MULTI-PROTOCOL ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method for selecting a communication protocol in a multi-protocol electronic toll collection system, the system including a reader having at least two multi-protocol RF transceivers, wherein the reader includes a processor configured to control operation of the at least two multi-protocol RF transceivers, wherein each transceiver is connected to a respective antenna configured to define a capture zone in a roadway, and wherein the system employs a fixed frame duration, the method comprising:
- transmitting a signal from the first transceiver over its respective antenna using a first communication protocol within a first portion of the fixed frame duration;
detecting whether a response signal conforming to the first communication protocol is received by the first transceiver;
if the response signal is not received within the first portion of the defined frame duration, then transmitting a second signal from the first transceiver over its respective antenna using a second communication protocol within the remainder of the fixed frame duration; and
if the response signal is received within the first portion of the defined frame duration, foregoing use of the second communication protocol and conducting communication using the first communications protocol within the remainder of the fixed frame duration.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for dynamically selecting a communication protocol in an electronic toll collection system. A reader includes two or more multiprotocol transceivers operating under the control of a processor, each transceiver having a dedicated antenna. The system uses a fixed frame duration. A first communications protocol is used in a first portion of the fixed frame duration. If a response signal is not detected within the first portion, then the system ceases using the first communication protocol and instead uses the second communications protocol for the remainder of the fixed frame duration. The fixed frame duration is shorter than the sum of the durations normally used by the first and second communications protocol to conduct electronic toll transaction communications.
20 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for selecting a communication protocol in a multi-protocol electronic toll collection system, the system including a reader having at least two multi-protocol RF transceivers, wherein the reader includes a processor configured to control operation of the at least two multi-protocol RF transceivers, wherein each transceiver is connected to a respective antenna configured to define a capture zone in a roadway, and wherein the system employs a fixed frame duration, the method comprising:
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transmitting a signal from the first transceiver over its respective antenna using a first communication protocol within a first portion of the fixed frame duration; detecting whether a response signal conforming to the first communication protocol is received by the first transceiver; if the response signal is not received within the first portion of the defined frame duration, then transmitting a second signal from the first transceiver over its respective antenna using a second communication protocol within the remainder of the fixed frame duration; and if the response signal is received within the first portion of the defined frame duration, foregoing use of the second communication protocol and conducting communication using the first communications protocol within the remainder of the fixed frame duration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A multi-protocol electronic toll collection (ETC) system for conducting toll transactions in connection with vehicles traveling in a roadway, wherein the vehicles are equipped with either a first transponder configured to operate in accordance with a first communications protocol or a second transponder configured to operate in accordance with a second communications protocol, the system comprising:
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a reader including two or more RF multiprotocol transceivers and a processor configured to control operation of the at least two multi-protocol RF transceivers; two or more antennas, each antenna being connected to a respective one of the two or more transceivers, wherein each antenna is positioned to define a respective capture zone within the roadway; wherein the system is configured to operate using a fixed frame duration, and wherein the processor is configured to cause the transceivers to transmit a signal from the first transceiver over its respective antenna using the first communication protocol within a first portion of the fixed frame duration, detect whether a response signal conforming to the first communication protocol is received by the first transceiver, if the response signal is not received within the first portion of the defined frame duration, then transmit a second signal from the first transceiver over its respective antenna using a second communication protocol within the remainder of the fixed frame duration, and if the response signal is received within the first portion of the defined frame duration, forego use of the second communication protocol and conduct communication using the first communications protocol within the remainder of the fixed frame duration. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification