EP1397785B1 - Devices and methods for simplifying ocr-based enforcement in automatic toll systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A method if for monitoring the regular operation of a charging device for a vehicle with a vehicle characteristic number. At least one given optical pattern/signal is generated on the vehicle, which is characteristic for the operating state of the charging device.

Description

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the proper operation of a Tolling device of a vehicle with a license plate according to Preamble of claim 1.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a monitoring system for monitoring the proper Operation of a tolling device of a vehicle registration plate according to Preamble of claim 8.

In the case of automatic toll collection systems, proper monitoring will take place in the course of monitoring Payment of tolls or in the detection of toll bouncers often on optical pattern recognition or "Optical Character Recognition" short OCR based License plate recognition applied, usually a high detection probability is required. The performance of OCR is highly dependent on the environmental conditions Depending on weather conditions, either high local computing power or one of high data volume to a central OCR host.

In some toll systems, the toll is always settled by means of communication with the toll infrastructure or via value-card-like facilities. In the first case the identity of the vehicle is not known in the latter. In both cases, however, is the proper To monitor payment of the toll debt or a potential toll-beater to recognize.

A system for the automatic control of toll collection is for example in the WO 99/66455. Here is a device for checking the proper Operation of a tolling device arranged on the road side, wherein the tolling device arranged in a device passing the vehicle with license plate is and takes place between the toll device and the device communication. Recognizes the device based on the communication with the tolling device that the tolling device is not operated properly, then the number plate of the vehicle received by means of a receiving device.

However, a disadvantage of this device is that between the toll device and the device a communication connection must be established, which is why the production This device is associated with high costs.

The published patent application DE 44 46 674 A1 discloses a device for automatic control the access of vehicles to a traffic area known, its use is chargeable. Those vehicles that are authorized for use, send in Authorization identification signal, which is received and evaluated by a control device becomes. The control device is associated with a video system with a camera. The camera is designed and installed so that it is specifically designed to accommodate a given area serves the passing vehicles. In this area a vignette is attached to the optically transmits certain information about the vehicle to the outside. This information may be about a permission to access a particular area Be (street) expressing information. A vehicle device or the vignette is such trained and attached that this (s) a perceptible in the IR range, the camera facing pattern shows.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a way that makes it possible simple and inexpensive way to recognize toll bollards or the proper functioning the tolling device to recognize.

This object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned in the invention solved by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1.

In an advantageous variant of the invention, the prescribable optical pattern / signal generated by means of at least one light emitting diode.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the optical pattern / signal is a Infrared pattern / signal, where the LED is an infrared LED.

Further advantages can be achieved by the fact that the optical pattern / signal by means of a optically sensitive sensor is detected.

In addition, the optical pattern / signal can be detected by means of an infrared camera become.

Upon generation of a pattern / signal which indicates improper operation of the Tolling device corresponds, the license plate of the vehicle when passing be recorded at a control point.

In particular, a device is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention of the type mentioned, which in the characterizing part of claim 8 having specified features.

Conveniently, at least for generating the predeterminable optical pattern / signal a light emitting diode provided.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is set up to to generate an infrared pattern / signal, generating the infrared pattern / signal an infrared light emitting diode may be provided.

Advantageously, the monitoring system is adapted to the optical To detect pattern / signal by means of an optically sensitive sensor.

The surveillance system may be configured to provide the optical pattern / signal to detect by means of an infrared camera.

Further advantages can be achieved by using the monitoring system is set when creating a pattern / signal which one not Proper operation of the tolling device complies with the mark of Vehicle when passing a checkpoint.

Fig. 1 ein System zur Erfassung und Entrichtung von Mautgebühren mit einer an Bord des Fahrzeuges angeordneten Bemautungsvorrichtung zur Ermittlung der Mautgebühren;

Fig. 1a die Bemautungsvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 im näheren Detail;

Fig. 2 die Bemautungsvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 im näheren Detail und ein Lesegerät zum Aufbuchen einer Benutzerberechtigung auf die Bemautungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 3 eine Magnetkarte mit einem Code zum Aufbuchen einer Benutzerberechtigung auf die Bemautungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 4 ein Mautsystem mit einem fahrzeugexternen Abrechnungszentrum zusätzlich zu der fahrzeugintemen Bemautungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 5 ein erfindungsgemäßes Überwachungssystem,

Fig. 6 ein im Frontscheibenbereich eines Fahrzeuges angeordnetes Display zur Enforcement-Anzeige.

The invention together with further advantages will be explained in more detail below with reference to some non-limiting embodiments, which are illustrated in the drawing in which show schematically:

1 shows a system for collecting and paying tolls with a tolling device arranged on board the vehicle for determining the tolls;

Fig. 1a, the tolling device of Figure 1 in more detail.

Fig. 2 the tolling device of Figure 1 in more detail and a reader for posting a user authorization on the toll payment device.

3 shows a magnetic card with a code for booking a user authorization on the toll payment device;

4 shows a toll system with an off-vehicle billing center in addition to the vehicle-internal tolling device;

5 shows a monitoring system according to the invention,

Fig. 6 is arranged in the front window area of a vehicle display for enforcement display.

According to FIG. 1, a toll system SYS for locating a vehicle FAR Position detection system PES, for example the well-known "Global Positioning System" or GPS system for short.

In this case, the vehicles FA1, FA2 can have the tolling devices BE1, BE2, which are adapted to receive data from the position detection system PES and calculate therefrom the location coordinates OKO of the vehicle FA1, FA2. Based on Local Coordinates OKO can use the traveled route STR, for example based on one the location coordinates OKO calculated signature SIG, are determined. Next, if the distance traveled by a vehicle FA1, FA2 route STR is subject to a toll, checked whether the vehicle FA1, FA2 is authorized to use the toll route.

The use authorization BER can, for example, be realized as a credit GOOD and in a memory SPR the tolling device BE1 are stored, these Tolling device BE1 may be configured to charge tolls to GEB calculate and deduct from the credit GUT. Is the credit GOOD exhausted and if there is no further use authorization BER, then the vehicle FAR may not Use toll roads STR more. The tolling device BE1 with an in her stored use authorization BER, is hereafter referred to as value card WEK designated.

The user authorization BER does not have to be exclusively a credit Act well. The usage privilege BER can also be used as one in the Memory SPR of the prepaid card WEK stored time card ZEI, which can be specified for use, toll roads STR in a certain period entitled to be executed etc. (Figure 2).

The type of authorization authorized by a vehicle owner BER (Balance, time card, route credit, appointment binding, etc.), for example, as a code COD be transferred to the tolling device BEV. Every kind of User authorization BER can be stored in a memory unit SP1 Tolling device BEV be assigned a specifiable code CO1, CO2, CO3 (Fig. 2). Thus, for example, a first code CO1 of a time card ZEI for all toll Stretches STR may be assigned in a predeterminable area while another code CO 2 a credit GOOD by a predefinable amount charges or a third code CO3 Route credit SGH increased by a predetermined amount etc.

Upon receipt of the code COD, the controller STE of the tolling device BEV by comparing the code COD acquired by the user with that in the Memory unit SP1 stored codes CO1, CO2, CO3 the corresponding Identify and activate the authorization to use BER.

The transmission of the code COD can, for example, by means of a value card WEK wired or non-wired connected input device EIV done. Examples of a wired connection between the input device EIV and the tolling device BEV would be copper wire, fiberglass, etc ... Examples of one not Wired connection are radio, infrared transmission, laser, etc.

To improperly charge a user authorization BER in the prepaid card To prevent WEK, the code can be encrypted CO1, CO2, CO3 and in one for the User unrecognizable form in the value card WEK be transferred.

For example, the code COD may be stored on a mobile data carrier. In which for transmitting the user authorization BER or the code COD in the Tolling device the input device EIV as a reading device LES for mobile Disk is executed To prevent improper reuse of the mobile To prevent data carriers, the reader LES may be adapted to the Transmission process of the code COD in the tolling device BEV with a Canceling the invalidation of the mobile volume. For example, this cancellation can in that the information contained on the mobile data carrier by the Reader is deleted or by a value WER of the validity of the mobile Specifies volume from "valid" to "invalid" (Figure 3).

According to Fig. 4 can also be a communication connection between the Tolling device BE2 and a billing center ABZ be prepared, wherein in this case, the user authorization BER may be provided in the billing center can, preferably in the form of an account KON associated with the vehicle, of which incurred tolls GEB can be deducted.

In the following, the tolling device BE2, which with the billing center Replace ABZ data can be called calculation unit OBU

According to FIG. 5, a monitoring system according to the invention has UES for monitoring the proper operation of a tolling device BEV a controller ST1 and a display connected to it DIP, which is set to a Prescribable pattern MUS represent (Fig. 6). The optical pattern MUS depends on the current operating state of the tolling device BE1, BE2, z. B. if a valid Use authorization BER is present, or whether the tolling device BE1, BE2 is switched off.

To represent the pattern MUS as a function of the operating state of the Tolling device BE1, BE2, the controller ST1 can check the state of the Use authorization BER in the prepaid card WEK or in the billing center ABZ monitor, and whether the tolling device BE1, BE2 is switched on or off

The controller ST1 controls the display DIP depending on the operating state of the Tolling device BE1, BE2 on which a the current operating state corresponding pattern MUS is displayed. To represent the pattern MUS, the Display DIP LEDs or infrared LEDs.

If the usage authorization BER is stored in the billing center ABZ, then the calculation unit OBU be set up to set the predefined time intervals Status of the user authorization BER via a radio network FUN, for example the GSM network to query and save.

If there is no valid user authorization BER for the calculation unit OBU, then is provided for this purpose optical pattern MUS on the vehicle front FRO shown.

Also unauthorized manipulations of the driver at the value card WEK or at the Calculation unit OBU can be controlled by the controller ST1 of the corresponding vehicle FA1, FA2 associated monitoring system UES are detected. So can the controller ST1 of the monitoring system to be set to multiple entry of a wrong code COD for a user authorization BER in the value card WEK on for this purpose provided pattern MUS on the display represent, for example, a illuminated LED LED.

If the user authorization BER is stored in the value card WEK, d. H. if no Connection between the toll payment device BEV and a billing center ABZ a toll operator is provided, the input of the up or down to a toll road STR, d. H. the activation of the tolling device BEV, by the handlebar of the vehicle FAR by means of a suitable input device, for example a key on the prepaid card WEK.

This can be similar to the validation of a tram ticket, the driver committed to participation.

Is the value card WEK turned on by the vehicle user and is a valid User authorization BER present, the controller generates ST1 corresponding optical pattern MUS on the display DIP, for example two luminous LEDs LED, while in the switched off state the value card WEK a pattern characterizing this state MUS is generated, for example none of LEDs LED emits light.

On the basis of the pattern MUS is thus displayed, whether the driver of the vehicle FAR a potential or actual toll-beater.

To safeguard evidence, driving course positions or the signature SIG of the route STR and any information about the time of use, for example in the form of a time stamp STE attached to the currently determined signature SIG, in a memory SP3 of the prepaid card WEK or the billing center ABZ filed and if necessary to provide. By doing this one can be online Communication between the tolling device and the billing center be avoided.

To prevent manipulation on the part of the driver, either after one in the Value card WEK or the calculation unit OBU stored cycle the pattern MUS changed. In the case of the communication-capable calculation unit OBU, the pattern also be changed externally, for example via GSM broadcast request.

The pattern change can occur when using a communication-capable calculation unit OBU also region-dependent, or when changing a mobile radio cell, via the broadcast functionality the mobile network can be triggered.

That the valid pattern, which corresponds to a permissible operating state, is not fixed, but can also beipielsweise according to a time grid, depending on position, or by External events, such as the cellbroadcast, are triggered. This can be prevented that truck drivers do not drive around with LED dummies and about the to be adjusted Inform the sample

When driving through a fixed control station KST now this pattern can be evaluated and be used as a trigger signal for a number plate OCR. The advantage of this solution In addition to the low cost, not every car has a number plate OCR must be supplied.

Advantageously, the optical pattern is displayed as an infrared pattern. Infrared patterns can through a cheap interference filter to an infrared camera KAM, in accordance with high light output of the LED's, detected with a much higher signal-to-noise ratio be as number plates with purely passive number plate OCR. The detection of some simple pattern is also possible with much higher reliability.

The monitoring system according to the invention DES is therefore not for communication, such used in the aforementioned WO 99/66455, but serves to increase the frequency of more complex and under the expected environmental conditions clearly unreliable number plate OCR decrease. This becomes central in the case of performed OCR data traffic between the stationary enforcement stations and the OCR center significantly reduced.

Mobile monitoring can also be done via an infrared camera. additional This can also be done via additional LED sources in the visible range, a preselection respectively. But it can also be generally a signaling in the visible range.

1. Fahrzeuge FAR ohne oder mit ungültiger (manipulierter) IR/LED-Signatur, diese sind entweder Mautpreller, wie sie bei jeder beliebigen automatischen Mautmethodik prinzipiell möglich sind; oder diese sind Mautteilnehmer mit defekten Bemautungsvorrichtungen BEV, bzw. fehlender oder ungültiger Benutzungsberechtigungen BER, beispielsweise gesperrtem Konto KON oder aufgebrauchtem Guthaben GUT. Alle diese Teilnehmer können an entsprechenden Kontrollstationen (fest oder mobil) erkannt und nach festgelegten Regeln behandelt werden.

2. Fahrzeuge mit gültiger IR/LED Signatur, wobei das Verlassen eines Staatsgebietes erkannt und z. B. die Kommunikation der Bemautungsvorrichtung BER mit dem Abrechnungszentrum ABZ samt Bemautungsvorgang deaktiviert wird und nur mehr eine Positionsbestimmung erfolgt, oder auf das von der Basistechnologie her kompatible Mautsystem eines Nachbarlandes umgeschaltet wird.

3. Da die aktuelle Position des Fahrzeuges in der mitgeführten Berechnungseinheit BEE bekannt ist, und von dieser erkannt werden kann welcher Koordinatenpunkt diesseits oder jenseits der Grenze liegt, kann bereits vor einem Grenzübertritt auf einer mautpflichtigen Strecke rechtzeitig das aktuelle Muster aktiviert werden. Vorteilhafterweise ist um die Grenze eine Toleranzzone vorgesehen, in welcher eine Aktivierung der Berechnungseinheit nicht unbedingt erforderlich ist Erfolgt eine Weiterfahrt auf dem Staatsgebiet auf einer mautpflichtigen Verkehrsfläche, so erfolgt die Bemautung entsprechend dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren.

Within the booking area there are three types of vehicles FAR:

1. Vehicles FAR without or with invalid (manipulated) IR / LED signature, these are either toll-bumpers, as they are in principle possible with any automatic tolling methodology; or these are toll participants with defective tolling devices BEV, or missing or invalid use authorizations BER, for example blocked account KON or used up credit GOOD. All these participants can be recognized at appropriate control stations (fixed or mobile) and treated according to defined rules.

2. Vehicles with valid IR / LED signature, whereby the departure of a national territory detected and z. B. the communication of the tolling device BER with the billing center ABZ including tolling process is disabled and only more a position determination is made, or is switched to the basis of technology compatible toll system of a neighboring country.

3. Since the current position of the vehicle in the entrained calculation unit BEE is known, and can be detected by this which coordinate point is located on either side of or beyond the border, the current pattern can be activated in good time before crossing a border on a toll route. Advantageously, a tolerance zone is provided around the border, in which activation of the calculation unit is not absolutely necessary. If a further journey on the national territory takes place on a toll road surface, tolling takes place in accordance with the method according to the invention.

In summary, it can be said that the invention enables a simple way To monitor the proper operation of tolling devices guarantee.

Claims (14)

1. Method for monitoring the correct operation of a toll payment apparatus (BEV) for a vehicle (FAR) having a vehicle indentification (KEN) at least one optical pattern/signal (MUS), which is characteristic of the operating state of the toll payment apparatus (BEV) and can be predetermined, being produced on the vehicle (FAR), characterized in that the status of a usage authorization (BER) is monitored in a prepayment card (WEK) or in a billing centre (ABZ) as well as the in/out switching state of the toll payment apparatus (BEV), in which case the usage authorization (BER) may be in the form of a credit (GUT) for toll fees (GEB) which are incurred, a time card (ZEI) for using predetermined routes (STR) which are subject to tolls within a specific time period, a route credit (SGH), timings, etc., and the usage authorization (BER) desired by the driver of a vehicle is transmitted to the toll payment apparatus (BEV) as a code (COD) which is transmitted in scramble form.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the optical pattern/signal (MUS) is produced by means of at least one light-emitting diode (LED).
3. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the optical pattern/signal (MUS) is an infrared pattern/signal.
4. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the light-emitting diode is an infrared light-emitting diode.
5. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the optical pattern/signal (MUS) is detected by means of an optically sensitive sensor.
6. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the optical pattern/signal (MUS) is detected by means of an infrared camera (KAM).
7. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, for production of a pattern/signal (MUS) which corresponds to incorrect operation of the toll payment apparatus (BEV), the number plate (KEN) of the vehicle (FAR) is recorded as it passes a monitoring point (KST).
8. Monitoring system (UES) for monitoring correct operation of a toll payment apparatus (BEV) for a vehicle (FAR) with a vehicle number plate (KEN), which is designed to produce at least one optical pattern/signal (MUS), which is characteristic of the operating state of the toll payment apparatus (BEV) and can be predetermined, at the vehicle (FAR), characterized in that a controller is set up to monitor the status of a usage authorization (BER) in a prepayment card (WEK) or in a billing centre (ABZ) as well as the in/out switching state of the toll payment apparatus (BEV), in which case the usage authorization (BER) may be in the form of a credit (GUT) for toll fees (GEB) which are incurred, a time card (ZEI) for using predetermined routes (STR) which are subject to tolls within specific time period, a route credit (SGH), timings, etc., and the usage authorization (BER) desired by the driver of a vehicle is transmitted to the toll payment apparatus (BEV) as a code (COD) which is scrambled.
9. Monitoring system according to Claim 8, characterized in that at least one light-emitting diode (LED) is provided in order to produce the optical pattern/signal (MUS) which can be predetermined.
10. Monitoring system according to Claim 9, characterized in that it is designed to produce an infrared pattern/signal.
11. Monitoring system according to Claim 10, characterized in that an infrared light-emitting diode is provided in order to produce the infrared pattern/signal.
12. Monitoring system according to one of Claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the monitoring system is designed to detect the optical pattern/signal (MUS) by means of an optically sensitive sensor.
13. Monitoring system according to one of Claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the monitoring system is designed to detect the optical pattern/signal (MUS) by means of an infrared camera (KAM).
14. Monitoring system according to one of Claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the monitoring system is designed to record the number plate (KEN) of the vehicle (FAR) as it passes a monitoring point (KST) for production of a pattern/signal (MUS) which corresponds to incorrect operation of the toll payment apparatus (BEV).

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