EP1655700A2 - Method and system for road tax determination - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves system (1) in which communication network with lateral network component (101), user especially motor vehicle driver (20), mobile terminal (30) and central computer unit (11). The method has two ways for fixing signal element of longitudinal route. In first regulation process data concerning relative position of mobile terminal is manipulated through lateral network component. Further regulation process involves manipulation of internal information status of motor vehicle which are communicated across mobile terminal to central processing unit. The result of two regulation processes is compared with one another. An independent claim is also included for a system for fixation of usage fee.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a system for determining a route toll, in particular a road toll.

In order to be able to cover the costs of building and maintaining roads and other transport routes and to be able to shift the resulting costs and environmental costs from the taxpayers to the actual users of the transport routes, route user fees have been introduced in many countries. These are invoiced via so-called toll collection systems to the actual user of the traffic route.

In the case of conventional toll collection systems, terminals are provided at which the users specify data relating to the planned route, in particular the route, when entering a toll route and must pay a corresponding fee therefor. It is also possible to issue at the terminals a ticket in paper form, which presents the user when leaving the toll route and pays the incurred fee at a counter. Furthermore, systems are known in which so-called bridges are provided distributed over the toll route. The motor vehicles in this system are provided with specially designed devices, so-called on-board units (OBU), which are recognized by the bridges as they pass through them.

In WO 01/11571 A1 a further toll system is described. Here, the tolling device that is carried in the vehicle should be as simple as possible. It For this purpose, a communication device that allows communication via a mobile network, and a device for determining position, in particular a receiver of a Global Positioning System (GPS), provided in the motor vehicle. However, the position determination can also be made on the network side. For this purpose, in particular a location method based on the signal transit times between the terminals and the base stations of a mobile network can be used.

The billing cycle is triggered in this process by an advertisement from the motor vehicle. Here, a computer center is informed of the fact that the vehicle enters a toll road section. Also, the extension can be communicated by an indication to the computer center. After initialization, the calculation takes place via the information obtained from the position-determining devices and, if appropriate, a comparison with predetermined road profiles, for example in the form of road maps or maps.

The disadvantage of this type of charging for route user charges lies in the fact that the determination of the route length takes place exclusively via the position determination which is carried out by the network or by another system, in particular a GPS system. In the latter case, a corresponding device, in particular a GPS receiver to provide in the motor vehicle. In the case in which the position determination takes place via the network, the result must be compared using road data, in particular refined, in order to be able to make a statement about the distance traveled.

These disadvantages are of particular importance to users who travel the toll route only occasionally, possibly even once only. These users will also be referred to as occasional users or occasional users (OU). The motor vehicle of these users is namely in usually not equipped with the facilities required for some prior art devices on-board units (OBU's). Nevertheless, even with these occasional users billing should be accurate, which means that it must be possible to determine the distance traveled concretely. The detection of these users by the above-mentioned, based on terminals, manual system is also only partially possible or disadvantages, since this system is very cost-intensive and not very flexible. In particular, in a terminal-based method before starting the journey an exact determination of the route is necessary. When changing the route to be traveled, a terminal must be activated again.

The object underlying the present invention is therefore to provide a method and a system for determining a route user fee, which are simple and flexible, wherein both a carried in the motor vehicle terminal can be designed particularly simple and the system and the Procedure can also be used reliably for occasional users of a toll route for setting the fee.

The invention is based on the finding that this object can be achieved by using an independent of the position of the motor vehicle criterion for route calculation.

According to a first aspect, the object is achieved by a method for determining a route usage fee, in particular a road user charge, in a system in which a communication network with at least one network-side component and at least one mobile terminal assigned to a user, in particular the driver of a motor vehicle, and at least a central computer unit is provided, the method comprising at least the step of determining the route length and determining the route length by means of at least two methods, wherein the at least two determination methods in the central computer unit in a first determination method, data relating to the relative position of the terminal with respect to at least one network-side component of the communication network are processed, and in a further determination method motor vehicle-internal state information transmitted to the central processing unit is processed and the results of the two determination methods with each other be compared.

According to the invention, the route length is the distance covered by the motor vehicle on a toll route or in a toll area. The user is referred to below as the user of the toll route. The mobile terminal is therefore usually associated with the driver of the motor vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention that the mobile terminal is assigned to a passenger or a passenger.

By using two different methods and comparing the results obtained by these methods, the accuracy requirements of the route determination of at least one method are reduced. Furthermore, since the method is operated in a system in which a communication network is provided, the infrastructure already existing for this network can be used for the method according to the invention. In particular, the communication network can be used to transmit information and data to the central processing unit. The network or individual components of the network can also be used for determining the position of the motor vehicle. By not using the mobile terminal in the method according to the invention for the determination or calculation of the route length, this may have a simple structure. In particular, a conventional mobile phone can be used, since the mobile terminal only for obtaining, optionally storing and forwarding information and data must be designed. The use of a specially designed terminal, namely a so-called on-board unit (OBU), is therefore not necessary. Furthermore, in the method according to the invention a definition of the planned route at the beginning of the journey is not mandatory.

In addition, the inventive method provides additional protection against abuse, since the route length is also determined using data from the network and the user can not influence this data. In addition, when using a mobile phone as a mobile terminal further security measures or enforcement measures can be taken. Thus, when detecting a motor vehicle on a toll route, for example by a camera, a monitoring device can determine the user registered for this motor vehicle and its mobile phone number by means of the central computer unit. If the number thus determined is called and recognized that the terminal is switched off, the user may be stopped or a penalty may be charged.

Unlike methods using bridges, in the method according to the invention, the mobile terminal, in particular a mobile telephone, can serve as a platform for the essential route charging requirements. A dedicated charging device and a complex infrastructure are not required. As a result, the maintenance costs can be minimized.

With the present invention, it is thus possible to be able to use a simple terminal for a charge-setting system and nevertheless be able to achieve a high degree of accuracy with regard to the route length on which the determination is based.

The vehicle-internal state information that is used in a method for determining the route length, preferably represent the mileage of the motor vehicle. This information allows, without the need for further information, by subtraction between information that was collected at different times, determine the route length exactly to be able to. An account of road maps is not mandatory in this type of determination, whereby the calculation or determination programs to be provided in the central computer unit are simplified. The determination method using the in-vehicle state information for determining the route length may serve as a verification mechanism of another determination method. The requirements for the accuracy of the further determination method, in which the route length is determined by the position of the motor vehicle, are thus lower.

The state information of the motor vehicle is supplied according to the invention via the mobile terminal to the central computer unit. In this case, the user can read the information from an advertisement in the motor vehicle. When using the mileage, this information can be read from the odometer display of the vehicle. The information thus read can then be input to the user either via voice input or by using a key function of the mobile terminal. The information is then transmitted to the central computer unit. This status information can be stored in the mobile terminal before being transmitted to the central computer unit.

But it is also possible that at least the input of the status information in the mobile terminal is automatic. This can be done, for example, by using an interface to a data bus in the motor vehicle. In particular, transmission types such as in wireless piconet networks can be used for this purpose. These are in particular radio systems that have short distances in Energy-saving way to bridge, without requiring a large installation effort. An example of such a radio system is a Bluetooth system, via which a connection to a control unit of the motor vehicle, in particular to a CAN bus (Controller Area Network) of the motor vehicle, can be produced. About this connection, the vehicle-internal state information can be transmitted on request or continuously to the mobile device. The information can then be stored in the mobile terminal and transmitted by the user or by an automated transmission from the mobile terminal to the central processing unit. In the first case, the user will connect to the central computer unit via the mobile terminal, for example by dialing a predetermined number. The advantage of this type of transmission from the motor vehicle to the mobile terminal is that accidental or intentional incorrect entry of the status information by the user can be avoided. In addition, the user who operates the motor vehicle, in this automatic transmission only briefly distracted from the traffic. Also in the case of the automatic transmission of the status information from the motor vehicle to the mobile terminal, the initialization of the transmission of the status information to the central computer unit can be carried out by the user.

The vehicle-internal state information is preferably transmitted via the mobile terminal to the central computer unit at least when entering and exiting a toll route. This transmission is thus limited to a minimum, whereby the data traffic with the central computer unit can be kept low. In particular, when using the mileage can be determined exactly with the specification of this information when entering and leaving the toll area the route length and the user possibly required interaction is minimized. Entry into or departure from the paid area can be recognized in different ways. Firstly, there are usually at the beginning or end points of the paid area, For example, at a motorway entrance or at a national border, signs provided. On the other hand, however, the entry and exit can also be recognized by the mobile terminal as soon as it enters or leaves a charging area of a charging system.

The data that can be transmitted to and stored by at least one network-side component of the communication network is preferably transmitted during the stay on the toll route or in the toll area at regular intervals. In the mobile terminal, this data is stored. It is also possible for data indicating the position of the vehicle with respect to a network component to be transmitted automatically to the central computer unit upon reaching a threshold value in the memory of the mobile terminal.

According to one embodiment, the communication network has a cellular structure. In this case, the network-side component, from which data is transmitted to the mobile terminal, can represent a base station. The data transmitted from the at least one network-side component to the mobile terminal in this case preferably comprises cell information. Optionally, in addition to the cell information, in each case an indication of the time can be transmitted, whereby the verifiability of the information is facilitated. The indications of the time are understood to mean the date and time at which the information was transmitted. This has the further advantage that a continuous accessibility of the mobile terminal in the determination of the route length can be controlled. It is thus possible to determine whether a user has prevented his mobile terminal, for example by shielding the antenna, from receiving the cell information in order to be able to use part of the route without charges, if necessary.

The use of cell information as data, on the basis of which the position of the motor vehicle with respect to a network component are determined, represents the simplest case of position determination. When the mobile terminal is in a communication network, cell information is transmitted to the mobile terminal by the base station. Since this transmission of cell information is independent of the implementation of the method according to the invention, a separate determination of these data for determining the route length is not required. Thus, not only components of an already existing infrastructure can be used with the method according to the invention, but also method steps of other methods can be integrated into the method according to the invention.

In addition to or as an alternative to this simple case of determining the position relative to a network component, other methods may also be used, such as location methods based on the signal propagation time. These include, for example, the so-called "uplink time of arrival" (TOA) or the advanced positioning method "Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD), in which the transit time between a terminal and its assigned base station and at least two other neighboring base stations is measured, The so-called Assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS) can also be used, whereby a part of the positional parameters is determined by permanently installed or in the mobile terminal realized GPS receiver.

The transmission of the data from the component of the network to the mobile terminal can take place via a communication connection existing with the network component. However, it is also within the scope of the invention that the data is transmitted via broadcasting, in particular via cell braodcasting, to the mobile terminal. In this case, a communication link between the mobile terminal and, for example, the base station is not required. The information is generally in the Cell area broadcast and received by all mobile terminals in the area.

Preferably, the data that is transmitted from the component of the communication network to the mobile terminal, stored in this and transmitted at least when leaving the toll route to the central computer unit. At this time, all the information describing the route is in the form of position data relating to the relative position to one or more components of the communication network. From these can then be determined the distance traveled. To secure the information thus determined, the data, with regard to the relative position of the mobile terminal to at least one of the network-side components of the communication network, in the central processing unit with geographic information, in particular road progress, processed, in particular balanced.

The at least two determination methods are preferably carried out in the central computer unit at least when leaving the vehicle from the toll route. In this way, the computer power can be minimized because when leaving the route, the data and information regarding the entire route are known. Thus, for example, in one determination method by difference formation between the starting and end kilometer reading and in a further determination method by comparing the position data of the motor vehicle with road progressions, one route length can be determined in each case.

The comparison of the route lengths determined by the at least two determination methods preferably takes place before the user fee is determined. Based on the comparison, the correctness of the transmitted in-vehicle state information can be checked. This is done by comparing the track length determined on the basis of the position data and the based on the vehicle-internal state information determined route length. If a significant deviation is detected, a penalty may be levied and added to the calculated actual distance charge. In this way, the billing effort is simplified.

The communication network is, for example, a cellular mobile radio network, in particular a UMTS or GSM network. Preferably, the communication network is a third generation network. Particularly preferred is the communication network according to the IEEE 801.16 protocol, which provides a transmission rate of 2 to 155 Mbps IEEE 802.20 standard for wireless metropolitan area networks (WMAN) and local area networks (LAN), in particular the broadband wireless access systems regulated therein.

A further determination method can be used in addition to the methods mentioned or alternatively to one of the methods mentioned, wherein in this further determination method position data for the vehicle, which were determined by means of a satellite system, are processed. This determination method can be used in particular in motor vehicles that are equipped, for example, for a navigation system with a GPS receiver. The presence of a GPS receiver can be determined automatically by the central computer unit. The GPS receiver may be integrated with the mobile terminal or in communication with the mobile terminal. Thus, the results of the position determination can be transmitted via the mobile terminal to the central computer unit. This determination method may be performed separately from or in addition to the above-mentioned A-GPS. The position data can be determined on the vehicle side in this embodiment and transmitted to the central computer unit. As a result, the computer workload is reduced in the central processing unit.

The transmission of the vehicle-internal state information to the central computer unit according to the invention can be made so that this transmission can be distinguished from other transmissions from the terminal. For this purpose, for example, special channels can be used or the status information can be provided with identifiers that allow identification. In this way, a transmission fee charged by the operator of the communication network for this transmission can be easily identified and possibly charged to the operator of the system. An occasional user of the system is thus not worse off than permanent users who do not use the communication network to determine the route length.

The mobile terminal, upon detecting the entry into and the leaving of a communication network that supports the at least two determination methods, may generate a request that the user should transmit motor vehicle-internal state information to the central computer unit, or the mobile terminal automatically starts the transmission at these times. The last case can occur, in particular, when the transmission of status information to the mobile terminal takes place automatically, for example via an interface with the CAN bus.

With the method according to the invention, it is also possible for the user to provide information regarding desired positions on the toll route to the computer unit before entering the toll route and for using the information to determine the route length as control positions that are used with data originating from be transmitted to the mobile terminal during the stay on the toll route to the central computer unit, processed, in particular compared. By these markers, the accuracy of the method, which uses the position of the motor vehicle as a basis, can be increased.

In the central computer unit, the route length determined from the data of the communications network is preferably subdivided into sub-routes before the user fee is determined, wherein individual sub-routes may be assigned different charges. As a result, different fees for different route sections can also be calculated for occasional users.

The method may further comprise the step of downloading a program prior to entering a toll route or a toll area from the central processing unit to the mobile terminal. This is sufficient according to the invention, since the requirements for the mobile terminal are low and can be introduced in the form of a simple program in the mobile terminal. Further modifications of the mobile terminal are not required. The program by means of which the method is carried out and that is at least partly to be installed on the mobile terminal is a remote user-client software.

By such a program, different functionalities can be provided in the mobile terminal, which are necessary or helpful for the method according to the invention. In particular, functionalities are generally provided that relate to the receipt, storage, forwarding and / or transmission of information and data.

The functionalities may relate in particular to the transmission of data relating to the position of the mobile terminal, in particular the relative position of the mobile terminal to at least one network-side component of the communication network. Furthermore, functionalities regarding the receipt of information regarding the motor vehicle condition, for example by automated retrieval from a data bus of the motor vehicle, or concerning the receipt of information from a network component, in particular cell information, and for forwarding information and data to the central computer unit.

The inventive method may further comprise the step of registering the user with the computer unit. Particularly preferably, when the user registers, his identity is verified. As a result, after setting the user fee this can be reliably charged to the user. The functionality required for the registration can be provided in the mobile terminal by a program, which can also be downloaded from the central processing unit to the mobile device.

The process according to the invention is preferably carried out with the system described below.

According to a further aspect, the object is achieved by a system for determining a user fee, wherein this comprises a communication network with at least one network-side component and at least one mobile terminal assigned to a user, in particular the driver of a motor vehicle, and at least one central computer unit. The system is characterized in that the mobile terminal has a receiving unit for receiving data from at least one network-side component of the communication network, at least one memory unit for storing received data, at least one transmitting unit for sending data, and at least one input unit for inputting wherein the memory unit is connected to the receiving unit and the transmitting unit and the input unit is connected to the transmitting unit and that the central processing unit has at least one memory for storing data and information obtained via the terminal, a processing unit for Editing data and information obtained via the terminal and at least one comparison unit for comparison of information obtained from the data with information obtained from the information.

The input unit of the mobile terminal can represent, for example, a keyboard, a touch screen or a microphone for voice input. However, it is also possible according to the invention that the input unit is connected to an interface, preferably with an interface to the data bus of the motor vehicle.

In the description of the system according to the invention, the data referred to are data relating to the relative position of the mobile terminal with respect to a network-side component of the communication network, already described with regard to the method. Information refers to the already mentioned motor vehicle state information, such as the mileage.

The mobile terminal preferably represents a mobile telephone and in this logic is stored for receiving and storing the data and for transmitting the data to the central computer unit. The logic is preferably implemented in the form of a program in the mobile telephone. According to the invention, however, the mobile terminal can also be a PDA or another mobile terminal, which is at least designed for communication via the communication network and for the further functionalities required according to the invention or at least can be upgraded.

By the logic that can be provided by a program, the following steps are supported by the mobile phone or carried out by this: the registration of the user, registration of the vehicle, verification of the user, self-specification of the distance traveled, communication with the central processing unit and process automation.

In order to be able to support the functionalities required for the method according to the invention, the mobile terminal, in particular the mobile telephone, is preferably equipped with a Symbian operating system or supports Java Midlets. These requirements will be met in the near future by most mobile phones, so that the number of users who can not participate in the casual user's method according to the present invention with their own mobile phone will soon be at a minimum.

If the mobile terminal or another terminal provided on the motor vehicle is designed such that a position determination method can be carried out with it, this can be used advantageously in the system according to the invention. In particular, this makes it possible to determine reliably on which type of route section the motor vehicle is located, for example a highway in comparison to a motorway. The above-mentioned methods such as uplink time of arrival (TOA), enhanced observed time difference (E-OTD) may be considered for the position determination, whereby these may be supported or not supported. Furthermore, independent positioning methods can be used, such as GPS or GLANOSS. The results of these methods are then also stored on the mobile terminal and transmitted according to the above-mentioned cell information to the central processing unit. In the central computer unit, these results can be included in the comparison with the results obtained by the in-vehicle state information

The system is preferably designed for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Features and advantages that are described with regard to the system according to the invention apply, if applicable, correspondingly to the method according to the invention and vice versa.

• Figur 1: eine schematische Blockdarstellung einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Systems;
• Figur 2: eine schematische Blockdarstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Systems;
• Figur 3: ein Flussdiagramm einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens; und
• Figur 4: eine schematische Blockdarstellung der zentralen Rechnereinheit.

The invention will be explained again below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the system according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a further embodiment of the system according to the invention;
• FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention; and
• FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of the central computer unit.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a system 1 according to the invention. The system 1 comprises a central processing unit 11 and a communication network 10. In the illustrated embodiment, this has a cellular structure. In each cell 102, a base station 101 is provided in each case. A mobile terminal 30, which constitutes a mobile telephone in the illustrated embodiment, is designed for communication in the communication network 10, and thus can in particular receive and transmit signals from the base station 101. The transmission of signals from the base station 101 may also be in the form of broadcasting. In that regard, the structure of the communication network 10 corresponds to a conventional cellular mobile radio network. The concrete structure of such networks is well known and will therefore not be explained in detail here.

In the system 1 according to the invention, a communication connection can be set up between the central computer unit 11 and the mobile telephone 30.

This is preferably done via the communication network 10, in particular via a mobile station 30 assigned to the base station 101 at the time of transmission. In FIG. 1, however, this communication connection is indicated directly between the mobile telephone 30 and the central computer unit 11 for clarification purposes. It is also possible according to the invention that this connection takes place via another network, for example the Internet.

On the one hand, data and information can be transmitted from the mobile telephone 30 to the central computer unit 11 via the communication connection between the mobile telephone 30 and the central computer unit 11 and, for another, programs can be downloaded from the central computer unit 11 to the mobile telephone 30, for example.

In the figure 1, a motor vehicle 20 is further shown. In this, the mobile phone 30 is either connected, that is connected to this or the mobile phone 30 is carried by the driver of the motor vehicle 20. In the motor vehicle 20, FIG. 1 also shows a mileage display 21. The connection between this display 21 and the mobile telephone 30 is made in the illustrated embodiment via the driver of the motor vehicle 20. This can namely enter the information displayed on the display 21 in the mobile phone 30 via suitable means, in particular by keys or by voice input.

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the system 1 according to the invention. This embodiment has substantially the same construction as the embodiment shown in FIG. Components and their operation may therefore not be described again. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 1, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, however, the connection between the mobile telephone 30 and the motor vehicle 20 is not given via a display 21 and the driver. In FIG. 2, this connection is rather formed by an interface via which the mobile telephone 30 can access the data bus 22, in particular the CAN, the motor vehicle 20. The interface can in particular represent an air interface. Information about the mileage of the motor vehicle 20 can be transmitted to the mobile terminal 30 via this interface.

Furthermore, a GPS transmitter 40 is schematically indicated in FIG. 2, which according to an embodiment of the method according to the invention can be used for additional position determination by means of a satellite system. As a GPS receiver, the mobile terminal 30 or a separate receiver can be used.

In the mobile telephone 30, a receiving unit, an input unit, a memory unit and a transmission unit are provided. These components are typically conventional components of a mobile phone and are therefore not shown separately in the figures.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of the essential components of the central computer unit 11. In particular, a receiving unit 111, a storage unit 112 and a processing unit 113 are provided. At least the processing unit 113 is connected to a comparison unit 114, which is followed by a calculation unit 115. The units of the central computer unit 11 can be designed in particular as programs on a server.

An embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is indicated in FIG. 3, will also be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

The embodiment of the method begins with a registration of the potential user. For this purpose, the user logs on to the central computer unit 12. This can be done via the mobile telephone 30 or else via other means of communication, such as the Internet. During registration, the information about the owner of the vehicle, its bank details, vehicle specification information and terminals present in or on the motor vehicle, in particular mobile telephone and GPS receiver, can be registered.

If the user is registered, he can directly request the service of the system according to the invention, that is to say the execution of the method according to the invention. This request is made by the user, preferably before entering a toll route. Due to the registration can be checked in the central computer unit 11 in particular, whether the mobile phone 30, which has specified the driver during registration, is designed for the inventive method.

If the functionalities required for the method according to the invention are not available on the mobile telephone, a program with which the corresponding functionalities are provided can be downloaded at the request of the user or automatically from the central computer unit. In the case where the mobile phone is not designed to download or implement such a program, the user is notified that he can not use the service and, if necessary, is directed to a terminal where he is given a suitable terminal can be.

If the service is started by the user after possibly prior download and installation of the program, the user may preferably be presented with a menu with predetermined standard values. This can ensure that the user provides the information necessary for the procedure. For example, in the menu of the user, in particular its name or user ID, and the vehicle identification can be queried.

After entering this essential information, the user may be prompted to enter a personal identification number (PIN). Based on these inputs, the authenticity of the user can be checked and its previous registration can be verified.

If the user now drives into a toll route, the latter has to transmit the mileage of the motor vehicle 20 to the central computer unit 11. The transmission takes place via the mobile telephone 30. The information to be transmitted can, as described above, be entered into the mobile telephone 30 via a reading of the mileage from a display and input into the mobile telephone 30 or via an interface to a data bus of the motor vehicle and from this is transmitted to the central computer unit 11. The transmission to the central computer unit 11 is carried out by the user. In this case, this is an actual self-declaration of the driver or user, which determines the beginning of the route for which fees must be charged. However, it is also possible to automatically start the transmission to the central computer unit 11 as soon as the mobile telephone 30 recognizes the entry into a toll area.

While traveling on the toll route in a cellular communication network 10, the mobile station 30 regularly receives signals, in particular GSM or UMTS network information, from base stations 101. These cell indications are stored in the mobile telephone 30. Whereby preferably the cell data are additionally provided with times regarding the transmission of the cell data. Through this stored data verification points are created, through which a later verification of the self-declaration of the driver is possible. The data stored in the mobile telephone 30 is preferably transmitted automatically by the mobile telephone 30 to the central computer unit. The transmission may be done, for example, when the storage capacity of the storage unit of the mobile phone 30 is reached or when a time threshold is reached.

If the driver leaves the toll route, he must again transmit the mileage of the motor vehicle 20 to the central computer unit 11, or this information is automatically passed from the mobile phone 30 to the computer unit 11. If necessary, at the latest at this time, network information stored in the mobile telephone 30 and not yet transmitted to the central computer unit 11, in particular cell information, is transmitted to the central computer unit 11.

In the central computer unit 11, which is also referred to as a back office, the distance traveled in the processing unit 113 is calculated from the mileage indicated by means of the self-declaration. At the same time or subsequently, the route length is again determined by means of the verification points using road maps. The results thus obtained are compared in the comparison unit 114. If the two calculated route lengths agree, a fee for this route can be calculated in a calculation unit 115 and billed to the user. It can also be taken into account that different sections may be subject to different fees.

If a discrepancy is found in the comparison of the route lengths obtained by the two methods of determination, a penalty may be charged. This fee is preferably charged only if the route specified by the driver is shorter than the distance determined from the cell data.

For the user, the method according to the invention and the system according to the invention have the advantage that this represents a time saving when the user has a suitable mobile telephone or other terminal. A start-up of a distribution center in order to be able to receive a terminal designed especially for the charging and billing method namely omitted for such a user. However, the user bears the responsibility to provide correct explanations about the route of his journey.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

system

10

Communication network

101

base station

102

Cell of the communication network

11

central computer unit

111

receiver unit

112

Storage

113

processing unit

114

comparing unit

115

calculation unit

20

motor vehicle

21

Mileage display

22

Data bus (CAN)

30

mobile terminal

40

GPS transmitter

Claims (29)

Method for determining a route user charge, in particular a road user charge, in a system (1) in which a communications network (10) with at least one network-side component (101) and at least one mobile terminal assigned to a user, in particular the driver of a motor vehicle (20) (30) and a central computer unit (11) are provided,
the method comprising at least the step of determining the route length and
the determination of the route length is carried out by means of at least two methods,
wherein the at least two determination methods are performed in the central processing unit (11), and
wherein in a first determination method, data relating to the relative position of the mobile terminal (30) with respect to at least one network-side component (101) of the communication network (10) are processed, and
in a further determination method, vehicle-internal state information that has been transmitted to the central computer unit (11) via the terminal (30), and
the results of the two methods of determination are compared. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle-internal state information via an interface to a control unit (22) of the motor vehicle (20) are transmitted to the mobile terminal (30). Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the user, the motor vehicle internal state information at least at Entering into and leaving a toll route via the mobile terminal (30) to the central computer unit (11) transmitted. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that data from at least one network-side component (101) of the communication network (10) is transmitted to the mobile terminal (30) at regular intervals during the stay on the toll route and is stored there , Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the data stored by the mobile terminal (30) are transmitted to the central computer unit (11) at least when leaving the toll route. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least two determination methods are carried out in the central computer unit (11) at least when leaving the motor vehicle (20) of the toll route. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the vehicle-internal state information represent the odometer reading of the motor vehicle (20). Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the communication network (10) has a cellular structure and the data, which is transmitted from the at least one network-side component (101) to the mobile terminal (30) comprise cell information , A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the data additionally include information regarding the time. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the processing of the vehicle-internal state information transmitted by the user to the central computer unit (11) for determining the route length represents a difference. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the data relating to the relative position of the mobile terminal (30) to at least one of the network-side components (101) of the communication network (10) in the central processing unit (11) with geographical information, especially roads, processed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that prior to the determination of the user fee, the comparison of the determined by the at least two determination method track lengths is performed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the communication network is a cellular mobile network, in particular a UMTS or GSM network. Method according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a further determination method is used, wherein in this further determination method position data for the motor vehicle (30), which were determined by means of a satellite system, are processed. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the position data are determined on the vehicle side and transmitted to the central computer unit (11). Method according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the transmission of the vehicle-internal state information to the central Computer unit (11) takes place so that this transmission can be distinguished from other transmissions from the mobile terminal (30). Method according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the mobile terminal (30) upon detecting the entry into and the exit of a communication network (10), which supports the at least two determination methods, generates a request that the user motor vehicle internal state information to to transmit the central computer unit (11). Method according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that before entering the toll route the user provides information regarding desired positions on the toll route to the central computer unit (11) and these details are used as control positions in determining the route length which are processed, in particular compared, with data transmitted by the mobile terminal (30) during the stay on the toll route to the central computer unit (11). Method according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that in the central computer unit (11) from the data of the communication network (10) determined route length is divided into sections before the user fee is determined and individual sections are associated with different fees. Method according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the method comprises the step of downloading a program prior to entering a toll route from the central computer unit (11) to the mobile terminal (30). A method according to claim 20, characterized in that functions are provided by the program in the mobile terminal (30), which relates to the transmission of data relating to the relative position of the mobile terminal (30) to at least one network-side component (101) of the Communications network to and from the mobile terminal (30) and to the storage of the data on the mobile terminal (30) relate. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 21, characterized in that it comprises the step of registering the user with the central computer unit (11). A method according to claim 22, characterized in that at the registration of the user whose identity is verified. Method according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that it is carried out with a system according to one of claims 25 to 28. System for determining a user fee, the latter comprising a communication network (10) having at least one network-side component (101) and at least one mobile terminal (30) assigned to the user of a motor vehicle (20) and at least one central computer unit (11), characterized
in that the mobile terminal (30) has a receiving unit for receiving data from at least one network-side component (101) of the communication network (10), at least one memory unit for storing received data,
at least one transmitting unit for sending data, and
at least one input unit for input of in-vehicle state information by the user,
wherein the memory unit is connected to the receiving unit and the transmitting unit and the input unit is connected to the transmitting unit and
in that the central computer unit (11) at least
a memory (112) for storing data and information obtained via the terminal (30),
a processing unit (113) for processing data and information obtained via the terminal (30), and
at least one comparison unit (114) for comparing information obtained from the data with information obtained from the information. A system according to claim 25, characterized in that the mobile terminal (30) is a mobile phone and in this a logic for receiving and storing the data and for transmitting the data to the central computer unit (11) is stored. A system according to claim 26, characterized in that the logic is implemented in the form of a program in the mobile telephone. System according to one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the mobile terminal (30) via an interface to a control unit (22) of the motor vehicle (20) is connected. System according to one of claims 25 to 28, the system is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 23.

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