Toll determination device, toll collection system, toll determination method, and program

Abstract

To provide a charge determination device with a simple structure capable of applying a parking fee in response to a parking section where a vehicle is parked.SOLUTION: A charge determination device of a parking lot has a plurality of parking sections each having a plurality of parking spaces in which one vehicle can be parked at each of the parking spaces. The charge determination device includes a vehicle information acquisition unit acquiring entrance information including identification information of a vehicle entering the parking lot from a roadside device provided at an entrance / exit of the parking lot, a position information acquisition unit for acquiring position information of the vehicle from an on-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle, a parking section determination unit for determining a parking section where the vehicle is parked based on the position information, and a charge calculation unit for calculating a parking fee in response to the parking section where the vehicle is parked.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fee determination device, a fee collection system, a fee determination method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Parking lots provided in shopping malls and the like may have a number of parking sections in which a plurality of parking spaces (areas for one vehicle) are lined up. In such a parking lot, there may be a bias in congestion depending on the parking section. For example, the parking section near the store entrance tends to have a higher congestion level compared to the parking section far from the store entrance.

[0003] Therefore, it is required to control so that the congestion level of the parking sections is averaged, or so that users park in the parking section that the parking lot operator wants to guide. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for varying the charging amount according to the convenience of each parking space.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to install sensors and ticket issuing devices for issuing parking tickets for each parking space, and it is not practical to apply it to a large-scale parking lot having a large number of parking spaces. In addition, in the conventional technology, for a parking lot where the charging amount is different for each parking section, it is necessary to install a gate, a charging processing device, etc. for each parking section, resulting in the same number of facilities and costs as operating a plurality of parking lots individually.

[0006] This disclosure has been made in view of the above issues and provides a fee determination device, a fee collection system, a fee determination method, and a program that can apply parking fees according to the parking space in which a vehicle is parked with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a fee determination device for a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces, each of which has a plurality of parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, comprises: a vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires entry information, including identification information of a vehicle entering the parking lot, from a roadside unit installed at the entrance and exit of the parking lot; a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information of the vehicle from an in-vehicle unit mounted on the vehicle; a parking space determination unit that determines the parking space in which the vehicle has parked based on the location information; and a fee calculation unit that calculates a parking fee corresponding to the parking space in which the vehicle has parked.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a toll collection system for a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces, each of which has a plurality of parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, comprises a roadside unit installed at the entrance and exit of the parking lot, an on-board unit mounted in a vehicle using the parking lot, and a toll determination device according to the above-described aspect.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for determining the fees for a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces, each of which has a plurality of parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, includes the steps of: obtaining entry information, including identification information of a vehicle entering the parking lot, from a roadside device installed at the entrance and exit of the parking lot; obtaining location information of the vehicle from an in-vehicle device installed in the vehicle; determining the parking space in which the vehicle has parked based on the location information; and calculating a parking fee corresponding to the parking space in which the vehicle has parked.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the program causes a fee determination device for a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces, each of which has a plurality of parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, to perform the following steps: acquire entry information, including identification information of a vehicle entering the parking lot, from a roadside device installed at the entrance and exit of the parking lot; acquire location information of the vehicle from an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle; determine the parking space where the vehicle has parked based on the location information; and calculate a parking fee corresponding to the parking space where the vehicle has parked. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the fee determination device, fee collection system, fee determination method, and program disclosed herein, parking fees can be applied in a simple configuration according to the parking space in which the vehicle is parked. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows the overall configuration of a fee collection system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the functional configuration of a roadside unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of admission information according to one embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of exit information according to one embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the functional configuration of an in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a fee determination device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of processing by a roadside unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows an example of processing by an in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a first flowchart showing an example of the processing of a fee determination device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] It is a second flowchart showing an example of the processing of a fee determination device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of management information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing an example of a time zone coefficient according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, the fee collection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.

[0014] (Overall Configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a fee collection system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fee collection system 1 is a system that can charge different parking fees for each parking section 90 in a large parking lot 9 provided adjacent to or near facilities such as a shopping mall or a station.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the parking lot 9 has a plurality of parking sections 90 (90A, 90B, 90C, 90D). The parking section 90 indicates an area formed by connecting a plurality of parking spaces where one vehicle V can park. Generally, in a parking lot 9 having a plurality of parking sections 90, the parking section 90 closer to the facility entrance (in the example of FIG. 1, the parking section 90B) tends to be more congested than the parking section farther from the facility entrance (in the example of FIG. 1, the parking section 90C).

[0016] In addition, the parking lot 9 may have a parking section 90 that permits only specific vehicles to park. The specific vehicle is, for example, a vehicle of a user who has a regular contract for a parking space, a vehicle in which a person with a disability is riding, an electric vehicle (EV), etc. In the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that the parking section 90D is a parking section for specific vehicles (for example, an EV charging section). In addition, the parking sections 90A, 90B, and 90C other than the parking section 90D for specific vehicles are also described as general sections.

[0017] The toll collection system 1 includes a roadside unit 10, an in-vehicle unit 20, and a toll determination device 30. The toll collection system 1 according to the present embodiment uses, for example, the mechanism of an electronic toll collection system (Electronic Toll Collection System; ETC (registered trademark), also referred to as an "automatic toll collection system") to perform wireless communication with the in-vehicle unit 20 mounted on the vehicle V and collect parking tolls.

[0018] The roadside unit 10 is provided at the entrance and exit of the parking lot 9 and performs wireless communication with the in-vehicle unit 20 of the vehicle V (the vehicle V entering the parking lot 9 or the vehicle V exiting the parking lot 9) located within the communication section R to transmit and receive various information related to the charging process of the parking toll.

[0019] The in-vehicle unit 20 is mounted on each vehicle V that uses the parking lot 9. The in-vehicle unit 20 performs wireless communication with the roadside unit 10 when entering and exiting the parking lot 9 and automatically pays the parking toll of the vehicle V.

[0020] The toll determination device 30 calculates the parking toll according to the parking section 90 where the vehicle V is parked.

[0021] (Functional Configuration of Roadside Unit) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a roadside unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the roadside unit 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, a storage 13, and a communication interface 14.

[0022] The processor 11 functions as a vehicle information generation unit 110, a parking toll acquisition unit 111, and a charging process unit 112 by operating according to a predetermined program.

[0023] The vehicle information generation unit 110 acquires identification information of vehicle V from the on-board unit 20 of vehicle V entering the parking lot 9 via wireless communication and generates entry information D1 including the acquired identification information. The vehicle information generation unit 110 also acquires identification information of vehicle V from the on-board unit 20 of vehicle V leaving the parking lot 9 via wireless communication and generates exit information D2 including the acquired identification information.

[0024] Furthermore, the vehicle information generation unit 110 acquires specific vehicle information from the vehicle V's onboard device 20, along with identification information, which allows it to identify whether vehicle V is a specific vehicle. The specific vehicle information is, for example, flag information that is "1" if it is a specific vehicle and "0" if it is not a specific vehicle. In other embodiments, the specific vehicle information may also be information indicating the type of specific vehicle (e.g., "regular contract vehicle," "vehicle carrying a person with a disability," "EV," etc.). If vehicle V is not a specific vehicle, the specific vehicle information will be "no information (NULL)."

[0025] Figure 3 shows an example of admission information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the entry information D1 includes identification information of the parking lot 9 where the roadside unit 10 is installed (e.g., parking lot ID), identification information of the vehicle V (e.g., onboard unit ID), specific vehicle information of the vehicle V, and the time of entry into the parking lot 9.

[0026] Figure 4 shows an example of exit information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the exit information D2 includes identification information of the parking lot 9 where the roadside unit 10 is installed (e.g., parking lot ID), identification information of the vehicle V (e.g., onboard unit ID), the time of exit from parking lot 9, and the parking fee charged to the vehicle V.

[0027] The vehicle information generation unit 110 records the generated entry information D1 and exit information D2 in the storage 13. The vehicle information generation unit 110 also transmits the generated entry information D1 and exit information D2 to the in-vehicle unit 20 and the fare determination device 30.

[0028] The parking fee acquisition unit 111 acquires fee information from the fee determination device 30, which associates the vehicle V identification information with the parking fee. The acquired fee information is recorded in the storage 13.

[0029] When vehicle V leaves parking lot 9, the billing processing unit 112 reads the vehicle V identification information and associated fee information from storage 13 and performs billing processing for vehicle V.

[0030] Memory 12 has a memory area necessary for the operation of the processor 11.

[0031] Storage 13 is a so-called auxiliary storage device, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0032] The communication interface 14 is an interface for sending and receiving various information (signals) between the in-vehicle unit 20 and the fare determination device 30.

[0033] (Functional configuration of in-vehicle devices) Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, the in-vehicle unit 20 includes a processor 21, memory 22, storage 23, communication interface 24, and output unit 25.

[0034] The processor 21 operates according to a predetermined program, performing functions as a positioning information acquisition unit 210, an identification information notification unit 211, a location information notification unit 212, a parking determination unit 213, and a payment processing unit 214.

[0035] The positioning information acquisition unit 210 acquires positioning information, including the position and speed of the vehicle V. The positioning information acquisition unit 210 continues to acquire positioning information at predetermined intervals (for example, every second) while the in-vehicle device 20 is operating.

[0036] The identification information notification unit 211 responds to a request from the roadside unit 10 by notifying the roadside unit 10 of the vehicle V's identification information (onboard unit ID). At this time, the identification information notification unit 211 may also notify the roadside unit 10 of specific vehicle information along with the identification information. After notifying the roadside unit 10 of the identification information, if the identification information notification unit 211 receives entry information D1 or exit information D2 from the roadside unit 10, it records these in the storage 23.

[0037] Furthermore, after communication with the roadside unit 10 is completed, the identification information notification unit 211 notifies the toll determination device 30 of the identification information of the vehicle V.

[0038] After notifying the fare determination device 30 of identification information, the location information notification unit 212 notifies the fare determination device 30 of the vehicle V's location information each time it acquires positioning information. The location information notification unit 212 may notify the fare determination device 30 of only the positioning information that can identify the location (for example, latitude and longitude), or it may notify the fare determination device 30 of all the positioning information as location information.

[0039] The parking determination unit 213 determines whether or not the vehicle V has parked in a parking space in any of the parking sections 90.

[0040] The payment processing unit 214 processes the payment of the parking fee notified by the roadside unit 10 when the vehicle V leaves the parking lot 9.

[0041] Memory 22 has a memory area necessary for the operation of the processor 21.

[0042] Storage 23 is a so-called auxiliary storage device, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). Storage 23 pre-stores vehicle identification information, specific vehicle information, and other data for vehicle V.

[0043] The communication interface 24 is an interface for sending and receiving various information (signals) between the roadside unit 10 and the toll determination device 30.

[0044] The output unit 25 is a speaker, display, or a combination thereof that outputs notifications such as parking fees in the form of sound, images, text, etc.

[0045] (Functional configuration of the price determination device) Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a fee determination device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the fare determination device 30 includes a processor 31, memory 32, storage 33, and a communication interface 34.

[0046] The processor 31 operates according to a predetermined program, performing functions as a vehicle information acquisition unit 310, a location information acquisition unit 311, a parking space discrimination unit 312, and a fee calculation unit 313.

[0047] The vehicle information acquisition unit 310 acquires entry information D1 and exit information D2, which include the identification information of vehicle V, from the roadside unit 10. The vehicle information acquisition unit 310 also acquires the identification information of vehicle V from the on-board unit 20 of vehicle V that has entered the parking lot 9.

[0048] The location information acquisition unit 311 acquires location information of vehicle V from the on-board unit 20 of vehicle V that has entered the parking lot 9.

[0049] The parking space discrimination unit 312 determines the parking space 90 in which the vehicle V is parked, based on the location information of the vehicle V.

[0050] The fee calculation unit 313 calculates the parking fee corresponding to the parking space 90 in which vehicle V is parked.

[0051] Memory 32 has a memory area necessary for the operation of the processor 31.

[0052] Storage 33 is a so-called auxiliary storage device, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0053] The communication interface 34 is an interface for sending and receiving various information (signals) between the roadside unit 10 and the toll determination device 30.

[0054] The predetermined programs executed by the processor 11 of the roadside unit 10, the processor 21 of the in-vehicle unit 20, and the processor 31 of the toll determination device 30 are stored on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium refers to magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, semiconductor memory, etc. Alternatively, this computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that receives the distribution may execute the program. Furthermore, this program may be intended to implement only a portion of the functions described above. Moreover, it may be a program that can implement the above functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, a so-called differential file (differential program).

[0055] (Processing flow of roadside unit) Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by a roadside machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, we will explain the processing flow of the roadside unit 10 with reference to Figure 7.

[0056] First, the vehicle information generation unit 110 obtains the identification information (onboard unit ID) of the vehicle V and specific vehicle information from the onboard unit 20 of the vehicle V located in the communication section R (step S100).

[0057] Next, the vehicle information generation unit 110 refers to the storage 13 and determines whether there is an entry information D1 corresponding to the acquired identification information (step S101).

[0058] If no entry information D1 corresponding to the acquired identification information exists (step S101; YES), the vehicle information generation unit 110 determines that this vehicle V is a vehicle that has newly entered parking lot 9. In that case, the vehicle information generation unit 110 generates entry information D1 (Figure 3) by adding the parking lot ID and entry time to the identification information and specific vehicle information acquired from the in-vehicle device 20 (step S102).

[0059] Furthermore, the vehicle information generation unit 110 transmits the generated entry information D1 to the on-board unit 20 and the fare determination device 30 (step S103), and then terminates the process.

[0060] On the other hand, if there is entry information D1 corresponding to the acquired identification information (step S101; NO), the vehicle information generation unit 110 determines that this vehicle V is a vehicle V that is leaving the parking lot 9. Then, the billing processing unit 112 reads the parking fee associated with the acquired identification number from the fee information for each vehicle V recorded in the storage 13 (step S104). As will be described in detail later, the fee information for each vehicle V is calculated by the fee determination device 30 when the vehicle V parks in any parking space and at intervals of a predetermined unit of time (for example, 1 hour), and notified to the roadside unit 10.

[0061] Furthermore, the billing processing unit 112 notifies the vehicle V's onboard unit 20 of the parking fee and performs the billing process (step S105). The details of this billing process are the same as existing processes such as ETC, so the explanation is omitted.

[0062] Once the billing process is complete, the vehicle information generation unit 110 generates exit information D2 (Figure 4) by adding the parking lot ID, exit time, and parking fee to the vehicle identification information of vehicle V acquired in step S100 (step S106). The vehicle information generation unit 110 then transmits the generated exit information D2 to the in-vehicle device 20 and the fee determination device 30 (step S107) and terminates the process.

[0063] (Processing flow of in-vehicle devices) Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by an in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of this disclosure. Here, we will explain the processing flow of the in-vehicle device, referring to Figure 8.

[0064] When the vehicle V enters the communication section R of the roadside unit 10, the identification information notification unit 211 responds to a request from the roadside unit 10 and notifies the roadside unit 10 of the identification information of the vehicle V (step S200).

[0065] Next, the identification information notification unit 211 determines whether it has received entry information D1 from the roadside unit 10 (step S201).

[0066] If entry information D1 is received (step S201; YES), the in-vehicle unit 20 performs the entry processing (steps S202 to S206). On the other hand, if entry information D1 is not received (step S201; NO), the in-vehicle unit 20 performs the exit processing (step S207).

[0067] First, let's explain the processing of the on-board unit 20 upon entry. When the roadside unit 10 detects a vehicle V newly entering the parking lot 9, it generates entry information D1 for this vehicle V and transmits it to the on-board unit 20 (steps S102 to S103 in Figure 7). When the identification information notification unit 211 of the on-board unit 20 receives this entry information D1 (step S201; YES), it records this entry information D1 in the storage 23 and notifies the toll determination device 30 of the identification information of vehicle V (step S202).

[0068] Next, when the positioning information acquisition unit 210 acquires positioning information (step S203), the location information notification unit 212 notifies the fare determination device 30 of the location information of vehicle V included in the positioning information (step S204).

[0069] Furthermore, the parking determination unit 213 determines, based on the positioning information, whether the vehicle V has parked in one of the parking spaces (step S205).

[0070] For example, the parking determination unit 213 determines that vehicle V is parked when a certain amount of time has elapsed since the vehicle's speed, as included in the positioning information, became "0" (step S205; YES). In this case, the parking determination unit 213 notifies the toll determination device 30 that the vehicle has been parked (step S206) and terminates the process.

[0071] Furthermore, the parking determination unit 213 determines that vehicle V is not parked if the vehicle V's movement speed is not "0", or if a certain amount of time has not elapsed since the vehicle V's movement speed became "0" (step S205; NO). In this case, the process returns to step S203 and the process of detecting whether vehicle V is parked (steps S203 to S205) is executed again.

[0072] Next, the processing of the on-board unit 20 upon exit will be explained. When the roadside unit 10 detects a vehicle V exiting the parking lot 9, it notifies the vehicle V of the parking fee and processes the billing (step S105 in Figure 7). Then, the payment processing unit 214 of the on-board unit 20 processes the payment of the notified parking fee based on the instructions of the roadside unit 10 (step S207). Note that the content of this payment process is the same as existing processes such as ETC, so the explanation will be omitted. After the payment process is completed, the payment processing unit 214 records the exit information D2 received from the roadside unit 10 in the storage 23 and terminates the process.

[0073] (Processing flow of the price determination device) Figure 9 is a first flowchart showing an example of the processing of a fee determination device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10 is a second flowchart showing an example of the processing of a fee determination device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the processing flow of the fee determination device 30 will be explained with reference to Figures 9 to 10. Note that the flowcharts in Figures 9 to 10 illustrate an example of the fee determination device 30 determining the parking fee for one vehicle V, but in reality, the fee determination device 30 performs the same processing in parallel for multiple vehicles V.

[0074] First, when vehicle V enters parking lot 9, the vehicle information acquisition unit 310 acquires entry information D1 for vehicle V from the roadside unit 10 (step S300). The vehicle information acquisition unit 310 records the entry information D1 in storage 33.

[0075] Next, the vehicle information acquisition unit 310 acquires identification information from the in-vehicle device 20 of the vehicle V (step S301).

[0076] The vehicle information acquisition unit 310 refers to the storage 33 and extracts the identification information acquired from the in-vehicle device 20 and the entry information D1 associated with the same identification information. The vehicle information acquisition unit 310 then records the linked management information D3 (Figure 11) in the storage 33 (step S302).

[0077] Figure 11 shows an example of management information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 11, the management information D3 includes the parking lot ID, vehicle V identification information, specific vehicle information, entry time, exit time, parking space, and parking fee. The parking lot ID, vehicle V identification information, specific vehicle information, and entry time are information included in the entry information D1 obtained from the roadside unit 10. The exit time is information included in the exit information D2 obtained from the roadside unit 10. The parking space and parking fee are information entered through the processing of the parking space discrimination unit 312 and the fee calculation unit 313, which will be described later.

[0078] Next, the location information acquisition unit 311 acquires the location information of the vehicle V from the in-vehicle device 20, which is the source of the identification information (step S303).

[0079] Furthermore, the parking space discrimination unit 312 determines whether it has received a parking notification from the in-vehicle unit 20, which is the source of the identification information (step S304).

[0080] If no parking notification has been received from the in-vehicle unit 20 (step S304; NO), return to step S303.

[0081] On the other hand, if a parking notification is received from the in-vehicle unit 20 (step S304; YES), the parking space determination unit 312 determines the parking space 90 in which the vehicle V has parked (step S305). For example, the storage 33 has map information pre-recorded showing the location of each parking space 90 in the parking lot 9. The parking space determination unit 312 identifies the parking space 90 that matches the location information obtained from the in-vehicle unit 20 immediately before the parking notification, based on the map information. The map information may also include information about the pathways that the vehicle V travels within the parking lot 9. In this case, the parking space determination unit 312 may perform map matching processing or the like from the location information obtained from the in-vehicle unit 20 to identify the travel route of the vehicle V and the parking space 90 it has reached.

[0082] Next, the fee calculation unit 313 performs the process of calculating the parking fee for vehicle V (step S306). The specific details of this process will be explained with reference to Figure 10.

[0083] First, the fee calculation unit 313 determines whether the parking space 90 where vehicle V is parked is a general parking space (step S310).

[0084] For example, suppose that the parking space 90 in which vehicle V parked was a parking space 90D reserved for specific vehicles (Figure 1) (Step S310; NO). In this case, the fee calculation unit 313 refers to the specific vehicle information in the management information D3 to determine whether vehicle V is a specific vehicle permitted to park in parking space 90D reserved for specific vehicles (Step S311).

[0085] If vehicle V is a designated vehicle (step S311; YES), the fare calculation unit 313 does not add an additional charge for vehicle V (step S312) and proceeds to step S314. On the other hand, if vehicle V is not a designated vehicle (step S311; NO), the fare calculation unit 313 adds an additional charge (penalty) for vehicle V (step S313) and proceeds to step S314.

[0086] Furthermore, suppose that the parking space 90 in which vehicle V parked was one of the general spaces 90A, 90B, or 90C (Figure 1) (Step S310; YES). In this case, the processing of additional charges (Steps S311 to S313) is skipped, and the process proceeds to Step S314.

[0087] Next, the fee calculation unit 313 calculates the hourly usage rate of the parking space 90 where the vehicle V is parked at the time of calculating the parking fee (step S314). The usage rate of each parking space 90 is, for example, the sum of the parking times of each vehicle V in a unit time divided by the total available time of the parking space 90 in a unit time (number of parking spaces × unit time). For example, if a certain parking space 90A has 12 parking spaces and a unit time of 1 hour, and 10 vehicles V have each parked there for 0.5 hours during the period from the current time to the unit time before, then the hourly usage rate of this parking space 90A at the current time will be approximately 0.42, as shown in the following formula (1).

[0088] (10 units × 0.5 hours) ÷ (12 units × 1 hour) ≈ 0.42···(1)

[0089] The fee calculation unit 313 may, for example, pre-calculate the usage rate of each parking space 90 for each unit of time and store it in the storage 33. In this case, the fee calculation unit 313 reads the latest usage rate stored in the storage 33 in step S314.

[0090] Furthermore, the fee calculation unit 313 reads the time-of-day coefficient for the parking space 90 where the vehicle V corresponding to the current time is parked (step S315). The time-of-day coefficient is a coefficient for each time period calculated from past usage statistics for each parking space 90. Each time period is, for example, a period obtained by dividing a day into one-hour intervals. For example, if the current time is in the 9 o'clock hour (9:00~9:59), the fee calculation unit 313 reads the time-of-day coefficient for 9:00~10:00.

[0091] Figure 12 shows an example of a time-of-day coefficient according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 12, the horizontal axis represents time periods, and the vertical axis represents the value of the time period coefficient. For example, the fee calculation unit 313 calculates the time period coefficient based on statistical information of usage rates over a predetermined period (e.g., one month, six months, one year), such that the value increases for time periods with higher usage rates, and stores it in the storage 33. Note that the time period coefficient may be created by the parking lot operator and recorded in the storage 33 of the fee determination device 30.

[0092] Next, the fee calculation unit 313 calculates the parking fee per unit time for vehicle V using the following formula (2).

[0093] Parking fee per unit time = Basic parking fee + Congestion rate × (Usage rate + Time-of-day coefficient) ÷ 2 ... (2)

[0094] The base parking fee is the minimum fee that must be charged when vehicle V is parked in parking space 90. For example, if the parking fee varies per unit time, and the base parking fee is 300 yen, the congestion fee is 150 yen, the usage rate is 0.42, and the time-of-day coefficient is 0.58, then the parking fee per unit time would be "300 yen + 150 yen × (0.42 + 0.58) ÷ 2 = 375 yen". The parking fee per unit time is recorded in management information D3.

[0095] The fee calculation unit 313 may also add a congestion fee only when the occupancy rate of the parking space 90 exceeds a predetermined threshold. In this case, if the occupancy rate of the parking space 90 where vehicle V is parked is below the threshold, the parking fee per unit time will be only the basic parking fee.

[0096] Furthermore, the fee calculation unit 313 calculates the total amount of parking fees for vehicle V (step S317). Specifically, the fee calculation unit 313 calculates the sum of the parking fee for each unit of time and any additional charges (penalties). For example, suppose the unit of time is 1 hour and vehicle V is parked for 2 hours. If the parking fee for each unit of time is 375 yen and there are no additional charges (step S312), the total amount of parking fees for vehicle V will be "375 yen + 375 yen + 0 yen = 750 yen". On the other hand, if there are additional charges (step S313) and the additional charge is 250 yen, the total amount of parking fees for vehicle V will be "375 yen + 375 yen + 250 yen = 1000 yen".

[0097] Next, the fee calculation unit 313 notifies the roadside unit 10 of fee information that associates the identification information of the vehicle V with the parking fee (total amount) (step S318).

[0098] Next, the vehicle information acquisition unit 310 and the fare calculation unit 313 determine whether they have acquired the departure information D2 for vehicle V (step S320). If the departure information D2 has been acquired (step S320; YES), the vehicle information acquisition unit 310 inputs the departure time indicated by the departure information D2 into the management information D3 of vehicle V and updates it (step S320). The fare determination device 30 also terminates processing for this vehicle V.

[0099] On the other hand, if exit information D2 has not been obtained (step S320; NO), the fee calculation unit 313 determines whether a unit of time has elapsed (step S321). If the fee calculation unit 313 determines that a unit of time has not elapsed since the previous parking fee calculation (step S321; NO), it returns to step S319. Also, if the fee calculation unit 313 determines that a unit of time has elapsed since the previous parking fee calculation (step S321; YES), it returns to step S314 to calculate the parking fee for vehicle V for the next unit of time. In this way, the fee determination device 30 calculates the total amount of parking fees for vehicle V according to its parking time and parking space.

[0100] (Effect, Action) As described above, the toll determination device 30 according to this embodiment includes a vehicle information acquisition unit 310 that acquires entry information of a vehicle V entering the parking lot 9 from a roadside unit 10, a location information acquisition unit 311 that acquires location information of the vehicle V from an on-board unit 20 mounted on the vehicle V, a parking space determination unit 312 that determines the parking space 90 in which the vehicle V has parked based on the location information, and a toll calculation unit 313 that calculates the parking fee corresponding to the parking space 90 in which the vehicle V has parked.

[0101] In this way, the fee determination device 30 can determine the parking space 90 for a vehicle V in a parking lot 9 having multiple parking spaces 90 based on location information acquired from the on-board unit 20, and apply a parking fee to each vehicle V according to the parking space 90 in which it is parked.

[0102] Furthermore, the fee calculation unit 313 calculates the parking fee for vehicle V by adding to the base parking fee for the parking space 90 in which vehicle V is parked a congestion fee calculated based on the usage rate of the parking space 90 and a time-of-day coefficient calculated from statistical information on the past usage rate of the parking space 90.

[0103] In this way, the fee determination device 30 can apply different parking fees according to the usage rate of each parking space 90 and the usage rate trend based on statistical information. This allows the fee determination device 30 to adjust parking fees so that parking spaces with higher usage rates (higher levels of congestion) are more expensive, thereby encouraging users to park in parking spaces with relatively lower usage rates. This allows the fee determination device 30 to average out the usage rate of each parking space.

[0104] Furthermore, the fee calculation unit 313 calculates the parking fee by adding the per-unit hour fee for vehicle V each time a unit of time has elapsed.

[0105] In this way, the fee determination device 30 can add different parking fees to vehicles V that park for longer than a unit time, depending on the occupancy rate of the parking space for each unit time.

[0106] Furthermore, the fee calculation unit 313 adds an additional charge (penalty) to the parking fee for vehicle V if the parking space where vehicle V is parked is a space where only specific vehicles are permitted to park, and vehicle V is not a specific vehicle.

[0107] In this way, the fee determination device 30 can deter vehicles other than the designated vehicle V from parking (unauthorized use) in parking spaces reserved for designated vehicles.

[0108] As described above, several embodiments relating to this disclosure have been explained, but all of these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents.

[0109] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the parking determination unit 213 of the in-vehicle unit 20 determines whether or not the vehicle is parked based on the moving speed included in the positioning information, but the embodiment is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the parking determination unit 213 may determine whether or not the vehicle is parked based on vehicle signals (e.g., vehicle speed pulse signal, parking brake signal, etc.) obtained from the vehicle V, rather than positioning information.

[0110] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment explains an example in which the location information notification unit 212 of the in-vehicle unit 20 notifies the toll determination device 30 of the location information included in the positioning information, the embodiment is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the location information notification unit 212 may receive map information of the parking lot 9 from the roadside unit 10 when entering the parking lot 9 and determine the map information location of the vehicle V (the location indicating the passage and parking space 90 within the parking lot 9) through map matching processing. In this case, the location information notification unit 212 of the in-vehicle unit 20 notifies the toll determination device 30 of the map matching result as a single piece of information. The parking space discrimination unit 312 of the toll determination device 30 also determines the parking space 90 in which the vehicle V is parked based on the map matching result notified by the in-vehicle unit 20.

[0111] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example was explained in which the fee calculation unit 313 of the fee determination device 30 adds a congestion fee according to the usage rate of the parking spaces 90, but it is not limited to this. In other embodiments, if the usage rate of the parking spaces 90 falls below the target value planned by the parking lot operator, the fee calculation unit 313 may deduct a predetermined discount amount (or an amount equivalent to a predetermined discount rate) from the basic parking fee. This can be used to encourage vehicles V to park in the parking spaces 90 to which the discount applies, thereby improving the usage rate of these parking spaces 90.

[0112] <Note> The fare determination device, fare collection system, fare determination method, and program described in the above-described embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows:

[0113] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a fee determination device (30) for a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces, each of which has a plurality of parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, comprises: a vehicle information acquisition unit (310) that acquires entry information, including identification information of a vehicle entering the parking lot, from a roadside unit (10) installed at the entrance and exit of the parking lot; a location information acquisition unit (311) that acquires location information of a vehicle from an on-board unit (20) mounted on a vehicle; a parking space determination unit (312) that determines the parking space in which the vehicle has parked based on the location information; and a fee calculation unit (313) that calculates a parking fee corresponding to the parking space in which the vehicle has parked.

[0114] In this way, the fee determination device can determine the parking space of vehicle V in a parking lot with multiple parking spaces based on location information obtained from the on-board unit, and apply the appropriate parking fee to each vehicle according to the parking space in which it is parked.

[0115] (2) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, in the fee determination device (30) according to the first aspect, the fee calculation unit (313) calculates the parking fee by adding to the base parking fee of the parking space in which the vehicle is parked a congestion fee calculated based on the usage rate of the parking space at the time the parking fee is calculated and a time-specific coefficient calculated from statistical information on the past usage rate of the parking space.

[0116] In this way, the fee determination system can apply different parking fees according to the occupancy rate of each parking space and the trend of occupancy rates based on statistical information. This allows the fee determination system to adjust parking fees so that parking spaces with higher occupancy rates (higher levels of congestion) are more expensive, thereby encouraging users to park in parking spaces with relatively lower occupancy rates. This allows the fee determination system to average out the occupancy rate of each parking space.

[0117] (3) According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the fee determination device (30) according to the second aspect, the fee calculation unit (313) calculates a parking fee by adding the fee per unit time for the vehicle each time a unit of time has elapsed.

[0118] In this way, the fee determination device can add different parking fees to vehicles parked for longer than the unit time, depending on the occupancy rate of the parking space for each unit time.

[0119] (4) According to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in a fee determination device (30) according to any one of the first to third aspects, the entry information further includes information that can identify whether or not the vehicle is a specific vehicle, and the fee calculation unit (313) adds an additional charge to the parking fee for the vehicle if the parking space in which the vehicle is parked is a space in which only parking of specific vehicles is permitted, and the entry information identifies that the vehicle is not a specific vehicle.

[0120] In this way, the fee determination system can deter vehicles other than designated vehicles from parking in (misusing) designated parking spaces.

[0121] (5) According to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a parking fee collection system (1) for a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces, each of which has a plurality of parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, comprises a roadside unit (10) installed at the entrance and exit of the parking lot, an on-board unit (20) mounted on a vehicle using the parking lot, and a fee determination device (30) according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0122] (6) According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a method for determining the fees for a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces, each of which has a plurality of parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, includes the steps of: obtaining entry information, including identification information of a vehicle entering the parking lot, from a roadside device (10) installed at the entrance or exit of the parking lot; obtaining location information of a vehicle from an onboard device (20) installed in a vehicle; determining the parking space in which the vehicle has parked based on the location information; and calculating the parking fee corresponding to the parking space in which the vehicle has parked.

[0123] (7) According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the program causes a fee determination device (30) for a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces, each of which has a plurality of parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, to perform the steps of: obtaining entry information, including identification information of a vehicle entering the parking lot, from a roadside device (10) installed at the entrance and exit of the parking lot; obtaining location information of a vehicle from an onboard device (20) installed in a vehicle; determining the parking space in which the vehicle has parked based on the location information; and calculating a parking fee corresponding to the parking space in which the vehicle has parked. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0124] 1. Toll collection system 10 Roadside unit 11 processors 110 Vehicle Information Generation Unit 111 Parking Fee Collection Department 112 Billing Processing Unit 12 memory 13 Storage 14. Communication Interface 20 Onboard equipment 21 processors 210 Positioning Information Acquisition Unit 211 Identification Information Notification Unit 212 Location information notification section 213 Parking Judgment Unit 214 Payment Processing Department 22 memory 23 Storage 24 Communication Interfaces 25 Output section 30. Price determination device 31 processors 310 Vehicle Information Acquisition Unit 311 Location information acquisition unit 312 Parking space identification unit 313 Billing Department 32 memory 33 Storage 34 Communication Interfaces

Claims

1. A parking lot fee determination device having multiple parking spaces, each of which has multiple parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, A vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires entry information, including identification information of vehicles entering the parking lot, from a roadside unit installed at the entrance / exit of the parking lot, A location information acquisition unit that acquires location information, including the position of the vehicle determined by the on-board device, from an on-board device installed in the vehicle, A parking space determination unit that determines a parking space that matches the location information obtained from the in-vehicle device as the parking space where the vehicle is parked, A fee calculation unit that calculates the parking fee corresponding to the parking space in which the vehicle is parked, A fare determination device equipped with the following features.

2. The fee calculation unit calculates the parking fee by adding to the base parking fee for the parking space where the vehicle is parked a congestion fee calculated based on the usage rate of the parking space at the time the parking fee is calculated and a time-based coefficient calculated from statistical information on the past usage rate of the parking space. The fee determination device according to claim 1.

3. The fee calculation unit calculates the parking fee by adding the fee per unit time for the vehicle each time a unit of time has elapsed. The fee determination device according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned entry information further includes information that can identify whether or not the vehicle is a specific vehicle, The aforementioned fee calculation unit adds an additional charge to the parking fee for the vehicle if it determines that the parking space where the vehicle parked is a space where only specific vehicles are permitted to park, and that the vehicle is not a specific vehicle based on the entry information. A fee determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A parking lot fee determination device having multiple parking spaces, each of which has multiple parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, A vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires entry information, including identification information of vehicles entering the parking lot, from a roadside unit installed at the entrance / exit of the parking lot, A location information acquisition unit that acquires location information of the vehicle from an in-vehicle device installed in the vehicle, A parking space determination unit that determines the parking space in which the vehicle is parked based on the location information, A fee calculation unit that calculates the parking fee corresponding to the parking space in which the vehicle is parked, Equipped with, The fee calculation unit calculates the parking fee by adding to the base parking fee for the parking space where the vehicle is parked a congestion fee calculated based on the usage rate of the parking space at the time the parking fee is calculated and a time-based coefficient calculated from statistical information on the past usage rate of the parking space. Price determination device.

6. A parking lot fee determination device having multiple parking spaces, each of which has multiple parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, A vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires entry information, including identification information of vehicles entering the parking lot, from a roadside unit installed at the entrance / exit of the parking lot, A location information acquisition unit that acquires location information of the vehicle from an in-vehicle device installed in the vehicle, A parking space determination unit that determines the parking space in which the vehicle is parked based on the location information, A fee calculation unit that calculates the parking fee corresponding to the parking space in which the vehicle is parked, Equipped with, The aforementioned fee calculation unit calculates the parking fee by adding to the base parking fee for the parking space in which the vehicle is parked a congestion fee calculated based on the usage rate of the parking space at the time the parking fee is calculated and a time-specific coefficient calculated from statistical information on the past usage rate of the parking space. The fee calculation unit calculates the parking fee by adding the fee per unit time for the vehicle each time a unit of time has elapsed. Price determination device.

7. A parking lot fee determination device having multiple parking spaces, each of which has multiple parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, A vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires entry information, including identification information of vehicles entering the parking lot, from a roadside unit installed at the entrance / exit of the parking lot, A location information acquisition unit that acquires location information of the vehicle from an in-vehicle device installed in the vehicle, A parking space determination unit that determines the parking space in which the vehicle is parked based on the location information, A fee calculation unit that calculates the parking fee corresponding to the parking space in which the vehicle is parked, Equipped with, The aforementioned entry information further includes information that can identify whether or not the vehicle is a specific vehicle, The aforementioned fee calculation unit adds an additional charge to the parking fee for the vehicle if it determines that the parking space where the vehicle parked is a space where only specific vehicles are permitted to park, and that the vehicle is not a specific vehicle based on the entry information. Price determination device.

8. A parking lot fee collection system having multiple parking spaces, each of which has multiple parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, A roadside unit installed at the entrance / exit of the aforementioned parking lot, An in-vehicle device installed in a vehicle using the aforementioned parking lot, A fee determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A toll collection system equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

9. A method for determining the fees for a parking lot having multiple parking spaces, each of which has multiple parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, The fee determination device obtains entry information, including identification information of a vehicle entering the parking lot, from a roadside unit installed at the entrance / exit of the parking lot. The fare determination device includes the step of obtaining location information, including the position of the vehicle determined by the on-board unit, from the on-board unit installed in the vehicle. The fee determination device includes the step of determining a parking space that matches the location information obtained from the in-vehicle device as the parking space where the vehicle is parked, The fee determination device includes the step of calculating a parking fee corresponding to the parking space in which the vehicle is parked, A method for determining fees that includes the following:

10. A fee determination device for a parking lot having multiple parking spaces, each of which has multiple parking spaces capable of accommodating one vehicle, The steps include obtaining entry information, including identification information of a vehicle entering the parking lot, from a roadside device installed at the entrance / exit of the parking lot, The steps include: obtaining location information, including the position of the vehicle determined by the on-board device, from the on-board device installed in the vehicle; The steps include: identifying a parking space that matches the location information obtained from the in-vehicle device as the parking space where the vehicle is parked; The steps include: calculating the parking fee corresponding to the parking space in which the vehicle is parked; A program that executes the command.

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