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Vehicle detection and identification system

  • US 5,488,360 A
  • Filed: 08/29/1994
  • Issued: 01/30/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for automatically detecting and identifying vehicles having cellular telephone equipment, comprising the following steps:

  • a) receiving a cellular-frequency signal from a vehicle to detect an approach of said vehicle to a restricted-access facility, said restricted-access facility including a toll-road booth, and said signal being received by an antenna having a restricted zone of transmission and reception,b) receiving said signal by an antenna in which said restricted zone of reception is further limited by a downward orientation of said antenna, so that reception by said antenna is restricted to an area proximate said antenna,c) transmitting a query to the cellular telephone equipment aboard the vehicle, said vehicle being within a vehicle identification zone,d) transmitting responsive to said query an identification number from said cellular telephone equipment,e) receiving said identification number by said antenna, including said identification number transmitted responsive to a command entered by a user of said cellular telephone equipment,f) transmitting said identification number to a computer controller,g) repeating, responsive to a request by said computer controller, a transmission of said identification number from a short-term memory to said computer controller,h) processing said identification number within the computer controller to determine whether said identification number matches a number on a list ofj) valid identification numbers,transmitting a traffic-control command from the computer controller to said restricted-access facility,k) activating by said traffic-control command a traffic control signal for a traffic lane through said restricted-access facility,l) activating by said traffic-control command a visual signal for use by an operator of said restricted-access facility,m) recording a predetermined user fee together with date and time-of-use information, andp) billing said user fee to a cellular telephone subscriber whose telephone number corresponds to said identification number.

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