JP7614974B2 - Central billing processing device, fee collection system, billing processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a central billing processing device, a toll collection system, an exit billing processing device, a billing processing method, and a program.

The Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC (registered trademark)) used on toll roads enables automatic toll collection (payment processing) for vehicles in motion by wirelessly communicating between wireless communication devices installed in each lane at the toll gate and onboard units installed in vehicles.

A known technology related to this type of processing is the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1.

JP 2019-144753 A

In the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1, at the exit of a toll road, the exit charging processing device receives an unlimited ride discount flag from the onboard unit of an arriving vehicle and recognizes that the arriving vehicle is eligible for the unlimited ride discount.
On the other hand, in the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the unlimited travel status of the target vehicle is determined at the entrance toll gate, recorded on an IC card, and read at the exit toll gate to use for the unlimited travel status determination.
For this reason, when making judgments at the toll gates at the entrance and exit as in the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to send judgment criteria and data for the judgment criteria to the toll gates, and one package of functions is added for one service. In other words, when the number of services that cannot be reused increases, it is necessary to modify the center, entrance, and exit for each added service and add functions to the corresponding service.
Therefore, the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is difficult to modify.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a central billing processing device, a toll collection system, an exit billing processing device, a billing processing method, and a program that are easy to modify.

To solve the above problem, the central billing processing device according to the present disclosure includes a vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle information, including vehicle identification information, of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance of a toll road from an entrance billing processing device, a table creation unit that aggregates the vehicle information to create a notification table including discount information, and a distribution unit that distributes the notification table to an exit billing processing device installed at the exit that is the subject of the discount information, and the table creation unit includes a determination unit that determines the discount information to be included in the notification table based on the acquired vehicle identification information.

The exit billing processing device according to the present disclosure is an exit billing processing device installed at the exit of a toll road, and includes a recording processing unit that records a notification table including discount information distributed from a central billing processing device onto a recording medium within the exit billing processing device, an exit vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit, and a billing processing unit that refers to the notification table to identify the discount information related to the vehicle identification information and perform billing processing with a billing amount according to the discount information.

The billing processing method disclosed herein acquires vehicle information, including vehicle identification information, of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance of a toll road from an entrance billing processing device, aggregates the vehicle information to create a notification table including discount information, distributes the notification table to an exit billing processing device installed at the exit that is the subject of the discount information, and, in creating the notification table, determines the discount information to be included in the notification table based on the acquired vehicle identification information.

The billing processing method disclosed herein records a notification table containing discount information distributed from a central billing processing device on a recording medium in an exit billing processing device installed at the exit of a toll road, obtains vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit, refers to the notification table to identify the discount information related to the vehicle identification information, and performs billing processing with a billing amount according to the discount information.

The program disclosed herein causes a computer of a central billing processing device to acquire vehicle information, including vehicle identification information, of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance of a toll road from an entrance billing processing device, aggregate the vehicle information to create a notification table including discount information, distribute the notification table to an exit billing processing device installed at the exit that is the subject of the discount information, and, in creating the notification table, determine the discount information to be included in the notification table based on the acquired vehicle identification information.

The program disclosed herein causes a computer of an exit billing processing device installed at the exit of a toll road to record a notification table including discount information distributed from a central billing processing device onto a recording medium within the exit billing processing device, obtain vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at the exit, refer to the notification table to identify the discount information related to the vehicle identification information, and perform billing processing with a billing amount according to the discount information.

The central billing processing device, toll collection system, exit billing processing device, billing processing method, and program disclosed herein are easy to modify.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a fee collection system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a central charging processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an entrance charging processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an exit charging processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a main line billing processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an entrance FF charging processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of vehicle information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification table according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a central charging processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a process flow of a determination unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an exit charging processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

<Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a fee collection system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Overall configuration of the toll collection system)
The toll collection system 9 shown in FIG. 1 is an electronic toll collection system (ETC) and is applied to toll collection for a toll road U managed by a road operator.

The configuration of the toll road U will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toll road U has an entrance toll gate G2 and an entrance free flow G5 as entrances IN on a main road LM.
The toll road U further has an exit toll booth G3 as an exit OUT on the main road LM.
For example, the toll road U may further include a main line toll gate G4 on the main line LM.

Vehicle A arrives at entrance IN, intending to enter toll road U from a general road.

For example, the entrance toll booth G2 may be located in the incoming lane L2.
At that time, vehicle A travels on the incoming lane L2, arrives at the entrance toll gate G2, and travels on the toll road U after passing through the entrance toll gate G2.
For example, the entrance toll gate G2 may be equipped with a wireless communication device for wireless communication with the onboard unit C of the arriving vehicle A, and a vehicle type discrimination device capable of identifying the vehicle type classification based on detection results such as the number of axles of vehicle A.

For example, the entrance free flow G5 may be provided in the entrance FF lane L2F.
The entrance FF lane L2F is a FF (free flow) lane, and is an entry lane that does not have a toll gate.
For example, the entrance free flow G5 may be provided with a wireless communication device for wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device C of the arriving vehicle A.

Vehicle A, which is about to exit the toll road U onto an ordinary road, arrives at the exit toll gate G3.
For example, the exit toll booth G3 may be located in the exit lane L3.
At that time, vehicle A travels along toll road U and arrives at exit toll gate G3, and after passing through exit toll gate G3, travels along exit lane L3 and returns to the general road.
For example, a wireless communication device that performs billing processing for the approaching vehicle A via wireless communication, a roadside display that immediately notifies the collected billing amount, etc. may be provided on the roadside of the exit lane L3.

The main line toll gate G4 is a toll gate provided on the main line LM and is also called a collection toll gate. A vehicle A traveling on the main line LM of the toll road U passes through the main line toll gate G4.
For example, each lane of the main toll gate G4 may be provided with a wireless communication device, a vehicle type discrimination device, etc. similar to those at the entrance toll gate G2.

Next, the toll collection system 9 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toll collection system 9 includes a central charging processing device 1 and an exit charging processing device 3 .
For example, the fee collection system 9 may further include an entrance charging processing device 2 and an entrance FF charging processing device 5 as entrance charging processing devices.
For example, the toll collection system 9 may further include a main line billing processing device 4 .

The central billing processing device 1 is communicatively connected to billing processing devices installed at each toll booth and FF lane of the toll road U via a wide area communication network, and aggregates the information sequentially received from each billing processing device and distributes it to each billing processing device.

The entrance charging processing device 2 is a device installed at the entrance toll gate G2. If the entrance toll gate G2 has a plurality of lanes, the entrance charging processing device 2 is installed at each lane.
The entrance charging processing device 2 acquires vehicle information (described later) of vehicle A passing through the lane of the entrance toll gate G2, and transmits this vehicle information to the central charging processing device 1.
For example, if a vehicle type discrimination device capable of discriminating the vehicle type classification of vehicle A is installed in each lane of the entrance toll gate G2, the vehicle information transmitted by the entrance charging processing device 2 may include vehicle type classification information related to the discriminated vehicle type classification.

The exit charging processing device 3 is installed at the exit OUT of the toll road U.
For example, the exit charging processing device 3 may be a device installed at the exit toll booth G3.
For example, if there are multiple lanes at the exit toll booth G3, the exit charging processing device 3 may be installed in each lane.
The exit billing processing device 3 stores the notification table TT distributed from the central billing processing device 1 in a local recording medium within the device itself.
For example, the exit billing processing device 3 may refer to the notification table TT distributed from the central billing processing device 1 and perform real-time billing and real-time notification based on the correct vehicle type classification, etc., for each vehicle A passing through each lane.
For example, the exit charging processing device 3 may obtain vehicle information of vehicle A passing through the lane of the exit toll gate G3 and transmit this to the central charging processing device 1.

The main line billing processing device 4 is a device installed at the main line toll gate G4. If the main line toll gate G4 has multiple lanes, the main line billing processing device 4 is installed at each lane.
For example, the main line billing processing device 4 may store in a local recording medium the notification table TT distributed from the central billing processing device 1. In this case, the main line billing processing device 4 may determine whether or not the vehicle information acquired from vehicle A passing through the lane of the main line toll gate G4 has already been recorded in the notification table TT stored in the local recording medium, and may transmit the acquired vehicle information to the central billing processing device 1 depending on the result of the determination.

The entrance FF charging processing device 5 is a device installed at the entrance free flow G5.
The entrance FF charging processing device 5 is installed on the entrance FF lane L2F. Like the entrance charging processing device 2, the entrance FF charging processing device 5 acquires vehicle information of the vehicle A traveling on the entrance FF lane L2F and transmits the vehicle information to the central charging processing device 1.
For example, a vehicle type discrimination device may not be installed in the entrance FF lane L2F. In this case, the vehicle information transmitted by the entrance FF charging processor 5 may not include vehicle type classification information.

(Functional configuration of the central billing processing device)
As shown in FIG. 2, the central billing processing device 1 functionally comprises a vehicle information acquisition unit 101, a table creation unit 102, and a distribution unit 103.

For example, the central billing processing device 1 may have a hardware configuration including a CPU 10, a memory 11, a communication interface 12, and a recording medium 13.

The CPU 10 is a processor that performs various functions by operating according to a program prepared in advance. The functions of the CPU 10 will be described later.
The memory 11 is a so-called main storage device, and has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 10 .
The communication interface 12 is a connection interface for connecting to each billing processing device so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wide area communication network.
The recording medium 13 is a so-called auxiliary storage device, and is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). In this embodiment, a notification table TT is recorded on the recording medium 13.

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 10 of the central billing processing device 1.

For example, the CPU 10 may function as a vehicle information acquisition unit 101, a table creation unit 102, and a distribution unit 103 by operating according to a pre-prepared program.

The vehicle information acquisition unit 101 acquires vehicle information D, including vehicle identification information DI, of a vehicle A that has arrived at an entrance IN of a toll road U from an entrance charging processing device.
For example, the vehicle information acquisition unit 101 may acquire, from the entrance charging processing device 2, vehicle information D including vehicle identification information DI of vehicle A that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2.
For example, the vehicle information acquisition unit 101 may acquire, from the entrance FF charging processing device 5, vehicle information D including vehicle identification information DI of vehicle A that has arrived at the entrance free flow G5.

For example, the vehicle information D acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 101 may include vehicle identification information DI capable of identifying the vehicle A, as well as vehicle type classification information DC determined using detection results such as the number of axles of the vehicle A.
For example, the number of axles is detected by the tires of a traveling vehicle A sequentially stepping on treads (described later) installed on the road surface; in other words, it may be one aspect of a feature detected as vehicle A travels.
For example, in other embodiments, the feature detected as vehicle A travels is not limited to the number of axles, but may be, for example, the vehicle length detected based on an optical sensor or the like.

For example, the vehicle information acquisition unit 101 may further acquire vehicle information including vehicle identification information DJ of vehicle A that has arrived at the exit toll gate G3 from the exit charging processing device 3.
For example, the vehicle information acquisition unit 101 may further acquire vehicle information D including vehicle identification information DI of vehicle A that has arrived at the main line toll gate G4 from the main line charging processing device 4.

The table creation unit 102 aggregates the vehicle information D, including the vehicle identification information DI of the vehicle A, acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 101, and creates a notification table TT, including the discount information DD.
For example, the notification table TT may include vehicle type classification information DC.

For example, the table creation unit 102 may aggregate vehicle information D received from each billing processing device to create an all-vehicle information table, and then add discount information DD to the created all-vehicle information table to create a notification table TT including the discount information DD.
For example, the table creation unit 102 may add the vehicle information D successively received from the entrance billing processing device 2, the main line billing processing device 4, and the entrance FF billing processing device 5 to the notification table TT as the vehicle information D of a vehicle A that has newly entered the toll road U. On the other hand, the table creation unit 102 may exclude the vehicle information D of a vehicle A that has newly exited the toll road U from the notification table TT, and may consolidate these to update the notification table TT.

The table creating unit 102 includes a determining unit 102a.
The determination unit 102 a determines the discount information DD to be included in the notification table TT based on the vehicle identification information DI of the vehicle A acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 101 .
For example, the judgment unit 102a may judge whether or not to add discount information DD based on the acquired vehicle identification information DI, and if the judgment unit 102a judges that discount information DD should be added, the table creation unit 102 may include the discount information DD that has been determined to be added in the notification table TT.

For example, the determination unit 102a may determine the discount information DD to be included in the notification table TT based on the number of arrivals, which is the number of times that the vehicle A arrives at the entrance IN of the toll road U.

For example, the determination unit 102a may determine the discount rate as the discount information DD.

The distribution unit 103 distributes the notification table TT, which includes the discount information DD created by the table creation unit 102, to the exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit OUT that is the target of the discount information DD.
For example, the distribution unit 103 may distribute the notification table TT to each of the exit billing processing devices 3 installed at all the exits OUT that are the subject of the discount information DD.
For example, the distribution unit 103 may distribute the same notification table TT to all exits OUT that are the subject of the discount information DD.
For example, the distribution unit 103 may distribute the notification table TT to the entrance charging processing device 2, the main line charging processing device 4, the entrance FF charging processing device 5, and the like.

(Functional configuration of the entrance charging processing device)
As shown in FIG. 3, the entrance charging processing device 2 functionally comprises a recording processing unit 201 , an entrance vehicle information acquiring unit 202 , an entrance transmitting unit 203 , and an in-vehicle information writing unit 204 .

For example, the entrance charging processing device 2 may have a hardware configuration including a CPU 20, a memory 21, a communication interface 22, a roadside equipment interface 23, and a recording medium 24.

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

Next, we will explain the roadside equipment (wireless communication device 2A, vehicle type discrimination device 2B) connected to the entrance charging processing device 2.

The wireless communication device 2A performs wireless communication using DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) with the on-board device C (Figure 1) of the vehicle A that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2, and acquires various information recorded in the on-board device C (on-board device ID, IC card information, vehicle number, etc.).

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

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 20 of the entrance billing processing device 2.

The CPU 20 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a recording processing unit 201, an entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202, an entrance transmission unit 203, and an on-board device information writing unit 204.

The recording processing unit 201 records data relating to each process on the local recording medium 24 .
For example, the recording processing unit 201 may record the notification table TT delivered from the central billing processing device 1 onto the local recording medium 24 .

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

The entrance transmission unit 203 transmits vehicle information D, which includes vehicle identification information DI and vehicle type classification information DC, to the central billing processing device 1.

The vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 204 reads the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information that is preregistered in the vehicle-mounted device C (Figure 1) and writes it to the IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device C.

(Functional configuration of the egress billing processing device)
As shown in FIG. 4, the exit billing processing device 3 functionally comprises a recording processing unit 301 , an exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 , and a billing processing unit 305 .
For example, the exit billing processing device 3 may further include an exit transmitting unit 303 and an in-vehicle information reading unit 304 as functional elements.

For example, the hardware configuration of the exit billing processing device 3 may include a CPU 30, a memory 31, a communication interface 32, a roadside equipment interface 33, and a recording medium 34.

The CPU 30 is a processor that performs various functions by operating according to a program prepared in advance. The functions of the CPU 30 will be described later.
The memory 31 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 30 .
The communication interface 32 is a connection interface for communicatively connecting to the central billing processing device 1 via a wide area communication network.
The roadside equipment interface 33 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside equipment (wireless communication device 3A, roadside display 3B) provided in each lane of the exit toll gate G3.
The recording medium 34 is a local recording medium provided within the exit billing processing device 3, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD.

Next, we will explain the roadside equipment (wireless communication device 3A, roadside display 3B) connected to the exit billing processing device 3.

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

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 30 of the exit billing processing device 3.

The CPU 30 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a recording processing unit 301, an exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302, an exit transmission unit 303, an on-board device information reading unit 304, and a billing processing unit 305.

The recording processing unit 301 records the notification table TT, which includes the discount information DD distributed from the central billing processing device 1, on the recording medium 34 in the exit billing processing device 3 (within its own device).
For example, the recording processing unit 301 may update the contents recorded on the recording medium 34 based on a notification table TT periodically distributed from the central billing processing device 1 .

The exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 acquires vehicle identification information DJ of the vehicle A that has arrived at the exit OUT.
For example, the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 may acquire vehicle information of the vehicle A that has arrived at the exit toll gate G3 through the wireless communication device 3A. At that time, the acquired vehicle information may include vehicle identification information DJ that can identify the vehicle A from other vehicles.

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

The vehicle-mounted device information reading unit 304 reads the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information written to the IC card at the entrance toll booth G2.

The billing processing unit 305 refers to the notification table TT to identify the discount information DD related to the vehicle identification information DJ, and performs billing processing at a billing amount according to the discount information DD.

For example, the billing processing unit 305 may refer to the notification table TT recorded in the local recording medium 34 and perform billing processing for each arriving vehicle A.
For example, if the exit toll gate G3 where vehicle A arrived is subject to discount information DD, the billing processing unit 305 may perform billing processing at a billing amount according to the identified discount information DD.

For example, the billing processing unit 305 may refer to the notification table TT recorded on the local recording medium 34 to further identify the vehicle type classification information DC related to the vehicle identification information DJ acquired by the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302, and perform billing processing with a billing amount according to the vehicle type classification information DC and the discount information DD.

For example, the billing processing unit 305 may search the notification table TT with the vehicle identification information DJ, and when vehicle identification information DI that matches the vehicle identification information DJ is found, it may identify the vehicle classification information DC and discount information DD related to the vehicle identification information DI, and perform billing processing with a billing amount according to the vehicle classification information DC and discount information DD.

(Functional configuration of the main line billing processing device)
As shown in FIG. 5, the main line billing processing device 4 functionally comprises a record processing unit 401 , a main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 , a main line transmission unit 403 , and an on-board device information writing unit 404 .

For example, the main line billing processing device 4 may have a hardware configuration including a CPU 40, a memory 41, a communication interface 42, a roadside equipment interface 43, and a recording medium 44.

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

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

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 40 of the main line billing processing device 4.

The CPU 40 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a recording processing unit 401, a main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402, a main line transmission unit 403, and an on-board device information writing unit 404.

The recording processing unit 401 records data relating to each process on the local recording medium 44 .
For example, the recording processing unit 401 may record the notification table TT delivered from the central billing processing device 1 in the local recording medium 44 .

The main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 acquires vehicle information D of the vehicle A that has arrived at the main line toll gate G4 through the wireless communication device 4A and the vehicle type discrimination device 4B.
For example, the vehicle information D acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 may include vehicle identification information DI capable of identifying the vehicle A, and vehicle type classification information DC determined using detection results such as the number of axles of vehicle A.
For example, the main line transmitting unit 403 may transmit vehicle information D including vehicle identification information DI and vehicle type classification information DC to the central billing processing device 1 .

The vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 404 reads the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information that is preregistered in the vehicle-mounted device C (Figure 1) and writes it to the IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device C.

(Functional configuration of the entrance FF billing processing device)
As shown in FIG. 6, the entrance FF billing processing device 5 functionally comprises a recording processing unit 501 , an entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502 , an entrance FF transmission unit 503 , and an in-vehicle information writing unit 504 .

For example, the entrance FF billing processing device 5 may have a hardware configuration including a CPU 50, a memory 51, a communication interface 52, a roadside equipment interface 53, and a recording medium 54.

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

The wireless communication device 5A, which is a roadside device connected to the entrance FF charging processing device 5, is similar to the wireless communication device 2A provided at the entrance toll gate G2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
The roadside camera 5B is a camera installed on the roadside and captures an image of the vehicle A traveling in the entrance FF lane L2F. The roadside camera 5B is capable of acquiring a vehicle image showing the exterior of each vehicle in association with the vehicle identification information DI obtained through the wireless communication device 5A.

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 50 of the entrance FF billing processing device 5.

The CPU 50 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a recording processing unit 501, an entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502, an entrance FF transmission unit 503, and an on-board device information writing unit 504.

The recording processing unit 501 records data relating to each process on the local recording medium 54 .
For example, the recording processing unit 501 may record the notification table TT delivered from the central billing processing device 1 in the local recording medium 54 .

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

The entrance FF transmission unit 503 transmits vehicle information D, which includes vehicle identification information DI but does not include vehicle type classification information DC, to the central billing processing device 1.

The vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 504 reads the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information that is preregistered in the vehicle-mounted device C (Figure 1) and writes it to the IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device C.

(Example of vehicle information and notification table)
Below, with reference to Figures 7 and 8, we will explain in detail the contents of the data of the vehicle information D that is sequentially acquired by the entrance billing processing device 2, etc. and transmitted to the central billing processing device 1, and the contents of the data of the notification table TT created by the central billing processing device 1.

As shown in Figure 7, vehicle information D includes "vehicle identification information,""toll gate number,""lanenumber,""processing date, time, and minute,""IC card information,""vehicle type classification information,""number plate information," and "vehicle image data."
For example, the "vehicle image data" may be only information on the storage destination.
For example, the "vehicle identification information" may be an "on-board device ID."

Among the vehicle information D acquired by the entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 of the entrance charging processing device 2, “vehicle identification information,” “IC card information,” “number plate information,” etc. are information obtained through wireless communication between the wireless communication device 2A and the vehicle-mounted device C.
For example, the "vehicle type classification information" may be vehicle type classification information DC obtained through the vehicle type discrimination device 2B.
For example, the "vehicle type classification information" may be vehicle type classification information DC obtained through the vehicle type discrimination device 4B.

If a vehicle type discrimination device 4B is installed at the main line toll gate G4, the main line billing processing device 4 can obtain "vehicle type classification information" based on the detection results of the number of axles, etc. Therefore, the vehicle information D obtained by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 of the main line billing processing device 4 includes "vehicle type classification information" based on the number of axles, etc., like the vehicle information D obtained by the entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 of the entrance billing processing device 2.
On the other hand, since no vehicle type discrimination device is installed in the entrance FF lane L2F, the vehicle information D acquired by the entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502 of the entrance FF charging processing device 5 does not include "vehicle type classification information."

FIG. 8 shows an example of the contents of the notification table TT created by the table creating section 102 of the central billing processing device 1. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, the notification table TT includes discount information DD.
For example, the notification table TT may include vehicle type classification information DC.
The notification table TT is formed by collecting the vehicle information D received from each billing processing device.
For example, the notification table TT may collect vehicle information D related to all vehicles traveling on the toll road U at each point in time.
For example, in the notification table TT, discount information DD may be added in association with any of the aggregated vehicle information D. In the case shown in Fig. 8, discount information DD is added in association with each of the vehicle information D in the second and fifth rows from the top among the aggregated vehicle information D.

(Processing flow of the central charging processing device)
The process flow executed by the central billing processing device 1 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 9. The process flow shown in Fig. 9 is repeatedly executed by the central billing processing device 1 periodically (for example, once every few seconds, minutes, or tens of minutes, at a cycle shorter than the shortest expected vehicle travel time from the entrance to the exit on the toll road U).

First, the vehicle information acquisition unit 101 of the central billing processing device 1 acquires vehicle information D, including vehicle identification information DI, of vehicle A that has arrived at the entrance IN of the toll road U from the entrance billing processing device (ST101: step of acquiring vehicle information of a vehicle that has arrived at the entrance).

Next, the table creation unit 102 of the central billing processing device 1 aggregates vehicle information D, including vehicle identification information DI of vehicle A, acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 101, and creates a notification table TT, including discount information DD (ST102: step of creating a notification table including discount information).
In ST102, the determination unit 102a determines the discount information DD to be included in the notification table TT based on the acquired vehicle identification information DI (ST102A: step of determining the discount information to be included in the notification table).

Next, the distribution unit 103 of the central billing processing device 1 distributes the notification table TT including the discount information DD to the exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit OUT that is the subject of the discount information DD (ST103: Step of distributing the notification table to the exit billing processing device).

For example, after performing ST103, the process may return to ST101 and perform each step again.

(Detailed processing flow of ST102)
In ST102, as a detailed processing flow, the determination section 102a may carry out processing as shown in FIG.

First, the determination unit 102a determines whether the vehicle A having the vehicle information D acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 101 is a registered vehicle with unlimited rides or monthly rental (ST102A-1).
For example, the determination unit 102a may determine whether a vehicle is registered for unlimited rides or monthly rentals using pre-registration information that aggregates vehicle identification information and related information of vehicles for which an application for unlimited rides or monthly rentals has been made in advance.
This pre-registration information may be periodically distributed from an information setting terminal (not shown) or another system to the central billing processing device 1. The same applies to the pre-registration information required for the following determinations.

If it is determined in ST102A-1 that the vehicle is a registered vehicle (ST102A-1: YES), the determination unit 102a uses the pre-registration information to determine whether the entrance IN where the vehicle A arrived is subject to unlimited rides or monthly driving (ST102A-2).

If it is determined in ST102A-2 that the IN entrance is the target (ST102A-2: YES), the determination unit 102a uses the pre-registration information to determine whether the start date and period of the unlimited rides or monthly driving are valid (ST102A-3).

If it is determined in ST102A-3 that the information is valid (ST102A-3: YES), the determination unit 102a determines whether or not this is the first run (ST102A-4).

If it is determined in ST102A-4 that this is the first time the vehicle is driven (ST102A-4: YES), the determination unit 102a uses the pre-registration information to determine whether to collect a fee for the first drive (ST102A-5).

If it is determined in ST102A-4 that this is not the first run (ST102A-4: NO, for example, if it is determined that this is the second or subsequent run), the determination unit 102a identifies that there is discount information DD (which should be included in the notification table TT) (ST102A-6).
Even if it is determined in ST102A-5 that a toll will not be collected during the first drive (ST102A-5: NO, for example, even if it is determined that a toll has been collected before driving on a toll road), the judgment unit 102a identifies that there is discount information DD (which should be included in the notification table TT) (ST102A-6).
When identification is made in ST102A-6, the table creation unit 102 creates a notification table TT for the vehicle A identified in ST102A-6, which includes discount information DD indicating that the toll collection amount is 0 yen, in association with the vehicle identification information DI of the identified vehicle A.

If it is determined in ST102A-1 that the vehicle is a registered vehicle (ST102A-1: NO), the determination unit 102a determines that there is no discount information DD (to be included in the notification table TT) (ST102A-7).
If it is determined in ST102A-2 that the entrance is not the target (ST102A-2: NO), the determination section 102a also determines that there is no discount information DD (to be included in the notification table TT) (ST102A-7).
If it is determined in ST102A-3 that the discount information DD is not valid (ST102A-3: NO), the determination unit 102a also determines that there is no discount information DD (to be included in the notification table TT) (ST102A-7).
Even if it is determined in ST102A-5 that a toll is to be collected during the first trip (ST102A-3: NO), the determination unit 102a determines that there is no discount information DD (to be included in the notification table TT) (ST102A-7).
When identification is made in ST102A-7, the table creation unit 102 creates a notification table TT for the vehicle A identified in ST102A-7, assuming that the vehicle A is in general driving mode, so as not to include discount information DD in the vehicle identification information DI of the identified vehicle A.

(Processing flow of the exit billing processing device)
The process flow executed by the exit charging processing device 3 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

First, the recording processing unit 301 of the exit billing processing device 3 records the notification table TT, which includes the discount information DD distributed from the central billing processing device 1, on the recording medium 34 within the exit billing processing device 3 (within its own device) (ST201: step of recording the notification table).

Next, the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 of the exit charging processing device 3 acquires vehicle identification information DJ of vehicle A that has arrived at the exit OUT (ST202: step of acquiring vehicle identification information of vehicle that has arrived at the exit).
For example, in ST202, the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 may detect the entry of vehicle A into the exit toll gate G3.
For example, in ST202, the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 may perform wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted unit C of the entering vehicle A via the wireless communication device 3A, and acquire vehicle identification information DJ (vehicle-mounted unit ID) etc.

Next, the vehicle-mounted device information reader 304 of the exit billing processing device 3 reads the information written in the IC card at the entrance IN or the main line LM (ST203: step of reading vehicle type classification information).
At this time, for example, the information read by the vehicle-mounted device information reading unit 304 may include vehicle model classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle model classification information).

Next, the billing processing unit 305 of the exit billing processing device 3 refers to the notification table TT to identify the discount information DD related to the vehicle identification information DJ, and performs billing processing at a billing amount corresponding to the discount information DD (ST204: step of performing billing processing at a billing amount corresponding to the discount information).
For example, in ST204, the billing processing unit 305 may refer to the notification table TT to identify the vehicle model classification information DC and discount information DD related to the vehicle identification information DJ, and perform billing processing at an amount according to the vehicle model classification information DC and the discount information DD.
For example, the billing processing unit 305 may use the vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information read by the vehicle-mounted device information reading unit 304 as vehicle type classification information DC, and perform billing processing at a billing amount according to the vehicle type classification information DC and the discount information DD.

For example, in ST204, if the vehicle identification information DJ acquired in ST202 is not included in the notification table TT recorded on the local recording medium 34, then for some reason the vehicle information that should be there is not included in the notification table TT of the exit billing processing device 3. Therefore, in this case, the billing processing unit 305 may determine the billing amount using the vehicle-mounted vehicle classification information (provisional vehicle classification information) read at the entrance IN or main line LM, and perform billing processing.

For example, in ST204, the billing processing unit 305 may cause the roadside display 3B to display the billing amount according to the discount information DD used in the billing process.

For example, after performing ST204, the process may return to ST201 or ST202 and perform each step again.

(Action, Effect)
According to this embodiment, the central billing processing device 1 distributes the discount information DD, which has been determined to be distributed to the exit billing processing device 3, together with the vehicle information D.
For example, the central billing processing device 1 needs to provide a criterion for each service, but it is sufficient to notify only the applicable service and the discount information DD, such as the real-time amount or the discount amount or discount rate.
Therefore, with the central billing processing device 1, for example, it is not necessary to change the entrance and exit functions each time a service is added, and by simplifying the roadside functions, modification costs can be reduced.
Therefore, the central billing processing device 1 is easy to modify.

As a comparative example, the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines whether a target vehicle can ride freely at the entrance toll gate, records the information on an IC card, and reads it at the exit toll gate to use it to determine whether the vehicle can ride freely.
That is, in the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the determined discount information is recorded on an IC card, thereby transferring the discount information from the entrance to the exit.
For this reason, when determining whether to give a discount at the toll gate at the entrance or exit, as in the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to send the criteria and data for the criteria to the toll gate, and one package is added for each service. In other words, if the number of services that cannot be reused increases, it is necessary to modify the center, entrance, and exit for each added service and add functions to the corresponding service.
In contrast, in the toll collection system 9 of this embodiment, the discount information DD is determined by the central charging processing device 1 and distributed to the exit OUT.
In other words, the toll collection system 9 of this embodiment and the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1 have different mechanisms in concept.
Therefore, according to the central billing processing device 1 of this embodiment, as described above, for example, there is no need to change the entrance and exit functions each time a service is added, and by simplifying the roadside functions, modification costs can be reduced.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the central billing processing device 1 distributes the discount information DD, which has been determined to be distributed to the exit billing processing device 3, together with the vehicle information D.
This makes it easy to understand the registration details and number of trips made and to change the quoted price instantly.

As a comparative example, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a 0 yen notification or a flat-rate usage notification that immediately notifies an unlimited travel discount in cases where a specific section is repeatedly traveled.
However, in the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the payment method is not predefined.
In contrast, the toll collection system 9 of this embodiment can provide flexible and immediate guidance according to the payment method.
For example, assume that a payment method such as credit card or bank transfer is preregistered (contract with a road operator) as a payment method other than ETC card in the toll collection system 9 of this embodiment. In this case, the toll collection system 9 of this embodiment can immediately notify the driver that the toll is 0 yen (since the payment is made separately, the notification is also 0 yen).
For example, assume that payment is made with an ETC card in the toll collection system 9 of this embodiment. In this case, the toll collection system 9 of this embodiment can immediately provide designated information such as the full amount for unlimited rides the first time and 0 yen from the second time onwards (the amount of yen for each time can be freely changed).
For example, in the toll collection system 9 of this embodiment, it is assumed that the full amount is paid on the first trip and 0 yen from the second trip onwards. In this case, the toll collection system 9 of this embodiment immediately notifies and charges the full amount of the unlimited ride amount on the first trip, and immediately notifies 0 yen and does not charge on the second trip onwards.
For example, in the toll collection system 9 of this embodiment, assume that the toll is divided from the first trip to the third trip. In this case, the toll collection system 9 of this embodiment immediately notifies the user of 1/3 of the unlimited ride amount from the first trip to the third trip, and charges the same amount, and immediately notifies the user of 0 yen from the fourth trip onwards, and no charge is made.
Therefore, according to the toll collection system 9 of this embodiment, the registered details and the number of trips can be grasped, and the guided fare can be changed immediately.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the central billing processing device 1 distributes the discount information DD, which has been determined to be distributed to the exit billing processing device 3, together with the vehicle information D.
Therefore, the exit billing processing device 3 can refer to the discount information DD to be applied to the vehicle A.
Therefore, the central billing processing device 1 creates discount information DD and distributes it to the exit of the toll road where discount processing is required, so that the discount service can be applied instantly at the exit OUT of the toll road U regardless of the performance of each vehicle.

As a comparative example, in the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the entrance billing processing device receives information about users who have completed payment of the fee for the unlimited ride discount service from the central billing processing device, and thereby recognizes that a vehicle arriving at the entrance to the toll road is eligible for the unlimited ride discount.
For this reason, for example, if the toll fee has not been paid in advance (before arriving at the entrance to the toll road), the user may not be able to immediately receive the discount service at the exit of the toll road.
In contrast, the central billing processing device 1 of this embodiment determines the discount information DD to be distributed to the exit billing processing device 3 after arriving at the entrance IN of the toll road U, and distributes the determined discount information DD together with the vehicle information D.
Therefore, the central billing processing device 1 can instantly apply the discount service at the exit OUT of the toll road U even if the usage fee has not been paid in advance.

Furthermore, according to one example of this embodiment, the central billing processing device 1 can distribute to the exit billing processing device 3 discount information DD that is applied according to the number of times each vehicle A uses the toll road U.
Therefore, the central billing processing device 1 can instantly apply a discount service according to the number of times the toll road U is used at the exit OUT of the toll road U.

Furthermore, according to one example of this embodiment, the central billing processing device 1 can distribute the discount rate determined for each vehicle A to the exit billing processing device 3 .
Therefore, the central billing processing device 1 can instantly apply a discount service according to the discount rate of each vehicle A at the exit OUT of the toll road U.

In addition, according to one example of this embodiment, the central billing processing device 1 can instantly apply discount services according to the vehicle type classification information DC at the exit OUT of the toll road U.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the exit billing processing device 3 can refer to the discount information DD to be applied to vehicle A that has arrived at the exit OUT using a notification table TT containing discount information DD distributed from the central billing processing device 1.
Therefore, the exit billing processing device 3 can instantly apply the discount service at the exit OUT of the toll road U.

As a comparative example, the exit billing processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 receives an unlimited ride discount flag from the onboard device of an arriving vehicle at the exit of a toll road, and recognizes that the arriving vehicle is eligible for the unlimited ride discount.
Therefore, if the on-board device does not support the unlimited ride discount flag, such as if the unlimited ride discount flag cannot be written to the on-board device at the entrance or main line, or if the unlimited ride discount flag written to the on-board device at the exit cannot be transmitted, the exit billing processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot receive the unlimited ride discount flag.
For this reason, the toll collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1 may not be able to determine whether an arriving vehicle is eligible for a discount at the exit of a toll road, and may not be able to immediately apply the discount service.
In contrast to this, the exit billing device 3 of this embodiment refers to the discount information DD contained in the notification table TT distributed from the central billing device 1 .
Therefore, even if the on-board device C of the vehicle A arriving at the exit OUT of the toll road U does not correspond to the unlimited ride discount flag, the exit billing processing device 3 can instantly apply the discount service at the exit OUT of the toll road U.

(Modification)
In one example of the above-mentioned embodiment, the central billing processing device 1 distributes the notification table TT to the exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3, but the notification table TT may be distributed to any exit billing processing device installed at the exit OUT.
As a modified example, the central billing processing device 1 may further distribute the billing information to an exit FF billing processing device provided corresponding to the "exit FF lane" at the exit OUT of the toll road U. In this case, the exit FF billing processing device may have the same function as the exit billing processing device 3.

In one example of the above-described embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the vehicle identification information DI includes an on-board device ID, but the vehicle identification information may include any information as long as it can uniquely identify each vehicle so as to distinguish it from other vehicles.
As a variant, the vehicle identification information DI may include license plate information.
As another modification, the vehicle identification information DI may include IC card information.

In one example of the embodiment described above, the determination unit 102a determines whether or not it is the first trip for unlimited rides or monthly trips, but the determination may be made in any manner as long as the discount information DD is determined based on the number of arrivals.
As a variant example, the judgment unit 102a may judge, with regard to a frequency discount, whether the number of arrivals in a specified period is a predetermined number or more (10 or more times per month, 3 or more times per day, etc.), and if it is determined that the number of arrivals is the predetermined number or more, it may determine that the discount information DD is a predetermined discount rate (e.g., 15% discount, half price, 100% discount, etc.).

In one example of the above-described embodiment, the distribution unit 103 distributes a notification table TT with the same content to all exits OUT that are the target of the discount information DD, but any notification table TT that includes discount information DD may be distributed.
As a variant example, the distribution unit 103 may distribute a notification table TT containing only information related to each exit OUT among the exits OUT that are the subject of the discount information DD, and may distribute a notification table TT with different contents to each exit OUT.

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

The above program may be for realizing some of the functions described above. Furthermore, it may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

As described above, several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, but all of these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the disclosure. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the claims and their equivalents, as well as in the scope and gist of the disclosure.

<Additional Notes>
The central charging processing device, the toll collection system, the exit charging processing device, the charging processing method, and the program described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

(1) The central billing processing device 1 of the first aspect includes a vehicle information acquisition unit 101 that acquires vehicle information D including vehicle identification information DI of a vehicle A that has arrived at an entrance IN of a toll road U from an entrance billing processing device 2, 5, a table creation unit 102 that aggregates the vehicle information D to create a notification table TT including discount information DD, and a distribution unit 103 that distributes the notification table TT to an exit billing processing device 3 installed at an exit OUT that is the target of the discount information DD, and the table creation unit 102 includes a determination unit 102a that determines the discount information DD to be included in the notification table TT based on the acquired vehicle identification information DI.

According to this embodiment, the central billing processing device 1 distributes the discount information DD that has been determined to be distributed to the exit billing processing device 3 together with the vehicle information D.
For example, the central billing processing device 1 needs to provide a criterion for each service, but it is sufficient to notify only the applicable service and the discount information DD, such as the real-time amount or the discount amount or discount rate.
Therefore, with the central billing processing device 1, for example, it is not necessary to change the entrance and exit functions each time a service is added, and by simplifying the roadside functions, modification costs can be reduced.
Therefore, the central billing processing device 1 is easy to modify.

(2) The second aspect of the central billing processing device 1 is the central billing processing device 1 of (1) in which the determination unit 102a determines the discount information DD based on the number of arrivals, which is the number of times that the vehicle A has arrived at the entrance IN of the toll road U.

According to this embodiment, the central billing processing device 1 can distribute to the exit billing processing device 3 discount information DD that is applied according to the number of times each vehicle A uses the toll road U.
Therefore, the central billing processing device 1 can instantly apply a discount service according to the number of times the toll road U is used at the exit OUT of the toll road U.

(3) A third aspect of the central billing processing device 1 is the central billing processing device 1 of (1) or (2) in which the determination unit determines a discount rate as the discount information.

According to this embodiment, the central billing processing device 1 can distribute the discount rate determined for each vehicle A to the exit billing processing device 3 .
Therefore, the central billing processing device 1 can instantly apply a discount service according to the discount rate of each vehicle A at the exit OUT of the toll road U.

(4) The fourth aspect of the central billing processing device 1 is any one of the central billing processing devices 1 (1) to (3) in which the notification table TT includes vehicle type classification information DC.

According to this embodiment, the central billing processing device 1 can instantly apply discount services according to the vehicle type classification information DC at the exit OUT of the toll road U.

(5) The toll collection system 9 of the fifth aspect comprises a central charging processing device 1 of any one of (1) to (4), the entrance charging processing devices 2 and 5, and the exit charging processing device 3.

According to this embodiment, the toll collection system 9 distributes the discount information DD that has been determined to be distributed from the central billing processing device 1 to the exit billing processing device 3 together with the vehicle information D.
For example, the central billing processing device 1 needs to provide a criterion for each service, but it is sufficient to notify only the applicable service and the discount information DD, such as the real-time amount or the discount amount or discount rate.
Therefore, according to the toll collection system 9, for example, it is not necessary to change the entrance and exit functions every time a service is added, and by simplifying the roadside functions, the cost of repairs can be reduced.
Therefore, the toll collection system 9 is easy to modify.

(6) The sixth aspect of the exit billing processing device 3 is an exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit OUT of a toll road U, and includes a recording processing unit 301 that records a notification table TT including discount information DD distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on a recording medium 34 in the exit billing processing device 3, an exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 that acquires vehicle identification information DJ of a vehicle A that has arrived at the exit OUT, and a billing processing unit 305 that refers to the notification table TT to identify the discount information DD related to the vehicle identification information DJ and perform billing processing with a billing amount according to the discount information DD.

According to this embodiment, the exit billing processing device 3 can refer to the discount information DD to be applied to the vehicle A that has arrived at the exit OUT using the notification table TT containing the discount information DD distributed from the central billing processing device 1.
Therefore, the exit billing processing device 3 can instantly apply the discount service at the exit OUT of the toll road U.

(7) The seventh aspect of the billing processing method involves obtaining vehicle information D, including vehicle identification information DI, of vehicle A that has arrived at the entrance IN of a toll road U from the entrance billing processing device 2, 5, aggregating the vehicle information D to create a notification table TT including discount information DD, distributing the notification table TT to an exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit OUT that is the subject of the discount information DD, and in creating the notification table TT, determining the discount information DD to be included in the notification table TT based on the obtained vehicle identification information DI.

According to this embodiment, the billing processing method distributes the discount information DD, which has been determined to be distributed to the exit billing processing device 3, together with the vehicle information D.
For example, the billing method requires a judgment criterion for each service, but it is sufficient to notify the applicable service and discount information DD such as the real-time amount or the discount amount or discount rate.
Therefore, according to the billing processing method, for example, it is not necessary to change the entrance and exit functions every time a service is added, and by simplifying the roadside functions, modification costs can be reduced.
Therefore, the billing method is easy to modify.

(8) The eighth aspect of the billing processing method involves recording a notification table TT including discount information DD distributed from a central billing processing device 1 on a recording medium 34 in an exit billing processing device 3 installed at an exit OUT of a toll road U, obtaining vehicle identification information DJ of a vehicle A that has arrived at the exit OUT, referring to the notification table TT to identify the discount information DD related to the vehicle identification information DJ, and performing billing processing with a billing amount according to the discount information DD.

According to this embodiment, the billing processing method can refer to discount information DD to be applied to vehicle A that has arrived at the exit OUT of the toll road U by using a notification table TT containing discount information DD distributed from the central billing processing device 1.
For example, the central billing processing device 1 needs to provide a criterion for each service, but it is sufficient to notify only the applicable service and the discount information DD, such as the real-time amount or the discount amount or discount rate.
Therefore, according to the billing processing method, for example, it is not necessary to change the entrance and exit functions every time a service is added, and by simplifying the roadside functions, modification costs can be reduced.
Therefore, the billing method is easy to modify.

(9) The program of the ninth aspect causes the computer of the central billing processing device 1 to acquire vehicle information D including vehicle identification information DI of vehicle A arriving at the entrance IN of the toll road U from the entrance billing processing devices 2 and 5, aggregate the vehicle information D to create a notification table TT including discount information DD, distribute the notification table TT to the exit billing processing device 3 installed at the exit OUT that is the subject of the discount information DD, and, in creating the notification table TT, determine the discount information DD to be included in the notification table TT based on the acquired vehicle identification information DI.

According to this embodiment, the program distributes the discount information DD, which has been determined to be distributed to the exit billing processing device 3, together with the vehicle information D.
For example, the central billing processing device 1 needs to provide a criterion for each service, but it is sufficient to notify only the applicable service and the discount information DD, such as the real-time amount or the discount amount or discount rate.
Therefore, according to the program, for example, it is not necessary to change the entrance and exit functions each time a service is added, and by simplifying roadside functions, renovation costs can be reduced.
Therefore, according to the program, it is easy to renovate.

(10) The program of the tenth aspect causes a computer of an exit billing processing device 3 installed at an exit OUT of a toll road U to record a notification table TT including discount information DD distributed from a central billing processing device 1 on a recording medium 34 in the exit billing processing device 3, obtain vehicle identification information DJ of a vehicle A that has arrived at the exit OUT, refer to the notification table TT to identify the discount information DD related to the vehicle identification information DJ, and perform billing processing with a billing amount according to the discount information DD.

According to this embodiment, the program can cause the exit billing processing device 3 to refer to the discount information DD to be applied to vehicle A arriving at the exit OUT using a notification table TT containing discount information DD distributed from the central billing processing device 1.
For example, the central billing processing device 1 needs to provide a criterion for each service, but it is sufficient to notify only the applicable service and the discount information DD, such as the real-time amount or the discount amount or discount rate.
Therefore, according to the program, for example, it is not necessary to change the entrance and exit functions each time a service is added, and by simplifying roadside functions, renovation costs can be reduced.
Therefore, according to the program, it is easy to renovate.

1 Central billing processing device 2 Entrance billing processing device 2A Wireless communication device 2B Vehicle type discrimination device 3 Exit billing processing device 3A Wireless communication device 3B Roadside display 4 Main line billing processing device 4A Wireless communication device 4B Vehicle type discrimination device 5 Entrance FF billing processing device (entrance billing processing device)
5A Wireless communication device 5B Roadside camera 9 Toll collection system 10 CPU
11 Memory 12 Communication interface 13 Recording medium 20 CPU
21 Memory 22 Communication interface 23 Roadside equipment interface 24 Recording medium 30 CPU
31 Memory 32 Communication interface 33 Roadside equipment interface 34 Recording medium 40 CPU
41 Memory 42 Communication interface 43 Roadside equipment interface 44 Recording medium 50 CPU
51 Memory 52 Communication interface 53 Roadside equipment interface 54 Recording medium 101 Vehicle information acquisition unit 102 Table creation unit 102a Determination unit 103 Distribution unit 201 Recording processing unit 202 Entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 203 Entrance transmission unit 204 Vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 301 Recording processing unit 302 Exit vehicle information acquisition unit 303 Exit transmission unit 304 Vehicle-mounted device information reading unit 305 Billing processing unit 401 Recording processing unit 402 Main line vehicle information acquisition unit 403 Main line transmission unit 404 Vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 501 Recording processing unit 502 Entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 503 Entrance FF transmission unit 504 Vehicle-mounted device information writing unit A Vehicle C Vehicle-mounted device D Vehicle information DC Vehicle type classification information DD Discount information DI Vehicle identification information DJ Vehicle identification information G2 Entrance toll gate G3 Exit toll gate G4 Main line toll gate G5 Entrance free flow IN Entrance L2 Entrance lane L2F Entrance FF lane L3 Exit lane LM Main line OUT Exit TT Notification table U Toll road

Claims (8)

a vehicle information acquiring unit that acquires vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at an entrance of a toll road from the entrance charging processing device;
a table creation unit that aggregates the vehicle information and creates a notification table including discount information;
a distribution unit that distributes the notification table to an exit billing processing device that is installed at an exit that is the subject of the discount information,
The table creation unit includes a determination unit that determines the discount information to be included in the notification table based on the acquired vehicle identification information,
A central charging processing device in which the determination unit determines the discount information based on a number of arrivals, which is the number of times the vehicle has arrived at the entrance to the toll road. a vehicle information acquiring unit that acquires vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at an entrance of a toll road from the entrance charging processing device;
a table creation unit that aggregates the vehicle information and creates a notification table including discount information;
a distribution unit that distributes the notification table to an exit billing processing device that is installed at an exit that is the subject of the discount information,
The table creation unit includes a determination unit that determines the discount information to be included in the notification table based on the acquired vehicle identification information,
The central billing processing device, wherein the determination unit determines a discount rate as the discount information. 3. The central charging device according to claim 1, wherein the notification table includes vehicle type classification information. A central charging processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ;
the entrance charging processing device;
A fee collection system comprising the exit charging processing device. Acquire vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at an entrance to a toll road from an entrance charging processing device;
aggregating the vehicle information to create a notification table including discount information;
Distributing the notification table to an exit billing processing device installed at an exit that is the subject of the discount information;
In creating the notification table, the discount information to be included in the notification table is determined based on the acquired vehicle identification information ;
A billing method for determining the discount information based on the number of arrivals, which is the number of times the vehicle has arrived at the entrance of the toll road . Acquire vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at an entrance to a toll road from an entrance charging processing device;
aggregating the vehicle information to create a notification table including discount information;
distributing the notification table to an exit billing processing device installed at an exit that is the subject of the discount information;
In creating the notification table, the discount information to be included in the notification table is determined based on the acquired vehicle identification information;
A billing method in which a discount rate is determined as the discount information. The computer of the central billing processing unit
Acquire vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at an entrance to a toll road from an entrance charging processing device;
aggregating the vehicle information to create a notification table including discount information;
Distributing the notification table to an exit billing processing device installed at an exit that is the subject of the discount information;
In creating the notification table, the discount information to be included in the notification table is determined based on the acquired vehicle identification information ;
determining the discount information based on a number of arrivals, which is the number of times the vehicle has arrived at an entrance to the toll road;
A program to make that happen. The computer of the central billing processing unit
Acquire vehicle information including vehicle identification information of a vehicle that has arrived at an entrance to a toll road from an entrance charging processing device;
aggregating the vehicle information to create a notification table including discount information;
distributing the notification table to an exit billing processing device installed at an exit that is the subject of the discount information;
In creating the notification table, the discount information to be included in the notification table is determined based on the acquired vehicle identification information;
As the discount information, a discount rate is determined.
A program to make that happen.

Images