EP1517271A1 - A method of collecting toll fees for vehicles using toll routes - Google Patents
A method of collecting toll fees for vehicles using toll routes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1517271A1 EP1517271A1 EP03292320A EP03292320A EP1517271A1 EP 1517271 A1 EP1517271 A1 EP 1517271A1 EP 03292320 A EP03292320 A EP 03292320A EP 03292320 A EP03292320 A EP 03292320A EP 1517271 A1 EP1517271 A1 EP 1517271A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- toll
- assistance server
- information
- mobile terminal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B15/00—Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points
- G07B15/06—Arrangements for road pricing or congestion charging of vehicles or vehicle users, e.g. automatic toll systems
- G07B15/063—Arrangements for road pricing or congestion charging of vehicles or vehicle users, e.g. automatic toll systems using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station
Definitions
- OBU on-board unit
- the assistance server AS if it is possible, that some further information exchange between the mobile terminal MT and the assistance server AS is necessary, before the access request is accepted by the assistance server AS .
- the assistance server if, the assistance server identifies more than one possible routes matching to the request. In this case, the assistance server might choose one preferred route and ask for an additional acknowledgement by the driver.
- cellular mobile radio network like the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network
- GSM Global System for Mobile Communications
- the covered area is divided into so-called geographical areas.
- VLR Visitors Location Register
- the location by means of signals received from satellites is carried out autonomously by the GSM receiver.
- the GSM receiver comprises satellite signal receiving means for receiving signals of different satellites and position calculation means, that are able to determine the receivers position, if at least three satellite signals are received simultaneously.
- the GPS receiver can be located e.g. in a handset together with the mobile terminal or installed remotely communicating via a bluetooth connection with the terminal.
- the toll control unit TCU and the assistance server AS can be the same provider or partner-providers which might be connected via a dedicated connection or via a communication network like the internet.
- the assistance server AS can be installed at user groups or at a big forwarder itself under the process-control of toll control unit TCU.
Abstract
The invention relates to method of collecting toll fees for
a vehicle (VE) entering a transport network (TN) being
subject to toll charging, wherein the vehicle (VE) is
equipped with a mobile terminal (MT), the mobile terminal
(MT) sending toll information to a toll control arrangement
(TCU), with the steps of the mobile terminal (MT)
initiating a communication with an assistance server (AS),
thereby transmitting an access request information (11),
said information comprising a request for booking a toll
route for said vehicle (VE), the assistance server (AS)
receiving a further information (I2) related to said
vehicle (VE), the assistance server (AS) checking said
further information (12), whether a booking is actually to
be initiated, the assistance server initiating a
communication (13) with the toll control arrangement (TCU)
for effecting a booking corresponding to said request, if
said check was positive, and the assistance server
receiving from toll control arrangement (TCU) a receipt
information (14) allowing the vehicle (VE) the entrance
into said transport network (TN), as well as to an
assistance server therefore.
Description
The invention relates to a method of charging toll fees for
vehicles using toll routes according to the preamble of
claim 1 and to an assistance server according to the
preamble of claim 14.
In a plurality of countries in Europe and other parts of
the world, for using high order roads, e.g. expressways or
motorways, tolls have to be paid. In some conventional toll
road systems, the entrances to the toll roads are provided
with toll stations. A driver entering the toll road has to
stop at the corresponding entrance toll station. In the
most simple alternative, he has to pay an amount of money
allowing him to drive up to a next toll station or up to
the end of the toll road. In a more complex traffic
network, at the entrance toll station he gets a receipt,
identifying this entrance. Every exit is equipped with exit
toll stations. The driver passing an exit has to pay a toll
depending on the distance between entrance and exit. To
avoid any fraudulent use, the exit stations are often
permanently manned.
The above method of manual payment however is cost-intensive
due to the high personal effort and it has a
negative impact on the traffic flow, because all vehicles
has to stop at each toll station. The above method is even
more difficult if different vehicles types are treated
differently.
Therefore, in some European countries, automatic toll
systems have been developed. In Germany, a company named
TollCollect has been developed a system, wherein the
vehicles to be charged are equipped with an intelligent on-board
unit combining mobile terminal and a satellite
positioning system. Today's positioning systems like the
well known Global Positioning System (GPS) precisely track
the position of a vehicle to within a few metres. The
entire network of toll roads is stored in the on-board
unit. Using the positional data received from the
positioning system and performing a so-called map matching,
the unit determines whether the vehicle is travelling on a
toll road and automatically calculates the toll amount
based on the stored vehicle information and the actual
number of kilometres travelled. The on-board unit
automatically communicates with a toll control centre,
sending toll information for charging the toll fees e.g. to
the transport company's account, the vehicle belongs to. A
stationary enforcement is realised by control bridges or
gantries equipped with microwave or infrared sensors
detecting approaching trucks. The resulting data is
evaluated and compared to the information stored at the
control centre.
If the vehicle is equipped with an on-board unit, access to
the toll road system is carried out fully automatic.
Alternatively, if the vehicle is not equipped with an on-board
unit, access to the toll system can be granted
manually either via the Internet or at a point of sales.
For registering via the internet, the user contacts a toll
server for receiving an electronic form or web form.
Therein, he inputs the starting point, the end point,
identification data and vehicle data. After receiving and
checking the completed web form in the toll server, the
user receives a receipt to be printed out. This paper
receipt representing a permission document (permit) is to
be carried with the driver.
A toll system based on intelligent on-board systems only
needs a minimum of fixed infrastructure. Moreover, such an
approach allows for a provision of additional services,
e.g. vehicle tracking. However, the drawback of a such a
system is, that cost intensive on-board units have to be
installed in all participating vehicles. The result is,
that only vehicles frequently using the toll system will be
equipped with such an on-board unit, as long as this is not
mandatory. Other vehicles will use a manual access as above
described.
A manual access however requires a route decision before
starting. Interrupting or changing a booked route requires
a complicate effort comparable to the initial booking in
order to cancel a part of the route and change the routing
planned before the start of the trip.
It is thus the object of the present invention to propose a
low-cost and convenient in-vehicle access to a toll system
without neither using an expensive on-board unit (OBU) nor
requires for leaving the vehicle in order to book a toll-route
by fixed terminals.
This object is achieved, according to the invention, by a
method according to the teaching of claim 1 and an
assistance server according to the teaching of claim 14.
The basic idea of the invention is, that a terminal of a
mobile network, further referred to as mobile terminal or
vehicle terminal, is used as on-board unit as counter part
to the fixed infrastructure of a toll collect system.
Before accessing a transport network, e.g. a highway system
or a single toll road, being subject to road charge, the
vehicle driver activates the mobile terminal for sending an
access request to an assistance server. The assistance
server is mediating between a number mobile terminals, each
associated with a vehicle, and a toll control arrangement,
that grants access rights to the transport network. The
assistance server then waits for a further information
related to said vehicle. This information might be an
acknowledgement sent from the mobile terminal, if an access
point to the toll network is reached or passed
Alternatively this information might comprise the actual
location of the mobile terminal and thus the vehicle. The
assistance server evaluating this information for whether a
booking (log-on) is to be initiated. If so, the assistance
server initiates a communication with the toll control
arrangement, booking into said transport network and
receiving from toll control arrangement a receipt
information allowing the vehicle the access to into the
toll transport network.
In a further development, the assistance server has access
to a data base, wherein the geographical locations of a
number of decision areas (at least one) of the transport
network are stored. The assistance server, on demand or
automatically within certain time intervals, receives the
actual location of the mobile terminal and determines
whether one location area is reached (entered) by the
vehicle. Once the decision area is reached, the assistance
server contacts the toll control arrangement, booking for
the vehicle the access to the toll road.
In a further development of the invention, the request for
an access to the transport network comprises a route
selection identified by at least a starting point and an
end point. The assistance server identifies one or more
possible routes and divides said route(s) into a set of
route sections assigning to the route sections (or to a
part of the route sections) each one decision area. If one
of the decision areas has been reached by the vehicle, the
assistance server contacts the toll control arrangement and
books the assigned route section.
In one embodiment of the invention, for sending said access
request, the mobile terminal downloads an electronic form
from the assistance server, said form to be visualised on
the terminal's display, that requests the vehicle driver to
enter access information. Receiving this information in the
assistance server, it is checked, whether said access
information is consistent and complete. If this check is
positive, , the assistance server sends an access request
for this vehicle to the toll control server and receives a
corresponding booking receipt.
In a further development, the electronic form comprises a
request for choosing a payment method and wherein the
assistance server further checks, whether a valid payment
can be effected and only sends the access request for this
vehicle to the toll control arrangement, if said check was
positive.
In yet a further development, the assistance server manages
different accounts each assigned to one vehicle (or a set
of vehicles of one carrier) debiting said account
corresponding to the bookings for this vehicles (or set of
vehicles). A further account assigned to the assistance
server used for a payment relation between the assistance
server and toll control arrangement. The toll control
arrangement might have assigned each one account for
different assistance service providers, each of them
operating one or more assistance servers. Each of these
accounts is debited according to the bookings of all the
vehicles served by the corresponding assigned assistance
service provider.
Further refinements of the invention are to be found in the
dependent claims and in the description below.
The invention is explained further below with the aid of
the accompanying drawing:
- Fig.1
- shows a toll collect system with an assistance server according to the invention,
- Fig.2
- shows an exemplary transport network with route alternatives each divided into route segments and
- Fig.3
- shows exemplary geographical areas associated to route segments of Fig.2.
Fig.1 shows a toll collect system for a vehicle transport
network, preferably a road highway system, comprising a
toll control unit TCU, the internet INT, an assistance
server AS, a mobile network MN, a mobile terminal MT and a
vehicle VE. A dotted arrow between the vehicle VE and the
mobile terminal MT symbolises an affiliation of the mobile
terminal MT to the vehicle VE. The mobile terminal MT
therefore might be fixed to the vehicle, removable mounted
or only carried within the vehicle VE. An access request
information I1 is sent from the mobile terminal MT to the
assistance server AS, an acknowledgement information I2 is
sent too sent from the mobile terminal MT to the assistance
server AS, a booking request information I3 is sent from
the assistance server AS to the toll control unit TCU, a
receipt information 14 is sent back from the toll control
unit TCU to the assistance server AS that forwards this
information as forwarded receipt I5 to the mobile terminal
MT.
The assistance server AS might comprise a single computer
unit or might comprise different hardware units
communicating over dedicated lines or over a network, e.g.
the internet, thus forming a server system. Similarly, the
toll control arrangement might comprise a single computer
unit, based on a single hardware device or a set of
different hardware devices (data bases, interface drivers,
processing units etc) or might comprise a plurality of
distributed computer units communicating to each other over
dedicated lines or over a network, e.g. the internet.
In a preferred embodiment, a conventional cellular phone or
terminal with Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) access is
used as vehicle terminal MT. The vehicle user requests a
WAP-service from a WAP server AS of a toll service
provider. This provider might be one of a plurality of
registered subscribers of the toll system.
Using the vehicle terminal MT, the user starts contacting a
WAP server, e.g. by entering the IP address or entering a
so-called Unified Resource Locator (URL), and receiving a
WAP form displayed on the terminal's display. Within this
form, e.g. vehicle data, vehicle or driver identification
data and a route selection might be entered. The route
selection is preferably carried out by selecting a start
point and an end point. Alternatively it can be foreseen to
(optionally) enter additional points or a road number for a
further selection specification. Pressing a return key or
any key defined for acknowledge, the completed form is send
to the WAP server AS, serving as access request information
I1. The visual appearance of this form might be identical
or similar to the form provided over internet or to point
of sales of the toll collect system.
After a completeness and/or consistence check of the
received input, the assistance server AS waits for an
access information I2 indicating, that the vehicle is
entering or has entered an entrance to the transport
network TN. In one first embodiment, this information is
simply an acknowledge message initiated by the driver when
approaching the entrance or any other defined landmark. In
a second embodiment, the access information comprises the
actual location of the vehicle or the mobile terminal
respectively. In this case, the assistance server compares
this information with a location area information
preferably assigned to the toll entrance. If the location
information matches to the area information, the assistance
server AS sends a corresponding booking request I3 for the
corresponding vehicle VE to the central toll server or toll
control unit TCU. This server sends back to the assistance
server AS a digital receipt I4, that permits the driver to
enter the corresponding toll route. The receipt preferably
comprises an enforcement control number. The assistance
server AS performs a protocol translation and forwarding
this receipt to the mobile terminal MT, that stores said
forwarded receipt I5 in a memory. The driver can legally
start his trip. In the case of a manual enforcement check
(control by toll-control personal), the electronic receipt
can be loaded onto the toll terminals display.
Additionally, the vehicle might be equipped with a mobile
printer, e.g. connected via a so-called Bluetooth interface
or via an infrared interface to the mobile terminal.
The access request sent by the mobile terminal preferably
comprises vehicle and/or mobile terminal identification
data and further vehicle data like the number of axles or
the weight of the vehicle VE.
It is possible, that some further information exchange
between the mobile terminal MT and the assistance server AS
is necessary, before the access request is accepted by the
assistance server AS . In one development, if, the
assistance server identifies more than one possible routes
matching to the request. In this case, the assistance
server might choose one preferred route and ask for an
additional acknowledgement by the driver.
The forwarding of the receipt I5 can be effected by a so-called
short message service (SMS), an e-mail, a WAP page
or in form of any other electronic message.
Alternatively, e.g. if the receipt was not stored properly
within the mobile terminal MT or was not yet received due
to any delay, the toll-control personal may contact the
assistance server AS, the assistance server AS having
stored the receipts of all vehicles that are served by the
corresponding assistance service provider. Therefore, the
toll control personal transmits identification data (e.g.
the vehicles licence number) to the assistance server that
returns the receipt(s) stored for the identified vehicle.
In a further embodiment, the WAP server requests to choose
a payment method. Payment methods might be a well known
pre-paid service, any online payment method or any
conventional bank account debiting method. The WAP server
checks the payment, e.g. contacting a clearing house,
before sending a booking request I3 to the toll control
server. As described above, the assistance server in a
further development manages different accounts each
assigned to one vehicle (or a set of vehicles of one
carrier) debiting said account corresponding to the
bookings for this vehicles (or set of vehicles). A further
account assigned to the assistance server used for a
payment relation between the assistance server and toll
control arrangement. Thus, subscriber charging can be kept
separately from the route booking.
In the following, an additional service is proposed, that
allows for a interrupt or a change of a planned route of
the trip without any need to cancel a booked part of the
route and to book an alternative not yet booked part of the
route.
Fig.2 shows an exemplary transport network TN with two
alternative routes between a starting point or first point
P1 and an end point or fifth point P5. A first alternative
route consists of a first route section S12 stretching
between the starting point P1 and a second (segment
intersection) point P2, a second route section S23
stretching between the second point P2 and a third point
P3, a third route section S34 stretching between the third
point P3 and a fourth point P4 and a fourth route section
S45 stretching between the fourth point P4 and the end
point P5. A second alternative route comprises similarly
the first and the second route sections S12 and S23, but
branches at the third point P3, denoting a road branch,
over a fifth route section S36, a sixth point P6, a sixth
route section S67, a seventh point S7 and an eighth route
section S78 to the end point P8. The points P4 and P6
denote exemplary road exits.
Fig.3 exemplary shows a first (geographical) decision area
A12 associated to the first route segment S12 and a second
decision area A23 associated to the second route segment
A23. Not shown in this figure, for each route segment or
for selected route segments shown in Fig.2, a decision area
might associated.
These area might be covering the whole segment or only part
of the segment, e.g. the centre part. It is also possible,
the decision areas are positioned around corresponding
segmentation points P1- P8 or ahead of an entrance to a
toll route. It is also possible, that two ore more decision
areas are assigned to one route segment.
The decision areas might be described as any mathematical
figure. In the easiest embodiment, an area is described as
a circle defined by its centre co-ordinates and a certain
radius distance. One area might also be composed of a set
of overlapping circles.
Before a trip, the driver decides for a route and enters
said route, preferably by entering the starting point P1
and the end point P5 into the electronic form. The mobile
terminal MT transmits an access request information I1 with
said choice to the assistance server AS. The assistance
server identifies a selected route and divides this route
into a set of route segments S12- S45. A route segment can
consist of a road part between exits and or branches.
However, the assistance server AS orders or books from the
toll control unit TCU not the whole selected route, but
only the actual or next segment and sends a corresponding
receipt back to the terminal. This service requires a
location information, that allows for a reliable
localisation with a certain granularity. If e.g. two exit
points within a toll transport network have a minimum
distance of 1 kilometre, it is sufficient to use a
localisation system with a granularity slightly below, e.g.
with an accuracy of about 900 meters to unambiguously
identify each exit point by its location.
For a determination of the actual location of a cellular
mobile terminal, several methods are known. In cellular
mobile radio network like the GSM (Global System for Mobile
Communications) network, the covered area is divided into
so-called geographical areas. As soon as a terminal leaves
one geographical area of the network and enters a new
geographical area, the corresponding subscriber and the new
geographical area are noted in a so-called Visitors
Location Register (VLR) of the GSM infrastructure. This
information now can be used for localisation services.
However, depending the network, said geographical areas
might cover a rather big region.
A further known method to effect a substantially more
accurate location is a so-called base station
triangulation. EP 1111403 e.g. therefore discloses a method
for a localisation of mobile terminals, wherein the base
stations of the mobile network each send out time
synchronised pilot signals. A terminal receiving the pilot
signals of at least three base stations is able to
determine a relative position by determination of the
signal running time differences between each the pilot
signals.
Differently to the methods described above, the location by
means of signals received from satellites, e.g. satellites
of the Global Positioning System (GPS) is carried out
autonomously by the GSM receiver. The GSM receiver
comprises satellite signal receiving means for receiving
signals of different satellites and position calculation
means, that are able to determine the receivers position,
if at least three satellite signals are received
simultaneously. The GPS receiver can be located e.g. in a
handset together with the mobile terminal or installed
remotely communicating via a bluetooth connection with the
terminal.
If the actual location is determined within the mobile
network MN, this information is passed from the network,
e.g. a location server, to the toll system either after a
request by the toll system or periodically. If the actual
position is determined within the vehicle VE, this
information is also passed either on demand or periodically
to the assistance server AS. If the position is transmitted
on demand, the assistance server AS preferably sends
corresponding demands only in time slots, wherein the
vehicle is estimated to approach or pass an intersection
point or a decision area.
For determining, whether a vehicle VE is passing or has
passed a decision area, a mathematical calculation might be
carried out to determine, whether the data representing the
actual geographical position of the vehicle denotes co-ordinates
inside said decision area. Thereby defined
tolerances or uncertainties of the location system might be
taken into account. A booking of a new section can be
carried out directly after the vehicle was located inside a
decision area, or can be carried out only behind a certain
distance within said area. If a booking should be performed
after a road branch P3, the determination areas associated
to the corresponding different route segments are
preferably arranged such, that a reliable determination can
be made, which of the alternative routes behind said branch
was taken by the vehicle VE, before a further route section
S34 or S36 of the chosen route is booked accordingly.
It is possible, that the subscriber requests a unambiguous
route, e.g. if no branches exist or if sufficient
additional intersection points are determined by the
subscriber. However, in a dense transport network, often
multiple alternative routes are available. The assistance
server AS preferably identifies a set of acceptable
possible routes (in terms of time or distance) matching to
the route selection received from the mobile terminal MT
during the initial communication, determines for each
identified route the corresponding toll costs and proposes
a preferred route with the least costs.
Alternatively, a route with the least estimated travel time
is proposed or a route that fulfils both requirements of
cost saving and time saving. Moreover actual traffic
conditions might be taken into account, when estimation the
travel time.
The toll collection according to the invention can be based
on location based services available with an existing or
future cellular networks (GSM, UMTS, GPRS etc ) or can be
based on existing or future satellite navigation systems.
Using the location information can be based on the same
security rules as the rules incorporated in existing
intelligent on-board units offered in the above describes
TollCollect system.
In a further embodiment, the mobile terminal is further
equipped with a dedicated short range communication (DSRC)
module. This allows for a communication of the mobile
terminal with a fixed installation. The mobile part of this
communication system might be a simple passive tag, that is
energised by a certain electromagnetic field sending back
an a signal when a tag reader is passed, the signal
uniquely identifying the tag and thus the vehicle. This
device allows an automatic enforcement control "on the fly"
without stopping the vehicle VE for the convenience of the
driver and the enforcement personal. The short range
communication is preferably based upon a well known
Dedicated Short Range Radio Communications (DSRC) standard.
Therefore, the assistance server AS receives, as described
above from the mobile terminal MT, identification data
identifying the vehicle VE, and/or the mobile terminal
during the access request procedure. As soon as a toll
route is being accessed, the assistance server AS forwards
said identification data, or a part of said data, to a
supervision or enforcement server, that temporarily stores
said data in a vehicle identification data base. Short
range communication receivers mounted on enforcement
bridges along to roads are connected to said enforcement
server. The vehicle, equipped with a short range
communication sender, transmits to an enforcement bridge
the same identification data as sent initially by the
mobile terminal MT. The enforcement server receiving the
identification data from the short range interface,
searches the identification data base for an identical
identification. If this search is positive, the vehicle is
booked in correctly. If the search was negative or if
identification data was missing either from the mobile
terminal or from the short range interface, an information
for the enforcement personal can be generated.
In a further development of the invention, the assistance
server AS identifies the location of a short range
communication receivers ahead of the vehicle and sends the
identification data to said enforcement server only just
before the vehicle VE is approaching said short range
communication receiver. This reduces the amount of
identification data to be stored temporarily at the same
time within the enforcement server.
Moreover, short range communication might help to locate a
vehicle in difficult areas like tunnels or transport
network nodes.
The toll control unit TCU and the assistance server AS can
be the same provider or partner-providers which might be
connected via a dedicated connection or via a communication
network like the internet. The assistance server AS can be
installed at user groups or at a big forwarder itself under
the process-control of toll control unit TCU.
The method according to the invention might be used as a
stand alone solution for granting access to vehicles
entering a toll network. Alternatively, this method might
fill the gap in a toll system with one part of vehicles
equipped with intelligent on-board units and another part
of vehicles not equipped.
Claims (14)
- A method of collecting toll fees for a vehicle (VE) entering a transport network (TN) being subject to toll charging, wherein the vehicle (VE) is equipped with a mobile terminal (MT), the mobile terminal (MT) sending toll information to a toll control arrangement (TCU), characterised in, that the following steps are performed:the mobile terminal (MT) initiating a communication with an assistance server (AS), thereby transmitting an access request information (I1), said information comprising a request for booking a toll route for said vehicle (VE),the assistance server (AS) receiving a further information (I2) related to said vehicle (VE),the assistance server (AS) checking said further information (I2), whether a booking is actually to be initiated,if said check was positive, the assistance server initiating a communication (I3) with the toll control arrangement (TCU) for effecting a booking corresponding to said request andthe assistance server receiving from toll control arrangement (TCU) a receipt information (I4) allowing the vehicle (VE) the entrance into said transport network (TN).
- A method according to claim 1, wherein the further information (I2) comprises the actual location of the mobile terminal (MT), wherein the assistance server (AS) identifies one or more predefined geographical areas (A12, A23) related to the transport network (TN) and wherein checking said further information (I2) comprises a determination, whether the vehicle (VE) has entered a predefined area (A12, A23).
- A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the further information (I2) comprises an acknowledgement received from the mobile terminal (MT), the sending of this acknowledgement being initiated by the vehicle driver.
- A method according to claim 2, withthe request for an access to the transport network (TN) comprising a route selection identified by at least a starting point (P1) and an end point (P5),the assistance server (AS) identifying a selected route, dividing said route into a set of route sections (S12, S23, S34, S45) assigning to the route sections decision areas (A12, A23) andin the case, that a decision was made, that one of these areas has been reached, the assistance server (AS) contacting the toll control arrangement (TCU) and booking a corresponding route section.
- A method according to claim 4, wherein the assistance server (AS) identifies two or more possible routes matching to the route selection received from the mobile terminal (MT), determines for each identified route the corresponding toll costs and proposes a preferred route based at least on the cost determination.
- A method according to claim 2, wherein one or more decision areas each identify alternative routes behind a branch (P3), wherein if the vehicle (VE) has passed the branch (P3), it is determined which of these area is reached and wherein a further route section is booked accordingly.
- A method according to claim 5, wherein the assistance server (AS) receives traffic information related to the possible routes, identifies routes with traffic problems and takes this identification into account, when proposing a preferred route.
- A method according to claim 1, whereinfor sending said access request, the mobile terminal (MT) downloads an electronic form from the assistance server (AS), said form to be visualised on the terminal's display requesting access information,sending the access information to the assistance server (AS),the assistance server (AS) checking, whether said access information is consistent and complete, and if so, sending an access request for this vehicle (VE) to the toll server andreceiving a corresponding booking receipt.
- A method according to claim 8, wherein the electronic form comprises a request for choosing a payment method and wherein the assistance server (AS) further checks, whether a valid payment can be effected and only sends the access request for this vehicle (VE) to the toll control arrangement (TCU), if said check was positive.
- A method according to claim 1, wherein the assistance server (AS) manages an account assigned to the vehicle (VE) debiting said account corresponding to the effected bookings and wherein a further account assigned to the assistance server (AS) is debited by the toll control arrangement (TCU).
- A method according to claim 1, wherein the localisation of the vehicle (VE) is carried out by evaluating information of the mobile network (MN), the relating to the corresponding mobile terminal (MT).
- A method according to claim 1, wherein the assistance server (AS) receives from the mobile terminal (MT) identification data identifying the vehicle (VE) and forwards said identification data to a supervision server wherein a vehicle (VE), equipped with a short range communication device, sends to a fixed short range communication device connected to said supervision server identification data identifying the vehicle (VE) or the mobile terminal (MT), and wherein the supervision server compares the identification data received from the mobile terminal (MT) over a mobile network (MN) the identification data received from the a short range communication interface.
- A method according to claim 12, wherein the assistance server (AS) identifies the location of a short range communication receiver and sends the identification data to said supervision device, if the vehicle (VE) is approaching said fixed short range communication device.
- An assistance server (AS) in a system for collecting toll fees for a vehicle (VE) entering a transport network (TN) being subject to toll charging, wherein the vehicle (VE) is equipped with a mobile terminal (MT), the mobile terminal (MT) sending toll information to a toll control arrangement (TCU), characterised in, that the following means are comprised:receiving means for receiving from the mobile terminal (MT) an access request information (I1) requiring an access to the transport network, and for receiving a further information (I2) related to said vehicle,determination means that are realised such, that the received information (I1, I2) is analysed whether a booking is to be initiated,booking means, that are realised such, that if the booking is to be initiated, a booking request (I3) generated and sent to the toll control arrangement (TCU) andreceiving means, that are realised such, that a receipt information (I4) is received.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP03292320A EP1517271A1 (en) | 2003-09-22 | 2003-09-22 | A method of collecting toll fees for vehicles using toll routes |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP03292320A EP1517271A1 (en) | 2003-09-22 | 2003-09-22 | A method of collecting toll fees for vehicles using toll routes |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP1517271A1 true EP1517271A1 (en) | 2005-03-23 |
Family
ID=34178646
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP03292320A Ceased EP1517271A1 (en) | 2003-09-22 | 2003-09-22 | A method of collecting toll fees for vehicles using toll routes |
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| Country | Link |
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| EP (1) | EP1517271A1 (en) |
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| DE102006027191A1 (en) * | 2006-06-12 | 2007-12-13 | Vodafone Holding Gmbh | Automated recognition method for toll-requiring traffic routes, involves recognizing current position and planned distance covered by motor vehicle, by recognizing components, where paying channels use components to register motor vehicle |
| EP1909231A1 (en) | 2006-10-06 | 2008-04-09 | Deutsche Telekom AG | Route usage evaluation |
| EP2063397A3 (en) * | 2007-11-21 | 2012-06-13 | Deutsche Telekom AG | Method of detecting chargeable road sections |
| WO2012112877A1 (en) * | 2011-02-18 | 2012-08-23 | Amtech Systems, LLC | System and method for gps lane and toll determination and asset position matching |
| WO2013124032A1 (en) * | 2012-02-20 | 2013-08-29 | Toll Collect Gmbh | Booking and cancellation method, and method for collecting tolls in a toll collection system |
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| DE102005018557A1 (en) * | 2005-04-20 | 2006-10-26 | T-Mobile International Ag & Co. Kg | Method and device for the automatic reconstruction and evaluation of a driven route |
| DE102006027191A1 (en) * | 2006-06-12 | 2007-12-13 | Vodafone Holding Gmbh | Automated recognition method for toll-requiring traffic routes, involves recognizing current position and planned distance covered by motor vehicle, by recognizing components, where paying channels use components to register motor vehicle |
| EP1909231A1 (en) | 2006-10-06 | 2008-04-09 | Deutsche Telekom AG | Route usage evaluation |
| EP2063397A3 (en) * | 2007-11-21 | 2012-06-13 | Deutsche Telekom AG | Method of detecting chargeable road sections |
| WO2012112877A1 (en) * | 2011-02-18 | 2012-08-23 | Amtech Systems, LLC | System and method for gps lane and toll determination and asset position matching |
| WO2013124032A1 (en) * | 2012-02-20 | 2013-08-29 | Toll Collect Gmbh | Booking and cancellation method, and method for collecting tolls in a toll collection system |
| US10417834B2 (en) | 2012-02-20 | 2019-09-17 | Toll Collect Gmbh | Booking and cancellation method, and method for collecting tolls in a toll collection system |
| US10121289B1 (en) | 2014-04-11 | 2018-11-06 | Amtech Systems, LLC | Vehicle-based electronic toll system with interface to vehicle display |
| DE102015000497A1 (en) | 2015-01-15 | 2016-07-21 | Michael Gerhard | A method for acquiring trip-related information of public transport passengers with a vehicle-mounted control unit and a mobile display and input unit |
| US11039284B1 (en) | 2015-03-03 | 2021-06-15 | Amtech Systems, LLC | Vehicle tracking system using smart-phone as active transponder |
| US10134210B1 (en) | 2016-05-17 | 2018-11-20 | Amtech Systems, LLC | Vehicle tracking system using smart-phone as active transponder |
| CN108320184A (en) * | 2018-02-01 | 2018-07-24 | 斑马网络技术有限公司 | For the method, apparatus of vehicle charging, equipment, system and storage medium |
| US11836569B1 (en) | 2019-12-06 | 2023-12-05 | Amtech Systems, LLC | Vehicle tracking system using smart-phone as active transponder |
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