JP2014056412A - Vehicular passage control system, in-vehicle device, and toll processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce passing tickets to be issued.SOLUTION: A vehicular passage control includes a reception means and a display means. The reception means wirelessly receives information on an in-vehicle device from the in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle. The display means displays a code symbol containing information identifying a place through which the vehicle passes for a display section provided in a position which can be picturized from a vehicle, when the information on the in-vehicle device received by the reception means contains that the vehicle has a picturization part.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a vehicle traffic control system, an in-vehicle device, and a toll processing device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ETC system (Electronic Toll Collection System) is used to collect road usage charges from vehicles at highway tollgates. In the ETC system, between the roadside wireless communication device provided on the toll gate side and the ETC onboard device (hereinafter also referred to as the onboard device) mounted on the vehicle side and equipped with the ETC card (IC card), By transmitting and receiving information necessary for receiving the usage fee via wireless communication, the usage fee is collected without stopping the vehicle.

  On the other hand, when no ETC card is installed in the vehicle-mounted device, the vehicle receives a toll for the toll collection at the entrance, reads the toll at the exit tollgate, and calculates the calculated amount to the tollgate and the vehicle And received it.

JP 2011-123694 A

  However, in the prior art, the pass ticket received when the ETC card is not attached to the vehicle-mounted device is generally issued on a paper medium. If there are many vehicles that pass, the number of issued pass tickets increases, and these pass tickets are discarded as garbage after being read at the exit toll booth. That is, as the number of vehicles that pass through increases, the amount of garbage that is discharged increases, and the paper cost required to issue a pass ticket increases.

  The vehicle traffic control system of the embodiment includes a receiving unit and a display unit. A receiving means receives the information regarding the said onboard equipment wirelessly from the onboard equipment mounted in the vehicle. When the information about the vehicle-mounted device received by the receiving means includes that the vehicle includes an imaging unit, the display unit passes the vehicle with respect to the display unit provided at a position where the image can be captured from the vehicle. A code symbol including information for identifying a position to be displayed is displayed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a device configuration of an entrance lane fee collection system in an entrance toll gate according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of each component included in the fee collection system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the roadside display according to the embodiment displays “passable”. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the roadside indicator according to the embodiment displays a barcode symbol together with “passable”. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of the vehicle-mounted device with the imaging unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a toll collection device provided at an exit toll gate according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing executed by the toll collection system provided at the toll gate at the entrance according to the embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a device configuration of an entrance lane fee collection system in an entrance toll gate according to the embodiment. A toll collection system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided for each lane at the entrance of a toll road such as an expressway.

  The toll collection system 1 includes a first vehicle detector 101, a second vehicle detector 102, a lane server 103, an ETC antenna 104, a roadside indicator 105, a start control device 106, a third And a vehicle detector 107. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the toll collection system 1 is provided at an entrance toll gate provided on a toll road of a toll charge system in which a toll is charged according to the section in which the vehicle 150 travels.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System) system is applied to the fee collection system 1. In the ETC system, when the first vehicle detector 101 detects that the vehicle 150 has entered the entrance lane, the lane server 103 receives an ETC vehicle-mounted device (hereinafter referred to as vehicle-mounted device) via the ETC antenna 104. Wireless communication is started with the vehicle 150 on which the device is also mounted.

  The lane server 103 obtains information necessary for passing through the toll gate with the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle 150 until the second vehicle detector 102 detects the passage of the vehicle 150. Exchange.

  The lane server 103 acquires information on the vehicle 150, an ETC card number, and the like from the vehicle 150. If the communication is performed correctly and there is no problem with the information, the start control device 106 performs control to open the open / close bar (start control bar) installed in the ETC lane according to an instruction from the lane server 103.

  At that time, the roadside indicator 105 displays “passable” in accordance with the display control from the lane server 103. Thereby, the vehicle 150 can pass through the lane. Accordingly, the third vehicle detector 107 detects that the vehicle 150 has passed the lane. Along with this detection, the start control device 106 performs control to close the open / close bar.

  Conventionally, when an ETC card is not inserted in an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, it has been necessary to receive a pass ticket from a ticket issuing machine provided in a normal lane.

  On the other hand, the toll collection system 1 according to the present embodiment can pass through the lane without receiving a passing ticket even if an ETC card is not inserted into the vehicle-mounted device of the vehicle 150.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the first vehicle detector 101, the lane server 103, the ETC antenna 104, and the roadside indicator 105 included in the toll collection system 1 according to the present embodiment. .

The first vehicle detector 101 includes a detection unit 201 and a communication control unit 202.
The detection unit 201 monitors a lane provided at the toll gate at the entrance, and detects whether the vehicle has entered the lane.

  The communication control unit 202 transmits and receives information to and from the lane server 103. For example, when the first vehicle detector 101 detects a vehicle, the communication control unit 202 transmits to the lane server 103 that the vehicle has been detected.

  The lane server 103 includes a communication control unit 211, an antenna communication control unit 212, a determination unit 213, and a display control unit 214, and controls the toll collection system 1 as a whole.

  The communication control unit 211 transmits / receives information to / from other devices provided in the fee collection system 1. For example, the communication control unit 211 receives information from the first vehicle detector 101 that a vehicle has been detected.

  The antenna communication control unit 212 transmits / receives information to / from the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle.

  The lane server 103 according to the present embodiment needs to exchange information necessary for passing the toll gate with the vehicle that has entered the lane.

  Therefore, when the communication control unit 211 receives information that the vehicle is detected, the antenna communication control unit 212 starts transmission / reception of information to / from the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle via the ETC antenna 104. .

  The antenna communication control unit 212 according to the present embodiment receives information regarding the vehicle and the vehicle-mounted device. The information related to the vehicle and the vehicle-mounted device according to the present embodiment includes vehicle information (for example, vehicle type, number, and owner information), the presence / absence of an ETC card, and the ETC card, in addition to the card number. Information indicating whether or not the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle includes an imaging unit is also included.

  The determination unit 213 determines whether to allow the vehicle to pass based on the information received by the communication control unit 211. The determination unit 213 according to the present embodiment determines which of the “permitted” display, the barcode symbol and the “permitted” display, and the “unpermitted” display.

  For example, when information is properly transmitted to and received from the vehicle-mounted device and it is confirmed that an ETC card (IC card) is inserted, the determination unit 213 determines that “passable” may be displayed. To do. In addition, when it is confirmed that the vehicle-mounted device is equipped with the imaging unit, the determination unit 213 determines that the bar code symbol and “passable” may be displayed. When the information is not properly transmitted / received to / from the vehicle-mounted device, or when the ETC card is not inserted into the vehicle-mounted device and the imaging unit is not mounted, it is determined to display “impossible to pass”.

  That is, in the entrance fee collection system 1 according to the present embodiment, even if no ETC card is inserted in the vehicle-mounted device, if the vehicle-mounted device has an imaging unit, it is necessary to collect tolls at the exit. Displaying a bar code symbol that contains information allows it to pass through the entrance.

  The display control unit 214 controls display of the roadside indicator 105 according to the determination result of the determination unit 213. For example, when the information regarding the vehicle-mounted device received by the communication control unit 211 includes information indicating that the vehicle 150 includes an imaging unit, the display control unit 214 displays a barcode symbol and “passable”. The roadside display 105 is controlled. On the other hand, when the information regarding the vehicle-mounted device received by the communication control unit 211 does not include the fact that the vehicle 150 includes an imaging unit, the display control unit 214 does not display the bar code symbol. To control. Next, the roadside indicator 105 will be described.

  The roadside indicator 105 performs display according to control from the lane server 103. When the roadside indicator 105 receives an instruction from the lane server 103 to display “passable”, the roadside display 105 displays “passable”. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the roadside display 105 displays “passable”. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, configurations other than the vehicle 150 and the roadside indicator 105 are omitted for ease of explanation.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, since the ETC card is inserted in the vehicle-mounted device 300 of the vehicle 150, the roadside display 105 displays “passable” according to the instruction from the lane server 103. As a result, the vehicle 150 can pass through the lane without stopping.

  In addition, when the roadside display 105 receives an instruction from the lane server 103 to display the barcode symbol and the passage allowed, the roadside display 105 displays the barcode symbol together with “passability”. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the roadside indicator 105 displays a bar code symbol together with “passable”.

  The displayed bar code symbol includes information indicating the position where the vehicle has passed (in this embodiment, including information indicating the entrance toll gate, information identifying the lane that the vehicle has passed), and the time when the vehicle has passed. It is assumed that the information shown is included. Note that the information included in the barcode symbol is not limited to this information, but may be information that is necessary for the vehicle 150 to be able to settle the toll at the exit.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the roadside indicator 105 is provided at a position where it can be imaged from the imaging unit 401 of the vehicle-mounted device 400 mounted on the vehicle 150. As a result, the imaging unit 401 captures an area including the barcode symbol 450 displayed on the roadside display 105. The vehicle-mounted device 400 also includes a display unit 402 for displaying the captured barcode symbol 450.

  Any imaging technique may be used as an imaging technique of the barcode symbol 450 by the imaging unit 401 mounted on the vehicle-mounted device 400 while the vehicle 150 is traveling. For example, using the transmission / reception of information with the ETC antenna 104 as a trigger, after the imaging unit 401 starts imaging, the imaging unit 401 continuously performs imaging, and the vehicle-mounted device 400 determines from the captured image data, A method of detecting imaging data including a barcode symbol and extracting an area including the barcode symbol can be considered. And the image data containing a barcode symbol is memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the onboard equipment 400. FIG.

  Then, the vehicle 150 presents the barcode symbol stored in the storage unit of the vehicle-mounted device 400 at the exit toll gate. Since the bar code symbol includes information on the entrance toll gate through which the vehicle 150 has passed, the toll can be settled.

  Next, the vehicle-mounted device 400 with the imaging unit 401 mounted on the vehicle 150 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 400 with the imaging unit 401 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the vehicle-mounted device 400 with the imaging unit 401 includes a control unit 501, a wireless control unit 502, an IC card processing unit 503, a storage unit 504, an operation reception unit 505, an imaging unit 401, A display unit 402 and a connection unit 506 are provided. Moreover, the vehicle-mounted device 400 can mount the IC card 550 via the IC card processing unit 503.

  The vehicle-mounted device 400 according to the present embodiment is mounted on the vehicle 150 in order to use the toll collection system 1 installed on the toll road.

  The IC card (also referred to as ETC card) 550 collects tolls in addition to the card ID number for identifying the ETC card and the user ID number for identifying the user of the card. Information necessary for this is stored.

  The control unit 501 controls the entire vehicle-mounted device 400.

  The wireless control unit 502 transmits and receives information to and from the ETC antenna 104 installed in the toll collection system 1 via the antenna 510.

  For example, the wireless control unit 502 according to the present embodiment informs the lane server 103 included in the toll collection system 1 that controls traffic of the vehicle (for example, that the vehicle 150 includes the imaging unit 401). Send).

  When the IC card 550 is loaded, the IC card processing unit 503 reads and writes information on the IC card 550.

  Thus, when the IC card 550 is mounted on the vehicle-mounted device 400, the IC card processing unit 503 reads information stored in the IC card 550. The read information is stored in the storage unit 504. When the wireless control unit 502 performs wireless communication with the ETC antenna 104, the information stored in the storage unit 504 is also transmitted as vehicle-mounted device information together with vehicle information registered in advance in the vehicle-mounted device 400.

  The storage unit 504 stores information for identifying the vehicle 150 (for example, vehicle characteristics, vehicle, license plate information), ID information of the vehicle-mounted device 400, and the like.

  The imaging unit 401 is a camera that captures an environment outside the vehicle 150. The imaging unit 401 according to the present embodiment images a barcode symbol displayed on the roadside display 105 of the toll collection system 1. The barcode symbol includes information for identifying a position (for example, an entrance toll gate) through which the vehicle 150 has passed.

  The image data including the barcode symbol imaged by the imaging unit 401 is stored in the storage unit 504.

  The operation reception unit 505 includes a plurality of buttons.

  The display unit 402 displays various information. For example, the display unit 402 according to the present embodiment displays image data including a barcode symbol stored in the storage unit 504. By reading the barcode symbol, the entrance toll gate through which the vehicle 150 has passed can be specified.

  The present embodiment does not limit the procedure for the display unit 402 to display image data including a barcode symbol. For example, it may be displayed according to the driver's operation, or may be displayed by using transmission / reception of information with the ETC antenna provided at the exit toll gate as a trigger.

  The connection unit 506 makes the display unit 402 detachable from the vehicle-mounted device 400. Thereby, the barcode symbol displayed on the display unit 402 can be presented at the exit toll booth. And the toll collection device provided at the exit toll booth can acquire the position of the entrance toll booth through which the vehicle has passed by reading the bar code symbol, so that the toll for the vehicle 150 can be settled.

  As described above, at the exit, the vehicle 150 on which the vehicle-mounted device 400 with the imaging unit 401 is mounted enters the general lane instead of the ETC lane, and pays the toll for cash to the collector.

  In the present embodiment, an example of displaying on the display unit 402 provided in the vehicle-mounted device 400 has been described. However, it is limited to displaying image data including a barcode symbol on the display unit 402 provided in the vehicle-mounted device 400. Not what you want. For example, the vehicle-mounted device 400 may transmit the image data including the barcode symbol to a mobile phone terminal or the like possessed by the driver, and the mobile phone terminal may display the image data including the barcode symbol. In this case, it is necessary to install an application in advance in the mobile phone terminal in order to cooperate with the vehicle-mounted device 400.

  Next, a toll collection device provided to collect tolls for roads used by vehicles at toll road exits will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a toll collection device 600 provided at the exit toll booth according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the fee collection device 600 includes a fee calculation unit 601, a pass ticket reading unit 602, and a barcode reader 603. The barcode reader 603 is detachably attached to the fee collection device 600.

  The toll collection device 600 is connected to a barcode reader 603. And the display part 402 on which the image data of the barcode symbol image | photographed at the entrance was displayed is given to a receipt person. The bar code reader 603 reads the barcode symbol image data displayed on the display unit 402 to which the receiver is passed, thereby calculating a toll to be paid by the driver of the vehicle 150. In the exit lane, devices are arranged in the same manner as the entrance lane, but the explanation is omitted as it is the same as in the prior art except for the fee collection device 600.

  The toll ticket reading unit 602 reads information identifying the position (the entrance toll gate, etc.) through which the vehicle 150 has passed from the toll ticket issued at the entrance toll gate. It is provided mainly for vehicles that do not have onboard equipment.

  The bar code reader 603 reads information for identifying a position (such as an entrance toll gate) through which the vehicle 150 has passed from a code symbol displayed on the display unit 402 presented from the vehicle 150 using an imaging unit.

  The fee calculation unit 601 calculates a toll based on the position through which the vehicle 150 read by the toll ticket reading unit 602 or the barcode reader 603 has passed.

  Next, processing executed by the fee collection system 1 provided at the entrance toll gate according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the toll collection system 1 provided at the entrance toll gate according to the present embodiment.

  First, the start control device 106 performs control to close the open / close bar (start control bar) installed in the ETC lane (step S701).

  Next, the first vehicle detector 101 detects whether the vehicle has entered the lane (step S702). When the vehicle does not enter the lane (step S702: No), the detection is continued until the vehicle enters.

  When the first vehicle detector 101 detects entry of a vehicle (step S702: Yes), the first vehicle detector 101 notifies the lane server 103 to that effect. Then, the antenna communication control unit 212 of the lane server 103 starts communication with the vehicle via the ETC antenna 104 (step S703). And the antenna communication control part 212 of the lane server 103 receives the information regarding the vehicle which approached, and the vehicle equipment mounted in the said vehicle (step S704). Communication is performed until the second vehicle detector 102 detects the vehicle.

  And the determination part 213 determines whether the onboard equipment mounted in the vehicle is functioning normally based on the received information regarding the vehicle (step S705). In the present embodiment, the in-vehicle device is functioning normally means that the ETC card is inserted in the on-vehicle device, or that the on-vehicle device is provided with the imaging unit even if the ETC card is not inserted. The vehicle can pass without stopping.

  When the determination unit 213 determines that the vehicle-mounted device is not functioning normally (step S705: No), the control for opening the opening / closing bar is not performed, and a vehicle entering from a ticketing machine (not shown) is entered. A pass ticket is issued (step S706). Then, when the driver of the vehicle receives the pass ticket, the start control device 106 performs control to open the open / close bar (start control bar) installed in the ETC lane (step S707).

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 213 determines that the vehicle-mounted device is functioning normally (step S705: Yes), the determination unit 213 determines whether the vehicle-mounted device has an imaging unit based on the received information regarding the vehicle-mounted device. Is determined (step S708). If it is determined that the image pickup unit is attached (step S708: Yes), the display control unit 214 of the lane server 103 performs control to display “passable” together with the barcode symbol on the roadside indicator 105. (Step S709). Thereafter, the start control device 106 performs control to open the open / close bar (start control bar) installed in the ETC lane (step S707).

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 213 determines that the imaging unit is not mounted in the received information regarding the vehicle and the vehicle-mounted device (step S708: No), the same processing as that of a normal ETC system is performed. Thereafter, the display control unit 214 performs control to display “passable” on the roadside indicator 105 (step S710). Thereafter, the start control device 106 performs control to open the open / close bar (start control bar) installed in the ETC lane (step S707).

  After the control for opening the opening / closing bar is performed in step S707, the third vehicle detector 107 detects the exit of the vehicle (step S711). Using the detection of the exit as a trigger, the start control device 106 performs control to close the open / close bar (start control bar) installed in the ETC lane (step S712), and then performs the processing from step S702 again.

  According to the above-described processing procedure, the traffic control of the vehicle at the entrance toll gate is performed according to the situation of the vehicle. Note that the present embodiment is not limited to the processing procedure described above. For example, in step S708, it may be determined whether or not an ETC card is inserted instead of determining whether or not the vehicle-mounted device has an imaging unit.

  Conventionally, when a pass ticket is issued, a paper medium pass ticket is issued, so that there is a problem that the amount of dust increases and paper costs are required. Furthermore, it was necessary to stop the vehicle in order to receive the toll ticket at the toll gate at the entrance. Furthermore, since the ETC system is a credit system, it is difficult to use for those who do not have a credit card.

  In the toll collection system 1 according to the present embodiment, if an on-vehicle device with an imaging unit is mounted on a vehicle, even if an IC card (ETC card) is not inserted, it does not receive a toll ticket and passes through an entrance toll gate. It was possible. This made it possible to reduce the number of tickets issued. Along with the reduction in the number of pass tickets issued, it has become possible to reduce waste and paper costs. Furthermore, even if an IC card (ETC card) is not inserted, there is no need to pause at the entrance toll gate. This is particularly useful for drivers who do not have a credit card.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Toll collection system, 101 ... 1st vehicle detector, 102 ... 2nd vehicle detector, 103 ... Lane server, 104 ... Antenna for ETC, 105 ... Roadside indicator, 106 ... Start control apparatus, 107 ... 1st 3 vehicle detectors, 150 ... vehicle, 201 ... detection unit, 202 ... communication control unit, 211 ... communication control unit, 212 ... antenna communication control unit, 213 ... determination unit, 214 ... display control unit, 400 ... on-vehicle device, 401 ... Imaging unit 402 ... Display unit 501 ... Control unit 502 ... Wireless control unit 503 ... IC card processing unit 504 ... Storage unit 505 ... Operation receiving unit 506 ... Connection unit 510 ... Antenna 550 ... IC card, 600 ... toll collection device, 601 ... toll calculation unit, 602 ... toll reading unit, 603 ... bar code reader

Claims (4)

A receiving means for receiving information on the vehicle-mounted device wirelessly from the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle;
When the information regarding the vehicle-mounted device received by the receiving means includes that the vehicle includes an imaging unit, the vehicle is displayed on the display unit provided at a position where the vehicle can be imaged. Display means for displaying a code symbol including information for identifying a passing position;
A vehicle traffic control system comprising: The display means hides the code symbol from the display section when the information on the vehicle-mounted device received by the receiving means does not include the fact that the vehicle includes an imaging section. ,
The vehicle traffic control system according to claim 1. Transmitting means for transmitting to the communication device included in the vehicle traffic control system that controls the traffic of the vehicle that the vehicle includes an imaging unit;
An imaging unit that images a code symbol that includes information for identifying a position through which the vehicle passes, displayed by a display unit included in the vehicle travel control system;
Output means for outputting the code symbol imaged by the imaging unit;
On-vehicle device equipped with. In a toll processing device for collecting tolls for roads used by vehicles at toll gates on toll roads,
A reading unit that reads information for identifying a position where the vehicle has passed from a code symbol displayed on a display unit presented from the vehicle using an imaging unit;
Calculating means for calculating the toll based on the position that the vehicle read by the reading unit has passed;
A toll processing device comprising:

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