Self-service electronic toll collection unit and system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for self-service vending of an electronic toll collection device, the device comprising:
- a vending unit;
a payment acceptance device, located in the vending unit, for accepting payment for the electronic toll collection device;
a dispenser, located in the vending unit, for dispensing the electronic toll collection device from the vending unit; and
a processing device, located in the vending unit and in electronic communication with the payment acceptance device and the dispenser, for providing a stored value for the electronic toll collection device by transmitting the stored value from the vending unit to a remote computer for maintaining account information regarding the electronic toll collection device and controlling the dispenser to dispense the electronic toll collection device in accordance with the payment accepted by the payment device.
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Abstract
A self-service vending unit allows a potential user of a toll transponder to buy the transponder without having to visit a customer-service facility. The vending unit automatically accepts payment, such as cash or a credit or debit card, and issues the transponder with a paid value. The vending unit communicates with a customer-service computer through a TCP/IP connection and allows the user to top off the value on the transponder and otherwise to manage the account.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. A system for self-service vending of an electronic toll collection device, the device comprising:
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a vending unit; a payment acceptance device, located in the vending unit, for accepting payment for the electronic toll collection device; a dispenser, located in the vending unit, for dispensing the electronic toll collection device from the vending unit; and a processing device, located in the vending unit and in electronic communication with the payment acceptance device and the dispenser, for providing a stored value for the electronic toll collection device by transmitting the stored value from the vending unit to a remote computer for maintaining account information regarding the electronic toll collection device and controlling the dispenser to dispense the electronic toll collection device in accordance with the payment accepted by the payment device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for self-service vending of an electronic toll collection device, the device comprising:
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(a) at a first location, a vending unit comprising; a payment acceptance device, located in the vending unit, for accepting payment for the electronic toll collection device; a dispenser, located in the vending unit, for dispensing the electronic toll collection device from the vending unit; and a processing device, located in the vending unit and in electronic communication with the payment acceptance device and the dispenser, for providing a stored value for the electronic toll collection device and controlling the dispenser to dispense the electronic toll collection device in accordance with the payment accepted by the payment device; (b) at a second location, an administrative computer for maintaining account information regarding the electronic toll collection device; and (c) a communication link between the first location and the second location for providing electronic communication between the processing device in the vending unit and the administrative computer; wherein the processing device provides the stored value by transmitting the stored value over the communication link to the administrative computer for maintaining account information regarding the electronic toll collection device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for self-service vending of an electronic toll collection device, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a vending unit for allowing a user of the electronic toll collection device to purchase the electronic toll collection device, the vending unit comprising a dispenser for automatically dispensing the electronic toll collection device from the vending unit; (b) automatically accepting payment for the electronic toll collection device from the user through the vending unit; (c) automatically providing a stored value for the electronic toll collection device by transmitting the stored value from the vending unit to a remote computer for maintaining account information regarding the electronic toll collection device; and (d) automatically controlling a dispenser located in the vending unit to dispense the electronic toll collection device from the vending unit in accordance with the payment accepted in step (b). - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A method for self-service maintenance of an account for an electronic toll collection device, the electronic toll collection device having an identifying number and being associated with a stored value, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a vending unit for a user of the electronic toll collection device; (b) receiving the identifying number through the vending unit; (c) automatically accepting a payment from the user through the vending unit; and (d) automatically increasing the stored value for the electronic toll collection device in accordance with the payment accepted in step (c). - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A method for self-service checking of an account for an electronic toll collection device, the electronic toll collection device having an identifying number and being associated with a stored value, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a vending unit for a user of the electronic toll collection device; (b) receiving the identifying number through the vending unit; (c) receiving a command through the vending unit to check the account from the user through the user interface; (d) automatically accessing the stored value; and (d) automatically displaying the stored value to the user through the vending unit.
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Specification