EP1625547A2

EP1625547A2 - Congestion charge payment device

Info

Publication number: EP1625547A2
Application number: EP04730585A
Authority: EP
Inventors: John Graham King
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-02
Filing date: 2004-04-30
Publication date: 2006-02-15
Also published as: WO2004097747A2; WO2004097747A3; GB2401284A; GB2401284B

Abstract

A congestion charge payment device is provided for the payment of a congestion charge. The device is provided with the capability to send text messages and calculate its own position using a system such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). The device is also provided with information regarding the location of congestion charge areas. The device compares its position information, with the information regarding the location of congestion charge areas. If the comparison indicates that the device has entered a congestion charge area, a text message is sent to the appropriate authority in order to initiate the payment of the congestion charge fee. The device is arranged to be fitted in a vehicle.

Description

Congestion Charge Payment Device

The present invention relates to a congestion charge payment device for the payment of a congestion charge by the automatic sending of a text message to a master payment system in response to vehicle location.

Background to the Invention

Subjecting vehicles to a congestion charge on congested routes is a method of reducing congestion while at the same time raising funds for reinvestment in the road network or on public transport. Some towns and cities are adopting congestion charging, which requires payment of a charge for access to entire areas of a city. The idea of congestion charging is to reduce traffic congestion in areas that experience particularly high levels of traffic such as city centres. At the same time revenue for public transportation systems can be raised.

One form of system for congestion charging has two main elements. Firstly, a congestion charge payment system, which allows motorists to pay the congestion charge. Secondly, a number plate detection system, which detects and records number plates moving through the congestion charge zone using cameras and number plate detection technology. Detected number plates are cross- referenced with records of those motorists who have paid the charge. Any motorist whose vehicle is not exempt form congestion charging (e.g. scooters) and who has not sent payment within the required time can then fined.

In order to suit the needs of the various motorists whose vehicles will be entering the congestion charge zone, different methods of payment may be available. Such methods normally include payment online, by telephone, via text message, in person at designated payment points or by post. Payment by text message is a particularly useful method as it allows a motorist, once registered with the system, to pay the charge once they know whether or not they will be entering the congestion charge zone. This is in contrast with payment by post which must be made in advance of the day on which the motorist will be entering the congestion charge zone with their vehicle. Payment online, by telephone or in person also allow payment in advance of the day of travel, however payment by text message can only be made on the day of travel. The advantage of text message payment is that minimal information is needed to be sent in the text message. In principle, all the motorist needs to do is send a text message from their mobile phone on the day of travel to a predetermined telephone number. The payment system is able to determine the telephone number of the mobile phone which sent the text message and consequentially deduct payment from the motorist's credit or debit card and register the motorist's vehicle for access to the congestion charge zone on the day the message is received. No information is required in the text message, such as the day on which it is desired to access the congestion charging zone. In practice, however, some form of security code may be required, for example, the last four digits of the motorist's credit or debit card. All that is required of the motorist is that he/she must pre-register their details, for example, name, address, credit or debit card details, mobile phone number and vehicle registration number of the motorist's vehicle. Provision may also be made for the fact that a motorist may have more than one vehicle. In this case it may be required that the text message contains in it the registration of the vehicle for which the congestion charge is to be paid.

So it can be seen that payment by text message has the advantage of ease of payment when compared with the other available payment methods.

When a motorist enters a congestion charging zone, it is likely that the only indication that a zone has been entered will be visual. Markings on the road and sign posts by the road side will inform the motorist that he/she is entering a congestion charging zone. It is then up to the motorist to pay the congestion charge. The motorist may have up until the end of the day of travel to pay the charge, however there is a possibility that the motorist will forget to pay. The motorist will then be subject to a large fine.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a message transmission arrangement, for use in a vehicle, comprising a location means arranged to provide a current location, first comparing means arranged to compare one or more stored locations with said current location, timing means arranged to provide the current time and/or date and second comparing means arranged to compare one or more stored time periods with the current time and /or date, wherein said message transmission arrangement is arranged to transmit a message to a third party in response to said comparisons.

Thus, the present invention preferably provides a congestion charge payment device which automatically pays a congestion charge when the vehicle in which it is installed enters a road or system of roads for which a congestion charge is payable. Preferably the congestion charge payment device of the present invention includes a global positioning system (GPS) device which may be differential GPS, i.e. where the device can pick up signals from a fixed land based beacon which knows exactly where it is. This beacon transmits its actual location and details of where the GPS satellite system says it is. Thus, the device can use this for error correction. The device picks up the signal from the land based beacon which is nearest the vehicle in which the device is installed, it then knows the current error in the GPS system and where the vehicle is in relation to the fixed beacon. The GPS device provides the congestion charge payment device with information regarding the whereabouts of the vehicle in which it is installed. The congestion charge payment device also includes information regarding the location of any congestion charging zones. When the vehicle enters a congestion charge zone a text message is automatically sent to a predetermined telephone number by the device. The predetermined number may be direct to the congestion charging authority or could be to some other control data collection point from where periodically communication is made to the charging authority. Preferably the congestion charge payment device is arranged to only send a text message when the vehicle is in motion. Also, it is preferred if a text message is only sent once in any one day. The message may be sent more than once in a charging period if desired and this is particularly relevant to the one where a central data collection point is used. In this use, the message may contain more information. The congestion charge payment device will also be arranged not to send text messages on days when the congestion charge is not in force (e.g. weekends).

Brief description of the Drawings

In order that the present invention be more readily understood embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows the relationship between the congestion charging zone, a vehicle in which the congestion charge payment device is installed, a telecommunications network and a GPS. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the congestion charge payment device which is the subject of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing the functionality of the present invention in one embodiment.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

Referring now to Figure 1 which shows a vehicle 2 entering a congestion charge zone 3. The vehicle has installed in it a congestion charge payment device 1. The congestion charge payment device receives signals from a Global Positioning System 4 which enables the device to determine the vehicles location. The congestion charge payment device contains information regarding the location of the congestion charge zone which the vehicle is approaching. The congestion charge payment device determines whether or not the vehicle is entering the congestion charge zone by comparing the determined vehicle location with the information regarding the location of the congestion charge zone. In Figure 1, the congestion charge payment device determines that the congestion charge zone is being entered and automatically sends a telecommunication signal to a telecommunication network 5. The telecommunication network then sends a signal to the congestion charge payment system 6.

The congestion charge payment device therefore sends telecommunications signals in response to a payment event. This payment event may be related to vehicle location and/or time and/or date (as described hereinbelow). In the preferred embodiment the present invention the payment event occurs when the vehicle enters the congestion charge zone during certain times. The telecommunications signal is sent only once in relation to this payment event. It will be appreciated that the present invention can be applied more generally to different types of payment event and the conditions relating to the number of telecommunications signals sent during any one payment event may also vary.

Referring now to Figure 2 which is a block diagram of the congestion charge payment device which is the subject of the present invention. The congestion charge payment device 1 preferably includes a vehicle location means 10 eg a Differential GPS based device, a communication device 11, a calendar and 24 hour clock source 9, a display 13, an input device 14, a memory 12, all of which are interfaced with a computing arrangement 7. In the case that the congestion charge payment device is permanently installed in a vehicle the power may be provided by direct connection to the vehicle's internal electrics so as to be powered only when the ignition is on. In the case that the congestion charge payment device is a portable device, the power may be provided by connection to the vehicle's cigarette lighter which is only powered when the ignition is on. Thus, when the portable device is not plugged into the cigarette lighter it can not operate. This has the added benefit of preventing erroneous transmission of messages when the device is being transported by means other than the users vehicle.

The vehicle location means preferably includes a global positioning system (GPS) device. Such a device utilises signals from the GPS satellite system which allows the device to accurately determine its location. The GPS device provides vehicle location information to the computing arrangement. The GPS device of the congestion charge payment device may provide its longitude and latitude position coordinates as the vehicle location information. The GPS device provides the vehicle position information discretely and at predetermined intervals. A problem with any GPS device is the temporary loss of the satellite signal.

In such a situation the GPS device would be unable to provide the computing means with vehicle position information. To cater for the possibility of the motorist's vehicle entering the congestion charge zone while the GPS signal is unavailable, it is preferable to provide the congestion charge payment device with a way to calculate the position of the vehicle in the absence of the GPS device vehicle location information. Because the device has street mapping information loaded, it can use this for error correction. Also with Differential GPS the device is less likely to lose vehicle's location.

The vehicle location means may also include a compass ( possibly electromagnetic) and information regarding vehicle speed. Information regarding the vehicle speed may be provided by connection to the vehicle's speedometer cable. The vehicle location means may also include and/or be connected to in-car navigation systems. The computing arrangement may therefore be provided with the vehicle's speed and direction information. The computing arrangement is arranged to calculate the vehicle's current location based on the vehicle location information last received from the GPS device and the vehicle direction and speed information. Every time new vehicle location information is received from the GPS device the calculated position will be cleared and a new calculation will begin based on the newly received vehicle location information. If no vehicle location information is received from the GPS device at the predetermined interval the computing arrangement will use the calculated location to determine the vehicle location. For example, the GPS device may be arranged to provide the computing arrangement with vehicle location information every 30 seconds. Each time a new vehicle location is provided by the GPS device a new calculation is begun by the computing arrangement. This is effectively a continuous process. If no vehicle location information is received from the GPS device after a predetermined time the computing arrangement will use the calculated position to determine the vehicle location. This is preferably a continuous process. The computing arrangement will continue to utilise the calculated location information until such time that the GPS device provides new vehicle location information. Once the GPS signal is recovered, and the GPS device provides the computing arrangement with vehicle location information, the computing arrangement will once again use the vehicle position information to determine the vehicle location. Memory 12 stores information such as the congestion charge zone location mapping information, the contact information of any congestion charge payment systems and any other information which may be required by the congestion charge payment systems such as motorist identification codes.

The computing arrangement is arranged to compare the vehicle location information or the calculated vehicle location with the congestion charge zone location information. The computing arrangement then determines whether or not the vehicle is in a congestion charge zone.

The communication device is arranged to send a telecommunication signal to a telecommunication network 5 and is responsive to the computing arrangement. Preferably the telecommunication signal is an SMS text message and the telecommunication network is a mobile telephone network. For a telecommunication signal to be sent, the computing means provides the communication device with an instruction to send such a signal. In the case that the telecommunication signal is an SMS text message the computing arrangement may provide the communication device with a number to which the message is to be sent as well as the content of the text of the message. Alternatively the communication device may have pre-stored therein a number to which messages are to be sent and the content of those text messages.

If the computing means determines that the vehicle has entered a congestion charging zone it will send an appropriate instruction to the communication device to send a telecommunication signal containing pre-stored information using the pre-stored contact information. As described hereinbefore, the memory may store such information, alternatively, the information may be pre-stored in the communication device itself.

In a typical congestion charging zone it will not be necessary to pay a charge everyday or at every time. For example, the charge may not apply at weekends or on public holidays, and may only be charged between certain hours, for example, between the hours of 7am and 6.30pm on working days.

The GPS system usually provided date and time information but if not the calendar and 24 hour clock source 9 can provide the computing means with date information. The memory preferably has stored in it information regarding the days on which the congestion charge is payable. The computing arrangement is arranged to determine, based on the date information and the stored information regarding days on which the congestion charge is payable, whether or not to enable the communication device for the sending of telecommunication signals.

Thus, two main comparisons are undertaken by the computing arrangement in order to establish whether or not to send a payment message to the congestion charge payment system. Firstly, the vehicle's present geographical location is compared with stored geographical location information and secondly, the present time is compared with stored time period information. If the vehicle is determined to be within the stored geographical location and a stored time period, the message is sent. This functionality may be implemented variously as described in the following.

Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating the functionality of the present invention in one embodiment. When the congestion charge payment device is first turned on it undertakes the operations shown in Figure 3 beginning at START. Firstly, the calendar is inspected to establish whether or not the present date is a date prescribed in the Rules. The Rules may be pre-stored or may be set by the user or a combination of both. If the present date is not in the Rules the operation is repeated. Once it is established that the present date corresponds to a date in the Rules the clock is inspected to establish whether or not the present time is within a time period defined by times x and y. X and y may be pre-stored or may be set by the user or a combination of both. If the present time is not within the time period the operation of inspecting the clock is repeated. Once it is established that the present time is within the time period the next operation is a location comparison. The current vehicle location is compared with pre-stored location information. If the vehicle is not within the pre-stored location the device returns operation to the beginning of the flow chart with the inspection of the calendar. If it is determined that the vehicle is within the pre-stored area the device begins the messaging routine. It is first established whether or not a message has been sent relating to the payment charge event, e.g. during the present date. If so, the operation returns to the beginning of the flow chart. If not, a payment message is sent and the operation returns to the top of the flow chart. At the operation of clock inspection, instead of repeating the operation if it is established that the current time is outside the time period, the device may return the operation to the beginning of the flow chart.

In an alternative embodiment, the calendar and clock inspection operations take place after the location comparison indicates that the vehicle is within a stored geographic location.

In an alternative embodiment, the calendar and clock inspection operations take place at the same time as the geographic location comparison. The computing means monitors all operations such that when the date comparison indicates that the present date is in the Rules, the time comparison indicates that the present time is within a stored time period defined by x and y and the present location is within the pre-stored location, the computing means causes said communication device to send a payment message. If the vehicle enters a congestion charging zone and the congestion charge payment device sends a text message, no further text message need be sent during the day in which the text message was sent. This is achieved by the use of the 24 hour clock 9. At the end of every 24 hour period (set to be 12 midnight) the computing arrangement resets the congestion charge payment device. If a text message is sent during the 24 hour period, the computing arrangement disables the text message sending capability of the congestion charge payment device. At the end of the 24 hour period the device is reset and the text message sending capability enabled. The device may send a warning on approach to congestion charging area. The computing arrangement is preferably arranged to provide the motorist with an indication that a text message has been sent. Once a confirmation is received by the computing arrangement from the communication device that a text message has been sent, the computing arrangement provides the display 13 with an instruction to display a pre-stored message. The telephone number to which the communication device sends the text message will depend on the congestion charge payment system, as may the information required in the text message itself. The input 14 is interfaced with the computing arrangement. The input is arranged so that the telephone number to which the text message is to be sent and the content of said text, which are stored in said memory, can be changed. Or other information coded into system.

Preferably the computing arrangement is arranged to force the sending of a text message in response a signal from the input. Additionally, the computing arrangement may be arranged to disable the text message sending facility in response to a signal from the input. In a typical congestion charging zone, the congestion charge will only apply to vehicles moving in the zone. Vehicles parked within the congestion charging zone will not be subject to the congestion charge as long as they do not move on public roads. Normally when a vehicle is not running, no power would be supplied to the present invention. When external power source is switched off if the device has it's own power supply then the device could send an "end of day message" rather than one when the charge zone is entered - the message could then contain full details of where the vehicle has travelled and when. However, the computing arrangement is preferably arranged to determine whether or not the vehicle is moving from GPS or speedometer cable and disable the communication device if the vehicle is stationary. This may be achieved by determining whether or not the GPS device has provided two different location information or by monitoring the vehicle speed and direction information.

The congestion charge payment device may be permanently fixed or portable. A permanently fixed device, may be hardwired into the vehicle's power supply and where applicable the vehicle speedometer cable. A portable device, is preferably provided with an adapter for connection to the cigarette lighter socket of the vehicle.

The congestion charge payment system may allow motorists to use their mobile phone to pay the charge for any vehicle. The congestion charge payment system may require that the text message contains the registration number of the vehicle for which the charge is to be paid for. The input device is arranged to allow editing of the contents of the text message or other communications if necessary.

Modern vehicles are often are provided with on board computer systems.

Such systems may be provided with GPS, vehicle speed and direction capability, road mapping etc. Preferably the congestion charge payment system can be connected to onboard computer systems and to utilise any functions thereof.

The congestion charge payment system may provide confirmation that a text message has been received and the congestion charge paid via return text message. Preferably, the communication device is provided with text message reception capability. When a confirmation text message is received the communication device provides the computing arrangement with an indication that a text message has been received. The computing means may be arranged to cause the display to display a message indicating that a confirmation message has been received. Alternatively the received text message content is passed to the computing means by the communication means. The computing arrangement then instructs the display to display the received confirmation message content. The congestion charge payment device may include a speaker. When a confirmation text message is received the computing arrangement may provided the speaker with an appropriate signal so that the speaker generates an audio signal.

The communication device is preferably arranged to receive information other than confirmation text messages. For example, software downloads to upgrade the congestion charge payment device or to update the congestion charge payment system contact number, update the congestion charge zone position information etc.

In the embodiment of the present invention in which the above described device sends text messages to a central data collection point, the payment of the congestion charge fee may operate as follows. The user of the central data collection service registers their details with the operator of said service. These details may include vehicle details, credit card/bank account details etc. The user informs the operator of the number of days in each month that it is intended to enter the congestion charge zone. The operator may then charge the user fees including a sign up fee, a monthly operator fee, a fee for expected usage (which may additionally include an operator fee). The operator then generates an account number which may be unique to the user, and enters the number into the above described device, which is then sent to the user.

When the device is first set up by the user (or indeed any time thereafter when the device is reset) a test process is carried out to ensure that the device is operating correctly.

The device then operates as described hereinbefore. Preferably, when the user enters a congestion charge zone a text message is sent to the central data collection point. The device can be arranged so that this is only sent once a day. Alternatively, a text message is sent every time the vehicle enters a congestion charge zone. In this case the central data collection point will only generate one payment of the congestion charge fee regardless of the number of text messages received from the device in any one day. If the device is switched on within a congestion charge zone it may send a text message. Alternatively, the device can be arranged to send a text message at the end of any given day, if the user has entered the congestion charging zone during that day. The device is therefore preferably provided with an internal power supply so that it may operate with the ignition of the vehicle turned off. Alternatively, the device can be arranged to keep a record of the vehicle movements during each month (or other predefined period) and send a text message containing such information at the end of the month.

The central data collection point is therefore adapted to be responsive not only to the receipt of a text message but additionally to the text information contained therein. The operator is then able to maintain records of all vehicles and their movements that are subscribed to the service and consequentially issue payment to the master congestion charge payment system. While the above description has been given in relation to using GPS for vehicle location and text messaging using a cellular telephone network, it is possible to modify one or both of these features. For example, vehicle location can be achieved using mobile phone positioning information which may in turn be GSM or GPRS information. Also, text messaging can be replaced by a suitable data communication link.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A message transmission arrangement, for use in a vehicle, comprising a location means arranged to provide a current location, first comparing means arranged to compare one or more stored locations with said current location, timing means arranged to provide the current time and/or date and second' comparing means arranged to compare one or more stored time periods with the current time and /or date, wherein said message transmission arrangement is arranged to transmit a message to a third party in response to said comparisons.

2. The message transmission arrangement of claim 1 in which said message transmission arrangement is arranged to transmit a message to a third party only if said current location corresponds to said one or more stored locations and said current date and/or time is within said one or more stored time periods.

3. The message transmission arrangement of any of claims 1 or 2 wherein a first of said at least one time periods is defined in hours and minutes.

4. The message transmission arrangement of any preceding claim wherein a second of said at least one time periods is defined in days of a calendar.

5. The message transmission arrangement of any preceding claim whereby inhibiting message transmission if it is determined that the current time and/or date is outside said one or more stored time periods.

6. The message transmission arrangement of any preceding claim arranged to receive a third party message from a third party.

7. The message transmission arrangement of claim 6 in which said third party message is a message confirming the receipt of said transmitted message.

8. The message transmission arrangement of claim 7 in which a message is repeatedly transmitted until a confirmation message is received and then no more in said one or more time periods.

9. The message transmission arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 in which a message is sent only once in any one time period.

10. The message transmission arrangement of any preceding claim in which message transmission is inhibited if said current position does not vary.

11. The message transmission arrangement of any preceding claim further comprising vehicle speed and direction means arranged to provide current vehicle speed and direction, and means arranged to calculate vehicle location based on a previous location and said vehicle speed and direction.

12. The message transmission arrangement of any preceding claims in which said vehicle location means is a differential global positing system device.

13. The message transmission arrangement of any preceding claim which said messages are SMS text messages.

14. The message transmission arrangement of any preceding claim in which said message transmission arrangement is a portable device.

15. The message transmission arrangement of claim 15 in which said portable device comprises an external power supply connector, wherein said portable device receives power for the operations of at least transmittal of messages through said connector.