EP1200937B1 - Toll system for central deduction of fee payment for vehicles using a road network with highway toll - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a toll system for central deduction of fee payment for vehicles using a road network with highway toll. Said system comprises a mobile telephone network (for example GSM), devices installed in respective vehicles for communication in said mobile telephone network, devices installed in the respective vehicles for determining the geographical position (for example GPS) of each vehicle, or locating devices installed in the mobile telephone network, for determining data defining said geographical position, and a computing centre for deducting the fee payment due. Said computing centre comprises devices for communicating with the devices installed in the vehicles, via the mobile telephone network. The system further comprises a digital road map corresponding to the road network with toll system, and tariff data for use of said road network with toll system. The computing centre also defines, on the basis of the position data transmitted by the devices installed in the respective vehicles, via the mobile telephone network, and on the basis of data obtained by the locating devices installed in the network, the exact position of each vehicle or the result of the location produced in the device installed in a vehicle of by the locating devices installed in the network is transmitted to the computing centre. The computing centre then assigns precisely the determined position of the vehicle concerned to a road section (for example a section within two motorway entrances/exits of the road network with toll system), or to a road without toll system and consequently deducts the fee payment corresponding to the actual use of roads with toll systems by the vehicle concerned.

Description

The invention relates to a toll collection system for the central collection of user charges. This tolling system is intended in particular for the settlement of usage fees Nutzfahrzeuge be suitable and is therefore from a data protection point of view no particularly high demands on the anonymity of the account of the User fees.

From DE 43 10 099 A1 discloses a system for billing the user fees for A toll road network known as Electronic Toll Equipment provides that are installed in the vehicles driving the Wegstreckennetz. These toll devices have a device for precise determination of the current geographical position by means of a navigation satellite system (e.g., GPS) signals and a digital memory accessible Map for the toll road network. With these facilities can determine the toll unit, if any and which chargeable Routes are currently being used by the respective vehicle. Further features Each toll device also has a memory with tariff data, so it's due Can calculate tolls independently. In this known system is for Ensuring absolute anonymity for the users of the route network provided that the toll amounts determined in the toll device itself from one in the Device introduced pre-paid prepaid card (e.g., smart card) similar to a Tefefonkarte be deducted.

A similar user fee accounting system is known from EP 0 741 891 B1 known, which differs from the previously described system in that the toll amounts determined are not deducted from a prepaid card in the toll collection device, but be forwarded by digital mobile radio to a central office, which the Passing on to the user of the route network.

Document US-A-5 694 322 discloses a method and an apparatus for determination Charges for vehicles in a toll road network. It includes Components such as communication network, on-board facilities for communication in this network and on-board position-determining devices, as well as a Central office with communication facilities, geographical data and tariff data. It is possible to send the vehicle position data to the control center, which this Evaluate information and determine corresponding fees. Furthermore, it is at this System provided, such an evaluation wholly or partly in the vehicle and thus a (partially) autonomous operation of billing in the To enable vehicle.

The geographical data used to determine the distance traveled or the distance traveled Removals include either a rasterized map or a single selected one Places. The determined position data of the vehicle will be with these geographical Data correlated for accurate evaluation. It is for fleet management also provides geographical information from the central office to the vehicle especially destination and route information, i. so appropriate geographical position data.

Object of the present invention is to propose a toll system, the particularly suitable for the collection of user fees, by Commercial vehicles are caused in a toll road network and be billed by a computer center. The in the vehicles entrained electronic tolling devices should be as simple as possible.

The toll system according to the invention is specified by the in claim 1 Characteristics and is characterized by the characteristics of the dependent Dependent claims ausgestaltbar in an advantageous manner.

The invention provides a toll system for the central collection of user charges vehicles in a toll road network, the Mobile network and on-board facilities for communication by mobile (e.g. Mobile phone for a GSM network) and for determining its own geographical Position of the respective vehicle (e.g., GPS receiver). Instead of Vehicle-based facilities for positional determination can also be provided mobile-network-side position-determining means, the data determine for the determination of the vehicle position. Furthermore, a computer center for Collection of user fees provided. The mobile network serves the Communication between the computer center and the vehicle side Communication equipment. The computer center is therefore in turn also with Facilities for communication with the vehicle side Communication devices and optionally with the network side Positioning devices equipped. Furthermore, the computer center has via a digital road map for the area of the toll The route network and the tariff data for the use of the toll Road network. According to the invention, it is provided that the computer center of the on-board facilities via the mobile network Received position data information and from this the exact position of determined vehicle. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the Position data determination already takes place in the vehicle and only the result the computer center is transmitted. Provided the data for position determination However, not in the vehicle, but are determined on the network side, they can in corresponding manner to the computer center for evaluation (i.e. be transmitted if the position is not already through the network side Determined position determining device and the computer center was notified. Corresponding location method based on the signal transit times between the Terminals and the base stations of a mobile network are known. It goes without saying it is self-evident that this data transmission is repeated during the course of a vehicle's journey he follows. In the computer center, a unique assignment of each determined Position of the subject vehicle to a route section (e.g., section between two motorway entrances / exits) of the toll road network or made a toll-free route and from it according to the actual use of chargeable routes by the respective vehicle Usage fee calculated in the amount due and charged.

In contrast to the known electronic toll systems, the toll system according to the invention requires only particularly simple vehicle-side tolling devices, since these do not have to be provided with a database from which the tariff structure of the route network emerges. It is sufficient to have this information available in the computer center. In addition, it is not even necessary for the on-board toll device to have a digital road map for the area of the toll road network. It is also sufficient in this case if the computer center receives route information from the respective vehicle or from the mobile network via the respective vehicle, which can be clearly assigned to the track distance traveled.
According to the invention, the positions of the virtual toll stations are predetermined by the computer center, for example taking into account empirical empirical values, according to an estimation method such that a charging, for example for a number of fee-based partial routes, takes place in a single transaction. If the vehicle leaves the toll road network beforehand, the toll booth will provide appropriate information to the computer center. The estimation method determines, for example, from the known position and direction of travel of the vehicle possible geographical locations ('destination coordinates'), which the vehicle can pass in the further course of the journey. These may be departures from the highway or certain sections of the route. It would be advantageous to select these 'destination coordinates' so that the vehicle must pass at least one of these locations within a predetermined time interval (eg 20 minutes), as long as it continues at undiminished speed. By doing so, the communication costs for the toll system can be kept particularly low.

Sofem the accuracy of determining the geographical position of each Vehicle, for example, because of the deliberate distortion of the signals of a military Navigation satellite system (e.g., GPS) should not always be sufficient, it recommends itself, in advantageous development of the invention, the position determination under Consideration of correction information (e.g., DGPS data).

Expediently, the computer center is informed by self-declaration from the vehicle via the mobile communication network that the respective vehicle enters from a toll-free route section into a toll road section. This self-declaration can be done for example by a message that is triggered by pressing a button or advantageously by voice input from the driver of the vehicle.
If it is provided that the vehicle-mounted devices also have geography data by means of which the entry of a toll part of the route network is automatically recognizable by the vehicle-side devices, the self-declaration can also take place automatically. If the vehicle-based tolling device is always switched on and in contact with the computer center, the computer center could also recognize by itself by continuously monitoring the current vehicle positions when the vehicle is traveling for a chargeable route.

In principle, it is possible that the current position of the respective vehicle is transmitted automatically from the vehicle to the computer center at certain intervals. Advantageously, however, it can also be provided that the current position is in each case queried by the computer center at a suitable time. In the case of the network-side position data determination this information is given in a corresponding manner to the computer center. If necessary, a network-determined vehicle position can of course be communicated to the vehicle by the computer center.

With particular advantage, it is provided that the vehicle-side facilities on the Mobile network from the computer centers from in their functionality configurable and with geographic and / or tariff information on the route network are. In this way, if necessary, a partially-autonomous operation of the toll equipment cause. Of course, the hardware features of the toll equipment must be included enriched accordingly. Such a configuration is as well as the transmission other information to the respective toll device useful as a download with standardized mobile data protocols such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) feasible.

As the tariff data for the use of the tolled Wegstreckennetzes According to the invention must be available only in the computer center, this can be Tolling system according to the invention is very simple on a dynamic, i. over time variable tariff classification and / or determination of the paid routes of the Set up area. That means the amount of usage fees for example according to the respective load of individual sections of the route depending on the Day or even depending on certain calendar days variably designed can be. This also includes the case that for certain routes temporarily User fees are charged and temporarily no fees are due. Corresponding information about this can be readily with appropriate device technology over the mobile network to the users of Spend the route network.

The computer center can optionally on the implementation of the user fee be set up after pre- or post-paid accounting. In the case of post-paid accounting the respective user receives one after the route usage Invoice for the toll amount. In the case of pre-paid accounting pays the Users in advance a credit amount to the headquarters, of which during use is deducted according to the calculated tolls continuously.

With regard to the data technology coupling of the on-board facilities for Communication via mobile radio and for position determination as well as further on-board Components (e.g., vehicle display, cockpit components or smart card reader) with each other, it may be advantageous to simplify the device technology, the each information to be exchanged by short-range radio (e.g., Bluetooth) to transfer.

It is particularly advantageous, the infrastructure for the toll system according to the invention so train them to carry out telematics services (e.g., off-board navigation or fleet management) is usable. In this way, the in the vehicle existing equipment not only for the operator of the toll system but also for Advantageously use the benefit of the user.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention provides that the Minimization of communication costs from the computer center the position data from for the user fee collection important geographical places (so-called virtual Tollbooths) can be transmitted to the vehicle-side mobile radio device, so that a already mentioned partially autonomous operation of the vehicle side Facilities can be set up to determine toll road wherein the vehicle-side devices passing corresponding virtual Register toll stations internally and provide information on their own or on Transfer call to the computer center. The for detecting the passing of virtual Toll positions required position data can of course also directly or indirectly (i.e., via the computer center) from the mobile network.

The Virtual Tolls are geographical locations that are used by the Computer center the tolling device in each vehicle are given and to a billing process for a paid by the vehicle Lead the route as soon as the vehicle passes this position. The position of a Virtual toll booth can also be outside the actual paid routes lie, so that passing this position by the respective vehicle a Dismissing of the toll road network and the toll device to a Termination of the ongoing fee collection.

For communication between the on-board facilities and the Computer center is suitable in a GSM mobile network, in particular the GPRS technology (Global Packet Radio Service). This communication can also be advantageous by means of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System). Particularly advantageous in terms of Communication costs is when this communication is on the for the sms service (Short Message Service) used operating data channel of a GSM network is performed. This channel is always in operation anyway, if a corresponding terminal for the GSM network is switched on.

Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible to determine those determined by the computer center Usage fees from a vorbezahften in each vehicle vorbezahften Debit card (e.g., chip card). For this purpose, the determined Usage fees from the computer center conveniently via WAP or another standardized data protocol transmitted to the respective vehicle and there by a corresponding debit paid. It can also be provided that the on-vehicle facilities in recognizing the passing of one of Computer center predetermined geographic location a specific, from the Calculator center deduct predetermined amount of a smart card. In the latter case will the actual due date of the respective amount so recognized in the vehicle.

It is advisable to train the vehicle-mounted facilities in such a way that they can access one Logging the communication that is maintained with the computer center set up are. The vehicle-side tolling device is then able to communicate via the communication Logbook so that it is possible for the user later, the authorization of him in Check the amount of the user charges invoiced.

The debiting of the user fees to be levied can also take place in the manner that the individual amounts of a carried in the toll device memory card with a Credit balance to be deducted. Once this credit balance a predetermined Threshold (e.g., zero) from the mobile device a message to the computer center sent to refill the credit balance. The replenishment amount in turn, each of a pre- or post-paid account of the respective User can be deducted in the computer center, so the principle of a central Fee collection is maintained here.

Reference to the following embodiment, the invention is explained in detail.

It is a tolling system provided in which the vehicle-side tolling devices Terminal of a GSM mobile network and a GPS receiver include. A Computer center can over the GSM mobile network with the individual toll devices communicate. The system provides that the toll equipment by self-declaration the computer center show that the vehicle is in a paid Distance, so retracted, for example, in a section of the highway. For this the driver of the vehicle presses a corresponding signal button, the one corresponding message transmitted to the computer center, in which the current Location of the vehicle, by means of GPS receiver when pressing the Signal button has been detected is included. In principle, it would also be possible instead of a geographical position, each from the navigation satellite system receive received position determination signals. This would, however unnecessarily increases the volume of data to be transmitted. After receiving the Self declaration sends the computer center to the toll meter position data of virtual toll booths located in the vicinity of the entry point into the toll road network. Once the vehicle is one of passed predetermined virtual toll booths, the toll unit reports again automatically with appropriate information at the computer center. hereby the computer center is informed on the one hand, in which direction the respective vehicle moves in the toll road network and can make a cost charge for the first distance traveled and the transmit next virtual tollbooth to the vehicle. To the direction of travel of the Vehicle to recognize earlier, can also be provided shortly after Entering the toll road network a new position message from the toll device through the computer center query. Once the vehicle becomes one Branch point (e.g., interchange) where it is unclear which virtual Toll station is approached next, in turn, all possible be given virtual toll stations, of which only one actually controlled by the vehicle. In this way, successively the total amount due for the use of the toll sections of the Determine the route network and charge the driver after completion of the journey put. Leaving the toll road network can basically in a similar way as entering this route network by a Self-declaration will be displayed. The correctness of the message about leaving the toll road network can by the computer center thereby be checked that a new position query is directed to the toll device. If this position is outside the toll road network, the correctness is confirmed. Alternatively, leaving the chargeable Wegstreckennetzes also be determined by the computer center itself, if the next virtual tollbooth specified by her after a given Time still not reported as being reported by the toll unit. in this case the central computer would direct a new position query to the toll unit. As far as this is a location outside the fee Path network, it is assumed that the vehicle after passing the last reported virtual tollbooth the toll road network left again.

The present invention provides a toll collection system that uses extremely simple on-vehicle toll equipment can be operated. In addition, it offers expansion variants, all possible payment options (pre-paid or post-paid accounting), allowing for the needs different user groups with in particular different Creditworthiness (private, commercial, domestic or foreign users) invoice can be worn.

Claims (19)

1. A toll system for the central levying of user tolls for vehicles in a road network subject to a toll,

   comprising a mobile radio network,

   comprising mobile radio devices provided on board the vehicle for communication within this mobile radio network,

   comprising devices provided on the respective vehicle for determining its own geographical position or devices on the mobile radio network for obtaining data for determining this position and

   comprising a central computer for levying the user tolls,

   wherein the central computer is equipped with devices for communicating with the devices on board the vehicle via the mobile radio network and

   is further equipped with a digital street map for the area of the road network subject to a toll and

   and is equipped with tariff data for using the road network subject to a toll,

   wherein further the central computer determines the precise position of the respective vehicle from the position data transmitted via the mobile radio network by the devices on board the vehicle or from data obtained from the position-determining devices on the network side, or the result of determining the position as carried out in the vehicle or by the position-determining devices on the network side is transmitted to the central computer and

   wherein the central computer undertakes unambiguous allocation of the position respectively determined of the vehicle concerned to a section of road of the road network subject to a toll or to a section of road free from a toll, and from this, if sections of road subject to a toll are in fact being used, levies user tolls against the respective vehicle,

   wherein in order to minimise the communication costs of the central computer, the position data may be transmitted from the virtual toll points used for the levying of user tolls to the mobile radio device on board the vehicle, so that the devices on board the vehicle operate in a partially autonomous mode in order to determine the use of sections of road subject to a toll, in which case the devices on board the vehicle internally register the passing of corresponding virtual toll points and transfer the information resulting therefrom regarding the passage of these locations independently or by making a call to the central computer, characterised in that the position data of the virtual toll points may be established and transmitted each time according to an estimation procedure carried out in the central computer, whereby from the current temporary position and direction of travel of the vehicle, possible geographical locations are determined which the vehicle may pass upon continuing the journey, so that for a relatively long distance which is composed of plural partial sections of the road network and which will probably be covered by the vehicle, only a single data transmission from the mobile radio device on board the vehicle to the central computer is effected, and in that the mobile radio device on board the vehicle gives corresponding information to the central computer should the vehicle leave the road network subject to a toll before the point where a toll applies.
2. A toll system according to claim 1, characterised in that the central computer may be informed by self-declaration from the vehicle via the mobile radio network that the vehicle is driving into a section of road subject to a toll.
3. A toll system according to claim 2, characterised in that the self-declaration is effected via a message issued by pressing a button or by speech input of the driver of the vehicle.
4. A toll system according to claim 2, characterised in that the self-declaration is effected automatically in that the devices on board the vehicle have geographical data by means of which it is automatically recognisable by the devices on board the vehicle that a part of the road network has been entered which is subject to a toll.
5. A toll system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the current position of the respective vehicle may be scanned by the central computer.
6. A toll system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the devices on board the vehicle may be configured via the mobile radio network from the central computer and may be equipped with geographical and/or tariff information concerning the road network.
7. A toll system according to claim 6, characterised in that the configuration and transmission of other information can be carried out as a data download with standard data protocols, in particular by means of wireless application protocol (WAP).
8. A toll system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the central computer is set up for dynamic, i.e. variable over time, tariff-setting and/or fixing of which road sections within the region are to be subject to a toll.
9. A toll system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the central computer is set up for selectively carrying out the user toll billing according to pre- or post-paid accounting.
10. A toll system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that information may be transmitted by means of short-range radio transmission between the devices on board the vehicle for communication via mobile radio and for determining the vehicle position and further components on board the vehicle.
11. A toll system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the infrastructure of the toll system may be used for carrying out telematics services.
12. A toll system according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the communication between the devices on board the vehicle and the central computer is effected in a GSM mobile radio network by means of GPRS (Global Packet Radio Service).
13. A toll system according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the communication between the devices on board the vehicle and the central computer is effected on the operating data channel of a GSM network used for SMS service (Short Message Service).
14. A toll system according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the communication between the devices on board the vehicle and the central computer is effected by UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System).
15. A toll system according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the user tolls may be transmitted via WAP to the respective vehicle and paid therein by a value credit card.
16. A toll system according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the devices on board the vehicle record the communication with the central computer.
17. A toll system according to claim 1, characterised in that the devices on board the vehicle take payment of an amount specified by the central computer from a value credit card when it is recognised that a geographical location specified by the central computer has been passed.
18. A toll system according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that determining the position data in the vehicle is effected taking into account correction data.
19. A toll system according to claim 18, characterised in that the correction data are DGPS data.