Automatic toll processing apparatus
First Claim
1. Apparatus for automatic collection of tolls from a vehicle moving along a roadway, comprisingonboard toll processor means carried by the vehicle for processing of toll transactions, the onboard toll processor means comprising:
- memory means for storing a money-available signal representative of a monetary quantity available for debiting in a toll transaction at an upcoming first toll facility located at a first location,receiver means for receiving(i) a first toll-facility-identifier signal, said first toll-facility-identifier signal being a radiated electromagnetic signal generated at a first site proximate the roadway, the first site being spaced apart from an upcoming first toll facility location, said first toll-facility-identifier signal being representative of the location of the first toll facility, and(ii) a first toll-collect signal, generated at the first toll facility, instructing the onboard toll processor to debit a toll amount from said memory means,central processor means, includingcalculation means, coupled with said receiver means, and responsive to said first toll-facility-identifier signal, for calculating a first toll-due amount to be debited at the first toll facility, anddebit means, coupled with said receiver means, and responsive to said first toll-collect signal, for modifying said money-available signal stored in said memory means to debit said calculated toll-due amount from said monetary quantity, andtransmitter means, coupled to said debit means, for responding to said modification of said money-available signal by transmitting an acknowledgement signal indicating that the calculated toll amount has been debited from said monetary quantity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for automatic collection of tolls includes a toll facility, an in-vehicle toll processor having memory for storing a toll-money-available quantity purchased by the user, and a toll-facility-identification site that transmits a toll-facility-identifier signal indicating the identity of the upcoming toll facility and the toll to be collected. As the vehicle approaches the identification site, the in-vehicle processor receives the identifier signal and calculates the toll be be debited. When the vehicle passes through the toll facility, the facility transmits a toll-collect signal instructing the in-vehicle toll processor to debit the calculated toll from memory. The in-vehicle processor debits the calculated amount and transmits an acknowledgement signal to the toll facility.
318 Citations
12 Claims
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1. Apparatus for automatic collection of tolls from a vehicle moving along a roadway, comprising
onboard toll processor means carried by the vehicle for processing of toll transactions, the onboard toll processor means comprising: -
memory means for storing a money-available signal representative of a monetary quantity available for debiting in a toll transaction at an upcoming first toll facility located at a first location, receiver means for receiving (i) a first toll-facility-identifier signal, said first toll-facility-identifier signal being a radiated electromagnetic signal generated at a first site proximate the roadway, the first site being spaced apart from an upcoming first toll facility location, said first toll-facility-identifier signal being representative of the location of the first toll facility, and (ii) a first toll-collect signal, generated at the first toll facility, instructing the onboard toll processor to debit a toll amount from said memory means, central processor means, including calculation means, coupled with said receiver means, and responsive to said first toll-facility-identifier signal, for calculating a first toll-due amount to be debited at the first toll facility, and debit means, coupled with said receiver means, and responsive to said first toll-collect signal, for modifying said money-available signal stored in said memory means to debit said calculated toll-due amount from said monetary quantity, and transmitter means, coupled to said debit means, for responding to said modification of said money-available signal by transmitting an acknowledgement signal indicating that the calculated toll amount has been debited from said monetary quantity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeTC License Limited
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Original AssigneeAt/Comm Incorporated
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InventorsHarrison, John M., Hassett, John J.
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Primary Examiner(s)Shaw, Dale M.
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Assistant Examiner(s)Huntley, David
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Application NumberUS07/524,654Time in Patent Office628 DaysField of Search235/384, 364/401, 364/400, 340/928US Class Current705/13CPC Class CodesG06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicingG07B 15/063 using wireless information ...G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking ...
