JP2021144608A - Electronic toll collection system - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow a vehicle traveling by electronic towing to easily pass through a gate that can be passed in response to an automatic toll payment.SOLUTION: An electronic toll collection system that allows for toll collection from a vehicle passing through a gate using road-to-vehicle communication includes acquisition means for acquiring information necessary for billing processing from an in-vehicle device of the vehicle passing through the gate using the road-to-vehicle communication, and billing processing means for executing billing processing based on the information. The information includes information on a plurality of vehicles traveling by electronic towing and information on a paying vehicle among the plurality of vehicles that pays a toll. The billing processing means executes billing processing that adds up all tolls of the plurality of vehicles passing through the gate and charges the paying vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic toll collection system.

Patent Document 1 discloses that a leading vehicle and a following vehicle are provided with a communication function to perform electronic towing traveling.

JP-A-2019-1227

However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it cannot pass through the gate if the leading vehicle or the follower during the electronic towing travel does not have an automatic payment function such as ETC. For example, when traveling in the ETC lane of a highway, the ETC card may be inserted in the in-vehicle device of the leading vehicle, but the ETC card may not be inserted in the in-vehicle device of the following vehicle. In such a case, the leading vehicle can pass through the gate, but the following vehicle cannot pass through the gate, which obstructs the passage of the ETC lane.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a technique for enabling a vehicle in electronic towing travel to easily pass through a passable gate in response to automatic payment of a fee. With the goal.

The electronic toll collection system according to the present invention that achieves the above object is
It is an electronic toll collection system that collects transit charges from vehicles passing through the gate using road-to-vehicle communication.
An acquisition means for acquiring information necessary for billing processing from the vehicle equipment of a vehicle passing through the gate by using the road-to-vehicle communication.
A billing processing means for executing billing processing based on the above information is provided.
The information includes information on a plurality of vehicles traveling by electronic towing and information on a paying vehicle among the plurality of vehicles that pays a fee.
The billing processing means is characterized in that it executes a billing process for charging the paying vehicle by adding up all the passing charges of the plurality of vehicles passing through the gate.

According to the present invention, a vehicle traveling by electronic towing can easily pass through a gate that can be passed according to automatic payment of a fee.

It is a figure for demonstrating the configuration example of the electronic toll collection system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the configuration example of the electronic toll collection apparatus and the information processing apparatus which concerns on 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structural example of the leading vehicle and the following vehicle which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the pre-confirmation process of the presence / absence of ETC insertion carried out by the electronic toll collection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the processing at the entrance tollhouse carried out by the electronic toll collection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the processing at the exit tollhouse carried out by the electronic toll collection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the processing at the parking lot entrance carried out by the electronic toll collection device which concerns on a modification. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the processing at the parking lot exit carried out by the electronic toll collection device which concerns on a modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more of the plurality of features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same or similar configuration will be given the same reference number, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

<Overall configuration of electronic toll collection system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of an electronic toll collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic toll collection system 1 includes an electronic toll collection device 10 and an information processing device 60. The electronic toll collection device 10 is, for example, a device installed at a tollhouse on an expressway, and is a system itself including a plurality of devices. The electronic toll collection device 10 communicates with an in-vehicle device into which an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card can be inserted to acquire information on a vehicle passing through the electronic toll collection device 10. Then, billing information is created based on the acquired information and transmitted to the information processing device 60, which is a server device. The information processing device 60 executes a billing process (for example, a payment process by a credit card associated with an ETC card) based on the received billing information.

In FIG. 1, the display unit 104 displays the amount of the charge collected when the electronic charge collection system 1 executes the charge processing to the occupants of the vehicle passing through the gate 107. The roadside antenna 105 is an antenna for communicating with a vehicle by road-to-vehicle communication 51, and is installed at a point slightly distant from the roadside antenna 106. It is confirmed in advance whether the ETC card is inserted in the in-vehicle device of the vehicle by the road-to-vehicle communication 51 between the roadside antenna 105 and the vehicle. The roadside antenna 106 is an antenna for communicating with a vehicle passing through the electronic toll collection device 10 by road-to-vehicle communication 52. The gate 107 is a gate that can be opened and closed, is opened when the billing process is executed, and is closed after the vehicle has passed. The camera 108 acquires a photographed image for determining whether or not the vehicle type information received from the vehicle by the electronic toll collection device 10 matches the vehicle type of the vehicle actually passing through.

In FIG. 1, 20 is a leading vehicle that performs electronic towing travel, and 21 is a following vehicle that performs electronic towing traveling. The leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 are provided with a communication function, can perform vehicle-to-vehicle communication 50, and are electronically connected using the vehicle-to-vehicle communication 50 to perform electronic traction. The following vehicle 21 automatically follows the traveling locus according to the traveling locus of the leading vehicle 20. By setting the closest distance between vehicles to, for example, 1 m, electronic traction is performed so that other vehicles cannot interrupt between vehicles. In the present embodiment, when the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 during electronic towing travel pass through the gate 107 of the electronic toll collection device 10, the passing charge is paid.

<Configuration of electronic toll collection device 10>
FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a configuration example of the electronic toll collection device 10 according to the present embodiment. The electronic toll collection device 10 includes a CPU 101, a storage device 102, a communication unit 103, a display unit 104, a roadside antenna 105, a roadside antenna 106, a gate 107, and a camera 108. The CPU 101, the storage device 102, and the communication unit 103 may be arranged at arbitrary positions of the electronic toll collection device 10 as one processing device.

The CPU 101 executes the process by reading and executing the program stored in the storage device 102. The storage device 102 stores various information. The storage device 102 stores a program for the CPU 101 to read and execute, and also stores information acquired via the network 40 via the communication unit 103, and information acquired from the vehicle by the road-to-vehicle communication 51 and the road-to-vehicle communication 52. Can be remembered. The communication unit 103 transmits and receives various information by wire or wirelessly. For example, it communicates with the information processing device 60 via the network 40, or communicates with each component of the electronic toll collection device 10. The display unit 104, the roadside antenna 105, the roadside antenna 106, the gate 107, and the camera 108 are as described with reference to FIG. The components of the electronic toll collection device 10 are not limited to the illustrated example, and may not include some of the components, or may further include other components.

<Configuration of information processing device 60>
FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing device 60 according to the present embodiment. The information processing device 60 is a server device that can communicate with the electronic charge collection device 10 via the network 40 and performs charge processing (payment processing) based on the charge information received from the electronic charge collection device 10. The network 40 is, for example, the Internet and / or a local area network (LAN).

The information processing device 60 includes a CPU 601, a storage device 602, and a communication unit 603. The CPU 601 executes the process by reading and executing the program stored in the storage device 602. The storage device 602 stores various information. The storage device 602 can store a program for the CPU 601 to read and execute, and can also store information acquired via the network 40 via the communication unit 603. The communication unit 603 transmits and receives various information by wire or wirelessly. For example, it communicates with the electronic toll collection device 10 via the network 40.

<Structure of leading vehicle>
FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a configuration example of the leading vehicle 20 according to the present embodiment. The leading vehicle 20 includes an accelerator pedal 201, a brake pedal 202, a steering 203, an ECU (electronic control unit) 204, a storage device 205, a communication unit 206, an in-vehicle navigation device 207, a camera 208, and an ETC device 209.

Information on the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal 201, the brake pedal 202, and the steering 203 operated by the driver of the leading vehicle 20 is transmitted to the ECU 204. The ECU 204 controls a drive mechanism (not shown) such as an engine or a drive motor based on the amount of operation of the acceleration controller (accelerator pedal 201) by the driver. Further, the ECU 204 controls the braking mechanism (not shown) based on the amount of operation of the braking operator (brake pedal 202) by the driver. The braking mechanism is, for example, a disc brake provided on each wheel of the leading vehicle 20. Further, the ECU 201 controls the steering mechanism (not shown) based on the amount of operation of the steering operator (steering 203) by the driver. The steering mechanism includes power steering. Further, the ECU 204 transmits information indicating the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal 201, the brake pedal 202, and the steering 203 to the following vehicle 21 by the vehicle-to-vehicle communication 50 via the communication unit 206.

The storage device 205 includes information indicating the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal 201, the brake pedal 202, and the steering 203, information on the departure point and destination input via the in-vehicle navigation device 207, and a travel schedule created by the route planning device 10. The travel plan information including the route, the photographed image taken by the camera 208, the computer program for realizing the process executed by the ECU 204, and the like are stored.

The communication unit 206 can transmit information indicating the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal 201, the brake pedal 202, and the steering 203 by the inter-vehicle communication 50. Further, the communication unit 206 can transmit and receive various information via the network 40.

The in-vehicle navigation device 207 includes a display unit 2071 and an operation input unit 2072. The display unit 2071 is a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various navigation information such as route information from a departure point (or current location) to a destination (or waypoint), and displays an electronically towed travel plan.

The operation input unit 2072 is a physical button, a rotation operator, or the like, and the user (occupant) can operate the operation input unit 2072 to input various navigation information such as a departure place and a destination. When the display unit 2071 is a touch panel, the display unit 2071 may also serve as the operation input unit 2072.

The camera 208 is one or more cameras for photographing the surroundings of the leading vehicle 20. In addition to the camera 208 or in place of the camera 208, a radar or lidar (Light Detection and Ranger (LiDAR)) may be provided.

The ETC device 209 is an in-vehicle device into which an ETC card can be inserted. Various information is transmitted and received by communicating with a road device (for example, roadside antennas 105, 106, etc.) via the communication unit 206.

<Structure of following vehicle>
Subsequently, FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a configuration example of the following vehicle 21 according to the present embodiment. The following vehicle 21 includes a drive mechanism 211, a braking mechanism 212, a steering mechanism 213, an ECU (electronic control unit) 214, a storage device 215, a communication unit 216, an in-vehicle navigation device 217, a camera 218, and an ETC device 219.

The drive mechanism 211 is an engine, a drive motor, or the like. The braking mechanism 212 is, for example, a disc brake provided on each wheel of the following vehicle 21. The steering mechanism 213 is, for example, power steering.

The ECU 214 is based on information on the amount of operation received from the leading vehicle 20 by the vehicle-to-vehicle communication 50 via the communication unit 216, information on the speed and acceleration of the leading vehicle 20, information such as a captured image taken by the camera 218, and the like. A target trajectory that follows the traveling track of the leading vehicle 20 is generated. Then, by controlling the drive mechanism 211, the braking mechanism 212, and the steering mechanism 213 so as to travel according to the generated target locus, the automatic follow-up travel is executed. As a result, electronic traction is realized.

The storage device 215 stores information on the departure place and destination input via the vehicle-mounted navigation device 217, a photographed image taken by the camera 218, a computer program for realizing the processing performed by the ECU 214, and the like.

The communication unit 216 can receive from the leading vehicle 20 information indicating the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal 201, the brake pedal 202, and the steering 203 in the leading vehicle, information on the speed and acceleration of the leading vehicle 20, and the like by the vehicle-to-vehicle communication 50. .. In addition, the communication unit 216 can transmit and receive various information via the network 40.

The in-vehicle navigation device 217 includes a display unit 2171 and an operation input unit 2172. The display unit 2171 is a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various navigation information such as route information from a departure point (or current location) to a destination (or waypoint), and displays an electronically towed travel plan.

The operation input unit 2172 is a physical button, a rotation operator, or the like, and the driver (user) can operate the operation input unit 2072 to input various navigation information such as a departure place and a destination. When the display unit 2171 is a touch panel, the display unit 2171 may also serve as the operation input unit 2172.

The camera 218 is one or more cameras for photographing the surroundings of the following vehicle 21. In addition to the camera 218 or in place of the camera 218, a radar or lidar (Light Detection and Ranger (LiDAR)) may be provided.

The ETC device 219 is an in-vehicle device into which an ETC card can be inserted. Various information is transmitted and received by communicating with a road device (for example, roadside antennas 105, 106, etc.) via the communication unit 216.

<Confirmation process for ETC card insertion>
Subsequently, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the electronic toll collection device 10 according to the present embodiment. This process is performed by the CPU 101 of the electronic toll collection device 10 reading and executing the program stored in the storage device 102. This process is a process of confirming whether or not the ETC card is inserted into the in-vehicle device of the vehicle in advance on the front side in the traveling direction before the vehicle enters the tollhouse of the expressway.

In step S401, the CPU 101 communicates with the vehicle via the roadside antenna 105 via the road-to-vehicle communication 51, and receives various information from the vehicle. Here, for example, (1) information indicating the presence or absence of electronic toll collection, and (2) whether or not an ETC card is inserted in the ETC device 209 which is an in-vehicle device of the leading vehicle 20 when the electronic toll collection is in progress. (3) Information indicating whether or not an ETC card is inserted in the ETC device 219, which is an in-vehicle device of the following vehicle 21, and (4) payment setting information. Here, the payment setting information means that each of the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 pays the charge individually during the electronic towing drive, or either the leading vehicle 20 or the following vehicle 21 collectively pays the charge. It is information indicating whether to pay. The payment setting information is information set by the occupant in advance when the electronic towed vehicle is executed. When the electronic toll collection is in progress, for example, the leading vehicle 20 may transmit such information to the electronic toll collection device 10 by the road-to-vehicle communication 51 on behalf of the leading vehicle 20.

In step S402, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the vehicle to be communicated is in electronic towing traveling based on the information indicating the presence or absence of electronic towing received in step S401. If the vehicle is being towed electronically, the process proceeds to step S403. On the other hand, if the vehicle is not being towed electronically, the process ends.

In step S403, the CPU 101 determines whether or not one of the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 is set to pay the charge based on the payment setting information received in step S401. If one pays the fee in bulk, the process proceeds to step 404. On the other hand, when the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 pay the charges individually, the process proceeds to step S405.

In step S404, the CPU 101 receives information indicating whether or not the ETC card is inserted in the ETC device 209 of the leading vehicle 20 received in step S401, and whether or not the ETC card is inserted in the ETC device 219 of the following vehicle 21. Based on the information indicating whether or not the ETC card is inserted in the vehicle to be paid the fee, it is determined. If it is inserted, the process proceeds to step S406. On the other hand, if it is not inserted, the process proceeds to step S407.

In step S405, the CPU 101 receives information indicating whether or not the ETC card is inserted in the ETC device 209 of the leading vehicle 20 received in step S401, and whether or not the ETC card is inserted in the ETC device 219 of the following vehicle 21. Based on the information indicating the above, it is determined whether or not the ETC card is inserted in both the ETC device 209 of the leading vehicle 20 and the ETC device 219 of the following vehicle 21. If it is inserted, the process proceeds to step S406. On the other hand, if it is not inserted, the process proceeds to step S407.

In step S406, the CPU 101 notifies the vehicle in electronic towing travel that it is possible to travel in the ETC lane having a gate corresponding to the automatic toll payment function. The notified vehicle notifies the occupants that it is possible to drive in the ETC lane by display or voice notification.

In step S407, the CPU 101 notifies the vehicle in electronic towing travel that it cannot travel in the ETC lane having a gate corresponding to the automatic toll payment function, or that it travels in the general lane. The notified vehicle notifies the occupants that they cannot drive in the ETC lane and / or should drive in the general lane by display or voice guidance. This completes the series of processes shown in FIG.

As described above, according to this process, if the ETC card is not inserted and it is not possible to automatically pay the toll of the vehicle during electronic towing, the vehicle will be driven in the general lane. It becomes possible to encourage. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the vehicle accidentally enters the ETC lane.

<Processing at the entrance tollhouse>
Subsequently, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the electronic toll collection device 10 according to the present embodiment. This process is performed by the CPU 101 of the electronic toll collection device 10 installed at the entrance tollhouse reading and executing the program stored in the storage device 102. This process is performed at the entrance tollhouse of the expressway after the advance confirmation process of whether or not the ETC card is inserted. Of the processes of FIG. 5, the same processes as those of FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, in this process, the roadside antenna 106 and the vehicle communicate with each other by the road-to-vehicle communication 52 instead of the roadside antenna 105 to transmit and receive information.

In FIG. 5, if step S404 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S501. On the other hand, if step S404 is No, the process proceeds to step S502. If step S405 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S501. On the other hand, if step S405 is No, the process proceeds to step S502.

In step S501, the CPU 101 notifies the ETC device, which is an in-vehicle device of the vehicle, of the entrance tollhouse information in which the electronic toll collection device 10 is installed. The vehicle notified at this time is a vehicle that pays a fee. Here, the entrance tollhouse information is information used for calculating the charge charged at the exit tollhouse.

In step S502, the CPU 101 notifies the vehicle of an instruction to travel in the general lane at the exit tollhouse. The notified vehicle notifies the occupants that the vehicle will be traveling in the general lane at the exit tollhouse by display or voice guidance.

In step S503, the CPU 101 detects the approach of the vehicle and opens the gate 107. In step S504, the CPU 101 determines whether or not all the vehicles in the electronically towed traveling have passed through the gate 107. If it is determined that all vehicles have passed, the process proceeds to step S505. On the other hand, if it is determined that all vehicles have not passed, the gate 107 is continuously opened until the passage is completed. In step S505, the CPU 101 closes the gate 107. This completes the series of processes shown in FIG.

As described above, according to this process, when one vehicle can pay the passing fee of the vehicle during electronic towing in a lump sum, or when each vehicle can pay the passing fee individually. Notifies the vehicle of the entrance tollhouse information. On the other hand, if the ETC card is not inserted in the in-vehicle device of the vehicle to be paid and automatic payment is not possible, the tollhouse at the exit is notified to drive in the general lane instead of the ETC lane.

As a result, it is possible to perform appropriate processing at the entrance tollhouse for the vehicle being towed electronically.

<Processing at the exit tollhouse>
Subsequently, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the electronic toll collection device 10 according to the present embodiment. This process is performed by the CPU 101 of the electronic toll collection device 10 installed at the exit tollhouse reading and executing the program stored in the storage device 102. This process is performed at the exit tollhouse of the expressway. Of the processes of FIG. 6, the same processes as those of FIGS. 4 and 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, also in this process, as in FIG. 5, the roadside antenna 106 and the vehicle communicate with each other by the roadside inter-vehicle communication 52 instead of the roadside antenna 105 to transmit and receive information. In addition, when the same process as in FIG. 4 is executed even before passing through the gate of the exit tollhouse and the ETC card is not inserted and the toll of the vehicle running electronically towed cannot be automatically paid. May be encouraged to drive in the general lane.

In step S601, the CPU 101 communicates with the vehicle via the roadside antenna 106 via the road-to-vehicle communication 52, and receives various information from the vehicle. Here, for example, (1) information indicating the presence or absence of electronic toll collection, (2) entrance toll collection information, and (3) ETC which is an in-vehicle device of the leading vehicle 20 when the electronic toll collection is in progress. Information indicating whether or not an ETC card is inserted in the device 209, (4) information indicating whether or not an ETC card is inserted in the ETC device 219 which is an in-vehicle device of the following vehicle 21, (5) payment setting. Information, (6) vehicle type information of the leading vehicle 20, (7) vehicle type information of the following vehicle 21, and the like. Vehicle type information is required because the fare differs depending on whether the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 are large vehicles or ordinary vehicles.

In step S602, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the vehicle has passed the ETC lane at the entrance tollhouse based on the entrance tollhouse information received in step S601. If there is entrance tollhouse information, the process proceeds to step S402. On the other hand, if there is no entrance tollhouse information, it is determined that the entrance tollhouse has not passed through the ETC lane or that the automatic payment by ETC is not supported, and the process proceeds to step S607.

In FIG. 6, if step S404 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S603. On the other hand, if step S404 is No, the process proceeds to step S607. If step S405 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S605. On the other hand, if step S405 is No, the process proceeds to step S607.

In step S603, since either the leading vehicle 20 or the following vehicle 21 collectively pays the charges for all the vehicles, the CPU 101 calculates the total charge of the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21. The CPU 101 calculates the total charge based on the entrance tollhouse information, the exit tollhouse information held by the electronic tollhouse 10 installed at the exit tollhouse, the vehicle type information of the leading vehicle 20, and the vehicle type information of the following vehicle 21. .. In step S604, the CPU 101 executes the billing process of the total charge calculated in step S603. Specifically, the CPU 101 transmits the calculated billing information (the amount of the total charge, the information of the credit card associated with the ETC card of the vehicle to be paid, etc.) to the information processing device 60. Then, the CPU 601 of the information processing device 60 executes the billing process based on the received billing information. Then, the process proceeds to step S503. The processing after step S503 is the same as in FIG.

In step S605, since each of the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 pays a charge individually, the CPU 101 calculates the charge of the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 separately. The CPU 101 charges individual tollhouses based on the entrance tollhouse information, the exit tollhouse information held by the electronic tollhouse 10 installed at the exit tollhouse, the vehicle type information of the leading vehicle 20, and the vehicle type information of the following vehicle 21. calculate.

In step S606, the CPU 101 executes the billing process of the individual charges calculated in step S605. Specifically, the CPU 101 performs the calculated billing information (the amount of the charge paid by each vehicle, the information of the credit card associated with the ETC card inserted in the ETC device 209 of the leading vehicle 20, the ETC device of the following vehicle 21). Information on the credit card associated with the ETC card inserted in 219, etc.) is transmitted to the information processing device 60. Then, the CPU 601 of the information processing device 60 executes a charging process for each of the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 based on the received charging information. Then, the process proceeds to step S503. The processing after step S503 is the same as in FIG.

In step S607, the CPU 101 notifies the staff with the gate 107 closed. If the ETC card is not inserted in the vehicle to be paid, or if the entrance tollhouse does not pass through the ETC lane in the first place, the billing process cannot be executed in the ETC lane at the exit tollhouse. Therefore, it is necessary to notify the staff and pay the fare directly as in the case of general lane traffic. This completes the series of processes shown in FIG.

As described above, according to this process, when one vehicle can pay the passing fee of the vehicle during electronic toll collection on behalf of one vehicle, or when each vehicle can pay the passing fee individually. Performs billing processing in the ETC lane based on the entrance tollhouse information, the exit tollhouse information, the vehicle type information of the leading vehicle, and the vehicle type information of the following vehicle. On the other hand, if the ETC card is not inserted in the in-vehicle device of the vehicle to be paid and automatic payment is not possible, the gate of the ETC lane at the exit tollhouse is closed and the staff is notified.

As a result, even if the ETC card is not inserted in the in-vehicle device of one of the vehicles traveling electronically and automatic payment cannot be made in the ETC lane, the other vehicle collectively pays the total charge. This makes it possible to pass through the ETC lane. Alternatively, when the ETC card is inserted into the in-vehicle device of each vehicle, each vehicle can pass through the ETC lane by paying a fee individually. Therefore, it is possible to perform an appropriate billing process for a vehicle that is being towed electronically.

In the process of FIG. 6, when the billing process is executed in the ETC lane, the vehicle type information may be confirmed based on the photographed information (photographed image) photographed by the camera 108. It is determined based on the photographed image whether or not the vehicle type information of each vehicle in the electronic toll collection received by the electronic toll collection device 10 and the vehicle type of the vehicle actually trying to pass through the gate 107 match, and the information does not match. In that case, the administrator may be notified. The report destination may be a staff member who is resident near the ETC lane, or a staff member of a management center provided separately. As a result, it is possible to notify the passage of an illegal ETC lane, and it is possible to take measures according to the notification.

Further, in the present embodiment, the electronic toll collection device 10 and the information processing device 60 are described separately, but these may be integrally configured as a system. Further, the electronic toll collection system 1 may be an electronic toll collection device 10, or may include an electronic toll collection device 10 and an information processing device 60. Further, other components may be included, or some components may not be included. The method of configuring the system can be changed arbitrarily.

Further, the vehicles traveling by electronic towing may include the leading vehicle and the following vehicle, and do not necessarily have to be two vehicles. It is also applicable when a plurality of three or more vehicles are electronically towed vehicles.

[Modification example]
In the first embodiment described above, an electronic toll collection system installed at an entrance or exit tollhouse of an expressway (toll road) has been described as an example. However, the processing is not limited to the processing in the ETC lane of the highway, and the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 during electronic towing travel pass through the entrance gate, park in the parking lot, and then pass the exit gate after paying a fee. It can also be applied when

By installing electronic toll collection devices 10 at the entrance and exit of the parking lot and performing the same processing as in the first embodiment, one of the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 during electronic towing travel collectively pays the parking fee. Alternatively, each vehicle may pay a parking fee individually. The roadside antenna 105 is not particularly required in this embodiment. Further, the electronic toll collection device 10 may be installed at the entrance / exit in a shared manner.

<Processing at the parking lot entrance>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing at the parking lot entrance carried out by the electronic toll collection device 10 according to the modified example. This process is performed by the CPU 101 of the electronic toll collection device 10 installed at the entrance of the parking lot reading and executing the program stored in the storage device 102. Of the processes of FIG. 7, the same processes as those of FIGS. 4 and 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

At the entrance of the parking lot, the same processing as in steps S401 to S405 of FIG. 4 is performed, and it is confirmed whether or not the ETC card is inserted in the vehicle paying the fee (both vehicles when paying individually). However, in this modification, if Yes in step S404, the process proceeds to step S701. On the other hand, if No in step S404, the process proceeds to step S702. Further, in this modification, if Yes in step S405, the process proceeds to step S701. If No in step S405, the process proceeds to step S702.

In step S701, the CPU 101 stores the vehicle and the entrance time to the parking lot in association with each other. For example, the vehicle is associated with the identification number of the ETC card, the vehicle acquires the information of the identification number of the ETC card at the time of entering the parking lot, and stores it in association with the information of the entrance time. Alternatively, the number may be photographed at the time of admission by the camera 208 included in the electronic toll collection device 10, and the vehicle and the admission time may be associated with each other based on the number. After that, the process proceeds to step S503, the entrance is entered after the gate is opened, and the same processing as in FIG. 5 is performed thereafter.

In step S702, the CPU 101 notifies the vehicle to enter the parking lot from a general gate other than the ETC gate, or notifies a staff member of an alert. This completes the series of processing.

<Processing at the parking lot exit>
Subsequently, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing at the parking lot exit carried out by the electronic toll collection device 10 according to the modified example. This process is performed by the CPU 101 of the electronic toll collection device 10 installed at the exit of the parking lot reading and executing the program stored in the storage device 102.

Of the processes of FIG. 8, the same processes as those of FIGS. 4 to 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, in this modification, if Yes in step S404, the process proceeds to step S802. On the other hand, if No in step S404, the process proceeds to step S607. Further, in this modification, if Yes in step S405, the process proceeds to step S803. If No in step S405, the process proceeds to step S607.

In step S801, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the vehicle leaving the parking lot is a vehicle entering the parking lot through the ETC lane at the entrance of the parking lot. As at the time of admission, the judgment can be made by identifying the vehicle using the identification number of the vehicle's ETC card. Alternatively, the number may be photographed at the time of entry by the camera 208 included in the electronic toll collection device 10, and it may be determined whether or not the vehicle has entered through the ETC lane based on the number. If it is determined that the vehicle has entered through the ETC lane, the process proceeds to step S402. On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle has not entered the vehicle after passing through the ETC lane, the process proceeds to step S607.

In step S802, the CPU 101 calculates the parking fee, which is the sum of the fees of all the vehicles in the electronically towed running. For example, as at the time of admission, the vehicle is identified using the identification number of the vehicle's ETC card, the admission time information of the vehicle is referred to, and the parking fee for the number of vehicles is calculated based on the admission time and the current time. .. Here, since one of the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 is towed electronically and pays the total fee, the parking fee for all the vehicles being towed electronically is calculated. Then, the process proceeds to step S604.

In step S803, since each of the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 pays a charge individually, the CPU 101 calculates the charge of the leading vehicle 20 and the following vehicle 21 separately. The CPU 101 refers to the vehicle entry time information and calculates the parking fee for each vehicle based on the entry time and the current time. Then, the process proceeds to step S606. This completes the series of processes shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present modification, when one vehicle can pay the parking fee of the vehicle during electronic toll collection on behalf of the vehicle, or each vehicle can pay the parking fee individually. The billing process is executed in the ETC lane based on the entry time and the current time at the time of delivery. On the other hand, if the ETC card is not inserted in the in-vehicle device of the vehicle to be paid and automatic payment is not possible, the gate at the exit of the parking lot is closed and the staff is notified.

As a result, even if the ETC card is not inserted in the in-vehicle device of one of the vehicles traveling electronically and automatic payment by ETC is not possible, the other vehicle collectively pays the total parking fee. This makes it possible to pass through the gate. Alternatively, when the ETC card is inserted into the in-vehicle device of each vehicle, each vehicle can pass through the gate by paying the parking fee individually. Therefore, it is possible to perform an appropriate billing process for a vehicle that is being towed electronically.

In the above embodiment, the ETC card has been described as an example of the automatic charge payment function, but the description is not limited to the ETC card. For example, it can be applied to a case where electronic payment is automatically performed using an application of a occupant's smartphone or an application mounted on an in-vehicle device.

The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the invention.

<Summary of Embodiment>
The electronic toll collection system according to the first aspect is
An electronic toll collection system (for example, 1) that collects a passing fee from a vehicle (for example, 20, 21) passing through a gate (for example, 107) using road-to-vehicle communication (for example, 106).
An acquisition means (for example, 101, 103, 106) for acquiring information necessary for billing processing from a vehicle device (for example, 209, 19) of a vehicle passing through the gate by using the road-to-vehicle communication (for example, 52).
A billing processing means (for example, 601) that executes billing processing based on the above information is provided.
The information includes information on a plurality of vehicles traveling by electronic towing and information on a paying vehicle among the plurality of vehicles that pays a fee.
The billing processing means executes a billing process in which all the passing charges of the plurality of vehicles passing through the gate are added up and the paying vehicle is charged.

This makes it possible for a vehicle traveling by electronic towing to easily pass through a gate that can be passed according to the automatic payment of the toll.

In the electronic toll collection system according to the second aspect,
The electronic toll collection system
An opening / closing control means (for example, 101) that controls the opening / closing of the gate,
Further provided with detection means (for example, 101, 108) for detecting the passage of the vehicle through the gate.
The opening / closing control means opens the gate after executing the billing process, and continues to open the gate until the detection means detects that all of the plurality of vehicles pass through the gate.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the following vehicle traveling by electronic traction from accidentally closing the gate while passing through the gate, so that the following vehicle can safely pass through the gate.

In the electronic toll collection system according to the third aspect,
The vehicle information includes information indicating whether or not there is an automatic toll payment function for a plurality of vehicles traveling by electronic towing.
If the paying vehicle does not have the automatic toll payment function, the paying vehicle is further provided with a notification means for notifying the paying vehicle not to pass through the gate.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from entering the lane with the gate even though it does not have the automatic toll payment function.

In the electronic toll collection system according to the fourth aspect,
The case where the paying vehicle does not have the automatic toll payment function is a case where the ETC card is not inserted in the in-vehicle device of the paying vehicle.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from entering the ETC lane when the ETC card is not inserted in the in-vehicle device.

In the electronic toll collection system according to the fifth aspect,
The transit toll is the toll for the section from the entrance tollhouse to the exit tollhouse of the toll road.
The billing processing means includes information on the entrance tollhouse, information on the exit tollhouse, vehicle type information of the plurality of vehicles, and information indicating whether or not an ETC card is inserted into each in-vehicle device of the plurality of vehicles. And the information of the paying vehicle, the billing process is executed.

This makes it possible to appropriately charge the tolls on the toll road.

In the electronic toll collection system according to the sixth aspect,
The vehicle type information includes information indicating a large vehicle or an ordinary vehicle.

As a result, when there is a difference in the charge for each vehicle type, it is possible to charge an appropriate charge.

The electronic toll collection system according to the seventh aspect is
An electronic toll collection system (for example, 1, 10) installed at the tollhouse at the entrance.
Information indicating the presence or absence of electronic towing, information indicating the presence or absence of the automatic toll payment function of the leading vehicle (for example, 20) and the following vehicle (for example, 21) traveling by the electronic towing, and payment set for the payment vehicle to be paid. Acquisition means (for example, 101, 103, 106) for acquiring setting information using road-to-vehicle communication (for example, 52) via a roadside antenna (for example, 106) installed at the tollhouse at the entrance.
Based on the information acquired by the acquisition means, a determination means (for example, 101) for determining whether or not the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function when traveling by the electronic traction, and
When the payment vehicle is determined to have the automatic toll payment function by the determination means, the notification means (for example, 101, 103, 106) for notifying the payment vehicle of the tollhouse information at the entrance.
To be equipped.

As a result, when the paying vehicle has an automatic toll payment function in a toll section having an entrance and an exit, it is possible to notify the tollhouse information of the entrance used for billing at the exit. Therefore, it is possible to utilize the tollhouse information at the entrance at the tollhouse at the exit.

The electronic toll collection system according to the eighth aspect is
After the notification by the notification means, a control means (for example, 101) for opening the gate (for example, 107) corresponding to the automatic toll payment function installed at the tollhouse at the entrance is further provided.
The control means continues the opening until all the vehicles (for example, 20, 21) traveling by the electronic traction pass through the gate.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the following vehicle traveling by electronic traction from accidentally closing the gate while passing through the gate, so that the following vehicle can safely pass through the gate.

In the electronic toll collection system according to the ninth aspect,
When the determining means determines that the paying vehicle does not have the automatic toll payment function, the notification means sets a gate (for example, 107) corresponding to the automatic toll payment function installed at the exit tollhouse. Notify the leading vehicle (for example, 20) of the instruction so as not to pass.

As a result, when the paying vehicle does not have the automatic toll payment function, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from accidentally entering the lane having the gate corresponding to the automatic toll payment function.

In the electronic toll collection system according to the tenth aspect,
The acquisition means is provided with information indicating the presence / absence of the electronic traction, information indicating the presence / absence of the automatic toll payment function, and the payment setting information on the front side in the traveling direction of the roadside antenna (for example, 106). Obtained using a second road-to-vehicle communication (eg 51) via a second roadside antenna (eg 105).
The determination means determines whether or not the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function when the vehicle is traveling by the electronic towing, based on the information acquired by using the second road-to-vehicle communication. ,
When it is determined that the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function based on the information acquired by using the second road-to-vehicle communication, the notification means is installed at the tollhouse at the entrance. Notify that you can pass through the lane with the gate corresponding to the toll payment function.

This makes it possible to notify the vehicle that there is no problem even if the vehicle enters the ETC lane, for example.

In the electronic toll collection system according to the eleventh aspect,
The notification means is installed at the tollhouse at the entrance when it is determined that the paying vehicle does not have the automatic toll payment function based on the information acquired by using the second road-to-vehicle communication. Notify that the lane with the gate corresponding to the automatic toll payment function is impassable.

As a result, it is possible to prevent an accidental entry into, for example, an ETC lane even though the automatic toll payment function is not provided.

In the electronic toll collection system according to the twelfth aspect,
An electronic toll collection system (for example, 1) installed at the exit tollhouse.
Information indicating the presence or absence of electronic towing, information indicating the presence or absence of the automatic toll payment function of the leading vehicle (for example, 20) and the following vehicle (for example, 21) traveling by the electronic towing, payment setting in which the paying vehicle to pay the charge is set. An acquisition means (for example, 101, 103, 106) for acquiring information and tollhouse information at the entrance using road-to-vehicle communication (for example, 106), and
Based on the information acquired by the acquisition means, a determination means (for example, 101) for determining whether or not the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function when traveling by the electronic traction, and
When it is determined by the determination means that the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function, a billing process for charging the paying vehicle is executed based on the tollhouse information at the entrance and the tollhouse information at the exit. Billing processing means (for example, 601) and
To be equipped.

This makes it possible for a vehicle traveling by electronic towing to easily pay a fee.

In the electronic toll collection system according to the thirteenth aspect,
When the paying vehicle is one of the leading vehicle and the following vehicle, the billing processing means calculates the total charge of the leading vehicle and the following vehicle and charges the one vehicle. And charge.

As a result, it becomes possible to collectively pay the charges for all vehicles traveling by electronic towing on behalf of one vehicle. Therefore, even if the vehicle traveling by electronic towing includes a vehicle that does not have an automatic toll payment function, the toll can be paid.

In the electronic toll collection system according to the fourteenth aspect,
When the paying vehicle is each of the leading vehicle and the following vehicle, the charging processing means calculates the charge of the leading vehicle, charges the leading vehicle, and calculates the charge of the following vehicle. The following vehicle is charged.

This makes it possible for vehicles traveling by electronic towing to pay a fee individually.

An electronic toll collection system (for example, 1) installed at the entrance and exit of a parking lot.
Road-to-vehicle communication ( For example, the acquisition means (for example, 101, 103, 106) acquired by using 52) and
Based on the information acquired by the acquisition means, a determination means (for example, 101) for determining whether or not the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function when traveling by the electronic traction, and
When it is determined by the determination means that the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function, a storage means (for example, 101, 102) that stores the paying vehicle and the entrance time to the parking lot in association with each other
A billing processing means for executing a billing process for charging the paying vehicle based on the information on the entrance time when the leading vehicle and the following vehicle traveling by the electronic towing exit the parking lot. For example, 601)
To be equipped.

As a result, when entering or exiting the parking lot, the vehicle running by electronic towing can easily pay the fee.

1: Electronic charge collection system, 10: Electronic charge collection device, 20: Leading vehicle, 21: Following vehicle, 40: Network, 60: Information processing device, 101: CPU, 102: Storage device, 103: Communication unit, 104: Display, 105, 106: Roadside antenna, 107: Gate, 108: Camera, 201: Accelerator pedal, 202: Brake pedal, 203: Steering, 204, 214: ECU, 205, 215: Storage device, 206, 216: Communication Unit, 207,217: In-vehicle navigation device, 208,218: Camera, 209,219: ETC device, 211: Drive mechanism, 212: Braking mechanism, 213: Steering mechanism, 601: CPU, 602: Storage unit, 603: Communication Department

Claims (15)

It is an electronic toll collection system that collects transit charges from vehicles passing through the gate using road-to-vehicle communication.
An acquisition means for acquiring information necessary for billing processing from the vehicle equipment of a vehicle passing through the gate by using the road-to-vehicle communication.
A billing processing means for executing billing processing based on the above information is provided.
The information includes information on a plurality of vehicles traveling by electronic towing and information on a paying vehicle among the plurality of vehicles that pays a fee.
The electronic toll collection system is characterized in that the billing processing means executes a billing process of summing up all the passing charges of the plurality of vehicles passing through the gate and charging the paying vehicle. The electronic toll collection system
An opening / closing control means for controlling the opening / closing of the gate,
Further equipped with a detection means for detecting the passage of the vehicle through the gate,
The opening / closing control means opens the gate after executing the billing process, and continues to open the gate until it is detected by the detecting means that all of the plurality of vehicles pass through the gate. The electronic toll collection system according to claim 1. The vehicle information includes information indicating whether or not there is an automatic toll payment function for a plurality of vehicles traveling by electronic towing.
The electronic toll collection system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a notification means for notifying the paying vehicle so that the paying vehicle does not have the automatic toll payment function so as not to pass through the gate. .. The electronic toll collection system according to claim 3, wherein the paying vehicle does not have the automatic toll payment function when the ETC card is not inserted in the in-vehicle device of the paying vehicle. The transit toll is the toll for the section from the entrance tollhouse to the exit tollhouse of the toll road.
The billing processing means includes information on the entrance tollhouse, information on the exit tollhouse, vehicle type information of the plurality of vehicles, and information indicating whether or not an ETC card is inserted into each in-vehicle device of the plurality of vehicles. The electronic toll collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the billing process is executed based on the information of the paying vehicle. The electronic toll collection system according to claim 5, wherein the vehicle type information includes information indicating a large vehicle or an ordinary vehicle. It is an electronic toll collection system installed at the tollhouse at the entrance.
Information indicating the presence or absence of electronic towing, information indicating the presence or absence of the automatic toll payment function of the leading vehicle and the following vehicle traveling by the electronic towing, and payment setting information in which the paying vehicle to be paid is set are the charges at the entrance. Acquisition means to be acquired using road-to-vehicle communication via a roadside antenna installed at the location,
Based on the information acquired by the acquisition means, a determination means for determining whether or not the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function when traveling by the electronic traction, and a determination means.
When the payment vehicle is determined to have the automatic toll payment function by the determination means, the notification means for notifying the payment vehicle of the tollhouse information at the entrance and the payment vehicle.
An electronic toll collection system characterized by being equipped with. After the notification by the notification means, a control means for opening the gate corresponding to the automatic toll payment function installed at the tollhouse at the entrance is further provided.
The electronic toll collection system according to claim 7, wherein the control means continues to open until all the vehicles traveling by the electronic traction pass through the gate. When the determining means determines that the paying vehicle does not have the automatic toll payment function, the notification means does not pass through the gate corresponding to the automatic toll payment function installed at the exit tollhouse. The electronic toll collection system according to claim 7, wherein the leading vehicle is notified of an instruction. The acquisition means provides information indicating the presence / absence of the electronic traction, information indicating the presence / absence of the automatic toll payment function, and the payment setting information on a second roadside installed on the front side in the traveling direction with respect to the roadside antenna. Obtained using a second road-to-vehicle communication via an antenna,
The determination means determines whether or not the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function when the vehicle is traveling by the electronic towing, based on the information acquired by using the second road-to-vehicle communication. ,
When it is determined that the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function based on the information acquired by using the second road-to-vehicle communication, the notification means is installed at the tollhouse at the entrance. The electronic toll collection system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the electronic toll collection system is characterized in that it notifies that it is possible to pass through a lane having a gate corresponding to the toll payment function. The notification means is installed at the tollhouse at the entrance when it is determined that the paying vehicle does not have the automatic toll payment function based on the information acquired by using the second road-to-vehicle communication. The electronic toll collection system according to claim 10, wherein the lane having a gate corresponding to the automatic toll payment function is notified that the lane is impassable. It is an electronic toll collection system installed at the exit tollhouse.
Information indicating the presence or absence of electronic towing, information indicating the presence or absence of the automatic toll payment function of the leading vehicle and the following vehicle traveling by the electronic towing, payment setting information in which the paying vehicle to be paid is set, and information on the toll office at the entrance. With the acquisition means to acquire using road-to-vehicle communication,
Based on the information acquired by the acquisition means, a determination means for determining whether or not the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function when traveling by the electronic traction, and a determination means.
When it is determined by the determination means that the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function, a billing process for charging the paying vehicle is executed based on the tollhouse information at the entrance and the tollhouse information at the exit. Billing processing means and
An electronic toll collection system characterized by being equipped with. When the paying vehicle is one of the leading vehicle and the following vehicle, the billing processing means calculates the total charge of the leading vehicle and the following vehicle and charges the one vehicle. The electronic fee collection system according to claim 12, wherein the fee is charged. When the paying vehicle is each of the leading vehicle and the following vehicle, the charging processing means calculates the charge of the leading vehicle, charges the leading vehicle, and calculates the charge of the following vehicle. The electronic toll collection system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the following vehicle is charged. It is an electronic toll collection system installed at the entrance and exit of the parking lot.
Information indicating the presence or absence of electronic towing, information indicating the presence or absence of the automatic toll payment function of the leading vehicle and the following vehicle traveling by the electronic towing, and payment setting information in which the paying vehicle to be paid is set are used for road-to-vehicle communication. The acquisition method to be acquired by using
Based on the information acquired by the acquisition means, a determination means for determining whether or not the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function when traveling by the electronic traction, and a determination means.
When it is determined by the determination means that the paying vehicle has the automatic toll payment function, a storage means for storing the paying vehicle and the entrance time to the parking lot in association with each other.
A billing processing means for executing a billing process for charging the paying vehicle based on the information on the entrance time when the leading vehicle and the following vehicle traveling by the electronic towing exit the parking lot. ,
An electronic toll collection system characterized by being equipped with.

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