KR100581114B1 - Method for automatic debiting of tolls for vehicles - 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

How to automatically collect tolls for vehicles {METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC DEBITING OF TOLLS FOR VEHICLES}

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically collecting a toll of a vehicle using an area having a toll facility at the entrance. According to the present invention, the virtual toll station is distinguished from the actual toll station. Accordingly, a virtual toll station displayed by using a global satellite navigation system using a communication device provided in a vehicle that communicates with a central system of a toll collection system and exchanges information with the central system through a digital mobile transmission network. In Toll Collection transactions are executed. In the actual tollhouse, the information is checked to determine if the exact charges for the vehicle have been made or if such tolls will be executed later.

Automatic toll collection stations of various designs are known. The toll collection system of the type described in the introduction is described in document PCT / DE95 / 00107. The document describes a toll collection system, which consists of one or more virtual toll stations configured on a traffic route and monitoring stations associated with actual toll stations. The actual tollhouse is equipped with hardware such as communication devices and imaging devices (e.g. video cameras). Vehicles located in virtual toll stations can transmit data to a central unit via a digital mobile transmission network. A virtual tollhouse is formed at a predetermined geographical location. Using a GPS system (global positioning system), the position of the vehicle is determined continuously and compared with the virtual toll station location. If the location of the vehicle matches any virtual toll station that is preconfigured, the location is displayed on the vehicle's device, after which the vehicle communicates via a digital mobile transmission network. Data, including tolls and credit accounts, are transmitted from the vehicle to the central unit. The payment receipt is then sent from the central unit to the actual collection point. An advantage of the technology is that it can use the existing basic structure of the GPS system and GSM technology for digital mobile transport networks. However, the configuration of the roadside unit is required. Another important advantage is that sufficient time for the exchange of data information between the vehicle device and the central unit can be tolerated, so that all transmissions can be made without a capacity issue of computer output or communication. When all the information of an existing system is transmitted into an area consisting of a communication zone of one actual tollhouse, this usually presents a difficulty. It is also possible to use this method to separate monitoring for toll collection and accurate payment of tolls, both temporally and spatially.

A disadvantage associated with the device described in PCT / DE95 / 00107 is that payment receipts are sent from the central unit to the actual tollhouse, which requires a large amount of data to be transmitted and accessible to each actual tollhouse within a specific area. The reason for this is that it is not clear which actual tollhouse will pass next at the time of payment. In addition, a large amount of storage and search capacity is required for computers in actual tollhouses. No direct communication is established between the vehicle and the actual tollhouse, which means that there is no correlation between the identification of the vehicle and the receipt (ie receipt confirmation).

The document PCT / GB95 / 00198 describes another example of an automatic toll collection device for a vehicle, and GSM technology is used. The document emphasizes collecting tolls while preserving the anonymity of the vehicle. This is done by a vehicle identifier configured in the toll collection station, which identifies the communication device of the vehicle or identifies a vehicle with an electronic wallet designed for toll collection. The system also includes a device for temporarily correlating a vehicle identifier with an identifier for an electronic wallet. Further, the system is designed in such a way that if the toll collection process is performed correctly, the vehicle identifier is not used or if the toll collection process is not satisfactorily performed, the electronic wallet identifier is not used. The document also shows that the communication device can be a GSM transmitter / receiver. However, there is no description of the form of the virtual collection system. This means that it is not possible to perform toll collection processing in advance or to assign receipt confirmation of payments generated before the actual toll collection station is passed to each vehicle. Thus, during the effective time, ie when the vehicle is located at the actual tollhouse, it is required that all communication and identification of the various devices be performed. The problem arises as a result of lack of time. That is, during the short time available, the vehicle must be identified, the transaction must be performed, and the vehicle for which accurate toll collection transactions cannot be carried out must be tracked for later toll collection.

In accordance with the present invention, a method is described for automatically collecting tolls for a vehicle, as described in claim 1.

The advantage of the present invention over the known art is that the digital mobile transmission system is not overloaded to the same extent as the most closely related known art. Another advantage is that the same storage capacity and search capacity as the related known technology described in the introduction is not required for the storage of the actual tollhouse herein.

1 is a schematic illustration of the toll collection principle according to the present invention;

2 shows an example of the configuration of a vehicle unit, an actual toll station and a central unit of the toll collection system.

* Sign Description

V1, V2, V3, V4 ... Vehicle 1 .... 1st communication device (of vehicle)
16 ... second communication device (of roadside unit) 21 ... communication equipment (of roadside unit)
26 ... Communication equipment (of central unit)

2,12 Communication 3 Roadside unit

4 ... actual tollhouse 5 ... 1st processor
19 ... second processor 23 ... third processor

6,20,24 ... Storage Unit 7 ... Virtual Tollhouse

8 ... (GPS or GNSS) receiver 11 ... GSM phone

13 ... reader 15 ... mobile phone

17a, 17b, 17c ... Lighting and video equipment 18 ... Image processing equipment

C ... central unit 25 ... Security Enforcement Module (SAM)

Various embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings.

Automatic toll collection of vehicles entering traffic or traffic areas requires a surveillance system. According to one aspect of a method and apparatus for automatically collecting tolls of a vehicle, the monitoring device includes vehicle equipment and a roadside unit. The vehicle equipment is configured as follows.
A first communication device 1 of the vehicle V1-V4 for short-range communication (2) with a roadside unit (3) at an actual tollhouse (4): the first communication device (1) uses microwaves Or a device using a transmission medium other than microwave, such as ultrasonic wave and light guide transmission. Particular preference is given to DSRC (dedicated short-range communication) using microwaves as transmission medium. Other sources that may be used as transmission medium for the near field communication link 2 between the vehicle V1-V4 and the roadside unit 3 include UWB waves (Ultra Wide Band radio), ultrasonic waves. , Infrared, laser or visible light.

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A first processor 5 for executing toll calculations and deductions and guiding communication between the inside and outside of the vehicle:

A storage unit 6 for storage of data such as user identity, virtual tollhouse 7 location, tariff, etc .: the user identity may consist of vehicle identity, payment instrument identity, or transponder identity. .

Receiver for GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System): This receiver may be configured with a GPS receiver 8 for receiving 9 signals from the navigation satellite 10.

Transmitter / receiver of the cellular network CN for communication 12 with the central unit C in the toll collection system: generally taking the form of a GSM telephone 11.

Also as an additional configuration,

A reader 13 for reading and collecting smart cards: an appropriate cellular network (CN) unit and the reader 13 are integrated into the mobile phone 15.

All of the above units of the vehicle communicate with each other using the existing vehicle LAN. Communication can then take place via the CAN data bus or the ITS bus or via the appropriate interface (or cable).
The actual tollhouse 4 is configured as follows.

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Roadside unit 3: The roadside unit 3 has a second communication device 16 for near field communication 2 with the first communication device 1 configured in one of the vehicles V1-V4. It is preferable to use DSRC (dedicated short-range communication) using microwave as a transmission medium. Other sources that may be used as transmission medium for the near field communication link 2 between the vehicle V1-V4 and the roadside unit 3 include UWB waves (ultrawide band radio), ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, lasers or visible light. There is this.

Video equipment and lighting equipment (17a-17c) for reproducing vehicle features such as license plates and for detecting the shape of the vehicle: OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to identify vehicle registration numbers or equivalent features. Also included is an image processing equipment 18.

• second processor 19 of roadside unit 3 for positioning of vehicles V3, V4 in a real tollhouse: second processor 19, with the aid of a), b), c) below; The location is determined based on the information from the measurements made.

a) near field communication 2 configured between the first communication device 1 of the vehicles V3, V4 and the second communication device 16 of the roadside unit 3,

b) information from image processing equipment 18, and

c) correlation of information from image processing equipment 18 and positions obtained from measurements performed using the two communication devices 1, 16.

A storage unit 20 of a roadside unit 3 for storing location related data configured by near field communication 2 between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 16.

The communication equipment 21 of the roadside unit 3 suitable for transmitting 22 registered data to the central unit (for example by GSM, WAN, or via a fiber optic network): for example GSM, WAN, Or by fiber optic network.

Encryption equipment for data encryption transmission between the actual tollhouse (4) and the central unit (C).

Encryption herein includes the concept that a message can be encrypted to prevent eavesdropping, but the term encryption is also used to mean authentication. That is, a check sum or digital signature is appended to the encrypted message, and the check total or digital signature is used to confirm that the message is not overwhelming, and to confirm that the sender is an authorized person.

Apart from the units, the central unit (C) comprises a third processor (23), a central storage unit (24), a security application module (SAM) 25, communication equipment 26, and the communication equipment ( 26 performs central communication 12 with the GSM phone 11 of the vehicle and with the communication equipment 21 of the actual toll collection station. Data transmission from the roadside unit 3 to the central unit C is implemented from the communication equipment 21 of the actual tollhouse.

The toll collection steps are as follows:

Information such as the location and toll of the virtual toll station can be pre-stored in the vehicle's storage unit or continuously updated via a GSM network or RDS-TMC link (Radio Data System-Traffic Message Channel) or via a microwave transmitter.

Vehicle position information is continuously obtained using the vehicle's GPS receiver 8 (or another GNSS receiver). When the vehicle location matches the location of one of the several virtual toll stations 7 stored in the vehicle's storage unit 6 (vehicle V2 in FIG. 1), the central unit C is the GSM phone of the vehicle. (11) (or another transmitter / receiver in the cellular network). The designated virtual toll station location will be located at an appropriate distance before the actual toll station 4 so that the vehicle will then reach the actual toll station 4. In the virtual tollhouse 7, the vehicles V1-V4 are charged a toll through the GSM network of the present embodiment. An encrypted signal is transmitted from the vehicle V1-V4 to the central unit, which contains one or more transponder identities and information about the time. Subsequently, a payment transaction is executed using the processor of the central unit C. The processor of the central unit deducts the charge from the prepaid account associated with the transponder identity, or from the smart card of the vehicle capable of communicating via the GSM network, based on the tariff stored in the storage unit 6 of the vehicle, Deduct The toll is calculated by the first processor 5 of the vehicle. Alternatively, vehicle identity may be transmitted from the vehicle instead of transponder identity.

The vehicle V2 will have to be equipped with equipment (e.g., MMI) to inform the driver that he has entered a geographic area consisting of a virtual toll collection station 7 and to inform the driver that a toll payment will be made. The advantage of this configuration is that the driver is not charged without the driver's knowledge, the driver can decide how to pay (smart card or account, etc.), and the smart card does not have to remain in the reader.

If the third processor 23 of the central unit registers that the vehicle has paid the toll correctly, then the confirmation signal in the form of a receipt indicating that the vehicle V1-V4 with the specified transponder identity has paid the toll has passed the GSM network. Will be sent back. This means that the vehicle will have a receipt that the vehicle V1-V4 has already paid the toll before entering the real toll station 4 area. According to this process, the only measure needed at the toll booth 4 is to ascertain whether the tolls corresponding to the vehicle type have been imposed on the vehicle.

When the vehicle reaches the actual toll station 4, an encrypted signal is transmitted from the first communication device 1 of the vehicle to the second communication device 16 of the roadside unit 3, which transmission Due to the fact that the range is limited, it is made continuously within the time period in which the communication 2 can proceed, or at the request of the equipment of the roadside unit comprising the transmitter. This signal consists of an encrypted message with data about the transponder's identity, payment receipt, and information about the vehicle. The last mentioned information, i.e. information about the vehicle type, can be used to identify the vehicle type using the video equipment 17a-c of the actual tollhouse 4. By detecting the appearance of the vehicle through the communication link 2 between the vehicle V1-V4 and the roadside unit 3, or by imaging the identity of the vehicle, such as a license plate or other physical feature of the vehicle, Vehicles V1-V4 passing through the actual toll station 4 are monitored using video surveillance. An alternative process is to image only vehicles that cannot register a toll payment receipt.

The communication between the vehicles V1-V4 and the roadside unit 3 includes information of the vehicle position. Similar position detection may be performed through image processing of video surveillance results using image processing equipment 18 in communication with the second processor 19 of the roadside unit 3 for analysis. By correlating the input positions partially derived from the communication 2 between the vehicle and the roadside unit and the positions partially derived by video surveillance, the communication with the specific vehicle V1-V4 is imaged by video surveillance. Linked to the vehicle. This correlation is very desirable when using current technology. This is because video surveillance makes it impossible to identify one hundred percent license plate and to achieve one hundred percent functional implementation of vehicle / roadside communication. If this is possible, it will be sufficient to correlate the car number indicated by the vehicle / roadside communication 2 with the car number identified by video surveillance. This correlation is desirable to avoid risks such as manipulation of vehicle data stored in the vehicle equipment.

If it is not possible to link the exact toll collection of a particular vehicle to a particular video registration, the image of the vehicle is forwarded to the central unit along with the transponder identity and the time and area of interest for future charges. When accurate toll collection is made, the images and other information stored in the roadside unit's memory are deleted. In this embodiment, microwave communication is used between the vehicle V1-V4 and the roadside unit 3.

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The advantage of the system compared to currently known systems is that there is sufficient time for communication of transaction data with variable length. As a result, other data can be transmitted without difficulty between the first communication device and the second communication device for a short time during which the microwave link is connected in the actual tollhouse 4. In addition, local image processing of the registered vehicle requires only very small demands and loads on the communication network between the roadside unit 3 and the central unit C. FIG.

Another additional advantage of the technology presented in accordance with the present invention not only enables automatic toll collection of multi-lane roads, but also allows toll charges and payment transactions to be executed in real time, thereby increasing the anonymity of the user of the system.

Claims (17)

A method of automatically collecting tolls of entry vehicles V1-V4 at a traffic road or in a traffic zone, the method comprising: communicating with a second communication device 16 in a roadside unit 3 of an actual toll collection station 4 The vehicle V1-V4 is provided with a first communication device 1 for communication, and the vehicle V1-V4 is provided with a transmitter / receiver 11 for communication 12 with the central unit C. One or more virtual tollhouses 7 are arranged at locations designated for the actual tollhouse 4, The first communication device 1 of the vehicle includes detection means for detecting the entry of the vehicles V1-V4 into the virtual tollhouse 7 and when entering the virtual tollhouse, the first communication device of the vehicle. 1 The communication device 1 informs the central unit C via the digital mobile transmission network that the toll collection transaction is executed, The central unit C executes a toll collection transaction for the vehicles V1-V4 and issues a transaction receipt to the vehicle by the transmitter / receiver 11 of the vehicle, When entering the toll station 4, the first communication device 1 of the vehicle is characterized in that it transmits the receipt to the roadside unit 3 via the communication link 2 as proof that the toll has been paid correctly. Toll automatic collection method. The vehicle (V1-V4) is provided with a receiver (8) for a GNSS system for supplying a signal, and the first processor (5) reads the position of the vehicle (V1-V4) from the receiver. And by comparing the read vehicle position with the position of the virtual tollhouse 7, the first processor detects the entry of the vehicle into the virtual tollhouse 7, and the data of the first processor 5 Method for automatic toll collection, characterized in that stored in the storage unit (6). The method of claim 1, wherein one or more transponder identities and corresponding times are transmitted from the vehicle to the central unit with respect to toll collection transactions. 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein in connection with a toll collection transaction, the central unit (C) collects tolls from toll payment means associated with the transponder identity. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein in connection with a toll collection transaction, vehicle identity or payment means identity and time information is transmitted from the vehicle to the central unit (C). 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein in connection with a toll collection transaction, the central unit (C) collects tolls from a toll payment means associated with a vehicle identity or a means of payment means. The receipt according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the receipt sent from the central unit (C) to the vehicles (V1-V4) for storage in the storage unit (6) of the vehicle comprises data identifying the vehicle, A toll automatic collection method, comprising: data on a fare charged to a vehicle. 8. The toll automatic according to claim 7, wherein the receipt transmitted from the vehicle (V1-V4) to the second communication device (16) comprises data identifying the vehicle and data relating to the fee charged to the vehicle. Collection method. The method of claim 8, wherein the signal constituting the receipt is encrypted. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the signal constituting the receipt is encrypted and includes a digital signature and a cryptographic check total. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the receipt also includes data relating to the vehicle model. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication between the vehicle (V1-V4) and the central unit (C) is encrypted. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the passing vehicle is identified at the actual tollhouse (4) by a correlation between the vehicle identity obtained by imaging and the data provided by the receipt of the vehicle. The communication 12 according to claim 1, wherein the communication 12 between the first communication device 1 of the vehicles V1-V4 and the communication equipment 26 of the central unit C is carried out via a cellular mobile transmission network such as a GSM network. Automatic toll collection method, characterized in that made. The communication 2 according to claim 1, wherein the communication 2 between the first communication device 1 of the vehicle V1-V4 and the second communication device 16 of the actual toll collection station 4 is microwave, UWB wave, or ultrasonic wave. Automatic toll collection method, characterized in that implemented using one of the transmission medium corresponding to infrared, laser, visible light and inductive transmission. 3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the essential information, including the location of the virtual tollhouse (7) and the toll table, is stored in the storage unit (6) of the vehicle. 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the communication between the vehicle (V1-V4) and the central unit (C) is encrypted.

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