Postpaid information generating device, fee collection system, postpaid information generating method, and program

Abstract

To provide a future payment information generation device, a fee collection system, a method for generating future payment information, and a program which make it easier to pay a toll.SOLUTION: The future payment information generation unit includes: a payment confirmation unit for confirming whether a user as a passenger of a vehicle pays a toll to use a toll road by a future payment; a cashless processing unit for performing cashless payment processing in relation to the confirmation that the user does not employ a future payment; a certificate information acquisition unit for acquiring user information of a public certificate owned by the user in relation to the confirmation that the user employs a future payment; and a future payment data generation unit for generating future payment data in which user information and a toll are related to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a deferred payment information generating device, a fee collection system, a deferred payment information generating method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Electronic toll collection systems (ETC: Electronic Toll Collection System (registered trademark), also called "automatic toll collection system") are widely used at toll gates on toll roads.

[0003] Among toll road users, there are compatible vehicles equipped with dedicated onboard units (hereinafter referred to as "ETC vehicles") and non-compatible vehicles that do not have onboard units (hereinafter referred to as "non-ETC vehicles").

[0004] For non-ETC vehicles, toll collectors stationed at manned booths on the road side of the toll gate may collect tolls by directly handing over toll tickets, cash, credit cards, etc. to users of non-ETC vehicles.

[0005] In recent years, a method has been considered for non-ETC vehicle users in which toll collectors take down the information on the face of the user's official certificate (such as a driver's license, My Number card, or passport, which is a certificate related to an individual issued by a government agency or related organization) and collect (invoice) the toll from the individual at a later date (hereinafter referred to as ex-post collection).The ex-post collection procedure also requires the toll collector to hand over the official certificate to the user, which means that they must meet face-to-face with the user.

[0006] As a technique related to the present disclosure, Patent Document 1 discloses a toll collection system that can collect tolls without using a medium such as an IC card that is set in an on-board device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-092850 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1, payment processing of the toll is carried out at the exit using payment information registered in advance. For this reason, in the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to pay the toll by any means other than settlement using pre-registered settlement information.

[0009] The purpose of the present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and provides a deferred payment information generation device, a toll collection system, a deferred payment information generation method, and a program that make it easy to pay tolls. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problem, the deferred payment information generation device disclosed herein comprises a settlement confirmation unit that confirms whether the settlement of tolls for toll roads by a user in a vehicle is deferred payment or not, a cashless processing unit that performs cashless settlement processing in connection with the confirmation that it is not deferred payment, a certificate information acquisition unit that acquires user information contained in a public certificate held by the user in connection with the confirmation that it is deferred payment, and a deferred payment data generation unit that generates deferred payment data in which the user information and the toll are associated.

[0011] The disclosed method for generating deferred payment information verifies whether a toll for a toll road paid by a user in a vehicle is deferred payment, and in connection with the confirmation that it is not deferred payment, performs a cashless settlement process, and in connection with the confirmation that it is deferred payment, obtains user information contained in a public certificate held by the user, and generates deferred payment data that associates the user information with the toll.

[0012] The program disclosed herein causes a computer of a deferred payment information generating device to confirm whether a toll for a toll road by a user in a vehicle is to be paid deferred, and in connection with the confirmation that it is not to be paid deferred, perform a cashless settlement process, and in connection with the confirmation that it is to be paid deferred, obtain user information contained in a public certificate held by the user, and generate deferred payment data in which the user information and the toll are associated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The deferred payment information generating device, toll collection system, deferred payment information generating method, and program disclosed herein make it easy to pay tolls. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toll collection system at an exit according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a deferred payment information generation device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of checking payment means according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a passage ticket process according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of ETC card processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of credit card processing according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a user information acquisition process according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, the toll collection system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] (Overall composition) The toll collection system 1 according to this embodiment is a device for charging tolls to users who use toll roads such as expressways. As shown in FIG. 1, the toll collection system 1 includes a deferred payment information generation device 3 in a lane L1 at an exit EX from a toll road to an ordinary road. The toll collection system 1 further includes a monitoring device 4 and a higher-level device 9 at a remote location on the lane L1.

[0017] At the exit EX (exit toll gate), the toll collection system 1 has a function to read the entrance information and vehicle type information of the toll ticket issued at the entrance (entrance toll gate) of the distance-based toll section, as well as a function to acquire information from official certificates, and has a function to generate deferred payment data PY in which the toll TL and user information CI are associated. On the other hand, by using the toll collection system 1, users can choose to settle the fare at the exit EX using a credit card or an electronic toll collection card compatible with ETC (hereinafter also referred to as an "ETC card"), or to pay later. Here, "post-payment" includes payment that is collected after the ticket has left the exit EX through a collection system or the like, and payment that is collected after the ticket has left the exit EX. In this embodiment, both of these are collectively referred to as "post-payment." The function for obtaining information from official certificates is a function for obtaining information necessary for post-payment collection.

[0018] (equipment) The toll collection system 1 is provided in association with the following facilities:

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, lane L1, which is a facility of exit EX, is separated by island IL. Island IL is a structure that restricts lane L1 so that only one vehicle A can travel on it at a time. Hereinafter, the direction in which lane L1 extends (±X direction) will be referred to as the "lane direction." The entry side (-X side) of vehicle A in the lane direction will also be referred to as the "upstream side," and the exit side (+X side) will also be referred to as the "downstream side." Furthermore, the width direction of lane L1 (±Y direction) will be referred to as the "lane width direction."

[0020] For simplicity, only one lane L1 is shown in FIG. 1, but in reality, multiple lanes L1 are installed in parallel.

[0021] When the traveling vehicle A is an ETC vehicle, the toll collection system 1 can perform wireless communication processing via the ETC equipment 2, which is a toll road facility, while the vehicle A is traveling on the lane L1. On the other hand, if the traveling vehicle A is a non-ETC vehicle, or if the vehicle is an ETC vehicle but wishes to be issued a usage statement, the toll collection system 1 performs processing so that the user aboard vehicle A can select the payment method.

[0022] The ETC equipment 2 is a group of devices that automatically executes toll collection processing via wireless communication from ETC vehicles equipped with on-board units. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, the ETC equipment 2 includes an approaching vehicle detector 21, an antenna 22, a communicating vehicle detector 23, a lane control device 24, a departure controller 25, and an exiting vehicle detector 26 at the exit EX. The ETC facility 2 further includes a tollgate server 7 (security processing device) at a remote location on the lane L1 as a facility for performing ETC card payments. The tollgate server 7 is connected to the deferred payment information generation device 3 so that they can communicate with each other mainly via an in-house communication network (LAN: Local Area Network).

[0023] The approaching vehicle detector 21 is, for example, a transmission type vehicle detector as shown in Fig. 1. The approaching vehicle detector 21 detects the entry of vehicle A into lane L1. In this case, the approaching vehicle detector 21 transmits an entry detection signal to the lane control device 24.

[0024] The antenna 22 is a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with an ETC vehicle (vehicle A) traveling on the lane L1.

[0025] The communicating vehicle detector 23 has the same equipment configuration as the approach-side vehicle detector 21, and detects the passage (entrance to exit) of vehicle A at the installation position. When the communicating vehicle detector 23 detects the passage of vehicle A at the installation position, it transmits a passage detection signal to the lane control device 24.

[0026] The departure controller 25 opens (allows vehicle A to pass) or closes (restricts vehicle A from passing) the lane L1 by raising or lowering the opening and closing bar in accordance with an opening or closing command from the lane control device 24, which will be described later.

[0027] The exiting vehicle detector 26 has the same device configuration as the entering vehicle detector 21, and detects the exit of vehicle A from lane L1. When the exiting vehicle detector 26 detects that vehicle A has exited lane L1, it transmits an exit detection signal to the lane control device 24.

[0028] The lane control device 24 performs a series of controls on various installed devices in the lane L1. Specifically, the lane control device 24 starts wireless communication (transmission of radio waves) when it receives an approach detection signal from the approaching vehicle detector 21 as a trigger. Furthermore, the lane control device 24 ends the wireless communication (transmission of radio waves) triggered by receiving a passage detection signal from the communicating vehicle detector 23. Here, if vehicle A is an ETC vehicle, the lane control device 24 completes the wireless communication for toll collection with vehicle A. Furthermore, the lane control device 24 controls the start controller 25 to open when it is triggered by the successful completion of wireless communication for toll collection with the ETC vehicle via the antenna 22. The lane control device 24 also controls the start controller 25 to close when it is triggered by the receipt of an exit detection signal from the exiting vehicle detector 26.

[0029] Authorization center 8 is located in a remote location on lane L1 and is a facility for processing credit card payments. The authorization center 8 is connected to the deferred payment information generation device 3 via a wide area network (WAN) so that they can communicate with each other.

[0030] (Configuration of deferred payment information generation device) The deferred payment information generating device 3 is a roadside device installed at the exit EX. As shown in Figure 2, the deferred payment information generation device 3 functionally comprises a settlement confirmation unit 301, a pass processing unit 302, a fare calculation unit 303, a cashless processing unit 304, a certificate information acquisition unit 305, and a deferred payment data generation unit 306.

[0031] The hardware configuration of the deferred payment information generation device 3 includes a CPU 30, an imaging unit 31, a call device 32, a user interface 33, a reading unit 34, a statement issuing unit 35, a memory 36, a communication interface 37, and a recording medium 38. The deferred payment information generating device 3 calculates the toll TL based on the entrance information, vehicle type information, etc., and displays it to the user. Furthermore, the deferred payment information generating device 3 acquires information on official certificates (driver's licenses, My Number cards, passports, etc., certificates related to individuals issued by government agencies or their related organizations) of non-ETC vehicle users from the roadside of lane L1 at exit EX so that the toll TL can be collected after the fact.

[0032] The CPU 30 is a processor that performs various functions by operating in accordance with pre-prepared programs. The functions of the CPU 30 will be described later.

[0033] The imaging unit 31 is equipped with a camera or the like, and captures an image of the face of an official certificate (e.g., a driver's license) held by the user, thereby obtaining an image of the official certificate, allowing an observer to visually confirm the user's personal identification information (e.g., license number) through the monitoring device 4. The imaging unit 31 captures an image of the face of the pass held by the user at the entrance, and makes it visible, so that the monitor can visually confirm the face information of the pass through the monitoring device 4.

[0034] The communication device 32 is provided for the purpose of enabling conversational communication between the monitor and the user, and includes a microphone, speaker, etc.

[0035] The user interface 33 is provided for the purpose of allowing the user to input desired processing to the deferred payment information generation device 3, and includes a touch panel or the like.

[0036] The reading unit 34 is for reading credit cards, ETC cards, and toll tickets inserted by users, and includes a reader, an insertion slot, and the like.

[0037] The statement issuing unit 35 prints a statement for the user, and is equipped with a printer, a discharge port, and the like.

[0038] The memory 36 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 30 .

[0039] The communication interface 37 is a connection interface for connecting to other devices so as to be able to communicate with them via a wide area communication network or a local area communication network.

[0040] The recording medium 38 is a local recording medium provided within the housing of the deferred payment information generation device 3, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD.

[0041] Next, the function of the CPU 30 of the deferred payment information generation device 3 will be described. The CPU 30 operates according to a pre-prepared program, thereby performing the functions of a settlement confirmation unit 301, a pass processing unit 302, a fare calculation unit 303, a cashless processing unit 304, a certificate information acquisition unit 305, and a deferred payment data generation unit 306, as described above.

[0042] The settlement confirmation unit 301 accepts an input instruction to the user interface 33 by the user at the exit EX, and thereby confirms whether the settlement of the toll TL is deferred payment or not. The settlement confirmation unit 301 accepts an instruction input by the user to the user interface 33, and thereby confirms whether the toll TL is to be settled by credit card. The settlement confirmation unit 301 accepts an instruction input by the user to the user interface 33 to confirm whether or not a pass is available.

[0043] The toll ticket processing unit 302 acquires the entrance information and vehicle type information recorded on the toll ticket.

[0044] The toll calculation unit 303 calculates the toll TL based on the information at the exit EX, as well as the entrance information, vehicle type information, and pre-distributed toll table information. In this case, the fee calculation unit 303 calculates the fee for users of ETC vehicles based on the entrance information and vehicle type information from the ETC equipment 2, and for users of non-ETC vehicles, it calculates the fee based on the entrance information and vehicle type information obtained from the toll ticket. However, for users of ETC vehicles who have not successfully completed wireless communication charging by the ETC equipment 2 due to a communication error or the like (faulty ETC vehicles), the toll calculation unit 303 calculates the toll TL based on the entrance and vehicle type information recorded on the ETC card. On the other hand, if the reason for the unsuccessful completion of wireless communication charging lies in the ETC card and the entrance and vehicle type information is not recorded on the ETC card, it will be necessary to calculate the toll TL via a separate device and input the information. In addition, even if a user is an ETC vehicle, if the user removes the ETC card from the on-board unit in advance and enters the entrance (as a non-ETC vehicle) in order to obtain a usage statement in the exit lane L1, the toll calculation unit 303 calculates the toll TL based on the entrance and vehicle type information recorded on the ETC card.

[0045] The cacheless processing unit 304 includes a first processing unit 3041 and a second processing unit 3042 . The cashless processing unit 304 performs cashless payment processing (credit card, ETC card) in relation to the confirmation by the payment confirmation unit 301 that the payment is not deferred payment. Specifically, in connection with the confirmation in the settlement confirmation unit 301 that "payment is by credit card," the first processing unit 3041 prompts the user through the user interface 33 to insert the credit card into the reading unit 34, and performs the settlement process using the credit card. In addition, in connection with the confirmation in the settlement confirmation unit 301 that the settlement is not a credit card settlement, the second processing unit 3042 prompts the user through the user interface 33 to insert the ETC card into the reading unit 34, and performs the settlement process using the ETC card.

[0046] The certificate information acquisition unit 305 acquires user information CI included in the official certificate held by the user. At that time, in connection with the confirmation of "postpaid" in the settlement confirmation unit 301, the certificate information acquisition unit 305 prompts the user to present the official certificate to the imaging unit 31 via the user interface 33, and acquires the user information CI.

[0047] The deferred payment data generating unit 306 generates deferred payment data PY in which the user information CI and the toll TL are associated as data for deferred payment.

[0048] (Configuration of monitoring device) The monitoring device 4 is an information terminal used by a toll collector stationed at the toll booth office to monitor the lane L1 and remotely control various equipment installed at the exit EX (post-payment information generating device 3, departure control device 25, etc.). The monitoring device 4 is communicably connected to the deferred payment information generation device 3 so that each function of the deferred payment information generation device 3 can be remotely controlled. The monitoring device 4 displays an image of the face of the official certificate or the face of the pass presented by the user who has arrived at the exit EX so that the collector can see it.

[0049] (Configuration of upper device) The upper device 9 is communicatively connected to each of the devices, the deferred payment information generating device 3 and the monitoring device 4, via a wide area communication network or an in-house communication network, and aggregates the information received sequentially from each device and distributes the information to each device. The higher-level device 9 receives the deferred payment data PY transmitted by the deferred payment information generating device 3.

[0050] (Toll collection system processing flow) The processing flow of the toll collection system 1 will be described.

[0051] (Check payment method) Passengers in vehicle A traveling on the toll road and arriving at exit EX will travel through lane L1 (a lane with a sign such as "support") where toll collectors can provide assistance. The collector who detects the entry of vehicle A begins responding to the customer (intercom call) via the monitoring device 4 and the deferred payment information generating device 3. 3, the payment confirmation unit 301, in response to an instruction from the monitoring device 4, checks the payment method by sequentially confirming whether payment is to be made later (ST01-1), whether payment is to be made by credit card (ST01-2), and whether a pass is present (ST01-3) (ST01: payment confirmation step). At this time, the payment confirmation unit 301 presents each option to the user in order via the user interface 33 and allows the user to select and confirm. The processing of ST01 will be explained in detail below.

[0052] If it is confirmed in the process of ST01-1 that payment is deferred (ST01-1: Yes), proceed to the process of F2. In this case, the user has a pass at the exit EX and needs to settle the fare using the pass. Here, since cash payments at the exit EX would place a burden on the operation of the toll collection system 1, the deferred payment information generating device 3 does not accept the payment and processes it as deferred payment.

[0053] In the process of ST01-1, if it is confirmed that the payment is not deferred (ST01-1: No), the process proceeds to ST01-2. The process that goes through this confirmation is related to the confirmation that the payment is not deferred, and is the process that proceeds when the user wishes to settle the payment cashlessly.

[0054] If it is confirmed in the process of ST01-2 that the payment is to be made by credit card (ST01-2: Yes), the process proceeds to F2. In this case, the user has a pass at exit EX and needs to pay using the pass.

[0055] If it is confirmed in the process of ST01-2 that the payment is not made by credit card (ST01-2: No), the process proceeds to ST01-3. Note that the process of ST01-3 is carried out when the user wishes to pay with an ETC card.

[0056] In the process of ST01-3, if it is confirmed that a toll ticket is present (ST01-3: Yes), proceed to F2. In this case, the user has an ETC card but needs to settle the fare with a toll ticket, for example, because they are riding in a non-ETC vehicle.

[0057] If it is confirmed in the processing of ST01-3 that there is no pass (ST01-3: No), the process proceeds to processing F1. In this case, the user is, for example, a user who has recorded entrance information and vehicle type information on the ETC card without receiving a pass by passing through the ETC lane at the entrance with an ETC vehicle, and who wishes to be issued a statement of usage related to payments made with the ETC card.

[0058] (Toll ticket processing) When the process proceeds to F2, the deferred payment information generation device 3 acquires the entrance information and vehicle type information recorded on the toll ticket, as shown in FIG. 4, and calculates the toll (ST02: toll ticket processing step).

[0059] In processing ST02, the pass processing unit 302 prompts the user to insert the pass in response to an instruction to do so from the monitoring device 4, and obtains the entrance information and vehicle type information recorded on the inserted pass using magnetic reading, two-dimensional code reading, OCR (Optical character recognition) functions, etc.

[0060] If a reading error occurs, the toll ticket processing unit 302 returns the toll ticket to the user, prompts the user to present the toll ticket to the imaging unit 31, and extracts information from the toll ticket using the OCR function, etc. Regarding the extracted toll ticket information, a toll collector stationed at the toll booth office checks and corrects the OCR results while referring to the toll ticket image via the monitoring device 4, confirms the entrance information and vehicle type information recorded on the toll ticket, and transmits it to the deferred payment information generation device 3.

[0061] The toll calculation unit 303 calculates the toll TL based on the acquired entrance information and vehicle type information and displays it to the user. When a discount such as a discount for people with disabilities is applied, the toll calculation unit 303 displays the discounted toll TL.

[0062] When the processing of ST02 is completed, proceed to processing of F1, F3, or F4. At that time, if the process in ST01 has gone through ST01-3: Yes (that is, if the user pays the toll calculated using the toll ticket with an ETC card), proceed to F1. Also, in the processing of ST01, if ST01-2: Yes is passed (that is, if the user pays the toll calculated using the toll ticket with a credit card), proceed to F3. Also, in the processing of ST01, if ST01-1: Yes is passed (that is, if the user pays the toll calculated using the toll ticket later), proceed to F4.

[0063] (ETC card processing) When proceeding to the processing of F1, the deferred payment information generation device 3 performs a cashless settlement process (ST03: cashless settlement process step) by performing a settlement process using an ETC card (ST03-1: ETC card processing step) as shown in FIG.

[0064] In the processing of ST03-1, the second processing unit 3042, upon receiving an instruction from the monitoring device 4 to insert an ETC card, prompts the user to insert the ETC card, and performs a settlement process using the inserted ETC card while communicating with the tollgate server 7. When the settlement process using the ETC card is completed, the second processing unit 3042 allows vehicle A to pass and issues a usage statement.

[0065] (Credit card processing) When the process proceeds to F3, the deferred payment information generation device 3 performs a cashless settlement process (ST03: cashless settlement process) by credit card (ST03-2: credit card processing step) as shown in FIG.

[0066] In the processing of ST03-2, the first processing unit 3041, upon receiving an instruction from the monitoring device 4 to insert a credit card, prompts the user to insert the credit card, and performs settlement processing using the inserted credit card while communicating with the authorization center 8. When the settlement processing using the credit card is completed, the first processing unit 3041 allows vehicle A to pass and issues a usage statement.

[0067] (User information acquisition process and deferred payment data generation process) When proceeding to the processing of F4, the deferred payment information generation device 3 acquires user information CI (ST04: user information acquisition processing step) and generates deferred payment data PY (ST05: deferred payment data generation step), as shown in FIG.

[0068] In the processing of ST04, the certificate information acquisition unit 305, in response to an instruction from the monitoring device 4, prompts the user to present the official certificate to the imaging unit 31, captures an image of the official certificate, and extracts information from the official certificate using an OCR function or the like. A toll collector stationed at the toll booth office checks and corrects the OCR results of the extracted official certificate information while referring to the image of the official certificate via the monitoring device 4, determines the user information CI, and transmits it to the deferred payment information generation device 3. The deferred payment information generation device 3 acquires the transmitted user information CI.

[0069] In the process of ST05, the certificate information acquisition unit 305 generates deferred payment data PY in which the user information CI and the toll TL are associated as deferred payment data, transmits the data to the higher-level device 9, and permits the vehicle A to pass. For example, the deferred payment data PY includes toll information (toll gate (entrance / exit), passage time (entrance / exit, vehicle type, toll TL), user information CI (name, address, etc.), and various evidence (image of official certificate, etc.).

[0070] (Action and effect) According to this embodiment, the deferred payment information generating device 3 can obtain user information CI for users who wish to pay later, allowing road operators to collect fees later and allow deferred payment for users who wish to pay later. Therefore, the deferred payment information generating device 3 makes it easier for the user to pay the toll TL. In addition, the deferred payment information generating device 3 allows users who are eligible for cashless payment to complete payment on the spot, thereby reducing the number of users eligible for deferred payment and reducing the effort required to obtain user information CI and manage the payment status of deferred payment even in lane L1. Furthermore, the deferred payment information generating device 3 uses a method in which the user is required to present information on an official certificate, which motivates the user to make a deferred payment without fail.

[0071] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the payment confirmation unit 301 confirms whether or not the payment is to be made by credit card, and therefore payment by credit card can be permitted.

[0072] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the deferred payment information generation device 3 includes the first processing unit 3041 that performs settlement processing using a credit card, so that settlement can be completed on the spot using a credit card.

[0073] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the deferred payment information generating device 3 includes the second processing unit 3042 that performs settlement processing using an ETC card, so that settlement can be completed on the spot using an ETC card.

[0074] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the settlement confirmation unit 301 checks whether or not a toll road pass is available, so the deferred payment information generating device 3 can accommodate users who have recorded entrance information and vehicle type information on their ETC card by passing through the ETC lane at the entrance with an ETC vehicle without receiving a pass, and who wish to be issued a statement of usage for payments made with the ETC card.

[0075] In this embodiment, the various processing steps of the devices constituting the deferred payment information generation device 3 are stored in the form of a program on a computer-readable recording medium, and the above-mentioned various processes are performed by a computer reading and executing the program. The computer-readable recording medium refers to a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, etc. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that receives the program may execute the program.

[0076] The above-mentioned program may be a program for realizing some of the above-mentioned functions, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0077] <Modification> In the above embodiment, the settlement confirmation unit 301 presents the user with the options of whether to pay later, whether to pay by credit card, and whether to have a pass, in that order, and allows the user to select from these options, but the three options may be presented and selected in any order.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the user inputs the desired settlement method to the deferred payment information generation device 3 into the user interface 33, but the settlement method may be confirmed in any way as long as it can be confirmed. Alternatively, confirmation of the settlement means may be by verbal confirmation via the communication device 32 and the monitoring device 4. At this time, by accepting the result of the verbal confirmation input by the collector into the monitoring device 4, the settlement confirmation unit 301 confirms whether payment is made later, whether payment is made by credit card, and whether a pass is present.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the settlement confirmation unit 301 presents the user with the options of whether to pay later, whether to pay by credit card, and whether to have a pass, in that order, and allows the user to select from these options, but any selection may be made as long as the user can confirm the three options. As a modified example, the settlement confirmation unit 301 may present a plurality of combinations of the three options to the user via the user interface 33, and allow the user to select from the plurality of combinations.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the deferred payment information generating device 3 confirms whether or not it is deferred payment, whether or not it is settled by credit card, and whether or not a pass is present, but any configuration of the deferred payment information generating device 3 may be omitted or added as long as it at least confirms whether or not it is deferred payment and performs cashless settlement processing in connection with the confirmation that it is not deferred payment.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the deferred payment information generating device 3 performs cashless settlement processing using a credit card or ETC card, but any cashless settlement processing may be used as long as the settlement is completed on the spot.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the deferred payment information generation device 3 is installed at the exit EX of the toll road, but it may be installed anywhere as long as the toll is determined before reaching the exit EX. As a modified example, if the toll TL is determined at the time of entering the entrance, the deferred payment information generation device 3 may be provided at the entrance. As another modification, if the toll TL is determined at the time of entering the main toll gate, the deferred payment information generation device 3 may be provided at the main toll gate.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the deferred payment information generating device 3 displays the toll TL to the user, but displaying the toll TL to the user is not mandatory, and the toll can also be communicated verbally by an automated voice or a collector via an intercom.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the deferred payment information generation device 3 captures the face of the official certificate using the imaging unit 31, but may be configured in any way as long as it can acquire user information CI. As a modified example, the deferred payment information generation device 3 may be provided with a contactless IC card reader instead of (or in addition to) the imaging unit 31. In this way, the deferred payment information generation device 3 can read the IC chip of an official certificate having a built-in IC chip using the contactless IC card reader and obtain the user information CI.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, the deferred payment information generating device 3 is a roadside device installed at the exit EX, but it does not have to be a roadside device as long as at least the imaging unit 31, the communication equipment 32, the user interface 33, the reading unit 34, and the usage statement issuing unit 35 are installed on the roadside of the lane L1 of the exit EX. As a modified example, at least one of the CPU 30, the memory 36, the communication interface 37, and the recording medium 38 may be provided at a location away from the lane L1.

[0086] As described above, the embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described, but the embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0087] <Additional Notes> The deferred payment information generating device, fee collection system, deferred payment information generating method, and program described in the embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0088] (1) The deferred payment information generation device 3 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a settlement confirmation unit 301 that confirms whether the settlement of the toll TL of a toll road by a user aboard vehicle A is deferred payment or not, a cashless processing unit 304 that performs cashless settlement processing in connection with the confirmation that it is not deferred payment, a certificate information acquisition unit 305 that acquires user information CI contained in a public certificate held by the user in connection with the confirmation that it is deferred payment, and a deferred payment data generation unit that generates deferred payment data in which the user information CI and the toll TL are associated.

[0089] According to this embodiment, the deferred payment information generating device 3 can obtain user information CI for users who wish to pay later, allowing road operators to collect fees later and allow deferred payment for users who wish to pay later. Therefore, the deferred payment information generating device 3 makes it easier for the user to pay the toll TL. In addition, the deferred payment information generating device 3 allows users who are eligible for cashless payment to complete payment on the spot, thereby reducing the number of users eligible for deferred payment and reducing the effort required to obtain user information CI and manage the payment status of deferred payment even in lane L1. Furthermore, the deferred payment information generating device 3 uses a method in which the user is required to present information on an official certificate, which motivates the user to make a deferred payment without fail.

[0090] (2) The deferred payment information generation device 3 according to the second aspect of the present disclosure is the deferred payment information generation device 3 of (2) in which the settlement confirmation unit 301 confirms whether the settlement is a credit card settlement.

[0091] According to this embodiment, the deferred payment information generation device 3 can accept payment by credit card.

[0092] (3) The deferred payment information generating device 3 relating to the third aspect of the present disclosure is the deferred payment information generating device 3 of (2), in which the cashless processing unit 304 further includes a first processing unit 3041 that performs settlement processing by credit card in connection with the confirmation that the settlement is by credit card.

[0093] According to this embodiment, the deferred payment information generation device 3 can complete the settlement on the spot using a credit card.

[0094] (4) The deferred payment information generating device 3 relating to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the deferred payment information generating device 3 of (3), further comprising a second processing unit 3042 in which the cashless processing unit 304 performs settlement processing using an ETC card in connection with the confirmation that the payment is not deferred payment and is not a credit card settlement.

[0095] According to this embodiment, the deferred payment information generating device 3 can complete the settlement on the spot using an ETC card.

[0096] (5) The deferred payment information generating device 3 relating to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the deferred payment information generating devices (1) to (4), in which the settlement confirmation unit 301 confirms whether or not there is a toll road pass.

[0097] According to this embodiment, the deferred payment information generating device 3 can accommodate users who have recorded entrance information and vehicle type information on their ETC card by passing through the ETC lane at the entrance with an ETC vehicle without receiving a pass, and who wish to be issued a usage statement for payments made with the ETC card.

[0098] (6) A fee collection system 1 according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure includes a deferred payment information generating device 3 according to any one of (1) to (5) and a higher-level device 9 that receives the deferred payment data PY.

[0099] According to this embodiment, the toll collection system 1 can acquire user information CI for users who wish to pay later, which enables road operators to collect tolls later and allows users who wish to pay later to do so. Therefore, the toll collection system 1 makes it easy for users to pay the toll TL. In addition, according to the toll collection system 1, for users who are able to pay cashlessly, payment can be completed on the spot, which reduces the number of users who are eligible for deferred payment and reduces the effort required for obtaining user information CI and managing the payment status of deferred payment even in lane L1. Furthermore, the toll collection system 1 employs a method in which users are required to present information on official certificates, thereby providing users with an incentive to make sure they pay later.

[0100] (7) A method for generating deferred payment information according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure verifies whether the settlement of a toll road toll TL by a user in vehicle A is deferred payment, and in connection with the confirmation that it is not deferred payment, performs a cashless settlement process, and in connection with the confirmation that it is deferred payment, obtains user information CI contained in a public certificate held by the user, and generates deferred payment data in which the user information CI and the toll TL are associated.

[0101] According to this aspect, the deferred payment information generation method can obtain user information CI for users who wish to pay later, allowing road operators to collect after the fact and allow deferred payment for users who wish to pay later. Therefore, the deferred payment information generation method makes it easier for users to pay the toll TL. In addition, according to the deferred payment information generation method, payment can be completed on the spot for users who are eligible for cashless payment, which reduces the number of users eligible for deferred payment and reduces the effort required to obtain user information CI and manage the payment status of deferred payment even in lane L1. Furthermore, the deferred payment information generation method uses a system in which the user is required to present information on an official certificate, thereby providing the user with an incentive to make deferred payment without fail.

[0102] (8) The program according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure causes the computer of the deferred payment information generating device 3 to confirm whether the settlement of the toll TL of a toll road by a user riding in vehicle A is deferred payment or not, and in connection with the confirmation that it is not deferred payment, perform a cashless settlement process, and in connection with the confirmation that it is deferred payment, obtain user information CI contained in a public certificate held by the user, and generate deferred payment data PY in which the user information CI and the toll TL are associated.

[0103] According to this embodiment, the deferred payment information generating device 3 can obtain user information CI for users who wish to pay later, allowing road operators to collect fees later and allow deferred payment for users who wish to pay later. Therefore, according to the program, users will find it easier to pay the toll TL. In addition, according to the program, cashless payment is possible for users who are able to pay on the spot, which reduces the number of users who are eligible for deferred payment and reduces the effort required to obtain user information CI and manage the payment status of deferred payments, even in lane L1. Furthermore, the program uses a method that requires users to present information from official certificates, thereby providing users with an incentive to make deferred payments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1 Toll collection system 2 ETC equipment 3 Deferred payment information generation device 4 Monitoring device 7 Tollbooth Server 8 Authorization Center 9 Upper device 21 Approaching vehicle detector 22 Antenna 23 Communication vehicle detector 24 Lane control device 25 Launch control device 26 Exiting vehicle detector 30 CPU 31 Imaging unit 32 Telephone equipment 33 User Interface 34 Reading unit 35 Statement Issuance Department 36 memory 37 Communication Interface 38 Recording Media 301 Settlement Confirmation Department 302 Toll Ticket Processing Unit 303 Fee Calculation Department 304 Cashless Processing Unit 305 Certificate Information Acquisition Unit 306 Deferred payment data generation unit 3041 First Processing Section 3042 Second Processing Section Vehicle A CI User Information EX exit IL Island L1 lane PY deferred payment data TL Toll

Claims

1. A settlement confirmation unit that confirms whether the settlement of tolls for a toll road by a user in a vehicle after exiting the toll road is a deferred payment, which is a payment that is collected automatically by a collection system or a payment that is collected after the fact, or a cashless settlement process at the exit using a credit card or an electronic toll collection card that is compatible with an electronic toll collection system; and a cashless processing unit that performs the cashless settlement process in connection with the confirmation of the cashless settlement process; a certificate information acquisition unit that acquires user information included in a public certificate held by the user in connection with the confirmation that the payment is deferred; a deferred payment data generating unit that generates deferred payment data in which the user information and the toll are associated; Equipped with the payment confirmation unit confirms whether the payment is a credit card payment, The cashless processing unit, a first processing unit that performs a credit card settlement process in connection with the confirmation that the payment is a credit card settlement; a second processing unit that performs settlement processing using the electronic toll collection card in connection with the confirmation that the settlement is not a credit card settlement; Equipped with Deferred payment information generating device.

2. the settlement confirmation unit confirms whether or not there is a toll road pass in connection with the confirmation that the payment is not deferred payment or credit card payment, the second processing unit performs settlement processing using the electronic toll collection card in connection with the confirmation that the toll ticket is not present, The deferred payment information generating device according to claim 1 .

3. The deferred payment information generating device according to claim 1 or 2; A host device that receives the deferred payment data; Equipped with Toll collection system.

4. A settlement confirmation unit of the deferred payment information generating device confirms whether the settlement of tolls for a toll road by a user in a vehicle is a deferred payment in which the toll is collected automatically by a collection system or in response to subsequent collection after the user has exited the toll road, or whether the settlement is a cashless payment process at the exit using a credit card or an electronic toll collection card compatible with an electronic toll collection system, In connection with the confirmation that the payment is deferred, a certificate information acquisition unit of the deferred payment information generation device acquires user information included in a public certificate held by the user, a deferred payment data generation unit of the deferred payment information generation device generates deferred payment data in which the user information and the toll are associated with each other; In connection with the confirmation of the cashless payment process, the payment confirmation unit confirms whether the payment is a credit card payment, The cashless processing unit of the deferred payment information generating device In connection with the confirmation that the payment is a credit card payment, performing a payment process using the credit card; In connection with the confirmation that the payment is not a credit card payment, a payment process is carried out using the electronic toll collection card. A method for generating deferred payment information.

5. A computer of the deferred payment information generating device Confirm whether the settlement of the toll fee of the toll road by the user in the vehicle is a post-payment in which the toll fee is collected automatically by a collection system or a payment in response to subsequent collection after the user has exited the toll road, or a cashless settlement process at the exit using a credit card or an electronic toll collection card compatible with the electronic toll collection system, In connection with the confirmation that the payment is deferred, obtaining user information contained in an official certificate held by the user; generating postpaid data in which the user information and the toll are associated; In connection with the confirmation of the cashless payment process, confirm whether the payment is a credit card payment; In connection with the confirmation that the payment is a credit card payment, performing a payment process using the credit card; In connection with the confirmation that the payment is not a credit card payment, a payment process is carried out using the electronic toll collection card. to make something happen program.

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