Vehicle, vehicle identification system, vehicle identification method, program, and method for attaching onboard unit

A vehicle is provided with: a main vehicle body having an attachment portion to which a towed vehicle can be attached, and a first onboard unit and a second onboard unit attached to the main vehicle body, the first onboard unit and the second onboard unit being installed so as to be capable of communicating with a roadside device. The first onboard unit has type information relating to the type of the main vehicle body, and is provided at a position at which communication with the roadside device is possible both when the towed vehicle is attached to the attachment portion and when the towed vehicle is not attached to the attachment portion. The second onboard unit is provided at a position at which communication with the roadside device is possible when the towed vehicle is not attached to the attachment portion and at which communication with the roadside device is not possible when the towed vehicle is attached to the attachment portion.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Phase of International Application Number PCT/JP2017/012999 filed Mar. 29, 2017.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle, a vehicle identification system, a vehicle identification method, a program, and a method for attaching an onboard unit.

BACKGROUND ART

Currently, on toll roads such as expressways, it is known that a toll (a toll charge) is charged of an amount corresponding to the vehicle type classification of a traveling vehicle.

As a related technology, Patent Document 1 discloses a toll charging system that automatically identifies a traveling vehicle using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).

CITATION LIST

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: JP 09-167985 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, when the traveling vehicle is a towing vehicle, when using only the equipment as described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to identify the fact that the vehicle is the towing vehicle but it is not possible to identify whether the towing vehicle is towing or is not towing a towed vehicle. Therefore, in order to charge the toll corresponding to the presence or absence of the towed vehicle, it is necessary, for example, to separately provide a device for determining the presence or absence of the towed vehicle, causing equipment to be large-scale.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle, a vehicle identification system, a vehicle identification method, a program, and a method for attaching an onboard unit that are capable of identifying the presence or absence of a towed vehicle using small scale equipment.

Solution to Problem

A vehicle (20,20′) of a first aspect includes a main vehicle body (20A) including an attachment portion (20C) to which a towed vehicle (20B) is attachable, and a first onboard unit (41A) and a second onboard unit (41B) that are attached to the main vehicle body and disposed so as to be capable of communicating with a roadside device (40). The first onboard unit holds type information relating to a type of the main vehicle body and is provided at a position at which the first onboard unit is capable of communicating with the roadside device in a state in which the towed vehicle is attached to the attachment portion and in a state in which the towed vehicle is not attached. The second onboard unit is provided at a position at which the second onboard unit is capable of communicating with the roadside device in the state in which the towed vehicle is not attached to the attachment portion and is not capable of communicating with the roadside device in the state in which the towed vehicle is attached to the attachment portion.

According to the present aspect, a communication state between the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body and the roadside device switches depending on the presence or absence of the towed vehicle. Therefore, the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body becomes unable to communicate with the roadside device in the state in which the towed vehicle is attached, and is able to communicate with the roadside device in the state in which the towed vehicle is not attached. Thus, the vehicle can receive a determination about the presence or absence of the towed vehicle, using small scale equipment.

A vehicle of a second aspect is the vehicle according to the first aspect in which the second onboard unit includes an RFID tag.

According to this aspect, by the vehicle using the RFID tag in the communication with the roadside device, the onboard unit itself and the roadside device can be configured at a low cost.

A vehicle of a third aspect is the vehicle according to the first or second aspect in which, in the state in which the towed vehicle is attached to the attachment portion, the second onboard unit is electromagnetically shielded by the towed vehicle so as to be incapable of communicating with the roadside device.

According to this aspect, the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body utilizes electromagnetic shielding to switch the communication state with the roadside device.

Accordingly, the vehicle can cause the communication between the second onboard unit and the roadside device to be impossible, in conjunction with the attachment of the towed vehicle to the attachment portion of the main vehicle body.

A vehicle identification system (10,10′) of a fourth aspect includes: a roadside device configured to receive, from a first onboard unit attached to a main vehicle body, which is a main vehicle body of a vehicle and which includes an attachment portion to which a towed vehicle is attachable, first information (DA) including type information relating to a type of the main vehicle body, and configured to receive second information (DB) from a second onboard unit attached to the main vehicle body; a first information processing unit (51A) configured to acquire the first information from the roadside device and to identify the type of the main vehicle body from the type information; a second information processing unit (51B) configured to initiate, in relation to the identified type, a standby for the second information from the roadside device; and a towing determination unit (51C) configured to determine that the main vehicle body is not towing the towed vehicle when the second information processing unit acquires the second information, and configured to determine that the main vehicle body is towing the towed vehicle when the second information processing unit does not acquire the second information.

According to the present aspect, a communication state between the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body and the roadside device switches depending on the presence or absence of the towed vehicle. Therefore, in the vehicle identification system, the communication with the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body is impossible in the state in which the towed vehicle is attached, and the communication with the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body is possible in the state in which the towed vehicle is not attached.

Therefore, the presence or absence of the towed vehicle can be determined from an acquisition state of the communication, and thus the vehicle identification system can determine the presence or absence of the towed vehicle using small scale equipment.

A vehicle identification method of a fifth aspect includes: a first information processing step of acquiring, from a first onboard unit attached to a main vehicle body, which is a main vehicle body of a vehicle and which includes an attachment portion to which a towed vehicle is attachable, first information including type information relating to a type of the main vehicle body, and identifying a type of the main vehicle body from the type information; a second information processing step of initiating, in relation to the identified type, a standby for second information from a second onboard unit attached to the main vehicle body; a second information processing step configured to initiate, in relation to the identified type, a standby for the second information from the roadside device; and a towing determining step of determining that the main vehicle body is not towing the towed vehicle when the second information is acquired in the second information processing step, and determining that the main vehicle body is towing the towed vehicle when the second information is not acquired in the second information processing step.

According to the present aspect, a communication state between the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body and the roadside device switches depending on the presence or absence of the towed vehicle. Therefore, in the vehicle identification method, the communication with the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body is impossible in the state in which the towed vehicle is attached, and the communication with the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body is possible in the state in which the towed vehicle is not attached.

Therefore, the presence or absence of the towed vehicle can be determined from the acquisition state of the communication, and thus the vehicle identification method can determine the presence or absence of the towed vehicle using small scale equipment.

A program of a sixth aspect causes a computer of a vehicle identification system including a roadside device that receives, from a first onboard unit attached to a main vehicle body, which is a main vehicle body of a vehicle and which includes an attachment portion to which a towed vehicle is attachable, first information including type information relating to a type of the main vehicle body, and that receives second information from a second onboard unit attached to the main vehicle body, to function as: a first information processing unit configured to acquire the first information from the roadside device and identify the type of the main vehicle body from the type information; a second information processing unit configured to initiate, in relation to the identified type, a standby for the second information from the roadside device; and a towing determination unit configured to determine that the main vehicle body is not towing the towed vehicle when the second information processing unit acquires the second information, and configured to determine that the main vehicle body is towing the towed vehicle when the second information processing unit does not acquire the second information.

According to the present aspect, a communication state between the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body and the roadside device switches depending on the presence or absence of the towed vehicle. Therefore, in the vehicle identification system, the communication with the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body is impossible in the state in which the towed vehicle is attached, and the communication with the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body is possible in the state in which the towed vehicle is not attached.

Accordingly, the program functions so as to enable the computer of vehicle identification system to determine the presence or absence of the towed vehicle from the acquisition state of the communication, using small scale equipment.

A method for attaching of a seventh aspect is a method for attaching an onboard unit installed on a main vehicle body, which is a main vehicle body of a vehicle and which includes an attachment portion to which a towed vehicle is attachable, so as to be able to identify a type of the main vehicle body through communication with a roadside device. The method for attaching the onboard unit includes: a first onboard unit installing step of installing a first onboard unit, which holds type information relating to the type of the main vehicle body, in a position at which the first onboard unit is capable of communicating with the roadside device in a state in which the towed vehicle is attached to the attachment portion and in a state in which the towed vehicle is not attached; and a second onboard unit installing step of installing a second onboard unit in a position at which the second onboard unit is capable of communicating with the roadside device in the state in which the towed vehicle is not attached to the attachment portion and is not capable of communicating with the roadside device in the state in which the towed vehicle is attached to the attachment portion.

According to the present aspect, the method for attaching can provide the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body such that the communication state between the second onboard unit of the main vehicle body and the roadside device is switched depending on the presence or absence of the towed vehicle. Therefore, the provided second onboard unit of the main vehicle body becomes incapable of communicating with the roadside device when the towed vehicle is attached, and is capable of communicating with the roadside device in the state in which the towed vehicle is not attached.

Accordingly, in the method for attaching, the vehicle can be configured so as to be able to receive the determination of the presence or absence of the towed vehicle, using small scale equipment.

Advantageous Effect of Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, the presence or absence of a towed vehicle can be determined using small scale equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of a charging system according to the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 8.

Overall Configuration

An overall configuration of a charging system100will be described below.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the charging system100includes a toll collection facility1and a central payment processor70.

The toll collection facility1is provided at an exit tollgate (or an entry tollgate for some types of toll system) of an expressway, which is a toll road. The toll collection facility1is a facility for collecting, from a user of the expressway, a toll of an amount corresponding to a vehicle20the user is driving.

In the charging system100provided at the exit tollgate, the vehicle20is traveling on a lane LN that extends from an expressway side to a general road side. Islands IL are laid on both sides of the lane LN. Various devices that configure the toll collection facility1are installed on the islands IL.

Hereinafter, the direction in which the lane LN extends (a±X direction inFIG. 1) is referred to as a “lane direction.” Further, the expressway side of the lane LN in the lane direction (the +X direction side inFIG. 1) is also referred to as an “upstream side.” Furthermore, the general road side of the lane LN in the lane direction (the −X direction side inFIG. 1) is also referred to as a “downstream side.”

Further, the width direction of the lane LN is referred to as a lane width direction (a±Y direction inFIG. 1), and the height direction of the vehicle20is referred to as a vertical direction (a±Z direction inFIG. 1).

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the toll collection facility1includes a vehicle identification system10, an entry-side vehicle detector91, a departure controller92, and a departure-side vehicle detector93.

The toll collection facility1is a device configured to perform wireless communication processing (hereinafter simply referred to as “wireless communication”) with the vehicle20trying to pass through the exit tollgate, and perform charge processing corresponding to the type of the vehicle20.

The vehicle identification system10includes an RFID reader40(a roadside device) and a charging communication processor50. In the present embodiment, the vehicle identification system10determines the presence or absence of a towed vehicle from a communication acquisition state, using a configuration to be described below. Furthermore, the vehicle identification system10identifies the vehicle type and decides the toll of the amount corresponding to the identified vehicle type and the presence or absence of the towed vehicle, as a transit toll.

In the present embodiment, in the toll collection facility1, the entry-side vehicle detector91, the RFID reader40, the charging communication processor50, the departure controller92, and the departure-side vehicle detector93are provided on the roadside in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side.

The RFID reader40is installed above the traveling vehicle20.

When the entry of the vehicle20is detected by the entry-side vehicle detector91, the RFID reader40performs wireless communication with a first RFID tag41A to be described below, and receives first information DA that includes vehicle ID information and vehicle type information of a main vehicle body20A to be described below.

Furthermore, the RFID reader40performs wireless communication with a second RFID tag41B to be described below, and receives second information DB that includes the vehicle ID information of the main vehicle body20A to be described below.

The RFID reader40is formed so as to be capable of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves in a predetermined frequency band (a UHF band, a microwave frequency band, or the like), and performs wireless communication, via the electromagnetic waves, with the first RFID tag41A and the second RFID tag41B mounted on the main vehicle body20A that has arrived.

The charging communication processor50is a processing unit that executes a series of charge processing by the toll collection facility1. In the present embodiment, a program to be described below is executed, thus causing a computer to function as the charging communication processor50.

The charging communication processor50receives the first information DA and the second information DB of the vehicle20received by the RFID reader40, from the RFID reader40via wired or wireless communication.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the charging communication processor50outputs the acquired information, information relating to a decided toll charge amount, and the like to a central payment processor70(a host device) installed at a remote location J, via a communication circuit.

The entry-side vehicle detector91determines the presence or absence of the vehicle20(the vehicle body) traveling along the lane LN, using a light projecting tower and a light receiving tower that are located on the islands IL so as to face each other across the lane LN in the lane width direction (the ±Y direction), thus detecting, as vehicle passage information, the passing (entry) of one vehicle at a predetermined position.

The departure controller92is located on the downstream side of the lane LN and is a device that controls the departure of the vehicle20traveling along the lane LN. For example, when the charge processing of the vehicle20has not been normally performed, the departure controller92closes the lane LN so as to restrict the departure of the vehicle20. When the charge processing of the vehicle20has been normally completed, the departure controller92opens the lane LN.

In the present embodiment, the toll collection facility1includes the departure controller92, but when the toll collection facility1does not need to restrict the departure of the vehicle20, the toll collection facility1need not necessarily include the departure controller92.

The departure-side vehicle detector93is located furthermost to the downstream side of the lane LN and detects the departure of the vehicle20from the toll collection facility1.

Vehicle Configuration

The vehicle20includes the main vehicle body20A, the first RFID tag41A (a first onboard unit), and the second RFID tag41B (a second onboard unit).

The first RFID tag41A and the second RFID tag41B are attached to the main vehicle body20A and are installed so as to be capable of communicating with the RFID reader40.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the main vehicle body20A includes an attachment portion20C to which a towed vehicle20B can be attached. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the towed vehicle20B includes an attachment pin20D, and the attachment portion20C includes an aperture20H. By the attachment pin20D being fitted into the aperture20H, the towed vehicle20B is attached to the main vehicle body20A and is towed by the main vehicle body20A.

When the main vehicle body20A tows the towed vehicle20B, the main vehicle body20A travels in a state in which the towed vehicle20B is attached to the attachment portion20C. Additionally, when the main vehicle body20A does not tow the towed vehicle20B, the main vehicle body20A travels in a state in which the towed vehicle20B is not attached to the attachment portion20C.

The first RFID tag41A is an RFID tag used for identifying the vehicle type of the main vehicle body20A. The first information DA, which includes the vehicle ID information and the vehicle type information (type information) of the main vehicle body20A in which the first RFID tag41A is installed, is stored in the first RFID tag41A so as to be readable by the RFID reader40.

The second RFID tag41B is an RFID tag used for determining the presence or absence of the towed vehicle20B. The second information DB, which includes the vehicle ID information of the main vehicle body20A in which the second RFID tag41B is installed, is stored in the second RFID tag41B so as to be readable by the RFID reader40.

The first information DA read from the first RFID tag41A and the second information DB read from the second RFID tag41B are paired in the charging communication processor50. While the vehicle ID information may be used for the pairing, pairing information may also be used by which the first RFID tag41A and the second RFID tag41B can mutually identify each other.

For example, individual information of the second RFID tag41B is stored in the first RFID tag41A so as to be readable by the RFID reader40. Further, individual information of the first RFID tag41A is stored in the second RFID tag41B so as to be readable by the RFID reader40. In this way, the charging communication processor50can pair the first information DA read from the first RFID tag41A and the second information DB read from the second RFID tag41B.

The first RFID tag41A is provided in a position so as to be capable of communicating with the RFID reader40in both the state in which the towed vehicle20B is attached to the attachment portion20C of the main vehicle body20A and the state in which the towed vehicle20B is not attached.

In the present embodiment, the first RFID tag41A is attached to an inner surface20S of a windshield20E of the main vehicle body20A. Here, of both surfaces of the windshield20E of the main vehicle body20A, the inner surface20S is a surface on the inside of the main vehicle body20A.

Thus, as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the first RFID tag41A is capable of communicating with the RFID reader40regardless of whether the vehicle body20A is towing or not towing the towed vehicle20B.

The second RFID tag41B is in a position so as to be capable of communicating with the RFID reader40in the state in which the towed vehicle20B is not attached to the attachment portion20C of the main vehicle body20A, while also being provided in a position so as be incapable of communicating with the RFID reader40in the state in which the towed vehicle20B is attached to the attachment portion20C.

In the present embodiment, the second RFID tag41B is attached to the attachment portion20C of the main vehicle body20A. Thus, the second RFID tag41B is configured such that when the towed vehicle20B is attached to the attachment portion20C, the upper side of the second RFID tag41B is covered by the towed vehicle20B and the second RFID tag41B is electromagnetically shielded from the RFID reader40that is installed on the roadside above the traveling vehicle20. On the other hand, in the state in which the towed vehicle20B is not attached to the attachment portion20C of the main vehicle body20A, the second RFID tag41B is not electromagnetically shielded from the RFID reader40.

Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 2, when the main vehicle body20A is towing the towed vehicle20B, the second RFID tag41B cannot communicate with the RFID reader40. Also, as illustrated inFIG. 3, when the main vehicle body20A is not towing the towed vehicle20B, the second RFID tag41B can communicate with the RFID reader40.

The first RFID tag41A and the second RFID tag41B of the present embodiment are sticker type RFID tags having a card shape and one of the card surfaces serving as an adhesive surface.

The adhesive surface of the first RFID tag41A is adhered to the windshield20E. The adhesive surface of the second RFID tag41B is adhered to the attachment portion20C.

Furthermore, the first RFID tag41A and the second RFID tag41B are formed so as to have a plurality of cuts across the entire card surface. Accordingly, the first RFID tag41A and the second RFID tag41B are configured such that, in a case where they are once adhered and then forcibly peeled off, they will be damaged or an electrical resistance value between internal wiring thereof will increase.

In the present embodiment, the first RFID tag41A is attached to the inner surface20S of the windshield20E, but the first RFID tag41A may be attached to any portion of the main vehicle body20A as long as it is in a position capable of communicating with the RFID reader40regardless of whether the towed vehicle20B is being towed or not being towed. For example, the first RFID tag41A may be attached to the outer surface of the windshield20E, the upper surface of the hood of the main vehicle body20A, the upper surface of the dashboard of the main vehicle body20A, the roof of the vehicle body20A, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the second RFID tag41B is attached to the attachment portion20C of the main vehicle body20A, but the second RFID tag41B may be attached to any portion of the main vehicle body20A as long as it is within a region in which, in a plan view from the Z direction as illustrated inFIG. 4, the main vehicle body20A and the towed vehicle20B attached to the attachment portion20C overlap. For example, the second RFID tag41B may be provided on the periphery of the attachment portion20C.

In order to improve communication reliability, the first RFID tag41A and the second RFID tag41B may be configured to be adhered to the main vehicle body20A via a magnetic sheet or the like. When the magnetic sheet is used, the magnetic sheet may also include the cuts, similarly to the first RFID tag41A and the second RFID tag41B, such that in a case where the magnetic sheet is once adhered and then forcibly peeled off, the first RFID tag41A and the second RFID tag41B will be damaged.

Further, as necessary, as illustrated inFIG. 2, a third RFID tag41C may be further provided as a third onboard unit, in a position on the upper surface of the rear end of the towed vehicle20B so as to be capable of communicating with the RFID reader40.

Further, the first RFID tag41A and the second RFID tag41B may be configured to sense the damage due to being forcibly peeled off or the increase in the resistance value between the internal wiring, and may transmit a tamper alarm signal to the RFID reader40. In this case, by the tamper alarm signal to be transmitted, the damage or the increase in the resistance value between the internal wiring is reported to the charging communication processor50and the central payment processor70via the RFID reader40.

The RFID reader40may further include an RSSI detector that detects the RSSI (the received signal strength) of electromagnetic waves, and may detect that the second RFID tag41B has been forcibly peeled off.

For example, when receiving the RFID information, in a case where each RSSI of the electromagnetic waves received from the first RFID tag41A and the second RFID tag41B is detected, the RFID reader40can compare an installation height of the first RFID tag41A and the second RFID tag41B.

The second RFID tag41B is installed in a relatively low position, as the position to be shielded by the towed vehicle20B. For example, in a case where the second RFID tag41B is detected as being higher than the first RFID tag41A, the second RFID tag41B may be installed in an unauthorized position.

In the case that, using the RSSI detection, it is detected that the second RFID tag41B is installed in an unauthorized position, the RFID reader40generates the tamper alarm, and reports to the charging communication processor50and the central payment processor70.

Configuration of Charging Communication Processor50

The charging communication processor50includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)51. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the CPU51functionally includes a first information processing unit51A, a second information processing unit51B, a towing determination unit51C, and a toll decision unit51D.

In the present embodiment, a program to be described below is executed by the charging communication processor50, thus causing the CPU51to function as the first information processing unit51A, the second information processing unit51B, the towing determination unit51C, and the toll decision unit51D.

The first information processing unit51A acquires the first information DA including the vehicle ID information and the vehicle type information of the vehicle20received by the RFID reader40, and identifies the type of the vehicle20from the vehicle type information.

Specifically, the first information processing unit51A is configured to identify, from the first information DA, at least a type having a towing structure, such as a trailer. When the vehicle20is the type having the towing structure, such as the trailer, the first information processing unit51A identifies the main vehicle body20A as the type having the towing structure, such as the trailer, regardless of the presence or absence of the towed vehicle20B.

The second information processing unit51B initiates a standby for the second information DB from the RFID reader40relating to the type identified by the first information processing unit51A, and acquires the second information DB including the vehicle ID information of the vehicle20received by the RFID reader40.

Specifically, the second information processing unit51B is configured to initiate the standby for the second information DB from the RFID reader40when the first information processing unit51A identifies the passing main vehicle body20A as the vehicle having the towing structure, such as the trailer.

Thus, the second information processing unit51B can acquire the second information DB when the passing main vehicle body20A is the vehicle having the towing structure, such as the trailer.

The towing determination unit51C determines the presence or absence of the towed vehicle20B of the main vehicle body20A.

Specifically, when the second information processing unit51B acquires the second information DB after initiating the standby for the second information DB, the towing determination unit51C determines that the main vehicle body20A is not towing the towed vehicle20B.

When the second information processing unit51B does not acquire the second information DB after initiating the standby for the second information DB, the towing determination unit51C determines that the main vehicle body20A is towing the towed vehicle20B.

The towing determination unit51C determines the presence or absence of the towed vehicle20B depending on whether it has been possible to acquire the second information DB.

In the present embodiment, when the second information processing unit51B is unable to acquire the second information DB during a period from a timing of the start of the determination to a timing at the end of the determination, the towing determination unit51C determines that the main vehicle body20A is towing the towed vehicle20B.

When the second information processing unit51B is able to acquire the second information DB during the period from the timing of the start of the determination to the timing at the end of the determination, the towing determination unit51C determines that the main vehicle body20A is not towing the towed vehicle20B.

In the present embodiment, the timing of the start of the determination is a time at which the standby for the second information DB is initiated, but as a modified example, the timing of the start of the determination may be a time at which the RFID reader40or the charging communication processor50receives the first information DA, or may be a time at which the entry-side vehicle detector91detects the vehicle20.

In the present embodiment, the timing of the end of the determination is after a predetermined period of time from the timing of the start of the determination. However, as a modified example, the timing of the end of the determination may be a time at which the departure-side vehicle detector93detects the departure of the vehicle20, or may be after a predetermined period of time from the departure of the vehicle20.

As another modified example, when the vehicle20is provided with the third RFID tag41C described above, the timing of the end of the determination may be a time at which the RFID reader40or the charging communication processor50receives information from the third RFID tag41C, or may be after a predetermined amount of time from receiving the information.

The toll decision unit51D identifies the vehicle type from the first information DA including the vehicle type information, and decides a toll charge amount that accords with the identified vehicle type and the presence or absence of the towed vehicle.

Vehicle Identification Method

An embodiment of a vehicle identification method according to the present invention will be described below, using the vehicle identification system10. Hereinafter, a case is described as an example in which, when the main vehicle body20A is the trailer that does not tow the towed vehicle20B, the toll is discounted, from standard toll charge for the trailer, by an amount corresponding to the fact that the towed vehicle20B is not being towed.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the first information processing unit51A acquires the first information DA including the vehicle ID information and the vehicle type information of the main vehicle body20A from the first RFID tag41A, and identifies the type of the main vehicle body20A from the vehicle type information (ST1: a first information processing step).

When the first information processing unit51A identifies the type of the main vehicle body20A as a type other than the “trailer” (ST1: NO) at the first information processing step ST1, the toll decision unit51D decides, as the toll charge amount, a toll charge corresponding to the determined type (ST2: a second toll deciding step).

When the first information processing unit51A identifies the type of the main vehicle body20A as the “trailer” (ST1: YES) at the first information processing step ST1, the second information processing unit51B initiates the standby for the second information DB from the second RFID tag41B attached to the main vehicle body20A (ST3: a second information processing step).

Following the second information processing step ST3, the towing determination unit51C determines the presence or absence of the towed vehicle20B, depending on whether the second information processing unit51B has been able to acquire the second information DB (ST4: a towing determining step).

At the towing determination step ST4, when the towing determination unit51C determines that the main vehicle body20A is not towing the towed vehicle20B (ST4: NO), the toll decision unit51D calculates the toll by discounting the standard toll charge relating to the “trailer” by the amount corresponding to the fact that the towed vehicle20B is not being towed, and decides the discounted toll as the toll charge amount (ST5: a first toll deciding step).

At the towing determination step ST4, when the towing determination unit51C determines that the main vehicle body20A is towing the towed vehicle20B (ST4: YES), advancing to the second toll determining step ST2, the toll decision unit51D decides the toll corresponding to the identified type (the standard toll charge corresponding to the “trailer”) as the toll charge amount.

Hardware Configuration

Further, an example of the hardware configuration of the charging communication processor50in the above-described embodiments will be described.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the charging communication processor50.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, in addition to the CPU51, the charging communication processor50further includes a memory52, a storage/playback device53, an Input Output Interface (IO I/F)54, and a communication Interface (I/F)55.

The memory52is a medium such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) that temporarily stores data and the like used by programs of the charging communication processor50.

The storage/playback device53is a device for storing data and the like in an external medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, or a flash memory, playing back data from the external medium, and the like.

The IO I/F54is an interface for inputting and outputting information and the like between the charging communication processor50and the various devices of the toll collection facility1.

The communication I/F55is an interface that performs communication between the charging communication processor50and the central payment processor70, via a communication circuit such as the Internet, a dedicated communication circuit, or the like.

Method for Attaching Onboard Unit

As an embodiment of a method for attaching the onboard unit according to the present invention, a method for attaching each of the RFID tags on the vehicle20will be described with reference toFIG. 8.

An installation operator places the first RFID tag41A in a position capable of communicating with the RFID reader40in either the state in which the towed vehicle20B is attached to the attachment portion20C or the state in which the towed vehicle20B is unattached (ST11: a first onboard unit installing step). In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the installation operator adheres the first RFID tag41A to the inner surface20S of the windshield20E of the main vehicle body20A.

Next, the installation operator installs the second RFID tag41B in a position capable of communicating with the RFID reader40in the state in which the towed vehicle20B is not attached to the attachment portion20C, and in a position not capable of communicating with the RFID reader40in the state in which the towed vehicle20B is attached to the attachment portion20C (ST12: a second onboard unit installing step). In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the installation operator adheres the second RFID tag41B to the attachment portion20C.

In the present embodiment, the second onboard unit installing step ST12is performed after the first onboard unit installing step ST11, but the first onboard unit installing step ST11may be performed after the second onboard unit installing step ST12.

Furthermore, as necessary, the installation operator may install the third RFID tag41C on the towed vehicle20B (ST13: a third onboard unit installing step).

In this case, the third RFID tag41C is installed in a position capable of communicating with the RFID reader40in both the state in which the towed vehicle20B is attached to the main vehicle body20A and in the unattached state. For example, the installation operator attaches the third RFID tag41C to the upper surface of the rear end of the towed vehicle20B.

Also, when the third onboard unit installing step ST13is provided, ST11to ST13may be performed in any order.

Actions and Effects

The actions and effects of the present embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, a communication state between the second RFID tag41B of the main vehicle body20A and the RFID reader40switches depending on the presence or absence of the towed vehicle20B. Specifically, the second RFID tag41B of the main vehicle body20A is not capable of communicating with the RFID reader40in the state in which the towed vehicle20B is attached, and is capable of communicating with the RFID reader40in the state in which the towed vehicle20B is not attached.

Accordingly, the vehicle20is able to receive the determination of the presence or absence of the towed vehicle20B, using small scale equipment. Additionally, the vehicle identification system10is able to determine the presence or absence of the towed vehicle20B of the vehicle20, using small scale equipment.

When the vehicle identification system10of the present embodiment acquires the second information DB from the second RFID tag41B, it is determined that the main vehicle body20A is not towing the towed vehicle20B, and the discounted toll from the standard toll charge is taken as the toll charge amount.

It is assumed that, in a case where the third RFID tag41C described above is used as the RFID tag for determining the presence or absence of the towed vehicle20B, a configuration is adopted in which the toll charge is discounted when communication is not possible with the third RFID tag41C. In this case, for example, by damaging or hiding the third RFID tag41C, and thus fraudulently making the communication with the third RFID tag41C impossible, it is possible to pass through at a cheap toll charge amount.

In contrast, by applying the cheap toll charge amount when communication with the second RFID tag41B is possible, as in the present embodiment, the cheap toll charge amount is not obtained by damaging or hiding the second RFID tag41B, so the vehicle identification system10can prevent fraudulence.

The vehicle identification system10of the present embodiment can determine the presence or absence of the towed vehicle20B without detecting the number of axes or measuring the length of the vehicle20, and the like.

Therefore, the presence or absence of the towed vehicle20B can be determined without a large scale instrument, such as an axial number detection device or a vehicle length measurement device of the vehicle20.

Additionally, by using the RFID tag as each of the onboard units, the onboard unit itself and the roadside devices can be configured at a low cost.

Furthermore, the second RFID tag41B of the main vehicle body20A uses electromagnetic shielding by the towed vehicle20B to switch the communication state with the RFID reader40. The towed vehicle20B and fixtures thereof need to be formed from a normally robust material, and therefore are configured by, for example, thick metal, and have a structure that inhibits the transmission of electromagnetic waves. Thus, when the towed vehicle20B is attached to the main vehicle body20A, the second RFID tag41B of the main vehicle body20A is not able to communicate with the RFID reader40because the communication path with the RFID reader40is electromagnetically shielded by the towed vehicle20B.

Accordingly, the vehicle20can cause the communication between the second RFID tag41B and the RFID reader40to be impossible, in conjunction with the attachment of the towed vehicle20B to the attachment portion20C of the main vehicle body20A.

Other Modifications

The vehicle identification system10of the present embodiment reads the vehicle type information read by the RFID reader40and thus identifies the type of each vehicle, but, as a modified example, may also simply identify the type having the towing structure, such as the trailer.

For example, in a case of simply determining the presence or absence of a towed vehicle of a trailer, it is sufficient that only information indicating whether or not the vehicle is a trailer is stored in the first RFID tag41A as the vehicle type information, and it is sufficient that the vehicle identification system10only determines, as the vehicle identification, whether the main vehicle body20A is the trailer or is other than the trailer.

The vehicle identification system10of the present embodiment utilizes the possibility of the communication with the second RFID tag41B in the determination of the presence or absence of the towed vehicle, but, as a modified example, a configuration may be adopted in which the third RFID tag41C described above is provided, and the possibility of the communication with the third RFID tag41C may be used in addition to the possibility of the communication with the second RFID tag41B. In this case, for example, it is determined that the main vehicle body20A is not towing the towed vehicle20B when the communication with the second RFID tag41B is possible and the communication with the third RFID tag41C is not possible. This allows the discount from the standard toll charge to be implemented only when standard communication is performed.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of a charging system according to the present invention is described below with reference toFIG. 9.

A charging system100′ and a vehicle20′ of the present embodiment are basically the same as in the first embodiment, except in that charging processing by an ETC antenna140and an ETC onboard unit141that use ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System (trade name)) is also performed. The differences are described in detail below.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the charging system100′ includes a toll collection facility1′ and the central payment processor70.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, a vehicle identification system10′ of the toll collection facility1′ includes the RFID reader40, the ETC antenna140, and a charging communication processor50′.

The vehicle20′ includes the main vehicle body20A, the first RFID tag41A, the second RFID tag41B, and the ETC onboard unit141.

The ETC onboard unit141is attached to the main vehicle body20A and is disposed so as to be capable of communicating with the ETC antenna140.

The ETC antenna140is installed above the traveling vehicle20′. The ETC antenna140is provided so as to be located at almost the same position as the RFID reader40in the lane direction (the ±X direction), and so as to be aligned with the RFID reader40in the Y direction.

Specifically, the ETC antenna140is formed to be capable of transmitting and receiving an electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency (approximately 5.8 GHz, for example) and performs wireless communication with the ETC onboard unit141mounted on the arriving vehicle20′, via the electromagnetic wave. The frequency of the electromagnetic wave used by the RFID reader40in the wireless communication may be the same as or different from each frequency of the electromagnetic wave used by the ETC antenna140in the wireless communication.

When the entry of the vehicle20′ is detected by the entry-side vehicle detector91, the ETC antenna140performs the wireless communication with the ETC onboard unit141of the vehicle20′, and receives detailed information DC (the vehicle ID, the vehicle type, card information, entry information, and the like) of the passing vehicle20′.

Further, the ETC antenna140transmits charging data including a result of the charging processing to the ETC onboard unit141of the passing vehicle20′.

The charging communication processor50′ includes a CPU51′. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the CPU51′ functionally includes the first information processing unit51A, the second information processing unit51B, the towing determination unit51C, and a toll decision unit51D′.

The charging communication processor50′ receives the detailed information DC of the vehicle20′ received by the ETC antenna140, from the ETC antenna140using wired or wireless communication. At this time, the toll decision unit51D′ decides the toll charge amount on the basis of the detailed information DC received from the ETC antenna140and a determination result of the presence or absence of the towed vehicle20B by the towing determination unit51C. For example, even when the main vehicle body20A is a trailer that is not towing the towed vehicle20B, the toll decision unit51D′ provisionally calculates the standard toll charge for the trailer from the detailed information DC. Subsequently, in correspondence with the determination result of the towing determination unit51C, the toll decision unit51D′ calculates a toll charge obtained by discounting, from the calculated standard toll charge, an amount corresponding to the fact that the towed vehicle20B is not being towed, and decides the amount as the toll charge amount.

The vehicle20′ of the present embodiment is provided with the first RFID tag41A, but need not necessarily include the first RFID tag41A, as a modified example. In this case, the charging communication processor50′ acquires the first information DA from the ETC onboard unit141via the ETC antenna140.

In the embodiments described above, the various processes are implemented by a program for achieving the various functions of the charging communication processor, the program being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the program stored in the storage medium being read and executed by a computer system. The steps of each process of each CPU described above are stored in a computer readable recording medium in the form of a program, and these various processes are implemented by the computer reading out and executing this program. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and semiconductor memories. This computer program may be distributed to the computer on a communication line, and the computer that receives this distribution may execute the program.

Moreover, a mode may be employed in which various functions of the charging communication processor are provided in a plurality of devices connected by a network.

In the foregoing, certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments may be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and alterations may be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

For example, the first onboard unit and the second onboard unit may be any combination of active, passive, having a power supply, and not having a power supply.

Further, in the present embodiment, the RFID tag is used as the first to third onboard units and the RFID reader is used as the roadside device. However, as long as a communication device is capable of performing communication between the traveling vehicle and the roadside, any communication device may be used as the first to third onboard units and as the roadside device.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to an aspect of the present invention, the presence or absence of a towed vehicle can be determined using small scale equipment.