Intelligent vehicle identification system
First Claim
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1. A vehicle classification system comprising:
- a payment point;
a classification loop array installed on a surface of a traveling path of a vehicle at a location prior to the payment point, wherein the classification loop array generates profile information characterizing the vehicle when the vehicle travels over the classification loop array;
an intelligent queue loop located between the classification loop array and the payment point, wherein the intelligent queue loop is configured to indicate changes in electromagnetic field which are processed to produce information that is used to ensure that the vehicle is in a proper queue sequence;
a microprocessor for receiving the profile information, wherein the microprocessor uses the profile information to assign a predefined classification to the vehicle, andmeans for receiving a fare associated with the predefined classification at the payment point.
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Abstract
An intelligent vehicle identification system that uses inductive loop technology to profile and classify a vehicle. In a tolling industry application, classification of the vehicle is made prior to the vehicle arriving at a payment point in a toll lane in which the vehicle travels. A predetermined fare associated with the classification is then solicited from an operator of the vehicle without efforts from a toll attendant. In a preferred embodiment, the system also includes an intelligent queue loop that verifies the vehicle at the payment point to prevent misclassification due to a second vehicle, e.g., a motorcycle, that changes from a different lane to the toll lane in question.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A vehicle classification system comprising:
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a payment point; a classification loop array installed on a surface of a traveling path of a vehicle at a location prior to the payment point, wherein the classification loop array generates profile information characterizing the vehicle when the vehicle travels over the classification loop array; an intelligent queue loop located between the classification loop array and the payment point, wherein the intelligent queue loop is configured to indicate changes in electromagnetic field which are processed to produce information that is used to ensure that the vehicle is in a proper queue sequence; a microprocessor for receiving the profile information, wherein the microprocessor uses the profile information to assign a predefined classification to the vehicle, and means for receiving a fare associated with the predefined classification at the payment point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A toll collection system comprising:
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a classification loop array installed on a surface of a toll lane for sensing a vehicle moving through the toll lane, wherein the classification loop array is adapted to indicate changes in electromagnetic field which can be processed to produce initial signature information and wheel assembly information characterizing the vehicle; a microprocessor for receiving the initial signature information and the wheel assembly information from the classification loop array, wherein the microprocessor uses the initial signature information and the wheel assembly information to assign a predefined classification to the vehicle; an intelligent queue loop in communication with the microprocessor, wherein the intelligent queue loop is adapted to indicate changes in electromagnetic field which can be processed to produce subsequent signature information and wheel assembly information characterizing the vehicle, wherein the subsequent signature information is used to reconfirm the initial signature information to ensure that the vehicle is in a proper queue sequence; means for associating a fare with the vehicle; and means for receiving the fare. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A toll collection system comprising:
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means for generating initial signature information and wheel assembly information characterizing a vehicle that is moving in a toll lane, wherein each of the initial signature information and the wheel assembly information represents changes of inductance which can be interpreted to identify one or more of an axle count of the vehicle, an axle spacing of the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a chassis height of the vehicle; means for assigning a predefined classification to the vehicle based at least in part on the initial signature information and the wheel assembly information; an intelligent queue loop configured to indicate changes in electromagnetic field which are processed to produce information that is used to ensure that the vehicle is in a proper queue sequence; means for determining a fare appropriate for the vehicle; and means for receiving the fare. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification