JP3061267B1 - Charge collection method and charge collection system - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To exchange data between an in-vehicle device and a roadside device a plurality of times, and to calculate a toll in a roadside device at an exit tollgate. Passing speed at the toll gates and exits had to be reduced. SOLUTION: Card information inspection means for inspecting whether card information is valid, advance fee calculation means for calculating a toll from vehicle type information, tollgate information and destination information, and acquisition from each exit tollgate Based on the obtained vehicle identification information, a scheduled toll collection data search means for searching for a vehicle of the corresponding vehicle identification information, and if the relevant vehicle is not searched, a normal exit clearing process is performed, and destination information and tollgate information To see if they match, and if they match,
A billing processing means for performing a billing process and, if they do not match, performing an exit settlement process.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toll collection method and a toll collection system for collecting tolls on a toll road such as an expressway.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional toll collection system, for example, the following technology is disclosed. The vehicle is equipped with an in-vehicle device for transmitting and receiving data for toll collection, and a roadside device for transmitting and receiving data for toll collection is provided at an entrance tollgate and an exit tollgate on a toll road.

An in-vehicle device can transmit an ID code (identification code) by inserting a credit card, and receives toll collection data transmitted from roadside devices provided at an entrance tollgate and an exit tollgate. It is assumed that the data can be stored. The roadside devices at the entrance tollgate and the exit tollgate are connected to the management unit via a communication line.

When a vehicle passes through an entrance tollgate, the vehicle-mounted device transmits an ID code by inserting a credit card. When receiving the ID code, the roadside device transmits the received date and time and the name of the tollgate, together with the ID code, to the vehicle-mounted device and the management unit. In-vehicle devices
The ID code, date and time, and tollgate name data transmitted from the roadside device are received and stored.

[0005] Then, when the vehicle passes through the exit tollgate,
The in-vehicle device transmits the stored ID code, date and time, and tollgate name data. When receiving the data, the roadside device calculates a toll on the toll road based on the data, and transmits data such as a toll, an exit tollgate name, and a passing time to the vehicle-mounted device and the management unit. The in-vehicle device receives and stores data such as a toll, an exit tollgate name, and a passing time transmitted from the roadside device.

[0006] At the entrance toll booth and at the exit toll booth, a traffic light and a camera are provided to monitor unauthorized passing vehicles.

With the above configuration, tolls can be collected (collected) on a toll road without using a toll ticket, so that traffic congestion can be eliminated and the toll collection destination can be specified. It is possible to collect (collect) tolls reliably.

[0008]

However, in the conventional toll collection system, communication of toll collection data is performed a plurality of times between the vehicle-mounted device on the vehicle side and the roadside devices at the entrance tollgate and the exit tollgate. In addition, the roadside device at the exit tollgate calculates tolls (financial settlement) in real time during the passage of the vehicle at the exit tollgate based on the toll collection data. Unless the passing speed at the toll gate and the exit toll gate is reduced, communication of toll collection data between the vehicle-mounted device and the roadside device and calculation of the toll at the roadside device at the exit tollgate cannot be performed. As a result, the speed at which vehicles pass through toll gates must be reduced,
There were problems such as the possibility of inducing traffic congestion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a toll collection method and a toll collection system that do not require the speed of a vehicle passing through a tollgate. .

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toll collection method comprising: obtaining vehicle identification information, vehicle type information, card information, tollgate information, and destination information from each entrance tollgate; Checks whether the vehicle is valid, calculates tolls from vehicle type information, tollgate information, and destination information, and stores vehicle identification information, vehicle type information, card information, tollgate information, destination information, and tollage Stored in the means,
Obtain vehicle identification information and tollgate information from each exit tollgate, search for the vehicle with the corresponding vehicle identification information stored in the storage unit based on the vehicle identification information, and find no corresponding vehicle , Perform the normal exit clearing process,
Also, it is checked whether or not the searched destination information of the vehicle and the tollgate information obtained from the exit tollgate match, and if they match, a billing process is performed based on the card information. Performs the normal exit clearing process.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toll collection system, comprising: card information inspection means for inspecting whether or not card information acquired from each entrance tollgate is valid; and vehicle type information acquired from each entrance tollgate. Pre-charge calculating means for calculating tolls from tollgate information and destination information, and storing vehicle identification information, vehicle type information, card information, tollgate information, destination information, and tolls obtained from each entrance tollgate A storage means, a scheduled toll data search means for searching for a vehicle having the corresponding vehicle identification information stored based on the vehicle identification information obtained from each exit tollgate, and a normal operation when the corresponding vehicle is not searched. Exit exit clearing process,
In addition, it is checked whether the searched destination information of the vehicle and the tollgate information obtained from the exit tollgate match, and if they match, a billing process is performed based on the card information. Is provided with a billing processing means for performing a normal exit clearing process.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toll collection system, wherein vehicle identification information, card information, and destination information are transmitted from a vehicle-mounted device.

[0013] The toll collection system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention also acquires vehicle exterior information from each entrance tollgate and each exit tollgate, and when the toll processing means performs exit clearing processing, the vehicle exterior information is obtained. It is to collate.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a toll collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the toll collection system management unit 1 includes each toll gate 2 of a toll road.
And the roadside device (not shown) provided at each exit tollgate 3 through a communication line, and the entrance information 4 transmitted from the roadside device at each entrance tollgate 2 and the roadside device at each exit tollgate 3 Receives the exit information 5 transmitted from the
Based on the entrance information and exit information (hereinafter, the entrance information and exit information are referred to as toll collection data), the toll collection system of the present invention is managed.

The entrance information 4 transmitted from the roadside device of each entrance tollgate 2 to the toll collection system management unit 1 includes vehicle identification information, vehicle type information, card information, destination information, vehicle appearance information, and tollgate information. ing. Further, the exit information 5 transmitted from the roadside device of each exit tollgate 3 to the toll collection system management unit 1 includes vehicle identification information, vehicle appearance information, and tollgate information.

The vehicle identification information is information for uniquely (uniquely) identifying a passing vehicle (for example, a license plate number of a vehicle or an individual number of a vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle). Vehicle type information is the vehicle type of the passing vehicle (large, small, etc.)
Is information for identifying The card information is information on the number of a card (for example, a credit card, a cash card, or the like) that pays a passing fee. The destination information is information on the exit tollgate 3 scheduled for the passing vehicle. The vehicle appearance information is information on characteristic points such as the color and the length of the passing vehicle. The tollgate information is information of a tollgate (an entrance tollgate 2 or an exit tollgate 3) through which the vehicle passes.

The vehicle identification information, vehicle type information, card information and destination information are transmitted from a vehicle-mounted device (not shown) mounted on each vehicle. The vehicle appearance information captures an image of a vehicle passing by cameras installed at the entrance tollgate 2 and the exit tollgate 3, and is identified by the roadside device from image data of the captured image. The tollgate information is set in the roadside device of each entrance tollgate 2 and each exit tollgate 3 respectively.

In the toll collection system management section 1, the card information checking means 11 checks whether or not the card information transmitted from the entrance tollgate 2 is valid. The toll is calculated from the vehicle type information, the tollgate information, and the destination information transmitted from the tollgate 2. Scheduled receipt data storage means (storage means) 13 includes entrance information transmitted from each entrance tollgate 2,
And toll data calculated by the advance fee calculating means 12 (hereinafter, the entrance information and toll data are referred to as scheduled receipt data) are stored in a scheduled receipt database (storage means) 16.

Scheduled receipt data search means (search means) 14
Is for retrieving the scheduled receipt data of the corresponding vehicle identification information stored in the scheduled receipt database 16 based on the vehicle identification information transmitted from the exit tollgate 3 (using the vehicle identification information as a key).

The charge request processing means 15 performs a normal exit clearing process when the corresponding scheduled collection data retrieval means 14 does not find the corresponding scheduled collection data. Further, the toll request processing means 15 includes the destination information (information on the exit tollgate) in the entrance information 4 retrieved by the scheduled toll collection data retrieval means 14 and the exit information 5 transmitted from the exit tollgate 3. Check if the tollgate information matches or not, and if so, charge the billing process based on the card information in the entrance information 4; otherwise, perform the normal exit clearing process It is.

Next, the operation of the toll collection system (toll collection method) will be described. When the vehicle passes through the entrance tollgate 2, vehicle identification information, vehicle type information, card information, and destination information are transmitted from the in-vehicle device to the roadside device of the entrance tollgate 2. It should be noted that the vehicle type information such as whether the vehicle is large or small can be omitted from the in-vehicle device if it can be automatically determined by, for example, an image captured by the camera at the entrance tollgate 2. is there. The destination information, which is the information of the exit tollgate 3 planned by the vehicle, is transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device via car navigation, or via another input device (for example, a keypad or voice input). It is also possible to configure to transmit from the in-vehicle device.

The roadside device at the entrance tollgate 2 receives the vehicle identification information, vehicle type information, card information, and destination information transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device. Further, the camera at the entrance tollgate 2 captures an image of the passing vehicle, and the roadside device identifies vehicle appearance information, which is information on vehicle characteristic points such as the color and length of the vehicle, from the image data of the captured image. . Note that the vehicle appearance information needs to be information that can be read at high speed by the roadside device.

The roadside device of the entrance tollgate 2 adds entrance information obtained by adding preset tollgate information to the vehicle identification information, vehicle type information, card information, destination information, and vehicle appearance information thus obtained. , To the toll collection system management unit 1 via a communication line.

When the toll collection system management unit 1 receives the entrance information, as shown in FIG.
Inspects whether the card information in the entrance information 4 is valid (step ST1), and
Calculates a toll in advance from the vehicle type information, tollgate information, and destination information in the entrance information 4 (step S).
T2). Then, the scheduled receipt data storage unit 13 saves the scheduled receipt data thus obtained in the scheduled receipt database 16.

[0025] Incidentally, a vehicle not equipped with an on-vehicle device cannot transmit a vehicle identification number or a card number. Therefore, the vehicle receives a toll ticket at the gate of the entrance tollgate 2 and enters a toll road.

Next, when the vehicle passes through the exit tollgate 3,
The vehicle identification information is transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device to the roadside device at the entrance tollgate 3. Further, the camera at the entrance tollgate 2 captures an image of the passing vehicle, and the roadside device identifies vehicle appearance information, which is information on vehicle characteristic points such as the color and length of the vehicle, from the image data of the captured image. .

The roadside device of the exit tollgate 3 communicates to the toll collection system management unit 1 the exit information 5 obtained by adding preset tollgate information to the vehicle identification information and vehicle appearance information thus obtained. Send via line.

When the toll collection system management unit 1 receives the exit information 5, as shown in FIG. 3, the scheduled collection data search means 14 uses the vehicle identification information in the exit information 5 (keys the vehicle identification information). ), And retrieves the scheduled receipt data of the corresponding vehicle identification information stored in the scheduled receipt database 16 (step ST4).

As a result of the search, if there is no scheduled toll collection data of the corresponding vehicle identification information, it can be determined that the vehicle is a vehicle that is committing fraud, and the billing processing means 15 performs the exit clearing process. Is performed (step ST7).
When performing the exit clearing process, an instruction is issued to the driver of the vehicle by a traffic light or the like to prompt the exit to be cleared. Unauthorized vehicles that do not perform the exit clearing process are identified from the vehicle appearance information collation or the image from the security camera, and a toll is collected at a later date.

Incidentally, in the case of a vehicle that has entered a toll road with a toll ticket, an exit clearing process using the toll ticket is performed at the gate of the toll gate 3.

On the other hand, as a result of the search, if there is scheduled collection data of the corresponding vehicle identification information, the billing processing means 15
Checks whether the destination information in the entrance information 4 matches the tollgate information in the exit information 5 (step ST5). Then, when they match, the fee billing processing means 15 performs the following based on the card information in the entrance information 4.
A billing process for billing a toll calculated in advance is performed (step ST6). This billing process is a process for automatically deducting a toll from a card information account or the like at a later date.

If they do not match, the billing processing means 1
5 performs exit settlement processing (step ST7). The outlet clearing process, as described in the prior art, the roadside apparatus exit toll gate 3, on the basis of the toll collection data, calculates the toll of a toll road, the liquidation of toll in the exit toll gate 3 This is the process to be performed.

In the toll collection system according to the above-described embodiment, the exit information is transmitted from the roadside device of each exit tollgate 3 to the toll collection system management unit 1 via a communication line. The toll collection system management unit 1 may be provided at the toll booth 3 in a distributed manner so that the exit information need not be transmitted. In this case, since the toll collection system management unit 1 does not collectively manage the toll booths, it is possible to reduce the amount of data to be managed and improve the data processing speed.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
When the vehicle passes through toll booths 2 and 3, only transmission of toll collection data from the in-vehicle device is performed, that is, communication of toll collection data between the in-vehicle device and the roadside device is not performed a plurality of times.
When the vehicle passes through the exit tollgate 3, the roadside device of the exit tollgate 3 does not calculate the toll, so that it is not necessary to reduce the passing speed when the vehicle passes through the tollgates 2 and 3. There is no danger of traffic congestion when passing through toll gates 2 and 3.

Further, vehicle identification information, vehicle type information, card information, destination information in the entrance information, and vehicle identification information in the exit information are transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device.
Each of the above information can be reliably obtained.

Further, since the vehicle appearance information is obtained by the cameras provided at the toll booths 2 and 3, it is possible to minimize the passage of unauthorized vehicles.

Further, by monitoring the vehicle with the security camera, it is possible to further prevent unauthorized vehicles from passing.

[0038]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, vehicle identification information, vehicle type information, card information, tollgate information, and destination information are obtained from each entrance tollgate, and the card information is valid. It checks whether or not the vehicle type, the tollgate information, and the destination information, calculates the toll, and stores the vehicle identification information, the vehicle type information, the card information, the tollgate information, the destination information, and the toll in the storage means. Save, obtain vehicle identification information and tollgate information from each exit tollgate, search for the vehicle with the corresponding vehicle identification information stored in the storage means based on the vehicle identification information, and find the corresponding vehicle. If not, perform normal exit clearing processing, and confirm whether the searched destination information of the vehicle matches the tollgate information obtained from the exit tollgate, and if they match,
Toll processing is performed based on the card information, and if they do not match, normal exit clearing processing is performed, so there is no need to reduce the passing speed when the vehicle passes through the toll gate, and as a result, This has the effect of eliminating the possibility of causing traffic congestion.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, card information inspection means for inspecting whether the card information acquired from each entrance tollgate is valid, vehicle type information acquired from each entrance tollgate, and tollgate Information and pre-payment calculation means for calculating tolls from destination information, vehicle identification information, vehicle type information, card information, tollgate information,
Storage means for storing destination information and tolls; and scheduled toll data search means for searching for vehicles of the corresponding vehicle identification information stored based on vehicle identification information obtained from each exit tollgate; If the vehicle is not found, the normal exit checkout process is performed, and the destination information of the searched vehicle and the tollgate information obtained from the exit tollgate are checked to see if they match, and if they match, Is provided with a billing processing means for performing a billing process based on the card information, and performing a normal exit clearing process if the two do not match. Therefore, there is no need to lower the passing speed, and as a result, there is no danger of causing traffic congestion when passing through the tollgate.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the vehicle identification information, the card information, and the destination information are transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device, so that various types of information can be reliably obtained. .

According to the invention described in claim 4, the vehicle appearance information is also obtained from each of the entrance tollgates and each of the exit tollgates, and the vehicle appearance information is collated when the toll request processing means performs the exit clearing process. This has the effect of preventing the passage of unauthorized vehicles as much as possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a toll collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a fee collection system management unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a fee collection system management unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toll collection system management part 2 Entrance tollgate 3 Exit tollgate 11 Card information inspection means 12 Prepaid fee calculation means 13 Scheduled receipt data storage means (storage means) 14 Scheduled receipt data search means (search means) 15 Charge request processing means 16 Scheduled receipt database (storage means)

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. Acquiring vehicle identification information, vehicle type information, card information, tollgate information, and destination information from each entrance tollgate, inspecting whether or not the card information is valid; A toll is calculated from the tollgate information and the destination information, and the vehicle identification information, the vehicle type information, the card information, the tollgate information, the destination information, and the toll fee are stored in a storage unit. acquires vehicle identification information and the tollgate information from toll based on the vehicle identification information, searches the vehicle of the vehicle identification information corresponding stored in said storage means, the destination information search by vehicle And whether the tollgate information obtained from the exit tollgate matches, and if they match , a pre-calculation is performed based on the card information.
Is calculated performs billing processing toll stored in said storing means, if they do not match, toll at the exit tollgate
A toll collection method comprising calculating a toll and performing a toll settlement process. 2. Card information inspection means for inspecting whether or not card information acquired from each entrance tollgate is valid, vehicle type information, tollgate information acquired from each entrance tollgate,
And a toll calculating means for calculating a toll from the destination information, and storing the vehicle identification information, the vehicle type information, the card information, the tollgate information, the destination information, and the toll obtained from each of the entrance tollgates. Storage means for searching, a search means for searching for a vehicle of the corresponding vehicle identification information stored based on the vehicle identification information obtained from each exit tollgate, and the destination information of the vehicle searched by the search means And whether the tollgate information obtained from the exit tollgate matches, and if they match, the card information
Based on the toll calculated by the advance fee calculation means , and if they do not match , calculate the toll
A toll collection system comprising a toll billing processing unit for performing a toll settlement process calculated based on the calculated toll. 3. The toll collection system according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle identification information, the card information, and the destination information are transmitted from a vehicle-mounted device. 4. The vehicle appearance information is also obtained from each entrance tollgate and each exit tollgate, and the toll processing means calculates the toll.
4. The toll collection system according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle appearance information is collated when the toll is paid out and the toll is cleared.