WIRELESS TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM

• US 20090012851A1
• Filed: 08/19/2004
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Miroslav Marc
• Original Assignee: Miroslav Marc
• Inventors: Marc, Miroslav
• Application Number:
  US11/573,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20090012851A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/13
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G

Abstract

An assembly of devices for charging and cashless automatic payment of costs, e.g. toll, bridge toll, entrance and the like, charged on the basis of geographical locations and/or geographical areas and for the information on the events on the basis of the above-mentioned charging consists of a control centre (1), an assembly of devices (2), of which one is located in each means (3), e.g. in a vehicle, boat, etc., of control devices (4) and (40) for physical control of operation or existence of devices (2) in means (3), situated in the area of a payable service, and of transmitters (5) of geographical co-ordinates, whereas the transmitters (5) are preferably a public or for this purpose intended satellite or terrestrial means and the entire procedure and control of payment is anonymous, until it is established via control procedures that payment is not effected properly due to a failure of the device (2) or due to unauthorized intervention into the device (2).

Claims

1. Assembly of devices for charging and cashless automatic payment of costs, e.g. toll, bridge toll, entrance and the like, charged on the basis of geographical locations and/or geographical areas and for the information on the events on the basis of the above-mentioned charging consists of a control centre (1), an assembly of devices (2), of which one is located in each means (3), e.g. in a vehicle, boat, etc., of control devices (4) and (40) for physical control of operation or existence of devices (2) in means (3), situated in the area of a payable service, and of transmitters (5) of geographical co-ordinates, whereas the transmitters (5) are preferably a public or for this purpose intended satellite or terrestrial means and the control centre (1) is basically a computer of an optional type and configuration and is managed by a service provider, whereas the services are payable on the basis of locations or areas, on which a user of a road—

the toll fee payer—

is present,

characterized in that

the control centre (1) has a central processing unit (11), a list (12) of users, who applied for the payment of the services by means of an assembly of the invention, a list (13) of charging points determined by geographical co-ordinates, a list (14) of control points that are also defined by geographical co-ordinates, then a pricelist (15) of services linked to the charging points of the list (13), a unit (16) for the control of the payment of a service that each user of a location or area is obligated to pay, a unit (17) for the analyses of services, e.g. traffic, a unit (18) for wireless communication with the devices (2), (4) and (40), and known auxiliary devices (19), needed for technical and communications correct operation of the centre (1) or of each assembly of the invention whereby the processing unit (11) links all the mentioned units among themselves both physically and in programmes and simultaneously communicates with devices (2) in means, e.g. vehicles, with the devices (4) and (40) via the unit (18) for communication;

the device (2) in the means e.g. a vehicle contains a processing unit (21) with auxiliary units for the proper operation of the device, a list (22) of charging checkpoints determined by geographical co-ordinates, whereby the list (22) is updated in a certain time interval by the control centre (1) via the unit (18) for wireless communication, then a list (23) of checkpoints which are also defined by geographical coordinates, whereby this list is updated by the control centre (1) via the unit (18) for wireless communication, then a pricelist (24) of services linked to the charging checkpoints in compliance with the list (13) that equals the list (22) in the device (2), whereby this list in a certain time interval sends information to the control centre (1) via the unit (18) for wireless communication, then a unit (25) for charging for the services, e.g. toll, a unit (26) for the storage of all data related to the charging of a service, a unit (27) for the reception of the geographical co-ordinate of the location, on which the device (2) is located in each moment, a unit (28) for the measurement of the duration of a means e.g. vehicle on a certain charging checkpoint or a certain area determined by several charging checkpoints, a unit (29) for wireless communication with the control centre (1) and optionally also a unit (291) for wireless communication with a special control device owned by an official body, preferably in an official car;

the control devices (4) situated on the area where the payment of services with the device of the invention is foreseen contain a processing unit (41) with auxiliary units for correct operation of the device (4) as a whole, then a unit (42) for detecting and identifying the means with the device (2), and a unit (43) for wireless communication with the control centre (1);

special control devices (40) that are intended to be used by official persons, preferably in official cars contain apart from the units (41), (42), and (43) also a unit (44) for direct communication with the unit (291) in the device (2).

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (2), after having been properly installed into the means, e.g. a vehicle, contains also identification data on the owner of the means, e.g. the vehicle, and the terms and mode of payment or charging for the services, e.g. toll, as well as a sort or type of a means, e.g. personal vehicle, motor cycle, bus, truck, in compliance with a concluded contract between the provider and each user.

3. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the data on prices of use are preferably stored in a unit (25) for the charging of services or a unit (26) with “

unvolatile memory”

, and also in the list (12) of users in the control centre (1), whereby it is taken as a default that all the data in the unit (26) are of personal nature, i.e. confidential and only an authorized person can access them via a special hardware or via the control centre (1) and that only in cases when it is established that the device (2) does not operate properly and that the cause of improper operation is to be detected or in case of a court warrant in order to obtain data in court proceedings.

4. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (2) in the means, e.g. a vehicle, is turned on independently of the will of the user when the means is in use, e.g. when the motor of a vehicle is turned on or always via its internal power source, e.g. battery, to which only an authorized person has access.

5. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (2) after having been turned on is prepare to receive data from the control centre (1) via its unit (29), whereby the data are sent in selected time intervals via its unit (18) for communication preferably to all the devices (2) simultaneously, whereby these data include a set of geographical co-ordinates and other data of charging checkpoints that the device (2) stores in its list (22) of calculation point, then a set of data on control checkpoints stored in a list (23), then an adequate set of data on prices stored by the device (2) in its pricelist (24) of services.

6. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that public wireless phone network is used for the communication between the device (1) and the devices (2), whereby each device (2) is prepared for automatic calculation of services, e.g. toll, parking, etc.

7. Assembly according to claim 1 characterized in that the device (2) after having received the data from the device (1) and having stored them, uses its processing unit (21) and a unit (27) for the reception of a geographical co-ordinate in a foreseen time interval and received its current geographical co-ordinate from the transmitter (5) of geographical co-ordinates.

8. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing unit (21) compares each current geographical coordinate corresponding to the current location of the means containing the device (2) in the area against the list (22) of charging points, i.e. a set of geographical coordinates corresponding to the locations in the area, on which the service or consumption is charged, whereby this procedure takes the prescribed tolerance into account that the control centre (1) reports to the device (2) together with the data on charging and control checkpoints, prices and the like.

9. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing unit (21) uses the entered formula to calculate the costs on the basis of the adaptation of the basic price from its pricelist (24) with respect to any charging checkpoint from its list (22) of charging checkpoints, by considering other prescribed parameters, e.g. charging category of the means, e.g. vehicle, in this case a personal vehicle, bus, etc., whereby the data are stored in the device (2).

10. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that each charging parameters and charging amounts are stored in an unvolatile manner in the unit (26) for the storing of all data in the device (2) itself, whereby the device (2) at the same time keeps record on the balance on its account, on both the prepayment or credit account and sends the user a warning signal that he/she does not act in compliance with contractual terms.

11. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the control centre (1) also performs checking of operation of all devices (2) by means of control checkpoints on the selected geographical coordinates that the operator of the control centre can also change in compliance with an optional principle.

12. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the control centre (1) in order to trigger the operation of devices (2) sends via wireless communication to all devices (2) also the set of currently valid control checkpoints defined at least with their geographical coordinates, the tolerance field for the charging and if need may be with other data needed for the automatic implementation of the process of controlling of operation of the devices (2).

13. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that checking of operation of each device (2) is performed in a way that in the moment when the device (2) in the means, e.g. a vehicle—

upon its regular checking the current location defined by the geographical coordinate received from the transmitter (5) of geographical coordinates—

determines upon regular checking its current geographical coordinates against the list (23) of control checkpoints that it is within the area of a geographical coordinate of a control checkpoint, and performs a control calculation of at least the latest charging and based on the entered command of the calculation of one more or several previous calculations, whereas the processing unit (21) takes the data for its control calculation from the unit (26) for the storage of data, i.e. the actual data on previous calculations, whereas apart from these data, other data may be entered into the control calculation, like technical data, which are not included in the money calculation or with the control calculation, e.g. digitalized values that are detected in the device (2) by various sensors or are generated in the processing unit (21) and point at a change of power supply, the latest turn-on of the device (2), possible unauthorized opening of the device (2), illogical sequence of charging checkpoints, on which the charging for services in the previously determined number of calculations was performed, at the end of which the device (2) uses an anonymous wireless connection to send this result and also the datum on the charging category of the means, e.g. a vehicle, in which it is installed, the address of the control checkpoint and the above mentioned technical data to the control centre (1).

14. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (2) does not send information on identification of the owner of the means, e.g. vehicle to the control centre (1).

15. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the control centre (1) with its processing unit (11) performs the same control charging or charging according to the same principle as the device (2), yet with its own data from the list (14), the pricelist (15) and other data equal to the adequate data in the device (2) if it is equipped with proper data and if it operates by the proper rules on the basis of which—

in case of harmonized results of the device (1) and the device (2)—

the process is therewith completed and into the unit (26) for the storing of all data is recorded the result of the control calculation, in the opposite case the results calculated in the centre (1) and the device (2) are recorded in both the centre (1) and the device (2) and via wireless connection from the device (2) into the control centre (1) is transmitted the identification data on the means or its owner, said owner being notified via auxiliary means on the device (2) optically and/or acoustically or even in writing, what the next measure should be, e.g. check of the device with an authorized person within a certain time period.

16. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the first type of physical control is anonymous and is performed in a way that the control devices (4) for the implementation of physical control of operation of the devices (2) are located geographically in the vicinity and follow the operation of charging and/or control checkpoints, whereby the vicinity of the charging checkpoint and the physical checkpoint is such that in this area only that device (2) in the means, e.g. a vehicle may be present that was the last to transmit the data to the control centre (1) when crossing the charging or control checkpoint.

17. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (4) of physical control operates in a way that the device (2) having completed the checking control on a checkpoint by sending to the control centre (1) only the data on its calculation category and the address of the checkpoint that the centre (1) needs to perform statistical analysis of services and to obtain a result of the control calculation checks via its unit for wireless communication (43) in the control centre (1) whether within the latest time period optional means sent to the centre (1) its necessary data, e.g. calculation category and the address of the checkpoint, whereas in case of irregular operation or absence of the device (2), identification of the means, e.g. a vehicle, is triggered mechanically, e.g. by taking a photo, by scanning and/or physical stopping of a vehicle by an authorized person, the procedure being otherwise anonymous.

18. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that there are non anonymous types of physical control of operation of devices (2), in which various data linked to the owner of the means, e.g. vehicle, are taken into consideration.

19. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that for non-anonymous physical control an official vehicle is foreseen with an official person, whereby the control vehicle is equipped with a device (40) operating in a way that the official vehicle with an official person drives in the vicinity, preferably behind the controlled vehicle and uses its unit (42) to detect and identify the means, e.g. a vehicle, by reading/scanning the registration plate of the vehicle and then connects via its unit (43) for wireless connection with the control centre (1), which uses the list (12) of users to establish wireless communication via the unit (18) with the device (2) in the controlled means via its unit (29) and then continues the procedure as above with the above mentioned anonymous control.

20. Assembly according to claim 18, characterized in that the physical control device (4) from a control vehicle can establish wireless communication directly via its unit (44) with the device (2) in the vehicle via its unit (291) and then a normal control process is carried out as if the device (2) came across a control checkpoint, the only difference being that in this case it is already identified via physical identification of the vehicle (e.g. registration plate).

21. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it is useful for the calculation of parking fees of vehicles or other similar services, when the calculation not only includes the charging checkpoint, location of the means, its charging category but also the time of use, the assembly of the invention can also be used to charge entrance fees to an event linked to a geographical point or territory, then for the payment of a fuel purchase on road self-service gas stations, especially on gas stations without personnel by simple communication data via which the data for charging (type of fuel, quantity and price, place and date of services) from the fuel apparatus are sent to the device (2), then in maritime traffic for the calculation of use of payable areas, like canals, national parks, roads, etc., then with a possibility of manual entry of passwords it can be used to effect an optional monetary transaction, for which first a procedure in the control centre (1) is foreseen by that it contains all stored calculation and control data that are reported the centre (1) by a manual entry of an operator of an optional device (2), still in an anonymous way, until the control procedures of operation show proper operation.