JP2022129114A - Billing system, billing processing device, billing processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a billing system capable of individually identifying a vehicle and performing the billing processing independently of a license plate of the vehicle.SOLUTION: A billing system includes: a reading device which is installed on a traffic lane and reads individual identification information capable of individually identifying a vehicle from an information medium attached to a vehicle body separately from a license plate of the vehicle traveling on the traffic lane; and a billing information acquisition part which acquires the billing information associated with the vehicle based on the individual identification information read from the information medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to a billing system, a billing processing device, a billing processing method, and a program.

As a method for individual vehicle identification, license plate information (information including classification number, serial number, etc.) written on the license plate is extracted from the photographed image of the license plate of the vehicle. ) is known (see Patent Document 1, for example).

The NP information may be used for collection of tolls on toll roads. For example, a user who uses a toll road associates and registers the NP information of the vehicle and the account number for payment of the toll in advance. When the NP information of a vehicle is read by a license plate reader installed at the entrance or exit of the toll road, the toll road charging processing device performs processing to withdraw the toll of the vehicle from the account associated with the NP information. conduct.

Japanese Patent No. 6658040

However, if the license plate reading device cannot read the NP information correctly due to reasons such as the license plate being installed in a recessed position, being dirty, damaged, or surrounded by highly reflective plates. There is Then, it becomes difficult for the charging processing device to collect the toll from this vehicle.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such problems, and a billing system, billing processing device, and billing processing method capable of performing billing processing by individually identifying vehicles without depending on the license plate of the vehicle. , and provide programs.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a billing system includes a reading device installed in a lane, and an information medium attached to a vehicle body separately from a license plate of a vehicle traveling in the lane via the reading device, a reading unit that reads individual identification information that can individually identify the vehicle; and a billing information acquisition unit that obtains billing information associated with the vehicle based on the individual identification information read from the information medium. Prepare.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the billing processing device individually identifies the vehicle from an information medium attached to the vehicle body separately from the license plate of the vehicle traveling in the lane via a reader provided in the lane. and a billing information acquisition unit for obtaining billing information associated with the vehicle based on the individual identification information read from the information medium.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the billing processing method reads, via a reading device installed in a lane, from an information medium attached to a vehicle body separate from the license plate of a vehicle traveling in the lane, the vehicle individually. and obtaining billing information associated with the vehicle based on the individual identification information read from the information medium.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the program individually identifies the vehicle from an information medium attached to the vehicle body separately from the license plate of the vehicle traveling in the lane via a reader provided in the lane. Acquiring possible individual identification information; and acquiring charging information associated with the vehicle based on the individual identification information read from the information medium.

According to the billing system, billing processing device, billing processing method, and program according to the present disclosure, it is possible to individually identify a vehicle and perform billing processing independently of the license plate of the vehicle.

1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a charging system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a charging system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of processing of the charging system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of reference image data according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. It is a figure showing an example of registration information concerning a 1st embodiment of this indication. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a charging system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a charging system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. It is a figure showing an example of hardware constitutions of a charge processing device concerning one embodiment of this indication.

<First embodiment>
A billing system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a charging system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
A charging system 1 according to the present embodiment is installed at a tollgate at the entrance or exit of a toll road, and collects tolls for vehicles A traveling in lane L of the tollgate. In this embodiment, an example in which the charging system 1 is provided at an exit toll gate will be described. Hereinafter, the direction in which the lane L extends (±X direction) will be referred to as the "lane direction". In addition, the toll road side (−X side) in the lane direction is also described as “upstream side”, and the general road side (+X side) is also described as “downstream side”. Furthermore, the width direction (±Y direction) of the lane L is described as "lane width direction". The charging system 1 includes a reading device 10 and a charging processing device 20, as shown in FIG.

The reading device 10 reads the individual identification information that can individually identify the vehicle A from the information medium M attached to the vehicle body separately from the license plate of the vehicle A traveling in the lane L.

Further, the reading device 10 according to the present embodiment has a camera 100 that photographs the information medium M on the vehicle A. As shown in FIG. The reading device 10 performs predetermined image processing on an image (video) captured by the camera 100 to read the information medium M included in the image. The camera 100 may be any camera as long as the individual identification information can be read from the information medium M. For example, camera 100 may be a visible light camera capable of reading information medium M that can be seen with the naked eye, such as characters painted on the vehicle body. In addition, the information medium M is made to be readable only in a specific wavelength range other than visible light (for example, invisible light such as infrared rays and ultraviolet rays), and the camera 100 is a camera (infrared camera) capable of photographing the corresponding wavelength range. , ultraviolet camera, etc.).

1, the camera 100 of the reading device 10 is installed on the gantry so as to face from above the lane L to below (the road surface of the lane L, the −Z side), and is attached to the outer surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle A. The individual identification information is read from the information medium M. In the example of FIG. 1, the camera 100 is installed above the lane L so as to face downward (-Z side) and upstream (-X side) in the lane direction. It is possible to read the individual identification information from the information medium M that has been read.

Note that the orientation and installation position of the camera 100 may be changed according to the position of the information medium M. FIG. For example, when the information medium M is provided on the upper surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle A, the camera 100 may be installed so as to face the vertical downward side (-Z side) from the upper side of the lane L. Further, when the information medium M is provided on the vehicle body side of the vehicle A, the camera 100 may be installed so as to face the lane L (±Y direction) from the road side of the lane L. Furthermore, when the information medium M is provided on the rear surface of the vehicle A, the camera 100 may be installed so as to face the downstream side (+X side) in the lane direction. In another embodiment, the reader 10 may have a plurality of cameras 100 installed on the gantry and on the roadside of the lane L, respectively.

The individual identification information may be any information as long as the vehicle A can be individually identified. For example, the individual identification information is the owner information of the vehicle A, the chassis number, and the like. The owner information is, for example, the owner's name, logo mark, and the like. Also, if the owner owns multiple vehicles, the serial number assigned by the owner may be further included. This information is represented by characters, graphics, two-dimensional codes (for example, QR code (registered trademark)), and the like.

In addition, the individual identification information may be information that allows individual identification of the vehicle, among the vehicle body displays stipulated by laws and regulations. The vehicle body display that allows individual vehicles to be identified is, for example, a dump number (information consisting of place names, business classifications, and numbers) designated for large vehicles (dump trucks) that transport earth and sand. Further, the reading device 10 may further read other vehicle body display as additional information. Other vehicle body markings include markings for maximum loading capacity, markings attached to vehicles with relaxed standards (indications for relaxed dimensions, weight, and ground pressure), and vehicles that transport specific cargo (dangerous goods, poisonous substances, high-pressure gas, etc.). (“Danger”, “Poison”, “High pressure gas” signs), and signs attached to vehicles intended to transport children, students or infants (“Infant bus”, “School bus” etc.). The reader 10 can further read the additional information and combine it with the individual identification information to improve the accuracy of individual identification of the vehicle.

The information medium M is, for example, paint, sticker, plate, or display device (liquid crystal display, etc.). 2. Description of the Related Art Vehicles such as trucks used for transportation may have owner information or the like painted on the vehicle bodies, or may have signs attached in advance. For such vehicles, this paint or sign is used as the information medium M. In addition, for a vehicle (passenger car, etc.) that is not painted or marked, the individual identification information may be QR coded and attached to the vehicle body by a sticker-like information medium M.

Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the vehicle A has a plurality of information media M, the present invention is not limited to this. If the individual identification information for identifying the vehicle A can be obtained from one information medium M, the vehicle A may have only one information medium M.

Billing processing device 20 is communicably connected to reading device 10 . The charging processing device 20 acquires the reading result of the reading device 10 and performs charging processing for collecting the toll for the vehicle A. FIG.

(Functional configuration of billing system)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the charging system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 2 , the billing processing device 20 includes a CPU 21 and a storage medium 22 .

The CPU 21 is a processor that controls the overall operation of the billing processing device 20 . The CPU 21 functions as a reading unit 210, a billing information acquisition unit 211, and a billing processing unit 212 by operating according to a predetermined program.

The reading unit 210 reads individual identification information of the vehicle A via the reading device 10 .

Billing information acquisition unit 211 acquires billing information associated with vehicle A based on the individual identification information of vehicle A read from information medium M. FIG. The billing information is, for example, the account number of the bank account for withdrawing the toll. Also, the billing information may be a credit card number for toll payment.

The billing processing unit 212 performs processing for collecting the toll for the vehicle A based on the billing information.

In the present embodiment, the user of the toll road (the owner of vehicle A, etc.) sends the individual identification information of vehicle A and the billing information for paying the toll of vehicle A to the billing system 1 in advance. shall be registered. Registration information that associates the individual identification information of each vehicle A with billing information is stored in the storage medium 22 of the billing processing device 20 .

(Processing flow of billing system)
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of processing of the charging system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
The flow of processing of the billing system 1 will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, when the vehicle A enters the lane L of the tollgate, the camera 100 of the reader 10 takes an image including the vehicle A (step S10).

Further, the camera 100 reads the information medium M included in the captured image by performing predetermined image processing on the captured image. The reading unit 210 of the billing processing device 20 reads individual identification information from the information medium M via the camera 100 (step S11).

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of reference image data according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;
For example, the camera 100 has in advance reference image data D1 in which the reference image of the information medium M of each vehicle A and individual identification information are associated in advance, as shown in FIG. The camera 100 compares the captured image with the reference image, and identifies the individual identification information associated with the reference image with the highest similarity among the reference images with the similarity greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. Identify as individual identification information. When the individual identification information is specified based on the reference image, the user of the vehicle A should also register the reference image of the information medium M when registering the individual identification information and billing information. and In addition to the individual identification information, the camera 100 may also read additional information such as the maximum payload.

Further, when the individual identification information is a two-dimensional code, the camera 100 performs image processing according to the two-dimensional code standard, and reads the individual identification information represented by the two-dimensional code. Note that the camera 100 may read the individual identification information from the information medium M by performing OCR processing when the individual identification information is character information.

Next, the billing information acquiring unit 211 of the billing processing device 20 compares the individual identification information of the vehicle A read from the information medium M with the registration information D2 (FIG. 5) stored in advance in the storage medium 22 to Billing information of A is acquired (step S12). Moreover, when both the individual identification information and the additional information are read, the combination of the individual identification information and the additional information may be compared with the registration information D2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of registration information according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the registration information D2, information that associates individual identification information for each vehicle with billing information (account number, etc.) is registered in advance. Billing information acquisition unit 211 acquires billing information associated with the individual identification information of vehicle A by referring to registration information D2.

Note that in another embodiment, the registration information D2 may be registered with information in which individual identification information of a vehicle and NP information (classification number, serial number, etc.) of the vehicle are associated with each other. In this case, the registration information D2 further includes a table for registering the NP information and billing information in association with each other. If the individual identification information registered in the registration information D2 is associated with the NP information, the billing information acquisition unit 211 further refers to the table in which the NP information and the billing information are registered to obtain the information associated with the NP information. Get the billing information

Next, the billing processing unit 212 performs a process of billing the toll for the vehicle A based on the billing information acquired by the billing information acquisition unit 211 (step S13). For example, if the billing information is an account number, the billing processing unit 212 performs processing to withdraw the toll for vehicle A from the bank account specified by the account number.

The charging system 1 executes each process shown in FIG. 3 for each vehicle traveling in the lane L.

(Effect)
As described above, the billing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes the reading unit 210 that reads the individual identification information of the vehicle A from the information medium M attached to the vehicle body separately from the license plate of the vehicle A via the reading device 10. , and a billing information obtaining unit 211 for obtaining billing information associated with the vehicle A based on the individual identification information.
For example, in a dump truck or the like, the license plate located at the bottom of the vehicle may become dirty with mud or the like, making it impossible to correctly read the NP information. Then, in a system for identifying a vehicle based on the NP information as in the conventional technology, charging processing may not be performed normally for such a vehicle whose NP information cannot be read. However, the billing system 1 according to the present embodiment individually identifies the vehicle A without depending on the license plate of the vehicle A by acquiring the individual identification information from the information medium M different from the license plate as described above. billing process.

Further, the reader 10 (camera 100) is installed so as to face downward from above the lane L, and the reader 210 reads the individual identification information from the information medium M attached to the upper surface of the vehicle A.
By doing so, the reading device 10 can read the information medium M of the vehicle A without being blocked by the body of the vehicle A itself (bumper, etc.), falling objects, other vehicles, or other obstacles. . Note that the reading device 10 may be installed so as to face vertically downward from the upper side of the lane L. As a result, the reading device 10 can further reduce the influence of obstructions and can read the information medium M attached to the upper surface of the vehicle A from the front, so that the reading accuracy of the information medium M can be improved. can be done.

Further, the reader 10 is installed so as to face the lane L from the road side of the lane L, and the reader 210 reads the individual identification information from the information medium M attached to the side of the vehicle A.
By doing so, the reader 10 can improve the reading accuracy of the information medium M attached to the side surface of the vehicle A. FIG.

Further, the reading device 10 has a camera 100 that photographs the information medium M of the vehicle A, and the reading unit 210 reads individual identification information of the vehicle A from the information medium M included in the photographed image. Note that the reading device 10 may read the individual identification information from the two-dimensional code included in the information medium M.
By doing so, the reading device 10 can read individual identification information expressed in various formats such as characters, graphics, and two-dimensional codes from the information medium M using existing image processing technology. Also, the camera 100 may be any camera such as a visible light camera, an infrared camera, etc., as long as the information medium M can be read. Note that, for example, when near-infrared light cannot provide a contrast that enables reading of the information medium M (existing paint or the like), the camera 100 may be a visible light camera. As a result, the reader 10 can accurately read even an information medium M on which contrast is difficult to obtain with near-infrared light.

In addition, the individual identification information includes at least one of owner information, chassis number, dump number, maximum load capacity, and a mark attached to a vehicle that transports specific cargo.
For example, dump bibs, maximum payloads, and signs are required to be displayed on certain vehicles. Further, when the vehicle A is used for business such as transportation, the vehicle A may have owner information such as a company name painted in advance. The billing system 1 can use the existing individual identification information of the vehicle A in this way. Then, the owner of the vehicle A can use the toll road without attaching a new information medium M to the vehicle A and only by registering the individual identification information and the billing information.

Further, the reading device 10 may acquire the individual identification information from the two-dimensional code included in the information medium M.
By doing so, it becomes difficult to read the individual identification information with the naked eye without using the reading device 10, so confidentiality can be enhanced.

Also, the information medium M is a paint, sticker, plate, or display on the body of the vehicle A.
By doing so, the owner of the vehicle A can pay the toll without installing the vehicle-mounted device. Further, the information medium M may be a sticker that can be easily attached to and detached from the vehicle A. For example, in the case of a rental car where the owner and the driver are different, the information medium M (sticker) is printed every time the driver changes. may be replaced. That is, when the driver rents a rental car, the driver attaches a sticker to the vehicle A on which individual identification information (for example, an ID that can identify the driver) associated with his/her billing information is recorded. This allows the billing system 1 to bill the toll not to the owner of the rental car but to the driver.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a billing system 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. Components common to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Functional configuration of billing system)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a charging system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 6, the reader 10 according to this embodiment has an infrared camera 110 and an infrared illuminator 111 .

In the above-described first embodiment, the information medium M is, for example, paint applied to the vehicle body of the vehicle A, and includes individual identification information that can be visually recognized without using the reading device 10 . For this reason, it was sometimes difficult to maintain the confidentiality of individual identification information. Further, even if it is encoded with a two-dimensional code such as a QR code to make it difficult to read visually, the owner may not want to install the information medium M because it spoils the appearance of the vehicle A. be.

For this reason, the information medium M according to the present embodiment is transparent to the naked eye, and the individual identification information is recorded with a material (ink, etc.) that can only be seen when photographed with a specific wavelength (invisible light). For example, the invisible light according to this embodiment is infrared rays, and the information medium M includes a two-dimensional code made of a material that reflects and absorbs infrared rays. In other words, the information medium M is created so that the contrast that allows the individual identification information to be read can be obtained only when the image is captured by the infrared camera 110 . Therefore, the information medium M according to the present embodiment cannot be read with the naked eye, but can be read when photographed by the infrared camera 110 of the reader 10 . However, in other embodiments, the invisible light may be ultraviolet light. In this case, the information medium M is produced so that contrast can be obtained with ultraviolet light, and the reader 10 has an ultraviolet camera and a black light instead of the infrared camera 110 and the infrared illumination 111 .

The infrared camera 110 reads the information medium M based on the amount of infrared light reflected from the information medium M contained in the captured image of the vehicle A. Further, the infrared illuminator 111 irradiates the vehicle A traveling in the lane L with infrared rays. Thereby, the infrared camera 110 can read the two-dimensional code of the information medium M more accurately. An existing license plate reader may be used as the reader 10 .

(Effect)
As described above, in the billing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the information medium M includes individual identification information made of a material that reflects or absorbs infrared rays, and the reading device 10 includes the infrared illumination 111 and the infrared camera 110. have.
By doing so, the billing system 1 can prevent the information medium M from being read by the naked eye. Thereby, the confidentiality of individual identification information can be improved. Further, since the information medium M can be transparent to the naked eye, it is possible to prevent the appearance of the vehicle A from being degraded. Furthermore, even if the information medium M is attached to the windshield, blocking of the driver's field of vision can be suppressed.

In addition, by representing the individual identification information in a two-dimensional code, the reading device 10 can read the individual identification information from the information medium M with a simpler process than reading the individual identification information by image processing the paint on the vehicle body. can be done.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a billing system 1 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. Components common to those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Functional configuration of billing system)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a charging system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 7, the reading device 10 has a laser scanner 120 in this embodiment.

As in the second embodiment, the information medium M according to this embodiment is transparent to the naked eye, and individual identification information is recorded with a material that is readable only at a specific wavelength (infrared rays, etc.). Further, individual identification information is recorded in the form of barcodes on the information medium M according to the present embodiment.

The laser scanner 120 of the reading device 10 emits a laser beam from above the lane L downward in the vertical direction. The laser scanner 120 also scans the laser beam along the lane width direction (±Y in FIG. 1) to read individual identification information written on the information medium M by a barcode. The toll gate is equipped with a vehicle width detector (not shown) that measures the vehicle width of vehicle A by scanning a laser beam from the top to the bottom of lane L (the road surface of lane L). Sometimes. In this case, the reader 10 may use this vehicle width detector as the laser scanner 120 . Further, the reader 10 may use an existing vehicle height detector (not shown) or vehicle length detector (not shown) as the laser scanner 120 depending on the mounting position of the information medium M.

(Effect)
As described above, in the billing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the information medium M includes individual identification information made of a material that reflects or absorbs a specific wavelength (such as infrared rays), and the reader 10 uses the laser scanner 120 to have. The reading unit 210 reads individual identification information from the information medium M based on the scanning result of the laser scanner 120 .
By doing so, the billing system 1 can prevent the information medium M from being read by the naked eye and improve the confidentiality of the individual identification information, as in the second embodiment. Moreover, when the information medium M is attached to the vehicle A, the influence on the appearance of the vehicle A and the driver's field of vision can be suppressed.

Further, by representing the individual identification information in a bar code, the reading device 10 can read the individual identification information from the information medium M with a simpler process than reading the individual identification information by image processing the paint on the vehicle body. can.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a billing processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
As shown in FIG. 8, computer 900 includes CPU 901 , main memory 902 , auxiliary memory 903 , and interface 904 .

The billing processing device 20 according to each of the above-described embodiments is implemented in a computer 900. FIG. The operation of each processing unit described above is stored in the auxiliary storage device 903 in the form of a program. The CPU 901 reads out the program from the auxiliary storage device 903, develops it in the main storage device 902, and executes the above processing according to the program. In addition, the CPU 901 secures storage areas corresponding to the storage units described above in the main storage device 902 according to the program.

The program may be for realizing part of the functions that the computer 900 is caused to exhibit. For example, the program may function in combination with another program already stored in the auxiliary storage device 903 or in combination with another program installed in another device. In another embodiment, the computer 900 may include a custom LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) in addition to or instead of the above configuration. Examples of PLD include PAL (Programmable Array Logic), GAL (Generic Array Logic), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In this case, part or all of the functions implemented by the CPU 901 may be implemented by the integrated circuit.

Examples of the auxiliary storage device 903 include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, optical disks, semiconductor memories, and the like. Auxiliary storage device 903 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of computer 900, or an external storage device 910 connected to computer 900 via interface 904 or a communication line. Further, when this program is delivered to the computer 900 via a communication line, the computer 900 receiving the delivery may develop the program in the main storage device 902 and execute the above process. In at least one embodiment, secondary storage 903 is a non-transitory, tangible storage medium.

Also, the program may be for realizing part of the functions described above.
Furthermore, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that implements the above-described functions in combination with another program already stored in the auxiliary storage device 903 .

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, all these embodiments are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the gist and technical scope of the invention.

For example, in the first embodiment described above, the camera 100 of the reading device 10 performs image processing to read individual identification information. However, in another embodiment, the camera 100 may transmit only the captured image (video) to the billing processing device 20, and the reading unit 210 of the billing processing device 20 may read the individual identification information by image processing.

<Appendix>
The billing system, billing processing device, billing processing method, and program described in the above-described embodiments are understood, for example, as follows.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a billing system (1) comprises a reader (10) installed in a lane, and license plates of vehicles traveling in the lane via the reader (10). A reading unit (210) that reads individual identification information that can individually identify the vehicle from an information medium separately attached to the vehicle body, and a reading unit (210) that associates with the vehicle based on the individual identification information read from the information medium. and a billing information obtaining unit (211) for obtaining the billing information obtained.

By doing so, the billing system can perform billing processing by individually identifying the vehicle without depending on the license plate of the vehicle. As a result, even a vehicle with a dirty license plate can be billed correctly.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, in the billing system (1) according to the first aspect, the reader (10) is installed so as to face downward from above the lane, and the reader (210 ) reads the individual identification information from the information medium attached to the upper surface of the vehicle.

By doing so, the reader can read the information medium of the vehicle without being blocked by the body of the vehicle itself (bumper, etc.), falling objects, other vehicles, or other obstacles. Thereby, the reader can improve the reading accuracy of the information medium.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the billing system (1) according to the first aspect, the reader (10) is installed so as to face the lane from the road side of the lane, and the reader ( 210) reads the individual identification information from the information medium attached to the side of the vehicle.

By doing so, the reader can improve the reading accuracy of the information medium attached to the side surface of the vehicle.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the billing system (1) according to any one of the first to third aspects, the information medium is made of a material that reflects and absorbs invisible light, and the individual Contains identifying information.

By doing so, the billing system can prevent the information medium from being read by the naked eye. Thereby, the confidentiality of individual identification information can be improved. Further, since the information medium can be transparent to the naked eye, it can be attached to the vehicle A without impairing the appearance of the vehicle.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the billing system (1) according to the fourth aspect, the invisible light is infrared rays or ultraviolet rays.

By doing so, it is possible to create an information medium that can obtain a contrast that enables individual identification information to be read only with infrared rays or ultraviolet rays.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in the billing system (1) according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the reader (10) includes a camera ( 100), and the reading unit (210) reads the individual identification information from the information medium included in the photographed image.

By doing so, the reading device can read individual identification information expressed in various formats such as characters, graphics, and two-dimensional codes from the information medium using existing image processing technology. Therefore, the camera can read the existing paint or the like applied to the body of the vehicle as an information medium.

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the billing system (1) according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the reading device (10) includes a laser scanner ( 120), and the reading unit (210) reads the individual identification information from the information medium based on the scanning result of the laser scanner (120).

By doing so, the billing system can read the individual identification information from the information medium with the laser scanner. Further, the billing system can easily read individual identification information via a laser scanner even if the information medium is made readable only by invisible light. As a result, it is possible to prevent the information medium from being read by the naked eye and improve the confidentiality of the individual identification information. Moreover, when the information medium is attached to the vehicle, it is possible to suppress the influence on the appearance of the vehicle and the influence on the driver's field of vision.

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the billing system (1) according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the reading unit (210) reads a barcode or a two-dimensional barcode included in the information medium. The individual identification information is read from the code.

By doing so, it becomes difficult to read the individual identification information with the naked eye without using a reading device, so confidentiality can be enhanced. In addition, by representing the individual identification information in a bar code or two-dimensional code, the reader can read the individual identification information from the information medium with a simpler process than reading the individual identification information by image processing the paint on the vehicle body. be able to.

According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in the billing system (1) according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the individual identification information includes owner information of the vehicle, chassis number, and dump truck number. including at least one of

For example, the dump number is obligatory to be displayed on a vehicle (dump truck) that transports earth and sand, and is information that can identify each vehicle individually. Further, when the vehicle is used for business such as transportation, the vehicle A may have owner information such as a company name painted in advance. The billing system can thus make use of existing vehicle identification information. Then, the owner of the vehicle can use the toll road only by registering the individual identification information and the billing information without attaching a new information medium to the vehicle.

According to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the charging processing device (20) is attached to the vehicle body separately from the license plate of the vehicle traveling in the lane via the reader (10) provided in the lane. A reading unit (210) for reading individual identification information that can individually identify the vehicle from an information medium, and acquiring billing information associated with the vehicle based on the individual identification information read from the information medium. and a billing information acquisition unit (211).

According to the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the billing processing method uses a reading device (10) installed in a lane to read information from an information medium attached to a vehicle body separately from a license plate of a vehicle traveling in the lane. , reading individual identification information that can individually identify the vehicle; and acquiring billing information associated with the vehicle based on the individual identification information read from the information medium.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the program reads information from an information medium attached to a vehicle body separately from a license plate of a vehicle traveling in the lane via a reader (10) provided in the lane. A billing processing device ( 20) is executed by the computer (900).

1 Billing System 10 Reader 100 Camera 110 Infrared Camera 111 Infrared Illuminator 120 Laser Scanner 20 Billing Processing Device 21 CPU
210 reading unit 211 billing information acquisition unit 212 billing processing unit 22 storage medium 900 computer 901 CPU
902 Main storage device 903 Auxiliary storage device 904 Interface 910 External storage device

Claims (12)

a reading device installed in the lane;
a reading unit that reads, via the reading device, individual identification information capable of individually identifying the vehicle from an information medium attached to the vehicle body separately from the license plate of the vehicle traveling in the lane;
a billing information acquisition unit that acquires billing information associated with the vehicle based on the individual identification information read from the information medium;
billing system. The reading device is installed so as to face downward from above the lane,
The reading unit reads the individual identification information from the information medium attached to the upper surface of the vehicle.
The billing system according to claim 1. The reading device is installed so as to face the lane from the road side of the lane,
The reading unit reads the individual identification information from the information medium attached to the side of the vehicle.
The billing system according to claim 1. The information medium contains the individual identification information made of a material that reflects and absorbs invisible light,
The billing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The invisible light is infrared or ultraviolet,
The billing system according to claim 4. The reading device has a camera that captures the information medium of the vehicle,
the reading unit reads the individual identification information from the information medium included in the captured image;
A charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The reading device has a laser scanner that scans the vehicle with a laser beam,
The reading unit reads the individual identification information from the information medium based on the scanning result of the laser scanner.
A charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. the reading unit reads the individual identification information from a barcode or two-dimensional code included in the information medium;
A charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The individual identification information includes at least one of owner information, chassis number, and dump number of the vehicle,
A charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. a reading unit that reads individual identification information that can individually identify the vehicle from an information medium attached to the vehicle body separately from the license plate of the vehicle traveling in the lane, via a reading device provided in the lane;
a billing information acquisition unit that acquires billing information associated with the vehicle based on the individual identification information read from the information medium;
A billing processing device. A step of reading individual identification information that can individually identify the vehicle from an information medium attached to the vehicle body separately from the license plate of the vehicle traveling in the lane, via a reading device installed in the lane;
obtaining billing information associated with the vehicle based on the individual identification information read from the information medium;
A billing processing method comprising: a step of acquiring individual identification information that can individually identify the vehicle from an information medium attached to the vehicle body separately from the license plate of the vehicle traveling in the lane, via a reading device provided in the lane;
obtaining billing information associated with the vehicle based on the individual identification information read from the information medium;
is executed by the computer of the billing processing device.

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