JP4434373B2 - Toll collection system and toll collection method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toll collection system and a toll collection method introduced on a toll road such as an expressway.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Currently, a toll collection system is introduced on the expressway, and an automatic ticketing machine, a vehicle type discrimination system, and the like are provided at the entrance and the like as a configuration of the toll collection system.
[0003]
In the conventional toll collection system, it is necessary to specify the vehicle type (five types from oversized to light vehicles on general highways under the jurisdiction of the road corporation) for toll road fee calculation. The vehicle type discrimination system is identified from
[0004]
A conventional vehicle type discrimination system includes various sensors for discriminating the shape of a vehicle, a camera device for photographing a license plate, and an image processing device for recognizing license plate information.
[0005]
In this vehicle type identification system, the vehicle type of the passing vehicle is based on information such as the vehicle height, vehicle length, tread width, number of axles, etc. detected by various sensors and the image information of the license plate photographed by the camera device. The vehicle type on the toll system is divided by discrimination.
[0006]
The determination of the vehicle type classification in the conventional vehicle type identification system is made by comprehensively determining information on the vehicle shape obtained from various sensors and information on the vehicle classification of the license plate portion read from the image of the camera device.
[0007]
By the way, recently, there are many cases where imports of vehicles from countries with different standards and vehicles with strong individuality are marketed, and the vehicle type classification cannot be determined only from the outer shape of the vehicle.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, when discriminating a small standard passenger car whose outer shape is almost the same as that of a light vehicle, there is a limit to the vehicle classification ability (identification ability) as a system only by detecting the shape of the vehicle. In such a case, there is a problem that the probability of collecting tolls for different types of vehicles with respect to passing vehicles increases.
[0009]
For example, the number of tires, that is, the number of axes is different between route buses and other buses (tourist buses, etc.), and even if the buses have the same outer shape in the toll road type classification where the number of axes is also taken into consideration The price is different.
[0010]
Therefore, in order to avoid misidentification of the vehicle type classification for such a vehicle, if the identification is uncertain, the vehicle type of the vehicle must be determined to be unknown and sent to human processing.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, rather than taking a number plates, to provide a toll collection system and toll collection method capable of determining the vehicle type classification correct for the purpose Yes.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the toll collection system according to the first aspect of the present invention is attached to a vehicle entering an entrance / exit of a toll road and receives information unique to the vehicle from an IC number plate that transmits vehicle-specific information. Receiving means, separating means for separating and determining a vehicle that continuously enters the doorway as an individual , and the number of solids separated by the separating means is 1, and during the solid detection period, the reception is performed. When two different pieces of information unique to the vehicle are received by the means, the vehicle type of the vehicle is determined to be a towed vehicle, and the toll vehicle charge category is determined from among the charge categories set for each vehicle type in advance. Means.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toll collection system for receiving the vehicle-specific information from an IC number plate attached to a vehicle entering a toll road entrance and transmitting vehicle-specific information, and the entrance / exit The separation means for separating and determining the vehicle that continuously enters the vehicle as an individual, the axle detection means for detecting the number of axles of the vehicle that continuously enters the doorway, and the number of solids separated by the separation means is 1. Yes, when two different pieces of information unique to the vehicle are received by the receiving means during this solid detection period and the number of axles detected by the axle detecting means is 3, the vehicle type of the vehicle is determined as a towing vehicle And a means for determining a charge category of the towed vehicle from a charge category set in advance for each vehicle type .
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toll collection method for receiving vehicle-specific information from an IC number plate attached to a vehicle entering a toll road entrance and transmitting vehicle-specific information; A step of separating and determining vehicles entering continuously as individuals, and the number of separated solids is 1, and when two different pieces of vehicle-specific information are received during the solid detection period, the vehicle And determining a toll vehicle's toll category from among toll categories set in advance for each vehicle type .
[0017]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toll collection method for receiving information specific to a vehicle from an IC number plate that is attached to a vehicle entering a doorway of a toll road and transmits vehicle-specific information; The step of separating and determining vehicles that continuously enter as individuals, the step of detecting the number of axles of vehicles that continuously enter the doorway, and the number of separated solids is 1, and this solid detection period When two different pieces of information unique to the vehicle are received and the detected number of axles is 3, the vehicle type of the vehicle is determined as a towing vehicle, and from among the charge categories set in advance for each vehicle type And determining a toll classification for the towed vehicle .
[0019]
In the first and third aspects of the invention, since the vehicle-specific information transmitted from the transmission is received from the IC number plate and the vehicle type classification is determined for each vehicle separated by the separating means, a plurality of vehicles are continuously connected. It is possible to distinguish between a case where the vehicle enters and a case where a non-traction vehicle pulled by the tow vehicle enters, and the vehicle type classification accuracy of the vehicle can be improved.
[0020]
According to the second and fourth aspects of the present invention, vehicle-specific information transmitted from the transmission from the IC number plate and the number of axles detected from the vehicle are received, and the vehicle type classification is determined for each vehicle separated by the separating means. In addition, it is possible to reliably identify a case where a plurality of vehicles enter continuously or a case where a non-traction vehicle pulled by a towing vehicle enters, and the vehicle type classification accuracy of the vehicle can be improved.
[0021]
That is, in the present invention, vehicle-specific classification is obtained by acquiring vehicle-specific information stored in advance in the IC license plate, not information read from the license plate image, so there is no misreading and so on. Can be performed reliably.
[0022]
In addition, by using the vehicle-specific information stored in the IC license plate, equipment such as a camera device that captures the license plate, its image processing device, and a tread board that measures the weight of the vehicle are no longer necessary. The introduction cost can be reduced.
[0023]
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 the configuration of a fee collection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0024]
The toll collection system of the first embodiment is composed of an entrance system installed at the entrance of the toll road and an exit system installed at the exit of the toll road.
[0025]
The entrance system includes an automatic ticketing machine and a vehicle type discrimination system.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle type identification system is a wireless communication device 4 that is embedded in an entrance lane 1 and wirelessly communicates with an IC number plate 3 attached to a front bumper portion of a vehicle 2 that has entered the entrance lane 1. The wireless communication device 4 includes a processing device 5 that performs a vehicle type classification determination process based on vehicle-specific information received by wireless communication with the IC number plate 3. A memory chip and a transmitter are embedded in the IC number plate 3. The memory chip stores vehicle information unique to the vehicle, for example, information similar to that described in the vehicle verification (owner name, type, vehicle width, vehicle height, weight, etc.). The transmitter transmits a radio wave carrying vehicle-specific vehicle information stored in the memory chip within a predetermined range.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communication device 4 and the processing device 5 are connected by a signal cable or the like. The processing device 5 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a communication unit I / F 14, a transmission I / F 15, and the like. The CPU 11 controls the entire apparatus. The ROM 12 stores a control program executed by the CPU 11. The RAM 13 is a work area for the CPU 11 to perform control (processing). The communication unit I / F 14 is an interface that transmits and receives information to and from the wireless communication device 4. In addition, a high-order processing device 16 that is a high-order data processing device is connected to the processing device 5 via a transmission I / F 15. The transmission I / F 15 is an interface that communicates with the host processing device 16.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 3, the host processor 16 shows the relationship between the data table 20a indicating the relationship between the model and application and the vehicle type classification, and the towing vehicle classification, the non-traction vehicle classification, the number of axes, and the vehicle classification. The data table 20b is set, and the data tables 20a and 20b are distributed to the processing device 5 as necessary.
[0029]
When the processing device 5 obtains vehicle information from the IC number plate 3, it refers to at least one of the data tables 20a and 20b, and classifies the vehicle type based on predetermined information in the received vehicle information, for example, model and application information. Judgment is made.
[0030]
The wireless communication device 4 is provided with an antenna 41 and a communication processing unit 42. The antenna 41 receives vehicle information unique to the vehicle from the transmitter of the IC number plate 3. The communication processing unit 42 controls communication of the antenna 41 and passes vehicle-specific information received by the antenna 41 to the processing device 5.
[0031]
Next, the operation of the fee collection system of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In this toll collection system, when the vehicle type discrimination system is activated in the entrance system, the processing device 5 tries to communicate with the host processing device 16, and at least one of the data tables 20a and 20b from the host processing device 16, for example, the data table 20a. Is delivered to the processing device 5.
[0032]
In the processing device 5, the data table 20 a distributed from the host processing device 16 is expanded on the RAM 13.
[0033]
When the wireless communication device 4 is activated, as shown in FIG. 4, the wireless communication device 4 is in a standby state that always waits for reception of information transmitted from the transmitter of the IC number plate 3 (S101).
[0034]
When the vehicle enters the entrance lane 1 and the vehicle information transmitted from the IC number plate 3 is received by the wireless communication device 4 (Yes in S101), the wireless communication device 4 uses the vehicle information of the approaching vehicle. To the processing device 5.
[0035]
In the processing device 5, when the transmitted vehicle information is received by the communication unit I / F 14, the CPU 11 stores the data table 20 a developed on the RAM 13 using the model and application as a key in the received vehicle information. (S102), the vehicle type classification corresponding to the model and application is obtained (S103), and it is determined as the vehicle type classification of the passing vehicle, and information on the vehicle type classification is passed to the automatic ticketing machine.
[0036]
In the automatic ticketing machine, the entrance information including the passed vehicle type classification information is recorded on the passing ticket and the passing ticket is issued.
[0037]
When the vehicle that has entered the entrance lane 1 has reached the position of the automatic ticketing machine, the driver receives the issued pass ticket from the automatic ticketing machine, starts the vehicle, and enters the toll road.
[0038]
At the exit of the toll road, in the exit system, the staff at the exit toll gate receives the pass ticket from the driver of the exiting vehicle and passes it through the pass ticket processing device, so that the pass ticket processing device is recorded in the pass ticket. The settlement amount is calculated based on the entrance information including the vehicle type classification, the calculation result is displayed on the display device, and the clerk collects the fee from the driver at the displayed amount.
[0039]
As described above, according to the toll collection system of the first embodiment, the data table 20a in which the model, the application, and the vehicle type classification are associated is set in the processing device 5, and wirelessly transmitted from the IC number plate 3 attached to the passing vehicle. The vehicle information is received, the data table 20a is searched, and the vehicle type classification of the passing vehicle is determined. Therefore, the determination can be made without misidentifying the vehicle type classification of the passing vehicle.
[0040]
Compared to the conventional method of detecting the vehicle outer shape with various sensors or obtaining a license plate image with a camera device and performing image processing to read the vehicle type, various sensors, camera devices, and image processing devices are not required. Thus, the vehicle type identification system can be greatly simplified. Thereby, the installation equipment for each lane can be reduced, and the introduction cost of the system can be reduced.
[0041]
Next, a fee collection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The toll collection system of the second embodiment improves the discrimination performance of the vehicle type classification of the vehicle type discrimination system shown in the first embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0042]
That is, in this vehicle type discrimination system, as shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the vehicle type discrimination system of the first embodiment, a vehicle separation device 50 for detecting a break between vehicles and the number of axles of the vehicle are provided. An axle sensor 60 to detect is added.
[0043]
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the processing device 70 includes a separation unit I / F 17 and an axle unit I / F 18 in addition to the CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the communication unit I / F 14, and the transmission I / F 15. . The separation unit I / F 17 is an interface that receives a detection signal from the vehicle separation device 50. The axle portion I / F 18 is an interface that receives a detection signal from the axle sensor 60. Since the processing device 70 has these interfaces, it considers not only the vehicle information received from the IC number plate 3 through the communication unit I / F 14 but also the detection signals (information) from the vehicle separation device 50 and the axle sensor 60. To determine the vehicle category.
[0044]
The vehicle separation device 50 includes a separation sensor 51 that detects entry and breaks of the vehicle, and a separation processing unit 52 that outputs detection of the separation sensor 51 as a rectangular wave detection signal that becomes HI and LO. The axle sensor 60 has an infrared sensor 61 (hereinafter referred to as a sensor 61) that produces light / darkness by the axle of a passing vehicle, and a detection processing unit 62 that outputs a change in the light / darkness of the sensor 61 as the number of axles. .
[0045]
Subsequently, the operation of the toll collection system of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0046]
In this second embodiment, the vehicle type classification of a single vehicle is determined in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, special determination processing is performed for a vehicle in which the vehicle type is different especially when traveling and the vehicle type classification needs to be changed. Is required.
[0047]
For example, in the case of a trailer capable of traveling with a trailer head alone and traveling by pulling the container portion behind the trailer head, the IC number plate 3 is attached to each of the trailer head and the container portion. That is, different vehicle information is obtained from the two IC number plates 3 in a state where the container portion is pulled. When different vehicle information is obtained from the two IC number plates 3 in this way, it cannot be specified whether the tow vehicle or separate vehicles are continuous.
[0048]
Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the vehicle type identification system is activated in the entrance system, the processing device 5 tries to communicate with the higher order processing device 16, and at least one of the data tables 20a and 20b from the higher order processing device 16, for example, Both of the data tables 20a and 20b are distributed to the processing device 70.
[0049]
In the processing device 70, the data tables 20 a and 20 b distributed from the host processing device 16 are expanded on the RAM 13.
[0050]
The wireless communication device 4 always waits for reception of information transmitted from the transmitter of the IC number plate 3.
[0051]
When the vehicle enters the entrance lane 1, the vehicle is first detected by the axle sensor 60, and then the vehicle information transmitted from the IC number plate 3 of the vehicle is received by the wireless communication device 4 (see FIG. 7). S201), the vehicle information sent to the processing device 70 and detected by the vehicle separation device 50 is input to the processing device 70 through the separation unit I / F 17.
[0052]
The wireless communication device 4 receives information twice from the IC number plate 3 of the vehicle at predetermined time intervals (S202, S203).
[0053]
Here, when the vehicle information is obtained from the IC number plate 3, the CPU 11 of the processing device 70 determines whether there is information to be compared (S204).
[0054]
If there is no comparison information (No in S204), the CPU 11 proceeds to the process of S203 again and receives information from the IC number plate 3 of the vehicle.
[0055]
If there is comparison information (Yes in S204), the CPU 11 checks the number of blocks separated by the vehicle separation device for the vehicle (S205), and if there is one block (Yes in S205), the entrance lane 1 The vehicle that entered the vehicle is determined to be a towed vehicle, the data table 20b is searched (vehicle type division search), and processing such as determination of the vehicle type division is performed (S206).
[0056]
On the other hand, if the number of blocks is not one as a result of the check (No in S205), the CPU 11 performs an axle number calculation process for each block in which the vehicle exists (S207). Then, using the calculated number of axles and individual vehicle information (vehicle type, usage, etc.) obtained from the IC number plate 3 as a key, the data table 20a developed on the RAM 13 is searched to determine the vehicle type. Processing is performed (S208).
[0057]
After the vehicle type is determined, the vehicle type classification information is passed to the automatic ticketing machine.
In the automatic ticketing machine, the entrance information including the passed vehicle type classification information is recorded on the passing ticket and the passing ticket is issued.
[0058]
When the vehicle that has entered the entrance lane 1 has reached the position of the automatic ticketing machine, the driver receives the issued pass ticket from the automatic ticketing machine, starts the vehicle, and enters the toll road.
[0059]
At the exit of the toll road, in the exit system, the staff at the exit toll gate receives the pass ticket from the driver of the exiting vehicle and passes it through the pass ticket processing device, so that the pass ticket processing device is recorded in the pass ticket. The settlement amount is calculated based on the entrance information including the vehicle type classification, and the calculation result is displayed on the display device, and the clerk collects the fee from the driver at the displayed amount.
[0060]
Here, an example of a vehicle entering the entrance lane 1 will be specifically described. For example, a first case in which two vehicles, a first vehicle and a second vehicle, have entered the entrance lane 1 almost continuously, and a second case in which a towing vehicle and a non-towing vehicle connected thereto enter. An example for identifying a case will be described.
[0061]
In the first case, a biaxial vehicle such as a light vehicle, a normal vehicle, or a medium-sized vehicle enters as the first vehicle, and is substantially continuous after the first vehicle, and a triaxial vehicle as the second vehicle. For example, it is assumed that a medium-sized vehicle, a large vehicle, or an oversized vehicle has entered.
[0062]
When two vehicles enter in succession as in the first case (normal case), as shown in FIG. 8A, the vehicle separation device 50 is used for the first two-axis vehicle. The period from when the vehicle is detected at (detection signal HI) until this vehicle break is detected (detection signal LO) is recognized as one block, and this is output as the communication unit output while passing through this block. Vehicle information A of the vehicle is obtained.
[0063]
Also, for the second three-axis vehicle, the vehicle separation device 50 detects the vehicle entry (detection signal HI), and the period from when the vehicle break is detected (detection signal LO) is reduced. The vehicle information B of this vehicle is obtained as the communication unit output during the passage of this block. In this case, when the vehicle information A and B are compared with each other, they are different from each other and the detected blocks are also different, so that they can be identified as two consecutive vehicles.
[0064]
On the other hand, in the case of the second case, as shown in FIG. 8B, the vehicle separation device 50 recognizes a period from when the towing vehicle is detected to when the break of the non-towing vehicle is detected as one block. To do. Within this period (block), two different pieces of vehicle information A and B are obtained from the IC number plates of the towing vehicle and the non-traction vehicle. In this case, when the vehicle information A and B are compared with each other, they are different from each other, and since the detected blocks are the same, they can be identified as a towing vehicle.
[0065]
In this way, the vehicle information obtained from the IC number plate 3 is added with the detection results such as the vehicle separation information and the number of axles to the determination material, thereby continuously traveling with the case of the towing vehicle and the non-towing vehicle 2 The case of one vehicle can be identified as another case, and the vehicle type classification can be correctly determined.
[0066]
Thus, according to the toll collection system of the second embodiment, the vehicle type discrimination system is a system with a vehicle separator / axle sensor, so that the vehicle type can be obtained only from the information of the IC number plate 3 attached to the vehicle in advance. It is possible to correctly determine the vehicle type classification even in a special case where cannot be specified.
[0067]
Further, unlike the conventional case, it is not possible to erroneously determine a vehicle having a shape that is difficult to discriminate or to determine that the vehicle cannot be discriminated from the shape, and the accuracy of the vehicle type discrimination can be improved.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, vehicle-specific classification is determined by receiving vehicle-specific information transmitted from the IC number plate instead of information read from the license plate image. The classification can be reliably performed.
[0069]
In addition, by using the vehicle-specific information transmitted from the IC number plate for the determination of the vehicle classification, facilities such as a camera device for photographing the number plate, its image processing device, and a tread board for measuring the weight of the vehicle are unnecessary. Thus, the introduction cost of these facilities can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle type identification system according to a first embodiment in a toll collection system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the vehicle type identification system in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data table stored in a host processing device.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle type identification system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle type identification system according to a second embodiment in the toll collection system of the present invention.
6 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the vehicle type identification system in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle type identification system according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 8A is a diagram showing information obtained in a normal time (when two vehicles enter).
(B) is a figure which shows the information obtained at the time of towing (when the non-towed vehicle towed towed vehicle approached).
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Entrance lane, 2 ... Vehicle, 3 ... IC number plate, 4 ... Wireless communication apparatus, 5,70 ... Processing apparatus, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... Communication part I / F, 15 ... Transmission I / F, 16 ... host processing device, 41 ... antenna, 42 ... communication processing unit, 50 ... separation device, 51 ... separation sensor, 52 ... separation processing unit, 60 ... axle sensor, 61 ... sensor, 62 ... detection Processing part.

Claims (4)

Receiving means for receiving the vehicle-specific information from an IC number plate attached to the vehicle entering the entrance of the toll road and transmitting the vehicle-specific information;
Separating means for separately determining a vehicle that continuously enters the doorway as an individual,
When the number of solids separated by the separating means is 1, and when two different pieces of vehicle-specific information are received by the receiving means during the solid detection period, the vehicle type of the vehicle is determined as a towing vehicle. A toll collection system comprising means for determining a toll vehicle fee category from among fee categories previously set for each vehicle type . Receiving means for receiving the vehicle-specific information from an IC number plate attached to the vehicle entering the entrance of the toll road and transmitting the vehicle-specific information;
Separating means for separately determining a vehicle that continuously enters the doorway as an individual,
Axle detection means for detecting the number of axles of a vehicle that continuously enters the doorway;
The number of solids separated by the separation means is 1, two different vehicle-specific information is received by the reception means during the solid detection period, and the number of axles detected by the axle detection means is In the case of No. 3, the toll collection is provided with means for determining the tow vehicle as a tow vehicle and determining the tow vehicle charge category from among the charge categories set for each vehicle type in advance. system. Receiving the vehicle-specific information from an IC number plate attached to the vehicle entering the entrance of the toll road and transmitting the vehicle-specific information ;
Separating the vehicle continuously entering the doorway as an individual and determining,
When the number of separated solids is 1 and two different pieces of information unique to the vehicle are received during the solid detection period, the vehicle type of the vehicle is determined as a towing vehicle, and is set in advance for each vehicle type. from among the fee categories, toll collection method characterized by having a <br/> the step of determining the rates section of the towing vehicle. Receiving the vehicle-specific information from an IC number plate attached to the vehicle entering the entrance of the toll road and transmitting the vehicle-specific information;
Separating the vehicle continuously entering the doorway as an individual and determining,
Detecting the number of axles of a vehicle that continuously enters the doorway;
When the number of separated solids is 1, two different vehicle-specific information is received during the solid detection period, and the number of detected axles is 3, the vehicle type of the vehicle is pulled. And determining a charge category of the towed vehicle from among charge categories set for each vehicle type in advance .

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