Toll booth credit device
First Claim
1. A device for automatically paying a toll for a vehicle passing through a tolla) a transmitting device including:
- i) a processor;
ii) a receiver for receiving a signal from an antenna at the toll booth and providing the signal to said processor;
iii) a memory unit for the storing identification information associated with said device; and
iv) a transmitter connected to said processor for transmitting a signal including said stored identification information to the antenna upon receipt of the signal by the processor thereby allowing the antenna to charge an account associated with said device; and
a switch for selective disconnecting said memory unit from said processor thereby preventing transmission of the identification information to he antenna and charging of the account associated with said device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for automatically paying a toll for a vehicle passing through a toll booth. The toll payment device includes a transmitting device and a switch. The transmitting device includes a receiver for receiving a signal from an antenna at the toll booth; a memory unit for storing identification information associated with the device; and a transmitter connected to both the receiver and memory unit for transmitting a signal including the stored identification information to the antenna upon receipt of the signal and allowing the antenna to charge an account associated with the device. The switch selectively disconnects the memory unit from the transmitter thereby preventing transmission of the identification information to the antenna and charging of the account associated with the device. The switch includes a first switch positioned adjacent a driver seat of the vehicle and a second normally closed switch connected between the memory unit and transmitter, wherein activation of the first switch toggles the second switch into an open position thereby disconnecting the memory unit and transmitter. The switch also includes a visual indicator for informing the user when the signal transmitted by the user'"'"'s has been recorded by the device. The visual indicator can also provide an indication when the user'"'"'s account is overdrawn and needs to be replenished. The transmitting device is preferably positioned in a hidden location such as under a hood of the vehicle, within a compartment inside the vehicle or within a rear view mirror of the vehicle.
93 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device for automatically paying a toll for a vehicle passing through a toll
a) a transmitting device including: -
i) a processor;
ii) a receiver for receiving a signal from an antenna at the toll booth and providing the signal to said processor;
iii) a memory unit for the storing identification information associated with said device; and
iv) a transmitter connected to said processor for transmitting a signal including said stored identification information to the antenna upon receipt of the signal by the processor thereby allowing the antenna to charge an account associated with said device; and
a switch for selective disconnecting said memory unit from said processor thereby preventing transmission of the identification information to he antenna and charging of the account associated with said device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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11. A system for automatically paying a toll, said system comprising:
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a) a toll booth including;
i) an antenna for transmitting a first signal and receiving a second signal in response thereto; and
ii) a display for indicating receipt of said second signal; and
b) a toll paying device including;
p2 i) a transmitting device including a receiver for receiving said first signal from said antenna;
a memory unit for storing identification information associated with said device; and
a transmitter connected to both said receiver and said memory unit for transmitting said second signal including said stored identification information to said antenna upon receipt of said first signal whereby said antenna charges an account associated with said device and activates said display to indicate payment of the toll; and
ii) a switch for selectively disconnecting said memory unit from said transmitter thereby preventing transmission of said second signal to said antenna and charging of the account associated with said device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification