COMMUTER CREDITS SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
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1. An electronic commuter credits system comprising:
- a processor;
an electronic barrier system comprising at least a plurality of sensing devices located in series along one or more lanes of travel of a roadway system operably connected to the processor, wherein said electronic barrier system is configured to detect a presence or absence of a vehicle in said one or more lanes of travel of a roadway system and positively identify the vehicle; and
a memory, wherein commuter credits are assessed to a registered owner of the vehicle or a passenger in the vehicle, or tolls or fees are assessed to the registered owner of the vehicle or a passenger in the vehicle based upon patterns of travel of the vehicle and said commuter credits are stored in the memory in a commuter credits account associated with an individual.
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Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods for implementing a Commuter Credit Program that allows commuters and non-commuters to generate credits that may be redeemed as cash on tollway system or for other benefits. Exemplary systems and methods identify participants or a proxy account ID at various locations on the transportation system or at other prescribed locations to qualify the participant and issue commuter credit. Similarly, exemplary systems and methods positively identify participants at various locations in the transportation system such that the credits can be used in lieu of paying cash on the tollway or at other prescribed locations to receive alternative benefits.
100 Citations
40 Claims
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1. An electronic commuter credits system comprising:
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a processor; an electronic barrier system comprising at least a plurality of sensing devices located in series along one or more lanes of travel of a roadway system operably connected to the processor, wherein said electronic barrier system is configured to detect a presence or absence of a vehicle in said one or more lanes of travel of a roadway system and positively identify the vehicle; and a memory, wherein commuter credits are assessed to a registered owner of the vehicle or a passenger in the vehicle, or tolls or fees are assessed to the registered owner of the vehicle or a passenger in the vehicle based upon patterns of travel of the vehicle and said commuter credits are stored in the memory in a commuter credits account associated with an individual. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of tracking that facilitates participant identification for association with a commuter credit account to which commuter credits can be credited or debited, said method comprising:
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linking a commuter credit account with a participant, wherein said linking comprises pre-registration of individual commuter credit accounts with vehicle identification numbers or implementation of in-vehicle sensors configured for reading account numbers for each participant using said vehicle; identifying the vehicle on a roadway or the absence of the vehicle on the roadway; associating the vehicle with one or more individual commuter credit accounts; and determining, based upon pre-defined parameters and the presence or absence of the vehicle on the roadway, whether to credit or debit one or more individual commuter credit accounts associated with the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40)
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39. A method of managing a commuter credit account comprising:
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linking a commuter credit account with a participant; detecting the participant using or not using alternative transportation modes or methods; and crediting or debiting the participant'"'"'s commuter credit account based upon the participant'"'"'s using, or not using, alternative transportation modes or methods.
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Specification