Remote monitoring person selection system, remote monitoring person selection device, and remote monitoring person selection method

Abstract

To provide vehicle information corresponding to a vehicle entering a wrong lane to remote monitoring persons, and to assign a remote monitoring person according to the vehicle information.SOLUTION: A remote monitoring person selection system according to an embodiment comprises: a fee central server for managing toll roads; and a remote monitoring person selection server connected to the fee central server. The fee central server comprises a fee central transmission part for transmitting response request data for the remote monitoring person to respond when a trouble occurs in the vehicle entering an ETC exclusive toll gate. The remote monitoring person selection server comprises: a monitoring person selection storage part for storing a remote monitoring person management database which stores information related to a remote monitoring person; a monitoring person selection control part for matching a remote monitoring person capable of responding to the use of the vehicle based on the response request data and the remote monitoring person management database; and a monitoring person selection transmission part for transmitting a response request notification including the response request data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a remote monitor selection system, a remote monitor selection device, and a remote monitor selection method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, toll road operators have faced a shortage of personnel due to the aging of toll collectors. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism plans to reduce the number of toll collectors using the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system and maintain the toll collection function. As part of this effort, ETC specialization has already begun at some toll plazas, where only vehicles with an ETC card inserted into an in-vehicle unit can pass through.

[0003] An ETC-only toll plaza is a toll plaza intended for use only by vehicles equipped with an ETC in-vehicle unit, and no toll collector is present. If a vehicle without an ETC in-vehicle unit accidentally enters an ETC-only toll plaza, or if a vehicle that requires other handling enters an ETC-only toll plaza, a remote monitor at a remote monitoring station responds via an intercom. Therefore, there is no limit to securing one or more personnel for each toll plaza, and instead, the number of personnel required to maintain remote guidance can be prepared. In addition, since multiple remote monitors can stay at the remote monitoring station, it is easier to consult about responses and change responses compared to non-ETC-only toll plazas.

[0004] In addition, when there is a vehicle that has accidentally entered an ETC-only toll plaza, for example, on an urban expressway, the vehicle has to be allowed to enter the expressway because there is no exit route. Therefore, it is necessary to bill the vehicle that has accidentally entered for the toll at a later date. At ETC-only toll plazas, flyers are distributed and users are requested to make a post-facto report (personal information, occurrence status, payment method). If there is no post-facto report, the road operator will bill based on the user information obtained by querying the vehicle registration.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-106434 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-087416 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-154316 [Non-Patent Document]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Road Subcommittee of the Social Infrastructure Development Council, 42nd National Trunk Road Division Meeting, Explanation Materials, September 9, 2020, Capital Expressway Company Limited [Non-Patent Document 2] Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Highway Division, Road Bureau, December 17, 2020, "Regarding the Cashless and Touchless Transformation of Toll Booths through ETC Specialization, etc. - Formulating a Roadmap for General Completion in about 5 Years for Urban Areas and about 10 Years for Local Areas" [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0007] As described above, at ETC-only toll booths, consultations and replacements are relatively easy, but if the response takes time, it can cause traffic jams and accidents. Therefore, it is ideal for the supervisor who starts the response to complete the response as it is. At ETC-only toll booths, information on the presence or absence of a vehicle-mounted unit and the insertion of an ETC card is obtained, and the toll central system manages the vehicle's passing history, but remote supervisors cannot refer to this information when dealing with vehicles. Therefore, there is a problem that the proficiency of remote supervisors and the optimization of response contents have not been achieved.

[0008] Furthermore, as described above, when the user of a vehicle that has made an unauthorized entry or the like does not make a retrospective report, a vehicle registration inquiry is conducted and a claim is made. However, when the owner and the user of the vehicle do not match, or when the vehicle registration information does not match the current information of the owner, there may be a problem in that it is not known whether the claim document has been correctly sent to the user when the user does not respond to the claim, or whether the user simply does not respond to the claim.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technology for providing vehicle information corresponding to a vehicle that has made an unauthorized entry or the like to a remote monitor and allocating a remote monitor according to the vehicle information. Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables a remote monitor corresponding to a vehicle that has made an unauthorized entry or the like to confirm the past payment status of the user of the vehicle by providing the vehicle information to the remote monitor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The remote monitor selection system according to the embodiment includes a toll central server that manages toll roads and a remote monitor selection server connected to the toll central server. The toll central server includes a toll central reception unit that receives vehicle inquiry data indicating that a problem has occurred in a vehicle that has entered an ETC dedicated toll gate and that correspondence by a remote monitor is required, and a toll central transmission unit that transmits correspondence request data for the remote monitor to respond. The remote monitor selection server includes a monitor selection storage unit that stores a remote monitor management database that stores information about remote monitors, a monitor selection control unit that matches a remote monitor capable of corresponding to the use of the vehicle based on the correspondence request data and the remote monitor management database, and a monitor selection transmission unit that transmits a correspondence request notification including the correspondence request data.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

[0012] Hereinafter, a remote monitor selection system, a remote monitor selection device, and a remote monitor selection method will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts having the same number are assumed to perform the same operations, and repeated explanations are omitted. For example, when there are a plurality of identical or similar elements, a common reference numeral may be used to describe each element without distinction, or a branch number may be used in addition to the common reference numeral to describe each element separately.

[0013] [First Embodiment] (Configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a remote monitor selection system according to the first embodiment. The remote monitor selection system includes a toll central server 1, a tollgate server 2, a vehicle 30 and an in-vehicle device 3 mounted on the vehicle 30, a remote monitor selection server 4, and a remote monitor device 5 used by a remote monitor 50.

[0014] The toll central server 1 is a so-called central device, which is a server installed at a predetermined location such as a management room of a management company that manages toll roads. For example, the toll central server 1 manages the tolls of tollgates. Then, the toll central server 1 receives various information such as toll details from each tollgate server including the tollgate server 2.

[0015] The tollgate server 2 is a server arranged at the tollgate of a toll road. For example, the tollgate server 2 is connected to roadside equipment (not shown) installed on the roadside of each tollgate. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the tollgate is an ETC-only tollgate. Therefore, there is no staff at the tollgate. When a trouble occurs when the vehicle 30 tries to enter the tollgate and it cannot enter the toll road normally, the vehicle 30 moves to the support lane. Then, the user of the vehicle 30 will communicate with a remote monitor 50 (for example, using an intercom) who is at a location away from the tollgate. The tollgate server 2 controls these processes.

[0016] Here, the trouble of the vehicle 30 entering the tollgate refers to, for example, a state where communication between the roadside equipment of the tollgate and the in-vehicle device 3 mounted on the vehicle 30 cannot be carried out normally, the vehicle 30 enters the tollgate without inserting an ETC card into the in-vehicle device 3, or a vehicle 30 without an in-vehicle device 3 enters by mistake.

[0017] When the roadside device detects the vehicle 30, it establishes communication with the in-vehicle unit 3 of the vehicle 30. Then, the roadside device transmits and receives various information with the in-vehicle unit 3. Furthermore, the roadside device may acquire information about the vehicle 30, such as the vehicle number, an image of the driver (user) driving the vehicle 30 (driver image), axles, axle weights, etc.

[0018] The entrance tollgate server 2 is a server that manages various information acquired by the roadside device. Furthermore, the entrance tollgate server 2 transmits the various information it manages to the toll center server 1. Note that in FIG. 1, for simplicity, only one entrance tollgate server 2 is shown, but of course, there may be multiple entrance tollgate servers 2.

[0019] Also, there are a distance-based toll system route where the toll is calculated at the exit tollgate and a single toll system route where the toll is fixed and determined at the entrance regardless of the corresponding exit. In the case of the single toll system, for example, the entrance tollgate server 2 receives toll master information for calculating the toll from the toll center server 1. Furthermore, the entrance tollgate server 2 may transmit toll information corresponding to the connected roadside device to the toll center server 1.

[0020] Here, in this embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that the toll road is a road with a single toll system. That is, it is assumed that the toll road is a toll road where the toll is determined by passing through the entrance tollgate.

[0021] The in-vehicle unit 3 is arranged in the vehicle 30 traveling on the toll road. The in-vehicle unit 3 can communicate with a roadside device or the like connected to the entrance tollgate server 2, and transmits various information such as the card ID, card number, and expiration date of the ETC card inserted into the in-vehicle unit 3, the in-vehicle unit ID, the vehicle number, and the vehicle type (including the number of axles). Also, the in-vehicle unit 3 can receive entrance information and the like from a roadside device connected to the entrance tollgate server 2 and store the entrance information in the ETC card. In addition, in FIG. 1, an example is shown in which there is only one vehicle 30 and in-vehicle device 3. However, it goes without saying that a plurality of vehicles 30 equipped with in-vehicle devices 3 pass through the toll road. In the present embodiment, the vehicle 30 naturally includes a vehicle 30 not equipped with the in-vehicle device 3. Further, the vehicle 30 shall include a leased vehicle. For example, the user who uses the vehicle 30 may be a user who uses a rental car or car-sharing.

[0022] The remote monitor selection server 4 is a server that selects a remote monitor 50 who responds to the user of the vehicle 30 in which a problem has occurred based on the information sent from the toll center server 1. For example, the remote monitor selection server 4 receives from the toll center server 1 information including vehicle information corresponding to the vehicle 30 acquired by the entrance tollgate server 2 and the history of the vehicle 30 corresponding to the remote monitor 50 in the past, and selects the corresponding remote monitor 50 based on the received information.

[0023] The remote monitor device 5 used by the remote monitor 50 is a device for displaying various information received from the toll center server 1. The remote monitor 50 is a staff member who responds when a trouble occurs at the tollgate for the vehicle 30. The remote monitor device 5 is arranged at a predetermined location different from the tollgate. In FIG. 1, for simplicity, only one remote monitor device 5 and one remote monitor 50 are shown, but it goes without saying that a plurality of remote monitor devices 5 and remote monitors 50 may be arranged.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of each server, in-vehicle device 3, and device according to the first embodiment. That is, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the toll center server 1, entrance tollgate server 2, in-vehicle device 3, remote monitor selection server 4, and remote monitor device 5 according to the first embodiment.

[0025] The toll center server 1 includes a toll center control unit 11, a toll center storage unit 12, a toll center communication unit 13, and the like.

[0026] The toll central control unit 11 is a control unit that manages control and data processing in the toll central server 1. The toll central control unit 11 is a control unit having a CPU, a memory, an interface, etc. The CPU is a processor that acquires various information from the various information received from the entrance tollgate server 2 by executing a program and realizes various processing functions. The CPU is connected to each part constituting the toll central server 1 via an interface or the like. The memory includes various memories such as a non-volatile memory that stores the program executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily holds data, and a rewritable non-volatile memory that stores setting data and the like. That is, the toll central control unit 11 executes control and data processing of each part by the CPU executing the program stored in the memory.

[0027] The toll central storage unit 12 is a storage unit including a storage medium capable of performing high-speed reading and writing of a main memory or the like. The toll central storage unit 12 may be composed of a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The toll central storage unit 12 stores various data related to the toll central server 1. For example, the toll central storage unit 12 stores a correspondence history database (hereinafter simply referred to as a DB), an unpaid toll management DB, and the like. The details of the correspondence history DB and the unpaid toll management DB will be described later. Further, the toll central storage unit 12 may store various information received from the entrance tollgate server 2 and various information acquired from the remote supervisor selection server 4.

[0028] The toll central communication unit 13 is a communication unit provided with a communication interface including one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the toll central communication unit 13, which is a tollgate communication unit, includes a communication module that is wired or wirelessly connected to the entrance tollgate server 2. The toll central communication unit 13, which is a server-side communication unit, includes a communication module that is wired or wirelessly connected to the remote supervisor selection server 4. The toll central communication unit 13 may be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate with each device and each equipment under the control of the toll central control unit 11 and transmit and receive various information.

[0029] The entrance tollgate server 2 includes an entrance tollgate control unit 21, an entrance tollgate storage unit 22, an upper-level communication unit 23, a departure controller 24, a roadside display 25, a vehicle communication unit 26, and the like.

[0030] The entrance tollgate control unit 21 is a control unit that performs overall control and data processing of the entrance tollgate server 2. The entrance tollgate control unit 21 includes a CPU, a memory, and an interface, etc. The CPU is a processor that realizes various processing functions by executing programs. The CPU is connected to each part constituting the entrance tollgate server 2 via an interface or the like. The memory includes various memories such as a non-volatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily holds data, and a rewritable non-volatile memory that stores setting data and the like.

[0031] The entrance tollgate storage unit 22 includes a storage medium that can perform high-speed reading and writing such as a main memory. The entrance tollgate storage unit 22 may be composed of a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The entrance tollgate storage unit 22 stores various data related to the entrance tollgate server 2. For example, the entrance tollgate storage unit 22 stores entrance identification information that identifies the entrance tollgate. Furthermore, the entrance tollgate storage unit 22 stores vehicle information including the time when the in-vehicle unit 3 passed through each tollgate, in-vehicle unit information communicated with the in-vehicle unit 3, vehicle number, driver image, number of axles, axle weight, and the like.

[0032] The upper-level communication unit 23 is a communication interface including one or more wired or wireless communication modules for communicating with the toll central server 1 as an upper-level device. For example, the upper-level communication unit 23 includes a communication module for wired or wireless connection with the toll central server 1. The upper-level communication unit 23 may be a general communication interface as long as it can perform communication and send and receive various information between each device and each piece of equipment under the control of the entrance tollgate control unit 21.

[0033] The start controller 24 controls the passage of the vehicle 30 entering the tollgate. The start controller 24 controls the opening and closing of the start control bar provided in the lane on which the vehicle 30 entering the tollgate travels. For example, when the start controller 24 temporarily stops the vehicle 30 or prohibits the passage (entry) of the vehicle 30, it closes the start control bar to physically block the passage of the vehicle 30. Also, when the start controller 24 permits the passage (entry) of the vehicle 30, it opens the start control bar to permit the passage of the vehicle 30.

[0034] The roadside display 25 displays guidance and the like to the users riding in the vehicle 30 passing through the tollgate. The roadside display 25 is installed facing the vehicle 30 entering the tollgate.

[0035] The vehicle communication unit 26 includes a wireless communication module for communicating with the in-vehicle unit 3 mounted on the vehicle 30. For example, the vehicle communication unit 26 detects the vehicle 30 approaching the tollgate server 2 (that is, the vehicle 30 attempting to enter the toll road) and establishes communication with the in-vehicle unit 3 mounted on the vehicle 30. Then, the vehicle communication unit 26 obtains various information such as the in-vehicle unit ID, the license plate information of the vehicle 30, and the card ID of the ETC card inserted into the in-vehicle unit 3 by wirelessly communicating with the in-vehicle unit 3. Furthermore, the vehicle communication unit 26 transmits various information including the entrance identification information of the tollgate server 2 to the in-vehicle unit 3.

[0036] The in-vehicle unit 3 includes an in-vehicle unit control section 31, an in-vehicle unit memory section 32, an in-vehicle unit communication section 33, and the like.

[0037] The in-vehicle unit control unit 31 is a control unit that manages control and data processing in the in-vehicle unit 3. The in-vehicle unit control unit 31 includes a CPU, a memory, and an interface, etc. The CPU is a processor that realizes various processing functions such as transmitting in-vehicle unit information including the card ID of the ETC card inserted into the in-vehicle unit 3 to each tollgate device by executing a program. The CPU is connected to each part constituting the in-vehicle unit 3 via an interface, etc. The memory includes various memories such as a non-volatile memory that stores the program executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily holds data, and a rewritable non-volatile memory that stores setting data, etc. That is, the in-vehicle unit control unit 31 controls each part and executes data processing by the CPU executing the program stored in the memory.

[0038] The in-vehicle unit storage unit 32 includes a storage medium capable of performing high-speed reading and writing of a main memory, etc. The in-vehicle unit storage unit 32 may be composed of a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The in-vehicle unit storage unit 32 stores various data related to the in-vehicle unit 3. For example, the in-vehicle unit storage unit 32 stores various information including the in-vehicle unit ID, the vehicle type of the vehicle 30, the vehicle number, the vehicle width, the vehicle height, etc. Also, the in-vehicle unit storage unit 32 may store the entrance identification information, etc. received from the roadside device provided in the entrance tollgate server 2 under the control of the in-vehicle unit control unit 31.

[0039] The in-vehicle unit communication unit 33 is a communication interface including one or more wireless communication modules. For example, the in-vehicle unit communication unit 33 includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to the entrance tollgate server 2. The in-vehicle unit communication unit 33 can perform wireless communication with each device under the control of the in-vehicle unit control unit 31 and can be a general communication interface as long as it can transmit and receive various information.

[0040] The remote monitor selection server 4 has a monitor selection control unit 41, a monitor selection storage unit 42, a monitor selection communication unit 43, etc.

[0041] The supervisor selection control unit 41 is a control unit that controls the entire remote supervisor selection server 4 and performs data processing and the like. The supervisor selection control unit 41 includes a CPU, a memory, an interface, and the like. The CPU is a processor that realizes various processing functions by executing a program. The CPU is connected to each part constituting the remote supervisor selection server 4 via an interface or the like. The memory includes various memories such as a non-volatile memory that stores the program executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily holds data, and a rewritable non-volatile memory that stores setting data and the like.

[0042] The supervisor selection storage unit 42 includes a storage medium capable of performing high-speed reading and writing such as a main memory. The supervisor selection storage unit 42 may be composed of a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The supervisor selection storage unit 42 stores various data including the correspondence request data transmitted from the charge central server 1. The details of the correspondence request data will be described later.

[0043] The supervisor selection communication unit 43 is a communication interface including one or more wired or wireless communication modules for communicating with the charge central server 1 and the remote supervisor device 5. The supervisor selection communication unit 43 operating as a central server side communication unit includes a communication module for wired or wireless connection with the charge central server 1. Further, the supervisor selection communication unit 43 operating as a supervisor side communication unit includes a communication module for wired or wireless connection with the remote supervisor device 5. The supervisor selection communication unit 43 may be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate with each device and each equipment under the control of the supervisor selection control unit 41 and transmit and receive various information.

[0044] The remote supervisor device 5 includes a supervisor control unit 51, a supervisor storage unit 52, a supervisor communication unit 53, a supervisor display unit 54, a supervisor input unit 55, and the like.

[0045] The monitor control unit 51 is a control unit that controls the entire remote monitor device 5 and performs data processing and the like. The monitor control unit 51 includes a CPU, a memory, an interface, and the like. The CPU is a processor that realizes various processing functions by executing a program. The CPU is connected to each part constituting the remote monitor device 5 via an interface or the like. The memory includes various memories such as a non-volatile memory that stores the program executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily holds data, and a rewritable non-volatile memory that stores setting data and the like.

[0046] The monitor storage unit 52 includes a storage medium capable of performing high-speed reading and writing of a main memory or the like. The monitor storage unit 52 may be configured by a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The monitor storage unit 52 stores various data transmitted from the remote monitor selection server 4. For example, the monitor storage unit 52 stores data such as how the remote monitor corresponded to the fact that the user of the vehicle 30 has not paid past tolls.

[0047] The monitor communication unit 53 is a communication interface including one or more wired or wireless communication modules for communicating with the remote monitor selection server 4. For example, the monitor communication unit 53 includes a communication module for wired or wireless connection to the remote monitor selection server 4. The monitor communication unit 53 may be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate with each device and each piece of equipment under the control of the monitor control unit 51 and transmit and receive various information.

[0048] (Operation) FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure for a vehicle 30 in which a trouble has occurred according to the first embodiment. The operation of this sequence is realized by the toll center control unit 11, the entrance toll booth control unit 21, the in-vehicle unit control unit 31, the monitor selection control unit 41, and the monitor control unit 51 of the toll center server 1, the entrance toll booth server 2, the in-vehicle unit 3, the remote monitor selection server 4, and the remote monitor device 5 respectively reading and executing the programs stored in the toll center storage unit 12, the entrance toll booth storage unit 22, the in-vehicle unit storage unit 32, the monitor selection storage unit 42, and the monitor storage unit 52.

[0049] This sequence is started, for example, when the vehicle 30 enters the entrance toll booth.

[0050] In step ST101, the entrance toll booth control unit 21 of the entrance toll booth server 2 acquires in-vehicle unit information. For example, the entrance toll booth control unit 21 operating as a vehicle detection unit detects the vehicle that has entered the entrance toll booth. Then, the entrance toll booth control unit 21 establishes a connection with the in-vehicle unit communication unit 33 of the in-vehicle unit 3 using the vehicle communication unit 26. For a general vehicle 30, a connection with the in-vehicle unit communication unit 33 is established, and in-vehicle unit information including information such as the in-vehicle unit ID, vehicle number, and credit card number stored in the in-vehicle unit storage unit 32 is acquired. Then, the entrance toll booth control unit 21 creates a vehicle passage detail.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle passage detail according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle passage detail includes information such as the occurrence date and time, toll booth number, lane number, in-vehicle unit ID, and vehicle number (denoted as vehicle NP in FIG. 4). The occurrence date and time indicates the date and time when the entrance toll booth was passed, the toll booth number is a number for identifying the entrance toll booth, and the lane number indicates which lane installed at the entrance toll booth the vehicle 30 passed through.

[0052] Here, in the present embodiment, the tollgate control unit 21 of the tollgate server 2 that operates as a detection unit detects abnormal entry. That is, the tollgate control unit 21 detects that a trouble has occurred with the vehicle 30 that has entered the tollgate. Abnormal entry refers to the above-described trouble. For example, a vehicle 30 not equipped with the in-vehicle device 3 has entered (so-called mis-entry), communication cannot be established due to a malfunction of the in-vehicle device 3, or the vehicle 30 has entered the tollgate in a state where communication has been established with the in-vehicle device 3 but no credit card is inserted into the in-vehicle device 3. In such a case, the tollgate control unit 21 causes the roadside display 25 to display information indicating that a trouble has occurred, and guides the vehicle 30 to the support lane by voice using a speaker or the like. Also, when communication cannot be established with the in-vehicle device 3, the tollgate control unit 21 cannot acquire the in-vehicle device ID. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 4, the in-vehicle device ID in the vehicle passage details becomes NULL indicating that it could not be acquired.

[0053] In step ST102, the tollgate control unit 21 that operates as a detection unit detects that the vehicle 30 has stopped in the support lane.

[0054] In step ST103, the tollgate control unit 21 acquires vehicle information. Then, the tollgate control unit 21 that operates as a vehicle information acquisition unit acquires vehicle information including information such as the vehicle number of the vehicle 30 and the face image of the user driving the vehicle 30 from the captured image captured by the camera installed at the tollgate and the sensor information detected by the sensor.

[0055] Here, step ST102 and step ST103 may be in parallel or may detect the stop of the vehicle 30 as in step ST102 after step ST103 is performed.

[0056] In step ST104, the entrance toll gate control unit 21 transmits vehicle inquiry data through the upper communication unit 23. The entrance toll gate control unit 21, operating as a generation unit, generates vehicle inquiry data. Then, the entrance toll gate control unit 21, operating as a communication control unit, transmits the vehicle inquiry data to the toll center server 1 through the upper communication unit 23.

[0057] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle inquiry data according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle inquiry data includes the date and time of occurrence, the lane number of the support lane, vehicle information obtained from the vehicle 30 (in the example of FIG. 5, vehicle NP), in-vehicle unit information obtained from the in-vehicle unit 3, and the like. Further, the vehicle inquiry data may include means of paying tolls that can be paid in the support lane. Here, the in-vehicle unit information (in-vehicle unit ID) may be information that can communicate with the in-vehicle unit 3 and is only included when obtained, so it is not essential information and may be optional.

[0058] In step ST105, the toll center control unit 11 performs a search process. The toll center control unit 11 performs a search on at least the vehicle inquiry data with respect to the correspondence history database and the unpaid toll management database. For example, the toll center control unit 11 searches the correspondence history database and the unpaid toll management database to see if there is information associated with these identification information based on the identification information such as the vehicle number, face image, in-vehicle unit ID, etc. included in the vehicle inquiry data that can uniquely identify the vehicle 30. As a result of searching the correspondence history database and the unpaid toll management database, if there is information (for example, correspondence history data and unpaid toll data) associated with the search information, the toll center control unit 11 acquires the information.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the correspondence history database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the unpaid toll management database according to the first embodiment. The correspondence history database is a database that manages information when, for example, it is handled by the remote monitor 50. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the correspondence history database includes information such as the occurrence date and time, the toll collection location, the in-vehicle unit ID, and the vehicle number. Further, the correspondence history database may further include information such as the face image of the user, the image of the vehicle 30, and the language used by the user. The correspondence history data includes, for example, the information stored in the correspondence history database.

[0060] The unpaid toll management database is a database that manages information about vehicles 30 that have entered a toll road due to, for example, accidental entry in the past. That is, the unpaid toll management database includes information on both vehicles 30 for which the toll has not been paid and then the toll has been paid, and vehicles 30 for which the toll has not been paid yet. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the unpaid toll management database includes information such as the occurrence date and time, the toll collection location number, the vehicle number, the unpaid amount, the collected amount, the correspondence status flag, the number of unpaid passages, and the contact information. The unpaid toll management database may further include information such as the face image of the user, the image of the vehicle 30, and the payment means. For example, the unpaid toll data includes the information stored in the unpaid toll management database.

[0061] In step ST106, the toll central control unit 11 transmits the correspondence request data to the remote monitor selection server 4. The toll central control unit 11 generates the correspondence request data. The correspondence request data includes at least vehicle inquiry data (occurrence date and time, toll collection location number, lane number, in-vehicle unit ID, vehicle number, payment means). Further, when the correspondence request data has acquired the corresponding data, that is, the correspondence history data and the unpaid toll data, as a result of the search in step ST105, the correspondence request data includes this information.

[0062] In step ST107, the monitor selection control unit 41 performs matching. The monitor selection control unit 41 performs matching based on the information included in the correspondence request data and the information stored in the remote monitor management database stored in the monitor selection storage unit 42.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the remote monitor management database. As shown in FIG. 8, data about the remote monitor 50 is stored in the remote monitor management database. For example, the remote monitor management database includes name, availability status, waiting time, available code, authority code, foreign language support code, etc. The availability status indicates whether it is currently available for handling. Further, the available code, authority code, and foreign language support code are codes indicating the skills of the remote monitor 50. For example, the available code is a code indicating the operations that the remote monitor 50 can handle, the authority code is a code indicating the authorities that the remote monitor 50 has, and the foreign language support code is a code indicating which foreign languages the remote monitor 50 can handle.

[0064] For example, the monitor selection control unit 41 matches the remote monitor 50 that is available in terms of the availability status and has the longest waiting time as the remote monitor 50 to handle the user. Alternatively, when it is shown in the response history data in the response request data that the user can speak French, the monitor selection control unit 41 matches the remote monitor 50 that is available in terms of the availability status and can speak French based on the foreign language support code as the remote monitor 50 to handle the user. Note that the matching method may use a learned model to assign the remote monitor 50, but is not limited to this method, and any method for assigning the most appropriate remote monitor 50 may be used.

[0065] In step ST108, the monitor selection control unit 41 transmits a response request notification to the remote monitor device 5. The monitor selection control unit 41 creates a response request notification for the remote monitor device 5 handled by the matched remote monitor 50 and transmits the response request notification. Here, the response request notification includes vehicle inquiry data, response history data, and unpaid data.

[0066] In step ST109, the remote monitor 50 responds to the user of the vehicle 30 using the remote monitoring device 5. The monitor control unit 51 of the remote monitoring device 5 displays the received response request data on the monitor display unit 54. The remote monitor 50 will respond to the user based on the displayed information. For example, the remote monitor 50 checks whether there is a delay in unpaid fees so far, how the payment is planned, and whether a reminder notice seems to have been sent and whether the address of the recipient is correct.

[0067] In step ST110, the monitor control unit 51 transmits the response result to the toll central server 1. After the remote monitor 50 responds to the user, the remote monitor 50 creates a response result. The response result includes information such as, for example, the correction of the user's address, the intention to pay the toll, the method of paying the toll, and the language used for communication with the user. Then, the remote monitoring device 5 transmits the response result to the toll central server 1.

[0068] In step ST111, the toll central control unit 11 updates the data. For example, the toll central control unit 11 updates the information in the response history database and the unpaid toll management database stored in the toll central storage unit 12 based on the response result.

[0069] (Operation and Effect of the First Embodiment) According to the first embodiment described above, based on information such as the response history data and the unpaid toll data for responding to the user of the vehicle 30 that has erroneously entered the ETC-only toll gate, it is determined which remote monitor 50 should be assigned to handle the response. Thereby, a remote monitor 50 that can appropriately respond to the user can be assigned.

[0070] Also, by providing the remote monitor 50 with the information of the response history data and the unpaid toll data, the remote monitor 50 can check the past payment status of the user.

[0071] [Second Embodiment] (Configuration) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a remote monitor selection system according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, it is different from the first embodiment in that the exit tollgate server 6 is provided. In the first embodiment, it was a single toll system in which the toll was determined when the toll road passed through the entrance tollgate, but in the second embodiment, it is assumed that it is a toll road with a distance-based toll calculated at the exit tollgate.

[0072] The exit tollgate server 6 is a server arranged at the exit tollgate of the toll road. The exit tollgate server 6 is connected to roadside equipment (not shown) installed on the roadside of each tollgate. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the exit tollgate is an ETC-only exit tollgate. Therefore, there is no staff at the exit tollgate. When a trouble occurs when the vehicle 30 tries to exit from the exit tollgate and it cannot enter the toll road normally, the vehicle 30 moves to the support lane. Then, the user of the vehicle 30 will communicate with a remote monitor 50 (described later) who is at a location away from the exit tollgate (for example, using an intercom, etc.). The exit tollgate server 6 controls these processes.

[0073] Here, the trouble of the vehicle 30 exiting from the exit tollgate may be the same as the trouble of the vehicle 30 entering the entrance tollgate described in the first embodiment. However, the trouble of the vehicle 30 exiting from the exit tollgate also includes cases where the vehicle 30 could enter the entrance tollgate normally but a trouble occurred when exiting the exit tollgate.

[0074] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of each server, in-vehicle unit 3, and device according to the second embodiment. The configurations of the toll central server 1, the entrance tollgate server 2, the in-vehicle unit 3, the remote monitor selection server 4, and the remote monitor device 5 may be the same as those described in the first embodiment, so redundant explanations here are omitted. Also, the configurations of the exit tollgate control unit 61, the exit tollgate storage unit 62, the upper-level communication unit 63, the departure controller 64, the roadside display 65, and the vehicle communication unit 66 of the exit tollgate server 6 may be the same as the respective configurations of the entrance tollgate control unit 21, the entrance tollgate storage unit 22, the upper-level communication unit 23, the departure controller 24, the roadside display 25, and the vehicle communication unit 26 of the entrance tollgate server 2 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed explanations here are omitted.

[0075] (Operation) The operation in the second embodiment is the same except that the processing procedure described with reference to FIG. 3 and the operation of the entrance tollgate server 2 are performed by the exit tollgate server 6. Generally, various information (toll details) acquired by the entrance tollgate server 2 cannot be obtained by the exit tollgate server 6. This is because the vehicle 30 with a problem at the exit tollgate cannot be identified, and even if it can be identified, the entrance tollgate where the vehicle 30 entered cannot be identified.

[0076] However, when the user of the vehicle 30 obtains a pass at the entrance tollgate and inserts the pass into the roadside device at the exit tollgate, the toll central control unit 11 of the toll central server 1 may obtain various information acquired at the entrance tollgate, that is, various information acquired by the entrance tollgate server 2, and transmit it to the remote monitor device 5.

[0077] Alternatively, when the entrance tollgate where the vehicle 30 entered can be identified through interaction with the remote monitor 50, the toll central control unit 11 may obtain various information about the vehicle 30 in response to a request from the remote monitor device 5 and transmit it to the remote monitor device 5.

[0078] (Advantages and Effects of the Second Embodiment) According to the second embodiment described above, based on information such as response history data and unpaid toll data corresponding to the users of the vehicle 30 that has mistakenly entered the ETC-only exit toll gate, it is determined which remote monitor 50 should be assigned the response. Thereby, it is possible to assign a remote monitor 50 who can appropriately respond to the user.

[0079] Also, by providing the remote monitor 50 with information on the response history data and unpaid toll data, the remote monitor 50 can check the past payment status and the like of the user.

[0080] [Other Embodiments] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. As described above, the roadside device has acquired the face image of the user. Therefore, based on the face image, the user can be identified, and the response history data and unpaid toll data associated with the identified user can be acquired.

[0081] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0082] 1... Toll Central Server 11... Toll Central Control Unit 12... Toll Central Storage Unit 13... Toll Central Communication Unit 2... Entrance Toll Gate Server 21... Entrance Toll Gate Control Unit 22... Entrance Toll Gate Storage Unit 23... Upper-Level Communication Unit 24... Departure Controller 25... Roadside Display 26... Vehicle Communication Unit 30... Vehicle 3…Vehicle-mounted device 31…Vehicle-mounted device control unit 32…Vehicle-mounted device memory unit 33…Vehicle-mounted device communication unit 41…Remote monitor selection control unit 42…Remote monitor selection memory unit 43…Remote monitor selection communication unit 4…Remote monitor selection server 50…Remote monitor 5…Remote monitor device 51…Monitor control unit 52…Monitor memory unit 53…Monitor communication unit 54…Monitor display unit 55…Monitor input unit 6…Exit toll gate server 61…Exit toll gate control unit 62…Exit toll gate memory unit 63…Upper-level communication unit 64…Departure controller 65…Roadside display 66…Vehicle communication unit

Claims

1. A toll central server for managing toll roads, A remote monitor selection server connected to the toll central server, comprising, the toll central server A toll central reception unit that receives vehicle inquiry data indicating that a trouble has occurred in a vehicle that has entered an ETC dedicated toll booth and that response by a remote monitor is required; A toll central transmission unit that transmits response request data for the remote monitor to respond; comprising, the remote monitor selection server A monitor selection storage unit that stores a remote monitor management database that stores information about the remote monitor; A monitor selection control unit that matches a remote monitor capable of handling the use of the vehicle based on the response request data and the remote monitor management database; A monitor selection transmission unit that transmits a response request notification including the response request data; A remote monitor selection system comprising.

2. The remote monitor management database includes a response availability status indicating whether the remote monitor can respond, a standby time of the remote monitor, and a foreign language correspondence code indicating a foreign language that the remote monitor can handle. The remote monitor selection system according to claim 1.

3. The vehicle inquiry data includes vehicle information including a vehicle ID of the vehicle, The toll central server An unpaid toll management database that stores an unpaid status of a toll for using the toll road; A toll central search unit that searches for unpaid toll data associated with the vehicle ID from the toll management database; further comprising, the response request data includes unpaid toll data associated with the vehicle ID and the vehicle information. The remote monitor selection system according to claim 2.

4. The monitor selection control unit matches a remote monitor capable of handling the unpaid fee data from the remote monitor management database. The remote monitor selection system according to claim 3.

5. The vehicle inquiry data includes vehicle information including the vehicle ID of the vehicle. The toll center server A correspondence history database that stores the history corresponding to the remote monitor, A toll center search unit that searches the correspondence history database for the correspondence history data associated with the vehicle ID, Further comprising, the correspondence request data includes the correspondence history data associated with the vehicle ID and the vehicle information. The remote monitor selection system according to claim 2.

6. The monitor selection control unit matches a remote monitor capable of handling from the remote monitor management database based on the correspondence history data. The remote monitor selection system according to claim 5.

7. The dedicated ETC tollgate is a dedicated ETC entrance tollgate, and the toll for passing through the toll road is a single toll determined by a single toll system. The remote monitor selection system according to claim 1.

8. The dedicated ETC tollgate is a dedicated ETC exit tollgate, and the toll for using the toll road is a toll determined by a distance-based toll system. The remote monitor selection system according to claim 1.

9. A monitor selection reception unit that receives correspondence request data for a vehicle that has encountered a problem at the dedicated ETC tollgate and is to be handled by a remote monitor, A monitor selection storage unit that stores a remote monitor management database that stores information about the remote monitor, A supervisor selection control unit that matches a remote supervisor capable of handling the use of the vehicle based on the corresponding request data and the remote supervisor management database; A supervisor selection transmission unit that transmits a corresponding request notification including the corresponding request data; A remote supervisor selection device comprising the above.

10. The supervisor selection reception unit of the remote supervisor selection server receives corresponding request data for a response by a remote supervisor when a trouble occurs in a vehicle that has entered an ETC dedicated tollgate; The supervisor selection storage unit of the remote supervisor selection server stores a remote supervisor management database that stores information about remote supervisors; The supervisor selection control unit of the remote supervisor selection server matches a remote supervisor capable of handling the use of the vehicle based on the corresponding request data and the remote supervisor management database; The supervisor selection transmission unit of the remote supervisor selection server transmits a corresponding request notification including the corresponding request data; A remote supervisor selection method comprising the above.

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