EP0741891B1 - Method and system for determining toll charges for traffic routes and/or areas - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/DE95/00107 Sec. 371 Date Sep. 30, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Sep. 30, 1996 PCT Filed Jan. 27, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/20801 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 3, 1995With the proposed method and system for determining toll charges for traffic routes and areas, toll charges are calculated with the aid of a device installed in the vehicle on the basis of positional and tariff data. The data are then transmitted via a data transmission system to a central point, with the possibility of verification of the appropriate charge.

Description

The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for Determination of usage fees for traffic routes and / or Traffic areas.

To collect user fees (tolls) for traffic routes, roads, in particular, are different processes known. General spread so far however, only toll stations were found at which the vehicles stop and after paying the toll allowed to drive on a toll road. With a lot busy roads this leads despite a multitude of individual paying agents to traffic jams. Even facilities at which you put a coin into a funnel at slow speed throws, bring only limited remedy.

In addition, there are procedures for automatic determination and debiting user fees. In which in NTZ, volume 46 (1993), booklet 4 "Future automatic Registration of charges for road traffic " Procedures become collection points with institutions equipped, where communication between the Collection point and the vehicle takes place. That's why the monitoring of the payment immediately as it passes to the collection agency, which is usually designed as a bridge respectively. Furthermore, the communication is only spatial limited zones possible to ensure uniqueness between the Communicating and the vehicle captured with a camera to guarantee. It is also limited because of the Communication times not possible in banking and Banking industry usual security procedures for apply electronic money transfer. Besides, everyone has to Vehicles equipped with communication devices to be able to pass through the surveillance cameras without to be accepted and considered as a non-payer.

A considerable effort for collection agencies and one There is limited communication time in such systems also given if, as in WO 91/18354, the calculation the fees are paid in the vehicle.

A in VDI news from 08/20/93, page 2 to 3 described acquisition system uses a Positioning of the vehicle using the GPS system (Global Positioning System), with which one Positioning is done by satellites, which is otherwise is also described in FR 26 70 002 A1. With that only virtual collection points required, so that there is no need for suitable structures. The control the respective debit is based on a combination of Beacon system and camera. The security-related processes for money transfer only take place locally in the vehicle. Since the calculation of the fees is done only in the vehicle a traffic-dependent dynamization of tariffs is not possible. As with the first known method is a control only during a limited one Duration of the connection between the controlling vehicle and a fixed station possible.

Also, all vehicles are for passing one toll section of the route with electronic Equip devices.

A known from WO 92/10824 vehicle control and The route guidance system is thus used for toll settlement usable that beacons for determining the location for a Vehicle charge calculation are used. the Fees will then be the same as for GB 22 48 957 A known system debited from a prepaid card. Da there the calculation of the fees only takes place in the vehicle a traffic-dependent dynamization of tariffs is not possible.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for Determination of usage fees for traffic routes propose which with little effort regarding stationary facilities works and at which one secure transfer of the determined usage fees up to a debit from an account or Credit exchange of the user is possible.

This object is achieved in that with Using a device in a vehicle based on location data and tariff data usage fees calculated and sent to a digital cellular network Central office are transferred. The invention The advantage of this method is that it is always available Infrastructure, such as the GPS system and digital cellular networks can be used. Furthermore, at the method according to the invention advantageous that for Transfer the user fees a sufficient amount of time Is available so that all measures to secure the Transmission are possible. In addition, the collection of Fees and monitoring time and place decoupled from each other.

The method according to the invention is not only for roads, but also for other traffic routes, such as air and Waterways and railways, applicable. You can also use the method according to the invention fees for driving certain traffic zones are determined how for example downtown areas.

There is a further development of the method according to the invention in that the respective calculated user fees in one memory in the vehicle are added up and that at a given height the total User fees the transfer to the central office he follows. It is preferably provided that Transfer to the central office a corresponding credit is stored in the memory of which the charged fees are debited.

This training has the advantage that the Connection paths in the data transmission system not running - that is, because of penny amounts. On the other hand according to this further training let the central office transferred data no conclusions on details of the traveled route to what in the sense of a personal Data protection is important.

However, to check the determination or the settlement According to another training, it is to be made possible provided that in the memory also temporarily Control data are stored, which is a control of the Enable fee calculation, especially data that the vehicle, the route traveled, date, time and the Mark the tariff applied.

This control data can be used by the user at his discretion up to a possible complaint get saved. However, you can also while driving to controls on the toll road be used. It is advantageous in the case of the invention Procedure if the memory is a chip card. Herewith There are many advantages associated with the smart card result as such, for example the storage of a personal identification and the ability to Chip card when the vehicle is not in use result in an unauthorized use of the vehicle not also the user fees at the expense of Vehicle owner go. It is possible to use the function for that method according to the invention in a chip card implant that also for participant identification for a Mobile network serves.

The use of the GPS system mentioned above Position determination basically enables an ongoing Positioning, so the user fees for example, after kilometers actually driven could be settled. However, often one Classification of the toll routes into individual ones Sections will be useful between collection points lie. The position data positions of assigned predetermined collection points.

In addition to the possibility of virtual collection points through a Position detection system, such as that GPS system can be provided in the invention Procedures also include collection points in the form of beacons or Induction loops are used. It has Process according to the invention compared to the known processes the advantage that only the passing vehicles an identifier of the respective Collection agency must be communicated. This can be very difficult a short time and regardless of whether there is a Vehicle or several vehicles simultaneously in the area of Collection point and in which lanes the Vehicles.

Use of radio location systems, such as of the GPS system, is in a training of The inventive method enables that with The position of the device in the vehicle of the vehicle continuously determined and with predetermined, compared each one of the collection agency's own positions and that if there is agreement, the respective position as Position date of the calculation of usage fees is taken as a basis.

It is possible that the positions of the Collection points in the facility located in the vehicle are stored or that over the data transmission system positions of collection points at intervals be transmitted or that over the data transmission system the positions of collection points in a local restricted area are transmitted regularly.

Depending on the requirements regarding a dynamization of the Tariffs can be provided that tariff data in the Vehicle located device in the form of a Database are stored or that the tariff data by time currently transmitted over the data transmission system and in the in-vehicle equipment are stored or that about Data transmission system tariff data for one locally restricted area are transmitted regularly.

A control of the fee determination and debiting can in the method according to the invention in an advantageous manner downstream with the collection agencies Monitoring devices take place in that over the Data transmission system communicated to the vehicle equipment which survey agencies are monitoring institutions are connected downstream that the vehicle device on this Collection agencies the control data record of Calculation of fees at the respective collection point from the Reads out memory and via the data transmission system Monitoring device transmits which the received Data ascertainable by the monitoring body Characteristics (license plate, vehicle type) compared.

To protect personal data can be provided be that received by the monitoring device Control data in accordance with that of the Data obtained from the monitoring device are deleted. in the In the event of unauthorized use of the fee-based Traffic is then a storage of the data pending clarification and possible initiation of Coercive measures required by competent bodies.

Vehicles not with one for the invention Method suitable vehicle equipment are equipped and by paying the user fee in advance can use the toll route at the Application of the method according to the invention also Pass monitoring equipment unhindered. Is to in a development of the method according to the invention provided that control data is further generated when on a paying agent a user fee for a particular Route for a specific license plate number is paid and that the control data of one or several monitoring devices are supplied, which in Range of the route for which usage fee was paid.

In the method according to the invention, the transfer of the Data on the central office are secured by the Data transmission via methods known per se for Authentication and encryption is secured. The DES method is preferably used for encryption applied.

An advantageous embodiment of this training sees before that license plate, preferably by a Triple DES procedure, one-way encrypted. With such encrypted license plate is a reliable one Comparison in monitoring possible from which encrypted code, however, can no longer be the indicator be calculated yourself. To further increase the Security can be provided that the for Encryption of the license plate provided keys is made dynamic. The security module (chip card in the Vehicle or security area of the paying agent) The current key index is then used via a also transmit encrypted communication. For contributes to further security if everyone safety-relevant processes in the vehicle equipment in the chip card and all security-relevant processes in the Central office and at the paying agent in secured areas (so-called security box) are processed.

An advantageous use of the existing infrastructure is according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention thereby possible that the digital cellular network after GSM standard is established.

An arrangement for performing the invention The method is characterized in that one in the vehicle device located a position detection device to generate position data that the respective Specify the location of the vehicle, a processor for Calculation of usage fees from the position data and stored tariff data, a terminal of a digital Mobile network for transmitting the calculated User fees to a central office, an input and comprises an output unit. This arrangement has the advantage that practically all components in vehicle-compatible Execution, for example by cellular networks and Positioning systems are available.

This is a further advantageous arrangement characterized in that the device located in the vehicle forms a structural unit with a car radio. Thereby additional precautions for recording and electrical Connection of the vehicle equipment not required. The Antenna can be designed so that they both as a receiving antenna for the car radio as well as an antenna serves for mobile radio.

A further development of this arrangement is that a Display device (display) of the car radio as Output unit serves. Furthermore, the arrangement can be configured that preferably as an input unit keyboard separated by infrared transmission.

By using one Positioning system and a cellular network can in a simple manner in the method according to the invention make an emergency call by pressing a suitable control element the in-vehicle equipment Transfer of the respective position including one Identifier that it is an emergency call by Data transmission is initiated. This information can then for example from the central office via a corresponding one Data line forwarded to a police station and be displayed there. Is on the same path for example, notification of technical Emergency services possible. In case of an emergency call expediently given up anonymity and that Vehicle registration number transmitted unencrypted.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung von Einrichtungen zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens,

Fig. 2

ein Blockschaltbild einer Fahrzeugeinrichtung,

Fig. 3

ein Blockschaltbild einer Überwachungseinrichtung und

Fig. 4

ein Blockschaltbild einer zentralen Einrichtung.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing using several figures and are explained in more detail in the following description. It shows:

Fig. 1

2 shows a schematic representation of devices for carrying out the method according to the invention,

Fig. 2

2 shows a block diagram of a vehicle device,

Fig. 3

a block diagram of a monitoring device and

Fig. 4

a block diagram of a central device.

Fig. 1 shows a toll road 1 with each two lanes in each direction. On the interrupted section of road 1 shown are two virtual collection points 2, 3. The collection point 3 is a monitoring device 4 is assigned. A vehicle 5 is located at the virtual collection point 3 another vehicle 6 in the area of the monitoring device 4 and a third vehicle 7 is on the route section between the collection points. Between vehicles 5, 6, 7 and a central office 11 can have a digital Cellular network 10 data are transmitted. The central office can be hierarchically structured and several have decentralized subordinate sub-tasks perceive, for example, communication processing even.

The collection points are each predetermined by defined geographical positions. With the help of not GPS system shown is continuously in the vehicle Position determined and with positions of the collection agencies compared. In the case of equality, it is found that for example the vehicle 5 in the collection point 3 located. The vehicle 5 later reaches the collection point 2, the fee for the route between the Collection points 2 and 3 based on the for this route applicable tariff and previously saved User fees added. The sum will then turn saved.

It is also stored in the vehicle device that a monitoring device 4 behind the collection point 3 is arranged. Since this is the case with collection agency 3 is caused, the in-vehicle equipment via the digital cellular network 10 control data to the central office 11 to send. If a vehicle 6 passes Surveillance point, with the help of video cameras 13, 14, 15, 16 the characteristics and possibly the outline of the vehicle 6 recorded and with the help of Image processing equipment analyzed. At Agreement of the control data with the recorded Information is transmitted to the central office 11 Data deleted. However, if a vehicle 6 is picked up for there is no correlating control data a message via an output device 17 so that the unauthorized use can be tracked. Like this one individual has to be done is outside the invention and is left to the operator. Preferably the further one These messages are processed manually.

Have summed up in the van racking Usage fees reached a predetermined amount, so poses the vehicle device via the mobile radio network 10 Connection to the central office 11. There are next to the Fact that the predetermined usage fees reached were data that the debit to be debited Identify and transfer your wallet. The store in the In-vehicle equipment is then increased by the specified amount reset. If it appears advantageous, the Central office 11 also bills for the vehicle owner or Users create and, if necessary, the invoice amounts move into the user's bank 12.

As for the transmission of the data with the help of Mobile network significantly more time than during the Passing a collection point is available any method for security and encryption of the transfer. For example, it says enough time to establish a bidirectional connection available so that in the event of errors even when applied of error correcting codes are not correctable, one Repetition of the transfer can take place.

The tariff t at a collection point i is determined in the vehicle device by the chip card using a set of parameters and a basic unit fee x according to the following formula: t Collection agency (i) = a · x n0 + bx n1 + cx n2 + ... The potencies n0, n1, n2 etc. can all be the same or ascending or follow any other definitions. Each parameter (a, b, c ...) stands for a defined influencing variable - for example a for the motor vehicle type, b for the date, c for the time, d for the vehicle density and others. The basic unit fee x has the dimension of a monetary value, so that the result of the formula gives the fee to be paid. After the fee has been calculated, the corresponding units are initially debited locally from an intermediate account in the chip card. Minimum amounts of a few pfennigs do not have to be transferred individually using the complete security procedure of electronic money transfer, but are collected on the chip card.

Any debit of fees on the chip card is in the form of a control record in a transaction store the chip card. This record will be like described above, required for monitoring and also serves to the cardholder as proof of any Complaints cases.

When transferring aggregate fees over the Cellular networks do not need data about the distance traveled Route, for example the individual passed Collection agencies to be transferred. This has that Advantage that a conclusion about a specific route is no longer possible.

2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment a vehicle device for performing the inventive method. To control the a processor 21 serves individual processes, which among other things a memory 22 for the program and one Contains read / write memory 23 for variable data. On the processor 21 is a locator 24 and one Transceiver device 25 for mobile data communication connected. The transmitting / receiving device 25 can work for example according to the GSM standard and possibly also be combined with a mobile radio device.

Furthermore, a display unit 26 is attached to the processor 21, for example an LCD display, and an input unit 27 connected. Finally, processor 21 is one Smart card reader / writer 28 connected, in which one Chip card 29 is insertable, the processor 30, a Read-only memory 31 and a data memory 32 contains.

The monitoring device shown in Fig. 3 includes several video cameras 41, which may be in the Infrared range, and headlights or Infrared headlights 42.

The signals generated by the video cameras 41 become one Image processing computer 43 supplied with one License plate recognition is possible. To the Image processing computer 43 is one Transceiver 44 connected, with which to and data can be transmitted from the central office 11.

The central point shown in Fig. 4 consists of a Processing computer 51, in addition to the usual Storage devices includes a security box 52. To the Processing computers 51 are transmitting / receiving devices 53, 54, 55 connected for communication with the Mobile network 10, with monitoring devices 4 and with Banks 12 (Fig. 1).

For charging fees and monitoring vehicles without an in-vehicle device, the procedure can be as follows will. For the route to be used, is in user fee in advance at a paying agent to be provided for a certain period, stating the Vehicle registration number to pay. This will corresponding control data records are generated. These will be the Monitoring stations fed in the area of the route that were paid for. This will result in this Route the vehicle during the specified period Passing a monitoring device as "correct paid "classified if by the Monitoring device recorded data with the Control record match. In this case, the data related to the vehicle deleted.

If there is no match, it is a non- or wrong payers. For this, coercive measures, such as such as a notice of fine.

Claims (25)

1. A method for determining toll charges for traffic routes and/or traffic areas, characterised in that by means of a device situated in a vehicle, on the basis of position data and tariff data, toll charges are calculated and transmitted via a digital mobile radio network to a central place.
2. A method according to Claim 1, characterised in that the respectively calculated toll charges are added up in a memory situated in the vehicle and that at a given level of the added toll charges, the transmission to the central place occurs.
3. A method according to Claim 2, characterised in that through the transmission to the central place, a corresponding credit is deposited in the memory, from which the respectively calculated charges are debited.
4. A method according to one of Claims 2 or 3, characterised in that in addition, monitoring data are temporarily deposited in the memory, which make possible a monitoring of the charge calculation, in particular data which designate the vehicle, the distance travelled and the tariff respectively used.
5. A method according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the memory is a chip card.
6. A method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the position data are allocated to positions of given levy points.
7. A method according to Claim 6, characterised in that by means of the device situated in the vehicle, the position of the vehicle is determined continuously and is compared with given positions in each case belonging to a levy point, and that when it coincides, the respective position, as position data, forms the basis of the calculation of the toll charges.
8. A method according to Claim 7, characterised in that the positions of the levy points are stored in the device which is situated in the vehicle.
9. A method according to Claim 7, characterised in that positions of levy points are transmitted via the data transmission system in chronological intervals.
10. A method according to Claim 7, characterised in that the positions of levy points in a locally restricted region are transmitted regularly via the data transmission system.
11. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that tariff data are stored permanently in the form of a data bank in the device which is situated in the vehicle.
12. A method according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the tariff data are transmitted from time to time via the data transmission system and are stored in the vehicle device.
13. A method according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that tariff data for respectively a locally restricted region are transmitted regularly via the data transmission system.
14. A method according to one of the preceding claims, in which monitoring devices are connected to levy points at the outlet side, characterised in that via the data transmission system the vehicle device is informed of which levy points have monitoring devices connected to them at the outlet side, that the vehicle device at these levy points reads out the set of monitoring data of the charge calculation at the respective levy point from the memory and transmits it via the data transmission system to the monitoring device which compares the received data with features (vehicle registration number, vehicle type) which are able to be established through the monitoring point.
15. A method according to Claim 14, characterised in that the monitoring data received from the monitoring device are cancelled immediately on coinciding with the data obtained from the monitoring device.
16. A method according to one of Claims 14 or 15, characterised in that in addition monitoring data are produced when at a paying point a toll charge is paid for a particular distance for a particular vehicle registration number, and that the monitoring data are supplied to one or more monitoring devices which lie in the region of the distance for which the toll charge was paid.
17. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the data transmission is protected by means of methods, known per se, for authentification and coding.
18. A method according to Claim 17, characterised in that for coding, the DES method is used.
19. A method according to one of Claims 17 or 18, characterised in that vehicle registration numbers are coded one-way, preferably by a triple DES method.
20. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the digital mobile radio network is constructed according to the GSM standard.
21. An arrangement for determining toll charges for traffic routes and/or traffic areas, characterised in that a device situated in the vehicle comprises a position pick-up device (24) to produce position data which indicate the respective position of the vehicle, a processor (21) to calculate toll charges from the position data and stored tariff data, a terminal apparatus (25) of a digital mobile radio network for transmitting the calculated toll charges to a central place, an input unit (27) and an output unit (26).
22. An arrangement according to Claim 21, characterised in that in addition a chip card reading/writing apparatus (28) is provided.
23. An arrangement according to one of Claims 21 or 22, characterised in that the device situated in the vehicle forms a structural unit with a car radio.
24. An arrangement according to Claim 23, characterised in that a display device of the car radio serves as output unit (26).
25. An arrangement according to one of Claims 23 or 24, characterised in that a keyboard, preferably deposited by infrared transmission, serves as input unit (27).

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