Roadside apparatus

Abstract

To provide a roadside device capable of shortening a time for confirming a card.SOLUTION: A roadside device includes a card conveyance mechanism for conveying a card presented by a user of a toll road, a card reader for receiving storage information stored in the card from the card being conveyed, a card installation base having a placement surface on which the conveyed card is placed, and a photographing part for photographing a ticket surface image of the card placed on the placement surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to roadside devices. [Background technology]

[0002] The Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC (registered trademark)) used on toll roads enables tolls to be collected by automatically processing toll collection (payment) for vehicles in motion through wireless communication between wireless communication devices installed in each lane at the toll gate and onboard units installed in vehicles.

[0003] On the other hand, in another technical field, an automated teller machine such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6779397 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, since toll collection cannot be carried out automatically for vehicles that are not compatible with the electronic toll collection system (non-ETC vehicles), toll collectors may need to check the information on the card and stored information on cards such as driver's licenses and My Number cards held by toll road users. Therefore, since it is necessary for a toll road user to present the card information and the stored information, it may take a long time to verify the card.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and aims to provide a roadside device that can reduce the time required to verify a card. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the roadside device according to the present disclosure comprises a card transport mechanism that transports a card presented by a user of a toll road, a card reader that receives stored information stored on the card from the card during transport, a card setting table having a placement surface on which the transported card is placed, and a photographing unit that photographs an image of the face of the card placed on the placement surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the roadside device according to the present disclosure, the time required to check a card can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a fee collection system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a roadside device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the roadside device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the roadside device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure taken along line IV-IV. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the roadside device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the roadside device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure taken along line VI-VI. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the roadside device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure taken along line VII-VII. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the roadside device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a roadside device according to a first modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a roadside device according to a second modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of a roadside device according to a second modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of a roadside device according to a second modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a roadside device according to a third modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a front view of a roadside device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view of the roadside device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure taken along line XVI-XVI. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a roadside device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a control unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of determination by a control unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of determination by a control unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer included in a control unit according to each embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] First Embodiment The toll collection system according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0011] (Overall configuration of the toll collection system) As shown in FIG. 1, the toll collection system 1 is installed at the exit toll gate of a toll road, and is used by both ETC vehicles and non-ETC vehicles traveling on a lane L connecting the toll road and an ordinary road. The toll collection system 1 collects tolls from ETC vehicles traveling on a lane L. The toll collection system 1 includes an ETC facility 2, a roadside device 3, and a monitoring panel 4.

[0012] The lane L according to this embodiment is an ETC-only lane where an electronic toll collection system (ETC equipment 2) is installed. In this embodiment, the vehicle A is a non-ETC vehicle that cannot collect tolls at the ETC facility 2.

[0013] Hereinafter, the direction in which the lane L extends will be referred to as the ±X direction, and will also be referred to as the "lane direction." Additionally, the toll road side (-X side) of the lane direction is referred to as the "upstream side," and the general road side (+X side) is referred to as the "downstream side." In addition, the width direction of the lane L is referred to as the ±Y direction, and the left direction when facing the +X direction is also referred to as the +Y direction. The vertical direction is also referred to as the ±Z direction, and the upward direction is also referred to as the +Z direction.

[0014] (ETC equipment configuration) The ETC equipment 2 is a group of devices for executing a toll collection process that automatically collects tolls from ETC vehicles equipped with on-board units via wireless communication. As shown in Fig. 1, the ETC equipment 2 includes an approaching vehicle detector 21, a roadside antenna 22, a communicating vehicle detector 23, a lane server 24, a departure controller 25, and an exiting vehicle detector 26. ETC equipment 2 utilizes existing equipment already installed in conventional ETC-only lanes.

[0015] The approaching-side vehicle detector 21 is installed on an island I provided on both sides of the lane L at an approach detection position X1 on the most upstream side (-X side) in the lane direction, and detects vehicles entering the lane L. As shown in FIG. 1 , the approaching-side vehicle detector 21 is a transmission-type vehicle detector, and has a pair of a light emitter and a light receiver installed opposite each other across the lane L. The approaching-side vehicle detector 21 outputs a detection signal that can distinguish the presence or absence of a vehicle at the approaching detection position X1, based on whether the light receiver receives light emitted from the light emitter. While the light receiver receives light, the approaching-side vehicle detector 21 outputs a detection signal indicating that no vehicle is present at the approaching detection position X1. On the other hand, while the light receiver does not receive light, the approaching-side vehicle detector 21 outputs a detection signal indicating that a vehicle is present at the approaching detection position X1.

[0016] The roadside antenna 22 is installed above the road surface downstream (+X side) in the lane direction from the approaching vehicle detector 21. When the approaching vehicle detector 21 detects that a vehicle has entered lane L, the roadside antenna 22 emits radio waves for wireless communication toward a predetermined communication area on lane L. The roadside antenna 22 transmits and receives various commands and information for executing toll collection processing to and from the on-board units of ETC vehicles present within the communication area via wireless communication.

[0017] The communicating vehicle detector 23 is installed on the island I at a communication end position X2 downstream (+X side) of the roadside antenna 22 in the lane direction, and detects the passage of a vehicle through the communication end position X2. The communicating vehicle detector 23 has the same equipment configuration as the approaching vehicle detector 21. When the communicating vehicle detector 23 detects that a vehicle has passed through the communication end position X2, the roadside antenna 22 stops emitting radio waves.

[0018] The lane server 24 is installed on island I and performs toll collection processing to collect tolls from ETC vehicles. The lane server 24 obtains information from the on-board unit via the roadside antenna 22, including the type of ETC vehicle, the position (entrance toll gate) and date and time when the ETC vehicle entered the toll road, and the method of payment for the toll (ETC card number, etc.), and performs processing such as calculation and settlement of the toll based on this information according to the type of ETC vehicle and the distance traveled.

[0019] The departure controller 25 is installed on the island I downstream (+X side) in the lane direction from the roadside device 3. The departure controller 25 opens (allows vehicles to pass) or closes (restricts vehicle passage) the lane L by raising and lowering the opening and closing bar in accordance with opening and closing commands from the lane server 24 and the roadside device 3. When the toll collection process is completed, the lane server 24 outputs an opening command to the departure controller 25 to allow the vehicle to pass. Furthermore, when the exiting vehicle detector 26, which will be described later, detects that a vehicle has left the lane L, the lane server 24 outputs a closing command to the departure controller 25 to restrict the passage of following vehicles.

[0020] The exiting vehicle detector 26 is installed on the island I at the exit detection position X3 on the most downstream side (+X side) in the lane direction, and detects a vehicle passing through the exit detection position X3 (exiting from the lane L). The exiting vehicle detector 26 has the same equipment configuration as the entering vehicle detector 21.

[0021] (Monitoring panel configuration) The monitoring panel 4 is installed in a remote location such as a toll booth office, and is connected to the roadside device 3 via a communication network such as the Internet. The monitoring panel 4 is used by a toll collector stationed at the toll booth office to remotely monitor the roadside device 3. The monitoring panel 4 includes a display device 41 , an input device 42 , and an instruction transmission unit 43 . The display device 41 displays various data received from the roadside device 3. The input device 42 accepts input operations by a toll collector or the like stationed at the toll gate office. The instruction transmitting unit 43 transmits the instruction input via the input device 42 to the roadside device 3.

[0022] (Configuration of roadside equipment) The roadside device 3 is installed on the −Y side of the lane L for non-ETC vehicles, with the front surface 3A facing the lane L side. The roadside device 3 is installed on an island I downstream (+X side) of the communicating vehicle detector 23 and upstream (-X side) of the starting controller 25 in the lane direction. The roadside device 3 is disposed so as to coincide with the position of the driver's seat of the vehicle A stopped in front of the launch controller 25 (on the -X side) when the opening and closing bar of the launch controller 25 is closed.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the roadside device 3 includes a photographing unit 31, a card reader 32, and a control unit . As shown in FIG. 3, the roadside device 3 further includes a transmission unit 33 and an intercom 34.

[0024] The roadside device 3 is a device for obtaining at least a part of user information from a card CC presented by a user in a vehicle A (a non-ETC vehicle). The information obtained by the roadside device 3 from the card CC is transmitted to a remote monitoring panel 4 and input into a database or the like for subsequent collection of tolls and other purposes.

[0025] Card CC is a contactless IC card that stores user information as stored information and has part of the user information printed on it as face information. Here, a contactless IC card is a card that has a built-in IC (Integrated Circuit), antenna, etc., and can send and receive information between the built-in IC and an external card reader by performing short-range wireless communication using radio waves without contacting the terminals of the external card reader. A contactless IC card is a certificate related to an individual issued by a government agency or other related organization, such as a user's driver's license, My Number card, or passport (hereinafter, these will be collectively referred to as "contactless public certificates"). The user information also includes the identification number of the contactless official certificate (driver's license number, My Number, passport number, etc.), the user's name, address, etc.

[0026] When the roadside device 3 receives an open command from the monitoring panel 4, it outputs an open command to the departure controller 25 to allow the vehicle to pass. When the roadside device 3 receives a close command from the monitoring panel 4, it outputs a close command to the departure controller 25 to restrict the passage of following vehicles.

[0027] (Intercom configuration) The interphone 34 is a device for remotely responding to users, and is provided in front of the roadside device 3 (3A). Through the intercom 34, the user can make voice and video calls with the collector who remotely monitors the roadside device 3 from the monitoring panel 4.

[0028] (Configuration of the shooting unit) As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the photographing unit 31 photographs an image of the face of a card CC presented by a toll road user. The photographing unit 31 photographs an image of the face of the card CC pressed against the transmission unit 33 through the transmission unit 33 and an opening 321A of the loop antenna 321, which will be described later. The photographing unit 31 is provided with a photographing lens 311 on the +Y side, the photographing axis 311A ​​of which extends in the ±Y direction. The photographing unit 31 photographs an image of the front (front surface) of the card CC when a toll road user presses the front (front side) of the card CC against the transmission unit 33, and photographs an image of the back (front surface) of the card CC when the user presses the back side of the card CC against the transmission unit 33. The photographing unit 31 has a resolution capable of recognizing the face information written on the card CC, and photographs the face image of the card CC as a still image or a moving image in response to a command from the control unit 35 based on a photographing command from the monitoring panel 4.

[0029] (Card reader configuration) The card reader 32 receives the stored information stored on the card CC at the position photographed by the photographing unit 31. The card reader 32 receives information stored on the card CC pressed against the transmission section 33 by performing short-distance wireless communication using radio waves. The communication area of ​​the card reader 32 is adjusted so that it coincides with the photographing surface of the photographing unit 31 and the transmission unit 33 .

[0030] The card reader 32 includes a loop antenna 321 . The loop antenna 321 is provided so that the center 321C of the opening 321A roughly coincides with the imaging axis 311A ​​of the imaging lens 311. The opening 321A of the loop antenna 321 has a size that does not block the area of ​​the photographing unit 31 on which the face information of the card CC pressed against the transmission unit 33 is written. The loop antenna 321 is located between the photographing section 31 and the transmission section 33, a few centimeters away from the transmission section 33, so that the loop surface is parallel to the plate surface 331 of the transmission section 33 described later.

[0031] (Configuration of the transmission section) The transmitting section 33 is a glass plate that is transparent to the light captured by the photographing section 31 and allows radio waves used for communication by the card reader 32 to pass through. The transmitting section 33 has a plate surface 331 against which the card CC is pressed. The plate surface 331 is provided along the housing surface of the front surface 3A of the roadside device 3 and is flush with the housing surface.

[0032] (Configuration of control unit) The control unit 35 performs various controls on the photographing unit 31 and the card reader 32 and acquires various information from the photographing unit 31 and the card reader 32 . The control unit 35 transmits various information to the monitoring panel 4 and receives various commands from the monitoring panel 4. As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 35 includes a card face information acquisition unit 351, a storage information acquisition unit 352, and a discrimination unit 353.

[0033] The face information acquisition unit 351 uses an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) function or the like on the face image of the card CC acquired from the photographing unit 31, and acquires face information based on the photographed face image of the card CC.

[0034] The storage information acquisition unit 352 acquires the received storage information of the card CC from the card reader 32.

[0035] The discrimination unit 353 compares the acquired card face information with the acquired stored information to determine whether they match. If the acquired card face information and the acquired stored information do not match, the determination unit 353 determines that the card CC is abnormal or has been used fraudulently.

[0036] (operation) The operation of the roadside device 3 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 9, first, the face information acquisition unit 351 acquires face information based on the photographed face image of the card CC (ST01: face information acquisition step). Following execution of ST01, the storage information acquisition unit 352 acquires the received storage information of the card CC (ST02: storage information acquisition step). Following execution of ST02, the discrimination unit 353 determines whether there is a match between the acquired card face information and the acquired stored information (ST03: discrimination step).

[0037] (Action and effect) According to this embodiment, the roadside device 3 receives the stored information of the card CC at a position where the face of the card CC is photographed, and therefore the time required to check the card CC can be reduced. Furthermore, the roadside device 3 receives the stored information of the card CC at a position where the face of the card CC is photographed, so that the area occupied by the portion of the front 3A where the card CC is presented is reduced. Furthermore, the roadside device 3 can simultaneously capture an image of the face of the ticket and receive stored information, improving operability.

[0038] According to this embodiment, the roadside device 3 can take an image of the card face and receive stored information while the card CC is pressed against the transmission section 33. Therefore, the roadside device 3 allows the user to present the card CC to the roadside device 3 without letting go of the card CC. Furthermore, since the card CC is pressed against the transmission portion 33, it does not wobble and the roadside device 3 can stably capture images.

[0039] According to this embodiment, the photographing unit 31 photographs the image of the face of the card through the opening 321A of the loop antenna 321, so the roadside device 3 can prevent the field of view of the photographing unit 31 from being blocked by the loop antenna 321.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the roadside device 3 can detect a mismatch between the information on the face of the card and the stored information.

[0041] In the above, it has been explained that non-ETC vehicles are vehicles for which tolls cannot be collected at ETC equipment 2, but non-ETC vehicles may include any vehicle for which tolls cannot be collected at ETC equipment 2. For example, non-ETC vehicles may include vehicles that do not have an on-board unit, or may include abnormal ETC vehicles that have an on-board unit but cannot collect tolls through the toll collection process. In this case, abnormal ETC vehicles include vehicles that cannot collect tolls due to a malfunction of the ETC facility 2 or the on-board unit, a communication error, the expiration of the ETC card inserted in the on-board unit, etc.

[0042] (First Modification) In this embodiment, the loop antenna 321 is arranged so that the center 321C of the opening 321A is positioned on the shooting axis 311A ​​of the shooting lens 311, but the card reader 32 may be arranged in any position as long as the card reader 32 can receive the stored information stored in the card CC from the card CC pressed against the transparent portion 33. 10, the loop antenna 321 may be provided near the photographing unit 31. In this case, the orientation of the loop antenna 321 is adjusted so that the transmission unit 33 against which the card CC is pressed is within the range RG of directivity in which communication is possible. This modification also reduces the area of ​​the front surface 3A occupied by the presentation portion of the card CC. In FIG. 10, loop antenna 321 is provided on the −X side of imaging unit 31, but loop antenna 321 may be provided on any of the +X, +Z, or −Z sides of imaging unit 31.

[0043] (Second Modification) In this embodiment, an image of the face of the card CC pressed against the transparent section 33 is photographed and stored information is received, but any configuration is acceptable as long as it is possible to photograph an image of the face of the card and receive stored information. As a modified example (second modified example), the roadside device 3 may include an image capturing unit 31, a card reader 32, and a card setting table 36 as shown in FIGS. In this modification, the photographing section 31 includes an upper camera 315 positioned above the placement surface 36A to photograph the card CC placed on the placement surface 36A. In this modification, the card reader 32 receives storage information of the card CC at the position photographed by the upper camera 315. At this time, the communication area of ​​the card reader 32 is adjusted so that the photographed surface of the upper camera 315 coincides with the placement surface 36A. The card reader 32 also includes a lower loop antenna 325 located below the placement surface 36A. The loop surface of the lower loop antenna 325 is arranged so as to be parallel to the placement surface 36A. In this modification, the card placement table 36 has a placement surface 36A facing the +Z direction, and is capable of transmitting radio waves used by the card reader 32 for communication. According to this modified example, the upper camera 315 is positioned above the mounting surface 36A and the lower loop antenna 325 is positioned below the mounting surface 36A, so that the roadside device 3 can prevent the field of view of the upper camera 315 from being blocked by the lower loop antenna 325.

[0044] (Third Modification) As a further modification (third modification) of the second modification, as shown in Fig. 14, the photographing unit 31 may further include a lower camera 316 located below the placement surface 36A. In this case, the card placement table 36 is a glass plate that is transparent to the light photographed by the lower camera 316. The upper camera 315 photographs a card surface image of the front side (front surface) of the card CC placed on the placement surface 36A, and the lower camera 316 photographs a card surface image of the back side of the card CC placed on the placement surface 36A. The lower camera 316 photographs the card surface image of the card CC through the placement surface 36A and the opening 325A of the lower loop antenna 325. According to this modification, the roadside device 3 can photograph both the front and back of the card with a single presentation, eliminating the need for the user to present the card twice. Furthermore, the roadside device 3 can simultaneously photograph both the front and back of the card. Therefore, the roadside device 3 can reduce the time required to photograph the card image. In this modification, the placement surface 36A may be a glass antenna, and instead of the lower loop antenna 325, the placement surface 36A may have the antenna function of the card reader 32.

[0045] (Other variations) In this embodiment, loop antenna 321 is provided at a position several centimeters away in the -Y direction from the -Y side of transmitting portion 33, but as a modified example, loop antenna 321 may be provided at a position in contact with the -Y side of transmitting portion 33. As another modified example, loop antenna 321 may be provided inside transmitting portion 33.

[0046] In this embodiment, the card reader 32 includes a loop antenna 321, but may have any other configuration as long as it can receive the stored information. As a modified example, the transmitting section 33 may be a glass antenna, and instead of the loop antenna 321, the transmitting section 33 may be configured to have the antenna function of the card reader 32.

[0047] In this embodiment, ST02 is performed after ST01 is performed, but the steps may be performed in any order as long as the card face information and storage information can be obtained. As a modification, ST01 and ST02 may be performed in parallel, or ST01 may be performed after ST02.

[0048] In this embodiment, the roadside device 3 is installed on the -Y side of the lane L, but this is not limited to this, and as a variant, the roadside device 3 may be installed on the +Y side of the lane L.

[0049] In this embodiment, an example in which the toll collection system 1 is installed at an exit toll gate has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as a modified example, the toll collection system 1 may be installed at an entrance toll gate.

[0050] In this embodiment, we have described a case where lane L is an ETC-only lane, but this is not limited to this.As a variant, lane L may be a mixed lane on which both ETC vehicles and non-ETC vehicles travel.

[0051] In Figure 1 of this embodiment, an example is shown in which only one lane L is provided at the toll gate, but this is not limited to this, and as a variant, multiple lanes L may be provided at the toll gate.

[0052] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the approaching vehicle detector 21, the communicating vehicle detector 23, and the exiting vehicle detector 26 are transmissive vehicle detectors, but this is not limited to this, and as a variant, these may be reflective vehicle detectors.

[0053] In this embodiment, the lane server 24 is installed on island I, but this is not limiting, and as a modified example, the lane server 24 may be installed in a toll booth office.

[0054] Second Embodiment Next, a roadside device 103 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 20. Components common to those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] (Configuration of roadside equipment) The roadside device 103 is set at a similar position with respect to the lane L to the roadside device 3 of the first embodiment for the same purpose. The front surface 103A of the roadside device 103 faces the lane L side.

[0056] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the roadside device 103 includes a photographing unit 31, a card reader 32, a card installation stand 136, an intercom 34, a control unit 35, a card transport mechanism 37, and a card insertion slot 38. The card insertion slot 38 and the intercom 34 are provided on the front surface 103A of the roadside device 103.

[0057] (Configuration of card installation stand) The card setting stand 136 is a glass plate that is transparent to the light captured by the lower camera 316 (described later) and allows radio waves used for communication by the card reader 32 to pass through. The card placement table 136 faces the +Z direction and has a placement surface 136A on which a card CC is placed.

[0058] (Configuration of card transport mechanism) The card transport mechanism 37 has a transport surface 37A, and transports a card CC that is presented by a user and inserted into a card insertion slot 38, by placing the card CC on the transport surface 37A. As shown in FIG. 16, the transport surface 37A extends from the card insertion slot 38 to the placement surface 136A. The card transport mechanism 37 moves the transport surface 37A by being driven by a motor or the like, and transports the card CC from the card insertion slot to the placement surface 136A, or transports the card CC from the placement surface 136A to the card insertion slot .

[0059] (Configuration of the shooting unit) The photographing unit 31 photographs an image of the face of the card CC placed on the placement surface 136A. In this embodiment, the photographing unit 31 includes an upper camera 315 located above the placement surface 136A, and a lower camera 316 located below the placement surface 136A. The upper camera 315 captures an image of the front surface (front side) of the card CC placed on the placement surface 136A, and the lower camera 316 captures an image of the back surface of the card CC placed on the placement surface 136A through the placement surface 136A. An imaging axis 315A of the upper camera 315 and an imaging axis 316A of the lower camera 316 are at different positions in the Y direction and extend in the ±Z directions. The upper camera 315 takes an image of the front surface of the card CC, and the lower camera 316 takes an image of the back surface of the card CC.

[0060] (Card reader configuration) The card reader 32 receives information stored on the card CC from the card CC during transportation by performing short-distance wireless communication using radio waves. The antenna 326 of the card reader 32 is located near and above the conveying surface 37A.

[0061] (Configuration of control unit) The control unit 35 includes a card face information acquisition unit 351, a storage information acquisition unit 352, and a discrimination unit 353, similar to the control unit 35 of the first embodiment.

[0062] (operation) The operation of the roadside device 103 will now be described.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 17, first, the card transport mechanism 37 transports the card CC presented by the user from the card insertion slot 38 onto the placement surface 136A (ST101: transport step).

[0064] Following execution of ST101, the face information acquisition unit 351 acquires face information based on a face image of the obverse (front side) of the card CC captured on the placement surface 136A (ST102: face information acquisition (front) step). At this time, as shown in FIG. 18, the face information acquisition unit 351 acquires face information of the obverse (front side) of the card CC based on the face image of the card CC photographed by the upper camera 315.

[0065] Following execution of ST102, the face information acquisition unit 351 acquires face information based on the face image of the back side of the card CC photographed on the placement surface 136A (ST103: face information acquisition (back) step). At this time, as shown in FIG. 18, the face information acquisition unit 351 acquires face information of the back side of the card CC based on the face image of the card CC photographed by the lower camera 316.

[0066] Following execution of ST103, the card transport mechanism 37 transports the card from the placement surface 136A to the card insertion slot 38 (ST104: transport step).

[0067] Meanwhile, in parallel with the execution of ST101 to ST104, the stored information acquisition unit 352 acquires the stored information of the card CC received by the card reader 32 (ST105: stored information acquisition step).

[0068] Following the implementation of ST104 and ST105, the discrimination unit 353 determines whether there is a mismatch between the face information on the front side (front surface) of the acquired card CC and the acquired storage information, and determines whether there is a mismatch between the face information on the back side of the acquired card CC and the acquired storage information, thereby determining whether there is a mismatch between the acquired face information and the acquired storage information (ST106: discrimination step).

[0069] If the card CC is a legitimate driver's license that includes a history of address changes due to moving, etc., the current address is stored on the card CC and written on the back of the card CC, and the previous address is written on the front side of the card CC. Therefore, as shown in Figure 19, if the face information on the front (front side) of the acquired card CC is determined to be inconsistent with the acquired storage information, and the face information on the back (back side) of the acquired card CC is determined to be consistent with the acquired storage information, the discrimination unit 353 determines that the storage information is consistent with the face information (matched). Conversely, as shown in Figure 20, if the face information on the front side (front surface) of the acquired card CC is determined to match the acquired storage information, and the face information on the back side of the acquired card CC is determined to be inconsistent with the acquired storage information, the discrimination unit 353 determines that the storage information is inconsistent with the face information (inconsistent). If there is a mismatch, the determining unit 353 determines that the card CC is abnormal or has been used fraudulently.

[0070] (Action, effect) According to this embodiment, the roadside device 103 can adjust the orientation of the card CC while it is being transported, thereby reducing the time required to check the image of the face of the captured card CC.

[0071] For example, in the case of the first embodiment, if the card CC rotates around its normal direction when the user presses it against the transparent section 33, the visibility of the photographed image of the face of the card CC may be reduced, or a rotation correction process may be required for the image of the face of the card CC to improve visibility. In contrast to this, in the case of this embodiment, the orientation of the card CC can be adjusted during transport, so that rotation of the card CC around the normal direction when photographed can be suppressed. If rotation of the card CC around the normal direction is suppressed, visibility for the collector is improved when the card face information is displayed on the screen of the monitoring panel 4, or rotation correction processing to improve visibility is not required. Furthermore, if rotation of the card CC around the normal direction is suppressed, even when using the OCR function to obtain card face information, there is no need to consider rotation of the card CC around the normal direction, which is expected to improve the accuracy of the OCR function. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time required to check the image of the face of the photographed card CC.

[0072] According to this embodiment, two operations, ie, obtaining card face information and obtaining stored information, are completed simply by the user's single action of inserting the card, improving convenience when presenting card CC.

[0073] According to this embodiment, the user's single action of inserting the card completes three operations: obtaining card face information on the front side, obtaining card face information on the back side, and obtaining stored information, thereby improving convenience.

[0074] According to this embodiment, the roadside device 103 can detect a mismatch between the information on the face of the card and the stored information.

[0075] In this embodiment, the card reader 32 receives the storage information stored in the card CC from the card CC while it is being transported, but this can be at any timing during transport, and the storage information may be received from the card CC while it is being brought in (while ST101 is being performed) or from the card CC while it is being removed (while ST104 is being performed). The roadside device 103 can effectively use the waiting time for carry-in if it receives stored information from the card CC during carry-in, and can effectively use the waiting time for carry-out if it receives stored information from the card CC during carry-out.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the discrimination unit 353 makes the discrimination as shown in Figures 19 and 20, but similar discrimination may be made in other embodiments as well, provided that the card face information on the front (front side) of the card CC, the card face information on the back side of the card CC, and the storage information can be obtained. For example, in the third embodiment of the first embodiment, the determinations shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 may be performed.

[0077] (Variation) In this embodiment, the imaging axis 315A of the upper camera 315 and the imaging axis 316A of the lower camera 316 are at different positions in the Y direction, but they may be configured in any way as long as they can capture images of the front and back sides of the card. As a modified example, the imaging axis 315A of the upper camera 315 and the imaging axis 316A of the lower camera 316 may extend coaxially in the ±Z direction. According to this modification, the roadside device 103 can simultaneously photograph the front and back of the bill, thereby reducing the time required to photograph the bill image.

[0078] In this embodiment, the antenna 326 of the card reader 32 is located near the upper side of the transport surface 37A, but it may be located in any position as long as it can receive stored information from the card CC being transported. As a variation, the antenna 326 of the card reader 32 may be located closer to the photographing unit 31 than the transport surface 37A.

[0079] In this embodiment, the face information acquisition unit 351 performs ST102 and then ST103, but the process may be performed in any way as long as the face information and storage information can be acquired. As a modified example, the card face information acquisition unit 351 may perform ST102 following ST103.

[0080] <Example of hardware configuration of control unit> In the above-described embodiments, a program for implementing the various functions of the control unit 35 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into the computer 39 included in the control unit 35 and executed to perform various processes. Here, the various processes of the CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the computer system are stored in the form of a program on a computer-readable recording medium, and the computer reads and executes the program to perform the various processes. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-ROMs (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), and semiconductor memories. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that receives the program may execute the program.

[0081] In each of the above-described embodiments, an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that executes a program for realizing the various functions of the control unit 35 will be described.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 21, the computer 39 provided in the control unit 35 includes a CPU 391, a memory 392, a storage / playback device 393, an input / output interface (hereinafter referred to as "IO I / F") 394, and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication I / F") 395.

[0083] The memory 392 is a medium such as a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as "RAM") that temporarily stores data used by the programs executed by the control unit 35. The memory 392 stores the face image, face information, storage information, etc.

[0084] The storage / playback device 393 is a device for storing data etc. in external media such as CD-ROM, DVD, flash memory, etc., and for playing back data etc. from external media.

[0085] The IO I / F 394 is an interface for inputting and outputting information between the control unit 35 and other devices.

[0086] The communication I / F 395 is an interface for communicating with other devices via a communication line such as the Internet or a dedicated communication line.

[0087] <Other embodiments> As described above, several embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described, but all of these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the disclosure, as well as within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

[0088] <Additional Notes> The roadside device described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0089] (1) The roadside device 103 according to the first aspect includes a card transport mechanism 37 for transporting a card CC presented by a user of a toll road, a card reader 32 for receiving stored information stored in the card CC from the card CC during transport, a card setting table 136 having a placement surface 136A on which the transported card CC is placed, and a photographing unit 31 for photographing an image of the face of the card CC placed on the placement surface 136A.

[0090] According to this aspect, the roadside device 103 can adjust the orientation of the card CC during transportation, thereby reducing the time required to check the card CC. Furthermore, the user only needs to take one action by inserting the card to complete two operations: obtaining the card information and obtaining the stored information, thereby improving convenience.

[0091] (2) The roadside device 103 according to the second aspect is the roadside device 103 of (1), in which the photographing unit 31 further includes an upper camera 315 located above the placement surface 136A and a lower camera 316 located below the placement surface 136A.

[0092] According to this embodiment, the user only needs to take one action by inserting the card to complete three operations: obtaining card face information on the front side, obtaining card face information on the back side, and obtaining stored information, thereby improving convenience.

[0093] (3) The roadside device 103 according to a third aspect is the roadside device 103 according to (1) or (2) in which the card reader 32 receives the stored information from the card CC being carried into the placement surface 136A.

[0094] According to this aspect, the roadside device 103 can acquire stored information from the card CC during delivery, and therefore, the waiting time for delivery can be used effectively.

[0095] (4) The roadside device 103 according to a fourth aspect is the roadside device 103 according to (1) or (2), in which the card reader 32 receives the stored information from the card being carried out from the placement surface 136A.

[0096] According to this aspect, the roadside device 103 can acquire stored information from the card CC during transport, and therefore, the waiting time for transport can be used effectively.

[0097] (5) The roadside device 103 according to the fifth aspect is a roadside device 103 according to any one of (1) to (4) that includes a face information acquisition unit 351 that acquires face information based on the captured face image of the card, a storage information acquisition unit 352 that acquires the received storage information, and a discrimination unit 353 that discriminates whether there is a mismatch between the acquired face information and the acquired storage information.

[0098] According to this aspect, the roadside device 103 can detect a mismatch between the information on the face of the card and the stored information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1 Toll collection system 2 ETC equipment 3 Roadside equipment 3A Front 4 Monitor board 21 Approaching vehicle detector 22 Roadside antenna 23 Communication vehicle detector 24-lane server 25 Launch control device 26 Exiting vehicle detector 31 Photography Department 32 Card Reader 33 Transparent part 34 Intercom 35 Control Unit 36 Card Installation Station 36A Placement surface 37 Card transport mechanism 37A Conveying surface 38 Card slot 39 Computer 41 Display device 42 Input Devices 43 Instruction transmission unit 103 Roadside equipment 103A Front 136 Card Stand 136A Placement surface 311 Photographic Lens 311A Shooting axis 315 Upper Camera 315A Shooting axis 316 Lower Camera 316A Shooting axis 321 Loop Antenna 321A Aperture 321C center 325 Lower loop antenna 325A aperture 326 Antenna 331 Board surface 351 Card Information Acquisition Department 352 Storage information acquisition unit 353 Discrimination part 391 CPU 392 memory 393 Storage / playback device 394 IO I / F 395 Communication I / F Vehicle A CC card I-Island L lane X1 Entry detection position X2 communication end position X3 Exit detection position

Claims

1. a card transport mechanism for transporting a card presented by a toll road user; a card reader that receives information stored on the card from the card during transportation; a card placement table having a placement surface on which the transported card is placed; an image capturing unit that captures an image of the face of the card placed on the placement surface; A roadside device comprising:

2. The roadside device according to claim 1 , wherein the photographing unit further comprises an upper camera positioned above the placement surface and a lower camera positioned below the placement surface.

3. 3. The roadside device according to claim 1, wherein the card reader receives the stored information from the card being carried into the placement surface.

4. 3. The roadside device according to claim 1, wherein the card reader receives the stored information from the card being removed from the placement surface.

5. a face information acquisition unit that acquires face information based on the captured face image; a storage information acquisition unit that acquires the received storage information; a discrimination unit that discriminates whether or not there is a mismatch between the acquired card face information and the acquired stored information; The roadside device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

Images