JP7477478B2 - Central billing processing device, fee collection system, billing processing method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a central billing processing device , a fee collection system, a billing processing method, and a program.

The Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC (registered trademark)) used on toll roads enables automatic toll collection (payment processing) for vehicles while they are moving by wireless communication between wireless communication devices installed in each lane of the toll gate and on-board units installed in the vehicles.

On toll roads, different toll amounts are charged depending on the vehicle type classification (such as standard cars or large vehicles), so even in the electronic toll collection system mentioned above, information on the vehicle type classification is exchanged during the charging process.

Some electronic toll collection systems can obtain vehicle type classification information for each arriving vehicle through a vehicle type discrimination device installed in each lane at the entrance toll gate, based on the detection results of characteristics detected as the vehicle travels, such as the number of axles of the vehicle.
However, in order to determine the number of axles, etc. of a vehicle, a lane length of at least 16 meters is required, and there are toll booths where it is not possible to secure such a lane length, and so radio communication with the on-board unit must be terminated before the number of axles, etc. can be determined. For this reason, the current electronic toll collection system is sometimes operated as follows.

First, at the entrance toll booth, the vehicle type classification information registered in the on-board unit (hereinafter also referred to as "on-board unit vehicle type classification information") is written as "temporary vehicle type classification information" via wireless communication into the IC card (ETC card) set in the on-board unit.
When the vehicle arrives at the exit toll gate, the "provisional vehicle type classification information" written in the IC card is read out at the exit toll gate, and the charge amount according to the "provisional vehicle type classification information" is calculated.

In such an operation, for example, if the actual vehicle type classification of a vehicle traveling on a toll road differs from the vehicle type classification registered in the on-board device due to the presence or absence of a towed vehicle, the billing process will be carried out at the amount according to the vehicle type classification registered in the on-board device.
Therefore, at the entrance toll gate, after writing (wireless communication) to the IC card is completed, the correct vehicle type classification information obtained through the vehicle type discrimination device (i.e., vehicle type classification information identified using the detection result of the number of axles) is transmitted to the higher-level device. Then, it is judged after the fact whether the vehicle type classification information applied when the charging process was performed at the exit toll gate (on-board device vehicle type classification information) matches or does not match the correct vehicle type classification information identified using the detection result of the number of axles, and if they do not match, the charged amount is corrected later.

In addition, if the vehicle characteristics detected by the vehicle type discrimination device at the entrance toll gate indicate that a vehicle is passing illegally (for example, exceeding the total weight or axle weight, or a mismatch with the license plate information registered in the onboard unit), the vehicle may be subject to a penalty (such as a surcharge) appropriate to the illegality.
In this case, as in the above process, the entrance toll gate transmits information regarding the illegal passage of the detected vehicle (hereinafter, also referred to as "illegal information") to a higher-level device. Then, at the exit toll gate, normal charging processing (charging processing without surcharge) based on the vehicle type classification information of the on-board device is performed, and afterwards, processing to impose a penalty on the vehicle is performed in the back.

As a technology related to the above, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which, each time a vehicle enters a toll gate, information regarding the charge for that vehicle is obtained from a database center and the charge is processed.

JP 2010-267130 A

When the electronic toll collection system described above is operated, normal charging processing is performed at the exit toll gate, and then the penalty processing is performed after the fact. Therefore, with the electronic toll collection system described above, it is not possible to immediately perform the processing at the exit toll gate to impose a penalty on a vehicle that has illegally passed through, or to notify the user that a penalty has been imposed due to illegal passage.

The objective of this disclosure is to realize immediate processing of unauthorized vehicles and immediate notification to users of unauthorized vehicles at the exit toll gate without requiring communication time for information inquiries outside the exit toll gate and notification of the results of the inquiries.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the central charging processing device includes a receiving unit that receives vehicle information from an entrance charging processing device installed at an entrance toll gate, the vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate and illegal information indicating whether the vehicle has illegally passed, a creating unit that aggregates the vehicle information received from the entrance charging processing device to create an all-vehicle information table, and a distributing unit that distributes the all-vehicle information table to an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll gate.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an entrance charging processing device installed at an entrance toll booth includes an entrance vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll booth and vehicle characteristic information that indicates the characteristics of the vehicle, an entrance fraud detection unit that uses the vehicle characteristic information to detect whether the vehicle has engaged in illegal passage, and an entrance transmission unit that transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information and illegal information indicating the presence or absence of the illegal passage to a central charging processing device.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an exit billing processing device installed at an exit toll gate includes a recording processing unit that records the all-vehicle information table distributed from the central billing processing device on a recording medium within the device, an exit vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate, and a penalty processing unit that refers to the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium and performs processing to impose a penalty on the vehicle if fraudulent information linked to the vehicle identification information is recorded.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a main line billing processing device installed at a main line toll gate includes a main line vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the main line toll gate and vehicle characteristic information that indicates the characteristics of the vehicle, a main line fraud detection unit that uses the vehicle characteristic information to detect whether the vehicle has engaged in illegal passage, a recording processing unit that records the all-vehicle information table distributed from the central billing processing device on a recording medium within the device, and a main line transmission unit that transmits the vehicle identification information and vehicle information including the illegal information indicating the presence or absence of the illegal passage to the central billing processing device when vehicle information including the vehicle identification information is not present in the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the toll collection system includes the above-mentioned central charging processing device, the above-mentioned entrance charging processing device, and the above-mentioned exit charging processing device.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the charging processing method includes a step in which a central charging processing device receives vehicle information from an entrance charging processing device installed at an entrance toll gate, the vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate and illegal information indicating whether the vehicle has illegally passed; a step in which the central charging processing device aggregates the vehicle information received from the entrance charging processing device to create an all-vehicle information table; and a step in which the central charging processing device distributes the all-vehicle information table to an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll gate.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the program causes a computer of a central billing processing device to execute the steps of receiving vehicle information from an entrance billing processing device installed at an entrance toll gate, the vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate and illegal information indicating whether the vehicle has illegally passed, aggregating the vehicle information received from the entrance billing processing device to create an all-vehicle information table, and distributing the all-vehicle information table to an exit billing processing device installed at an exit toll gate.

According to each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is possible to immediately process unauthorized vehicles at the exit toll gate and immediately notify users of unauthorized vehicles.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a fee collection system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a central charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an entrance charging processing device according to the first embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an exit charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a main line billing processing device according to the first embodiment. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of an entrance FF charging processing device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle information according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an all-vehicle information table according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the central charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the entrance charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the exit charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the main line billing processing device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the entrance FF charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an entrance charging processing device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an exit charging processing device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a main line billing processing device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of vehicle information according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an all-vehicle information table according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an entrance charging processing device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the exit charging processing device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a main line billing processing device according to the second embodiment.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, the toll collection system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Overall configuration of the toll collection system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a fee collection system according to the first embodiment.
The toll collection system 9 shown in FIG. 1 is an electronic toll collection system (ETC) and is applied to toll collection for a toll road U managed by a road operator.

The configuration of the toll road U will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toll road U has an entrance toll gate G2, an exit toll gate G3, and a main line toll gate G4 on a main line LM.
A vehicle intending to enter the toll road U from a general road arrives at the entrance toll gate G2. The vehicle travels along the incoming lane L2 to arrive at the entrance toll gate G2, and after passing through the entrance toll gate G2, travels along the toll road U. Although not shown in the figure, each lane at the entrance toll gate G2 is provided with a wireless communication device for wireless communication with the on-board device C of the arriving vehicle A, a vehicle type discrimination device capable of identifying the vehicle type category of the vehicle A based on the detection result of the number of axles of the vehicle A, and the like.
Furthermore, vehicles attempting to exit onto a general road from the toll road U arrive at the exit toll gate G3. The vehicles travel along the toll road U and arrive at the exit toll gate G3. After passing through the exit toll gate G3, they travel along the exit lane L3 and return to the general road. Each lane of the exit toll gate G3 is provided with a wireless communication device that performs billing processing via wireless communication for arriving vehicles, a roadside indicator that instantly notifies the collected billing amount, and the like.
The main line toll gate G4 is a toll gate located on the main line LM, and is also called a centralized toll gate. Vehicles traveling on the main line LM of the toll road U pass through the main line toll gate G4. Each lane of the main line toll gate G4 is equipped with wireless communication devices, vehicle type discrimination devices, etc., similar to those of the entrance toll gate G2.

The toll road U has an entrance FF lane L2F. The entrance FF lane L2F is a FF (free flow) lane, an entry lane that does not have a toll gate. A wireless communication device is installed on the roadside of the entrance FF lane L2F, but a vehicle type discrimination device is not installed.

Next, the toll collection system 9 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toll collection system 9 includes a central charging processing device 1, an entrance charging processing device 2, an exit charging processing device 3, a main line charging processing device 4, and an entrance FF charging processing device 5.

The central billing processing device 1 is communicatively connected to billing processing devices installed at each toll booth and FF lane of the toll road U via a wide area communication network, and aggregates the information received sequentially from each billing processing device to create an all-vehicle information table (described below).The central billing processing device 1 then distributes the all-vehicle information table to each billing processing device.

The entrance charging processing device 2 is a device installed at the entrance toll gate G2. If the entrance toll gate G2 has a plurality of lanes, an entrance charging processing device 2 is installed for each lane.
The entrance charging processing device 2 acquires vehicle information (described later) of vehicles passing through the lanes of the entrance toll gate G2, and transmits this information to the central charging processing device 1. Note that a vehicle type discrimination device is installed in each lane of the entrance toll gate G2. Therefore, the vehicle information transmitted by the entrance charging processing device 2 includes vehicle type classification information determined using the number of axles of the vehicle.

The exit charging processing device 3 is a device installed at the exit toll gate G3. If there are multiple lanes at the exit toll gate G3, an exit charging processing device 3 is installed for each of the lanes.
The exit billing processing device 3 stores in a local (internal) recording medium the all-vehicle information table distributed from the central billing processing device 1. The exit billing processing device 3 identifies vehicle type classification information of vehicles passing through each lane by referring to the all-vehicle information table stored in the local recording medium, and performs immediate billing and immediate notification based on the correct vehicle type classification.
In addition, the exit charging processing device 3 obtains vehicle information of vehicles passing through the lane of the exit toll gate G3, and transmits this to the central charging processing device 1.

The main line billing processing device 4 is a device installed at the main line toll gate G4. If the main line toll gate G4 has multiple lanes, a main line billing processing device 4 is installed for each lane.
The main line billing processing device 4 stores in a local recording medium the all-vehicle information table distributed from the central billing processing device 1. The main line billing processing device 4 judges whether or not the vehicle information acquired from a vehicle passing through the lane of the main line toll gate G4 has already been recorded in the all-vehicle information table stored in the local recording medium, and transmits the acquired vehicle information to the central billing processing device 1 according to the judgment result.

The entrance FF billing processing device 5 is installed on the entrance FF lane L2F. Like the central billing processing device 1, the entrance FF billing processing device 5 acquires vehicle information of vehicles traveling on the entrance FF lane L2F and transmits this to the central billing processing device 1. However, no vehicle type discrimination device is installed on the entrance FF lane L2F. Therefore, the vehicle information transmitted by the entrance FF billing processing device 5 does not include vehicle type classification information determined using the number of axles of the vehicle.

(Functional configuration of the central billing processing device)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the central charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the central billing processing device 1 includes a CPU 10 , a memory 11 , a communication interface 12 , and a recording medium 13 .

The CPU 10 is a processor that performs various functions by operating according to a program prepared in advance. The functions of the CPU 10 will be described later.
The memory 11 is a so-called main storage device, and has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 10. For example, the memory 11 stores an all-vehicle information table T1, difference information T2 (a new entering vehicle information table T21, a new exiting vehicle information table T22) (described later), and the like.
The communication interface 12 is a connection interface for connecting to each billing processing device so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wide area communication network.
The recording medium 13 is a so-called auxiliary storage device, and is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). In this embodiment, the recording medium 13 records backups of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded in the memory 11, the difference information T2 of the all-vehicle information table T1, and the like.

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 10 of the central billing processing device 1.

The CPU 10 performs the functions of a receiving unit 101, a creating unit 102, and a distributing unit 103 by operating according to a pre-prepared program.

The receiving unit 101 receives vehicle information from each billing processor. The vehicle information received from the entrance billing processor 2 and the main line billing processor 4 includes vehicle type classification information determined using the detection result of the number of axles of the vehicle, in addition to vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle.
The number of axles is detected by the tires of a traveling vehicle stepping on treads (described later) installed on the road surface in sequence, that is, it is one aspect of a feature detected as the vehicle travels. In other embodiments, the feature detected as the vehicle travels is not limited to the number of axles, and may be, for example, the vehicle length detected based on an optical sensor or the like.

The creation unit 102 aggregates the vehicle information received from each billing processing device to create the all-vehicle information table T1. In particular, the creation unit 102 adds the vehicle information successively received from the entrance billing processing device 2 (and the entrance FF billing processing device 5) to the all-vehicle information table T1 as vehicle information of vehicles that have newly entered the toll road U, and aggregates this to create the newly entering vehicle information table T21. In addition, the creation unit 102 removes the vehicle information successively received from the exit billing processing device 3 from the all-vehicle information table T1 as vehicle information of vehicles that have newly exited the toll road U, and aggregates this to create the newly exiting vehicle information table T22.

The distribution unit 103 distributes the all-vehicle information table T1 created by the creation unit 102 to each billing processing device (particularly, the exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3). The distribution unit 103 also periodically distributes the new entering vehicle information table T21 and the new exiting vehicle information table T22, which are difference information T2 of the all-vehicle information table T1, to each billing processing device.

(Functional configuration of the entrance charging processing device)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the entrance charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the entrance charging processing device 2 includes a CPU 20 , a memory 21 , a communication interface 22 , a roadside equipment interface 23 , and a recording medium 24 .

The CPU 20 is a processor that performs various functions by operating according to a program prepared in advance. The functions of the CPU 20 will be described later.
The memory 21 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 20 .
The communication interface 22 is a connection interface for communicatively connecting to the central billing processing device 1 via a wide area communication network.
The roadside equipment interface 23 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside equipment (wireless communication device 2A, vehicle type discrimination device 2B) provided on each lane of the entrance toll gate G2.
The recording medium 24 is a local recording medium provided in the entrance billing processing device 2, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 is recorded on the recording medium 24.

Next, we will explain the roadside equipment (wireless communication device 2A, vehicle type discrimination device 2B) connected to the entrance charging processing device 2.

The wireless communication device 2A performs wireless communication using Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) with the on-board unit C (Figure 1) of the vehicle A that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2, and acquires various information (such as the on-board unit ID, IC card information, and vehicle number) recorded in the on-board unit C. The various information recorded in the on-board unit C is vehicle identification information that can uniquely identify the vehicle.

The vehicle type discrimination device 2B is a device that can identify the correct vehicle type classification of a traveling vehicle. The vehicle type discrimination device 2B detects the number of axles of a vehicle passing through a lane through a footboard, a vehicle detector, etc. As a result, the vehicle type discrimination device 2B identifies the vehicle type classification information of the traveling vehicle using the detection result of the number of axles of the passing vehicle.

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 20 of the entrance billing processing device 2.

The CPU 20 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a recording processing unit 201, an entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202, an entrance transmission unit 203, and an on-board device information writing unit 204.

The recording processing unit 201 records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on the local recording medium 24. The recording processing unit 201 also updates the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 24 based on the difference information T2 (Figure 2) periodically distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

The entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 acquires vehicle information of vehicles that have arrived at the entrance toll gate G2 through the wireless communication device 2A and the vehicle type discrimination device 2B. The vehicle information acquired here includes vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle, and vehicle type classification information that is determined using at least the detection results of the number of axles of the vehicle.

The entrance transmission unit 203 transmits vehicle information, including vehicle identification information and vehicle type classification information, to the central billing processing device 1.

The vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 204 reads the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information that is preregistered in the vehicle-mounted device C (Figure 1) and writes it to the IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device C.

(Functional configuration of the egress billing processing device)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the exit charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the exit charging processing device 3 includes a CPU 30, a memory 31, a communication interface 32, a roadside equipment interface 33, and a recording medium .

The CPU 30 is a processor that performs various functions by operating according to a program prepared in advance. The functions of the CPU 30 will be described later.
The memory 31 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 30 .
The communication interface 32 is a connection interface for communicatively connecting to the central billing processing device 1 via a wide area communication network.
The roadside equipment interface 33 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside equipment (wireless communication device 3A, roadside display 3B) provided in each lane of the exit toll gate G3.
The recording medium 34 is a local recording medium provided in the exit billing processing device 3, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 is recorded in the recording medium 34.

Next, we will explain the roadside equipment (wireless communication device 3A, roadside display 3B) connected to the exit billing processing device 3.

The wireless communication device 3A performs wireless communication using DSRC with the on-board device C (FIG. 1) of the vehicle A that has arrived at the exit toll gate G3, and acquires various information (vehicle identification information) recorded in the on-board device C. In addition, at the exit toll gate G3, charging processing is performed through wireless communication by the wireless communication device 3A.
The roadside display 3B is a display device that displays (instantly notifies) the charged amount, etc. to a traveling vehicle (user) when charging processing via wireless communication is completed.

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 30 of the exit billing processing device 3.

The CPU 30 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a recording processing unit 301, an exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302, an exit transmission unit 303, an on-board device information reading unit 304, and a billing processing unit 305.

The recording processing unit 301, like the recording processing unit 201 of the entrance billing processing device 2, records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on the local recording medium 34. The recording processing unit 301 also updates the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 34 based on the difference information T2 (Figure 2) periodically distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

The exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 acquires vehicle information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate G3 via the wireless communication device 3A. The vehicle information acquired here includes vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle.

The exit transmission unit 303 transmits vehicle information, including vehicle identification information, to the central billing processing device 1.

The vehicle-mounted device information reading unit 304 reads the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information written to the IC card at the entrance toll booth G2.

The billing processing unit 305 refers to the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 34, identifies the vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information acquired by the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302, and executes billing processing at a billing amount according to the vehicle type classification information.

(Functional configuration of the main line billing processing device)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the main line billing processing device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the main line billing processing device 4 includes a CPU 40 , a memory 41 , a communication interface 42 , a roadside equipment interface 43 , and a recording medium 44 .

The CPU 40 is a processor that performs various functions by operating according to a program prepared in advance. The functions of the CPU 40 will be described later.
The memory 41 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 40 .
The communication interface 42 is a connection interface for communicatively connecting to the central billing processing device 1 via a wide area communication network.
The roadside equipment interface 43 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside equipment (wireless communication device 4A, vehicle type discrimination device 4B) provided on each lane of the main toll gate G4.
The recording medium 44 is a local recording medium provided in the main line billing processing device 4, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, the recording medium 44 records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

The roadside devices connected to the main line toll processing device 4 (wireless communication device 4A and vehicle type discrimination device 4B) are similar to the wireless communication device 2A and vehicle type discrimination device 2B installed at the entrance toll gate G2, so their explanation will be omitted.

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 40 of the main line billing processing device 4.

The CPU 40 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a recording processing unit 401, a main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402, a main line transmission unit 403, and an on-board device information writing unit 404.

The recording processing unit 401 records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on the local recording medium 44. The recording processing unit 401 also updates the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 24 based on the difference information T2 (FIG. 2) periodically distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

The main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 acquires vehicle information of vehicles arriving at the main line toll gate G4 through the wireless communication device 4A and the vehicle type discrimination device 4B. The vehicle information acquired here includes vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle, and vehicle type classification information determined using at least the detection results of the number of axles of the vehicle.

When a specific condition is satisfied, the main line transmitting unit 403 transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information and the vehicle type classification information to the central billing processing device 1. Specifically, the "specific condition" is the following two conditions (a) and (b).
(a) When vehicle information including vehicle identification information (such as an on-board device ID) acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 does not exist in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44. (b) When vehicle information including vehicle identification information acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 exists in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44, but the vehicle information does not include vehicle type classification information based on the detection result of the number of axles.

The vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 404 reads the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information that is preregistered in the vehicle-mounted device C (Figure 1) and writes it to the IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device C.

(Functional configuration of the entrance FF billing processing device)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the entrance FF charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, the entrance FF billing processing device 5 includes a CPU 50, a memory 51, a communication interface 52, a roadside equipment interface 53, and a recording medium .

The CPU 50 is a processor that performs various functions by operating according to a program prepared in advance. The functions of the CPU 50 will be described later.
The memory 51 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 50 .
The communication interface 52 is a connection interface for communicatively connecting to the central billing processing device 1 via a wide area communication network.
The roadside equipment interface 53 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside equipment (wireless communication device 5A, roadside camera 5B) provided in the entrance FF lane L2F.
The recording medium 54 is a local recording medium provided in the entrance FF billing processing device 5, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, the recording medium 54 records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

The wireless communication device 5A, which is a roadside device connected to the entrance FF charging processing device 5, is similar to the wireless communication device 2A provided at the entrance toll gate G2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
The roadside camera 5B is a camera installed on the roadside and captures images of vehicles traveling in the entrance FF lane L2F. The roadside camera 5B is linked to the vehicle identification information obtained through the wireless communication device 5A, and is capable of acquiring vehicle images showing the exterior of each vehicle.

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 50 of the entrance FF billing processing device 5.

The CPU 50 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a recording processing unit 501, an entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502, an entrance FF transmission unit 503, and an on-board device information writing unit 504.

The recording processing unit 501 records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on the local recording medium 54. The recording processing unit 501 also updates the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 54 based on the difference information T2 (FIG. 2) periodically distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

The entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502 acquires vehicle information of vehicles traveling on the entrance FF lane L2F through the wireless communication device 5A. The vehicle information acquired here includes vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle. However, since no vehicle type discrimination device is installed on the entrance FF lane L2F, the vehicle information acquired here does not include vehicle type classification information based on the detection results of the number of axles.

The entrance FF transmission unit 503 transmits vehicle information, including vehicle identification information but not vehicle type classification information, to the central billing processing device 1.

The vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 504 reads the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information that is preregistered in the vehicle-mounted device C (Figure 1) and writes it to the IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device C.

(Example of Vehicle Information and All Vehicle Information Table)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of vehicle information according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an all-vehicle information table according to the first embodiment.
Below, with reference to Figures 7 and 8, we will explain in detail the contents of the data of vehicle information D that is sequentially acquired by the entrance billing processing device 2 etc. and transmitted to the central billing processing device 1, and the contents of the data of the all-vehicle information table T1 created by the central billing processing device 1.

As shown in FIG. 7, vehicle information D includes "vehicle identification information" ("on-board device ID" in this embodiment), "toll gate number," "lane number," "date and time of processing," "IC card information," "vehicle type classification information," "number plate information," and "vehicle image data."

Of the vehicle information D acquired by the entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 of the entrance charging processing device 2, "vehicle identification information" (vehicle-mounted device ID), "IC card information," "number plate information," and the like are information obtained through wireless communication between the wireless communication device 2A and the vehicle-mounted device C. In addition, "vehicle type classification information" is vehicle type classification information obtained through the vehicle type discrimination device 2B (i.e., vehicle type classification information identified based on the detection result of the number of axles).

In addition, since a vehicle type discrimination device 4B is also installed at the main line toll gate G4, "vehicle type classification information" based on the detection result of the number of axles can be obtained. Therefore, the vehicle information obtained by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 of the main line charging processing device 4 includes "vehicle type classification information" based on the number of axles, like the vehicle information obtained by the entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 of the entrance charging processing device 2.
On the other hand, since no vehicle type discrimination device is installed in the entrance FF lane L2F, the vehicle information acquired by the entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502 of the entrance FF charging processing device 5 does not include "vehicle type classification information."

Figure 8 shows the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 created by the creation unit 102 of the central billing processing device 1. As shown in Figure 8, the all-vehicle information table T1 is composed of an aggregate of vehicle information received from each billing processing device. The all-vehicle information table T1 aggregates vehicle information on all vehicles traveling on the toll road U at each point in time.

(Processing flow of the central charging processing device)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a process flow of the central charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
The process flow executed by the central charging processing device 1 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 9. The process flow shown in Fig. 9 is repeatedly executed by the central charging processing device 1 periodically (for example, once every few seconds, minutes, or tens of minutes, at a cycle shorter than the shortest expected time from the entrance to the exit of a toll road).

First, the receiving unit 101 of the central billing processing device 1 aggregates vehicle information related to a vehicle that has newly entered the toll road U (step S11A). Specifically, the receiving unit 101 aggregates vehicle information D (FIG. 7) received from the entrance billing processing device 2 or the entrance FF billing processing device 5.

Next, the receiving unit 101 aggregates vehicle information related to vehicles that have newly exited the toll road U (step S11B). Specifically, the receiving unit 101 aggregates the vehicle information D received from the exit billing processing device 3.

Next, the creation unit 102 of the central billing processing device 1 creates and updates an all-vehicle information table T1 (FIG. 7) that contains vehicle information on all vehicles traveling on the toll road U at each point in time, based on the information collected in steps S11A and S11B (step S12). Specifically, the creation unit 102 adds the vehicle information collected in step S11A to the all-vehicle information table T1, and removes the vehicle information collected in step S11B from the all-vehicle information table T1, thereby updating the all-vehicle information table T1.

Next, the creation unit 102 creates difference information T2 (FIG. 2) that indicates the difference from the all-vehicle information table T1 created at the previous timing (step S13). Specifically, the creation unit 102 creates a new entering vehicle information table T21 using the vehicle information aggregated in step S11A. The creation unit 102 also creates a new exiting vehicle information table T22 using the vehicle information aggregated in step S11B.

Next, the distribution unit 103 of the central billing processing device 1 distributes the difference information T2 (newly entering vehicle information table T21, newly exiting vehicle information table T22) to each billing processing device (step S14). Each billing processing device updates the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on its local recording medium based on the difference information T2 distributed here.

When a specified request is received from the billing processing device, the distribution unit 103 distributes the all-vehicle information table T1 itself to the request source, rather than the difference information T2 (step S15). For example, when a new exit billing processing device 3 is started at the exit toll gate G3, the all-vehicle information table T1 is not recorded in the exit billing processing device 3 immediately after the start-up. Therefore, the newly started exit billing processing device 3 sends a specified request to the central billing processing device 1 immediately after the start-up. The exit billing processing device 3 then receives the all-vehicle information table T1 itself from the central billing processing device 1.

(Processing flow of the entrance charging processing device)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a process flow of the entrance charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
The process flow executed by the entrance charging processor 2 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

First, the entrance charging processing device 2 detects the entry of a vehicle into the entrance toll gate G2 (step S21).

Next, the entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 of the entrance charging processing device 2 performs wireless communication with the on-board device C of the entering vehicle via the wireless communication device 2A to acquire vehicle identification information (on-board device ID) etc. (step S22).

Next, the vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 204 of the entrance billing processing device 2 writes the vehicle model classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle model classification information) registered in the vehicle-mounted device C to the IC card (step S23).

Next, the entrance charging processing device 2 determines whether the vehicle specific information acquired in step S22 is included in the total vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 24 (step S24).

If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S22 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 24 (step S24; NO), vehicle information about vehicles that have not yet entered the toll road U is recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1. Therefore, in this case, the entrance billing processing device 2 determines that an abnormal vehicle has entered the system, and notifies the central billing processing device 1 of an error (step S25).

If the vehicle identification information obtained in step S22 is not included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 24 (step S24; YES), then vehicle type classification information identified based on the detection result of the number of axles is obtained through the vehicle type discrimination device 2B (step S26).

Next, the entrance transmitting unit 203 of the entrance billing processing device 2 transmits vehicle information about the arriving vehicle (including vehicle type classification information identified by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B) to the central billing processing device 1 (step S27).

(Processing flow of the egress billing processing device)
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process flow of the exit charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
The process flow executed by the exit charging processing device 3 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

First, the exit charging processing device 3 detects the entry of a vehicle into the exit toll gate G3 (step S31).

Next, the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 of the exit billing processing device 3 performs wireless communication with the on-board device C of the entering vehicle via the wireless communication device 3A to acquire vehicle identification information (on-board device ID) etc. (step S32).

Next, the vehicle-mounted device information reading unit 304 of the exit billing processing device 3 reads the vehicle model classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle model classification information) written to the IC card in step S23 (Figure 10) (step S33).

Next, the exit billing processing device 3 determines whether the vehicle specific information acquired in step S32 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 34 (step S34).

If the vehicle specific information acquired in step S32 is not included in the all vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 34 (step S34; NO), then for some reason the vehicle information that should be there is not included in the all vehicle information table T1 of the exit billing processing device 3. Therefore, in this case, the billing processing unit 305 determines the billing amount using the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information (provisional vehicle type classification information) read in step S33, and performs billing processing (step S35).

On the other hand, if the vehicle identification information acquired in step S32 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 34 (step S34; YES), the billing processing unit 305 refers to the all-vehicle information table T1 to identify the vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information acquired in step S32 (step S36).

Next, the billing processing unit 305 executes billing processing for the billing amount according to the vehicle type classification information recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1, and displays the billing amount on the roadside display 3B (step S37).

(Processing flow of the main line billing processing device)
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a process flow of the main line billing processing device according to the first embodiment.
The process flow executed by the main line billing processor 4 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

First, the main line toll processing device 4 detects the entry of a vehicle into the main line toll gate G4 (step S41).

Next, the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 of the main line billing processing device 4 performs wireless communication with the on-board device C of the entering vehicle via the wireless communication device 4A to acquire vehicle identification information (on-board device ID) etc. (step S42).

Next, the on-board device information writing unit 404 of the main line billing processing device 4 writes the vehicle type classification information (on-board device vehicle type classification information) registered in the on-board device C to the IC card (step S43).

Next, the main line transmission unit 403 of the main line billing processing device 4 determines whether the vehicle specific information acquired in step S42 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 44 (step S44).

If the vehicle identification information obtained in step S42 is included in the total vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 44 (step S44; NO), this vehicle can be said to be a vehicle whose vehicle information was obtained through the entrance charging processing device 2 or the entrance FF charging processing device 5 when it passed through the entrance toll gate G2 or the entrance FF lane L2F.
In this case, the main line transmitting unit 403 subsequently determines whether or not the all-vehicle information table T1 includes vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information (step S45).

If the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44 contains vehicle type classification information that corresponds to the vehicle identification information acquired in step S42 (step S45; NO), it is determined that the correct vehicle type classification information was already recorded by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B when this vehicle passed through the entrance toll gate G2. Therefore, in this case, the main line transmission unit 403 ends the process without transmitting any information to the central billing processing device 1.

On the other hand, if the vehicle information referenced in step S44 does not include vehicle type classification information (step S45; YES), it is determined that the correct vehicle type classification information has not yet been recorded because the vehicle has passed through the entrance FF lane L2F, where the vehicle type discrimination device 2B is not installed, and entered the toll road U.
In this case, the main line transmitting unit 403 acquires vehicle type classification information specified based on the detection result of the number of axles through the vehicle type discrimination device 4B (step S46).

Next, the main line transmission unit 403 transmits vehicle information about the arriving vehicle (including vehicle type classification information identified by the vehicle type discrimination device 4B) to the central billing processing device 1 (step S47).

(Processing flow of the entrance FF billing processing device)
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a process flow of the entrance FF charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
The process flow executed by the entrance FF accounting processing device 5 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

The entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502 of the entrance FF charging processing device 5 performs wireless communication with the on-board device C of a vehicle present within its communication range via the wireless communication device 5A installed on the roadside of the entrance FF lane L2F, and acquires vehicle identification information (on-board device ID) etc. (step S51).

Next, the vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 504 of the entrance FF billing processing device 5 writes the vehicle model classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle model classification information) registered in the vehicle-mounted device C to the IC card (step S52).

Next, the entrance FF billing processing device 5 determines whether the vehicle specific information acquired in step S51 is included in the total vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 54 (step S54).

If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S51 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 54 (step S54; NO), vehicle information about vehicles that have not yet entered the toll road U is recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1. Therefore, in this case, the entrance FF billing processing device 5 determines that an abnormal vehicle has entered the system, and notifies the central billing processing device 1 of an error (step S54).

If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S51 is not included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 54 (step S53; YES), the entrance FF transmission unit 503 of the entrance FF billing processing device 5 transmits vehicle information about the arriving vehicle (not including vehicle type classification information based on the number of axles) to the central billing processing device 1 (step S55). Note that this vehicle information may include vehicle image data captured by the roadside camera 5B (or information indicating the storage destination).

(Action, Effect)
As described above, the central charging processing device 1 of the first embodiment aggregates vehicle information including vehicle type classification information for each vehicle from the entrance charging processing device 2 installed at the entrance toll gate G2 to create an all-vehicle information table T1, and distributes this to the exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3.
In this way, vehicle information (all vehicle information table T1) of all vehicles that have entered the toll road U is recorded locally (recording medium 34) of the exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3. Correct vehicle type classification information (vehicle type classification information based on the number of axles) of each vehicle is recorded in the all vehicle information table T1. Therefore, when a vehicle arrives at the exit toll gate G3, the all vehicle information table T1 can be immediately referenced and immediate charging can be performed at the correct charging amount according to the vehicle's vehicle type classification information.

As described above, the central billing processing device 1 according to the first embodiment can instantly bill the correct billing amount at the exit toll gate and instantly notify the user of the correct billing amount.

(Modification of the first embodiment)
It has been explained that the main line billing processing device 4 according to the first embodiment ends the process without transmitting any information to the central billing processing device 1 when the vehicle identification information acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 is included in the all vehicle information table T1 recorded in the local recording medium 44 (step S44; NO) and when the vehicle identification information includes vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information (step S45; NO). However, other embodiments are not limited to this mode.
That is, even for the same vehicle, the vehicle type classification when passing through the entrance toll gate G2 may be different from the vehicle type classification when passing through the main toll gate G4. For example, it may be possible to add/remove cargo or towed vehicles at a service area, etc. In such a case, the central charging processing device 1 may be configured to record both the vehicle type classification identified when passing through the entrance toll gate G2 and the vehicle type classification identified when passing through the main toll gate G4 in the all-vehicle information table T1.
In this way, the road operator can take into account the change in vehicle type classification while traveling on the toll road U and collect an appropriate fee from the vehicle.

In addition, the toll collection system 9 of another embodiment may have a main line FF charging processing device in addition to the above-mentioned central charging processing device 1, entrance charging processing device 2, exit charging processing device 3, main line charging processing device 4 and entrance FF charging processing device 5.
The main line FF billing processing device acquires vehicle information for vehicles traveling in the normal lanes of the main line L1 (lanes where there are no toll gates and where vehicles can travel freely) via wireless communication devices installed on the roadside, and transmits the information sequentially to the central billing processing device 1. However, vehicle type discrimination devices cannot be installed on the normal lanes of the main line L1. Therefore, the main line FF billing processing device transmits vehicle information that does not include vehicle type classification information based on the detection results of the number of axles, just like the entrance FF billing processing device 5. All other processing is the same as that of the main line billing processing device 4.

In addition, the toll collection system 9 according to another embodiment may further include an exit FF billing processing device provided in correspondence with the "exit FF lane" of the toll road U. In this case, the exit FF billing processing device may have the same functions as the exit billing processing device 3.

The toll collection system 9 according to the above embodiment has been described as updating the all-vehicle information table T1 at the exit billing processing device 3 by successively distributing difference information T2 as shown in FIG. 9, but other embodiments are not limited to this. That is, the toll collection system 9 according to other embodiments may be configured to distribute the all-vehicle information table T1 as is at regular intervals.

Second Embodiment
Next, a fee collection system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 14 to 21. Components common to the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted.

(Functional configuration of the entrance charging processing device)
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of an entrance charging processing device according to the second embodiment.
Hereinafter, the entrance charging processing device 2 and roadside equipment according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

First, we will explain the roadside equipment (vehicle type discrimination device 2B) connected to the entrance charging processing device 2. The vehicle type discrimination device 2B in this embodiment further measures the axle weight and total weight of passing vehicles through a footboard (or an axle weight scale) or the like. The vehicle type discrimination device 2B also reads information on the license plate attached to the vehicle from an image of the vehicle captured by a roadside camera. This roadside camera may be an existing license plate reader.

Next, the functions of the CPU 20 of the entrance charging processing device 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 20 according to this embodiment further includes an entrance fraud detection unit 205. In addition, in this embodiment, the functions of the entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 of the entrance charging processing device 2 differ from those in the first embodiment.

The entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 acquires vehicle characteristic information that indicates the characteristics of the vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2 through the vehicle type discrimination device 2B. The vehicle characteristic information includes the axle weight and total weight of the vehicle measured by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B, and the license plate information read from the license plate attached to the vehicle.

The entrance fraud detection unit 205 detects whether or not a vehicle has engaged in illegal passage using the vehicle characteristic information. The entrance fraud detection unit 205 also creates illegal information including information indicating whether or not illegal passage has occurred and detailed information on the illegal passage. An illegal passage is, for example, passage in a state in which the axle load or total weight limit set for the toll road is exceeded. An illegal passage is passage in which the vehicle-mounted device C is illegally transferred to a vehicle other than the vehicle linked to the pre-registered information (number plate information or vehicle type classification information). The detailed information on illegal passage includes information such as "excessive axle load," "excessive total weight," "suspected license plate mismatch," and "suspected vehicle type mismatch."

The entrance transmission unit 203 adds fraud information to the vehicle information, including vehicle identification information and vehicle type classification information, and transmits it to the central billing processing device 1.

(Functional configuration of the egress billing processing device)
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the exit charging processing device according to the second embodiment.
Hereinafter, the exit charging processing device 3 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 30 of the exit billing processing device 3 according to this embodiment further includes a penalty processing unit 306.

The penalty processing unit 306 refers to the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 34, and performs processing to impose a penalty on the vehicle if fraudulent information linked to the vehicle-specific information acquired by the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 is recorded.

(Functional configuration of the main line billing processing device)
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a main line billing processing device according to the second embodiment.
Hereinafter, the main line billing processing device 4 and roadside equipment according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 16, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

First, we will explain the roadside equipment (vehicle type discrimination device 4B) connected to the main line toll processing device 4. The vehicle type discrimination device 4B is similar to the vehicle type discrimination device 2B installed at the entrance toll gate G2 in this embodiment, so we will not explain it here.

Next, the functions of the CPU 40 of the main line billing processing device 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 40 according to this embodiment further includes a main line fraud detection unit 405. In addition, in this embodiment, the functions of the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 and the main line transmission unit 403 differ from those in the first embodiment.

The main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 of the main line toll processing device 4 acquires vehicle characteristic information that indicates the characteristics of the vehicle that has arrived at the main line toll gate G4 through the vehicle type discrimination device 4B. The vehicle characteristic information includes the axle weight and total weight of the vehicle measured by the vehicle type discrimination device 4B, and the license plate information read from the license plate attached to the vehicle.

The main line fraud detection unit 405 uses the vehicle characteristic information to detect whether a vehicle has engaged in illegal passage. The main line fraud detection unit 405 also creates fraud information that includes information indicating whether illegal passage has occurred and detailed information about the illegal passage.

When a specific condition is satisfied, the main line transmitting unit 403 transmits vehicle information including vehicle identification information, vehicle type classification information, and fraud information to the central billing processing device 1. Specifically, the "specific condition" is the following two conditions (a) and (b).
(a) When vehicle information including vehicle identification information (such as an on-board device ID) acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 does not exist in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44. (b) When vehicle information including vehicle identification information acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 exists in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44, but the vehicle information does not include vehicle type classification information based on the detection result of the number of axles and fraud information.

(Example of Vehicle Information and All Vehicle Information Table)
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of vehicle information according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an all-vehicle information table according to the second embodiment.
Below, with reference to Figures 17 and 18, we will explain in detail the contents of the data of vehicle information D that is sequentially acquired by the entrance billing processing device 2 etc. and transmitted to the central billing processing device 1, and the contents of the data of the all-vehicle information table T1 created by the central billing processing device 1.

As shown in FIG. 17, in addition to the same items as in the first embodiment, vehicle information D further includes "fraudulent information."

Of the vehicle information D transmitted from the entrance charging processing device 2 to the central charging processing device 1, the "fraudulent information" includes information indicating the presence or absence of fraudulent passage detected by the entrance fraud detection unit 205 of the entrance charging processing device 2 using vehicle characteristic information acquired from the vehicle type discrimination device 2B, and detailed information on the fraudulent passage.

Since a vehicle type discrimination device 4B is also installed at the main line toll gate G4, the main line fraud detection unit 405 of the main line billing processing device 4 can detect whether or not a vehicle is illegally passing. Therefore, the vehicle information D transmitted from the main line billing processing device 4 to the central billing processing device 1 contains "fraudulent information" just like the vehicle information transmitted from the entrance billing processing device 2.
On the other hand, since no vehicle type discrimination device is installed in the entrance FF lane L2F, the vehicle information sent from the entrance FF billing processing device 5 to the central billing processing device 1 does not include "illegal information."

Figure 18 shows the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 created by the creation unit 102 of the central billing processing device 1. As shown in Figure 18, the all-vehicle information table T1 is formed by aggregating vehicle information received from each billing processing device. The all-vehicle information table T1 aggregates vehicle information regarding all vehicles traveling on the toll road U at each point in time.

(Processing flow of the entrance charging processing device)
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a process flow of the entrance charging processing device according to the second embodiment.
The process flow executed by the entrance charging processor 2 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

The processing in steps S121 to S125 is the same as the processing in steps S21 to S25 in FIG. 10 in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 of the entrance charging processing device 2 in this embodiment acquires vehicle type classification information and vehicle characteristic information through the vehicle type discrimination device 2B (step S126).

Next, the entrance fraud detection unit 205 detects whether or not a vehicle has illegally passed based on the information acquired from the on-board device C and the vehicle type discrimination device 2B, and creates fraud information (step S127). When at least one of the vehicle's "suspected vehicle type classification mismatch," "suspected license plate information mismatch," "excessive axle weight," and "excessive total weight" is detected, the entrance fraud detection unit 205 according to this embodiment creates fraud information including information indicating "illegal passage has occurred" and detailed information indicating which fraud has been detected. The detailed information may further include information used to detect whether or not a fraud has occurred (vehicle type classification information, license plate information, axle weight, and total weight acquired from the on-board device C and the vehicle type discrimination device 2B). On the other hand, when all frauds are not detected, the entrance fraud detection unit 205 creates fraud information including information indicating "no illegal passage."

The detection of whether or not there is a "suspected vehicle type mismatch" will be described.
When the on-board device C is illegally transferred to a vehicle having a vehicle classification different from the preregistered vehicle classification information (on-board device vehicle classification information), the on-board device vehicle classification information and the vehicle classification information determined by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B will not match. Also, when the vehicle is towing a towed vehicle, the on-board device vehicle classification information and the vehicle type discrimination information determined by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B will not match.
To distinguish this, if the information obtained from the vehicle-mounted device C includes information indicating that "a towing device is present" and the vehicle model classification information of the vehicle-mounted device does not match the vehicle model classification information determined by the vehicle model discrimination device 2B, then the entrance fraud detection unit 205 determines that a "suspected vehicle model mismatch" has not been detected, since there is a possibility that a towed vehicle is being towed.
On the other hand, if the information acquired from the on-board device C does not include information indicating that the vehicle has a towing device, and the vehicle type classification information of the on-board device does not match the vehicle type classification information determined by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B, there is a possibility that the on-board device C has been illegally replaced. In this case, the entrance fraud detection unit 205 determines that a "suspected vehicle type classification mismatch" has been detected.

The detection of whether or not there is a "suspected license plate information mismatch" for a vehicle will be described.
When the vehicle-mounted device C is illegally transferred to a vehicle different from the vehicle linked to the preregistered number plate information, the number plate information acquired from the vehicle-mounted device C does not match the number plate information read by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B from the number plate attached to the vehicle.
Therefore, if the license plate information obtained from the vehicle-mounted device C matches the license plate information read by the vehicle type identification device 2B, the entrance fraud detection unit 205 determines that a “suspected license plate information mismatch” has not been detected.
On the other hand, if the license plate information acquired from the vehicle-mounted device C does not match the license plate information read by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B, there is a possibility that the vehicle-mounted device C has been illegally replaced. In this case, the entrance fraud detection unit 205 determines that a "suspected license plate information mismatch" has been detected.

The detection of whether or not a vehicle has an "excessive axle load" will now be described.
If the vehicle axle weight acquired from the vehicle type discrimination device 2B is less than the upper axle weight limit stipulated for the toll road, the entrance fraud detection unit 205 determines that an "excessive axle weight" has not been detected.
On the other hand, if the axle weight of the vehicle obtained from the vehicle type discrimination device 2B exceeds the upper axle weight limit specified for the toll road, the entrance fraud detection unit 205 determines that an "excessive axle weight" has been detected.

The detection of whether or not a vehicle is "overweight" will be described.
If the total vehicle weight acquired from the vehicle type discrimination device 2B is less than the upper limit of the total weight stipulated for the toll road, the entrance fraud detection unit 205 determines that "total weight over" has not been detected.
On the other hand, if the total vehicle weight obtained from the vehicle type discrimination device 2B exceeds the upper limit of the total weight set for the toll road, the entrance fraud detection unit 205 determines that an "overweight total weight" has been detected.

Next, the entrance transmission unit 203 of the entrance billing processing device 2 adds fraud information to the vehicle information about the arriving vehicle (including the vehicle type classification information identified by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B) and transmits it to the central billing processing device 1 (step S128).

(Processing flow of the egress billing processing device)
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a process flow of the exit charging processing device according to the second embodiment.
The process flow executed by the exit charging processing device 3 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

The processing in steps S131 to S136 is the same as the processing in steps S31 to S36 in FIG. 11 in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the penalty processing unit 306 of the exit billing processing device 3 in this embodiment determines whether the vehicle has engaged in illegal passage based on the illegal information recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1 (step S137).

If the illegal information recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1 includes information indicating "no illegal passage" (step S137; NO), penalty processing is not performed for this vehicle. In this case, the billing processing unit 305 executes billing processing for the billing amount according to the vehicle type classification information recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1, and displays the billing amount on the roadside display 3B (step S139). This processing is the same as step S37 in FIG. 11 in the first embodiment.

On the other hand, if the illegality information recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1 includes information indicating "illegal passage" (step S137; YES), the penalty processing unit 306 executes penalty processing on the vehicle and displays the details of the penalty processing on the roadside display 3B (step S138).

For example, as a penalty process, the penalty processing unit 306 executes a process of adding a surcharge according to the nature of the illegal passage to the charge amount calculated by the charging processing unit 305. The amount of the surcharge may differ depending on the nature of the illegal passage.

The penalty processing unit 306 may also create violating vehicle information that associates the vehicle identification information of the vehicle that has illegally passed with the illegal information as a penalty process, and transmit the information to the central billing processing device 1. The central billing processing device 1 may also create a violating vehicle list (blacklist) that consolidates the violating vehicle information received from each exit billing processing device 3, similar to the all-vehicle information table T1, and distribute the list to each billing processing device. In this case, for example, at each toll gate, when the arrival of a vehicle registered in the violating vehicle list is detected, the movement of the vehicle may be restricted so that it cannot pass through the toll gate until the toll gate attendant confirms that there is no illegality. In addition, if a vehicle registered in the violating vehicle list further commits illegal passage, the attendant may report this to a law enforcement agency, etc.

When a vehicle is towing a towed vehicle, the vehicle type classification information preregistered in the vehicle-mounted unit C differs from the vehicle type classification information determined by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B at the entrance toll gate G2. In this case, as described above, if the information "towing device present" is preregistered in the vehicle-mounted unit C, illegal information indicating "no illegal passage" will be recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1. Therefore, in such a case where a vehicle that has preregistered the information "towing device present" performs towing, resulting in a mismatch in the vehicle type classification information, the exit billing processing device 3 does not perform penalty processing, and normal billing processing is executed with the billing amount according to the vehicle type classification information determined by the vehicle type discrimination device.
On the other hand, if a vehicle that has not registered the information "with towing device" tows a towed vehicle, the registration information of the on-board unit C contains an error (re-setup has not been performed), and therefore illegal information indicating "illegal passage" is recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1. In this case, the exit billing processor 3 performs a penalty process on the vehicle.

(Processing flow of the main line billing processing device)
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a process flow of the main line billing processing device according to the second embodiment.
The process flow executed by the main line billing processor 4 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

The processing in steps S141 to S144 is the same as the processing in steps S41 to S44 in FIG. 12 in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The main line transmission unit 403 of the main line billing processing device 4 in this embodiment determines whether the all-vehicle information table T1 contains vehicle type classification information and fraudulent information corresponding to the vehicle identification information acquired in step S142 (step S145).

If the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44 contains vehicle type classification information and illegal information corresponding to the vehicle identification information acquired in step S142 (step S145; NO), it is determined that the correct vehicle type classification information and illegal information have already been recorded by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B when this vehicle passed through the entrance toll gate G2. Therefore, in this case, the main line transmission unit 403 ends the process without transmitting any information to the central billing processing device 1.

On the other hand, if the vehicle information referenced in step S144 does not include vehicle type classification information and fraudulent information (step S145; YES), it is determined that the correct vehicle type classification information and fraudulent information have not yet been recorded because the vehicle has entered the toll road U by passing through the entrance FF lane L2F, where the vehicle type discrimination device 2B is not installed.
In this case, the main line transmitting unit 403 acquires the vehicle type classification information identified based on the detection result of the number of axles and the vehicle characteristic information through the vehicle type discrimination device 4B (step S146).

Next, the main line fraud detection unit 405 detects whether or not a vehicle is illegally passing based on the information obtained from the vehicle-mounted device C and the vehicle type discrimination device 4B, and creates fraud information (step S147). This process is similar to the process of the entrance fraud detection unit 205 of the entrance charging processing device 2 (step S127 in FIG. 19).

Next, the main line transmission unit 403 adds the fraud information to the vehicle information about the arriving vehicle (including the vehicle type classification information identified by the vehicle type discrimination device 4B) and transmits it to the central billing processing device 1 (step S148).

(Action, Effect)
As described above, the central charging processing device 1 of the second embodiment aggregates vehicle information including fraudulent information of each vehicle from the entrance charging processing device 2 installed at the entrance toll gate G2 to create an all-vehicle information table T1, and distributes this to the exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3.
In this way, vehicle information (all vehicle information table T1) of all vehicles that have entered the toll road U is recorded locally (recording medium 34) of the exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3. Furthermore, the all vehicle information table T1 records illegal information indicating whether or not each vehicle has illegally passed. Therefore, when a vehicle arrives at the exit toll gate G3, the all vehicle information table T1 is immediately referenced, and if the vehicle has illegally passed, a penalty process according to the nature of the illegal passage can be immediately executed.

As described above, the central billing processing device 1 according to the second embodiment can instantly execute penalty processing for illegal passage and notify the user of the penalty at the exit toll gate.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the various processes executed by the central billing processing device 1, the entrance billing processing device 2, the exit billing processing device 3, the main line billing processing device 4, and the entrance FF billing processing device 5 (as well as the main line FF billing processing device and the exit FF billing processing device) are stored in the form of a program on a computer-readable recording medium, and the above-mentioned various processes are performed by the computer reading and executing this program. Also, computer-readable recording media refers to magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, semiconductor memories, etc. Also, this computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that receives this distribution may execute the program.

The above program may be for realizing some of the functions described above. Furthermore, it may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

As described above, several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, but all of these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as in the scope and gist of the invention.

<Additional Notes>
The central billing processing device, the entrance billing processing device, the exit billing processing device, the main line billing processing device 4, the toll collection system, the billing processing method and the program described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

(1) In the first aspect, the central charging processing device 1 includes a receiving unit 101 that receives vehicle information from an entrance charging processing device 2 installed at the entrance toll gate G2, the vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2 and illegal information indicating whether the vehicle has engaged in illegal passage, a creation unit 102 that aggregates the vehicle information received from the entrance charging processing device 2 to create a all-vehicle information table T1, and a distribution unit 103 that distributes the all-vehicle information table T1 to an exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3.
In this way, vehicle information (all vehicle information table T1) of all vehicles that have entered the toll road U is recorded locally (recording medium 34) of the exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3. Furthermore, the all vehicle information table T1 records illegal information indicating whether or not each vehicle has illegally passed. Therefore, when a vehicle arrives at the exit toll gate G3, the all vehicle information table T1 is immediately referenced, and if the vehicle has illegally passed, a penalty process according to the nature of the illegal passage can be immediately executed.

(2) In the second aspect, the central billing processing device 1 further receives vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate G3 from the exit billing processing device 3, and the creation unit 102 excludes the vehicle information corresponding to the vehicle identification information received from the exit billing processing device 3 from the all vehicle information table T1.
In this way, the central billing processing device 1 can create an all-vehicle information table T1 only for vehicles that are on the toll road U at each point in time.

(3) In the third aspect, the distribution unit 103 of the central billing processing device 1 distributes the difference information T2 of the all-vehicle information table T1.
In this manner, only the difference information of the all-vehicle information table T1 is distributed periodically, thereby reducing the communication load between the devices.

(4) In the fourth aspect, the entrance charging processing device 2 installed at the entrance toll gate G2 comprises an entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2 and vehicle characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the vehicle, an entrance fraud detection unit 205 that uses the vehicle characteristic information to detect whether the vehicle has engaged in illegal passage, and an entrance transmission unit 203 that transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information and illegal information indicating whether or not illegal passage has occurred to the central charging processing device 1.
In this way, the entrance charging processing device 2 can transmit to the central charging processing device 1 fraud information indicating whether or not each vehicle that has entered the toll road U has engaged in fraudulent passage.

(5) In the fifth aspect, the exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3 is equipped with a recording processing unit 301 that records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on a recording medium 34 within the device (local), an exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate G3, and a penalty processing unit 306 that refers to the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 34 and performs processing to impose a penalty on the vehicle if fraudulent information linked to the vehicle identification information is recorded.
In this manner, when a vehicle arrives at the exit toll gate G3, the exit billing processing device 3 immediately refers to the all-vehicle information table T1, and if the vehicle commits illegal passage, it can immediately execute penalty processing according to the nature of the illegal passage.

(6) In a sixth aspect, the exit billing processing device 3 further includes an exit transmitting unit 303 that transmits the vehicle identification information (vehicle information) acquired by the exit vehicle information acquiring unit 302 to the central billing processing device 1 .
In this manner, the central billing processing device 1 can be notified of vehicles that have exited the toll road U.

(7) In the seventh aspect, the penalty processing unit 306 executes a process of adding a surcharge according to the content of the illegal passage contained in the illegal information to the amount charged to the vehicle.
In this way, vehicles that make illegal passes can be immediately charged the amount including the surcharge.

(8) In the eighth aspect, the main line billing processing device 4 installed at the main line toll gate G4 comprises a main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle arriving at the main line toll gate G4 and vehicle characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the vehicle, a main line fraud detection unit 405 that uses the vehicle characteristic information to detect whether a vehicle has engaged in illegal passage, a recording processing unit 401 that records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on a recording medium 44 within the device, and a main line transmitting unit 403 that transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information and illegal information indicating whether or not the illegal passage has been engaged in to the central billing processing device 1 if the vehicle information including the vehicle identification information acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 is not present in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44.
By doing this, even if the vehicle information regarding the vehicle is not included in the all-vehicle information table T1 when the vehicle passes through the entrance toll gate G2, it can be added to the all-vehicle information table T1 again when the vehicle passes through the main toll gate G4.

(9) In the ninth aspect, when the vehicle information present in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44 does not contain any fraudulent information, the main line transmitting unit 403 of the main line billing processing device 4 transmits fraudulent information indicating whether or not there is any fraudulent passage detected by the main line fraud detection unit 405 to the central billing processing device 1.
In this way, even if no illegal information was recorded when the vehicle entered because the vehicle traveled on the entrance FF lane L2F, when the vehicle passes through the main toll gate G4, the presence or absence of Fuse passage detected at the main toll gate G4 is additionally recorded in the all vehicle information table T1. Therefore, even if a vehicle that entered by traveling on the entrance FF lane L2F commits illegal passage, a penalty process can be performed on the vehicle at the exit toll gate G3.

(10) In the tenth aspect, the toll collection system 9 includes a central charging processing device 1 described in (1) to (3), an entrance charging processing device 2 described in (4), and an exit charging processing device 3 described in (5) to (7).

(11) In the eleventh aspect, the toll collection system 9 further includes a main line billing processing device 4 described in (8) or (9).

(12) In the twelfth aspect, the charging processing method includes a step in which the central charging processing device 1 receives vehicle information from the entrance charging processing device 2 installed at the entrance toll gate G2, the vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2 and illegal information indicating whether the vehicle has illegally passed; a step in which the central charging processing device 1 aggregates the vehicle information received from the entrance charging processing device 2 to create an all-vehicle information table T1; and a step in which the central charging processing device 1 distributes the all-vehicle information table T1 to the exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3.

(13) In the thirteenth aspect, the program causes the computer of the central charging processing device 1 to execute the steps of receiving vehicle information from the entrance charging processing device 2 installed at the entrance toll gate G2, the vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2 and illegal information indicating whether the vehicle has illegally passed, aggregating the vehicle information received from the entrance charging processing device 2 to create an all-vehicle information table T1, and distributing the all-vehicle information table T1 to the exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3.

9 Toll collection system 1 Central charging processing device 2 Entrance charging processing device 3 Exit charging processing device 4 Main line charging processing device 5 Entrance FF charging processing device D Vehicle information T1 Total vehicle information table T2 Difference information

Claims (6)

a receiving unit that receives vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate, vehicle type classification information, and illegal passage information indicating whether or not the vehicle has illegally passed, from an entrance charging processing device installed at the entrance toll gate;
a creating unit that creates an all-vehicle information table by aggregating the vehicle information received from the entrance charging processing device;
a distribution unit that distributes the all-vehicle information table to an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll booth;
Equipped with
the creation unit aggregates vehicle information received after creating the all vehicle information table at the previous creation timing, and creates a new entering vehicle information table including vehicle information of all vehicles that have entered the toll road since the previous creation timing;
the distribution unit distributes the new entering vehicle information table to the exit charging processing device as difference information of the all vehicle information table.
Central billing processor. The receiving unit further receives vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate from the exit charging processing device,
the creation unit excludes, from the all-vehicle information table, vehicle information corresponding to the vehicle identification information received from the exit billing processing device.
2. The central billing processing unit according to claim 1. A central charging device according to claim 1 or 2 ;
an entrance toll booth installed at an entrance toll booth ;
an exit toll booth installed at an exit toll booth ;
Equipped with
The entrance charging processing device includes:
an entrance vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll booth and vehicle characteristic information that indicates characteristics of the vehicle;
an entrance fraud detection unit that detects whether the vehicle has engaged in fraudulent passage using the vehicle characteristic information;
an entrance transmitting unit that transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information and the illegality information indicating the presence or absence of illegal passage to a central billing processing device;
having
The exit charging processing device includes:
a recording processing unit that records the all-vehicle information table distributed from the central billing processing device on a recording medium within the device;
an exit vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll booth;
a penalty processing unit that refers to the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, and performs processing to impose a penalty on the vehicle when fraudulent information linked to the vehicle identification information is recorded;
having
Toll collection system. Further comprising a main line toll processing device installed at the main line toll gate ,
The main line billing processing device includes:
a main line vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the main line toll gate and vehicle characteristic information that indicates characteristics of the vehicle;
a main line fraud detection unit that detects whether the vehicle has engaged in fraudulent passage using the vehicle characteristic information;
a recording processing unit that records the all-vehicle information table distributed from the central billing processing device on a recording medium within the device;
a main line transmission unit that transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information and illegal information indicating the presence or absence of illegal passage to the central billing processing device when the vehicle information including the vehicle identification information does not exist in the all vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium;
having
The toll collection system according to claim 3 . a step of a central charging processing device receiving vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle arriving at the entrance toll gate, vehicle type classification information, and illegality information indicating whether or not the vehicle is illegally passing from an entrance toll gate installed at the entrance toll gate by the central charging processing device;
the central charging device aggregates the vehicle information received from the entrance charging devices to create an all-vehicle information table;
The central charging processing device distributes the all-vehicle information table to an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll booth;
a step of aggregating vehicle information received after the all vehicle information table was created at the previous creation timing, and creating a new entering vehicle information table including vehicle information of all vehicles that have entered the toll road since the previous creation timing;
a step of distributing the newly entering vehicle information table to the exit charging processing device as difference information of the all vehicle information table;
The billing method includes the steps of: The computer of the central billing processing unit
receiving vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate, vehicle type classification information, and illegal passage information indicating whether or not the vehicle has illegally passed from an entrance toll gate, from an entrance charging processing device installed at the entrance toll gate;
a step of aggregating the vehicle information received from the entrance charging processing device to create an all-vehicle information table;
distributing the all-vehicle information table to an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll booth;
a step of aggregating vehicle information received after the all vehicle information table was created at the previous creation timing, and creating a new entering vehicle information table including vehicle information of all vehicles that have entered the toll road since the previous creation timing;
a step of distributing the newly entering vehicle information table to the exit charging processing device as difference information of the all vehicle information table;
A program that executes the following.

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