Payment device, payment system, payment method, and program

Abstract

To settle a toll without a driver inserting a card that stores toll settlement information.SOLUTION: A toll settlement device according to the present disclosure includes: vehicle information acquisition means for acquiring vehicle information indicating a state of a vehicle; driver authentication means for, when the vehicle information is information indicating the start of driving of the vehicle, authenticating whether or not a driver is a registered driver based on authentication information for authenticating the driver of the vehicle; settlement information acquisition means for, when the driver authentication means authenticates the driver as the registered driver, acquiring settlement information necessary for toll settlement for the authenticated driver; and toll settlement means for settling a toll for the driver using the settlement information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the settlement of fees.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle settlement system that performs settlement by ETC (Electronic Toll Collection, registered trademark, the same applies hereinafter).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an ETC in-vehicle unit that uses an ETC card by inserting it, there are cases where settlement cannot be made at a toll booth due to forgetting to insert the ETC card.

[0005] An object of this disclosure is to provide a fee settlement device or the like that can settle fees without inserting a card that stores settlement information for fees such as an ETC card.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A fee settlement device according to one aspect of this disclosure includes: vehicle information acquisition means for acquiring vehicle information indicating the state of a vehicle; driver authentication means for authenticating whether a driver is a registered driver based on authentication information, which is information for authenticating the driver of the vehicle when the vehicle information indicates information indicating the start of driving of the vehicle; settlement information acquisition means for acquiring settlement information necessary for the driver's fee settlement when the driver is authenticated as a registered driver; and fee settlement means for settling the fees for the driver using the settlement information.

[0007] A toll payment system in one form of this disclosure comprises the above-mentioned toll payment device, a vehicle control device that outputs vehicle information to the toll payment device, an authentication information output device that outputs authentication information to the toll payment device, a storage device that stores the payment information used by the toll payment device, and a toll collection system that settles the toll with the toll payment device.

[0008] An information processing method in one form of this disclosure acquires vehicle information indicating the status of a vehicle, and if the vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has started to be driven, it authenticates whether the driver is a registered driver based on authentication information which is information for authenticating the driver of the vehicle, and if the driver is authenticated as a registered driver, it acquires payment information necessary for the driver's fare payment and uses the payment information to pay the fare for the driver.

[0009] An information processing method in one form of this disclosure involves a fare payment device executing the above-described fare payment method, a vehicle control device outputting vehicle information to the fare payment device, an authentication information output device outputting authentication information to the fare payment device, a storage device storing the payment information used by the fare payment device, and a fare collection system settling the fare with the fare payment device.

[0010] A program in one form of this disclosure causes a computer to perform the following processes: acquiring vehicle information indicating the status of a vehicle; authenticating whether the driver is a registered driver based on authentication information, which is information for authenticating the driver of the vehicle, if the vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has started to be driven; acquiring payment information necessary for the driver's fare settlement if the driver has been authenticated as a registered driver; and settling the fare for the driver using the payment information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this disclosure, it is possible to have the effect of allowing payment without inserting a card that stores payment information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1]This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a payment settlement device. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of authentication information for registered drivers. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of payment information. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of how a payment processing device works. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a payment settlement device that includes a setting for deleting payment information. [Figure 6] This flowchart illustrates an example of the operation of a payment processing device configured to delete payment information. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a payment processing device. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a payment system that uses a payment processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments in this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, each embodiment is not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0014] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fare payment device 10. The fare payment device 10 comprises a vehicle information acquisition unit 110, a driver authentication unit 120, a payment information acquisition unit 130, and a fare payment unit 140.

[0015] The vehicle information acquisition unit 110 acquires vehicle information indicating the status of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle information acquisition unit 110 may acquire vehicle information output by a vehicle control device such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The vehicle status indicated by the vehicle information may include, but is not limited to, engine starting and stopping, vehicle movement starting and ending, and driver boarding and alighting. Engine starting, vehicle movement starting, and driver boarding are examples of states indicating the start of vehicle operation. Engine stopping, vehicle movement ending, and driver alighting are examples of states indicating the end of vehicle operation. However, the states indicating the start of vehicle operation and the states indicating the end of vehicle operation are not limited to those described above. The vehicle information may include multiple states as the status of the vehicle.

[0016] The driver authentication unit 120 authenticates whether the driver is a registered driver based on authentication information, which is information for authenticating the driver of the vehicle, when the vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has started to be driven. Vehicle information indicating the start of driving the vehicle may be, for example, information indicating that the engine has started, information indicating that the vehicle has started to move, or information indicating that the driver has boarded the vehicle. However, vehicle information indicating the start of driving the vehicle is not limited to these. A registered driver is a driver who has been registered in advance as the driver of the vehicle. There may be more than one registered driver.

[0017] The driver authentication unit 120 uses, as authentication information, the authentication information of the registered driver and the authentication information of the driver. For example, the driver authentication unit 120 may use, as the authentication information of the registered driver, the authentication information of the registered driver stored in a storage device of a network or cloud that can communicate via a mobile phone line network. Alternatively, the driver authentication unit 120 may use the authentication information of the registered driver that is pre-stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the fee settlement device 10. Further, the driver authentication unit 120 obtains the driver's authentication information from an authentication information output device mounted on the vehicle, such as an in-vehicle camera of a drive recorder. Then, the driver authentication unit 120 authenticates the driver using the authentication information of the registered driver and the authentication information of the driver. As an example of the authentication operation of the driver authentication unit 120, the case of using the face image of the driver captured by the camera of the drive recorder will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the face image of the registered driver is pre-stored in a storage device of the cloud.

[0018] The driver authentication unit 120 obtains the face image of the driver captured by the camera of the drive recorder. Then, the driver authentication unit 120 authenticates whether the driver is the registered driver based on face image authentication using the obtained face image and the face image of the registered driver stored in the storage device of the cloud. The driver authentication unit 120 may use feature amounts calculated from the image in face image authentication. The driver authentication unit 120 may use, as authentication information, not only face images but also other biometric information such as irises, fingerprints, or palm veins. Thus, the driver authentication unit 120 authenticates the driver based on the authentication information output by an authentication information output device that outputs the driver's authentication information, such as the camera of the drive recorder, and the authentication information of the registered driver pre-stored.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of authentication information for a registered driver. The authentication information for the registered driver in FIG. 2 includes an identifier (ID: Identifier) for uniquely identifying the registered driver, the name of the registered driver, and the authentication information for the registered driver. In FIG. 2, as an example, the authentication information for the registered driver stores a face image of the registered driver. For example, the driver authentication unit 120 may determine whether there is an image that matches the acquired face image of the driver among the face images for authenticating the registered driver in FIG. 2 as an authentication of whether the driver is a registered driver. And when the driver is authenticated, the driver authentication unit 120 may acquire, for example, the ID of the registered driver whose face image matches the face image of the driver as the identification information (ID) of the driver.

[0020] The driver authentication unit 120 may use an authentication method different from the above. For example, when the vehicle is equipped with an authentication device that authenticates the driver using biometric information such as fingerprints, the driver authentication unit 120 may acquire the authentication result of the authentication device. Alternatively, the driver authentication unit 120 may transmit the authentication information output by an authentication information output device such as a camera of a drive recorder to an authentication device outside the vehicle and acquire the authentication result from the authentication device.

[0021] The driver authentication unit 120 may use two-factor authentication using the above-described authentication using biometric information and other authentication. For example, the driver authentication unit 120 may authenticate the driver using a device carried by the driver such as a smartphone as other authentication. For example, the driver authentication unit 120 may authenticate the driver using Short Message Service (SMS) or email.

[0022] The payment information acquisition unit 130 acquires payment information necessary for the driver's fare payment when the driver authentication unit 120 authenticates the driver as a registered driver. The payment information is information associated with the driver and is used to pay for tolls on toll roads and other services used by the driver. The payment information acquisition unit 130 acquires payment information associated with the driver, for example, on a network or cloud storage device that can be communicated via a mobile phone network. However, the payment information acquisition unit 130 may also acquire payment information from other devices, such as a terminal device carried by the driver. The payment information is, for example, information stored on an ETC card or credit card information. However, the payment information is not limited to post-pay information; for example, it may also be information on electronic money or prepaid cards.

[0023] Figure 3 shows an example of payment information. The payment information in Figure 3 includes the driver ID, the driver's name, and credit card information. The payment information acquisition unit 130 acquires, for example, the credit card information of the driver ID obtained from the driver authentication unit 120.

[0024] If a driver possesses multiple credit cards or if there are multiple pieces of payment information, the payment information acquisition unit 130 may acquire the payment information selected by the driver from among the multiple pieces of payment information. For example, if a driver has multiple pieces of payment information, the payment information acquisition unit 130 may acquire the payment information selected by the driver from among the multiple pieces of payment information displayed on the vehicle's display panel or on a display device such as a smartphone carried by the driver.

[0025] The toll payment unit 140 uses payment information to settle the toll for the driver. The toll payment unit 140 executes a payment method that is appropriate for the toll payment system. For example, at a toll booth on a toll road, the toll payment unit 140 communicates wirelessly with a toll collection system such as an ETC system to settle the toll. The toll payment unit 140 is not limited to tolls for expressways and other toll roads, but may also settle other tolls, such as parking fees. The toll payment unit 140 may perform multiple toll payments for a single authentication, not just once.

[0026] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the fare payment device 10. The vehicle information acquisition unit 110 acquires vehicle information indicating the status of the vehicle (step A1). For example, the vehicle information acquisition unit 110 acquires vehicle information from the vehicle's ECU. If the vehicle information is not information indicating the start of vehicle operation (NO in step A2), the vehicle information acquisition unit 110 repeats the acquisition of vehicle information (step A1). If the vehicle information is information indicating the start of vehicle operation (YES in step A2), the driver authentication unit 120 authenticates whether the vehicle driver is a registered driver or not based on authentication information, which is information for authenticating the vehicle driver (step A3). For example, the driver authentication unit 120 authenticates the driver using the driver's face image taken by the onboard camera and a registered driver's face image stored in advance. If the driver authentication unit 120 cannot authenticate the driver as a registered driver (NO in step A4), the fare payment device 10 terminates its operation without executing the operations from A5 onwards. If the driver authentication unit 120 authenticates the driver as a registered driver (YES in step A4), the payment information acquisition unit 130 acquires the payment information necessary for the authenticated driver's fare payment (step A5). For example, the payment information acquisition unit 130 acquires the information of a credit card previously associated with the driver. The fare payment unit 140 uses the payment information to settle the fare for the driver (step A6). For example, the fare payment unit 140 settles the toll for the highway used by the driver using the credit card information.

[0027] The fare payment device 10 includes a vehicle information acquisition unit 110, a driver authentication unit 120, a payment information acquisition unit 130, and a fare payment unit 140. The vehicle information acquisition unit 110 acquires vehicle information indicating the status of the vehicle. If the vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has started to be driven, the driver authentication unit 120 authenticates whether the driver is a registered driver based on authentication information, which is information for authenticating the driver of the vehicle. If the driver authentication unit 120 authenticates the driver as a registered driver, the payment information acquisition unit 130 acquires payment information necessary for the fare payment of the authenticated driver. The fare payment unit 140 uses the payment information to settle the fare for the driver.

[0028] The fare payment device 10 authenticates whether the driver is a registered driver when the vehicle starts moving, and if the driver is authenticated as a registered driver, it obtains the driver's payment information and uses the obtained payment information to process the fare payment. In this way, the fare payment device 10 does not require the insertion of a card to store the payment information. In other words, the fare payment device 10 can process the fare even if the driver does not insert a card.

[0029] When paying tolls on expressways and other toll roads using an ETC card, the ETC device with the inserted ETC card wirelessly communicates with the toll road's toll system and settles the payment when passing through a toll gate. From a security standpoint, to prevent unauthorized use of the card by others, it is desirable for drivers to insert the ETC card into the ETC device when getting into the vehicle and remove it when getting out of the vehicle. However, manual processes can lead to drivers forgetting to insert or remove the ETC card. If a driver forgets to insert the ETC card, they will only realize they have forgotten to insert it when passing through the ETC lane at a toll gate, when the gate does not open or a card error notification appears. Only after these events occur will the driver insert the ETC card into the ETC device. As a result, congestion may occur at toll gates. Alternatively, if a driver forgets to remove the ETC card and leaves the vehicle, there is a risk of the ETC card being stolen.

[0030] On the other hand, since the toll payment device 10 does not require the insertion of a card to store payment information, it can prevent users from forgetting to insert their cards. As a result, for example, the toll payment device 10 can prevent congestion at toll booths on expressways and other roads caused by users forgetting to insert their ETC cards.

[0031] Because it does not require a card to store payment information, the toll payment device 10 prevents drivers from forgetting to remove cards such as ETC cards. Therefore, the toll payment device 10 prevents theft of cards due to drivers forgetting to remove them. For example, if a driver stops their vehicle at a highway service area and leaves the vehicle with an ETC card inserted in the ETC onboard unit, there is a risk of the ETC card being stolen. On the other hand, the toll payment device 10 settles the toll by obtaining the payment information of the authenticated driver without using a card. Therefore, even if the driver stops the vehicle and leaves it, the toll payment device 10 can prevent the theft of cards that store payment information, such as ETC cards.

[0032] The toll payment device 10 acquires payment information from authenticated drivers. Therefore, when using the toll payment device 10, drivers do not need to carry a toll payment card such as an ETC card and can use toll roads such as expressways at any time. In this way, the toll payment device 10 improves driver convenience.

[0033] The vehicle's ECU continuously performs control operations. Therefore, the vehicle information acquisition unit 110 may acquire vehicle information from the ECU continuously or at regular intervals. For example, when the driver changes, the vehicle information acquisition unit 110 acquires information from the ECU indicating the driver has left the vehicle, and then acquires information indicating the driver has boarded. In other words, the change in vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 110 from information indicating the driver has left the vehicle to information indicating the driver has boarded can be used as information indicating a change in driver. Alternatively, and not limited to the above, a change in vehicle information from engine stop to start, a change from vehicle movement stop to start, or a change from driver's door open to closed can also be used as information indicating a change in driver. In this way, the vehicle information acquisition unit 110 can acquire information indicating a change in driver as vehicle information. Therefore, the fare payment device 10 may perform operations corresponding to the change in driver. For example, the configuration of the fare payment device 10 may perform the following operations. The driver authentication unit 120 authenticates a new driver if the vehicle information indicates a change in the driver. The payment information acquisition unit 130 then acquires the payment information necessary for the newly authenticated driver's fare payment. The fare payment unit 140 then uses the new payment information to pay the fare for the driver. Using this operation, the fare payment device 10 can perform fare payment corresponding to the change in driver.

[0034] The toll payment device 10 may be configured to read information from a card that stores payment information, such as an ETC card. If no card is inserted, the toll payment device 10 performs the operations described above. On the other hand, if a card is inserted and payment information can be read from the card, the toll payment device 10 may use the payment information read from the card to settle the toll. For example, the toll payment device 10 may have an ETC card slot, similar to a typical ETC onboard unit, and when an ETC card is inserted, it may use the information stored on the ETC card to settle the toll.

[0035] The fare payment device 10 may operate using authentication information and payment information that the driver has previously registered in the cloud storage device. For example, when using car sharing or rental cars, the driver registers authentication information and payment information in the cloud storage device in advance. When the driver uses car sharing or rental cars, the driver authentication unit 120 of the fare payment device 10 installed in the vehicle being used authenticates the driver using the pre-registered authentication information. When the driver authentication unit 120 authenticates the driver as a registered driver, the payment information acquisition unit 130 acquires the pre-registered payment information. The fare payment unit 140 then settles the fare using the payment information thus acquired. By operating the fare payment device 10 in this way, the driver can avoid the hassle of registering information when actually using the vehicle and can use the vehicle and settle the fare smoothly. Furthermore, for example, even if the vehicle being used changes, or when using a new vehicle, the fare payment device 10 installed in that vehicle can settle the fare using the pre-registered authentication information and payment information. Therefore, drivers do not need to register new information even when changing vehicles, and can pay for the vehicle without having to change vehicles.

[0036] <Second Embodiment> The fare settlement device 10 may delete the settlement information at the end of operation. Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of a fare settlement device 11 that includes a setting for deleting settlement information. In addition to the configuration of the fare settlement device 10, the fare settlement device 11 includes a settlement information deletion unit 150. The configuration other than the settlement information deletion unit 150 is the same as that of the fare settlement device 10, so a detailed explanation of them is omitted.

[0037] The payment information deletion unit 150 deletes payment information when the vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has finished driving. Information indicating the end of driving includes, but is not limited to, information indicating that the engine has stopped, information indicating that the vehicle has finished moving, or information indicating that the driver has disembarked.

[0038] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a fare payment device 11 equipped with a configuration for deleting payment information. In Figure 6, A1-A6 are the same as in Figure 4, so a detailed explanation is omitted. The vehicle information acquisition unit 110 acquires vehicle information indicating the status of the vehicle (step A7). If the vehicle information does not indicate that the vehicle has finished driving (NO in step A8), the fare payment device 11 repeats the operation of step A6 of the fare payment unit 140 and A7 of the vehicle information acquisition unit 110. If the vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has finished driving (YES in step A8), the payment information deletion unit 150 deletes the payment information (step A9). For example, if the vehicle information indicates that the engine has stopped, the payment information deletion unit 150 deletes the acquired credit card information.

[0039] Thus, the payment information deletion unit 150 deletes the payment information when the vehicle operation is completed. Therefore, even if someone else drives the vehicle after the driver has left it after the operation is completed, that person cannot use the driver's payment information at the toll booth. In this way, the toll payment device 11 prevents the driver's payment information from being used by others.

[0040] <Hardware Configuration> Next, the hardware configuration of the payment settlement devices 10 and 11 in each embodiment will be described. Each component of the payment settlement devices 10 and 11 may be composed of hardware circuits. Alternatively, each component of the payment settlement devices 10 and 11 may be composed of multiple devices connected via a network. For example, the payment settlement devices 10 and 11 may be configured using cloud computing. Alternatively, multiple components of the payment settlement devices 10 and 11 may be composed of a single piece of hardware. Alternatively, the payment settlement devices 10 and 11 may be implemented as a computer including a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and an input / output interface.

[0041] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer 600, which is an example of the hardware configuration of the payment settlement devices 10 and 11. The computer 600 includes a CPU 610, a ROM 620, a RAM 630, a storage device 640, and an input / output interface 650.

[0042] The CPU 610 reads a program from at least one of the ROM 620 and the storage device 640. Then, based on the read program, the CPU 610 controls the RAM 630, the storage device 640, and the input / output interface 650. The CPU 610 then controls these components to realize the functions of the vehicle information acquisition unit 110, the driver authentication unit 120, the payment information acquisition unit 130, the fare settlement unit 140, and the payment information deletion unit 150. In this way, the computer 600 may realize its functions as a combination of hardware and software.

[0043] The CPU 610 may read the program contained in the recording medium 690, which stores the program in a computer-readable format, using a recording medium reading device (not shown). Alternatively, the CPU 610 may receive a program from an external device (not shown) via the input / output interface 650, store it in the RAM 630 or storage device 640, and operate based on the stored program.

[0044] ROM 620 stores programs executed by the CPU 610 and static data. ROM 620 is, for example, a programmable ROM (P-ROM) or flash ROM. RAM 630 temporarily stores programs executed by the CPU 610 and data. RAM 630 is, for example, dynamic RAM (D-RAM). Storage device 640 stores data and programs that the computer 600 will store long-term. Storage device 640 may also function as temporary storage for the CPU 610. Storage device 640 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid-state drive (SSD).

[0045] ROM 620 and storage device 640 are non-transitory recording media. On the other hand, RAM 630 is a transient recording media. The CPU 610 can operate based on the programs stored in ROM 620, storage device 640, and RAM 630. In other words, the CPU 610 can operate using either non-volatile or transient recording media. When implementing each function, the CPU 610 may use at least one of RAM 630 and storage device 640 as a temporary storage medium for programs and data.

[0046] The input / output interface 650 relays data exchange with external devices (not shown) via communication channels such as a mobile phone network or an in-vehicle network. The input / output interface 650 is, for example, a data communication card or a CAN (Controller Area Network) card, but is not limited to these.

[0047] The computer 600 configured in this way performs the operations of each component in the payment settlement devices 10 and 11, thereby realizing the functions of the payment settlement devices 10 and 11.

[0048] <System Example> Examples of systems utilizing toll payment devices 10 and 11 are described below. Figure 8 shows an example configuration of a toll payment system 200 utilizing toll payment device 10 or 11. The toll payment system 200 includes toll payment device 10 or 11, ECU 310, in-vehicle camera 320, cloud storage 410, and ETC system 510. The ECU 310 is a controller that controls the vehicle driven by the driver and is an example of a control device. The in-vehicle camera 320 is a drive recorder camera installed in the vehicle and is an example of an authentication information output device. The cloud storage 410 is storage that stores authentication information of registered drivers and is an example of a storage device. The ETC system 510 is a system that processes tolls for toll roads traveled by the vehicle driven by the driver and is an example of a toll collection system. The toll payment system 200 may also include other devices such as a facial image authentication device 420. In Figure 8, the internet, mobile phone network, wireless communication, and in-vehicle network are examples of communication paths connecting each component. The payment system 200 may have a different communication channel than that shown in Figure 8.

[0049] The vehicle information acquisition unit 110 acquires vehicle information indicating the status of the vehicle. In the case of Figure 8, the vehicle information acquisition unit 110 acquires vehicle information from the ECU 310 that controls the vehicle via the in-vehicle network. If the vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has started to be driven, the driver authentication unit 120 authenticates whether the driver is a registered driver based on authentication information, which is information for authenticating the driver of the vehicle. In the case of Figure 8, the driver authentication unit 120 authenticates whether the driver is a registered driver using an image of the driver acquired from the in-vehicle camera 320 via the in-vehicle network and a facial image of the registered driver stored in the cloud storage 410. Alternatively, the driver authentication unit 120 may authenticate whether the driver is a registered driver using an external facial image authentication device 420 via the mobile phone network and the internet. When the driver authentication unit 120 authenticates the driver as a registered driver, the payment information acquisition unit 130 acquires payment information necessary for the payment of the authenticated driver's fare. In Figure 8, the payment information acquisition unit 130 acquires the driver's payment information stored in the cloud storage 410 as payment information. The fare settlement unit 140 uses the payment information to settle the fare for the driver. In the case of Figure 8, the fare settlement unit 140 uses the driver's payment information to perform the fare settlement process with the ETC system 510.

[0050] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

[0051] (Note 1) A means for acquiring vehicle information that indicates the status of the vehicle, When the vehicle information is information indicating the start of driving the vehicle, a driver authentication means authenticates whether the driver is a registered driver or not based on authentication information, which is information for authenticating the driver of the vehicle. When the driver authentication means authenticates the driver as a registered driver, the payment information acquisition means obtains payment information necessary for the driver's fare payment, A fare payment method that uses payment information to settle the fare for the driver, A payment processing device equipped with the following features.

[0052] (Note 2) A means for deleting payment information when the vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has finished driving, A payment settlement device as described in Appendix 1, which includes the following features.

[0053] (Note 3) If the vehicle information indicates a change in the driver, the driver authentication means authenticates the new driver. The payment information acquisition method acquires the payment information necessary for fare payment for newly authenticated drivers. The fare payment method uses new payment information to settle the fare for the driver. The payment device described in Appendix 1 or 2.

[0054] (Note 4) The driver authentication method authenticates the driver using the driver's biometric information. A payment device as described in any one of the items 1 to 3 of the appendix.

[0055] (Note 5) The driver authentication means authenticates the driver using two-factor authentication with other devices. A payment device as described in any one of the items 1 through 4 of the appendix.

[0056] (Note 6) If the driver has multiple payment information entries, the payment information acquisition method acquires the payment information selected by the driver. A payment device as described in any one of the items 1 through 5 of the appendix.

[0057] (Note 7) A payment device described in any one of the items 1 through 6 of the appendix, A vehicle control device that outputs vehicle information to a fare payment device, An authentication information output device that outputs authentication information to a payment processing device, A storage device for storing payment information used by a payment settlement device, A payment device and a payment collection system for settling payments, A payment system is provided.

[0058] (Note 8) Obtain vehicle information that indicates the status of the vehicle, When vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has started to be driven, the system authenticates whether the driver is a registered driver based on authentication information, which is information used to authenticate the driver of the vehicle. When the driver is authenticated as a registered driver, the payment information necessary for the driver's fare payment is obtained. The driver's fare is settled using payment information. Payment methods.

[0059] (Note 9) If the vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has finished driving, delete the payment information. Payment methods as described in Appendix 8.

[0060] (Note 10) If the vehicle information indicates a change in the driver, the new driver will be authenticated. We obtain the payment information necessary for fare payment for newly certified drivers. The driver's fare will be settled using the new payment information. Payment methods as described in Appendix 8 or 9.

[0061] (Note 11) The driver's biometric information is used to authenticate the driver. The payment method described in any one of the items in Appendix 8 to 10.

[0062] (Note 12) The driver is authenticated using two-factor authentication with another device. The payment method described in any one of the items in Appendix 8 to 11.

[0063] (Note 13) If the driver has multiple payment information entries, retrieve the payment information selected by the driver. The payment method described in any one of the items in Appendix 8 to 12.

[0064] (Note 14) The payment device executes the payment method described in any one of the items 8 through 13 of the appendix. The vehicle's control unit outputs vehicle information to the fare payment device. The authentication information output device outputs authentication information to the payment settlement device. The storage device stores the payment information used by the payment settlement device. The toll collection system settles the toll with the payment device. Payment methods.

[0065] (Note 15) The process of obtaining vehicle information that indicates the status of the vehicle, When the vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has started to be driven, the process involves authenticating whether the driver is a registered driver based on authentication information, which is information used to authenticate the driver of the vehicle. When the driver is authenticated as a registered driver, the process involves obtaining the payment information necessary for the driver's fare payment, The process of settling the driver's fare using payment information, A program that causes a computer to execute something.

[0066] (Note 16) When vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has finished driving, the process of deleting payment information. The program described in Appendix 15 that causes a computer to execute.

[0067] (Note 17) If the vehicle information indicates a change in the driver, a process is performed to authenticate the new driver. The process of obtaining payment information necessary for fare payment for newly authenticated drivers, The process of settling the driver's fare using the new payment information, A program described in Appendix 15 or 16 that causes a computer to execute.

[0068] (Note 18) A process that authenticates the driver using the driver's biometric information. A program described in any one of the appendices 15 to 17 that causes a computer to execute.

[0069] (Note 19) A process to authenticate the driver using two-factor authentication with another device. A program described in any one of the appendices 15 to 18 that causes a computer to execute.

[0070] (Note 20) If a driver has multiple payment information entries, the process retrieves the payment information selected by the driver. A program described in any one of the appendices 15 to 19 that causes a computer to execute.

[0071] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present invention can be made that can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0072] This disclosure can be used for payment of fees on expressways, toll roads, car sharing, and car rentals. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 10 Payment device 11 Payment device 110 Vehicle Information Acquisition Unit 120 Driver Authentication Department 130 Payment Information Acquisition Unit 140 Payment Department 150 Payment Information Deletion Section 200 Payment System 310 ECU 320 In-Car Cameras 410 Cloud Storage 420 Facial Image Recognition Devices 510 ETC system 600 Computer 610 CPU 620 ROM 630 RAM 640 Storage device 650 Input / Output Interfaces 690 recording media

Claims

1. A means for acquiring vehicle information that indicates the status of the vehicle, When the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition means is information indicating the start of driving the vehicle, the driver authentication means acquires authentication information for authenticating the driver of the vehicle that is pre-registered in the cloud storage device, and authenticates whether the driver is a registered driver or not based on the acquired authentication information. When the driver authentication means authenticates the driver as the registered driver, the payment information acquisition means acquires payment information necessary for the driver's fare payment that is pre-registered in the cloud storage device, A fare settlement means that settles the fare for the driver using the fare information acquired by the fare information acquisition means, Equipped with, The system further includes means for reading the payment information from a card that stores the payment information, If the payment information cannot be read from the card, the payment method will settle the payment using the payment information read from the cloud storage device. If the payment information can be read from the card, the payment method will settle the charges using the payment information read from the card. Payment device.

2. A payment information deletion means that deletes the payment information obtained from the cloud storage device when the vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has finished driving. The payment settlement device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. If the vehicle information indicates a change in the driver, the driver authentication means authenticates the new driver. The payment information acquisition means acquires the payment information necessary for the payment of the newly authenticated driver from the cloud's storage device, The aforementioned payment method settles the fare for the driver using the new payment information obtained from the cloud storage device. The payment settlement device according to claim 1.

4. The driver authentication means authenticates the driver using the driver's biometric information. The payment settlement device according to claim 1.

5. The driver authentication means authenticates the driver using two-factor authentication using another device. The payment settlement device according to claim 1.

6. If multiple payment information entries for the aforementioned driver are registered in the cloud, the payment information acquisition means acquires the payment information selected by the driver from the cloud. The payment settlement device according to claim 1.

7. A payment settlement device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A vehicle control device that outputs the vehicle information to a fare payment device, An authentication information output device that outputs the aforementioned authentication information to a payment settlement device, The cloud storage device that stores the payment information used by the payment settlement device, A toll collection system that settles charges using a payment device, A payment system is provided.

8. Obtain vehicle information that indicates the vehicle's status, If the acquired vehicle information indicates that the vehicle has started to be driven, the system acquires authentication information for authenticating the driver of the vehicle, which is pre-registered in the cloud's storage device, and authenticates whether the driver is a registered driver based on the acquired authentication information. When the driver is authenticated as the registered driver, the payment information necessary for the driver's fare payment, which is pre-registered in the cloud storage device, is obtained. Using the acquired payment information, the fare for the driver is settled. In the payment method of a payment payment device, The aforementioned payment settlement device, If the payment information cannot be read from the card storing the payment information, the payment will be settled using the payment information read from the cloud's storage device. If payment information can be read from the card that stores payment information, the payment will be settled using the payment information read from the card. Payment methods.

9. The payment settlement device executes the payment settlement method described in claim 8, The vehicle's control device outputs the vehicle information to the fare payment device. The authentication information output device outputs the authentication information to the payment settlement device. The cloud storage device stores the payment information used by the payment settlement device. The toll collection system settles the toll using a payment device. Payment methods.

10. A program that causes the payment device to execute the payment method described in claim 8 or 9.

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