JP5932617B2 - Toll collection system and toll collection method - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a fee collection system and a fee collection method.

  On toll roads such as expressways, a toll collection system for charging road tolls has been put into practical use. In recent years, on toll roads that are subject to toll collection by the toll collection system, not only fuel replenishment facilities (gas stations), but also facilities for replenishing energy to various vehicles, such as charging stations that supply power to EV cars, have been installed. There has been a lot to be done. For this reason, what can aim at the improvement of the service with respect to a user by linking a fee collection system and the system containing an energy supplementation facility is desired.

JP 2011-220834 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a fee collection system and a fee collection method that can efficiently use an energy replenishment facility and improve services to users.

According to the embodiment, the fee collection system includes a communication unit, a reservation unit, an entrance information acquisition unit, a determination unit, a reservation change unit, and a settlement unit. The communication means communicates with the user terminal operated by the user. The reservation means reserves the use for the energy supplement equipment installed in the road based on the reservation contents designated by the user at the user terminal that can communicate with the communication means. The entrance information acquisition means acquires entrance information including identification information received from the vehicle by a roadside device installed at the entrance of the road. The determination means determines whether or not the reservation content needs to be changed by the reservation means based on the entrance information acquired by the entrance information acquisition means. The reservation changing unit changes the reservation content by the reservation unit when the determination unit determines that the reservation content needs to be changed. The settlement means settles the usage fee of the energy supplement facility reserved by the reservation means by a toll collection system (ETC) card .

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of an energy replenishment system including a toll collection system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the charging server in the charging system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the management server in the fee collection system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a road use history database. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user information database. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reservation information database. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the charge history database. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a stand database. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a flow of registration, change, and cancellation of charging station reservation information in the entire energy replenishment system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the charging station reservation registration process. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the reservation changing process for the charging station. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the reservation cancellation process at the charging station. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a flow of information in a process (entrance process) when a vehicle passes an entrance-side roadside device provided at an entrance of a toll road. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of admission processing by the management server. FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing an information flow in a charging process in which power is supplied to a vehicle at a charging station installed in a toll road. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the charging process by the charging server. FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing a flow of information in a process (participation process) when a vehicle passes an exit-side roadside device provided at an exit of a toll road. FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of entry processing by the management server.

Hereinafter, the energy replenishment system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The energy replenishment system according to the present embodiment uses a charging station or a fuel station installed in a toll road for a user's vehicle that uses a toll road that generates a toll such as an expressway. This system provides services such as refueling. The energy replenishment system according to the present embodiment provides not only energy replenishment (charging or fuel replenishment) to the vehicle, but also advance reservation, fee settlement, provision of benefits (service points) according to use, or guidance on energy replenishment. It is a system that can provide such services.

  The energy replenishment system according to the present embodiment described below supplies electricity as energy to an EV vehicle as a vehicle driven by a user on a toll road such as an expressway where a toll collection system (ETC) collects a usage fee. Description will be made assuming an operation mode in which a charging system for supplying power is installed. However, the energy replenishment system according to the present embodiment only needs to settle (settlement) a fee for energy replenished to the vehicle by the user on the toll road. That is, the energy replenishment system according to the present embodiment is not limited to a charging system that supplies electricity as energy to an EV vehicle, for example, but includes a system that replenishes the vehicle with energy such as gasoline, light oil, or hydrogen. It may be a thing.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of an energy supplement system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the energy replenishment system includes a charging system 2, a fee collection system 3, and a user terminal 4.

  The charging system 2 is a system that supplies electricity to an EV vehicle as a vehicle that uses a toll road that generates a usage fee such as an expressway. For example, the charging system 2 includes a charging server 21 that manages information related to charging, charging stations (energy replenishing facilities) 22 installed at various places on a toll road, and the like.

  The toll collection system 3 is a system for paying tolls such as tolls for toll roads and charging fees for charging stations. For example, the toll collection system 3 includes a management server 31 that manages information on toll collection, and roadside devices 32 (an entrance-side roadside device 32A and an exit-side roadside device 32B) installed at a toll road entrance and the like. Composed.

  The user terminal 4 is a terminal device that is directly operated by the user. The user terminal 4 only needs to have a function of communicating with the management server 31 of the fee collection system 3 and a processor on which an application program for this system operates. For example, a personal computer (PC), a portable terminal device And a mobile phone. Further, one user may use a plurality of user terminals 4 as the user terminal 4. For example, one user may use a PC as the user terminal 4 at home and use a portable terminal device as the user terminal 4 outdoors and in a vehicle.

  Further, the vehicle to be processed by the energy replenishment system according to the present embodiment is an EV vehicle traveling on a toll road, and the vehicle driving battery is charged by the electric power supplied from the charging station 22 in the charging system 2. It is assumed that a charging facility and an on-vehicle device (an on-vehicle device for ETC) as a communication device for a toll collection system are mounted. The vehicle-mounted device for ETC is set up with information on the vehicle type as information about the vehicle, and is used in a state where an IC card (ETC card) as an ETC payment credit card possessed by the user is inserted. .

Next, the charging system 2 will be described.
In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the charging system 2 includes a charging server 21 and a charging stand 22.
The charging server 21 is a server device that manages information related to energy replenishment (charging) to the vehicle by the charging stand 22. The charging server 21 has a function of communicating with the toll collection system 3, a function of communicating with the charging station 22, a function of managing information related to a user's vehicle charging (power supply) reservation (charging station usage reservation), and use. A function of managing charging (power feeding) history information performed on the person's EV car.

  The charging server 21 is connected to the management server of the toll collection system 3 by wired or wireless communication, and accepts a charging station use reservation by the user terminal 4 operated by the user via the toll collection system 3. The charging server 21 also has a function of determining the reservation content of the charging station based on the vehicle entrance information acquired by the fee collection system 3 and changing the reservation content based on the entrance information.

  The charging server 21 is connected to the charging stand 22 by wire or wirelessly, and controls the power supply to the vehicle based on the use reservation etc. with respect to the charging stand 22. In addition, the charging server 21 acquires information on charging (power feeding) performed on the vehicle from the charging stand 22, and stores and manages charging history information on information on charging performed on the vehicle. Further, the charging server 21 has a function of transmitting charging history information to the management server of the toll collection system 3 in order to settle the usage fee for charging by the same settlement method as the road toll.

  The charging stand 22 is a device that supplies electric power to the EV vehicle as energy supplement for the vehicle in the toll road. For example, the charging stand 22 includes a power feeding mechanism that supplies power, a control unit that performs control and arithmetic processing of each unit, a communication unit that communicates with a vehicle to be charged or an on-board device for ETC mounted on the vehicle. .

  The power supply mechanism of the charging stand 22 may supply power to a vehicle connected by a power cord or the like, or may supply power to the vehicle in a non-contact manner by a coil or the like. The control unit of the charging stand 22 includes a processor, various memories, various interfaces, and the like. The processor executes an application program stored in the memory to control and communicate with devices connected through the various interfaces. Moreover, the communication part of the charging stand 22 performs data communication with the vehicle-mounted device of the vehicle.

  For example, the control unit of the charging station 22 acquires information such as the card ID of the ETC card from the vehicle-mounted device through data communication by the communication unit, and performs vehicle authentication processing using the acquired information. The charging station 22 confirms the reservation status for the authenticated vehicle, and performs a process of supplying power to the vehicle (charging process). The charging stand 22 transmits information related to charging including information for calculating a charge for charging, such as the amount of charge supplied to the vehicle, to the charging server 21.

Next, the fee collection system 3 will be described.
In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the toll collection system 3 includes a management server 31, a roadside device 32 (an entrance-side roadside device 32 </ b> A and an exit-side roadside device 32 </ b> B), and the like.
The management server 31 has a function of paying a road toll and a charge for a vehicle user using a toll road using an ETC card. The management server 31 performs processing for billing the user for road tolls, charging fees, etc. through a credit card company or the like. The management server 31 is connected to an entrance-side roadside device 32A and an exit-side roadside device 32B installed at entrances and exits of various places on a toll road by wireless or wired communication. The management server 31 manages entry and exit of vehicles by using ETC on toll roads based on information obtained from the roadside device 32A on the entrance side and the roadside device 32B on the exit side.

  The management server 31 has a function of determining a road toll based on the entrance location (entrance), the exit location (exit), the vehicle type, and the like of the vehicle, and charging the road toll to the vehicle user. Further, the management server 31 has a function of receiving information related to charging (charging history information) and the like from the charging system 2 and paying a charging fee according to the received charging history information and the like. In addition, the management server 31 has a function of calculating points (mileage) to which a service is to be applied according to usage details such as road usage and charging usage.

  The entrance-side roadside device 32A is installed at the entrance of the toll road, and acquires information such as the card ID of the user's ETC card from an on-board device for ETC that is mounted on a vehicle about to enter the toll road. For example, the roadside device 32A on the entrance side communicates with an onboard device for ETC installed in a vehicle about to enter a toll road by a wireless communication antenna, and an ETC card inserted in the onboard device for ETC. Get card ID. In addition to the ETC card ID, the entrance side roadside device 32A obtains information such as the vehicle-mounted device ID, the vehicle type information of the vehicle, the remaining battery level of the vehicle, the travelable distance, or the fuel consumption (electric cost). You may make it do. The roadside device 32A on the entrance side transmits to the management server 31 entrance information obtained by adding information such as an entry place and an entry date to information such as an ETC card ID received from the vehicle. The roadside device 32A on the entrance side also transmits information such as entrance information (entrance location and entrance date / time) to the vehicle-mounted device of the vehicle permitted to enter. The vehicle-mounted device records information such as entrance information (entrance location and entrance date / time) received from the roadside device 32A in an internal memory or an ETC card.

  The roadside device 32B on the exit side is installed at the exit of the toll road, and receives information such as the ETC card ID, vehicle type, and entrance information of the ETC card from the ETC onboard device mounted on the vehicle that is about to enter the toll road. get. For example, the roadside device 32B on the exit side communicates with an onboard device for ETC installed in a vehicle about to enter from a toll road by a wireless communication antenna, and from an ETC card inserted in the onboard device for ETC. An ETC card ID is acquired, and information indicating the vehicle type of the vehicle set in the vehicle-mounted device is acquired. Further, the roadside device 32B on the exit side transmits the acquired information such as the ETC card ID, the place of participation, the date and time of participation, and the vehicle type to the management server 31 as exit information included in the usage history information of the toll road. The exit-side roadside device 32B may include a display unit that calculates a road toll based on the acquired information and guides and displays the vehicle on the road.

Next, the charging server 21 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the charging server 21.
As shown in FIG. 2, the charging server 21 includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, a nonvolatile memory 44, a first communication interface (I / F) 45, a second communication interface, and the like. The charging server 21 may further include a display unit, an operation unit, an external interface, and the like, and components other than the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 may be added as appropriate.

  The CPU 41 has a function of controlling the operation of the entire charging server 21. The CPU 41 may include an internal cache and various interfaces. The CPU 41 implements various processes by executing a program stored in advance in the internal memory, the ROM 43 or the nonvolatile memory 44. For example, the CPU 41 has a data processing function for processing data such as data input via the communication interface 45 by executing a program. Note that some of various functions realized by the CPU 41 executing a program may be realized by a hardware circuit. In this case, the CPU 41 controls functions executed by the hardware circuit.

The RAM 42 is a volatile memory. The RAM 42 temporarily stores data being processed by the CPU 41 and stores programs executed by the CPU 41. The RAM 42 may store data necessary for executing the application program, an execution result of the application program, and the like. The ROM 43 is a nonvolatile memory in which a control program and control data are stored in advance. The control program and control data stored in the ROM 43 are incorporated according to the specifications of the charging server 21 in advance.
The nonvolatile memory 44 is a nonvolatile memory in which data can be written and rewritten. The nonvolatile memory 44 is configured by, for example, a hard disk, SSD, EEPROM, flash memory, or the like. The non-volatile memory 44 stores a control program, an application, and various data according to the operation usage of the charging server 21. The non-volatile memory 44 has a storage area for storing a charging history database 51, a reservation information database 52, a stand database 53, and the like. These databases 51 to 53 will be described in detail later.

  The first communication interface 45 is an interface for communicating with the management server 31 of the toll collection system 3, for example, an interface for communicating with the management server 31 through a dedicated line. The second communication interface 46 is an interface for communicating with the charging station 22 installed at various places.

Next, the management server 31 of the fee collection system 3 will be described.
The management server 31 of the toll collection system 3 has a function of managing road usage history information including entrance / exit information of vehicles traveling on toll roads and billing the vehicle users. In addition, the management server 31 has a function of acquiring charging history information for the vehicle from the charging server 21 and charging the user for a charging fee corresponding to the charging history information. Furthermore, the management server 31 has a function of calculating points according to road usage or charging usage based on road usage calendar information and charging history information. This point is also called, for example, mileage, and is used to receive a toll or other services.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the management server 31.
The management server 31 according to the present embodiment is configured by a server device. The management server 31 may be composed of a plurality of computers, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, the management server 31 includes a CPU 61, a RAM 62, a ROM 63, a nonvolatile memory 64, a first communication interface (I / F) 65, a second communication interface (I / F) 66, and a third communication. An interface (I / F) 67 is provided. However, the management server 31 may further include a display unit, an operation unit, an external interface, and the like, and components other than the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 may be added as appropriate.

  The CPU 61 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the management server 31. The CPU 61 may include an internal cache and various interfaces. The CPU 61 implements various processes by executing programs stored in advance in the internal memory, the ROM 63 or the nonvolatile memory 64. For example, the CPU 61 has a data processing function of processing data such as data input via the first to third communication interfaces 65 to 67 by executing a program. Note that some of the various functions realized by the CPU 61 executing the program may be realized by a hardware circuit. In this case, the CPU 61 controls a function executed by the hardware circuit.

  The RAM 62 is a volatile memory. The RAM 62 temporarily stores data being processed by the CPU 61 and stores programs executed by the CPU 61. The RAM 62 may store data necessary for executing the application program, an execution result of the application program, and the like. The ROM 63 is a nonvolatile memory in which a control program and control data are stored in advance. The control program and control data stored in the ROM 63 are incorporated according to the specifications of the management server 31 in advance.

  The nonvolatile memory 64 is a nonvolatile memory in which data can be written and rewritten. The nonvolatile memory 64 is configured by, for example, a hard disk, SSD, EEPROM, flash memory, or the like. The non-volatile memory 64 stores a control program, an application, and various data according to the operation usage of the management server 31. The nonvolatile memory 64 includes a road use history database (entrance information table, exit information table) 71, a user information database 72, a reservation information database 73 (temporary reservation table, reservation confirmation table, charge completion table), and charge history database. It has a recording area for recording 74 and the like. Each database 71 to 74 will be described later.

  The first communication interface 65 is an interface for performing data communication with the user terminal 4. For example, the first communication interface 65 is connected to the user terminal 4 via a wide area network such as the Internet. The second communication interface 66 is an interface for communicating with the charging server 21. The second communication interface 66 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the charging system 2. For example, the second communication interface 66 communicates with the charging server 21 of the charging system 2 via a dedicated line. The third communication interface 67 is an interface for communicating with roadside devices installed at various places on the toll road such as the roadside device 32A on the entrance side and the roadside device 32B on the exit side.

Next, the road use history database 71 managed by the management server 31 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a road use history database 71 managed by the management server 31.
The road use history database 71 has an entrance information table 71A and an exit information table 71B. The entrance information table 71A is associated with the ETC card ID received from the vehicle-mounted device of the vehicle entering the toll road, and includes entrance information such as the entry location, the entry date / time, the vehicle-mounted device ID and the remaining battery level (in the case of an EV car). Store. The exit information table 71B stores exit information such as entry location, entry date / time, onboard device ID, vehicle type, road toll, etc., in association with the ETC card ID received from the onboard device of the vehicle participating on the toll road.

  The ETC card ID is identification information for identifying a credit card (ETC card) used by the user for settlement by the fee collection system 3. Here, it is assumed that the ETC card is a valid credit card that has been registered for settlement in the fee collection system 3. The entrance information includes information that the roadside device 32A on the entrance side receives from the onboard equipment when a vehicle equipped with the onboard equipment on which the ETC card is set passes through the entrance. The exit information includes information that the roadside device 32B on the exit side receives from the onboard device when a vehicle equipped with the onboard device on which the ETC card is set passes through the exit. The entrance information and the exit information are linked to each other by identification information such as an ETC card ID or an in-vehicle device ID.

  The entrance place is information indicating a place (entrance) where the vehicle enters the toll road. The entrance location indicates the location of the roadside device 32A on the entrance side through which the vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted device on which the ETC card with the corresponding ETC card ID is set passes. The entry date and time is information indicating the date and time when the vehicle entered the toll road (date and time when the vehicle passed through the entrance to the toll road). For example, the entry date and time is the date and time when the vehicle for which the corresponding ETC card ID is set passes through the roadside device 32A on the entrance side. The vehicle-mounted device ID is identification information for identifying the vehicle-mounted device installed in the entered vehicle. The battery remaining amount is information acquired for predicting the distance that the vehicle can travel when the vehicle is an EV vehicle. When the guidance of the charging station in the range where the vehicle can travel based on the prediction of the travel distance is not performed, the information on the battery remaining amount does not need to be acquired.

  The participation place is information indicating a place (exit) where the vehicle has participated from the toll road. The participation place indicates the place of the roadside device 32B on the exit side through which the vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted device in which the ETC card with the corresponding ETC card ID is set passes. The participation date and time is information indicating the date and time when the vehicle participated from the toll road (date and time when the vehicle passed the exit of the toll road). For example, the participation date and time is the date and time when the vehicle in which the corresponding ETC card ID is set passes through the roadside device 32B on the exit side. The vehicle-mounted device ID is identification information for identifying the vehicle-mounted device installed in the vehicle that participates. The vehicle type is information indicating the vehicle type of the vehicle that participates. For example, the vehicle type is information acquired from the vehicle-mounted device of the vehicle that participates. The road toll is information indicating a fee according to the use of the toll road by the vehicle. The road toll is a fee determined from information such as an entry place, an entry place, and a vehicle type. The road toll is calculated by a predetermined calculation method (for example, a method of calculating by referring to a toll table (not shown)), but is not limited to a specific method.

Next, the user information database 72 managed by the management server 31 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user information database 72 managed by the management server 31.
The user information database 72 is a database that stores information related to users (use registrants) who use the point (mileage) service in the energy replenishment system. For example, the user information database 72 stores information such as user information, vehicle information, and vehicle-mounted device information in association with each other.

User information is information, such as user ID, card ID, point (mileage) information, and an e-mail address, for example. Furthermore, as user information, personal information such as name, age, address or telephone number may be stored.
The user ID is identification information for specifying a user (user). The user ID is issued when registering the use of the point (mileage) service in the energy replenishment system. The card ID is identification information for identifying a credit card (ETC card) used by the user for settlement by the fee collection system 3. Here, it is assumed that the ETC card is a valid credit card registered for settlement in the toll collection system, and the card ID is the card ID of the ETC card (hereinafter also referred to as ETC card ID). .

  The point information is information related to points (mileage) given according to the usage status. For example, the point information is information obtained by accumulating points given to the user in accordance with usage conditions such as road usage on toll roads or charging usage by a charging system. Further, the operation form of this system may be an operation such as automatically discounting the amount corresponding to the point according to the usage status from the usage fee. In this case, the point information is stored as the user information. It may be unnecessary.

  The e-mail address is an e-mail address for distributing information to the user. For example, a mail address that can receive an e-mail at the user terminal 4 used by each user is set. Information on the reservation status of the charging station or information on the usage status of the charging station is delivered to an email address registered as user information by e-mail. In addition, when it is set as the operation | movement which does not perform the information delivery by an email, it is good also as registration of a mail address is unnecessary.

  The vehicle information is information related to the vehicle used by the user. For example, the vehicle information includes vehicle type, vehicle identification information (vehicle ID), information on the travel distance (fuel consumption) with respect to the energy consumption of the vehicle, and the like. When a user uses a plurality of vehicles, vehicle information for a plurality of vehicles may be registered for one user.

  Onboard equipment information is information about the onboard equipment mounted on the vehicle used by the user. The in-vehicle device is a device for a user to make a fee settlement by a fee collection system using an ETC card. OBE information includes information such as OBE ID. The vehicle-mounted device ID is identification information for specifying the vehicle-mounted device. In addition, if it is the operation | use form which sets up one onboard equipment with respect to one vehicle, you may make it register the information contained in the above-mentioned vehicle information as onboard equipment information.

Next, the reservation information database 73 managed by the management server 31 and the reservation information database 52 managed by the charging server 21 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the reservation information databases 52 and 73.
Here, it is assumed that the reservation information database 52 and the reservation information database 73 store similar information. For example, the management server 31 of the toll collection system 3 appropriately transfers information (reservation information) registered in the reservation information database 73 of the nonvolatile memory 64 in response to an application from the user terminal 4 to the charging server 21 of the charging system 2. Then, the charging server 21 updates the reservation information database 52 of the nonvolatile memory 44 based on the reservation information received from the management server 31. In addition, information indicating the state of charging in the charging station 22 may be notified from the charging server 21 of the charging system 2 to the management server 31 of the toll collection system 3.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the reservation information databases 52 and 73 include a temporary reservation table 81, a reservation confirmation table 82, and a charging completion table 83. For example, the provisional reservation table 81 stores reservation information (provisional reservation information) set according to the application to the user, and the reservation confirmation table 82 is a part or all of the information (provisional reservation information) of the provisional reservation table. The reservation information created by updating is stored. In addition, the charging completion table 83 stores information created by updating the reservation information in the reservation determination table 82 to the charging completion status in response to the charging completion notification.

  That is, the provisional reservation table 81 stores reservation information of charging stations in toll roads according to user applications as provisional reservation information. The reservation confirmation table 82 determines reservation information for a vehicle that actually enters the toll road, and stores confirmed reservation information (that is, reservation information related to the vehicle that has entered). The charging completion table 83 stores reservation information for vehicles (users) that have been charged as already-implemented information.

  In the temporary reservation table 81, for example, information such as entrance information, participation information, ETC card ID, use stand location, estimated arrival time, and settlement method are registered as temporary reservation information. The entrance information includes information such as the entrance scheduled to enter the toll road and the scheduled entrance time. The participation information includes information such as an exit scheduled to participate from the toll road and an expected participation time. The ETC card ID is a card ID of an ETC card scheduled to be used.

  The use stand location is information indicating a charging stand (charging stand location) for making a temporary reservation for replenishing energy (charging), and for example, a parking area or a service area in a toll road is designated. The estimated arrival time is the estimated time of arrival at the temporarily reserved charging station. The settlement method is information indicating a settlement method for a charge related to energy replenishment (a charge for charging at a charging station). For example, as a settlement method, it is possible to select a credit card settlement using an ETC card, a settlement using cash, or a settlement using a return amount (a prepaid amount).

  In the reservation confirmation table 82, information such as entry information, entry information, ETC card ID, use stand location, estimated arrival time, and settlement method are registered. In the reservation confirmation table 82, information obtained by updating the provisional reservation information stored in the provisional reservation table 81 for the vehicle (user) actually entering the toll road may be stored as confirmed reservation information. The ETC card ID is an ETC card ID acquired from the vehicle actually entered. The management server 31 searches for the corresponding provisional reservation information (temporary reservation information including the matching ETC card ID) based on the ETC card ID acquired from the actually entered vehicle. Use stand place, registered. The entrance information is information such as the entrance where the vehicle actually entered and the actual entrance time. That is, the entrance information in the provisional reservation information is updated to information that actually indicates the entrance and entrance time.

  In addition, information such as entry information, use stand location, estimated arrival time, and payment method may remain as provisional reservation information, or updated according to information such as actual admission status (eg, admission time, remaining battery level). You may make it do. For example, when the management server 31 determines whether or not the use stand location needs to be changed based on information acquired from the vehicle at the time of entrance, and determines that the use stand location needs to be changed, You may make it guide the change of a use stand place. If there is a request for changing the use stand location by the user terminal (for example, mobile terminal) 4 operated by the user, the management server 31 updates the information in the reservation confirmation table 82 as appropriate.

Next, the charging history database 51 managed by the charging server 21 and the charging history database 74 managed by the management server 31 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the charge history databases 51 and 74.
The charging history databases 51 and 74 store information (charging history information) indicating the usage status of charging. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the charge history databases 51 and 74 store information such as a use stand, use date and time, charge amount, and use fee as a charge use history in association with the ETC card ID.

  The charging history databases 51 and 74 may store information such as a use stand, use date and time, charge amount, and use fee in association with the vehicle-mounted device ID or the user ID instead of the ETC card ID. good. The charging history database 51 and the charging history database 74 may store the same information. In the following description, the charging history databases 51 and 74 are assumed to store the same charging history information.

  The use stand is information indicating a charging stand that has been charged. In the present embodiment, the use stand indicates a charging stand 22 that charges a vehicle on which an in-vehicle device in which an ETC card with a corresponding ETC card ID is set is mounted. The use date and time is information indicating the date and time (for example, start time and end time) when power is supplied to the vehicle for which the ETC card ID is set. The amount of charge is information indicating the amount of power charged in the vehicle. The usage fee is information indicating a fee according to the usage content such as the charge amount. The usage fee is set according to the operation mode. For example, the usage fee may be determined not only according to the amount of charge but also according to the usage date and time, whether there is a reservation, or the settlement method.

  The charging history information stored in the charging history database 51 is transmitted from the charging server 21 to the management server 31 of the fee collection system 3. The management server 31 of the toll collection system receives the charging history information from the charging server 21 and stores the received charging history information in the charging history database 74. The management server 31 performs a payment process using an ETC card based on the charging history information stored in the charging history database 74, or executes a point grant calculation according to the usage details.

Next, the stand database 53 managed by the charging server 21 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the stand database 53.
The stand database 53 stores information on charging stations provided at various locations in the toll road. For example, the stand database 53 is used to search for charging station candidates at the time of reservation registration (at the time of temporary reservation), or to search for charging station change candidates that have been temporarily reserved when a vehicle enters.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, the stand database 53 stores information such as installation location, distance, average travel time, reservation status, and specifications in association with identification information of each charging station. The stand database 53 may store information such as distance, reservation status, and specifications for each charging station installation location.

  The installation location is information indicating a location (for example, parking, service area) where the charging station of the corresponding identification information is installed. The distance is information indicating the distance to the charging station installation location. For example, information indicating the distance from the installation location of the adjacent stand (adjacent parking and service area) is stored. The average travel time is information indicating the time taken to reach the charging station installation location, for example, information indicating the average travel time from the installation location of the adjacent stand (adjacent parking, service area). Stored. The reservation status is information indicating the reservation status of the charging station. The reservation status is updated according to the provisional reservation information and the confirmed reservation information. The reservation status may be, for example, information indicating the time zone in which the charging station of the corresponding identification information is reserved, or information indicating the number of free charging stations for each time zone at each installation location. May be. The specification is information indicating specifications such as the charging capability of the charging station of the corresponding identification information.

Hereinafter, the operation of the energy supplement system according to the present embodiment will be described.
First, a registration process for charging station use reservation will be described.
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a flow of registration, change, and cancellation of charging station reservation information in the entire energy replenishment system according to the present embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the user who has registered the user for the point service can make a reservation for using the charging station in the energy replenishment system.

  First, the user makes an application for user registration of the point service using the user terminal 4. The management server 31 performs a point service user registration process in response to an application for user registration from the user terminal 4. The user who has been registered as a user of the point service activates a charging system reservation application on the user terminal 4 and inputs information related to the charging system reservation. The user terminal 4 transmits information related to the reservation input by the user to the management server 31.

  The management server 31 determines whether or not a reservation is possible for the information related to the reservation received from the user terminal 4. When it is determined that the reservation is possible, the management server 31 registers the reservation information based on the information received from the user terminal 4 in the reservation information database 73 as temporary reservation information, and also stores the reservation information ( Provisional reservation information) is distributed. The charging server 21 stores temporary reservation information in the reservation information database 52 and sets reservation contents for the charging station 22 to be reserved. When the reservation (provisional reservation) is completed, the management server 31 notifies the user terminal 4 of the reservation completion.

Next, charging station reservation registration processing by the management server 31 of the fee collection system 3 will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the charging station reservation registration process by the management server 31.

  When making a reservation for using a charging station on a toll road, the user activates an application program for making a reservation for a charging station on the user terminal 4. When the application program is activated, the user terminal 4 requests a reservation registration process for the charging station. For example, a user who has been registered for use of the point service (use registrant) inputs user information such as a user ID to the user terminal 4, and a user who has not registered for use of the point service reserves a charging station. In order to do this, it is assumed that a new use registration for the point service is input to the user terminal 4.

  The management server 31 performs reservation registration processing in response to a request from the user terminal 4. For example, when user information such as a user ID is received from the user terminal 4 together with a request for reservation registration processing, the management server 31 uses the received user information such as the user ID to register the user for use of the point service. It is checked whether it is a person (step S11). When it is not possible to confirm that the user is a point service use registrant, or when the user terminal 4 requests a new use registration of the point service (step S11, NO), the management server 31 newly uses the point service. Registration input guidance is displayed on the display unit or the like of the user terminal 4 (step S12), and input of information related to use registration of the point service by the user terminal 4 is accepted (step S13).

  When the information related to the use registration of the point service is input, the management server 31 determines whether or not the new use registration of the point service is possible based on the input information (step S14). If it is determined that new usage registration is possible (step S14, YES), the management server 31 registers user information and the like based on the input information in the user information database 72 (step S15). If it is determined that new usage registration is not possible (step S14, NO), the management server 31 displays guidance including the reason why usage registration is disabled on the display unit of the user terminal 4 (step S12). ), Accepting the input of information related to re-use registration (step S13).

  When the use registration of the point service has been completed (step S11, YES), or when the new use registration of the point service has been completed, the management server 31 provides the user terminal 4 with input guidance regarding information regarding the use reservation of the charging station. Is displayed on the display unit (step S16), and the user terminal 4 receives input of information relating to the charging station use reservation (step S17). Moreover, you may make it display the guidance according to the information which a user inputs on the display part of the user terminal 4. FIG. For example, when entrance information and exit information are input as information related to use of toll roads, the management server 31 sets the time from entry time to entry time among charging stations in the section from the entrance to the exit of the toll road. A list of charging stations (charging station locations) that are vacant in the belt may be displayed, and a charging station used for charging may be selected from the list.

  When the information related to the charging station usage reservation is input, the management server 31 determines whether or not the charging station reservation is possible according to the input information (step S18). For example, the management server 31 determines whether or not the use reservation is possible depending on whether or not the charging station (charging station location) specified by the user is in an empty state (non-reserved state) in the specified time zone. To do.

  When it is determined that the charging station cannot be reserved in accordance with the information input by the user (step S18, NO), the management server 31 displays a guide including the reason why the reservation is disabled, on the display unit of the user terminal 4. (Step S19), and based on the input reservation content, it is determined whether or not a change candidate that can be reserved can be presented (step S20). For example, if the designated charging station (charging station location) is not available and cannot be reserved, the management server 31 charges in an empty state at the charging station (charging station location) close to the charging station designated by the user. If there is a stand, it is determined that the charging station (charging station location) can be presented as a candidate for change, or if there is a time slot that can be reserved before and after the specified usage time zone, the charging station reservation usage time It is determined that the belt can be presented as a change candidate.

  When it is determined that there is a reservation content change candidate that can be presented (step S20, YES), the management server 31 sets the reservation content change candidate as a user terminal together with guidance that the reservation with the specified content is impossible. 4 is displayed (step S21), and the reservation information input (change input) is accepted again (step S17). If it is determined that the reservation content change candidate cannot be presented (NO in step S20), the management server 31 accepts the input (change input) of the reservation information again in a state where the reservation impossible guidance is displayed (step S20). S17). However, if the charging station is not available (reserved state) and cannot be reserved, the management server 31 displays the congestion status of the charging station (charging station location) on the display unit of the user terminal 4 to charge the charging station. It may be possible to make a reservation in a stand-by waiting state (use depending on availability).

  If it is determined that the charging station can be reserved in accordance with the information input by the user (step S18, YES), the management server 31 guides the input of a settlement method for the charge (charging charge) for charging use. Is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 4 (step S22), and the payment method input (selection) by the user terminal 4 is accepted (step S23). For example, as a charging fee settlement method, ETC card settlement, return amount settlement, or point settlement is assumed. In such a case, the input guidance for the settlement method may be guidance that allows the user to select whether to pay the charge for charging using ETC card settlement, reduction amount settlement, or point settlement.

  When the settlement method is input (selected), the management server 31 determines whether or not the charging fee can be settled by the selected settlement method (step S24). For example, when payment using an ETC card is selected, the management server 31 determines whether payment is possible based on whether the ETC card is valid for the use date and time reserved based on the expiration date of the ETC card. Further, when the settlement with the return amount (prepaid balance) is selected, the management server 31 determines whether or not the settlement is possible based on whether or not there is a balance of the return amount. When payment with points is selected, the management server 31 determines whether or not payment is possible depending on whether or not there is a balance of points used for payment of usage fees.

  If it is determined that payment by the payment method selected by the user is not possible (step S24, NO), the management server 31 is incapable of payment by the selected payment method and inputs that another payment method is selected. The guidance is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 4 (step S22), and re-input (selection) of the settlement method by the user terminal 4 is accepted (step S23).

  If it is determined that payment can be made by the payment method selected by the user (step S24, YES), the management server 31 temporarily reserves information regarding the charging station reservation entered by the user including the payment method. Information is registered in the provisional reservation table 81 of the reservation information database 73 (step S25). As temporary reservation information, for example, entrance information, exit information, ETC card ID, charging station (charging station location), estimated arrival time, settlement method, point grant information, and the like are stored.

  In addition, the management server 31 registers the temporary reservation information input by the user in the reservation information database 73 and also registers the temporary reservation information in the reservation information database 52 of the charging server 21 of the charging system 2. Information is distributed to the charging server 21 (step S26). Here, the provisional reservation information distributed to the charging server 21 may be the same as the provisional reservation information registered in the reservation information database 73, or may be information necessary on the charging system 2 side. For example, in the charging system 2, if information related to point calculation or the like is unnecessary, the management server 31 specifies information for identifying a user or a vehicle to be used (for example, an ETC card ID, or a vehicle ID or an in-vehicle device ID), Information such as the charging station (charging station location), estimated arrival time (usage time zone), and settlement method may be distributed to the charging server 21 as temporary reservation information used by the charging system 2.

  In addition, the charging server 21 receives temporary reservation information distributed from the management server 31 through the first communication interface 45. The charging server 21 that has received the temporary reservation information registers the received temporary reservation information in the temporary reservation table 81 of the reservation information database 52 and transfers the temporary reservation information to the charging station to be reserved. Thereby, in the charging system 2, the charging server 21 and each charging station 22 can register (set) temporary reservation information of the charging station that is input from the user terminal 4 and confirmed by the management server 31.

Furthermore, the management server 31 receives the user's e-mail address (for example, received at the user terminal 4) as an e-mail that guides the completion of the temporary reservation of the charging station and the contents of the temporary reservation information registered in the reservation information database 73. It is delivered to a possible mail address (step S27).
According to the charging station reservation registration process as described above, the toll collection system 3 can make a reservation for use of a charging station installed in a toll road in response to an application from a user. It is also possible to notify the user of guidance regarding the use reservation.

Next, a reservation change process for a charging station use reservation will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9, a user who has made a reservation for using a charging station can change registered reservation information using the user terminal 4. For example, when the registered reservation information is changed, the user inputs the change contents for the registered reservation information in the user terminal 4. The management server 31 receives an application for changing the reservation information input by the user from the user terminal 4 and performs a reservation change process for the temporary reservation information according to the received application for the change.

  The management server 31 determines whether or not the reservation change according to the information (reservation change information) related to the reservation change received from the user terminal 4 is possible. If the reservation can be changed, the management server 31 changes the reservation information registered in the reservation information database 73 based on the reservation change information received from the user terminal 4 and changes the reservation to the charging server 21 of the charging system 2. Distribute information. The charging server 21 changes the reservation information registered in the reservation information database 52 based on the reservation change information, and sets reservation change contents for the charging station 22 to be reserved. When the reservation change is completed, the management server 31 notifies the user terminal 4 of the reservation completion.

Next, the reservation change process of the charging station 22 by the management server 31 of the fee collection system 3 will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the reservation changing process for the charging station 22 by the management server 31 of the fee collection system 3.
When changing the registered reservation contents, the user activates an application program for changing the reservation of the charging station in the user terminal 4. When the application program is activated, the user terminal 4 requests the management server 31 to change the reservation by the user. Upon receiving a reservation change request from the user terminal 4, the management server 31 accepts input by the user terminal 4 of specific information (for example, ETC card ID) for specifying reservation information to be changed (step S31). .

  When receiving the specific information (for example, ETC card ID) for specifying the reservation information to be changed for reservation from the user terminal 4, the management server 31 determines that the reservation information to be changed for the reservation is based on the received specific information. It is confirmed whether or not it exists in the reservation information database 73 (step S32). When it is determined that there is no reservation information to be changed (step S32, NO), the management server 31 displays on the display unit of the user terminal 4 a guidance that the corresponding reservation information to be changed does not exist (step S32). S33), the reservation change process is terminated.

  When it is determined that there is reservation information to be changed for reservation (step S32, YES), the management server 31 displays an input guide for reservation change information on the display unit of the user terminal 4 (step S34). The reservation change information input is accepted (step S35).

  When the reservation change information is input, the management server 31 determines whether or not the reservation can be changed according to the input reservation change information (step S36). For example, when the user changes the charging station (charging station location), the management server 31 determines whether or not a reservation can be made depending on whether or not the changed charging station is empty, and the user If the charging station (charging station location) usage time (estimated time of arrival) is changed, it is determined whether the reservation can be changed depending on whether the charging station is empty in the changed time zone. .

  When it is determined that the reservation cannot be changed according to the reservation change information input by the user (NO in step S36), the management server 31 displays a guidance including the reason for making the reservation change impossible, on the display unit of the user terminal 4. (Step S37), and it is determined whether another reservation change candidate can be presented based on the input reservation change information (step S38). If it is determined that there is another reservation change candidate that can be presented (step S38, YES), the management server 31 provides another reservation change with guidance that the reservation change cannot be made with the specified reservation change information. Are displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 4 (step S39), and the reservation information input (change input) is accepted again (step S35). If it is determined that another reservation change candidate cannot be presented (step S38, NO), the management server 31 accepts the input of the reservation change information again in a state in which the reservation change impossible guidance is displayed (step S38). S35).

  Further, when it is determined that the reservation change based on the reservation change information input by the user is possible (step S36, YES), the management server 31 confirms whether or not there is a change to the charging fee settlement method (step S40). . When it is determined that there is a change in the charging fee settlement method (step S40, YES), the management server 31 displays a change input guide for the charging fee settlement method on the display unit of the user terminal 4 (step S41). A payment method change input (selection) by the terminal 4 is accepted (step S42).

  When the charging method is changed (selected), the management server 31 determines whether or not the charging fee can be settled by the newly selected payment method (step S43). If it is determined that payment by the payment method newly selected by the user is not possible (step S43, NO), the management server 31 cannot perform payment by the payment method newly selected, and selects another payment method again. An input guidance to the effect is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 4 (step S41), and re-input (selection) of the settlement method by the user terminal 4 is accepted (step S42).

  If it is determined that payment can be made by the payment method selected again by the user (step S43, YES), the management server 31 makes a reservation based on the reservation change information including information indicating the payment method selected anew. The reservation information registered in the information database 73 is changed (step S44).

  In addition, the management server 31 uses the reservation change information to reflect the reservation change by the reservation change information input by the user to the reservation information registered in the reservation information database 52 of the charging server 21 of the charging system 2. Distribute to the charging server 21 (step S45). When the reservation change information is received, the charging server 21 changes the reservation information registered in the temporary reservation table 81 of the reservation information database 52 based on the received reservation change information, and for the charging station to be reserved. Transfer reservation change information. Thereby, the charging server 21 and each charging station 22 in the charging system 2 can change the registered reservation information by the reservation change information input by the user at the user terminal 4.

Further, the management server 31 distributes an e-mail that guides the completion of the change of the reservation information and the contents to be changed to the e-mail address of the user (for example, an e-mail address that can be received by the user terminal 4) (step S46). .
According to the reservation change process as described above, the fee collection system can change the registered reservation contents according to the application from the user, and inform the user of the guidance regarding the change contents of the reservation information. You can also.

Next, reservation cancellation processing for charging station usage reservation will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9, a user who has made a reservation for using a charging station can cancel registered reservation information using the user terminal 4. For example, when canceling registered reservation information, the user inputs a cancellation for registered reservation information at the user terminal 4. The management server 31 receives a cancellation application for the reservation information input by the user from the user terminal 4 and performs a reservation cancellation process for the reservation information in accordance with the received cancellation application.

  The management server 31 cancels (deletes) the reservation information registered in the reservation information database 73 based on the reservation cancellation application received from the user terminal 4 and distributes the reservation cancellation information to the charging server 21 of the charging system 2. To do. The charging server 21 cancels (deletes) the reservation information registered in the reservation information database 52 based on the reservation cancellation information, and sets cancellation (deletion) of the reservation for the charging station 22 to be reserved. When the cancellation of the reservation is completed, the management server 31 notifies the user terminal 4 of the completion of the reservation cancellation.

Next, a charging station reservation cancellation process by the management server 31 of the fee collection system 3 will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the reservation cancellation process for the charging station by the management server 31 of the fee collection system 3.
When canceling the registered reservation information, the user activates an application program for canceling the reservation of the charging station on the user terminal 4. When the application program is activated, the user terminal 4 requests the management server 31 to cancel the reservation by the user. When the reservation cancellation request from the user terminal 4 is received, the management server 31 receives input by the user terminal 4 of specific information (for example, ETC card ID) for specifying the reservation information to be canceled (step S51). .

  When receiving the specific information (for example, ETC card ID) for specifying the reservation information to be canceled from the user terminal 4, the management server 31 uses the received specific information to determine the reservation information to be canceled. It is confirmed whether or not it exists in the reservation information database 73 (step S52). When it is determined that there is no reservation information to be canceled (step S52, NO), the management server 31 displays on the display unit of the user terminal 4 information indicating that the corresponding reservation information to be canceled does not exist (step S52). S53), the reservation cancellation process is terminated.

  If it is determined that there is reservation information to be canceled (step S52, YES), the management server 31 displays a reservation cancellation confirmation input guide on the display unit of the user terminal 4 (step S54). 4 accepts the reservation cancellation input (step S55). When the cancellation of the specified reservation information is input, the management server 31 performs a cancellation (deletion) process for the specified reservation information registered in the reservation information database 73 (step S56).

  The management server 31 also distributes reservation cancellation information indicating cancellation of the specified reservation information to the charging server 21 in order to cancel the reservation information registered in the reservation information database 52 of the charging server 21 of the charging system 2. (Step S57). When the reservation cancellation information is received, the charging server 21 cancels (deletes) the reservation information registered in the provisional reservation table 81 of the reservation information database 52 based on the received reservation cancellation information and becomes a reservation target. The reservation cancellation information is transferred to the charging station 22. Thereby, the charging server 21 and each charging station 22 in the charging system 2 can cancel the registered reservation information according to the application for the reservation cancellation input by the user at the user terminal 4.

Furthermore, the management server 31 distributes an e-mail that guides the completion of the cancellation of the reservation information and the contents of the cancellation to the user's e-mail address (for example, an e-mail address that can be received by the user terminal 4) (step S56). .
According to the reservation cancellation process as described above, the toll collection system 3 can cancel the registered reservation in response to the application from the user, and informs the user of the cancellation guide regarding the charging station usage reservation. You can also

Next, processing (entrance processing) in the case where the vehicle of the user who made a reservation for using the charging station enters the toll road will be described.
FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a flow of information in a process (entrance process) when a user's vehicle passes an entrance-side roadside device provided at an entrance of a toll road. Here, when the vehicle of the user who made a reservation for using the charging station enters the toll road, it is assumed that the management server 31 performs an entrance process including a process such as confirmation of reservation contents.

  When the vehicle of the user who made a reservation for using the charging station passes through the entrance, the roadside device 32A provided on the entrance side acquires information about the user and the vehicle from the vehicle-mounted device of the entering vehicle. For example, the roadside device 32A on the entrance side acquires information such as the vehicle-mounted device ID, the ETC card ID, and the battery remaining amount from the vehicle and the vehicle-mounted device. The roadside device 32A transmits to the management server 31 entrance information in which information indicating the entrance and information indicating the entrance time are added to the information acquired from the vehicle and the vehicle-mounted device.

  When the entrance information is received from the roadside device 32A, the management server 31 confirms the presence / absence of reservation information (temporary reservation information) for the charging station for the vehicle (user) from the information included in the entrance information. When there is charging station reservation information (temporary reservation information) for the vehicle that has entered, the management server 31 checks whether or not the reservation content can be implemented based on the admission status of the vehicle. When it is determined that the reservation content can be implemented, the management server 31 manages the reservation information as confirmed reservation information.

  If it is determined that the reservation content cannot be implemented, the management server 31 refers to the information (stand information) regarding each charging station in the toll road acquired from the charging server 21 and can perform the reservation information. Create reservation change (stand change) information changed to. When the reservation change information is created, the management server 31 registers the changed reservation information in the reservation confirmation table 82 of the reservation information database 73.

The management server 31 distributes the reservation change information to the charging server 21 in order to reflect the changed reservation content also in the charging system 2. The charging server 21 that has received the reservation change information distributes the reservation change information to the charging station 22 to be reserved, and sets the reservation change.
Furthermore, the management server 31 also distributes reservation change information to the user terminal 4 in order to inform the user that the reservation content has been changed.

Next, admission processing by the management server 31 of the fee collection system 3 will be described.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of admission processing by the management server 31 of the fee collection system 3.

  The roadside device 32A on the entrance side provided at the entrance of the toll road acquires information about the user and the vehicle from the vehicle-mounted device of the entering vehicle. The entrance-side roadside device 32A acquires an ETC card ID from at least the vehicle-mounted device of the entering vehicle in order to collect the road usage fee. However, in the present embodiment, the roadside device 32A on the entrance side acquires information such as the vehicle-mounted device ID and the battery remaining amount (or the travelable distance) in addition to the ETC card ID. It is not necessary to acquire information such as the remaining battery level from the vehicle-mounted device of the vehicle that has not made a reservation for using the charging station.

  The roadside device 32A creates entrance information by adding information indicating the entrance where the roadside device is installed and information indicating the entrance time of the vehicle to the information acquired from the vehicle or the vehicle-mounted device. Transmit to the management server 31.

  When the entrance information is received from the roadside device 32A (step S61, YES), the management server 31 stores the entrance information received from the roadside device 32A in the entrance table 71A of the road usage history database 71 (step S62). In addition, the management server 31 confirms whether or not there is charging station reservation information (temporary reservation information) for the vehicle (user) from the information included in the received entrance information (step S63). For example, the management server 31 searches the provisional reservation table 81 of the reservation information database 73 using the ETC card ID included in the entrance information as a search key, thereby determining whether or not there is provisional reservation information including the ETC card ID acquired from the entered vehicle. Confirm.

  If it is determined that there is provisional reservation information for the entered vehicle (step S63, YES), the management server 31 determines (calculates) a distance that the vehicle can travel from information such as the remaining battery level included in the received entry information. (Step S64). When determining the distance that the entered vehicle can travel, the management server 31 compares the distance that can be traveled with the distance from the entrance where the vehicle entered to the reserved charging station, so that the vehicle is reserved. It is determined whether or not the vehicle can travel to the charging station (step S65). For example, the distance from the entrance to the reserved charging stand can be determined (calculated) based on information (stand information) stored in the stand database 53 managed by the charging server 21. That is, the management server 31 refers to the information (stand information) obtained from the charging server 21 and determines the distance from the entrance to the charging stand.

  When it is determined that the vehicle can travel to the reserved charging station (step S65, YES), the management server 31 determines (calculates) the estimated arrival time at the reserved charging station (step S66). For example, the estimated arrival time at a reserved charging station is based on the entry time, the distance from the entrance (entrance) to the reserved charging station, the average traveling speed from the entrance to the reserved charging station, etc. Calculated.

  When determining the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that has entered the reserved charging station, the management server 31 compares the estimated arrival time to the reserved charging station with the estimated arrival time included in the provisional reservation information. It is determined whether or not the vehicle can arrive at the reserved charging station as scheduled (or before the schedule) set as the estimated arrival time in the provisional reservation information (step S67). Since it is difficult to accurately arrive at the estimated arrival time, it is assumed that the reservation information of the charging station is reserved in a time zone based on the estimated arrival time. In this case, if the estimated arrival time predicted from the entrance information and the estimated arrival time of the reservation information are within a predetermined time difference, it may be determined that the vehicle can reach the charging station as scheduled in the reservation information. .

  When it is determined that it is possible to arrive at the scheduled charging time at the reserved charging station, that is, when it is determined that the reservation contents of the provisional reservation information can be implemented, the management server 31 sets the provisional reservation information as the reservation information that has been confirmed. Is registered (updated) in the reservation confirmation table 82 of the reservation information database 73 (step S69). In addition, the management server 31 distributes the confirmed reservation information to the charging server 21 in order to reflect the reservation information determined by the entrance information to the charging system 2 (step S70). The charging server 21 that has received the confirmed reservation information registers (updates) it in the reservation confirmation table 82 of the reservation information database 52. Furthermore, the management server 31 also distributes the confirmed reservation information to the user terminal 4 in order to guide the user about the reservation contents determined by the entrance information (step S71).

  If it is determined that there is a possibility that the vehicle cannot travel to the reserved charging station according to the provisional reservation information (NO in step S65), the management server 31 falls within the range where the charging station in the provisional reservation information can travel. In order to change to the charging station, another charging station is searched and change information for the reservation content of the provisional reservation information is created (step S68). For example, the management server 31 searches for another charging station within a reachable range of the vehicle while referring to information (stand information) regarding each charging station in the toll road acquired from the charging server 21. When another charging station that can be reached by the vehicle is detected as a search result, the management server 31 creates reservation change (stand change) information for changing the charging station in the provisional reservation information to a charging station that can be reached by the vehicle.

  If it is determined that the vehicle cannot arrive at the reserved charging station at the scheduled arrival time of the temporary reservation information (NO in step S67), the management server 31 can use the charging station at the actual expected arrival time. Then, change information for the reservation contents of the provisional reservation information is created (step S68). For example, when there is another reservation at the actual estimated arrival time based on the entrance information, the management server 31 refers to information (stand information) on each charging station in the toll road acquired from the charging server 21 while referring to the vehicle. Is searched for another charging station (a charging station for which no other reservation is set at the estimated arrival time between the entrance and the exit). When another charging station is detected within a range that the vehicle can reach, the management server 31 changes reservation charging (stand change) information for changing the charging station of the temporary reservation information to another charging station that is within the range that the vehicle can reach. Create

  When the reservation change information for the provisional reservation information is created, the management server 31 registers the reservation information obtained by changing the provisional reservation information with the reservation change information in the reservation confirmation table 82 of the reservation information database 73 as the confirmed reservation information (step S69). . It should be noted that the change in the reservation content with respect to the provisional reservation information may be registered as reservation information determined after obtaining approval from the user. In this case, the management server 31 notifies the created reservation change information to the user terminal 4 (set e-mail address), and after receiving the approval of the reservation change information from the user terminal 4, the reservation information reflecting the reservation change information. Should be registered.

  In addition, the management server 31 distributes the reservation change information to the charging server 21 in order to reflect the changed reservation content on the charging system 2 (step S71). The charging server 21 that has received the reservation change information registers (updates) the reservation confirmation table 82 of the reservation information database 52 as reservation information in which the provisional reservation information changed by the reservation change information is confirmed. Further, the management server 31 also distributes the confirmed reservation information including the content changed according to the entrance information to the user terminal 4 in order to guide the reservation content including the change content according to the entrance information ( Step S71).

  In addition, you may make it the charge server 21 of the charging system 2 perform the process of the said step S63-S69. In this case, the charging server 21 acquires the entrance information from the management server 31, determines whether or not the reservation content needs to be changed based on the acquired entrance information, and creates the change information when the reservation change is necessary. The reservation information changed by the generated change information may be registered in the reservation information database and distributed to the management server 31.

  According to the admission process as described above, the toll collection system 3 changes the reservation information of the charging station that has been registered in advance as temporary reservation information according to the actual entrance situation to the toll road, and according to the entrance situation. The changed reservation information can be registered as confirmed reservation information, and the user can be informed of the reservation information confirmed by the entrance information.

Next, the charging process to the vehicle by the charging system 2 will be described.
FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing an information flow in a charging process in which power is supplied to a vehicle at a charging station installed in a toll road. In this energy replenishment system, a vehicle driven by a user on a toll road can be charged at charging stations 22 provided at various places.

  That is, the charging station 22 installed in the toll road performs a charging process for supplying electric power to the vehicle while giving priority to a prior use reservation. The charging stand 22 notifies the charging server 21 of the content of the charging process performed on the vehicle as charging completion information (charging history information). The charging server 21 accumulates charging history information from the charging station 22 in the charging history database 51 and manages information related to the charging status in the entire charging system 2. The charging server 21 distributes charging history information to the management server 31. The management server 31 accumulates the charging history information distributed from the charging server 21, and executes processing such as settlement processing and point calculation by combining the charging history information and the road usage history information. In addition, when the charging history information indicating that the charging process by the reserved charging station has been completed is received, the management server 31 transmits a charging completion notification to the user terminal 4 of the user.

Next, the charging process by the charging system 2 will be described.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the charging process by the charging server 21 of the charging system 2.
The charging stations 22 installed at various places on the toll road acquire identification information for specifying a vehicle or a user from a vehicle that requests charging, and transmit the acquired identification information to the charging server 21 (step S81). The identification information for specifying the vehicle or the user may be information that can specify the registered reservation information. For example, if the charging system 2 is operated on the premise that the ETC card is used, the charging stand 22 acquires an ETC card ID as identification information for identifying the vehicle or the user from the vehicle that requests charging. When the identification information from the vehicle requesting charging is received from the charging station 22 (YES in step S81), the charging server 21 displays the reservation information for the vehicle specified by the identification information received from the charging station 22 in the reservation information database 52. It is determined whether or not it exists (step S82).

  When it is determined that there is no reservation information for the vehicle specified by the received identification information (step S82, NO), the charging server 21 determines whether the vehicle can be charged without reservation (step S83). . For example, if there is no other reservation for the charging station in the time zone required for charging the vehicle, the charging server 21 determines that charging without reservation is possible, and there is another reservation for the charging station. In this case, it is determined that charging without reservation is impossible.

  When it is determined that charging without reservation is possible (step S83, YES), the charging server 21 accepts input of information for charging the vehicle at the charging station 22 (step S84). For example, when receiving the information for charging from the charging stand 22, the charging server 21 confirms whether or not the vehicle can be charged. Is instructed to perform the charging process (step S85).

  If it is determined that charging without reservation is impossible (step S83, NO), the charging server 21 provides guidance to the effect that charging is not possible using a display unit (not shown) provided on the charging stand 22 (step S83). S86). Further, the charging server 21 may guide another charging station that can be charged together with guidance that charging at the charging station is impossible, or may propose a reservation for another charging station. .

  If it is determined that there is reservation information for the vehicle specified by the identification information acquired from the vehicle (step S82, YES), the charging server 21 confirms the validity of the reservation information (step S87). When it is confirmed that the reservation information is valid (step S87, YES), the charging server 21 instructs the charging stand 22 to perform the charging process for the vehicle (step S85). Further, when it is not possible to confirm that the reservation information is valid (step S87, NO), the charging server 21 provides guidance that disables the charging process based on the reservation information for the vehicle (step S88). . In this case, the charging server 21 may proceed in step S83 to determine whether or not charging without reservation is possible.

  For example, when charging of the vehicle is completed, the charging stand 22 transmits charging history information to the charging server 21 together with a notification of charging completion of the vehicle. The charging stand 22 may appropriately notify information indicating the charging status of the vehicle to the charging server 21 during the charging process of the vehicle. In this case, the charging server 21 accumulates (generates) charging history information for the vehicle based on information appropriately notified from the charging stand 22.

  When the charging completion notification is received from the charging station 22, the charging server 21 determines the charging fee by the ETC card using the fee collection system 3 if the ETC card settlement of the charging fee is selected (YES in step S89). Settlement processing is performed (step S90). If payment in cash or the like is selected, the charging server 21 completes the payment upon receiving a payment completion notification from the charging stand 22. When the settlement of the charging fee is completed, the charging server 21 registers charging history information including information such as identification information (ETC card ID), charging location, charging time, and charging fee in the charging history database 51 (step S91).

  When the charging history information is registered in the charging history database 51, the charging server 21 transmits the charging history information to the management server 31 (step S92), and ends a series of charging processes. The management server 31 registers the charging history information received from the charging server 21 in the charging history database 74. The charging history information registered in the charging history database 74 is associated with the entry information including the identification information by identification information (for example, ETC card ID) that can identify the vehicle.

In addition, you may make it implement in one part or all of the process mentioned above in the charging stand 22. FIG.
According to the charging process as described above, the charging system can perform the charging process on the vehicle with priority given to the advance reservation received by the management server of the toll collection system. In addition, the charging system can register charging history information indicating a charging processing status such as a charging fee in a database and distribute it to a management server of the fee collection system.

Next, processing (participation processing) when the vehicle enters from the exit of the toll road will be described.
FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of information in the process (participation process) when the user's vehicle passes the exit-side roadside device 32B provided at the exit of the toll road.
When the vehicle passes through the exit of the toll road, the roadside device 32B provided on the exit side acquires information on the user and the vehicle from the vehicle-mounted device of the vehicle that participates. For example, the roadside device 32B on the exit side acquires information such as the vehicle-mounted device ID and the ETC card ID from the vehicle and the vehicle-mounted device. The roadside device 32B transmits to the management server 31 entry information in which information indicating the exit and information indicating the entry time are added to the information acquired from the vehicle and the vehicle-mounted device.

  When the participation information is received from the roadside device 32B, the management server 31 executes a toll fee settlement (billing) process for the user based on the participation information. Furthermore, the management server 31 gives to the user based on the information included in the participation information and the charging history information depending on whether the vehicle (user) uses the charging stand, whether the charging station is used in advance, or the like. The points to be calculated are calculated, and the calculated points are accumulated as the user's points. The management server 31 notifies the user terminal 4 of information related to the points given together with the notification to the user terminal 4 indicating completion of billing for the toll.

Next, the participation process by the management server 31 of the fee collection system 3 will be described.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of participation process by the management server 31 of the fee collection system 3.
The roadside device 32B on the exit side provided at the exit of the toll road receives information about the user and the vehicle from the vehicle-mounted device of the vehicle that participates. The roadside device 32B on the exit side acquires an ETC card ID from at least the vehicle-mounted device of the entering vehicle in order to collect the road usage fee. However, in the present embodiment, the roadside device 32B on the exit side receives information such as the vehicle-mounted device ID from the vehicle-mounted device in addition to the ETC card ID. The roadside device 32B creates entry information by adding information indicating the exit where the roadside device 32B is installed and information indicating the entry time of the vehicle to the information received from the vehicle or the vehicle-mounted device. Is transmitted to the management server 31.

  When the participation information is received from the roadside device 32B (step S101, YES), the management server 31 stores the participation information received from the roadside device 32B in the participation table 71B of the road usage history database 71 (step S102). Also, the management server 31 confirms whether or not the charging station is used for the vehicle (user) from the information included in the received participation information (step S103). For example, the management server 31 uses the ETC card ID included in the entry information as a search key to search the charging history database 74 for charging history information that is used until the vehicle enters and then enters, It is confirmed whether or not charging history information including the ETC card ID of the vehicle exists.

If it is determined that there is charging history information for the vehicle that has entered (YES in step S103), the management server 31 further determines whether or not the charging usage indicated by the charging history information is charging usage by a charging station reserved in advance. Judgment is made (step S104).
When it is determined that there is no charging use at the charging station (NO in step S103), the management server 31 calculates points (mileage) for the road toll corresponding to the entry information (step S105).

In addition, when it is determined that there is charge usage by the charging station without advance reservation (step S104, NO), the management server 31 calculates a road toll fee corresponding to the entry information and a charge fee corresponding to the charge usage. Points (mileage) corresponding to the combined usage situation are calculated (step S106).
In addition, when it is determined that there is charge use at the charge station reserved in advance (step S104, YES), the management server 31 adds the road toll corresponding to the participation information and the charge corresponding to the charge use. In addition, a point (mileage) is calculated by taking into account the percent increase due to the advance reservation (step S107).

When the points are calculated in any of the above steps S105, S106 or S107, the management server 31 gives the calculated points to the user as points according to the use contents (step S108). For example, the management server 31 specifies a user including the ETC card ID in the user information database, and accumulates and updates the points calculated as the user's points.
When the process of assigning points to the user is completed, the management server 31 further transmits to the user terminal 4 (user's mail address) a notice of completion of payment and guidance indicating the points to be given (step S109). .

  According to the entry process as described above, the toll collection system is not only used to settle tolls on toll roads, but also on toll road usage conditions, charging station usage conditions on toll roads, and whether there are advance reservations. The corresponding points can be given to the user. It is also possible to notify the user of acquired points and the like.

  According to the energy replenishment system according to the embodiment as described above, the use of the energy replenishment facility (charging station) in the toll road is promoted, and the advance reservation of the energy replenishment facility (charging system) is promoted. be able to. As a result, efficient smooth operation of the energy supplement facility on the toll road can be realized.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof. Hereinafter, the description of the scope of claims at the beginning of the present application will be added.
[1]
In the toll collection system that collects road tolls,
Means for communicating with a user terminal operated by a user;
Reservation means for reserving use with respect to energy supplement equipment installed in the road based on reservation contents designated by a user at a user terminal capable of communication by the communication means;
Payment means for paying the usage fee of the energy supplement facility reserved by the reservation means by the same payment method as the toll for the road;
Toll collection system.
[2]
And calculating means for calculating points that can be used as service consideration according to the road toll of the road and the usage fee of the energy supplement facility;
Storage means for storing the points calculated by the calculation means in association with user information,
The fee collection system according to [1].
[3]
When the energy replenishment facility reserved by the reservation unit is used, the calculating means increases the pre-reservation discount increment relative to the point according to the road toll and the energy replenishment facility usage fee. Calculate
The fee collection system according to [2].
[4]
Furthermore, entrance information acquisition means for acquiring entrance information including identification information received from a vehicle by a roadside device installed at the entrance of the road;
Judging means for judging whether or not the reservation content needs to be changed by the reservation means based on the entrance information obtained by the entrance information obtaining means;
Reservation change means for changing reservation contents by the reservation means when it is determined that the reservation contents need to be changed by the determination means;
The fee collection system according to any one of [1] to [3].
[5]
The admission information acquisition means acquires admission information including a remaining amount of energy for driving the vehicle received from the vehicle by a roadside device installed at the entrance of the road,
The determination means determines whether there is a possibility that the energy supplement facility reserved by the reservation means may not be reached based on the remaining amount of energy included in the admission information,
When it is determined that there is a possibility that the energy supplement facility reserved by the determination means may not be reached, the energy supplement facility reserved by the reservation means is changed to an energy supplement facility in a reachable range.
The fee collection system according to [4].
[6]
The entrance information acquisition means acquires entrance information including an entrance place and an entrance time at which the vehicle enters the road by the roadside device,
The determination means calculates an estimated arrival time at the energy supplement facility reserved by the reservation means based on an entrance location and an entrance time included in the entrance information, and another reservation is set for the expected arrival time. Determine whether or not
If it is determined that another reservation is not set by the determination means, the estimated arrival time at the energy supplement facility reserved by the reservation means is changed to the expected arrival time, and another reservation is set by the determination means. If it is determined that the energy supplement facility reserved by the reservation means is changed to another energy supplement facility that can be reserved at the expected arrival time calculated by the entrance location and the entrance time,
The fee collection system according to any one of [4] and [5].
[7]
A toll collection method used in a toll collection system that collects road tolls,
Receiving a reservation application for energy supplement equipment installed in the road from a user terminal operated by a user,
Reserving use with respect to the energy supplement facility specified by the reservation content of the reservation application received from the user terminal,
Settling the usage fee for the reserved energy replenishment facility by the same payment method as the toll for the road,
Toll collection method.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Charging system, 3 ... Toll collection system, 4 ... User terminal, 21 ... Charging server, 22 ... Charging stand (energy supplement equipment), 31 ... Management server, 32 ... Roadside device (32A ... Roadside device, 32B ... Roadside device , 41 ... CPU, 42 ... RAM, 43 ... ROM, 44 ... nonvolatile memory, 45 ... first communication interface, 46 ... second communication interface, 51 ... charge history database, 52 ... reservation information database, 53 ... stand database 61 ... CPU, 62 ... RAM, 63 ... ROM, 64 ... nonvolatile memory, 65 ... first communication interface, 66 ... second communication interface, 67 ... third communication interface, 71 ... road usage history database, 71A ... entrance Information table, 71B ... Exit information table, 72 ... User information data Over vinegar, 73 ... Book information database, 74 ... charging history database, 81 ... pre-reserved table, 82 ... Confirmation table, 83 ... charging completion table.

Claims (10)

In the toll collection system that collects road tolls,
Means for communicating with a user terminal operated by a user;
Reservation means for reserving use with respect to energy supplement equipment installed in the road based on reservation contents designated by a user at a user terminal capable of communication by the communication means;
Entrance information acquisition means for acquiring entrance information including identification information received from a vehicle by a roadside device installed at the entrance of the road;
Judging means for judging whether or not the reservation content needs to be changed by the reservation means based on the entrance information obtained by the entrance information obtaining means;
Reservation change means for changing reservation contents by the reservation means when it is determined by the determination means that the reservation contents need to be changed;
A payment means for paying the usage fee of the energy supplement facility reserved by the reservation means by a toll collection system (ETC) card ;
Toll collection system. And calculating means for calculating points that can be used as service consideration according to the road toll of the road and the usage fee of the energy supplement facility;
Storage means for storing the points calculated by the calculation means in association with user information,
The fee collection system according to claim 1. When the energy replenishment facility reserved by the reservation unit is used, the calculating means increases the pre-reservation discount increment relative to the point according to the road toll and the energy replenishment facility usage fee. Calculate
The fee collection system according to claim 2. The admission information acquisition means acquires admission information including a remaining amount of energy for driving the vehicle received from the vehicle by a roadside device installed at the entrance of the road,
The determination means determines whether there is a possibility that the energy supplement facility reserved by the reservation means may not be reached based on the remaining amount of energy included in the admission information,
When it is determined that there is a possibility that the energy supplement facility reserved by the determination means may not be reached, the energy supplement facility reserved by the reservation means is changed to an energy supplement facility in a reachable range.
The fee collection system according to claim 1 . The entrance information acquisition means acquires entrance information including an entrance place and an entrance time at which the vehicle enters the road by the roadside device,
The determination means calculates an estimated arrival time at the energy supplement facility reserved by the reservation means based on an entrance location and an entrance time included in the entrance information, and another reservation is set for the expected arrival time. Determine whether or not
If it is determined that another reservation is not set by the determination means, the estimated arrival time at the energy supplement facility reserved by the reservation means is changed to the expected arrival time, and another reservation is set by the determination means. If it is determined that the energy supplement facility reserved by the reservation means is changed to another energy supplement facility that can be reserved at the expected arrival time calculated by the entrance location and the entrance time,
The fee collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . A toll collection method used in a toll collection system that collects road tolls,
Receiving a reservation application for energy supplement equipment installed in the road from a user terminal operated by a user,
Reserving use with respect to the energy supplement facility specified by the reservation content of the reservation application received from the user terminal,
Obtaining entrance information including identification information received from the vehicle by a roadside device installed at the entrance of the road,
Determine whether the reservation details need to be changed based on the acquired entrance information,
If it is determined that the reservation details need to be changed, the reservation details are changed,
Settling the usage fee for the reserved energy replenishment facility with a toll collection system (ETC) card ,
Toll collection method.   Furthermore, it calculates points that can be used as service consideration according to the toll for the road and the usage fee for the energy supplement equipment,
  Storing the calculated points in association with user information;
  The fee collection method according to claim 6.   In the case of using the reserved energy replenishing facility, the calculation is calculated as a point obtained by increasing the pre-reservation discount increment for the point according to the road toll of the road and the usage fee of the energy replenishing facility.
  The fee collection method according to claim 7.   The roadside device installed at the entrance of the road acquires entrance information including the remaining amount of energy for driving the vehicle received from the vehicle,
  The determination determines whether there is a possibility that the reserved energy replenishment facility may not be reached based on the remaining amount of energy included in the admission information,
  If it is determined that there is a possibility that the reserved energy supplement facility cannot be reached by the determination, the reserved energy supplement facility is changed to an energy supplement facility within the reachable range,
  The fee collection method according to claim 6.   The roadside device acquires entrance information including an entrance place where the vehicle enters the road and an entrance time,
  The determination is based on an entrance location and an entrance time included in the entrance information to calculate an estimated arrival time to the reserved energy supplement facility, and whether or not another reservation is set for the estimated arrival time. Judgment
  If it is determined that another reservation is not set by the determination, the estimated arrival time at the reserved energy supplement facility is changed to the estimated arrival time, and it is determined that another reservation is set by the determination. The reserved energy supplementing facility is changed to another energy supplementing facility that can be reserved at the estimated arrival time calculated by the entrance location and the entrance time,
  The fee collection method according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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