Intelligent roadway system

• US 6,744,383 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2002
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sommer, Joseph M., Alfred, Joseph Anderson
• Primary Examiner(s): Olszewski, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUDY, ANDREW J
• Application Number:
  US10/295,293
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 340/988, 340/990, 340/995, 455/421, 455/422, 455/456, 455/457, 701/201, 701/202, 701/209, 701/210, 701/207, 705/28, 703/456.1, 703/456.2, 703/456.3, 703/456.4, 703/456.5, 703/456.6
• US Class Current: 340/988
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G

Abstract

An intelligent roadway system is configured to detect and track a usage of a roadway by a vehicle by identifying a wireless device carried on the vehicle. The account of the user, associated with the wireless device, is charged for the usage of the roadway based on the detected information through the wireless device. Road services, such as directions, road conditions, weather forecast and traffic status may also be provided interactively through the wireless device while the vehicle is on the roadway.

Claims

1. An intelligent roadway system, comprising:

a wireless communication device carried in a vehicle;

a plurality of base stations configured to communicate with the wireless communication device;

a host system including a mobile switching center for wireless communication with the plurality of base stations, wherein the host system comprises,

a storage block including at least one database, wherein the storage block stores at least a user account and a travel information database;

an interface through which a user interacts with the host system, wherein,

the host system automatically detects the wireless communication device in proximity to one of the base stations;

the host system automatically remotely activates the wireless communication device when the wireless communication device is in an off-state and is in proximity to one of the base stations;

the host system automatically accesses identification data from the wireless communication device;

the host system uses the identification data to access the user account and the travel information database;

the host system automatically stores travel information regarding the vehicle obtained from the wireless communication device; and

the host system provides services to the user based upon data in the user account and the travel information database,

wherein the base stations are configured to distinguish a section of a roadway in proximity to the vehicle as an entry point, an exit point, a non-entry point, or a non-exit point of the vehicle.

2. The intelligent roadway system of claim 1, wherein the storage block further stores transaction information including at least roadway tolls and maintenance costs, and wherein the host system automatically applies tolls to the user account based upon the vehicle being in proximity to certain of the base stations at certain times.

3. The intelligent roadway system of claim 2, wherein the transaction information further includes billing information specified by the user.

4. The intelligent roadway system of claim 1, wherein the travel information database includes:

an electronic serial number (ESN) unique to the wireless communication device;

vehicle class;

a location and time the vehicle entered a roadway;

a location and time the vehicle exited the roadway; and

services specified by the user.

5. The intelligent roadway system of claim 1, wherein the host system further:

determines whether the storage block includes a user account associated with the wireless communication device; and

if not, the host system creates a new user account associated with the wireless communication device.

6. The intelligent roadway system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is selected from a group comprising a cellular telephone and a personal communication device.

7. The intelligent roadway system of claim 1, wherein the user interactively requests services using the interface, wherein the services include:

road conditions;

traffic conditions;

weather conditions; and

directions.

8. An intelligent roadway system, comprising:

a wireless communication means carried in a vehicle;

a plurality of fixed base wireless communication means configured to communicate with the wireless communication means;

a host means including a mobile switching means for wireless communication with the plurality of fixed base wireless communication means, wherein the host means comprises,

a storage means including at least one database, wherein the storage means stores at least a user account and a travel information database;

an interface means through which a user interacts with the host means, wherein,

the host means automatically detects the wireless communication means in proximity to one of the fixed base wireless communication means;

the host means automatically remotely activates the wireless communication means when the wireless communications means is in an off-state and is proximate to one of the fixed base wireless communication means;

the host means automatically accesses identification data from the wireless communication means;

the host means uses the identification data to access the user account and the travel information database;

the host means automatically stores travel information regarding the vehicle obtained from the wireless communication means; and

the host means provides services to the user based upon data in the user account and the travel information database,

wherein the fixed base wireless communication means are configured to distinguish a section of a roadway in proximity to the vehicle as an entry point, an exit point, a non-entry point, or a non-exit point of the vehicle.

9. The intelligent roadway system of claim 8, wherein the storage means further stores transaction information including at least roadway tolls and maintenance costs, and wherein the host means automatically applies tolls to the user account based upon the vehicle being in proximity to certain of the fixed base wireless communication means at certain times.

10. The intelligent roadway system of claim 9, wherein the transaction information further includes billing information specified by the user.

11. The intelligent roadway system of claim 8, wherein the travel information database includes:

an electronic serial number (ESN) unique to the wireless communication means,

a vehicle class;

a location and time the vehicle entered the roadway;

a location and time the vehicle exited the roadway; and

services specified by the user.

12. The intelligent roadway system of claim 8, wherein the host means further:

determines whether the storage means includes a user account associated with the wireless communication device; and

if not, the host means creates a new user account associated with the wireless communication means.

13. The intelligent roadway system of claim 8, wherein the wireless communication means is selected from a group comprising a cellular telephone and a personal communication device.

14. The intelligent roadway system of claim 8, wherein the user interactively requests services using the interface, wherein the services include:

road conditions;

traffic conditions;

weather conditions; and

directions.