EP0615214B1 - System und method for debiting tolls - Google Patents

System und method for debiting tolls Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0615214B1
EP0615214B1 EP94103032A EP94103032A EP0615214B1 EP 0615214 B1 EP0615214 B1 EP 0615214B1 EP 94103032 A EP94103032 A EP 94103032A EP 94103032 A EP94103032 A EP 94103032A EP 0615214 B1 EP0615214 B1 EP 0615214B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
toll
debiting
road
acquisition point
assigned
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0615214A1 (en
Inventor
Wolfgang Beier
Erhart Ehlert
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Alcatel Lucent Deutschland AG
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Alcatel SEL AG
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07BTICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B15/00Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points
    • G07B15/06Arrangements for road pricing or congestion charging of vehicles or vehicle users, e.g. automatic toll systems
    • G07B15/063Arrangements 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

  • the invention relates to a system and a method for debiting road tolls, also known as an electronic toll system.
  • the invention provides a remedy here by means of a system according to the teaching of claim 1 and a method according to claim 13.
  • Advantageous refinements of the invention can be found in the subclaims.
  • FIG. 1 shows a fee entry point 1, a badge 2 for attachment to a motor vehicle 3, a public telecommunications network 4, a fee entry point 5 and a paying agent 6.
  • the present example is based on a badge system that was originally developed to identify the individuals of a livestock to be monitored by remote inquiry. A further development of this badge system is currently being introduced in the European railways to monitor freight wagons and freight containers.
  • the original badges with which the animals were marked in any way known per se, were constructed in such a way that, when they received RF energy at a certain frequency, they used the energy received to match the badge number and thus the same frequency to send back the modulated signal to the number of the marked animal.
  • Interrogation stations could be attached to drinking troughs, game changes or entrances to pens. They had to have an RF continuous wave transmitter and an RF receiver with a demodulator, with which the badges could be queried and their numbers evaluated.
  • Such badges also called TAGs, and such interrogation stations are also commercially available, for example badges of the type AT5540 or AT5100 from Alcatel-Amtech, Paris or devices of the type AR2602 and AI1200 from the same company for activating badges and for detecting the badge number.
  • the solution according to the invention usually allows fee collection points to be constructed using already existing facilities, such as Combine bridges or carriers of traffic signs. As a rule, several fee entry points can be grouped together.
  • toll collection shown on a motorway bridge there is one device for activating badges and for recognizing the badge number for each direction of travel and lane.
  • the required facilities are only available once. The facilities that are required to document any violations, to exclude ambiguities in the recording or to enable type-dependent tariffing (motorcycle, car, truck) are not shown.
  • the badge 2 is about the size of a telephone card and should be attached, for example, behind the rear-view mirror in the vehicle 3. Neither a fixed nor an electrically conductive connection to the vehicle 3 is required.
  • a badge number is required as data content of the badge, which can be queried from the outside. More information, that are user-specific or vehicle-specific can be added, but are not mandatory. While they could reduce the risk of incorrect bookings, they would also reduce the anonymity and flexibility of the application. If only a badge number is used, for example, a larger user group with a correspondingly large number of vehicles and also a larger number of badges could exchange the badges either specifically or at random, either from an operational point of view for the purpose of order-related billing or to achieve a high degree of anonymity .
  • the billing number read from the badge 2 is reported to the fee entry center 5 via the public telecommunications network 4.
  • This message must also contain all the data necessary for the fee collection center to charge the location, time and vehicle-type-specific fees together with the data available there. Which data is then also documented is a purely organizational question and is independent of the present invention.
  • the charge registration center 5 now has a charge memory which has a storage location which can be directly or indirectly addressed by the badge number for each billing number assigned to this charge registration center. Furthermore, the toll registration center has means to record the street usage fee to be charged on the basis of the reported data, possibly with additional information to be documented, in the allocated storage space.
  • the charging stations can each be like a mobile radio subscriber station or like a stationary one Terminal equipment connected to the public telecommunications network; however, they can also initially be combined in a radio network or cable network of the operator, and can only be connected together to the public telecommunications network.
  • Sufficient implementation options are also known for the technical design of the fee collection center.
  • it can also be connected to a device for recording and charging telephone charges.
  • the relevant fee collection center is selected on the basis of the sticker number.
  • the means required to determine the responsible toll registration center on the basis of the badge number and to forward messages there about road tolls to be charged can either be in each toll registration center itself or in a toll collection center assigned to a plurality of toll registration centers.
  • Network centers of road network or telecommunications network operators or facilities of so-called intelligent networks can also be considered for this.
  • the storage spaces for fee credit must save the respective credit balance.
  • the corresponding fee must be deducted after passing through a toll station.
  • the storage accounts for clearing accounts must each save at least the sum of all accrued and unpaid charges and a bank account from which the charges incurred can be debited. Similar to normal bank accounts, the necessary individual data of each booking process must be saved here.
  • devices can be assigned to the charge store, which, in the event of insufficient charge credit, issues a message to a traffic monitoring point assigned to the requesting charge entry point. It can also be provided that only random checks with requests to the central fee office are provided. This would correspond to the usual procedure for ticket inspection in local public transport. If neither a clearing account nor a fee credit can be determined, the badge must be reported as forged or invalid.
  • a paying agent 6 is also provided in FIG. 1 for the billing process with the aid of fee credits.
  • it is coupled to a filling station, for example a motorway filling station. Border crossing points can also be considered.
  • a filling station for example a motorway filling station. Border crossing points can also be considered.
  • the sale of badges with fixed credit is also possible on machines that have no connection to the rest of the system. If there is enough cheap manufacturing possibility for badges, it is not necessary to increase the fee credit. Also a return option for Plaques with repayment of the remaining credit are possible, for which purpose a corresponding bidirectional connection between the paying agent 6 and the fee collection center 5 is required.
  • the system described can also be combined with other types of systems for paying road user fees both on the entry side with the fee entry point 1 and on the billing side. It can also be combined with devices for monitoring or controlling traffic or for generating statistics.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)

Abstract

Recording when a vehicle travels past electronic toll stations is known as a state of the art. Accounting takes place by monthly invoice. The technical problem is that anonymous accounting should be possible by the same recording method. The basic idea according to the application is that a "numbered account" is opened and this is debited on-line. A combination of two accounting methods by monthly invoice or by debiting the numbered account is possible. There is immediate feedback when the numbered account is empty. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein System und ein Verfahren zum Abbuchen von Straßenbenutzungsgebühren, auch als elektronisches Mautsystem bekannt.The invention relates to a system and a method for debiting road tolls, also known as an electronic toll system.

Es ist bereits bekannt, die Identität von Fahrzeugen beim Vorbeifahren an elektronischen Mautstellen zu erfassen und Straßenbenutzungsgebühren über Monatsrechnung zu verrechnen. Wie eine solche Rechnung dann beglichen wird, ist unerheblich. DE-A-3.830.643 offenbart ein solches System mit den Merkmalen des Oberbegriffes des Anspruches 1. Diese Lösung stößt aber auf Akzeptanzprobleme, weil damit prinzipiell auch eine Überwachung möglich ist. Auch ist eine solche Lösung für Gebietsfremde, aber auch im Hinblick auf nicht kreditwürdige Kunden, nicht brauchbar. Die Verwendung von Guthabenkarten, ähnlich Telefonkarten, die beim Kauf ein bestimmtes Guthaben aufweisen und von denen beim Vorbeifahren abgebucht wird, ist prinzipiell möglich, jedoch technisch aufwendig. Auch wäre eine solche Lösung fälschungsanfällig. Auch ist bei den genannten Lösungen eine regionale Zuordnung der Gebühren von überregional operierenden Verkehrsteilnehmern nicht einfach zu erreichen.It is already known to record the identity of vehicles as they drive past electronic toll booths and to charge road usage fees using monthly bills. How such a calculation is then settled is irrelevant. DE-A-3.830.643 discloses such a system with the features of the preamble of claim 1. This solution encounters acceptance problems, however, because in principle monitoring is also possible with it. Such a solution is not useful for non-residents, but also with regard to non-creditworthy customers. The use of prepaid cards, similar to telephone cards, which have a certain amount of credit on purchase and which are debited when driving past, is possible in principle, but is technically complex. Such a solution would also be susceptible to forgery. In the case of the solutions mentioned, it is also not easy to achieve a regional allocation of the fees of trans-regional road users.

Hier schafft die Erfindung Abhilfe durch ein System nach der Lehre des Anspruchs 1 und ein Verfahren nach Anspruch 13. Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind den Unteransprüchen zu entnehmen.The invention provides a remedy here by means of a system according to the teaching of claim 1 and a method according to claim 13. Advantageous refinements of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

Im folgenden wird die Erfindung anhand eines Ausführungsbeispiels unter Zuhilfenahme der beiliegenden Zeichnungen weiter erläutert.

Fig. 1
zeigt eine erste Möglichkeit des Informationsflusses in einem erfindungsgemäßen System.
Fig. 2
zeigt eine zweite Möglichkeit des Informationsflusses in einem erfindungsgemäßen System.
In the following, the invention is further explained using an exemplary embodiment with the aid of the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1
shows a first way of information flow in a system according to the invention.
Fig. 2
shows a second possibility of information flow in a system according to the invention.

Figur 1 zeigt eine Gebührenerfassungsstelle 1, eine Plakette 2 zum Anbringen an einem Kraftfahrzeug 3, ein öffentliches Fernmeldenetz 4, eine Gebührenerfassungszentrale 5 und eine Zahlstelle 6.FIG. 1 shows a fee entry point 1, a badge 2 for attachment to a motor vehicle 3, a public telecommunications network 4, a fee entry point 5 and a paying agent 6.

Das vorliegende Beispiel basiert auf einem Plakettensystem, das ursprünglich entwickelt wurde, um per Fernabfrage die Individuen eines zu überwachenden Tierbestands zu identifizieren. Eine Weiterentwicklung dieses Plakettensystems wird derzeit bei den europäischen Eisenbahnen zur begleitenden Überwachung von Güterwagen und Frachtcontainern eingeführt.The present example is based on a badge system that was originally developed to identify the individuals of a livestock to be monitored by remote inquiry. A further development of this badge system is currently being introduced in the European railways to monitor freight wagons and freight containers.

Die ursprünglichen Plaketten, mit denen die Tiere in irgendeiner an sich bekannten Weise markiert wurden, waren so aufgebaut, daß sie beim Empfang von HF-Energie mit einer bestimmten Frequenz die empfangene Energie nutzen, um auf derselben Frequenz ein mit der Nummer der Plakette und somit der Nummer des markierten Tiers moduliertes Signal zurückzusenden. Abfragestationen konnten an Tränken, Wildwechseln oder Eingängen zu Pferchen angebracht sein. Sie mußten einen HF-Dauerstrich-Sender und einen HF-Empfänger mit Demodulator aufweisen, womit die Plaketten abgefragt und deren Nummern ausgewertet werden konnten.The original badges, with which the animals were marked in any way known per se, were constructed in such a way that, when they received RF energy at a certain frequency, they used the energy received to match the badge number and thus the same frequency to send back the modulated signal to the number of the marked animal. Interrogation stations could be attached to drinking troughs, game changes or entrances to pens. They had to have an RF continuous wave transmitter and an RF receiver with a demodulator, with which the badges could be queried and their numbers evaluated.

Weiterentwicklungen der Plaketten gehen in verschiedene Richtungen. Durch mit enthaltene Batterien kann die Reichweite für eine sichere Abfrage erhöht werden oder es können Zusatzfunktionen verwirklicht werden. Der Empfang von HF-Energie ist dann nur noch Auslöser für die Abfrage. Andere Weiterentwicklungen gehen dahin, auch Daten in den Plaketten von der Abfragestation aus zu ändern. Die Abfragestationen selbst sind entsprechend weiter entwickelt. Die Grundversion und einige Weiterentwicklungen sind beschrieben, beispielsweise in den US-Patenten 4,739,328, 4,864,158, 5,030,807 und 5,055,659. Die zur Verwendung bei den europäischen Eisenbahnen vorgesehenen Plaketten haben etwa das Format einer Scheckkarte und sind einige Millimeter dick. Für die vorliegende Anwendung sind Kombinationen aus Plaketten und Abfragestationen erforderlich, mittels derer Plakettennummern noch auf etwa 20 bis 30 Meter abgefragt werden können. Solche Plaketten, auch TAGs genannt, und solche Abfragestationen sind auch kommerziell erhältlich, beispielsweise Plaketten vom Typ AT5540 oder AT5100 der Firma Alcatel-Amtech, Paris oder Einrichtungen vom Typ AR2602 und AI1200 derselben Firma zum Aktivieren von Plaketten und zum Erfassen der Plakettennummer.Further developments of the badge go in different directions. With batteries included, the range can be increased for a reliable query or additional functions can be implemented. The reception of RF energy is then only a trigger for the query. Other advancements are to change data in the badges from the interrogation station. The interrogation stations themselves are further developed accordingly. The basic version and some further developments are described, for example, in US Patents 4,739,328, 4,864,158, 5,030,807 and 5,055,659. The badges intended for use on European railways are roughly the size of a check card and are a few millimeters thick. Combinations of badges and query stations are required for the present application, by means of which badge numbers can still be queried at a distance of approximately 20 to 30 meters. Such badges, also called TAGs, and such interrogation stations are also commercially available, for example badges of the type AT5540 or AT5100 from Alcatel-Amtech, Paris or devices of the type AR2602 and AI1200 from the same company for activating badges and for detecting the badge number.

Die erfindungsgemäße Lösung erlaubt es meist, Gebührenerfassungsstellen baulich mit ohnehin vorhandenen Einrichtungen, wie z.B. Brücken oder Trägern von Verkehrszeichen zu kombinieren. In der Regel können damit auch mehrere Gebührenerfassungsstellen gruppenweise zusammengefaßt werden. Im gezeigten Beispiel der Gebührenerfassung an einer Autobahnbrücke ist damit pro Fahrtrichtung und Fahrspur je eine Einrichtung zum Aktivieren von Plaketten und vom Erfassen der Plakettennummer vorhanden. Für die Auswertung der Plakettennummern, für die Weitermeldung zu belastender Gebühren, oder für das Abgeben von Meldungen an eine zugeordnete Verkehrsüberwachungsstelle genügt es, daß die erforderlichen Einrichtungen nur einmal vorhanden sind. Nicht eingezeichnet sind diejenigen Einrichtungen, die erforderlich sind, um etwaige Verstöße zu dokumentieren, um Mehrdeutigkeiten bei der Erfassung auszuschließen oder um eine typenabhängige Tarifierung (Krad, PKW, LKW) zu ermöglichen.The solution according to the invention usually allows fee collection points to be constructed using already existing facilities, such as Combine bridges or carriers of traffic signs. As a rule, several fee entry points can be grouped together. In the example of toll collection shown on a motorway bridge, there is one device for activating badges and for recognizing the badge number for each direction of travel and lane. For the evaluation of the badge numbers, for the forwarding of charges to be charged, or for the submission of reports to an assigned traffic monitoring point, it is sufficient that the required facilities are only available once. The facilities that are required to document any violations, to exclude ambiguities in the recording or to enable type-dependent tariffing (motorcycle, car, truck) are not shown.

Die Plakette 2 hat etwa die Größe einer Telefonkarte und sollte z.B. hinter dem Rückspiegel im Fahrzeug 3 angebracht sein. Es ist weder eine feste, noch eine elektrisch leitende Verbindung zum Fahrzeug 3 erforderlich. Als Dateninhalt der Plakette, der von außen abfragbar ist, ist auf jeden Fall eine Plakettennummer erforderlich. Weitere Angaben, die benutzerspezifisch oder fahrzeugspezifisch sind, können hinzukommen, sind aber nicht zwingend. Sie könnten zwar das Risiko von Fehlbuchungen verringern, würde gleichzeitig aber auch die Anonymität und Flexibilität der Anwendung verringern. Bei ausschließlicher Verwendung einer Plakettennummer könnte z.B. eine größere Benutzergruppe mit einer entsprechend großen Anzahl von Fahrzeugen und ebenfalls einer größeren Anzahl von Plaketten entweder nach betrieblichen Gesichtspunkten zum Zwecke einer auftragsbezogenen Abrechnung oder aber zum Erreichen eines hohen Maßes an Anonymität die Plaketten gezielt oder auch wahllos untereinander tauschen.The badge 2 is about the size of a telephone card and should be attached, for example, behind the rear-view mirror in the vehicle 3. Neither a fixed nor an electrically conductive connection to the vehicle 3 is required. A badge number is required as data content of the badge, which can be queried from the outside. More information, that are user-specific or vehicle-specific can be added, but are not mandatory. While they could reduce the risk of incorrect bookings, they would also reduce the anonymity and flexibility of the application. If only a badge number is used, for example, a larger user group with a correspondingly large number of vehicles and also a larger number of badges could exchange the badges either specifically or at random, either from an operational point of view for the purpose of order-related billing or to achieve a high degree of anonymity .

Nach der Vorbeifahrt an einer Gebührenerfassungsstelle 1 wird die dabei von der Plakette 2 gelesene Verrechnungsnummer über das öffentliche Fernmeldenetz 4 an die Gebührenerfassungszentrale 5 gemeldet. Diese Meldung muß weiter alle Daten enthalten, die erforderlich sind, damit die Gebührenerfassungszentrale zusammen mit den dort verhandenen Daten die gegebenenfalls orts-, zeit- und fahrzeugtypspezifischen Gebühren zu verrechnen. Welche Daten dann auch noch dokumentiert werden, ist eine rein organisatorische Frage und von der vorliegenden Erfindung unabhängig.After driving past a fee entry point 1, the billing number read from the badge 2 is reported to the fee entry center 5 via the public telecommunications network 4. This message must also contain all the data necessary for the fee collection center to charge the location, time and vehicle-type-specific fees together with the data available there. Which data is then also documented is a purely organizational question and is independent of the present invention.

Die Gebührenerfassungszentrale 5 weist nun einen Gebührenspeicher auf, der für jede dieser Gebührenerfassungszentrale zugeordnete Verrechnungsnummer einen durch die Plakettennummer direkt oder indirekt adressierbaren Speicherplatz aufweist. Weiter weist die Gebührenerfassungszentrale Mittel auf, um die aufgrund der gemeldeten Daten zu verrechnende Straßenbenutzungsgebühr, gegebenenfalls mit weiterer zu dokumentierender Information, im zugeordneten Speicherplatz zu erfassen.The charge registration center 5 now has a charge memory which has a storage location which can be directly or indirectly addressed by the badge number for each billing number assigned to this charge registration center. Furthermore, the toll registration center has means to record the street usage fee to be charged on the basis of the reported data, possibly with additional information to be documented, in the allocated storage space.

Für die Art der Anbindung der Gebührenerfassungsstellen über das öffentliche Fernmeldenetz an die Gebührenerfassungszentrale gibt es genügend Realisierungsmöglichkeiten, die hier nicht weiter im Detail genannt zu werden brauchen. Beispielsweise können, auch kombiniert, Standleitungen, Datex-P-Verbindungen, D-Kanal-Verbindungen im ISDN oder ATM-Verbindungen verwendet werden. Die Gebührenerfassungsstellen können jeweils wie eine Mobilfunk-Teilnehmerstation oder wie eine stationäre Endteilnehmereinrichtung mit dem öffentlichen Fernmeldenetz verbunden sein; sie können aber auch zunächst in einem Funknetz oder Kabelnetz des Betreibers zusammengefaßt sein, und nur gemeinsam mit dem öffentlichen Fernmeldenetz verbunden sein.There are sufficient implementation options for the type of connection of the fee registration offices via the public telecommunications network to the fee registration center, which need not be mentioned in detail here. For example, leased lines, Datex-P connections, D-channel connections in ISDN or ATM connections can also be used in combination. The charging stations can each be like a mobile radio subscriber station or like a stationary one Terminal equipment connected to the public telecommunications network; however, they can also initially be combined in a radio network or cable network of the operator, and can only be connected together to the public telecommunications network.

Auch für die technische Ausgestaltung der Gebührenerfassungszentrale sind genügend Realisierungsmöglichkeiten bekannt. Sie kann beispielsweise auch mit einer Einrichtung zur Erfassung und Verrechnung von Telefongebühren verbunden sein.Sufficient implementation options are also known for the technical design of the fee collection center. For example, it can also be connected to a device for recording and charging telephone charges.

Es ist davon auszugehen, daß nicht nur eine Gebührenerfassungszentrale eingesetzt wird, sondern deren mehrere. Denkbar ist dann sowohl eine räumliche Zuordnung als auch eine Zuordnung zu verschiedenen Straßennetzbetreibern, Fernmeldenetzbetreibern oder sogenannten Service Providern.It can be assumed that not only one fee collection center will be used, but several. A spatial assignment as well as an assignment to different road network operators, telecommunications network operators or so-called service providers is then conceivable.

Die Auswahl der jeweilig zuständigen Gebührenerfassungszentrale erfolgt aufgrund der Plakettennummer. Die erforderlichen Mittel, um anhand der Plakettennummer die zuständige Gebührenerfassungszentrale zu ermitteln und Meldungen über zu verrechnende Straßenbenutzungsgebühren dorthin weiterzuleiten, können entweder in jeder Gebührenerfassungsstelle selbst oder aber in einer jeweils einer Vielzahl von Gebührenerfassungsstellen zugeordneten Gebührenerfassungszentrale liegen. Auch Netzzentralen der Straßennetz- oder Fernmeldenetzbetreiber oder Einrichtungen sogenannter Intelligenter Netze kommen hierfür in Frage.The relevant fee collection center is selected on the basis of the sticker number. The means required to determine the responsible toll registration center on the basis of the badge number and to forward messages there about road tolls to be charged can either be in each toll registration center itself or in a toll collection center assigned to a plurality of toll registration centers. Network centers of road network or telecommunications network operators or facilities of so-called intelligent networks can also be considered for this.

In besonders vorteilhafter Weiterbildung der Erfindung sollen nun zwei verschiedene Verrechnungsarten ermöglicht werden, nämlich die Abbuchung von einem Gebührenguthaben einerseits und die Verrechnung über Verrechnungskonten andererseits. Für diese unterschiedlichen Verrechnungsarten sind verschiedenartige Datensätze zu speichern, weshalb es sich anbietet, den Gebührenspeicher in zwei unterschiedlich aufgebaute Teile aufzuteilen.In a particularly advantageous development of the invention, two different types of clearing are now to be made possible, namely the debiting of a fee credit on the one hand and the clearing via clearing accounts on the other hand. Different types of data records are to be stored for these different types of billing, which is why it makes sense to split the fee storage into two different parts.

Die Speicherplätze für Gebührenguthaben müssen den jeweiligen Guthabenstand speichern. Jeweils nach Passieren einer Gebührenstelle muß die entsprechende Gebühr abgebucht werden.The storage spaces for fee credit must save the respective credit balance. The corresponding fee must be deducted after passing through a toll station.

Die Speicherkonten für Verrechnungskonten müssen jeweils mindestens die Summe aller aufgelaufenen und noch nicht abgerechneten Gebühren und eine Bankverbindung speichern, von der die angefallenen Gebühren abbuchbar sind. Hier sind, ähnlich wie bei üblichen Bankkonten, die notwendigen Einzeldaten eines jeden Buchungsvorgangs mit abzuspeichern.The storage accounts for clearing accounts must each save at least the sum of all accrued and unpaid charges and a bank account from which the charges incurred can be debited. Similar to normal bank accounts, the necessary individual data of each booking process must be saved here.

In irgendeiner Weise muß noch eine Rückmeldemöglichkeit an eine Verkehrsüberwachungsstelle vorgesehen werden. Hierzu können dem Gebührenspeicher Einrichtungen zugeordnet sein, die bei unzureichendem Gebührenguthaben eine Meldung an eine der anfordernden Gebührenerfassungsstelle zugeordnete Verkehrsüberwachungsstelle abgibt. Auch kann vorgesehen werden, daß nur stichprobenartige Kontrollen mit Anfragen bei der Gebührenzentrale vorgesehen sind. Dies würde dem üblichen Vorgehen bei der Fahrausweiskontrolle im öffentlichen Nahverkehr entsprechen. Ist weder ein Verrechnungskonto noch ein Gebührenguthaben zu ermitteln, dann ist die Plakette als gefälscht oder ungültig zu melden.In some way, it is still necessary to provide feedback to a traffic monitoring center. For this purpose, devices can be assigned to the charge store, which, in the event of insufficient charge credit, issues a message to a traffic monitoring point assigned to the requesting charge entry point. It can also be provided that only random checks with requests to the central fee office are provided. This would correspond to the usual procedure for ticket inspection in local public transport. If neither a clearing account nor a fee credit can be determined, the badge must be reported as forged or invalid.

Für das Verrechnungsverfahren unter Zuhilfenahme von Gebührenguthaben ist in Figur 1 noch eine Zahlstelle 6 vorgesehen. Im gezeigten Beispiel ist sie mit einer Tankstelle, beispielsweise einer Autobahntankstelle, gekoppelt. Infrage kommen hierfür auch Grenzübergangsstellen. Hier können unter Eingabe von Bargeld oder mittels Kreditkarten Plaketten 2 erworben oder unter gleichzeitiger Eingabe (Einlesen) der Plakettennummer Meldungen an die Gebührenerfassungszentrale abgesetzt werden, mittels derer das der Plakettennummer zugeordnete Gebührenguthaben erhöhbar ist. Der Verkauf von Plaketten mit fest vorgegebenem Guthaben ist auch an Automaten möglich, die keinerlei Verbindung zum übrigen System haben. Bei genügend billiger Herstellungsmöglichkeit für Plaketten kann auf die Erhöhbarkeit der Gebührenguthaben verzichtet werden. Auch eine Rückgabemöglichkeit für Plaketten unter Rückzahlung des Restguthabens ist möglich, wozu eine entsprechende bidirektionale Verbindung zwischen Zahlstelle 6 und Gebührenerfassungszentrale 5 erforderlich ist.A paying agent 6 is also provided in FIG. 1 for the billing process with the aid of fee credits. In the example shown, it is coupled to a filling station, for example a motorway filling station. Border crossing points can also be considered. Here you can purchase badges 2 by entering cash or by credit card or by entering (reading in) the badge number, messages can be sent to the fee collection center, by means of which the fee credit assigned to the badge number can be increased. The sale of badges with fixed credit is also possible on machines that have no connection to the rest of the system. If there is enough cheap manufacturing possibility for badges, it is not necessary to increase the fee credit. Also a return option for Plaques with repayment of the remaining credit are possible, for which purpose a corresponding bidirectional connection between the paying agent 6 and the fee collection center 5 is required.

In Figur 2 ist der Informationsfluß bei der Verwendung von Verrechnungskonten dargestellt. Bis zur Meldung an die Gebührenerfassungszentrale 5 ergibt sich keine Änderung gegenüber dem anhand der Figur 1 beschriebenen Beispiel. Hier erfolgt jedoch eine Abrechnung über die Bank des Plaketteninhabers und seine Bankverbindung 7. Dies erfolgt auf banküblichem Weg entweder direkt oder unter Zwischenschaltung einer Fernsprechgebührenzentrale 8.The flow of information when clearing accounts are used is shown in FIG. Up to the time of reporting to the charge registration center 5, there is no change compared to the example described with reference to FIG. 1. Here, however, the plaque holder's bank and his bank details 7 are billed. This is done in the usual way in banking, either directly or with the interposition of a telephone charge center 8.

Sowohl auf der Erfassungsseite mit der Gebührenerfassungsstelle 1, als auch auf der Verrechnungsseite kann das beschriebene System auch mit andersartigen Systemen zum Bezahlen von Straßenbenutzungsgebühren kombiniert sein. Es kann auch mit Einrichtungen zur Überwachung oder Steuerung des Verkehrs oder zur Bildung von Statistiken kombiniert sein.The system described can also be combined with other types of systems for paying road user fees both on the entry side with the fee entry point 1 and on the billing side. It can also be combined with devices for monitoring or controlling traffic or for generating statistics.

In der Gebührenerfassungszentrale können auch Einrichtungen vorhanden sein, um die eingehenden Meldungen einer Plausibilitätskontrolle zu unterziehen. So können z.B. Fälschungen entdeckt und eine Ahndung veranlaßt werden, wenn eine Plakettennummer zweimal auftritt. Eine Mehrfachabbuchung für ein im Stau an einer Gebührenerfassungsstelle stehendes Fahrzeug kann damit leicht verhindert werden.There may also be facilities in the fee collection center to subject the incoming reports to a plausibility check. For example, Counterfeits are discovered and a punishment is brought if a badge number occurs twice. A multiple debit for a vehicle standing in a traffic jam at a charging point can thus be easily prevented.

Auch die Verwendung verschiedener Tarife ist problemlos möglich.It is also possible to use different tariffs without any problems.

Claims (13)

  1. System for debiting road tolls having at least one toll acquisition point (1), which continuously emits signals which activate badges (2) in passing motor vehicles (3) in such a way that they transmit their badge number to the toll acquisition point (1), characterized by a connection through the public telecommunication network (4) to at least one toll acquisition control centre (5) having a toll memory which, for each badge assigned to the toll acquisition control centre (5), has a memory location addressable by the badge number, and by means of acquiring information about the road toll chargeable for the section of road assigned to said toll acquisition point in the assigned memory location after a toll acquisition point has been passed.
  2. System for debiting road tolls according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some of the memory locations in the toll memory are provided for toll credit balances, from which the appropriate toll is debited each time a toll acquisition point (1) is passed.
  3. System for debiting road tolls according to claim 2, characterized in that associated with the toll memory is equipment which, in the event of an insufficient toll credit balance, sends a message to a traffic monitoring point assigned to the requesting toll acquisition point (1).
  4. System for debiting road tolls according to claim 2, characterized in that pay points (6) are provided where, by entering the badge number and paying in cash or using credit cards, messages by means of which the toll credit balance assigned to the badge number may be increased may be transmitted to the toll acquisition control centre (1).
  5. System for debiting road tolls according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some of the memory locations in the toll memory are provided for charge accounts in which, each time a toll acquisition point (1) is passed, the appropriate toll is initially flagged for subsequent charging and that there is simultaneously stored for each memory location a bank account (7) from which the accruing tolls are to be debited.
  6. System for debiting road tolls according to claim 5, characterized in that data relating to the requesting toll acquisition point and the acquisition time are simultaneously stored.
  7. System for debiting road tolls according to claim 1, characterized in that each toll acquisition point (1) is directly assigned to a toll acquisition control centre (5) and that said toll acquisition control centre (5) comprises means of determining the appropriate toll acquisition point on the basis of the badge number and relaying to said toll acquisition point messages about chargeable roll tolls.
  8. System for debiting road tolls according to claim 1, characterized in that the toll acquisition point (1) comprises means of determining the appropriate toll acquisition control centre on the basis of the badge number and relaying to said toll acquisition control centre messages about chargeable road tolls.
  9. System for debiting road tolls according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of toll acquisition points assigned to the same section of road are combined into a group which, in relation to the system, operates like a single toll acquisition point (1) and also comprises only a single set of the devices required for said purpose.
  10. System for debiting road tolls according to claim 1, characterized in that the toll acquisition point (1) is connected in the manner of a mobile radio subscriber station to the public telecommunication network (4).
  11. System for debiting road tolls according to claim 2, characterized in that devices for purchasing badges (2) are provided at pay points (6).
  12. System for debiting road tolls according to claim 4, characterized in that it is combined with other types of road toll payment systems.
  13. Method of debiting road tolls by means of at least one toll acquisition point (1), which continuously emits signals which activate badges (2) in passing motor vehicles (3) in such a way that they transmit their badge number to the toll acquisition point (1), by means of a connection through the public telecommunication network (4) to at least one toll acquisition control centre (5) having a toll memory which, for each badge assigned to the toll acquisition control centre (5), has a memory location addressable by the badge number, whereby information about the road toll chargeable for the section of road assigned to said toll acquisition point is acquired in the assigned memory location after a toll acquisition point has been passed.
EP94103032A 1993-03-08 1994-03-01 System und method for debiting tolls Expired - Lifetime EP0615214B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4307214 1993-03-08
DE4307214A DE4307214A1 (en) 1993-03-08 1993-03-08 Road toll charging system

Publications (2)

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EP0615214A1 EP0615214A1 (en) 1994-09-14
EP0615214B1 true EP0615214B1 (en) 1997-07-02

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EP94103032A Expired - Lifetime EP0615214B1 (en) 1993-03-08 1994-03-01 System und method for debiting tolls

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EP (1) EP0615214B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE154985T1 (en)
DE (2) DE4307214A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2106386T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4410450C2 (en) * 1994-03-25 1998-04-30 Iav Gmbh Procedures for the electronic collection of road user fees and the control of their collection in road vehicles
DE4426292A1 (en) * 1994-03-25 1996-02-08 Iav Gmbh Electronic levying method for road use charges
CH695585A5 (en) * 2001-01-24 2006-06-30 Fela Man Ag Method and apparatus for automatic toll collection.

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1211771B (en) * 1987-09-11 1989-11-03 Rinaldi Massimo TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE VEHICLES AND / OR PEOPLE USING A FIXED STATION AND A PROGRAMMABLE ELEMENT CARRIED BY THESE MOBILE VEHICLES AND / OR PEOPLE
FR2624677B1 (en) * 1987-12-10 1994-04-01 Fabrication Instruments Mesure TWO-WAY HERTZIAN LINK SYSTEM
JPH01319898A (en) * 1988-06-21 1989-12-26 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Toll collecting device
DE3927994A1 (en) * 1989-08-24 1991-02-28 Rainer M Lutz Coded access system for motor vehicle - contains microprocessor with card reader in vehicle controlling power supply etc. depending on insertion of encoded card
DE4107803A1 (en) * 1991-03-11 1992-09-17 Ant Nachrichtentech ARRANGEMENT FOR LOCALIZING OBJECTS AND EXCHANGING DATA WITH THESE OBJECTS

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2106386T3 (en) 1997-11-01
DE59403236D1 (en) 1997-08-07
DE4307214A1 (en) 1994-09-15
EP0615214A1 (en) 1994-09-14
ATE154985T1 (en) 1997-07-15

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