Method of enrolling in an electronic toll or payment collection system

• US 7,347,368 B1
• Filed: 05/25/2005
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amtech Systems LLC (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TC License Limited
• Inventors: Lindsay, Frances E. Jr., Gravelle, Kelly
• Primary Examiner(s): PAIK, STEVEN SANGYUL
• Application Number:
  US11/136,437
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 235/384, 235/380, 235/381, 235/382, 235/383, 235/449, 235/451, 705/13
• US Class Current: 235/384
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3433 the counter having monetary units
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/355 Personalisation of cards for use
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/06 Arrangements for road pricing or congestion charging of vehicles or vehicle users, e.g. automatic toll systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0028 Use of a wired telephone or public communication device charging and metering the use of the telecommunication network H04M17/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices

Abstract

A method of enrolling in an electronic toll or payment collection system including the steps of providing a kiosk that has a programmed computer with an interactive program for enrolling a user in the electronic toll or payment collection system including a user interface and inputting the user'"'"'s information into the programmed computer through the user interface. The method also includes the step of dispensing a transponder for the electronic toll or payment collection system from the kiosk, the transponder being associated with the user based on the user'"'"'s information inputted into the programmed computer.

Claims

1. A method of enrolling in an electronic toll or payment collection system, comprising the steps of:

providing a kiosk having a programmed computer with an interactive program for enrolling a user in the electronic toll or payment collection system including a user interface;

inputting the user'"'"'s information into the programmed computer through the user interface, the user'"'"'s information comprising information which is independent of both a method of payment for a transponder for the electronic toll or payment collection system and a number identifying the transponder for the electronic toll or payment collection system; and

dispensing the transponder for the electronic toll or payment collection system from the kiosk, the transponder being associated with the user based on the user'"'"'s information inputted into the programmed computer.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of

providing information to the user through the user interface.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein

the information being provided includes any one of the benefits of the electronic toll or payment collection system, route mapping, fare schedules, point of interest, weather, user account, and lodging and restaurant locations.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein

the information is displayed through a series of menus that the user can select.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising step of

selecting a language through the user interface appropriate for the user.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein

the user interface includes any one of a touch screen, a keyboard, a mouse, and voice response.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of

creating a user account based on the information inputted by the user through the user interface.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of

connecting the kiosk to the internet.

9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of

transferring the inputted user information to a control computer.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of

interfacing the control computer with a customer service center of the electronic toll or payment collection system.

11. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of

making a fee payment prior to the step of dispensing a transponder.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of

inputting user information includes completing an application provided to the user.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s information comprises a telephone number.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s information comprises a personal identification number.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s information further comprises information identifying a payment medium, and wherein a value on the transponder is automatically replenished from the payment medium.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the kiosk permits payment of vehicle fees to a government agency.

17. A method of enrolling in an electronic toll or payment collection system, comprising the steps of:

providing a kiosk having a programmed computer with an interactive program for enrolling a user in the electronic toll or payment collection system including a user interface;

activating the interactive program and simultaneously connecting the programmed computer to the internet;

inputting the user'"'"'s information into the programmed computer through the user interface, the user'"'"'s information comprising information which is independent of both a method of payment for a transponder for the electronic toll or payment collection system and a number identifying the transponder for the electronic toll or payment collection system;

creating a user account based on the information inputted into the programmed computer; and

dispensing the transponder for the electronic toll or payment collection system from the kiosk, the transponder being associated with the user account.

18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of providing information to the user through the user interface.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein

the information being provided includes any one of the benefits of the electronic toll or payment collection system, route mapping, fare schedules, point of interest, weather, user account, and lodging and restaurant locations.

20. A method according to claim 17, wherein

the user interface includes any one of a touch screen, a keyboard, and voice activation.

21. A method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of

selecting a language through the user interface appropriate for the user.

22. A method according to claim 17, wherein the user'"'"'s information comprises a telephone number.

23. A method according to claim 17, wherein the user'"'"'s information comprises a personal identification number.

24. A method according to claim 17, wherein the user'"'"'s information further comprises information identifying a payment medium, and wherein a value on the transponder is automatically replenished from the payment medium.

25. A method according to claim 17, wherein the kiosk permits payment of vehicle fees to a government agency.