JP3705037B2 - Communication apparatus and fee system using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication device, an information center, and a fee system using them for detecting entry into a paid facility such as a vehicle and calculating a usage fee.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, congestion at toll gates such as toll roads has become a major social problem. Therefore, various fee systems have been proposed to solve this problem.
[0003]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a conventional fee system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-195536. In the figure, 29 is a toll road main line, 30 is a toll road entrance, 31 is a taxiway from the toll road entrance 30 to the toll road main line 29 (hereinafter referred to as an entrance side taxiway), 32 is a toll road exit, and 33 is a toll. A taxiway from the main road 29 to the toll road exit 32 (hereinafter referred to as “exit side taxiway”), 34 is an entrance terminal installed near the toll road entrance 30, 35a to 35c are vehicles, and 36a to 36c are vehicles 35a. A wireless card mounted on a windshield of 35 to 35c, 37 an information reading device installed on the exit-side taxiway 33, 38 an exit terminal device installed near the toll road exit 32, 39 a center computer, 27 communication It is a satellite.
[0004]
Next, the operation will be described. The entrance terminal device 34 issues a wireless card 36a to the vehicle 35a that has entered the entrance-side taxiway 31. The wireless card 36a stores an identification number of the wireless card 36a, an identification number of the entrance terminal device 34, and the like (hereinafter referred to as entrance information). The driver of the vehicle 35a enters the toll road main line 29 after mounting the wireless card 36a on the windshield.
[0005]
The information reading device 37 reads the entrance information from the wireless card 36b of the vehicle 35b that has entered the exit-side taxiway 33 from the toll road main line 29. Then, the entrance information and the identification number of the information reading device 37 are transmitted to the center computer 39. Transmission is performed via the communication satellite 27.
[0006]
The center computer 39 receives the signal from the information reading device 37 and calculates the toll for the vehicle 35b. The center computer 39 records a toll table for each section and vehicle type throughout the country. The calculated toll is transmitted to the exit terminal device 38 via the communication satellite 27 together with the entrance information.
[0007]
The exit terminal device 38 reads the entrance information from the wireless card 36c of the vehicle 35c once stopped there. Then, the read entrance information is collated with the transmission data from the center computer 39 described above, and a toll is collected. Toll collection is performed by delivery of cash (that is, banknotes, coins) and the like.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional toll system alleviates the traffic jam by calculating the toll before the vehicle reaches the exit terminal device 38 in advance.
[0009]
However, in recent years, with the extension of the toll road network, the number of entrances has increased enormously, and new infrastructure facilities (for example, the information reading device 37 shown in FIG. 3) are provided at the respective locations. It costs a lot to prepare.
[0010]
  The present invention has been made to solve such problems,Provided is a toll road toll collection system that can be realized at low cost, particularly an in-vehicle communication device used in the toll collection system.
[0011]
  In-vehicle communication device according to the present inventionIs based on the in-vehicle communication device mounted on each vehicle and the toll road usage fee of each vehicle based on the location information transmitted from each in-vehicle communication device and the individual identification code transmitted from each in-vehicle communication device An in-vehicle communication device used in a toll road toll collection system comprising: an information center that performs processing for deducting the calculated usage fee from a financial account corresponding to the individual identification code, A database for storing the position of the first taxiway to the main road of the toll road and the position of the second taxiway to the gates provided at the exit of the toll road, and a signal from the positioning satellite A receiving unit that detects a current position based on a received signal from a positioning satellite, and the detected current position and the database stored in the database When the position of one taxiway coincides, the individual identification code and the position information indicating the current position are transmitted to the information center via a communication satellite, and the detected current position and the database are stored in the database. When the stored position of the second taxiway coincides, a settlement request including the individual identification code and position information indicating the current position is sent to the information center via the communication satellite before entering the gate. A transmission unit that transmits the code, a reception unit that receives a code corresponding to the settlement request from the information center before entering the gate, and a code that corresponds to the received settlement request is output from the toll road Transmitter that is installed in the terminal and transmits to the unexited device that captures images of vehicles that pass through each gate illegallyWith.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same or equivalent part as a conventional thing, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0019]
Embodiment 1 FIG.
The toll system according to the first embodiment of the present invention detects that the host vehicle has entered the highway using a positioning system using a satellite (that is, a satellite navigation system). As positioning systems using satellites, for example, there are GPS (Global Positioning System), GLONASS (Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System), and the like. Hereinafter, the case where GPS is used will be described.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a fee system according to the first embodiment. In the figure, 1a to 1c are communication devices mounted on vehicles 35a to 35c, 2 is an information center, 3 is a GPS satellite, 4 is an exit terminal device, 5a and 5b are imaging devices provided in the exit terminal device 4, 6 Is a toll booth where staff members are stationed and collect tolls in cash. The vicinity of the toll road exit is composed of a plurality of branched gates (paths) 7a to 7d, and an imaging device 5 or a toll gate 6 is installed beside each of the gates 7a to 7d. A predetermined code is associated with each of the gates 7a to 7d. For example, gate numbers such as 1, 2, 3,... And alphabet codes such as A, B, C. A code associated with such a gate (hereinafter referred to as a gate code) is notified to the driver by any means such as a signboard display. 28 is a pass ticket issuing device installed for vehicles that do not use the toll system, and issues a magnetic card in which information for identifying a toll road entrance is recorded.
[0021]
First, an outline of the fee system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The communication device 1a in FIG. 1 detects that the vehicle 35a has entered the entrance-side taxiway 31 using GPS. When an approach is detected, an identification code (hereinafter referred to as an individual identification code) of the communication device 1a and an entrance identification code described later are transmitted to the information center 2. Thereby, it is possible to monitor a vehicle entering the toll road at a low cost.
[0022]
Here, the entrance identification code is a code for identifying the entrance-side taxiway 31 (that is, the toll road entrance) into which the communication device 1a has entered. In the first embodiment, GPS data is used as the entrance identification code. Use. By using the GPS data as the entrance identification code, it is possible to prevent the use of an unauthorized entrance identification code. Details of the GPS data will be described later.
[0023]
The communication device 1a uses satellite communication as a communication means with the information center 2. Thereby, this system can be made to correspond to a wide range including a mountainous area.
[0024]
The information center 2 confirms the codes (that is, the individual identification code and the entrance identification code) transmitted from these communication devices 1a and returns a confirmation code. The information center 2 stores and holds these confirmation code, individual identification code, and entrance identification code. The confirmation code is a serial number assigned to each communication device 1a that has entered the entrance-side taxiway 31 in ascending order.
[0025]
The communication device 1b detects that the vehicle 35b has entered the exit-side taxiway 33 using GPS. When an approach is detected, data necessary for charge calculation is transmitted to the information center 2. This makes it possible to monitor a vehicle that is about to leave the toll road at a low cost. Further, since the charge calculation can be completed in advance in the information center 2 before the vehicle reaches the gates 7a to 7d, the traffic congestion caused by the charge calculation time can be alleviated.
[0026]
The data necessary for the settlement is, for example, the above-described individual identification code, confirmation code, and exit side taxiway identification code. The exit-side taxiway identification code is a code for identifying the exit-side taxiway 33 into which the communication device 1b has entered, and is GPS data received at the position of the exit-side taxiway 33 in the first embodiment. .
[0027]
The information center 2 settles the fee based on the transmitted data (that is, data necessary for fee calculation). The settlement is performed by deducting the calculated fee from the user's designated account. This settlement process may be performed when the fee calculation is completed, or may be performed when it is confirmed that the communication device 1b has passed through the gates 7a to 7d. Details of the latter case, that is, the case where the settlement process is performed at the time of confirmation of passing the gate will be described later.
[0028]
After calculating the fee, the information center 2 returns a signal designating the gate to be passed to the communication device 1. More specifically, at least one of a plurality of gates 7a to 7d existing at the toll road exit is selected and the gate code is transmitted. The communication device 1b specifies the gate position to be passed from the received gate code, and guides the vehicle 35b to that position. The guidance is performed by displaying a map near the gate or by voice guidance. The correspondence between the gate code and the gate position is stored in the first database 9.
[0029]
If the gate position is transmitted instead of the gate code, it is not necessary to previously store the correspondence between the gate code and the gate position in the first database 9. Even when the number of gates is increased or the gate position is changed, only the second database 19 of the information center 2 needs to be changed, and the maintenance of this system is easy.
[0030]
Next, GPS will be briefly described. GPS is the ability to accurately measure the current position and current time by simultaneously receiving radio waves from at least four of the positioning satellites (GPS satellites) launched in orbit around the earth. It is a system that can.
[0031]
The operation will be described. The transmission radio wave of the GPS satellite includes the time and position (hereinafter referred to as GPS data) when the GPS satellite transmits the radio wave. Now, let the three-dimensional position of the GPS satellite be (X1, Y1, Z1), and its own three-dimensional position be (x, y, z). At this time, the distance between them is (X1-x)²+ (Y1-y)²+ (Z1-z)²  Is the square root of Further, if the time when the GPS satellite transmits the radio wave is T1, and the time when the GPS satellite receives the radio wave is t, the distance between them is (t−T1) × light speed.
[0032]
Therefore, by receiving GPS data, that is, position data (X1, Y1, Z1) and radio wave transmission time T1 from four or more GPS satellites, its own position (x, y, z) and reception time t, which are unknown numbers, are received. Can be measured accurately.
[0033]
The fee system according to the first embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating the fee system according to the first embodiment. In the figure, the same or corresponding parts as in FIG.
[0034]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle-mounted communication device, which will be described later, a receiving unit 8, a first database 9, a first communication unit 10, a first storage unit 11, a first input / output unit 12, and a first unit. The control part 13 is comprised.
[0035]
Here, 8 is a GPS data receiving unit that receives radio waves from the GPS satellite 3 and extracts GPS data from the radio waves, 9 is a first database that stores map information and individual identification codes about the vicinity of the toll road entrance and exit, 10 is a first communication unit for communicating with the communication satellite 27, 11 is a first storage unit for temporarily storing various information, and 12 is a first input / output unit to which other external devices are connected. It is. Examples of other external devices include the display device 14 and the speaker 15.
[0036]
Here, the first database may be a semiconductor storage device, a recording medium such as a CDROM or a DVDROM, and a reading device thereof. The “map information about the vicinity of the toll road entrance / exit” refers to, for example, the three-dimensional positions (x, y, z) of the entrance taxiway 31, the exit taxiway 33, and the gates 7a to 7d shown in FIG. is there. Reference numeral 13 denotes a first control unit, which will be described in detail later.
[0037]
Reference numeral 2 denotes an information center for managing the communication device 1, which will be described later, a second communication unit 16, a second storage unit 17, a second input / output unit 18, a second database 19, and a second control unit. 20 is composed.
[0038]
Here, 16 is a second communication unit that performs communication with the communication satellite 27, 17 is a second storage unit that temporarily stores various information, and 18 is a second communication unit that performs communication with "other institutions". 2 input / output units. “Other institutions” are, for example, the GPS management center 21 and the financial institution 22.
[0039]
Reference numeral 19 denotes a second database, which is information on registrants (that is, users of this system), individual identification codes associated with the registrants, account numbers of financial institutions designated by the registrants, and sections across the country. Separately, a toll table for each vehicle type, map information near the entrance / exit of the toll road, gate information on the gates 7a to 7d shown in FIG. 1, and the like are stored. The gate information includes the gate codes of the gates 7a to 7c through which the vehicle using the system passes, the gate code of the gate 7d through which the vehicle not using the system passes, and positional information of these gates. Reference numeral 20 denotes a second control unit, which will be described in detail later.
[0040]
Furthermore, 4 in FIG. 2 is an exit terminal device that monitors vehicles passing through the gates 7 a to 7 c shown in FIG. 1, and will be described later with a third communication unit 23, a third storage unit 24, an imaging device 5, A third database 25 and a third control unit 26 are included.
[0041]
Here, 23 is a third communication unit for communicating with the communication satellite 27, 24 is a third storage unit for temporarily storing various information, and 5 passes through the gates 7a to 7c shown in FIG. An image pickup apparatus 25 for photographing a vehicle to be operated is a third database for storing position information of the gates 7a to 7c. Reference numeral 26 denotes a third control unit, details of which will be described later.
[0042]
The operation of each component shown in FIG. 2 will be described below according to the processing procedure of this fee system. First, the case where the vehicle carrying the communication device 1 enters the toll road will be described. The GPS data receiving unit 8 of the communication device 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 extracts GPS data from the received radio wave from the GPS satellite 3 and outputs the GPS data to the first control unit 13. The first control unit 13 calculates the current position based on the GPS data, and compares it with the position of the entrance-side taxiway 31 stored in the first database 9. When the calculated current position matches the position of the entrance-side taxiway 31, the entrance identification code and the individual identification code are transmitted from the first communication unit 10 to the information center 2. The individual identification code is stored in the first database 9 in advance.
[0043]
Here, the GPS data itself received by the entrance-side taxiway 31 is transmitted as the entrance identification code. That is, data related to (radio wave transmission position, radio wave transmission time) received from the four GPS satellites 3 is transmitted. Such GPS data cannot be known unless it is actually received at that location or inquired of the GPS management center (provisional name) 21 that manages the satellite position. Therefore, there is an effect of preventing entry using a false entrance identification code.
[0044]
More specifically, when a “fixed entrance identification code” is assigned to each entrance, the entrance identification code can be easily forged. “Fixed entrance identification code” means, for example, that the number “1” is assigned to the entrance A and the number “2” is assigned to the entrance B in a time-invariant manner. On the other hand, since the position of the GPS satellite is constantly changing, forgery of GPS data is extremely difficult. Therefore, unauthorized entry can be prevented by using GPS data as the entrance identification code.
[0045]
Next, the second communication unit 16 of the information center 2 receives the GPS data and the individual identification code transmitted by the communication device 1 described above and outputs them to the second control unit 20. The second control unit 20 identifies the toll road entrance into which the communication device 1 has entered based on the GPS data, and confirms the user of the communication device 1 based on the individual identification code.
[0046]
explain in detail. The second control unit 20 calculates the current position of the communication device 1 based on the received GPS data from the communication device 1. And based on the said calculation result and the map information memorize | stored in the 2nd database 19, the toll road entrance (entrance side taxiway) where the vehicle approached is specified. At this time, if it is confirmed by communication with the GPS management center 21 connected via the second input / output unit 18 whether the received GPS data is correct, the effect of preventing unauthorized entry is further increased.
[0047]
Further, the second control unit 20 searches the second database 19 for a financial institution account number designated by the registrant of the received individual identification code, and confirms whether or not the account can be charged. . This confirmation is performed by communication with the financial institution 22 connected via the second input / output unit 18.
[0048]
The second control unit 20 confirms whether or not charges can be deducted, and then returns a confirmation code and a signal indicating whether or not the system is available to the communication apparatus 1. The confirmation code is, for example, a serial number assigned to each vehicle that has entered the entrance in ascending order. Further, the communication device 1 that has received a signal that the system cannot be used instructs the driver to receive a magnetic card from the pass ticket issuing device 28 shown in FIG. In addition, the information center 2 stores the received individual identification code, the searched account number, the specified toll road entrance, and the returned confirmation code in the second storage unit 17.
[0049]
Next, a case where the vehicle on which the communication device 1 is placed leaves the toll road will be described. The 1st control part 13 of the communication apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 monitors the position of the own vehicle using GPS similarly to the case where it enters into a toll road. And if it detects that the own vehicle entered the exit side taxiway 33 shown in FIG. 1, the confirmation code stored in the first storage unit 11, the individual identification code, and the GPS data received on the spot, It is transmitted to the information center 2 as a fee settlement request.
[0050]
The second control unit 20 of the information center 2 searches the second storage unit 17 using the confirmation code included in the settlement request transmitted from the communication device 1. As described above, the second storage unit 17 stores the individual identification code, the financial account number, and the toll road entrance that has entered the communication device 1 together with the confirmation code.
[0051]
The second control unit 20 confirms whether the confirmation code and the individual identification code obtained from the second storage unit match those included in the settlement request. By performing this confirmation, it is possible to prevent a settlement request using a false confirmation code.
[0052]
Moreover, the 2nd control part 20 specifies the toll road exit which the vehicle is going to go out based on the GPS data contained in this payment request. Then, a toll road usage fee is calculated for the vehicle. Note that a toll table for calculating tolls is stored in the second database 19.
[0053]
Furthermore, the second control unit inquires of the financial institution 22 and confirms whether the usage fee can be withdrawn from the designated account. The process when the withdrawal is impossible will be described later. The actual usage fee is withdrawn after confirming that the vehicle has passed the gate 7.
[0054]
The calculated usage fee is temporarily stored in the second storage unit 17 together with the individual identification code, the designated financial account number, and the provisional settlement code. Here, the provisional settlement code is a reference number, and its format is arbitrary.
[0055]
The calculated usage fee is transmitted to the exit terminal device 4 together with the individual identification code and provisional settlement code. Transmission is performed from the second communication unit 16 via the communication satellite 27. The third control unit 26 of the exit terminal device 4 receives the transmitted signal via the third communication unit 23 and stores it in the third storage unit 24.
[0056]
The calculated usage fee and provisional settlement code are also returned to the communication device 1. At this time, the gate number of the gate 7 is also transmitted. More specifically, the second control unit 20 of the information center 2 identifies the gate number that the vehicle using this system should pass based on the map information near the toll road exit stored in the second database, Send. Thereby, congestion in the vicinity of the gate can be reduced. In particular, there is an effect of avoiding confusion between a settlement vehicle by cash receipt and a settlement vehicle by using this system. If it is found that the charge cannot be deducted when confirming the financial account, the gate number of the toll gate 6 shown in FIG. 1 (that is, the cash settlement toll gate) is transmitted. The
[0057]
The communication device 1 that has received the provisional settlement code stores the code in the first storage unit 11. Further, the received gate number is displayed on the display device 14 and is transmitted to the driver by voice guidance from the speaker 15.
[0058]
The communication device 1 detects that the host vehicle 35 has entered the gate 7 using GPS. When the approach is detected, the individual identification code, the provisional settlement code received earlier, and the GPS data received at that point are transmitted to the exit terminal device 4.
[0059]
The exit terminal device 4 receives and confirms these transmission data. More specifically, the third communication unit 23 receives these transmission data and outputs them to the third control unit 26. The third control unit 26 identifies the position of the vehicle based on the map information stored in the third database 25 and the transmitted GPS data, and confirms that the vehicle passes through the gate 7. . Further, it is confirmed whether or not the provisional settlement code and the individual identification code that have been transmitted match the data that has already been transmitted from the information center 2 and stored in the third storage unit.
[0060]
If the above confirmation is made and there is no data fraud, the egress terminal device 4 notifies the information center 2 to that effect, and the information center 2 deducts the actual fee. More specifically, the exit terminal device 4 returns a provisional settlement code to the information center 2, and the information center 2 receives the reply and performs a charge deduction process for the provisional settlement code.
[0061]
The information center 2 sends the information to the communication device 1 and the egress terminal device 4 after actually debiting the fee. This completes the fee settlement. A vehicle that has passed through the gate 7 due to unauthorized data is imaged by the imaging device 5 and stored as evidence of unauthorized passage. In addition, assuming that the radio wave condition is bad, a magnetic card may be issued by the pass ticket issuing device 28 shown in FIG. 1 for all vehicles using this fee system.
[0062]
As described above, the communication device according to the first embodiment detects the current position based on the radio wave from the positioning satellite and automatically sends a predetermined signal near the entrance / exit of the toll road. Therefore, the vehicle monitoring device is installed. Cost is reduced.
[0063]
Moreover, since the data received from the GPS satellite is transmitted as a signal for notifying the current position, false notification of the current position can be prevented.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
  The in-vehicle communication device according to the present invention calculates the toll usage fee of each vehicle based on the in-vehicle communication device mounted in each vehicle and the position information transmitted from each in-vehicle communication device, and from each in-vehicle communication device. An in-vehicle communication device used in a toll road toll collection system comprising: an information center for performing processing for deducting the calculated usage fee from a financial account corresponding to the individual identification code based on the individual identification code transmitted A database for storing the position of the first taxiway from the entrance of the toll road toward the main line of the toll road and the position of the second taxiway toward the plurality of gates provided at the exit of the toll road; A receiving unit for receiving a signal from the positioning satellite; a detecting unit for detecting a current position based on the received signal from the positioning satellite; and the detected current position and the previous position When the position of the first taxiway stored in the database matches, the individual identification code and position information indicating the current position are transmitted to the information center via a communication satellite, and the detected When the current position matches the position of the second taxiway stored in the database, the settlement request including the individual identification code and position information indicating the current position is sent to the information before entering the gate. A transmitter for transmitting to the center via a communication satellite; a receiver for receiving a code corresponding to the settlement request from the information center before entering the gate; and a code corresponding to the received settlement request. And a transmission unit that is provided at an exit of the toll road and transmits to a non-exit end device that captures a vehicle that passes through each gate illegally. The beam can be realized at low cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a fee system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a fee system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a conventional fee system.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication apparatus, 2 Information center, 3 GPS satellite, 4 Exit terminal device, 5 Imaging device, 6 Toll gate, 7 Gate, 8 Receiving part, 9 1st database,
10 first communication unit, 11 first storage unit, 12 first input / output unit,
13 first control unit, 14 display device, 15 speaker, 16 second communication unit,
17 second storage unit, 18 second input / output unit, 19 second database,
20 second control unit, 21 GPS management center, 22 financial institution,
23 third communication unit, 24 third storage unit, 25 database,
26 third control unit, 27 communication satellite, 28 toll issuing device, 29 toll road main line,
30 Toll road entrance, 31 Entrance taxiway, 32 Toll road exit,
33 exit side taxiway, 34 entrance terminal device, 35 vehicle, 36 wireless card,
37 Information reading device, 38 Exit terminal device, 39 Center computer.

Claims (3)

  Based on the in-vehicle communication device mounted in each vehicle and the toll road usage fee of each vehicle based on the position information transmitted from each in-vehicle communication device and based on the individual identification code transmitted from each in-vehicle communication device An in-vehicle communication device used in a toll road toll collection system comprising an information center for performing processing for deducting the calculated usage fee from a financial account corresponding to the individual identification code,
  A database for storing the position of the first taxiway from the entrance of the toll road toward the main line of the toll road and the position of the second taxiway toward the gates provided at the exit of the toll road;
  A receiver for receiving signals from positioning satellites;
  A detection unit for detecting a current position based on a signal from a received positioning satellite;
  When the detected current position matches the position of the first taxiway stored in the database, the individual identification code and position information indicating the current position are sent to the information center via a communication satellite. And when the detected current position matches the position of the second taxiway stored in the database, the settlement request including the individual identification code and position information indicating the current position, A transmitter for transmitting to the information center via a communication satellite before entering the gate;
  A receiver that receives a code corresponding to the settlement request from the information center before entering the gate;
  A transmission unit configured to transmit a code corresponding to the received settlement request to an exit end device that captures a vehicle that is provided at an exit of the toll road and illegally passes through each gate;
An in-vehicle communication device comprising: The code corresponding to the settlement request is a provisional settlement code that the information center transmits to the in-vehicle communication device before completion of the deduction of the usage fee. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 1, wherein after the passage is notified, processing for withdrawal is completed. The information center determines whether or not the usage fee corresponding to the in-vehicle communication device can be withdrawn from the financial account. Is what
  2. The vehicle-mounted communication device includes a display device or a voice guidance device that guides a driver of a vehicle on which the vehicle-mounted communication device is mounted to a cash settlement toll gate based on the signal. The vehicle-mounted communication apparatus of description.

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