JPH04332095A - Charge collecting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the security of a radio card when the card is robbed or lost, to reduce the cost of this system and to attain non--stop operation on the toll road. CONSTITUTION:The charge collecting system for collecting/receiving charge by data communication with a control device installed in a charge station by means of a raid card is provided with a keyboard 11 for inputting an ID number to the radio card mounted on a vehicle, a display part 16, a control part 17, and a memory 18. A fixed amount is previously stored in the memory 18 at the time of issuing the card and the ID number inherent in the card is also registered in the memory 18. When the ID number is inputted from the keyboard 11 on the card 5, the control part 17 compares the inputted ID number with the ID number registered in the memory 18, and only when both the ID numbers coincide with each other, allows data communication with the control device in the charge station. When keyed ID numbers continuously indicate errors a fixed number of times, e.g. three times, the card 5 itself is invalidated and its succeeding use is inhibited.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toll collection system that is applied to toll collection processing on toll roads, toll collection processing using wireless communication in parking lot systems, and the like.

0002

[Prior Art] Wireless tags for individual identification and non-contact IC cards, which are IC (integrated circuit) cards equipped with wireless communication functions, are in practical use as information media for FA (factory automation) systems and toll road toll collection systems. It's starting to become more popular. (Hereinafter, these information media are collectively referred to as wireless cards.)

[0003] In the toll road toll collection system using the above wireless card, when a vehicle with a wireless card installed enters a toll plaza, an antenna is connected between the communication control device installed at the toll plaza and the wireless card. Communication is carried out via the terminal, and toll payment processing is automatically carried out. In a toll collection system that uses wireless cards, in order to ensure security in the event that the wireless card is stolen or lost, the card issuing company must be notified of the invalidity of the card, and the card issuing company must also register the invalid card number in the central computer. One possible method is to check for invalid cards online when using the card.

0004

However, with the above method, it takes a long time to verify the invalid card (on-line communication with the center computer and time for verifying with the invalid card file). Furthermore, since the system is connected online to the center computer, the system configuration becomes larger and an online line usage fee is required, resulting in higher costs. Furthermore, if the wireless card is stolen or lost and is used without the card holder's knowledge, it is impossible to prevent the wireless card from being used.

[0005] The biggest advantage of using a wireless card in a toll collection system is that toll collection at toll plazas is performed non-stop, which alleviates congestion. Communication requires high speed. However, in a system that takes a long time to verify invalid cards as described above, non-stop operation cannot be achieved.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a toll collection system that can improve security in the event of theft or loss of a wireless card, reduce costs, and enable non-stop operation on toll roads. The purpose is to

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The toll collection system according to the present invention compares and verifies the code number entered by key with the code number registered in advance in the internal memory, and only when they match, is the system ready for communication. A wireless card is installed in the vehicle to
When a vehicle passes through a tollgate, data communication is performed between the wireless card and a control device on the tollgate side to execute toll collection processing.

[0008]

[Operation] When a vehicle equipped with a wireless card enters a tollgate, the card holder enters the PIN number in advance from the keyboard of the wireless card. When a code number is input, the wireless card compares and verifies the code number with a code number registered in advance in an internal memory, and allows communication with the outside only when the correct code number is input. If the entered PIN is incorrect, an error message will be displayed, and if the PIN is entered incorrectly, for example three times in a row, this wireless card will be invalidated and you will not be able to use this wireless card from now on. make it impossible.

[0009] When a vehicle enters a toll plaza in a state where the wireless card is enabled for wireless communication by inputting the correct code number, data communication is performed between the wireless card and the control device on the toll plaza side. , the fee collection process is automatically executed.

[0010] As mentioned above, by providing the wireless card with a PIN confirmation function and allowing data communication with the toll gate only when the correct PIN number is input, invalid cards are checked at the toll gate. This eliminates the need for online communication with the center computer. As a result, data communication time with the wireless card can be shortened, costs can be reduced, and security can be improved when the wireless card is stolen or lost.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram when the present invention is implemented in a toll collection system for a toll road. As shown in the figure, a control device 2 for communication control and a communication antenna 3 are provided within a toll gate 1 of a toll road. A processing device (not shown) that performs toll collection processing is connected to the communication control device 2. Furthermore, a wireless card 5 is mounted on the vehicle 4 passing through the toll gate 1. This wireless card 5 is
As will be described in detail later, personal information related to road users, such as a code number and amount information, is stored in advance, and when the vehicle 4 passes through the tollgate 1, it is transmitted to the communication control device 2 via the antenna 3.
Communicate with and execute toll payment processing. Next, details of the wireless card 5 will be explained.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the wireless card 5, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the internal processing circuit. In FIG. 2, 10 is a case for the wireless card 5, and a keyboard 11 is provided on the front surface of this case 10. This keyboard 11
is composed of a numeric keypad 12 for inputting a recited number etc., a recited number verification key 13 for instructing verification of the recited number, a stop key 14 for instructing to stop the process being executed, a remaining amount key 15 for instructing to display the remaining amount, etc. Ru. Furthermore, a display section 16 is provided on the front surface of the case 10 to display a code number input by key, various messages, and the like.

Various operation keys and a display section 16 on the keyboard 11 are connected to a control section 17 provided inside the case 10, as shown in FIG. A memory 18 and an antenna 19 are further connected to the control unit 17, and operating power is supplied from a battery 20.

[0015] In the memory 18, a certain amount of money is stored and set in advance at the time of card issuance, and various message information is also written. Furthermore, a card-specific recitation number is registered in the memory 18 when the card is issued. The recitation number may be registered only once by the card user using the keyboard 11 after the card is issued. When a recitation number is input from the keyboard 11, the control section 17 compares and matches this recitation number with the recitation number registered in the memory 18, and enables communication with the outside only when they match. The card has a function of invalidating the card itself if the keyed-in password number is incorrect a certain number of times, for example, three times in a row. Next, the operation of the above embodiment is shown in Figure 4.
This will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in . The process shown in FIG. 4 is executed under the control of the control section 17.

Vehicle 4 equipped with wireless card 5 is at tollgate 1
When entering the wireless card 5, the card holder enters, for example, a four-digit password in advance using the numeric keypad 12 of the wireless card 5. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the control unit 17 is always in a state of waiting for input of a recitation number (step A1).
, when the recitation number is input by operating the numeric keypad 12 (
Step A2), the recited number is temporarily stored in the memory 18 and displayed on the display section 16. After confirming the recitation number displayed on the display section 16, the card holder operates the recitation number verification key 13.

When the recitation number verification key 13 is operated, the control unit 17 compares and verifies the input recitation number with the recitation number registered in the memory 18 to determine whether they match or not. It is determined whether the input code number is correct (step A3). If the entered PIN number is incorrect, an error message is read from the memory 18 and displayed on the display unit 16, and a judgment is made as to whether an incorrect PIN number has been entered three times in a row. (Step A4), and if the number of times has not been reached three times, the process returns to Step A1, where the PIN code is input. However, if the password is entered incorrectly three times in a row, the wireless card 5 is invalidated and future use is prohibited.

[0018] Furthermore, in step A3 above, if it is determined that the input recitation number is correct, the memory 18
A usable message is read out and displayed on the display unit 16, and the wireless card 5 is placed in a state where wireless communication is possible (step A5). When the vehicle 4 enters the toll gate 1 of the toll road and enters the communication area of the antenna 3 in a state where wireless communication is possible, the wireless card 5 performs data communication between the control unit 17 and the communication control device 2. and automatically execute the toll payment process. That is, the control unit 17 subtracts the toll from the amount stored in the memory 18 by performing data communication with the communication control device 2, and stores the subtraction result (remaining amount) in the memory 18. Furthermore, on the toll gate 1 side, a processing device (not shown) performs data communication with the wireless card 5 using the communication control device 2 to collect the toll, and when the collection of the toll is confirmed, the gate is opened and the vehicle 4 to allow for passage.

On the other hand, the control unit 17 of the wireless card 5
When wireless communication becomes possible in step A5 above, time measurement is started and it is determined whether a preset time has elapsed (step A6). If the set time has not elapsed, it is determined whether the toll payment has been completed (step A7), and if it has not been completed, the process proceeds to step A.
Return to 6. When the toll payment processing is completed, the process returns from step A7 to step A1, where the state waits for input of the password.

Furthermore, after the wireless communication is enabled in step A5, if the set time elapses without any fee payment being processed, this state is detected in step A6, and the process waits for the password input in step A1. Return to state. For example, if you enter the PIN number far before Toll Gate 1, or if you enter the PIN number at a place unrelated to Toll Gate 1, the toll payment process will not be executed within the set time. When this period has passed, the system will automatically return to the state where it is waiting for the PIN number input.

Further, if the user wants to know the remaining amount stored in the wireless card 5, the remaining amount key 15 provided on the keyboard 11 is operated. When the remaining amount key 15 is operated, the control section 17 reads out the remaining amount stored in the memory 18 and displays it on the display section 16. Therefore, this display section 16
The remaining amount of the wireless card 5 can be confirmed from the displayed content.

[0022] As described above, in the present invention, since the wireless card itself performs the PIN number verification process, there is no need for the communication control device 2 installed at the toll plaza 1 to verify invalid cards, and the communication time is reduced. It is possible to shorten the time and reduce costs, and it is also possible to improve security when a wireless card is stolen or lost.

[0023] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the present invention is implemented in a toll collection system for a toll road, but it can also be implemented in a toll collection system using wireless communication in a parking lot, for example.

[0024]

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, the wireless card is provided with a function for confirming the PIN number, and data communication with the tollgate side is permitted only when the correct PIN number is input. Therefore, security is improved when the wireless card is stolen or lost. In addition, since there is no need to check invalid cards at toll gates, there is no need for online communication with the center computer, which reduces costs and reduces data communication time with wireless cards, making it easier to use wireless cards on toll roads. The biggest advantage of this system is that it allows non-stop traffic for passing vehicles.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a toll collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the wireless card in the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of a wireless card in the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing toll collection processing in the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Tollgate, 2...Communication control device, 3...Antenna (tollgate side), 4...Vehicle, 5...Wireless card, 10...Case, 11
... Keyboard, 12 ... Numeric keypad, 13 ... Code number verification key, 14 ... Stop key, 15 ... Remaining amount key, 16 ... Display section,
17...control unit, 18...memory, 19...antenna, 20...
battery.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: The vehicle is equipped with a wireless card that compares and matches the code number entered by key with the code number registered in the internal memory in advance, and enables communication only when they match. 1. A toll collection system characterized in that when passing through, data communication is performed between the wireless card and a control device on the tollgate side to perform toll collection processing.