FR2868580A1 - Passage crossing controlling system for e.g. toll station, has control machine with signal output that recognizes unauthorized crossing condition from signals values and generates triggering signal when condition is verified - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a processing module (200) for processing unauthorized crossing of a passage. The module has a control machine (210) with inputs for a crossing authorizing signal and a crossing detecting signal that is generated by a crossing detector (220). A triggering signal output (S) recognizes an unauthorized crossing condition from values of the signals and generates a triggering signal (SD) when the condition is verified.

Description

AUTOMATIC SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE CROSSING OF A

  PASSAGE COMPRISING A PROCESSING MODULE OF

UNAUTHORIZED CROSSINGS.

  The invention relates to an automatic system for controlling the crossing of a passage comprising a module for processing unauthorized crossings, as well as to such a module. Such a system is intended in particular to be used for the realization of toll stations, and especially electronic toll, without barriers physically preventing the passage of vehicles that have not paid the toll.

  In recent years, motorway toll collection systems have developed considerably, as they make it possible to streamline the traffic corresponding to the toll stations. These systems are based on the remote interaction between a toll collection computer equipment, installed in a gantry of a toll station, and a device on board a vehicle that borrows the gantry: the vehicle must generally slow down , but it does not stop, which prevents the formation of queues at the gantry. The interaction between the computer equipment and the device is usually via a microwave field or an infrared signal. The toll can be charged to a prepaid account or billed to a subscriber every month.

  Electronic toll gantries, such as traditional toll gantries, are currently equipped with a barrier that rises, allowing the passage of a vehicle, once the payment of the toll has been made: this is necessary to prevent the crossing of the gantry from vehicles not equipped with the embedded device or whose prepaid account is exhausted. This barrier, however, has many disadvantages: it requires a significant slowdown of vehicles equipped with an electronic toll device and may possibly cause serious accidents if a vehicle seeks to cross the gantry before it is fully raised. In addition, a mechanical barrier can be subject to breakdowns and is generally not fast enough to prevent the passage of two very close vehicles, the second of which has not validly paid the toll. Another disadvantage is that vehicles not equipped with the electronic toll device that inadvertently take such a gantry would remain blocked until the intervention of an operator, also blocking the authorized vehicles behind them and causing the formation of a waiting line.

  For these reasons, barrier-free electronic toll systems have been developed; such systems are described, for example, in WO 94/28516, US 6,140,941 and US 5,451,758. The known prior art systems are complete toll gates, performing both the detection of the passage of a vehicle, the toll collection transaction and the triggering of a procedure to identify a vehicle having not validly paid the toll. To do this, these systems usually include a camera to take a picture of the license plate of such a vehicle. The image allows the identification of the vehicle, and the toll can be charged to the owner, usually increased by an overcharging, or even a fine sanctioning an offense of non-payment.

  However, many road or motorway toll stations are already equipped with toll gates, and it would not be economical to replace them entirely with new gates without barrier and equipped with a camera.

  The present invention provides a solution to this problem by proposing an unauthorized crossing processing module that can be interfaced easily to an existing toll gantry to form an automatic toll system and control unauthorized crossings. Advantageously, such a module can be interfaced with a wide variety of existing gantries, without it being necessary to modify them in a major way, and more particularly without having to modify their operating software.

  Beyond the electronic toll application, the invention relates to an automatic crossing control system for a passage comprising a module for processing unauthorized crossings, as well as to such a module.

  An object of the invention is therefore an automatic crossing control system comprising a control station for determining whether a crossing must be authorized and, in this case, generating a crossing authorization signal, characterized in that it also comprises a module for processing unauthorized crossings of said passage, said module comprising: a first input, connected to said control station, for taking said crossing authorization signal; - unauthorized crossing equipment with an input for a trip signal; and a management automaton, provided with a first input for said crossing authorization signal, with a second input for a crossing detection signal generated by a crossing detector indicating that said passage has been crossed and an output for said trigger signal, for recognizing an unauthorized crossing condition from the values of said crossing detection and clearance crossing signals and for generating said trip signal when said condition is verified.

  Advantageously, the unauthorized crossing processing module also comprises a crossing detector for generating said crossing detection signal.

  According to an alternative embodiment, the unauthorized crossing processing module also comprises a second input, connected to a crossing detector belonging to said control station, for said crossing detection signal.

  According to various embodiments of the invention: Said crossing authorization signal is a control signal for a passing light.

  - Said processing equipment of an unauthorized crossing includes an image pickup device, coupled to said input for a trigger signal, to take an image of a vehicle or a person having crossed an unauthorized.

  Said processing equipment of an unauthorized crossing also comprises a device for transmitting said image to a processing center.

  Said management automaton comprises: a device for acquiring the value of the crossing authorization signal and for assigning a first binary value (1) to an authorized crossing logical variable, representative of a crossing authorization, when said value of the crossing authorization signal indicates that an authorization has been given; and a device for testing the value of said allowed crossing variable when said crossing detection signal has been received, for assigning to said same variable a second binary value (0) different from the first one (1) if it had said first value , and to generate said trigger signal in the opposite case.

  - The unauthorized crossing processing module also includes a device for generating a confirmation of crossing signal when a vehicle or a person having crossed said passage continues to advance; and said management controller also has a third input for said crossing confirmation signal and generates said trigger signal only after receiving said crossing confirmation signal.

  In the latter case, said management machine advantageously comprises a device for acquiring the value of the crossing authorization signal and for assigning a first binary value (1) to an authorized crossing logical variable, representative of a crossing authorization, when said value of the crossing clearance signal indicates that an authorization has been given; and a device for testing the value of said allowed crossing variable when said crossing detection signal has been received, for assigning to said same variable a second binary value (0) different from the first one (1) if it had said first value , and to generate said trigger signal if it had said second binary value (0) and if a crossing confirmation signal is received.

  Another object of the invention is a module for processing unauthorized crossings of a passage, said module comprising: a first input for taking a crossing authorization signal generated by a control station of the passage; - unauthorized crossing equipment with an input for a trip signal; and a management automaton, provided with a first input for said crossing authorization signal, with a second input for a crossing detection signal generated by a crossing detector indicating that said passage has been crossed and an output for said trigger signal, for recognizing an unauthorized crossing condition from the values of said crossing detection and clearance crossing signals and for generating said trip signal when said condition is verified.

  Advantageously, such a module also comprises a crossing detector for generating said crossing detection signal.

  Alternatively, the module also comprises a second input for taking said crossing detection signal.

  According to various embodiments of the invention: said processing equipment of an unauthorized crossing comprises an image pickup device, coupled to said input for a triggering signal, for taking an image of a vehicle or a person who has crossed an unauthorized crossing.

  Said processing equipment of an unauthorized crossing also comprises a device for transmitting said image to a processing center.

  Said management automaton comprises: a device for acquiring the value of the crossing authorization signal and for assigning a first binary value (1) to an authorized crossing logical variable, representative of a crossing authorization, when said value of the crossing authorization signal indicates that an authorization has been given; and a device for testing the value of said allowed crossing variable when said crossing detection signal has been received, for assigning to said same variable a second binary value (0) different from the first one (1) if it had said first value , and to generate said trigger signal in the opposite case.

  Said module also comprises a device for generating a crossing confirmation signal when a vehicle or a person having crossed said passage continues to advance and said management automaton also comprises a third input for said crossing confirmation signal and does not generate said trigger signal only after receiving said crossing confirmation signal.

  Said management automaton comprises: a device for acquiring the value of the crossing authorization signal and for assigning a first binary value (1) to an authorized crossing logical variable, representative of a crossing authorization, when said value of the crossing authorization signal indicates that an authorization has been given; and a device for testing the value of said allowed crossing variable when said crossing detection signal has been received, for assigning to said same variable a second binary value (0) different from the first one (1) if it had said first value , and to generate said trigger signal if it had said second binary value (0) and if a crossing confirmation signal is received.

  Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description made with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of example and which show: FIG. 1, an overview of a toll gantry crane Known from the prior art; FIG. 2, a diagram of the hardware architecture of a system according to the invention; and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a controller of an unauthorized crossing processing module belonging to said system.

  A toll gantry 100 known from the prior art includes an antenna 101 making it possible to establish a remote connection between a computer-based toll collection equipment 103 and an on-board electronic toll device on board a vehicle, a presence detection detector. a vehicle 105, typically constituted by a magnetic loop detecting the metallic mass of a body, a red / green two-tone light 107 and a barrier 109. The antenna 101, the presence detector 105, the light 107 and the barrier 109 constitute peripherals controlled by computerized toll collection equipment 103.

  Normally, the barrier 109 is in the lowered position, preventing the crossing of the gantry 100, and the light 107 displays a red color. When a vehicle equipped with an on-board electronic toll device approaches the gantry 100, a connection is established between the latter and the toll collection computer equipment 103 via the antenna 101 in order to debit the toll. the user, holder of the electronic toll device. If the transaction is successful, the light 107 turns green and green and the barrier 109 rises, allowing the crossing of the gantry. After the presence detector 105, located after the barrier, has signaled the passage of the vehicle, the light 107 turns red and the barrier is lowered.

  Optionally, a camera 111 may also be present, however its function is not to identify vehicles that have fraudulently crossed the gantry, but rather to monitor the passage and manage disputes relating to the classification of vehicles.

  Optionally, other equipment is also present, such as a vehicle separator device and an intercom to communicate with an operator in case the barrier has not risen (unauthorized vehicle, breakdown, exhausted credit, etc ... ).

  A toll gantry according to one embodiment of the invention differs from the gantry 100 in that the barrier 109 is absent or blocked in the raised position and in that it also has a processing module unauthorized crossings.

  The idea underlying the invention is to separate the function of perception of the toll and authorization of the crossing of the processing of unauthorized crossing to avoid having to modify the computer equipment toll collection 103, and particularly its operating system. To do this, the processing of unauthorized crossings is performed by a module connected to a signal generated by said computer equipment during its normal operation and indicating if a crossing was authorized. In particular, in the embodiment considered here, the module is connected to a cable transmitting a fire control signal 107.

  Indeed, modifying a toll collection computer equipment 103 to make it also perform a function of processing unauthorized crossings would be a complex operation and strictly related to the technical characteristics of said equipment. In the case of a motorway network comprising several different models of electronic toll gantries, and therefore heterogeneous toll collection computer equipment, the installation of an automatic system for processing non-payment of tolls should be done according to different procedures on a case-by-case basis, with a significant additional cost. The replacement of the existing payment gateways park by gantries, known from the prior art, incorporating an automatic system for processing non-payment of tolls is also disadvantageous from an economic point of view. On the contrary, a two-color light is a very simple device and, whatever the type of gantry in which it is used, it is easy to acquire its state (red or green), typically by connecting directly on a cable of command, and communicate it to a module of the invention.

  FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the hardware architecture of the equipment of the gantry 100 and of a module 200 for automatic processing of the non-payment infringements of a toll of the invention. The gantry 100 has already been described, therefore it is limited here remember that it comprises a toll collection equipment 103 which receives information from an antenna 101, a presence detector of a vehicle 105 and possibly Other toll devices, and in response to this information, send control signals SCF and SCB to a light 107 and a barrier 109 respectively. During the installation of the module 200, the connection with the barrier 109 is interrupted and possibly the barrier itself is physically removed, although it may be advantageous to be limited to performing a reversible interruption of the control signal SCB at by means of a switch, so as to easily reset the barrier 109 in case of failure of the module 200.

  Apart from the interruption of the SCB signal, the possible removal or blocking of the barrier 109 and the addition of appropriate signaling to inform the users of the presence of the module 200 and the possibility of being photographed in the event of the offense of non-payment, the only modification that must be made to the existing equipment is the establishment of a connection C on the transmission line of the fire control signal SCF. This connection C is the only connection between the existing equipment of the gantry 100 and the module 200 to be installed.

  The module 200 comprises a management automaton 210 having a first, second and third input El, E2 and E3 respectively and an output S, a crossing detector of the gantry 220, an image acquisition and processing system 230 making it possible to verify if a vehicle having crossed the gantry continues to advance and a processing equipment of an unauthorized crossing 240, comprising an image pickup device 242 and an encryption and data transmission device 244.

  When the management automaton 210 receives at its second input E2 a crossing detection signal DF, coming from the crossing detector 220 and indicating that a vehicle has crossed the gantry 100, it checks via the connection C and its first entry El if the light 107 is green, indicating that the toll has been paid regularly, or red, indicating a prohibition of crossing. If the light was red at the time of crossing, and if a CF confirmation signal from the image acquisition and processing system 230 is received at its third input E3, the controller 210 generates an SD trigger signal. which is transmitted by its output S to the processing equipment of an unauthorized crossing 240. The image pickup device 242 then takes a photographic image of the vehicle and transmits it, via the encryption device and the 244 data transmission, to a CT processing center, where the vehicle is identified and the recovery operations of the toll amount and / or penalty of the non-payment offense are triggered. The encryption and data transmission device 244 also transmits additional information, such as a date and an identifier of the electronic toll gantry. The transmission of data is generally in encrypted form via a telephone line, an ADSL connection or a dedicated line.

  The only link between the module 200 and the pre-existing equipment of the gantry 100 is constituted by the connection C which takes the signal SCF transmitted from the toll collection equipment 103 to the light 107. The characteristics of this signal generally vary from one to the next. equipment to the other, for this reason it is necessary to equip the controller 210 with an interface 212 which must be adapted to the gantry 100 on which it is desired to install the module 200. All the other components of the module 200 operate independently of the properties of toll collection equipment 103.

  The gantry crossing detector 220 and the image acquisition and processing system 230 deserve a more detailed description. In a simplified embodiment of the invention, the management automaton 210 can generate the trigger signal SD which activates the processing equipment of an unauthorized crossing 240 as soon as the crossing detector of the gantry 220 indicates by a DF crossing detection signal that the front portion of a vehicle has exceeded an imaginary line (or materialized by a ground stop line), located approximately at the location of the old barrier 109 without the computer equipment toll collection system has transmitted to the light 107 a green SCF signal. However, it is preferable to be able to distinguish the case of a vehicle which definitively crosses the gantry 100 without having paid the toll of that of a vehicle which, just after having exceeded said line, perceives the anomaly and stops to call an operator. For this, the module 200 also comprises an image acquisition and processing system 230 which generates a crossing confirmation signal CF if said vehicle continues to advance after having crossed said imaginary line. The management controller 210 therefore generates the trigger signal SD only after receiving both the crossing detection signal DF and the crossing confirmation signal CF.

  The operation of the management controller 201 and its interaction with the various peripherals of the system are illustrated by the diagram of FIG. 3, in which the dashed lines represent the signal paths.

  The controller 201 comprises two devices, 214 and 216.

  The device 214 cyclically acquires the state of the light 107 (step 311), represented by the signal SCF coming from the toll collection equipment 103 via the connection C. If the light is green ( test 312), it sets the value of a logical variable FV (step 312), otherwise it does not change it. The variable FV allows communication between the two devices.

  The device 216 remains waiting for a crossing detection signal DF from the crossing detector 220 (step 321); when a crossing is reported, it checks the value of the variable FV (test 322). If FV = 1, the crossing is considered to be authorized and the device 216 changes the value of the variable FV (step 323) to 0 because the light turns red after the passage of each authorized vehicle, and goes on standby. a new crossing detection signal. If FV = 0 and if a CF confirmation signal is received within a determined time period (test 324), the device 216 generates a trigger signal SD (step 325) which activates the processing equipment of an unauthorized crossing. 240. Finally, in both cases, he is waiting for a new crossing.

  The management automaton 210 can be implemented as a dedicated digital circuit or a program executed by a universal computer. >>

  Numerous modifications of the described system and module are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

  For example, the operation of the controller 210 could be simplified by making an acquisition of the state of the light 107 immediately after receiving the crossing detection signal, without the need to use the variable FV. However, this could lead to delays, and would expose the risk of determining that an unauthorized crossing took place even when the toll was regularly paid.

  The crossing detector 220 is preferably independent of a vehicle presence detector 105 already installed on the gantry, but this is not essential, and it is possible to envisage using a signal coming from the latter in the system of the vehicle. the invention.

  The image pickup device may be replaced, for example, by an acoustic or optical alarm, depending on the specific application of the system of the invention.

  The fire control signal may be replaced by any signal to determine whether a toll has been regularly acknowledged: for example, the barrier control signal SCB 109 could be used in its place, just like an internal signal the toll collection equipment 103 (although the latter solution is technically more complex).

  Although the invention has been described with reference to an electronic toll gantry, it can also be applied to card or coin automatic toll gantries or gantries with human operators. More generally, the invention can be applied in all cases where it is desired to make the crossing of a control station subject to an authorization dependent on certain conditions, such as the payment of a toll or a toll. access, identification, registration, but it is preferred not to resort to a physical barrier. The module requires only minor modifications to adapt to these different applications, precisely because of its ability to interface with any signal generated by said control station and representative of a state of authorization or non-authorization crossing.

Claims (19)

  An automatic crossing control system comprising a control station (100) for determining whether a crossing is to be authorized and, in this case, generating a crossing clearance signal (SCF), characterized in that it also comprises a module (200) for processing unauthorized crossings of said passage, said module comprising: a first input (El), connected to said control station (100), for taking said authorization signal from crossing (SCF); an unauthorized crossing processing equipment (240), provided with an input for a trigger signal (SD); and a management automaton (210), provided with a first input (El) for said crossing authorization signal (SCF), with a second input (E2) for a crossing detection signal (DF) generated by a crossing detector (220) indicating that said passage has been crossed and an output (S) for said trip signal, for recognizing an unauthorized crossing condition from the values of said crossing detection signals (DF); and clearance (SCF) and to generate said trigger signal (SD) when said condition is verified.   The system of claim 1, wherein the unauthorized crossing processing module (200) also includes a crossing detector (220) for generating said crossing detection signal.   The system of claim 1, wherein the unauthorized crossing processing module (200) also includes a second input, connected to a crossing detector (220) forming part of said control station (100), for said signal crossing detection (DF).   4. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said crossing authorization signal (SCF) is a control signal of a passing light (107).   The system of one of the preceding claims, wherein said unauthorized crossing processing equipment (240) includes an image pickup device (242) coupled to said input for a trigger signal (SD). , to take a picture of a vehicle or a person who crossed an unauthorized crossing.   The system of claim 4 wherein said unauthorized crossing processing equipment (240) also includes a device (244) for transmitting said image to a processing center (CT).   7. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said controller comprises: - a device (214) for acquiring the value of the crossing authorization signal (SCF) and for assigning a first binary value (1) to an authorized crossing logical variable (FV), representative of a crossing clearance, when said value of the crossing clearance signal (SCF) indicates that an authorization has been given; and a device (216) for testing the value of said authorized crossing variable (FV) when said crossing detection signal has been received, for assigning to said same variable a second binary value (0) different from the first one (1). ) if it had said first value, and to generate said trigger signal (SD) in the opposite case.   8. System according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: - the unauthorized crossing processing module (200) also comprises a device (240) for generating a confirmation of crossing signal (CF) when a vehicle or a person having crossed the said passage continues to advance; and said management automaton (210) also comprises a third input (E3) for said crossing confirmation signal (CF) and generates said trigger signal (SD) only after having received said crossing confirmation signal (SCF) ).   9. System according to claim 8, wherein said management automaton (210) comprises: a device (214) for acquiring the value of the crossing clearance signal (SCF) and for assigning a first binary value (1) an authorized crossing logical variable (FV), representative of a crossing clearance, when said value of the crossing clearance signal (SCF) indicates that an authorization has been given; and a device (216) for testing the value of said authorized crossing variable (FV) when said crossing detection signal (DF) has been received, for assigning to said same variable (FV) a second binary value (0) different from the first (1) if it had said first value, and to generate said trigger signal (SD) if it had said second binary value (0) and if a crossing confirmation signal (CF) is received.   10. System according to one of the preceding claims wherein the control station (100) is a toll gantry devoid of barriers physically preventing unauthorized crossing.   11. The system of claim 9 wherein the gantry toll (100) is a toll gantry.   12. Module for processing unauthorized crossings of a passage (200), said module comprising: a first input for taking a crossing authorization signal (SCF) generated by a control station of the passage (100); an unauthorized crossing processing equipment (240), provided with an input for a trigger signal (SD); and a management automaton (210), provided with a first input (El) for said crossing authorization signal (SCF), with a second input (E2) for a crossing detection signal (DF) generated by a crossing detector (220) indicating that said passage has been crossed and an output (S) for said trigger signal (SD), for recognizing an unauthorized crossing condition from the values of said crossing detection signals (DF) and clearance clearance (SCF) and to generate said trigger signal (SD) when said condition is verified.   The module (200) of claim 12 further comprising a crossing detector (220) for generating said crossing detection signal (DF).   14. Module (200) according to claim 12 also comprising a second input for taking said crossing detection signal (DF).   The module (200) according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein said unauthorized crossing processing equipment includes an image pickup device, coupled to said input for a trigger signal, for taking a image of a vehicle or a person having crossed over unauthorized.   The module (200) of claim 15, wherein said unauthorized crossing processing equipment also includes a device for transmitting said image to a processing center.   17. Module (200) according to one of claims 12 to 16, wherein said controller comprises: - a device (214) for acquiring the value of the crossing authorization signal (SCF) and for assigning a first value binary (1) to an authorized crossing logical variable (FV), representative of a crossing clearance, when said value of the crossing clearance signal (SCF) indicates that an authorization has been given; and a device (216) for testing the value of said authorized crossing variable (FV) when said crossing detection signal (DF) has been received, for assigning to said same variable (FV) a second binary value (0) different from the first (1) if it had said first value, and to generate said trigger signal (SD) in the opposite case.   18. Module (200) according to one of claims 12 to 16, also comprising a device (240) for generating a confirmation of crossing signal (CF) when a vehicle or a person having crossed said passage continues to advance and wherein said management controller (210) also has a third input (E3) for said clearance confirmation signal (CF) and generates said trigger signal (SD) only after receiving said clearance confirmation signal (CF) ).   The module (200) according to claim 18, wherein said management automaton (210) comprises: - a device (214) for acquiring the value of the crossing clearance signal (SCF) and for assigning a first binary value ( 1) an authorized crossing logical variable (FV), representative of a crossing clearance, when said crossing clearance signal (SCF) value indicates that an authorization has been given; and a device (216) for testing the value of said authorized crossing variable (FV) when said crossing detection signal (DF) has been received, for assigning to said same variable (FV) a second binary value (0) different from the first (1) if it had said first value, and to generate said trigger signal (SD) if it had said second binary value (0) and if a crossing confirmation signal (CF) is received.