Fee settlement apparatus, entrance information processing apparatus, fee settlement method, and entrance information processing method

Abstract

To provide a fee adjustment device capable of adjusting a parking fee by using ETC card information without arranging an ETC communication device at an exit gate of a parking lot.SOLUTION: The charge settlement device includes a storage unit configured to store management information in which ETC-related information associated with a vehicle registration number and ETC card information is associated with an entry time at which a vehicle enters a parking lot, an input unit configured to input the vehicle registration number detected from an image representing the vehicle, and a processor configured to acquire the entry time associated with the vehicle registration number input from the input unit by referring to the management information stored in the storage unit. And a settlement unit that acquires the ETC-related information associated with the vehicle registration number input from the input unit with reference to the management information stored in the storage unit and executes a settlement process of the parking fee calculated by the calculation unit on the basis of the ETC-related information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fee settlement device, an admission information processing device, a fee settlement method, and an admission information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, vehicles are equipped with an ETC on-board unit to which an ETC card is attached. As a method for paying parking fees when a vehicle is parked in a parking lot, fee settlement using the ETC card has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] An ETC communication device is placed at each of the entrance gate and exit gate of the parking lot, and an ETC card number or the like is acquired when a vehicle passes through the entrance gate and the exit gate, so that the entrance time and exit time of the vehicle are acquired, the parking fee is calculated, and the parking fee is settled using the ETC card. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-35255 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, installing an ETC communication device at each entrance gate and exit gate of a parking lot increases costs.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the number of ETC communication devices installed in parking lots.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide a fee settlement device that can settle parking fees using ETC card information without placing an ETC communication device at the exit gate of a parking lot.

[0008] Here, in order to settle parking fees using ETC card information, it is necessary to associate vehicle-specific information, such as the vehicle registration number that identifies the vehicle, with the ETC card information of the ETC card installed in the vehicle.

[0009] At the entrance gate of a parking lot, when an ETC communication device communicates with an ETC on-board unit installed in a vehicle, the ETC communication device may communicate with an ETC on-board unit installed in another vehicle nearby the vehicle that has entered. If such communication occurs, it will be impossible to obtain the ETC card information of the vehicle that has entered.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an entrance information processing device that can obtain correct ETC card information for vehicles entering an entrance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] (1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a fee settlement device, which includes: a storage unit that stores management information that associates ETC-related information associated with a vehicle registration number and ETC card information with a time the vehicle entered a parking lot; an input unit that inputs a vehicle registration number detected from an image of a vehicle; a calculation unit that references the management information stored in the storage unit to obtain the entry time associated with the vehicle registration number input from the input unit and calculates a parking fee based on the entry time and an exit time the vehicle leaves the parking lot; and a settlement unit that references the management information stored in the storage unit to obtain the ETC-related information associated with the vehicle registration number input from the input unit and executes a settlement process for the parking fee calculated by the calculation unit based on the ETC-related information.

[0012] (2) In the toll settlement device of (1), in the management information, ETC-related information is associated with ETC card information obtained by the ETC communication device through communication with the ETC onboard unit installed in the vehicle when the vehicle enters the parking lot.

[0013] (3) In the toll payment device of (1), the ETC-related information in the management information is associated with ETC card information associated with the vehicle registration number obtained from the terminal of the user who uses the vehicle.

[0014] (4) The fee settlement device of (1) to (3) has a judgment unit that determines whether a first vehicle registration number obtained from an ETC onboard unit installed in a vehicle by an ETC communication device installed at the entrance to the parking lot matches a second vehicle registration number of the vehicle shown in an image acquired by a camera installed at the entrance to the parking lot; a second judgment unit that determines, if the judgment unit determines that the first vehicle registration number matches the second vehicle registration number, that a vehicle identified by the first vehicle registration number obtained by the ETC communication device installed at the entrance to the parking lot has entered the parking lot; and a registration unit that, if the second judgment unit determines that a vehicle identified by the first vehicle registration number has entered the parking lot, registers ETC-related information associated with the ETC card information obtained together with the first vehicle registration number by the ETC communication device installed at the entrance to the parking lot in association with the first vehicle registration number in management information.

[0015] (5) According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an entrance information processing device. a first determination unit that determines whether a first vehicle registration number acquired from an ETC on-board unit mounted on a vehicle by an ETC communication device installed at an entrance where the vehicle enters matches a second vehicle registration number of the vehicle shown in an image acquired by a camera installed at the entrance; and a second determination unit that determines that a vehicle identified by the first vehicle registration number acquired by the ETC communication device has entered the entrance when the first determination unit determines that the first vehicle registration number matches the second vehicle registration number; The present invention is characterized by having the following:

[0016] (6) According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a fee settlement method, characterized in that the fee settlement device executes a process including: inputting a vehicle registration number detected from an image representing a vehicle, referencing management information that associates ETC-related information associated with the vehicle registration number and ETC card information with the time the vehicle entered a parking lot to obtain an entry time associated with the input vehicle registration number, calculating a parking fee based on the entry time and the exit time the vehicle leaves the parking lot, referencing the management information to obtain ETC-related information associated with the vehicle registration number entered from an input unit, and executing a settlement process for the calculated parking fee based on the ETC-related information.

[0017] (7) According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a toll settlement system, characterized in that the toll settlement system executes a process including: determining, by an information processing device disposed at an entrance through which the vehicle enters, whether a first vehicle registration number acquired from an ETC on-board unit mounted on the vehicle matches a second vehicle registration number of the vehicle shown in an image acquired by a camera disposed at the entrance; and, if it is determined that the first vehicle registration number matches the second vehicle registration number, determining that a vehicle identified by the first vehicle registration number acquired by the ETC communication device has entered the entrance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The fee settlement device according to the present disclosure has the advantage of being able to settle parking fees using ETC card information without placing an ETC communication device at the exit gate of the parking lot.

[0019] The entrance information processing device according to the present disclosure has the effect of being able to obtain correct ETC card information of a vehicle entering an entrance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fee settlement system in which a management server according to an embodiment of the present invention is implemented. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of an entrance process in the fee settlement system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a membership table. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a management table. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of an exit process of the fee settlement system. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a management server. [Figure 7] 10 is an example of an operational flowchart of a registration process of a management server. [Figure 8] 10A is a diagram illustrating an admission notification, FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a process for searching for a vehicle registration number, and FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating a process for selecting a vehicle registration number. [Figure 9] 10 is an example of an operational flowchart of a terminal registration process. [Figure 10] 10 is another example of an operational flowchart of the registration process of the management server. [Figure 11] 10 is an example of an operational flowchart of a settlement process of a management server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fee settlement system 1 of this embodiment in which a management server 10 is implemented. The fee settlement system 1 has a management server 10, an ETC server 11, a communication network 40, and devices 31 to 37 arranged in parking lots 30. The fee settlement system 1 of this embodiment executes a parking fee settlement process for at least one parking lot 30. The management server 10 is an example of a fee settlement device. The management server 10 uses ETC card information to settle parking fees for vehicles 70 parked in the parking lot 30. The ETC server 11 provides services using ETC card information to users who use ETC cards.

[0022] An ETC communication device 31, a camera 32a, a number recognition device 32, and an entrance gate device 33 are installed at the entrance gate of the parking lot 30. A camera 36a, a number recognition device 36, and an exit gate device 37 are installed at the exit gate of the parking lot 30.

[0023] The ETC communication device 31, the number recognition device 32, the entrance gate device 33, the number recognition device 36, and the exit gate device 37 are communicatively connected to the management server 10 and the ETC server 11 via a communication network 40.

[0024] Furthermore, a terminal 60 carried by a user who uses the parking lot 30 is connected to the management server 10 and the ETC server 11 via the macrocell base station 50 and the communication network 40 so as to be able to communicate with them.

[0025] 1 shows only one parking lot 30, the fee settlement system 1 may execute fee settlement processing at multiple parking lots. Also, multiple macrocell base stations 50 may be connected to the communication network 40.

[0026] The vehicle 70 has an ETC on-board unit 71. An ETC card is installed in the ETC on-board unit 71. The ETC on-board unit 71 performs short-range communication such as DSRC with the ETC communication device 31. The ETC on-board unit 71 has a wireless call number (WCN) that identifies the ETC on-board unit 71, vehicle-specific information including information about the vehicle 70 in which the ETC on-board unit 71 is installed, and ETC card information that identifies the ETC card. The vehicle-specific information and ETC card information are encrypted. The ETC on-board unit 71 transmits the WCN to the ETC communication device 31 as unencrypted information, but transmits the vehicle-specific information and ETC card information to the ETC communication device 31 as encrypted information. For example, ETC security standards are used as a method for encrypting the vehicle-specific information and ETC card information.

[0027] The vehicle-specific information includes information written on the vehicle inspection certificate (vehicle inspection certificate) of the vehicle 70. The vehicle-specific information includes, for example, the vehicle registration number, the vehicle classification, and information indicating the vehicle dimensions.

[0028] The camera 36a is preferably placed near the ETC communication device 31. The field of view of the camera 36a preferably overlaps at least partly with the space in which the ETC communication device 31 can communicate.

[0029] The cameras 32a and 36a capture camera images at vehicle detection times having a predetermined cycle. The camera 32a outputs the captured camera images to the license plate number recognition device 32. The camera 36a outputs the captured camera images to the license plate number recognition device 36.

[0030] The number recognition devices 36, 36 detect the vehicle registration number contained in the vehicle registration plate displayed in the camera image. The vehicle registration number includes four types of plate information: area name, classification number, hiragana, and serial number. The area name represents the place name of the transport bureau and vehicle inspection and registration office that have jurisdiction over the vehicle user's base of operations. The classification number represents the vehicle's use and model. The hiragana represents distinguishing characters that indicate the vehicle's use. The serial number is a unique number that is combined with the area name, classification number, and hiragana to identify the vehicle. Hereinafter, the vehicle registration number preferably includes all of the area name, classification number, hiragana, and serial number, but the vehicle registration number includes at least the serial number.

[0031] The ETC communication device 31 communicates with the ETC on-board unit 71 mounted on the vehicle 70 at a vehicle detection time having a predetermined cycle. When the vehicle 70 mounted with the ETC on-board unit 71 is within the communication range of the ETC communication device 31, the ETC communication device 31 starts communication with the ETC on-board unit.

[0032] The ETC communication device 31 communicates with the ETC on-board unit 71 mounted on the vehicle 70 to acquire the encrypted vehicle-specific information and ETC card information. The ETC communication device 31 transmits the encrypted vehicle-specific information and ETC card information to the ETC server 11.

[0033] The entrance gate device 33 and the exit gate device 37 open and close the gates in response to an opening request from the management server 10.

[0034] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram of the entry process of the fee settlement system 1. The fee settlement system 1 executes the entry process in accordance with the sequence diagram shown in Figure 2 every time a vehicle 70 enters a parking lot 30. Note that although Figure 1 shows only one parking lot 30, the fee settlement system 1 can also execute the entry process when a vehicle enters another parking lot.

[0035] First, when the vehicle 70 approaches the entrance gate of the parking lot 30, the ETC communication device 31 starts communication with the ETC on-board unit 71 installed in the vehicle 70 and obtains the vehicle-specific information and ETC card information of the vehicle 70 from the ETC on-board unit 71 (step S101).

[0036] Next, the ETC communication device 31 transmits the encrypted vehicle-specific information and ETC card information to the ETC server 11 via the communication network 40 (step S102). The ETC server 11 manages information on users who use ETC cards.

[0037] Next, the ETC server 11 decrypts the encrypted vehicle-specific information and ETC card information received from the ETC on-board unit 71. The ETC server 11 registers the ETC management ID of the decrypted ETC card information in the membership table 100 of the user who uses the ETC card (step S103). The ETC server 11 has the membership table 100 that manages information of users who use ETC cards.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the member table 100. In the member table 100, a member ID, ETEC card information, an email address, credit card information, and an ETC management ID are registered in association with each other. The ETC management ID is an example of ETC-related information. The member table 100 has a member ID column 101, an ETC card information column 102, an email address column 103, a credit card information column 104, and an ETC management ID column 105.

[0039] The member ID field 101 is registered with information identifying the user who uses the ETC card. The ETC card information field 102 is registered with ETC card information (number). The email address field 103 is registered with the email address of the user who uses the ETC card. The credit card information field 104 is registered with the credit card information (number) of the user who uses the ETC card. The ETC management ID field 105 is registered with the ETC management ID, which is identification information generated each time the vehicle 70 enters the parking lot 30. The user of the vehicle 70 that enters the parking lot 30 is uniquely identified using the ETC management ID.

[0040] The ETC server 11 registers the ETC management ID in the ETC management ID field 105 of the member ID associated with the ETC card information that matches the decrypted ETC card information. Users who enter the parking lot 30 are managed using their ETC management ID.

[0041] Next, the ETC server 11 transmits the registered ETC management ID, the ETC card information associated with this ETC management ID, the decrypted vehicle-specific information, the member ID, and the email address to the management server 10 via the communication network 40 (step S104).

[0042] The membership list 100 may have a parking lot ID column in which a parking lot ID that identifies a parking lot is registered, and a gate ID column in which a gate ID that identifies an entrance gate to the parking lot is registered. In this case, the ETC server 11 may also transmit the parking lot ID and the gate ID to the management server 10.

[0043] Furthermore, when the vehicle 70 approaches the entrance gate of the parking lot 30, the number recognition device 32 acquires the vehicle registration number included in the vehicle registration plate shown in the camera image (step S105).

[0044] Next, the number recognition device 32 transmits the vehicle registration number to the management server 10 via the communication network 40 (step S106).

[0045] The above-mentioned steps S105 and S106 may be performed before S101 and S102 or simultaneously.

[0046] Next, if the management server 10 finds that the vehicle registration number included in the vehicle-specific information received from the ETC server 11 matches the vehicle registration number received from the number recognition device 32, it generates a new user ID and associates this user ID with the vehicle-specific information and the ETC management ID, and registers them in the management table 200 (step S107). The management server 10 manages the settlement of parking fees for the vehicle 70 using the management table 200. The management table 200 is an example of management information. The user ID, vehicle-specific information, ETC management ID, entry time, exit time, and parking fee are registered in association with each other in the management table 200.

[0047] 4 is a diagram illustrating the management table 200. The management table 200 has a user ID column 201, a vehicle-specific information column 202, an ETC management ID column 203, an entry time column 204, an exit time column 205, and a parking fee column 206.

[0048] The user ID column 201 is registered with a user ID that identifies the user of the vehicle that has entered the parking lot. The user ID is information that uniquely identifies the user who uses the parking lot 30. The vehicle-specific information column 202 is registered with vehicle-specific information of the vehicle that has entered the parking lot. At least the vehicle registration number is registered in the vehicle-specific information column 202. The ETC management ID column 203 is registered with the ETC management ID of the user of the vehicle that has entered the parking lot. The entry time column 204 is registered with the time the vehicle entered the parking lot 30. The exit time column 205 is registered with the time the vehicle exited the parking lot 30. The parking fee column 206 is registered with the parking fee for the vehicle. At this point, no information is registered in the entry time column 204, the exit time column 205, or the parking fee column 206.

[0049] Next, management server 10 transmits an opening request to open the gate to entrance gate device 33 via communication network 40 (step S106). Management server 10 also registers the entry time in the entry time column 204 of management table 200, and ends the series of processes. When entrance gate device 33 opens the entry gate, vehicle 70 enters parking lot 30 and parks in a designated parking space.

[0050] 5 is a sequence diagram of the exit process of the fee settlement system 1. The fee settlement system 1 executes the exit process in accordance with the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

[0051] First, when the vehicle 70 approaches the exit gate of the parking lot 30, the number recognition device 36 acquires the vehicle registration number included in the vehicle registration plate shown in the camera image (step S201).

[0052] Next, the number recognition device 36 transmits the vehicle registration number to the management server 10 via the communication network 40 (step S202).

[0053] Next, management server 10 refers to management table 200 to obtain the entry time associated with the vehicle registration number received from number recognition device 36, and calculates the parking fee based on this entry time and the exit time when vehicle 70 leaves the parking lot (step S203). For example, the time when the vehicle registration number is received from number recognition device 36 can be used as the exit time. Management server 10 registers the exit time in exit time column 205 of management table 200, and registers the parking fee in parking fee column 206.

[0054] Next, the management server 10 refers to the management table 200 to obtain the ETC management ID associated with the vehicle registration number received from the number recognition device 36, and transmits this ETC management ID and a settlement request for settlement of the parking fee to the ETC server 11 via the communication network 40 (step S204).

[0055] Next, the ETC server 11 refers to the membership table 100 to obtain the credit card information associated with the ETC management ID received from the management server 10, and executes electronic payment of the parking fee using this credit card information (step S205). In this specification, the management server 10 executing the parking fee settlement process based on the ETC management ID includes the management server 10 executing the parking fee settlement process in cooperation with the ETC server 11 based on the ETC management ID.

[0056] Next, the ETC server 11 transmits a settlement completion notice indicating that the parking fee settlement process has been completed to the management server 10 via the communication network 40 (step S206).

[0057] Next, the management server 10 transmits an opening request to open the gate to the exit gate device 37 via the communication network 40 (step S207), and ends the series of processes. When the exit gate device 37 opens the gate, the vehicle 70 exits the parking lot 30.

[0058] According to the fee settlement system 1 of the present embodiment described above, parking fees can be settled using ETC card information without installing an ETC communication device at the exit gate of the parking lot 30. This reduces the cost of the fee settlement system 1.

[0059] 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of the management server 10. The management server 10 executes determination processing, registration processing, calculation processing, settlement processing, and information processing. To this end, the management server 10 has a communication interface (IF) 21, a storage device 22, a memory 23, and a processor 24. The communication IF 21, the storage device 22, and the memory 23 are connected to the processor 24 via a signal line 25. The management server 10 may further have input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

[0060] The communication IF 21 has an interface circuit for connecting the management server 10 to the communication network 40. The communication IF 21 is configured to be able to communicate with the ETC communication device 31, the number recognition device 32, the entrance gate device 33, the number recognition device 36, and the exit gate device 37 via the communication network 40. The communication IF 21 is an example of an input unit and an output unit. The communication IF 21 is also configured to be able to communicate with the user terminal 60 via the communication network 40 and the macrocell base station 50.

[0061] The storage device 22 includes, for example, a hard disk drive or an optical recording medium and an access device for the same. The storage device 22 stores a management table 200. If the fee settlement system 1 manages multiple parking lots, the management table 200 may be stored in the storage device 22 for each parking lot.

[0062] Furthermore, the storage device 22 may store a computer program for executing the processing of the management server 10 related to the settlement process, which is executed on the processor 24. The storage device 22 is an example of a storage unit.

[0063] The memory 23 includes, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory and a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The memory 23 stores various data and computer programs of applications used in information processing executed by the processor 24. The management table 200 may be stored in the memory 23. The memory 23 is an example of a storage unit.

[0064] All or part of the functions of the management server 10 are functional modules implemented by a computer program running on the processor 24, for example. The processor 24 includes a determination unit 241, a registration unit 242, a calculation unit 243, a settlement unit 244, and an information unit 245. Alternatively, the functional modules included in the processor 24 may be dedicated arithmetic circuits provided in the processor 24. The processor 24 includes one or more central processing units (CPUs) and their peripheral circuits. The processor 24 may further include other arithmetic circuits such as a logic operation unit, a numerical operation unit, or a graphics processing unit.

[0065] Fig. 7 is an example of an operational flowchart of the registration process of the management server 10. The registration process of the management server 10 will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. The management server 10 executes the registration process of the vehicle 70 entering the parking lot 30 at a registration process time having a predetermined cycle, in accordance with the operational flowchart shown in Fig. 7.

[0066] First, the determination unit 241 determines whether or not registration information including the ETC management ID and vehicle-specific information has been received from the ETC server 11 via the communication IF 21 (step S301). If registration information has not been received from the ETC server 11 (step S301-No), the series of processes ends.

[0067] On the other hand, if registration information has been received from the ETC server 11 (step S301-Yes), the determination unit 241 determines whether or not the vehicle registration number has been received from the number recognition device 32 via the communication IF 21 (step S302). When the determination unit 241 receives the registration information from the ETC server 11 (step S301), it determines whether or not the vehicle registration number has been received from the number recognition device 32 within a predetermined time before or after the time of reception. The predetermined time can be, for example, 10 to 30 seconds.

[0068] If the vehicle registration number has been received from the number recognition device 32 (step S302-Yes), the determination unit 241 determines whether the vehicle registration number included in the vehicle-specific information received from the ETC server 11 matches the vehicle registration number received from the number recognition device 32 (step S303). A match between the two vehicle registration numbers means that the vehicle 70 identified by the vehicle registration number acquired by the ETC communication device 31 located at the entrance to the parking lot 30 has entered the parking lot 30.

[0069] If the two vehicle registration numbers match (step S303-Yes), the registration unit 242 registers the registration information received from the ETC server 11 in the management table 200 (step S304). Specifically, the registration unit 242 generates a new user ID, associates this user ID with the ETC management ID and the vehicle-specific information, and registers them in the management table 200. As a result, the ETC management ID associated with the ETC card information acquired together with the vehicle registration number acquired by the ETC communication device 31 located at the entrance to the parking lot 30 is associated with the vehicle registration number and registered in the management table 200. In addition, by confirming that the two vehicle registration numbers match, the correct ETC card information of the vehicle 70 entering the entrance to the parking lot 30 can be obtained.

[0070] Next, the registration unit 242 transmits an opening request to open the gate to the entrance gate device 33 via the communication IF 21 (step S305). The registration unit 242 also registers the entry time in the entry time column 204 of the management table 200 in association with the user ID. The entry time may be the time when the opening request is transmitted to the entrance gate device 33. When the entrance gate device 33 opens the gate, the vehicle 70 enters the parking lot 30 and parks in a designated parking space.

[0071] Next, the registration unit 242 refers to the management table 200 to obtain the ETC management ID associated with the user ID, and sends a transmission request to the ETC server 11 requesting that an entry notice be sent to the email address associated with this ETC management ID, notifying that the vehicle 70 has entered the parking lot 30. The ETC server 11 refers to the membership table 100 to obtain the email address associated with the ETC management ID included in the transmission request, and uses this email address to send an entry notice to the terminal 60 of the user of the vehicle 70, notifying that the vehicle 70 has entered the parking lot 30 (step S306), thereby completing the series of processes. By looking at the entry notice displayed on the terminal 60, the user can recognize that they have entered the parking lot 30 using their ETC card.

[0072] 8(A) is a diagram illustrating the entry notification. The entry notification includes the vehicle registration number of the vehicle 70 and the entry time. The entry notification also includes information representing a two-dimensional code including a user ID. This two-dimensional code will be described later.

[0073] In addition, the registration unit 242 may send a display request to the display device 34 via the communication IF 21 and the communication network 40 to display an entry notification notifying that the vehicle 70 has entered the parking lot 30.

[0074] The display device 34 is positioned where the vehicle 70 enters the entrance gate so that it can be seen by the user of the vehicle 70. When the display device 34 receives a display request, it displays the vehicle registration number of the vehicle 70 and the time of entry. By looking at the entry notification displayed on the display device 34, the user can recognize that they have been able to enter the parking lot 30 using their ETC card.

[0075] On the other hand, if the two vehicle registration numbers do not match (step S307-No), the registration unit 242 generates a new user ID, associates this user ID with the vehicle registration number received from the number recognition device 32, and registers it in the management table 200. As a result, although the ETC card information is not used, it is registered in the management table 200 that the vehicle 70 has entered the parking lot 30. At this point, the ETC management ID is not registered in the management table 200.

[0076] At the entrance gate of the parking lot 30, when the ETC communication device 31 communicates with the ETC on-board unit 71 mounted on the vehicle 70, the ETC communication device 31 may communicate with the ETC on-board unit mounted on another vehicle 80 around the vehicle 70. If such communication occurs, it will be impossible to obtain the ETC card information of the vehicle 70 that has entered.

[0077] Next, the registration unit 242 transmits an opening request to the entrance gate device 33 via the communication IF 21 to request that the gate be opened (step S308). The registration unit 242 registers the entrance time in the entrance time column 204 of the management table 200 in association with the user ID.

[0078] Next, the registration unit 242 transmits a notification indicating that the vehicle 70 was unable to enter the parking lot 30 using the ETC card to the display device 34 (step S309), and ends the series of processes. For example, the registration unit 242 transmits a display request to the display device 34 via the communication IF 21 and the communication network 40, requesting that a non-entry notification indicating that the vehicle 70 was unable to enter the parking lot 30 using the ETC card information be displayed.

[0079] When the display device 34 receives this display request, it displays that the vehicle that entered the entrance gate was not able to use the ETC card to enter the parking lot 30. By looking at the non-entry notice displayed on the display device 34, the user can recognize that they were not able to use the ETC card to enter the parking lot 30. Note that if an ETC-only entrance gate is being used and the two vehicle registration numbers do not match (step S307-No), the registration unit 242 may not send an opening request to the entrance gate device 33 to open the gate.

[0080] If the vehicle registration number is not received from the number recognition device 32 (step S302-No), the process ends. As described above, if the ETC communication device 31 communicates with the ETC on-board unit of the wrong vehicle at the entrance gate of the parking lot, the vehicle registration number is not transmitted from the number recognition device 32.

[0081] Next, the process of registering ETC entry by a user who has recognized that he or she was unable to enter the ETC area will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0082] 9 is an example of an operational flowchart of the registration process of the terminal 60. Operated by the user of the vehicle 70, the terminal 60 executes the registration process of the vehicle 70 entering the parking lot 30 in accordance with the operational flowchart shown in FIG.

[0083] First, the terminal 60 is operated by a user to access a website managed by the information unit 245 of the management server 10 (step S401). For example, the user can use the terminal 60 to read the two-dimensional code 34a displayed on the display device 34, and access the website managed by the information unit 245 according to the URL address included in the two-dimensional code 34a. Then, the terminal 60 is operated by the user to display a vehicle search page. Information received through communication with the information unit 245 is displayed on the terminal 60. The two-dimensional code 34a for accessing the website managed by the information unit 245 of the management server 10 may be displayed on a signboard or the like in the parking lot.

[0084] Next, the terminal 60 is operated by the user to search for the vehicle registration number of the vehicle 70 (step S402). Figure 8(B) is a diagram explaining the process of searching for a vehicle registration number. The search method can be selected from vehicle number (vehicle registration number) search, entry date and time search, and entry date and vehicle number search. In the example shown in Figure 8(B), the terminal 60 is operated by the user to select vehicle number search. The terminal 60 is operated by the user to input the vehicle registration number into the website. Then, the information unit 245 refers to the management table 200 and displays one or more corresponding vehicle numbers (vehicle registration numbers) that match the vehicle registration number transmitted from the terminal 60 on the website.

[0085] Next, the terminal 60 is operated by the user to select the vehicle registration number of the vehicle 70 from one or more corresponding vehicle numbers displayed on the website (step S403). Figure 8(C) is a diagram explaining the process of selecting the vehicle registration number. As a result, the information unit 245 acquires the vehicle registration number selected by the user.

[0086] Next, the terminal 60 is operated by the user to transmit the member ID to the website (step S404), thereby completing the series of processes. As a result, the information unit 245 acquires the selected member ID entered by the user in association with the vehicle registration number. The registration unit 242 registers the member ID in the management table 200 in association with the user ID associated with the vehicle registration number.

[0087] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the following will explain how the management server 10 performs the registration process for the vehicle 70 entering the parking lot 30 based on the member ID and vehicle registration number acquired from the terminal 60 described above.

[0088] In addition, a user who has not obtained a member ID can access the website managed by the ETC server 11, enter the information to be registered in the member list 100 to register as a new member and obtain a member ID, and then perform the above-mentioned operations to perform the registration process for the vehicle 70 entering the parking lot 30.

[0089] 10 is another example of an operational flowchart of the registration process of the management server 10. Every time the management server 10 acquires a member ID and a vehicle registration number from the terminal 60, it executes the registration process of the vehicle 70 entering the parking lot 30 in accordance with the operational flowchart shown in FIG.

[0090] First, the registration unit 242 transmits the automobile registration number acquired from the terminal 60 to the ETC server 11 via the communication IF 21 (step S501). The ETC server 11 refers to the membership table 100 to acquire registration information including the ETC management ID associated with the automobile registration number, and transmits the information to the management server 10.

[0091] Next, the registration unit 242 receives registration information including the ETC management ID from the ETC server 11 via the communication IF 21 (step S502).

[0092] Next, the registration unit 242 registers the registration information received from the ETC server 11 in the management table 200 (step S503). Specifically, the registration unit 242 refers to the management table 200 and acquires the user ID associated with the vehicle registration number acquired from the terminal 60. The registration unit 242 associates this user ID, ETC management ID, and vehicle-specific information and registers them in the management table 200. As a result, for the vehicle 70 of the user having the member ID acquired from the terminal 60, the ETC management ID associated with the ETC card information is registered in the management table 200 in association with the vehicle registration number. Note that the registration of the vehicle-specific information in the management table 200 may be omitted.

[0093] Next, the registration unit 242 sends an entry notification to the terminal 60 of the user of the vehicle 70, notifying the user that the vehicle 70 has entered the parking lot 30, via the ETC management server 11 as described above, to the user's email address (step S504), thereby completing the series of processes. By looking at the entry notification displayed on the terminal 60, the user can recognize that the use of the parking lot 30 using the ETC card information has been registered.

[0094] For example, a user may enter the parking lot 30 without inserting an ETC card into the ETC on-board unit 71 of the vehicle 70. In such a case, by performing a registration process using the terminal 60, the user can use the parking lot 30 using the ETC card.

[0095] Next, the parking fee settlement process when vehicle 70 exits parking lot 30 will be described below with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is an example of an operational flowchart of the settlement process of management server 10. Management server 10 executes the settlement process for vehicle 70 exiting parking lot 30 at a settlement process time having a predetermined cycle, in accordance with the operational flowchart shown in Fig. 11.

[0096] First, the determination unit 241 determines whether or not the vehicle registration number has been received from the number recognition device 36 via the communication IF 21 (step S601).

[0097] If the vehicle registration number has been received from the number recognition device 32 (step S601-Yes), the calculation unit 243 refers to the management table 200 and acquires the entry time associated with the vehicle registration number (step S602).

[0098] Next, the calculation unit 243 calculates the parking fee based on the entry time and the exit time when the vehicle 70 leaves the parking lot 30 (step S603). The exit time may be, for example, the time when the vehicle registration number is received from the number recognition device 36. Note that if parking fee discount information has been received from the terminal 60 along with the member ID, the calculation unit 243 may calculate the parking fee based on the discount information.

[0099] Next, the settlement unit 244 refers to the management table 200 to obtain the ETC management ID associated with the automobile registration number received from the number recognition device 36, and executes the settlement process for the parking fee based on this ETC management ID (step S604). Specifically, the settlement unit 244 transmits the ETC management ID and the parking fee together with a settlement request to the ETC server 11 via the communication IF 25.

[0100] The ETC server 11 refers to the membership table 100 to obtain the credit card information associated with the ETC management ID received from the management server 10, and uses this credit card information to carry out electronic payment of the parking fee. In this specification, the management server 10's execution of the parking fee settlement process based on the ETC management ID includes the management server 10's execution of the parking fee settlement process in cooperation with the ETC server 11 based on the ETC management ID. The ETC server 11 sends a settlement completion notice to the management server 10, indicating that the parking fee settlement process has been completed.

[0101] Next, when the settlement unit 244 receives a settlement completion notification from the ETC server 11 via the communication IF 25, it transmits a gate opening request to the exit gate device 37 via the communication network 40 to open the gate (step S605), thereby completing the series of processes. The vehicle 70 exits the parking lot 30.

[0102] According to the management server of the fee settlement system of this embodiment described above, parking fees can be settled using ETC card information without placing an ETC communication device at the exit gate of the parking lot.

[0103] If the license plate number recognition device 36 at the exit gate of the parking lot 30 is unable to correctly recognize the vehicle registration number of the vehicle 70, the user operates the terminal 60 to display the two-dimensional code containing the user ID received together with the entry notification on the terminal 60. The user causes the camera 37a of the exit gate device 37 to read the two-dimensional code displayed on the terminal 60. The exit gate device 37 analyzes the two-dimensional code to read the user ID and transmits this user ID to the management server 10. The management server 10 executes the settlement process using ETC card information based on the user ID.

[0104] In the present invention, the fee settlement device, admission information processing device, fee settlement method, and admission information processing method 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 set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

[0105] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the management server and the ETC server are separate devices, but the two servers may be integrated into one device.

[0106] In the above-described embodiment, the entrance information processing device performs processing at the entrance gate of a parking lot, but the entrance information processing device may be used to identify vehicles at locations other than the entrance of a parking lot, as long as the entrance information processing device determines whether a first vehicle registration number acquired from an ETC on-board unit mounted on a vehicle matches a second vehicle registration number of the vehicle shown in an image acquired by a camera installed at the entrance, using an ETC communication device installed at the entrance where the vehicle enters. For example, the entrance information processing device may be used to identify vehicles at the entrance of a toll road. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1. Payment system 10 Management server (charge settlement device, admission information processing device) 21 Communication Interface 22 Storage Devices 23 Memory 24 processors 241 Judgment section 242 Registration Department 243 Calculation Unit 244 Settlement Department 245 Information Department 25 Signal line 11 ETC Server 30 Parking 31 ETC communication device 32 Number Recognition Device 32a Camera 33 Entrance gate device 34 Display device 34a 2D code 36 Number Recognition Device 36a Camera 37 Exit gate device 40 Communication Network 50 macrocell base stations 60 devices

Claims

1. a storage unit for storing management information that associates ETC-related information associated with a vehicle registration number and ETC card information with the time of entry of the vehicle into a parking lot; an input unit for inputting a vehicle registration number detected from an image representing a vehicle; a calculation unit that refers to the management information stored in the storage unit, acquires an entry time associated with the vehicle registration number input from the input unit, and calculates a parking fee based on the entry time and an exit time when the vehicle leaves the parking lot; a settlement unit that refers to the management information stored in the storage unit, acquires the ETC-related information associated with the vehicle registration number input from the input unit, and executes a settlement process for the parking fee calculated by the calculation unit based on the ETC-related information; A fee settlement device comprising:

2. The fee settlement device described in claim 1, wherein in the management information, the ETC-related information is associated with ETC card information obtained by an ETC communication device through communication with an ETC onboard unit installed in the vehicle when the vehicle enters a parking lot.

3. 2. The fee settlement device according to claim 1, wherein in the management information, the ETC-related information is associated with ETC card information associated with a vehicle registration number obtained from a terminal of a user who uses a vehicle.

4. a determination unit that determines whether a first vehicle registration number acquired from an ETC vehicle-mounted unit installed in a vehicle by an ETC communication device installed at an entrance to the parking lot matches a second vehicle registration number of the vehicle shown in an image acquired by a camera installed at the entrance to the parking lot; a second determination unit that, when the determination unit determines that the first vehicle registration number and the second vehicle registration number match, determines that a vehicle identified by the first vehicle registration number obtained by an ETC communication device located at an entrance to the parking lot has entered the parking lot; a registration unit that, when the second determination unit determines that the vehicle identified by the first vehicle registration number has entered the parking lot, registers the ETC-related information associated with ETC card information acquired together with the first vehicle registration number by an ETC communication device located at the entrance of the parking lot, in association with the first vehicle registration number, in the management information; The fee settlement device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

5. a first determination unit that determines whether a first vehicle registration number acquired from an ETC on-board unit mounted on a vehicle by an ETC communication device installed at an entrance through which the vehicle enters matches a second vehicle registration number of the vehicle shown in an image acquired by a camera installed at the entrance; a second determination unit that determines, when the first determination unit determines that the first vehicle registration number and the second vehicle registration number match, that a vehicle identified by the first vehicle registration number acquired by the ETC communication device has entered the entrance; An entrance information processing device comprising:

6. The fee settlement device Enter the vehicle registration number detected from the image representing the vehicle, The system obtains the entry time associated with the input vehicle registration number by referring to management information that associates ETC-related information associated with the vehicle registration number and ETC card information with the entry time of the vehicle into the parking lot, and calculates the parking fee based on the entry time and the exit time of the vehicle leaving the parking lot. By referring to the management information, ETC-related information associated with the input vehicle registration number is acquired, and a parking fee settlement process is carried out based on the ETC-related information. A fee settlement method, characterized by performing a process including the steps of:

7. The information processing device an ETC communication device disposed at an entrance through which the vehicle enters determines whether a first vehicle registration number acquired from an ETC on-board unit mounted on the vehicle matches a second vehicle registration number of the vehicle shown in an image acquired by a camera disposed at the entrance; If it is determined that the first vehicle registration number and the second vehicle registration number match, it is determined that a vehicle identified by the first vehicle registration number acquired by the ETC communication device has entered the entrance. The entrance information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the entrance information processing method executes a process including the steps of:

Images