JP3592770B2 - Toll collection system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an improvement of a toll collection system that collects a toll on a toll road in a non-contact manner using a radio or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a system using a wireless card has been developed as a contactless collection system for tolls at tollgates on toll roads such as expressways.
In this system, for example, between a ground station (toll processor) installed at a tollgate and a wireless card mounted in a vehicle entering the tollgate, toll collection by wireless communication is not performed. Done by contact. Entrance information (entrance interchange number etc.) is recorded on the wireless card used in this system. The toll is settled at the exit tollgate based on the recorded entrance information and vehicle type. When such a system is used, it is not necessary to stop the vehicle at the time of collecting the toll, and congestion at the tollgate can be prevented or reduced.
[0003]
However, if the entrance information transmitted from the tollgate ground station is not recorded on the passing vehicle wireless card, the following measures are taken. That is, the user (vehicle driver) is notified that the entry information has failed to be recorded by turning on the tollgate signal light or via a display mounted on the vehicle. Furthermore, the passage of a vehicle for which entry information has failed to be recorded is blocked by a circuit breaker or the like, and an attendant responds.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, signal lights, indicators, or circuit breakers may not operate effectively. In such a case, the vehicle that failed to record the entrance information flows into the main line of the highway as it is. Then, for vehicles without entrance information, the fare cannot be settled at the exit tollgate (it is unknown from which interchange the toll road was used because the entrance information is not recorded). Therefore, work such as hearing the situation for limiting the entrance interchange to the user may occur, and serious trouble may occur between the user and the business owner (toll road manager side).
[0005]
Further, if the equipment is duplicated for each lane at the entrance tollgate to improve the reliability of the system, the system becomes expensive.
An object of the present invention is to provide a toll collection system capable of more securely transmitting entrance information to a passing vehicle or the like without contacting a vehicle without duplicating equipment.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a toll collection system according to the present invention includes a first step of transmitting first information necessary for calculating a road toll for a vehicle traveling on a toll road, and a part of the first information. A second step of transmitting the corresponding second information; and receiving the first information and the second information transmitted in the first step and the second step in a non-contact manner; A third step in which the information is preferentially stored and the stored information moves together with the vehicle; and the information moved in the third step is fetched. If the fetched information includes the first information, the first information Calculating a toll on the toll road based on the toll road, and calculating the toll on the toll road based on the second information if the captured information does not include the first information but does include the second information; It is provided.
[0007]
[Action]
The first information may include entrance interchange information that specifies the tollgate (entrance tollgate), time information when the vehicle passes through the tollgate, and other information about the passing vehicle. The information can include at least the entrance interchange information. When the first information is normally received by the non-contact medium (the receiving means) of the passing vehicle, the first information is stored in the non-contact medium (the storage means). If the first information is not normally received by the non-contact medium (the receiving means) of the passing vehicle for some reason, the second information is stored in the non-contact means (the receiving means).
[0008]
In this case, the non-contact medium (the storage unit) of the vehicle that has passed the tollgate (the entrance tollgate) stores the entrance information in the first information or the second information as long as the device itself (hardware) does not fail. You will almost certainly memorize interchange information. Then, when this vehicle passes through another tollgate (exit tollgate), it is determined from which tollgate the vehicle came from based on the entrance interchange information in the non-contact medium (the storage means) moving with the vehicle. Prove. That is, although the equipment (hardware) is not duplicated, the information transmission / reception procedure (software) is duplicated, and the same high reliability as that obtained when the equipment is duplicated is obtained. be able to.
[0009]
Therefore, according to the toll collection system of the present invention, it is possible to greatly reduce the trouble that the toll cannot be settled at the exit tollgate.
Further, the rampway antenna (11) and the rampway wireless processor (12) provided for transmitting the second information are common to all vehicles equipped with the non-contact medium (8). The system can be constructed at low cost.
[0010]
【Example】
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a facility arrangement configuration at a tollgate on a toll expressway employing a wireless toll collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a vehicle detection device 1 that measures the approach / reverse of each vehicle 7 and the number of axes of the vehicle 7 (the number of wheels when the vehicle is viewed from the side) at the entrance tollgate (ground station) in FIG. And an antenna 2 for exchanging (transmitting and receiving) information using wireless communication with a wireless card 8 as a radio wave receiving unit mounted on the vehicle 7, and controlling the antenna 2 (for transmitting and receiving information necessary for fee processing). Processing unit 3), a charge processing unit 4 that performs charge processing by a clerk (processing when charge processing cannot be performed wirelessly), and a processing result (wireless A signal lamp 5 for displaying the result of whether or not transmission / reception has been completed) and a blocking gate 6 that opens and closes according to the processing result and prevents the vehicle 7 from starting are provided. Note that the arrow in the figure indicates the traveling direction of the vehicle.
[0011]
In addition, the rampway section 10 of the toll road includes a rampway antenna 11 that always transmits information unilaterally to all vehicles passing through the communication area D of the rampway entrance A, and a rampway antenna 11. A rampway wireless processor 12 for performing direction control / operation control is provided.
[0012]
On the other hand, a vehicle 7 that intends to use the wireless toll collection system according to one embodiment of the present invention is equipped with a wireless card 8 that receives radio waves from the antenna 2.
In the wireless communication from the antenna 2 to the wireless card 8, for example, a microwave in a GHz band (about 1 to 40 GHz) using a magnetron is used to transmit necessary information by narrowing the directivity to a specific vehicle 7. Is done.
[0013]
The directivity of the lampway antenna 11 is wider than the directivity of the antenna 2 at the tollgate. In the wireless communication from the antenna 11 to the wireless card 8, a frequency band slightly lower than the microwave used in the antenna 2 in order to widely transmit information to all vehicles (vehicles with a wireless card) passing through the rampway entrance A. Powerful high-frequency radio waves are used.
[0014]
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an example of information recorded or stored in the wireless card 8. FIG. 2A illustrates first information transmitted from the antenna 2, and FIG. Indicates the second information to be performed.
[0015]
The first information transmitted from the antenna 2 and recorded in the internal memory (not shown) of the wireless card 8 includes, for example, an entrance interchange (IC) number (5 digits), a vehicle type setting (1 digit), an entrance date, There are hour and minute (8 digits), handling receipt number (4 digits), vehicle number (2 digits), and number of axes (1 digit).
[0016]
The second information transmitted from the lampway antenna 11 and recorded in the internal memory of the wireless card 8 includes, for example, an entrance interchange number (5 digits) and an entrance month / day / hour / minute (8 digits).
[0017]
Since the second information is transmitted in common to all the vehicles 7 passing through the rampway entrance A, specific information such as a vehicle type setting and a vehicle number is not included. Instead, the second information includes at least information specifying the interchange number of the entrance tollgate, or from which tollgate the vehicle 7 has entered the main road of the expressway.
[0018]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the communication area D of the lampway antenna 11.
This interchange includes a ramp way entrance A and a ramp way exit B (arrows → indicate the traveling direction of the vehicle).
[0019]
The rampway entrance A includes an entrance lane a1, an entrance lane a2, and a rampway antenna 11. The hatched area D indicates the communicable area of the lampway antenna 11. The ramp way exit B is composed of an exit lane b1 and an exit lane b2.
[0020]
The vehicle 7 using this interchange enters from the entrance lane a1 (or a2). At a1, the entrance tollgate described in FIG. 1 is installed. The first information in FIG. 2A is transmitted from the antenna 2 at the entrance tollgate to each specific vehicle 7. Further, the second information shown in FIG. 2B is transmitted to an unspecified number of vehicles 7 in the communicable area D of the rampway entrance A.
[0021]
When the vehicle 7 (vehicle entered by the wireless toll collection system) that has entered from another interchange exits this interchange, it exits from the exit lane b1 (or b2) via the rampway exit B. An exit tollgate having the same configuration as the entrance tollgate described with reference to FIG. 1 is provided in the lane b1. At this exit tollgate, a toll is calculated and collected based on the first entrance information or the second entrance information recorded at the entrance tollgate. This charge calculation and collection processing is executed by a computer (CPU (not shown)) inside the wireless processor 3 or the charge processor 4.
[0022]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the information transmission operation of the wireless toll collection system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The control of this flowchart is executed by, for example, a CPU (not shown) inside the wireless processor 3.
[0023]
When the vehicle detection device 1 provided at the entrance tollgate detects the entry of the vehicle 7 (step ST10), the vehicle type, vehicle number, and the like of the entering vehicle 7 are input by the collection and reception staff (step ST12). At this time, it is determined whether or not the wireless card 8 is mounted on the approaching vehicle 7 by the wireless communication emitted from the antenna 2 (step ST14).
[0024]
When the wireless card 8 is mounted on the approaching vehicle (Yes in step ST14), the first information is transmitted from the antenna 2 to the wireless card 8 of the approaching vehicle 7 (step ST16). When the transmission of the first information is normally performed (Yes in step ST18), a green signal is lit on the signal lamp 5 (step ST20), the blocking gate 6 is opened (step ST22), and the entering vehicle 7 starts (step ST24).
[0025]
If the wireless card 8 is not mounted on the approaching vehicle 7 (No in step ST14), a toll ticket is issued through the processing of the toll processor 4 (step ST28). Thereafter, a green signal is lit on the signal light 5 (step ST20), the blocking gate 6 opens (step ST22), and the entering vehicle 7 starts (step ST24).
[0026]
When the wireless card 8 is mounted on the approaching vehicle (Yes in Step ST14), if the transmission of the first information is not performed normally (No in Step ST18), a red signal is lit on the signal lamp 5 (Step ST30), The buzzer provided on the wireless card 8 sounds (step ST32), and the driver of the approaching vehicle 7 is notified that the transmission of the first information was not performed normally. Further, the blocking gate 6 is closed (step ST34), and the start of the vehicle 7 is blocked.
[0027]
If the vehicle 7 is stopped because the communication of the first information has not been normally completed (Yes in step ST36), an office (entrance tollgate) is handled according to the instruction of the attendant (step ST38). For example, an attendant records the first information on the wireless card 8 using another system. Thereafter, the vehicle 7 starts (step ST24).
[0028]
However, the operations of steps ST30 to ST34 are delayed, so that the traffic of the vehicle 7 is not blocked (NO in step ST36), and the vehicle may start (step ST24).
[0029]
In the rampway entrance A, the second information is constantly transmitted from the rampway antenna 11 to the wireless card 8 (step ST26). For this reason, even if the vehicle 7 that has not been able to receive the first information correctly starts by mistake (step ST24), the vehicle 7 can receive the second information (backup operation of information transmission). Since the second information includes an entrance interchange number and the like which are indispensable for the payment of the fare, the payment at the exit tollgate is possible.
[0030]
The transmission of the second information in step ST26 is always performed for an unspecified number of vehicles, and is not performed only for the wireless card 8 of the vehicle that has failed to receive the first information.
[0031]
In addition, when the backup operation of the information transmission on the ramp way entrance A (step ST26) is sufficient, the traffic blocking / office correspondence in steps ST30 to ST38 may not be performed.
[0032]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the information receiving / recording operation of the wireless toll collection system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The control of this flowchart is executed by a CPU (not shown) inside the wireless card 8.
[0033]
The first information from the antenna 2 is received by the wireless card 8 of the vehicle 7 (step ST50), and if this reception is normally performed (yes in step ST52), the effect is returned from the wireless card 8 to the antenna 2. (Step ST56) The successfully received first information is stored (recorded) in a memory (not shown) inside the wireless card 8 (Step ST58).
[0034]
When the first information from the antenna 2 is not normally received by the wireless card 8 of the vehicle 7 (No in step ST52), the first information is not stored (recorded) in the internal memory of the wireless card 8 (step ST52). Step ST58).
[0035]
The vehicle 7 that has started at the entrance tollgate must pass through the communication area D of the rampway entrance A as shown in FIG. 3 before entering the main line of the toll road. When passing through the area D, the wireless card 8 of the vehicle 7 receives the second information from the lampway antenna 11 (step ST60).
[0036]
If the first information from the antenna 2 has already been stored in the internal memory of the wireless card 8 of the vehicle 7 (Yes in step ST62), the second information received from the antenna 11 is discarded as it is (step ST64). That is, the information stored in the wireless card 8 has a higher priority on the first information than on the second information.
[0037]
When the wireless card 8 of the vehicle 7 has failed to receive the first information from the antenna 2 (No in step ST52) and the first information is not stored in the internal memory of the wireless card 8 (No in step ST62). ), The second information received from the antenna 11 is stored (recorded) in the internal memory of the wireless card 8 (step ST66).
[0038]
Thus, the vehicle 7 having the wireless card 8 storing the first information or the second information enters the main line of the toll road, and passes therefrom to a desired exit tollgate (step ST68).
[0039]
From the wireless card 8 of the vehicle 7 entering the exit lane (b1 or b2 in FIG. 3) of the exit tollgate, the first information or the second information stored therein is transmitted to the antenna 2 of the exit tollgate. (Step ST70). The first information or the second information received by the antenna 2 is transferred to the wireless processor 3 at the exit tollgate or the internal CPU of the toll processor 4, where exit processing such as calculation and collection of tolls is performed (step). ST72). When this exit processing is completed, an erasure command is transferred from the antenna 2 at the exit tollgate to the wireless card 8 of the vehicle 7, and the first information or the second information stored in the internal memory of the wireless card 8 is erased (step). ST74). That is, the stored contents of the wireless card 8 of the vehicle 7 that has exited the exit tollgate after the normal processing have returned to the state before the use of the toll road.
[0040]
In order to prevent the driver of the vehicle 7 from using the wireless card 8 improperly, the internal memory of the wireless card 8 is protected so that it is not possible to write and delete without permission.
Further, as information communication means between the vehicle and the tollgate, an ultrasonic wave can be used other than the radio wave.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a toll collection system having the following effects can be provided.
(1) The number of vehicles that do not have entrance information and flow into the main line can be reduced, and the trouble that payment cannot be settled at the exit toll gate can be reduced.
[0042]
(2) A backup system exhibiting the same reliability as a backup system in which equipment is duplicated for each entrance lane can be realized at low cost without being affected by the number of entrance lanes at a tollgate.
[0043]
(3) Since the entrance information transmission / reception can be backed up without using equipment of a device for controlling the start of the vehicle, such as a signal light and a blocking machine, it is possible to reduce the equipment cost of a tollgate.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toll collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an example of information transmitted / recorded on a wireless card 8 provided in a vehicle 7 in FIG. 1; FIG. 2A illustrates information (first information) transmitted from an antenna 8; , (B) shows information (second information) transmitted from the lampway antenna 11.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a communication area of a rampway antenna 11.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a system operation on the tollgate side in the toll collection system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation on the vehicle wireless card side in the toll collection system of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle detection device 2 ... Antenna 3 ... Wireless processor 4 ... Charge processor 5 ... Signal light 6 ... Blocking gate 7 ... Vehicle 8 ... Wireless card (non-contact medium (receiving means, storage means))
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Lampway antenna 12 ... Lampway radio processor A ... Lampway entrance B ... Lampway exit D ... Communication area 10 ... Lampway part a1, a2 ... Entrance lane b1, b2 ... Exit lane 2, 3 ... First information transmitting means 11, 12 ... Second information transmitting means

Claims (6)

  A first step of transmitting first information necessary for calculating a road toll for a vehicle traveling on a toll road;
  A second step of transmitting second information corresponding to a part of the first information;
  The first information and the second information transmitted in the first step and the second step are received in a non-contact manner, and the first information is stored with priority over the second information, and the stored information is A third step of moving with the vehicle,
  Fetching the information moved in the third step, and if the fetched information includes the first information, calculating a toll for the toll road based on the first information; and the fetched information does not include the first information. Calculating a toll on the toll road based on the second information if the second information includes the second information.   A first step of transmitting first information necessary for calculating a road toll to a passing vehicle at an entrance tollgate on a toll road, and a second step of transmitting second information corresponding to a part of the first information. Two steps,
  In a wireless device mounted on a vehicle, a receiving step of contactlessly receiving the first information and the second information transmitted in the first step and the second step; and a step of receiving the first information and the second information. A storage step of storing
  An information receiving step of receiving information stored in the wireless device at an exit tollgate on a toll road; and, when the received information includes the first information, the toll on the toll road based on the first information. And calculating the toll road toll based on the second information if the received information does not include the first information but does include the second information. Receipt method.   The first information includes at least entrance interchange information that specifies the tollgate and time information when the vehicle passes through the tollgate, and the second information includes the entrance interchange information. The method of claim 2, wherein the charge is collected.   The first information includes entrance interchange information for specifying the tollgate, time information for the vehicle to pass through the tollgate, and information representing characteristics of the vehicle, and the second information includes the entrance interchange information and the 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein time information is included.   Mounted on passing vehicles,
  Receiving means capable of receiving first information necessary for calculating a road toll transmitted at an entrance tollgate of a toll road, and second information corresponding to a part of the first information;
  Storage means for storing the first information and the second information received by the receiving means in preference to the second information;
  When the first information is stored in the storage unit, the first information is transmitted to the exit tollgate side to calculate the toll of the vehicle at the exit tollgate on the toll road. A wireless device comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits the second information when the second information is stored without storing the first information.   Mounted on passing vehicles,
  Receiving means capable of receiving first information necessary for calculating a road toll transmitted at an entrance tollgate of a toll road, and second information corresponding to a part of the first information;
  Regarding the first information and the second information received by the receiving means, when the first information is stored, the second information is not stored, and the second information is received without storing the first information. Sometimes a storage means for storing the second information,
  When the first information is stored in the storage unit, the first information is transmitted to the exit tollgate side to calculate the toll of the vehicle at the exit tollgate on the toll road. A wireless device comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits the second information when the second information is stored without storing the first information.

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