Toll fee system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions for:
- identifying a transponder;
activating the transponder responsive to a determination that an automatic toll payment service option has been accepted by a customer;
collecting toll usage data if the identified transponder has a valid toll rental entity account;
retrieving the data responsive to a request for data-transfer permission having been received by a toll authority from a toll rental entity;
updating the data;
sending the updated data; and
sending an invoice with charges related to the updated data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A toll fee tracking system comprising a toll authority adapted to collect data associated with at least one toll fee tracking device and a toll rental entity adapted to communicate with the toll authority and a third part entity. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
231 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions for:
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identifying a transponder; activating the transponder responsive to a determination that an automatic toll payment service option has been accepted by a customer; collecting toll usage data if the identified transponder has a valid toll rental entity account; retrieving the data responsive to a request for data-transfer permission having been received by a toll authority from a toll rental entity; updating the data; sending the updated data; and sending an invoice with charges related to the updated data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of toll fee tracking, the method comprising:
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providing, to a customer, an automatic toll payment service option; determining whether the automatic toll payment service option is accepted by the customer; responsive to a determination that the automatic toll payment service option has been accepted, activating at least one toll fee tracking device during a rental period; collecting, by a processor at a toll authority computer, data associated with the least one toll fee tracking device; storing said data in at least one database of said toll authority computer; transferring, by the processor, from the toll authority computer to a toll rental entity computer via a toll authority interface, at least some of the collected and stored data in a toll rental entity database responsive to a request for data-transfer permission from the toll rental entity computer to the toll authority computer via the toll authority interface; forwarding, by the processor, from the toll rental entity computer to a third party entity computer via a third party entity interface, at least some of the transferred data; and charging the customer a fee corresponding to toll usage and applicable service charges based upon the forwarded data. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification