Vehicle travel monitoring and payment systems and methods

• US 10,580,088 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2010
• Issued: 03/03/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Western Union
• Original Assignee: Western Union
• Inventors: Tonnon, Garry, Owen, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ludwig, Peter
• Application Number:
  US12/716,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20110218896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,653 Days
• Field of Search: 705 19
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/027 involving a payment switch or gateway
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/085 involving remote charge determination or related payment systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/145 Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/16 Payments settled via telecommunication systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/123 Tax preparation or submission

Abstract

The invention provides various methods and systems for collecting and allocating road use fees. The invention may include receiving funds from a party, wherein the party is responsible for operation of a vehicle. Data indicating where the vehicle has traveled may be received by a computer system. A jurisdiction may be identified where road use fees are due based on where the vehicle has traveled. Fees due to the jurisdiction may be calculated based on the jurisdiction'"'"'s road use fee schedule. The fee due for road use may be deducted from an account of the vehicle'"'"'s operator.

Claims

1. A method for collecting and allocating road use fees, comprising:

receiving, by a vehicle-based system using an input device of the vehicle, driver input identifying a first driver as the driver of a vehicle in a first jurisdiction;

periodically determining a current position of the vehicle using a global navigation satellite system of the vehicle;

determining, by the vehicle-based system, using the global navigation satellite system of the vehicle, when the vehicle has crossed a jurisdictional border exiting the first jurisdiction;

in response to the determination that the vehicle has exited the first jurisdiction;

(a) determining, by the vehicle-based system, a first distance that the vehicle has traveled within the first jurisdiction;

(b) identifying a first jurisdiction computer system associated with the first jurisdiction; and

(c) transmitting, by the vehicle-based system, first data including the first distance that the vehicle has traveled within the first jurisdiction and the identity of the first driver of the vehicle in the first jurisdiction, to the first jurisdiction computer system associated with the first jurisdiction;

receiving, at the first jurisdiction computer system associated with the first jurisdiction, the first data transmitted from the vehicle indicating the first distance the vehicle has traveled within the first jurisdiction and the identity of the first driver of the vehicle in the first jurisdiction;

calculating, by the first jurisdiction computer system, a first road use fee due to the first jurisdiction based on the identity of the first driver of the vehicle and a first road use fee schedule associated with the first jurisdiction;

receiving, by the vehicle-based system using the input device of the vehicle, driver input identifying a second driver as the driver of the vehicle in a second jurisdiction;

determining, by the vehicle-based system, using the global navigation satellite system of the vehicle, when the vehicle has crossed a jurisdictional border exiting the second jurisdiction;

in response to the determination that the vehicle has exited the second jurisdiction;

(a) determining, by the vehicle-based system, a second distance that the vehicle has traveled within the second jurisdiction;

(b) identifying a second jurisdiction computer system associated with the second jurisdiction, wherein the second jurisdiction computer system is different from the first jurisdiction computer system; and

(c) transmitting, by the vehicle-based system, second data including the second distance that the vehicle has traveled within the second jurisdiction and the identity of the second driver of the vehicle in the second jurisdiction, to the second jurisdiction computer system associated with the second jurisdiction;

receiving, at the second jurisdiction computer system associated with the second jurisdiction, the second data transmitted from the vehicle indicating the second distance the vehicle has traveled within the second jurisdiction and the identity of the second driver of the vehicle in the second jurisdiction;

calculating, by the second jurisdiction computer system, a second road use fee due to the second jurisdiction based on the identity of the second driver of the vehicle and a second road use fee schedule associated with the second jurisdiction;

periodically transmitting, by the vehicle-based system, where the vehicle has traveled to a payment computer system, but wherein the vehicle-based system is configured not to transmit actual location data corresponding to the vehicle to the first jurisdiction or the second jurisdiction computer system;

receiving, at the payment computer system, an indication of the first road use fee from the first jurisdiction computer system and an indication of the second road use fee from the second jurisdiction computer system;

deducting, by the payment computer system, from a stored value account associated with at least one of the vehicle, the first driver, or the second driver, at least the first road use fee and the second road use fee; and

transferring, by the payment computer system, the first road use fee to the first jurisdiction and the second road use fee to the second jurisdiction.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing, by the payment computer system, a party associated with the stored value account with an option for funding the stored value account or receiving a bill for road use after travel by the vehicle has occurred, wherein the option is provided before funds are allocated to the stored value account.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the fees due to at least one of the first jurisdiction or the second jurisdiction are respectively based on a criminal record of the first driver and the second driver.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a timing of periodically transmitting the data indicating where the vehicle has traveled to the payment computer system is based on an increment of distance traveled.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the first road use fee or the second road use fee comprises transferring an indication of a party associated with the stored value account or the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a road use fee transferred to at least one of the first jurisdiction or the second jurisdiction is part of a periodic bulk payment to a jurisdiction of road use fees for multiple parties.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored value account is linked to at least one of the first driver or the second driver.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored value account is linked to the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first road use fee schedule is based on a number of axles.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first road use fee schedule is based on a vehicle type.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a first mobile device associated with the first driver of the vehicle within the first jurisdiction;

in response to determining that the vehicle has exited the first jurisdiction, transmitting first road use fee data to the first mobile device associated with the first driver;

determining a second mobile device associated with the second driver of the vehicle within the second jurisdiction; and

in response to determining that the vehicle has exited the second jurisdiction, transmitting second road use fee data to the second mobile device associated with the second driver.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein:

prior to the determination that the vehicle has exited the first jurisdiction, the vehicle-based system;

receives, from the first jurisdiction computer system, periodic requests to determine to location of the vehicle within the first jurisdiction; and

responds to the periodic requests from the first jurisdiction computer system to confirm the location of the vehicle within the first jurisdiction; and

prior to the determination that the vehicle has exited the second jurisdiction, the vehicle-based system;

receives, from the second jurisdiction computer system, periodic requests to determine to location of the vehicle within the second jurisdiction; and

responds to the periodic requests from the second jurisdiction computer system to confirm the location of the vehicle within the second jurisdiction.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first jurisdiction computer system and the second jurisdiction computer system are configured to calculate road usage fees due to a physical jurisdiction separately based on a plurality of jurisdiction-specific road usage rate factors, including:

(a) the distance that the vehicle was driven within the physical jurisdiction;

(b) the time that the vehicle was within the physical jurisdiction;

(c) a number of axles of the vehicle;

(d) the type of the vehicle;

(e) the fuel source of the vehicle; and

(f) a criminal record of a driver the vehicle within the physical jurisdiction.

12. A system for collecting and allocating road use fees, the system comprising:

a vehicle-based system comprising;

an input device;

a global navigation satellite system;

a vehicle;

a processing unit; and

a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the vehicle-based system to;

receive, via the input device, driver input identifying a first driver as the driver of the vehicle in a first jurisdiction;

periodically determine a current position of the vehicle using the global navigation satellite system of the vehicle;

determining, using the global navigation satellite system, when the vehicle has crossed a jurisdictional border exiting the first jurisdiction;

in response to determining that the vehicle has exited the first jurisdiction;

(a) determining a first distance that the vehicle has traveled within the first jurisdiction;

(b) identifying a first jurisdiction computer system associated with the first jurisdiction; and

(c) transmitting first data including the first distance that the vehicle has traveled within the first jurisdiction and the identity of the first driver of the vehicle in the first jurisdiction, to the first jurisdiction computer system associated with the first jurisdiction;

receiving, via the input device, driver input identifying a second driver as the driver of the vehicle in a second jurisdiction;

determining, using the global navigation satellite system, when the vehicle has crossed a jurisdictional border exiting the second jurisdiction; and

in response to determining that the vehicle has exited the second jurisdiction;

(a) determining a second distance that the vehicle has traveled within the second jurisdiction;

(b) identifying a second jurisdiction computer system associated with the second jurisdiction; and

(c) transmitting second data including the second distance that the vehicle has traveled within the second jurisdiction and the identity of the second driver of the vehicle in the second jurisdiction, to the a second jurisdiction computer system associated with the second jurisdiction; and

periodically transmitting where the vehicle has traveled to a payment computer system, but wherein the vehicle-based system is configured not to transmit actual location data corresponding to the vehicle to the first jurisdiction or the second jurisdiction computer system;

a first jurisdiction computer system associated with a first jurisdiction, the first jurisdiction computer system comprising;

a communication interface configured to enable the first jurisdiction computer system to interface with one or more vehicles;

a processor; and

a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the first jurisdiction computer system to;

receive the first data transmitted from the vehicle indicating the first distance the vehicle has traveled within the first jurisdiction and the identity of the first driver of the vehicle in the first jurisdiction; and

calculate a first road use fee due to the first jurisdiction based on the identity of the first driver of the vehicle and a first road use fee schedule associated with the first jurisdiction;

a second jurisdiction computer system associated with a second jurisdiction, the second jurisdiction computer system comprising;

a communication interface configured to enable the second jurisdiction computer system to interface with one or more vehicles;

a processor; and

a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the second jurisdiction computer system to;

receive the second data transmitted from the vehicle indicating the second distance the vehicle has traveled within the second jurisdiction and the identity of the second driver of the vehicle in the second jurisdiction; and

calculate a second road use fee due to the second jurisdiction based on the identity of the second driver of the vehicle and a second road use fee schedule associated with the second jurisdiction; and

a payment computer system comprising;

a communication interface configured to enable the second jurisdiction computer system to interface with one or more jurisdiction computer systems;

a processor; and

a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the payment computer system to;

receive an indication that funds have been received from a party, wherein the party is responsible for operation of the vehicle;

receive a stored value account identifier from the party;

allocate at least a portion of the received funds to a stored value account linked to the stored value account identifier;

deduct from the stored value account associated with the party, at least the first road use fee and the second road use fee; and

transfer the first road use fee to the first jurisdiction and the second road use fee to the second jurisdiction.

13. The system for collecting and allocating road use fees of claim 12, wherein the vehicle-based system is further configured to:

in response to determining that the vehicle has exited the first jurisdiction, determining a first amount of time that the vehicle spent in the first jurisdiction;

transmit the first amount of time that the vehicle spent in the first jurisdiction to the first jurisdiction computer system;

in response to determining that the vehicle has exited the second jurisdiction, determining a second amount of time that the vehicle spent in the second jurisdiction; and

transmit the second amount of time that the vehicle spent in the second jurisdiction to the second jurisdiction computer system.

14. The system for collecting and allocating road use fees of claim 12, wherein the first road use fee schedule further specifies different road use fees associated with different times of day for driving within the first jurisdiction, and wherein the second road use fee schedule further specifies different road use fees associated with different times of day for driving within the second jurisdiction.

15. The system for collecting and allocating road use fees of claim 12, wherein the vehicle-based system is further configured to:

determine a first mobile device associated with the first driver of the vehicle within the first jurisdiction;

transmit first road use fee data to the first mobile device associated with the first driver, in response to determining that the vehicle has exited the first jurisdiction;

determine a second mobile device associated with the second driver of the vehicle within the second jurisdiction; and

transmit second road use fee data to the second mobile device associated with the second driver, in response to determining that the vehicle has exited the second jurisdiction.

18. A system for collecting and allocating road usage data, the system comprising:

a vehicle-based system comprising;

an input device;

a vehicle;

a global navigation satellite system;

a processing unit; and

a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the vehicle-based system to;

receive, via the input device, driver input identifying a first driver as the driver of the vehicle in a first jurisdiction;

determine, using the global navigation satellite system, when the vehicle has crossed a jurisdictional border exiting the first jurisdiction;

determine a first distance that the vehicle has traveled within the first jurisdiction, in response to the determination that the vehicle has exited the first jurisdiction;

identify a first jurisdiction computer system configured to receive data from the vehicle-based system via a cellular network, wherein the first jurisdiction computer system is associated with the first jurisdiction and configured to receive data relating to travel by the vehicle within the first jurisdiction;

transmit first data including the first distance that the vehicle has traveled within the first jurisdiction and the identity of the first driver of the vehicle in the first jurisdiction to the first jurisdiction computer system;

receive, via the input device, driver input identifying a second driver as the driver of the vehicle in a second jurisdiction;

determine, using the global navigation satellite system, when the vehicle has crossed a jurisdictional border exiting the second jurisdiction;

determine a second distance that the vehicle has traveled within the second jurisdiction, in response to the determination that the vehicle has exited the second jurisdiction;

identify a second jurisdiction computer system, the second jurisdiction computer system different from the first jurisdiction computer system, wherein the second jurisdiction computer system is associated with the second jurisdiction and configured to receive data relating to travel by the vehicle within the second jurisdiction;

transmit second data including the second distance that the vehicle has traveled within the second jurisdiction and the identity of the second driver of the vehicle in the second jurisdiction, to the second jurisdiction computer system;

a plurality of jurisdiction computer systems, including at least the first jurisdiction computer system and the second jurisdiction computer system, each of the plurality of jurisdiction computer systems associated with a corresponding physical jurisdiction, and each jurisdiction computer systems comprising;

a communication interface configured to enable the jurisdiction computer system to interface with one or more vehicles;

a processor; and

a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the jurisdiction computer system to;

receive data transmissions from a plurality of mobile systems associated with particular vehicles, including the vehicle-based system, said data transmissions including data indicating a distance that the particular vehicle has traveled within the physical jurisdiction corresponding to the jurisdiction computer system, and data identifying a driver the particular vehicle within the physical jurisdiction corresponding to the jurisdiction computer system;

retrieve a road usage fee schedule associated with the physical jurisdiction corresponding to the jurisdiction computer system;

calculate a road usage fee due to the physical jurisdiction based on the identity of the second driver of the vehicle and a second road use fee schedule associated with the second jurisdiction; and

transmit data including the calculated road usage fees due to the physical jurisdiction, to a payment computer system,

wherein each of the plurality of jurisdiction computer systems is configured to calculate the road usage fees due to a physical jurisdiction separately based on a plurality of jurisdiction-specific road usage rate factors, including;

(a) a distance that the vehicle was driven within the physical jurisdiction;

(b) a time that the vehicle was within the physical jurisdiction;

(c) a number of axles of the vehicle;

(d) a type of the vehicle;

(e) a fuel source of the vehicle; and

(f) a criminal record of a driver the vehicle within the physical jurisdiction;

a payment computer system comprising;

a communication interface configured to enable the payment computer system to interface with the plurality of jurisdiction computer systems;

a processor; and

a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the payment computer system to;

receive data transmissions from the plurality of jurisdiction computer systems, including the first jurisdiction computer system and the second jurisdiction computer system, each data transmission including data identifying a calculated road usage fee due to a physical jurisdiction, data identifying a vehicle, and data identifying a vehicle operator associated with the calculated road usage fee;

determine a stored value account associated with the vehicle identifier;

determine whether the amount in the stored value account is sufficient to cover the calculated road usage fee;

in response to determining that the amount in the stored value account is insufficient to cover the calculated road usage fee;

(a) deduct the calculated road usage fee from the determined stored value account associated with the vehicle identifier; and

(b) transmit the road usage fees deducted from the stored value account to the corresponding jurisdiction computer system; and

in response to determining that the amount in the stored value account is insufficient to cover the calculated road usage fee;

(a) determine payment account information associated with the vehicle operator;

(b) determine a mobile device associated with the vehicle operator;

(c) transmit a notification of payment due to the mobile device associated with the vehicle operator;

(d) receive a payment confirmation from the mobile device associated with the vehicle operator;

(e) in response to receiving the payment confirmation from the mobile device associated with the vehicle operator, process payment of the calculated road usage fee from the determined payment account information associated with the vehicle operator;

(f) transmit a payment receipt to the mobile device associated with the vehicle operator; and

(g) transmit the road usage fees processed via the payment account information associated with the vehicle operator, to the corresponding jurisdiction computer system;

one or more mobile devices, each comprising;

a display screen;

an input device;

a processor; and

a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the mobile device to;

receive a notification of payment due for a calculated road usage fee, from the payment computer system;

output, via the display screen, a user interface indicating the notification of payment due for the calculated road usage fee;

receive, via the input device, a payment confirmation from a user;

transmit data corresponding to the payment confirmation to the payment computer system;

receive a payment receipt from the payment computer system; and

output the payment receipt via the display screen, wherein the vehicle-based system is further configured to;

periodically determine a current position of the vehicle using the global navigation satellite system of the vehicle; and

periodically transmit data indicating where the vehicle has traveled to the payment computer system,

wherein the vehicle-based system is configured not to transmit actual location data corresponding to the vehicle to any of the plurality of jurisdiction computer systems, including the first jurisdiction computer system or the second jurisdiction computer system.