

which detected external magnetic field intensity by two or more magnetism

detecting elements of the magnetic sensor mentioned above and was

measured consider it as |deltaH(k) | (k= 1 2 ordinal number of --) and

Namely this value They are [ threshold s in the case of one magnetism

detecting element and ] the following expression about said addition

numbers n[0036]

[Mathematical formula 2]

[0037]It compares whether it is alike it sets substitutes one by one from

k= 1 and the above-mentioned expression is satisfied and when the

above-mentioned expression is satisfied it judges with having detected

vehicles

[0038]According to this method vehicle detection efficiency can be raised

by adding the measurement value of two or more external magnetic field

intensity change to descending one by one and using for the judgment of

vehicle detection

[0039]In above-mentioned explanation the ground surface of

underground meaning the inside of those fields including all the fields

that vehicles such as a floor line in the building of not only the ground

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 31: Jp h09 237399

surface of the ground and the road surface of a road and the ground

surface of an outdoor parking lot but a multi-level car parking tower run

fields thruor park of 14 is natural

[0040][Embodiment of a vehicle detecting device] Next the embodiment

of a vehicle detecting device which enforces concretely the vehicle

detecting method mentioned above and performs vehicle detection is

described

[0041]First the magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor used

for a vehicle detecting device is explained Being required of this

magnetism detecting element should be 10 or more milligauss in (1)

magnetic field detection sensitivity

[0042](2) There is two or more dispersion [ little ] of the performance of

an element for use

[0043](3) Considering ground surface installation the height of an element

should be several millimeters

[0044](4) The detector circuit of an element is excellent in a noise-proof

and temperature characteristics and be low power consumption

[0045]Although there is a flux gate type magnetism detecting element as

what satisfies the conditions of (1) if it is going to raise detection

sensitivity with this element several 10 mm of the length of an element will

be needed and it will not be satisfied with it of the conditions of (3)

[0046]Since it is easy to come out of dispersion in performance a

problem produces a flux gate type magnetism detecting element also on

condition of (2)

[0047]Then the magnetism detecting element constituted using a

magnetic impedance component is seemed that it is the optimal by it

[0048]The magnetic impedance component is indicated by JPH7-

181239A and the element body as a magnetic body is constituted from an

amorphous wire or these days by the magnetic thin film etc If the high

frequency current of an MHz band is impressed to this element body

according to a magnetic impedance effect according to an external

magnetic field the impedance of an element body changes several 10

and can detect an external magnetic field using this

[0049]The sensitivity of a magnetic impedance component has the

sensitivity of a 10-5 gauss stand and number milligauss is securable and it

is satisfied also with the practical resolution in the case where it connects

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 32: Jp h09 237399

with the circuit of a magnetism detecting element of the conditions of (1)

[0050]From there being little influence of a demagnetizing field it is easy

for the length of an element to be 5 mm or less and the conditions of (3)

are also cleared

[0051]About dispersion in performance when supplied with an amorphous

wire since it is easy to control thickness dispersion in the performance

resulting from the outside dimension of the magnetic body of an element

body is pressed down and is satisfied with that there is little dispersion in

the path of a wire and a magnetic film of the conditions of (2)

[0052]Although application was considered according to the contents

reported at the society etc about the magnetic field detection which uses

the Colpitts oscillating circuit about the conditions of (4) there is a

problem practically

[0053]For example the application of the magnetic field sensor as an

azimuth sensor is shown by the amorphous wire MI Colpitts oscillation

type micro magnetic sensor announced at the 18th Maganetics Society of

Japan academic lecture meeting (14pB-7)

[0054]In the composition of this azimuth sensor an amorphous wire is

included in a Colpitts type oscillator and since change of an external

magnetic field turns into change of oscillation amplitude and it appears an

output is obtained through a detector circuit While sending a direct current

through the coil directly twisted around the wire of the element applying a

DC bias magnetic field and making it operate in the field where sensitivity

is high he is trying to know the polarity of the direction of north and south

[0055]However in minute magnetic field detection such as

geomagnetism (about 03 gauss) by this method Change of the output

after a detector circuit is as small as several percent and in order to treat

absolute value change of oscillation amplitude as an output as it is

sufficient SN is not obtained from it being easy to be influenced by

change of power supply voltage the temperature characteristics of an

element etc by amplitude fluctuation and it is unreliable

[0056]So in this embodiment the circuitry of the magnetism detecting

element shown in drawing 4 was adopted

[0057]The circuitry of the magnetism detecting element shown in drawing

4 consists of a Colpitts oscillator a detector circuit and a comparator the

magnetic impedance component 1 mentioned above is included in the

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 33: Jp h09 237399

Colpitts oscillator it direct-winds or the magnetic impedance component

1 is approached and the coil 2 for bias is formed

[0058]In this composition AC bias current Ib is sent through the coil 2

and an about 1-2 gauss AC bias magnetic field is impressed to the

magnetic impedance component 1 As shown in (a) amplitude modulation

of the oscillation output which appears like the after-mentioned by this at

the A point in a figure of a Colpitts oscillator according to the intensity of

the external magnetic field Hex for [ which is impressed to the magnetic

impedance component 1 ] detection is carried out The ripple waveform

corresponding to the bias magnetic field which has the difference of

elevation of the adjacent peak corresponding to the intensity of the

external magnetic field Hex by detecting this in a detector circuit at a B

point as shown in (b) is acquired By carrying out a party rate with the

comparison voltage Vref which crosses the voltage waveform of said ripple

with a comparator the Pulse-Density-Modulation output corresponding to

the intensity of the external magnetic field Hex can be obtained at C point

[0059]The signal of AC bias current Ib carries out dividing of the clock

from the microcomputer judgment part mentioned later with a low pass

filter it may be made into a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave

and it may throw it in or may provide and throw in an oscillator individually

[0060]Next the details of operation of the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of drawing 4 mentioned above are explained

[0061]the characteristic of a magnetic impedance component is

symmetrical with the direction of +- in several gauss to the external

magnetic field Hex as shown in drawing 5 -- a V character-like

impedance change is shown in general As shown in drawing 5 (a) as a

principle of operation of the magnetic impedance component 1 of drawing

4 when there is no external magnetic field an AC bias magnetic field is +

- It touches symmetrically In change of impedance to it an impedance

change which the difference of elevation does not have in peaks on a

ripple breaks out by a magnetic field twice the frequency of AC bias

[0062]Since an AC bias magnetic field and the unsymmetrical magnetic

field which the external magnetic field superimposed will start the magnetic

impedance component 1 like drawing 5 (b) there if an external magnetic

field is impressed to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic impedance

component 1 The impedance change (ripple waveform) from which the

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 34: Jp h09 237399

height of a peak differs by turns on an impedance change arises

[0063]The ripple waveform in an impedance change as showed the output

after detection of drawing 4 (b) which appeared as amplitude modulation

in the oscillation amplitude characteristic of the Colpitts oscillator as

change of this impedance was shown in drawing 4 (a) and detected that

oscillation output in the detector circuit by drawing 5 (b) and a similar

signal are acquired The size of an external magnetic field is changed into

the output of a digital signal by which Pulse Density Modulation was

carried out by carrying out a party rate with the comparison voltage Vref

which crosses a ripple waveform as the signal is shown in drawing 6 in a

comparator That is the Pulse-Density-Modulation output in which the

pulse which is two kinds from which pulse width differs according to

external magnetic field intensity appears by turns is obtained

[0064]Thus pulse width [ of two kinds of pulses ] A which appears by

turns and B can be measured and evaluated using the timer counter of a

microcomputer and the digital data in which external magnetic field

intensity is shown can be obtained by asking for the digital data of

difference A-B of pulse width by an operation after that Although the

measurement data of pulse width to a actual external magnetic field is

shown in drawing 7 in 05 gauss shows an almost linear change The

numerical input value of joint threshold S mentioned above can be decided

by transposing the magnetic field strength of magnetism detecting element

independent threshold s to the math-processing value of pulse width

based on this data and hanging the several n square root of a magnetism

detecting element on it

[0065]And the digital data of difference A-B of the pulse width measured

in the state where there are no vehicles in detection of vehicles is

memorized as data of the initial value of the external magnetic field

intensity used as a standard Then the absolute value of the difference of

difference A-B of pulse width and the initial value according to the

measured external magnetic field intensity is calculated as data

corresponding to the absolute value of intensity change of an external

magnetic field It can ask for total of the data of said absolute value called

for by further two or more magnetism detecting elements and the

existence of vehicles can be judged by whether the figure exceeded the

numerical value of joint threshold S

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 35: Jp h09 237399

[0066]Next drawing 8 explains the composition of the vehicle detecting

device using the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4

[0067]Colpitts oscillator 3 incorporating the magnetic impedance

component 1 which wound the coil 2 for bias which 12 is a magnetic

sensor and was mentioned above in the composition of the vehicle

detecting device shown in drawing 8 They are the marks 11A and 11B

about the magnetism detecting element of drawing 4 which consists of the

detector circuit 4 and the comparator 5 -- As shown in 11N N pieces are

provided and it is constituted Magnetism detecting elements 11A and 11B

-- 11N is arranged so that it may rank with the ground surface in the band

pass of vehicles or underground along with the longitudinal direction of

vehicles as mentioned above and each element can be giving magnetic

field detection sensitivity in the direction vertical to a ground surface

[0068]18 is a microcomputer judgment part which comprises a

microcomputer analyzes a Pulse-Density-Modulation output of each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 and judges

existence of vehicles The microcomputer judgment part 18 Either the

timer counter 20 which counts pulse width [ of the control section 19

which performs whole control and various data processing and a Pulse-

Density-Modulation output mentioned above ] A and B or magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N are chosen It consists of the selector 21

which inputs the output pulse into the timer counter 20 and the clock

generator 22 the clock divider 23 the low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit (amplifier) 25

[0069]Dividing is carried out so that a clock signal which the clock

generator 22 oscillates may become the range of 1 kHz - 100 kHz by the

clock divider 23 in this composition The low pass filter 24 and the bias

circuit 25 let this signal by which dividing was carried out pass a signal of

AC bias current of a sine wave or the shape of a triangular wave is formed

and it is impressed by the coil 2 for bias which are each magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 A feed zone of

this bias current may be provided in the magnetic sensor 12 side

[0070]Next vehicle detection operation by composition of drawing 8 is

explained First an initial value of external magnetic field intensity used as

a standard for asking for external magnetic field intensity change in the

state where there are no vehicles is measured For this reason with the

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 36: Jp h09 237399

magnetic sensor 12 a pulse signal which detected external magnetic field

intensity by two or more magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N and

carried out Pulse Density Modulation is outputted as mentioned above and

it sends to the selector 21 of the microcomputer judgment part 18

[0071]With the command from the control section 19 the selector 21

chooses and sends two kinds of pulses A and B further mentioned above

while it chooses the output pulse signal of two or more magnetism

detecting elements 11A-11N which should be sent to the timer counter 20

one by one and sends it

[0072]In the timer counter 20 the pulse width of two kinds of said pulses

A and B of two or more magnetism detecting elements sent one by one is

counted and evaluated and the data is sent to the control section 19

[0073]In the control section 19 difference A-B of the pulse width data of

A pulse and B pulse evaluated with the timer counter 20 is computed for

every magnetism detecting element and the measured value of external

magnetic field intensity is calculated The measured data is recorded on

memory storage such as RAM26 in the control section 19 as initial value

data used as a standard

[0074]Then in order to detect vehicles the detection and the

Measurement Division of external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element are performed in the same procedure as the

above In the control section 19 it asks separately absolute-value-izes by

using the difference of said measurement data and initial value data as

external magnetic field intensity change data and asks for the total and

the existence of vehicles is judged by whether it is over predetermined joint

threshold S which the total mentioned above And in the case of the

vehicle detection system mentioned later car presence information etc

are taken out based on the result of said judgment

[0075]In order not to treat the amplitude of a Colpitts oscillator as an

absolute value in the circuitry of the magnetism detecting element of

drawing 4 as an advantage of the equipment of these above embodiments

probably but to treat a changed part of amplitude a low change of the

frequency by change temperature characteristics etc of power supply

voltage can be disregarded

[0076]Since the detect output of the external magnetic field intensity in the

magnetic sensor 12 is digitized-output-ized by the Pulse Density

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 37: Jp h09 237399

Modulation by a comparator The magnetic sensor 12 and the

microcomputer judgment part 18 connect two or more magnetic sensors

12 to the microcomputer judgment part 18 and can carry out common use

of the microcomputer judgment part 18 to two or more magnetic sensors

12 while also being able to perform installation to isolate and obtaining the

flexibility of installation

[0077]Since the whole equipment which constituted the magnetism

detecting element very small could constitute the magnetic sensor 12

small and includes the microcomputer judgment part 18 can be made

small The burden of installation cost is small and it is low power

consumption and since the prolonged energization use which was poor at

conventional loop coil type equipment is possible the use of vehicle

detection is expandable

[0078][Embodiment of a vehicle detection system] Next drawing 9 and

drawing 10 explain the embodiment of the vehicle detection system for the

parking-vehicles management in the motor pool using the vehicle

detecting device of drawing 8 mentioned above As for this vehicle

detection system it is needless to say that the portion of the magnetic

sensor 12 is provided in the ground surface of a motor pool or

underground at least and it carries out of the vehicle detecting device of

drawing 8

[0079]Drawing 9 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of

the vehicle detection system of this embodiment Composition of those

other than magnetic sensor 12 is specifically realized in drawing 9 by the

hardware and software of the microcomputer judgment part 18 of drawing

8

[0080]In drawing 9 it realizes from the control section 19 of drawing 8

the timer counter 20 and the selector 21 and the measurement means 27

measures the external magnetic field intensity change as on the basis of

the state where there are no vehicles based on the detection result of the

external magnetic field intensity by the magnetism detecting elements

11A-11N of the magnetic sensor 12 as mentioned above This

measurement means 27 has the initial value memory measure 28 which

memorizes the value of the external magnetic field intensity detected by

the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N in the state where there are no

vehicles as an initial value used as a standard and measures external

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 38: Jp h09 237399

magnetic field intensity change on the basis of the initial value memorized

to this memory measure 28 The memory measure 28 is specifically

constituted as RAM26 of drawing 8

[0081]It realizes as a function of the control section 19 and the vehicle

detection judging means 29 judges vehicle detection as mentioned above

based on the measuring result of the measurement means 27

[0082]Penetration a stop and the judging means 30 are realized as

a function of processing of Step S3 of below-mentioned drawing 10 by the

control section 19 S6 and S9 Based on the decided result of the vehicle

detection by the vehicle detection judging means 29 [ whether vehicles

advanced into the motor pool and ] It is judged whether on whether it

advanced on the magnetic sensor 12 formed in the motor pool whether

whether whether it having stopped in the motor pool and a motor pool

having been left and vehicles stopped on the magnetic sensor 12 and the

magnetic sensor 12 was left

[0083]Car presence and the information output means 31 are realized

as a function of Step S7 of drawing 10 by the control section 19 and

processing of S10 Based on the decided result of penetration a stop and

the judging means 30 vehicles have stopped at the motor pool the

car presence information on the purport that vehicles have stopped on the

magnetic sensor 12 and vehicles left the motor pool namely vehicles

output the information on the purport that on the magnetic sensor 12

was left

[0084]External magnetic field intensity is detected by the basis of such

composition by the magnetism detecting elements 11A-11N of the

magnetic sensor 12 The external magnetic field intensity change on the

basis of the state where there are no vehicles by the measurement means

27 based on the detection result is measured and the judgment of vehicle

detection is performed by the vehicle detection judging means 29 based

on the measuring result And based on the decided result of vehicle

detection penetration of the vehicles in a motor pool a stop and are

judged by the judging means 30 and car presence information thruor

information are outputted by the output means 31 based on the decided

result

[0085]Next drawing 10 explains the details of vehicle detection operation

of this system Drawing 10 is a flow chart which shows the procedure of

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 39: Jp h09 237399

the vehicle detection processing by the control section 19 of drawing 8

which realizes each means 27 29 30 and 31 of drawing 9

[0086]On vehicle detection processing and first in Step S1 of drawing 10

the control section 19 The external magnetic field intensity by each

magnetism detecting element of the magnetic sensor 12 is made to detect

as mentioned above in the state where there are no vehicles It asks for the

measurement data of the external magnetic field intensity of A-B

mentioned above based on the detection result this is set up as initial

value data used as the standard which asks for external magnetic field

intensity change and it memorizes to the recording equipment of RAM26

grade Since there are no vehicles into a motor pool at this time the

control section 19 checks information

[0087]Next in order to judge penetration of the vehicles to the magnetic

sensor 12 top formed in penetration of the vehicles into a motor pool ie

the ground surface of a motor pool and underground Detection and

Measurement Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the

vehicles by each magnetism detecting element are performed in the

procedure mentioned above (Step S2) It judges with vehicles having

advanced into the motor pool when it absolute-value-ized in quest of the

difference of each measurement data A-B and initial value data separately

and the total was over predetermined joint threshold S and when not

having progressed and exceeded for the following procedure it returns to

Step S2 (Step S3)

[0088]When vehicles enter in a motor pool even in a front procedure can

judge that but Since it thinks when passing without stopping then after

judging penetration of vehicles at Step S3 detection and Measurement

Division of the external magnetic field intensity from the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element are performed again (step S4) and it

compares with total of the absolute value of data A-B measured last time

(Step S5) When this measurement value is changing from the last

measurement value it judges with vehicles moving in the inside of a motor

pool and returns to step S4

[0089]Since it will be either when vehicles stop in a motor pool or a

passing car comes out out of a motor pool as it is if change of measured

value is lost In order to carry out that judgment which is the any in quest

of the difference of an initial value and measured-value-data A-B it

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 40: Jp h09 237399

absolute-value-izes separately by all the magnetism detecting elements It

judges that the total is in the car presence state which vehicles have

stopped in a motor pool when total exceeds joint threshold S as compared

with the above-mentioned predetermined joint threshold S (that is it has

stopped on the magnetic sensor 12) (Step S6) and car presence

information is taken out (Step S7) On the other hand when total of the

absolute value of aforementioned difference A-B is not over joint threshold

S it judges with the passing car having come out out of the motor pool as

it is and returns to Step S2

[0090]Next detection of the magnetic field of the vehicles by each

magnetism detecting element in order to detect of the parked vehicles

Measure (Step S8) and it absolute-value-izes in quest of the difference of

measurement data A-B and the data of an initial value separately When

the total is over predetermined joint threshold S vehicles are judged

continuously to be under parking It returns to Step S8 and when it

repeated and is not over measurement vehicles judge with having left the

inside of a motor pool (that is on the magnetic sensor 12 was left) take

out information (Step S10) return to Step S2 and are again repeated

from detection of penetration of vehicles

[0091]Thus based on the detection result of the magnetic field from

vehicles a stop and can be judged during penetration of the vehicles

in a motor pool and movement and car presence information and

information can be outputted And the advantage of the vehicle detecting

device of this invention can be enjoyed a stop and can be correctly

judged during penetration of vehicles and movement by highly precise and

reliable vehicle detection and exact car presence information and

information can be outputted Therefore the vehicle detection system of

this embodiment is effectively [ as management of parking vehicles

because of management of parking duration the empty area display in a

scale parking lot vehicle guiding etc ] available

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[Drawing 1]It is an explanatory view showing the arrangement and the

direction of magnetic field detection over the vehicles of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 41: Jp h09 237399

detecting element of the magnetic sensor in the embodiment of the vehicle

detecting method by this invention

[Drawing 2]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

situation of the external magnetic field intensity change by movement of

the vehicles detected with the magnetic sensor which comprised one

magnetism detecting element

[Drawing 3]They are the explanatory view and graph charts showing the

magnetic field distribution of the cross direction of a bar magnet

[Drawing 4]It is a circuit diagram showing the circuitry of the magnetism

detecting element of the magnetic sensor used for the embodiment of the

vehicle detecting device by this invention

[Drawing 5]They are graph charts showing the impedance change by the

AC bias magnetic field and external magnetic field of a magnetic

impedance component in drawing 4

[Drawing 6]It is a wave form chart showing the bias current Ib in drawing 4

the after-detection output of a detector circuit and a comparator output

[Drawing 7]They are graph charts showing the pulse width and the count

number of a difference of the pulse which is two kinds from which the

pulse width of the comparator output to an external magnetic field differs

[Drawing 8]It is a block diagram showing the composition of the

embodiment of a vehicle detecting device

[Drawing 9]It is a block diagram showing the functional composition of the

embodiment of the vehicle detection system by this invention

[Drawing 10]It is a flow chart figure showing the vehicle detection

procedure in the vehicle detection system

[Explanations of letters or numerals]

1 A magnetic impedance component

2 The coil for bias

3 Colpitts oscillator

4 Detector circuit

5 Comparator

10 Vehicles

11A-11N Magnetism detecting element

12 Magnetic sensor

14 Ground surface

18 Microcomputer judgment part

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 42: Jp h09 237399

19 Control section

20 Timer counter

21 Selector

22 Clock generator

23 Clock divider

24 Low pass filter

25 Bias circuit

26 RAM

27 The measurement means of external magnetic field intensity change

28 Initial value memory measure

29 Vehicle detection judging means

30 Penetration a stop and a judging means

31 Car presence and a information output means

DRAWINGS

[Drawing 1]

[Drawing 2]

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 43: Jp h09 237399

[Drawing 7]

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 44: Jp h09 237399

[Drawing 3]

[Drawing 5]

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 45: Jp h09 237399

[Drawing 4]

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 46: Jp h09 237399

[Drawing 6]

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 47: Jp h09 237399

[Drawing 8]

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 48: Jp h09 237399

[Drawing 9]

[Drawing 10]

Page 49: Jp h09 237399

[Drawing 10]

Page 50: Jp h09 237399