Electronic vehicle toll collection system and method

• US 7,012,547 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2002
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Amtech Systems LLC (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Transcore Incorporated (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hassett, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US10/219,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20030067396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 340/928, 340/991, 340/988, 340/426.19, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.15, 340/539.1, 701/219, 701/300, 701/207, 342/457
• US Class Current: 340/928
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/00 Medicinal preparations containing peptides peptides containing beta-lactam rings A61K31/00; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, A61K31/00; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type A61K31/48; containing macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units A61K31/74; medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00; medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients, e.g. peptides as drug carriers, A61K47/00
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/44 from protozoa
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/20 from protozoa
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/765 with exchange of information between interrogator and responder
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2219/10 Environmental application, e.g. waste reduction, pollution control, compliance with environmental legislation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0104 Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence

Abstract

A system for automatic collection of tolls includes an in-vehicle toll processor having memory for storing a toll-money-available quantity purchased by the user, and a toll-facility-identification site that transmits a toll-facility-identifier signal indicating the identity of the upcoming toll facility. As the vehicle approaches the identification site, the in-vehicle processor receives the identifier signal and calculates the toll to be debited. When the vehicle passes through the toll facility, the in-vehicle processor transmits its identity, its net balance and the toll, which it debits from an account balance. The in-vehicle processor may increment a low balance, in which case it transmits information which is relayed to a central system for billing. Various means for shutting down delinquent in-vehicle components or identifying offender vehicles are described.

Claims

1. A method for locating a mobile transceiver comprising the steps of:

transmitting a first electromagnetic signal carrying identification information from each of a plurality of stationary transmitters in each of a plurality of respective regions wherein at least two of the regions overlap; and

identifying a closest one of said plurality of stationary transmitters and thereafter transmitting a second electromagnetic signal from the mobile transceiver at a substantially different frequency than that of the first electromagnetic signal, which second electromagnetic signal indicates the identity of the closest transmitter to the mobile transceiver.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting a first electromagnetic signal carrying identification information from each of a plurality of stationary transmitters in each of a plurality of respective regions wherein at least two of the regions overlap, comprises:

transmitting a first electromagnetic signal carrying identification information from each of a plurality of stationary transmitters in each of a plurality of respective regions, each of the plurality of respective regions covering at least a respectively different lane of a multi-lane road, wherein at least two of the regions overlap.

2. An apparatus for locating a mobile transceiver comprising:

a plurality of stationary transmitters, each of said stationary transmitters transmitting a first electromagnetic signal carrying identification information in each of a plurality of respective regions wherein at least two of the regions overlap; and

a mobile transceiver having a preassigned identity and including a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor, the mobile transceiver identifying a closest one of said plurality of stationary transmitters and thereafter transmitting a second electromagnetic signal at a substantially different frequency than that of the first electromagnetic signal, which second electromagnetic signal indicates the identity of the closest transmitter to the mobile transceiver.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of respective regions covers at least a respectively different lane of a multi-lane road;

and

wherein at least two of the regions overlap.