Vehicle information processor and vehicle information processing system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle information processor that decrypts encrypted vehicle-specific information obtained from an ETC on-board unit installed in a vehicle and identifies a user using a parking space based on the vehicle-specific information.SOLUTION: A vehicle information processor includes: an input unit; a memory unit that stores user management information in which user identification information identifying a user and vehicle-specific information including information on the vehicle of the user are associated and registered in advance; a decryption unit that decrypts the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle, which is obtained from an ETC on-board unit mounted on the vehicle by an ETC communication device placed in a predetermined parking lot and input via the input unit; and an acquisition unit that acquires the user identification information associated with the vehicle-specific information decrypted by the decryption unit by referring to the user management information stored in the memory unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle information processing device and a vehicle information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] As a method of paying parking fees that are calculated based on the time when a vehicle enters a parking lot, cash settlement using a parking ticket has been widely used. The parking ticket records the entry time when a vehicle enters the parking lot.

[0003] However, when paying parking fees in cash, a user must receive a parking ticket at the entrance gate of the parking lot, insert the parking ticket into a payment machine at the exit gate, and pay cash at the payment machine.

[0004] Therefore, a camera is used to photograph the vehicle, read the vehicle registration number shown in the captured image, and use this vehicle registration number to record the entry time when the vehicle entered the parking lot (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Before leaving the parking lot, the user performs a settlement process in advance using a payment machine. In the settlement process, the entry time associated with the vehicle registration number is identified by selecting the vehicle registration number of the user's vehicle displayed on the display unit of the payment machine.

[0005] Furthermore, at toll booths on expressways, electronic payment using an on-board ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) device is being used as a method of payment instead of cash.

[0006] An ETC communication device installed at a toll booth on a highway communicates with an ETC on-board unit installed in a vehicle, and receives information specific to the ETC on-board unit, such as a Wireless Call Number (WCN), which identifies the ETC on-board unit, from the ETC on-board unit. Based on this information specific to the ETC on-board unit, such as the WCN, users who use the highway are identified. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-110695 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, images of vehicles captured by cameras are subject to the effects of weather, and it may not be possible to correctly read the vehicle registration number from the images.

[0009] The vehicle registration number read from the image was only used to identify the vehicle, not the user of that vehicle.

[0010] In addition to the WCN, the ETC on-board unit also has vehicle-specific information, including the vehicle registration number that is unique to the vehicle that the ETC on-board unit is installed in. However, this vehicle-specific information is encrypted, and in the past, it was legally restricted to extract this information from the ETC on-board unit.

[0011] However, recently, it has become legally acceptable to extract the encrypted vehicle-specific information stored in the ETC on-board unit and to decrypt it to obtain the vehicle-specific information.

[0012] The present disclosure aims to provide a vehicle information processing device that decrypts encrypted vehicle-specific information obtained from an ETC onboard unit installed in a vehicle and identifies users using a parking lot based on this vehicle-specific information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle information processing device is provided, which is characterized by having an input unit, a storage unit that stores in advance user management information in which user identification information for identifying a user and vehicle-specific information including information related to the user's vehicle are associated and registered, a decryption unit that decrypts the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle acquired from an ETC on-board unit installed in the vehicle by an ETC communication device installed in a predetermined parking lot and input via the input unit, and an acquisition unit that refers to the user management information stored in the storage unit and acquires the user identification information associated with the vehicle-specific information decrypted by the decryption unit.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle information processing system is provided. The vehicle information processing system is characterized by including a vehicle information processing device having an ETC communication device that is arranged in a predetermined parking lot and acquires vehicle-specific information including encrypted information about the vehicle from an ETC on-board device mounted on the vehicle, an input unit, a storage unit that stores in advance user management information in which user identification information identifying a user and vehicle-specific information including information about the user's vehicle are associated and registered, a decryption unit that decrypts the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle acquired from the ETC on-board device mounted on the vehicle by the ETC communication device and input via the input unit, and an acquisition unit that acquires the user identification information associated with the vehicle-specific information decrypted by the decryption unit by referring to the user management information stored in the storage unit. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The vehicle information processing device of the present disclosure has the effect of decrypting encrypted vehicle-specific information obtained from an ETC on-board unit installed in a vehicle, and identifying users using a parking lot based on this vehicle-specific information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle information processing system in which a server according to an embodiment of the present invention is implemented; [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of vehicle information processing in the vehicle information processing system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a server. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a user management table. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a non-user management table. [Figure 6] 13 is an example of an operational flowchart of an entrance process of a server. [Figure 7] 13 is an example of an operational flowchart of a user determination process of a server. [Figure 8] 13 is an example of an operational flowchart of an exit process of a server. [Figure 9] 13 is an example of an operational flowchart of the first modified example of the entrance process of the server. [Figure 10] 13 is an example of an operational flowchart of the modified example 2 of the entrance process of the server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle information processing system 1 of this embodiment in which a server 30 is implemented. The vehicle information processing system 1 has the server 30, a communication network 40, and devices 21-27 arranged in a parking lot 20. The vehicle information processing system 1 of this embodiment executes vehicle information processing in at least one parking lot 20. The server 30 is an example of a vehicle information processing device.

[0018] The parking lot 20 has a camera device 21, an ETC communication device 22, and an entrance gate device 23 arranged at the entrance gate of the parking lot 20, and a camera device 24, an ETC communication device 25, and an exit gate device 26 arranged at the exit gate of the parking lot 20. The vehicle information processing system 1 also has a fee adjustment machine 27 for settling the parking fee for the parking lot 20. The fee adjustment machine 27 may be arranged in the parking lot 20. Alternatively, the fee adjustment machine 27 may be arranged in a commercial facility adjacent to the parking lot 20. The entrance gate 23 and / or the exit gate 26 do not have to be arranged.

[0019] The camera device 21, the ETC communication device 22, the entrance gate device 23, the camera device 24, the ETC communication device 25, the exit gate device 26, and the fee adjustment machine 27 are communicatively connected to the server 30 via a communication network 40.

[0020] Furthermore, a terminal 60 carried by a user who uses the parking lot 20 is connected to the server 30 via the macrocell base station 50 and the communication network 40 so as to be able to communicate with the server 30 .

[0021] 1, only one parking lot 20 is shown, but the vehicle information processing system 1 may process vehicle information in multiple parking lots. Also, multiple macrocell base stations 50 may be connected to the communication network 40.

[0022] The vehicle 10 has an ETC vehicle-mounted unit 11. The ETC vehicle-mounted unit 11 performs short-range communication such as DSRC with the ETC communication devices 22, 5. The ETC vehicle-mounted unit 11 has a Wireless Call Number (WCN) that identifies the ETC vehicle-mounted unit 11, and vehicle-specific information including information about the vehicle 10 on which the ETC vehicle-mounted unit 11 is mounted. The vehicle-specific information is encrypted. The ETC vehicle-mounted unit 11 transmits the WCN to the ETC communication devices 22, 5 as unencrypted information, but transmits the vehicle-specific information to the ETC communication devices 22, 5 as encrypted information. For example, an ETC security standard is used as a method for encrypting the vehicle-specific information.

[0023] The vehicle-specific information includes information written on the vehicle inspection certificate (vehicle registration certificate) of the vehicle 10. The vehicle-specific information includes, for example, the vehicle registration number, the vehicle classification, and information indicating the dimensions of the vehicle.

[0024] The camera device 21, the ETC communication device 22, and the entrance gate device 23 are arranged in sequence facing the inside of the parking lot 20. The camera device 21 is arranged on the opposite side of the entrance gate device 23 with respect to the ETC communication device 22. The camera device 21 is preferably arranged in the vicinity of the ETC communication device 22. Arranging the camera device 21 in the vicinity of the ETC communication device 22 means that the field of view of the camera device 21 at least partially overlaps with the space in which the ETC communication device 22 can communicate.

[0025] The camera device 24, the ETC communication device 25, and the exit gate device 26 are arranged in sequence facing the outside of the parking lot 20. The camera device 24 is arranged on the opposite side of the ETC communication device 25 from the exit gate device 26. The camera device 24 is preferably arranged in the vicinity of the ETC communication device 25. Arranging the camera device 24 in the vicinity of the ETC communication device 25 means that the field of view of the camera device 24 at least partially overlaps with the space in which the ETC communication device 25 can communicate.

[0026] The camera devices 21 and 24 take camera images at vehicle detection times having a predetermined cycle, and determine whether or not the vehicle 10 has been photographed based on the camera images. The camera images show the vehicle 10 approaching the entrance gate of the parking lot 20, etc. If it is determined that the vehicle 10 has been photographed, the camera device 21 transmits detection information indicating that the vehicle 10 has been detected and the camera images to the server 30. For example, the camera devices 21 and 24 determine that the vehicle has been photographed when the number of pixels in the camera images that have changed in brightness by a predetermined reference change amount or more is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference number of pixels. The camera devices 21 and 24 are an example of a vehicle detection device. Other detection devices may be used as the vehicle detection device. For example, the vehicle detection device may be a device that detects a vehicle by a change in current in a coil buried underground, or a device that detects a vehicle by blocking a laser that is irradiated.

[0027] Furthermore, in response to a request from server 30, camera devices 21 and 24 capture camera images and read the vehicle registration number of the vehicle depicted in the camera images. Camera device 21 transmits the vehicle registration number to server 30. Camera device 21 may transmit the camera images to server 30 together with the vehicle registration number.

[0028] In response to a request from the server 30, the ETC communication devices 22, 25 communicate with the ETC on-board unit 11 mounted on the vehicle 10 to obtain the encrypted vehicle-specific information. The camera device 21 transmits this encrypted vehicle-specific information to the server 30. In addition, in response to a request from the server 30, the ETC communication devices 22, 25 communicate with the ETC on-board unit 11 mounted on the vehicle 10 to obtain the WCN.

[0029] The entrance gate device 23 and the exit gate device 26 open and close the gates in response to a request from the server 30.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram of vehicle information processing of the vehicle information processing system 1. The vehicle information processing system 1 executes entry processing according to the sequence diagram shown in Fig. 2 every time the vehicle 10 enters a parking lot 20. Note that, although only one parking lot 20 is illustrated in Fig. 1, the vehicle information processing system 1 can also execute entry processing when the vehicle enters another parking lot. The entry processing is an example of vehicle information processing.

[0031] First, when the vehicle 10 approaches the entrance gate of the parking lot 20, the ETC communication device 22 starts communication with the ETC on-board unit 11 mounted on the vehicle 10, and transmits an information transmission request to the ETC on-board unit 11 to request transmission of vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 (step S101). For example, the ETC communication device 22 may attempt to communicate with the ETC on-board unit 11 at a communication start time having a predetermined cycle.

[0032] Next, the ETC vehicle-mounted unit 11 transmits the encrypted vehicle-specific information to the ETC communication device 22 (step S102).

[0033] Next, the ETC communication device 22 transmits the encrypted vehicle-specific information received from the ETC vehicle-mounted unit 11 to the server 30 (step S103).

[0034] Next, the server 30 decrypts the encrypted vehicle unique information (step S104).

[0035] Next, the server 30 refers to user management information in which user identification information for identifying a user and vehicle-specific information including information related to the user's vehicle 10 are associated and registered, acquires the user identification information associated with the decrypted vehicle-specific information (step S105), and ends the series of processes. For example, the server 30 bills the user identified by the user identification information for the parking lot 20.

[0036] According to the vehicle information processing system 1 of this embodiment described above, the encrypted vehicle-specific information obtained from the ETC on-board unit 11 installed in the vehicle 10 can be decrypted, and the user using the parking lot 20 can be identified based on this vehicle-specific information.

[0037] 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the server 30. The server 30 executes a control process, a determination process, a decryption process, and an acquisition process. To this end, the server 30 has a communication interface (IF) 31, a storage device 32, a memory 33, and a processor 34. The communication IF 31, the storage device 32, and the memory 33 are connected to the processor 34 via a signal line 35. The server 30 may further have input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

[0038] The communication IF 31 has an interface circuit for connecting the server 30 to the communication network 40. The communication IF 31 is configured to be able to communicate with the camera device 21, the ETC communication device 22, the entrance gate device 23, the camera device 24, the ETC communication device 25, the exit gate device 26, and the toll adjustment machine 27 via the communication network 40. The communication IF 31 is an example of an input unit and an output unit. The communication IF 31 is also configured to be able to communicate with the terminal 60 via the communication network 40 and the macrocell base station 50.

[0039] The storage device 32 includes, for example, a hard disk device or an optical recording medium and an access device therefor. The storage device 32 prestores a user management table 321 in which user identification information for identifying a user and vehicle-specific information including information related to the vehicle of the user are associated and registered. The user management table 321 is an example of user management information. The storage device 32 also stores a non-user management table 322 for managing a user who is not registered in the user management table 321 when the user uses a parking lot. When the vehicle information processing system 1 manages multiple parking lots, the user management table 321 and the non-user management table 322 are stored in the storage device 32 for each parking lot.

[0040] 4 is a diagram illustrating the user management table 321. The user management table 321 has a user identification information column 3211, a vehicle registration number column 3212, an acquisition method column 3213, a camera image column 3214, a WCN column 3215, a credit card information column 3216, an entry time column 3217, an exit time column 3218, a parking fee column 3219, and an email address column 32110.

[0041] In the user identification information field 3211, user identification information for identifying a user is registered. The user identification information registered in the user identification information field 3211 is associated with information registered in other fields. In the vehicle registration number field 3212, the vehicle registration number of the vehicle of the user identified by the user identification number is registered. In the acquisition method field 3213, the method by which the vehicle registration number was acquired is registered. The method by which the vehicle registration number is acquired includes communication with an ETC vehicle-mounted device and a camera image. In the camera image field 3214, a camera image taken by the camera device 21 is registered. In the WCN field 3215, a WCN acquired from an ETC vehicle-mounted device is registered. In the credit card information field 3216, credit card information of the user identified by the user identification information is registered. In the entry time field 3217, the time at which the vehicle entered the parking lot 20 is registered. In the exit time field 3218, the time at which the vehicle exited the parking lot 20 is registered. In the parking fee field 3219, the parking fee for the vehicle is registered. The email address column 32110 registers the email address of the user identified by the user identification information.

[0042] 5 is a diagram illustrating the non-user management table. The non-user management table has a vehicle registration number column 3221, an entry time column 3222, an exit time column 3223, a camera image column 3224, a parking fee column 3225, and a payment column 3226.

[0043] The vehicle registration number field 3221 registers the vehicle registration number read based on the camera image taken by the camera device 21. The vehicle registration number registered in the vehicle registration number field 3221 is associated with information registered in the other fields. The entry time field 3222 registers the time when the vehicle entered the parking lot 20. The exit time field 3223 registers the time when the vehicle exited the parking lot 20. The camera image field 3224 registers the camera image taken by the camera device 21. The parking fee field 3225 registers the parking fee for the vehicle. The payment field 3226 registers settlement information indicating whether the parking fee has been settled.

[0044] Furthermore, the storage device 32 may store a computer program for executing processes of the server 30 related to vehicle information processing, which are executed on the processor 34. The storage device 32 is an example of a storage unit.

[0045] The memory 33 includes, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory and a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The memory 33 stores computer programs and various data of applications used in information processing executed by the processor 34. The user management table 321 and the non-user management table 322 may be stored in the memory 33. The memory 33 is an example of a storage unit.

[0046] All or part of the functions of the server 30 are functional modules realized by, for example, a computer program running on the processor 34. The processor 34 has a control unit 341, a determination unit 342, a decoding unit 343, and an acquisition unit 344. Alternatively, the functional modules of the processor 34 may be dedicated arithmetic circuits provided in the processor 34. The processor 34 has one or more central processing units (CPUs) and their peripheral circuits. The processor 34 may further have other arithmetic circuits such as a logic arithmetic unit, a numerical arithmetic unit, or a graphic processing unit.

[0047] Fig. 6 is an example of an operation flowchart of the entrance process of the server 30. Hereinafter, the entrance process of the server 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The server 30 executes the entrance process at an entrance process time having a predetermined period according to the operation flowchart shown in Fig. 6. The entrance process is an example of vehicle information processing.

[0048] First, the determination unit 342 determines whether or not detection information indicating that the vehicle 10 has been detected has been received from the camera device 21 arranged at the entrance gate of the parking lot 20 via the communication IF 31 (step S201). The determination unit 342 is an example of a second determination unit.

[0049] If the detection information has been received (step S201-Yes), the control unit 341 transmits an information transmission request to the ETC communication device 22 arranged at the entrance gate of the parking lot 20 via the communication IF 31 to request acquisition of encrypted vehicle-specific information from the ETC on-board unit 11 mounted on the vehicle 10 (step S202). The control unit 341 is an example of a second control unit.

[0050] After the determination unit 342 determines that the detection information has been received, the timing at which the control unit 341 transmits the information transmission request is preferably determined based on the positional relationship between the camera device 21 and the ETC vehicle-mounted device 11 and / or the height from the ground at which the ETC vehicle-mounted device 11 is installed. The control unit 341 may transmit the information transmission request to the ETC communication device 22 at a point in time when a predetermined time has elapsed from the reception time at which the detection information was received. The communication area of ​​the ETC communication device 22 does not completely coincide with the field of view of the camera device 21. This is to start communication between the ETC vehicle-mounted device 11 and the ETC communication device 22 in accordance with the time when the vehicle 10 enters the communication area of ​​the ETC communication device 22. This ensures stable communication between the ETC communication device 22 and the ETC vehicle-mounted device 11.

[0051] When the ETC communication device 22 receives the information transmission request from the control unit 341, it starts communication with the ETC on-board unit 11 and transmits an information transmission request requesting transmission of encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 to the ETC on-board unit 11 (see step S101). The ETC on-board unit 11 transmits the encrypted vehicle-specific information to the ETC communication device 22 (see step S102). The ETC communication device 22 transmits the encrypted vehicle-specific information received from the ETC on-board unit 11 to the server 30 (see step S103).

[0052] Next, the determination unit 342 determines whether or not the encrypted vehicle unique information of the vehicle 10 has been received via the communication IF 31 (step S203). The determination unit 342 is an example of a first determination unit.

[0053] If the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 has been received (step S203-Yes), the decryption unit 343 executes a decryption process of the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 (step S204). The vehicle-specific information is encrypted based on, for example, the security standard of ETC. The decryption unit 343 executes a decryption process of the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 based on the security standard of ETC.

[0054] Next, the decryption unit 343 determines whether the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 has been decrypted (step S205). Depending on the communication state between the ETC communication device 22 and the ETC vehicle-mounted device 11, an error may occur in the data, and the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 may not be decrypted.

[0055] When the encrypted vehicle unique information of the vehicle 10 is decrypted (step S205-Yes), the acquisition unit 344 refers to the user management table 321 stored in the storage device 32 and acquires the user identification information associated with the vehicle unique information decrypted by the decryption unit 343 (step S206). In this embodiment, the vehicle registration number is used as the decrypted vehicle unique information. The acquisition unit 344 refers to the user management table 321 and acquires the user identification information associated with the decrypted vehicle registration number. Specifically, the acquisition unit 344 refers to the vehicle registration number column 3212 of the user management table 321 and acquires the user identification information associated with the vehicle registration number that matches the decrypted vehicle registration number from the user identification information column 3211. In this embodiment, the user identification information is acquired to identify the user to be charged the parking fee incurred for parking the vehicle 10 in the parking lot 20. Here, if the vehicle registration number that matches the decrypted vehicle registration number is not registered in the vehicle registration number column 3212, the acquisition unit 344 cannot acquire the user identification information.

[0056] Next, the determination unit 342 determines whether or not the user identification information associated with the decrypted vehicle registration number has been acquired (step S207).

[0057] When the user identification information associated with the decrypted vehicle registration number can be acquired (step S207-Yes), the control unit 341 transmits an opening request to the entrance gate device 23 of the parking lot 20 via the communication IF 31 to request that the entrance gate be opened (step S208). Upon receiving the opening request, the entrance gate device 23 opens the entrance gate.

[0058] Next, the control unit 341 registers the entry time of the vehicle 10 into the parking lot 20 in association with the user identification information in the entry time column 3217 of the user management table 321 (step S209), and ends the series of processes. The entry time may be, for example, the time when the opening request is transmitted to the entry gate device 23. The control unit 341 also registers information indicating that the vehicle registration number of the vehicle 10 has been acquired using communication with the ETC on-board unit 11 in association with the user identification information in the acquisition method column 3213 of the user management table 321. The vehicle 10 then passes through the entry gate and is parked in a parking space in the parking lot 20.

[0059] On the other hand, if the user identification information associated with the decrypted vehicle registration number cannot be acquired (step S207-No), the control unit 341 registers the entry time of the vehicle 10 into the parking lot 20 in the entry time column 3222 of the non-user management table 322 (step S212). The control unit 341 also reads the vehicle registration number shown in the camera image, and registers this vehicle registration number in the vehicle registration number column 3221 of the non-user management table 322 in association with the entry time. Then, the process proceeds to step S209. The control unit 341 may also register the vehicle registration number transmitted from the camera device 21 arranged at the entrance gate of the parking lot 20 in the non-user management table 322.

[0060] Furthermore, if the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 has not been received (step S203-No), the determination unit 342 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection information was received (step S210). The predetermined time may be, for example, 30 to 60 seconds. If the predetermined time has elapsed since the detection information was received, the determination unit 342 determines that the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 has not been received and input via the communication IF 31.

[0061] If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S210-No), the process returns to before step S203.

[0062] On the other hand, if a predetermined time has elapsed (step S210-Yes), or if the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 has not been decrypted (step S205-No), the control unit 341 transmits an information transmission request to the camera device 21 arranged at the entrance gate of the parking lot 20 via the communication IF 31 to request transmission of the vehicle registration number of the vehicle 10 (step S211). The control unit 341 is an example of a first control unit.

[0063] Next, the control unit 341 receives the vehicle registration number and camera image of the vehicle 10 from the camera device 21 arranged at the entrance gate of the parking lot 20 via the communication IF 31 (step S212). Then, the process proceeds to step S206. In this case, in step S206, the acquisition unit 344 executes acquiring user identification information associated with the vehicle registration number received from the camera device 24 by referring to the user management table 321 stored in the storage device 32. Also, in step S209, the control unit 341 registers information indicating that the vehicle registration number of the vehicle 10 has been acquired based on the camera image in the acquisition method column 3213 of the user management table 321 in association with the user identification information.

[0064] In addition, the parking lot 20 may display a guide for users who are not registered in the user management table 321 to request the users to register. For example, the URL of a website for performing the user registration process may be displayed. An unregistered user may use a terminal to connect to the website and perform the predetermined registration process.

[0065] Furthermore, a user who is not registered in the user management table 321 may use the fee adjustment machine 27 to settle the parking fee before leaving the parking lot 20 with his / her vehicle. The control unit 341 of the server 30 refers to the non-user management table 322 stored in the storage device 32, and causes the fee adjustment machine 27 to display the vehicle registration number for which the parking fee has not been paid, and the entry time and camera image associated with this vehicle registration number.

[0066] The user looks at the information displayed on the fee settlement machine 27 and selects the vehicle registration number of the user's vehicle. The control unit 341 of the server 30 calculates the parking fee based on the entry time associated with the selected vehicle registration number and the current time as the exit time, and registers it in the parking fee column 3225 of the non-user management table 322. The control unit 341 then causes the fee settlement machine 27 to display this parking fee. The user pays the parking fee using cash payment or electronic payment via the fee settlement machine 27. When the parking fee has been paid, the control unit 341 registers information indicating that the parking fee has been paid in the payment column 3226 of the non-user management table 322.

[0067] Fig. 7 is an example of an operation flowchart of the user determination process of the server 30. Hereinafter, the user determination process of the server 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. When the server 30 is able to acquire user identification information associated with the decrypted vehicle registration number in the above-mentioned step S207 (step S207-Yes), it is preferable that the server 30 executes the user determination process according to the operation flowchart shown in Fig. 7 before proceeding to the next step. The user determination process is an example of vehicle information processing.

[0068] First, the control unit 341 transmits a location information request to the terminal 60 of the user identified by the user identification information associated with the decrypted vehicle registration number, requesting transmission of the location of the terminal 60 (step S301). The control unit 341 refers to the user management table 321 and transmits the location information request to the email address associated with the user identification information associated with the decrypted vehicle registration number via the communication IF 31. Hereinafter, the user identified by the user identification information associated with the decrypted vehicle registration number is also simply referred to as the identified user.

[0069] Then, in response to the location information request received by the terminal 60, the identified user operates the terminal 60 to transmit location information of the terminal 60 to the server 30 (step S301). It is presumed that the location information of the terminal 60 means the location of the identified user. Note that the terminal 60 may automatically transmit the location information of the terminal 60 to the server 30 in response to the location information request.

[0070] Next, the control unit 341 receives the location information of the terminal 60 via the communication IF 31 (step S302).

[0071] Next, the determination unit 342 determines whether or not the position represented by the position information of the terminal 60 matches the position of the entrance gate of the parking lot 20 (step S303). For example, the determination unit 342 determines that the positions match when the position represented by the position information of the terminal 60 is within a predetermined distance from the position of the entrance gate of the parking lot 20. The predetermined distance can be 10 m to 30 m.

[0072] If the positions match (step S303-Yes), the determination unit 342 determines that the identified user is using the parking lot 20 (step S304), and ends the series of processes. The control unit 341 may refer to the user management table 321 and transmit the entry time of the vehicle 10 into the parking lot 20 to the email address associated with this user identification information. The control unit 341 may also transmit coupons, etc. that can be used at commercial facilities near the parking lot 20 to the email address associated with this user identification information.

[0073] On the other hand, if the positions do not match (step S304-Yes), the determination unit 342 determines that the identified user is not using the parking lot 20 (step S305) and ends the series of processes. If the positions do not match, it is presumed that the person driving the vehicle 10 is not the identified user. For example, it is conceivable that a family member of the identified user is driving the vehicle 10.

[0074] If it is determined that the identified user is not using the parking lot 20, the determination unit 342 may proceed to step S212 in step S207 described above. This is because the person driving the vehicle 10 is not an identified user registered in the user management table 321.

[0075] Furthermore, when it is determined that the user is not using the parking lot 20, the control unit 341 may send an email to the terminal 30 of the identified user asking whether or not to permit the vehicle 10 to use the parking lot 20, and when a response that permits the vehicle 10 to use the parking lot 20 is obtained from the identified user, the above-mentioned step S207 may proceed to step S208. On the other hand, when a response that does not permit the vehicle 10 to use the parking lot 20 is obtained from the identified user, the above-mentioned step S207 may proceed to step S212. This makes it possible to prevent the vehicle 10 from being parked illegally in the parking lot 20.

[0076] Fig. 8 is an example of an operation flowchart of the exit process of the server 30. Hereinafter, the exit process of the server 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The server 30 executes the exit process at an exit process time having a predetermined period according to the operation flowchart shown in Fig. 8. The exit process is an example of vehicle information processing.

[0077] In the exit process, the processes of steps S401 to S407 and S412 to S414 are similar to the processes of steps S201 to S207 and S210 to S212 in the above-mentioned entry process. Therefore, the explanation of the processes of steps S201 to S207 and S210 to S212 in the above-mentioned entry process is appropriately applied to the explanation of the processes of steps S401 to S407 and S412 to S414.

[0078] First, the control unit 341 determines whether or not detection information indicating that the vehicle 10 has been detected has been received from the camera device 24 arranged at the exit gate of the parking lot 20 via the communication IF 31 (step S401).

[0079] If detection information has been received (step S401-Yes), the control unit 341 sends an information transmission request to the ETC communication device 25 located at the exit gate of the parking lot 20 via the communication IF 31, requesting to obtain encrypted vehicle-specific information from the ETC onboard unit 11 installed in the vehicle 10 (step S402).

[0080] Next, the determination unit 342 determines whether or not the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 has been received via the communication IF 31 (step S403).

[0081] If the encrypted vehicle unique information of the vehicle 10 has been received (step S403-Yes), the decryption unit 343 executes a decryption process of the encrypted vehicle unique information of the vehicle 10 (step S404).

[0082] Next, the decryption unit 343 determines whether the encrypted vehicle unique information of the vehicle 10 has been decrypted (step S405).

[0083] When the encrypted vehicle unique information of the vehicle 10 is decrypted (step S405-Yes), the acquisition unit 344 refers to the user management table 321 stored in the storage device 32, and acquires the user identification information associated with the vehicle unique information decrypted by the decryption unit 343 (step S406). In this embodiment, the vehicle registration number is used as the decrypted vehicle unique information.

[0084] Next, the determination unit 342 determines whether or not the user identification information associated with the decrypted vehicle registration number has been acquired (step S407).

[0085] When the user identification information associated with the decrypted vehicle registration number can be acquired (step S407-Yes), the control unit 341 registers the exit time in association with the user identification information in the exit time column 3218 of the user management table 321 (step S408). The exit time may be, for example, the time when the user identification information is acquired.

[0086] Next, the control unit 341 refers to the user management table 321 and calculates the parking fee (step S409). The control unit 341 obtains the entry time associated with the user identification information from the entry time column 3217 of the user management table 321 and the exit time associated with the user identification information from the exit time column 3218 of the user management table 321, and obtains the parking time that the user's vehicle 10 was parked in the parking lot 20. The control unit 341 calculates the parking fee by, for example, multiplying the parking time by a predetermined coefficient, and registers the parking fee in the parking fee column 3219 of the user management table 321 in association with the user identification information.

[0087] Next, the control unit 341 executes electronic payment of the parking fee (step S410). The control unit 341 acquires the credit card information associated with the user identification information from the credit card information column 3216 of the user management table 321, and executes electronic payment of the parking fee via the communication network 40. A known method can be used for electronic payment of the parking fee.

[0088] Next, the control unit 341 transmits an open request to the exit gate device 26 of the parking lot 20 via the communication IF 31 to request that the exit gate be opened (step S411), and ends the series of processes. The exit gate device 26 opens the exit gate in response to the open request. The vehicle 10 then passes through the exit gate and exits the parking lot 20.

[0089] On the other hand, if the user identification information associated with the decrypted vehicle registration number cannot be obtained (step S407-No), the control unit 341 refers to the payment column 3226 of the non-user management table 322 and determines whether the settlement information associated with the vehicle registration number obtained at the exit gate of the parking lot 20 has been settled (step S415).

[0090] If the parking fee has been paid (step S415-Yes), the process proceeds to step S411. On the other hand, if the parking fee has not been paid (step S415-No), the process ends. The control unit 341 may cause the exit gate device 26 to display information requesting payment of the parking fee. Since the exit gate does not open, the user will have to come to the exit gate again after paying the parking fee at the fee settlement machine 27. The fee settlement machine 27 may be disposed at the exit gate.

[0091] Moreover, if the encrypted vehicle unique information of the vehicle 10 has not been received (step S403-No), the determination unit 342 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection information was received (step S412).

[0092] If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S412-No), the process returns to before step S303. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (step S412-Yes) or the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 has not been decrypted (step S405-No), the control unit 341 transmits an information transmission request to the camera device 24 arranged at the exit gate of the parking lot 20 via the communication IF 31 to request transmission of the vehicle registration number of the vehicle 10 (step S413).

[0093] Next, the control unit 341 receives the vehicle registration number and the camera image of the vehicle 10 from the camera device 24 arranged at the exit gate of the parking lot 20 via the communication IF 31 (step S414). Then, the process proceeds to step S406. In this case, in step S406, the acquisition unit 344 refers to the user management table 321 stored in the storage device 32 and acquires the user identification information associated with the vehicle-specific information received from the camera device 24.

[0094] As described above, the vehicle information processing system of this embodiment can decrypt the encrypted vehicle-specific information acquired from the ETC on-board device mounted on the vehicle, and identify the user who uses the parking lot based on the vehicle-specific information. This makes it possible to identify the user who is to be charged the parking fee incurred for parking the vehicle in the parking lot, which makes it easy to settle the parking fee by electronic payment, for example.

[0095] Next, a first variant of the above-mentioned vehicle information processing system 1 will be described below with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is an example of an operation flowchart of the first variant of the entrance processing of the server 30. In this variant, the processing of steps S510 to S512 is different from the processing of steps S210 to S212 described above. The processing of steps S501 to S509 and S513 in Fig. 9 is similar to the processing of steps S201 to S209 and S213 described above.

[0096] In this modified example, if the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 has not been received (step S503-No), the determination unit 342 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection information was received (step S510). The predetermined time may be, for example, 30 to 60 seconds. If the predetermined time has elapsed since the detection information was received, the determination unit 342 determines that the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 has not been received and input via the communication IF 31. The determination unit 342 is an example of a third determination unit.

[0097] If a predetermined time has elapsed (step S510-Yes), or if the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle 10 has not been decrypted (step S505-No), the control unit 341 transmits an information transmission request to the ETC communication device 22 arranged at the entrance gate of the parking lot 20 via the communication IF 31 to request transmission of vehicle-mounted unit identification information (WCN) for identifying the ETC vehicle-mounted unit 11 from the ETC vehicle-mounted unit 11 mounted on the vehicle 10, which was acquired by the ETC communication device 22 (step S511). The control unit 341 is an example of a third control unit.

[0098] Next, the control unit 341 receives the WCN of the vehicle 10 from the ETC communication device 22 arranged at the entrance gate of the parking lot 20 via the communication IF 31 (step S512). Then, the process proceeds to step S506. In this case, in step S506, the acquisition unit 344 refers to the user management table 321 stored in the storage device 32 to acquire user identification information associated with the WCN received from the ETC communication device 22. Also, in step S509, the control unit 341 registers information indicating that the user has been identified based on the WCN in the acquisition method column 3213 of the user management table 321 in association with the user identification information.

[0099] According to this variation, if the vehicle specific information cannot be obtained, the user can be identified based on the WCN. In the above embodiment, if the vehicle registration number based on the camera image cannot be obtained, the user may be identified based on the WCN.

[0100] Next, a second modified example of the above-mentioned vehicle information processing system 1 will be described below with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is an example of an operational flowchart of the second modified example of the entrance process of the server 30.

[0101] In this modified example, the vehicle specific information includes the vehicle registration number and information indicating the dimensions of the vehicle 10. Also, this modified example differs from the operational flowchart shown in Figure 6 in that the processes of steps S608 and S609 in Figure 9 have been added. The processes of steps S601 to S607 and S610 to S615 are similar to the processes of steps S201 to S213 described above.

[0102] In this modified example, when the user identification information associated with the decrypted vehicle registration number can be acquired (step S607-Yes), the determination unit 342 determines whether the user identified by the user identification information is a target person to which a predetermined service is to be provided (step S608). The determination unit 342 is an example of a fourth determination unit.

[0103] If the dimensions of the vehicle 10 included in the vehicle-specific information are greater than a predetermined dimension, the determination unit 342 determines that the user is a recipient of the predetermined service. For example, if the width or length of the vehicle 10 is greater than a predetermined reference length, the determination unit 342 determines that the user is a recipient of the predetermined service. On the other hand, if the dimensions of the vehicle 10 included in the vehicle-specific information are equal to or less than the predetermined dimension, or if information indicating the dimensions of the vehicle 10 cannot be obtained, the determination unit 342 determines that the user is not a recipient of the predetermined service.

[0104] If the user is a recipient of the specified service (step S608-Yes), the control unit 341 transmits to a terminal (not shown) operated by the manager of the parking lot 20 a notification that the recipient of the service is entering the parking lot 20, along with the vehicle registration number (step S608).

[0105] The manager of the parking lot 20 identifies the target person's vehicle 10 based on the vehicle registration number. The manager guides the user who is driving the vehicle 10 that has entered through the entrance gate to a parking section that has a larger space than usual. This allows the user to safely park the vehicle 10 in the larger parking section.

[0106] On the other hand, if the user is not a target person to receive the predetermined service (step S608-No), the process proceeds to step S610.

[0107] According to this modification, a predetermined service can be provided to the user based on the vehicle-specific information. Note that the predetermined service is not limited to the above-mentioned example, as long as it can be determined based on the vehicle-specific information.

[0108] In the present invention, the vehicle information processing device and the vehicle information processing system of the above-mentioned embodiments can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to those embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0109] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the server was communicatively connected to an ETC communication device in the parking lot, etc., via a communication network, but the server and the ETC communication device in the parking lot, etc. may also be communicatively connected directly, without via a communication network.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the user is identified based on the vehicle registration number or the information representing the vehicle dimensions as the vehicle specific information, but the vehicle specific information is not limited to the vehicle registration number or the information representing the vehicle dimensions. Other information may be used as the vehicle specific information as long as it is information that can identify the user.

[0111] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the acquisition unit acquired user identification information to identify a user to whom parking fees incurred for parking a vehicle in a parking lot will be charged, but the services provided are not limited to this as long as the user is identified in order to provide services in the parking lot. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 Vehicle information processing system 10 Vehicles 11 ETC on-board device 20 Parking 21 Camera equipment 22 ETC communication device 23 Entrance gate device 24 Camera Equipment 25 ETC communication device 26 Exit gate device 27 Fare payment machine 30 Vehicle information processing device 31 Communication Interface 32 Storage Device 321 User Management Table 322 Non-User Management Table 33 Memory 34 processors 341 Control Unit 342 Judgment section 343 Decoding section 344 Acquisition Department 35 Signal Line 40 Communication Network 50 Macrocell base station 60 terminals

Claims

1. An input unit; a storage unit that stores in advance user management information in which user identification information for identifying a user and vehicle specific information including information related to the vehicle of the user are associated with each other and registered; a decryption unit that decrypts the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle, the vehicle-specific information being acquired from an ETC on-board unit mounted on the vehicle by an ETC communication device installed in a predetermined parking lot and input via the input unit; an acquisition unit that refers to the user management information stored in the storage unit and acquires the user identification information associated with the vehicle unique information decoded by the decoding unit; A vehicle information processing device comprising:

2. the ETC communication device is disposed at an entrance gate of the parking lot, The vehicle information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the user identification information in order to identify a user to be charged a parking fee incurred for parking a vehicle in the parking lot.

3. The vehicle specific information includes a vehicle registration number, Furthermore, a first determination unit that determines whether or not encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle has been input via the input unit; a first control unit that, when it is determined by the first determination unit that the encrypted vehicle-specific information has not been input, inputs, via the input unit, a vehicle registration number of the vehicle that is acquired based on an image of the vehicle captured by an image capturing device disposed near the ETC communication device; 2 . The vehicle information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the user identification information associated with the vehicle registration number of the vehicle input by the first control unit, by referring to the user management information stored in the storage unit.

4. the ETC communication device is disposed at an entrance gate of the parking lot, The vehicle specific information includes a vehicle registration number, Furthermore, An output unit; a second determination unit that is disposed on the opposite side of the ETC communication device from the entrance gate and that determines whether or not detection information indicating that a vehicle has been detected has been input via the input unit from a detection device that detects a vehicle approaching the entrance gate; 2. The vehicle information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second control unit that, when the second determination unit determines that the detection information has been input, outputs a communication start request via the output unit to the ETC communication device, requesting the ETC communication device to start communication with an ETC onboard unit installed in the vehicle in order to obtain the encrypted vehicle-specific information.

5. In the user management information, the user identification information for identifying a user and on-board device identification information for identifying an ETC on-board device mounted in the vehicle of the user are registered in association with each other, Furthermore, a third determination unit that determines whether or not the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle has been input via the input unit; a third control unit that inputs, via the input unit, vehicle-mounted unit identification information that identifies an ETC vehicle-mounted unit mounted on a vehicle and that is acquired by the ETC communication device when it is determined by the third determination unit that the encrypted vehicle-specific information has not been acquired, The vehicle information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the user identification information associated with the vehicle-mounted device identification information input by the third control unit, by referring to the user management information stored in the storage unit.

6. The vehicle information processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a fourth determination unit that determines whether or not to provide a predetermined service to the user identified by the user identification information, based on the vehicle unique information.

7. The vehicle information processing device according to claim 6 , wherein the vehicle specific information includes information representing an automobile registration number and a vehicle size.

8. an ETC communication device that is installed in a predetermined parking lot and acquires vehicle-specific information including encrypted information about the vehicle from an ETC in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle; An input unit; a storage unit that stores in advance user management information in which user identification information for identifying a user and the vehicle specific information including information related to the vehicle of the user are associated with each other and registered; a decryption unit that decrypts the encrypted vehicle-specific information of the vehicle, which is acquired from an ETC in-vehicle unit mounted on the vehicle by the ETC communication device and input via the input unit; an acquisition unit that acquires the user identification information associated with the vehicle unique information decoded by the decoding unit, by referring to the user management information stored in the storage unit; A vehicle information processing device having A vehicle information processing system including:

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