JP4047079B2 - Toll collection system, toll collection method - Google Patents

Description

【００６１】
アンテナ２１では、ＩＣカード登録のナンバープレート情報を読み取って車両の車種を判別する。撮像装置２３では車両に取り付けられているナンバープレートを撮影し、撮像した画像の処理結果から車両を判別する。両方式のナンバープレート情報を比較して車両識別することで、車両識別方式（アンテナ方式・画像処理方式）に無関係に在車数の自動補正が可能となる。
【００６２】
本発明が適用可能な車線の運用形態は、車両識別方式の組み合わせ方により異なる。アンテナ方式は、非ＥＴＣ車（ＥＴＣ車以外の全車両）の車両識別が不可能なため、アンテナ方式を含む組み合わせの場合は、ＥＴＣ車が通過するＥＴＣ専用車線／混在車線となる。画像処理方式は、ＥＴＣ車に限らずナンバープレートを取付けている車両の全てに適用可能であるから、画像処理方式のみの組合せの場合は、ＥＴＣ専用車線／混在車線／ＩＣＣＲ車線の全車線運用で可能である。
【００６３】
在車数の自動補正を行った結果を車線制御装置１１あるいは上位データ装置１０に記憶しておくことで、車線内における在車数を単に補正するだけでなく、以下の後方処理に活用することができる。
例えば車線制御装置１１は記憶した補正結果を収受端末１７あるいはブース内表示器１８に表示して、在車数ずれが発生していたことを収受員に通知する。
在車数の自動補正機能が、ある一定時間以上機能しなかった場合、車線制御装置１１は在車数ずれの可能性があるものと判定して、収受端末１７あるいはブース内表示器１８に在車数の確認を促すメッセージを表示し収受員に通知する。
車線制御装置１１は日計等の処理台数から、記憶しておいた補正数を減算することで、より正確な処理台数を計上することができる。
補正数の合計台数や、補正された回数が一定値を超えた場合、車線制御装置１１はシステム内の機器異常の恐れがあるため点検を促すメッセージを収受端末１７あるいはブース内表示器１８に表示する。
在車数をリセットしたときの情報を上位データ装置１０の稼動ログに蓄積しておき、障害状況確認端末（保守用端末）９から上位データ装置１０にアクセスすることにより稼動実績や障害解析等に利用することができる。
在車数のずれは、車両検知器Ｓ１，Ｓ３のセンサ部（赤外線センサの発光部、受光部など）の汚れやゴミ付着、収受員の不用意な歩行により発生することがあるため、車線制御装置１１は在車数自動補正の実施状況を収受端末１７に表示して収受員へ通知することで、該当車線の歩行時の注意や路側機器の点検を促す効果を期待できる。
今までの収受員によるリセット釦押下は、在車数管理精度としては個人の習熟度に左右されやすかったが、在車数の自動補正結果を使用することにより、今まで以上に正確な日計が算出できる。
在車数のずれは、通過車両の形状や動き、ゴミや汚れによる影響、収受員が車線を歩行する時の経路等、様々な影響を受けて発生する。このため、これらの要因を統計的に判断し、通常運用で発生し得る自動補正回数を大きく超えた場合に、保守会社へ通知して点検を促すことができる。
【００６４】
このようにこの実施形態のＥＴＣシステムによれば、車両検知器Ｓ１〜Ｓ３から得られる検知情報とＥＴＣ車が通行するたびにアンテナ２１，２９により受信される車載器の車両情報とを使用して在車数管理（車両管理）を行うことで、車両検知器Ｓ１〜Ｓ３から得られる検知情報にて在車数ずれが生じると、ＥＴＣ車が通過する際にシステム側で在車数を自動補正するので、車線が例えばＥＴＣ専用車線では、在車数ずれ（車両管理のずれ）が起こることがなくなる。また、ＥＴＣ車と非ＥＴＣ車が通行する混在レーンでは、ＥＴＣ車の通行が頻繁なほど、在車ずれが発生してからそれが解消されるまでの異常時間を減少させることができる。つまり、この実施形態では、収受員がリセット釦を操作することなくシステム自身で在車数ずれという異常状態からの自動復帰が可能となる。
【００６５】
なお、本発明は上記実施形態のみに限定されるものではない。
上記実施形態では、アンテナ２１，２９でＩＣカード登録のナンバープレート情報を読み取って車両の車種を判別し、これらのアンテナにより得られたナンバープレート情報を車線制御装置１１が比較して車両を特定（識別）することで在車数を自動的に補正したが、これ以外の車両特定手段として、撮像装置２３，２７により、車両のフロントナンバープレートあるいはリアナンバープレートに取り付けられているナンバープレートを光学的に撮影し、入口と退出口での画像処理結果から個々の車両を特定しても良い。また、このように両方の車両識別方式（アンテナによる車両特定と撮像装置による車両特定）とを組み合わせて、例えば入口でアンテナ２１、退出口で撮像装置２７を利用しても良い。また、入口で撮像装置２３、退出口でアンテナ２９を利用しても良い。
【００６６】
アンテナ２１，２９のうちいずれか一方を含む車両特定方法は、非ＥＴＣ車（ＥＴＣ車以外の全車両）の車両識別が不可能なため、アンテナ方式を含む組み合わせの場合は、ＥＴＣ車のみが通過するＥＴＣ専用車線／混在車線での運用となる。撮像装置２３，２７を含む車両特定方法は、ＥＴＣ車に限らずナンバープレートが取り付けられている車両の全てに適用可能であり、画像処理方式のみの組合せの場合は、ＥＴＣ専用車線／一般車（非ＥＴＣ車）とＥＴＣ車との混在車線／ＥＴＣ車との無線機能が未装備の簡易ＥＴＣ車線（ＩＣカードリーダをブースに備えた車線など）の全車線で運用が可能である。
【００６７】
上記実施形態では、主に、ＥＴＣ車と非ＥＴＣ車との判別および車両特定について説明したが、ＥＴＣ車と異常ＥＴＣ車とでも同じことである。
【００６８】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明によれば、車線の入口と退出口で車両を特定し、特定した車両が一致した場合、その間に車線内に進入した車両の台数を在車数として更新するので、料金収受用の車線の在車数を、収受員がリセット操作を行うことなく正しい内容に自動的に補正することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明に係る一つの実施の形態のＥＴＣシステムの車線内機器配置図。
【図２】 図１のＥＴＣシステムにおける制御系統図。
【図３】 このＥＴＣシステムの車線制御装置における状態遷移表を示す図。
【図４】 このＥＴＣシステムの動作を示すフローチャート。
【図５】 このＥＴＣシステムの動作を示すフローチャート。
【符号の説明】
Ａ，Ｂ…アンテナ通信範囲、１…ブース、１１…車線制御装置、１７…収受端末、１８…ブース内表示器、２１，２９…アンテナ、２１，Ｓ２,Ｓ３…車両検知器、２３，２７…撮像装置、２４…路側表示器、２８…発進制御装置。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toll collection system and a toll collection method introduced on a toll road.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, Electronic Toll Collection System (hereinafter referred to as ETC system), which is a toll collection system using wireless communication technology, is being introduced to toll gates on toll roads, etc., in order to alleviate road congestion. In each lane for receipt, it is important to manage the number of vehicles in the lane because an incoming vehicle is detected and a toll collection process is performed on the vehicles in the order of the detection results.
[0003]
The conventional ETC system wirelessly communicates with a vehicle detector S1 that detects entry of a vehicle in a toll collection lane, and a vehicle-mounted device that is mounted on a vehicle that has entered a communication area formed at the end of the vehicle detector S1. Toll collection by operation of a toll person staying in a booth for an antenna for receiving processing (wireless processing), a vehicle detector S2 arranged at the end of the communication area, and a vehicle determined as a non-ETC vehicle by a wireless communication result by the antenna A toll terminal, a start control device that permits or prevents the vehicle from leaving the lane, a vehicle detector S3 that detects a vehicle exiting the lane through the start control device, and performs overall control of these devices. It has a lane control device. The vehicle detectors S1, S2, and S3 are infrared ray sensors that detect an approaching vehicle, and are for counting the number of vehicles in the lane.
[0004]
In the case of a conventional ETC system, the lane control device manages the number of vehicles in the lane (vehicle management) according to the detection results of the plurality of vehicle detectors S1, S2, and S3 installed on the roadside. The operation of various roadside devices (antennas, start control devices) is controlled based on management (vehicle management).
[0005]
Looking at the operation status in the actual system, there are deviations in the contents of the number-of-vehicles management due to various factors (number-of-vehicles deviation). Possible causes of the difference in the number of vehicles are due to the detection accuracy of the vehicle detector, due to operation of the toll collection system, and due to vehicle traffic (vehicle behavior).
[0006]
Regarding the detection accuracy of the vehicle detectors S <b> 1 to S <b> 3, for example, an object having an extremely thin connecting portion of a tow vehicle cannot be detected by infrared rays (beams) and is regarded as a vehicle in which the front and rear of the connecting rod are separated. Mistakenly detect two vehicles. In addition, when dust crosses the vehicle detectors S <b> 1 to S <b> 3 due to the influence of wind or the like, the infrared rays are shielded and erroneously detected as passing of the vehicle.
[0007]
As a result of the operation of the toll collection system, at the toll booth, the toll collector goes to the spot to perform the lane closing and release operations, so the toll collector crosses in front of the vehicle detectors S1 to S3 by mistake. In this case, the lane control device erroneously detects it as a vehicle.
[0008]
As for vehicle traffic (vehicle behavior), when two motorcycles enter the lane while running side by side and then run one by one when leaving the lane, the vehicle detector on the entrance side Since S1 detects one approaching vehicle and the vehicle detector S3 on the exit side detects two exiting vehicles, a shift in the number of employees in the company occurs. On the other hand, for example, when two motorcycles enter the lane one by one and then run side by side when leaving the lane, the detection result is two entering vehicles and one leaving vehicle. Similarly, a shift in the number of employees will occur.
[0009]
As described above, the number of vehicles in the lane is shifted due to various factors, and it is difficult to completely eliminate the shift in the number of vehicles.
Therefore, at present, in order to eliminate this difference in the number of vehicles, a number-of-vehicles reset button that can be operated by the receiver is arranged in the booth. This reset button is provided on the booth indicator (or lane monitoring panel). Currently, every time the vehicle detector S1 on the entrance side is shielded from light, the number of entrances is counted, and the counted number is displayed on the booth indicator as the number of vehicles present. You can check the number of vehicles.
[0010]
At this time, the receiver confirms how many vehicles actually exist within the vehicle management range (between the vehicle detectors S1 to S3 in the lane), and confirms the number of vehicles actually checked and the booth. If the number of vehicles present on the inner display is different, after all the vehicles in the lane have left, the reset button is pressed to reset the number of vehicles present to “zero”.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional ETC system in which the receiver performs the reset operation when the number of vehicles in the vehicle is shifted as described above has the following problems.
[0012]
That is, the lane control device manages the number of vehicles in the vehicle (vehicle management) based on the detection information obtained from the vehicle detector S1, and manages the permutation of the vehicles that have entered the lane here. Therefore, if there is a deviation in the number of vehicles, this means a deviation in vehicle permutation management. In the state where there is a deviation in the number of vehicles, the vehicle is installed in the lane with respect to the passing vehicle (user). The operation of the roadside equipment (roadside display, start control device, etc.) cannot be properly controlled.
[0013]
In addition, in the case of resetting the number of vehicles by manual operation by the receiver, there are the following problems.
(1) The receiver must always check the number of vehicles on the booth display and the number of vehicles actually in the lane.
{Circle around (2)} In order to press the number of vehicles reset button, all the vehicles in the lane must be excluded, and it is difficult to reset the number of vehicles in a traffic jam during commuting rush hours.
{Circle around (3)} When the reset button is pressed while a vehicle is in the lane, appropriate roadside device control cannot be performed for the vehicle in the lane at that time.
(4) If the number of existing cars accumulates and the number of deviations exceeds the system management allowable range, the system automatically stops.
(5) When a deviation in the number of existing vehicles occurs, the display on the roadside indicator may be delayed in the display timing for guiding the vehicle, or the display content may differ from the content that should actually guide the vehicle.
(6) When there is a deviation in the number of vehicles, the start control device will malfunction such that it does not open for vehicles that must open the blocking bar, or vice versa. .
[0014]
In this way, in the current vehicle management method by pressing the reset button by the current receiver, not only does the difference in the level of proficiency among the receivers, but also it is necessary to perform resetting work during busy hours when receiving work is busy. It ’s actually very difficult to do this. Moreover, it is not preferable in terms of safety management, such as the timing of vehicle guidance contents and display contents being different for passing vehicles.
[0015]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the toll collection that can automatically correct the number of vehicles in the toll collection lane to the correct contents without the resetting operation by the toll collector. The purpose is to provide a system and toll collection method.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the toll collection system of the present invention includes a first vehicle specifying means for specifying a vehicle that has entered the lane entrance for toll collection on a toll road, and a vehicle that has exited from the exit of the lane. Second vehicle identification means for identifying the vehicle, vehicle management means for counting and managing the number of vehicles in the lane until the vehicle enters and exits the lane, and is identified by the first vehicle identification means at the entrance When the vehicle identified by the second vehicle identification means matches the exit exit, the number of vehicles that entered the lane during that time is updated as the number of vehicles present in the vehicle management means. And means for displaying the updated contents on the booth equipment where the receiver works.
[0017]
The toll collection system of the present invention detects a vehicle that exits the lane at the exit of the lane, and a first detection means for detecting the passage of the vehicle entering the lane at the entrance of the lane for toll collection on the toll road. And a first counting means for adding the number of vehicles in the lane in the order detected by the first detection means and subtracting the number of vehicles present in the order detected by the second detection means. Vehicle management means for managing the count value counted by the first counting means as the number of vehicles in the lane, and the number of vehicles currently managed by the vehicle management means Means for displaying on the equipment of the booth where the staff works, first vehicle specifying means for specifying the vehicle that has entered the entrance, second vehicle specifying means for specifying the vehicle that has exited from the exit, and at the entrance Second counting means for counting the number of vehicles in the lane from when the vehicle is specified by one vehicle specifying means until the vehicle is specified by the second vehicle specifying means at the exit, and the first vehicle When the vehicle specified by the specifying means matches the vehicle specified by the second vehicle specifying means, the count value obtained by counting the number of existing vehicles managed by the vehicle management means by the second counting means It has the means to change to.
In the toll collection system, the first and second vehicle specifying means include wireless communication means for acquiring vehicle-specific information through wireless communication with an on-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle and capable of wireless communication, and the vehicle This is a combination of any of imaging devices that acquire information unique to a vehicle by imaging a license plate and performing image processing.
[0018]
The toll collection method of the present invention includes a step of identifying a vehicle that has entered the entrance of a toll road toll collection and counting the number of vehicles in the lane until the vehicle enters and exits the lane. A vehicle that has entered the lane between the managing step, the step of identifying the vehicle that has exited from the exit of the lane, and the vehicle identified at the entrance and the vehicle identified at the exit Updating the number of vehicles as the number of vehicles present, and displaying the updated contents on the equipment of the booth where the receipt staff works.
[0019]
The toll collection method of the present invention includes a step of detecting the passage of a vehicle entering the lane at an entrance of a toll collection lane on a toll road, a step of identifying a vehicle entering the entrance, and a detection at the entrance Sequentially adding vehicles in the lane, managing the added value as the number of vehicles in the lane, and detecting a vehicle leaving the lane at the exit of the lane A step of subtracting the number of vehicles in the order detected at the exit, a step of identifying a vehicle that has exited from the exit, and a time when the vehicle is identified at the entrance until the vehicle is identified at the exit When the number of vehicles that entered the lane during the period and the vehicle specified by the entrance and the exit exit coincide, It has a step of changing the number has been counted value, and displaying the device booth working the collection personnel number the stationary car.
In the above fee collection method, vehicle-specific information is acquired by wirelessly communicating with a vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle and capable of wireless communication, or a vehicle's license plate is imaged and image-processed to obtain vehicle-specific information. The vehicle is specified at the entrance and the exit.
[0020]
In the present invention, in counting and managing the number of vehicles in the lane until the vehicle enters and exits the toll collection lane on the toll road, the vehicle that has entered the lane entrance is identified, and the lane If the vehicle exited from the exit is identified and the vehicle identified at the entrance and exit match, the number of vehicles that entered the lane during that time will be updated as the number of vehicles in the vehicle, and the renewal staff will work Display on booth equipment. As a result, the number of vehicles in the lane for toll collection can be automatically reset to the correct content.
In the present invention, the passage of vehicles entering the lane is detected at the entrance of the toll road fare collection lane, the vehicles in the lane are added in the order of detection, and the added value is the number of vehicles in the lane. Manage as a certain number of vehicles. Further, at the exit of the lane, a vehicle exiting the lane is detected, and the number of vehicles present is subtracted in the detected order. Also, an arbitrary vehicle is identified from among the vehicles that have entered the lane entrance, and the vehicle is also identified when the vehicle exits from the exit. In addition, the number of vehicles that have entered the lane between the time when the vehicle is specified at the entrance and the time when the vehicle is specified at the exit is counted. If the vehicles specified at the entrance and exit match, the number of vehicles in control is changed to the counted value, and the changed number of vehicles is displayed on the booth equipment where the receipt workers work. To do. As a result, the number of vehicles in the lane for toll collection can be automatically reset to the correct content.
In addition, in order to identify the vehicle at the entrance and exit, to acquire information specific to the vehicle by wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle, or image the license plate of the vehicle, Vehicle-specific information is acquired by image processing.
As a result, the number of occupants in the lane for toll collection can be automatically corrected to the correct content without the resetting operation of the toll collector.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a device configuration of an ETC system according to one embodiment for implementing a fee collection system and a fee collection method of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a control system diagram in the ETC system of FIG. 1, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the state transition table for managing the vehicle in a lane in the lane control apparatus of an ETC system.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ETC system of this embodiment is installed at the entrance of a toll collection lane of a toll gate, which is a toll collection location on a toll road, and detects a vehicle that has entered the lane entrance. The vehicle detector S1 and the vehicle detector S1 are arranged at a height of several meters on the road substantially above the position in the lane of the vehicle detector S1, and form an antenna communication range A toward the road surface, which is detected by the vehicle detector S1. Recognize the vehicle number (vehicle-specific information) by photographing the antenna 21 as the first wireless communication means for communicating with the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle and the license plate of the vehicle passing through the position of the vehicle detector S1. An image pickup device 23 as a first vehicle number recognizing means, a roadside indicator 24 for displaying (notifying) the driver of the passing vehicle by displaying the ETC processing status and processing result, guidance, etc., and a lane The booth 1 is located on the island (on the side of the road) and collects tolls when it is necessary to collect the fee by hand, such as a toll collector, and beyond the booth 1 (near the exit of the lane) And a start control device 28 that is controlled to open or close based on the result of the ETC process to permit or block the passage of the vehicle, and a vehicle that is disposed ahead of the start control device 28 and exits from the exit of the lane is detected. The vehicle detector S3 is arranged at a height of several meters on the road substantially above the position in the lane of the vehicle detector S3, forms an antenna communication range B toward the road surface, and is detected by the vehicle detector S3. The number of the vehicle (vehicle-specific information) is obtained by photographing the antenna 29 as the second wireless communication means for communicating with the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle and the license plate of the vehicle that has passed the position of the vehicle detector S3. An image pickup device 27 as a second vehicle number recognition means to recognize, a lane control device 11 for comprehensively controlling these devices, a host data device 10, and a maintenance company, and a communication line connected to the host data device 10 And a failure status confirmation terminal 9 connected via the network.
[0023]
The antennas 21 and 29, the imaging devices 23 and 27, and the like can be combined as any one of the entrance side and the exit side to function as vehicle specifying means. The antenna 21 starts wireless communication immediately after the vehicle passes the vehicle detector S1, and is an antenna that performs transactions related to ETC settlement with the vehicle-mounted device. The antenna 29 starts wireless communication immediately after the vehicle passes the vehicle detector S3, and is an antenna for confirming information on transactions performed by the antenna 21. The transaction information is information for confirming (identifying) a vehicle that has been ETC processed by the antenna 21. For example, vehicle specific information (vehicle number on the license plate), ETC receipt transaction number, IC card unique ID number, in-vehicle It refers to the unique ID number of the vessel.
[0024]
The booth 1 includes a collection terminal 17 that is operated by a receipt person and performs charge collection processing, other booth equipment (a booth display 18 for notifying the collection person of charge processing results, and a device for the collection person. A lane monitoring and control panel that notifies malfunctions and switches the operation mode, and a card processing function that reads and writes IC cards that are taken out by the user from the in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle and handed to the receiver IC card reader etc.). The collection terminal 17 is a device for performing cash collection operations such as cash and coupon tickets. The receiving terminal 17 is provided with a main operation screen that is operated by a receiving person. The receiving terminal 17 is connected to the lane control device 11 and the host data device 10 via a communication line. The receiving terminal 17 issues a processing request to the corresponding device, transmits processing information in the lane (acquisition work result, automatic correction result, etc.) to the higher-level data device 10, and the higher-level data device 10 responds to the request. Receive information (such as information required for toll collection). The host data device 10 manages information related to fee collection (such as ETC operation information, user information, transaction information for ETC payment) in a database, and returns corresponding information when requested. The failure status confirmation terminal 9 manages and maintains the operation state of the system device by accessing the host data device 10.
[0025]
The imaging device 23 includes an image processing unit 23b and a camera 23a. The camera 23a photographs the license plate of the vehicle that has passed through the vehicle detector S1. The image processing unit 23b performs image processing on the image information obtained by imaging with the camera 23a to identify (specify) the vehicle. The imaging device 27 includes an image processing unit 27b and a camera 27a. The camera 27a photographs the license plate of the vehicle that has passed through the vehicle detector S3. The image processing unit 27b performs image processing on the image information obtained by imaging with the camera 27a to identify (specify) the vehicle.
[0026]
In addition, in order to identify the vehicle which passes vehicle detector S1 and vehicle detector S3, only any one of the antennas 21 and 29 or the imaging devices 23 and 27 should be installed. The vehicle detector S1 is installed in the vicinity of the vehicle entrance before the booth 1 in the lane, and detects a vehicle that has entered the lane. The vehicle detector S2 detects that the vehicle has left the antenna communication range A. The vehicle detector S3 is disposed at the front (exit) of the start control device 28, and detects that the vehicle has left the position of the start control device 28 (the vehicle has left the lane).
[0027]
The lane control device 11 has a CPU, a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and a communication interface with devices to be controlled, the host data device 10, and the like. A control program is stored in the ROM. The RAM is a work area for processing. When the apparatus is turned on, a control program is read from the ROM into the RAM, and the CPU executes the following processing. A state transition table is set in the RAM. In this state transition table, a series of behavioral situations in which the vehicle enters and exits the lane is recorded, and updated as needed according to the detection of the vehicle detectors S1 and S3 (see FIG. 3).
[0028]
The memory of the lane control device 11 is set with a state transition table 30 which is an example of means for managing a vehicle indicating what kind of vehicle has passed through the positions of the vehicle detectors S1 to S3 as time changes. And managed. Further, the control program automatically corrects the number of vehicles in the program such as the first correction counter (first counting means) and the second correction counter (second counting means) in accordance with the detection of the vehicle detectors S1 and S3. The number of vehicles is managed by operating the correction counter separately. The first correction counter is a counter for the system that counts up when a vehicle is detected at the entrance. The second correction counter counts up until a vehicle identified as an ETC vehicle among vehicles entering the lane exits the lane.
[0029]
In this embodiment, the first correction counter and the second correction counter are one program in the control program, but may be configured by hardware controlled by the control program.
[0030]
The lane control device 11 determines the vehicle type (normal ETC vehicle, abnormal ETC vehicle, non-ETC vehicle, etc.) by wireless communication using the antenna 21 and vehicle passage detection by the vehicle detectors S1 and S2. A normal ETC vehicle is a vehicle that can normally collect tolls by wireless communication using the antenna 21. An abnormal ETC vehicle is a vehicle in which wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device did not end normally, for example, a vehicle in which an IC card is not mounted on the vehicle-mounted device or a vehicle with a broken wireless function. Non-ETC vehicles are vehicles that are not equipped with in-vehicle devices.
[0031]
That is, the ETC system specifies first vehicle specifying means (antenna 21 or imaging device 23) that specifies a vehicle that has entered the lane entrance for toll collection on the toll road and a vehicle that has exited from the exit of the lane. Second vehicle specifying means (antenna 29 or imaging device 27), vehicle management means (state transition table 30 in FIG. 3) for managing the vehicles specified by the first and second vehicle specifying means and the approaching vehicle, an entrance When the vehicle specified by the first vehicle specifying means and the vehicle specified by the second vehicle specifying means at the exit exit coincide with each other, the number of vehicles entering the lane during that time is indicated by the number of vehicles in the state transition table 30 And a lane control device 11 for displaying the updated content on booth equipment where the receiver works.
[0032]
An on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle includes a card storage unit that stores an IC card, an interface unit with the IC card, and an IC card processing unit that processes information read through the interface unit and stores a processing result in a memory. And a radio control unit that transmits information stored in the memory from the antenna and stores information received by the antenna in the memory, a display operation unit that is operated by the user and guides the operation contents, and controls each unit And a control unit that controls the operation. In addition to vehicle information such as the vehicle length, vehicle height, number of axles, weight, application, features, etc. of the vehicle on which this on-vehicle device is mounted, the memory has an ID number for identifying the on-vehicle device from other on-vehicle devices in advance. It is recorded. The display operation unit includes a key operation unit operated by a user, an operation unit provided with an extraction button, a display unit provided with a character display for guiding operation contents, an LED lamp, and the like, and an IC card inserted and removed. An IC card insertion slot is provided. The display unit displays various information such as wireless processing information and notifies the user (driver or the like). The eject button is a button for performing an operation for removing the IC card.
[0033]
The IC card is provided with a flash memory that can store and read information, an interface unit that exchanges data with the interface unit of the vehicle-mounted device, and a CPU that controls the interface unit and the flash memory.
[0034]
The flash memory stores user bank account numbers, special contract information indicating whether discounts can be applied, and billing information such as contract expiration dates. In addition, an ID number for identifying the IC card is stored in advance in the flash memory, and when the vehicle passes the entrance toll gate, the passage date and time, the gate number for identifying the toll gate, Traffic history information such as the type of vehicle and the balance of the card is stored in association with the ID number of the IC card.
When the IC card is installed in the vehicle-mounted device, the billing stored in its own flash memory is only after the validity of the vehicle-mounted device is confirmed by exchanging signals with the control unit via the IC card processing unit of the vehicle-mounted device. Send the information to the memory on the OBE.
[0035]
The start control device 28 includes a blocking bar arranged so as to cross the lane, and a drive unit arranged on the island to rotate the blocking bar within a range of approximately 90 degrees. The blocking bar has a length that is almost full of the width of the lane, and is used to permit the passage of vehicles in the toll collection corner or to block the passage of vehicles that have not yet been tolled.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 3, the state transition table 30 is a symbol (“●” indicating the vehicle type of the detected vehicle at the detection position of each vehicle detector S1 to S3 in correspondence with the change (elapsed) of time (time) t1 to t17. "Mark" and "○" mark), the number of vehicles, the value of the correction counter, and remarks, etc.
[0037]
The column of the vehicle detector S1 indicates a vehicle when wirelessly communicated with the antenna 21, and similarly, the column of the vehicle detector S3 indicates a vehicle when wirelessly communicated with the antenna 29. Symbols (“●” mark and “◯” mark) indicating the type of vehicle described between the vehicle detector S1 and the vehicle detector S3 indicate vehicles existing in the lane. These vehicle symbols (“●” mark and “◯” mark) are moved (advanced) from the vehicle detector S1 to the vehicle detector S3 every time (time) elapses. The number of occupants column is the number of occupants managed by the system (lane control device 11) (the number of occupants in the system). The number of vehicles present is the number of vehicles existing from the vehicle detector S1 to the vehicle detector S3, and the vehicles described in the column of the vehicle detector S3 are not included in the number of vehicles present (of the vehicle detector S3). The vehicle described in the column is a vehicle wirelessly communicated with the antenna 29 installed at the “destination” of the vehicle detector S3). The correction counter is a counter that counts (counts) vehicles for automatic correction, and counts the number of vehicles that have passed the vehicle detector S1. The symbol “●” in the table indicates one ETC vehicle, and the symbol “◯” indicates one non-ETC vehicle (other than an ETC vehicle).
[0038]
Next, the operation of the ETC system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the case of the ETC system of this embodiment, the lane control device 11 displays the current number of lanes counted by the first correction counter on the booth display 18 of the lane booth 1 (S101 in FIG. 4).
[0039]
When the vehicle enters this lane and the vehicle detector S1 detects the vehicle entry (Yes in S102), the lane control device 11 uses the detection as a trigger to collect a toll collection, in this case, an antenna. 21 starts wireless communication, that is, issues a communication request (S103).
[0040]
If no response is obtained from the onboard device of the approaching vehicle due to the issuance of the communication request (No in S104), the lane control device 11 sets the count value of the first correction counter if the first correction counter is already in use. +1, that is, counts up (S105), and the display of the number of vehicles in the booth display 18 is changed to the count value, that is, the original number of vehicles is added (+1) (S106).
[0041]
On the other hand, when a response to the communication request is obtained from the vehicle-mounted device (Yes in S104), the lane control device 11 executes an ETC wireless reception process by the antenna 21 and the vehicle-mounted device (S107).
[0042]
If the correction count is not in use after executing the ETC wireless reception process (No in S108), the lane control device 11 temporarily stores the transaction information of the execution result of the ETC wireless reception process in the memory, and manages the in-vehicle management of the system. The first correction counter that performs is cleared to “0” (S109).
[0043]
If the correction count is in use (Yes in S108), the lane control device 11 temporarily stores the transaction information of the execution result of the ETC wireless reception process in the memory, and manages the entry / exit of the ETC vehicle. The correction counter is cleared to “0” (S110).
Then, the number of vehicles in the booth display 18 is incremented by +1 (added) (S111).
[0044]
On the other hand, in the determination process of S102, when the vehicle detector S1 does not detect a vehicle (No in S102), the lane control device 11 confirms whether or not a vehicle leaving the lane is detected by the vehicle detector S3. (S112).
If the vehicle is detected by the vehicle detector S3 as a result of the confirmation (Yes in S112), the lane control device 11 uses the detection as a trigger to perform vehicle identification (identification) processing for the vehicle, in this case, wireless by the antenna 29. Communication is started, that is, a communication request is issued (S103).
[0045]
If no response is obtained from the on-board unit of the vehicle leaving the lane due to the issuance of the communication request (No in S114), the lane control device 11 determines that the vehicle is a non-ETC vehicle or an abnormal ETC vehicle and performs the first correction. The count value of the counter is −1, that is, the count down is performed, and the display of the number of vehicles in the booth display 18 is changed to the count value, that is, the original number of vehicles is subtracted (−1) (S115).
[0046]
On the other hand, when a response to the communication request is obtained from the vehicle-mounted device (Yes in S114), the lane control device 11 causes the antenna 29 to acquire transaction information from the vehicle-mounted device (S116).
When the transaction information is acquired from the vehicle-mounted device, the lane control device 11 compares and collates the transaction information with the transaction information already acquired from the vehicle-mounted device at the entrance (S117). If the transaction information matches each other as a result of the collation (Yes in S117), the lane control device 11 determines that the value of the second correction count is the occupancy number correction value (S118), and the second correction count. The number of vehicles is corrected based on the value, that is, the number of vehicles correction value (S119). Specifically, the lane control device 11 changes the value of the first correction counter so as to match the value of the second correction counter.
[0047]
Further, if the transaction information does not match as a result of the verification (No in S117), the lane control device 11 determines whether the value of the first correction counter is over-permissible (S120), and the first If the value of the correction counter exceeds the allowable value (Yes in S120), the automatic correction process is interrupted (stopped) (S121).
[0048]
If the value of the first correction counter is not over-permissible (No in S120), the lane controller 11 determines that the non-ETC vehicle has left the lane and counts down (subtracts) the value of the first correction counter. The display of the number of vehicles in the booth indicator 18 is -1 (decrement) (S115).
[0049]
Here, the number-of-vehicles automatic correction process in the case where a difference in the number of vehicles has occurred will be described by taking the event from time (time) t6 to time (time) t11 of the state transition table 30 in FIG. 3 as an example. In the following description, time (time) is unified with time.
[0050]
First, at time t6, the correct number of vehicles in the lane is “3”, but the number of vehicles in the system counted up by the first correction counter is “5”. Assume that there is a difference in the number of vehicles in "2 units".
[0051]
At time t7, the antenna 21 that has started wireless communication immediately after the vehicle passes through the position of the vehicle detector S1 indicates a state in which wireless communication (wireless reception by ETC) has been completed normally. The transaction information is temporarily stored in the memory of the lane control device 11, and the second correction counter is cleared to zero (zero clear) immediately after the normal end of the ETC of the antenna 21. The first correction counter counts up the number of vehicles that have passed the position of the vehicle detector S1 before the vehicle passes the position of the vehicle detector S3. The correct number of vehicles in this case is “3”, but the number of vehicles in the system counted up by the first correction counter remains “5”. (The number of existing cars is continuing)
[0052]
At time t8, after the zero clear process, the first vehicle (first vehicle) has passed the vehicle detector S1. Here, since the ETC vehicle that has zero-cleared the second correction counter has not yet passed through the antenna communication range B of the antenna 29, the lane controller 11 (the CPU) changes the second correction counter from “0 → 1”. Count up. The correct number of vehicles in this case is “3”, but the number of vehicles in the system counted up by the first correction counter is still “5”. (The number of existing cars is continuing)
[0053]
At time t9, the second vehicle passes through the vehicle detector S1 after the zero clear process. At this time, since the ETC vehicle does not pass through the antenna communication range B of the antenna 29, the lane controller 11 (the CPU) counts up the second correction counter from “1 → 2”. The correct number of vehicles in this case is “3”, but the number of vehicles in the system counted up by the first correction counter is still “5”. (The number of existing cars is continuing)
[0054]
At time t10, the ETC vehicle has passed through the antenna communication range B of the antenna 29 after the vehicle has passed the vehicle detector S1 and the correction counter has counted up from “2 → 3”. The antenna 29 starts wireless communication immediately after the vehicle crosses the vehicle detector S3, and acquires ETC transaction information from the vehicle-mounted device (IC card). The transaction information obtained here is collated with the transaction information stored in advance in the memory of the lane control device 11 during the entrance process. As a result of this collation, if the information of each other matches, the lane control device 11 (the CPU) determines that it is the same vehicle, and sets the value counted by the second correction counter at that time as the “present vehicle number correction value”, The managed vehicle number of the system counted up by the first correction counter is rewritten to the vehicle number correction value (automatic vehicle number correction process). In this example, since the value of the second correction counter is “3” at time t10, the number of vehicles in the first correction counter is corrected from “5 → 3”. The correct number of vehicles present here is “3”, and as a result of automatic correction, the number of vehicles in the system that has been counted up by the first correction counter is “3”. The deviation has been resolved. In addition to the number of vehicles in the vehicle management as a system, the permutation of the vehicles is also managed, but the management contents of the vehicles being processed at the time (time) before the ETC vehicle entered All including permutations etc. are deleted.
[0055]
At time t11, the vehicle has passed the position of the vehicle detector S1 after correction of the number of office shifts. The second correction counter is not used until the ETC vehicle newly passes the vehicle detector S1 (the count value does not matter).
[0056]
Even when the vehicle is in the behavior state from time t1 to time t4 and from time t13 to time t17 in the state transition table 30, it is possible to automatically correct the vehicle occupancy deviation in the same procedure as described above.
[0057]
As an exception process, even when a plurality of ETC vehicles enter the lane, it is possible to cope with automatic correction of a plurality of vehicles by providing a plurality of temporary storage areas for transaction information in the memory of the lane control device 11. . In addition, when a communication abnormality occurs due to a failure or disturbance of the antenna 29, the value of the correction counter is expected to be counted up abnormally. In this case, automatic correction is performed by setting an upper limit on the value of the correction count. What is necessary is just to interrupt a process.
[0058]
In this embodiment, the correction counter is reset each time an ETC vehicle enters and leaves the lane, so that the number of existing vehicles can be automatically corrected indefinitely. It should be noted that the present vehicle number deviation automatic correction function can be used even if it is mixed with the function of the manually present vehicle number reset button. In such a case, priority is given to manual operation of the vehicle number reset button, and among the functions of the correction counter, the counter is stopped and the vehicle number is cleared to zero.
[0059]
The idea of correcting the number of vehicles described in the embodiments so far is that if the vehicle passing through the vehicle detectors S1 and S3 can be identified, even if the vehicle identification method is different, the number of vehicles present is automatically corrected. Can do. In this embodiment, transaction information on ETC receipt is obtained using the antennas 21 and 29, and vehicle identification is performed by comparing information on the entrance and exit, but in addition to this, the imaging devices 23 and 27 are used. Alternatively, the vehicle may be identified (specified) by vehicle number information obtained by performing image processing on the image of the license plate photographed. Further, by combining any one of the vehicle identification method using the antennas 21 and 29 and the vehicle identification method based on the image processing, four kinds of implementations are possible as shown in Table 1 below. Note that “S1 ***” described below indicates a device (antenna or imaging device) installed at a position where the passing vehicle of the vehicle detector S1 can be identified. “S3 ***” is also agreed.
[0060]
[Table 1]

[0061]
The antenna 21 reads the license plate information registered in the IC card to determine the vehicle type. The imaging device 23 photographs a license plate attached to the vehicle, and determines the vehicle from the processing result of the captured image. By comparing both types of license plate information and identifying the vehicle, the number of vehicles in the vehicle can be automatically corrected regardless of the vehicle identification method (antenna method / image processing method).
[0062]
The operation mode of the lane to which the present invention can be applied differs depending on how the vehicle identification methods are combined. In the antenna system, vehicle identification of non-ETC vehicles (all vehicles other than ETC vehicles) is impossible. Therefore, in the case of a combination including the antenna system, an ETC dedicated lane / mixed lane through which an ETC vehicle passes is used. The image processing method is applicable not only to ETC vehicles but also to all vehicles with license plates attached. Therefore, in the case of a combination of image processing methods only, all lanes of ETC dedicated lane / mixed lane / ICCR lane can be used. Is possible.
[0063]
By storing the result of the automatic correction of the number of vehicles in the lane control device 11 or the high-order data device 10, not only simply correcting the number of vehicles in the lane, but also utilizing it for the following backward processing. Can do.
For example, the lane control device 11 displays the stored correction result on the receiving terminal 17 or the booth display 18, and notifies the receiving person that a deviation in the number of vehicles has occurred.
If the function of automatically correcting the number of vehicles is not functioning for a certain period of time, the lane control device 11 determines that there is a possibility that the number of vehicles in the vehicle is shifted, and is present in the receiving terminal 17 or the display 18 in the booth. A message prompting you to confirm the number of vehicles is displayed and the receipt is notified.
The lane control device 11 can calculate the more accurate number of processed vehicles by subtracting the stored correction number from the number of processed items such as daily counters.
If the total number of corrections or the number of corrections exceeds a certain value, the lane control device 11 displays a message prompting the inspection on the receiving terminal 17 or the booth display 18 because there is a risk of equipment abnormality in the system. To do.
Information at the time of resetting the number of vehicles is accumulated in the operation log of the higher-level data device 10, and access to the higher-level data device 10 from the failure status confirmation terminal (maintenance terminal) 9 can be used for operation results, failure analysis, etc. Can be used.
The deviation in the number of vehicles may occur due to dirt or dust adhering to the sensor units (infrared sensor light-emitting units, light-receiving units, etc.) of the vehicle detectors S1 and S3, and inadvertent walking of the receivers. The apparatus 11 can expect the effect of prompting attention when walking in the corresponding lane and inspecting the roadside equipment by displaying the implementation status of the number of vehicles automatically corrected on the receiving terminal 17 and notifying the receiving staff.
Until now, the reset button pressed by the toll was easily affected by the individual's proficiency in terms of the number of people in the vehicle management accuracy, but by using the result of automatic correction of the number of people in the vehicle, the daily balance is more accurate than ever. Can be calculated.
The deviation in the number of vehicles is caused by various influences such as the shape and movement of passing vehicles, the influence of dust and dirt, and the route when the receiver walks the lane. For this reason, these factors can be determined statistically, and when the number of automatic corrections that can occur in normal operation is greatly exceeded, a maintenance company can be notified to prompt inspection.
[0064]
Thus, according to the ETC system of this embodiment, the detection information obtained from the vehicle detectors S1 to S3 and the vehicle information of the vehicle-mounted device received by the antennas 21 and 29 each time the ETC vehicle passes are used. When the number of vehicles is detected in the detection information obtained from the vehicle detectors S1 to S3 by managing the number of vehicles (vehicle management), the system automatically corrects the number of vehicles when the ETC vehicle passes. Therefore, if the lane is, for example, an ETC exclusive lane, a deviation in the number of vehicles (a deviation in vehicle management) does not occur. Further, in a mixed lane in which ETC vehicles and non-ETC vehicles pass, the more frequent the ETC vehicles pass, the shorter the abnormal time from the occurrence of a vehicle occupancy difference to the elimination thereof. In other words, in this embodiment, it is possible for the system itself to automatically recover from an abnormal state in which the number of vehicles is not present without operating the reset button.
[0065]
In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment.
In the embodiment described above, the license plate information of the IC card registration is read by the antennas 21 and 29 to determine the vehicle type of the vehicle, and the lane control device 11 compares the license plate information obtained by these antennas to identify the vehicle ( The number of vehicles in the vehicle is automatically corrected by identifying the number plate. However, as other vehicle specifying means, the imaging device 23, 27 optically detects the number plate attached to the front number plate or the rear number plate of the vehicle. The individual vehicles may be identified from the image processing results at the entrance and exit. Further, by combining both vehicle identification methods (vehicle identification by an antenna and vehicle identification by an imaging device) in this way, for example, the antenna 21 at the entrance and the imaging device 27 at the exit may be used. Further, the imaging device 23 may be used at the entrance and the antenna 29 may be used at the exit.
[0066]
Since the vehicle identification method including one of the antennas 21 and 29 cannot identify a vehicle of a non-ETC vehicle (all vehicles other than the ETC vehicle), only the ETC vehicle passes in the combination including the antenna method. ETC dedicated lane / mixed lane operation. The vehicle identification method including the imaging devices 23 and 27 is applicable not only to ETC vehicles but also to all vehicles to which a license plate is attached. In the case of a combination of only image processing methods, an ETC dedicated lane / general vehicle ( It is possible to operate in all lanes of simple ETC lanes (such as lanes equipped with IC card readers in booths) that are not equipped with wireless functions of mixed lanes / ETC vehicles and non-ETC vehicles.
[0067]
In the above embodiment, the discrimination between the ETC vehicle and the non-ETC vehicle and the vehicle identification have been mainly described, but the same applies to the ETC vehicle and the abnormal ETC vehicle.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the vehicle is identified at the entrance and exit of the lane, and when the identified vehicle matches, the number of vehicles that entered the lane during that time is updated as the number of vehicles present. The number of vehicles in the lane for toll collection can be automatically corrected to the correct contents without the resetting operation by the toll collector.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a layout diagram of devices in a lane of an ETC system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a control system diagram in the ETC system of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state transition table in the lane control device of the ETC system.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ETC system.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ETC system.
[Explanation of symbols]
A, B ... Antenna communication range, 1 ... Booth, 11 ... Lane control device, 17 ... Toll terminal, 18 ... Display in booth, 21, 29 ... Antenna, 21, S2, S3 ... Vehicle detector, 23, 27 ... Imaging device, 24 ... roadside indicator, 28 ... start control device.

Claims (6)

First vehicle identification means for identifying a vehicle that has entered the entrance of a toll road lane for toll collection;
Second vehicle identifying means for identifying a vehicle that has exited from the exit of the lane;
Vehicle management means for counting and managing the number of vehicles in the lane until the vehicle enters and exits the lane;
When the vehicle specified by the first vehicle specifying means at the entrance matches the vehicle specified by the second vehicle specifying means at the exit, the number of vehicles entering the lane between them A fee collection system comprising: means for updating contents as the number of vehicles in the means, and displaying the updated contents on booth equipment in which a receiver works. First detection means for detecting the passage of a vehicle entering the lane at the entrance of the lane for toll collection on the toll road;
Second detection means for detecting a vehicle exiting the lane at the exit of the lane;
First counting means for adding the number of vehicles in a lane in the order detected by the first detection means, and subtracting the number of existing vehicles in the order detected by the second detection means; and the first counting means Vehicle management means for managing the count value counted by the number of vehicles in the lane as the number of vehicles in the lane;
Means for displaying the number of vehicles being managed by the vehicle management means on the equipment of a booth in which a receiver works;
First vehicle specifying means for specifying a vehicle that has entered the entrance;
A second vehicle identifying means for identifying a vehicle that has exited from the exit;
Second counting means for counting the number of vehicles in the lane from when the vehicle is specified by the first vehicle specifying means at the entrance to when the vehicle is specified by the second vehicle specifying means at the exit; ,
When the vehicle specified by the first vehicle specifying means matches the vehicle specified by the second vehicle specifying means, the number of vehicles present managed by the vehicle management means is counted by the second counting means. And a means for changing to the counted value. The toll collection system according to claim 1,
The first and second vehicle specifying means are:
The wireless communication means for acquiring vehicle-specific information by wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle, and the vehicle's license plate are imaged and image-processed to acquire the vehicle-specific information. A toll collection system characterized by being one of imaging devices. Identifying a vehicle that has entered the lane entrance for toll collection;
Counting and managing the number of vehicles in the lane until the vehicle enters and exits the lane; and
Identifying a vehicle that has exited from the exit of the lane;
When the vehicle specified at the entrance and the vehicle specified at the exit exit coincide with each other, the number of vehicles that entered the lane during that time is updated as the number of existing vehicles, and the booth where the receiver works A toll collection method comprising the steps of: Detecting the passage of a vehicle entering the lane at the entrance of a lane for toll collection on a toll road;
Identifying a vehicle that has entered the entrance;
Adding vehicles in the lane in the order detected at the entrance;
Managing the added value as the number of vehicles that are the number of vehicles in the lane;
Detecting a vehicle exiting the lane at the exit of the lane;
Subtracting the number of vehicles in the order detected at the exit;
Identifying a vehicle that has exited from the exit;
Counting the number of vehicles that have entered the lane between the time the vehicle is identified at the entrance and the time the vehicle is identified at the exit;
When the vehicles specified by the entrance and the exit exit match, changing the number of vehicles present to a counted value;
And displaying the number of vehicles on a booth device where a receipt worker works. The fee collection method according to any one of claims 4 to 5,
Either vehicle-specific information is acquired by wireless communication with a vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle that can perform wireless communication, or vehicle-specific information is acquired by imaging a vehicle license plate and performing image processing. A toll collection method characterized by identifying the vehicle at the entrance and the exit.

Images