ES2251792T3 - METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF VEHICLE TOLLS. - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for automatic debiting of tolls for vehicles (V1-V4) on traffic routes or in traffic zones, the vehicles being equipped with communication devices (1, 11) for communication (12) with a central unit (C) and a roadside unit (3) at a physical toll (4) station. At least one virtual toll charging station (7) is geographically predetermined in relation to the physical station. The vehicle's communication device comprises also a receiver (8) for a signal supplying GNSS system. A first processor (5) reads the position of the vehicle and detects the entry of the vehicle into a virtual toll charging station by comparing the read vehicle position with the positions of the virtual toll charging stations, which data are stored in the vehicle's memory (6), the communication device announcing, via a digital mobile transmitting network to the central unit, that a toll debit transaction is to be executed. The central unit carries out the toll debiting transaction and returns a receipt of the transaction to the vehicle. On entry to the physical toll station the vehicles communication sends, via a communication link to the roadside unit, the receipt as evidence that the correct toll has been paid.

Description

Method for automatic toll collection for vehicles.

Technical scope

The present invention relates to a method for automatic toll collection for vehicles to be used in an area or areas with tolls at the entrance of them. In this invention makes a clear distinction between toll stations virtual and physical toll stations, in which it takes place a toll collection transaction at the virtual station, which will It is indicated by the use of a global navigation system satellite through a communication device installed in the vehicle that communicates, through a mobile transmitter network digital, with the central system of the toll collection system and that Exchange information with the central system. At the station Physical information is checked below to determine if the correct charge of the tolls for the vehicle has been made in question, or if that charge should be made later.

Prior art

Automatic charging stations are already known of tolls with a variety of designs. Document PCT / DE95 / 00107 (WO-A-95 20801) describes an example toll collection system of a type mentioned in the introduction. The aforementioned document describes a collection system for tolls comprising at least one virtual charging station for tolls on the traffic route, and, in association with the station toll collection, a control station, which has character physical. The physical toll station is equipped with such equipment as communication units and imaging devices, for example camcorders. A vehicle that is in the virtual station toll collection can transmit data to a central unit to through a digital mobile transmitter network. Stations virtual toll collection are defined in geographical positions predetermined With the help of a GPS system (System Global Positioning), the position of the vehicle is determined continuously and compared to the positions of the stations virtual toll collection. If the vehicle position matches with any of the virtual toll collection stations, it indicates on the vehicle equipment, after which the vehicle establish communication through a mobile transmitter network digital. Data that includes the toll and charge accounts are transmit from the vehicle to the central unit. The receipt of Payment of the required amount is then sent from the Central unit to the physical station. The advantage of this technique is that existing infrastructure can be used, both in this GPS system as in the GSM technique for the mobile transmitter network digital. However, it would be necessary to invest in equipment located at roadside. Another very important advantage is that it is granted enough time to exchange data information between the vehicle equipment and the central unit, so that all the transmission can be carried out without capacity problems power or communication with the computer. This usually presents difficulties when transmitting all information in systems existing within an area constituted by the zone of communication of a physical toll station. In addition, using this method, it is possible to separate, both in time and space, the collection of tolls and the control of the correct payment of charges by vehicles.

An inconvenience associated with the described device in PCT / DE95 / 00107 (WO-A-95 20801) it is that the payment receipt is sent from the central unit to the physical toll station, which means you have to remit large amounts of data and make them accessible at each station of physical toll within a specific area, since at the time of the payment it is not clear what the physical toll station will be for the that the vehicle will pass later. They are also required large storage and search capabilities on computers from the physical toll station. There is no direct communication between the vehicle and physical toll station, which means no There is a correlation between the identity of the vehicle and the receipt.

The document PCT / GB95 / 00198 (WO-A-95 21424) describes another example of an automatic toll collection system for vehicles They use the GSM technique. In the aforementioned document, it is done emphasize charging tolls while maintaining the vehicle anonymity. This is achieved through a vehicle identifier installed in the charging station of tolls, which identifies a communication device in the vehicle  or identifies a vehicle that has a designed electronic wallet To pay tolls. The system is also provided with devices that temporarily map the identifier of the vehicle with an electronic wallet identifier. In addition, the system is designed in such a way that the vehicle identifier it is not used in case the toll collection transaction is carried out correctly, or that the purse identifier it is not used if the transaction of toll collection. The document also states that the device Communication can be a GSM transmitter / receiver. But nevertheless, No type of virtual charging system is described. This implies that with this method you cannot carry out a toll charge transaction in advance or assign to respective vehicles a receipt of the payment made before passing by the physical toll station. Hence the need for all communications and identification of the various units must be carried out during the time that is available, it is say, when the vehicle is in the toll station area physical. Due to lack of time, a problem arises, namely, that during the short time available you have to manage the vehicle identification, the execution of the transaction and, also control vehicles for which you cannot perform a correct collection transaction, in order to be able to charge them later.

WO 95/20801 reveals toll charges determinants in routes and traffic zones, being calculated the toll charges with the help of a device installed in a vehicle based on position and rate data. The data is then transmitted through a transmission system of data to a central point, with the possibility of verifying the appropriate charge. A drawback of this procedure is the difficulty establishing a correlation between the data transmitted and the vehicles in the system.

Description of the invention

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for the automatic collection of tolls for vehicles, as specified in claim one.

An advantage of the invention over the technique known is that the digital mobile transmitter network is not loaded in the same measure as in the known technique more related to it. Another advantage is that the same capabilities of storage and search in the storage units of the physical toll station than in the corresponding known technique described in the introduction.

Description of the figures

Figure 1 schematically illustrates the principle toll collection according to the aspect of the invention.

Figure 2 shows an example configuration of units in vehicles, physical toll station and central unit of the toll collection system.

Description of the realizations

A series of different embodiments of the invention with the help of figures.

Automatic toll collection for admission of a vehicle to a route or traffic zone requires a system of supervision. According to a method execution method and the device for automatic collection of tolls for vehicles, the supervisory device comprises vehicle equipment and a unit at roadside. Vehicle equipment includes:

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a first communication device (1) in the vehicle V1-V4 for local communication (2) with a unit at the edge of the road (3) at a physical toll station (4). He first communication device (1) may consist of a repeater for local communication (2) by microwave or analog devices that use transmission media that do not be microwaves, such as ultrasound, inductive transmission of the light, etc. DSRC (Dedicated Short Communications) Scope), in which microwaves are used as a means of transmission. Other sources that can be used as means of transmission for the link of the local communication (2) between the V1-V4 vehicles and the roadside unit (3) are UWB waves (Ultra Wide Band communications), ultrasound, infrared light, laser or ordinary light (visible),

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a first processor (5) for the calculation and / or subtraction of tolls and to direct communication between the indoor units of the vehicle and outside,

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a storage unit (6) to store data, such as identity of the user, the positions of the toll collection stations (7), rates, etc. for the calculation of these tolls. The User identity can consist of the identity of the vehicle, the purse identity or the repeater identity,

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a GNSS receiver (Global Satellite Navigation System), which can consist of a GPS receiver (8) for the reception (9) of signals from navigation satellites (10),

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a transmitter / receiver in a cellular network, CN, usually under the Shape of a GSM phone (11), for central communication (12) with a central unit (C) in the charging system of tolls

In addition, preferably,

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a reader (13) for reading and charging smart cards, according to which an appropriate CN unit and the reader (13) are integrated on a mobile phone (15) and that

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sayings units in the vehicle communicate with each other using a LAN of existing vehicle, in which communication is established through from a CAN data bus or through an ITS bus or through appropriate interfaces (or cables).

The physical toll station (4) comprises

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a roadside unit (3) that has a second device communication (16) for local communication (2) with a first communication device (1) in one of the vehicles V1-V4 mentioned above. The use of DSRC is preferred (Dedicated Short Range Communications), in which they are used Microwaves as a means of transmission. Other sources that can be used as transmission media for the communication link  local (2) between vehicles V1-V4 and the unit at roadside (3) are UWB waves (communications from Ultra Wide Band), ultrasound, infrared light, laser or light ordinary

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team video (17a-17c), as well as a team of appropriate lighting for the reproduction of aspects characteristic of the V1-V4 vehicle, such as the registration number, and for the detection of the physical form of the vehicle, including image processing equipment required (18) with OCR functionality (Optical Recognition of Characters) for identification of the license plate number or other equivalent characteristics,

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a second processor (19) on the roadside unit (3) to determine the position of vehicles V3 and V4 within the physical toll station, based on the information provided by the measures taken with the help of

to)

the local communication (2) between the first communication device (1) in vehicle V3, V4 and the second communication device (16) on the roadside unit (3),

b)

the information from the image processing equipment (18), as well as

C)

the correlation of the positions obtained by the measures taken with the help of both communication devices (1, 16) and the information from image processing equipment (18),

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a storage unit (20) on the roadside unit (3) to store data related to the positions obtained by local communication (2) between the first (1) and the second (16) communication device,

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he equipment (21) on the roadside unit (3) appropriate for the transmission (22) to the central unit of the recorded data (by example, via GSM, WAN or through fiber optic networks) Y

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he encryption equipment for encrypted data transmission between the Physical toll station (4) and the central unit (C).

The encryption in this text includes the concept of that the message can be encrypted to prevent its interception, but the encrypted term is also used or alternatively to refer to authentication, that is, that the encrypted message includes a total control or a digital signature that is used to verify that the message has not been altered and to ensure that the sender He is the right one.

Apart from the aforementioned units, it assumes that the central unit (C) includes the necessary equipment under the form of a third processor (23), a storage unit central (24), a SAM (Security Application Module) (25), the communication equipment (26) for central communication (12) with GSM phones (11) of vehicles and with the equipment communication of the physical toll station (21), from where carries out the transmission (22) to the central unit (C) of the data sent from the unit to the roadside (3).

The toll collection procedure is the next:

In the vehicle storage unit you find the necessary information, such as fees for collection of tolls and positions of virtual charging stations of tolls (7), previously stored or continuously updated to through, for example, the GSM network or the link RDS-TMC (Data Broadcasting System - Channel of Traffic Messages) or, alternatively, through microwave transmitters or equivalent.

Through the GPS receiver (8) (or other receiver GNSS) of the vehicle continuously obtains information about the vehicle position When this position coincides with the position of one of the virtual toll collection stations (7), whose position is stored in the vehicle storage unit (6), as illustrated in Figure 1 for vehicle V2, is establishes contact with the central unit (C) through the GSM phone (11) of the vehicle (or other transmitter / receiver of a cellular network). The determined position of the virtual station of Toll collection is at an appropriate distance before the vehicle will pass to a physical toll station (4). In the virtual toll collection station (7) is charged to the vehicle V1-V4 the toll price through, in this example, the GSM network. From vehicle V1-V4 you sends an encrypted signal to the central unit C with information on the identity of at least one repeater and the time data. TO then a payment transaction is made through the C processor of the central unit, which owes a prepaid charge associated with the identity of the repeater or deducting the toll in issue based on the rates stored in the unit of Storage (6) of the vehicle, from a smart card  in the vehicle that can communicate through the GSM network. The toll It is calculated by the vehicle processor (5). Alternatively, you can send, from the vehicle, the identity of the vehicle in place of repeater identity.

There must be a device in the V2 vehicle (e.g. MMI), which informs the driver that he has entered an area geographically defined consisting of a virtual station of toll collection (7) and indicating that a payment of Toll. The advantages of this are that the driver is not charged without your knowledge, that the driver can decide the payment method, for example, charged to an account or with a smart card, and finally that the smart card doesn't have to be in the reader constantly.

When the central unit processor (23) record that the vehicle has successfully paid the toll on issue, confirmation is sent, in encrypted form, through the GSM network as a receipt that the vehicle has been charged V1-V4, with the identity of the specific repeater, the determined amount corresponding to the toll. This means that the own vehicle carries a receipt that the toll has been paid before that the vehicle V1-V4 enters the change of a physical toll station (4) later. With this procedure, the only necessary measure at the physical toll station (4) is check that the passing vehicle has been charged the toll that corresponds to the category of the vehicle.

When the vehicle arrives at the toll station physical (4), an encrypted signal is sent from the device communication (1) of the V1-V4 vehicle to the device of communication (16) from the unit to the roadside (3), either at the request of the unit team at the roadside, which includes a transmitter, or continuously within an interval of time during which communication can be established (2) Due to the fact that the scope of communication is limited. The signal consists of an encrypted message that contains data on the repeater identity, payment receipt, and preferably Information about the vehicle category. The latest information cited can then be used to allow the team to video (17a-17c) of the toll station (4) Check the vehicle category. The passage of the vehicle V1-V4 by the physical toll station (4) is controls using video surveillance, through the capture of the image of the vehicle's identity, such as the license plate vehicle registration or other physical feature thereof, and it is even through the detection of the physical form of the vehicle, to check the category of the vehicle given by it through the communication link (2) between vehicle V1-V4 and the roadside unit (3), as just describe. An alternative procedure simply consists of transmit the image of the vehicles for which you cannot register an appropriate toll payment receipt.

The communication between the vehicle V1-V4 and the roadside unit (3) Contains an entry of vehicle positions. A detection of analogous position is carried out with the help of processing images resulting from video surveillance using the image processing equipment (18) that communicates with the processor (1) of the roadside unit (3) for your analysis. Correlating derived input positions partially of said communication (2) between the vehicle and the drive to the edge of the road, and partially of the positions determined by video surveillance, between them, is united communication (2) with a specific vehicle V1-V4 to the vehicle whose image has been obtained through surveillance by video This correlation is, along with the current technique, very desirable, since an identification of the one hundred percent of the registration numbers by monitoring by video, or get a performance one hundred percent of the communication between the vehicle and the unit on the edge of the highway. If this were possible, it would be enough to correlate the registration number indicated by the communication (2) between the vehicle and drive on the roadside with the numbers of license plate identified by video surveillance. The correlation is desirable to avoid the risk, for example, of the improper handling of vehicle data stored in the vehicle equipment

If you cannot associate the correct charge of a specific vehicle with a specific video record, will be sent to the central unit, as a basis for the subsequent collection of a toll, the image of that vehicle along with the identity of the repeater, and A statement of the time and zone. If an operation is executed correct charge, will be deleted from the unit memory to the edge of the road images and any other information memorized with a view to preserving the integrity of the users.

In the proposed example, the microwave communication between vehicles V1-V4 and the roadside unit (3).

An advantage of the system described in comparison with acquaintances to this day is that it leaves enough time for the communication of the transaction data of length variable. Consequently, others can be transmitted without difficulty data between the first and second communication devices during the short time in which the link of microwave, according to our example, connects to the station physical toll (4). In addition, the local processing of the images of Registered vehicles only send requests and small charges the communication network between the unit at the roadside (3) and the central unit (C).

Another advantage of the proposed technique according to the aspect of the invention is that it allows automatic collection of tolls on multi-lane roads, and that allows charging and execute payment transactions in real time, which It contributes to greater anonymity of system users.

Claims (15)

1. A method for automatic toll collection for vehicles (V1-V4) on routes or areas of traffic, in which at least one virtual charging station of tolls (7) is geographically predetermined in relation to a physical toll station (4), and in which the corresponding vehicle (V1-V4) is equipped with equipment, the which include:

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a first communication device (1) for communication with a roadside unit (3) at the mentioned toll station physics (4);

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a transmitter / receiver (11) for communication (12) with a unit central (C) through a cellular network; Y

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a first processor (5), a storage unit (6) and a receiver (8) for a GNSS system; in which

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he receiver (8) supplies signals with which the first processor (5) read the vehicle position (V1-V4) and detect the entrance of this in at least one virtual charging station of tolls (7), comparing the position of the vehicle read with the positions of virtual toll collection stations, whose data is stored in the storage unit (6);

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at time of vehicle entry (V1-V4) at minus a virtual toll collection station (7), the Transmitter / receiver (11) announces to the central unit (C), through of a cellular network, which is making a collection transaction of tolls;

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the central unit (C) carries out the toll collection transaction for the vehicle (V1-V4);

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the central unit (C) returns a transaction receipt to the vehicle through its transmitter / receiver (11);

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at time of entry into the physical toll collection station (4), the first communication device (1) sends the unit to the roadside (3) said receipt as proof that it has been paid the right toll

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that in relation to the toll collection transaction, at least one identity of the repeater and a time statement are sent from the vehicle (V1-V4) to the central unit (3) . 3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that in relation to the toll collection transaction, the central unit (C) owes a charge to a device associated with the identity of the repeater for a certain amount. 4. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that in relation to the toll collection transaction, at least one vehicle identity or purse identity and a time statement are sent from the vehicle to the central unit (C). . 5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that in relation to the toll collection transaction, the central unit (C) owes a charge to a device associated with the identity of the vehicle or the identity of the purse, for an amount determined. A method according to claims 1-5, characterized in that the receipt that is sent from the central unit (C) to the vehicle (V1-V4) for storage in the storage unit (6) of the vehicle equipment contains data of vehicle identification, as well as data on the charge due to the vehicle. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the receipt that is sent from the vehicle (V1-V4) to a second communication device (16) at the physical toll station (4) contains vehicle identification data (V1 -V4), as well as data on the charge due to the vehicle (V1-V4). A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the signal constituting the receipt is encrypted. 9. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the signal constituting the receipt is encrypted and contains a digital signature and a total cryptographic control. 10. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the receipt also contains data on the category to which the vehicle belongs (V1-V4). A method according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that the communication between the vehicle (V1-V4) and the central unit (C) is encrypted. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the corresponding passage of the vehicle (V1-V4) is identified in the physical toll station (4) by a correlation between the identity of the vehicle obtained by image and the data provided by the receipt . A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication (12) between the transmitter / receiver (11) of the vehicle (V1-V4) and the communication equipment (26) in the central unit (C) is carried out through of a digital cellular mobile transmitter network, such as a GSM network. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication (2) between the first communication device (1) in a vehicle (V1-V4) and the second communication device (16) in the physical toll station (4 ) is established by one of the following means: microwave, UWB waves, ultrasound, infrared light, laser, ordinary light and inductive transmission. 15. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the required information is stored in the storage unit (6) of the vehicle equipment, such as rates for the collection of tolls and the positions of the virtual toll collection stations (7 ).