Toll fee system and method
First Claim
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1. A toll processing system comprising:
- a toll fee tracking device configured to enter a ready state responsive to a customer of a vehicle rental entity accepting, via a vehicle rental entity processor of the vehicle rental entity, an automatic toll payment service provided by an intermediate entity for use of a vehicle of the vehicle rental entity, the toll fee tracking device configured to enter an inactive state responsive to the customer of the vehicle rental entity denying, via the vehicle rental entity processor, the automatic toll payment service; and
an intermediate server to communicate data between a toll authority and the vehicle rental entity, the intermediate server including;
a first interface to communicate with a toll authority processor of the toll authority;
a data storage device configured to store at least one database;
a second interface to communicate with the vehicle rental entity processor; and
at least one intermediate processor configured to;
obtain toll fee tracking data from the toll authority processor via the first interface;
store the toll fee tracking data in the at least one database;
analyze the toll fee tracking data to determine whether toll usage corresponding to the toll fee tracking data was accrued by the vehicle of the vehicle rental entity for which the customer accepted, based on the toll fee tracking device, the automatic toll payment service provided by the intermediate entity;
push, to the vehicle rental entity processor via the second interface, the analyzed toll fee tracking data so as to be available upon return of the vehicle to the vehicle rental entity; and
enter the toll fee tracking device into a closed state upon a detection by the vehicle rental entity processor of the return of the vehicle to the vehicle rental entity.
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Abstract
A toll fee tracking system comprising a toll authority adapted to collect data associated with at least one toll fee tracking device and a toll rental entity adapted to communicate with the toll authority and a third part entity. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A toll processing system comprising:
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a toll fee tracking device configured to enter a ready state responsive to a customer of a vehicle rental entity accepting, via a vehicle rental entity processor of the vehicle rental entity, an automatic toll payment service provided by an intermediate entity for use of a vehicle of the vehicle rental entity, the toll fee tracking device configured to enter an inactive state responsive to the customer of the vehicle rental entity denying, via the vehicle rental entity processor, the automatic toll payment service; and an intermediate server to communicate data between a toll authority and the vehicle rental entity, the intermediate server including; a first interface to communicate with a toll authority processor of the toll authority; a data storage device configured to store at least one database; a second interface to communicate with the vehicle rental entity processor; and at least one intermediate processor configured to; obtain toll fee tracking data from the toll authority processor via the first interface; store the toll fee tracking data in the at least one database; analyze the toll fee tracking data to determine whether toll usage corresponding to the toll fee tracking data was accrued by the vehicle of the vehicle rental entity for which the customer accepted, based on the toll fee tracking device, the automatic toll payment service provided by the intermediate entity; push, to the vehicle rental entity processor via the second interface, the analyzed toll fee tracking data so as to be available upon return of the vehicle to the vehicle rental entity; and enter the toll fee tracking device into a closed state upon a detection by the vehicle rental entity processor of the return of the vehicle to the vehicle rental entity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A toll fee tracking system comprising:
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a toll fee tracking device configured to enter a ready state responsive to a customer of a vehicle rental entity accepting, via a vehicle rental entity processor of the vehicle rental entity, an automatic toll payment service provided by an intermediate entity for use of a vehicle of the vehicle rental entity, the toll fee tracking device configured to enter an inactive state responsive to the customer of the vehicle rental entity denying, via the vehicle rental entity processor, the automatic toll payment service; an intermediate server adapted to communicate with a toll authority processor of a toll authority and the vehicle rental entity processor, the intermediate server configured to; receive, from the toll authority processor, collected data associated with toll authority usage by the vehicle; store the collected data in at least one database; analyze the collected data to determine whether toll usage corresponding to the collected data was accrued by the vehicle of the vehicle rental entity for which the renter of the vehicle accepted, based on the renter data, the automatic toll payment service provided by the intermediate entity; push at least some of the collected data to the vehicle rental entity processor so as to be available upon return of the vehicle to the vehicle rental entity; and enter the toll fee tracking device into a closed state upon a detection by the vehicle rental entity processor of the return of the vehicle to the vehicle rental entity. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification