JP2010146144A - Toll collection system, automatic toll collection apparatus, and operation method of toll collection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save servicing time of an automatic toll collection system under operation wherein a collector is managed beside the automatic toll collection apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When the automatic toll collection apparatus is set in a normal mode, if a start detecting device detects start of a specific vehicle, while the automatic collection apparatus does not collect regular toll, the automatic toll collection apparatus generates collection data, including information which indicates an improper passage by the specific vehicle. Meanwhile, when the automatic toll collection apparatus is set in a special operation mode by using a special operation button, if a start detecting device detects a start of a specific vehicle while the automatic collection apparatus does not collect regular toll, the automatic toll collection apparatus generates collection data that does not contain information which indicates the improper passage by the specific vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toll collection system, and more particularly to a toll collection system that uses an automatic toll collector to collect tolls on toll roads.

  An automatic toll collector is a device provided at a toll booth to collect tolls unattended. A typical automatic toll collection machine guides the toll by voice and screen display according to the toll inserted by the user, and accepts payment by various means such as cash, credit card, prepaid card, etc. It is configured.

  One problem in the operation of an automatic toll collection machine is that it takes longer service time than a manned toll collection. Since the user is not necessarily accustomed to the operation of the automatic toll collector, a certain increase in service time is an unavoidable problem.

  For this reason, when a traffic jam occurs at a toll booth, an operation may be performed in which a toll collector is placed near the automatic toll collection machine to assist with toll collection. In this case, in the current operation, the receiver receives the fee from the user, and the receiver receives the fee by operating the operation panel of the automatic fee collector instead of the user. The reason why such operation is performed is that it is necessary not only to correctly receive the fee, but also to make the automatic fee collection system recognize that the fee has been correctly received from each user.

  However, the operation in which the receiver operates the automatic toll receiver instead of the user is not sufficient for shortening the service time because it takes time for the receiver to operate the operation panel. It is desirable that the service time can be further shortened when an operation is performed in which the toll person is placed near the automatic toll collector.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for further shortening the service time when an operation is performed in which a receiver is arranged near an automatic toll receiver.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the means described below. In the description of the means, in order to clarify the correspondence between the description of [Claims] and the description of [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention], [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] ] Are used for reference. However, the appended numbers and symbols should not be used to limit the technical scope of the invention described in [Claims].

  In one aspect of the present invention, the toll collection system (1) has an automatic toll collector (2) provided in the lane (11) and an exit side of the toll collector (2) in the lane (11). A start detection device (4) for detecting the start of the vehicle (12) from the lane (11) and an operating means (33) for setting the operation mode of the automatic toll collector (2) I have. The automatic fee collection machine (2) generates collection data indicating the collection result of the charge from the vehicle (12). When the automatic toll collector (2) is set to the normal mode by the operating means (33), the automatic toll collector (2) does not correctly collect the toll by the automatic toll collector (2) and the start detection device ( When the start of the specific vehicle is detected according to 4), receipt data including information indicating that the specific vehicle has made unauthorized traffic is generated. On the other hand, when the automatic toll collector (2) is set to the special operation mode by the operation means (33), the automatic toll collector (2) starts without being correctly collected by the automatic toll collector (2). When the start of the specific vehicle is detected by the detection device (4), receipt data not including information indicating that the specific vehicle has made unauthorized traffic is generated.

  The toll collection system (1) is further provided on the exit side of the toll collector (2) of the lane (11), and the start control for restricting the start of the vehicle (12) from the lane (11) When the machine (5) is provided, the start controller (5) is preferably opened when the automatic toll collector (2) is set to the special operation mode by the operating means (33).

  Further, when the automatic toll collector (2) is set to the special operation mode by the operating means (33), the automatic toll collector (2) starts without being correctly collected by the automatic toll collector (2). When the start of the specific vehicle is detected by the detection device (4), it is preferable to generate the receipt data so as to include information indicating that the fee has been received in cash.

  In one embodiment, the operating means (33) is provided in the automatic charge collector (2).

  In another aspect of the present invention, the automatic toll collector (2) generates a receipt mechanism (31) for collecting a fee and receipt data generation for generating a receipt data indicating a fee collection result from the vehicle (12). Means (32) and operation means (33) are provided. When the automatic toll collector (2) is set to the normal mode by the operating means (33), the toll collection data generation means (32) does not correctly collect the toll by the automatic toll receiver (2), and the start detection device ( When the start of the specific vehicle is detected according to 4), receipt data including information indicating that the specific vehicle has made unauthorized traffic is generated. When the automatic toll receiver (2) is set to the special operation mode by the operation means (33), the toll data generating means (32) is a start detection device in which the toll collection is not correctly received by the automatic toll receiver (2). When the start of the specific vehicle is detected in (4), receipt data not including information indicating that the specific vehicle has made unauthorized traffic is generated.

  In still another aspect of the present invention, an operation method of the toll collection system (1) includes a step of setting an operation mode of an automatic toll collector (2) provided in the lane (11), and from the vehicle (12). Generating receipt data indicating a fee collection result. When the automatic toll collector (2) is set to the normal mode, the toll data is not collected correctly by the automatic toll collector (2), and the specific vehicle from the lane (11) is detected by the start detection device (4). Is generated so as to include information indicating that the specific vehicle has illegally passed. When the automatic toll collector (2) is set to the special operation mode, the toll data is not correctly collected by the automatic toll collector (2) and the start of the specific vehicle is detected by the start detector (4). In this case, the collection data does not include information indicating that the specific vehicle has illegally passed.

  In the operation method of the toll collection system (1), when the toll collector (2) is set in the special operation mode, a start controller for regulating the start of the vehicle (12) from the lane (11). It is preferable to open (5).

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when the operation | movement which arrange | positions a receipt person near a toll collection machine is performed, the technique for enabling service time to be shortened more is provided.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a fee collection system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The toll collection system 1 of the present embodiment includes an automatic toll collection device 2, an approach detection device 3, a start detection device 4, a start control device 5, a monitoring panel 6, and a totalization processing device 7.

  The automatic toll collector 2 is a device provided on the road side of the lane 11 and used to collect tolls from users. In addition, the automatic toll collector 2 also functions as a control device that controls various devices provided in the lane 11. For example, the automatic toll collector 2 also has a function of controlling the signal lamp 8 provided on the entrance side and the signal lamp 9 provided on the exit side. An uninterruptible power supply device 10 is connected to the automatic charge receiver 2 and can continue to operate for a certain period of time even when power supply is cut off.

  The approach detection device 3 is a device that detects the approach of the vehicle 12 to the lane 11, and is provided at a position closer to the entrance than the automatic toll collector 2 of the lane 11. On the other hand, the start detection device 4 is a device that detects the start of the vehicle 12 from the lane 11, and is provided at a position on the exit side from the toll collector 2 of the lane 11. The start controller 5 is provided at a position on the exit side of the automatic toll collector 2 of the lane 11 and is used to restrict or permit the start of the vehicle 12 from the lane 11. When the start of the vehicle 12 is restricted, the start controller 5 is closed and the lane 11 is blocked. On the other hand, when the start of the vehicle 12 is permitted, the start controller 5 is opened.

  The monitoring panel 6 is used for monitoring and operating the automatic toll receiver 2 and other devices. The monitoring board 6 displays the video of the lane 11 photographed by the ITV camera 13, and the administrator of the toll collection system 1 can check the situation of the lane 11 from the monitoring board 6. The aggregation processing device 7 is a device for accumulating and processing various data sent from the automatic fee collection / reception device 2.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the fee collection system 1 in the present embodiment. The automatic toll receiver 2 includes an operation panel 31 and a main control unit 32. The operation panel 31 has various mechanisms for collecting charges from the user, for example, a mechanism for receiving cash, a mechanism for processing with a credit card and a prepaid card, and a mechanism for paying out cash such as change when necessary. And.

  The main control unit 32 controls the start controller 5 and the operation panel 31 on the basis of output signals from the approach detection device 3, the start detection device 4, and the operation panel 31, and further collects receipt data into the totalization processing device 7. It has a function to send. Here, the receipt data is data indicating a collection result of charges from each vehicle. In one embodiment, the receipt data includes information indicating a vehicle ID of each vehicle that has passed, a fee collected from each vehicle, and a payment method (eg, cash, credit card, prepaid card, etc.). At this time, for vehicles that have been settled in cash, information (cash handling information) indicating “cash handling” is described in the receipt data in association with the vehicle ID. On the other hand, for a vehicle whose fee has not been paid correctly, information indicating that it is “illegal traffic” (illegal traffic information) is described in association with the vehicle ID.

  Here, the main control unit 32 recognizes the approach of the vehicle 12 to the lane 11 and the start of the vehicle 12 from the output signals of the approach detection device 3 and the start detection device 4, and uses the recognition result of the start controller 5 to Take control. Specifically, the approach detection device 3 includes a vehicle separator 21, a tread plate 22, and a vehicle type determination device 23. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle separator 21 and the tread 22 are provided so as to cross the lane 11. The vehicle type determination device 23 detects the approach of the vehicle 12 to the lane 11 from the output signals output from the vehicle separator 21 and the tread 22, and further determines the vehicle type of the vehicle 12. On the other hand, the start detection device 4 includes a vehicle separator 24, a tread plate 25, and a vehicle detection device 26. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle separator 24 and the tread plate 25 are provided so as to cross the lane 11. The vehicle detection device 26 detects the start of the vehicle 12 from output signals output from the vehicle separator 24 and the tread plate 25. The main control unit 32 recognizes the entry of the vehicle 12 into the lane 11 and the start of the vehicle 12 from the output signals of the vehicle type determination device 23 and the vehicle detection device 26 and controls the start controller 5.

  The automatic charge receiver 2 is provided with a special operation button 33. The special operation button 33 is an operation means used to set the operation mode of the automatic charge receiver 2 to the “special operation mode”. Here, the “special operation mode” is an operation mode that is set when an operation is performed in which the receiver is placed near the automatic toll collector. When the special operation button 33 is pressed while the automatic charge receiver 2 is in the “normal mode”, the automatic charge receiver 2 is set to the “special operation mode” and the special operation mode specified for the “special operation mode” is set. Perform the action. If the special operation button 33 is pressed again while the automatic fee collector 2 is in the “special operation mode”, the automatic charge receiver 2 returns to the “normal mode”. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, when the operation of placing the toll collector near the automatic toll collector is performed, the automatic toll collector 2 is set to the “special operation mode” and performs a special operation. This is one feature of the toll collection system 1. Hereinafter, the operation of the automatic toll receiver 2 when each mode is set for each of the “normal mode” and the “special operation mode” will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic toll collector 2 when the normal operation of the toll collection system 1 is performed, that is, when the automatic toll receiver 2 is set to the “normal mode”. When the approach detection device 3 detects that the vehicle 12 has entered the lane 11 (step S01), the toll collector 2 starts an operation for receiving the toll (step S02). In one embodiment, the fee is received by the following operations. First, a voice announcement prompting insertion of a pass ticket is started. Further, when the pass ticket is inserted into the pass ticket slot, the charge is calculated from the billing data recorded in the pass ticket, and the calculated charge is displayed. Furthermore, processing for settlement is performed. For example, when cash is thrown into a cash slot, the cash that has been thrown is counted. Further, when a credit card or prepaid card is inserted into the corresponding insertion slot, settlement is performed using the inserted credit card or prepaid card.

  When the receipt of the fee is completed (step S03), the start controller 5 is opened (step S04). At this time, if the settlement is cash and there is a change, the change is paid out (step S05).

  Here, if the start of the vehicle 12 is detected by the start detection device 4 in a state where the receipt of the charge is not properly completed (step S06), the main control unit 32 of the automatic charge receiver 2 will It is determined that “illegal traffic” has been performed (step S07). In this case, if the cash is inserted before the start of the vehicle 12 is detected, the inserted cash is paid out (step S08). This is to allow the supervisor to deal with the case of “illegal traffic”.

  Thereafter, a reception end process is performed (step S09). In the reception end process, receipt data is generated by the main control unit 32 of the automatic fee collection machine 2 and sent to the aggregation processing device 7. At this time, if it is determined that the vehicle 12 that has passed has been “illegal traffic”, information indicating that the vehicle 12 has been “traffic” (illegal traffic information) is received in correspondence with the vehicle ID of the vehicle 12 that has passed. Described in the data. The generated receipt data is sent to and accumulated in the aggregation processing device 7.

  When the start detection device 4 determines that the vehicle 12 has passed the start controller 5, the start controller 5 is closed (step S10).

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 shows a charge when the toll collection system 1 is operated to place a toll beside the toll collector 2, that is, when the toll collector 2 is set to the “special operation mode”. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the automatic receiver / receiver 2. FIG. In the present embodiment, when an operation is performed in which a receiver is placed near the automatic fee receiver 2, the receiver receives a fee paid in cash. That is, the receipt person does not put the cash received from the user into the automatic fee collection machine 2. This is to eliminate the need for the operation of the automatic toll collector 2 and shorten the service time. When the fee is settled by a prepaid card or a credit card, the prepaid card or the credit card is inserted into the automatic fee collection machine 2. This is because the payment information recorded on the prepaid card or credit card is required at the time of payment.

  One problem with this type of operation is that even if the automatic toll collector 2 detects that the vehicle 12 has entered the lane 11, if the toll is paid by cash, the fee is paid. It is a point that the automatic toll collection machine 2 cannot recognize that it has been lost. In other words, since the cash paid to the receipter is not put into the automatic fee collection machine 2, the automatic charge collection device 2 cannot recognize that the fee has been correctly settled.

  One technique for avoiding such a problem is for the toll collector to recognize that the toll collector has operated the toll collector 2 and received the fee. However, in such a method, it is necessary for the receiver to operate the automatic fee collection machine 2, and it is not effective for shortening the service time.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when an operation is performed in which a toll collector is arranged near the automatic toll collector 2, even if the toll collector 2 does not receive the fee, it is not treated as “illegal traffic”. Is made. That is, even for the vehicle 12 for which the fee is not received by the toll collector 2, information indicating “illegal traffic” is not described in the receipt data; instead, “cash handling” is included in the receipt data. Is described. In the case where the toll collector is arranged beside the automatic toll receiver 2, there is a high probability that the toll will be collected by cash even if the automatic toll receiver 2 is not used for settlement.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the automatic toll receiver 2 when the automatic toll receiver 2 is set to the “special operation mode” will be described in detail. When an operation is performed in which the receiver is placed near the automatic toll receiver 2, the special operation button 33 is pressed by the receiver (step S11). When the special operation button 33 is pressed, the start controller 5 is unconditionally opened (step S12). Opening the start controller 5 is an effective means for reducing service time and eliminating traffic congestion. In the “special operation mode”, since the toll collector is arranged beside the automatic toll collector 2, even if the start controller 5 is opened, unauthorized traffic hardly occurs.

  Subsequently, when the approach detection device 3 detects that the vehicle 12 has entered the lane 11 (step S13), the toll collector 2 starts an operation for receiving the toll (step S14). Here, it should be noted that the automatic toll collector 2 performs an operation for receiving the fee even when the operation of placing the toll collector beside the toll collector 2 is performed. If the automatic toll collector 2 receives the fee correctly, there is no problem if the automatic toll collector 2 proceeds as it is.

  In one embodiment, the fee is received by the following operations. First, a voice announcement prompting insertion of a pass ticket is started. Further, when the pass ticket is inserted into the pass ticket slot, the charge is calculated from the billing data recorded in the pass ticket, and the calculated charge is displayed. Furthermore, processing for settlement is performed. For example, when cash is thrown into a cash slot, the cash that has been thrown is counted. Further, when a credit card or prepaid card is inserted into the corresponding insertion slot, settlement is performed using the inserted credit card or prepaid card.

  While the operation for receiving the fee is being performed, the start detection device 4 detects whether the vehicle 12 has started (step S15). When the start is detected, the toll collector 2 determines whether or not the toll has been correctly received (step S16). If the fee has been correctly received, the process proceeds to step S19. On the other hand, even if the toll is not received by the toll collector 2, the toll collector 2 does not determine that the vehicle 12 has "traffic passage". Even if the fee is not received by the fee automatic receiver 2, the automatic fee collector 2 operates assuming that the fee is paid in cash (step S17).

  At this time, if cash has been inserted before the start of the vehicle 12 is detected, the inserted cash is paid out (step S18). It should be noted that step S18 is performed only when the fee is not correctly received, so that the cash payment in step S18 is performed only when half of the cash that is less than the fee has been inserted halfway. I want. That is, in step S18, the cash that has been inserted halfway is paid out.

  Subsequently, step S19 is performed. In step S19, a reception end process is performed. In the reception end process, receipt data is generated by the main control unit 32 of the automatic fee collection machine 2 and sent to the aggregation processing device 7. The generated receipt data is sent to and accumulated in the aggregation processing device 7.

  At this time, when payment is made by cash, credit card, or prepaid card using the automatic toll collection machine 2, information that the settlement means is cash, credit card, or prepaid card is associated with the vehicle ID. Described in receipt data.

  On the other hand, even when the fee is not received by the automatic fee collector 2, the automatic fee collector 2 describes information (cash treatment information) indicating “cash treatment” in the receipt data in association with the vehicle ID. Is done. That is, even when the fee is not received by the automatic toll receiver 2, the information indicating that “illegal passage” (illegal passage information) is not described in the receipt data. As described above, when the toll collector is arranged near the automatic toll collector 2, there is a high probability that the toll will be collected in cash even if the automatic toll collector 2 is not used for settlement. The receipt data can be generated with

  Subsequently, when the start detection device 4 determines that the vehicle 12 has passed the start controller 5, it is determined whether or not the special operation button 33 is pressed again to release the “special operation mode”. (Step S20). If the “special operation mode” has been canceled, the start controller 5 is closed (step S21), and the operation of the “normal mode” in FIG. 3 is started. On the other hand, when the “special operation mode” is continued, the operation moves to step S13 and the above-described operation is repeated. The start controller 5 is not closed.

  As described above, in the fee collection system 1 of the present embodiment, different operations are performed in the “normal mode” and the “special operation mode”. When the automatic toll collector 2 is set to the “special operation mode”, even if the start of the vehicle 12 is detected by the start detection device 4 in a state where the toll collector 2 has not received the toll, the vehicle 12 is not recognized as having illegally passed. That is, for the vehicle, information (cash handling information) indicating “cash handling” is described in the receipt data in association with the vehicle ID. According to such an operation, the service time can be further shortened when an operation is performed in which the collector is arranged near the automatic toll collector.

  In addition, although the embodiment of the fee collection system of the present invention has been described above, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the above-described embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the toll collection system of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, a special operation button 33 for switching the operation mode of the automatic charge receiver 2 between the “special operation mode” and the “normal mode” is provided in the automatic charge receiver 2. Various types of operation means for specifying the operation mode of the machine 2 are allowed. For example, the special operation button 33 may be provided on the monitoring panel 6, or operation means other than the buttons may be used.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a fee collection system in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fee collection system in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic toll collector when the “normal mode” is set. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic toll collector when the “special operation mode” is set.

Explanation of symbols

1: Toll collection system 2: Automatic toll collection machine 3: Ingress detection device 4: Start detection device 5: Start control device 6: Monitoring panel 7: Total processing device 8, 9: Signal light 10: Uninterruptible power supply 11: Lane 12 : Vehicle 13: ITV Camera 21: Vehicle separator 22: Tread 23: Vehicle type discriminator 24: Vehicle separator 25: Tread 26: Vehicle detector 31: Operation panel 32: Main control unit 33: Special operation button

Claims (7)

Automatic toll collector in the lane,
A start detection device for detecting a start of the vehicle from the lane, provided on the exit side of the toll collector of the lane,
Operating means for setting the operation mode of the automatic toll collector,
The toll collector is configured to generate toll data indicating a toll collection result from a vehicle;
When the automatic toll collector is set to the normal mode by the operation means, the automatic toll collector has not received the fee correctly by the automatic toll collector and the start detection device detects the start of the specific vehicle. Generating the receipt data including information indicating that the specific vehicle has illegally passed,
When the automatic toll collector is set to the special operation mode by the operation means, the automatic toll collector detects the start of the specific vehicle by the start detection device without correctly collecting the toll by the automatic toll collector. A toll collection system that generates the toll data that does not include information indicating that the specific vehicle has made unauthorized traffic if The toll collection system according to claim 1,
Furthermore,
Provided on the exit side of the automatic fare collector of the lane, comprising a start controller for restricting the start of the vehicle from the lane,
The start controller is a toll collection system that is opened when the automatic toll collector is set to the special operation mode by the operating means. The toll collection system according to claim 1 or 2,
When the automatic toll collector is set to the special operation mode by the operation means, the automatic toll collector detects the start of the specific vehicle by the start detection device without correctly collecting the toll by the automatic toll collector. A toll collection system for generating the receipt data so as to include information indicating that the charge has been collected in cash. A toll collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The operation means is a fee collection system provided in the automatic fee collection machine. A receipt mechanism to collect charges;
A receipt data generating means for generating receipt data indicating a receipt result of a charge from the vehicle;
A toll collector with operating means,
When the automatic toll collector is set to the normal mode by the operating means, the toll data generation means has detected the start of the specific vehicle by the start detecting device without the toll being correctly received by the automatic toll collector. Generating the receipt data including information indicating that the specific vehicle has illegally passed,
When the automatic toll collector is set to the special operation mode by the operating means, the receipt data generating means detects the start of the specific vehicle by the start detection device without correctly collecting the toll by the automatic toll collector. A toll collector that generates the receipt data that does not include information indicating that the specific vehicle has illegally passed. Setting the operation mode of the automatic toll collector provided in the lane;
Generating receipt data indicating a receipt result of a charge from the vehicle,
The receipt data is obtained when a start of a specific vehicle from the lane is detected by a start detection device when a charge is not correctly received by the automatic charge receiver when the automatic charge receiver is set in a normal mode. It is generated so as to include information indicating that the specific vehicle has illegally passed,
The receipt data is specified when the start of the specific vehicle is detected by the start detection device when the toll collector does not correctly collect the toll when the toll collector is set to the special operation mode. A method of operating a toll collection system that generates the toll data that does not include information indicating that the vehicle has made unauthorized traffic. An operation method of the toll collection system according to claim 6,
Furthermore, when the automatic toll collection machine is set to the special operation mode, a method for operating the toll collection system comprising the step of opening a start controller for restricting the start of the vehicle from the lane.

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