JP6289867B2 - Automatic toll collection system and automatic toll collection machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic toll collection system and an automatic toll collector, and in particular, a fee involving receipt of a two-dimensional code or other code (for example, a receipt or a toll) for collecting tolls on toll roads. The present invention relates to an automatic fee collection system and an automatic fee collection device suitable for executing a collection procedure.

  One of the toll systems for using toll roads is a toll system that pays tolls at the toll gate that the user first arrives at. When using a toll road that uses this toll system, each user enters a toll road from a specific entrance and then reaches the toll gate for the first time using some kind of settlement method (for example, cash or credit card) ) Tolls for toll roads. Then exit the toll road at the desired exit. Such a toll road is basically designed so that after entering the toll road from the entrance and passing through the toll gate once, it will not pass through the toll gate again until it reaches the exit.

  However, due to the complexity of the toll road topology and toll structure, on the toll road that adopts the toll system that pays the toll at the toll gate that arrives first, there will be a route that passes through multiple toll gates Can happen. In such a case, it is required not to collect the toll at the toll gate that has reached the second time or later, or to collect the toll to be paid at the toll gate that has reached the second time or later. Here, discount services are provided if the tolls that arrive after the second time do not collect tolls or set the tolls to be paid at the tollgates that arrive after the second time to low prices. Note also that this is substantially equivalent.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of such a toll road 100. The toll road 100 has a main line 101 and a branch line 102, and a toll gate 103 is provided on the main line 101 and a toll gate 104 is provided on the branch line 102. The main line 101 is provided with an inlet 105 and an outlet 106, and the branch line 102 is provided with an inlet 107.

  Here, first, let us consider a case where a charge system that is not a separate charge is adopted for the main line 101 and the branch line 102. That is, consider a case where a fee system is adopted in which a fee is permitted for traveling on both the main line 101 and the branch line 102 when a fee is paid for one of the main line 101 and the branch line 102.

  A user who enters from the entrance 105 provided on the main line 101 pays a toll when he reaches the toll gate 103. After paying the toll, the user exits the toll road 100 from a desired exit (for example, exit 106). On the other hand, a user who enters from an entrance 107 provided on the branch line 102 pays a toll when he reaches the toll gate 104. Assume that the user enters the main line 101 after leaving the toll gate 104. In this case, since the user pays the toll at the toll gate 104 provided on the branch line 102, it is not necessary to pay the toll at the toll gate 103 provided on the main line 101. Therefore, the toll gate 103 confirms that the user has already paid the toll at the toll gate 104, and does not collect a fee from the user.

  In addition, even if the main line 101 and the branch line 102 are charged separately, a discount may be provided for the use of the main line 101 for the user who paid the toll for the branch line 102. For example, it is assumed that a user who enters from the entrance 107 of the branch line 102 arrives at the toll gate 103 on the main line 101 after paying a toll at the toll gate 104. In this case as well, if the user can confirm that the user has already paid the toll at the toll gate 104, the toll gate 103 gives a discount to the toll on the main line 101 of the user. In other words, at the toll gate 103, the toll to be paid when the toll has already been paid for the branch line 102 is collected from the user.

  As understood from the above, depending on the toll road fee system, it may be necessary for each toll to confirm whether or not each user has already paid a toll at another toll gate. One approach to verifying that a user has already paid a toll is to use a receipt (eg, a receipt) at the toll booth where the toll was paid (ie, the toll gate that the user first reached). There is a method of requesting the presentation of a receipt at a tollgate that has been reached for the second time or later.

  For example, consider a case where a user presents a receipt issued at another toll booth at a specific toll booth. In this case, at the specific toll gate, the user is judged to have already paid the toll, and the toll is not collected, or the toll to be paid at the toll booth reached after the second time is collected. The

  What should be noted when implementing such a fee collection method is that it is necessary to confirm the receipt. For example, it is necessary to check information on toll booths and vehicle types that paid for tolls from receipts, and to determine whether or not to collect tolls from users and the amount of tolls to be collected. It is done.

  It is desirable to reduce the labor required for confirming the receipt, and it is desirable to provide a technique for that purpose.

  For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-155371), Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 4352433), and Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010) disclose methods for collecting tolls using two-dimensional codes and other codes. -108240) and Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-73325).

  Further, in toll collection on a toll road or the like by a cashless system, it is determined whether or not data is unprinted in the printing field of the fixed amount ticket, and it is determined whether or not the fixed amount ticket is an illegal fixed amount ticket based on the determination result. The technique is disclosed in Patent Document 5 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-237186).

JP 2012-155371 A Japanese Patent No. 4352433 JP 2010-108240 A JP2013-73325A JP-A 61-237186

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic toll collection system and an automatic toll collection machine that are useful for reducing labor required to confirm a receipt issued at a toll booth that has paid a toll.

  In one aspect of the present invention, an automatic toll collection system used to collect tolls on toll roads is provided. The automatic fee collection system includes an automatic fee collection device provided on an island provided along a lane of a toll booth and a two-dimensional code recognition unit. The automatic toll collector includes a first imaging device and a settlement device that is operated by a user and is used to settle the toll on the toll road. The two-dimensional code recognition means captures a two-dimensional code printed on a receipt certificate certifying payment of the toll for the toll road at another toll booth on the captured image captured by the first imaging device. Is detected, the data encoded in the two-dimensional code is recognized from the captured image.

  In one embodiment, the automatic fee collection system further includes a display unit, and the automatic fee collection device further includes an operation unit. In this case, it is preferable that the captured image captured by the first imaging device is displayed on the display unit in response to a predetermined operation performed on the operation unit.

  In one embodiment, the automatic fee collection system further includes an operation terminal device provided apart from the island and including the display unit, and the automatic fee collection device further includes a first microphone. The operation terminal device further includes a first speaker. In this case, when the predetermined operation is performed on the operation means, it is preferable that the sound input to the first microphone is output from the first speaker. At this time, when the automatic toll collector further includes a second speaker, the operation terminal device further includes a second microphone, the predetermined operation is performed on the operation means, and the predetermined operation is performed on the operation terminal device, The sound input to the second microphone is preferably output from the second speaker.

  The operation means may be a staff call button or a handicapped lever.

  When the automatic toll collector includes a display device, a display image including a captured image captured by the first imaging device may be displayed on the display device. In this case, it is preferable that a mark at an appropriate position of the two-dimensional code in the display image is displayed on the display image.

  In one embodiment, the automatic toll collection system may further include a vehicle detector that detects entry of the vehicle into the lane. In this case, when the entry of the vehicle is detected by the vehicle detector, the settlement apparatus is set in a state where the toll can be settled by operating the settlement apparatus, and the two-dimensional code recognition means is two-dimensionally displayed on the captured image. Set to detect if code is included.

  At this time, the automatic toll collection system may further include a start controller provided on the island for controlling the exit of the vehicle from the lane. In one embodiment, the start controller is set to the open state when the receipt can be confirmed from the data encoded in the two-dimensional code or when the payment of the toll is completed using the payment device. .

  In another embodiment, when the receipt can be confirmed from the data encoded in the two-dimensional code, the automatic toll collector calculates a discount fee obtained by discounting the toll on the toll road, and the settlement device When the settlement of the discount fee is completed using, the start controller is set to the open state.

  In one embodiment, the automatic toll collection system further includes feature data obtaining means for obtaining first feature data representing features of the structure of a vehicle that has entered the lane, and is encoded into a two-dimensional code. And a receipt confirmation means for confirming the authenticity of the receipt based on the stored data. In the two-dimensional code printed on the receipt, the second feature data representing the feature of the vehicle structure obtained at another toll booth is written. The receipt certificate checking means collates the first feature data and the second feature data to detect fraud of the receipt certificate.

  At this time, the feature data acquisition unit may include a second imaging device that captures a vehicle that has entered the lane and acquires a vehicle captured image. In this case, the first feature data is extracted from the vehicle captured image. It is preferable.

  In one embodiment, the automatic toll collection system is further encoded with vehicle data acquisition means provided on the island for acquiring first vehicle data that is data relating to a vehicle that has entered the lane, and a two-dimensional code. A receipt confirmation means for confirming the authenticity of the receipt based on the data and a host computer having a vehicle database are provided. A management ID is encoded in the two-dimensional code printed on the receipt at another toll gate. In the vehicle database, second vehicle data, which is data related to vehicles collected at other tollgates, is registered in association with the management ID. The receipt certificate checking means compares the first vehicle data and the second vehicle data to detect fraud of the receipt certificate.

  At this time, the vehicle data acquisition means may include feature data acquisition means that is provided on the island and acquires first feature data representing characteristics of the structure of the vehicle that has entered the lane. In this case, the first vehicle data includes the first feature data, the second vehicle data includes the second feature data representing the feature of the vehicle structure acquired at another tollgate, and the receipt confirmation means Preferably, the first feature data and the second feature data are collated to detect fraud of the receipt.

  In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic toll collector provided on an island provided along a lane of a toll booth and used for collecting tolls on toll roads. The automatic toll collector includes an imaging device, a settlement device that is operated by a user and is used to settle tolls on toll roads, and two-dimensional code recognition means. When the two-dimensional code recognizing means detects that the two-dimensional code printed on the receipt certificate certifying payment of the toll on the toll road at another toll booth is captured in the captured image captured by the imaging device, Data encoded into a two-dimensional code is recognized from the captured image.

  In still another aspect of the present invention, an automatic toll collection system used to collect tolls on toll roads includes an automatic toll collector provided on an island provided along a lane of a toll gate. The automatic toll collector includes a two-dimensional code reading means, an imaging device, a display device, and a settlement device that is operated by a user and is used to settle tolls on toll roads. The display device is configured to display a display image including a captured image captured by the imaging device. The two-dimensional code reading means recognizes data encoded in a two-dimensional code printed on a receipt for certifying payment of a toll road toll at another tollgate.

  At this time, it is preferable that a mark of an appropriate position of the two-dimensional code in the display image is displayed on the display image.

  In addition, the automatic fee collection system further includes a display unit, an operation terminal device provided at a position away from the island, and the automatic fee collection device includes an operation means. In response to a predetermined operation being performed on the operation means, it is preferable that a captured image captured by the imaging device is displayed on the display unit of the operation terminal device.

  In yet another aspect of the present invention, an automatic toll collector is provided that is provided on an island provided along a lane of a toll booth and is used to collect tolls for toll roads. The automatic toll collector includes a two-dimensional code reading means, an imaging device, a display device, and a settlement device that is operated by a user and is used to settle tolls on toll roads. The display device is configured to display a display image including a captured image captured by the imaging device. The two-dimensional code reading means recognizes data encoded in a two-dimensional code printed on a receipt for certifying payment of a toll road toll at another tollgate.

  In yet another aspect of the present invention, a receipt holder is provided for holding a receipt certifying payment of a toll road toll. The receipt holder includes a first transparent member and a second transparent member. The 1st transparent member and the 2nd transparent member are joined so that a receipt can be inserted between them. The first transparent member is printed with a rectangular frame that can accommodate the two-dimensional code printed on the receipt. It is preferable that the non-reflective coating is given to the outer surface on the opposite side to the surface facing the 2nd transparent member of a 1st transparent member.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in order to reduce the effort required for confirmation of the receipt certificate issued in the toll booth which paid the toll, the toll collection system and the toll collector which are useful are provided.

It is a figure which shows the specific example of a toll road. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the toll road to which the toll collection system and toll collection machine of one Embodiment of this invention are applied. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of the receipt used as a receipt in this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the lane apparatus provided in a toll booth in this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows notionally the structure of a vehicle type discrimination device. In this embodiment, it is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the operating terminal device provided in a sales office, and the automatic toll collection machine provided in a toll booth. It is a front view which shows the example of a structure of the upper stage operation part of a toll collector in this embodiment. It is a front view which shows the example of a structure of the lower stage operation part of a toll collector in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the automatic fee collection system in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of operation | movement of the automatic fee collection system in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the toll collection machine provided in a toll booth in this embodiment. It is a front view which shows the example of a structure of the upper stage operation part of the automatic toll collector of FIG. 9A. It is a block diagram which shows the further another example of a structure of the toll collection machine provided in a toll booth in this embodiment. It is a front view which shows the structure of the upper stage operation part of the toll collector of FIG. In one Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the toll road provided with the management center. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the toll collection system in the toll road of FIG. It is a front view which shows the structure of the receipt holder in one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the receipt holder in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the usage method of the receipt holder illustrated by FIG. 13, FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the toll road 10 to which the automatic fee collection system and automatic fee collection device according to the embodiment of the present invention are applied. The toll road 10 shown in FIG. 2 is illustrated as an example of a simple configuration for facilitating understanding. In reality, the automatic toll collection system of the present embodiment is a toll having a more complicated configuration. Note that it is also applicable to roads.

  The toll road 10 has a main line 1 and a branch line 2, and a toll gate 3 is provided on the main line 1 and a toll gate 4 is provided on the branch line 2. The main line 1 is provided with an inlet 5 and an outlet 6, and the branch line 2 is provided with an inlet 7. A sales office 8 is provided in the vicinity of the toll booth 3 and a sales office 9 is provided in the vicinity of the toll booth 4. As will be described later, the sales offices 8 and 9 are provided with operation terminal devices for operating the devices of the toll gates 3 and 4, respectively.

  The toll road 10 of the present embodiment employs a toll system that pays a toll at the toll gate (toll gate 3 or toll gate 4 in FIG. 2) that the user first arrives. For example, a user who enters from the entrance 5 pays a toll at the toll gate 3, and a user who enters from the entrance 7 pays a toll at the toll gate 4. After paying the toll at the toll booth, the user receives a receipt certifying that the toll has been paid.

  In the present embodiment, when a user who has already paid a toll at the toll booth 4 reaches the toll booth 3 and presents a receipt received at the toll booth 4, the toll booth is paid at the toll booth 3. Consider a case where a toll system is not required or a toll discount that allows a toll discount to be received at the toll booth 3 is considered. In this case, it is necessary to check the receipt at the toll booth 3. If the receipt presented by the user can be confirmed (more specifically, if the contents of the receipt are confirmed to be valid), the toll will not be collected from the user, or A discount is provided to the user.

  The automatic toll collection system and automatic toll collection machine of the present embodiment are for supporting confirmation of receipts at each toll gate (the toll gate 3 in the present embodiment). When the toll person manually confirms the receipt at the toll booth, the cost for toll collection increases. The automatic fee collection system and automatic fee collection device according to the present embodiment support confirmation of a receipt at each tollgate, thereby contributing to a reduction in costs for fee collection. Hereinafter, the automatic fee collection system, automatic fee collection device, and fee collection method of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  In this embodiment, a receipt on which a two-dimensional code is printed is used to facilitate confirmation of the receipt. More specifically, in the present embodiment, a certificate stamp labeled “receipt / passage” (hereinafter simply referred to as “receipt”) is used as a receipt for certifying that the fee has been paid. A two-dimensional code is printed on the receipt.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt 90 used in the present embodiment. The receipt 90 is printed with a title 91 written as “receipt / passage”, guidance information 92, and a two-dimensional code 93. As the two-dimensional code 93, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) can be used. In the present embodiment, the two-dimensional code 93 is encoded with a vehicle number, a vehicle type, a payment date (date when the fee was paid), and a toll gate ID (ID (identification) indicating the toll gate where the fee was paid). . As will be described later, data obtained by reading the two-dimensional code 93 is used to confirm the receipt 90. The data to be written to the two-dimensional code 93 may be encrypted, and the encrypted data may be encoded into the two-dimensional code 93.

  FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the toll gate 3, in particular, the arrangement of lane devices provided in one lane 11 of the toll gate 3. The lane 11 is sandwiched between islands 12 and 13, and the lane equipment is provided on the islands 12 and 13. The lane device includes a vehicle type discrimination device 14, a lane control device 15, an automatic toll collector 17, a start controller 18, and a start detector 19.

  The vehicle type determination device 14 is a device group for determining the vehicle type of a vehicle that has entered the lane 11. FIG. 4B is a perspective view conceptually showing the configuration of the vehicle type identification device 14. The vehicle type discriminating device 14 includes a vehicle separator 14a, a vehicle height detector 14b, a tread board 14c, an overhang detector 14d, a vehicle length detector 14e, an imaging device 14f, an image processing device 14g, and a processing unit. 14h. The vehicle separator 14a is a vehicle detector that detects entry of the vehicle lane 11 to the entrance 11a. The vehicle height detector 14b, the tread board 14c, the overhang detector 14d, and the vehicle length detector 14e are a group of devices for detecting vehicle specification data. Specifically, the vehicle height detector 14b detects the vehicle height of the vehicle, and the tread board 14c functions as a sensor for obtaining signals used for calculating the number of axles, the tire width, and the wheel distance of the vehicle. The overhang detector 14d detects the vehicle overhang length (that is, the distance from the ground center point of the front wheel of the vehicle to the front end of the vehicle body when the vehicle is viewed from directly above). 14e detects the length of the vehicle. In FIG. 4B, only the vehicle separator 14a, the vehicle height detector 14b, the overhang detector 14d, and the vehicle length detector 14e provided on the island 12 are shown. A device 14a, a vehicle height detector 14b, an overhang detector 14d and a vehicle length detector 14e are also provided on the islands 12 and 13. The imaging device 14f includes a photographing device that captures an image of the vehicle and illumination, and the image processing device 14g cuts out a license plate image from the image captured by the photographing device, and further performs license plate recognition. The processing unit 14h is based on vehicle specification data obtained by the vehicle height detector 14b, the tread board 14c, the overhang detector 14d, the vehicle length detector 14e, and the vehicle number obtained by license plate recognition. Determine the vehicle type. In the configuration of FIG. 4B, the processing unit 14h is accommodated in the housing of the vehicle separator 14a.

  Referring to FIG. 4A again, the lane control device 15 has a function of controlling lane devices provided in the lane 11 and performing various calculations related to toll collection. Specifically, the lane control device 15 performs calculation (for example, calculation of tolls) for settlement of tolls and controls the toll collector 17 and the start controller 18. In the calculation of the toll, the vehicle type determined by the vehicle type determination device 14 is used.

  The automatic toll collector 17 is a device that collects a toll from a user boarding a vehicle that has entered the lane 11. The automatic toll collection machine 17 is provided with a settlement device for settlement of tolls by cash or ETC (electronic toll collection system or registered trademark) card. The user can settle the toll by operating the automatic toll collector 17 (more specifically, by inserting cash or having the card reader read the ETC card). The toll payment may be made by various payment means other than cash or ETC card (for example, credit card or prepaid card).

  The start controller 18 is provided in the vicinity of a position on the downstream side of the lane 11 relative to the automatic toll collector 17 (position closer to the exit 11b of the lane 11), and controls the exit of the lane 11 of the vehicle (that is, , Allow or deter). Specifically, the start controller 18 includes a blocking bar 18a and a drive unit that opens and closes the blocking bar 18a by swinging the blocking bar 18a around a rotation axis in a vertical plane and parallel to the lane 11. 18b. The start controller 18 closes the blocking bar 18a (a state in which the blocking bar 18a is directed in a direction substantially parallel to the road surface of the lane 11) in order to prevent the lane 11 from leaving, and permits the lane 11 to leave. In this case, the blocking bar 18a is opened (a state where the tip of the blocking bar 18a is sufficiently separated from the road surface). In FIG. 4A, the start controller 18 is provided on both the islands 12 and 13, but may be provided on only one of the islands 12 and 13.

  The start detector 19 detects the exit of the vehicle from the exit 11b of the lane 11.

  4A shows the lane equipment provided for one lane 11, the lane equipment shown in FIG. 4A (that is, the vehicle type discriminating device 14, the lane control device 15, the toll) is shown for each of a plurality of lanes. An automatic receiver 17, a start controller 18, and a start detector 19) may be provided.

  The sales office 8 is provided with an operation terminal device 21 and a layer switch 22. The operation terminal device 21 is a terminal operated by a supervisor at the sales office 8 and has a function of monitoring and operating lane devices provided in each lane of the toll gate 3. Since the sales office 8 is provided at a position away from the islands 12 and 13 of the toll gate 3, the operation terminal device 21 functions to remotely monitor and operate the lane devices provided on the islands 12 and 13. Will have. The lane control device 15 and the automatic toll collector 17 provided in the lane 11 are connected to the operation terminal device 21 via the communication line, more specifically, via the network 20 and the layer switch 22.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the operation terminal device 21 provided in the sales office 8 and the automatic toll receiver 17 provided in the vicinity of the lane 11. FIGS. 6A and 6B are front views of the automatic toll receiver 17. It is a front view which shows the structure of the operation part provided in the panel (panel facing the lane 11).

  The operation terminal device 21 includes a processing unit 23, an operation display unit 24, a speaker 25, and a receiver 26. The processing unit 23 generates an operation signal for operating a lane device (including the automatic toll collector 17) provided in the lane 11 in response to an operation performed on the operation display unit 24 by a monitor. To do. In addition, in the present embodiment, the processing unit 23 performs image processing on the captured image of the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90 photographed by the imaging device provided in the automatic charge receiver 17 to perform the two-dimensional code. It has a function of extracting data encoded in 93. The function of extracting data encoded in the two-dimensional code 93 may be realized by executing a software program for image processing with an arithmetic device included in the processing unit 23. The operation display unit 24 is a man-machine interface between the operation terminal device 21 and the monitoring staff, and includes a display device and an operation panel. The speaker 25 is used to output a sound output (for example, a monitoring person's ringing tone). The handset 26 is used to make a call with a user in the vicinity of the automatic toll receiver 17 and incorporates a speaker and a microphone.

  The automatic toll collector 17 includes a speaker 31, an upper operation unit 32, a lower operation unit 33, a control device 44, and an external interface 45. In this embodiment, it should be noted that the lane control device 15 is accommodated in the housing of the automatic toll collector 17, and FIG. 5 is a diagram expressing such an aspect. The speaker 31 is used to output various voice outputs, for example, voice for automatic voice guidance by the automatic charge receiver 17 and voice from a supervisor in front of the operation terminal device 21 of the sales office 8. . The control device 44 controls each device of the automatic charge receiver 17 and performs data processing necessary for charge collection. The external interface 45 performs communication between the automatic toll collector 17 and external devices (specifically, the lane control device 15 and the operation terminal device 21).

  The upper stage operation unit 32 and the lower stage operation unit 33 are user interfaces that are operated by a user in collecting charges. The upper stage operation unit 32 is spatially located above the lower stage operation unit 33. The upper stage operation unit 32 is provided for a user who rides on a vehicle with a seat at a high position, and the lower stage operation unit 33 is provided for a user who rides on a vehicle with a seat at a lower position.

  FIG. 6A is a front view showing the configuration of the upper stage operation unit 32 of the automatic toll receiver 17. The upper operation section 32 includes: a receipt issuing machine 35, a coin receiving machine 36, a banknote handling machine 37, an ETC card reader 39, an interphone camera 40a, a microphone 40b, a staff call button 41, and a proof. A document confirmation camera 42 and a display device 43 are provided.

  The receipt issuing machine 35 issues a receipt certifying receipt of the toll when the toll is paid by the coin acceptor 36, the bill processing machine 37 or the ETC card reader 39. The receipt issued by the receipt issuing machine 35 has the same format as the receipt 90 shown in FIG. 3, and the receipt contains various data such as vehicle number, vehicle type, payment, and the like. A two-dimensional code in which the date and time (date and time when the fee is paid) and the toll gate ID (ID (identification) indicating the toll gate to which the fee is paid) is encoded is printed.

  The coin acceptor 36 and the banknote handling machine 37 are a series of devices used to settle tolls with cash. The coin receiver 36 has a coin slot and receives the coins inserted into the slot. The banknote handling machine 37 has a banknote insertion slot and receives a banknote inserted into the slot. When change occurs in the settlement of the toll fee by cash, the change is paid out to the change outlet 38 of the coin acceptor 36. In addition, when a bill is generated, the banknote handling machine 37 returns the banknote.

  The ETC card reader 39 is a device used to settle a toll by using an ETC card. By performing communication between the ETC card and the ETC card reader 39, data necessary to settle the toll is exchanged between the ETC card and the ETC card reader 39, and the toll is settled. In this embodiment, the automatic toll collector 17 is configured so that payment can be made using an ETC card, but other cashless payment means (for example, a credit card or a prepaid card) can be used for payment of tolls. May be used. In this case, a reader corresponding to the settlement means is provided.

  The speaker 31, the interphone camera 40 a, the microphone 40 b, and the staff call button 41 are devices used to provide an interphone function between the automatic charge receiver 17 and the operation terminal device 21. Specifically, when the user operates the clerk call button 41 (specifically, when the clerk call button 41 is pressed), a ringing tone is output from the speaker 25 of the operation terminal device 21. At this time, when the monitoring person performs a predetermined operation on the operation terminal device 21, a captured image captured by the interphone camera 40 a is displayed on the display device of the operation display unit 24 of the operation terminal device 21, and the operation terminal device 21 is also displayed. However, it is set to a state in which a telephone call can be made with the user in front of the automatic toll receiver 17 using the receiver 26. That is, the voice (that is, the user's voice) collected by the microphone 40b of the automatic charge receiver 17 is output from the speaker of the receiver 26 of the operation terminal device 21, and the voice collected by the microphone of the receiver 26 (that is, the voice of the user). The voice of the monitoring person) is output from the speaker 31 of the automatic toll collector 17. Thereby, the monitor in front of the operation terminal device 21 can grasp the situation of the user in front of the automatic toll collector 17. In addition, an image of a monitoring person imaged by an imaging device (not shown) provided in the operation terminal device 21 may be displayed on the display device 43 of the automatic charge receiver 17.

  The certificate confirmation camera 42 is an imaging device for photographing a certificate held by a user to whom a discount is applied due to a failure. When the user operates the staff call button 41, a captured image captured by the certificate confirmation camera 42 is displayed on the display device of the operation display unit 24 of the operation terminal device 21. This function is for confirming a disabled person certificate (for example, a handicapped person's handbook etc.) by the image displayed on the display device of the operation display unit 24. When the disability certificate can be confirmed from the image, the monitoring person operates the operation display unit 24 of the operation terminal device 21 so that the toll to be paid by the user (the discounted toll) is automatically collected. Set to 17.

  As will be described in detail later, in the automatic fee collection system of this embodiment, the certificate confirmation camera 42 is also used for reading the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90. The reading of the two-dimensional code 93 using the certificate confirmation camera 42 will be described in detail later.

  The display device 43 is used to display information desired to be presented to the user when the toll collection by the toll collector 17 is performed. The control device 44 controls each device of the above-described automatic charge receiver 17 and performs data processing necessary for charge collection. The external interface 45 performs communication between the automatic toll collector 17 and external devices (specifically, the lane control device 15 and the operation terminal device 21). In addition, when an imaging device is provided in the operation display unit 24 of the operation terminal device 21, a captured image (for example, a monitor is taken by the imaging device) in response to an operation of the monitor by the operation terminal device 21. The captured image) may be displayed on the display device 43 of the automatic charge receiver 17.

  On the other hand, FIG. 6B is a front view showing the configuration of the lower operation unit 33 of the automatic toll receiver 17. The lower operation unit 33 has substantially the same configuration as the upper operation unit 32, but is different in that a disabled lever 34 is additionally provided. The handicapped lever 34 has a structure that can be easily operated by a handicapped person. The handicapped lever 34 has a function similar to that of the staff call button 41 although the operation method is different. Specifically, when the user operates the handicapped lever 34 (specifically, when the handicapped lever 34 is pushed downward), a ringing tone is output from the speaker 25 of the operation terminal device 21. In addition, the captured image captured by the certificate confirmation camera 42 is displayed on the display device of the operation display unit 24 of the operation terminal device 21. As described above, this function is for confirming a disability certificate (for example, a handicapped certificate or the like) from an image displayed on the display device of the operation display unit 24. At this time, when the monitoring person performs a predetermined operation on the operation terminal device 21, a captured image captured by the interphone camera 40 a is displayed on the display device of the operation display unit 24 of the operation terminal device 21, and the operation terminal device 21 is also displayed. However, it is set to a state in which a telephone call can be made with the user in front of the automatic toll receiver 17 using the receiver 26. In this case, the voice (that is, the user's voice) collected by the microphone 40 b is output from the speaker of the receiver 26 of the operation terminal device 21. Thereby, the monitor in front of the operation terminal device 21 can grasp the situation of the user in front of the automatic toll collector 17.

  Next, the operation of the automatic toll collection system of this embodiment, particularly the operation for settlement of tolls and confirmation of the receipt 90 will be described. One feature of the operation of the automatic toll collection system described below is encoded in a two-dimensional code 93 printed on the receipt 90 using the certificate confirmation camera 42 installed in the automatic toll collection machine 17. The data 90 is read and the receipt 90 is confirmed using the read data. When the user holds the receipt 90 over the certificate confirmation camera 42, image processing is performed on the captured image captured by the certificate confirmation camera 42, and the two-dimensional code 93 is detected and read. Such an operation is effective for realizing the automatic confirmation of the receipt 90 while reducing the additional cost. Hereinafter, the automatic fee collection system of this embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the automatic fee collection system of the present embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the operation when the toll is not collected from the user when the receipt 90 is confirmed (the operation when the toll is discounted when the receipt 90 is confirmed). Will be described later).

  When the vehicle separator 14a detects that a vehicle has entered the lane 11 (step S01), a license plate image of the vehicle is acquired by the imaging device 14f and the image processing device 14g, and vehicle type determination is further performed ( Step S02). Specifically, license plate recognition is performed by the image processing device 14g on the license plate image acquired by the imaging device 14f, and the vehicle number of the vehicle is recognized. Further, the vehicle type of the vehicle is determined from the specification data of the vehicle acquired by each device of the vehicle type determination device 14 and the vehicle number and other data obtained by license plate recognition.

  Subsequently, the automatic toll collector 17 is set in a state of waiting for reading of the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90 and settlement of the toll by cash or ETC card (step S03). In step S 03, a guidance screen that prompts the user to hold the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90 over the certificate confirmation camera 42 is displayed on the display device 43. Thereafter, when it is determined that the user pays the toll without holding the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90 over the certificate confirmation camera 42 (for example, display of the guidance screen on the display device 43 is started). When a certain period of time has passed), the toll to be paid by the user is displayed on the display device 43 and the coin acceptor 36 and the bill processor 37 can receive cash (coins and bills). In addition, the ETC card reader 39 is set in a state where it can communicate with the ECT card.

  At this time, the certificate confirmation camera 42 operates, and the captured images captured by the certificate confirmation camera 42 are sequentially sent to the processing unit 23 of the operation terminal device 21 of the sales office 8. The processing unit 23 starts image processing for detecting that the captured image sent from the certificate confirmation camera 42 includes the two-dimensional code 93.

  At the same time, a display image including a captured image captured by the certificate confirmation camera 42 is displayed on the display device 43 in each of the upper operation unit 32 and the lower operation unit 33. This is to make it easy for a user with the receipt 90 to hold the receipt 90 over the certificate confirmation camera 42 at an appropriate position. The user can hold the receipt 90 at an appropriate position while viewing the display image displayed on the display device 43. At this time, it is preferable that a mark (for example, a frame) at an appropriate position of the two-dimensional code 93 in the display image is displayed on the display image displayed on the display device 43. This makes it easier for the user to hold the receipt 90 over the certificate confirmation camera 42 at an appropriate position.

  Subsequently, the automatic toll collector 17 enters a standby state waiting for an operation by the user (steps S04 to S07).

  When one of the clerk call buttons 41 of the upper operation unit 32 and the lower operation unit 33 is operated (or pressed) (step S04), the interphone function is activated, and the automatic charge receiver 17 receives the charge A state is established in which a dialogue between the user in front of the automatic receiver 17 and the supervisor in front of the operation terminal device 21 of the sales office 8 is performed (step S08). Specifically, when the user operates the staff call button 41 of the operation unit of either the upper operation unit 32 or the lower operation unit 33, a ringing tone is output from the speaker 25 provided in the operation terminal device 21. Further, when the monitoring person performs a predetermined operation on the operation terminal device 21, a captured image captured by the interphone camera 40a of the operation unit is displayed on the display device of the operation display unit 24 of the operation terminal device 21. The terminal device 21 is set in a state where it can talk with a user in front of the automatic toll receiver 17 using the receiver 26. In this case, the user's voice collected by the microphone 40b of the operation unit is output from the speaker of the receiver 26 of the operation terminal device 21, and the voice of the supervisor collected by the microphone of the receiver 26 of the operation terminal device 21 is output. , And output from the speaker 31 of the automatic charge receiver 17. Further, in the case where an imaging device is provided in the operation display unit 24, an image of a monitoring person photographed by the imaging device may be displayed on the display device 43 of the automatic charge receiver 17. When the dialogue with the user ends, the monitoring person operates the operation terminal device 21 to stop the interphone function.

  When the handicapped lever 34 is operated (step S05), a supervisor at the sales office 8 is called to perform a manual response to a user with a disability (step S09). Specifically, when the disabled lever 34 is operated, a ringing tone is output from the speaker 25 provided in the operation terminal device 21 of the sales office 8. Further, when the monitor performs a predetermined operation on the operation terminal device 21, the operation terminal device 21 is set in a state in which a call can be made with the user in front of the automatic charge receiver 17 using the receiver 26. In this case, the user's voice collected by the microphone 40 b of the lower operation unit 33 is output from the speaker of the receiver 26, and the supervisor's voice collected by the microphone of the receiver 26 of the operation terminal device 21 is output from the speaker 31. Is output.

  At this time, the captured image taken by the certificate confirmation camera 42 of the lower operation unit 33 is displayed on the display device of the operation display unit 24. When the disability certificate can be confirmed from the image displayed on the display device, the monitor operates the operation terminal device 21 and sets the automatic toll collector 17 so as to collect the discounted toll.

  Further, in the image processing performed by the processing unit 23 of the operation terminal device 21, the captured image transmitted from one of the certificate confirmation cameras 42 of the upper operation unit 32 and the lower operation unit 33 includes the two-dimensional code 93. Is detected (step S06), the processing unit 23 recognizes data encoded in the two-dimensional code 93 by image processing (in this embodiment, vehicle number, vehicle type, payment date and time, toll gate ID). The receipt 90 is confirmed using the data (step S10). At this time, the display on the display device 43 of the captured image captured by the certificate confirmation camera 42 is stopped in each of the upper operation unit 32 and the lower operation unit 33. When the display of the captured image on the display device 43 is stopped, a display indicating that the two-dimensional code 93 is detected may be displayed on the display device 43.

  More specifically, in step S10, the processing unit 23 collates the vehicle number obtained from the license plate image acquired in step S02 with the vehicle number encoded in the two-dimensional code 93, and the vehicle If the numbers do not match, it is determined that the receipt 90 may be fraudulent. Further, the processing unit 23 collates the vehicle type obtained by the vehicle type determination in step S02 with the vehicle type encoded in the two-dimensional code 93. If the vehicle type does not match, the receipt 90 may be illegal. Judge that there is sex. Furthermore, when the current time is compared with the payment date and time encoded in the two-dimensional code 93, and the elapsed time from the payment date and time to the current time is abnormally long (more specifically, from the payment date and time to the current time) If the elapsed time up to the time is longer than the predetermined time), it is determined that the receipt 90 may be fraudulent. Further, the processing unit 23 refers to the toll gate ID encoded in the two-dimensional code 93, and the toll gate ID of the toll gate that cannot be assumed considering the configuration of the toll road 10 is encoded in the two-dimensional code 93. (For example, when the toll gate ID encoded in the two-dimensional code 93 is a toll gate ID not listed in the list of toll gate IDs of the toll gates expected to pass) 90 determines that there is a possibility of fraud.

  If it is determined from the data encoded in the two-dimensional code 93 that the receipt 90 may be fraudulent (step S11: NG), the processing unit 23 outputs an alarm from the operation display unit 24, and the monitoring staff Is requested to perform manual correspondence (step S12). For example, the processing unit 23 displays an alarm on the display device of the operation display unit 24 of the operation terminal device 21 and further outputs an alarm sound from the speaker 25. In this case, the monitoring person confirms the receipt 90 by himself / herself, and when it is determined that there is no fraud, he / she operates the operation terminal device 21 and inputs that there is no fraud. In this case, the start controller 18 is set to the open state (step S14). On the other hand, if it is determined that there is fraud, the monitor performs an operation corresponding to the fraud. For example, the monitor operates the operation terminal device 21 to set the automatic toll collector 17 so as to collect an additional toll. As a result, the user is required to pay the toll by cash or card.

  On the other hand, when the receipt 90 can be confirmed based on the data encoded in the two-dimensional code 93 (that is, when it is not determined that the receipt 90 has a possibility of fraud) (step S11: OK). The start controller 18 is set to the open state (step S14). As a result, the vehicle is permitted to leave the lane 11. Thereafter, when the departure detector 19 detects the departure of the vehicle from the lane 11, the start controller 18 is returned to the closed state.

  Further, when payment is made by cash or an ETC card by any one of the upper operation unit 32 and the lower operation unit 33 (step S07), a receipt is issued by the receipt issuing machine 35 of the operation unit. Then, the start controller 18 is set to the open state (step S14). Specifically, when a coin is inserted into the coin receiver 36 of any operation unit, the coin receiver 36 receives the coin. Moreover, if a banknote is inserted in the banknote processing machine 37 of this operation part, the banknote processing machine 37 will receive the banknote. When the insertion of a coin into the coin acceptor 36 or the insertion of a bill into the bill processor 37 is detected, a display device 43 for a captured image captured by the certificate confirmation camera 42 of the upper operation unit 32 and the lower operation unit 33. Display is stopped, and the amount of the inserted coin or the inserted bill is displayed on the display devices 43 of both the upper operation unit 32 and the lower operation unit 33. Furthermore, when the cash equivalent to the toll is put into the coin acceptor 36 or the banknote handling machine 37 of any one of the upper stage operating unit 32 and the lower stage operating unit 33, the coins of the operating unit are necessary if necessary. The change is paid out by the receiving device 36, and further, the receipt is issued by the receipt issuing device 35 of the operation unit (step S13) and the start controller 18 is set to the open state (step S14).

  In addition, when communication is established between the ETC card reader 39 of the operation unit of either the upper operation unit 32 or the lower operation unit 33 and the ETC card (for example, when the ETC card is a contactless card, When it is brought close to the ETC card reader 39), necessary data is exchanged between the ETC card and the ETC card reader 39, and the toll is settled. When the establishment of communication between the ETC card and the ETC card reader 39 is detected, the captured image captured by the certificate confirmation camera 42 is displayed on the display device 43 in each of the upper operation unit 32 and the lower operation unit 33. The display is stopped, and a display indicating that payment by the ETC card has started is displayed on the display device 43. After the toll is settled by the ETC card, a receipt is issued by the receipt issuing machine 35 (step S13) and the start controller 18 is set to an open state (step S14).

  Note that the receipt issued in step S13 may have the same format as the receipt 90 shown in FIG. The receipt is encoded with various data, for example, vehicle number, vehicle type, payment date (date when the fee was paid), and toll gate ID (ID (identification) indicating the toll gate where the fee was paid). A two-dimensional code is printed. At this time, data to be encoded into the two-dimensional code may be encrypted, and the encrypted data may be encoded into the two-dimensional code.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the automatic toll collection system of the present embodiment, and shows the operation when the toll is discounted when the receipt 90 is confirmed. If a toll system is used that discounts the toll when the receipt 90 can be confirmed, the receipt 90 can be confirmed in step S11 (that is, the receipt 90 may be fraudulent). The operation in the case of not being determined is changed from the operation illustrated in FIG.

  When the receipt 90 can be confirmed, a process of calculating a toll discounted by the processing unit 23 of the operation terminal device 21 is performed (step S15). Further, the automatic toll collector 17 is set in a state of waiting for settlement of the toll by cash or ETC card (step S16). When payment is made by cash or an ETC card (step S17), a receipt is issued by the receipt issuing machine 35 (step S13), and the start controller 18 is set to an open state (step S14). ).

  According to the operation of the automatic toll collection system of the present embodiment described above, a process for collecting a toll without collecting a toll for a user who has confirmed the receipt 90 is performed. This can be done automatically without the hands of the receiver. Further, since the certificate confirmation camera 42 is also used for reading the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90, the additional cost required for confirming the receipt 90 can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90 may be read using the interphone camera 40a instead of the certificate confirmation camera 42. In this case, instead of the captured image captured by the certificate confirmation camera 42, the captured image captured by the interphone camera 40 a is used for reading the two-dimensional code 93. Other operations of the automatic fee collection system when the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90 is read using the interphone camera 40a are the same as when the certificate confirmation camera 42 is used.

  Specifically, in the standby for reading the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90 in step S03 of FIGS. 7 and 8, the interphone camera 40a operates in each of the upper stage operation unit 32 and the lower stage operation unit 33, and the interphone The captured images captured by the camera 40 a are sequentially sent to the processing unit 23 of the operation terminal device 21 of the sales office 8. The processing unit 23 starts image processing for detecting that the two-dimensional code 93 is included in the captured image sent from the interphone camera 40a. In each of the upper operation unit 32 and the lower operation unit 33, a captured image captured by the interphone camera 40a (instead of a captured image captured by the certificate confirmation camera 42) is displayed on the display device 43.

  Further, when the staff call button 41 of the operation unit of either the upper operation unit 32 or the lower operation unit 33 is operated (or pressed) (step S04), the interphone function described above is activated (step S04). Step S04 in FIGS. 7 and 8). At this time, a captured image captured by the interphone camera 40a of the operation unit is displayed on the display device of the operation display unit 24. When the call with the user ends, the monitor operates the operation terminal device 21 to stop the interphone function.

  On the other hand, it is detected by the image processing by the processing unit 23 of the operation terminal device 21 that the two-dimensional code 93 is included in the captured image transmitted from the interphone camera 40a of either the upper operation unit 32 or the lower operation unit 33. When this is done (step S06 in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8), the processing unit 23 stores the data encoded in the two-dimensional code 93 by image processing on the captured image (in this embodiment, vehicle number, vehicle type, payment date and time). , The toll gate ID) is recognized, and the receipt 90 is confirmed using the data (step S11).

  If it is acceptable to increase the additional cost, as shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the upper operation unit 32 and the lower operation unit 33 are separated from the certificate confirmation camera 42 and the interphone camera 40 a, respectively. A two-dimensional code camera 46 may be provided. Here, FIG. 9A is a diagram showing the configuration of the automatic toll collector 17 provided in the vicinity of the lane 11, and FIG. 9B is provided on the front panel (panel facing the lane 11) of the automatic toll collector 17. It is a front view which shows the structure of the operation part. In this case, a captured image captured by the two-dimensional code camera 46 is used for reading the two-dimensional code 93 instead of the captured image captured by the certificate confirmation camera 42 or the interphone camera 40 a. Other operations of the automatic fee collection system when the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90 is read using the two-dimensional code camera 46 are the same as when the certificate confirmation camera 42 or the interphone camera 40a is used.

  Specifically, in the standby for reading the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90 in step S03 of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the two-dimensional code camera 46 operates and the captured image captured by the two-dimensional code camera 46 is displayed. Are sequentially sent to the processing unit 23 of the operation terminal device 21 of the sales office 8. The processing unit 23 starts image processing for detecting that the captured image sent from the two-dimensional code camera 46 includes the two-dimensional code 93. At this time, a captured image captured by the two-dimensional code camera 46 is displayed on the display device 43.

  When it is detected by image processing by the processing unit 23 of the operation terminal device 21 that the captured image transmitted from the two-dimensional code camera 46 includes the two-dimensional code 93 (step S06 in FIGS. 7 and 8). The processing unit 23 recognizes data (in this embodiment, vehicle number, vehicle type, payment date and time, toll gate ID) encoded in the two-dimensional code 93 by image processing on the captured image, and uses the data. The receipt 90 is confirmed (step S11).

  10A and 10B, a two-dimensional code reader 47 having a function of reading a two-dimensional code instead of the two-dimensional code camera 46 in each of the upper operation unit 32 and the lower operation unit 33. May be used. As the two-dimensional code reader 47, for example, a laser scanner type reader may be used. The two-dimensional code reader 47 is close to the interphone camera 40a or the certificate confirmation camera 42. Specifically, an area where the two-dimensional code can be read by the two-dimensional code reader 47 is the interphone camera 40a or the certificate confirmation camera 42. It is provided to be in the field of view.

  In this case, the two-dimensional code reader 47 operates in the standby for reading the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90 in step S03 of FIGS. The two-dimensional code reader 47 starts reading data encoded in the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90. When the receipt 90 is held over the two-dimensional code reader 47 and the two-dimensional code reader 47 detects the two-dimensional code 93 (step S06), the two-dimensional code reader 47 reads the two-dimensional code 93. Data read by the two-dimensional code reader 47 (that is, data encoded in the two-dimensional code 93) is sent to the processing unit 23 of the operation terminal device 21 of the sales office 8, and the receipt 90 is received by the processing unit 23. Is confirmed (step S10). The process of confirming the receipt 90 by the processing unit 23 is as described above with reference to FIG.

  At this time, when the two-dimensional code reader 47 is provided in the vicinity of the interphone camera 40a, a captured image captured by the interphone camera 40a is displayed until the two-dimensional code 93 is detected by the two-dimensional code reader 47. 43. When the two-dimensional code reader 47 is provided in the vicinity of the certificate confirmation camera 42, the captured image captured by the certificate confirmation camera 42 until the two-dimensional code reader 47 detects the two-dimensional code 93. Is displayed on the display device 43. Such an operation makes it easy for a user with the receipt 90 to hold the receipt 90 over the two-dimensional code reader 47 at an appropriate position. The user can hold the receipt 90 at an appropriate position while looking at the image displayed on the display device 43. Further, when a captured image is displayed on the display device 43, a mark (for example, a frame) of an appropriate position of the two-dimensional code 93 in the image displayed on the display device 43 is displayed on the display device 43. It is preferable. Such an operation makes it easier for the user to hold the receipt 90 over the certificate confirmation camera 42 at an appropriate position.

  In the above-described embodiment, the processing unit 23 provided in the sales office 8 performs image processing for detecting the two-dimensional code 93 in the captured image and reading the data encoded in the two-dimensional code 93. However, these image processes may be performed by other calculation means, for example, the lane control device 15 or the control device 44 of the automatic toll collector 17.

  Further, the operation may be switched between the case where the network 20 connecting the automatic fee collection machine 17 and the operation terminal device 21 is operating normally and the case where a failure occurs in the network 20. Specifically, when the network 20 that connects the automatic toll collector 17 and the operation terminal device 21 is operating normally, the processing unit 23 provided in the sales office 8 detects the two-dimensional code 93 and the two-dimensional code. Image processing for reading data encoded in 93 is performed. On the other hand, when a failure occurs in the network 20, the image processing for detecting the two-dimensional code 93 in the captured image and reading the data encoded in the two-dimensional code 93 is performed by the control device 44 of the automatic toll receiver 17 or This is performed by the lane control device 15. Such an operation has an advantage that even if a failure occurs in the network 20, it is not necessary to stop the operation of the automatic toll collection system.

  In the operation of the automatic fee collection system of the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that the authenticity of the receipt 90 can be reliably confirmed, that is, it is possible to reliably detect fraud such as forgery of the receipt 90. In order to reliably detect fraud such as counterfeiting of the receipt 90, various vehicle data other than the vehicle number, the vehicle type, the payment date and time, and the toll gate ID may be encoded into the two-dimensional code 93.

  For example, characteristic data representing the characteristics of the structure of the vehicle is acquired at each tollgate, and 2 of the receipt 90 issued at the tollgate that paid the fee (for example, tollgate 4 in the toll road 10 in FIG. 2). Feature data may be encoded in the dimension code 93. In this case, feature data representing the characteristics of the structure of the vehicle is also acquired at the toll gate (for example, toll gate 3 in the toll road 10 in FIG. 2) where the receipt 90 is confirmed. It is collated with the feature data encoded in the two-dimensional code 93. If the feature data do not match, it is determined in step S11 of FIGS. 7 and 8 that the receipt 90 may be illegal.

  For example, when the lane devices shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are provided at each toll gate, the vehicle that has entered the lane 11 is photographed by the image pickup device 14f, and the vehicle image is taken from the captured image obtained by photographing the vehicle. Feature data representing the features of the structure may be acquired. In this case, the license plate image used for recognizing the vehicle number may be cut out from a captured image obtained by photographing the vehicle. In addition, an imaging device that captures a vehicle that has entered the lane 11 may be provided separately from the imaging device 14f, and feature data representing the characteristics of the structure of the vehicle may be acquired from a captured image captured by the imaging device. The feature data encoded in the two-dimensional code 93 includes data indicating the color of the vehicle, data indicating a logo existing in the vicinity of the front grille of the vehicle, characters written on the body of the vehicle, and the positional relationship between the license plate and the headlight. It may include at least one of data indicating (relative position) and data indicating the positional relationship (relative position) between the license plate and the windshield.

  The feature data encoded in the two-dimensional code 93 includes at least a part of the vehicle specification data (for example, the number of axles of the vehicle, tire width, wheel width, vehicle height, etc.) obtained by the vehicle type discrimination device 14. It may be included.

  In order to reliably detect fraud such as counterfeiting of the receipt 90, it is desirable to increase the amount of data (vehicle data) used for fraud detection. For example, by encoding most of the feature data described above into the two-dimensional code 93, it is possible to improve the certainty of detecting fraud in the receipt 90. On the other hand, the capacity of data that can be encoded into the two-dimensional code 93 is actually limited, and large vehicle information cannot be encoded into the two-dimensional code 93 without limitation.

  FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show the configuration of an automatic toll collection system for dealing with the problem due to such restrictions. In the automatic toll collection system shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a management center 50 that controls the entire toll road 10 is provided, and a host computer 51 and a layer switch 52 are provided in the management center 50. The host computer 51 includes a storage device 53 that holds a vehicle database 54. At each toll gate, the vehicle data of each vehicle that has entered is collected by a lane device (for example, the lane device shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B), and the collected vehicle data is stored in the vehicle database 54. The The vehicle data may include a vehicle number, a vehicle type, a payment date and a toll gate ID. The vehicle data may include at least a part of the vehicle specification data (for example, the number of axles of the vehicle, the tire width, the wheel distance, the vehicle height, etc.) obtained by the vehicle type discriminating device 14 and is described above. It may include feature data representing the characteristics of the structure of the vehicle.

  A management ID is assigned to the vehicle data of each vehicle, and the vehicle data is stored in the vehicle database 54 in association with the management ID. In addition, at the toll booth where the toll was paid (the toll booth 3 in FIG. 2), a small amount of data including the management ID is encoded into the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90.

  In the confirmation of the receipt 90 (step S10 in FIGS. 7 and 8), the sales office (the business office in FIG. The processing unit 23 of the operation terminal device 21 provided in 8) reads the management ID from the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90. The processing unit 23 further accesses the vehicle database 54 of the host computer 51 via the network 20 and downloads vehicle data associated with the management ID read from the two-dimensional code 93. The processing unit 23 collates the vehicle data acquired by the lane device at the toll gate where the receipt 90 is confirmed with the vehicle data downloaded from the vehicle database 54. If the vehicle data do not match, the processing unit 23 determines that the receipt 90 may be illegal.

  According to such a method, it is possible to improve the certainty of fraud detection such as counterfeiting of the receipt 90 while solving the problem of restriction of the capacity of data that can be encoded into the two-dimensional code 93.

  In addition, when an image pickup device is installed at each toll gate (for example, when the lane equipment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is installed at each toll gate), the image is taken by the image pickup device at the toll gate where the fee is paid The obtained license plate image may be stored in the vehicle database 54 in association with the management ID. Also in this case, at the toll booth where the toll was paid (the toll booth 3 in FIG. 2), a small amount of data including the management ID is encoded into the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90.

  In the confirmation of the receipt 90 (step S10 in FIGS. 7 and 8), the sales office (the business office in FIG. The processing unit 23 of the operation terminal device 21 provided in 8) reads the management ID from the two-dimensional code 93 of the receipt 90. The processing unit 23 further accesses the vehicle database 54 of the host computer 51 via the network 20 and downloads a license plate image associated with the management ID read from the two-dimensional code 93. The processing unit 23 collates the license plate image acquired by the imaging device at the toll gate where the receipt 90 is confirmed with the license plate image downloaded from the vehicle database 54. From the result of the license plate image collation, the processing unit 23 determines whether the receipt 90 has a possibility of fraud.

  Even with such a technique, it is possible to improve the certainty of detection of fraud such as forgery of the receipt 90 while solving the problem of restriction on the capacity of data that can be encoded into the two-dimensional code 93.

  In the above-described embodiment, the user is required to hold a receipt in the vicinity of the camera of the automatic charge receiver 17 (that is, the certificate confirmation camera 42, the interphone camera 40a, and the two-dimensional code camera 46). However, since the receipt issued by the receipt issuing machine is generally made of thin paper, when the receipt is held over the camera of the automatic fee collection machine 17, the receipt is blown by the wind or the receipt. There is a concern that may be bent.

  As a countermeasure against such a problem, a receipt holder may be used. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example of the structure of a receipt holder (referred to by reference numeral 94), and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the receipt holder 94 of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the receipt holder 94 includes two transparent members 95 and 96. Each of the transparent members 95 and 96 is a rectangular plate member formed of a transparent resin material.

  The transparent members 95 and 96 are joined so that the receipt can be sandwiched between them. Specifically, the receipt holder 94 has two short sides 94a and 94c and two long sides 94b and 94d, and the transparent members 95 and 96 have two short sides 94a and 94c and a long side. Bonded in the vicinity of 94b. A non-reflective coating is applied to the outer surface 95a of the transparent member 95 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the transparent member 96), and a frame 95b is printed on the outer surface 95a. The frame 95 b has a rectangular shape larger than the two-dimensional code 93 printed on the receipt 90. Further, the non-reflective coating may be applied to the outer surface 96a of the transparent member 96 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the transparent member 95).

  FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a preferred method of using the receipt holder 94. A receipt 90 is sandwiched between the transparent members 95 and 96. By holding the receipt 90 between the transparent members 95 and 96 and holding the receipt 90 over the camera of the automatic toll collector 17, the problem that the receipt 90 is blown by the wind or the receipt 90 is bent is reduced. can do. At this time, the position where the receipt 90 is sandwiched is adjusted so that the two-dimensional code 93 printed on the receipt 90 is inside the frame 95b, thereby improving the ease of recognizing the two-dimensional code 93. Can do.

  The receipt holder 94 having the structure shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. This can alleviate the problem of books being blown or bent.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been specifically described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention may be practiced with various modifications.

1: Main line 2: Branch 3: Toll booth 4: Toll booth 5, 7: Entrance 6: Exit 8, 9: Sales office 10: Toll road 11: Lane 11a: Entrance 11b: Exit 12, 13: Island 14: Vehicle type discriminating device 14a: vehicle separator 14b: vehicle height detector 14c: tread 14d: overhang detector 14e: vehicle length detector 14f: imaging device 14g: image processing device 15: lane control device 17: automatic toll collector 18 : Start controller 18a: Block 18b: Drive unit 19: Start detector 20: Network 21: Operation terminal device 22: Layer switch 23: Processing unit 24: Operation display unit 25: Speaker 26: Handset 31: Speaker 32: Upper stage Operation unit 33: Lower operation unit 34: Handicapped lever 35: Receipt issuing machine 36: Coin receiving machine 37: Banknote processing machine 38: Change outlet 39 : ETC card reader 40a: Interphone camera 40b: Microphone 41: Personnel call button 42: Certificate confirmation camera 43: Display device 44: Control device 45: External interface 46: Two-dimensional code camera 47: Two-dimensional code reader 50: Management center 51: Host computer 52: Layer switch 53: Storage device 54: Vehicle database 90: Receipt 91: Mark 92: Guide information 93: Two-dimensional code 94: Receipt holder 94a: Short side 94b: Long side 95: Transparent member 95a : Outer surface 95b: frame 96: transparent member 96a: outer surface

Claims (27)

An automatic toll collection system used to collect tolls on toll roads,
An automatic toll collector installed on the island provided along the lane of the toll booth,
Two-dimensional code recognition means,
The automatic bill collector is
A first imaging device;
A payment device that is operated by a user and is used to settle the toll on the toll road,
The two-dimensional code recognition means picks up a two-dimensional code printed on a receipt that proves payment of the toll for the toll road at another toll booth from the picked-up image picked up by the first image pickup device. When this is detected, an automatic toll collection system that recognizes data encoded in the two-dimensional code from the captured image. The automatic fee collection system according to claim 1,
The automatic toll collector includes a display device,
An automatic charge collection system in which a display image including the captured image captured by the first imaging device is displayed on the display device. The automatic toll collection system according to claim 2,
An automatic toll collection system in which a mark of an appropriate position of the two-dimensional code in the display image is displayed on the display image. The automatic fee collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Furthermore, a display unit is provided,
The automatic bill collector further comprises an operation means,
An automatic fee collection system in which the captured image captured by the first imaging device is displayed on the display unit in response to a predetermined operation performed on the operation means. The automatic fee collection system according to claim 4,
Furthermore, an operation terminal device provided apart from the island and provided with the display unit,
The automatic bill collector further includes a first microphone,
The operation terminal device further includes a first speaker,
When the predetermined operation is performed on the operation means, the voice input to the first microphone is output from the first speaker. The automatic fee collection system according to claim 5,
The automatic bill collector further includes a second speaker,
The operation terminal device further includes a second microphone,
An automatic toll collection system in which the sound input to the second microphone is output from the second speaker when the predetermined operation is performed on the operation means and the predetermined operation is performed on the operation terminal device. The automatic fee collection system according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The operation means includes an automatic call collection system including a staff call button. The automatic fee collection system according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The operating means is a toll collection system that includes a handicapped lever. The automatic fee collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Furthermore, it comprises a vehicle detector that detects the entry of the vehicle into the lane,
When the vehicle detector detects the entry of the vehicle, the payment apparatus is set to a state in which a toll can be settled by operating the payment apparatus, and the two-dimensional code recognition means adds 2 to the captured image. Automatic toll collection system that is set to detect whether a dimension code is included. The automatic fee collection system according to claim 9,
And a start controller for controlling the exit of the vehicle from the lane, provided on the island,
When the receipt can be confirmed from the data encoded in the two-dimensional code, or when the toll is settled using the settlement device, the start controller is set to an open state. Automatic fee collection system. The automatic fee collection system according to claim 9,
And a start controller for controlling the exit of the vehicle from the lane, provided on the island,
When the receipt can be confirmed from the data encoded in the two-dimensional code, the automatic toll collector calculates a discount fee obtained by discounting the toll on the toll road, and An automatic toll collection system in which the start controller is in an open state when the discount fee is settled. The automatic fee collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Furthermore,
Feature data obtaining means for obtaining first feature data representing the feature of the structure of the vehicle that has entered the lane, provided on the island;
A receipt confirmation means for confirming the authenticity of the receipt based on the data encoded in the two-dimensional code,
In the two-dimensional code printed on the receipt, the second feature data representing the feature of the vehicle structure obtained at the other toll gate is written.
The automatic receipt system for fee collection, wherein the receipt certificate checking means detects the fraud of the receipt certificate by comparing the first feature data and the second feature data. The automatic fee collection system according to claim 12,
The characteristic data acquiring means includes a second imaging device for obtaining vehicle captured image by capturing the vehicle has entered the car line,
The automatic fee collection system in which the first feature data is extracted from the vehicle captured image. The automatic fee collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Furthermore,
Vehicle data acquisition means for acquiring first vehicle data, which is data relating to a vehicle that has entered the lane, provided on the island;
A receipt confirmation means for confirming the authenticity of the receipt based on the data encoded in the two-dimensional code;
A host computer having a vehicle database;
A management ID is encoded in the two-dimensional code printed on the receipt at the other toll gate,
In the vehicle database, second vehicle data that is data relating to the vehicle collected at the other toll booth is registered in association with the management ID,
The automatic receipt system for fee collection, wherein the receipt certificate checking means detects the fraud of the receipt certificate by comparing the first vehicle data and the second vehicle data. The automatic fee collection system according to claim 14,
The vehicle data acquisition means includes characteristic data acquisition means for acquiring first characteristic data provided on the island and representing characteristics of the structure of the vehicle that has entered the lane,
The first vehicle data includes the first feature data,
The second vehicle data includes second feature data representing a feature of the structure of the vehicle acquired at the other tollgate,
The automatic receipt system for fee collection, wherein the receipt certificate checking means detects the fraud of the receipt certificate by comparing the first feature data and the second feature data. An automatic toll collection machine installed on an island along the lane of a toll gate and used to collect tolls on toll roads,
An imaging device;
A settlement device used by the user to settle the toll on the toll road;
Two-dimensional code recognition means,
The two-dimensional code recognition means that a two-dimensional code printed on a receipt certificate certifying payment of the toll for the toll road at another toll booth is captured from the captured image captured by the imaging device. An automatic toll collector that recognizes data encoded in the two-dimensional code from the captured image when detected. A toll collector according to claim 16,
Furthermore, it comprises a display device,
An automatic toll collector in which a display image including the captured image captured by the imaging device is displayed on the display device. A toll collector according to claim 17,
An automatic toll collector that displays a mark of an appropriate position of the two-dimensional code in the display image on the display image. A toll collector according to claim 16,
Furthermore, an operation means is provided,
An automatic toll collector that sends the captured image to an operation terminal device provided away from the island in response to a predetermined operation performed on the operation means. A toll collector according to claim 19,
The operation means includes an automatic call collecting machine including a staff call button. A toll collector according to claim 19,
The operation means is an automatic toll collector including a handicapped lever. An automatic toll collection system used to collect tolls on toll roads,
It has an automatic toll collector installed on the island provided along the lane of the toll booth,
The automatic bill collector is
Two-dimensional code reading means;
An imaging device;
A display device;
A payment device that is operated by a user and is used to settle the toll on the toll road,
The display device is configured to display a display image including a captured image captured by the imaging device;
The two-dimensional code reading means recognizes data encoded in a two-dimensional code printed on a receipt certificate certifying payment of a toll on the toll road at another tollgate. The automatic toll collection system according to claim 22,
An automatic toll collection system in which a mark of an appropriate position of the two-dimensional code in the display image is displayed on the display image. The automatic toll collection system according to claim 22,
In addition, a display unit is provided, and an operation terminal device provided at a position away from the island is provided.
The automatic toll collector includes an operation means,
An automatic toll collection system in which the captured image captured by the imaging device is displayed on the display unit in response to a predetermined operation performed on the operation means. An automatic toll collection machine installed on an island along the lane of a toll gate and used to collect tolls on toll roads,
Two-dimensional code reading means;
An imaging device;
A display device;
A payment device that is operated by a user and is used to settle the toll on the toll road,
The display device is configured to display a display image including a captured image captured by the imaging device;
The two-dimensional code reading means recognizes data encoded in a two-dimensional code printed on a receipt certificate certifying payment of the toll on the toll road at another tollgate. A toll collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, 22 to 24,
The two-dimensional code is printed on the receipt at the other toll gate.
Automatic toll collection system. A toll collector according to any one of claims 16 to 21 and 25,
The two-dimensional code is printed on the receipt at the other toll gate.
Automatic toll collection machine.

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