Toll booth credit device

• US 6,339,384 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2000
• Issued: 01/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Valdes-Rodriguez
• Original Assignee: Robert Valdes-Rodriguez
• Inventors: Valdes-Rodriguez, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/710,930
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 340/928, 340/933, 340/5.21, 340/5.23, 340/10.3, 340/825.69, 235/382, 235/383, 235/384
• US Class Current: 340/928
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0175 by photographing vehicles, e.g. when violating traffic rules

Abstract

A device for automatically paying a toll for a vehicle passing through a toll booth. The toll payment device includes a transmitting device and a switch. The transmitting device includes a receiver for receiving a signal from an antenna at the toll booth; a memory unit for storing identification information associated with the device; and a transmitter connected to both the receiver and memory unit for transmitting a signal including the stored identification information to the antenna upon receipt of the signal and allowing the antenna to charge an account associated with the device. The switch selectively disconnects the memory unit from the transmitter thereby preventing transmission of the identification information to the antenna and charging of the account associated with the device. The switch includes a first switch positioned adjacent a driver seat of the vehicle and a second normally closed switch connected between the memory unit and transmitter, wherein activation of the first switch toggles the second switch into an open position thereby disconnecting the memory unit and transmitter. The switch also includes a visual indicator for informing the user when the signal transmitted by the user'"'"'s has been recorded by the device. The visual indicator can also provide an indication when the user'"'"'s account is overdrawn and needs to be replenished. The transmitting device is preferably positioned in a hidden location such as under a hood of the vehicle, within a compartment inside the vehicle or within a rear view mirror of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A device for automatically paying a toll for a vehicle passing through a toll

a) a transmitting device including:

i) a processor;

ii) a receiver for receiving a signal from an antenna at the toll booth and providing the signal to said processor;

iii) a memory unit for the storing identification information associated with said device; and

iv) a transmitter connected to said processor for transmitting a signal including said stored identification information to the antenna upon receipt of the signal by the processor thereby allowing the antenna to charge an account associated with said device; and

a switch for selective disconnecting said memory unit from said processor thereby preventing transmission of the identification information to he antenna and charging of the account associated with said device.

2. The toll payment device as recite in claim 1, wherein said switch includes a first switch positioned adjacent a driver seat of the vehicle and a second normally closed switch connected between said memory unit and said processor, wherein activation of said first switch toggles said second switch into an open position thereby disconnecting said memory unit and transmitter.

3. The toll payment device as recited in claim 2, wherein said switch is a three position switch, movable between a first position for disconnecting said processor from said memory unit, a second position connecting said processor and said memory unit and a third position causing said processor to cause said transmitter to transmit a signal to a toll payment tag, said signal causing the toll payment tag to transmit an information signal to said memory unit, the information signal including said identification information associated with said device.

4. The toll payment device as recited in claim 1, wherein said transmitting device is positioned under a hood of the vehicle.

5. The toll payment device as recited in claim 1, wherein said transmitting device is positioned within a compartment inside the vehicle.

6. The toll payment device as recited in claim 1, wherein said transmitting device is positioned within a rear view mirror of the vehicle.

7. The toll payment device as recited in claim 3, wherein said first switch is connected to a power source, said first switch being disconnected from said processor when in said first position, applying a first voltage to said processor when in said second position and applying a second voltage to said processor when in said third position.

8. The toll payment device as recited in claim 3, wherein said switch further includes a first visual indicator for indicating when said switch is in said third position.

9. The toll payment device as recited in claim 3, wherein said switch further includes a second visual indicator for indicating when said switch is in said first position.

10. The toll payment device as recited in claim 3, wherein said switch further includes a first visual indicator for indicating when said switch is in said second position and said information signal has been recorded in said memory unit and a second visual indicator for indicating when said switch is in said second position and said information signal has not been recorded in said memory unit.

14. The system device as recited in claim 7, wherein said transmitting device is positioned under a hood of the vehicle.

15. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein said transmitting device is positioned within a compartment inside the vehicle.

16. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein said transmitting device is positioned within a rear view mirror of the vehicle.

17. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein said first switch is connected to a power source and upon activation, said first switch applies a voltage from the power source to said second switch causing said second switch to be toggled into the open position thereby disconnecting said memory unit and transmitter.

11. A system for automatically paying a toll, said system comprising:

a) a toll booth including;

i) an antenna for transmitting a first signal and receiving a second signal in response thereto; and

ii) a display for indicating receipt of said second signal; and

b) a toll paying device including;

p2 i) a transmitting device including a receiver for receiving said first signal from said antenna;

a memory unit for storing identification information associated with said device; and

a transmitter connected to both said receiver and said memory unit for transmitting said second signal including said stored identification information to said antenna upon receipt of said first signal whereby said antenna charges an account associated with said device and activates said display to indicate payment of the toll; and

ii) a switch for selectively disconnecting said memory unit from said transmitter thereby preventing transmission of said second signal to said antenna and charging of the account associated with said device.

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein said switch includes a first switch positioned adjacent a driver seat of the vehicle and a second normally closed switch connected between said memory unit and said transmitter, wherein activation of said first switch toggles said second switch into an open position thereby disconnecting said memory unit and transmitter.

13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said first switch is a three position switch, movable between a first position for disconnecting said processor from said memory unit, a second position connecting said processor and said memory unit and a third position causing said processor to cause said transmitter to transmit a signal to a toll payment tag, said signal causing the toll payment tag to transmit an information signal to said memory unit, the information signal including said identification information associated with said device.

18. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein said first switch is connected to a power source, said first switch being disconnected from said processor when in said first position, applying a first voltage to said processor when in said second position and applying a second voltage to said processor when in said third position.

19. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein said switch further includes a first visual indicator for indicating when said third position.

20. The system as recited the claim 13,wherein said switch further includes a second visual indicator for indicating when said switch is said first position.

21. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein said switch further includes a first visual indicator for indicating when said switch is in said second position and said information signal has been recorded in said and memory unit and a second visual indicator for indication when said switch is in said second position and said information signal has not been recorded in said memory unit.