JP6386929B2 - Toll collection system - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a fee collection system.

  A technique for detecting a vehicle passing through a toll gate on a toll road and collecting a fee for each vehicle is known. However, in the conventional technique, when the worker performs maintenance or maintenance, the worker himself may be detected as a vehicle. As a result, the processing load on the computer for collecting charges may increase.

JP 2009-98739 A

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a toll collection system that can reduce the processing load of a computer.

  The vehicle detection system according to the embodiment includes a vehicle detection unit, an operation reception unit, and a control unit. The vehicle detection unit is attached to the travel lane and outputs a detection signal when a vehicle traveling in the travel lane is detected. The operation reception unit receives an operation input from the worker. The control unit controls the opening / closing unit that can close the traveling lane based on the detection signal output from the vehicle detection unit. Moreover, a control part invalidates control of the opening / closing part based on a detection signal, when the operation reception part receives predetermined | prescribed operation input.

The figure which shows the structural example of the vehicle detection system 1 in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of a function structure of the management apparatus 30 in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the process performed by the management apparatus 30 in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the process performed by the management apparatus 30 in 2nd Embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing performed by the management device 30 according to the second embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the application scene of the vehicle detection system 1 of 3rd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, the charge collection system of embodiment is demonstrated with reference to drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a vehicle detection system 1 according to the first embodiment. The vehicle detection system 1 in this embodiment is an electronic fee collection system called an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection system), for example. The vehicle detection system 1 is installed near the exit of a travel lane L (road) on which a vehicle travels on a toll road, for example, and performs toll collection processing by wirelessly communicating with the vehicle-mounted device 100 mounted on the vehicle. For example, the in-vehicle device 100 reads the recorded information and writes the information on the attached ETC card, and exchanges the read / written information with the vehicle detection system 1 to collect the electronic fee. Is realized.

  The vehicle detection system 1 in the present embodiment includes a vehicle detection unit 20, an antenna 22, a first opening / closing unit 24, a second opening / closing unit 26, a switch SW, and a management device 30. The vehicle detection unit 20, the antenna 22, the first opening / closing unit 24, the second opening / closing unit 26, and the switch SW include a communication interface for connecting to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Communicate with the management apparatus 30 in one direction or two directions via the network described above.

  For example, the vehicle detection unit 20 is provided on both sides of the travel lane L so as to face each other. The vehicle detection unit 20 is, for example, an optical sensor. The vehicle detection unit 20 detects a vehicle traveling between them. When the vehicle detection unit 20 detects a vehicle, the vehicle detection unit 20 generates a detection signal, and transmits the generated detection signal to the management device 30.

  The antenna 22 receives a radio wave transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device 100 and transmits information based on the received radio wave to the management device 30. The vehicle-mounted device 100 uses, for example, vehicle type information, ETC card identification information (number), information required for toll collection such as an entrance toll gate, an exit toll gate (hereinafter referred to as “vehicle device information”) as radio waves. send. The management device 30 acquires on-vehicle device information from the antenna 22.

  The antenna 22 transmits a radio wave based on information transmitted from the management device 30. The in-vehicle device 100 receives the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 22 and rewrites the information stored in the ETC card based on the received radio wave information.

  The first opening / closing unit 24 includes a bar that rotates or moves up and down under the control of the management device 30. The first opening / closing unit 24 stops the vehicle in the travel lane L by driving the bar so as to approach the travel surface of the travel lane L. In addition, the first opening / closing unit 24 allows the vehicle to pass by driving the bar away from the travel lane L. Hereinafter, the vehicle traffic restriction is referred to as a “travel lane L closed state”, and the vehicle traffic permission is referred to as a “travel lane L open state”.

  The second opening / closing part 26 is provided closer to the front side than the devices of the vehicle detection system 1 when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle. Similar to the first opening / closing part 24 described above, the second opening / closing part 26 includes a bar that rotates or moves up and down. The 2nd opening-and-closing part 26 makes driving lane L a closed state or an open state by driving a bar.

  The switch SW is operated to either the on state or the off state. The switch SW is an example of an “operation receiving unit”. The switch SW is, for example, a toggle type switch, and continuously outputs a signal corresponding to the operated state. For example, the switch SW is provided in the receiving booth B attached to the traveling lane L, and is operated by an operator stationed in the receiving booth B. Note that the switch SW may be provided not only in the receiving booth B but also, for example, on the back side of the column of the second opening / closing portion as viewed from the traveling lane L.

  Further, the switch SW may be not only a button type but also a dial type or a button type, and may be any type as long as it can be switched on or off. The switch SW may output a pulsed operation signal every time it is operated. In this case, the management device 30 recognizes which state (on or off) the current operation state is. May be.

  The management device 30 controls the first opening / closing unit 24 based on the detection signal transmitted from the vehicle detection unit 20. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the management device 30 according to the first embodiment. The management device 30 includes a control unit 32 and a storage unit 40. Some or all of the functional units of the control unit 32 are software functional units that function when a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executes a program stored in the storage unit 40, for example. Some or all of these functional units may be hardware functional units such as LSI (Large Scale Integration) and ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  The storage unit 40 is, for example, a nonvolatile storage medium (non-temporary storage medium) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a register, or the like. It has a volatile storage medium. The memory | storage part 40 is controlled so that the information containing the detection signal mentioned later, vehicle equipment information, an operation signal, etc. is memorize | stored, for example.

  The control unit 32 includes an acquisition unit 34, a fee collection unit 36, and a device control unit 38.

  The acquisition unit 34 acquires a detection signal from the vehicle detection unit 20, a vehicle-mounted device information from the vehicle-mounted device 100 via the antenna 22, and a signal indicating an operation state from the switch SW. Hereinafter, a signal acquired when the switch SW is in an on state is referred to as an “on signal”, and a signal acquired when the switch SW is in an off state is referred to as an “off signal”.

  The toll collection unit 36 collects tolls based on the detection signal and in-vehicle device information acquired by the acquisition unit 34 and the toll set for the toll road. The fee collection unit 36 transmits information indicating the result of fee collection to the vehicle-mounted device 100 via the antenna 22 when the fee collection is established. Further, the fee collection unit 36 transmits information indicating an error to the vehicle-mounted device 100 via the antenna 22 when the fee collection is not established. Further, when the fee collection is established, the fee collection unit 36 transmits information about the collected fee to a settlement server (not shown).

  The device control unit 38 controls the opening / closing of the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 based on the result of the fee collection in the fee collection unit 36. For example, the device control unit 38 outputs a control signal for opening the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 when fee collection is established. As a result, the device control unit 38 opens the travel lane L so that the vehicle on which toll collection is established can pass.

  The device control unit 38 outputs a control signal for closing the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 when, for example, charge collection is not established. As a result, the device control unit 38 closes the traveling lane L and disables the passage of a vehicle for which no toll collection is established.

  Further, the apparatus control unit 38 does not execute the opening / closing control of the first opening / closing unit 24 even when the acquisition signal is acquired by the acquisition unit 34 or when the detection signal is acquired from the vehicle detection unit 20. To do. Thereby, the device control unit 38 invalidates the bar opening / closing control of the first opening / closing unit 24 based on the detection signal. As a result, when the operator operates the switch SW to the on state when performing maintenance work or repair work for each device of the vehicle detection system 1, for example, the management device 30 detects an erroneous detection signal during the work. Therefore, the processing load on the computer such as the management apparatus 30 can be reduced.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the management apparatus 30 according to the first embodiment. For example, the management device 30 repeatedly performs the processing of this flowchart at a predetermined cycle.

  First, the acquisition unit 34 determines whether or not the switch SW is in an on state based on whether or not an on signal is input (step S100). If the switch SW is in the on state (step S100: Yes), the management device 30 ends the process of this flowchart. Thereby, the opening / closing control of the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 based on the detection signal by the processing in step S102 and subsequent steps becomes invalid.

  When the switch SW is in the OFF state (step S100: No), the acquisition unit 34 determines whether or not the vehicle is detected based on the detection signal (step S102). The management apparatus 30 complete | finishes the process of this flowchart, when a vehicle is not detected (step S102: No).

  When the vehicle is detected (step S102: Yes), the toll collection unit 36 collects the toll based on the detection signal and the vehicle-mounted device information acquired by the acquisition unit 34 and the toll set on the toll road. Is performed (step S104).

  Next, the device control unit 38 determines whether or not fee collection has been established based on the result of fee collection in the fee collection unit 36 (step S106). When the toll collection is established (step S106: Yes), the device control unit 38 outputs the control signal for opening the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 to open the traveling lane L so that the vehicle can pass. (Step S108). When the toll collection is not established (step S106: No), the device control unit 38 outputs a control signal for closing the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 to close the traveling lane L and disable the vehicle. (Step S110). Thereby, the management apparatus 30 ends the process of this flowchart.

  According to the vehicle detection system 1 of the first embodiment described above, the opening / closing of the first opening / closing unit 24 is controlled based on the detection signal indicating the detection of the vehicle in the travel lane L. Further, the vehicle detection system 1 does not execute the opening / closing control of the first opening / closing unit 24 even when the detection signal is acquired from the vehicle detection unit 20 when the ON signal indicating the ON state of the switch SW is acquired. Like that. Thereby, for example, when the operator performs an operation such as maintenance or repair of each device of the vehicle detection system 1, the switch 30 is turned on, so that the management device 30 is erroneous during the operation. Processing based on the detection signal is not performed. As a result, the processing load on the management device 30 can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the vehicle detection system 1 of the first embodiment, the switch SW is provided, for example, inside the collection booth B attached to the travel lane L, so that the vehicle is illegally passed or mischievous. It is possible to prevent operation for the purpose of stopping. Even when the switch SW is provided on the back side of the support column of the second opening / closing portion when viewed from the travel lane L, it is difficult to see from the vehicle traveling on the travel lane L. Can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the vehicle detection system 1 of 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. In the vehicle detection system 1 of the second embodiment, the function of the device control unit 38 in the management device 30 is different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, it demonstrates centering on the difference and the description about a common part is abbreviate | omitted.

  The device control unit 38 according to the second embodiment controls the opening / closing of the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 based on the detection signal after the second opening / closing unit 26 is closed when the switch SW is turned on. Disable. That is, the device control unit 38 according to the second embodiment controls the opening / closing of the bar of the second opening / closing unit 26 based on the signal indicating the operation state of the switch SW acquired by the acquiring unit 34. For example, when the ON signal is acquired by the acquisition unit 34, the device control unit 38 outputs a control signal for closing the bar of the second opening / closing unit 26. As a result, the device control unit 38 drives the bar of the second opening / closing unit 26 so as to approach the traveling surface of the traveling lane L, thereby driving on the rear side (back side in the vehicle traveling direction) from the second opening / closing unit 26. The vehicle can be prevented from entering the lane L. Thus, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the vehicle enters while the worker is working.

  Moreover, the apparatus control part 38 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment outputs the control signal which opens the bar of the 2nd opening-and-closing part 26, for example, when an OFF signal is acquired by the acquisition part 34. FIG. As a result, vehicle traffic is resumed.

  Hereinafter, processing of the management device 30 including the device control unit 38 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the management device 30 according to the second embodiment.

  First, the acquisition unit 34 determines whether or not the switch SW is in an on state based on whether or not an on signal is input (step S200). When the switch SW is in the ON state (step S200: Yes), the device control unit 38 outputs a control signal for closing the bar of the second opening / closing unit 26, and starts closing the travel lane L (step S202). Next, the device control unit 38 determines whether or not the travel lane L has been closed by the second opening / closing unit 26 (step S204). The management apparatus 30 complete | finishes the process of this flowchart, when the closure of the driving lane L by the 2nd opening / closing part 26 is completed (step S204: Yes). Thereby, the opening / closing control of the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 based on the detection signal by the processing in step S206 and after becomes invalid.

  When the switch SW is in the OFF state (step S200: No) and when the closing of the travel lane L by the second opening / closing unit 26 is not completed (step S204: No), the management device 30 determines whether the vehicle is based on the detection signal. It is determined whether or not it has been detected (step S206). The management apparatus 30 complete | finishes the process of this flowchart, when a vehicle is not detected (step S206: No).

  When the vehicle is detected (step S206: Yes), the toll collection unit 36 collects the toll based on the detection signal and the vehicle-mounted device information acquired by the acquisition unit 34 and the toll set on the toll road. Is performed (step S208).

  Next, the device control unit 38 determines whether or not fee collection has been established based on the result of fee collection in the fee collection unit 36 (step S210). When the toll collection is established (step S210: Yes), the device control unit 38 outputs the control signal for opening the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 to open the traveling lane L so that the vehicle can pass. (Step S212). When the toll collection is not established (step S210: No), the device control unit 38 outputs the control signal for closing the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 to make the traveling lane L closed so that the vehicle cannot pass. (Step S214). Thereby, the management apparatus 30 ends the process of this flowchart.

  According to the vehicle detection system 1 of the second embodiment described above, the processing load of the management device 30 can be reduced as in the first embodiment described above.

  Further, according to the vehicle detection system 1 of the second embodiment, the travel lane L is closed by the second opening / closing unit 26 while the switch SW is operated in the on state. As a result, the worker can work safely.

  Further, according to the vehicle detection system 1 of the second embodiment, even in the process of closing the travel lane L by the second opening / closing unit 26, the vehicle that receives the toll collection can be promptly performed by continuing the toll collection process. It can be made to travel and can be moved from the work area. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the vehicle is stuck in the toll gate in an unsettled state.

(Modification of Embodiment in First and Second)
The management device 30 in the first and second embodiments described above further includes the first opening / closing unit 24 based on the detection signal after a predetermined time has elapsed since the bar opening / closing control of the first opening / closing unit 24 based on the detection signal is disabled. The bar open / close control may be validated.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing performed by the management device 30. The flowchart of FIG. 5 is different from the flowchart of FIG. 3 in that the opening / closing of the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 based on the detection signal after a predetermined time has elapsed since the bar opening / closing control of the first opening / closing unit 24 based on the detection signal is invalidated. A process for enabling the control is added.

  First, the acquisition unit 34 determines whether or not the switch SW is in an on state based on the on signal (step S300). When the switch SW is in the ON state (step S300: Yes), the device control unit 38 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S302). The predetermined time is, for example, 10 minutes. Note that the predetermined time may be arbitrarily changed by the operator.

  When the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S302: No), the management device 30 ends the process of this flowchart. The management device 30 determines whether or not a vehicle has been detected based on the detection signal when the switch SW is in an off state (step S300: No) and when a predetermined time has elapsed (step S302: Yes) ( Step S304). The management apparatus 30 complete | finishes the process of this flowchart, when a vehicle is not detected (step S304: No).

  When the vehicle is detected (step S304: Yes), the toll collection unit 36 collects the toll based on the detection signal and the vehicle-mounted device information acquired by the acquisition unit 34 and the toll set on the toll road. Is performed (step S306).

  Next, the apparatus control unit 38 determines whether or not fee collection has been established based on the result of fee collection in the fee collection unit 36 (step S308). When the toll collection is established (step S308: Yes), the device control unit 38 outputs the control signal for opening the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 to open the traveling lane L so that the vehicle can pass. (Step S310). If the toll collection is not established (step S308: No), the device control unit 38 outputs the control signal for closing the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24, thereby closing the travel lane L and disabling the vehicle. (Step S312). Thereby, the management apparatus 30 ends the process of this flowchart.

  Thereby, the vehicle detection system 1 in the above-described embodiment can turn off the switch SW that has been turned on by the operator after a predetermined time. As a result, the vehicle detection system 1 automatically returns to the toll collection process flow even when the switch SW is unintentionally mistakenly operated by the operator or when the switch SW is forgotten to be turned off. be able to.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, the vehicle detection system 1 of 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated. The vehicle detection system 1 according to the third embodiment further includes an electric light display device 50 and a traffic light 60 in addition to the components included in the first or second embodiment. Hereinafter, description of functions and the like common to the above-described first or second embodiment will be omitted. Here, as a difference from the above-described embodiment, the operation of the device control unit 38 at the time of controlling the electric light display device 50 and the traffic light 60 will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application scene of the vehicle detection system 1 of the third embodiment.
The electric bulletin board device 50 is a device that transmits predetermined information using light sources arranged in a grid pattern. The light source is, for example, a light emitting diode or a light bulb.

  The traffic light 60 is a device that indicates signals such as progress permission or progress stop by using light of two colors or three colors. The traffic light 60 represents, for example, a progress stop by red and a progress permission by blue.

  Based on the signal indicating the operation state of the switch SW acquired by the apparatus control unit 38 and the acquisition unit 34, the opening / closing of the bar of the second opening / closing unit 26 is controlled, and the electric bulletin board 50 and the traffic light 60 are 2 Outputs information corresponding to the open / close state of the bar of the opening / closing unit 26.

  For example, when the device control unit 38 outputs a control signal for closing the bar of the second opening / closing unit 26, the device control unit 38 outputs a control signal for displaying characters such as “no traffic” to the electric bulletin board device 50. Then, a control signal that causes the red light source to emit light is output to the traffic light 60.

  In addition, when the device control unit 38 outputs a control signal for opening the bar of the second opening / closing unit 26, for example, the device control unit 38 displays a control signal such as “permission permission” or the like to the electric bulletin board device 50. And a control signal that causes the blue light source to emit light is output to the traffic light 60. If the control signal for opening the bar of the second opening / closing unit 26 is not output, the device control unit 38 displays characters such as “ETC” and “ETC / general” on the electric bulletin board device 50. Output a control signal. As a result, the device control unit 38 notifies the driver that toll collection according to the presence / absence of the vehicle-mounted device 100 is performed before receipt.

  According to the vehicle detection system 1 of the third embodiment described above, the electric bulletin device 50 and the traffic light 60 are controlled in conjunction with the opening and closing of the bar of the second opening / closing part 26, thereby driving the driver. The operating state of the lane L can be notified. As a result, an erroneous entry of the vehicle to the travel lane L that is impassable is prevented, and the worker can work more safely.

Other embodiments (modifications) will be described below.
In the vehicle detection system 1 in each of the above-described embodiments, the opening / closing control of the first opening / closing unit 24 is not performed by the operator operating the switch SW, but is not limited thereto.

  In each embodiment described above, the switch for instructing the opening / closing control of the second opening / closing part 26 may also have the same function as the switch SW. That is, when a switch operation for instructing the opening / closing control of the second opening / closing unit 26 is performed, the device control unit 38 is instructed to invalidate the opening / closing control of the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 based on the detection signal. It is determined that In this case, the device control unit 38 generates a control signal that determines whether to perform the opening / closing control of the first opening / closing unit 24 in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the second opening / closing unit 26. In this case, the device control unit 38 may invalidate the opening / closing control of the bar of the first opening / closing unit 24 when the switch operation for instructing the opening / closing control of the second opening / closing unit 26 is performed. When the closing of the opening / closing part 26 is completed, the opening / closing control of the bar of the first opening / closing part 24 may be invalidated.

  Moreover, in each above-mentioned embodiment, when the ON signal is acquired by the acquisition part 34, the apparatus control part 38 skips the process which performs the opening / closing control of the bar of the 1st opening / closing part 24 based on a detection signal. The bar opening / closing control of the first opening / closing unit 24 based on the detection signal is invalidated. Instead, when the acquisition signal is acquired by the acquisition unit 34, the device control unit 38 deletes the detection signal stored in the storage unit 40 and also outputs the detection signal output from the vehicle detection unit 20. You may control so that it may not be memorized. Accordingly, the vehicle detection system 1 can prevent the first opening / closing unit 24 from performing opening / closing control even when a detection signal is acquired from the vehicle detection unit 20.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, even when the ON signal indicating the ON state of the switch SW is acquired, even when the detection signal is acquired from the vehicle detection unit 20, the opening / closing of the first opening / closing unit 24 is performed. In order not to execute the control, the processing load on the computer such as the management apparatus 30 can be reduced.

  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 embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle detection system, 20 ... Vehicle detection part, 22 ... Antenna, 24 ... 1st opening / closing part, 26 ... 2nd opening / closing part, 30 ... Management apparatus, 32 ... Control part, 34 ... Acquisition part, 36 ... Toll collection part , 38: Device control unit, 40: Storage unit, 100: On-board unit, L: Travel lane, B: Toll booth, SW ... Switch

Claims (6)

In a toll collection system that collects tolls for traveling vehicles,
A vehicle detector attached to the travel lane and detecting a vehicle entering the travel lane;
A first opening / closing unit that performs control for opening / closing a bar that prevents the approaching vehicle from passing until the necessary toll collection operation is completed for the approaching vehicle detected by the vehicle detection unit;
An operation accepting unit for accepting an operation input from an operator;
A controller that disables the control of the first opening and closing unit so that the first opening and closing unit does not perform an opening and closing operation when the operation receiving unit receives a predetermined operation input;
Toll collection system with. A second opening / closing part attached to an entrance in the traveling direction of the traveling lane, for closing the operation of the traveling lane;
The control unit closes the traveling lane by the second opening and closing unit when the operation receiving unit receives a predetermined operation input.
The fee collection system according to claim 1. The control unit activates the control of the first opening / closing unit for a period from when the operation receiving unit receives a predetermined operation input until the second opening / closing unit completes closing of the traveling lane. To
The fee collection system according to claim 2. The control unit disables the control of the first opening / closing unit until a predetermined time elapses after the operation receiving unit receives a predetermined operation input, and the operation receiving unit receives the predetermined operation input. Enabling the control of the first opening / closing part after a predetermined time has elapsed since
The fee collection system according to claim 1. The operation accepting unit is provided inside a booth where the operator is stationed.
The fee collection system according to claim 1. The operation accepting unit is provided on the back side of the column part of the second opening / closing unit as seen from the traveling lane.
The fee collection system according to claim 2.

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