JP7434517B2 - Area management device and area management method - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an area management device and an area management method .

In recent years, on toll roads such as expressways, ETC systems that collect tolls through wireless communication with on-vehicle devices mounted on vehicles have become popular. Furthermore, various services have been proposed for toll roads with the aim of promoting usage or easing congestion. For example, services have been proposed that provide discounts on fares depending on the route the vehicle is taking, the date and time, etc. On the other hand, road networks such as expressways are connected on a nationwide scale, and as new routes are added, areas are expanding and routes are becoming more complex. For this reason, it has become difficult to manage information such as the route traveled by each vehicle and to implement toll processing that is compatible with various toll systems.

Conventionally, as a method for managing the route taken by a vehicle on an expressway, there is a method of writing route information in a storage medium mounted on the vehicle (such as an ETC card set in an on-vehicle device). However, in the current ETC system, it is difficult to store nationwide route information in the storage area of the ETC card. Furthermore, although it is technically conceivable to expand the storage area of the ETC card, it is not practical because the migration cost would be high.

Another method is to calculate the route taken by one vehicle by aggregating route information including GPS information collected by multiple information collecting devices set up at various locations on the road called ITS spots. It is possible. However, the process of handling multiple route information for multiple vehicles traveling on a road at once, or identifying the route of each vehicle by map matching or other processing of GPS information that actually causes errors, is difficult. Processing time is required, and it is difficult in practice to determine the route of each vehicle in time for toll payment at the exit toll plaza.

JP 2016-151969 Publication

As mentioned above, conventional toll processing systems manage routes actually traveled by each vehicle on a large-scale toll road network, calculate tolls for each vehicle according to the route, and perform toll collection, etc. The problem is that it is difficult to carry out the process.
The present invention solves the above problems, and provides an area management device and an area management method that can easily realize toll processing such as toll collection using various toll systems depending on the route even in a large-scale toll road network. The purpose is to provide

According to an embodiment, an area management device is provided for each area in order to process tolls on a toll road divided into a plurality of areas. The area management device includes a device communication section, an inter-area communication section, and a control section. The equipment communication unit is configured to communicate with exit toll gate equipment within the own area as an area corresponding to the area management device, and with vehicles passing through a checkpoint provided between the own area and an adjacent area adjacent to the own area. Communicate with the checkpoint equipment to be detected. The inter-area communication unit communicates with the area management device of the adjacent area. When the control unit receives area crossing information indicating a vehicle that has moved from the own area to the adjacent area from the checkpoint equipment, the control unit transfers transfer information indicating the route traveled by the vehicle or a variable amount according to the route to the destination. Send to the area management device of the area.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for schematically explaining a fee processing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of each device in the fee processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a basic table according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a variable charge table according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device in the fee processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of checkpoint equipment in the toll processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the exit toll booth equipment in the toll processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an operation example of the fee processing system according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device in the fee processing system according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system for each device in the fee processing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device in the fee processing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the exit toll booth equipment in the toll processing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the first modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing an operation example of a fee processing system according to a second modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device in the fee processing system according to the second modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system for each device in the fee processing system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically showing an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device in the fee processing system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the exit toll booth equipment in the toll processing system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram schematically showing an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the first modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 24 is a diagram schematically showing an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the second modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device in the fee processing system according to the second modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 26 is a diagram schematically showing an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device in the fee processing system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of checkpoint equipment in the toll processing system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the exit toll booth equipment in the toll processing system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 30 is a diagram schematically showing an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 31 is a diagram schematically showing an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 32 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device in the fee processing system according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 33 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the exit toll booth equipment in the toll processing system according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, an outline of the fee processing system according to each embodiment will be explained.
Toll roads to which the toll processing system is applied are basically charged the same toll for the same departure and arrival (same entrance and exit). Furthermore, through various measures such as traffic congestion countermeasures, tolls (tolls) will be charged to vehicles that meet conditions such as specific routes or preset routes (sections) that vary tolls (tolls), and the date and time of passage. We are taking measures to reduce prices (or add charges). For example, as a measure to reduce traffic congestion, it is assumed that a variable amount (a discount amount, an additional amount, etc.) for each route is set according to the degree of congestion for each route on a toll road.

When implementing variable charging based on route, section, or transit time as described above, the fee table that is the basis for fee calculation becomes complex and enormous, and there are limits to its operation. For this reason, in the toll processing system according to each embodiment, one toll road network subject to toll processing is divided into multiple areas and information such as routes is managed for each area, and when entering from the toll road network. The system calculates tolls that vary depending on the route and other factors. The plurality of areas may not only be areas divided for each road operator that manages toll roads, but may also be one in which the toll road network (one toll road) of one road operator is divided into a plurality of areas.

In this embodiment, each area is provided with an area management device that is a central device that performs processing related to fee calculation. The toll calculation uses a basic charge table to determine the basic toll determined by the correspondence between the entrance toll gate and the exit toll gate, and a discount amount (or extra amount) determined by the date and time of passing and the route. Charges are determined by a combination of variable charge tables.
Hereinafter, as first to fourth embodiments, modes for implementing a fee processing system including an area management device provided for each area will be described.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment is an embodiment in which both the basic charging table and the variable charging table are held in the area management device.
First, an embodiment in which the variable charge table differs from area to area will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for schematically explaining a fee processing system according to a first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toll processing system according to the embodiment manages one toll road network by dividing it into a plurality of areas A and B. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the toll processing system includes a plurality of area management devices 1 (1A, 1B), entrance toll plaza equipment 2, exit toll plaza equipment 3, route equipment 4, checkpoint equipment 5, and the like.

The area management device 1 is provided for each area. The area management device 1 is a central device (server device) that communicates with roadside devices installed at various locations on the toll road, such as entrance toll plaza equipment 2, exit toll plaza equipment 3, route equipment 4, and checkpoint equipment 5. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the fee processing system includes an area management device 1A corresponding to area A as a first area and an area management device 1B corresponding to area B as a second area. The area management device 1A manages route information taken by each vehicle in area A and fluctuation amount depending on the route, etc., and area management device 1B manages route information taken by each vehicle in area B and fluctuation amount according to the route. Manage amounts, etc.

A toll gate is provided in each area A and B, respectively. Each toll plaza (IC) is provided with an entrance toll plaza and an exit toll plaza. However, the IC may be dedicated to an entrance, functioning only as an entrance toll gate, or may be dedicated to an exit, functioning only as an exit toll gate. The entrance toll gate and the exit toll gate are provided with, for example, lanes designed for vehicles to pass in predetermined directions (entrance direction and exit direction). Vehicles equipped with an on-vehicle device S into which an IC card (ETC card) C for payment is set pass through the lane.

Entrance toll plaza equipment 2 is placed at the entrance toll plaza, and exit toll plaza equipment 3 is placed at the exit toll plaza. The entrance toll plaza device 2 and the exit toll plaza device 3 communicate via wireless communication with an on-vehicle device S mounted on a vehicle passing through the lane. The entrance tollgate device 2 is a device that performs entrance processing (entrance processing) for vehicles entering the toll road. The exit toll gate device 3 is a device that performs exit processing (exit processing) for vehicles exiting from the toll road.

Route devices 4 are placed at various locations within each area of the toll road in order to detect the route taken by the vehicle. The route device 4 detects vehicles traveling along a specific route by detecting vehicles traveling at a predetermined location on a toll road. For example, the route device 4 detects a vehicle passing through a predetermined route (passage detection point) provided on a toll road by communicating via wireless communication with an on-vehicle device S mounted on a vehicle passing through a predetermined route (passage detection point). Further, the route device 4 acquires identification information indicating a vehicle that has passed through a predetermined route, the date and time of passage, etc. through wireless communication with the on-vehicle device S. Specific examples of the route equipment 4 include a road-to-vehicle communication device using DSRC, a route FF (free flow), and the like.

The checkpoint equipment 5 is provided at a connection point between a plurality of areas (hereinafter referred to as a checkpoint), and detects vehicles passing through the checkpoint. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the checkpoint device 5 is installed so as to detect a vehicle passing through a place (checkpoint) connecting area A and area B on a toll road. For example, the checkpoint equipment 5 communicates with an onboard device S mounted on a vehicle passing through a checkpoint between Area A and Area B by wireless communication. The checkpoint equipment 5 detects vehicles moving between areas, the date and time of passage, etc. through wireless communication with the onboard equipment S. Specific examples of the checkpoint equipment 5 include a road-to-vehicle communication device using DSRC, a checkpoint FF, and the like.

Each area management device 1A (1B) has a function of communicating with an area management device 1B (1A) in an adjacent area. In addition, each area management device 1A (1B) communicates with the entrance toll plaza equipment 2, exit toll plaza equipment 3, and route equipment 4 in the corresponding area A (B), and communicates with entrance information, exit information, and passage information. Get route information. The area management device 1A (1B) also has a function of communicating with checkpoint equipment 5 that detects vehicles passing through checkpoints.

Next, the configuration of the control system in each device constituting the fee processing system according to the first embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a control system of the area management device 1 (1A, 1B), entrance toll plaza equipment 2, exit toll plaza equipment 3, route equipment 4, and checkpoint equipment 5 in the toll processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the area management device 1 includes a control section 11, a storage section 12, a device communication section 13, and an inter-area communication section 14. The area management device 1 is configured by, for example, a general-purpose server device. Although the example shown in FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the area management device 1A, the area management devices of other areas (area management device 1B of area B) also have the same configuration as the area management device 1A. shall be.

The control unit 11 is a control unit that manages control, data processing, etc. in the area management device 1 . The control unit 11 includes a CPU, a memory, an interface, and the like. A CPU is a processor that implements various processing functions by executing programs. The CPU is connected to each component of the area management device 1 via an interface or the like. The memory includes various types of memory, such as a nonvolatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily stores data, and a rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores setting data and the like. That is, the control unit 11 controls each unit and executes data processing by the CPU executing a program stored in the memory.

The storage unit 12 includes a storage medium such as in-memory that can be read and written at high speed. The storage unit 12 may be configured with a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 12 stores various data related to the fee processing system. For example, the storage unit 12 stores information collected from the entrance toll gate equipment 2, the exit toll gate equipment 3, the route equipment 4, the checkpoint equipment 5, and other area management devices 1. Furthermore, the storage unit 12 stores information acquired from each device in association with vehicle identification information (card ID, on-vehicle device ID).

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the storage unit 12 includes a basic table T1 and a variable charge table T2A. The basic table T1 is a storage area that stores information indicating tolls (basic tolls) corresponding to entrances and exits in the toll road network. The basic table T1 stores information indicating basic tolls that are the same for the same departure and arrival for combinations of each entrance and each exit on the entire toll road.

The variable charge table T2A is a storage area that stores information indicating a charge amount (variable amount, discount amount) that is varied depending on conditions such as each route or route and transit time in area A. In the first embodiment, each area management device 1A, 1B is provided with an area-specific variable charge table T1A, T1B provided for each area. For example, the variable charge table T2A stores the variable amount applied to each route in area A depending on the congestion status of each route or the situation where congestion is expected. Note that the setting information for the degree of congestion of each route or the variable amount depending on the degree of congestion may be determined from information collected from each route device, or may be obtained from an external server. However, it may also be manually input from a connected terminal.

The device communication unit 13 is a communication interface for communicating with external devices. In this embodiment, the device communication unit 13 is assumed to be an interface for communicating with the entrance toll plaza device 2, the exit toll plaza device 3, the route device 4, and the checkpoint device 5. Note that the device communication section 13 may include multiple types of communication interfaces corresponding to various devices.
The inter-area communication unit 14 is a communication interface for communicating with area management devices in other areas. In this embodiment, the inter-area communication unit 14 is configured to communicate with an area management device provided in an adjacent area to which roads are connected via a checkpoint.

As shown in FIG. 2, the entrance tollgate device 2 includes a control section 21, an upper communication section 22, a vehicle communication section 23, a start controller 24, a roadside indicator 25, and the like.
The control unit 21 is a control unit that controls the entire entrance toll gate equipment 2 and performs data processing. The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a memory, an interface, and the like. A CPU is a processor that implements various processing functions by executing programs. The CPU is connected to each part of the entrance tollgate equipment 2 via an interface or the like. The memory includes various types of memory, such as a nonvolatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily stores data, and a rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores setting data and the like.

The higher-level communication unit 22 is a communication interface for communicating with the area management device 1 as a higher-level device. The upper communication unit 22 may communicate with the area management device 1 by wireless communication, or may communicate with the area management device 1 via a communication line.
The vehicle communication unit 23 is an interface that wirelessly communicates with the on-vehicle device S mounted on the vehicle. The vehicle communication unit 23 wirelessly communicates with the on-vehicle device S mounted on a vehicle (vehicle attempting to enter) approaching the entrance toll gate device 2 at the entrance toll gate. The vehicle communication unit 23 acquires information such as the card ID of the ETC card C, the vehicle-mounted device ID, and vehicle type information indicating the vehicle type from the vehicle-mounted device S that communicates wirelessly.

The launch controller 24 controls entry of vehicles onto the toll road from the entrance toll plaza. The launch controller 24 controls opening and closing of a launch control bar provided in the lane of the entrance toll gate. For example, when the vehicle is temporarily stopped or when the vehicle is not allowed to pass (enter), the start controller 24 closes the start control bar to prevent the vehicle from passing. Further, when permitting the vehicle to pass (enter), the launch controller 24 opens the launch control bar to permit the vehicle to pass. Note that the start controller 24 may not be provided with a start bar, giving priority to alleviating traffic congestion at toll gates.

The roadside display 25 displays information such as guidance to users boarding vehicles passing through the entrance toll gate. The roadside indicator 25 is installed facing vehicles passing through the lane of the entrance toll plaza.

As shown in FIG. 2, the exit tollgate device 3 includes a control section 31, an upper communication section 32, a vehicle communication section 33, a start controller 34, a roadside indicator 35, and the like.
The control section 31 is a control unit that performs overall control of the exit toll gate equipment 3, data processing, and the like. The control unit 31 includes a CPU, a memory, an interface, and the like. A CPU is a processor that implements various processing functions by executing programs. The CPU is connected to each part of the exit tollgate equipment 3 via an interface or the like. The memory includes various types of memory, such as a nonvolatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily stores data, and a rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores setting data and the like.

The higher-level communication unit 32 is a communication interface for communicating with the area management device 1 as a higher-level device. The upper communication unit 32 may be one that performs wireless communication or may be one that performs communication via a communication line.
The vehicle communication unit 33 is an interface that wirelessly communicates with an on-vehicle device installed in a vehicle. The vehicle communication unit 33 wirelessly communicates with an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle (vehicle attempting to exit) approaching the exit toll plaza device 3 at the exit toll plaza. The vehicle communication unit 33 acquires information such as the card ID of the ETC card, the vehicle-mounted device ID, and vehicle type information indicating the vehicle type from the vehicle-mounted device that communicates wirelessly.

The launch controller 34 controls the exit of the vehicle at the exit toll plaza. The launch controller 34 controls opening and closing of a launch control bar provided in the lane of the exit toll plaza. For example, when the vehicle is to be temporarily stopped or the vehicle is not allowed to exit, the start controller 34 closes the start control bar to prevent the vehicle from passing (exiting). Furthermore, when permitting the vehicle to pass (enter), the start controller 34 opens the start control bar to permit the vehicle to pass. Note that the starting bar may not be provided, giving priority to alleviating traffic congestion at the exit toll gate.
The roadside display 35 displays information such as guidance to users boarding vehicles passing through the exit toll gate. The roadside display 35 is installed facing vehicles passing through the lane of the exit toll plaza.

As shown in FIG. 2, the route device 4 includes a control section 41, an upper communication section 42, a vehicle communication section 43, and the like.
The control unit 41 is a control unit that controls the entire route device 4 and performs data processing. The control unit 41 includes a CPU, a memory, an interface, and the like. A CPU is a processor that implements various processing functions by executing programs. The CPU is connected to each part of the route device 4 via an interface or the like. The memory includes various types of memory, such as a nonvolatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily stores data, and a rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores setting data and the like.

The higher-level communication unit 42 is a communication interface for communicating with the area management device 1 as a higher-level device. The upper communication unit 42 may communicate with the area management device 1 by wireless communication, or may communicate with the area management device 1 via a communication line.
The vehicle communication unit 43 is an interface that wirelessly communicates with the on-vehicle device S mounted on the vehicle. The vehicle communication unit 43 wirelessly communicates with the on-vehicle device S mounted on a vehicle passing through the location where the route device 4 is installed. The vehicle communication unit 43 transmits information such as the card ID of the ETC card C set in the vehicle-mounted device S, the vehicle-mounted device ID, and vehicle model information indicating the vehicle model by wirelessly communicating with the vehicle-mounted device S installed in the vehicle. get. However, the route device 4 may be any device that can acquire information that can identify vehicles that have passed through a predetermined route (section), the date and time of the passage, etc. It may be replaced with something that can detect the date and time of passage.

As shown in FIG. 2, the checkpoint equipment 5 includes a control section 51, an upper communication section 52, a vehicle communication section 53, and the like.
The control section 51 is a control unit that controls the entire checkpoint equipment 5 and performs data processing. The control unit 51 includes a CPU, a memory, an interface, and the like. A CPU is a processor that implements various processing functions by executing programs. The CPU is connected to each part of the checkpoint equipment 5 via an interface or the like. The memory includes various types of memory, such as a nonvolatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily stores data, and a rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores setting data and the like.

The upper communication unit 52 is a communication interface for communicating with the area management devices 1A and 1B of each adjacent area where the checkpoint equipment 5 is provided. The upper communication unit 52 may communicate with the adjacent area management devices 1A and 1B by wireless communication, or may communicate with the area management devices 1A and 1B via a communication line.
The vehicle communication unit 53 is an interface that wirelessly communicates with an on-vehicle device S mounted on a vehicle passing through a checkpoint. The vehicle communication unit 53 wirelessly communicates with an onboard device S mounted on a vehicle passing through a place where the checkpoint equipment 5 is installed. The vehicle communication unit 53 transmits information such as the card ID of the ETC card C set in the vehicle-mounted device S, the vehicle-mounted device ID, and vehicle model information indicating the vehicle model by wirelessly communicating with the vehicle-mounted device S mounted on the vehicle. get.

Next, a configuration example of the basic table T1 and variable charge table T2 (T2A, T2B) used for charge calculation according to the embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the basic table T1.
The configuration example shown in FIG. 3 shows an example in which basic tables T1a, T1b, and T1c are provided for each vehicle type, such as large-sized, medium-sized, and ordinary cars. In the basic table T1 shown in FIG. 3, one charge is shown for a combination of entrance and exit. In the first embodiment, the basic table T1 stores basic tolls for combinations from each entrance to the exit not only within the area but also for the entire toll road. The exit toll booth device 3 (or area management device 1) refers to the basic table T1 according to the vehicle type and determines the toll (basic toll) corresponding to the combination of entrance and exit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the variable charge table T2 (T2A, T2B).
The variable charge table T2 shown in FIG. 4 shows the variable amount set for each condition associated with the variable ID. In the variable charge table T2, the conditions associated with variable IDs may be determined by time or vehicle type. It is assumed that the variable charge table T2 is updated as appropriate according to the congestion situation or congestion prediction of each route. Further, in the first embodiment, the variable charge table T2 is a variable charge table T2A, T2B for each area that stores the variable amount for each route within the area. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the area management devices 1A, 1B refer to area-specific variable charge tables T2A, T2B that store variable charges for each route within areas A, B, and charge charges according to the route taken. Determine the amount of change.

Note that the variable charge table T2 may be configured to be provided for each vehicle type. However, in the variable charge table T2, by setting the vehicle type (a condition including the vehicle type) as a condition, there is no need to provide a variable charge table for each vehicle type, and the variable amount for each vehicle type can be determined using one variable charge table. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of data in the entire variable charge table corresponding to all vehicle types.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 4, the variable charge table T2 stores conditions and variable amounts in association with variable IDs.
The variable ID is identification information assigned to each condition for setting the variable amount for the fee. The variable ID may be any unique information, such as a number, a character string, or a combination of a character string and a number. In the example shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that unique numbers are sequentially assigned to the variable IDs starting from the initial value "0001".

The conditions are information indicating the conditions to which the variable amount is applied. The conditions can be determined from the route information. However, the conditions may be determined based on a combination of passage route information, entry information, exit information, and the like. For example, the condition is set to pass a route that can be detected by the route device 4. Further, the conditions may include the time during which the vehicle passes. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the condition for the variable ID "0001" is that the vehicle passed route a, and the condition for the variable ID "0002" is that the vehicle traveled route b from 17:00 to 19:00. It has already passed.

The amount of change is information indicating the amount of money that should be changed with respect to the charge. In the example shown in Figure 4, if the variable ID satisfies the condition of "0001", the variable amount is -100 yen (100 yen reduction), and if the variable ID satisfies the condition of "0002", the variable amount is - 200 yen (200 yen reduction). Note that the variable amount is not limited to the amount by which the fee is reduced, but may also be the amount by which the fee is increased. Further, as the variable amount, a discount rate, a premium rate, or the like may be set.

Next, information that the area management devices 1A and 1B of each area acquire from each device in the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the first embodiment.
The example shown in FIG. 5 schematically shows a specific example of information that each area management device 1A, 1B of the toll processing system according to the first embodiment acquires from each roadside device. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 5, a vehicle enters from the entrance toll gate "IC:A" of area A, passes route a of area A, checkpoint, route c of area B, and then passes through the exit toll gate of area B. An example is shown in which the player enters from "IC:C".

First, when a vehicle passes through an entrance tollgate, the entrance tollgate device 2 communicates with the onboard device S installed on the vehicle entering the entrance tollgate, and based on the information acquired from the onboard device S, the entrance tollgate device 2 Create admission information indicating that the person has entered the site. The entrance tollgate device 2 transmits the created entrance information to the area management device 1. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the entrance toll plaza device 2a of the entrance toll plaza "IC:A" communicates with the on-vehicle device S mounted on the vehicle that enters, and acquires information regarding the vehicle that enters. The entrance tollgate device 2a creates admission information Data1 based on the information acquired from the onboard device S, and transmits the created admission information Data1 to the area management device 1A of area A. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the admission information Data1 includes a card ID, an onboard device ID, an entrance IC, an admission date and time, a vehicle type, and the like.

The card ID is identification information of the ETC card C set in the on-vehicle device S mounted on the vehicle. ETC card C is a card used for payment of fees. If a valid ETC card C is normally set in the on-vehicle device S, the entrance toll gate device 2 acquires the card ID from the vehicle and permits the vehicle to enter. The onboard device ID is identification information of the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle. The entrance IC is information indicating the entrance (entrance tollgate) where the vehicle entered. The entry date and time is information indicating the date and time when the person passed through the entrance. The vehicle type is information indicating the vehicle type of the vehicle entering. However, since the card ID and the vehicle-mounted device ID are identification information for specifying the vehicle to be charged, either the card ID or the vehicle-mounted device ID may be omitted if the vehicle to be charged can be identified.

On the other hand, each area management device 1 acquires admission information from the entrance toll gate equipment 2 of each entrance toll gate in the area in charge (its own area) at any time. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the area management device 1A acquires (receives) admission information Data1 having the above-described configuration from the entrance toll gate device 2a of the entrance toll gate "IC:A". The area management device 1A stores information such as the entrance IC, entry date and time, and vehicle type included in the acquired admission information Data1 in association with identification information such as the card ID and onboard device ID of the acquired admission information Data1 in the storage unit 12. .

Next, when the route device 4 detects a vehicle that has passed, the route device 4 creates passing route information indicating that the vehicle has passed, and sends the created passing route information to the area management device 1 of its own area. . In the example shown in FIG. 5, the route device 4a communicates with the on-vehicle device S mounted on a vehicle passing through route a in area A, and acquires information regarding the passing vehicle. The route device 4a creates passing route information Data2 based on the information acquired from the onboard device S, and transmits the created passing route information Data2 to the area management device 1A of area A. Thereby, the area management device 1A acquires passage route information Data2 indicating that the vehicle has passed route a from the route device 4. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the passing route information Data2 is information including a card ID, an onboard device ID, route information, a passing date and time, a vehicle type, and the like.

The card ID and the on-vehicle device ID are identification information for identifying a vehicle that has passed through the route a, and are information corresponding to the card ID and the on-vehicle device ID, such as entry information. However, if the vehicle that passed route a can be identified, either the card ID or the onboard device ID may be omitted. The route of passing route information Data2 is information indicating that the route (passage detection point) that the vehicle has passed is route a. The passage date and time of the passage route information Data2 is information indicating the date and time when the passage detection point for detecting passage of route a was passed. The vehicle type of the passing route information Data2 is information indicating the vehicle type of the vehicle that passed through the route a. However, the vehicle type does not need to be included in the passing detection information.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the area management device 1A acquires (receives) passing route information Data2 from the route device 4a when the vehicle passes through the route a. Upon acquiring the passing route information Data2 from the route device 4a, the area management device 1A allocates a variable amount (discount amount) according to the route a from the variable charge table T2A for area A. After allocating the variable amount according to route a, the area management device 1A stores the allocated variable amount in the storage unit 12 as a cumulative variable amount that is associated with the identification information (card ID or onboard device ID) of the vehicle. (or update). Note that the area management device may allocate the variable amount at the timing when the area straddling information is received, or may execute the allocation at the timing when the participation information is received.

Next, when the vehicle passes through a checkpoint where the checkpoint equipment 5 is installed, the checkpoint equipment 5 creates area crossing information indicating that the vehicle has passed through the checkpoint, and sends the created area crossing information to the area management device 1A. do. The area crossing information is information indicating that the vehicle has passed through a checkpoint and moved to an adjacent area. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the checkpoint equipment 5 transmits area crossing information Data3 indicating that the vehicle has moved from area A to area B to the area management device 1A.

That is, the checkpoint equipment 5 communicates with the on-vehicle device S mounted on a vehicle passing through the checkpoint, and acquires information regarding the vehicle passing through the checkpoint. The checkpoint device 5 creates area crossing information (checkpoint passage information) Data3 based on the information acquired from the onboard device S, and transmits the created area crossing information Data3 to the area management device 1A of area A. Thereby, the area management device 1A acquires area straddling information Data3 indicating a vehicle that has passed through the checkpoint and moved from area A to area B from the checkpoint equipment 5.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the area crossing information Data3 is information including a card ID, an on-vehicle device ID, checkpoint information, a date and time of passage, a vehicle type, and the like.
The card ID and the onboard device ID are identification information for identifying a vehicle that has passed through the checkpoint, and are information corresponding to the card ID and the onboard device ID included in the entry information and passage route information. However, if the vehicle that passed through the checkpoint can be identified, either the card ID or the onboard device ID may be omitted. The checkpoint information is information indicating the checkpoint that the vehicle has passed through. For example, the checkpoint information is information that specifies the checkpoint equipment 5 provided at the checkpoint. Furthermore, the checkpoint information may be information indicating an area where the user passes through a checkpoint and moves. The passage date and time of the area crossing information Data3 is information indicating the date and time when the vehicle passed through the checkpoint. The vehicle type is information indicating the vehicle type of the vehicle that passed through the checkpoint. However, the vehicle type does not need to be included in the cross-area information.
Note that the checkpoint equipment 5 may transmit the area crossing information Data3 to the area management device 1B of the destination area B, or may send the area crossing information Data3 to the area management device 1B of the destination area A and the area straddling area management device 1A of the destination area A and the destination area B. The information may be sent to both the management device 1B and the management device 1B.

The area management device 1A acquires (receives) area crossing information Data3 from the checkpoint equipment 5 installed at the checkpoint, and transfers information regarding the variable amount for vehicles that have passed through the checkpoint to the area management device 1B of the destination area B. Create takeover information Data4. After creating the handover information Data4, the area management device 1A transmits the handover information to the area management device 1B of area B, which is the destination of the vehicle.

Note that the takeover information Data4 may be transmitted from the source area management device in response to a request from the destination area management device. For example, if the checkpoint equipment 5 is to transmit area crossing information Data3 to the destination area management device 1B, the area management device 1B requests takeover information from the area management device 1A of the destination area A. , the area spanning information Data3 can be acquired from the area management device 1A.

The takeover information Data4 is information transmitted from the area management device 1A that manages the area from which the vehicle moves to the area management device 1B that manages the area to which the vehicle moves. The handover information Data4 is information regarding the variable amount for a vehicle that has moved between areas, and is information for handing over the information held by the area management device 1A to the area management device 1B. In the first embodiment, the handover information Data4 is information including information indicating the entrance and information indicating the cumulative amount of change that is the sum of the amount of change according to all the routes taken from the entrance to the checkpoint. be.

For example, in the first embodiment, the transfer information Data4 is information including a card ID, an on-vehicle device ID, admission information, a cumulative change amount, a vehicle type, and the like. The card ID and the onboard device ID are identification information for identifying a vehicle that has moved from area A to area B beyond the checkpoint. If a vehicle that has crossed a checkpoint and moved between areas can be identified, either the card ID or the onboard device ID may be omitted. The entry information is information indicating the entrance where the vehicle entered the toll road. The cumulative fluctuation amount is the cumulative fluctuation amount according to the entire route traveled from the entrance to the relevant checkpoint. The vehicle type is information indicating the vehicle type of the vehicle that has moved from area A to area B beyond the checkpoint. However, the vehicle type does not need to be included in the cross-area information.

After the vehicle enters area B from the checkpoint, passage of each route is detected by each route device 4 in area B. When the route device 4 in area B detects a passing vehicle at the passing detection point corresponding to each route, it creates passing route information indicating that the vehicle has passed, and sends the created passing route information to the area management device 1B. Send. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the area management device 1B acquires passing route information Data5 from the route device 4c when the vehicle passes through the route c in the area B.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the route device 4c communicates with the on-vehicle device S mounted on the vehicle passing through the route c, and acquires information regarding the passing vehicle. The route device 4c creates passing route information Data5 based on the information acquired from the onboard device S, and transmits the created passing route information Data5 to the area management device 1B of area B. The passing route information Data5 has the same format (configuration) as the above-described passing route information Data2, and is information including a card ID, an onboard device ID, route information, a passing date and time, a vehicle type, and the like.

When the area management device 1B receives passing route information Data5 of a vehicle that has moved from area A to area B, it stores the passing route information Data5 in association with the takeover information Data4 acquired from the area management device 1A. As a result, the area management device 1B of area B (the destination area) collects the cumulative amount of change up to the time before moving to area B included in the transfer information Data4 and the amount of change according to the route passed within the area B. The cumulative fluctuation amount for vehicles passing through area B can be managed based on the above.

Next, when the vehicle enters the exit toll plaza, the exit toll plaza device 3 communicates with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle to acquire information regarding the vehicle and create exit information. The exit tollgate device 3 transmits the created participation information to the area management device. In the first embodiment, the exit toll gate device 3 acquires information indicating a toll to be charged to a vehicle exiting from the area management device in accordance with exit information. That is, when receiving entry information from the exit toll plaza device 3, the area management device 1 calculates the toll to be charged to the vehicle, and transmits billed amount information indicating the calculated toll to the exit toll plaza device 3. .

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the exit toll plaza device 3c of the exit toll plaza "IC:C" creates participation information Data6 regarding participating vehicles, and transmits the participation information Data6 to the area management device 1B of area B. The area management device 1B acquires exit information Data6 from the exit toll plaza device 3c, creates billing amount information Data7 corresponding to the exit information Data6, and returns the billing amount information Data7 to the exit toll plaza device 3c.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, participation information Data6 is information including a card ID, an onboard device ID, an exit IC, a participation date and time, a vehicle type, and the like. The card ID and the on-vehicle device ID are identification information for identifying a vehicle to be charged that has entered the exit toll gate. However, if the vehicle to be charged can be identified, either the card ID or the onboard device ID may be omitted. The exit IC is information indicating the exit toll gate (exit) into which the vehicle has entered. The entry date and time is information indicating the date and time when the vehicle entered the exit toll gate. The vehicle type is information indicating the vehicle type. However, the participation information does not need to include the car model.

Further, the billed amount information Data7 is information including a card ID, an on-vehicle device ID, a toll fee, and the like. The card ID and the onboard device ID are identification information for specifying the vehicle to be charged, which is specified by the participation information Data6. However, if the vehicle can be identified, either the card ID or the onboard device ID may be omitted. A toll fee is an amount charged to a user according to all routes taken by the vehicle on a toll road.

When the area management device 1B receives the entry information, it specifies the entry information corresponding to the vehicle in the received entry information and calculates the basic fee from the combination of entrance and exit based on the basic table T1. Furthermore, the area management device 1B specifies the cumulative fluctuation amount according to all routes in all areas that the vehicle in the received participation information has passed on the toll road, and calculates the toll by applying the cumulative fluctuation amount to the basic toll. do. The area management device 1B creates billing amount information Data7 indicating the calculated toll, and transmits the created billing amount information Data7 to the exit toll gate device 3 that is the transmission source of the participation information. Thereby, the exit toll gate device 3 of the exit toll gate executes exit processing for the vehicle based on the toll included in the billed amount information Data7 acquired from the area management device 1B.

Next, the operation of each device in the fee processing system according to the first embodiment will be explained. First, the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the first embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the first embodiment.
As described above, in the first embodiment, each area management device 1 receives entry information from the entrance toll gate equipment 2 within the area, passing route information from the route equipment 4, area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment 5, and , and receive participation information from the exit toll gate equipment 3 at any time. Furthermore, the area management device 1 receives handover information including information indicating the cumulative change amount for a vehicle that has passed through a checkpoint and moved into its own area from the area management device of the area from which the vehicle has moved.

That is, when the device communication unit 13 receives the admission information from the entrance tollgate device 2 (ST11, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores the admission information in the storage unit 12 (ST12). Entrance information received from the entrance tollgate device 2 is stored in the storage unit 12 as information associated with the card ID or onboard device ID so that it can be searched using the card ID or onboard device ID.

When the device communication unit 13 receives passing route information from the route device 4 (ST13, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 identifies the route that the vehicle has passed from the received passing route information, and The variable amount set for the selected route is allocated from the variable charge table T2A (T2B) of the area (ST14). However, the process of ST14 may not be executed every time passing route information is received, but may be executed all at once after the process of ST16 or the process of ST21, which will be described later. If a variable amount is set for the route traveled, the control unit 11 calculates the cumulative variable amount for the vehicle, and stores (or updates) the calculated cumulative variable amount in the storage unit 12 (ST15).

For example, the control unit 11 searches the storage unit 12 for the accumulated fluctuation amount of the vehicle so far based on the vehicle identification information (card ID or onboard device ID) included in the passing route information. If the cumulative fluctuation amount up to now is stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 adds the fluctuation amount according to the route passed to the cumulative fluctuation amount up to now, and updates the cumulative fluctuation amount. Further, if the cumulative amount of fluctuation so far is not stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 stores the amount of fluctuation according to the route traveled as the cumulative amount of fluctuation in association with the identification information of the vehicle. Note that if the variable amount is not set for the route that the received route information indicates, the control unit 11 may omit the process of ST15.

Further, when the device communication unit 13 receives the area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment 5 (ST16, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 detects the vehicle identified by the identification information included in the received area crossing information. Handover information for handing over the information regarding the fluctuation amount to the next area is created (ST16). As described above, in the first embodiment, the handover information includes, as information regarding the variable amount, the entry information of the vehicle and the accumulated variable amount to date, including the variable amount depending on the route passed within the own area. This is the information that it contains.

That is, the control unit 11 searches the storage unit 12 for the entry information of the vehicle and the cumulative fluctuation amount for the vehicle based on the vehicle identification information (card ID or onboard device ID) included in the area straddling information. If the cumulative change amount for the vehicle is stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 creates handover information including identification information, entry information, and cumulative change amount for the vehicle. Further, the control unit 11 identifies the area management device in charge of the destination area based on the area crossing information, and transmits the created handover information to the area management device of the destination area (ST18).

Further, when handover information is received from the area management device of another area (ST19, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 uses the admission information and cumulative fluctuation amount included in the received handover information to identify the vehicle. It is stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the information (ST20). As a result, the control unit 11 stores the entry information and the cumulative amount of change, including the amount of change depending on the route taken in the movement source area, in the storage unit 12 as information that can be searched using identification information such as a card ID or an on-vehicle device ID. Remember.

Further, when the device communication unit 13 receives participation information from the exit toll gate device 3 (ST21, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 calculates the toll according to the received participation information. The entry information and cumulative fluctuation amount of the vehicle specified by the identification information included in the participation information are searched in the storage unit 12 (ST22).

When the entry information of the vehicle in the identification information included in the participation information is specified, the control unit 11 calculates a basic fee from the basic table T1 according to the combination of the entrance indicated by the specified entry information and the exit indicated by the received participation information. Reserve (ST23). The basic table T1 shows basic tolls for all combinations of entrances and exits on toll roads. Thereby, the control unit 11 can easily specify a basic fee that does not depend on the route by allocating the basic fee for the combination of entrance and exit using the basic table T1.

After specifying the cumulative variation amount for the vehicle of the identification information included in the participation information, the control unit 11 calculates the total amount (toll fee) by applying the specified cumulative variation amount to the basic toll (ST24). The cumulative amount of change is the amount obtained by allocating the amount of change according to the route taken in each area by the area management devices 1A, 1B from the variable charge tables T2A, T2B, and summing up the amount of change. That is, in the first embodiment, the cumulative fluctuation amount calculated by the area management device of each area is handed over to the area management device of the destination area. As a result, the area management device for the exit toll plaza area can easily determine the cumulative amount of fluctuation, which is the cumulative total of all fluctuations including routes passed through other areas, and calculate the total amount of fluctuation between the basic toll and the cumulative fluctuation amount. Based on this, toll fees can also be determined quickly.

When the toll based on the basic toll and the cumulative variable amount is determined, the control unit 11 creates billed amount information indicating the toll to be charged to the vehicle of the identification information included in the received participation information, and creates billed amount information. is transmitted to the exit toll gate equipment 3, which is the transmission source of the participation information (ST25). Thereby, the area management device for the area of the exit toll gate can easily determine the cumulative amount of change, which is the sum of all the amounts of change, including routes passed through other areas. Furthermore, the area management device can quickly determine the toll based on the basic toll and accumulated fluctuation amount allocated from the basic table, and can provide the determined toll to the exit toll gate equipment.

Through the above processing, the area management device manages the area of the area to which the vehicle is moving according to the area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment, while managing the entry information within the area it is in charge of and the accumulated fluctuation amount according to the route. Transfer information indicating admission information and cumulative fluctuation amount is provided to the device. Furthermore, the area management device specifies the entry information and cumulative variable amount of participating vehicles according to the exit information from the exit toll gate equipment, and applies the cumulative variable amount to the basic fare determined from the combination of entrance and exit. Provides tolls to exit toll booth equipment.

Next, the operation of the checkpoint equipment 5 in the toll processing system according to the first embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the checkpoint equipment 5 in the toll processing system according to the first embodiment.
The checkpoint device 5 is installed to detect a vehicle passing through a checkpoint provided on a route connecting a first area and a second area (for example, area A and area B). When the control section 51 of the checkpoint equipment 5 detects a vehicle passing through the checkpoint (ST31, YES), the control section 51 communicates with the on-vehicle device S mounted on the vehicle passing through the checkpoint using the vehicle communication section 53 (ST32).

When the vehicle communication unit 53 establishes communication with the on-vehicle device S mounted on a vehicle passing through a checkpoint, the control section 51 acquires information necessary for area straddling information from the on-vehicle device S. Upon acquiring the information from the on-vehicle device S, the control unit 51 creates area spanning information based on the information acquired from the on-vehicle device S (ST33). For example, the control unit 51 acquires a card ID, an on-vehicle device ID, etc. from the on-vehicle device S communicating through the vehicle communication unit 53, and creates area straddling information as shown in FIG.

After creating the area straddling information based on the information acquired from the onboard device S of the vehicle passing through the checkpoint, the control unit 51 transmits the created area straddling information to the area management device 1 (ST34). Here, it is assumed that the control unit 51 transmits the created area straddling information to the area management device 1 of the movement source area. However, the checkpoint equipment 5 may send the area crossing information to the area management device 1 of the destination area, or to both the area management device of the source area and the area management device of the destination area. You may do so.

Next, the operation of the exit toll booth equipment 3 in the toll processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the exit toll booth equipment 3 in the toll processing system according to the first embodiment.
When the control unit 31 of the exit toll gate device 3 detects a vehicle entering the exit toll gate (ST51), the vehicle communication unit 33 starts communication with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle. Once communication with the on-vehicle device S is established, the control unit 31 acquires various information regarding the vehicle through communication with the on-vehicle device S (ST52). For example, in the first embodiment, the control unit 31 acquires identification information such as a card ID and an on-vehicle device ID, and information such as information indicating a vehicle type from the on-vehicle device S.

Upon acquiring the identification information (card ID, onboard device ID) for identifying the vehicle from the onboard device S, the control unit 31 creates participation information including the acquired identification information, and creates an entry information for the area including the exit toll gate. The created participation information is transmitted to the management device 1 (ST53). After transmitting the participation information to the area management device 1, the control unit 31 enters a state of waiting to receive billing amount information indicating the toll of the vehicle from the area management device 1.

Upon receiving the billed amount information indicating the toll from the area management device 1, the control unit 31 displays the toll indicated by the acquired billed amount information on the roadside display 35 (ST55), and causes the start controller 34 to Permit participation (ST56). Here, the control unit 31 may write the participation information to the ETC card C set in the on-vehicle device S mounted on the vehicle. When the toll fee is determined and the vehicle is permitted to participate, the control unit 31 performs processing to settle the determined toll fee using the ETC card C, and ends the participation process for the vehicle.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, each area management device 1 has an area-specific variable charge table indicating a variable amount depending on the route based on the congestion degree of each route in the area in charge, and the entrance and exit. and a basic table showing the basic charges according to the combination of the vehicle and vehicle, and each time passing route information is received from the route device, the variable amount corresponding to the route is reserved from the area-specific variable charge table and the cumulative variable amount for each vehicle is calculated. to manage. When a vehicle moves to another area, the area management device of the movement source area transmits entry information of the moved vehicle and handover information indicating the cumulative change amount for the vehicle to the movement destination area management device. The destination area management device updates the cumulative amount of change by adding the amount of change depending on the path passed within its own area to the amount of change inherited from the area management device of the source. Furthermore, each area management device 1 calculates a toll by applying the accumulated fluctuation amount to the basic toll allocated from the basic table according to the entry information from the exit toll gate equipment, and applies the calculated toll to the exit toll gate concerned. Send to device.

Further, the process of allocating a variable amount according to the route from the area-specific variable charge table is not limited to the form that is executed every time the area management device receives passing route information from route equipment. The area management device stores passing route information from the route equipment, and when a vehicle moves to another area or participates in the event, it performs a process of allocating a variable amount according to each route at once. It's okay.

According to the toll processing system according to the first embodiment described above, tolls can be calculated by applying the cumulative fluctuation amount including the fluctuation amount within the own area while passing the cumulative fluctuation amount between the area management devices of each area. This makes it possible to smoothly process toll fees on large-scale toll roads that span vast areas by applying variable amounts depending on the route, which are set based on the degree of congestion for each route. In addition, each area management device of the fee processing system according to the first embodiment can efficiently reserve the variable amount by holding a variable charge table for each area that shows the variable amount for the route within the area, Processing can be sped up. Furthermore, in the toll processing system according to the first embodiment, since each area management device transmits and receives the accumulated fluctuation amount of vehicles that have moved between areas, there is no need to transfer large amounts of data between areas, and the amount of communication data is reduced. It is possible to reduce the communication load between areas.

(First modification of the first embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, the variable charge table included in each area management device is a variable charge table for each area, but the area management device shows the variable amount for each route of the entire toll road (all areas). It may also be a common variable charge table.

A first modification of the first embodiment describes a charge processing system according to the first embodiment described above in which the variable charge table included in the area management device is replaced with a common variable charge table corresponding to all areas. do.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the first modification of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, the fee processing system according to the first modified example of the first embodiment includes each area management device in the fee processing system according to the first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 described above. It has a configuration in which the variable charging tables T2A and T2B are replaced with a common variable charging table T2 corresponding to all areas. Therefore, in the first modification of the first embodiment, detailed description of the configuration other than the variable charge table will be omitted. Further, the processing performed by each area management device 1 (1A, 1B) can be realized by the same processing as in the first embodiment described above, except that the table for allocating the variable amount is the common variable charge table T2. A detailed explanation will be omitted.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the common variable charge table T2 is a table showing variable charges set for each route in all areas. The common variable charge table T2 stores the variable charges for all routes in all areas, so the amount of data is larger than the area-specific variable charge tables T2A and T2B, but it cannot be created or updated for each area. It is possible to centrally manage the variable amount for all routes on the entire toll road.

(Second modification of the first embodiment)
In the first modification of the first embodiment described above, each area management device updates the cumulative amount of change, and the cumulative amount of change is handed over to the area management device of the destination area. Route information indicating the route passed by each area management device may be accumulated, and the route information may be handed over to the area management device of the destination area.

As a second modification of the first embodiment, a case will be described in which the area management device transmits route information instead of the cumulative fluctuation amount to the area management device of the destination area in the fee processing system according to the first embodiment described above. do.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the second modification of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 10, the charge processing system according to the second modification of the first embodiment converts the variable charge table into a common variable charge table T2 corresponding to all areas in the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 described above. It has a replaced configuration. Since the common variable charge table T2 was explained in the first modification of the first embodiment, a detailed explanation of the configuration will be omitted in the second modification of the first embodiment.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, the area management device 1A stores information acquired from each device within the area in the storage unit 12. For example, when the area management device 1A receives admission information from the entrance toll gate device 2a of the entrance toll gate of "IC:A", the area management device 1A generates admission information including the entrance, date and time of entry, vehicle type, etc. in association with vehicle identification information. is stored in the storage unit 12. When the area management device 1A receives passing route information from the route device 4a, it stores route information such as the route, passing date and time, and vehicle type in the storage unit 12 in association with vehicle identification information. When the area management device 1A receives the area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment 5, it extracts from the storage unit 12 entry information and all route information corresponding to the vehicle identification information included in the received area crossing information. The area management device 1A transmits takeover information Data4' including entry information corresponding to vehicle identification information and total route information to the area management device 1B of the destination area B.

The area management device 1B stores the entry information and all route information included in the takeover information from the area management device 1A in the storage unit 12 in association with vehicle identification information. When the area management device 1B receives passing route information from the route device 4c, it stores route information such as the route, passing date and time, and vehicle type in the storage unit 12 in association with vehicle identification information. When the area management device 1B receives the entry information from the exit toll gate device 3c, the area management device 1B includes the entry information corresponding to the vehicle identification information included in the received exit information and all route information (the entire route to the previous area and the area of the own area). all routes) are extracted from the storage unit 12. The area management device 1B allocates a basic fee based on appearance information and admission information from a basic table T1, and allocates a variable amount according to all route information from a common variable charge table T2. The area management device 1B calculates the toll based on the basic toll and all variable amounts, and transmits the calculated toll to the exit toll gate device 3c.

Next, the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the second modification of the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the second modification of the first embodiment.
As described above, in the second modification of the first embodiment, each area management device 1 receives entry information from the entrance toll gate equipment 2 within the area, passing route information from the route equipment 4, and information from the checkpoint equipment 5. The area crossing information and the exit information from the exit toll gate equipment 3 are received at any time. In addition, the area management device 1 transfers handover information including information indicating all the routes that the vehicle has traveled so far to the movement source area, as information regarding the variable amount of the vehicle that has passed through the checkpoint and moved into the area. received from the area management device.

That is, when receiving the admission information from the entrance toll gate device 2 (ST171, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores the admission information in the storage unit 12 (ST172). The control unit 11 associates the admission information received from the entrance tollgate device 2 with vehicle identification information such as the card ID and the onboard device ID so that the entry information can be searched by the vehicle identification information such as the card ID and the onboard device ID. Information such as the entrance, entry date and time, and vehicle type is stored in the storage unit 12 as entry information.

When receiving the passing route information from the route device 4 (ST173, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores the received passing route information in the storage unit 12 (ST174). The control unit 11 associates the passing route information received from the route device 4 with vehicle identification information such as the card ID and the onboard device ID so that the vehicle identification information such as the card ID and the onboard device ID can be searched. Information such as the route, passing date and time, and vehicle type is stored in the storage unit 12 as route information. Further, the control unit 11 may store route information in the storage unit 12 in association with entry information that matches vehicle identification information in the route information.

Further, when receiving the area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment 5 (ST175, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 controls all the past information of the vehicle specified by the identification information included in the received area crossing information. Handover information for handing over the route information to the next area is created (ST176). As described above, in the second modification of the first embodiment, the handover information includes entry information for the vehicle and all route information indicating all routes passed so far to the area management device of the destination area. This is the information to be notified (taken over).

The control unit 11 searches the storage unit 12 for entry information of the vehicle and all previous route information of the vehicle based on the vehicle identification information (card ID or onboard device ID) included in the area crossing information. do. After extracting the entry information and all previous route information for the vehicle, the control unit 11 creates takeover information including the identification information, entry information, and all route information for the vehicle. The control unit 11 identifies the area management device in charge of the destination area based on the area crossing information, and transmits the created handover information to the area management device of the destination area (ST177).

Further, when handover information is received from the area management device of another area (ST178, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 displays the entrance information indicating the entrance and all routes included in the received handover information. The entire route information is stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the vehicle identification information (ST179).

Further, when the device communication unit 13 receives participation information from the exit tollgate device 3 (ST180, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores vehicle identification information included in the participation information received in the storage unit 12. The entry information and all route information specified in are searched (ST181).

When the entry information of the vehicle in the identification information included in the entry information is specified, the control unit 11 allocates a basic fee from the basic table T1 according to the combination of the entrance indicated by the specified entry information and the exit indicated by the received participation information. Teru (ST182). Furthermore, when the control unit 11 specifies all the route information of the vehicles with the identification information included in the participation information, the controller 11 allocates a variable amount corresponding to each specified route from the common variable charge table T2 (ST183). After allocating the basic toll and the variable amount corresponding to all the routes passed, the control unit 11 calculates the total amount (toll) by applying all the specified variable amounts to the basic toll (ST184).

When the toll based on the basic toll and the variable amount according to the entire route is determined, the control unit 11 creates billing amount information indicating the toll to be charged to the vehicle with the identification information included in the participation information, and charges the created toll. The amount information is transmitted to the exit toll gate equipment 3 that is the transmission source of the participation information (ST185). According to the above process, the area management device collects information from each device within the area it is in charge of, and holds route information such as the route taken by a vehicle within the area. When the area management device receives the area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment, it provides the area management device of the destination area with handover information indicating the entry information of the vehicle moving to another area and all route information so far. . The area management device of the destination area retains all route information included in the handover information, and also retains route information indicating the route that the vehicle has passed within its own area. When the area management device receives the entry information from the exit toll gate equipment, it specifies the entry information of the participating vehicle and all route information, and changes the basic fare determined from the combination of entrance and exit, with all changes depending on the route. Provide the toll amount applied to the exit toll booth equipment.

In the toll processing system according to the second modification of the first embodiment, the checkpoint equipment 5 may perform the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 7 described as the first embodiment, and the exit toll equipment 3 may perform processing similar to the processing shown in FIG. 8 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, a detailed description of the processing of the checkpoint equipment 5 and the exit toll gate equipment 3 in the toll processing system according to the second modification of the first embodiment will be omitted.

As described above, according to the second modification of the first embodiment, the area management device includes a common variable charge table indicating the variable charge for each route in all areas and a basic table indicating the basic charge, Entrance information and all route information regarding a vehicle moving from its own area to another area are transmitted to the destination area management device as transfer information. Furthermore, the area management device determines the variable amount according to all routes to the previous area and all routes in the own area according to the entry information from the exit toll gate equipment, and adds the variable amount for all routes to the basic fare. The toll toll applied is sent to the exit toll plaza device.

As a result, in the toll processing system according to the second modification of the first embodiment, the area management device of each area manages the route information indicating all the routes that the vehicle that has passed through the checkpoint to the destination area. The information can be taken over by the device, and even on large-scale toll roads that span a vast area, route information traveled by vehicles can be managed reliably, and routes can be set based on the congestion level of each route. It is possible to smoothly process tolls by applying variable amounts according to the situation.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, an area management device that transfers information between areas manages a basic table and a variable charge table, and calculates tolls by applying variable amounts depending on vehicle traffic conditions.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the basic charging table is managed by the exit toll gate, the variable charging table is managed by the area management device, and the exit toll gate equipment calculates tolls based on information from the area management device. This is an embodiment for performing calculations.

The fee processing system according to the second embodiment is realized by various devices as shown in FIG. 1, similarly to the first embodiment. However, the fee processing system according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the information transmitted and received between each device. In addition, in the toll processing system according to the second embodiment, since the processing contents performed by the area management device and the exit toll gate equipment are different from the first embodiment, the toll processing system according to the second embodiment is equipped with a device that is required to have a basic table and a variable charge table. The device that is required to do this is different from the first embodiment.

The second embodiment will be described in detail below.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the area management device 1, entrance toll plaza equipment 2, exit toll plaza equipment 3, route equipment 4, and checkpoint equipment 5 in the toll processing system according to the second embodiment. .
The configuration example shown in FIG. 12 is different from the configuration example shown in FIG. The difference is that it does not need to be equipped. The rest of the configuration is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment, so detailed explanation will be omitted. Furthermore, the contents of the basic table T1 may have the configuration shown in FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment, and the contents of the variable charge table T2 (T2A, T2B) may have the configuration shown in FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment. , detailed explanation will be omitted.

Next, information that the area management devices 1A and 1B of each area acquire from each device in the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the second embodiment.
Similar to the example shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 13 shows that a vehicle enters from the entrance toll gate "IC:A" of area A, passes route a of area A, checkpoint, route c of area B, and then enters area B. It is a diagram schematically illustrating how to exit from the exit toll gate "IC:C".

First, the entrance tollgate device 2a communicates with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle entering the entrance tollgate "IC:A" and confirms that a valid ETC card C is correctly set in the onboard device. do. When the entrance tollgate device 2a confirms that a valid ETC card C is correctly set in the on-vehicle device S, it writes information indicating the entrance and entry date and time in the storage area E of the ETC card C, and Allow entry.

However, the entrance toll gate device 2 may transmit admission information Data21 having the same content as the admission information Data1 shown in FIG. 5 to the area management device 1A. For example, when admission information is included in the conditions for setting the variable amount, the entrance toll gate device 2 sends admission information Data21 created based on information acquired from the on-board device S through communication with the on-board device S to the area management device 1A. Send. In this case, the area management device 1A stores admission information Data21 acquired from the entrance tollgate device 2a in the storage unit 12.

Next, when a vehicle entering from the entrance toll gate "IC:A" passes through route a in area A, the route device 4a creates passing route information Data22 indicating that the vehicle has passed through route a; The passed route information Data22 is transmitted to the area management device 1A. The passing route information Data22 may have the same content as the passing route information Data2 shown in FIG. When the area management device 1A acquires (receives) passing route information Data22 from the route device 4a installed on the route a, it allocates a variable amount (discount amount) according to the route a from the variable charge table T2A for the area A. After allocating the variable amount according to route a, the area management device 1A stores the allocated variable amount in the storage unit 12 as a cumulative variable amount that is associated with the identification information (card ID or onboard device ID) of the vehicle. (or update). In addition, the area management device may allocate the variable amount not every time passing route information is received, but may be executed at the timing when area straddling information is received, or at the timing when participation information is received. .

Next, when the vehicle that has passed route a passes through a checkpoint, the checkpoint device 5 communicates with the on-vehicle device S mounted on the vehicle passing through the checkpoint, and acquires information regarding the vehicle passing through the checkpoint. The checkpoint equipment 5 creates area crossing information Data23 based on the information acquired from the onboard device S, and transmits the created area crossing information Data23 to the area management device 1A of area A. Here, the area crossing information Data23 is information indicating that the vehicle has passed through a checkpoint and moved to an adjacent area, and may have the same content as the area crossing information Data3 shown in FIG. Note that the checkpoint equipment 5 may transmit the area crossing information Data 23 to the area management device 1B of the destination area B, or may transmit the area crossing information Data 23 to the area management device 1A of the destination area A and the area crossing area B of the destination area. The information may be sent to both the management device 1B and the management device 1B.

When the area management device 1A acquires (receives) the area straddling information Data23 from the checkpoint equipment 5, the area management device 1A sends transfer information Data24 for handing over information regarding the variable amount for the vehicle that passed the checkpoint to the area management device 1B of the destination area B. create. In the second embodiment, the handover information Data 24 may be information that includes vehicle identification information (card ID, on-vehicle device ID) and cumulative fluctuation amount. In the second embodiment, since the entry information indicating the entrance is written in the ETC card C set in the on-vehicle device S mounted on the vehicle, the transfer information Data24 does not need to include the entry information. After creating the handover information Data24, the area management device 1A transmits the handover information Data24 to the area management device 1B of area B, which is the destination of the vehicle.

Next, when the vehicle that has entered area B from the checkpoint passes through route c, the route device 4c communicates with the onboard equipment S of the vehicle passing through each route c, and transmits route information indicating that the vehicle has passed through route c. Create Data25. The route device 4c transmits the created passing route information Data25 to the area management device 1B. The passing route information Data25 may have the same format (configuration) as the above-described passing route information Data22.

When the area management device 1B receives passing route information Data25 of a vehicle that has moved from area A to area B, the area management device 1B allocates a variable amount according to the route c passed from the variable charge table T2B and updates the cumulative variable amount for the vehicle. do. As a result, the area management device 1B of area B (the destination area) collects the cumulative amount of fluctuation up to the time before moving to area B included in the transfer information Data24 and the amount of fluctuation according to the route passed within the area B. The cumulative fluctuation amount for vehicles passing through area B can be managed based on the above.

Next, when the vehicle enters the exit toll plaza "IC:C", the exit toll plaza device 3c communicates with the onboard device S installed in the vehicle to acquire information regarding the vehicle, and collects the accumulated fluctuation amount for the vehicle. Participation information Data 26 for requesting is created. In the second embodiment, the area management device 1 does not calculate basic tolls or tolls based on the basic table. Therefore, the participation information Data 26 may be information that includes identification information of participating vehicles, and may omit information such as information indicating the exit and information indicating the date and time of participation. However, the participation information Data26 may have the same content as the participation information Data6 shown in FIG. 5. For example, if participation information is included in the conditions for setting the variable amount, the exit toll plaza device 3 creates participation information Data 26 based on information acquired from the on-board device S through communication with the on-board device S. You may also send it to .

When the area management device 1B acquires the participation information Data26 from the exit toll plaza device 3c, it searches the cumulative fluctuation amount for the vehicle stored in the storage unit 12, and retrieves the cumulative fluctuation amount information Data27 indicating the cumulative fluctuation amount for the vehicle. Create. The cumulative fluctuation amount information Data27 is information indicating the cumulative fluctuation amount associated with vehicle identification information (card ID, on-vehicle device ID). The area management device 1B returns the created accumulated fluctuation amount information Data27 to the exit toll gate device 3c that is the transmission source of the participation information Data26.

On the other hand, the exit tollgate device 3 acquires entry information indicating the entrance of the vehicle recorded in the storage area E of the ETC card C through communication with the onboard device S of the participating vehicle, and the entrance information obtained from the onboard device S. The basic charge is allocated from the basic table T1 based on the combination with the exit. Further, the exit toll gate device 3 calculates the toll by applying the cumulative fluctuation amount indicated by the cumulative fluctuation amount information Data27 received from the area management device 1B to the basic toll allocated from the basic table T1. Thereby, the exit toll gate device 3 of the exit toll gate executes exit processing for the vehicle based on the calculated toll. In this exit processing, the exit tollgate device 3 writes information indicating the exit and exit date and time in the storage area E of the ETC card C set in the on-vehicle device S, and permits the vehicle to exit.

Next, the operation of each device in the fee processing system according to the second embodiment will be explained. First, the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the second embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the second embodiment.
In the second embodiment, each area management device 1 acquires passing route information from route equipment 4 within the area, allocates a variable amount according to the route within its own area, and manages it as a cumulative variable amount for each vehicle. . Furthermore, the area management device 1 acquires handover information including the cumulative change amount for a vehicle that has passed through a checkpoint and moved into its own area from the area management device of the area from which the vehicle has moved.

That is, when receiving the admission information from the entrance toll gate device 2 (ST211, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores the admission information in the storage unit 12 (ST212). However, if the operation does not require the area management device to manage admission information, the processing in ST211 and ST212 may be omitted. For example, if the information included in the admission information is not used as a condition for the variable amount, the processing in ST211 and ST212 may be omitted.

When receiving the passing route information from the route device 4 (ST213, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 identifies the route that the vehicle has passed from the received passing route information, and specifies the route that the vehicle has passed based on the route that it has passed. The set variable amount is allocated from the variable charge table T2 for the area (ST214). However, the process of ST214 may not be executed every time passing route information is received, but may be executed all at once after the process of ST216 or the process of ST221, which will be described later. If a variation amount is set for the route passed, the control unit 11 calculates the cumulative variation amount for the vehicle, and stores (updates) the calculated cumulative variation amount in the storage unit 12 (ST215).

For example, the control unit 11 searches the storage unit 12 for the cumulative fluctuation amount for the vehicle based on the vehicle identification information (card ID or onboard device ID) included in the passing route information. If the cumulative fluctuation amount for the vehicle is stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 adds the fluctuation amount according to the route traveled to the cumulative fluctuation amount, and updates the cumulative fluctuation amount. Further, if the cumulative fluctuation amount is not stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 stores the fluctuation amount according to the route traveled as the cumulative fluctuation amount in association with the identification information of the vehicle. Note that if the variable amount is not set for the route that the received route information indicates, the control unit 11 omits the process of ST215.

Further, when receiving the area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment 5 (ST216, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 provides information regarding the variable amount for the vehicle specified by the identification information included in the received area crossing information. Handover information for handing over to the next area is created (ST216). As described above, in the second embodiment, the handover information is information for notifying (carrying over) the cumulative amount of change to the next area, including the amount of change depending on the path through the own area.

The control unit 11 searches the storage unit 12 for the entry information of the vehicle and the accumulated fluctuation amount of the vehicle so far based on the vehicle identification information (card ID or onboard device ID) included in the area straddling information. . If the cumulative change amount for the vehicle is stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 creates handover information including the identification information of the vehicle and the cumulative change amount. The control unit 11 identifies the area management device in charge of the destination area based on the area crossing information, and transmits the created handover information to the area management device of the destination area (ST218).
Further, when handover information is received from the area management device of another area (ST219, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 associates the accumulated fluctuation amount included in the received handover information with the identification information of the vehicle. and stored in the storage unit 12 (ST220).

Further, when participation information is received from the exit tollgate device 3 (ST221, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores the accumulated fluctuation amount of the vehicle specified by the identification information included in the participation information in the storage unit 12. is searched (ST222).
When the cumulative fluctuation amount for the vehicle of the identification information included in the participation information is specified, the control unit 11 creates cumulative fluctuation amount information that associates the specified cumulative fluctuation amount with the identification information of the vehicle included in the participation information ( ST224), and transmits the created cumulative fluctuation amount information to the exit toll gate equipment 3 that is the transmission source of the participation information (ST225). Thereby, the area management device of the exit toll plaza area can provide the exit toll plaza equipment 3 within the area with the cumulative amount of fluctuation, which is the sum of all the fluctuation amounts including all the routes passed up to the previous area.

Note that the checkpoint equipment 5 in the toll processing system according to the second embodiment may perform the same operation as the checkpoint equipment described in the first embodiment as shown in FIG. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a detailed explanation of the operation of the checkpoint equipment 5 will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the exit toll booth equipment 3 in the toll processing system according to the second embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the exit toll booth equipment 3 in the toll processing system according to the second embodiment.
When the control unit 31 of the exit toll gate device 3 detects a vehicle entering the exit toll gate (ST251), the vehicle communication unit 33 starts communication with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle. When communication with the on-vehicle device S is established, the control unit 31 acquires various information regarding the vehicle through communication with the on-vehicle device S (ST252). For example, in the second embodiment, the control unit 31 acquires information such as identification information such as a card ID and an on-board device ID, information indicating a vehicle type, and entry information from the on-vehicle device S.

Upon acquiring the identification information (card ID, onboard device ID) for identifying the vehicle from the onboard device S, the control unit 31 includes the identification information acquired from the onboard device S as information requesting the cumulative fluctuation amount for the vehicle. Participation information is created, and the created participation information is transmitted to the area management device 1 of the own area (ST253).

Further, the control unit 31 specifies the entrance based on the entrance information obtained from the on-vehicle device S (ST254), and specifies the vehicle type based on the information indicating the vehicle type obtained from the on-vehicle device S (ST255). When the entrance and vehicle type are specified based on the information from the on-board device S, the control unit 31 allocates a basic fare according to the combination of the entrance and exit from the basic table T1 corresponding to the vehicle type (ST256).

Further, after transmitting the participation information to the area management device 1, the control unit 31 receives cumulative fluctuation amount information indicating the cumulative fluctuation amount from the area management device 1 (ST257), and the received cumulative fluctuation amount information indicates The total amount obtained by applying the accumulated fluctuation amount to the basic toll is calculated as the toll toll imposed on the vehicle (ST258). After calculating the toll, the control unit 31 displays the calculated toll on the roadside display 35 (ST259), and allows the vehicle to enter the vehicle using the start controller 34 (ST260). Further, the control unit 31 writes participation information to the ETC card C set in the on-vehicle device S of the vehicle (ST261), and ends the participation processing for the vehicle.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, each area management device 1 is equipped with an area-specific variable charge table that indicates a variable amount depending on the route based on the congestion degree of each route in its own area, and A variable amount is allocated according to the route passed within the own area from another variable charging table, and the accumulated variable amount for the vehicle is managed. When a vehicle moves to another area, the area management device of the movement source area transmits handover information indicating the cumulative change amount for the moved vehicle to the movement destination area management device. The destination area management device updates the cumulative amount of change by adding the amount of change depending on the travel route within its own area to the cumulative amount of change obtained from the area management device of the source. Furthermore, each area management device 1 transmits the accumulated fluctuation amount to the exit toll gate equipment according to the participation information. As a result, the exit toll plaza equipment is equipped with a basic table that indicates the basic fee depending on the combination of entrance and exit, and by applying the accumulated fluctuation amount obtained from the area management device to the basic fee allocated from this basic table. Calculate tolls.

As a result, in the toll processing system according to the second embodiment, the area management device of each area calculates the cumulative fluctuation amount by adding the fluctuation amount according to the traffic route within the own area while taking over the fluctuation amount in other areas. It is possible to efficiently manage the variable amount depending on the route that is set based on the congestion level of each route on a large-scale toll road that spans a vast area. Furthermore, in the charge processing system according to the second embodiment, each area management device maintains a variable charge table for each area that indicates the variable charge for routes within its own area, so that it is possible to efficiently reserve the variable charge. , processing can be sped up. Furthermore, in the toll processing system according to the second embodiment, each area management device transmits and receives the accumulated fluctuation amount of vehicles that have moved between areas, so there is no need to transfer large amounts of data between areas, and the amount of communication data is reduced. It is possible to reduce the communication load between areas.

(First modification of the second embodiment)
In the second embodiment described above, the variable charge table included in each area management device is a variable charge table for each area. However, the area management device variable charge table may be a common variable charge table that shows the variable amount for each route of the entire toll road (all areas).

Here, as a first modification of the second embodiment, the variable charge table provided in the area management device in the charge processing system according to the second embodiment described above is replaced with a common variable charge table corresponding to all areas. I will explain about it.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the first modification of the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 16, in the charge processing system according to the first modification of the second embodiment, each area management device is provided in the charge processing system according to the second embodiment configured as shown in FIG. It has a configuration in which the variable charge table is replaced with a common variable charge table T2 corresponding to all areas. The variable charge table T2 common to all areas may be the one explained in the first modification of the first embodiment described above, and the processing executed by each area management device 1 (1A, 1B) is This can be realized by the same processing as in the second embodiment described above, except that the table for allocating the variable amount is the common variable charge table T2.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 16, the common variable charge table T2 stores the variable amounts for all routes in all areas, so the amount of data is larger than that of the area-by-area variable charge tables T2A and T2B. There is no need to create or update it for each toll road, and you can centrally manage the variable amount for all routes on the entire toll road.

(Second modification of the second embodiment)
In the first modification of the second embodiment described above, each area management device updates the amount of change according to the route passed in its own area as the cumulative amount of change, and the cumulative amount of change is sent to the area management device of the destination area. I tried to inherit the forehead. However, route information indicating the route passed by each area management device may be accumulated, and the route information may be handed over to the area management device of the destination area.

As a second modification of the second embodiment, a case will be described in which the area management device transmits route information instead of the cumulative fluctuation amount to the area management device of the destination area in the fee processing system according to the second embodiment described above. do.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of operation of a fee processing system according to a second modification of the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 17, the fee processing system according to the second modification of the second embodiment has a configuration in which the variable charging table in the configuration shown in FIG. 13 described above is replaced with a common variable charging table T2 corresponding to all areas. This is achieved by

In the example shown in FIG. 17, the area management device 1A stores route information acquired from the route device 4a in the area A in the storage unit 12. Furthermore, the area management device 1A may also store admission information from the entrance toll gate device 2a in the storage unit 12 as one piece of route information indicating conditions for specifying the variable amount. When the area management device 1A receives the area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment 5, it extracts all the route information corresponding to the vehicle identification information included in the received area crossing information from the storage unit 12, and stores all the route information. The included takeover information Data24' is transmitted to the area management device 1B of the area B of the movement destination.

The area management device 1B stores all route information (all route information up to the previous area) included in the takeover information from the area management device 1A in the storage unit 12 in association with vehicle identification information. When the area management device 1B receives passing route information from the route device 4c in the area B, it stores it in the storage unit 12 as route information in its own area. When the area management device 1B receives the exit information from the exit toll gate device 3c, the area management device 1B collects all route information (all routes to the previous area and all routes in the own area) corresponding to the vehicle identification information included in the received exit information. ) are extracted from the storage unit 12. The area management device 1B allocates a variable amount according to all the extracted route information from the variable charge table T2. The area management device 1B calculates the total of all variable amounts, and transmits information indicating the calculated total variable amount to the exit toll gate device 3c.

Next, the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the second modification of the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the second modification of the second embodiment.
In the second modification of the second embodiment, each area management device 1 receives entry information from the entrance toll gate equipment 2 within the area, passage route information from the route equipment 4, area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment 5, and , and receive participation information from the exit toll gate equipment 3 at any time. The area management device 1 also receives handover information including information indicating all the routes traveled by the vehicle that has passed through the checkpoint and moved into the area from the area management device of the source area.

When receiving the admission information from the entrance toll gate device 2 (ST271, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores the admission information in the storage unit 12 (ST272). However, if the information included in the admission information is not used as a condition for the variable amount, the area management device 1 may omit the processing of ST271 and ST272.

When receiving the passing route information from the route device 4 (ST273, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores the received passing route information in the storage unit 12 (ST274). The control unit 11 creates a route associated with vehicle identification information such as a card ID and an on-vehicle device ID so that the passing route information received from the route device 4 can be searched using vehicle identification information such as a card ID and an on-vehicle device ID. , date and time of passage, and vehicle type are stored in the storage unit 12 as route information.

Further, when receiving the area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment 5 (ST275, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 collects all route information regarding the vehicle specified by the identification information included in the received area crossing information. Handover information for handing over to the next area is created (ST276). The control unit 11 searches the storage unit 12 for all previous route information of the vehicle based on the vehicle identification information (card ID or onboard device ID) included in the area straddling information. When all the route information is extracted, the control unit 11 creates takeover information that includes the identification information of the vehicle and all the extracted route information. Furthermore, the control unit 11 identifies the area management device in charge of the destination area based on the area crossing information, and transmits the created handover information to the area management device of the destination area (ST277).
Further, when handover information is received from the area management device of another area (ST278, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 transfers all route information to the previous area included in the received handover information to the vehicle. It is stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the identification information (ST279).

Further, when receiving participation information from the exit toll gate device 3 (ST280, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores all of the vehicles specified by the identification information included in the received participation information in the storage unit 12. The route information of is searched (ST281).
After extracting all the route information, the control unit 11 allocates variable amounts corresponding to all the extracted routes from the variable charge table T2 (ST282). After allocating the variable amounts according to all routes, the control unit 11 calculates the total of all the specified variable amounts (ST283), and provides total variable amount information (cumulative variable amount) indicating the total of the calculated variable amounts. is created (ST284), and the created total fluctuation amount information is transmitted to the exit toll gate equipment 3 that is the transmission source of the participation information (ST285). Thereby, the area management device can provide the exit toll gate equipment with information indicating the total amount of variation for participating vehicles in accordance with all routes in all areas, in accordance with the participation information.

In the toll processing system according to the second modification of the second embodiment, the checkpoint equipment 5 may perform the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 7 described above as the first embodiment, and the exit toll equipment 3 may perform processing similar to the processing shown in FIG. 15 described above as the second embodiment. Therefore, as the second modification of the second embodiment, detailed description of the processing of the checkpoint equipment 5 and the exit toll gate equipment 3 will be omitted.

As described above, according to the second modification of the second embodiment, the area management device accumulates route information indicating routes passed within its own area, and The transfer information indicating all route information is provided to the area management device of the destination area. The area management device of the destination area retains all route information included in the handover information, and also retains route information indicating the route that the vehicle has passed within its own area. The area management device allocates a variable amount according to all routes in all areas from a common variable charge table based on all route information of participating vehicles according to participation information, and charges a variable amount according to all routes in all areas. Provides information indicating the total to the exit toll booth equipment.

As a result, in the toll processing system according to the second modification of the second embodiment, all route information up to the local area can be taken over to the destination area management device, and it is possible to transfer all the route information to the local area to the destination area management device. To be able to reliably manage information on all routes traveled by a vehicle even on toll roads, and to smoothly process tolls by applying variable amounts depending on the route set based on the degree of congestion for each route. I can do it.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment is an embodiment in which both the basic charging table and the variable charging table are managed by the exit toll gate, and further the route information is managed by the area management device.

In the third embodiment, each area management device accumulates route information within its own area, and when a vehicle moves to another area, the accumulated fluctuation amount according to all route information within its own area is transferred to the destination. When participating in the own area, all route information within the own area and the accumulated fluctuation amount up to the previous area are provided to the exit toll gate device responsible for calculating the toll.

The fee processing system according to the third embodiment is realized by various devices as shown in FIG. 1, similarly to the first embodiment. However, in the charge processing system according to the third embodiment, the processing performed by each device is different from the first embodiment, so that the charge processing system according to the third embodiment requires a device that requires a basic table and a variable charge table. The device is different from the first embodiment.

The fee processing system according to the third embodiment will be described in detail below.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the area management device 1, entrance toll plaza equipment 2, exit toll plaza equipment 3, route equipment 4, and checkpoint equipment 5 in the toll processing system according to the third embodiment. .
The configuration of the toll processing system according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 19 differs from the configuration example shown in FIG. The difference is that it further includes a storage section 36 provided with T2A and T2B. Furthermore, in the configuration shown in FIG. 19, each area management device 1A, 1B is provided with variable charging tables T2A, T2B for each area, and does not need to be provided with the basic table T1, compared to the configuration example shown in FIG. is different.

Note that the fee processing system according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 19 can be realized with the same configuration as the structure shown in FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment with respect to the configuration other than the above, so detailed explanation will be omitted. shall be taken as a thing. Further, the contents of the basic table T1 may have the structure shown in FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment, and the contents of the variable charge tables T2A and T2B may have the structure shown in FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment. Explanation will be omitted.

Next, information that the area management devices 1A and 1B of each area acquire from each device in the third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the third embodiment.
Similar to the example shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 20 shows that a vehicle enters from the entrance toll gate "IC:A" of area A, passes route a of area A, checkpoint, and route c of area B, and then enters area B. It is a diagram schematically illustrating how to exit from the exit toll gate "IC:C".

First, the entrance tollgate device 2a communicates with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle entering the entrance tollgate "IC:A" and confirms that a valid ETC card C is correctly set in the onboard device. do. When the entrance tollgate device 2a confirms that a valid ETC card C is correctly set in the on-vehicle device S, it writes information indicating the entrance and entry date and time in the storage area E of the ETC card C, and Allow entry.

However, the entrance toll gate device 2a may transmit admission information Data31 having the same content as the admission information Data1 shown in FIG. 5 to the area management device 1A. For example, if admission information is included in the conditions for setting the variable amount, the entrance toll gate device 2a uses the admission information Data 31 created based on the information acquired from the on-board device S through communication with the on-board device S to area management. Send to device 1A. In this case, the area management device 1A may store the admission information Data31 acquired from the entrance tollgate device 2a in the storage unit 12.

Next, when a vehicle entering from the entrance toll gate "IC:A" passes through route a in area A, the route device 4a creates passing route information Data32 indicating that the vehicle has passed through route a, and creates The passed route information Data32 is transmitted to the area management device 1A. The route information Data32 may have the same content as the route information Data2 shown in FIG. The area management device 1A stores the passing route information Data32 received from the route device 4a in the storage unit 12. For example, the area management device 1A stores the received passing route information Data32 in the storage unit 12 as route information organized by vehicle identification information.

Next, when the vehicle that has passed route a passes through a checkpoint, the checkpoint device 5 communicates with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle passing through the checkpoint, and determines the area based on the information acquired from the onboard device S. The area straddling information Data33 is created, and the created area straddling information Data33 is sent to the area management device 1A of area A. Here, the area crossing information Data33 is information indicating that the vehicle has passed through a checkpoint and moved to an adjacent area, and may have the same content as the area crossing information Data3 shown in FIG. Note that the checkpoint equipment 5 may transmit the area crossing information Data 33 to the area management device 1B of the destination area B, or may transmit the area crossing information Data 33 to the area management device 1A of the destination area A and the area straddling area B of the destination area. The information may be sent to both the management device 1B and the management device 1B.

When the area management device 1A acquires (receives) the area straddling information Data 33 from the checkpoint equipment 5, the area management device 1A provides transfer information for handing over information indicating the cumulative fluctuation amount for vehicles passing through the checkpoint to the area management device 1B of the destination area B. Create Data34. For example, the area management device 1A extracts all the route information of the vehicle in area A (own area) from the storage unit 12 based on the identification information of the vehicle passing through the checkpoint, and extracts the variable amount for all the routes in area A. is allocated from the variable charge table T2A for area A, and the total value of the variable charges according to all routes is calculated as the cumulative variable charge.

In addition, in the third embodiment, since the entry information indicating the entrance is written in the ETC card C set in the on-vehicle device S mounted on the vehicle, the handover information Data34 does not need to include entry information, and the vehicle identification Any information including information (card ID, vehicle-mounted device ID) and cumulative fluctuation amount may be used. Further, when the cumulative amount of change up to the previous area of the own area is stored in the storage unit 12, the area management device 1A adds the total value of the amount of change in the own area to the cumulative amount of change up to the previous area. Calculate the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the own area.

After calculating the cumulative fluctuation amount, the area management device 1A creates handover information Data34 including the calculated cumulative fluctuation amount up to its own area and identification information of the vehicle (card ID or on-vehicle device ID). After creating the handover information Data34, the area management device 1A transmits the handover information Data34 to the area management device 1B of area B, which is the destination of the vehicle. Thereby, the destination area management device 1B stores in the storage unit 12 the cumulative amount of change included in the handover information Data34 from the source area management device 1B as the cumulative amount of change up to the previous area.

Next, when the vehicle that has entered area B from the checkpoint passes through route c, the route device 4c communicates with the onboard equipment S of the vehicle passing through each route c, and transmits route information indicating that the vehicle has passed through route c. Create Data35. The route device 4c transmits the created passing route information Data35 to the area management device 1B. The route information Data35 may have the same format (configuration) as the route information Data32 described above.

When the area management device 1B receives the passing route information Data35, it stores the passing route information Data35 in the storage unit 12 as route information in area B (own area). Thereby, the area management device 1B stores all route information in its own area and the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area in the storage unit 12.

Next, when the vehicle enters the exit toll plaza "IC:C", the exit toll plaza device 3c communicates with the onboard device S installed in the vehicle to acquire information regarding the vehicle, and collects the accumulated fluctuation amount for the vehicle. Participation information Data 36 is created to request the information and all route information for the own area. However, in the third embodiment, the area management device 1 does not calculate the basic toll or toll based on the basic table. Therefore, the participation information Data 36 may be information that simply requests the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area and all route information in the own area for the participating vehicle, or information that includes identification information of the participating vehicle. good.

Note that the participation information Data36 may have the same content as the participation information Data6 shown in FIG. 5. For example, if the condition for setting the variable amount includes participation information, the exit tollgate device 3 uses the participation information Data 36 created based on the information acquired from the onboard device S through communication with the onboard device S to area management. It may also be transmitted to the device 1A.

When the area management device 1B acquires the participation information Data 36 from the exit toll gate device 3c, it searches for the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area for the vehicle stored in the storage unit 12 and all route information of the own area, and The variable amount related information Data 37 including the cumulative variable amount for the vehicle up to the previous area and the entire route information of the own area is created. The variable amount related information Data 37 is information indicating the cumulative variable amount and all route information that are associated with vehicle identification information (card ID, on-vehicle device ID). The area management device 1B returns the created variable amount related information Data37 to the exit toll gate device 3c that is the transmission source of the participation information Data36.

On the other hand, the exit tollgate device 3c acquires information indicating the entrance of the vehicle recorded in the ETC card C through communication with the onboard device S of the participating vehicle, and the information between the entrance and exit obtained from the onboard device S. A basic fee is allocated from the basic table T1 based on the combination. Further, the exit toll plaza device 3c charges the variable amount for all routes in area B based on the all route information for area B included in the variable amount related information Data 37 received from the area management device 1B. Allocate from table T2B. The exit toll plaza device 3c calculates the total amount of variation for all routes in area B and the cumulative amount of variation up to the previous area. The exit toll gate device 3c calculates the toll by applying the total variable amount to the basic toll allocated from the basic table T1. Thereby, the exit toll gate device 3c of the exit toll gate executes exit processing for the vehicle based on the calculated toll. In this exit processing, the exit toll booth device 3c performs a process of writing information indicating the exit and exit date and time into the storage area E of the ETC card C set in the on-vehicle device S mounted on the exiting vehicle.

Next, the operation of each device in the fee processing system according to the third embodiment will be explained. The operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the third embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the third embodiment.
When the device communication unit 13 receives the admission information from the entrance tollgate device 2 (ST311, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores the admission information in the storage unit 12 (ST312). Here, the entrance tollgate device 2 performs a process of writing information indicating the entrance and the date and time of entry into the storage area E of the ETC card C set in the on-vehicle device S mounted on the vehicle to enter. However, if the operation does not require the area management device to manage admission information, the processing in ST311 and ST312 may be omitted.
Further, when receiving the passing route information from the route device 4 (ST313, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores the received passing route information in the storage unit 12 (ST314).

Further, when receiving the area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment 5 (ST315, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 controls all the vehicles in its own area identified by the identification information included in the received area crossing information. The route information is searched from the storage unit 12, and the variable amount for all routes in the own area is allocated from the area-by-area variable charge table T2A (T2B) (ST316). After allocating the variable amounts for all routes in the own area, the control unit 11 calculates the total of the variable amounts as the cumulative variable amount (ST317).

Here, if the storage unit 12 stores the cumulative amount of fluctuation for the vehicle up to the previous area, the control unit 11 adds the total amount of fluctuation for all routes in the own area to the cumulative amount of fluctuation up to the previous area. Calculate the cumulative fluctuation amount up to your own area. Further, if the cumulative amount of change for the vehicle up to the previous area is not stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 sets the sum of the amount of change for all routes in the own area as the cumulative amount of change up to the own area.

After calculating the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the own area, the control unit 11 creates handover information for handing over the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the own area to the next area (ST318). For example, the control unit 11 creates handover information indicating the cumulative change amount up to the own area, which is associated with the vehicle identification information (card ID or on-vehicle device ID) included in the area straddling information. The control unit 11 identifies the area management device in charge of the destination area based on the area crossing information, and transmits the created handover information to the area management device of the destination area (ST319).
Further, when handover information is received from the area management device of another area (ST320, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 identifies the accumulated change amount up to the previous area included in the received handover information for the vehicle. It is stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the information (ST321). In this case, the control unit 11 stores the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area, and then stores the route information of the vehicle in its own area in the storage unit 12.

Further, when exit toll gate equipment 3 receives entry information (ST322, YES), control unit 11 of area management device 1 controls the cumulative change amount up to the previous area for the vehicle specified by the identification information included in the entry information. and all route information in the own area from the storage unit 12 (ST323). When the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area and all route information of the own area are specified for the vehicle of the identification information included in the participation information, the control unit 11 determines the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the specified previous area and all route information of the own area. The variable amount related information indicating the above is created (ST324), and the created variable amount related information is transmitted to the exit toll gate equipment 3 that is the transmission source of the participation information (ST325). Thereby, the area management device of the exit toll gate area can provide the exit toll gate equipment 3 with the accumulated fluctuation amount up to the previous area and all route information in its own area. Based on the information from the area management device 1, the exit toll booth device 3 writes information indicating the exit and the date and time of participation in the storage area E of the ETC card C set in the onboard device S mounted on the participating vehicle. Execute participation processing including processing.

Note that the checkpoint equipment 5 in the toll processing system according to the third embodiment may perform the same operation as the checkpoint equipment described in the first embodiment as shown in FIG. Therefore, in the third embodiment, a detailed explanation of the operation of the checkpoint equipment 5 will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the exit toll booth equipment 3 in the toll processing system according to the third embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the exit toll booth equipment 3 in the toll processing system according to the third embodiment.
When the control section 31 of the exit toll gate device 3 detects a vehicle entering the exit toll gate (ST351), the control section 31 starts communication with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle using the vehicle communication section 33. Once communication with the on-vehicle device S is established, the control unit 31 acquires various information regarding the vehicle through communication with the on-vehicle device S (ST352). For example, in the third embodiment, the control unit 31 acquires information such as identification information such as a card ID and an on-vehicle device ID, information indicating a vehicle type, and entry information from an on-vehicle device S.

Upon acquiring the identification information (card ID, onboard device ID) for identifying the vehicle from the onboard device S, the control unit 31 acquires information related to the amount of change for the vehicle (the cumulative amount of change up to the previous area and the amount of change in the own area). Participation information including the identification information acquired from the on-vehicle device S is created as information for requesting all route information), and the created participation information is transmitted to the area management device 1 of the own area (ST353).

Further, the control unit 31 specifies the entrance based on the entrance information acquired from the on-vehicle device S (ST354), and specifies the vehicle type based on the information indicating the vehicle type acquired from the on-vehicle device S (ST355). After specifying the entrance and vehicle type for these vehicles, the control unit 31 allocates a basic fee corresponding to the combination of the entrance and exit from the basic table T1 corresponding to the vehicle type (ST356).

Upon receiving the information related to the variable amount from the area management device 1 that transmitted the participation information, the control unit 31 calculates the variable amount for all routes in the own area based on the all route information in the own area received from the area management device 1. is allocated from the variable charge table T2A (T2B) (ST357). After allocating the amount of change for all routes in the own area, the control unit 31 calculates the cumulative amount of change for all areas by adding the total amount of change for all routes in the own area and the cumulative amount of change up to the previous area. (ST358).

After calculating the cumulative fluctuation amount for all areas, the control unit 31 calculates the total amount by applying the calculated cumulative fluctuation amount for all areas to the basic toll as the toll toll to be charged to the vehicle (ST359). After calculating the toll, the control unit 31 displays the calculated toll on the roadside display 35 (ST360), and allows the vehicle to enter the vehicle using the start controller 34 (ST361). Further, the control unit 31 writes participation information to the ETC card C set in the on-vehicle device S of the vehicle (ST362), and ends the participation processing for the vehicle.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the area management device includes a variable charge table for each area and accumulates route information in its own area. When a vehicle moves to another area, the area management device of the source area transfers the accumulated variable amount, including the variable amount corresponding to all routes in the own area, based on all route information in the own area, to the destination area. Send to management device. The destination area management device holds the cumulative amount of change from the source area management device to the previous area, and also holds route information in its own area. Further, each area management device 1 transmits the accumulated fluctuation amount up to the previous area and all route information in its own area to the exit toll gate equipment according to the participation information. The exit toll gate equipment is equipped with a basic table and a variable charge table for each area, and adds the variable amount corresponding to all routes in its own area to the cumulative variable amount up to the pre-allocation area. The toll is calculated by calculating the total variable amount according to the combination of entrances and exits, and applying the total variable amount according to all routes in all areas to the basic toll based on the combination of entrance and exit.

As a result, in the fee processing system according to the third embodiment, the area management device of each area takes over the cumulative fluctuation amount from other areas to the previous area, so that the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area and the total fluctuation amount in the own area are Route information can be provided to the exit toll gate equipment, and it is possible to efficiently process the variable amount depending on the route set based on the congestion level of each route on a large-scale toll road spanning a vast area. I can do it. In addition, in the toll processing system according to the third embodiment, each area management device transmits and receives the accumulated fluctuation amount of vehicles that have moved between areas, so there is no need to transfer large amounts of data between areas, and the amount of communication data is reduced. It is possible to reduce the communication load between areas.

(First modification of the third embodiment)
In the third embodiment described above, each area management device and each exit toll booth device is provided with a variable charge table for each area corresponding to its own area. However, the variable charge table included in each area management device and each exit toll gate device may be a common variable charge table that shows the variable amount for each route of the entire toll road (all areas).

Here, as a first modification of the third embodiment, the variable charge table provided in the area management device in the charge processing system according to the third embodiment described above is replaced with a common variable charge table corresponding to all areas. I will explain about it.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the first modification of the third embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 23, the toll processing system according to the first modification of the third embodiment includes each area management device and each exit in the toll processing system according to the third embodiment configured as shown in FIG. This system has a configuration in which the variable charging tables T2A and T2B for each area provided in the toll gate equipment are replaced with a common variable charging table T2 corresponding to all areas. The variable charge table T2 common to all areas may be the one explained in the first modification of the first embodiment described above, and the processing executed by each area management device 1 (1A, 1B) is This can be realized by the same processing as in the third embodiment described above, except that the table for allocating the variable amount is the common variable charge table T2.

According to the configuration shown in FIG. 23, the common variable charge table T2 stores variable amounts for all routes in all areas, so the amount of data is larger than that of the area-specific variable charge tables T2A and T2B. , there is no need to create or update for each area, and variable amounts for all routes on the entire toll road can be centrally managed.

(Second modification of the third embodiment)
In the first modification of the third embodiment described above, each area management device accumulates route information indicating the route passed in its own area, and when the vehicle passes through a checkpoint and moves to another area, The cumulative amount of fluctuation, including the total amount of fluctuation according to all routes in the own area, is handed over to the area management device of the destination area. However, each area management device may transfer all route information indicating all routes passed in its own area to the area management device of the destination area. This eliminates the need for the area management device to have a variable charge table.

As a second modification of the third embodiment, a case will be explained in which the area management device transmits route information instead of the cumulative fluctuation amount to the area management device of the destination area in the fee processing system according to the third embodiment described above. do.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the second modification of the third embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 24, the fee processing system according to the second modification of the third embodiment has a configuration in which the variable charging table in the configuration shown in FIG. 20 described above is replaced with a common variable charging table T2 corresponding to all areas. This is achieved by

In the example shown in FIG. 24, the area management device 1A stores passage route information Data32 acquired from the route device 4a in the area A in the storage unit 12. Further, the area management device 1A may also store the admission information Data31 from the entrance toll gate device 2a in the storage unit 12 as one piece of route information indicating conditions for specifying the variable amount. When the area management device 1A receives the area crossing information Data33 from the checkpoint equipment 5, it extracts all the route information corresponding to the vehicle identification information included in the received area crossing information Data33 from the storage unit 12, and extracts all the route information corresponding to the vehicle identification information included in the received area crossing information Data33. The transfer information Data 34' containing the information is sent to the area management device 1B of the area B of the movement destination.

The area management device 1B stores all route information (all route information up to the previous area) included in the takeover information Data34' from the area management device 1A in the storage unit 12 in association with vehicle identification information. When the area management device 1B receives the passage route information Data35 from the route device 4c in the area B, it stores it in the storage unit 12 as route information in its own area. When the area management device 1B receives the exit information Data36 from the exit toll gate device 3c, the area management device 1B collects all route information (the entire route to the previous area and the information in the own area) corresponding to the vehicle identification information included in the received exit information Data36. all routes) are extracted from the storage unit 12. The area management device 1B transmits variable amount related information Data37' including all the route information of all the extracted areas to the exit toll gate device 3c. As a result, the exit toll gate device 3c allocates the variable amount for all route information from the variable charge table T2, and calculates the toll by applying the total variable amount to the basic toll allocated from the basic table.

Next, the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the second modification of the third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the second modification of the third embodiment.
In the second modification of the third embodiment, each area management device 1 receives entry information from the entrance toll gate equipment 2 within the area, passage route information from the route equipment 4, area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment 5, and , and receives participation information from the exit toll gate equipment 3 at any time. The area management device 1 also receives handover information including information indicating all the routes traveled by the vehicle that has passed through the checkpoint and moved into the area from the area management device of the source area.

When receiving the admission information from the entrance tollgate device 2 (ST371, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores the admission information in the storage unit 12 (ST372). However, if the information included in the admission information is not used as a condition for the variable amount, the area management device 1 does not need to acquire the admission information from the entrance toll gate equipment 2.
When receiving the passing route information from the route device 4 (ST373, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores the received passing route information in the storage unit 12 (ST374).

Further, when receiving the area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment 5 (ST375, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 collects all route information regarding the vehicle specified by the identification information included in the received area crossing information. Handover information for handing over to the next area is created (ST376). The control unit 11 extracts all the past route information of the vehicle from the storage unit 12 based on the vehicle identification information included in the area straddling information, and stores all the extracted route information and the vehicle identification information. Create handover information including (ST376). Furthermore, the control unit 11 identifies the area management device in charge of the destination area based on the area crossing information, and transmits the created handover information to the area management device of the destination area (ST377).
Further, when handover information is received from the area management device of another area (ST378, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 transfers all route information to the previous area included in the received handover information to the vehicle. It is stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the identification information (ST379).

Further, when receiving participation information from the exit tollgate device 3 (ST380, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 stores all of the vehicles specified by the identification information included in the received participation information in the storage unit 12. The route information of is searched (ST381). After extracting all the route information, the control unit 11 creates information related to the variable amount including all the extracted route information (ST382). The control unit 11 transmits information related to the variable amount including all the created route information to the exit toll gate device 3 that is the transmission source of the participation information (ST383). Thereby, the area management device can provide the exit toll plaza device 3 with information including all route information of all areas through which the vehicle has passed.

In the toll processing system according to the second modification of the third embodiment, the checkpoint equipment 5 may perform the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 7 described above as the first embodiment, and the exit toll equipment 3 In the process similar to the process shown in FIG. 22 described above, the variable amount corresponding to all routes in all areas is divided into a common variable amount based on all route information included in the variable amount related information received from the area management device. Calculate the total variable amount (cumulative variable amount) according to all routes by allocating each from charging table T2, and add the total variable amount according to all routes in all areas to the basic charge allocated from basic table T1. All you have to do is apply it to calculate the toll.

As described above, according to the second modification of the third embodiment, the area management device accumulates passing route information collected from route devices within its own area. When the area management device receives area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment, it transmits all route information up to its own area as handover information to the destination area management device. In addition, when the area management device receives entry information from the exit toll plaza device, it transmits information indicating all routes in all areas, including all routes to the previous area and all routes in the own area, to the exit toll plaza device. do.

As a result, in the toll processing system according to the second modification of the third embodiment, all route information up to the own area can be taken over to the destination area management device, and it is possible to transfer all route information to the local area to the destination area management device. To be able to reliably manage information on all routes traveled by a vehicle even on toll roads, and to smoothly process tolls by applying variable amounts depending on the route set based on the degree of congestion for each route. I can do it.

(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment is an embodiment in which both the basic charging table and the variable charging table are managed by the exit toll gate, and furthermore, entry information and route information are stored and managed in an ETC card.

In addition, when moving between areas, the area management device acquires all the route information in the own area written to the memory in the ETC card via the checkpoint equipment, and according to the all route information in the own area. The accumulated fluctuation amount is provided to the destination area management device. Furthermore, when participating, the area management device provides the exit toll gate equipment with the accumulated fluctuation amount from the area management device of the source area to the previous area.

The fee processing system according to the fourth embodiment will be described in detail below.
The fee processing system according to the fourth embodiment is realized by various devices as shown in FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment, and each device has a configuration as shown in FIG. 19 described in the third embodiment. It is something to do. That is, in the toll processing system according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the exit toll booth device 3 includes a storage unit 36 provided with a basic table T1 and a variable charge table T2A (T2B) of the own area, Each area management device 1A, 1B is configured to include variable charge tables T2A, T2B for each area.

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the fourth embodiment.
Similar to the example shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 26 shows that a vehicle enters from the entrance toll gate "IC:A" of area A, passes route a of area A, checkpoint, route c of area B, and then enters area B. It is a diagram schematically illustrating how to exit from the exit toll gate "IC:C".

The entrance tollgate device 2a communicates with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle entering the entrance tollgate "IC:A" and confirms that a valid ETC card C is properly set in the onboard device S. Then, a storage area E is secured in the memory of the ETC card C, entry information indicating the entrance and entry date and time is written in the storage area E, and the vehicle is permitted to enter.

Next, when a vehicle entering from the entrance toll gate "IC:A" passes through route a in area A, the route device 4a communicates with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle, and Route information indicating that the route a has been passed is written in the storage area E of the ETC card C. The route information written in the storage area E of the ETC card C is, for example, information indicating the route passed and the date and time of the pass.

Next, when the vehicle that has passed route a passes through a checkpoint, the checkpoint equipment 5 communicates with the onboard device S installed on the vehicle passing through the checkpoint, and the information is recorded from the onboard device S in the memory of the ETC card C. Get all route information. The checkpoint equipment 5 creates area crossing information Data43 including the acquired total route information, information indicating passage through the checkpoint, and vehicle identification information, and transmits the created area crossing information Data43 to the area management device 1A of area A. Note that the checkpoint equipment 5 may also acquire the entry information recorded in the memory of the ETC card C from the on-vehicle device, and create area straddling information including the acquired entry information.

When the area management device 1A receives the area straddling information Data43 from the checkpoint equipment 5, it creates handover information Data44 for handing over the accumulated fluctuation amount for vehicles passing through the checkpoint to the area management device 1B of the destination area B. For example, the area management device 1A allocates the variable amount for all route information in area A (self area) of the vehicle included in the received area straddling information 43 from the variable charge table T2A for area A, and The total value of the fluctuation amount according to all routes is calculated as the cumulative fluctuation amount. Here, if the cumulative fluctuation amount from the area before area A (cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area) has been inherited, the area management device 1A will calculate the fluctuation amount according to all routes in area A. The total is added to the cumulative amount of fluctuation up to the previous area to calculate the cumulative amount of fluctuation.

After calculating the cumulative fluctuation amount, the area management device 1A creates handover information Data 44 including the calculated cumulative fluctuation amount up to its own area and identification information of the vehicle (card ID or on-vehicle device ID). Note that when the area management device 1A acquires area crossing information including admission information, it may create takeover information including admission information.
After creating the handover information Data44, the area management device 1A transmits the handover information Data44 to the area management device 1B of area B, which is the destination of the vehicle. Thereby, the destination area management device 1B stores the cumulative amount of change included in the handover information Data44 from the source area management device 1A as the cumulative amount of change up to the previous area.

In addition, after acquiring all the route information in the movement source area recorded in the storage area E in the ETC card C from the on-vehicle device S (or transmitting the cross-area information Data 43 to the area management After sending it to the device 1A), all route information (all recorded route information) according to the movement source area is deleted from the storage area E of the ETC card C. This is to secure the storage area for the route information in the storage area E of the ETC card C by deleting all route information records in the movement source area. The example shown in FIG. 26 shows a state in which the checkpoint equipment 5 has deleted the route information in the movement source area.

Next, when a vehicle enters area B from the checkpoint and passes through route c, the route device 4c communicates with the onboard equipment S of the vehicle passing through each route c, and stores area B in storage area E of ETC card C. Write route information indicating that route c has been passed.

Next, when the vehicle enters the exit toll plaza "IC:C", the exit toll plaza device 3c acquires the identification information of the vehicle through communication with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle, and acquires the identification information of the vehicle. A request is made to the area management device 1B for the accumulated fluctuation amount up to the previous area corresponding to the area.
The area management device 1B searches the storage unit 12 for the cumulative change amount up to the previous area for the identification information of the vehicle in response to a request from the exit toll gate device 3c. If there is an accumulated amount of change up to the previous area, the area management device 1B transmits a response as information regarding the amount of change for the vehicle, including information indicating the amount of accumulated change up to the previous area, to the exit toll gate device 3c. Note that if there is no cumulative change amount up to the previous area corresponding to the requested vehicle identification information, the area management device 1B transmits a response to the exit tollgate stating that there is no cumulative change amount for the vehicle. Also good.

In addition, the exit tollgate device 3c obtains information indicating the entrance of the vehicle recorded in the ETC card C through communication with the onboard device S of the participating vehicle, and the information between the entrance and exit obtained from the onboard device S. A basic fee is allocated from the basic table T1 based on the combination. In addition, the exit tollgate device 3c allocates a variable amount corresponding to all routes in the own area from the variable charge table T2B based on all the route information in the own area acquired from the onboard device S, and Calculate the total amount of change. Furthermore, when the exit toll plaza device 3c receives the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area from the area management device 1B, the exit tollgate device 3c adds the total fluctuation amount in its own area and the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area. Calculate. The exit toll gate device 3c calculates the toll by applying the total variable amount to the basic toll allocated from the basic table T1. As a result, the exit toll gate device 3c of the exit toll gate executes exit processing for the vehicle based on the calculated toll, and stores the storage area E of the ETC card C set in the onboard device S at the entrance and exit. Write participation information indicating the date and time and permit the vehicle to participate.

Next, the operation of each device in the fee processing system according to the fourth embodiment will be explained. First, the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the fourth embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the fourth embodiment.
As described above, the area management device 1 of the toll processing system according to the fourth embodiment provides area straddling information that includes all route information indicating all routes that a vehicle traveling from the checkpoint equipment 5 to another area has passed within its own area. Receive information (ST411, YES). When the area crossing information is received from the checkpoint equipment 5 (ST411, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 calculates the variable amount according to the route for all the route information included in the received area crossing information for its own area. allocation from the variable charge table T2A (T2B) (ST412). After allocating the amount of change for all routes in the own area, the control unit 11 calculates the total amount of change as the cumulative amount of change (ST413).

Here, if the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area for the vehicle is stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 adds the total fluctuation amount for all routes in the own area to the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area. By doing this, the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the own area is calculated. If the cumulative fluctuation amount for the vehicle up to the previous area is not stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 sets the sum of the fluctuation amounts for all routes in the own area as the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the own area.

After calculating the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the own area, the control unit 11 creates handover information for handing over the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the own area to the next area (ST414). After creating the handover information indicating the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the own area, the control unit 11 identifies the area management device in charge of the destination area based on the cross-area information, and creates the transfer information in the area management device of the destination area. Send the inherited information (ST415)
Further, when handover information is received from the area management device of another area (ST416, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 identifies the accumulated change amount up to the previous area included in the received handover information for the vehicle. It is stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the information (ST417).

Further, when receiving a request for the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area from the exit tollgate device 3 (ST418, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 calculates the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area for the specified vehicle. A search is made from the storage unit 12 (ST419). When the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area for the vehicle is searched, the control unit 11 creates cumulative fluctuation amount information as response information indicating the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the previous area as a search result (ST420), and The variable amount information is transmitted to the exit tollgate equipment 3 (ST421). Thereby, the area management device of the exit toll gate area can provide the accumulated fluctuation amount up to the previous area to the exit toll gate equipment 3 of its own area.

Next, the operation of the checkpoint equipment 5 in the toll processing system according to the fourth embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the exit toll booth equipment 3 in the toll processing system according to the third embodiment.
When the control unit 51 of the checkpoint equipment 5 detects a vehicle passing through the checkpoint (ST431, YES), the control unit 51 causes the vehicle communication unit 53 to communicate with the on-vehicle device S mounted on the vehicle passing through the checkpoint (ST432).

When the vehicle communication unit 53 establishes communication with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle passing through the checkpoint, the control section 51 transmits all route information within its own area stored in the ETC card C from the onboard device S. get. Upon acquiring all the route information within the own area from the onboard device S, the control unit 51 creates area spanning information including all the route information within the own area acquired from the onboard device S (ST433). In the fourth embodiment, for example, the control unit 51 includes vehicle identification information (card ID, on-vehicle device ID), information indicating the checkpoint to be passed through, information indicating the destination area, information within the own area (source area) Create cross-area information including all route information. Here, when entry information is also acquired from the onboard device S, the control unit 51 may create area spanning information including the entry information.

After creating the area spanning information, the control unit 51 transmits the created area spanning information to the area management device 1 of the movement source area (ST434). However, the checkpoint equipment 5 may transmit the area crossing information to the area management device 1 of the destination area, or may transmit the area crossing information to the area management device 1 of the destination area, or both the area management device of the source area and the area management device of the destination area. You may also send it to

Further, after acquiring the route information within the movement source area stored in the ETC card C from the onboard device S of the vehicle passing through the checkpoint, the control section 51 stores the route information in the ETC card C set in the onboard device S. A process of clearing all stored route information in the movement source area is performed (ST435). As a result, the area for storing route information in the ETC card C set in the on-vehicle device S of the vehicle passing through the checkpoint is released, and the route information in the destination area can be written therein. As a result, even if the ETC card C has a small storage area, it is possible to reliably record route information.

Next, the operation of the exit toll booth equipment 3 in the toll processing system according to the fourth embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the exit toll booth equipment 3 in the toll processing system according to the fourth embodiment.
When the control unit 31 of the exit toll plaza device 3 detects a vehicle entering the exit toll plaza (ST451), the control unit 31 of the exit toll plaza device 3 starts communication with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle using the vehicle communication unit 33. When communication with the on-vehicle device S is established, the control unit 31 acquires various information regarding the vehicle through communication with the on-vehicle device S (ST452). For example, in the fourth embodiment, the control unit 31 acquires information such as identification information such as a card ID and an on-board device ID, information indicating a vehicle type, and entry information from the on-board device S.

Upon acquiring the identification information (card ID, onboard device ID) for identifying the vehicle from the onboard device S, the control unit 31 requests the area management device 1 of its own area for the cumulative fluctuation amount for the vehicle up to the previous area. (ST453).

Further, the control unit 31 specifies the entrance based on the entrance information obtained from the on-vehicle device S (ST454), and specifies the vehicle type based on the information indicating the vehicle type obtained from the on-vehicle device S (ST455). After specifying the entrance and vehicle type for these vehicles, the control unit 31 allocates a basic fee corresponding to the combination of the entrance and exit from the basic table T1 corresponding to the vehicle type (ST456). Further, the control unit 31 allocates the variable amount for all routes in the own area from the variable charge table T2A (T2B) for the own area based on the information on all routes within the own area acquired from the onboard device S ( ST457).

Further, after requesting the area management device 1 for the cumulative fluctuation amount, the control unit 31 obtains response information indicating the cumulative fluctuation amount from the area management device 1 to the previous area, and The cumulative amount of change for all areas is calculated by adding the cumulative amount of change for this area and the total amount of change for the own area (ST458).

After calculating the cumulative fluctuation amount for all areas, the control unit 31 calculates the total amount by applying the calculated cumulative fluctuation amount for all areas to the basic toll as the toll toll to be charged to the vehicle (ST459). After calculating the toll, the control unit 31 displays the calculated toll on the roadside display 35 (ST460), and allows the vehicle to enter the vehicle using the start controller 34 (ST461). Further, the control unit 31 writes participation information to the ETC card C set in the on-vehicle device S of the vehicle (ST462), and ends the participation processing for the vehicle.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the ETC card set in the onboard device of a vehicle stores entry information and route information, and the checkpoint equipment stores the ETC card set in the onboard device of a vehicle passing through the checkpoint. Acquires all route information within the own area recorded in the ETC card, sends area crossing information including all route information within the own area to the area management device, and also transmits all route information within the own area recorded on the ETC card. Delete information. When each area management device 1 receives area cross-area information including route information within its own area from the checkpoint equipment, it reserves a variable amount according to the route passed within its own area from the variable charge table T2 for each area and accumulates the amount. The amount is calculated and the handover information including the cumulative change amount is sent to the destination area management device. Furthermore, each area management device 1 provides response information indicating the cumulative amount of change up to the previous area to the exit toll gate equipment in response to a request from the exit toll gate equipment in its own area. The exit tollgate equipment allocates a variable amount corresponding to all routes in its own area based on all route information in its own area obtained from the on-board device, and adds it to the cumulative variable amount up to the previous area. Calculate the total amount of change. The exit toll plaza device calculates the toll by applying the calculated variable amount to the basic toll allocated by the basic table.

As a result, in the charge processing system according to the fourth embodiment, the area management device in each area can take over the fluctuation amount in its own area to the area management device in the destination area. It is possible to efficiently process the variable amount depending on the route set on the toll road based on the congestion level of each route. Furthermore, in the toll processing system according to the fourth embodiment, since each area management device transmits and receives the accumulated fluctuation amount of vehicles that have moved between areas, there is no need to transfer large amounts of data between areas, and the amount of communication data is reduced. It is possible to reduce the communication load between areas.

(First modification of the fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment described above, the area management device and the exit toll booth equipment are provided with variable charge tables for each area corresponding to their own area. However, the variable charge table included in the area management device and the exit toll gate equipment may be a common variable charge table that shows the variable amount for each route of the entire toll road (all areas).

In the first modification of the fourth embodiment, in the toll processing system according to the fourth embodiment described above, the variable charging table provided in the area management device and each exit toll booth device is changed to a common variable charging table corresponding to all areas. It has been replaced.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram showing an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 30, in the toll processing system according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment, each area management device and each exit toll gate device are provided in the toll processing system configured as shown in FIG. It has a configuration in which the variable charge table is replaced with a common variable charge table T2 corresponding to all areas. The variable charge table T2 common to all areas may be the one explained in the first modification of the first embodiment described above, and the processing executed by each area management device 1 (1A, 1B) is This can be realized by the same processing as in the fourth embodiment described above, except that the table for allocating the variable amount is the common variable charge table T2.

According to the configuration shown in FIG. 30, the common variable charge table T2 stores variable amounts for all routes in all areas, so the amount of data is larger than that of the area-specific variable charge tables T2A and T2B. , there is no need to create or update for each area, and variable amounts for all routes on the entire toll road can be centrally managed.

(Second modification of the fourth embodiment)
In the first modification of the fourth embodiment described above, each area management device calculates the total amount of change in its own area based on all route information obtained from checkpoint equipment when a vehicle passes through a checkpoint, as a cumulative change amount. The area management device of the destination area will now take over. However, each area management device may transfer all route information indicating the route through its own area acquired from the checkpoint equipment to the area management device of the destination area.
In the second modification of the fourth embodiment, in the toll processing system according to the fourth embodiment described above, the area management device transfers not the accumulated fluctuation amount but the entire route information to the own area to the area management device of the destination area. Explain things.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation of the fee processing system according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 31, in the toll processing system according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. This is implemented by replacing the charge table T2 with a configuration in which each area management device does not require a variable charge table.

In the example shown in FIG. 31, the entrance tollgate device 2a first writes entry information indicating the entrance and entry date and time into the storage area E of the memory in the ETC card C set in the onboard device S of the vehicle entering the vehicle. Allow the vehicle to enter. Next, the route device 4a writes route information indicating that route a has been passed into the storage area E of the ETC card C set in the on-vehicle device S of the vehicle passing route a.

Next, the checkpoint equipment 5 acquires all route information in the movement source area from the ETC card C set in the onboard device S of the vehicle passing through the checkpoint. The checkpoint equipment 5 transmits area straddling information Data 43 including the acquired total route information, information indicating passing through the checkpoint, and vehicle identification information to the area management device 1A of area A. The area management device 1A receives transfer information Data 44 including all route information in area A (self area) included in the area crossing information Data 43 received from the checkpoint equipment 5 and identification information of the vehicle (card ID or onboard device ID). ', and transmits the handover information Data 44 to the area management device 1B of area B, which is the destination of the vehicle. Thereby, the destination area management device 1B stores all route information included in the takeover information Data44 from the source area management device 1A as all route information up to the previous area.

In addition, after acquiring all the route information recorded in the storage area E of the ETC card C from the onboard device S, the checkpoint equipment 5 retrieves the route information in the movement source area from the storage area E of the ETC card C. (all recorded route information).

Next, the route device 4c writes information indicating that the route c has been passed and information indicating the date and time of passage into the storage area E of the ETC card C set in the onboard device S of the vehicle passing through each route c. . Next, the exit toll booth device 3c communicates with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle and requests the area management device 1B for all route information to the previous area corresponding to the vehicle. The area management device 1B extracts all route information up to the previous area for the identification information of the vehicle from the storage unit 12 in response to a request from the exit toll gate device 3c, and stores information Data46' indicating all route information up to the previous area. A response containing the information is sent to the exit toll booth device 3c.

As a result, the exit tollgate device 3c acquires all route information in area B recorded on the ETC card C from the onboard device S of the vehicle, and acquires all route information up to the previous area from the area management device 1B. You can obtain all route information for all areas for the vehicle in question. As a result, the exit toll plaza device 3c allocates the variable amount for all route information in all areas from the variable charge table T2, and applies the total variable amount in all areas to the basic fee allocated from the basic table. Calculate tolls to be charged to vehicles.

Next, the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 32 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the area management device 1 in the fee processing system according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment.
When receiving the area crossing information from the checkpoint equipment 5 (ST471, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 creates handover information including all route information included in the received area crossing information (ST472), The created takeover information is transmitted to the area management device of the destination area (ST473). However, if route information for the vehicle up to the previous area is stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 stores the entire route up to the own area, which is composed of the entire route information in the own area and the all route information up to the previous area. It is assumed that takeover information including the information is created and transmitted to the area management device of the destination area.

Further, when handover information is received from the area management device of another area (ST474, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 uses all route information to the previous area included in the received handover information to identify the vehicle. It is stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the information (ST475).

Further, when receiving a request for route information from the exit toll gate device 3 to the previous area (ST476, YES), the control unit 11 of the area management device 1 provides information on the entire route to the previous area for the vehicle with the specified identification information. Information is searched from the storage unit 12 (ST477), response information indicating all route information up to the previous area obtained as a search result is created (ST478), and the created response information is sent to the exit toll gate equipment 3 (ST478). ST479). Thereby, the area management device of the exit toll gate area can provide all route information to the previous area and the exit toll gate equipment 3 of its own area.

Next, the operation of the exit toll booth equipment 3 in the toll processing system according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 33 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the exit toll booth equipment 3 in the toll processing system according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment.
When the control section 31 of the exit toll gate device 3 detects a vehicle entering the exit toll gate (ST481), the control section 31 communicates with the onboard device S mounted on the vehicle through the vehicle communication section 33, and transmits various information regarding the vehicle. (ST482). For example, the control unit 31 acquires information such as identification information such as a card ID and an onboard device ID, information indicating a vehicle type, entry information, and information on all routes in the own area from the onboard device S.

Upon acquiring the identification information (card ID, onboard device ID) for identifying the vehicle from the onboard device S, the control unit 31 requests the area management device 1 of its own area for all route information for the vehicle to the previous area. (ST483).

Further, the control unit 31 specifies the entrance based on the entrance information obtained from the on-vehicle device S (ST484), and specifies the vehicle type based on the information indicating the vehicle type obtained from the on-vehicle device S (ST485). After specifying the entrance and vehicle type for the vehicle, the control unit 31 allocates a basic fee corresponding to the combination of the entrance and exit from the basic table T1 corresponding to the vehicle type (ST486).

Furthermore, after acquiring all route information from the area management device 1 to the previous area, the control unit 31 combines all route information within its own area acquired from the onboard device S and all route information up to the previous area acquired from the area management device 1. Based on the route information, the variable charges for all routes in all areas are allocated from the common variable charge table T2 (ST487).

The control unit 31 calculates the total variable amount according to all routes in all areas allocated from the common variable charge table T2 (ST488), and calculates the amount obtained by applying the total variable amount for all areas to the basic charge. It is calculated as a toll toll imposed on the vehicle (ST489). After calculating the toll, the control unit 31 displays the calculated toll on the roadside display 35 (ST490), and allows the vehicle to enter the vehicle using the start controller 34 (ST491). Further, the control unit 31 writes participation information to the ETC card C set in the on-vehicle device S of the vehicle (ST492), and ends the participation processing for the vehicle.

As described above, according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment, the area management device acquires all route devices within its own area included in area crossing information from checkpoint equipment, and all routes to its own area. Sends handover information indicating the information to the destination area management device. When the destination area management device receives a request for information on the entire route to the previous area, it transmits information indicating the entire route to the previous area to the exit toll gate device. The exit toll gate equipment changes according to all routes in all areas based on all route information up to the previous area obtained from the area management device and all route information in the own area obtained from the ETC card set in the on-board device. Allocate the amount and calculate the toll.

As a result, in the toll processing system according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment, all route information up to the own area can be taken over to the destination area management device, and it is possible to transfer all route information to the local area to the destination area management device. To be able to reliably manage information on all routes traveled by a vehicle even on toll roads, and to smoothly process tolls by applying variable amounts depending on the route set based on the degree of congestion for each route. I can do it.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.
Hereinafter, the contents described in the claims of the present application as originally filed will be added.
[1]
A toll processing system that processes tolls on toll roads divided into multiple areas,
an area management device provided corresponding to the area on the toll road;
an entrance toll gate device that performs entry processing to the toll road;
an exit toll gate device that performs exit processing from the toll road;
a route device that detects a route taken by a vehicle on the toll road;
Checkpoint equipment that detects vehicles passing through checkpoints that are boundaries of other areas;
Equipped with
The said checkpoint equipment is
a vehicle communication unit that communicates with an onboard device mounted on a vehicle passing through the checkpoint;
a central communication unit that communicates with the area management device;
When communicating with a vehicle passing through the checkpoint, area straddling information indicating that the vehicle has moved between areas is sent to the area management device of the source area and/or the area management device of the destination area. a checkpoint control unit that transmits the
The area management device includes:
an inter-area communication unit that communicates with area management devices in other areas;
The area management device corresponds to entrance toll gate equipment within its own area, exit toll gate equipment within said own area, route equipment within said own area, and said own area and other areas adjacent to said own area. an equipment communication section that communicates with the checkpoint equipment provided at the connection part of the
When area crossing information indicating a vehicle that has moved between areas is received from the checkpoint equipment or the area management device of the adjacent area, transfer information indicating the route traveled by the vehicle or the amount of change depending on the route is transferred to the area of the adjacent area. a central control unit that performs handover between the exit toll gate equipment and the management device;
A communication unit that communicates with an area management device installed in the area where the exit toll gate is located among the area management devices installed in each area of the toll road;
a vehicle communication unit that communicates with an on-board device mounted on the vehicle when the vehicle enters the exit toll plaza;
Information regarding the vehicle communicated by the vehicle communication unit, and when the vehicle has moved from another area to the local area, handover information from an area management device corresponding to the area from which the vehicle has moved; an exit control unit that performs exit processing for the vehicle based on the route taken by the vehicle within the own area;
Charge processing system.
[2]
The area management device has at least a basic table set according to the correspondence between entrances and exits, and a variable charge table indicating a variable charge set for the route,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
If the vehicle in question is a vehicle that has moved from another area to its own area, the area management device for said own area will use the handover information from the area management device corresponding to the area from which the vehicle has moved, and the vehicle in said own area. Updates information about the vehicle based on the route the vehicle has taken,
When receiving a request from the exit toll plaza equipment, transmitting updated information regarding the vehicle and information regarding the toll based on the basic table and the variable charging table to the exit toll plaza equipment;
The exit toll gate device requests information regarding the toll of the vehicle communicated by the vehicle communication unit to the area management device of the own area, and performs exit processing for the vehicle based on the information obtained from the area management device. ,
The fee processing system according to [1].
[3]
The variable charge table is a variable charge table that indicates a variable amount set for a route in the own area among the variable charge tables set for each area on the toll road,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the variable charge table, and making a change according to all the routes taken by the vehicle moving from the own area to another area within the own area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative change amount including the total amount to the area management device of the destination area,
The handover information regarding the vehicle entering the own area is received from the area management device of the movement source area, and the handover information is acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the area. The total variable amount, which is the cumulative variable amount included in the handover information and the variable amount allocated from the variable charge table for all routes that the vehicle has taken within its own area, is calculated at the entrance and exit of the vehicle. providing the exit tollgate device with information indicating a toll applied to the basic toll according to the combination of;
The fee processing system according to [2].
[4]
The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
A variable amount corresponding to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area is allocated from the common variable charge table, and a variable amount is allocated according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area when moving from the own area to another area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative amount of change including the total amount of change to the area management device of the destination area,
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. The total variable amount, which is the cumulative variable amount included in the handover information and the variable amount allocated from the common variable charge table for the route traveled by the vehicle within its own area, is calculated at the entrance and exit of the vehicle. providing the exit tollgate device with information indicating a toll applied to the basic toll according to the combination of;
The fee processing system according to [2].
[5]
The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
transmitting handover information including all route information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area to an area management device of the destination area;
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. The total variable amount allocated from the common variable charge table for all routes indicated by the handover information and all routes traveled by the vehicle in the own area is calculated according to the combination of the entrance and exit of the vehicle. providing information indicating a toll applied to the basic toll to the exit toll plaza device;
The fee processing system according to [2].
[6]
The area management device has a variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route,
The exit toll booth device has a basic charging table set by at least a correspondence between an entrance and an exit,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
If the vehicle in question is a vehicle that has moved from another area to its own area, the area management device for said own area will use the handover information from the area management device corresponding to the area from which the vehicle has moved, and the vehicle in said own area. Updates information about the vehicle based on the route the vehicle has taken,
When receiving a request from the exit toll plaza device, transmitting information regarding the variable amount based on the updated information regarding the vehicle and the variable charge table to the exit toll plaza device;
The exit tollgate device requests the area management device of its own area for information regarding the variable amount of the vehicle communicated by the vehicle communication unit, and based on the information regarding the variable amount obtained from the area management device and the basic table. Performing entry processing for the vehicle;
The fee processing system according to [1].
[7]
The variable charge table is a variable charge table that indicates a variable amount set for a route in the own area among the variable charge tables set for each area on the toll road,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the variable charge table, and making a fluctuation according to all the routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the own area to another area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative change amount including the total amount to the area management device of the destination area,
The handover information regarding the vehicle entering the own area is received from the area management device of the movement source area, and the handover information is acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the area. The exit tollgate equipment transmits information indicating the total variable amount obtained by adding the variable amount allocated from the variable charge table for all routes traveled by the vehicle within its own area to the cumulative variable amount included in the handover information. provide to,
The fee processing system according to [6].
[8]
The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the common variable charge table, and according to all the routes taken by the vehicle moving from the own area to another area within the own area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative amount of change including the total amount of change to the area management device of the destination area,
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. Information indicating the total variable amount obtained by adding the variable amount allocated from the common variable charge table for all routes traveled by the vehicle within its own area to the cumulative variable amount included in the handover information is used as the exit charge. provided to the equipment,
The fee processing system according to [6].
[9]
The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
transmitting handover information including all route information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area to an area management device of the destination area;
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing the exit toll gate device with information indicating a total variable amount allocated from the common variable charge table for all routes indicated by the handover information and all routes traveled by the vehicle in the own area;
The fee processing system according to [6].
[10]
The exit toll booth device has at least a basic charge table set based on the correspondence between entrances and exits, and a variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
If the vehicle in question is a vehicle that has moved from another area to its own area, the area management device for said own area will use the handover information from the area management device corresponding to the area from which the vehicle has moved, and the vehicle in said own area. Updates information about the vehicle based on the route the vehicle has taken,
The exit toll booth device performs exit processing for the vehicle based on information acquired from the area management device and a basic table.
The fee processing system according to [1].
[11]
The variable charge table is a variable charge table that indicates a variable amount set for a route in the own area among the variable charge tables set for each area on the toll road,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the variable charge table, and making a fluctuation according to all the routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the own area to another area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative change amount including the total amount to the area management device of the destination area,
The handover information regarding the vehicle entering the own area is received from the area management device of the movement source area, and the handover information is acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the area. providing the exit tollgate device with information including the cumulative fluctuation amount included in the handover information and all route information indicating all routes taken by the vehicle within the own area;
The fee processing system according to [10].
[12]
The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the common variable charge table, and according to all the routes taken by the vehicle moving from the own area to another area within the own area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative amount of change including the total amount of change to the area management device of the destination area,
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing the exit tollgate device with information including the cumulative fluctuation amount included in the handover information and all route information indicating all routes taken by the vehicle within the own area;
The fee processing system according to [10].
[13]
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
transmitting handover information including all route information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area to an area management device of the destination area;
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing information indicating all routes indicated by the handover information and all routes taken by the vehicle in the own area to the exit tollgate device;
The fee processing system according to [10].
[14]
The variable charge table is a variable charge table that indicates a variable amount set for a route in the own area among the variable charge tables set for each area on the toll road,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
Receiving area crossing information including information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area from the checkpoint equipment; The variable amount according to the route is allocated from the variable charge table, and the handover information indicating the cumulative variable amount including the total variable amount according to all the routes that the vehicle has traveled in the own area is transferred to the destination area. Send to area management device,
The handover information regarding the vehicle entering the own area is received from the area management device of the movement source area, and the handover information is acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the area. providing information indicating the cumulative change amount included in the handover information to the exit tollgate device;
The fee processing system according to [10].
[15]
The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
Receiving area crossing information including information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area from the checkpoint equipment; The variable amount according to the route is allocated from the common variable charge table, and the handover information indicating the cumulative variable amount including the total variable amount according to all the routes that the vehicle has traveled in the own area is transferred to the destination. Send it to the area management device of the area,
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing information indicating the cumulative change amount included in the handover information to the exit tollgate device;
The fee processing system according to [10].
[16]
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
Receiving area crossing information including information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the own area to another area from the checkpoint equipment, and receiving all routes taken by the vehicle within the own area. Sends handover information including all route information indicating the destination area to the area management device of the destination area,
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing information indicating all routes included in the handover information to the exit tollgate device;
The fee processing system according to [10].
[17]
An area management device provided for each area in order to process tolls on a toll road divided into a plurality of areas,
An exit toll gate device within the own area as an area corresponding to the area management device, and a checkpoint device that detects vehicles passing through a checkpoint provided between the own area and an adjacent area adjacent to the own area. A device communication section that communicates;
an inter-area communication unit that communicates with the area management device of the adjacent area;
When area crossing information indicating a vehicle that has moved from the own area to the adjacent area is received from the checkpoint equipment, the transfer information indicating the route traveled by the vehicle or the amount of change depending on the route is transferred to the area management of the destination area. send to the device,
Exit toll gate equipment in response to the request from the exit toll gate equipment in the area based on the handover information acquired from the area management device of the movement source area and the route taken by the vehicle in the own area a control unit that creates response information to be provided to and transmits the created response information to the exit tollgate device;
Area management device with.
[18]
The area management device has at least a basic table set according to the correspondence between entrances and exits, and a variable charge table indicating a variable charge set for the route,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
If the vehicle in question is a vehicle that has moved from another area to its own area, the area management device for said own area will use the handover information from the area management device corresponding to the area from which the vehicle has moved, and the vehicle in said own area. Updates information about the vehicle based on the route the vehicle has taken,
when receiving a request from the exit toll plaza equipment, transmitting updated information regarding the vehicle and information regarding the toll based on the basic table and the variable charging table to the exit toll plaza equipment;
The area management device according to [17].
[19]
The variable charge table is a variable charge table that indicates a variable amount set for a route in the own area among the variable charge tables set for each area on the toll road,
The control unit includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the variable charge table, and making a fluctuation according to all the routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the own area to another area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative change amount including the total amount to the area management device of the destination area,
The handover information regarding the vehicle entering the own area is received from the area management device of the movement source area, and the handover information is acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the area. The total variable amount, which is the cumulative variable amount included in the handover information and the variable amount allocated from the variable charge table for all routes that the vehicle has taken within its own area, is calculated at the entrance and exit of the vehicle. providing the exit tollgate device with information indicating a toll applied to the basic toll according to the combination of;
The area management device according to [18].
[20]
The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The control unit includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the common variable charge table, and according to all the routes taken by the vehicle moving from the own area to another area within the own area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative amount of change including the total amount of change to the area management device of the destination area,
Receive handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area from the area management device of the movement source area, and acquire it from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. The sum of the variable amount, which is the cumulative variable amount included in the handover information that has been acquired, plus the variable amount allocated from the common variable charge table for the route that the vehicle has taken within its own area, is calculated at the entrance and exit of the vehicle. providing information indicating a toll applied to the basic toll according to the combination with the exit toll gate device;
The area management device according to [18].
[21]
The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The control unit includes:
transmitting handover information including all route information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area to an area management device of the destination area;
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. The total variable amount allocated from the common variable charge table for all routes indicated by the handover information and all routes traveled by the vehicle in the own area is calculated according to the combination of the entrance and exit of the vehicle. providing information indicating a toll applied to the basic toll to the exit toll plaza device;
The area management device according to [18].
[22]
The area management device has a variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
If the vehicle in question is a vehicle that has moved from another area to its own area, the area management device for said own area will use the handover information from the area management device corresponding to the area from which the vehicle has moved, and the vehicle in said own area. Updates information about the vehicle based on the route the vehicle has taken,
When receiving a request from the exit toll plaza equipment, transmitting updated information regarding the vehicle and information regarding the variable amount based on the variable charge table to the exit toll plaza equipment;
The area management device according to [17].
[23]
The variable charge table is a variable charge table that indicates a variable amount set for a route in the own area among the variable charge tables set for each area on the toll road,
The control unit includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the variable charge table, and making a fluctuation according to all the routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the own area to another area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative change amount including the total amount to the area management device of the destination area,
The handover information regarding the vehicle entering the own area is received from the area management device of the movement source area, and the handover information is acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the area. The exit tollgate equipment transmits information indicating the total variable amount obtained by adding the variable amount allocated from the variable charge table for all routes traveled by the vehicle within its own area to the cumulative variable amount included in the handover information. provide to,
The area management device according to [22].
[24]
The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The control unit includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the common variable charge table, and according to all the routes taken by the vehicle moving from the own area to another area within the own area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative amount of change including the total amount of change to the area management device of the destination area,
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. Information indicating the total variable amount obtained by adding the variable amount allocated from the common variable charge table for all routes traveled by the vehicle within its own area to the cumulative variable amount included in the handover information is used as the exit charge. provided to the equipment,
The area management device according to [22].
[25]
The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The control unit includes:
transmitting handover information including all route information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area to an area management device of the destination area;
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing the exit toll gate device with information indicating a total variable amount allocated from the common variable charge table for all routes indicated by the handover information and all routes traveled by the vehicle in the own area;
The area management device according to [22].
[26]
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
If the vehicle in question is a vehicle that has moved from another area to its own area, the area management device for said own area will use the handover information from the area management device corresponding to the area from which the vehicle has moved, and the vehicle in said own area. updating information regarding the vehicle based on the route traveled by the vehicle and distributing it to the exit toll gate equipment in the area;
The area management device according to [17].
[27]
comprising a variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for a route in the own area;
The control unit includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the variable charge table, and making a fluctuation according to all the routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the own area to another area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative change amount including the total amount to the area management device of the destination area,
The handover information regarding the vehicle entering the own area is received from the area management device of the movement source area, and the handover information is acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the area. providing the exit tollgate device with information including the cumulative fluctuation amount included in the handover information and all route information indicating all routes taken by the vehicle within the own area;
The area management device according to [26].
[28]
having a common variable charge table showing variable amounts set for routes on the entire toll road;
The control unit includes:
A variable amount corresponding to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area is allocated from the common variable charge table, and a variable amount is allocated according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area when moving from the own area to another area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative amount of change including the total amount of change to the area management device of the destination area,
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing the exit tollgate device with information including the cumulative fluctuation amount included in the handover information and all route information indicating all routes taken by the vehicle within the own area;
The area management device according to [26].
[29]
The control unit includes:
transmitting handover information including all route information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area to an area management device of the destination area;
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing information indicating all routes indicated by the handover information and all routes taken by the vehicle in the own area to the exit tollgate device;
The area management device according to [26].
[30]
comprising a variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for a route in the own area;
The control unit includes:
Receiving area crossing information including information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area from the checkpoint equipment; The variable amount according to the route is allocated from the variable charge table, and the transfer information indicating the cumulative variable amount including the total variable amount according to all the routes that the vehicle has traveled in the own area is transferred to the destination area. Send to area management device,
The handover information regarding the vehicle entering the own area is received from the area management device of the movement source area, and the handover information is acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the area. providing information indicating the cumulative change amount included in the handover information to the exit tollgate device;
The area management device according to [26].
[31]
having a common variable charge table showing variable amounts set for routes on the entire toll road;
The control unit includes:
Receiving area crossing information including information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area from the checkpoint equipment; The variable amount according to the route is allocated from the common variable charge table, and the transfer information indicating the cumulative variable amount including the total variable amount according to all the routes that the vehicle has traveled in the own area is transferred to the destination. to the area management device of the area,
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing information indicating the cumulative change amount included in the handover information to the exit tollgate device;
The area management device according to [26].
[32]
The control unit includes:
Receiving area crossing information including information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the own area to another area from the checkpoint equipment, and receiving all routes taken by the vehicle within the own area. Sends handover information including all route information indicating the destination area to the area management device of the destination area,
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing information indicating all routes included in the handover information to the exit tollgate device;
The area management device according to [26].
[33]
A checkpoint device used in a toll processing system that processes tolls on toll roads divided into multiple areas,
a vehicle communication unit that communicates with an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle passing through a checkpoint serving as a boundary between a first area on the toll road and a second area adjacent to the first area;
a central communication unit that communicates with both or at least one of a first area management device corresponding to the first area and a second area management device corresponding to the second area;
When the vehicle communication unit communicates with a vehicle moving through the checkpoint from the first area to the second area, area crossing information including information indicating a vehicle moving from the first area to the second area is sent to the second area. a control unit that transmits data to both or at least one of the first area management device and the second area management device;
Checkpoint equipment with
[34]
The control unit transmits area crossing information including identification information of a vehicle that has moved from the first area to the second area to both or at least one of the first area management device and the second area management device. do,
The checkpoint equipment described in [33].
[35]
The control unit controls area crossing information, including identification information of a vehicle that has moved from the first area to the second area, and information indicating all routes taken by the vehicle in the first area, to the first area management. transmitting to both or at least one of the device and the second area management device;
The checkpoint equipment described in [33].
[36]
An exit toll gate device used in a toll processing system that processes tolls on a toll road divided into multiple areas and processes vehicles exiting at the exit toll gate,
A communication unit that communicates with an area management device installed in the area where the exit toll gate is located among the area management devices installed in each of the areas on the toll road;
a vehicle communication unit that communicates with an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle entering the exit tollgate;
Information regarding the vehicle communicated by the vehicle communication unit is requested from the area management device of the own area, and if the vehicle is a vehicle that has moved from another area to the own area, the area management device of the own area requests the Acquire response information created from the handover information from the area management device corresponding to the area from which the vehicle is moving and the route taken by the vehicle within the own area, and determine whether the vehicle will participate based on the acquired response information. A control unit that performs processing;
Exit toll booth equipment with.
[37]
The control unit acquires information indicating a toll to be charged to the vehicle from the area management device of the own area, and performs entry processing for the vehicle based on the acquired toll.
The exit toll booth device described in [36].
[38]
Further, it has a basic table showing basic tolls corresponding to combinations of entrances and exits on the entire toll road,
The control unit allocates a basic charge corresponding to the combination of entrance and exit of the vehicle obtained from the onboard device by the vehicle communication unit from a basic table, and receives a variable charge for the vehicle from the area management device of the own area. acquiring information indicating the total of the above, and performing entry processing for the vehicle based on a toll calculated by applying a variable amount to the basic toll;
The exit toll booth device described in [36].
[39]
Further, it has a basic table showing basic fees corresponding to combinations of entrances and exits for the entire toll road, and a variable charging table showing variable charges set for routes in the own area,
The control unit allocates a basic charge corresponding to the combination of entrance and exit of the vehicle obtained from the onboard device by the vehicle communication unit from a basic table, and charges the movement for the vehicle from the area management device of the own area. Obtain information including the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the original area and all route information indicating all routes in the own area, and add all routes taken within the own area to the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the movement source area. performing entry processing for the vehicle based on a toll calculated by applying a total variable amount obtained by adding a variable amount allocated from the variable charge table to the basic toll;
The exit toll booth device described in [36].
[40]
Further, a basic table showing basic tolls corresponding to combinations of entrances and exits on the entire toll road;
a variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route in the own area;
The control unit allocates a basic charge corresponding to the combination of entrance and exit of the vehicle obtained from the onboard device by the vehicle communication unit from a basic table, and charges the movement for the vehicle from the area management device of the own area. The accumulated fluctuation amount up to the original area is acquired, the vehicle communication unit acquires all route information indicating all routes in the own area from the onboard device, and the cumulative fluctuation amount up to the movement source area is added to the own area. Participation for the vehicle based on the toll fee calculated by applying the total variable amount in all areas, which is obtained by adding the variable amount allocated from the variable charge table to all routes traveled within the area, to the basic toll. perform processing,
The exit toll booth device described in [36].

1 (1A, 1B)...Area management device, 2...Entrance tollgate equipment, 3...Exit tollgate equipment, 4...Route equipment, 5...Checkpoint equipment, 11...Control unit, 12...Storage unit, 13...Device communication unit , 14...Inter-area communication unit, 31...Control unit, 32...Upper communication unit, 33...Vehicle communication unit, 34...Start controller, 35...Roadside indicator, 36...Storage unit, 41...Control unit, 42...Upper level Communication unit, 42... Upper communication unit, 43... Vehicle communication unit, 43... Information, 51... Control unit, 52... Upper communication unit, 53... Vehicle communication unit, C... ETC card, S... Onboard equipment, T1 (T1a, T1b, T1c)...basic table, T2A, T2B, T2...variable charge table

Claims (21)

An area management device provided for each area in order to process tolls on a toll road divided into a plurality of areas,
a device communication unit that communicates with an exit tollgate device in the own area of the area management device and a checkpoint device that detects a vehicle passing through a checkpoint provided between the own area and an adjacent area adjacent to the own area; and,
an inter-area communication unit that communicates with the area management device of the adjacent area;
When area crossing information indicating a vehicle that has moved from the own area to the adjacent area is received from the checkpoint equipment, the transfer information indicating the route traveled by the vehicle or the amount of change depending on the route is transferred to the area management of the destination area. a control unit that transmits data to the device;
Area management device with. The control unit of the area management device further includes:
transmitting the handover information obtained from the area management device of the movement source area to the exit toll gate device in the own area;
The area management device according to claim 1. The control unit of the area management device includes:
transmitting handover information acquired from an area management device of a movement source area to the exit toll plaza equipment in response to a request from the exit toll plaza equipment in the area;
The area management device according to claim 1. The control unit of the area management device includes:
In response to the request from the exit toll gate device in the area, the exit toll gate device creating response information to be provided to and transmitting the created response information to the exit tollgate device;
The area management device according to claim 1. The area management device has at least a basic table set according to the correspondence between entrances and exits, and a variable charge table indicating a variable charge set for the route,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
If the vehicle in question is a vehicle that has moved from another area to its own area, the area management device for said own area will use the handover information from the area management device corresponding to the area from which the vehicle has moved, and the vehicle in said own area. Updates information about the vehicle based on the route the vehicle has taken,
when receiving a request from the exit toll plaza equipment, transmitting updated information regarding the vehicle and information regarding the toll based on the basic table and the variable charging table to the exit toll plaza equipment;
The area management device according to claim 2. The variable charge table is a variable charge table that indicates a variable amount set for a route in the own area among the variable charge tables set for each area on the toll road,
The control unit includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the variable charge table, and making a change according to all the routes taken by the vehicle moving from the own area to another area within the own area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative change amount including the total amount to the area management device of the destination area,
The handover information regarding the vehicle entering the own area is received from the area management device of the movement source area, and the handover information is acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the area. The total variable amount, which is the cumulative variable amount included in the handover information and the variable amount allocated from the variable charge table for all routes that the vehicle has taken within its own area, is calculated at the entrance and exit of the vehicle. providing the exit tollgate device with information indicating a toll applied to the basic toll according to the combination of;
The area management device according to claim 5. The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The control unit includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the common variable charge table, and according to all the routes taken by the vehicle moving from the own area to another area within the own area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative amount of change including the total amount of change to the area management device of the destination area,
Receive handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area from the area management device of the movement source area, and acquire it from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. The sum of the variable amount, which is the cumulative variable amount included in the handover information that has been acquired, plus the variable amount allocated from the common variable charge table for the route that the vehicle has taken within its own area, is calculated at the entrance and exit of the vehicle. providing information indicating a toll applied to the basic toll according to the combination with the exit toll gate device;
The area management device according to claim 5. The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The control unit includes:
transmitting handover information including all route information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area to an area management device of the destination area;
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. The total variable amount allocated from the common variable charge table for all routes indicated by the handover information and all routes traveled by the vehicle in the own area is calculated according to the combination of the entrance and exit of the vehicle. providing information indicating a toll applied to the basic toll to the exit toll plaza device;
The area management device according to claim 5. The area management device has a variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route,
The central control unit of the area management device includes:
If the vehicle in question is a vehicle that has moved from another area to its own area, the area management device of said own area will receive information about the takeover information from the area management device corresponding to the area from which the vehicle has moved and the relevant vehicle within said own area. Updates information about the vehicle based on the route the vehicle has taken,
when receiving a request from the exit toll plaza equipment, transmitting updated information regarding the vehicle and information regarding the variable amount based on the variable charge table to the exit toll plaza equipment;
The area management device according to claim 2. The variable charge table is a variable charge table that indicates a variable amount set for a route in the own area among the variable charge tables set for each area on the toll road,
The control unit includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the variable charge table, and making a fluctuation according to all the routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the own area to another area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative change amount including the total amount to the area management device of the destination area,
The handover information regarding the vehicle entering the own area is received from the area management device of the movement source area, and the handover information is acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the area. The exit tollgate equipment transmits information indicating the total variable amount obtained by adding the variable amount allocated from the variable charge table for all routes traveled by the vehicle within its own area to the cumulative variable amount included in the handover information. provide to,
The area management device according to claim 9. The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The control unit includes:
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the common variable charge table, and according to all the routes taken by the vehicle moving from the own area to another area within the own area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative amount of change including the total amount of change to the area management device of the destination area,
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. Information indicating the total variable amount obtained by adding the variable amount allocated from the common variable charge table for all routes traveled by the vehicle within its own area to the cumulative variable amount included in the handover information is used as the exit charge. provided to the equipment,
The area management device according to claim 9. The variable charge table is a common variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for the route on the entire toll road,
The control unit includes:
transmitting handover information including all route information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area to an area management device of the destination area;
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing the exit toll gate device with information indicating a total variable amount allocated from the common variable charge table for all routes indicated by the handover information and all routes traveled by the vehicle in the own area;
The area management device according to claim 9. The central control unit of the area management device includes:
If the vehicle in question is a vehicle that has moved from another area to its own area, the route information of the vehicle in its own area is accumulated, and the area management device for said own area corresponds to the area from which the vehicle has moved. updating information regarding the vehicle based on takeover information from the area management device and the route taken by the vehicle within the own area, and distributing the information to the exit toll gate equipment within the area;
The area management device according to claim 2. The control unit has a variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for a route in the own area;
Allocating a variable amount according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area from the variable charge table, and making a change according to all the routes taken by the vehicle moving from the own area to another area within the own area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative change amount including the total amount to the area management device of the destination area,
The handover information regarding the vehicle entering the own area is received from the area management device of the movement source area, and the handover information is acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the area. The area management device according to claim 13, wherein the area management device provides the exit tollgate device with information including a cumulative fluctuation amount included in the handover information and all route information indicating all routes taken by the vehicle within the own area. . having a common variable charge table showing variable amounts set for routes on the entire toll road;
The control unit includes:
A variable amount corresponding to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area is allocated from the common variable charge table, and a variable amount is allocated according to the route taken by the vehicle within the own area when moving from the own area to another area. Sends handover information indicating the cumulative amount of change including the total amount of change to the area management device of the destination area,
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing the exit tollgate device with information including the cumulative fluctuation amount included in the handover information and all route information indicating all routes taken by the vehicle within the own area;
The area management device according to claim 13. The control unit includes:
transmitting handover information including all route information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area to an area management device of the destination area;
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing information indicating all routes indicated by the handover information and all routes taken by the vehicle in the own area to the exit tollgate device;
The area management device according to claim 13. The control unit includes:
Receiving cross-area information including information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the own area to another area, received by the checkpoint equipment from information written on the ETC card;
The area management device according to claim 2. The control unit has a variable charge table indicating a variable amount set for a route in the own area, and the control unit includes:
Receiving area crossing information including information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area from the checkpoint equipment; The variable amount according to the route is allocated from the variable charge table, and the transfer information indicating the cumulative variable amount including the total variable amount according to all the routes that the vehicle has traveled in the own area is transferred to the destination area. Send to area management device,
The handover information regarding the vehicle entering the own area is received from the area management device of the movement source area, and the handover information is acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the area. providing information indicating the cumulative change amount included in the handover information to the exit tollgate device;
The area management device according to claim 17. having a common variable charge table showing variable charges set for routes on the entire toll road;
The control unit includes:
Receiving area crossing information including information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the self-area to another area from the checkpoint equipment; The variable amount according to the route is allocated from the common variable charge table, and the transfer information indicating the cumulative variable amount including the total variable amount according to all the routes that the vehicle has traveled in the own area is transferred to the destination. to the area management device of the area,
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing information indicating the cumulative change amount included in the handover information to the exit tollgate device;
The area management device according to claim 17. The control unit includes:
Receiving area crossing information including information indicating all routes taken within the own area by a vehicle moving from the own area to another area from the checkpoint equipment, and receiving all routes taken by the vehicle within the own area. Sends handover information including all route information indicating the destination area to the area management device of the destination area,
Handover information regarding a vehicle entering the own area is received from an area management device of a movement source area, and acquired from the area management device of the movement source area in response to a request from an exit toll booth device in the own area. providing information indicating all routes included in the handover information to the exit tollgate device;
The area management device according to claim 17. An area management method using an area management device provided for each area in order to process tolls on a toll road divided into a plurality of areas, the method comprising:
a device communication unit communicates with an exit toll gate device within its own area and a checkpoint device that detects a vehicle passing through a checkpoint provided between said own area and an adjacent area adjacent to said own area;
an inter-area communication unit communicates with an area management device of the adjacent area,
When the control unit receives area straddling information indicating a vehicle that has moved from the own area to the adjacent area from the checkpoint equipment, the control unit transfers the transfer information indicating the route traveled by the vehicle or the amount of change depending on the route to the destination. Send to the area management device of the area,
Area management method.