Exit billing device, additional billing device, fee collection system, billing processing method and program

Abstract

To achieve, at an exit tollgate, immediate charging by a correct charging amount and immediate report of the correct charging amount to a user.SOLUTION: Provided is an exit charging processing device installed at an exit tollgate, including: a recording processing unit that records a whole vehicle information table distributed from a central charging processing device in a recording medium in a device in question; an exit vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle specification information on a vehicle arrived at the exit tollgate; a charging processing unit that specifies model classification information associated with the vehicle specification information on the arrived vehicle by referring to the whole vehicle information table recorded in the recording medium, and executes charging processing by a charging amount according to the model classification information; and an exit transmission unit that transmits vehicle information including the vehicle specification information on the arrived vehicle to the central charging processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an exit charging processing device, an additional charging processing device, a toll collection system, a charging processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] The Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC (registered trademark)) used on toll roads enables automatic toll collection processing (payment processing) for vehicles while they are moving by wireless communication between wireless communication devices installed in each lane at the toll gate and on-board units mounted in vehicles.

[0003] On toll roads, different toll amounts are set depending on the vehicle type classification (such as standard cars, large vehicles, etc.), so in the above-mentioned electronic toll collection system, information regarding the vehicle type classification is exchanged during the charging process.

[0004] Some electronic toll collection systems are capable of obtaining vehicle type classification information for each arriving vehicle based on the detection results of characteristics related to the vehicle's external shape, such as the number of axles, through a vehicle type discrimination device installed in each lane at the entrance toll gate. However, in order to determine the number of axles, etc. of vehicles, a lane length of at least 16 meters is required, and there are toll booths where it is not possible to secure such a lane length, and so wireless communication with the on-board unit must be performed before determining the number of axles, etc. For this reason, the current electronic toll collection system is sometimes operated as follows.

[0005] First, at the entrance toll booth, the vehicle type classification information registered in the onboard unit (hereinafter also referred to as "onboard unit vehicle type classification information") is written via wireless communication into the IC card (ETC card) set in the onboard unit as "temporary vehicle type classification information." When the vehicle arrives at the exit toll gate, the "provisional vehicle type classification information" written on the IC card is read out at the exit toll gate, and the toll is charged at an amount according to the "provisional vehicle type classification information."

[0006] In such an operation, if the actual vehicle type classification of a vehicle traveling on a toll road differs from the vehicle type classification registered in the on-board device due to, for example, the presence or absence of a towed vehicle, the billing process will be performed at an incorrect amount. Therefore, at the entrance toll gate, after writing (wireless communication) to the IC card is completed, the correct vehicle type classification information obtained through the vehicle type discrimination device (i.e., vehicle type classification information identified using the detection result of the number of axles) is transmitted to the higher-level device. Then, it is retroactively determined whether the vehicle type classification information applied when the charging process was performed at the exit toll gate (on-board device vehicle type classification information) matches or does not match the correct vehicle type classification information identified using the detection result of the number of axles, and if they do not match, the charged amount is corrected later.

[0007] As a technique related to the above technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which, every time a vehicle enters a toll gate, information relating to the charging of the vehicle is obtained from a DB center and the charging is processed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-267130 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In the operation of the electronic toll collection system as described above, the toll amount is initially charged according to the "provisional vehicle type classification information" at the exit toll gate, and then the amount is revised afterwards. Therefore, in the electronic toll collection system as described above, it is not possible to immediately charge the correct amount at the exit toll gate, or to immediately notify the user of the correct amount.

[0010] The objective of the present disclosure is to realize instant charging of the correct amount at an exit toll gate, and instant notification of the correct amount to the user, without requiring communication time for information inquiries outside the exit toll gate and notification of the inquiry results. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an exit billing processing device is an exit billing processing device installed at an exit toll booth, and includes: a recording processing unit that records an all-vehicle information table distributed from a central billing processing device on a recording medium within the device; an exit vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll booth; a billing processing unit that refers to the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, identifies vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle, and executes billing processing with a billing amount according to the vehicle type classification information; and an exit transmission unit that transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle to the central billing processing device, When vehicle information including vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle is not present in the all vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, the information acquisition unit acquires vehicle type classification information determined using at least the detection results of characteristics related to the external shape of the arriving vehicle, and when vehicle information including vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle is not present in the all vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, the exit transmission unit transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and vehicle type classification information determined using the detection results of characteristics related to the external shape of the arriving vehicle to an additional charging processing device installed in the exit lane leading from the exit toll gate to a general road.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a charging processing method is a charging processing method using an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll gate, and includes the steps of: recording an all-vehicle information table distributed from a central charging processing device onto a recording medium within the device; acquiring vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate; referring to the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, identifying vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and executing charging processing with a charging amount according to the vehicle type classification information; if vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle does not exist in the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, acquiring vehicle type classification information determined using at least a detection result of characteristics related to an external shape of the vehicle; and if vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle does not exist in the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, transmitting vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and the vehicle type classification information determined using a detection result of characteristics related to the external shape of the arriving vehicle to an additional charging processing device installed in an outflow lane leading from the exit toll gate to a general road.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a program causes a computer of an exit billing processing device installed at an exit toll gate to execute the following steps: recording an all-vehicle information table distributed from a central billing processing device on a recording medium within the device; acquiring vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate; referring to the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, identifying vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and executing billing processing with an amount of billing corresponding to the vehicle type classification information; if vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle does not exist in the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, acquiring vehicle type classification information determined using at least a detection result of characteristics related to the external shape of the vehicle; and if vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle does not exist in the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, transmitting vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and the vehicle type classification information determined using a detection result of characteristics related to the external shape of the arriving vehicle to an additional billing processing device installed in an outflow lane leading from the exit toll gate to a general road. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the above-mentioned aspects, it is possible to immediately charge the correct amount at the exit toll gate, and to immediately notify the user of the correct amount. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a fee collection system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a central charging processing device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an entrance charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an exit charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a main line billing processing device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6]2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an entrance FF billing processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an all-vehicle information table according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the central charging processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the entrance charging processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the exit charging processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the main line billing processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the entrance FF billing processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a fee collection system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an exit charging processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an additional charging processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the egress charging processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process flow of an additional charging processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an egress charging processing device according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process flow of an additional charging processing device according to a modified example of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] <First embodiment> Hereinafter, the fee collection system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0017] (Overall configuration of the toll collection system) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a fee collection system according to the first embodiment. The toll collection system 9 shown in FIG. 1 is an electronic toll collection system (ETC) and is applied to toll collection for a toll road U managed by a road operator.

[0018] The configuration of the toll road U will be explained. As shown in FIG. 1, the toll road U has an entrance toll gate G2, an exit toll gate G3, and a main line toll gate G4 on the main line LM. A vehicle intending to enter the toll road U from a general road arrives at the entrance toll gate G2. The vehicle travels along the incoming lane L2, which is a connecting road, to arrive at the entrance toll gate G2, and after passing through the entrance toll gate G2, travels along the toll road U. Although not shown in the figure, each lane at the entrance toll gate G2 is provided with a wireless communication device for wireless communication with the onboard device C of the arriving vehicle A, a vehicle type discrimination device capable of identifying the vehicle type category of the vehicle A based on the detection result of the number of axles of the vehicle A, and the like. Furthermore, vehicles attempting to exit onto a general road from the toll road U arrive at the exit toll gate G3. The vehicles travel along the toll road U and arrive at the exit toll gate G3. After passing through the exit toll gate G3, they travel along the exit lane L3, which is a connecting road, and return to the general road. Each lane of the exit toll gate G3 is equipped with a wireless communication device that performs billing processing via wireless communication for arriving vehicles, a roadside indicator that instantly notifies the collected billing amount, and the like. The main line toll gate G4 is a toll gate located on the main line LM, and is also called a centralized toll gate. Vehicles traveling on the main line LM of the toll road U pass through the main line toll gate G4. Each lane of the main line toll gate G4 is equipped with wireless communication devices, vehicle type discrimination devices, etc., similar to those of the entrance toll gate G2.

[0019] The toll road U has an entrance FF lane L2F. The entrance FF lane L2F is an FF (free flow) lane, and is an entry lane without a toll gate. Note that a wireless communication device is installed on the roadside of the entrance FF lane L2F, but a vehicle type discrimination device is not installed.

[0020] Next, the fee collection system 9 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a toll collection system 9 includes a central charging processing device 1, an entrance charging processing device 2, an exit charging processing device 3, a main line charging processing device 4, and an entrance FF charging processing device 5.

[0021] The central billing processing device 1 is communicatively connected via a wide area communication network to billing processing devices installed at each toll booth and FF lane of the toll road U, and aggregates information sequentially received from each billing processing device to create an all-vehicle information table (described later).The central billing processing device 1 then distributes the all-vehicle information table to each billing processing device.

[0022] The entrance charging processing device 2 is a device installed at the entrance toll gate G2. If the entrance toll gate G2 has multiple lanes, an entrance charging processing device 2 is installed for each lane. The entrance charging processing device 2 acquires vehicle information (described later) of vehicles passing through the lanes of the entrance toll gate G2, and transmits this to the central charging processing device 1. Note that a vehicle type discrimination device is installed in each lane of the entrance toll gate G2. Therefore, the vehicle information transmitted by the entrance charging processing device 2 includes vehicle type classification information identified using the number of axles of the vehicle.

[0023] The exit charging processing device 3 is a device installed at the exit toll booth G3. If there are multiple lanes at the exit toll booth G3, an exit charging processing device 3 is installed for each of the lanes. The exit billing processing device 3 stores in a local (internal) recording medium the all-vehicle information table distributed from the central billing processing device 1. The exit billing processing device 3 identifies vehicle type classification information of vehicles passing through each lane by referring to the all-vehicle information table stored in the local recording medium, and performs immediate billing and immediate notification based on the correct vehicle type classification. In addition, the exit billing processing device 3 acquires vehicle information of vehicles passing through the lane of the exit toll gate G3, and transmits this to the central billing processing device 1.

[0024] The main line billing processing device 4 is a device installed at the main line toll gate G4. If the main line toll gate G4 has multiple lanes, a main line billing processing device 4 is installed for each lane. The main line billing processing device 4 stores in a local recording medium the all-vehicle information table distributed from the central billing processing device 1. The main line billing processing device 4 judges whether or not the vehicle information acquired from a vehicle passing through the lane of the main line toll gate G4 has already been recorded in the all-vehicle information table stored in the local recording medium, and transmits the acquired vehicle information to the central billing processing device 1 according to the judgment result.

[0025] The entrance FF charging processing device 5 is installed on the entrance FF lane L2F. Like the central charging processing device 1, the entrance FF charging processing device 5 acquires vehicle information of vehicles traveling on the entrance FF lane L2F and transmits this to the central charging processing device 1. However, no vehicle type discrimination device is installed on the entrance FF lane L2F. Therefore, the vehicle information transmitted by the entrance FF charging processing device 5 does not include vehicle type classification information identified using the number of axles of the vehicle.

[0026] (Functional configuration of the central billing processing device) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the central charging processing device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the central billing processing device 1 includes a CPU 10, a memory 11, a communication interface 12, and a recording medium 13.

[0027] The CPU 10 is a processor that performs various functions by operating according to pre-prepared programs. The functions of the CPU 10 will be described later. The memory 11 is a so-called main storage device, and has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 10. The communication interface 12 is a connection interface for connecting to each billing processing device so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wide area communication network. The recording medium 13 is a so-called auxiliary storage device, and is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). In this embodiment, an all-vehicle data table T1 is recorded on the recording medium 13. As will be described later, the recording medium 13 also records difference information T2 (a new entering vehicle table T21 and a new exiting vehicle table T22) (described later) of the all-vehicle data table T1.

[0028] Next, the function of the CPU 10 of the central billing processing device 1 will be described.

[0029] The CPU 10 performs the functions of a receiving unit 101, a creating unit 102, and a distributing unit 103 by operating according to a prepared program.

[0030] The receiver 101 receives vehicle information from each billing processor. The vehicle information received from the entrance billing processor 2 and the main line billing processor 4 includes vehicle type classification information determined using the detection result of the number of axles of the vehicle, in addition to vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle. The number of axles is detected by the tires of a traveling vehicle stepping on treads (described later) installed on the road surface in sequence, that is, it is one aspect of the characteristics related to the external shape of the vehicle. In other embodiments, the characteristics related to the external shape of the vehicle are not limited to the number of axles, and may be, for example, various vehicle body dimensions (vehicle length, vehicle height, vehicle width) detected based on an optical sensor or the like, or tread width, tire characteristics (single tire / dual tire), etc.

[0031] The creation unit 102 aggregates the vehicle information received from each billing processing device to create an all-vehicle information table T1. In particular, the creation unit 102 adds vehicle information successively received from the entrance billing processing device 2 (and the entrance FF billing processing device 5) to the all-vehicle information table T1 as vehicle information of vehicles that have newly entered the toll road U, and aggregates this to create a newly entering vehicle table T21. In addition, the creation unit 102 excludes vehicle information successively received from the exit billing processing device 3 from the all-vehicle information table T1 as vehicle information of vehicles that have newly exited the toll road U, and aggregates this to create a newly exiting vehicle table T22.

[0032] The distribution unit 103 distributes the all-vehicle information table T1 created by the creation unit 102 to each billing processing device (particularly, the exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G2). The distribution unit 103 also periodically distributes a new entering vehicle table T21 and a new exiting vehicle table T22, which are difference information T2 of the all-vehicle information table T1, to each billing processing device.

[0033] (Functional configuration of the entrance charging processing device) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the entrance charging processing device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the entrance charging processing device 2 includes a CPU 20, a memory 21, a communication interface 22, a roadside equipment interface 23, and a recording medium 24.

[0034] The CPU 20 is a processor that performs various functions by operating according to pre-prepared programs. The functions of the CPU 20 will be described later. The memory 21 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 20 . The communication interface 22 is a connection interface for communicatively connecting to the central billing processing device 1 via a wide area communication network. The roadside equipment interface 23 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside equipment (wireless communication device 2A, vehicle type discrimination device 2B) provided on each lane of the entrance toll gate G2. The recording medium 24 is a local recording medium provided in the entrance billing processing device 2, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, the all-vehicle data table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 is recorded in the recording medium 24.

[0035] Next, the roadside devices (wireless communication device 2A, vehicle type discrimination device 2B) connected to the entrance charging processing device 2 will be described.

[0036] The wireless communication device 2A performs wireless communication using DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) with the on-board device C (FIG. 1) of the vehicle A that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2, and acquires various information (such as the on-board device ID, IC card information, and vehicle number) recorded in the on-board device C. The various information recorded in the on-board device C is vehicle identification information that can uniquely identify the vehicle.

[0037] The vehicle type discrimination device 2B is a device that can identify the correct vehicle type classification of a traveling vehicle. The vehicle type discrimination device 2B detects the number of axles of a vehicle passing through a lane through a footboard, a vehicle detector, etc. As a result, the vehicle type discrimination device 2B identifies the vehicle type classification information of the traveling vehicle using the detection result of the number of axles of the passing vehicle.

[0038] Next, the function of the CPU 20 of the entrance charging processing device 2 will be described.

[0039] The CPU 20 operates according to a prepared program to thereby fulfill the functions of a record processing unit 201, an entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202, an entrance transmission unit 203, and an in-vehicle information writing unit 204.

[0040] The recording processing unit 201 records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on a local recording medium 24. The recording processing unit 201 also updates the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 24 based on difference information T2 (FIG. 2) periodically distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

[0041] The entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 acquires vehicle information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2 through the wireless communication device 2A and the vehicle type discrimination device 2B. The vehicle information acquired here includes vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle, and vehicle type classification information that is determined using at least the detection result of the number of axles of the vehicle.

[0042] The entrance transmission unit 203 transmits vehicle information including vehicle identification information and vehicle type classification information to the central billing processing device 1 .

[0043] The vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 204 reads out vehicle model classification information that is preregistered in the vehicle-mounted device C (FIG. 1), and writes it to an IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device C.

[0044] (Functional configuration of the egress billing processing device) FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the exit charging processing device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the exit billing processing device 3 includes a CPU 30, a memory 31, a communication interface 32, a roadside equipment interface 33, and a recording medium .

[0045] The CPU 30 is a processor that performs various functions by operating according to pre-prepared programs. The functions of the CPU 30 will be described later. The memory 31 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 30 . The communication interface 32 is a connection interface for connecting to the central billing processing device 1 so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wide area communication network. The roadside equipment interface 33 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside equipment (wireless communication device 3A, roadside display 3B) provided on each lane of the exit toll gate G3. The recording medium 34 is a local recording medium provided in the exit billing processing device 3, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, the all-vehicle data table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 is recorded in the recording medium 34.

[0046] Next, the roadside devices (wireless communication device 3A, roadside display 3B) connected to the exit billing processing device 3 will be described.

[0047] The wireless communication device 3A performs wireless communication using DSRC with the on-board device C (FIG. 1) of the vehicle A that has arrived at the exit toll gate G3, and acquires various information (vehicle identification information) recorded in the on-board device C. In addition, at the exit toll gate G3, billing processing is performed through wireless communication by the wireless communication device 3A. The roadside display 3B is a display device that displays (instantly notifies) the charged amount and the like to a traveling vehicle (user) when the charging process via wireless communication is completed.

[0048] Next, the function of the CPU 30 of the exit billing processing device 3 will be described.

[0049] The CPU 30 operates according to a prepared program to fulfill the functions of a record processing unit 301 , an exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 , an exit transmission unit 303 , an in-vehicle information reading unit 304 and a billing processing unit 305 .

[0050] The recording processing unit 301, like the recording processing unit 201 of the entrance billing processing device 2, records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on a local recording medium 34. The recording processing unit 301 also updates the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 34 based on difference information T2 (FIG. 2) periodically distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

[0051] The exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 acquires vehicle information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate G3 through the wireless communication device 3 A. The vehicle information acquired here includes vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle.

[0052] The exit transmission unit 303 transmits the vehicle information including the vehicle identification information to the central billing processing device 1 .

[0053] The vehicle-mounted device information reader 304 reads out the vehicle model classification information written in the IC card at the entrance toll booth G2.

[0054] The billing processing unit 305 refers to the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 34, identifies the vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information acquired by the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302, and performs billing processing at an amount according to the vehicle type classification information.

[0055] (Functional configuration of the main line billing processing device) FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the main line billing processing device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the main line billing processing device 4 includes a CPU 40, a memory 41, a communication interface 42, a roadside equipment interface 43, and a recording medium 44.

[0056] The CPU 40 is a processor that performs various functions by operating according to pre-prepared programs. The functions of the CPU 40 will be described later. The memory 41 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 40 . The communication interface 42 is a connection interface for communicatively connecting to the central billing processing device 1 via a wide area communication network. The roadside equipment interface 43 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside equipment (wireless communication device 4A, vehicle type discrimination device 4B) provided on each lane of the main toll gate G4. The recording medium 44 is a local recording medium provided in the main line billing processing device 4, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, the recording medium 44 records the all-vehicle data table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

[0057] The wireless communication device 4A and the vehicle type discrimination device 4B, which are roadside devices connected to the main line toll processing device 4, are similar to the wireless communication device 2A and the vehicle type discrimination device 2B provided at the entrance toll gate G2, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0058] Next, the function of the CPU 40 of the main line billing processor 4 will be described.

[0059] The CPU 40 operates according to a prepared program to thereby fulfill the functions of a record processing unit 401, a main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402, a main line transmission unit 403, and an on-board device information writing unit 404.

[0060] The recording processing unit 401 records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on the local recording medium 44. The recording processing unit 401 also updates the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 24 based on difference information T2 (FIG. 2) periodically distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

[0061] The main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 acquires vehicle information of a vehicle that has arrived at the main line toll gate G4 through the wireless communication device 4A and the vehicle type discrimination device 4B. The vehicle information acquired here includes vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle, and vehicle type classification information that is determined using at least the detection result of the number of axles of the vehicle.

[0062] When a specific condition is satisfied, the main line transmitting unit 403 transmits vehicle information including vehicle identification information and vehicle type classification information to the central billing processing device 1. Specifically, the "specific condition" is the following two conditions (a) and (b). (a) When the vehicle information including the vehicle identification information (such as the on-board device ID) acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 is not present in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44 (b) When vehicle information including vehicle identification information acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 exists in the all vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44, but the vehicle information does not include vehicle type classification information based on the detection result of the number of axles.

[0063] The vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 404 reads out vehicle model classification information that is preregistered in the vehicle-mounted device C (FIG. 1), and writes it to an IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device C.

[0064] (Functional configuration of the entrance FF billing processing device) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the entrance FF billing processing device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the entrance FF billing processing device 5 includes a CPU 50, a memory 51, a communication interface 52, a roadside equipment interface 53, and a recording medium .

[0065] The CPU 50 is a processor that performs various functions by operating according to pre-prepared programs. The functions of the CPU 50 will be described later. The memory 51 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 50 . The communication interface 52 is a connection interface for communicatively connecting to the central billing processing device 1 via a wide area communication network. The roadside equipment interface 53 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside equipment (wireless communication device 5A, roadside camera 5B) provided on the entrance FF lane L2F. The recording medium 54 is a local recording medium provided in the entrance FF billing processing device 5, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, the all-vehicle data table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 is recorded in the recording medium 54.

[0066] The wireless communication device 5A, which is a roadside device connected to the entrance FF billing processing device 5, is similar to the wireless communication device 2A provided at the entrance toll gate G2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The roadside camera 5B is a camera installed on the roadside and captures images of vehicles traveling on the entrance FF lane L2F. The roadside camera 5B is capable of acquiring vehicle images showing the exterior of each vehicle by linking the images with vehicle identification information obtained through the wireless communication device 5A.

[0067] Next, the function of the CPU 50 of the entrance FF billing processing device 5 will be described.

[0068] The CPU 50 operates according to a prepared program to thereby fulfill the functions of a record processing unit 501, an entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502, an entrance FF transmission unit 503, and an in-vehicle device information writing unit 504.

[0069] The recording processing unit 501 records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on a local recording medium 54. The recording processing unit 501 also updates the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 54 based on difference information T2 (FIG. 2) periodically distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

[0070] The entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502 acquires vehicle information of a vehicle traveling on the entrance FF lane L2F through the wireless communication device 5A. The vehicle information acquired here includes vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle. However, since no vehicle type discrimination device is installed on the entrance FF lane L2F, the vehicle information acquired here does not include vehicle type classification information based on the detection result of the number of axles.

[0071] The entrance FF transmitting unit 503 transmits to the central billing processing device 1 vehicle information that includes vehicle identification information but does not include vehicle type classification information.

[0072] The vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 504 reads out vehicle model classification information preregistered in the vehicle-mounted device C (FIG. 1), and writes it to an IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device C.

[0073] (Example of vehicle information and all vehicle information tables) FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of vehicle information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an all-vehicle information table according to the first embodiment. Below, with reference to Figures 7 and 8, we will explain in detail the contents of the data of vehicle information D that is sequentially acquired by the entrance billing processing device 2 etc. and transmitted to the central billing processing device 1, and the contents of the data of the all-vehicle information table T1 created by the central billing processing device 1.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 7, vehicle information D includes "vehicle identification information" ("vehicle-mounted device ID" in this embodiment), "toll gate number," "lane number," "processing date, time, and minute," "IC card information," "vehicle type classification information," "license plate information," and "vehicle image data."

[0075] Among the vehicle information D acquired by the entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 of the entrance charging processing device 2, the "vehicle identification information" (vehicle-mounted device ID), "IC card information", "number plate information", etc. are information obtained through wireless communication between the wireless communication device 2A and the vehicle-mounted device C. Also, the "vehicle type classification information" is vehicle type classification information obtained through the vehicle type discrimination device 2B (i.e., vehicle type classification information identified based on the detection result of the number of axles).

[0076] In addition, since a vehicle type discrimination device 4B is also installed at the main line toll gate G4, "vehicle type classification information" based on the detection result of the number of axles can be obtained. Therefore, the vehicle information obtained by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 of the main line billing processing device 4 includes "vehicle type classification information" based on the number of axles, similar to the vehicle information obtained by the entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 of the entrance billing processing device 2. On the other hand, since no vehicle type discrimination device is installed in the entrance FF lane L2F, the vehicle information acquired by the entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502 of the entrance FF charging processing device 5 does not include "vehicle type classification information."

[0077] Fig. 8 shows the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 created by the creation unit 102 of the central billing processing device 1. As shown in Fig. 8, the all-vehicle information table T1 is formed by aggregating vehicle information received from each billing processing device. The all-vehicle information table T1 aggregates vehicle information on all vehicles traveling on the toll road U at each point in time.

[0078] (Processing flow of the central charging processing device) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the central charging processing device according to the first embodiment. The process flow executed by the central charging processing device 1 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 9. The process flow shown in Fig. 9 is repeatedly executed by the central charging processing device 1 periodically (for example, once every few seconds, minutes, or tens of minutes, at a cycle shorter than the shortest expected time from the entrance to the exit of a toll road).

[0079] First, the receiving unit 101 of the central billing processing device 1 collects vehicle information on a vehicle that has newly entered the toll road U (step S11A). Specifically, the receiving unit 101 collects vehicle information D (FIG. 7) received from the entrance billing processing device 2 or the entrance FF billing processing device 5.

[0080] Next, the receiving unit 101 collects vehicle information related to vehicles that have newly exited the toll road U (step S11B). Specifically, the receiving unit 101 collects the vehicle information D received from the exit billing processing device 3.

[0081] Next, the creation unit 102 of the central billing processing device 1 creates and updates an all-vehicle information table T1 (FIG. 7) that contains vehicle information on all vehicles traveling on the toll road U at each point in time, based on the information collected in steps S11A and S11B (step S12). Specifically, the creation unit 102 adds the vehicle information collected in step S11A to the all-vehicle information table T1, and removes the vehicle information collected in step S11B from the all-vehicle information table T1, thereby updating the all-vehicle information table T1.

[0082] Next, the creation unit 102 creates difference information T2 (FIG. 2) indicating the difference from the all vehicle information table T1 created at the previous timing (step S13). Specifically, the creation unit 102 creates a new entering vehicle information table T21 using the vehicle information aggregated in step S11A. In addition, the creation unit 102 creates a new exiting vehicle information table T22 using the vehicle information aggregated in step S11B.

[0083] Next, the distribution unit 103 of the central billing processing device 1 distributes the difference information T2 (the new entering vehicle information table T21, the new exiting vehicle information table T22) to each billing processing device (step S14). Each billing processing device updates the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded in its local recording medium based on the distributed difference information T2.

[0084] When a specific request is received from the billing processing device, the distribution unit 103 distributes the all-vehicle information table T1 itself to the request source, rather than the difference information T2 (step S15). For example, when a new exit billing processing device 3 is started up at the exit toll gate G2, the all-vehicle information table T1 is not recorded in the exit billing processing device 3 immediately after the start-up. Therefore, the newly started exit billing processing device 3 transmits a specific request to the central billing processing device 1 immediately after the start-up. The exit billing processing device 3 then receives the all-vehicle information table T1 itself from the central billing processing device 1.

[0085] (Processing flow of the entrance charging device) FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a process flow of the entrance charging processing device according to the first embodiment. The process flow executed by the entrance charging processing device 2 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0086] First, the entrance charging processing device 2 detects the entry of a vehicle into the entrance toll gate G2 (step S21).

[0087] Next, the entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 of the entrance charging processing device 2 performs wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device C of the entering vehicle via the wireless communication device 2A to acquire vehicle identification information (vehicle-mounted device ID) etc. (step S22).

[0088] Next, the vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 204 of the entrance charging processing device 2 writes the vehicle type classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information) registered in the vehicle-mounted device C to the IC card (step S23).

[0089] Next, the entrance charging processing device 2 determines whether or not the vehicle identification information acquired in step S22 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 24 (step S24).

[0090] If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S22 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 24 (step S24; NO), this means that vehicle information about vehicles that have not yet entered the toll road U is recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1. In this case, therefore, the entrance billing processing device 2 determines that an abnormal vehicle has entered the system, and notifies the central billing processing device 1 of an error (step S25).

[0091] If the vehicle identification information obtained in step S22 is not included in the total vehicle information table T1 recorded in the local recording medium 24 (step S24; YES), then vehicle type classification information identified based on the detection result of the number of axles is obtained through the vehicle type discrimination device 2B (step S26).

[0092] Next, entrance transmitting unit 203 of entrance billing processing device 2 transmits vehicle information about the arriving vehicle (including vehicle type classification information identified by vehicle type discrimination device 2B) to central billing processing device 1 (step S27).

[0093] (Processing flow of the exit billing device) FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process flow of the exit charging processing device according to the first embodiment. The process flow executed by the egress charging processor 3 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0094] First, the exit billing processing device 3 detects the entry of a vehicle into the exit toll gate G3 (step S31).

[0095] Next, the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 of the exit billing processing device 3 performs wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device C of the entering vehicle via the wireless communication device 3A to acquire vehicle identification information (vehicle-mounted device ID) etc. (step S32).

[0096] Next, the vehicle-mounted device information reader 304 of the exit billing processing device 3 reads the vehicle type classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information) written to the IC card in step S23 (FIG. 10) (step S33).

[0097] Next, the exit billing processor 3 determines whether the vehicle identification information acquired in step S32 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded in the local recording medium 34 (step S34).

[0098] If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S32 is not included in the all vehicle information table T1 recorded in the local recording medium 34 (step S34; NO), then for some reason the vehicle information that should be included is not included in the all vehicle information table T1 of the exit billing processing device 3. Therefore, in this case, the billing processing unit 305 determines the billing amount using the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information (provisional vehicle type classification information) read in step S33, and performs billing processing (step S35).

[0099] On the other hand, if the vehicle identification information acquired in step S32 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 34 (step S34; YES), the billing processing unit 305 refers to the all-vehicle information table T1 to identify the vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information acquired in step S32 (step S36).

[0100] Next, the billing processor 305 executes billing processing of the billing amount according to the vehicle type classification information recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1, and causes the roadside display 3B to display the billing amount (step S37). Thereafter, the exit transmission unit 303 transmits the vehicle information including the vehicle identification information acquired in step S32 to the central billing processing device 1. The vehicle information transmitted here is excluded from the all vehicle information table T1 by the central billing processing device 1 as vehicle information of a vehicle that has newly exited the toll road U.

[0101] (Processing flow of the main line billing device) FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the main line billing processing device according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the process flow executed by the main line billing processor 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0102] First, the main line toll processing device 4 detects the entry of a vehicle into the main line toll gate G4 (step S41).

[0103] Next, the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 of the main line billing processing device 4 performs wireless communication with the on-board device C of the entering vehicle via the wireless communication device 4A to acquire vehicle identification information (on-board device ID) etc. (step S42).

[0104] Next, the vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 404 of the main line billing processing device 4 writes the vehicle type classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information) registered in the vehicle-mounted device C to the IC card (step S43).

[0105] Next, the main line transmitting unit 403 of the main line billing processing device 4 determines whether the vehicle identification information acquired in step S42 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded in the local recording medium 44 (step S44).

[0106] If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S42 is included in the total vehicle information table T1 recorded in the local recording medium 44 (step S44; NO), this vehicle can be said to be a vehicle whose vehicle information was acquired through the entrance toll gate G2 or the entrance FF lane L2F through the entrance charging processing device 2 or the entrance FF charging processing device 5 when passing through the entrance toll gate G2 or the entrance FF lane L2F. In this case, the main line transmitting unit 403 subsequently determines whether or not the vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 (step S45).

[0107] If the vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information acquired in step S42 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded in the recording medium 44 (step S45; NO), it is determined that the correct vehicle type classification information has already been recorded by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B when this vehicle passed through the entrance toll gate G2. Therefore, in this case, the main line transmission unit 403 ends the process without transmitting any information to the central billing processing device 1.

[0108] On the other hand, if the vehicle information referenced in step S44 does not include vehicle type classification information (step S45; YES), it is determined that the correct vehicle type classification information has not yet been recorded because the vehicle has passed through the entrance FF lane L2F, where the vehicle type discrimination device 2B is not installed, and entered the toll road U. In this case, the main line transmitting unit 403 acquires vehicle type classification information specified based on the detection result of the number of axles through the vehicle type discrimination device 4B (step S46).

[0109] Next, the main line transmitting unit 403 transmits vehicle information (including vehicle type classification information identified by the vehicle type discrimination device 4B) relating to the arriving vehicle to the central billing processing device 1 (step S47).

[0110] (Processing flow of the entrance FF billing device) FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a process flow of the entrance FF billing processing device according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the process flow executed by the entrance FF billing processing device 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0111] The entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502 of the entrance FF charging processing device 5 performs wireless communication with the on-board device C of a vehicle present within its communication range via the wireless communication device 5A installed on the roadside of the entrance FF lane L2F, and acquires vehicle identification information (on-board device ID) etc. (step S51).

[0112] Next, the vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 504 of the entrance FF billing processing device 5 writes the vehicle type classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information) registered in the vehicle-mounted device C to the IC card (step S52).

[0113] Next, the entrance FF billing processing device 5 determines whether or not the vehicle identification information acquired in step S51 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded in the local recording medium 54 (step S54).

[0114] If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S51 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded in the local recording medium 54 (step S54; NO), this means that vehicle information about vehicles that have not yet entered the toll road U is recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1. Therefore, in this case, the entrance FF billing processing device 5 determines that an abnormal vehicle has entered the system, and notifies the central billing processing device 1 of an error (step S54).

[0115] If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S51 is not included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded in the local recording medium 54 (step S53; YES), the entrance FF transmission unit 503 of the entrance FF billing processing device 5 transmits vehicle information (not including vehicle type classification information based on the number of axles) on the arriving vehicle to the central billing processing device 1 (step S55). Note that this vehicle information may include vehicle image data captured by the roadside camera 5B (or information indicating the storage destination).

[0116] (Action, effect) As described above, the central billing processing device 1 of the first embodiment aggregates vehicle information including vehicle type classification information for each vehicle from the entrance billing processing device 2 installed at the entrance toll gate G2 to create an all-vehicle information table T1, and distributes this to the exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G2. In this way, vehicle information (all vehicle information table T1) of all vehicles that have entered the toll road U is recorded locally (on the recording medium 34) of the exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3. Correct vehicle type classification information (vehicle type classification information based on the number of axles) of each vehicle is recorded in the all vehicle information table T1. Therefore, when a vehicle arrives at the exit toll gate G3, the all vehicle information table T1 can be immediately referenced and real-time billing can be performed at the correct billing amount according to the vehicle's vehicle type classification information.

[0117] As described above, the central billing processing device 1 according to the first embodiment can realize immediate billing at the correct billing amount at the exit toll gate, and immediate notification of the correct billing amount to the user.

[0118] (Modification of the first embodiment) It has been explained that the main line billing processing device 4 according to the first embodiment ends the process without transmitting any information to the central billing processing device 1 when the vehicle identification information acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 is included in the all vehicle information table T1 recorded in the local recording medium 44 (step S44; NO) and when the vehicle identification information includes vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information (step S45; NO). However, other embodiments are not limited to this mode. That is, even for the same vehicle, the vehicle type classification when passing through the entrance toll gate G2 may be different from the vehicle type classification when passing through the main toll gate G4. For example, this may be the case when cargo or towed vehicles are added / reduced at a service area, etc. In such a case, the central charging processing device 1 may be configured to record both the vehicle type classification identified when passing through the entrance toll gate G2 and the vehicle type classification identified when passing through the main toll gate G4 in the all-vehicle information table T1. In this way, the road operator can take into account the change in vehicle type classification while traveling on the toll road U and collect an appropriate fee from the vehicle.

[0119] In addition, the fee collection system 9 of another embodiment may have a main line FF charging processing device in addition to the above-mentioned central charging processing device 1, entrance charging processing device 2, exit charging processing device 3, main line charging processing device 4 and entrance FF charging processing device 5. The main line FF billing processing device acquires vehicle information for vehicles traveling on the normal lanes of the main line L1 (lanes where there are no toll gates and vehicles can travel freely) via wireless communication devices installed on the roadside, and transmits the information sequentially to the central billing processing device 1. However, vehicle type discrimination devices cannot be installed on the normal lanes of the main line L1. Therefore, the main line FF billing processing device transmits vehicle information that does not include vehicle type classification information based on the detection results of the number of axles, just like the entrance FF billing processing device 5. All other processing is the same as that of the main line billing processing device 4.

[0120] Moreover, the toll collection system 9 according to another embodiment may further include an exit FF billing processing device provided corresponding to the “exit FF lane” of the toll road U. In this case, the exit FF billing processing device may have the same function as the exit billing processing device 3.

[0121] In addition, the toll collection system 9 according to the above embodiment has been described as updating the all-vehicle information table T1 at the exit charging processing device 3 by successively distributing difference information T2 as shown in Fig. 9, but other embodiments are not limited to this. That is, the toll collection system 9 according to other embodiments may be configured to distribute the all-vehicle information table T1 as is at regular intervals.

[0122] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the various processes executed by the central billing processing device 1, the entrance billing processing device 2, the exit billing processing device 3, the main line billing processing device 4, and the entrance FF billing processing device 5 (and the main line FF billing processing device and the exit FF billing processing device) are stored in the form of a program on a computer-readable recording medium, and the above-mentioned various processes are performed by the computer reading and executing this program. Also, computer-readable recording medium refers to a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, etc. Also, this computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that receives this distribution may execute the program.

[0123] The program may be for implementing some of the above-mentioned functions, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0124] 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 invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as in the scope and gist of the invention.

[0125] <Additional Notes> The central billing processing device, the entrance billing processing device, the exit billing processing device, the main line billing processing device 4, the toll collection system, the billing processing method and the program described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0126] (1) In the first aspect, the central charging processing device 1 includes a receiving unit 101 that receives vehicle information from an entrance charging processing device 2 installed at the entrance toll gate G2, the vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2 and vehicle classification information determined using detection results of at least characteristics related to the vehicle's external shape, a creation unit 102 that aggregates the vehicle information received from the entrance charging processing device 2 to create a total vehicle information table T1, and a distribution unit 103 that distributes the total vehicle information table T1 to an exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3. In this way, vehicle information (all vehicle information table T1) of all vehicles that have entered the toll road U is recorded locally (on the recording medium 34) of the exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3. Correct vehicle type classification information (vehicle type classification information based on the number of axles) of each vehicle is recorded in the all vehicle information table T1. Therefore, when a vehicle arrives at the exit toll gate G3, the all vehicle information table T1 can be immediately referenced and real-time billing can be performed at the correct billing amount according to the vehicle's vehicle type classification information.

[0127] (2) In the second aspect, the central billing processing device 1 further receives vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate G2 from the exit billing processing device 3, and the creation unit 102 excludes the vehicle information corresponding to the vehicle identification information received from the exit billing processing device 3 from the all vehicle information table T2. In this way, the central billing processing device 1 can create an all-vehicle information table T1 only for vehicles that are on the toll road U at each point in time.

[0128] (3) In the third embodiment, the distribution unit 103 of the central billing processing device 1 distributes the difference information T2 of the all-vehicle information table T1. In this manner, only the difference information of the all-vehicle information table T1 is distributed periodically, so that the communication load between the devices can be reduced.

[0129] (4) In the fourth aspect, the entrance charging processing device 2 installed at the entrance toll gate G2 includes an entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2 and vehicle type classification information determined using at least the detection results of the number of axles of the vehicle, and an entrance transmission unit 203 that transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information and the vehicle type classification information to the central charging processing device 1. In this manner, the entrance billing processing device 2 can transmit the correct vehicle type classification of each vehicle that has entered the toll road U to the central billing processing device 1.

[0130] (5) In the fifth aspect, the exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3 includes a recording processing unit 301 that records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on a recording medium 34 within the device (local), an exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 that acquires vehicle identification information of vehicles that have arrived at the exit toll gate G3, and a billing processing unit 305 that refers to the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 34, identifies the vehicle classification information linked to the vehicle identification information, and executes billing processing with an amount charged according to the vehicle classification information. By doing this, when a vehicle arrives at the exit toll gate G3, the exit billing processing device 3 can immediately refer to the all-vehicle information table T1 and perform immediate billing at the correct billing amount according to the vehicle type classification information of that vehicle.

[0131] (6) In a sixth aspect, the exit billing processing device 3 further includes an exit transmitting unit 303 that transmits the vehicle identification information (vehicle information) acquired by the exit vehicle information acquiring unit 302 to the central billing processing device 1 . In this manner, the central billing processing device 1 can be notified of a vehicle that has exited the toll road U.

[0132] (7) In the seventh aspect, when the vehicle information including the vehicle identification information acquired by the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 is not present in the total vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 34, the accounting processing unit 305 of the exit accounting processing device 3 executes accounting processing at a charging amount according to the vehicle model classification information (vehicle model classification information) registered in the vehicle-mounted device C installed in the vehicle. By doing this, even if a vehicle that is not included in the local (recording medium 34) all-vehicle information table T1 arrives for some reason, the charging process for that vehicle can be performed using the conventional charging method (i.e., the charging method using the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information).

[0133] (8) In the eighth aspect, the main line billing processing device 4 installed at the main line toll gate G4 includes a main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle arriving at the main line toll gate G4 and vehicle type classification information determined using at least the detection result of the number of axles of the vehicle, a recording processing unit 401 that records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on a recording medium 44 within the device, and a main line transmitting unit 403 that transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information and the vehicle type classification information to the central billing processing device 1 if the vehicle information including the vehicle identification information acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 is not present in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44. By doing this, even if the vehicle information for the vehicle is not included in the all-vehicle information table T1 when the vehicle passes through the entrance toll gate G2, it can be added to the all-vehicle information table T1 again when the vehicle passes through the main toll gate G4.

[0134] (9) In the ninth aspect, if the vehicle information in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44 does not include vehicle type classification information, the main line transmitting unit 403 of the main line billing processing device 4 transmits the vehicle type classification information acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 to the central billing processing device 1. By doing this, even if the correct vehicle type classification information is not acquired when the vehicle enters because the vehicle travels on the entrance FF lane L2F, when the vehicle passes through the main toll gate G4, the correct vehicle type classification acquired at the main toll gate G4 is additionally recorded in the all vehicle information table T1. Therefore, even for a vehicle that has entered by traveling on the entrance FF lane L2F, the charging process can be performed at the exit toll gate G3 with the charging amount according to the correct vehicle type classification of the vehicle.

[0135] (10) In the tenth aspect, the toll collection system 9 comprises a central billing processing device 1 described in (1) to (3), an entrance billing processing device 2 described in (4), and an exit billing processing device 3 described in (5) to (7).

[0136] (11) In an eleventh aspect, the toll collection system 9 further includes the main line billing processing device 4 described in (8) or (9).

[0137] (12) In the twelfth aspect, the charging processing method includes the steps of: a central charging processing device 1 receiving vehicle information from an entrance charging processing device 2 installed at the entrance toll gate G2, the vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2 and vehicle type classification information determined using at least the detection result of the number of axles of the vehicle; a step of the central charging processing device 1 aggregating the vehicle information received from the entrance charging processing device 2 to create a total vehicle information table T1; and a step of the central charging processing device 1 distributing the total vehicle information table T1 to an exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3.

[0138] (13) In the thirteenth aspect, the program causes the computer of the central billing processing device 1 to execute the steps of receiving vehicle information from an entrance billing processing device 2 installed at the entrance toll gate G2, the vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2 and vehicle type classification information determined using at least the detection results of the number of axles of the vehicle, aggregating the vehicle information received from the entrance billing processing device 2 to create a total vehicle information table T1, and distributing the total vehicle information table T1 to an exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3.

[0139] <Second embodiment> The fee collection system according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0140] (Overall configuration of the toll collection system) FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the fee collection system according to the second embodiment. The toll collection system 9 shown in FIG. 14 is an electronic toll collection system (ETC) similar to the first embodiment, and is applied to toll collection of a toll road U managed by a road operator.

[0141] The configuration of the toll road U according to the second embodiment will be described. 14, the toll road U has an entrance toll gate G2 and an exit toll gate G3 on the main line LM. In this embodiment, the toll road U does not have a main line toll gate G4. The entrance toll gate G2 and the entrance FF lane L2F in this embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0142] Each lane of the exit toll gate G3 in this embodiment is equipped with a wireless communication device for wireless communication with the onboard unit C of the arriving vehicle A, and a vehicle type discrimination device that can identify the vehicle type classification of vehicle A based on the detection results of the number of axles of the vehicle A.

[0143] Next, the fee collection system 9 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, the toll collection system 9 includes a central charging processing device 1, an entrance charging processing device 2, an exit charging processing device 3, an entrance FF charging processing device 5, and an additional charging processing device 6.

[0144] The central billing processing device 1, the entrance billing processing device 2 and the entrance FF billing processing device 5 have the same functions as those in the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0145] The exit billing processing device 3 of this embodiment, like the entrance billing processing device 2 (or the main line billing processing device 4 of the first embodiment), can obtain correct vehicle type classification information (vehicle type classification information based on the number of axles) for the arriving vehicle A through a vehicle type discrimination device.

[0146] The additional charging processing device 6 is installed on the exit lane L3. When the additional charging processing device 6 is unable to immediately charge the arriving vehicle A based on the correct vehicle type classification information at the exit toll gate G3, the additional charging processing device 6 realizes immediate charging to the vehicle A.

[0147] Here, as a specific example, vehicle A traveling the travel route RT shown in Fig. 14 will be described. Vehicle A traveling the travel route RT enters the toll road U from the entrance FF lane L2F, which does not have a vehicle type discrimination device, and arrives at the exit toll gate G3 without passing through the main toll gate G4 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, at the time when vehicle A arrives at the exit toll gate G3, the correct vehicle type classification information for vehicle A is not registered in the all vehicle information table T1 of the exit billing processing device 3. Therefore, the exit billing processing device 3 cannot perform instant billing on vehicle A based on the correct vehicle type classification information. In this case, an additional charging processing device 6 is provided to immediately charge vehicle A traveling on the exit lane L3 toward the general road based on correct vehicle type classification information.

[0148] The additional charging device 6 is connected to the corresponding egress charging device 3 so that they can communicate with each other via a dedicated line N. In other words, the additional charging device 6 can communicate directly only with the corresponding egress charging device 3, and cannot directly exchange information with the central charging device 1, the ingress charging device 2, etc.

[0149] (Functional configuration of the egress billing processing device) FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the exit charging processing device according to the second embodiment. With reference to FIG. 15, among the functional configuration of the exit charging processing device 3 according to the second embodiment, the configuration that differs from that of the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0150] The exit billing processing device 3 according to the second embodiment is connected to a vehicle type discrimination device 3C, which is a roadside device, as shown in Fig. 15. Similar to the vehicle type discrimination device 2B described in the first embodiment, the vehicle type discrimination device 3C identifies correct vehicle type classification information of a traveling vehicle using the detection result of the number of axles of a passing vehicle.

[0151] The functions of the CPU 30 of the exit charging processing device 3 are similar to those in the first embodiment. However, the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 and the exit transmission unit 303 in the second embodiment further have the following functions.

[0152] In the second embodiment, when vehicle information including vehicle identification information (vehicle-mounted device ID) of the arriving vehicle A is not present in the all vehicle information table T1 recorded locally (recording medium 34), the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 acquires vehicle type classification information determined using the detection result of the number of axles by the vehicle type discrimination device 3C.

[0153] In the second embodiment, when vehicle information including the vehicle identification information (vehicle-mounted device ID) of the arriving vehicle A is not present in the all vehicle information table T1 recorded locally (recording medium 34), the exit transmission unit 303 transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information (vehicle-mounted device ID) of the arriving vehicle A and the correct vehicle type classification information of the vehicle A (vehicle type classification information determined using the detection result of the number of axles by the vehicle type discrimination device 3C) to the additional charging processing device 6.

[0154] (Functional configuration of additional billing processing device) FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an additional charging processing device according to the second embodiment. The configuration of the additional charging processing device 6 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 16, the additional charging processing device 6 includes a CPU 60, a memory 61, a communication interface 62, a roadside equipment interface 63, and a recording medium 64.

[0156] The CPU 60 is a processor that performs various functions by operating according to pre-prepared programs. The functions of the CPU 60 will be described later. The memory 61 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 60 . The communication interface 62 is a connection interface for connecting to the corresponding egress billing processing device 3 via a dedicated line N so as to be able to communicate with each other. The roadside equipment interface 63 is a connection interface for communicating with a roadside equipment (wireless communication device 6A) provided on the exit lane L3. The recording medium 64 is a local recording medium provided in the additional charging processing device 6, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, a dedicated vehicle information table T1′ including vehicle information transmitted from the corresponding exit charging processing device 3 is recorded in the recording medium 64.

[0157] Next, the roadside equipment (wireless communication device 6A) connected to the additional charging processing device 6 will be described.

[0158] The wireless communication device 6A performs wireless communication using DSRC with the onboard unit C (Figure 1) of vehicle A that arrives within its communication range while traveling on the exit lane L3, and acquires various information (vehicle identification information) recorded in the onboard unit C.

[0159] Next, the function of the CPU 60 of the additional charging processor 6 will be described.

[0160] The CPU 60 operates according to a prepared program to fulfill the functions of a recording processing unit 601 , an additional FF vehicle information acquisition unit 602 , an additional FF transmission unit 603 , an in-vehicle device information reading unit 604 , and a billing processing unit 605 .

[0161] The recording processing unit 601 records the vehicle information transmitted from the corresponding exit charging processing device 3 in the local recording medium 64 as a dedicated vehicle information table T1'.

[0162] The additional FF vehicle information acquisition unit 602 acquires vehicle information of the vehicle traveling in the exit lane L3 through the wireless communication device 6A. The acquired vehicle information includes vehicle identification information (vehicle-mounted device ID) that can identify the vehicle.

[0163] The additional FF transmission unit 603 transmits to the exit billing processing device 3 vehicle information on the vehicle for which billing processing by the billing processing unit 605 has been completed.

[0164] The vehicle-mounted device information reading unit 604 reads the vehicle model classification information written in the IC card at the entrance toll gate G2 or the exit toll gate G3.

[0165] The billing processing unit 605 refers to the dedicated vehicle information table T1' recorded on the local recording medium 64, identifies the vehicle model classification information linked to the vehicle identification information acquired by the additional FF vehicle information acquisition unit 602, and performs billing processing at an amount according to the vehicle model classification information.

[0166] (Processing flow of the exit billing device) FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a process flow of the egress charging processing device according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, a process flow executed by the exit charging processing device 3 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0167] First, the exit billing processing device 3 detects the entry of a vehicle into the exit toll gate G3 (step S61).

[0168] Next, the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 of the exit billing processing device 3 performs wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device C of the vehicle that has entered its communication range via the wireless communication device 3A, and acquires vehicle identification information (vehicle-mounted device ID) etc. (step S62).

[0169] Next, the vehicle-mounted device information reader 304 of the exit billing processing device 3 reads the vehicle type classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information) written to the IC card in step S23 (FIG. 10) or step S52 (FIG. 13) in FIG. 10 (step S63).

[0170] Next, the exit billing processor 3 determines whether the vehicle identification information acquired in step S62 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded in the local recording medium 34 (step S64).

[0171] If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S62 is not included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 34 (step S64; YES), then for some reason the vehicle information that should be included is not included in the all-vehicle information table T1 of the exit billing processing device 3. Therefore, in this case, the billing processing unit 305 executes the processes of steps S69 and S6A described below in order to perform immediate billing in the additional billing processing device 6.

[0172] On the other hand, if the vehicle is included in the all vehicle information table T1 recorded in the local recording medium 34 (step S64; NO), it can be said that this vehicle is a vehicle whose vehicle information was acquired through the entrance toll gate G2 or the entrance FF lane L2F via the entrance charging processing device 2 or the entrance FF charging processing device 5 when it passed through the entrance toll gate G2 or the entrance FF lane L2F. In this case, the charging processing unit 305 then determines whether or not the all vehicle information table T1 does not include correct vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information (step S65).

[0173] If the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 34 contains the correct vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information acquired in step S62 (step S65; NO), it is determined that the correct vehicle type classification information has already been recorded by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B when this vehicle passed through the entrance toll gate G2. Therefore, in this case, the charging processing unit 305 refers to the all-vehicle information table T1 and identifies the correct vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information acquired in step S62 (step S66).

[0174] Next, the billing processor 305 executes billing processing for the billing amount according to the correct vehicle type classification information recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1, and causes the roadside display 3B to display the billing amount (step S67).

[0175] The exit transmitter 303 transmits the vehicle information including the vehicle identification information acquired in step S62 to the central billing processing device 1 (step S68). The vehicle information transmitted here is excluded from the all vehicle information table T1 by the central billing processing device 1 as vehicle information of a vehicle that has newly exited the toll road U.

[0176] On the other hand, if the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded in the recording medium 34 does not contain the correct vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information acquired in step S62 (step S65; YES), it is determined that the vehicle arrived at the exit toll gate G3 without the correct vehicle type classification information registered by the vehicle type discrimination device when it passed through the entrance FF lane L2F. In this case, immediate charging based on the correct vehicle type classification information cannot be performed at the exit toll gate G3. Therefore, first, the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 identifies the correct vehicle type classification information from the detection result of the number of axles acquired via the vehicle type discrimination device 3C while the vehicle is passing (step S69).

[0177] Next, the exit transmission unit 303 transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information acquired in step S62 and the correct vehicle type classification information acquired (identified) in step S69 to the corresponding additional charging processing device 6 (step S6A).

[0178] (Processing flow of additional charging device) FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a process flow of the additional charging processing device according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the process flow executed by the additional charging processing device 6 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0179] The additional FF vehicle information acquisition unit 602 of the additional charging processing device 6 performs wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device C of a vehicle within its communication range via the wireless communication device 6A installed on the roadside of the exit lane L3, and acquires vehicle identification information (vehicle-mounted device ID) etc. (step S71).

[0180] Next, the vehicle-mounted device information reading unit 604 of the additional charging processing device 6 reads the vehicle model classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle model classification information) written to the IC card in step S52 (FIG. 13) (step S72).

[0181] Next, the additional billing processing device 6 determines whether or not the vehicle identification information acquired in step S71 is included in the dedicated vehicle information table T1' recorded in the local recording medium 64 (step S73).

[0182] If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S71 is not included in the dedicated vehicle information table T1' recorded in the local recording medium 64 (step S73; NO), the vehicle can be determined to be a vehicle for which charging processing has been completed at the exit toll gate G3. Therefore, the charging processing unit 605 of the additional charging processing device 6 ends the processing flow without performing any processing (charging processing) for this vehicle.

[0183] If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S71 is included in the dedicated vehicle information table T1' recorded on the local recording medium 64 (step S73; YES), the billing processing unit 605 then determines whether the dedicated vehicle information table T1' recorded on the local recording medium 64 contains correct vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information (step S74).

[0184] If the dedicated vehicle information table T1' recorded in the local recording medium 64 does not contain the correct vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information (step S74; NO), it is determined that the correct vehicle type classification information of the vehicle could not be obtained at the exit toll gate G3 for some reason. Therefore, the billing processing unit 605 determines the billing amount using the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information (provisional vehicle type classification information) read in step S72, and performs billing processing (step S75).

[0185] On the other hand, if the dedicated vehicle information table T1' recorded on the local recording medium 64 contains correct vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information (step S74; YES), the billing processing unit 605 refers to the dedicated vehicle information table T1' to identify the correct vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information acquired in step S71 (step S76).

[0186] Next, the billing processor 605 executes billing processing for the billing amount according to the correct vehicle type classification information recorded in the dedicated vehicle information table T1' (step S77).

[0187] The additional FF transmission unit 603 transmits the vehicle information including the vehicle identification information acquired in step S71 to the corresponding exit billing processing device 3 (step S78). The transmitted vehicle information is further transferred from the exit billing processing device 3 that received it to the central billing processing device 1. Then, in the central billing processing device 1, the vehicle information is removed from the all vehicle information table T1 as the vehicle information of a vehicle that has newly exited the toll road U.

[0188] (Action, effect) As described above, when vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of an arriving vehicle is not present in the all vehicle information table T1 recorded locally (on the recording medium 34), the exit charging processing device 3 according to the second embodiment acquires new correct vehicle type classification information at the exit toll gate G3 and transmits this to the additional charging processing device 6 installed downstream of the exit lane. This makes it possible to immediately charge based on the correct vehicle type classification even for a vehicle that entered the toll road U via the entrance FF lane L2F and arrived at the exit toll gate G3 in that state.

[0189] <Modification of the second embodiment> Hereinafter, a toll collection system according to a modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 19 to 20. Note that the overall configuration of the toll collection system 9 according to the modification of the second embodiment and the functional configuration of each charging processing device are similar to those of the second embodiment (Figures 14 to 16), and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0190] (Processing flow of the exit billing device) FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a process flow of the egress charging processing device according to the modified example of the second embodiment.

[0191] Each step shown in FIG. 19 (steps S61, S62, S69, S6A) has the same process content as each step of the process steps (FIG. 17) of the exit charging processing device 3 according to the second embodiment.

[0192] That is, the exit charging processing device 3 detects the entry of a vehicle into the exit toll gate G3 (step S61). Next, the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 of the exit billing processing device 3 performs wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device C of the vehicle that has entered its communication range via the wireless communication device 3A, and acquires vehicle identification information (vehicle-mounted device ID) etc. (step S62). The exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 identifies correct vehicle type classification information from the detection result of the number of axles acquired via the vehicle type discrimination device 3C while the vehicle is passing (step S69). Next, the exit transmission unit 303 transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information acquired in step S62 and the correct vehicle type classification information acquired (identified) in step S69 to the corresponding additional charging processing device 6 (step S6A).

[0193] As described above, the exit billing processing device 3 according to the modified example of the second embodiment does not perform billing processing for all arriving vehicles. Instead, the exit billing processing device 3 obtains correct vehicle type classification information for all arriving vehicles via the vehicle type discrimination device 3C, and transmits vehicle information including the vehicle type classification information to the additional billing processing device 6 located downstream.

[0194] (Processing flow of additional charging device) FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a process flow of the additional charging processing device according to the modified example of the second embodiment. Each step (step S71 to step S78) shown in FIG. 20 has the same process content as each step of the process steps (FIG. 18) of the additional charging processor 6 according to the second embodiment.

[0195] Here, in the case of the second embodiment, when immediate charging is normally performed by the exit charging processing device 3, the vehicle information about that vehicle is not transmitted to the additional charging processing device 6, and therefore the vehicle information is not recorded in the dedicated vehicle information table T1'. Therefore, the additional charging processing device 6 does not need to perform any processing for vehicles that are not recorded in the dedicated vehicle information table T1', based on the determination that the vehicle has completed charging processing at the exit toll gate G3.

[0196] On the other hand, in this modified example, the exit billing processing device 3 does not perform billing processing for all vehicles passing through the exit toll gate G3, but instead transmits vehicle information (including vehicle identification information and correct vehicle type classification information) for all vehicles acquired when passing through the exit toll gate G3 to the additional billing processing device 6 (see the processing flow in FIG. 19). Therefore, in this modified example, basically, all vehicle information acquired in step S71 is recorded in the dedicated vehicle information table T1'.

[0197] However, due to some circumstances (e.g., failure of wireless communication at the exit toll gate G3), the vehicle information acquired in step S71 may not be included in the dedicated vehicle information table T1' (step S73; NO). In that case, since charging processing is not performed at the exit toll gate G3 in this modified example, the additional charging processing device 6 must perform charging processing for the vehicle. Therefore, the charging processing unit 605 of the additional charging processing device 6 determines the charging amount using the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information (provisional vehicle type classification information) read in step S72, and performs charging processing (step S75).

[0198] (Action, effect) As described above, the exit charging processing device 3 according to the modified example of the second embodiment acquires new correct vehicle type classification information at the exit toll gate G3 for all arriving vehicles, and transmits this to the additional charging processing device 6 installed downstream of the exit lane. This allows the additional charging processing device 6 to immediately charge based on the correct vehicle type classification, even for vehicles that enter the toll road U via the entrance FF lane L2F and arrive at the exit toll gate G3 in that state.

[0199] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the various processes executed by the central charging processing device 1, the inlet charging processing device 2, the outlet charging processing device 3, the main line charging processing device 4, the inlet FF charging processing device 5, and the additional charging processing device 6 (as well as the main line FF charging processing device and the outlet FF charging processing device) are stored in the form of a program on a computer-readable recording medium, and the above-mentioned various processes are performed by the computer reading and executing this program. Also, computer-readable recording medium refers to a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, etc. Also, the computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that receives the distribution may execute the program.

[0200] The program may be for implementing some of the above-mentioned functions, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0201] 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 invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as in the scope and gist of the invention.

[0202] <Additional Notes> The exit charging device 3, the additional charging device 6, the toll collection system 9, and the charging processing method and program described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0203] (1) In the first aspect, the exit billing processing device 3 is an exit billing processing device installed at the exit toll gate G3, and includes a recording processing unit 301 that records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on a recording medium 34 in the exit toll gate G3, an exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 that acquires vehicle identification information (on-board device ID) of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate G3, a billing processing unit 305 that refers to the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 34, identifies vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle, and executes billing processing with a billing amount according to the vehicle type classification information, and an exit transmission unit 30 that transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle to the central billing processing device 1. 3, when vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle is not present in the all vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 34, the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 acquires vehicle type classification information determined using at least the detection results of characteristics related to the external shape of the arriving vehicle, and when vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle is not present in the all vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 34, the exit transmission unit 303 transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and the vehicle type classification information determined using the detection results of characteristics related to the external shape of the arriving vehicle to the additional charging processing device 6 installed in the exit lane L3 leading from the exit toll gate T3 to the general road.

[0204] (2) In the second aspect, the exit charging processing device 3 is an exit charging processing device installed at the exit toll gate, and includes an exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate G3 and vehicle type classification information determined using at least the detection results of characteristics related to the external shape of the arriving vehicle, and an exit transmission unit that transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and the vehicle type classification information determined using the detection results of characteristics related to the external shape of the arriving vehicle to an additional charging processing device 6 installed in the exit lane L3 leading from the exit toll gate G3 to a general road.

[0205] (3) In the third aspect, the additional charging processing device 6 is an additional charging processing device installed in the exit lane L3 leading from the exit toll gate G3 to a general road, and is equipped with a recording processing unit 601 that records vehicle information including vehicle identification information and vehicle classification information acquired at the exit toll gate G3 and transmitted from the exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3, onto a recording medium 64 within the device, an additional FF vehicle information acquisition unit 602 that acquires the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle, and a charging processing unit 605 that refers to the vehicle information recorded on the recording medium 64, identifies the vehicle classification information linked to the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle, and executes charging processing with an amount of charging according to the vehicle classification information.

[0206] (4) In the fourth aspect, if vehicle information including vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle is not present in the dedicated vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium 64, the billing processing unit related to (3) does not perform billing processing for the vehicle.

[0207] (5) In a fifth aspect, the toll collection system 9 includes an exit charging processing device according to (1) or (2) and an additional charging processing device according to (3) or (4).

[0208] (6) In a sixth aspect, the egress charging device 3 according to (5) and the additional charging device 6 are connected by a dedicated communication line N.

[0209] (7) In a seventh aspect, a charging processing method is a charging processing method using an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll gate, and includes the steps of: recording an all-vehicle information table distributed from a central charging processing device onto a recording medium within the device; acquiring vehicle identification information of a vehicle arriving at the exit toll gate; referring to the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, identifying vehicle classification information linked to the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and executing charging processing with a charging amount according to the vehicle classification information; if vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle does not exist in the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, acquiring vehicle classification information determined using at least a detection result of characteristics related to the external shape of the vehicle; and if vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle does not exist in the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, transmitting vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and the vehicle classification information determined using a detection result of characteristics related to the external shape of the arriving vehicle to an additional charging processing device installed in an outflow lane leading from the exit toll gate to a general road.

[0210] (8) In an eighth aspect, the program causes a computer of an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll gate to execute the following steps: recording an all-vehicle information table distributed from a central charging processing device to a recording medium within the device; acquiring vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate; referring to the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, identifying vehicle classification information linked to the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and executing charging processing with an amount of charging according to the vehicle classification information; if vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle does not exist in the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, acquiring vehicle classification information determined using at least a detection result of characteristics related to the external shape of the vehicle; and if vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle does not exist in the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, transmitting vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and the vehicle classification information determined using a detection result of characteristics related to the external shape of the arriving vehicle to an additional charging processing device installed in an outflow lane leading from the exit toll gate to a general road. [Explanation of symbols]

[0211] 9 Toll collection system 1. Central billing processing unit 2. Entrance charge processing device 3. Exit billing processing device 4-line billing processing device 5. Entry FF billing processing device 6 Additional billing processing device T1 All vehicle information table T2 Difference Information T1' Dedicated vehicle information table

Claims

1. An exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll booth, a recording processing unit that records the all-vehicle information table distributed from the central billing processing device on a recording medium within the device; an exit vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate; a billing processing unit that refers to the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, identifies vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle, and executes billing processing at a billing amount according to the vehicle type classification information; an exit transmitting unit for transmitting vehicle information including vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle to a central billing processing device; Equipped with the exit vehicle information acquisition unit, when vehicle information including vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle is not present in the all vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, acquires vehicle type classification information determined using at least a detection result of characteristics related to an external shape of the arriving vehicle, When vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle is not present in the all vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, the exit transmitting unit transmits vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and vehicle type classification information determined using a detection result of characteristics related to the external shape of the arriving vehicle to an additional charging processing device installed in an exit lane leading from the exit toll gate to a general road. An exit billing processing device.

2. The additional charge processing device according to claim 1, a recording processing unit that records the vehicle information, including the vehicle identification information and the vehicle type classification information acquired at the exit toll booth and transmitted from an exit charging processing device installed at the exit toll booth, on a recording medium within the device; An additional FF vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle identification information of an arriving vehicle; a billing processing unit that refers to the vehicle information recorded on the recording medium, identifies vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle, and executes billing processing at a billing amount according to the vehicle type classification information; An additional charging processing device comprising:

3. the billing processing unit does not perform billing processing for the arriving vehicle when vehicle information including vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle is not present in the dedicated vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium; The additional charge processing device according to claim 2 .

4. An exit charging processing device according to claim 1; An additional charging processing device according to claim 2 or 3; A toll collection system comprising:

5. The exit charging device and the additional charging device are connected by a dedicated communication line. The toll collection system according to claim 4.

6. A charging processing method using an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll booth, comprising: a step of recording the all-vehicle information table distributed from the central billing processing device in a recording medium within the device; acquiring vehicle identification information of a vehicle arriving at the exit toll booth; referring to the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, identifying vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle, and executing a charging process with a charging amount according to the vehicle type classification information; When vehicle information including vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle is not present in the all vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, acquiring vehicle type classification information determined using at least a detection result of characteristics related to the external shape of the vehicle; if vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle is not present in the all vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, transmitting the vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and vehicle type classification information determined using the detection result of characteristics related to the external shape of the arriving vehicle to an additional charging processing device installed in an exit lane leading from the exit toll booth to a general road; A billing method comprising the steps of:

7. The computer of the exit toll processing device installed at the exit toll booth a step of recording the all-vehicle information table distributed from the central billing processing device in a recording medium within the device; acquiring vehicle identification information of a vehicle arriving at the exit toll booth; referring to the all-vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, identifying vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle, and executing a charging process with a charging amount according to the vehicle type classification information; When vehicle information including vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle is not present in the all vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, acquiring vehicle type classification information determined using at least a detection result of characteristics related to the external shape of the vehicle; if vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle is not present in the all vehicle information table recorded on the recording medium, transmitting the vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the arriving vehicle and vehicle type classification information determined using the detection result of characteristics related to the external shape of the arriving vehicle to an additional charging processing device installed in an exit lane leading from the exit toll booth to a general road; A program that executes the following.

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