Fee processing system, entrance processing device, exit processing device, central device, route device, and exit fee processing method

Abstract

To provide a toll processing system, an entry processing device, an exit processing device, a central device and an exit toll processing method, for achieving toll calculation by the central device.SOLUTION: An exit toll processing method according to the embodiment is to be performed by an exit processing device responding to toll calculation communication for calculating a toll by a central device. The method includes: receiving, by an exit vehicle communication unit, vehicle identification information, entrance identification information, and route identification information from an onboard unit of a vehicle passing through an exit lane via a gate corresponding to a route device; determining, by a determination unit, whether or not the entrance identification information includes entrance flag information; when the entrance identification information includes the entrance flag information, transmitting, by an exit central communication unit, the vehicle identification information, the route identification information, and the exit identification information of the exit processing device to the central device and receiving a central calculation toll from the central device; and transmitting, by the exit vehicle communication unit the central calculation toll calculated by the central device to the onboard unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a fee processing system, an exit processing device, a central device, and an exit fee processing method.

Background Art

[0002] In the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection, registered trademark) system widely used on toll roads, the entrance processing device at the entrance toll gate wirelessly communicates with the on-vehicle unit of the vehicle passing through the entrance lane, and the exit processing device at the exit toll gate wirelessly communicates with the on-vehicle unit of the vehicle passing through the exit lane via the entrance lane. In this way, through wireless communication at each toll gate, non-stop toll collection is realized without stopping the vehicle at the entrance and exit.

[0003] For example, the entrance processing device receives vehicle identification information including card identification information of the ETC card and on-vehicle unit identification information of the on-vehicle unit from the vehicle's on-vehicle unit, and transmits entrance identification information stored in the entrance processing device to the on-vehicle unit. The on-vehicle unit receives the entrance identification information and writes it into the ETC card. Also, the exit processing device receives vehicle identification information, entrance identification information, etc. from the vehicle's on-vehicle unit, determines the passing section from the entrance identification information and the exit identification information stored in the exit processing device, calculates the passing toll based on the toll table stored in the exit processing device and the passing section, and transmits the calculated passing toll to the on-vehicle unit or displays it on the roadside display.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When calculating the toll at each exit processing device, it is necessary to distribute the toll table from the central device to each exit processing device in advance, and it is also necessary to update the toll table regularly. In addition, when applying tolls according to time zones, a toll table for each time zone is required, and when providing tolls according to the passing route, etc., a toll table for each passing route is required. Therefore, an increase in the amount of information distributed from the central device to each exit processing device is also a concern. In order to reduce the load related to the distribution of such toll tables, etc., a mechanism for calculating tolls by the central device has been demanded.

[0006] However, in order to realize a mechanism for calculating tolls by the central device, it is necessary to prepare entrance processing devices, route devices, and exit processing devices with new functions, and it is difficult to update a huge number of devices at the same time. Therefore, until the update of all devices is completed, it is necessary to perform processes such as calculating tolls according to the functions of the entrance processing device, route device, and exit processing device.

[0007] The present invention solves the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a toll processing system, an exit processing device, a central device, and an exit toll processing method for realizing toll calculation by the central device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The toll processing system according to the embodiment includes a central device that calculates tolls, a first entrance processing device corresponding to toll calculation communication for calculating tolls by the central device, a first exit processing device corresponding to the toll calculation communication, and a route device corresponding to the toll calculation communication and determining inflow or outflow to / from a preset specific area. The first entrance processing device includes a first entrance vehicle communication unit that receives first vehicle identification information from a first in-vehicle unit of a first vehicle passing through a first entrance lane and transmits first entrance identification information including entrance flag information to the first in-vehicle unit, and an entrance central communication unit that transmits a first entry record including the first vehicle identification information and the first entrance identification information to the central device. The first exit processing device includes a first exit vehicle communication unit that receives the first vehicle identification information and the first entrance identification information received from the first in-vehicle unit of the first vehicle passing through a first exit lane, a determination unit that determines whether the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information received by the first exit vehicle communication unit, and a first exit central communication unit that transmits the first vehicle identification information and first exit identification information of the first exit processing device to the central device and receives a centrally calculated toll from the central device. The central device includes an entrance / exit communication unit that receives the first entry record from the first entrance processing device, receives the first vehicle identification information and the first exit identification information from the first exit processing device, and transmits the centrally calculated toll to the first exit processing device, and a central toll calculation unit that calculates the centrally calculated toll based on a first passing section determined from the first entrance identification information and the first exit identification information and a central toll table. The route device includes a route vehicle communication unit that receives the first vehicle identification information and the first entrance identification information of the first entrance processing device from the first in-vehicle unit of the first vehicle passing through a gate installed at the boundary of the preset specific area and transmits route identification information to the first in-vehicle unit, and a route determination unit that determines whether the first vehicle flows into or out of the specific area based on the first entrance identification information.A route center communication unit that transmits to the central device a passing record including an inflow notification indicating that the first vehicle has flowed into the specific area or an outflow notification indicating that the first vehicle has flowed out of the specific area.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, a toll processing system, an exit processing device, a central device, and an exit toll processing method according to a plurality of embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a toll processing system according to an embodiment. The toll processing system according to this embodiment may include a central device 1, a first entrance processing device 2A corresponding to central calculation, a second entrance processing device 2B corresponding to exit calculation, a first exit processing device 3A corresponding to central calculation, a second exit processing device 3B corresponding to exit calculation, a first route device 4A corresponding to central calculation, and a second route device 4B corresponding to central calculation.

[0011] The central device 1 includes a device communication unit 11, a control unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The device communication unit 11 (corresponding to an entrance / exit communication unit, a receiving unit, and a transmitting unit) is a communication interface corresponding to real-time communication (hereinafter referred to as toll calculation communication) for acquiring a centrally calculated toll within a limited time, communicates with the first entrance processing device 2A, the first exit processing device 3A, and the first route device 4A, and transmits and receives various information. The toll calculation communication is high-speed communication, receives in real time an entry record etc. from the first entrance processing device 2A, also receives in real time an exit record etc. from the first exit processing device 3A, and transmits the centrally calculated toll to the first exit processing device 3A in real time.

[0012] Note that the device communication unit 11 can also communicate with the second entrance processing device 2B, the second exit processing device 3B, and the second route device 4B. For example, it periodically receives batch processing data transmitted from the second entrance processing device 2B, the second exit processing device 3B, and the second route device 4B. The batch processing data includes entry history information, passing history information, or exit history information. The entry history information includes vehicle identification information, entrance identification information, entry date and time, etc. The passing history information includes vehicle identification information, route identification information, passing date and time, etc. The exit history information includes vehicle identification information, exit identification information, exit date and time, etc.

[0013] The control unit 12 (corresponding to the central toll calculation unit) is a control unit that manages data processing such as the calculation of the central calculated toll. The control unit 12 includes a processor such as a CPU (central processing unit), a memory, and an interface. The CPU is a processor that realizes various processing functions by executing a program. The CPU is connected to each part constituting the central device 1 via an interface or the like. The memory includes a non-volatile memory that stores the program executed by the CPU and a volatile memory that temporarily stores data. That is, the control unit 12 executes data processing by the CPU executing the program stored in the memory.

[0014] The storage unit 13 includes a storage medium capable of high-speed reading and writing such as a main memory, and also includes a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage medium of the storage unit 13 stores the program executed by the CPU of the control unit 12. Further, the storage device of the storage unit 13 stores a basic toll table and a variable toll table, which are examples of the central toll table.

[0015] The basic toll table stores information indicating the toll (basic toll) corresponding to the entrance and the exit. For example, the basic toll table stores information indicating the basic toll such that the same fare is charged for the same departure and arrival for each combination of each entrance and each exit in the entire road network. The variable toll table stores information indicating the toll amount (variable amount, discount amount) that varies according to conditions such as the route and travel time. For example, the variable toll table stores the variable amount applied to each route according to the congestion status or congestion prediction of each route. Note that the congestion status or congestion prediction of each route may be determined from the information collected from each first route device 4A, may be obtained from an external server, or may be manually input from the connected terminal device.

[0016] In addition, the storage device of the storage unit 13 stores the entry record transmitted from the first entrance processing device 2A, stores the passing record (which may include an inflow notification and an outflow notification) transmitted from the first route device 4A, and stores the exit record transmitted from the first exit processing device 3A. The entry record includes vehicle identification information and entrance information. The entrance information may include at least entrance identification information, and may further include the entry date and time. The passing record includes vehicle identification information and passing information. The passing information may include at least route identification information, and may further include the passing date and time. The exit record includes vehicle identification information and exit information. The exit information may include at least exit identification information, and may further include the exit date and time. Furthermore, the exit record may include part or all of the entry record. Also, the exit record may include part or all of the passing information.

[0017] Next, the first entrance processing device 2A will be described. The first entrance processing device 2A includes an upper communication unit 21A, a control unit 22A, a start controller 23A, a roadside display 24A, a vehicle communication unit 25A, and a storage unit 26A. For example, the first entrance processing device 2A executes entrance processing by wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle passing through the first entrance lane.

[0018] The upper communication unit 21A (corresponding to the entrance central communication unit) is a communication interface for toll calculation communication. For example, it immediately transmits the entrance record obtained in response to the passage of a vehicle to the central device 1. Note that the upper communication unit 21A may communicate with the central device 1 via wireless communication or may communicate with the central device 1 via a communication line.

[0019] The control unit 22A is a control unit that performs control and data processing of the entire first entrance processing device 2A. The control unit 22A includes a CPU, a memory, and an interface, etc. The CPU is a processor that realizes various processing functions by executing a program. The CPU is connected to each part constituting the entrance processing device 2A via an interface, etc. The memory includes various memories such as a non-volatile memory that stores the program executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily holds data, and a rewritable non-volatile memory that stores setting data, etc.

[0020] The start controller 23A controls the entry of a vehicle onto a toll road. The start controller 23A controls the opening and closing of the start control bar provided in the lane of the entrance toll gate. For example, when the vehicle is to be stopped once or the passage (entry) of the vehicle is made impossible, the start controller 23A closes the start control bar to prevent the passage of the vehicle. Also, when the passage (entry) of the vehicle is permitted, the start controller 23A opens the start control bar to permit the passage of the vehicle. Note that, giving priority to alleviating congestion at the toll gate, the start bar may not be provided in the start controller 23A.

[0021] The roadside display 24A displays guidance, etc. to the users riding in the vehicles passing through the entrance toll gate. The roadside display 24A is installed facing the vehicles passing through the lanes of the entrance toll gate.

[0022] The vehicle communication unit 25A (corresponding to the first entrance vehicle communication unit) is a communication interface that supports wireless communication with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle. The vehicle communication unit 25A performs wireless communication with the in-vehicle unit 5 of a vehicle (a vehicle attempting to enter) approaching the first entrance processing device 2A at the entrance tollgate. The vehicle communication unit 25A receives vehicle identification information from the in-vehicle unit 5 and outputs the vehicle identification information and the entry date and time of the vehicle. Note that the entry date and time corresponds to the communication date and time between the vehicle communication unit 25A and the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle.

[0023] The storage unit 26A stores entrance identification information indicating the first entrance processing device 2A or the first entrance corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A. This entrance identification information indicates the starting point of the traffic section when calculating the central calculated toll or the exit calculated toll. Further, the storage unit 26A stores the vehicle identification information and the entry date and time acquired by wireless communication with the in-vehicle unit 5.

[0024] Next, the second entrance processing device 2B will be described. In the description of the second entrance processing device 2B, the differences from the first entrance processing device 2A will be mainly described, and the description of substantially the same parts will be omitted as appropriate. The second entrance processing device 2B includes a control unit 22B, a start controller 23B, a roadside display 24B, a vehicle communication unit 25B, and a storage unit 26B. For example, the second entrance processing device 2B executes entrance processing by wireless communication with the in-vehicle unit 5 of a vehicle passing through the second entrance lane.

[0025] The upper communication unit 21B is a communication interface that communicates with the central device 1. For example, the upper communication unit 21B periodically transmits batch processing data including entrance history information and the like to the central device 1. Further, the upper communication unit 21B is not compatible with toll calculation communication. Note that the upper communication unit 21B may communicate with the central device 1 by wireless communication or may communicate with the central device 1 via a communication line.

[0026] The control unit 22B is a control unit that performs control and data processing of the entire second entrance processing device 2B. The control unit 22B includes a CPU, a memory, an interface, and the like. The start controller 23B controls the entry of the vehicle onto the toll road. The roadside display 24B displays guidance and the like for users riding in vehicles passing through the entrance tollgate. The vehicle communication unit 25B is an interface for wireless communication with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle. The vehicle communication unit 25B performs wireless communication with the in-vehicle unit 5 of a vehicle (a vehicle attempting to enter) approaching the entrance processing device 2B at the entrance tollgate. The vehicle communication unit 25B receives vehicle identification information from the in-vehicle unit 5 and outputs the vehicle identification information and the entry date and time of the vehicle. The storage unit 26B stores entrance identification information indicating the entrance processing device 2B or a second entrance corresponding to the entrance processing device 2B. The storage unit 26B also stores the vehicle identification information and the entry date and time acquired by wireless communication with the in-vehicle unit 5.

[0027] Next, the first route device 4A will be described. The route device 4A includes a host communication unit 41A, a control unit 42A, a vehicle communication unit 45A, and a storage unit 46A. The host communication unit 41A (corresponding to the route center communication unit) is a communication interface corresponding to toll calculation communication. For example, it immediately transmits a passing record acquired corresponding to the passage of a vehicle to the central device 1. Also, the first route device 4A can be installed, for example, at the boundary of a preset specific area. In this case, the host communication unit 41A transmits a passing record including an inflow notification or an outflow notification to the central device 1, assuming that a vehicle passing through the location where the first route device 4A is installed is entering or exiting the specific area. The inflow notification may include the date and time when the vehicle entered the specific area, and the outflow notification may include the date and time when the vehicle exited the specific area. Note that the host communication unit 41A may communicate with the central device 1 by wireless communication or may communicate with the central device 1 via a communication line.

[0028] The control unit 42A (corresponding to the route determination unit) is a control unit that controls the entire route device 4 and performs data processing and the like. The control unit 42A includes a CPU, a memory, and an interface. The CPU is a processor that realizes various processing functions by executing a program. The CPU is connected to each part constituting the first route device 4A via an interface or the like. The memory includes various memories such as a non-volatile memory that stores the program executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily holds data, and a rewritable non-volatile memory that stores setting data and the like.

[0029] The vehicle communication unit 45A (corresponding to the route vehicle communication unit) is a communication interface that supports wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle. The vehicle communication unit 45A performs wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle passing through the location where the first route device 4A is installed. The vehicle communication unit 45A receives vehicle identification information from the in-vehicle device 5 and outputs the vehicle identification information and the passing date and time of the vehicle. The passing date and time corresponds to the communication date and time between the vehicle communication unit 45A and the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle. The storage unit 46A stores route identification information indicating the passing route when acquiring the central calculated toll, and also stores the vehicle identification information and the passing date and time acquired by wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 5.

[0030] Next, the second route device 4B will be described. In the description of the second route device 4B, the description will focus on the differences from the first route device 4A, and the description of substantially the same parts will be omitted as appropriate. The second route device 4B includes an upper-level communication unit 41B, a control unit 42B, a vehicle communication unit 45B, and a storage unit 46B. For example, the second route device 4B executes processing by wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle passing through the location where the second route device 4B is installed.

[0031] The upper communication unit 41B is a communication interface that communicates with the central device 1. For example, it periodically transmits batch processing data including passage history information and the like to the central device 1. Also, the upper communication unit 41B does not support toll calculation communication. Note that the upper communication unit 41B may communicate with the central device 1 via wireless communication or may communicate with the central device 1 via a communication line.

[0032] The control unit 42B is a control unit that performs control and data processing of the entire second path device 4B. The control unit 42B includes a CPU, a memory, an interface, and the like.

[0033] The vehicle communication unit 45B is an interface that wirelessly communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle. The vehicle communication unit 45B wirelessly communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle passing through the location where the path device 4B is installed. The vehicle communication unit 45B receives vehicle identification information from the in-vehicle device 5 and outputs the vehicle identification information and the passing date and time of the vehicle. The storage unit 46B stores the vehicle identification information and the passing date and time acquired by wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 5.

[0034] Next, the first exit processing device 3A will be described. In the description of the first exit processing device 3A, the differences from the first entrance processing device 2A will be mainly described, and the description of substantially the same parts will be omitted as appropriate. The first exit processing device 3A includes an upper communication unit 31A, a control unit 32A, a start controller 33A, a roadside display 34A, a vehicle communication unit 35A, and a storage unit 36A. For example, the exit processing device 3A executes exit processing by wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle passing through the first exit lane.

[0035] The upper communication unit 31A (corresponding to the exit central communication unit) is a communication interface that supports toll calculation communication. For example, it transmits the exit record obtained corresponding to the passage of the vehicle to the central device 1 and receives the toll from the central device 1. The timing of transmitting the exit record to the central device 1 and the like will be described in detail later. Note that the upper communication unit 31A may communicate with the central device 1 via wireless communication or may communicate with the central device 1 via a communication line.

[0036] The control unit 32A (corresponding to the determination unit and the exit toll calculation unit) is a control unit that controls and processes data for the entire first exit processing device 3A. The control unit 32A includes a CPU, a memory, and an interface. The CPU is a processor that realizes various processing functions by executing programs. The CPU is connected to each unit constituting the first exit processing device 3A via an interface or the like. The memory includes various memories such as a non-volatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily holds data, and a rewritable non-volatile memory that stores setting data and the like.

[0037] The departure controller 33A controls the entry of the vehicle onto the toll road. The roadside display 34A displays guidance and the like to the users riding in the vehicles passing through the exit toll gate. The vehicle communication unit 35A is a communication interface corresponding to wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle. The vehicle communication unit 35A performs wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 5 of a vehicle (a vehicle attempting to exit) approaching the first exit processing device 3A at the exit toll gate. The vehicle communication unit 35A (corresponding to the exit vehicle communication unit) receives vehicle identification information and entry information from the in-vehicle device 5, and outputs vehicle identification information, entry information, and the exit date and time. The exit date and time corresponds to the communication date and time between the vehicle communication unit 35A and the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle.

[0038] The storage unit 36A stores exit identification information indicating the first exit processing device 3A or the first exit corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A. This exit identification information indicates the end point of the toll road section when calculating the central calculated toll or the exit calculated toll. Further, the storage unit 36A stores vehicle identification information, entry information, and the exit date and time acquired by wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 5. Furthermore, the storage unit 36A stores a basic toll table. The basic toll table stores information indicating the exit calculated toll (basic toll) according to the entry and the exit. Note that the exit is specified by the exit identification information stored in the storage unit 36A.

[0039] Next, the second exit processing device 3B will be described. In the description of the second exit processing device 3B, the differences from the exit processing device 3A will be mainly described, and the description of substantially the same parts will be omitted as appropriate. The second exit processing device 3B includes a control unit 32B, a departure controller 33B, a roadside display 34B, a vehicle communication unit 35B, and a storage unit 36B. For example, the second exit processing device 3B executes exit processing through wireless communication with an in-vehicle unit 5 of a vehicle passing through the second exit lane.

[0040] The upper communication unit 31B is a communication interface that communicates with the central device 1. For example, it periodically transmits batch processing data including exit history information and the like to the central device 1. Also, the upper communication unit 31B does not support toll calculation communication. Note that the upper communication unit 31B may communicate with the central device 1 via wireless communication or may communicate with the central device 1 via a communication line.

[0041] The control unit 32B is a control unit that performs overall control and data processing of the second exit processing device 3B. The control unit 32B includes a CPU, a memory, and an interface. The CPU is a processor that realizes various processing functions by executing programs. The CPU is connected to each part constituting the second exit processing device 3B via an interface. The memory includes various memories such as a non-volatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU, a volatile memory that temporarily holds data, and a rewritable non-volatile memory that stores setting data and the like. The departure controller 33B controls the entry of the vehicle onto the toll road. The roadside display 34B displays guidance and the like to the users riding in the vehicles passing through the exit toll gate.

[0042] The vehicle communication unit 35B is a communication interface corresponding to wireless communication with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle. The vehicle communication unit 35B performs wireless communication with the in-vehicle unit 5 of a vehicle (a vehicle attempting to exit) approaching the second exit processing device 3B at the exit toll gate. The vehicle communication unit 35B receives vehicle identification information and entry information from the in-vehicle unit 5 and outputs vehicle identification information, entry information, and the exit date and time.

[0043] The storage unit 36B stores exit identification information indicating the second exit processing device 3B or the second exit corresponding to the second exit processing device 3B. The storage unit 36B also stores vehicle identification information, entry information, and exit date and time acquired through wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 5. Furthermore, the storage unit 36B stores a basic toll table which is an example of an exit toll table. The basic toll table stores information indicating the exit calculated toll (basic toll) corresponding to the entry and the exit. Note that the exit is specified by the exit identification information stored in the storage unit 36B.

[0044] The in-vehicle device 5 includes a device communication unit 51, a control unit 52, a storage unit 53, and a card processing unit 54. The device communication unit 51 is a communication interface for wireless communication with each tollgate device. It transmits vehicle identification information including in-vehicle device identification information and card identification information to the entry processing device and receives entry information from the entry processing device. Also, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information and entry information to the exit processing device and receives exit information and the central calculated toll or the exit calculated toll from the exit processing device.

[0045] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the vehicle identification information includes the in-vehicle device identification information and the card identification information. However, it is not limited thereto as long as the central calculated toll or the exit calculated toll charging target can be specified. For example, if the vehicle identification information includes at least the card identification information, the central calculated toll or the exit calculated toll can be charged. Also, since the in-vehicle device identification information can include the vehicle license plate information, the vehicle type can be determined based on the in-vehicle device identification information. Therefore, when adopting charging according to the vehicle type, the in-vehicle device identification information is required.

[0046] The control unit 52 is in charge of communication control with the tollgate equipment and also controls the processing of an ETC card, which is a type of IC (integrated circuit) card for settling the central calculated toll or the exit calculated toll. The control unit 52 includes a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and an interface. The CPU is a processor that realizes various processing functions by executing programs. The CPU is connected to each part constituting the in-vehicle unit 5 via an interface or the like. The memory includes a non-volatile memory for storing programs executed by the CPU of the control unit 52 and a volatile memory for temporarily storing data. That is, the control unit 52 executes data processing by the CPU executing the programs stored in the memory.

[0047] The storage unit 53 stores in-vehicle unit identification information. The storage unit 53 also stores programs executed by the CPU of the control unit 52.

[0048] The card processing unit 54 accepts the ETC card, reads out the card identification information to be transmitted to the entrance processing device from the ETC card, and writes the entrance information transmitted from the entrance processing device to the ETC card. The card processing unit 54 also reads out the card identification information and the entrance information to be transmitted to the exit processing device from the ETC card, and writes the exit information transmitted from the exit processing device to the ETC card.

[0049] <First Embodiment> Next, a plurality of examples (Examples 1-1 to 1-16) of the exit toll processing method according to the functions of the entrance processing device, the route device, and the exit processing device in the toll processing system of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the toll processing system, the exit processing device, the central device, and the exit toll processing method of the first embodiment, an area where an entrance flag can be written to the ETC card is provided to identify the function of the entrance processing device corresponding to the entrance lane through which the vehicle has passed and perform the exit toll processing.

[0050] (Example 1-1) First, Example 1-1 will be described.

[0051] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of Example 1-1 of the first embodiment. In this example, an example of an exit toll processing method when a vehicle passes through a first entrance lane corresponding to a first entrance processing device 2A compatible with central calculation, a predetermined route corresponding to a second route device 4B compatible with exit calculation, and a first exit lane corresponding to a first exit processing device 3A compatible with central calculation will be described. Note that FIG. 2 shows only the information written in the ETC card necessary for the following description, and other information can also be written in the ETC card.

[0052] When the vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A, the entrance processing device 2A communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes entrance processing. FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Example 1-1 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 transmits vehicle identification information including card identification information and in-vehicle unit identification information (S501).

[0053] The vehicle communication unit 25A of the first entrance processing device 2A receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S201), and transmits entrance information including entrance flag information, entrance identification information, and entry date and time (S202). Note that the entrance flag information is information indicating that the first entrance processing device 2A has a function capable of corresponding to toll calculation communication with the central device 1.

[0054] When the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the entrance information (S502), the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance information into the ETC card. At this time, an entrance flag "T" based on the entrance flag information, entrance information "IC:A", and entry time are written into the ETC card. Note that the value of the entrance flag is not limited to "T", and may be a character, number, symbol, or a combination thereof other than T.

[0055] In addition, the upper communication unit 21A of the entrance processing device 2A transmits an entry record including vehicle identification information and entrance information to the central device 1 (S203). When the device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the entry record (S101), the storage unit 13 stores the entry record. Note that the transmission in S202 and the transmission in S203 are independent transmission processes, and the order of the transmission in S202 and the transmission in S203 is not particularly limited. Either one of the transmission in S202 and the transmission in S203 may be performed first, or they may be performed simultaneously.

[0056] When a vehicle passing through the first entrance lane travels on a predetermined route corresponding to the route device 4B, the route device 4B communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes route processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 transmits vehicle identification information (S503). When the vehicle communication unit 45B of the route device 4B receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S401), it transmits route information including route identification information and the passing date and time (S402). The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the route information (S504), and the card processing unit 54 writes the route information to the ETC card.

[0057] When a vehicle passing through the first entrance lane and the predetermined route travels on the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 transmits vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information (S505), and the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S301).

[0058] The control unit 32A of the first exit processing device 3A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S302). When the entrance flag is "T", the upper communication unit 31A transmits an exit record including vehicle identification information, route identification information, exit identification information, and the exit date and time to the central device 1 (S303).

[0059] The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the departure record (S102), and the storage unit 13 stores the departure record. The control unit 12 can select the entry record and the passing record corresponding to this departure record based on the vehicle identification information included in the departure record. That is, the control unit 12 selects the entry record, the passing record, and the departure record that include the same vehicle identification information. The control unit 12 determines the passing section, the passing route, and the passing date and time based on the selected entry record, passing record, and departure record, and calculates the centrally calculated toll based on the passing section, the passing route, the passing date and time, the basic toll table, and the variable toll table (S103). In the example shown in FIG. 2, since the passing record corresponding to the vehicle identification information is not stored in the storage unit 13, the control unit 12 calculates the centrally calculated toll based on the selected entry record and departure record and the route identification information. The device communication unit 11 transmits the centrally calculated toll to the first exit processing device 3A (S104).

[0060] The upper-level communication unit 31A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the centrally calculated toll from the central device 1 (S304), and the vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the centrally calculated toll (S303). Also, the roadside display 34A displays the centrally calculated toll. The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the centrally calculated toll (S506), and the storage unit 53 stores the centrally calculated toll.

[0061] As described above, when the in-vehicle unit 5 that has received the entry processing by the first entry processing device 2A receives the exit processing by the first exit processing device 3A, the centrally calculated toll can be received by writing the entry flag "T" to the ETC card when passing through the first entry lane.

[0062] Note that the entry flag written on the ETC card is cleared after the vehicle passes through the first exit lane (S507). Note that the clearing of the entry flag (S507) may be performed between the transmission in S505 and the reception in S506, or may be performed as part of the processing in S506. When writing various data to the ETC card, the storage area of the entry flag can also be overwritten with a null value.

[0063] In the first embodiment 1-1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an area for writing an entry flag is provided on the ETC card, and the value of the entry flag is confirmed by the first exit processing device 3A, and a method of inquiring about the toll from the central device 1 is adopted. According to this method, the first exit processing device 3A can determine whether a vehicle passing through the first exit lane has passed through the first entry lane based on the value of the entry flag, and can inquire about the toll from the central device 1.

[0064] (First Embodiment 1-2) Next, the first embodiment 1-2 will be described.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the first embodiment 1-2 of the first embodiment. In this example, an example of an exit toll processing method when a vehicle passes through the second entry lane corresponding to the second entry processing device 2B corresponding to exit calculation, a predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B corresponding to exit calculation, and the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A corresponding to central calculation will be described. Note that in the following description, descriptions of matters already described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0066] When the vehicle passes through the second entry lane corresponding to the second entry processing device 2B, the second entry processing device 2B communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes entry processing. FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of the first embodiment 1-2 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 transmits vehicle identification information including card identification information and in-vehicle unit identification information (S511).

[0067] The vehicle communication unit 25B of the second entrance processing device 2B receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S211), and transmits entrance information including entrance identification information and the entrance date and time (S212).

[0068] The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the entrance information (S512), and the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance information to the ETC card. At this time, the entrance information "IC:A" and the entrance time are written to the ETC card. That is, in this example, since the device communication unit 51 does not receive the entrance flag information, "T" is not written in the area of the entrance flag of the ETC card, and the entrance flag is in an empty state.

[0069] The processing of S513, S411, S412, and S514 when the vehicle passing through the second entrance lane travels on the predetermined route corresponding to the route device 4B is the same as S503, S401, S402, and S504 shown in FIG. 3 described above. That is, when the vehicle travels on the predetermined route corresponding to the route device 4B, the card processing unit 54 writes the route information to the ETC card.

[0070] When the vehicle passing through the second entrance lane and the predetermined route passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A corresponding to the central calculation, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes the exit processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 transmits the vehicle identification information, the route identification information, and the entrance information (S515). On the other hand, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information, the route identification information, and the entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S311).

[0071] The control unit 32A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S312). When the entrance flag is not "T", the control unit 32A determines the passing section using the vehicle identification information, the route identification information, the exit identification information, and the entrance information, and calculates the exit calculated toll based on the passing section and the basic toll table (S313). The vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the calculated toll for the exit (S314). Also, the roadside display 34A displays the calculated toll for the exit.

[0072] The in-vehicle device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the calculated toll for the exit (S516), and the storage unit 53 stores the calculated toll for the exit. Note that the entrance flag written on the ETC card is cleared after the vehicle passes through the first exit lane regardless of the written content (S517). Note that the clearing of the entrance flag (S517) may be performed between the transmission in S515 and the reception in S516, or may be performed as part of the process in S516. When writing various data to the ETC card, the storage area of the entrance flag can also be overwritten with a null value.

[0073] As described above, when the in-vehicle unit 5 that has received the entrance process by the second entrance processing device 2B corresponding to the exit calculation undergoes the exit process by the first exit processing device 3A corresponding to the central calculation, since the entrance flag "T" is not written on the ETC card when passing through the second entrance lane, when passing through the first exit lane, the first exit processing device 3A receives the calculated toll for the exit without inquiring the toll from the central device 1. That is, in the first embodiment 1-2 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first exit processing device 3A can determine that the vehicle passing through the first exit lane has not passed through the first entrance lane of the first entrance processing device 2A because the value of the entrance flag is empty. In this case, since there is no entry record of the vehicle in the central device 1, the central device 1 cannot correctly calculate the toll of the vehicle. Therefore, the first exit processing device 3A can calculate the toll based on the basic toll table without inquiring the toll from the central device 1.

[0074] (First Embodiment 1-3) Next, the first embodiment 1-3 will be described.

[0075] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the first embodiment 1-3 of the first embodiment. Here, an example of an exit toll processing method will be described when a vehicle passes through a first entrance lane corresponding to a first entrance processing device 2A compatible with central computing, a predetermined route corresponding to a second route device 4B compatible with exit computing, and a second exit lane corresponding to a second exit processing device 3B compatible with exit computing. FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Examples 1-3 of the first embodiment. Note that the processes of S521 - S524 shown in FIG. 7 are the same as S501 - S504 shown in FIG. 3 of Example 1-1, and the process when a vehicle passes through the second exit lane corresponding to the second exit processing device 3A is different from the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 above.

[0076] That is, when a vehicle that has passed through the first entrance lane and the predetermined route passes through the second exit lane corresponding to the second exit processing device 3B, the second exit processing device 3B communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. In FIG. 7, when the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle device 5 transmits vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information (S525), the vehicle communication unit 35B of the second exit processing device 3B receives the vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S321).

[0077] The control unit 32B determines the passing section using the vehicle identification information, route identification information, exit identification information, and entrance information, calculates the exit calculated passing toll based on the passing section and the basic toll table (S322), and the vehicle communication unit 35B transmits the exit calculated passing toll (S323). Also, the roadside display 34B displays the centrally calculated passing toll.

[0078] The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle device 5 receives the exit calculated passing toll (S526), and the storage unit 53 stores the exit calculated passing toll. Note that the entrance flag written on the ETC card is cleared after the vehicle passes through the second exit lane regardless of the written content (S527). Note that the clearing of the entrance flag (S527) may be performed between the transmission in S525 and the reception in S526, or may be performed as part of the process in S526. When writing various data to the ETC card, the storage area of the entrance flag can also be overwritten with null values.

[0079] As described above, when the in-vehicle unit 5 that has undergone the entrance process by the first entrance processing device 2A undergoes the exit process by the second exit processing device 3B, the entrance flag "T" is written to the ETC card when passing through the first entrance lane. However, when passing through the second exit lane, the second exit processing device 3B receives the calculated exit toll without inquiring the central device 1 about the toll. That is, the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are examples in which the vehicle exits from the second exit lane corresponding to the second exit processing device 3B that does not have a function of inquiring the central device 1 about the toll. Even in such a case, the second exit processing device 3B can calculate the toll based on the information received from the in-vehicle unit 5, the passing section, and the basic toll table.

[0080] (Embodiment 1-4) Next, Embodiment 1-4 will be described.

[0081] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of Embodiment 1-4 of the first embodiment. Here, an example of the exit toll processing method when the vehicle passes through the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B corresponding to exit calculation, a predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B corresponding to exit calculation, and the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A corresponding to central calculation will be described. Note that here, the process of calculating the toll is the same as that in Embodiments 1-2 described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 above.

[0082] For example, when the vehicle has passed through the second entrance processing device 2B corresponding to exit calculation, the second route device 4B corresponding to exit calculation, and the first exit processing device 3A corresponding to central calculation, the central device 1 cannot determine whether the vehicle has left the venue. Next, when the central device 1 calculates the central calculated toll for the vehicle, there is a possibility of calculating an incorrect toll.

[0083] Figure 9 is a timing chart for explaining the operation examples of Examples 1-4 of the first embodiment. Therefore, in Figure 9, after the vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the exit calculated toll (S334), the upper communication unit 31A transmits an exit notification to the central device 1 (S335). The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the exit notification (S131), and the storage unit 13 stores the exit record.

[0084] That is, in the examples shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the vehicle exits from the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A and then the central device 1 calculates the central calculated toll for the vehicle, the information on the route that has already exited is not used, and it is possible to calculate the correct toll.

[0085] (Example 1-5) Next, Example 1-5 will be described.

[0086] Here, an example of the exit toll processing method when the vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A corresponding to central calculation, a predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B corresponding to exit calculation, and the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A corresponding to central calculation will be described. Note that the combination of devices arranged on the route along which the vehicle travels in this example is the same as that in Figure 2 of Example 1-1. Therefore, in Example 1-5, with reference to Figures 2 and 10, an example of the exit toll processing method will be described. Figure 10 is a timing chart for explaining the operation example of Example 1-5 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 10, the processing of S541 - S341 is the same as that of S501 - S301 shown in FIG. 3 of Example 1 - 1. However, the processing when a vehicle passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A for central computing is different from the example shown in FIG. 3 above.

[0087] That is, when a vehicle passing through the first entrance lane and a predetermined route passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in - vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes the exit processing.

[0088] In FIG. 10, when the device communication unit 51 of the in - vehicle device 5 transmits vehicle identification information (S545), the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S341).

[0089] The upper - level communication unit 31A transmits an exit record including vehicle identification information, exit identification information, and the exit date and time to the central device 1 (S342). The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the exit record (S142), and the storage unit 13 stores the exit record. The control unit 12 can select an entrance record and a passing record corresponding to this exit record based on the vehicle identification information included in the exit record. That is, the control unit 12 selects an entrance record, a passing record, and an exit record including the same vehicle identification information. The control unit 12 determines the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time based on the selected entrance record, passing record, and exit record. Then, based on the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time, and the basic toll table and variable toll table, the centrally calculated toll is calculated (S143). In addition, in Example 1 - 1 shown in FIG. 2, since the passing record corresponding to the vehicle identification information is not stored in the storage unit 13, the control unit 12 calculates the centrally calculated toll based on the selected entrance record and exit record and the route identification information. The device communication unit 11 transmits the centrally calculated toll to the first exit processing device 3A (S144).

[0090] While the central device 1 is calculating the toll, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 transmits the entrance information including the entrance identification information and the route identification information (S546), and the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the entrance information and the route identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S343). The control unit 32A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S344), and determines whether to use the centrally calculated toll or calculate the exit calculated toll according to the value of the entrance flag.

[0091] After that, the upper communication unit 31A receives the centrally calculated toll from the central device 1 (S345). Since the entrance flag is "T", the vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the centrally calculated toll (S346). Also, the roadside display 34A displays the centrally calculated toll. The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the centrally calculated toll (S547), and the storage unit 53 stores the centrally calculated toll.

[0092] As described above, when the in-vehicle unit 5 that has received the entrance processing by the first entrance processing device 2A receives the exit processing by the first exit processing device 3A, by writing the entrance flag "T" to the ETC card when passing through the first entrance lane, the centrally calculated toll can be received.

[0093] As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to start calculating the toll at the central device 1 without waiting for the first exit processing device 3A to receive the entrance identification information and the route identification information and finish determining whether the entrance flag is "T", and it is possible to shorten the time required for the exit processing when passing through the first exit lane.

[0094] (Example 1-6) Next, Examples 1-6 will be described.

[0095] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of Examples 1-6 of the first embodiment. In this example, an example of an exit toll processing method will be described when a vehicle passes through a second entrance lane corresponding to a second entrance processing device 2B for exit processing, a predetermined route corresponding to a second route device 4B for exit calculation, and a first exit lane corresponding to a first exit processing device 3A for central calculation.

[0096] FIG. 12 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Examples 1-6 of the first embodiment. The processes of S551-S351 shown in FIG. 12 are the same as those of S511-S311 shown in FIG. 5 of Examples 1-2. However, the process when the vehicle passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A is different from the example shown in FIG. 5 described above.

[0097] When a vehicle that has passed through the second entrance lane and the predetermined route passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. In FIG. 12, when the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle device 5 transmits vehicle identification information (S555), the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S351).

[0098] The upper communication unit 31A transmits an exit record including vehicle identification information, exit identification information, and the exit date and time to the central device 1 (S352). The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the exit record (S151), and the storage unit 13 stores the exit record. Based on the vehicle identification information included in the departure record, the control unit 12 can select the corresponding entry record and passing record for this departure record. That is, the control unit 12 selects the entry record, passing record, and departure record that contain the same vehicle identification information. Based on the selected entry record, passing record, and departure record, the control unit 12 determines the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time, and calculates the centrally calculated passing toll based on the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time, and the basic toll table and variable toll table (S152). In the example shown in FIG. 11, since the entry record and passing record corresponding to the vehicle identification information are not stored in the storage unit 13, the control unit 12 cannot accurately calculate the passing toll. The device communication unit 11 transmits the centrally calculated passing toll to the first exit processing device 3A (S153).

[0099] While the central device 1 is calculating the passing toll, the device communication unit 51 transmits the entry information including the entry identification information and the route identification information (S556). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the entry information and the route identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S353). The control unit 32A checks whether the entry flag included in the received entry information is "T" (S354), and determines whether to use the centrally calculated passing toll or calculate the exit-calculated passing toll according to the value of the entry flag.

[0100] After that, the upper communication unit 31A receives the centrally calculated passing toll from the central device 1 (S355). Here, since the entry flag is empty, the control unit 32A does not use the centrally calculated passing toll, and determines the passing section using the vehicle identification information, route identification information, exit identification information, and entry information. Then, based on the passing section and the basic toll table, the control unit calculates the exit-calculated passing toll (S356). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35B transmits the exit-calculated passing toll (S357). In addition, the roadside display 34B displays the centrally calculated passing toll. The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the exit-calculated passing toll (S557), and the storage unit 53 stores the centrally calculated passing toll.

[0101] Note that, after confirming that the entrance flag is empty, the control unit 32A may start calculating the exit calculated toll without waiting for the upper communication unit 31A to receive the centrally calculated toll.

[0102] As described above, when the in-vehicle unit 5 that has undergone the entrance process by the second entrance processing device 2B undergoes the exit process by the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A receives the entrance identification information and the route identification information, and without waiting for the determination of whether the entrance flag is "T" to finish, the central device 1 can start calculating the toll, and it is possible to shorten the time required for the exit process when passing through the first exit lane.

[0103] (Example 1-7) Next, Example 1-7 will be described.

[0104] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of Example 1-7 of the first embodiment. In this example, an example of an exit toll processing method when a vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A capable of central calculation, a predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B capable of exit calculation, and the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A capable of central calculation will be described.

[0105] When the vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A, the first entrance processing device 2A communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes the entrance process. FIG. 14 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Example 1-7 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 14, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 transmits vehicle identification information including card identification information and in-vehicle unit identification information (S561).

[0106] The vehicle communication unit 25A of the first entrance processing device 2A receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S261), and transmits entrance information including entrance flag information, entrance identification information, and entry date and time (S262).

[0107] The machine communication unit 51 receives the entrance information (S562), and the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance information to the ETC card. At this time, an entrance flag "T" based on the entrance flag information, the writing time of the entrance flag, the entrance information "IC:A", and the entrance time are written to the ETC card. Note that the writing time of the entrance flag is the time when the entrance flag "T" is written to a predetermined area of the ETC card, and is approximately equal to the entrance time of the vehicle.

[0108] Also, the upper communication unit 21A of the first entrance processing device 2A transmits the entrance record including the vehicle identification information and the entrance information to the central device 1 (S263). The machine communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the entrance record (S161), and the storage unit 13 stores the entrance record. Note that the transmission in S262 and the transmission in S263 are independent transmission processes, and the order of the transmission in S262 and the transmission in S263 is not particularly limited. Either one of the transmission in S262 and the transmission in S263 may be performed first, or they may be performed simultaneously.

[0109] When the vehicle passing through the first entrance lane travels on the predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B, the second route device 4B communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes route processing. That is, the machine communication unit 51 transmits the vehicle identification information (S563). Then, the vehicle communication unit 45B of the second route device 4B receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the machine communication unit 51 (S461). And transmits the route information including the route identification information and the passing date and time (S462). The machine communication unit 51 receives the route information (S564), and the card processing unit 54 writes the route information to the ETC card.

[0110] When the vehicle passing through the first entrance lane and the predetermined route passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. That is, the machine communication unit 51 transmits the vehicle identification information, the route identification information, and the entrance information (S565). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S361).

[0111] The control unit 32A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S362). Also, the control unit 32A checks the writing time and entry time of the entrance flag included in the received entrance information (S363). Note that the order in which the control unit 32A performs S362 and S363 may be reversed, or the control unit 32A may perform S362 and S363 simultaneously. Here, when the entrance flag is "T" and the writing time of the entrance flag is the same as the entry time, the upper communication unit 31A transmits an exit record including vehicle identification information, route identification information, exit identification information, and exit date and time to the central device 1 (S364). Note that when the control unit 32A determines whether the writing time of the entrance flag is the same as the entry time, it can be determined that they are the same time when the difference between the writing time of the entrance flag and the entry time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.

[0112] The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the exit record (S162), and the storage unit 13 stores the exit record. The control unit 12 can select an entry record and a passing record corresponding to this exit record based on the vehicle identification information included in the exit record. That is, the control unit 12 selects an entry record, a passing record, and an exit record including the same vehicle identification information. The control unit 12 determines the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time based on the selected entry record, passing record, and exit record, and calculates the centrally calculated passing toll based on the passing section, passing route, passing date and time, basic toll table, and variable toll table (S163). Note that in the example shown in FIG. 13, since the passing record corresponding to the vehicle identification information is not stored in the storage unit 13, the control unit 12 calculates the centrally calculated passing toll based on the selected entry record and exit record and the route identification information. The device communication unit 11 transmits the centrally calculated passing toll to the first exit processing device 3A (S164).

[0113] The upper communication unit 31A receives the centrally calculated toll from the central device 1 (S365). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the centrally calculated toll (S366). Also, the roadside display 34A displays the centrally calculated toll. The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the centrally calculated toll (S566), and the storage unit 53 stores the centrally calculated toll. Note that the entrance flag written on the ETC card may be cleared after the vehicle passes through the first exit lane (for example, after the transmission in S565 or as part of the transmission process in S565). When writing various data to the ETC card, the storage area of the entrance flag can also be overwritten with a null value.

[0114] In the examples shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, an area for writing the entrance flag and the writing time of the entrance flag is provided in the ETC card. The first exit processing device 3A checks the value of the entrance flag, and also checks the writing time of the entrance flag and the entry time, so that it can be confirmed whether the entrance flag was written when the vehicle entered the target traffic route. According to this method, the first exit processing device 3A can more reliably determine whether a vehicle passing through the first exit lane passed through the first entrance lane when entering the target traffic route based on the value of the entrance flag, the writing time of the entrance flag, and the entry time, and can transmit the correct toll to the in-vehicle unit 5.

[0115] (Example 1-8) Next, Example 1-8 will be described.

[0116] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of Example 1-8 of the first embodiment. In this example, an example of the exit toll processing method when a vehicle passes through the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B corresponding to exit calculation, a predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B corresponding to exit calculation, and the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A corresponding to central calculation will be described. In the following description, descriptions of matters already explained with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0117] When the vehicle passes through the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B, the second entrance processing device 2B communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes entrance processing. FIG. 16 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Examples 1-8 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 16, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle device 5 transmits vehicle identification information including card identification information and in-vehicle device identification information (S571).

[0118] The vehicle communication unit 25B of the second entrance processing device 2B receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S271), and transmits entrance information including entrance identification information and entry date and time (S272).

[0119] The device communication unit 51 receives the entrance information (S572), and the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance information to the ETC card. At this time, the entrance information "IC:A" and the entry time are written to the ETC card. That is, in this example, since the device communication unit 51 does not receive the entrance flag information, "T" is not written in the entrance flag area of the ETC card, and the entrance flag is in an empty state (or an unupdated state). Also, since the entrance flag is not written to the ETC card, the area for the entrance flag write time is also empty (or in an unupdated state).

[0120] The processes of S573, S471, S472, and S574 when the vehicle passing through the second entrance lane passes through the predetermined route corresponding to the route device 4B are the same as S563, S461, S462, and S564 shown in FIG. 14 described above. That is, when the vehicle passes through the predetermined route corresponding to the route device 4B, the card processing unit 54 writes route information to the ETC card.

[0121] When the vehicle passing through the second entrance lane and the predetermined route passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes the exit processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information (S575), and the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S371).

[0122] The control unit 32A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S372). Also, the control unit 32A checks the writing time of the entrance flag included in the received entrance information and the entrance time (S373). When the entrance flag is not "T" and the writing time of the entrance flag and the entrance time are not the same, the control unit 32A determines the passing section using the vehicle identification information, route identification information, exit identification information, and entrance information, and calculates the exit calculated toll based on the passing section and the basic toll table (S374). The vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the exit calculated toll (S375). Also, the roadside display 34A displays the exit calculated toll.

[0123] The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle device 5 receives the exit calculated toll (S576), and the storage unit 53 stores the exit calculated toll. Note that the written entrance flag of the ETC card may be cleared after the vehicle passes through the first exit lane (for example, after the transmission in S575 or as part of the transmission process in S575), regardless of the written content. When writing various data to the ETC card, the storage area of the entrance flag can also be overwritten with a null value.

[0124] In the examples shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, an area for writing the entrance flag and the writing time of the entrance flag is provided in the ETC card. The first exit processing device 3A checks the value of the entrance flag, checks the writing time of the entrance flag and the entrance time, and can check whether the entrance flag was written when entering the target passing route. According to this method, the first exit processing device 3A can more reliably determine whether a vehicle passing through the first exit lane entered through the first entrance lane when entering the target passing route based on the value of the entrance flag, the writing time of the entrance flag, and the entry time, and can transmit the correct toll to the in-vehicle unit 5.

[0125] (Example 1-9) Next, Examples 1-9 will be described.

[0126] FIGS. 17 and 18 are diagrams for explaining a configuration example of Examples 1-9 of the first embodiment. In this example, after a vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A capable of central calculation, a predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B capable of exit calculation, and the second exit lane corresponding to the second exit processing device 3B capable of exit calculation, further, when passing through the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B capable of exit calculation, the predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B capable of exit calculation, and the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A capable of central calculation, an example of an exit toll processing method will be described.

[0127] When the vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A, the first entrance processing device 2A communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes entrance processing.

[0128] At this time, the device communication unit 51 receives entrance information from the first entrance processing device 2A, and the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance information into the ETC card. That is, the entrance flag "T" based on the entrance flag information, the writing time of the entrance flag, the entrance information "IC:C", and the entry time are written into the ETC card.

[0129] When a vehicle that has passed through the first entrance lane and the predetermined route passes through the second exit lane corresponding to the second exit processing device 3B and exits the field, the entrance flag "T" for the route that has already exited and the writing time of the entrance flag are written in the ETC card.

[0130] After that, when the vehicle passes through the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B, the second entrance processing device 2B communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes entrance processing. FIG. 19 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Examples 1-9 of the first embodiment. Note that the processing shown in FIG. 19 shows an example of the processing of the toll processing system when the vehicle travels on the route shown in FIG. 18. In FIG. 19, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle device 5 transmits vehicle identification information including card identification information and in-vehicle device identification information (S581).

[0131] The vehicle communication unit 25B of the second entrance processing device 2B receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S281), and transmits entrance information including entrance identification information and entry date and time (S282).

[0132] The device communication unit 51 receives the entrance information (S582), and the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance information into the ETC card. At this time, the entrance information "IC:A" and the entry time are written into the ETC card. That is, in this example, since the device communication unit 51 does not receive the entrance flag information, "T" and the writing time of the entrance flag are not written in the entrance flag area of the ETC card, and the writing area of the entrance flag remains unchanged. Also, since the entrance flag is not written into the ETC card, the writing area of the writing time of the entrance flag also remains unchanged.

[0133] The processing of S583, S481, S482, and S584 when the vehicle passing through the second entrance lane passes through the predetermined route corresponding to the route device 4B is the same as S563, S461, S462, S564 shown in FIG. 14 described above. That is, when the vehicle passes through the predetermined route corresponding to the route device 4B, the card processing unit 54 writes route information into the ETC card.

[0134] When a vehicle passing through the second entrance lane and a predetermined route enters the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information (S585), and the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S381).

[0135] The control unit 32A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S382). Also, the control unit 32A checks the writing time of the entrance flag included in the received entrance information and the entry time (S383). When the entrance flag is "T" and the writing time of the entrance flag and the entry time are not the same, the control unit 32A does not use the centrally calculated toll, but determines the passing section using the vehicle identification information, route identification information, exit identification information, and entrance information, and calculates the exit-calculated toll based on the passing section and the basic toll table (S384). The vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the exit-calculated toll (S385), and the upper communication unit 31A transmits an exit notification to the central device 1 (S386). The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the exit notification (S181), and the storage unit 13 stores the exit record. Also, the roadside display 34A displays the exit-calculated toll.

[0136] The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle device 5 receives the exit-calculated toll (S586), and the storage unit 53 stores the exit-calculated toll.

[0137] In the example shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, an area for writing the entrance flag and the writing time of the entrance flag is provided in the ETC card, and the first exit processing device 3A checks the value of the entrance flag and also checks the writing time of the entrance flag and the entry time to confirm whether the entrance flag was written when entering the target passing route. According to this method, even when the value of the entrance flag is not cleared when the vehicle exits from the exit lane, the first exit processing device 3A can more reliably determine whether the vehicle passing through the first exit lane has passed through the first entrance lane when entering the target passage route based on the value of the entrance flag, the writing time of the entrance flag, and the entry time, and can transmit the correct toll to the in-vehicle unit 5.

[0138] (Example 1-10) Next, Example 1-10 will be described.

[0139] Here, an example of the exit toll processing method when the vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A corresponding to central calculation, a predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B corresponding to exit calculation, and the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A corresponding to central calculation will be described. Note that since the combination of devices arranged on the route along which the vehicle travels in this example is the same as that in FIG. 13 of Example 1-10, an example of the exit toll processing method will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 20. FIG. 20 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Example 1-10 of the first embodiment. The processes of S591-S391 shown in FIG. 20 are the same as those of S561-S361 shown in FIG. 14, and the process when the vehicle passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A is different from the example shown in FIG. 14 described above.

[0140] That is, when the vehicle that has passed through the first entrance lane and the predetermined route passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes the exit processing.

[0141] In FIG. 20, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information (S595). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S391).

[0142] The upper communication unit 31A transmits the departure record including vehicle identification information, exit identification information, and departure date and time to the central device 1 (S392). The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the departure record (S192), and the storage unit 13 stores the departure record. The control unit 12 can select the entry record and the passing record corresponding to this departure record based on the vehicle identification information included in the departure record. That is, the control unit 12 selects the entry record, the passing record, and the departure record including the same vehicle identification information. Based on the selected entry record, passing record, and departure record, the control unit 12 determines the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time, and calculates the centrally calculated toll based on the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time, and the basic toll table and the variable toll table (S193). In the example shown in FIG. 13, since the passing record corresponding to the vehicle identification information is not stored in the storage unit 13, the control unit 12 calculates the centrally calculated toll based on the selected entry record and departure record and the route identification information. The device communication unit 11 transmits the centrally calculated toll to the first exit processing device 3A (S194).

[0143] While the central device 1 is calculating the toll, the control unit 32A transmits the entry information including the entry identification information and the route identification information (S596), and the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the entry information and the route identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S393). The control unit 32A checks whether the entry flag included in the received entry information is "T" (S394). Also, the control unit 32A checks whether the writing time of the entry flag included in the received entry information is the same as the entry time (S395). The control unit 32A determines to use the centrally calculated toll as the toll because the entry flag is "T" and the writing time of the entry flag is the same as the entry time.

[0144] After that, the upper communication unit 31A receives the centrally calculated toll from the central device 1 (S396), and the vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the centrally calculated toll (S397). In addition, the roadside display 34A displays the centrally calculated toll. The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the centrally calculated toll (S597), and the storage unit 53 stores the centrally calculated toll.

[0145] As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 20, the first exit processing device 3A receives the entrance identification information and the route identification information, and without waiting for the determination of whether the entrance flag is "T" and whether the writing time of the entrance flag is the same as the entry time, the central device 1 can start calculating the toll, and it is possible to shorten the time required for the exit processing when passing through the first exit lane.

[0146] (Embodiment 1-11) Next, Embodiment 1-11 will be described.

[0147] FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of Embodiment 1-11 of the first embodiment. In this example, an example of the exit toll processing method when a vehicle passes through the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B corresponding to exit calculation, a predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B corresponding to exit calculation, and the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A corresponding to central calculation will be described. In the following description, descriptions of matters already described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 of Embodiments 1-8 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0148] FIG. 22 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Embodiment 1-11 of the first embodiment. The processes of S5101 - S3101 shown in FIG. 22 are the same as the processes of S571 - S371 shown in FIG. 16 of Embodiments 1-8. However, the process when the vehicle passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A is different from the examples shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 of the above-described Embodiments 1-8.

[0149] That is, when a vehicle passing through the second entrance lane and a predetermined route passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information (S5105). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3101).

[0150] The upper-level communication unit 31A transmits an exit record including vehicle identification information, exit identification information, and the exit date and time to the central device 1 (S3102). The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the exit record (S1101), and the storage unit 13 stores the exit record. The control unit 12 can select an entrance record and a passing record corresponding to this exit record based on the vehicle identification information included in the exit record. That is, the control unit 12 selects an entrance record, a passing record, and an exit record including the same vehicle identification information. Based on the selected entrance record, passing record, and exit record, the control unit 12 determines the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time, and calculates the centrally calculated passing toll based on the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time, and the basic toll table and the variable toll table (S1102). The device communication unit 11 transmits the centrally calculated passing toll to the first exit processing device 3A (S1103). For the route shown in FIG. 21, since the entrance record and the passing record corresponding to the vehicle identification information are not stored in the storage unit 13, the centrally calculated passing toll calculated by the control unit 12 is not a correct value.

[0151] While the central device 1 is calculating the passing toll, the device communication unit 51 transmits entrance information including entrance identification information and route identification information (S5106). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the entrance information and the route identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3103). While the central device 1 is calculating the toll, the control unit 32A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S3104). Further, the control unit 32A checks whether the writing time of the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is the same as the entrance time (S3105).

[0152] After that, the upper communication unit 31A receives the central calculated toll from the central device 1 (S3106). When the entrance flag is "T" but the writing time of the entrance flag is not the same as the entrance time, the control unit 32A does not use the central calculated toll, determines the passing section using the vehicle identification information, route identification information, exit identification information, and entrance information, and calculates the exit calculated toll based on the passing section and the basic toll table (S3107). The vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the exit calculated toll (S3108). Further, the roadside display 34A displays the exit calculated toll.

[0153] The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the exit calculated toll (S5107), and the storage unit 53 stores the exit calculated toll. Note that the written entrance flag on the ETC card may be cleared after the vehicle passes through the first exit lane (for example, after the transmission in S5106 or as part of the transmission process in S5106), regardless of the written content. When writing various data to the ETC card, the storage area of the entrance flag can also be overwritten with a null value.

[0154] In the examples shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, an area for writing the entrance flag and the writing time of the entrance flag is provided on the ETC card. The first exit processing device 3A checks the value of the entrance flag, checks the writing time of the entrance flag and the entrance time, and can check whether the entrance flag was written when entering the target passing route. According to this method, the first exit processing device 3A can more reliably determine whether a vehicle passing through the first exit lane entered through the first entrance lane when entering the target passing route based on the value of the entrance flag, the writing time of the entrance flag, and the entry time, and can transmit the correct toll to the in-vehicle unit 5.

[0155] (Example 1-12) Next, Example 1-12 will be described.

[0156] FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of Example 1-12 of the first embodiment. In this example, an example of the exit toll processing method when a vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A of the central calculation method, a predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B for exit calculation, and the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A of the central calculation method will be described.

[0157] When the vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A, the first entrance processing device 2A communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes entrance processing. FIG. 24 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Example 1-12 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 24, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 transmits vehicle identification information including card identification information and in-vehicle unit identification information (S5111).

[0158] The vehicle communication unit 25A of the first entrance processing device 2A receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S2111), and transmits entrance information including entrance flag information, entrance identification information, and entry date and time (S2112).

[0159] The machine communication unit 51 receives the entrance information (S5112), and the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance information to the ETC card. At this time, the entrance flag "T" based on the entrance flag information, the written entrance information "IC:A", the entrance information "IC:A", and the entrance time are written to the ETC card. Note that the written entrance information is the same as the entrance information written simultaneously with the entrance flag "T" in a predetermined area of the ETC card.

[0160] Also, the upper communication unit 21A of the entrance processing device 2A transmits the entrance record including the vehicle identification information and the entrance information to the central device 1 (S2113). The machine communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the entrance record (S1111), and the storage unit 13 stores the entrance record. Note that the transmission in S2112 and the transmission in S2113 are independent transmission processes, and the order of the transmission in S2112 and the transmission in S2113 is not particularly limited. Either one of the transmission in S2112 and the transmission in S2113 may be performed first, or they may be performed simultaneously.

[0161] When a vehicle passing through the first entrance lane travels on a predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B, the second route device 4B communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes route processing. That is, the machine communication unit 51 transmits the vehicle identification information (S5113). Then, the vehicle communication unit 45B of the second route device 4B receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the machine communication unit 51 (S4111), and transmits route information including route identification information and the passage date and time (S4112). The machine communication unit 51 receives the route information (S5114), and the card processing unit 54 writes the route information to the ETC card.

[0162] When a vehicle passing through the first entrance lane and a predetermined route passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. That is, the machine communication unit 51 transmits the vehicle identification information, the route identification information, and the entrance information (S5115). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3111).

[0163] The control unit 32A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S3112). Also, the control unit 32A checks the writing entrance and the entry entrance of the entrance flag included in the received entrance information (S3113). Note that the order in which the control unit 32A performs S3112 and S3113 may be reversed, or the control unit 32A may perform S3112 and S3113 simultaneously. When the entrance flag is "T" and the writing entrance of the entrance flag is the same as the entry entrance, the upper communication unit 31A transmits an exit record including the vehicle identification information, route identification information, exit identification information, and exit date and time to the central device 1 (S3114).

[0164] The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the exit record (S1112), and the storage unit 13 stores the exit record. The control unit 12 can select the entrance record and the passing record corresponding to this exit record based on the vehicle identification information included in the exit record. That is, the control unit 12 selects the entrance record, passing record, and exit record including the same vehicle identification information. The control unit 12 determines the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time based on the selected entrance record, passing record, and exit record, and calculates the centrally calculated passing toll based on the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time, and the basic toll table and variable toll table (S1113). Note that in the example shown in FIG. 23, since the passing record corresponding to the vehicle identification information is not stored in the storage unit 13, the control unit 12 calculates the centrally calculated passing toll based on the selected entrance record and exit record, and the route identification information. The device communication unit 11 transmits the centrally calculated passing toll to the first exit processing device 3A (S1114).

[0165] The upper communication unit 31A receives the centrally calculated toll from the central device 1 (S3115). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the centrally calculated toll (S3116). Also, the roadside display 34A displays the centrally calculated toll. The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the centrally calculated toll (S5116), and the storage unit 53 stores the centrally calculated toll. Note that the entrance flag, write time, and write entrance information written on the ETC card may be cleared after the vehicle passes through the first exit lane (for example, after the transmission in S5115 or as part of the transmission process in S5115). When writing various data to the ETC card, the storage areas for the entrance flag, write time, and write entrance information can also be overwritten with null values.

[0166] In the examples shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, an area for writing the entrance flag and the write entrance information of the entrance flag is provided on the ETC card. The first exit processing device 3A checks the value of the entrance flag, and also checks the write entrance of the entrance flag and the entrance for entry, so that it can be confirmed whether the entrance flag was written when entering the target traffic route. According to this method, the first exit processing device 3A can more reliably determine whether a vehicle passing through the first exit lane has passed through the first entrance lane when entering the target traffic route based on the value of the entrance flag, the write entrance of the entrance flag, and the entrance for entry, and can transmit the correct toll to the in-vehicle unit 5.

[0167] (Example 1-13) Next, Example 1-13 will be described.

[0168] FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of Example 1-13 of the first embodiment. In this example, an example of the exit toll processing method when a vehicle passes through the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B corresponding to exit calculation, a predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B corresponding to exit calculation, and the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A corresponding to central calculation will be described. In the following description, for matters already described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 of Examples 1-8, the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0169] When the vehicle passes through the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B, the second entrance processing device 2B communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes entrance processing. FIG. 26 is a timing chart for explaining the operation examples of Examples 1-13 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 26, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle device 5 transmits vehicle identification information including card identification information and in-vehicle device identification information (S5121).

[0170] The vehicle communication unit 25B of the second entrance processing device 2B receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S2121), and transmits entrance information including entrance identification information and entry date and time (S2122).

[0171] The device communication unit 51 receives the entrance information (S5122), and the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance information to the ETC card. At this time, the entrance flag based on the entrance flag information and the written entrance information are in a blank state (or an unupdated state) on the ETC card, and the entrance information "IC:A" and the entry time are written.

[0172] The processing of S5123-S3123 when the vehicle passing through the second entrance lane passes through the predetermined route corresponding to the route device 4B and passes through the first exit lane is the same as S5113-S3113 shown in FIG. 24 described above.

[0173] When the vehicle passing through the second entrance lane and the predetermined route passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information (S5125). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3121).

[0174] The control unit 32A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S3122). Also, the control unit 32A checks the writing entrance of the entrance flag included in the received entrance information and the entrance for entry (S3123). When the entrance flag is not "T" and the writing entrance of the entrance flag and the entrance for entry are not the same, the control unit 32A determines the passing section using the vehicle identification information, route identification information, exit identification information, and entrance information, and calculates the passing toll for exit based on the passing section and the basic toll table (S3124). The vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the passing toll for exit (S3125). Also, the roadside display 34A displays the passing toll for exit.

[0175] The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the passing toll for exit (S5126), and the storage unit 53 stores the passing toll for exit. Note that the written entrance flag on the ETC card and the writing entrance of the entrance flag may be cleared after the vehicle passes through the first exit lane (for example, after the transmission in S5125 or as part of the transmission process in S5125), regardless of the written content. When writing various data to the ETC card, the storage area for the entrance flag and the writing entrance of the entrance flag can also be overwritten with null values.

[0176] In the first to thirteenth embodiments shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, an area for writing the entrance flag and the writing entrance of the entrance flag is provided on the ETC card, and the first exit processing device 3A checks the value of the entrance flag, and also checks the writing entrance of the entrance flag and the entrance for entry, so that it is possible to check whether the entrance flag was written when entering the target passing route. According to this method, the first exit processing device 3A can more reliably determine whether a vehicle passing through the first exit lane passed through the first entrance lane when entering the target passing route based on the value of the entrance flag, the writing entrance of the entrance flag, and the entrance for entry, and can transmit the correct passing toll to the in-vehicle unit 5.

[0177] (First to Fourteenth Embodiments) Next, Examples 1-14 will be described.

[0178] FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 are diagrams for explaining the configuration examples of Examples 1-14 of the first embodiment. In this example, after the vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A of the central calculation method, the predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B corresponding to the exit calculation, and the second exit lane corresponding to the second exit processing device 3B of the exit calculation method, further, an example of the exit toll processing method when the vehicle passes through the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B of the exit calculation method, the predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B corresponding to the exit calculation, and the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A of the central calculation method will be described.

[0179] When the vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A, the entrance processing device 2A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes entrance processing.

[0180] At this time, when the device communication unit 51 receives entrance information from the first entrance processing device 2A, the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance information into the ETC card. That is, the entrance flag "T" based on the entrance flag information, the writing entrance of the entrance flag "IC:A", the entrance information "IC:A", and the entrance time are written into the ETC card.

[0181] When the vehicle passing through the first entrance lane and the predetermined route passes through the second exit lane corresponding to the second exit processing device 3B and exits the field, the entrance flag "T" and the writing entrance of the entrance flag for the already exited route are written in the ETC card.

[0182] After that, when the vehicle passes through the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B, the second entrance processing device 2B communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes entrance processing. FIG. 29 is a timing chart for explaining the operation example of Examples 1-14 of the first embodiment. Note that the process shown in FIG. 29 shows an example of the process of the toll processing system when the vehicle travels on the route shown in FIG. 28. In FIG. 29, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle device 5 transmits vehicle identification information including card identification information and in-vehicle device identification information (S5131).

[0183] The vehicle communication unit 25B of the second entrance processing device 2B receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S2131), and transmits entrance information including entrance identification information and entry date and time (S2132).

[0184] The device communication unit 51 receives the entrance information (S5132), and the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance information into the ETC card. At this time, the entrance information "IC:C" and the entry time are written into the ETC card. That is, in this example, since the device communication unit 51 does not receive the entrance flag information, "T" is not written in the entrance flag area of the ETC card, and the entrance flag writing area remains unchanged. Also, since the entrance flag is not written in the ETC card, the writing area of the entrance where the entrance flag is written also remains unchanged.

[0185] The processing of S5133-S3131 when the vehicle passing through the second entrance lane travels on the predetermined route corresponding to the route device 4B and the first exit lane is the same as S5113-S3113 shown in FIG. 24 described above.

[0186] When the vehicle passing through the second entrance lane and the predetermined route passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes the exit processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 transmits the vehicle identification information, the route identification information, and the entrance information (S5135), and the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information, the route identification information, and the entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3131).

[0187] The control unit 32A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S3132). Further, the control unit 32A checks the writing entrance of the entrance flag included in the received entrance information and the entrance for entry (S3133). When the entrance flag is "T" but the writing entrance of the entrance flag and the entrance for entry are not the same, the control unit 32A does not use the centrally calculated toll, and determines the passing section using the vehicle identification information, route identification information, exit identification information, and entrance information, and calculates the exit-calculated toll based on the passing section and the basic toll table (S3134). The vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the exit-calculated toll (S3135), and the upper communication unit 31A transmits a departure notification to the central device 1 (S3136). The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the departure notification (S1131), and the storage unit 13 stores the departure record. Also, the roadside display 34A displays the exit-calculated toll.

[0188] The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the exit-calculated toll (S5136), and the storage unit 53 stores the exit-calculated toll.

[0189] In the examples shown in FIGS. 27 to 29, an area for writing the entrance flag and the writing entrance of the entrance flag is provided in the ETC card, and the first exit processing device 3A checks the value of the entrance flag and also checks the writing entrance of the entrance flag and the entrance for entry, so that it is possible to check whether the entrance flag was written when the vehicle entered the target passing route. According to this method, even when the value of the entrance flag is not cleared when the vehicle exits from the exit lane, the first exit processing device 3A can more reliably determine whether the vehicle passing through the first exit lane passed through the first entrance lane when entering the target passing route based on the value of the entrance flag, the writing entrance of the entrance flag, and the entrance for entry, and can transmit the correct toll to the in-vehicle unit 5.

[0190] (Example 1-15) Next, Example 1-15 will be described.

[0191] Here, an example of an exit toll processing method will be described when a vehicle passes through a first entrance lane corresponding to a first entrance processing device 2A with a central computing system, a predetermined route corresponding to a second route device 4B for exit calculation, and a first exit lane corresponding to a first exit processing device 3A with a central computing system. Note that since the combination of devices arranged on the route along which the vehicle travels in this example is the same as that in FIG. 23 of Examples 1-12, an example of the exit toll processing method will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 30. FIG. 30 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Examples 1-15 of the first embodiment. The processes of S5141-S3141 shown in FIG. 30 are the same as those of S5111-S3111 shown in FIG. 24 of Examples 1-12. However, the process when the vehicle passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A is different from the example shown in FIG. 24 described above.

[0192] That is, when a vehicle that has passed through the first entrance lane and the predetermined route passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing.

[0193] In FIG. 30, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information (S5145), and the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3141).

[0194] The upper communication unit 31A transmits an exit record including vehicle identification information, exit identification information, and the exit date and time to the central device 1 (S3142). The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the exit record (S1142), and the storage unit 13 stores the exit record. The control unit 12 can select an entry record and a passage record corresponding to this exit record based on the vehicle identification information included in the exit record. That is, the control unit 12 selects an entry record, a passage record, and an exit record including the same vehicle identification information. Based on the selected entry record, passage record, and exit record, the control unit 12 determines the passage section, passage route, and passage date and time, and calculates the centrally calculated toll based on the passage section, passage route, and passage date and time, and the basic toll table and variable toll table (S1143). In the example shown in FIG. 23, since the passage record corresponding to the vehicle identification information is not stored in the storage unit 13, the control unit 12 calculates the centrally calculated toll based on the selected entry record and exit record and the route identification information. The device communication unit 11 transmits the centrally calculated toll to the first exit processing device 3A (S1144).

[0195] While the central device 1 is calculating the toll, the device communication unit 51 transmits the entrance and exit information including the entrance identification information and the route identification information (S5146), and the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the entrance information and the route identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3143). The control unit 32A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S3144). In addition, the control unit 32A checks whether the writing entrance of the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is the same as the entrance of entry (S3145). Since the entrance flag is "T" and the writing entrance of the entrance flag is the same as the entrance of entry, the control unit 32A determines to use the centrally calculated toll as the toll.

[0196] After that, the upper communication unit 31A receives the centrally calculated toll from the central device 1 (S3146), and the vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the centrally calculated toll (S3147). In addition, the roadside display 34A displays the centrally calculated toll. The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the centrally calculated toll (S5147), and the storage unit 53 stores the centrally calculated toll.

[0197] As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 30, the central device 1 can start calculating the toll without waiting for the first exit processing device 3A to receive the entrance identification information and the route identification information and finish determining whether the entrance flag is "T" and whether the writing entrance of the entrance flag is the same as the entrance for entry. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for exit processing when passing through the first exit lane.

[0198] (Example 1-16) Next, FIG. 1-16 will be described.

[0199] FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of Example 1-16 of the first embodiment. In this example, after the vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A of the central calculation method, a predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B corresponding to the exit calculation, and the second exit lane corresponding to the second exit processing device 3B of the exit calculation method, as shown in FIG. 31, an example of the exit toll processing method when the vehicle passes through the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B of the exit calculation method, a predetermined route corresponding to the second route device 4B corresponding to the exit calculation, and the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A of the central calculation method will be described.

[0200] FIG. 32 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Example 1-16 of the first embodiment. The processes of S5151-S3151 shown in FIG. 32 are the same as the processes of S5131-S3131 shown in FIG. 29 of Example 1-14. However, the process when the vehicle passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A is different from the example shown in FIG. 29 described above.

[0201] That is, when a vehicle that has passed through the second entrance lane and the predetermined route passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes the exit processing. In FIG. 32, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information (S5155), and the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3151).

[0202] The upper-level communication unit 31A transmits an exit record including vehicle identification information, exit identification information, and the exit date and time to the central device 1 (S3152). The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the exit record (S1151), and the storage unit 13 stores the exit record. The control unit 12 can select an entry record and a passing record corresponding to this exit record based on the vehicle identification information included in the exit record. That is, the control unit 12 selects an entry record, a passing record, and an exit record including the same vehicle identification information. The control unit 12 determines the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time based on the selected entry record, passing record, and exit record, and calculates the centrally calculated toll based on the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time, and the basic toll table and variable toll table (S1152). The device communication unit 11 transmits the centrally calculated toll to the first exit processing device 3A (S1153). For the route shown in FIG. 31, since the storage unit 13 does not store the entry record and passing record corresponding to the vehicle identification information, the centrally calculated toll calculated by the control unit 12 is not a correct value.

[0203] While the central device 1 is calculating the toll, the device communication unit 51 transmits the entry information including the entry identification information and the route identification information (S5156). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the entry information and the route identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3153). The control unit 32A checks whether the entry flag included in the received entry information is "T" (S3154). Also, the control unit 32A checks whether the writing entry of the entry flag included in the received entry information is the same as the entry entrance (S3155).

[0204] After that, the upper communication unit 31A receives the centrally calculated toll from the central device 1 (S3156). Even though the entrance flag is "T", when the writing entrance of the entrance flag is not the same as the entrance for entry, the control unit 32A does not use the centrally calculated toll, but determines the passing section using the vehicle identification information, route identification information, exit identification information, and entrance information, and calculates the exit calculated toll based on the passing section and the basic toll table (S3157). The vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the exit calculated toll (S3158). Also, the roadside display 34A displays the exit calculated toll.

[0205] The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the exit calculated toll (S5157), and the storage unit 53 stores the exit calculated toll. Note that the entrance flag written on the ETC card and the writing entrance of the entrance flag may be cleared after the vehicle passes through the first exit lane (for example, after the transmission in S5155 or as part of the transmission process in S5155), regardless of the written content. When writing various data to the ETC card, the storage areas of the entrance flag and the writing entrance of the entrance flag can also be overwritten with null values.

[0206] In the examples shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, an area for writing the entrance flag and the writing entrance of the entrance flag is provided on the ETC card. The first exit processing device 3A checks the value of the entrance flag, checks the writing entrance of the entrance flag and the entrance for entry, and can check whether the entrance flag was written when entering the target passing route. According to this method, the first exit processing device 3A can more reliably determine whether a vehicle passing through the first exit lane passed through the first entrance lane when entering the target passing route based on the value of the entrance flag, the writing entrance of the entrance flag, and the entrance for entry, and can transmit the correct toll to the in-vehicle unit 5.

[0207] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a toll processing system, an exit processing device, a central device, and an exit toll processing method for realizing toll calculation by a central device. In the above-described embodiment, the first exit processing device 3A may be provided with a pre-distributed toll, and may be configured to determine whether to use the value of the pre-distributed toll by referring to the entrance flag, and calculate an exit calculated toll corresponding to the centrally calculated toll. Even in such a case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0208] <Second Embodiment> Next, the toll processing system, exit processing device, central device, and exit toll processing method of the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The configuration example of the toll processing system of this embodiment is the same as the block diagram shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining an example of a specific area in the toll processing system of the second embodiment.

[0209] In the toll processing system of this embodiment, the road network including the toll road is divided into a specific area A by a gate corresponding to the first route device 4A installed in the road network, and the central device 1 can calculate the toll for vehicles passing through the specific area A. That is, all the entrance processing devices installed in the specific area A are the first entrance processing devices 2A, and all the exit processing devices installed in the specific area A are the first exit processing devices 3A.

[0210] Hereinafter, when the specific area A is provided, a plurality of examples (Examples 2-1 to 2-6) of the exit toll processing method will be described in the case where a vehicle entering from the first entrance gate in the specific area A exits from the second exit gate after flowing out of the specific area A, or a vehicle entering from the second entrance gate outside the specific area A flows into the specific area A and exits from the first exit gate in the specific area A.

[0211] (Example 2-1) Next, Example 2-1 will be described.

[0212] FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining the configuration example of Example 2-1 of the second embodiment. In this example, an example of an exit toll processing method will be described when a vehicle enters from the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A corresponding to the central calculation in the specific area A, passes through the gate corresponding to the first path device 4A corresponding to the central calculation and flows out of the specific area A, and then exits from the second exit lane corresponding to the second exit processing device 3B corresponding to the central calculation.

[0213] When the vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A, the entrance processing device 2A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes entrance processing. FIG. 35 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Example 2-1 of the second embodiment. The processes of S5161-S1161 shown in FIG. 35 are the same as the processes of S501-S101 shown in FIG. 3 of Example 1-1.

[0214] When the vehicle passing through the first entrance lane flows out of the specific area A from the gate corresponding to the first path device 4A, the first path device 4A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes path processing. In FIG. 35, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information and entrance identification information (S5163). Then, the vehicle communication unit 45A of the first path device 4A receives the vehicle identification information and the entrance identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S4161).

[0215] The control unit 42A of the first path device 4A determines whether the vehicle flows into or out of the specific area A based on the received entrance identification information. When it is determined that the vehicle is a vehicle flowing out of the specific area A, the vehicle communication unit 45A transmits an entrance flag clear command (S4162). The device communication unit 51 receives the entrance flag clear command (S5164), and the card processing unit 54 clears the entrance flag of the ETC card. At this time, the vehicle communication unit 45A of the first path device 4A can transmit route identification information, the device communication unit 51 receives the route identification information, and the card processing unit 54 can write the route identification information into the ETC card.

[0216] After that, the upper communication unit 41A of the first path device 4A transmits a passing record including an outflow notification containing vehicle identification information, path identification information, and outflow date and time (S4163). Then, the device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives a passing record including an outflow notification (S1162), and the storage unit 13 stores the outflow record. By storing the vehicle identification information and the outflow record in a linked state in the storage unit 13, the central device 1 can process the vehicle as having exited the specific area A.

[0217] When a vehicle passing through the first entrance lane and the gate corresponding to the first path device 4A passes through the second exit lane corresponding to the second exit processing device 3B, the second exit processing device 3B communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information, path identification information, and entrance information (S5165). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35B of the second exit processing device 3B receives the vehicle identification information, path identification information, and entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3161).

[0218] The control unit 32B determines the passing section using the vehicle identification information, path identification information, exit identification information, and entrance information, and calculates the exit calculated toll based on the passing section and the basic toll table (S3162). The vehicle communication unit 35B transmits the exit calculated toll (S3163). Also, the roadside display 34A displays the exit calculated toll.

[0219] The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the exit calculated toll (S5166), and the storage unit 53 stores the exit calculated toll.

[0220] In the second embodiment 2-1 shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, an area for writing an entrance flag for identifying the function of the entrance processing device is provided in the ETC card. When the vehicle flows out of the specific area A, the entrance flag is cleared, and in the central device 1, the vehicle is in a state of having exited the specific area A. As a result, it is possible to maintain the consistency between the information recorded on the ETC card of the vehicle and the information for managing the vehicle stored in the storage unit 13 of the central device 1, and it becomes possible to accurately calculate the toll of the vehicle.

[0221] (Embodiment 2-2) Next, Embodiment 2-2 will be described.

[0222] FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of Embodiment 2-2 of the second embodiment. In this example, an example of an exit toll processing method when a vehicle enters from a second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B of the exit calculation method, flows into a specific area A from a gate corresponding to the first route device 4A of the central calculation method, and exits from the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A of the central calculation method will be described.

[0223] When the vehicle passes through the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B, the second entrance processing device 2B communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes entrance processing. FIG. 37 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Embodiment 2-2 of the second embodiment. In FIG. 37, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 transmits vehicle identification information including card identification information and in-vehicle unit identification information (S5171).

[0224] The vehicle communication unit 25B of the second entrance processing device 2B receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S2171). Then, entrance information including entrance identification information and entrance date and time is transmitted (S2172).

[0225] The device communication unit 51 receives the entrance information (S5172), and the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance information into the ETC card. At this time, the entrance information "IC:A" and the entrance time are written into the ETC card. That is, in this example, since the device communication unit 51 does not receive the entrance flag information, "T" is not written in the entrance flag area of the ETC card, and the entrance flag is in an empty state.

[0226] When a vehicle passing through the second entrance lane flows into the specific area A through the gate corresponding to the first path device 4A, the first path device 4A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes path processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information and entrance identification information (S5173). Then, the vehicle communication unit 45A of the first path device 4A receives the vehicle identification information and the entrance identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S4171).

[0227] Based on the received entrance identification information, the control unit 42A of the first path device 4A determines whether the vehicle is flowing into or out of the specific area A. Based on the determination by the control unit 42A, the upper communication unit 41A of the first path device 4A transmits a passing record including an outflow notice including the outflow date and time or an inflow notice including the inflow date and time, together with the vehicle identification information and the path identification information (S4192). The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the passing record from the upper communication unit 41A (S1171). When the control unit 42A determines that the vehicle is a vehicle flowing into the specific area A, the vehicle communication unit 45A of the first path device 4A can transmit the path identification information, the device communication unit 51 receives the path identification information, and the card processing unit 54 can write the path identification information to the ETC card.

[0228] When a vehicle passing through the second entrance lane and the gate corresponding to the first path device 4A passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information, path identification information, and entrance information (S5174). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information, the path identification information, and the entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3171).

[0229] The control unit 32A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S3172). When the entrance flag is not "T", the control unit 32A determines the passing section using the vehicle identification information, route identification information, exit identification information, and entrance information, and calculates the exit calculated toll based on the passing section and the basic toll table (S3173). The vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the exit calculated toll (S3174). Also, the roadside display 34A displays the exit calculated toll. The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the exit calculated toll (S5175), and the storage unit 53 stores the exit calculated toll.

[0230] As described above, when the in-vehicle unit 5 that has undergone the entrance process by the second entrance processing device 2B undergoes the exit process by the first exit processing device 3A, the entrance flag "T" is not written on the ETC card when passing through the second entrance lane. Therefore, when passing through the first exit lane, the first exit processing device 3A receives the exit calculated toll without inquiring the toll from the central device 1. That is, in the examples shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the first exit processing device 3A can determine that the vehicle passing through the first exit lane has not passed through the first entrance lane of the first entrance processing device 2A because the value of the entrance flag is empty. In this case, since there is no record that the vehicle has entered the specific area A in the central device 1, it is not necessary to clear the entrance flag by the first route device 4A, and the consistency between the information stored in the ECT card corresponding to the vehicle and the information for managing the vehicle stored in the storage unit 13 of the central device 1 can be maintained, and the toll of the vehicle can be accurately calculated.

[0231] (Embodiment 2-3) Next, Embodiment 2-3 will be described.

[0232] FIG. 38 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of Embodiment 2-3 of the second embodiment. In this example, an example of the exit toll processing method is described when a vehicle enters from the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B of the exit calculation method, flows into the specific area A from the gate corresponding to the first route device 4A of the central calculation method, and exits from the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A of the central calculation method.

[0233] FIG. 39 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Example 2-3 of the second embodiment. The entrance processing of S5181-S5182 shown in FIG. 39 is the same as that of S5171-S5172 shown in FIG. 37. When a vehicle passing through the second entrance lane flows into the specific area A from the gate corresponding to the first route device 4A, the first route device 4A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes route processing. In FIG. 39, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information and entrance identification information (S5183). Then, the vehicle communication unit 45A of the first route device 4A receives the vehicle identification information and the entrance identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S4181).

[0234] Based on the received entrance identification information, the control unit 42A of the first route device 4A determines whether the vehicle is flowing into or out of the specific area A. When it is determined that the vehicle is a vehicle flowing into the specific area A, the vehicle communication unit 45A of the first route device 4A transmits an entrance flag command (S4182). When the device communication unit 51 receives the entrance flag (S5184), the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance flag "T" on the ETC card. At this time, the vehicle communication unit 45A of the first route device 4A can transmit route identification information, the device communication unit 51 receives the route identification information, and the card processing unit 54 can write the route identification information on the ETC card.

[0235] Thereafter, the upper communication unit 41A of the first route device 4A transmits a passing record including an inflow notification including vehicle identification information, entrance identification information, route specification information, and inflow date and time (S4183). Then, the device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives a passing record including an inflow notification (S1181), and the storage unit 13 stores the entrance identification information and the route identification information in association with the vehicle identification information.

[0236] When a vehicle passing through the second entrance lane and the gate corresponding to the first route device 4A passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information (S5185). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information, route identification information, and entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3181).

[0237] The control unit 32A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S3182). When the entrance flag is "T", the upper communication unit 31A transmits an exit record including vehicle identification information, route identification information, exit identification information, and the exit date and time to the central device 1 (S3183).

[0238] When the device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the exit record (S1182), the storage unit 13 stores the exit record. The control unit 12 can select the entrance record and the passing record corresponding to this exit record based on the vehicle identification information included in the exit record. That is, the control unit 12 selects an entrance record, a passing record, and an exit record including the same vehicle identification information. The control unit 12 determines the passing section, the passing route, and the passing date and time based on the selected entrance record, passing record, and exit record, and calculates the centrally calculated passing toll based on the passing section, the passing route, and the passing date and time, and the basic toll table and the variable toll table (S1183). In the example shown in FIG. 38, since the entrance record corresponding to the vehicle identification information is not stored in the storage unit 13, the control unit 12 calculates the centrally calculated passing toll based on the selected exit record and route record and the entrance identification information. The device communication unit 11 transmits the centrally calculated passing toll to the first exit processing device 3A (S1184).

[0239] The upper communication unit 31A receives the centrally calculated toll from the central device 1 (S3184), and the vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the centrally calculated toll (S3183). In addition, the roadside display 34A displays the centrally calculated toll. The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the centrally calculated toll (S5186), and the storage unit 53 stores the centrally calculated toll.

[0240] As described above, when the in-vehicle unit 5 that has undergone the entrance process by the second entrance processing device 2B flows into the specific area A and undergoes the exit process by the first exit processing device 3A, when flowing into the specific area A, the entrance flag "T" is written to the ETC card, so that the centrally calculated toll can be received.

[0241] In the examples shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, an area for writing an entrance flag to the ETC card is provided. When flowing into the specific area A, the entrance flag is written to the ETC card, and at the same time, a flow-in notification is sent from the first route device 4A to the central device 1, so that the information stored in the ECT card corresponding to the vehicle and the information for managing the vehicle stored in the storage unit 13 of the central device 1 can be kept consistent, and the calculation of the toll for the vehicle can be accurately performed.

[0242] (Embodiment 2-4) Next, Embodiment 2-4 will be described.

[0243] FIG. 40 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of Embodiment 2-4 of the second embodiment. In this example, an example of an exit toll processing method is described when a vehicle enters from the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A of the central calculation method within the specific area A, passes through the gate corresponding to the first route device 4A of the central calculation method and flows out of the specific area A, and then exits from the second exit lane corresponding to the second exit processing device 3B of the exit calculation method.

[0244] When the vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A, the entrance processing device 2A communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes the entrance process. Figure 41 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Example 2-4 of the second embodiment. The processes of S5191-S1191 shown in Figure 41 are different from the processes of S501-S101 shown in Figure 3 in that no area for writing an entrance flag is provided in the ETC card.

[0245] When the vehicle passes through the first entrance lane corresponding to the first entrance processing device 2A, the first entrance processing device 2A communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes entrance processing. In Figure 41, the device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 transmits vehicle identification information including card identification information and in-vehicle unit identification information (S5191).

[0246] The vehicle communication unit 25A of the first entrance processing device 2A receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S2191), and transmits entrance information including entrance identification information and entry date and time (S2192).

[0247] When the device communication unit 51 receives the entrance information (S5192), the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance information into the ETC card. At this time, the entrance information "IC:A" and the entry time are written into the ETC card.

[0248] In addition, the upper communication unit 21A of the entrance processing device 2A transmits an entry record including vehicle identification information and entrance information to the central device 1 (S2193). The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the entry record (S1191), and the storage unit 13 stores the entry record. Note that the transmission of S2192 and the transmission of S2193 are independent transmission processes, and the order of the transmission of S2192 and the transmission of S2193 is not particularly limited, and either one of the transmission of S2192 and the transmission of S2193 may be performed first, or they may be performed simultaneously.

[0249] When the vehicle that has passed through the first entrance lane flows out from the specific area A through the gate corresponding to the first path device 4A, the first path device 4A communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes path processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information and entrance identification information (S5193). Then, the vehicle communication unit 45A of the first path device 4A receives the vehicle identification information and the entrance identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S4191).

[0250] Based on the received entrance identification information, the control unit 42A of the first path device 4A determines whether the vehicle flows into or out of the specific area A. When it is determined that the vehicle is a vehicle flowing out of the specific area A, the upper communication unit 41A of the first path device 4A transmits a passing record including an outflow notification including the vehicle identification information, the path identification information, and the outflow date and time (S4192). When the device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives a passing record including an outflow notification (S1192), the storage unit 13 stores the passing record including the outflow notification. By storing the vehicle identification information and the outflow record in a linked state in the storage unit 13, the central device 1 can process the vehicle as having left the specific area A.

[0251] When a vehicle passing through the first entrance lane and the gate corresponding to the first path device 4A passes through the second exit lane corresponding to the second exit processing device 3B, the second exit processing device 3B communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 transmits the vehicle identification information, the path identification information, and the entrance information (S5194). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35B of the second exit processing device 3B receives the vehicle identification information, the path identification information, and the entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3191).

[0252] The control unit 32B determines the passing section using the vehicle identification information, the path identification information, the exit identification information, and the entrance information, and calculates the exit calculated toll based on the passing section and the basic toll table (S3192). The vehicle communication unit 35B transmits the exit calculated toll (S3193). Also, the roadside display 34A displays the exit calculated toll.

[0253] The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the exit calculated toll (S5195), and the storage unit 53 stores the exit calculated toll.

[0254] In the example shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, when the vehicle flows out of the specific area A, the first path device 4A transmits a passing record including an outflow notification to the central device 1, and the central device 1 regards the vehicle as having left the specific area A. Thereby, the consistency between the information recorded on the ETC card of the vehicle and the information for managing the vehicle stored in the storage unit 13 of the central device 1 can be maintained, and it becomes possible to accurately calculate the toll of the vehicle.

[0255] (Embodiment 2-5) Next, Embodiment 2-5 will be described.

[0256] FIG. 42 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of Embodiment 2-5 of the second embodiment. In this example, an example of an exit toll processing method when a vehicle enters from a second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B of the exit calculation method, flows into the specific area A from a gate corresponding to the first path device 4A of the central calculation method, and exits from the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A of the central calculation method will be described.

[0257] FIG. 43 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Embodiment 2-5 of the second embodiment. The entrance processing of S5201-S5202 shown in FIG. 43 is the same as S5171-S5172 shown in FIG. 37 of Embodiment 2-2. When the vehicle passing through the second entrance lane flows into the specific area A from the gate corresponding to the first path device 4A, the first path device 4A communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes path processing. In FIG. 43, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information and entrance identification information (S5203). The vehicle communication unit 45A of the first path device 4A that has received this receives the vehicle identification information and entrance identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S4201).

[0258] The control unit 42A of the first path device 4A determines whether the vehicle flows into or out of the specific area A based on the received entrance identification information. When it is determined that the vehicle is a vehicle flowing into the specific area A, the vehicle communication unit 45A of the first path device 4A can transmit the path identification information, the device communication unit 51 receives the path identification information, and the card processing unit 54 can write the path identification information to the ETC card.

[0259] After that, the upper communication unit 41A of the first path device 4A transmits a passing record including an inflow notification including vehicle identification information, entrance identification information, path identification information, and inflow date and time (S4203). Then, the device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives a passing record including an inflow notification (S1201), and the storage unit 13 can store the entrance identification information (entry record) and the path identification information (passing record) in association with the vehicle identification information.

[0260] When a vehicle that has passed through the second entrance lane and the gate corresponding to the first path device 4A passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information, path identification information, and entrance identification information (S5204). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information, path identification information, and entrance information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3201).

[0261] The upper communication unit 31A of the control unit 32A transmits an exit record including vehicle identification information, path identification information, exit identification information, and exit date and time to the central device 1 (S3202).

[0262] When the device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the exit record (S1202), the storage unit 13 stores the exit record. Based on the vehicle identification information included in the departure record, the control unit 12 can select the entry record and passing record corresponding to this departure record. That is, the control unit 12 selects the entry record, passing record, and departure record that contain the same vehicle identification information. Based on the selected entry record, passing record, and departure record, the control unit 12 determines the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time, and calculates the centrally calculated passing toll based on the passing section, passing route, and passing date and time, and the basic toll table and variable toll table (S1203). The device communication unit 11 transmits the centrally calculated passing toll to the first exit processing device 3A (S1204).

[0263] The upper-level communication unit 31A receives the centrally calculated passing toll from the central device 1 (S3203), and the vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the centrally calculated passing toll (S3204). In addition, the roadside display 34A displays the centrally calculated passing toll. The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the centrally calculated passing toll (S5205), and the storage unit 53 stores the centrally calculated passing toll.

[0264] As described above, when the in-vehicle unit 5 that has received the entry processing by the second entry processing device 2B flows into the specific area A and receives the exit processing by the first exit processing device 3A, by sending an inflow notification from the first route device 4A to the central device 1 when flowing into the specific area A, the centrally calculated passing toll can be received.

[0265] In the examples shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, when the vehicle flows into the specific area A, a passing record including an inflow notification is transmitted from the first route device 4A to the central device 1, and the central device 1 sets the vehicle as being in the state of entering the specific area A. Thereby, the consistency between the information recorded on the ETC card of the vehicle and the information for managing the vehicle stored in the storage unit 13 of the central device 1 can be maintained, and the calculation of the passing toll of the vehicle can be accurately performed.

[0266] That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a toll processing system, an exit processing device, a central device, and an exit toll processing method for realizing toll calculation by the central device. In the second embodiment, it may take a predetermined time until all the functions of the devices installed in the specific area A are updated. Therefore, for example, a program may be installed in advance to set the start date and time of using a new function in the devices installed in the specific area A, and the devices may be configured not to operate as devices with the new function unless it is after the start date of use. By providing the above program, it becomes possible to update the functions of the devices installed in the specific area A simultaneously.

[0267] (Example 2-6) Next, Example 2-6 will be described. In this example, an example of the exit toll processing method when a vehicle enters from the second entrance lane corresponding to the second entrance processing device 2B corresponding to exit calculation, flows into the specific area A from the gate corresponding to the first route device 4A of the central calculation method, and exits from the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A of the central calculation method will be described. Note that since the combination of devices arranged on the route traveled by the vehicle in this example is the same as that in FIG. 38, an example of the exit toll processing method will be described with reference to FIGS. 38 and 44.

[0268] FIG. 44 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of Example 2-6 of the second embodiment. The entrance processing of S5211-S5212 shown in FIG. 44 is the same as that of S5171-S5172 shown in FIG. 37. When a vehicle that has passed through the second entrance lane flows into the specific area A from the gate corresponding to the first route device 4A, the first route device 4A communicates with the in-vehicle device 5 of the vehicle and executes route processing. In FIG. 44, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information and entrance identification information (S5213). Then, the vehicle communication unit 45A of the first route device 4A receives the vehicle identification information and the entrance identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S4211).

[0269] Based on the received entrance identification information, the control unit 42A of the first path device 4A determines whether the vehicle flows into or out of the specific area A. When it is determined that the vehicle is a vehicle flowing into the specific area A, the vehicle communication unit 45A of the first path device 4A transmits an entrance flag command (S4212). When the device communication unit 51 receives the entrance flag (S5214), the card processing unit 54 writes the entrance flag "T" to the ETC card. At this time, the vehicle communication unit 45A of the first path device 4A can transmit the path identification information, the device communication unit 51 receives the path identification information, and the card processing unit 54 can write the path identification information to the ETC card.

[0270] After that, the upper communication unit 41A of the first path device 4A transmits a passing record including an inflow notification including vehicle identification information, entrance identification information, path specification information, and inflow date and time (S4213). Then, the device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives a passing record including an inflow notification (S1211), and the storage unit 13 stores the entrance identification information and the path specification information in association with the vehicle identification information.

[0271] When a vehicle passing through the second entrance lane and the gate corresponding to the first path device 4A passes through the first exit lane corresponding to the first exit processing device 3A, the first exit processing device 3A communicates with the in-vehicle unit 5 of the vehicle and executes exit processing. That is, the device communication unit 51 transmits vehicle identification information (S5215). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the vehicle identification information transmitted from the device communication unit 51 (S3211).

[0272] The upper communication unit 31A of the first exit processing device 3A transmits an exit record including vehicle identification information, path identification information, exit identification information, and exit time to the central device 1 (S3212). The device communication unit 11 of the central device 1 receives the exit record (S1212), and the storage unit 13 stores the exit record. Based on the vehicle identification information included in the departure record, the control unit 12 can select the entry record and passage record corresponding to this departure record. That is, the control unit 12 selects the entry record, passage record, and departure record that contain the same vehicle identification information. Based on the selected entry record, passage record, and departure record, the control unit 12 determines the passage section, passage route, and passage date and time, and calculates the centrally calculated toll based on the passage section, passage route, and passage date and time, and the basic toll table and variable toll table (S1213). In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 38, since the entry record corresponding to the vehicle identification information is not stored in the storage unit 13, the control unit 12 calculates the centrally calculated toll based on the selected departure record and route record, and the entrance identification information. The device communication unit 11 transmits the centrally calculated toll to the first exit processing device 3A (S1214).

[0273] While the central device 1 is calculating the toll, the device communication unit 51 transmits the entrance information including the entrance identification information and the route identification information (S5216). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A of the first exit processing device 3A receives the entrance information and the route identification information from the device communication unit 51 (S3213). The control unit 32A checks whether the entrance flag included in the received entrance information is "T" (S3214). When the entrance flag is "T", the control unit 32A does not calculate the toll. The upper communication unit 31A receives the centrally calculated toll received from the central device 1 (S3215). Then, the vehicle communication unit 35A transmits the centrally calculated toll (S3216). Also, the roadside display 34A displays the centrally calculated toll. The device communication unit 51 of the in-vehicle unit 5 receives the centrally calculated toll (S5217), and the storage unit 53 stores the centrally calculated toll.

[0274] As described above, when the in-vehicle unit 5 that has received the entrance processing by the second entrance processing device 2B flows into the specific area A and receives the exit processing by the first exit processing device 3A, the centrally calculated toll can be received by writing the entrance flag "T" to the ETC card when flowing into the specific area A.

[0275] In the second to sixth embodiments shown in FIGS. 38 and 44, a region for writing an entrance flag is provided in the ETC card. When the vehicle flows into the specific region A, the entrance flag is written in the ETC card, and a notification of inflow is sent from the first path device 4A to the central device 1, so that the information stored in the ECT card corresponding to the vehicle and the information for managing the vehicle stored in the storage unit 13 of the central device 1 can be kept consistent, and the toll of the vehicle can be accurately calculated. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 44, the central device 1 can start calculating the toll without waiting for the first exit processing device 3A to receive the entrance identification information and the route identification information and finish determining whether the entrance flag is "T", and the time required for the exit processing when passing through the first exit lane can be shortened.

[0276] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims of the present application and the equivalent scope thereof. The invention described in the claims of the present application at the time of filing is appended below. [C1] A toll processing system including a central device for calculating a toll, a first entrance processing device corresponding to a toll calculation communication for calculating a toll by the central device, and a first exit processing device corresponding to the toll calculation communication, The first entrance processing device a first entrance vehicle communication unit that receives first vehicle identification information from a first vehicle-mounted device of a first vehicle passing through a first entrance lane and transmits first entrance identification information including entrance flag information to the first vehicle-mounted device; a first central communication unit that transmits a first entry record including the first vehicle identification information and the first entrance identification information to the central device. The first exit processing device a determination unit that determines whether the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information transmitted from the first in-vehicle device of the first vehicle passing through the first exit lane; a first exit vehicle communication unit that transmits the centrally calculated toll to the first in-vehicle device when the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information; and a second central communication unit that transmits the first vehicle identification information and the first exit identification information of the first exit processing device to the central device and receives the centrally calculated toll from the central device; The central device an entrance / exit communication unit that receives the first entry record from the first entrance processing device, receives the first vehicle identification information and the first exit identification information from the first exit processing device, and transmits the centrally calculated toll to the first exit processing device; a toll processing system including a central toll calculation unit that calculates the centrally calculated toll based on a first toll passage section determined from the first entrance identification information and the first exit identification information and a central toll table. [C2] The toll processing system according to C1 further includes a second entrance processing device that does not support the toll calculation communication for calculating the toll by the central device, The second entrance processing device includes a second entrance vehicle communication unit that receives second vehicle identification information from a second in-vehicle device of a second vehicle passing through a second entrance lane and transmits second entrance identification information of the second entrance processing device to the second in-vehicle device, The first exit processing device includes an exit toll calculation unit that calculates an exit calculated toll based on a second toll passage section determined from the second entrance identification information transmitted from the second in-vehicle device and the first exit identification information of the first exit processing device and an exit toll table. The first exit vehicle communication unit receives the second vehicle identification information and the second entrance identification information from the second on-vehicle unit of the second vehicle passing through the first exit lane, and transmits the exit calculated toll to the second on-vehicle unit when the entrance flag information is not included in the second entrance identification information. The toll processing system described in C1. [C3] After the determination unit determines that the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information, the second central communication unit transmits the first vehicle identification information and the first exit identification information of the first exit processing device to the central device, and receives the central calculated toll from the central device. The toll processing system described in C1 or C2. [C4] Before the determination unit determines whether or not the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information, the second central communication unit transmits the first vehicle identification information and the first exit identification information of the first exit processing device to the central device, and receives the central calculated toll from the central device. The toll processing system described in C1 or C2. [C5] When the first entrance identification information transmitted from the first on-vehicle unit includes the entrance flag information, the writing time of the entrance flag, and the time when the first vehicle passed through the first entrance lane, The determination unit determines whether or not the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information transmitted from the first on-vehicle unit of the first vehicle passing through the first exit lane, and determines whether or not the writing time of the entrance flag is the same as the time when the first vehicle passed through the first entrance lane. The toll processing system according to any one of C1 to C4. [C6] The second central communication unit transmits the first vehicle identification information and the first exit identification information of the first exit processing device to the central device after it is determined by the determination unit that the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information and the writing time of the entrance flag is the same as the time when the first vehicle passed through the first entrance lane, and receives the centrally calculated toll from the central device. The toll processing system according to C5. [C7] The second central communication unit transmits the first vehicle identification information and the first exit identification information of the first exit processing device to the central device before it is determined by the determination unit that the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information and the writing time of the entrance flag is the same as the time when the first vehicle passed through the first entrance lane, and receives the centrally calculated toll from the central device. The toll processing system according to C5. [C8] When the first entrance identification information transmitted from the first in-vehicle device includes the entrance flag information, the entrance where the entrance flag is written, and the entrance information corresponding to the first entrance lane through which the first vehicle passed The determination unit determines whether the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information transmitted from the first in-vehicle device of the first vehicle passing through the first exit lane, and determines whether the entrance where the entrance flag is written is the same as the entrance information corresponding to the first entrance lane through which the first vehicle passed. The toll processing system according to any one of C1 to C4. [C9] The second central communication unit transmits the first vehicle identification information and the first exit identification information of the first exit processing device to the central device after it is determined by the determination unit that the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information and the entrance where the entrance flag is written is the same as the entrance information corresponding to the first entrance lane through which the first vehicle passed, and receives the centrally calculated toll from the central device. The toll processing system according to C8. [C10] The second central communication unit transmits the first vehicle identification information and the first exit identification information of the first exit processing device to the central device before it is determined by the determination unit that the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information and that the entrance information corresponding to the entrance lane through which the first vehicle passed and the entrance where the entrance flag is written are the same, and receives the central calculated toll from the central device. The toll processing system according to C8. [C11] The toll processing system according to any one of C1 to C10 further includes a route device. The route device receives the first vehicle identification information and the first entrance identification information from the first in-vehicle unit of the first vehicle passing through a predetermined route via the first entrance lane, and when the first vehicle flows out of a preset specific area, a route vehicle communication unit that transmits an entrance flag clear command to the first in-vehicle unit; a second determination unit that determines whether the first vehicle flows out of the specific area based on the first entrance identification information transmitted from the first in-vehicle unit of the first vehicle passing through the predetermined route; and a third central communication unit that transmits a passing record including the first vehicle identification information and route identification information to the central device. The toll processing system according to any one of C1 to C10. The third central communication unit transmits a passing record including an outflow notification to the central device when the first vehicle flows out of a preset specific area. The toll processing system according to any one of C1 to C10. [C12] The toll processing system according to C2 further includes a route device. The route device receives the second vehicle identification information and the second entrance identification information from the second in-vehicle unit of the second vehicle passing through a predetermined route via the second entrance lane, and when the second vehicle flows into a preset specific area, a route vehicle communication unit that transmits an entrance flag command to the second in-vehicle unit; A third determination unit that determines whether or not the second vehicle flows into the specific area based on the second entrance identification information transmitted from the second vehicle-mounted device of the second vehicle passing through the predetermined route; A fourth central communication unit that transmits a passing record including the second vehicle identification information and route identification information to the central device, and is provided with; The fourth central communication unit transmits a passing record including an inflow notification to the central device when the second vehicle flows into a preset specific area. The toll processing system described in C2. [C13] Corresponding to toll calculation communication for calculating a toll by a central device, A determination unit that determines whether or not entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information transmitted from the first vehicle-mounted device of the first vehicle passing through the first exit lane via the first entrance lane; An exit vehicle communication unit that transmits the central calculated toll calculated by the central device to the first vehicle-mounted device when the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information; An exit processing device including a central communication unit that transmits the first exit identification information and the first vehicle identification information transmitted from the first vehicle-mounted device of the first vehicle to the central device and receives the central calculated toll from the central device. [C14] Further provided with an exit toll calculation unit for calculating an exit calculated toll, The exit vehicle communication unit receives the second vehicle identification information and the second entrance identification information from the second vehicle-mounted device of the second vehicle passing through the first exit lane via the second entrance lane of the second entrance processing device that is not compatible with the toll calculation communication, and when the entrance flag information is not included in the second entrance identification information, transmits the exit calculated toll calculated by the exit toll calculation unit to the second vehicle-mounted device, The exit toll calculation unit calculates the exit calculated toll based on a second passing section determined from the second entrance identification information and the first exit identification information and an exit toll table. The exit processing device of C13. An identification information communication unit that receives the first vehicle identification information and the first entrance identification information transmitted from an entrance processing device that receives the first vehicle identification information transmitted from a first in-vehicle device of a first vehicle passing through an entrance lane, and receives the first vehicle identification information and the exit identification information transmitted from an exit processing device that receives the first vehicle identification information transmitted from the first in-vehicle device of the first vehicle passing through an exit lane via the entrance lane; A central toll calculation unit that calculates a central calculated toll based on a first passing section determined from the first entrance identification information and the exit identification information and a central toll table; A toll communication unit that transmits the central calculated toll to the exit processing device for transmission from the exit processing device to the first in-vehicle device; A central device comprising the above. [C16] Corresponding to toll calculation communication for calculating a toll by a central device, Receiving, from a first in-vehicle device of a first vehicle passing through a first exit lane via a first entrance lane, first vehicle identification information and first entrance identification information, Determining whether entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information, When the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information, transmitting the first vehicle identification information and the first exit identification information of a first exit processing device to the central device and receiving a central calculated toll from the central device, An exit toll processing method for transmitting the central calculated toll calculated by the central device to the first in-vehicle device.

Explanation of Signs

[0277] 1…Central device, 11…Device communication section, 12…Control section, 13…Memory section, 2A…First entrance processing device, 2B…Second entrance processing device, 21A, 21B…Upper-level communication section, 22A, 22B…Control section, 23A, 23B…Departure controller, 24A, 24B…Roadside display, 25A, 25B…Vehicle communication section, 26A, 26B…Memory section, 3A…First exit processing device, 3A…First exit processing device, 3B…Second exit processing device, 31A, 31B…Upper-level communication section, 32A, 32B…Control section, 33A, 33B…Departure controller, 34A, 34B…Roadside display, 35A, 35B…Vehicle communication section, 36A, 36B…Memory section, 4A…First route device, 4B…Second route device, 41A, 41B…Upper-level communication section, 42A, 42B…Control section, 45A, 45B…Vehicle communication section, 45B…Vehicle communication section, 46A, 46B…Memory section, 5…On-vehicle unit, 51…Device communication section, 52…Control section, 53…Memory section, 54…Card processing section.

Claims

1. A toll processing system comprising a central device for calculating a toll, a first entrance processing device corresponding to toll calculation communication for calculating a toll by the central device, a first exit processing device corresponding to the toll calculation communication, and a route device corresponding to the toll calculation communication for determining inflow or outflow to a preset specific area, The first entrance processing device, A first entrance vehicle communication unit that receives first vehicle identification information from a first on-vehicle unit of a first vehicle passing through a first entrance lane and transmits first entrance identification information including entrance flag information to the first on-vehicle unit, An entrance central communication unit that transmits a first entry record including the first vehicle identification information and the first entrance identification information to the central device, and is provided with, The first exit processing device, A first exit vehicle communication unit that receives the first vehicle identification information and the first entrance identification information received from the first on-vehicle unit of the first vehicle passing through a first exit lane, A determination unit that determines whether the entrance flag information is included in the first entrance identification information received by the first exit vehicle communication unit, A first exit central communication unit that transmits the first vehicle identification information and the first exit identification information of the first exit processing device to the central device and receives a central calculated toll from the central device, And is provided with, The central device, An entrance / exit communication unit that receives the first entry record from the first entrance processing device, receives the first vehicle identification information and the first exit identification information from the first exit processing device, and transmits the central calculated toll to the first exit processing device, A central toll calculation unit that calculates the central calculated toll based on a first toll section determined from the first entrance identification information and the first exit identification information and a central toll table, The route device, A route vehicle communication unit that receives the first vehicle identification information and the first entrance identification information of the first entrance processing device from the first vehicle-mounted device of the first vehicle passing through a gate installed at the boundary of the preset specific area, and transmits route identification information to the first vehicle-mounted device; A route determination unit that determines whether the first vehicle flows into or out of the specific area based on the first entrance identification information; A route central communication unit that transmits a passage record including an inflow notification indicating that the first vehicle flows into the specific area or an outflow notification indicating that the first vehicle flows out of the specific area to the central device; and A toll processing system.

2. The toll processing system further includes A second exit processing device that does not support the toll calculation communication provided outside the specific area, The first entrance processing device is a first entrance device corresponding to the toll calculation communication provided within the specific area, The second exit processing device A second exit vehicle communication unit that receives the first vehicle identification information, the first entrance identification information, and the route identification information from the first vehicle-mounted device of the first vehicle passing through the second exit lane of the second exit processing device via the first entrance processing device and the route device; A second exit toll calculation unit that calculates an exit calculated toll based on a fifth passage section determined from the first entrance identification information received from the first vehicle-mounted device and the second exit identification information of the second exit processing device and an exit toll table; and The toll processing system according to claim 1.

3. The first entrance identification information includes the entrance flag information, The path vehicle communication unit of the path device receives the first vehicle identification information and the first entrance identification information from the first in-vehicle device of the first vehicle passing through the gate via the first entrance lane, and when the first vehicle flows out of the specific area, transmits an entrance flag clear command to the first in-vehicle device. The toll processing system according to claim 2.

4. The path determination unit of the path device determines that the first vehicle flows out of the specific area based on the first entrance identification information. The path central communication unit of the path device transmits a passing record including an outflow notification indicating that the first vehicle flows out of the specific area to the central device. The toll processing system according to claim 2.

5. The toll processing system further includes a second entrance processing device that does not support the toll calculation communication provided outside the specific area. The first exit processing device is provided within the specific area. The second entrance processing device includes a second entrance vehicle communication unit that receives second vehicle identification information from a second in-vehicle device of a second vehicle passing through a second entrance lane and transmits second entrance identification information of the second entrance processing device that does not include the entrance flag information to the second in-vehicle device. The path device includes a path vehicle communication unit that receives the second vehicle identification information and the second entrance identification information of the second entrance processing device from the second in-vehicle device of the second vehicle passing through the gate via the second entrance lane and transmits path identification information to the second in-vehicle device, a path determination unit that determines that the second vehicle flows into the specific area based on the second entrance identification information, and a path central communication unit that transmits the passing record including an inflow notification indicating that the second vehicle flows into the specific area to the central device. The toll processing system according to claim 1.

6. The first exit processing device: A determination unit that determines whether the entrance flag information is included in the second entrance identification information received from the second vehicle-mounted device of the second vehicle passing through the first exit lane via the second entrance lane and the gate; When the determination unit determines that the entrance flag information is not included in the second entrance identification information, a first exit toll calculation unit that calculates an exit calculated toll based on the fourth passage section determined from the second entrance identification information received from the second vehicle-mounted device and the first exit identification information of the first exit processing device and an exit toll table; The toll processing system according to claim 5.

7. The first exit processing device: A first exit vehicle communication unit that receives the second vehicle identification information, the second entrance identification information, and the route identification information from the second vehicle-mounted device of the second vehicle passing through the first exit lane; A first exit central communication unit that transmits the second vehicle identification information, the route identification information, and the first exit identification information of the first exit processing device to the central device and receives the central calculated toll from the central device; The central device: An entrance / exit communication unit that receives the passing record from the route device, receives the second vehicle identification information, the route identification information, and the first exit identification information from the first exit processing device, and transmits the central calculated toll to the first exit processing device; A central toll calculation unit that calculates the central calculated toll based on the fourth passage section determined from the passing record and the first exit identification information and a central toll table; The toll processing system according to claim 5.

8. The toll processing system: A second entrance processing device provided outside the specific area and not corresponding to the toll calculation communication, and a first exit processing device provided in the specific area and corresponding to the toll calculation communication. The second entrance processing device receives second vehicle identification information from a second on-vehicle unit of a second vehicle passing through a second entrance lane, and transmits second entrance identification information of the second entrance processing device not including the entrance flag information to the second on-vehicle unit, and includes a second entrance vehicle communication unit. The route device receives the second vehicle identification information and the second entrance identification information of the second entrance processing device from the second on-vehicle unit of the second vehicle passing through the gate via the second entrance lane, and transmits route identification information and an entrance flag command to the second on-vehicle unit, and includes a route vehicle communication unit. A route determination unit that determines that the second vehicle flows into the specific area based on the second entrance identification information. And a route central communication unit that transmits the passing record including an inflow notification indicating that the second vehicle flows into the specific area to the central device. The toll processing system according to claim 1.

9. The first exit processing device includes a determination unit that determines whether the entrance flag information is included in the second entrance identification information received from the second on-vehicle unit of the second vehicle passing through the first exit lane. When it is determined by the determination unit that the entrance flag information is included in the second entrance identification information received from the second on-vehicle unit of the second vehicle, the first exit central communication unit transmits the second vehicle identification information, the route identification information, and the first exit identification information of the first exit processing device to the central device, and receives the central calculated toll from the central device. The toll processing system according to claim 8.

10. The first exit processing device includes a determination unit that determines whether the entrance flag information is included in the second entrance identification information received from the second on-vehicle unit of the second vehicle passing through the first exit lane. Before it is determined by the determination unit whether the entrance flag information is included in the second entrance identification information received from the second on-vehicle unit of the second vehicle, the first exit central communication unit transmits the second vehicle identification information, the route identification information, and the first exit identification information of the first exit processing device to the central device, and receives the central calculated toll from the central device. The toll processing system according to claim 8.

11. A route device corresponding to toll calculation communication for calculating a toll by a central device, used in a toll processing system, receives vehicle identification information from an on-vehicle unit of a vehicle passing through a gate installed at a boundary of a preset specific area and entrance identification information of an entrance processing device corresponding to the entrance lane through which the vehicle has passed, and transmits route identification information to the on-vehicle unit; a route determination unit that determines whether the vehicle flows into or out of the specific area based on the entrance identification information; a route central communication unit that transmits a passing record including an inflow notification indicating that the vehicle flows into the specific area or an outflow notification indicating that the vehicle flows out of the specific area to the central device; A route device comprising:

12. When the toll processing system is a toll processing system in which the on-vehicle unit of the vehicle passing through the entrance lane in the entrance processing device receives entrance flag information and writes an entrance flag based on the entrance flag information to an ETC card, when it is determined based on the entrance identification information received from the on-vehicle unit of the vehicle that the vehicle flows out of the specific area, the route vehicle communication unit transmits a clear command for the entrance flag to the on-vehicle unit of the vehicle. The path center communication unit transmits the passing record including the outflow notice to the central device. The path device according to claim 11.

13. When the toll processing system is a toll processing system in which the in-vehicle device of the vehicle passing through the entrance lane in the entrance processing device does not write an entrance flag based on the entrance flag information to the ETC card, When it is determined based on the received entrance identification information from the in-vehicle device of the vehicle that the vehicle has flowed out of the specific area, the path vehicle communication unit does not transmit a clear command for the entrance flag to the in-vehicle device of the vehicle, The path center communication unit transmits the passing record including the outflow notice to the central device. The path device according to claim 11.

14. When the toll processing system is a toll processing system in which the in-vehicle device of the vehicle passing through the entrance lane in the entrance processing device receives the entrance flag information and writes an entrance flag based on the entrance flag information to the ETC card, When it is determined based on the received entrance identification information from the in-vehicle device of the vehicle that the vehicle has flowed into the specific area, the path vehicle communication unit transmits an entrance flag command to the in-vehicle device of the vehicle, The path center communication unit transmits the passing record including the inflow notice to the central device. The path device according to claim 11.

15. A determination unit that determines whether the first entrance identification information received from the first in-vehicle device of the first vehicle passing through the first exit lane includes the entrance flag information, and determines whether the second entrance identification information received from the second in-vehicle device of the second vehicle passing through the first exit lane via a gate installed at the boundary between the second entrance lane and the specific area includes the entrance flag information; An exit vehicle communication unit that transmits the central calculated toll calculated by the central device to the first in-vehicle device when the first entrance identification information includes the entrance flag information; A central communication unit that corresponds to toll calculation communication for calculating tolls by the central device, transmits first exit identification information and first vehicle identification information received from the first in-vehicle unit of the first vehicle to the central device, and receives the central calculated toll from the central device; An exit processing device comprising the same.

16. The exit processing device is When the determination unit determines that the entrance flag information is not included in the second entrance identification information, a first exit toll calculation unit that calculates an exit calculated toll based on a fourth toll section determined from the second entrance identification information received from the second in-vehicle unit and the first exit identification information, and an exit toll table; The exit processing device according to claim 15.

17. The exit processing device is When the determination unit determines that the entrance flag information is included in the second entrance identification information received from the second in-vehicle unit of the second vehicle, an exit central communication unit that transmits the second vehicle identification information of the second vehicle, route identification information received from the second in-vehicle unit, and the first exit identification information to the central device, and receives the central calculated toll from the central device; The exit processing device according to claim 15.

18. The exit processing device is Before the determination unit determines whether the entrance flag information is included in the second entrance identification information received from the second in-vehicle unit of the second vehicle, an exit central communication unit that transmits the second vehicle identification information of the second vehicle, route identification information received from the second in-vehicle unit, and the first exit identification information to the central device, and receives the central calculated toll from the central device; The exit processing device according to claim 15.

19. The entrance / exit communication unit receives, from a route device, a passing record including an inflow notification indicating that the vehicle has passed through a gate installed at the boundary of a preset specific area and entered the specific area, or an outflow notification indicating that the vehicle has passed through the gate and exited the specific area, and receives, from an on-vehicle unit of the vehicle passing through an exit lane via the gate, vehicle identification information, route identification information, and exit identification information of the vehicle from an exit processing device. Based on a fourth passing section determined from the passing record and the exit identification information and a central toll table, a central toll calculation unit calculates a centrally calculated toll. A toll communication unit transmits the centrally calculated toll to the exit processing device for transmission from the exit processing device to the on-vehicle unit. A central device comprising the above.

20. An exit toll processing method by an exit processing device corresponding to toll calculation communication for calculating a toll by a central device, comprising: An exit vehicle communication unit receives vehicle identification information, entrance identification information, and route identification information from an on-vehicle unit of a vehicle passing through an exit lane via a gate corresponding to a route device. A determination unit determines whether entrance flag information is included in the entrance identification information. When the entrance flag information is included in the entrance identification information, an exit central communication unit transmits the vehicle identification information, the route identification information, and the exit identification information of the exit processing device to the central device and receives a centrally calculated toll from the central device. The exit vehicle communication unit transmits the centrally calculated toll calculated by the central device to the on-vehicle unit. An exit toll processing method.

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