EP2530654B1 - Method for initializing and de-initializing a mobile vehicle device and vehicle device with such a mobile vehicle device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for setting up a mobile vehicle device and a vehicle device with such a mobile vehicle device for collecting fees that are incurred in particular for the use of a traffic area by a vehicle that is subject to a fee.

The following patents and publications are to be regarded as technical background to one or more features of the invention: EP 1 533 867 A1 , DE 10 2004 018 541 A1 , WO 2008 134 115 A2 , US 6,025,784A , WO 1995 032 528 A1 , EP 0 676 648 A1 , U.S. 4,001,822A , DE 20 2004 002 448 U1 , WO 2008 020 771 A2 , DE 10 2008 043 830 A1 , WO 1999 036 886 A1 , U.S. 2004 0 189 493 A1 , U.S. 7,237,715 B1 , DE 43 35 316 A1 , WO 2000 010 133 A2 , DE 10 2004 002 892 A1 , DE 44 09 166 C1 .

Toll systems, as an example of toll collection systems, rely on determining the position of toll vehicles in an area governing the use of the toll road, as an example of toll infrastructure elements, particularly toll traffic areas, in general to collect tolls.

In order to avoid waiting times when paying the fees, which typically occurs at manual toll payment points on the road, on-board fee collection devices (toll devices, known in Germany as OBUs (on-board units) or simply: vehicle devices) have proven themselves, which indicate the presence of the vehicle in determine, announce and/or confirm a toll area (e.g. a section of freeway).

In order to bill the fees that have become due with the use, the vehicle device transmits at least one identification data record to a fee collection point, by means of which the user and/or the user's means of payment can be determined.

For this purpose, the on-board device has a first communication interface, by means of which the identification data record - for example together with fee data for fees incurred for the use of a traffic area or several traffic areas - can be transmitted to the registration device of a fee collection point of the vehicle fee system.

A first example of such a first communication interface is a GSM interface, a long-range communication interface that is provided by a mobile radio transceiver in the vehicle device, which, in order to carry out the communication, connects to a mobile radio transceiver of at least one base station of a mobile radio network. to transmit the identification data record and, if applicable, fee data to the fee collection agency.

A second example of such a first communication interface is a short-range communication interface with a DSRC interface, which is provided by a DSRC transceiver in the vehicle device, which connects at least one roadside DSRC transceiver to carry out the communication with a DSRC transceiver in order to to transmit the identification data record to the fee collection agency. DSRC communication carriers can be, for example, microwave and infrared waves.

Such a short-range communication interface can be used both for the collection of fees and for checking that fees have been collected correctly, which took place autonomously in the vehicle device. In both cases, the vehicle device-side DSRC interface communicates with the DSRC interface on the traffic area side Registration device of a vehicle fee system, in the first case a vehicle fee collection system, in the second case a vehicle fee control system.

In the simplest case, the identification data record has, for example, only a serial number of the vehicle device (DID=device ID). If the use of fee collection devices from several different fee collection centers is planned in the area of one or more fee-based infrastructure elements of an infrastructure operator, it is advantageous to add an identification of the fee collection center to the identification data record.

This means that the user's personal data (user data) are excluded from communication if this user data has previously been linked to on-board device data (e.g. the serial number) of the on-board device and stored in a database at the toll collection point. From a data security point of view, this configuration is advantageous.

The linking of user data with vehicle device data - regardless of the localization of this link - is referred to as personalization of the device. This personalization can be extended by an initialization with which vehicle device data are assigned to vehicle data of the vehicle for which it is used. This can be done centrally in a database of the fee collection point and/or decentrally in a data memory of the vehicle device, which is provided for the vehicle that is subject to the fee.

In the simplest case, vehicle data has, for example, a data record that uniquely identifies the vehicle, for example the (motor) vehicle registration number (LPN = license plate number), which was assigned to the vehicle by a state authority and assigned by means of a data record on the vehicle attaching license plate is visualized. This vehicle registration number can be supplemented by a country code of the state whose authority registered the vehicle (e.g. DE for Germany, FR for France, IT for Italy, etc.). As an alternative or in addition, the vehicle data can contain the vehicle identification number (VIN=vehicle identification number), which the vehicle retains over its entire lifetime—unlike the vehicle registration number, if applicable. In contrast to the vehicle registration number, this number is usually not visible on the vehicle from the outside.

Vehicle-identifying data are deemed to be vehicle data relevant to inspections if they can be determined by means of a technical evaluation of images of the vehicle that were recorded by an imaging inspection device.

Furthermore, the vehicle data generally include vehicle parameters that classify the vehicle and are subject to different fees depending on the value of the vehicle parameter—so-called fee-relevant vehicle-classifying vehicle data. These vehicle-classifying vehicle data include, for example, the visually detectable vehicle parameters "number of axles", "vehicle height", "vehicle length", etc. and the hidden, non-visually detectable vehicle parameters "permissible total weight", "emission class", "displacement", "performance", " top speed" etc.

These vehicle parameters are subject to the fee calculation to the extent that different fees are to be charged for vehicles that can be distinguished by different values of a vehicle parameter. The values of some of these vehicle parameters can change for a vehicle without a change in the vehicle registration being necessary. For example, the number of axles on a vehicle can be increased by adding a semi-trailer and/or trailer to the tractor, or can be reduced by removing a trailer and/or semi-trailer from the tractor. In this case, an error-free change in the number of axles in the vehicle data to be used for charging the fee is required.

Furthermore, when changing from a first vehicle, to which the on-board unit was assigned, to a second vehicle, to which the on-board unit is to be assigned, in the course of removing the on-board unit from the first vehicle and installing it in the second vehicle, a continuous new inclusion of the make vehicle-identifying and the fee-relevant vehicle-classifying vehicle data in the data memory of the vehicle device. This process is referred to as re-initialization and can consist of the two steps de-initialization (deleting the vehicle data of the first vehicle) and reinitialization (storing the vehicle data of the second vehicle).

The vehicle parameters are not necessarily known to the owner of the vehicle device and user of the second vehicle. Even if he could take them from various documents (e.g. the vehicle registration document or the vehicle registration document), errors can occur when entering them, which in the event of a check unintentionally identify the user as a wrong payer.

This applies both to the central assignment of the vehicle parameters to the on-board unit in a database of the toll collection point and, alternatively or optionally, to the decentralized on-board unit-side entry of the vehicle parameters into a data memory of the on-board unit (on-board unit initialization).

In the German toll system operated by Toll Collect GmbH, when changing vehicles, it is necessary to go to a service point that removes the on-board unit from the first vehicle, installs it in the second vehicle and is alone able to enter vehicle-identifying data into a data memory of the on-board unit and to carry out the assignment of a vehicle to an on-board device (initialization) on the on-board device side. This is associated with considerable effort for the vehicle owner because he is forced to go to the service point even if the number plate is changed.

Other methods are known from the patent literature which enable the vehicle owner to initialize the vehicle device.

From the disclosure document WO 2006 050 543 A1 It is known to generate an initialization PIN centrally from a device identification and a user identification (here: the vehicle registration number), by means of which the vehicle device calculates the user identification for user-specific initialization. To do this, the initialisation PIN must be transferred from the control center to the on-board device.

From the disclosure document EP 1 870 302 A1 It is known to personalize an on-board device using personalization software with data relevant to the personalization (here: user data and/or vehicle data), which are transmitted to the on-board device from a control center in which they have previously been stored.

From the disclosure documents EP 2 128 825 A2 and DE 10 2008 002 071 A1 of the same patent family it is known that fee-relevant vehicle data are transmitted to the vehicle device on request as a result of the transmission of a vehicle identifier from a server.

From the disclosure document EP 2 249 313 A1 It is known to register user and vehicle data in a control center and to provide it with a user ID, by means of which the user and vehicle data are transmitted from the control center to the on-board device upon request to initialize the on-board device.

From the disclosure document U.S. 2010 0 060 484 A1 It is known to register user and vehicle data with a toll service provider via a website, with the vehicle data being assigned to an on-board device centrally and remaining stored there. This assignment is not decentralized by transferring the vehicle data to the on-board device.

A disadvantage of all these methods is that the vehicle data, in particular both the vehicle-identifying vehicle data and the vehicle data relevant to the vehicle classification, must be entered at a central location before initialization, usually in conjunction with an identifier that allows the relevant Provide a data set of required vehicle data or data-technical derivations from these automatically or on request.

Another disadvantage of the known methods is the long-range communication with a central location that is required for the initialization and that can be disrupted at the time the initialization is required.

These disadvantages are particularly evident for non-stationary installed in the vehicle - mobile - vehicle devices that are intended for alternating use in different vehicles and form vehicle devices with an on-board recording device for repeatable recording and removal of the mobile vehicle device, which are used to collect fees for any vehicle should be suitable.

From the disclosure document EP 1 760 664 A2 is also known to automatically read out vehicle data from a chip attached to the vehicle by a mobile detection unit by radio or via physical contact with the chip.

The object of the invention is therefore to create a method and a device with which the assignment of a mobile vehicle device to a vehicle is guaranteed in a safe and simple manner for the user. In particular, it is the object of the invention to enable the assignment of a mobile vehicle device to a vehicle by the user himself and thus to allow a simple change of vehicle for the user. Furthermore, it is the object of the invention to rule out the erroneous input of incorrect vehicle data into the mobile vehicle device.

The object is solved with the features of the independent claims. Preferred developments and uses are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The essence of the invention is the provision of vehicle data for a vehicle that is subject to a fee for a mobile vehicle device for collecting fees for the vehicle that is subject to a fee by a transponder attached to the vehicle that is subject to a fee, with the mobile vehicle device and a recording device for the mobile vehicle device being used to receive the vehicle data from the transponder comprehensive vehicle device has a reading device, by means of which the vehicle data can be read wirelessly from the transponder, the recording of the vehicle device by the recording device being the prerequisite for the vehicle data of the transponder to be stored in the mobile vehicle device.

A transponder is understood to be an arrangement which reacts to an incoming querying or detecting wave by emitting a specific answering or identifying wave.

The inventor has recognized that a central registration of the vehicle data in the fee collection point for the process of pure fee collection is unnecessary. This makes it possible to separate the user from the vehicle in central, non-governmental units, which is desirable from a data security point of view and is common in practice.

The inventor has also recognized that vehicle data is only required for charging and control purposes and vehicle data can therefore be deleted from the data storage of a registration device outside the vehicle that is responsible for charging and/or control after charging and/or a successful control. In principle, it is sufficient to transfer vehicle data to the mobile vehicle device alone store, which is currently used for charging for that vehicle whose correct charging is to be checked in particular with regard to the fee-relevant vehicle data.

In addition, the inventor has found that an initialization of a mobile vehicle device carried out by the user is made safer for the user by additional measures with which the mobile vehicle device is linked to the vehicle.

The invention is therefore based on the idea of not storing this vehicle data centrally, but rather decentrally in connection with the vehicle that is subject to the charge, i.e.: to carry it with the vehicle regardless of the presence of a mobile vehicle device, and to make it available for use in principle in any mobile vehicle device, which takes the space provided for him in the vehicle for charging and control purposes.

The invention does not rule out the vehicle data being able to be transmitted not only to the mobile vehicle device but also to the toll collection point; however, it is based on the fact that central storage can be avoided. It thus provides a secure and easy-to-handle method for decentralized initialization—this is the first data link between vehicle and vehicle device—of a mobile vehicle device.

In addition, the mobile vehicle device can send a request to the toll collection point via a long-range communication interface of the mobile vehicle device, for example via a mobile radio transceiver, together with the vehicle data, to assign the vehicle data to the vehicle device data, thus also centrally assigning a data link between the vehicle and the vehicle device create.

The recording in the vehicle-side recording device ensures according to the invention that a data link between the vehicle and the mobile vehicle device takes place only on the mobile vehicle device, which the user explicitly provides for charging fees for this vehicle. The inadvertent charging of fees by a second vehicle device that is not attached to the receiving device can thus be avoided - especially if the data link between the vehicle and the mobile vehicle device is canceled by removing the mobile vehicle device from the receiving device or if a fee is charged is coupled to the attachment of the mobile vehicle device in the receiving device.

The inadvertent collection of fees for an unused vehicle and the lack of collection of fees for the used vehicle can be avoided in that vehicle data, which are stored on the mobile vehicle device after reading the transponder, for verification by the driver when attaching the mobile vehicle device from displayed by the on-board device or by the recording device, or by the fact that vehicle data that is stored on the mobile on-board device after the transponder has been read is only limited in terms of its storage period on the mobile on-board device or in a memory area of a data memory of the mobile on-board device provided for storage to one predetermined period of time, for example one minute, are present and are deleted after the predetermined period of time has elapsed or are moved from the memory area provided for storage to another memory area.

The invention is further described below in terms of several aspects representing different categories of the invention. Advantages, features and embodiments mentioned under one aspect of the invention apply here as transferable to all other aspects of the invention.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method according to the invention for setting up a mobile vehicle device suitable for charging a vehicle, which is used to provide vehicle data of the vehicle and/or at least one item of information dependent on vehicle data for wireless transmission by means of at least one first communication interface of the vehicle mobile vehicle device to at least one registration device of at least one vehicle fee system located outside the vehicle, (a) the transmission of vehicle data from the vehicle to the mobile vehicle device, (b) the at least temporary storage of the vehicle data in a memory area of a data memory of the mobile vehicle device and (c ) the detachable attachment of the mobile on-board device in the vehicle and is characterized in that for the transmission of the vehicle data to the mobile on-board device at least one transponder attached to the vehicle outside of the mobile on-board device and providing the vehicle data is activated, whereby i) the transmission of vehicle data of the Vehicle to the mobile vehicle device and / or ii) their storage in a memory area of the data memory is triggered or enabled by the attachment of the mobile vehicle device in the vehicle. Vehicle-dependent information, such as vehicle-parameter-dependent charge data, can be created, for example, by a processor of the mobile vehicle device by linking vehicle-independent information (infrastructure element data and/or charge base data) with vehicle-classifying vehicle data. The at least temporary storage of the vehicle data in a memory area of a data memory of the mobile vehicle device serves to create and/or maintain an at least temporary data link between the vehicle and the mobile vehicle device on the mobile vehicle device.

This means that no central unit is involved in the initialization of the mobile vehicle device, namely the transmission of vehicle data from the vehicle that is subject to a charge to the mobile vehicle device for at least temporary storage of the vehicle data in a memory area of the data memory of the mobile vehicle device. In particular, the central assignment of user and/or vehicle device data to vehicle data prior to the intended use of the mobile vehicle device and the transmission of the vehicle data to the vehicle device with the participation of a central data processing device can be omitted. The double long-range communication connection via mobile radio and/or Internet previously required for the initialization of the mobile vehicle device (i) for central assignment and (ii) for central data provision is thus advantageously replaced by a short-range communication connection between the mobile device currently being used for the vehicle Vehicle device and the transponder attached to the vehicle and carried by the vehicle, which contains all the necessary vehicle data.

The advantage for users and owners of the on-board device is that after a one-time registration of their personal data at a fee collection point, in which the device data of their mobile on-board device are assigned to the personal data (fixed personalization of the on-board device), they do not have to establish any further connection with the fee collection point if he wants to use the mobile vehicle device for different vehicles (changing initialization of the vehicle device). The vehicle data, in particular the vehicle data relevant to the fee and the vehicle data relevant to the control, are always present in the transponder of the vehicle that is subject to the fee and can be transferred from the transponder to the mobile vehicle device at any time by activating the transponder.

According to the invention, by storing the vehicle data transmitted from the transponder to the mobile vehicle device in the memory area of the data memory of the mobile vehicle device, a data link between the vehicle and the mobile vehicle device is advantageously set up decentrally and the mobile vehicle device as a result decentralized initialized before or even without such a data link is registered centrally in the registration device (initialization).

Preferably, before the initializing transmission of the vehicle data from the transponder to the mobile vehicle device, no vehicle data of any vehicle is stored on the mobile vehicle device or said memory area of the data memory or said data memory is free of vehicle data of any vehicle. The use of a mobile vehicle device that is not initialized to the vehicle can thus be avoided.

The technical data transfer of data from a data memory of the transponder into a data memory of the mobile vehicle device is in contrast to manual entry at a toll collection point - be it through entry of the vehicle data by staff on site or by the user himself in a form provided on the Internet - no subject to error. Furthermore, the transponder includes all fee-related data, some of which may not be known to the user.

The invention thus offers the advantage of preventing data errors and data omissions. A re-initialization of the mobile vehicle device, namely the transmission of second vehicle data of a second vehicle that is subject to a charge to the mobile vehicle device for at least temporary storage of the second vehicle data in a memory area of the data memory of the mobile vehicle device instead of first vehicle data of a first vehicle with which the mobile vehicle device previously initialized, is possible with the invention in a quick and easy way for a vehicle device owner who changes his vehicle, without having to turn on a central location.

The transmission of vehicle data to the mobile vehicle device according to the invention preferably includes reading out and receiving the vehicle data provided by the transponder by a reading device that is included in the mobile vehicle device or at least temporarily has a data connection with it. For this purpose, the transponder is preferably activated by the reading device.

The activation of the transponder preferably takes place with the participation of the mobile vehicle device. This advantageously ensures that the mobile vehicle device is ready to receive the data provided by the transponder.

The activation of the transponder is particularly preferably triggered by the mobile vehicle device. This provides the user with a particularly simple and intuitive measure for carrying out the transmission of the vehicle data from the transponder to the mobile vehicle device.

According to the invention, the transmission of vehicle data from the vehicle to the mobile vehicle device and/or their storage in a memory area of the data memory is triggered or enabled by the attachment of the mobile vehicle device in the vehicle. For example, the activation of the transponder can be triggered or made possible by mounting the mobile vehicle device in the vehicle. Triggering and enabling differ in the result in that the triggering causes the result automatically and without further action by the user, i.e. forms a sufficient condition for achieving the result, and enabling at least one further condition, for example the implementation of a further step, is fulfilled by the user, i.e. only represents a necessary but not sufficient condition for achieving the result.

The attachment-induced triggering or enabling of said reactions can be based on one or more interaction effects of the mobile vehicle device with an intended for the mobile vehicle device recording device for attachment of the mobile vehicle device in the vehicle: So when attaching the mobile Vehicle device in the receiving device two electrical contacts of the mobile vehicle device are short-circuited by an electrically conductive bridge in the receiving device, whereby a short-circuit detection circuit provides a processor of the mobile vehicle device with a signal that the processor interprets as proof that the mobile vehicle device is attached, with which he is granted permission to initiate or carry out the transmission of vehicle data from the vehicle to the mobile vehicle device and/or its storage in a memory area of the data memory, for example by instructing a reading device to read the vehicle data from the transponder. Such a reading device can be part of the mobile vehicle device, part of the receiving device or—in the form of a reading device—be part of a vehicle device that includes the receiving device. You can receive the corresponding instructions for activating the transponder by wire or wirelessly from the processor of the mobile vehicle device via appropriate communication interfaces between the processor and yourself.

Conversely, two electrical contacts of the cradle can be short-circuited by an electrically conductive bridge of the mobile vehicle device, whereby a short-circuit detection circuit provides a processor of the cradle with a signal that the processor interprets as proof that the mobile vehicle device is attached, with which it can Permission is granted to cause or perform the transmission of vehicle data from the vehicle to the mobile vehicle device and / or their storage in a memory area of the data memory, for example by instructing a reader to read the vehicle data from the transponder. Such a reading device can again be part of the mobile vehicle device, part of the receiving device or—designed as a reading device—be part of a vehicle device that includes the receiving device. Such a reading device can be part of the mobile vehicle device, part of the receiving device or—in the form of a reading device—be part of a vehicle device that includes the receiving device. You can receive the corresponding instructions for activating the transponder by wire or wirelessly from the processor of the recording device via appropriate communication interfaces between the processor and yourself.

Other interaction effects of an electrical nature can include the detection of a specific resistance in the electrically conductive bridge, the detection of a specific frequency response of an oscillating circuit, analog or digital filter connected to the electrical bridge.

Furthermore, alternative or optional interaction effects are possible, which are based on optical, magnetic, electromagnetic, mechanical and/or data technology principles, in particular their signals. A light beam emitted by the mobile vehicle device can be specifically bent and/or reflected by the recording device and the resulting light pattern can be picked up by a sensor on the mobile vehicle device and compared to a predetermined light pattern using a processor on the mobile vehicle device carries out or arranges for the claimed reaction with a positive result. Furthermore, the magnetic field of a magnet comprised by the receiving device can be detected by the mobile vehicle device when the mobile vehicle device is fastened in the receiving device.

Transmitting and receiving antennas in the fastening partners can emit and receive electromagnetic waves, with an analyzer downstream of the receiving antenna examining the received signal for an expected signal.

In addition, a pressure sensor of the mobile vehicle device and/or the cradle can make it possible to see that the mobile vehicle device is fastened in the cradle.

Finally, authentication data can be transmitted from the recording device to the mobile vehicle device and/or vice versa, which in the positive result of a check by a processor of the recording device and/or or a processor of the mobile vehicle device grants the respective processor permission to initiate or carry out the transmission of vehicle data from the vehicle to the mobile vehicle device and/or their storage in a memory area of the data memory. A request for the transmission of authentication data can be made by one fastening partner to the other fastening partner.

The authentication data can be transmitted and evaluated unencrypted, symmetrically or asymmetrically encrypted, with or without a certificate.

The signal detection - for example also that of the above-mentioned pressure sensor - and possibly also the signal generation can be controlled periodically by a processor of the mobile vehicle device and / or the receiving device to determine whether the mobile vehicle device is already - or not - in the receiving device is attached.

Since, according to the invention, the attachment of the mobile on-board device is essential for setting up the mobile on-board device to ensure its function, the user has the advantage that the initialization does not may be inadvertently omitted by the user. If the mobile vehicle device first checks the recording in the recording device and, if the result of the test is negative, prevents initialization by the user, the user is also forced to attach the mobile vehicle device to its designated place in order to then be able to initialize it.

The on-board device preferably checks automatically when it is mounted in a vehicle and/or after it is switched on whether the memory area addressed for recording the vehicle data contains vehicle data and, if not, triggers the activation of the transponder for transmission of the vehicle data to the mobile on-board device. It can thus be ruled out that a non-initialized mobile vehicle device changes to an operational state, the lack of which it preferably signals if there is no transmission of vehicle data to the mobile vehicle device.

Provision can also be made for the mobile vehicle device to activate the transponder for repeated transmission of the vehicle data to the mobile vehicle device for configurable reasons even in the state set up according to the invention. This allows the mobile vehicle device to check whether it is still in the vehicle for which it was set up, based on its initialization.

In this context, it can advantageously be provided that during operation of a mobile vehicle device set up according to the invention (a) renewed transmission of the vehicle data from the transponder to the mobile vehicle device by renewed activation of the transponder providing the vehicle data and (b) wireless transmission from the again the vehicle-identifying vehicle data read from the transponder and/or at least one piece of information dependent on vehicle data is sent to the registration device by means of at least the first communication interface of the mobile vehicle device, with the re-transmission of the vehicle data and from the transponder to the mobile vehicle device by reactivating the vehicle data providing transponder (i) after a specified time interval or a random time interval within a specified time frame has elapsed since the first transmission when setting up the mobile vehicle device or a previous transmission and/or (ii) after the occurrence of a specified event in the mobile vehicle device.

Embodiments of the invention provide that the vehicle data is preferably transmitted from the transponder to the mobile vehicle device via a wireless communication interface between the transponder and the mobile vehicle device. This has the advantage that mechanical contacting of connecting elements for wired data communication - for example between a fastening device in the vehicle and the mobile vehicle device to be fastened - can be avoided, which on the one hand increases the positioning tolerance of the mobile vehicle device with respect to the transponder and on the other hand reduces mechanical wear becomes. Furthermore, the communication partners can be manufactured more cheaply and smaller without corresponding connecting elements.

In order to support a change to a second vehicle with which the mobile vehicle device is to be used after it has previously been used with a first vehicle, embodiments of the invention provide for first vehicle data of the first vehicle to be stored before the transmission of second vehicle data of the second vehicle in a first memory area of the data memory on the mobile vehicle device, to replace it with the second vehicle data of the second vehicle and/or to address a second memory area for storing the second vehicle data of the second vehicle. This ensures that the second vehicle data of the second vehicle subject to the intended use are stored in the memory area and are those that should also be used correctly by the mobile vehicle device. This process is called re-initialization.

Putting the data memory in a state that corresponds to the absence of vehicle data in the data memory is called de-initialization. Embodiments of the invention provide that the setting of the data memory into a state that corresponds to the absence of vehicle data in the data memory is triggered or made possible by detaching the mobile vehicle device from the vehicle.

This causes the data link between the vehicle and the mobile vehicle device to be broken on the mobile vehicle device.

This can support the change of the mobile vehicle device from a first vehicle to a second vehicle and the re-initialization of the mobile vehicle device.

The solution-induced triggering/enabling of the dissolution of said data-technical link can be based on one or more interaction effects of the mobile vehicle device with a recording device provided for the mobile vehicle device, with which the mobile vehicle device is fastened in the vehicle, which is inverse to the interaction effects already mentioned in the case of the Recording of the mobile vehicle device through the recording in the recording device are: An interruption in the conductive connection between the mobile vehicle device and the recording device when the mobile vehicle device is removed from the recording device can be detected and interpreted as an instruction for the corresponding manipulation of the data memory. The absence of a predetermined signal response to a query signal from the recording device or the mobile vehicle device to the corresponding fastening partner can be interpreted as a request to manipulate the data memory. This applies to electrical and optical as well as magnetic and electromagnetic signal generation and detection.

The signal detection - for example also that of the above-mentioned pressure sensor - and possibly also the signal generation can be controlled periodically by a processor of the mobile vehicle device and / or the receiving device to determine whether the mobile vehicle device is still - or no longer - in the receiving device is attached.

1. a) eine Entfernung von auf das mobile Fahrzeuggerät übertragenen ersten Fahrzeugdaten aus einem ersten Speicherbereich des Datenspeichers des mobilen Fahrzeuggerätes;
2. b) die Adressierung eines zweiten Speicherbereiches im Datenspeicher zur Speicherung von zweiten Fahrzeugdaten eines zweiten Fahrzeugs;
3. c) das Setzen eines De-Initialisierungsflags, das einem Initialisierungsprogramm anzeigt, dass eine erneute Initialisierung (Neu-Initialisierung) vorzunehmen ist.
4. d) das Löschen eine Initialisierungsflags, das einem Initialisierungsprogramm anzeigt, dass das mobile Fahrzeuggerät initialisiert ist.

There are numerous options for setting the data memory to a state that corresponds to the absence of vehicle data in the data memory:

1. a) removing first vehicle data transmitted to the mobile vehicle device from a first memory area of the data memory of the mobile vehicle device;
2. b) the addressing of a second memory area in the data memory for storing second vehicle data of a second vehicle;
3. c) setting a de-initialization flag, which indicates to an initialization program that a new initialization (re-initialization) is to be carried out.
4. d) deleting an initialization flag, which indicates to an initialization program that the mobile vehicle device is initialized.

For example, the status corresponding to the absence of vehicle data in the data memory can be prevented by i) deleting the vehicle data from the data memory, ii) moving the vehicle data to another memory area in the data memory and/or iii) allocating a different memory area in the data memory for the renewed recording of Vehicle data can be obtained in the data memory.

De-initializing a vehicle device ensures that the first vehicle data of the first vehicle are not used incorrectly by the mobile vehicle device if it is intended for use in the second vehicle.

The mobile vehicle device can preferably be blocked with or without de-initialization with regard to initialization with vehicle data from another vehicle. This can prevent misuse of the mobile vehicle device, e.g. B. be prevented as a result of loss or theft.

In principle, the method according to the invention also makes it possible to set up a mobile vehicle device for charging a second vehicle after the mobile vehicle device has been set up for a first vehicle with a first transponder having first vehicle data according to the invention, using the following method steps: (a) the Detachment of the mobile vehicle device from the first vehicle, (b) the transmission of second vehicle data from the second vehicle to the mobile vehicle device, with activation of a second transponder attached to the second vehicle and providing the second vehicle data, (c) storage of the second vehicle data in a memory area the data memory of the mobile vehicle device and (d) the attachment of the mobile vehicle device in the second vehicle.

The mobile vehicle device preferably has means for locking and unlocking such a re-initialization, with which vehicle data from another vehicle are written to the data memory of the mobile vehicle device.

This means that the user can decide for himself at any time whether to enable or disable his mobile vehicle device for use in another vehicle.

The registration device according to the invention arranged outside the vehicle can comprise a roadside control device with a roadside communication interface or be supplemented by such, the roadside control device being able to establish a radio connection for data transmission with the vehicle-side first communication interface - in this case a short-range communication interface - of the mobile vehicle device or another vehicle-side communication interface of the mobile vehicle device and / or to support.

Alternatively or optionally, the registration device arranged outside the vehicle can be included in an off-road toll collection point of a vehicle toll system. Vehicle data or information dependent on vehicle data, for example vehicle parameter-dependent charge data, can be transmitted to the charge collection point using the first communication interface of the mobile vehicle device, which is designed as a long-range mobile radio interface.

The vehicle data preferably have a first data set of vehicle-identifying vehicle data and at least a second data set of vehicle-classifying data of at least one vehicle parameter on which the amount of the charge to be determined for the use of a traffic area depends.

Preferably, the vehicle data includes a first data set of vehicle-identifying vehicle data that can be derived from a visual assessment of external features of the first vehicle, and at least a second data set of a hidden vehicle parameter that cannot be derived from a visual assessment of external features of the first vehicle.

An example of vehicle-identifying vehicle data is the data of a vehicle registration number (e.g. B-TC 1234), which can be derived from the visual detection of the vehicle's number plate. An example of a hidden vehicle parameter is the emission class of a vehicle, which cannot be derived from a visual detection of external features of the first vehicle, but can only be determined from an exhaust gas measurement.

Since generally one or more of such hidden vehicle parameters are relevant to charges in the sense that different values of these vehicle parameters are subject to different charges, the question of verification arises precisely for these hidden vehicle parameters.

Because it is provided in embodiments of the invention to have vehicle-identifying vehicle data linked with hidden vehicle parameters in a data memory of the transponder, it is possible for a control device in a control method for controlling the device of the mobile vehicle device according to the invention to, from at least one optical detection of the To compare vehicle-identifying data obtained from the vehicle with vehicle-identifying data transmitted from the mobile vehicle device to the control device, which data are included in the vehicle data of the vehicle, and if the result is positive, conclude that the mobile vehicle device is properly set up.

A check of hidden vehicle parameters for correctness can therefore be omitted if vehicle-identifying data linked to these hidden vehicle parameters have already been verified by the control device. To increase the security of this verification process, embodiments of the control method according to the invention provide for the vehicle data to include at least one digital signature, which is transmitted from the mobile vehicle device to the control device and is verified by the control device.

According to preferred embodiments, the invention enables user data of a user of the mobile vehicle device to be assigned to one another by means of a technical link in a central database and this link is not present in a data memory of the mobile vehicle device. The data protection of the user data is thus better guaranteed than if the user data were stored on the mobile vehicle device.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a vehicle device for collecting charges for a vehicle is equipped with (a) at least one mobile vehicle device, (i) at least one data memory for recording vehicle data of the vehicle in a memory area of the data memory, (ii) at least one first communication interface for the wireless transmission of vehicle data and/or at least one item of information dependent on vehicle data to at least one registration device of at least one vehicle fee system arranged outside the vehicle and (iii) at least one processor with access to the data memory, and with (b) at least one recording device on the vehicle for repeatably picking up and removing the mobile vehicle device, characterized by (c) at least one reading device, which is designed to wirelessly receive the vehicle data from at least one transponder that is attached to the vehicle outside of the mobile vehicle device and provides the vehicle data, the at least one processor being in a data-technical connection stands with the reading device and is configured for the transmission of vehicle data from the reading device to the data memory and wherein the mobile vehicle device and the vehicle-side recording device have interacting components of a recording control means which, when the mobile vehicle device is picked up by the vehicle-side recording device i) the transmission of vehicle data of the vehicle to the mobile vehicle device, and/or ii) recording of vehicle data in a memory area of the data memory and/or causes or permits.

The recording of vehicle data of the vehicle in a memory area of the data storage unit causes at least a temporary data link between the vehicle and the mobile vehicle device on the mobile vehicle device.

Vehicle data-dependent information, such as vehicle parameter-dependent charge data, can be created by the processor, for example, by linking vehicle-independent information (infrastructure element data and/or charge base data) with vehicle-classifying vehicle data.

The reading device included in the vehicle device according to the invention contributes to transmitting vehicle data from the transponder attached to the vehicle to the mobile vehicle device, which the user attaches to a recording device to be carried in the vehicle, and thus to support initialization of the mobile vehicle device. The vehicle device according to the invention makes it unnecessary to exchange data with a central data processing device arranged outside the vehicle for initialization purposes and offers the user increased convenience both during initialization - the first initialization of the mobile vehicle device with regard to a vehicle - and during re-initialization - changing the mobile vehicle device from a first vehicle to a second vehicle. The presence of vehicle data on the transponder also rules out errors or missing vehicle data during initialization.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, it is provided that the processor controls the activation of the reading device for querying vehicle data from the transponder and/or the transmission of the vehicle data from the reading device to the data memory.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, it is provided that the reading device is included in the mobile vehicle device. Thus, the formation of a very compact and inexpensive vehicle equipment is possible because spatially extended material-bound transmission means, such as electrically conductive cables that are longer than the greatest extension of the mobile vehicle device along a reference axis between the mobile vehicle device and the reading device can be dispensed with.

In embodiments of the invention, it is provided that the vehicle device is characterized by an additional reading device, which is designed for wireless reception of additional vehicle data from at least one additional transponder attached to the vehicle, with the processor being in data communication with the additional reading device and for transmitting the further vehicle data is formed from the further reading device to the data memory.

This makes it possible, for example, to transmit a first part of vehicle data from a first transponder and a second part of vehicle data from a second transponder to the mobile vehicle device. For example, the first transponder of the tractor unit of an articulated lorry can have vehicle data on the emission class of the articulated lorry and on the number of axles of the articulated lorry, while the second transponder on the trailer of the articulated lorry has vehicle data on the number of axles on the trailer. The total number of axles varies depending on whether the truck is used as a towing vehicle alone or as an articulated lorry, making it possible to charge different fees for both vehicles.

Preferably, both vehicle data of the first transponder, read by a first reading device, and vehicle data of the second transponder, read by a second reading device, triggered by a single action - for example the processor - are transmitted to the mobile vehicle device during initialization.

A further development of this embodiment to a third transponder and a third reading device for a trailer of the articulated lorry is possible according to the invention.

An alternative or optional development of this embodiment is characterized in that at least the additional reading device is provided for attachment at a distance from the mobile vehicle device to an area of the vehicle that is opposite the additional transponder.

It is thus possible to read the additional transponder at the location at which the mobile vehicle device is positioned for reading the first transponder. The duration of an initialization of the mobile vehicle device with vehicle data from a number of transponders can thus advantageously be shortened.

In embodiments of the invention it is provided that one or more reading devices, which are not included in the mobile vehicle device and each of which is assigned to a transponder, with the mobile vehicle device via transmission and reception components of a wireless network (Wireless Area Network) in a data-technical connection. These wireless networks include, for example, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network) with corresponding interfaces and standards (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.). Said WAN transmission/reception components are included on the one hand by the reading devices and on the other hand by the mobile vehicle device and/or the recording device. Said WAN transmission/reception components are preferably included on the one hand by the reading devices and on the other hand by the recording device mounted in the vehicle, because this can prevent vehicle data from being read "en passant" by a mobile vehicle device that is not from the recording device is recorded.

In embodiments of the invention it is provided that the vehicle-side receiving device comprises fastening means for fastening to the vehicle. This makes it possible to fasten the receiving device to the vehicle, for example in the vehicle, in a simple manner. A first example of such a fastener is an adhesive layer, which creates a material connection between the vehicle component to which the receiving device is to be attached and the receiving device.

A second example of such a fastening means is a Velcro connection, for example consisting of two components that are provided by an eyelet mat and a hook mat, each of which has an adhesive layer on its hook or eyelet side facing away. A first component of the Velcro connection is attached to the receiving device by means of the adhesive layer and a second component of the Velcro connection is attached to the vehicle component by means of the adhesive layer.

Incidentally, this does not rule out that the receiving device itself cannot consist of more than one of the components of a Velcro connection.

In embodiments of the invention, it is provided that the vehicle device is characterized in that the mobile vehicle device and the vehicle-side receiving device have interacting components of an electrical energy transmission device which, when the mobile vehicle device is picked up by the vehicle-side receiving device, enables the transmission of electrical energy to the mobile vehicle device . The mobile vehicle device can thus be designed with a low-capacity electrical energy store or without any electrical energy store at all, which reduces the overall size and costs of the mobile vehicle device. Furthermore, accidental operation of the vehicle device outside the vehicle is avoided.

According to the invention, it is provided that the mobile vehicle device and the vehicle-side recording device have interacting components of a recording control means which, when the mobile vehicle device is picked up by the vehicle-side recording device, i) the transmission of vehicle data of the vehicle to the mobile vehicle device, and/or ii) a Inclusion of vehicle data in a memory area of the data memory causes or allows.

The difference between effect and permission is that the effect causes the result automatically and without any further action on the part of the user, i.e. forms a sufficient condition for achieving the result, and permission at least fulfills a further condition, for example the implementation of a further step by the user, i.e. only represents a necessary but not sufficient condition for achieving the result.

This means that the initialization of the mobile vehicle device, which is part of setting up the mobile vehicle device, is effected or permitted via the data link between the vehicle and the mobile vehicle device through the attachment of the mobile vehicle device in the vehicle, which is also part of the installation of the vehicle device. For example, the recording control means is designed as an initialization means if it causes the result of the recording of vehicle data in a memory area of the data memory.

For this purpose, the initialization means can cause the reading device to be used to receive vehicle data from the transponder. Such an initialization means has the advantage that the initialization of the mobile vehicle device is carried out automatically when it is attached or inserted in the receiving device, so that the user cannot forget an initialization.

In general, the recording control means means that the initialization can only be carried out in the intended position for the mobile vehicle device in the vehicle, which forces the user to bring the mobile vehicle device into its intended position. In particular, it can be used to read vehicle data from transponders mobile vehicle devices from outside the vehicle, for example by unauthorized third parties, - at least their storage in the data memory - are prevented.

For example, the reading device is used by the initialization means by the initialization means causing the processor to activate and/or control the reading device for querying vehicle data from the transponder when the mobile vehicle device is picked up by the vehicle-side pickup device.

The interacting components of the recording control means are preferably distributed to the two attachment partners "mobile vehicle device" and "receiving device". For this purpose, a first attachment partner can have an interrogation signal generator and a response signal analyzer, which compares the interrogation signal, which has been manipulated by a signal manipulator (e.g. a filter) of the other, second attachment partner and which is detected as a response signal by a sensor on the first attachment partner, with a predetermined response signal . In this case, the interrogation signal generator, the signal manipulator and the response signal analyzer form or are comprised by the recording control means.

Alternatively or optionally, a first fastening partner can have a signal generator and the other, second fastening partner can have a signal analyzer, which receives the signal transmitted by the first fastening partner using a sensor and compares it with a predetermined, expected signal. In this case, the signal generator and the signal analyzer form or are comprised by the recording control means.

In both cases, the signals can be of an electrical, optical, magnetic, mechanical and/or data technology nature. For further explanation, reference is made to the signaling means electric current, light beam, magnet, electromagnetic wave, mechanical pressure and data listed under the first aspect of the invention.

Preferably, at least one of the attachment partners periodically generates (interrogation) signals and/or periodically reads the signal receiving sensor system with regard to specific (response) signals in order to determine whether the mobile vehicle device is already—or not yet—attached to the receiving device is.

Conversely, in embodiments of the invention, it is provided that the mobile vehicle device and the vehicle-side receiving device have mutually interacting components of a removal control means which, when the mobile vehicle device is removed from the vehicle-side receiving device, causes or allows the data memory to be put into a state that corresponds to the Corresponds to the absence of vehicle data in the data memory. This causes the data link between the vehicle and the mobile vehicle device to be broken on the mobile vehicle device.

For example, the status corresponding to the absence of vehicle data in the data memory is achieved by i) deleting the vehicle data from the data memory, ii) moving the vehicle data to another memory area in the data memory and/or iii) allocating another memory area in the data memory for the renewed recording of Vehicle data obtained in the data memory.

For example, the mobile vehicle device and the vehicle-side recording device can have interacting components of a de-initialization means which, when the mobile vehicle device is removed from the vehicle-side recording device, causes vehicle data that is in a first memory area of the data memory of the mobile vehicle device to be removed from the first memory area are removed and/or that, as a substitute for a first memory area in which the vehicle data is located, a second memory area in the data memory of the mobile vehicle device is addressed for recording vehicle data.

The cooperative components of the withdrawal control agent can be the same as those of the uptake control agent. Such components can be provided by corresponding switches, contacts or sensors. In this context, reference is also made to the signal generator, the signal manipulator and the signal analyzer of the fastening partner, which were used to describe the recording control means.

Preferably, at least one of the attachment partners periodically generates (interrogation) signals and/or periodically reads the signal reception sensors with regard to certain (response) signals in order to determine whether the mobile vehicle device is still - or no longer - attached to the receiving device is.

A de-initialization means can advantageously be used to prevent vehicle data that may not be used when the mobile vehicle device is set up in another vehicle remaining in the mobile vehicle device or being used by the application of the vehicle device that is to use the data of the other vehicle become.

In one example, such a de-initialization is effected by the de-initialization means causing the processor, when the mobile vehicle device is removed from the on-board recording device, to read vehicle data that is in a first memory area of the data memory of the mobile vehicle device from the first memory area remove and/or address a second memory area in the data memory of the mobile vehicle device for recording vehicle data as an alternative to a first memory area in which the vehicle data is located.

In another example, vehicle data can be stored in a RAM data memory of the mobile vehicle device, in which the vehicle data remain stored only when electrical power is supplied, for example when a specified minimum voltage is applied, to the RAM data memory and when there is a lack of electrical power to the RAM data memory , for example when the value of the voltage applied to the RAM data memory drops below the value of the minimum voltage. In this case, the de-initialization means consists of two separable electrical contacts for the power supply of the data memory, of which a first contact is comprised of the mobile vehicle device and a second contact of the receiving device; de-initialization is effected by separating the two contacts.

A mobile vehicle device with an initialization means and/or de-initialization means preferably has means for locking and unlocking the initialization means and/or de-initialization means, which blocks the transmission of vehicle data from another vehicle to the data memory of the mobile vehicle device. This means that the user can decide for himself at any time whether to enable or disable his mobile vehicle device for use in another vehicle. If it is not possible to reinitialize the mobile vehicle device, the mobile vehicle device cannot be used according to the invention to collect vehicle-dependent charges due to a lack of available vehicle data. When using a fee-based infrastructure with an uninitialized device, the user then stands out as a fee cheat.

Embodiments of the invention also provide that the mobile vehicle device, as long as it is picked up by the recording device, carries out reinitializations at random or definable time intervals by repeatedly requesting vehicle data from the transponder from the reading device, for example each time after the mobile Vehicle device has transmitted vehicle data and/or at least one piece of information dependent on the vehicle data via its first communication interface to the registration device arranged outside of the vehicle.

A further query regarding the existence of a fastening in the receiving device ensures the intended use of the mobile vehicle device and can allow or support a reinitialization, ie a data-technical re-linking of the vehicle with the mobile vehicle device.

In this case, the reinitialization can include a de-initialization followed by a new initialization. The user is thus forced to leave the mobile vehicle device in the receiving device while using chargeable infrastructures in order to ensure reliable charging and/or control.

In embodiments of the invention, the mobile vehicle device is in the form of an electronic vignette whose validity is activated for a predefinable period of time and/or a predefinable area by the method according to the invention for setting up the mobile vehicle device. The validity can be activated by entering a vehicle parameter-dependent vignette fee and a period of validity and/or a validity area in the data memory of the mobile toll device, the validity check by a roadside registration device that queries this data from the mobile toll device.

The start time of the period of validity is preferably determined by the time at which the vehicle device was set up. The period of validity is preferably specified by the default value of the shortest permissible period of validity, which can be overwritten by longer periods of validity.

The validity area is preferably determined by a position determination device of the mobile toll device, which determines the position of the vehicle at the time the on-board device is set up and links it to a validity area in which the determined position of the vehicle is located.

The validity of the electronic vignette is preferably extended automatically by a new validity being activated if the mobile vehicle device is picked up by the receiving device at the time the validity expires. A necessary condition for extending the validity can also be that the mobile vehicle device is preferably supplied with electrical power and/or is switched on.

To collect fees, embodiments of the invention preferably have at least one second communication interface included in the mobile vehicle device, which is designed to wirelessly send fee data to a central data processing device of a fee collection system and/or to receive credit data from a central data processing device of a credit provision system. For example, the second communication interface is provided by a mobile radio device, by means of which said data is transmitted or received via a mobile radio network.

According to the invention, the first communication interface is designed for the transmission of vehicle data to a registration device, which can be designed as a control device if said second communication interface is used.

The use of the mobile vehicle device is preferably protected, in particular protected by the request for authentication and/or the input of a user ID, for example a password, which authenticates the user.

A further development of the vehicle device according to the invention is provided by a vehicle device assembly kit which includes the mobile vehicle device, the reading device, a vehicle-side receiving device provided for attachment to the vehicle and the transponder.

According to a third aspect of the invention, provision is made for equipping a vehicle with a vehicle device according to the invention and at least one transponder attached to the vehicle, which provides vehicle data for transmission to the mobile vehicle device.

Such a transponder is preferably a passive transponder that does not have its own power supply and takes the electrical energy it needs to read the vehicle data from the transponder's own data memory and to transmit it to the reading device from the interrogation signal of the reading device. The transponder can thus be activated by the query signal from the reading device.

This enables a particularly favorable production and integration of the transponder in the vehicle, for example by fastening it to the vehicle either on the outside of the vehicle or in the interior of the vehicle. Less preferably, the transponder is an active transponder that has its own power supply or is connected to an on-board power supply. Nevertheless, an active transponder can also be activated by the interrogation signal of the reading device.

Embodiments of the invention provide that the processor controls the activation of the transponder for the delivery of vehicle data to the reading device. The transponder is preferably activated by the reading device.

Preferred embodiments of the vehicle according to the invention provide that the receiving device of the vehicle device according to the invention is attached to a windshield of the vehicle, preferably on the inside of the windshield facing the vehicle interior.

In addition, various vehicle components are conceivable to which the transponder can be attached. A first example is given by the fact that at least one transponder is attached to a plate of the vehicle that carries or reproduces a vehicle registration number. The plate can be, for example, the number plate of the vehicle. This has the advantage that the place of attachment for the transponder is well defined for those who are responsible for attaching the transponder to the vehicle. At this well-defined location, the transponder can also be easily found by the user. Furthermore, when the number plate is selected as the vehicle component to which the transponder is attached, the transponder has to be carried along.

A second example is given by the fact that at least one transponder is attached to the front windshield of the vehicle, preferably to the inside of the windshield facing the vehicle interior, preferably integrally attached by means of gluing. Due to its essential function, the windscreen component of the vehicle also ensures that the transponder is carried along at all times from the moment it is first fitted. The transponder is advantageously also easy to find at this location and, in the case of an inside attachment, is also protected from the weather, theft and damage from the outside, in contrast to the number plate attachment location first mentioned.

The transponder preferably has a shield on the side facing the windshield, which prevents the transponder from being read out from the outside. Alternatively or optionally, the windshield has a shield that prevents the transponder from being read from the outside.

A third example is given by the fact that at least one transponder is attached to the vehicle-mounted receiving device, which in turn is provided by the vehicle or is attached to the vehicle. This also represents a well-defined and known location for the user.

Fastening the transponder to the vehicle mounting device has the advantage, in particular for manufacturers of a vehicle equipment kit according to the invention, which includes the mobile vehicle device including the reading device, a vehicle mounting device provided for attachment to the vehicle and the transponder, that the interactions of all the vehicle equipment kit belonging Components can be tested under operating conditions outside of a vehicle, especially insofar as they are independent of the vehicle. This essentially concerns the mechanical, electrical and communication-related interactions.

Preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the reading device is mounted in a position on the vehicle in which it is opposite the transponder at a distance of 0 to 10 cm. This distance corresponds to the range for a short-range communication - a so-called "close-coupling communication". This type of communication takes place, for example, with inductive coupling of a pair of coils, of which a first coil is covered by the reading device and a second coil is covered by the transponder, or with capacitive coupling of a pair of capacitors, of which first capacitor surfaces of both capacitors are covered by the reading device and second capacitor surfaces both capacitors are covered by the reader. However, this type of communication does not exclude general electromagnetic data transmission. Typical operating frequencies are in the range of 1 to 30 MHz. The short-range communication favors the use of passive transponders, which take their power supply from the interrogation signal of the reading device.

A distance of 0 cm corresponds to the direct mechanical contact between the reading device - or in the case in which the reading device is included in the mobile vehicle device: the mobile vehicle device - and the transponder. In order to avoid the occurrence of high mechanical loads in the mechanical contact, one of the or both contact partners in the contact area can have correspondingly flexible sections of material and/or structural flexibility, for example a foam layer.

Each reading device of the vehicle device according to the invention and the associated transponder of the vehicle according to the invention preferably form a short-range communication system—a so-called “close-coupling system”. This has the advantage that the transponder can only be read from a distance of less than 10 cm. This makes it more difficult for third parties to read out the data, in particular while the vehicle is being driven. Furthermore, short-range communication is more energy-efficient than short-range communication, which can take place over a distance of several meters to a few hundred meters, for example DSRC communication. In particular, this permits the already mentioned advantageous use of passive transponders.

If the mobile vehicle device is equipped with a DSRC communication interface for charging and/or for checking, the use of a different communication technology for data transmission from the transponder avoids problematic frequency overlaps. The communication technique used between the reading device and the transponder for short-range communication is therefore preferably inductive magnetic coupling or capacitive electrical coupling.

An example of a transponder according to the invention is the radio tag (“RFID Tag” for “Radio Frequency IDentification Tag”). The term RFID is colloquially used for communication systems whose carrier frequencies are not only in the radio frequency range from 30 kHz to 300 MHz, but also in the low-frequency range below or above in the higher-frequency microwave or terahertz range. RFID therefore affects all frequencies that enable contactless radio communication, which is typical for RFID.

In the case of a short-range radio data communication link between the reading device of the vehicle device according to the invention and the transponder of the vehicle according to the invention, attaching the transponder to the inside of the windshield and attaching the transponder to a mounting device attached to the inside of the windshield then have the advantage that the vehicle owner can save the journey to another location that cannot be reached from the vehicle interior if the reading device according to the invention is included in the mobile vehicle device.

The vehicle data can, for example, be transferred to the data memory of the transponder by a vehicle registration office. For this purpose, the transponder can be integrated into the official registration sticker, which is affixed to the vehicle's number plate. In the case of alternative attachment to the inside of the windshield, it may also be the responsibility of the registration office to integrate the transponder into an official toll sticker and hand this over to the vehicle owner.

Furthermore, the vehicle data can be transferred to the data memory of the transponder by an accredited testing center as part of a successful main inspection. For this purpose, a test sticker that is issued and stuck to the number plate of the vehicle or the toll sticker mentioned can have such a transponder.

Furthermore, the data memory of the transponder can be integrated into the number plate and the number plate can have a receiving antenna which is in electrical contact with the data memory. Such a receiving antenna can be applied to the number plate by means of a curable or dryable electrically conductive viscous fluid (for example conductive silver adhesive or silver ink).

Preferably, the data memory of the transponder or at least the memory area of the data memory of the transponder that is provided for storing the vehicle data can only be written to once and cannot be rewritten. This prevents manipulation of the vehicle data.

Preferred embodiments of the vehicle according to the invention are characterized in that the vehicle device has at least one further reading device, which is designed for the wireless reception of further vehicle data from at least one further transponder, the processor of the mobile vehicle device being in data-technical connection with the further reading device and for transmission the additional vehicle data can be operated from the additional reading device to the data memory of the mobile vehicle device, the additional transponder is attached to a plate of the vehicle that carries or displays a vehicle registration number, and the additional reading device is attached to the vehicle in a position in which it is another transponder at a distance of 0 to 10 cm.

A first transponder can be attached to a first plate of the vehicle (e.g. the tractor unit of the vehicle) that carries or reflects a vehicle registration number, or on the receiving device for the mobile vehicle device or on the inside of the windshield of the vehicle, while the other, the second transponder is attached to a second plate of the vehicle (e.g. the trailer or semi-trailer of the vehicle) which bears or reflects a vehicle registration number.

This makes it possible to read out data from a number of transponders, which can be attached to various vehicle components, in a simple and cost-effective manner.

Embodiments of the invention provide that several vehicle parts that can be coupled, each with a reading device and a transponder, are provided in a vehicle, with all reading devices having a common power supply, which is carried along by that part of the vehicle called the towing vehicle that carries the vehicle drive, and with the Decoupling a non-driven part of the vehicle from the tractor, the power supply is separated from the reading device included in this non-driven part of the vehicle.

This advantageously prevents a reading device from reading vehicle data from the transponder that is not required by the mobile vehicle device because the non-driven vehicle part in question (semi-trailer, trailer) is not carried along by the vehicle part (tractor) with a drive. This advantage is particularly effective when the communication between the mobile vehicle device and the reading device in question is at least partially wireless and the reading device also includes a transceiver of a wireless communication network (WLAN, WPAN). Without a power supply, the reading device is not operational, and incorrect initialization of the mobile vehicle device with vehicle data from vehicle parts located in the immediate vicinity of the towing vehicle, which are not coupled to the towing vehicle and are therefore not intended to be carried along with the towing vehicle, can thus advantageously be ruled out.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are characterized in that the cradle is attached to the inside of the vehicle's front windshield, the transponder is affixed to the inside of the vehicle's front windshield or to the cradle, and the mobile vehicle device is in a position in which it is recorded by the recording device, opposite the transponder at a distance of 0 to 10 cm, the reading device being encompassed by the mobile vehicle device.

This makes it possible to use a compact, inexpensive and easy-to-use vehicle device in the vehicle according to the invention.

Embodiments of the invention are characterized in that the receiving device has at least one electrical connection which is electrically connected to an electrical energy store and/or energy generator of the vehicle and to at least one electrical contact of the mobile vehicle device when the mobile vehicle device is received by the vehicle-side receiving device electrical connection to set up an electrical power supply of the mobile vehicle device is received.

This ensures that the mobile vehicle device is supplied with energy during operation in a simple and reliable manner.

Nevertheless, the mobile vehicle device can also have its own internal energy supply, for example a battery, as an option or as an alternative to being connected to an external energy supply.

A fee collection system is also provided for the vehicle device according to the invention, which is characterized by (a) at least one transponder attached to the vehicle, which provides vehicle data for transmission to the mobile vehicle device, (b) at least one first central data processing device in which (i) the assignment of User data of a user of the mobile on-board device and on-board device data of the mobile on-board device are stored in a database linked to one another and which (ii) at least temporarily via the first or a further communication interface of the mobile on-board device in an at least partially wireless data connection with the mobile vehicle device, with which at least vehicle device data is transmitted from the mobile vehicle device to the first central data processing device, as well as by (c) at least one control device, which (i) an optical detection unit for creating at least one optical recording of at least a vehicle-identifying feature of the vehicle and for obtaining vehicle-identifying data from the data processing of the at least one optical recording and (ii) is at least temporarily in an at least partially wireless data connection with the mobile vehicle device via the first or a further communication interface of the mobile vehicle device , With which at least part of the vehicle data is transmitted from the mobile vehicle device to the control device, which includes vehicle-identifying data of the vehicle.

With such a fee collection system, the reliable collection of vehicle fees for the use by the vehicle of an infrastructure provided for the vehicle is advantageously ensured.

In particular, a fee can be charged when the first central data processing device is connected to the first or a further communication interface of the mobile vehicle device, in that vehicle data or vehicle data-dependent information, for example fee data, is transmitted from the mobile vehicle device to the first central data processing device in addition to the on-board device data. For this purpose, said first or the other communication interface can be used as a mobile device such. B. according to the standard GSM, GPRS, UMTS and / or LTE, etc., is formed.

On the vehicle device side, a DRSC module can be used as the first or additional communication interface to contribute to the wireless data connection between the mobile vehicle device and the control device. In the case in which a mobile radio device forms the further communication interface for communication with the first central data processing unit, the DSRC module represents the first communication interface.

Such charging systems according to the invention are suitable for charging road user charges (e.g. zone tolls, section tolls, section tolls, property tolls for tunnels, passes, bridges and the like.), vehicle transport charges (e.g. car train, car ferry), parking charges (e.g e.g. in a parking garage or outdoors) etc..

Furthermore, the toll collection system according to the invention can have an interoperable character, in particular that of an EETS scenario (EETS=European Electronic Toll Service) in accordance with Directive 2004/52 EC, in that the first data processing device is that of a toll collection point (in the toll context: service provider), and in addition to the on-board device data, vehicle data and/or at least one piece of vehicle-data-dependent information is transmitted from the mobile on-board device to the first central data processing device, the toll collection system has at least one second data processing device of an infrastructure operator (in the toll context: toll charger) which is at least temporarily in an at least partly wireless data connection with the mobile vehicle device, with which at least vehicle device data and vehicle data and/or at least one piece of vehicle data-dependent information is transmitted from the mobile vehicle device to the second central data processing device, and at least one communication connection existing at least temporarily between the first and the second data processing device, About the at least vehicle device data and vehicle data or at least one vehicle data-dependent information is transmitted, the vehicle device data having identification data for identifying the fee collection point.

This makes it possible for the infrastructure operator to query usage-specific data - in particular fee data - from the corresponding fee collection agency or to assign fee data received from the fee collection agency to a usage recorded by the aforementioned control device of the infrastructure operator. Finally, use of the vehicle according to the invention is provided in a toll collection system according to the invention.

1. 1.) Mietwagengesellschaft: Eine Mietwagengesellschaft wird Fahrzeuggebühren, die dem Fahrzeugnutzer - der in diesem Fall ein Fahrzeugmieter ist - anzulasten sind, nicht seinen Mietern gegenüber auslegen wollen, sondern stattdessen verlangen, dass der Mieter die Gebühren direkt selbst zahlt. Dazu kann sie verlangen, dass jeder Fahrzeugmieter sein auf ihn persönlich registriertes mobiles Fahrzeuggerät zur Gebührenerhebung für den Mietwagen verwendet. Für den Fahrzeugmieter ergibt sich der positive Nebeneffekt einer besseren und schnelleren Kontrolle der Gebührenabrechnung.
2. 2.) Speditionsfuhrpark. Ein Speditionsfuhrpark unterhält beispielsweise 30 Lastkraftwagen (Lkw), von denen nur 10 ständig mautpflichtige Straßen benutzen und stationär mit jeweils einem fest installierten Fahrzeuggerät zur Mauterhebung ausgerüstet sind. Von den übrigen 20 benutzen alle gelegentlich mautpflichtige Straßen. Für diese übrigen 20 Lkw hat der Spediteur 5 mobile Fahrzeuggeräte angeschafft, die er je nach Bedarf in denjenigen der 20 übrigen Lkw zum Einsatz bringt, die vorübergehend mautpflichtige Straßen benutzen, wobei seiner Erfahrung nach nie mehr als 5 der übrigen 20 Lkw gleichzeitig vorübergehend mautpflichtige Straßen benutzen.
3. 3.) Car-Sharing-Gemeinschaft: In einer Car-Sharing-Gemeinschaft besitzt eine Eigentümergemeinschaft, die aus mehreren Fahrzeugnutzern besteht, ein gemeinsames Fahrzeug, das die Fahrzeugnutzer abwechselnd nutzen. Für eine solche Gemeinschaft ist die Zuordnung von Fahrzeuggebühren zu dem jeweiligen Nutzer dann besonders einfach, wenn jeder Eigentümer seine individuelle Nutzung mit seinem auf ihn personalisierten mobilen Fahrzeuggerät durchführt.
4. 4.) Defektes oder verlorengegangenes mobiles Fahrzeuggerät: Geht einem Fahrzeugnutzer sein mobiles Fahrzeuggerät verloren oder defekt, so kann er solange keine gebührenpflichtigen Infrastrukturen mehr in Anspruch nehmen wie er kein neues Fahrzeuggerät zur Verfügung hat. Vorübergehend kann er jedoch gegebenenfalls leihweise das mobile Fahrzeuggerät einer Leihstelle (beispielsweise einer Tankstellenkette) nutzen. Aus der Abrechnung der Leihstelle geht hervor, wann und wo die Nutzung erfolgt ist, so dass eine Rückerstattung der Gebühren des Fahrers gegenüber der Leihstelle problemlos möglich ist.

There are a large number of usage scenarios for the invention, in which the advantages of the invention come into their own:

1. 1.) Rental car company: A rental car company will not want to levy vehicle fees, which are to be borne by the vehicle user - who in this case is a vehicle renter - to its renters, but instead require that the renter pays the fees directly himself. To this end, it can demand that every vehicle renter use his personally registered mobile vehicle device to collect the fee for the rental vehicle. For the vehicle renter there is the positive side effect of better and faster control of the billing.
2. 2.) Forwarding fleet. A freight forwarding fleet maintains, for example, 30 trucks (trucks), of which only 10 constantly use toll roads and are each equipped with a permanently installed on-board device for toll collection. Of the remaining 20, all occasionally use toll roads. For these remaining 20 trucks, the freight forwarder has purchased 5 mobile on-board devices, which he uses as required in those of the other 20 trucks that are temporarily using toll roads, although in his experience never more than 5 of the remaining 20 trucks are temporarily using toll roads at the same time use.
3. 3.) Car-sharing community: In a car-sharing community, a community of owners consisting of several vehicle users owns a shared vehicle, which the vehicle users take turns using. For such a community, the assignment of vehicle fees to the respective user is particularly easy if each owner carries out his individual use with his mobile vehicle device personalized for him.
4. 4.) Defective or lost mobile on-board device: If a vehicle user's mobile on-board device is lost or defective, he can no longer use chargeable infrastructures until he has a new on-board device available. Temporarily, however, he can use the mobile on-board device from a rental station (e.g. a chain of petrol stations) on a loan basis. The statement from the rental station shows when and where it was used, so that the driver's fees can be reimbursed to the rental station without any problems.

The invention is explained in more detail below using several exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1a

eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugs mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugeinrichtung gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 1b

eine schematische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugeinrichtung des ersten Ausführungsbeispieles,

Fig. 1c

eine schematische Darstellung eines mobilen Fahrzeuggerätes der erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugeinrichtung des ersten Ausführungsbeispieles,

Fig. 2a

eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugs mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugeinrichtung gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 2b

eine schematische Querschnittsansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugeinrichtung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispieles,

Fig. 2c

eine schematische Darstellung eines mobilen Fahrzeuggerätes der erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugeinrichtung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispieles,

Fig. 2d

eine schematische Ansicht des mobilen Fahrzeuggerätes der erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugeinrichtung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispieles in einer ersten Phase der Einrichtung,

Fig. 2e

eine schematische Ansicht des mobilen Fahrzeuggerätes der erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugeinrichtung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispieles in einer zweiten Phase der Einrichtung,

Fig. 2f

eine schematische Ansicht eines Wechsels eines mobilen Fahrzeuggerätes erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugeinrichtung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispieles von einem ersten Fahrzeug zu einem zweiten Fahrzeug,

Fig. 3a

eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugs mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugeinrichtung gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 3b

eine schematische Darstellung eines mobilen Fahrzeuggerätes der erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugeinrichtung des dritten Ausführungsbeispieles,

Fig. 3c

eine schematische Ansicht des mobilen Fahrzeuggerätes der erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugeinrichtung des dritten Ausführungsbeispieles in einer Phase der Einrichtung,

Fig. 4

ein Schema für die erfindungsgemäße Verwendung eines Fahrzeugs des zweiten und dritten Ausführungsbeispieles in einem erfindungsgemäßen Gebührenerhebungssystem.

to show

Fig. 1a

a schematic representation of a vehicle according to the invention with a vehicle device according to the invention according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 1b

a schematic representation of the vehicle device according to the invention of the first embodiment,

1c

a schematic representation of a mobile vehicle device of the vehicle device according to the invention of the first embodiment,

Figure 2a

a schematic representation of a vehicle according to the invention with a vehicle device according to the invention according to a second embodiment,

Figure 2b

a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle device according to the invention of the second embodiment,

Figure 2c

a schematic representation of a mobile vehicle device of the vehicle device according to the invention of the second embodiment,

Fig. 2d

a schematic view of the mobile vehicle device of the vehicle device according to the invention of the second exemplary embodiment in a first phase of the device,

Figure 2e

a schematic view of the mobile vehicle device of the vehicle device according to the invention of the second embodiment in a second phase of the device,

Fig. 2f

a schematic view of a change of a mobile vehicle device vehicle device according to the invention of the second embodiment from a first vehicle to a second vehicle,

Figure 3a

a schematic representation of a vehicle according to the invention with a vehicle device according to the invention according to a third exemplary embodiment,

Figure 3b

a schematic representation of a mobile vehicle device of the vehicle device according to the invention of the third embodiment,

3c

a schematic view of the mobile vehicle device of the vehicle device according to the invention of the third exemplary embodiment in a phase of the device,

4

a scheme for the inventive use of a vehicle of the second and third embodiment in a toll collection system according to the invention.

Elements that are the same or have the same effect are provided with the same reference symbols.

The disclosure content of the exemplary embodiments is not limited to the combinations of features of individual exemplary embodiments, but rather includes all those replacement and supplemental combinations of all features of different exemplary embodiments and those of the previous description among themselves, which do not obviously appear technically impossible to the person skilled in the art and do not contradict the essence of the invention. In this sense, the disclosure content of this document is to be understood as encompassing all documents—in particular as encompassing exemplary embodiments—and each exemplary embodiment is to be read and understood with regard to the remaining exemplary embodiments and the preceding description as being changeable and/or supplemented by corresponding features.

FIRST EMBODIMENT:

The first embodiment relates to a passenger car 100 having a front windshield 101 and a front license plate 102 and a rear license plate 102a ( Fig. 1a ). The number plates reflect the vehicle's registration number (e.g. B - TC 100) (not shown), which is why they can also be referred to as number plates. A transponder 300 is fastened to the front of the front license plate 102 , the data memory (not shown) of which provides vehicle data f _i for transmission to a mobile vehicle device 260 . Alternatively, the transponder 300 can also be attached to the back of the rear license plate (not shown).

The vehicle data f _i were transferred to the data memory of the transponder 300 as part of the registration of the vehicle 100 by means of a writing device by an official registration office or a registration office having official approval. Optionally, the vehicle data f _i as part of a main inspection by a accredited certification body (TÜV, Dekra) can be transferred to the data memory of the transponder 300 by means of a writing device.

In any case, the vehicle data f _i are provided with a digital signature from that registration or certification body or include one that is responsible for the correctness of the vehicle data f _i . To check the correctness of the vehicle data, this digital signature is transmitted together with the vehicle data f _i to a control point that has the public key of the signature. The vehicle data f _i includes the vehicle registration number as a first data set f ₁ of vehicle-identifying vehicle data and two data sets f ₂ and f ₃ of vehicle-classifying vehicle data, namely a vehicle class that represents the passenger car 100 with a second data set f ₂ and a displacement class that represents a corresponds to the range of displacement of the vehicle engine between a lower displacement limit (e.g. 1.0 liter) and an upper displacement limit (e.g. 1.5 liters) and applies as a third data set f ₃ of a hidden vehicle parameter that does not result from a visual detection of external features of the vehicle is derivable. In contrast, the vehicle data “vehicle registration number” and “vehicle class” can be derived from a visual detection of external features of the vehicle.

The mobile vehicle device 260 is comprised of a vehicle device 200, which is both in Fig. 1a as well as separately in Fig. 1b is shown and includes a recording device 270 and a reading device 205 and a communication link between mobile vehicle device 260 and reading device 205. The communication link is designed as an electrical communication line 207 and can alternatively be designed at least in sections as a wireless communication link. To use the vehicle device 200, (a) the reading device 205 is fastened at a point in the vehicle 100 at which the reading device 205 is opposite the transponder 300 with respect to the front number plate 102, (b) the receiving device 270 on the inside of the windshield 101 in the interior of the vehicle 100, (c) a communication line between the cradle 270 and the reading device 205 is routed through the vehicle and (d) the mobile vehicle device 270 is inserted into the cradle 270, with the mobile vehicle device 260 being in data-technical contact with that of the cradle 270 provided connection of the communication line 207 device.

The distance between the reading device 205 and the transponder 300 is 5 cm. This corresponds to half the range of the communication method of a specifiable inductive coupling, by means of which vehicle data f _i are read from the transponder 300 by the reading device 205 . Reading is triggered by setting up the data connection between mobile vehicle device 260 and reading device 205, mobile vehicle device 260 and reading device 205 having components of an initialization means that interact with one another, namely connections that come into contact with communication line 207, of which the vehicle device-side with Numeral 264a in Fig 1c is provided. The interaction of the connections is detected by the processor 264, which, by setting up a data connection between the mobile vehicle device 260 and the reading device 205, activates the reading device 205 for querying and receiving vehicle data f _i from the transponder 300. by sending a corresponding signal to the reading device 205 via the communication line 207.

The processor 264 of the mobile vehicle device 260 then controls the reading device 205 and transmits the vehicle data f _i of the transponder 300 received from the reading device 205 to a memory area of a data memory 261 provided for this purpose of the mobile vehicle device 260.

The mobile vehicle device shows how 1c also visible, a DSRC communication unit 265, which acts as a communication interface for the wireless transmission of vehicle data f _i and vehicle data-dependent charge data b _i serves to at least one registration device arranged outside the vehicle of at least one vehicle fee system. The DSRC transmit/receive antenna required for communication is not included in the mobile vehicle device 260, but rather (not shown) by the receiving device 270. To contact the DSRC transmit/receive antenna, the vehicle device 260 has an on the DSRC communication unit 265 provided DSRC transmit/receive antenna connector 265b.

When driving on a toll road section of a toll collection system, the processor 264 of the mobile vehicle device 260 receives a microwave signal via the DSRC communication unit 265, which originates from a roadside collection device and causes the processor 264 to generate a first data set of vehicle-identifying data from the vehicle data f _i with the vehicle registration number f ₁ , which can be derived from a visual assessment of external features of vehicle 100, with the vehicle class a second data set of vehicle-classifying data f ₂ , which can also be derived from a visual assessment of external features of vehicle 100, and with the displacement class a third data set of a hidden vehicle parameter f ₃ , which cannot be derived from a visual detection of external features of the vehicle 100, together with the vehicle device data g _i identifying the mobile vehicle device 260 and its user and the digital signature of the vehicle data f _i from the data memory 261 and via the DSRC communication unit 265 to send back to the roadside survey device. With the receipt of this data by the roadside data collection device, the proper use of the road by the vehicle is registered. Due to the fact that the collection device has vehicle data f _i and on-board device data g _i linked, it is not only a registration device within the meaning of the invention, but also a collection device, because the presence of the on-board device data g _i allows conclusions to be drawn about the user who was charged the fees and can be billed.

The roadside survey device has a control device that is equipped with a camera that creates a front-side photographic digital image of the vehicle 100 and from the image data of the photographic image using an image analysis program, the vehicle registration number of the number plate 102 as vehicle-identifying data from the image and with from mobile vehicle device 260 to the collection device transmitted vehicle-identifying data of the vehicle registration number. If the vehicle registration number obtained by the control device via the camera matches the vehicle registration number that was communicated to the collection device by the mobile vehicle device 260, a fee that is carried out by the collection device on the basis of the vehicle parameters transmitted by the mobile vehicle device 260 is considered valid if in addition, a check of the digital signature by the collection device using the public key of a body responsible for the correctness of the data is successful. The collection device links the vehicle parameters obtained in connection with the vehicle registration number and the on-board device data g _i with data from the route section subject to a fee to form a vehicle-dependent fee, which it charges together with the on-board device data g _i via radio and/or wired transmission, if necessary partially via the Internet , transmitted to a data processing device of a fee collection agency. Due to the linking of user data n _i with vehicle device data g _i in the data processing device of the fee collection point, the fee can be assigned to a user and debited from a stored account of the user.

SECOND EMBODIMENT:

To explain the second embodiment shows Figure 2a a passenger car 100 with a front number plate 102 bearing the registration number "B-TC 100" and a front windscreen 101. On the inside The front windshield 101 is the vehicle device 200 according to the invention, consisting of recording device 270 and mobile vehicle device 260, attached together with a transponder 300, as below with reference to Figure 2b described in more detail: The receiving device 270 is attached to the inside of the windshield 101 by means of an adhesive tape coated on both sides with adhesive (double-sided adhesive tape) 271 as a fastening means for the receiving device 270 . The receiving device 270 is U-shaped, with the transponder 300 being arranged between the two legs of the U of the receiving device 270 and being attached to the windshield 101 with double-sided adhesive tape 301 . On the inner sides of the U-legs of the receiving device 270 there are guide grooves 272 opposite one another, in which guide springs (not shown) of the mobile vehicle device 260 engage in the receiving device 270 in a form-fitting manner when the mobile vehicle device 260 is used. The U-base of the receiving device 270 has a device-side power supply connection 273, which corresponds to a device-side power supply connection 263 of the mobile vehicle device 260, and with which it makes electrical contact, which is based on the last 5 mm of displacement of the mobile vehicle device 260 in the guide grooves 272 of the receiving device 270 is established towards the U base.

In the course of attaching mobile vehicle device 260 to mounting device 270, an electrical connection is established with a vehicle-side power supply device, for example a battery in the vehicle, via power supply line 203, which is connected to the U-base of the mounting device and to device-side power supply connection 273 is in electrical contact.

To read out vehicle data f _i from a memory of transponder 300, mobile vehicle device 260 includes a reading device 205, which is read to transponder 300 in the end position of the guide of mobile vehicle device 260 in receiving device 270 (contact position of contacts 263 and 273) at a distance of 3 mm opposite. In this position, the communication behavior between the reading device 205 and the transponder 300 by means of inductive coupling via a transmitting/receiving antenna 205a of the reading device 205 (see Figure 2c ) optimal. Furthermore, the mobile vehicle device 260, as in Figure 2c shown, a processor 264, a data memory 261, a display device 268 designed as an LCD display and a DSRC communication unit 265 with a DSRC transmitting/receiving antenna 265a. The processor 264 is in data communication with both the reading device 205 and the data memory 261, the LCD display 268 and the DSRC communication unit 265, indicated by the connecting lines between the individual components of the Figure 2c .

In the non-volatile memory area of the data memory 261, the vehicle device data g _i and the address of that storage location are stored in a volatile memory area of the data memory 261 in which the vehicle data f _i are stored during the external power supply of the mobile vehicle device 260.

By receiving the mobile vehicle device 260 in the receiving device 270, the electrical contacts 263 and 273 are closed. The recording thus causes the mobile vehicle device to be initialized, in that the processor 264 is supplied with power through the closure of the contacts 263 and 273 and thus automatically generates a signal for activating the reading device 205, which means that the reading device reads vehicle data f _i from the transponder 300 are queried. This moment of setting up the vehicle device 260 is in Fig. 2d This shows that the text "Initialization" is shown on the LCD display, with the yellow LED 269b of three LEDs 269a (red), 269b (yellow) and 269c (green) lighting up to ensure that the initialization process is being carried out correctly in the course of the Setting up the mobile vehicle device 260 to display. After the signal-coded transmission of vehicle data f _i from the transponder 300 to the reading device, the vehicle data f _i is obtained from the signal and transmitted by the processor 264 to the address of the volatile memory area of the data memory 261, which it receives on request from the non-volatile memory area of the data memory 261 was called.

When the green LED 269c lights up and the license plate number "B-TC 100" of the vehicle 100 obtained from the vehicle data f _i is displayed in the LCD display 268, the successful setup and the associated readiness of the mobile vehicle device 260 to collect data is displayed in a toll collection system (please refer Figure 2e ).

In the case of a control request by means of a roadside DSRC microwave transmitting and receiving device to the DSRC communication unit 265 of the mobile vehicle device 260, the processor can answer this by transmitting the vehicle device data g _i and the vehicle data f _i from the data memory 261.

The charging takes place as a result of receiving information s _j that identifies the element that is subject to a charge, for example a road section, from a road-side DSRC microwave transmission device by the DSRC communication unit 265 of the mobile vehicle device 260. By linking the road section data s _j with the vehicle data f _{i ,} the processor determines a fee b _i,j , which is deducted from the credit on a memory card that is removably inserted into mobile vehicle device 260 (not shown). The use of such a memory card offers the user additional protection against misuse of his mobile vehicle device 260, provided he keeps the mobile vehicle device 260 and the memory card separate from one another, which makes it more difficult for them to be stolen together.

When the mobile vehicle device 260 is removed from the receiving device 270, the contacts 263 and 273 are separated from one another and the power supply to the mobile vehicle device is thus interrupted. This causes a de-initialization to return mobile vehicle device 260 to a non-setup state by deleting vehicle data f _i from the volatile memory area of data memory 261 .

An alternative variant of de-initialization is the use of a purely non-volatile data memory 261, in that when the mobile vehicle device 260 is removed from the receiving device 270, capacitive and/or inductive residual currents are used after the power supply has been disconnected to store the address at which Vehicle data f _i are to be stored to change.

When the mobile vehicle device is used again, a computer program running on the processor determines that no vehicle data f _i is stored at the changed address and reinitializes the mobile vehicle device.

The user can block this function, for example, by turning off the de-initialization function. The address for the stored vehicle data f _i is then retained. When the mobile vehicle device 260 is used again in a receiving device 270, triggered by the initialization means, the computer program first checks whether and, if so, which vehicle data f _i is available at the specified address. The readout of vehicle data f _j from the transponder 300 is then controlled via the reading device 205 and the vehicle data f _j received from the transponder is checked to determine whether they match the vehicle data f _i from the data memory. If the vehicle data f _i and f _j match, the readiness of the mobile vehicle device 260 to collect is signaled by the green LED 269c lighting up. If the vehicle data f _i and f _j do not match, a lack of readiness of the mobile vehicle device 260 to collect data is signaled by the red LED 269a lighting up in conjunction with the display “FZG blocked” on the LCD display 268 .

By switching on or off the de-initialization function, it is possible for the user to allow or prevent the use of his mobile vehicle device in another vehicle. Switching off the de-initialization function, for example by flipping a switch before removing the mobile Vehicle device 260 from the recording device 270, thus blocking the re-initialization of the mobile vehicle device 260 for use in a vehicle other than the one on which it was last initialized.

In any case, the user of the mobile vehicle device 260 in the course of an in Fig. 2f illustrated vehicle change from a first vehicle 100 to a second vehicle 100 ', which is equipped with a second transponder 300' and a second recording device 270 ', with a re-initialization of the mobile vehicle device 260 possible, first vehicle data f _i of a first vehicle 100, which existed before the transmission of second vehicle data f _i 'of a second vehicle 100' in a first memory area of data memory 261 on mobile vehicle device 260, with the second vehicle data f _i 'of second vehicle 100' and/or to replace a second memory area of the Address data memory 261 for storing the second vehicle data f _i 'of the second vehicle 100'.

In an alternative variant of the second exemplary embodiment that is not shown, the transponder 300 is attached to the number plate 102 of the vehicle 100 and the mobile vehicle device 260 has its own power supply of the type of a rechargeable battery, without the recording device being connected to the vehicle's own power supply. Vehicle data f _i is read from the transponder by the user switching on the mobile vehicle device 260 and holding it at a distance of less than 10 cm in front of the transponder 300 so that the reading device 205 successfully queries the vehicle data f _i from the transponder 300 can. The disadvantage of this method, however, is that the two steps for setting up the mobile vehicle device 260, namely reading data from the transponder 300 and attaching the mobile vehicle device, are spread over two locations for the user: a location outside the vehicle 100 for Recording of the vehicle data f _i on the license plate 102 and a location within the vehicle 100 for attachment to the inside of the windshield 101 and initialization effected thereby according to the invention.

According to the invention, this alternative variant of reading out data from the transponder 300 alone does not result in vehicle data being stored in the memory area of the data memory 261 provided for this purpose. Consequently, an intended data link between vehicle 100 and the mobile vehicle device outside vehicle 100 has not yet taken place. Instead, the vehicle data f _i are initially stored in a different memory area of the data memory 261 that does not correspond to a link between the vehicle 100 and the mobile vehicle device 260 . Alternatively, the vehicle data f _i can also be stored in a completely different data memory of the mobile vehicle device 260 .

The recording of mobile vehicle device 260 by recording device 270 inside vehicle 100 is detected in that the light beam of an infrared light-emitting diode of mobile vehicle device 260 is diffracted at a grid of the recording device into a first diffraction order and this is reflected by a mirror of the recording device onto a sensor of the mobile vehicle device 260 is reflected back. This detection process is triggered by a switch on the mobile vehicle device 260 which is kept pressed by the receiving device 270 when the mobile vehicle device 260 is picked up by the receiving device 270 .

The processor 264 simultaneously receives two signals - that of the pressed switch and that of the illuminated sensor - and evaluates this coincidence as evidence that the mobile vehicle device 260 has been recorded in the recording device 270, with the result that it records the vehicle data f _i that is still on a storage location on mobile vehicle device 260 that is foreign to the initialization is moved to the storage area in data memory 261 provided for initialization of mobile vehicle device 260 . The mobile vehicle device is thus set up according to the invention. If the processor does not receive both signals over a specified period of one minute, it deletes the vehicle data f _i stored up to that point in the non-initialization storage location on mobile vehicle device 260, which are consequently no longer available for initialization.

The processor 264 then monitors both signals and evaluates the absence of one of the two as proof that the mobile vehicle device 260 has been removed from the receiving device 270, during which it deletes the vehicle data f _i stored in said memory area of the data memory 261.

The process of checking that the mobile vehicle device 260 is set up correctly and that the mobile vehicle device 260 charges the fees is described in more detail in the fourth exemplary embodiment.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

The third embodiment relates to the use of the invention for an in Figure 3a illustrated truck 100, which is equipped with a tractor 110, coupled to the tractor 110 trailer 120 and a trailer 130 attached to the trailer. The tractor 110 has a front first license plate 112 and three wheel axles 116a, 116b and 116c; trailer 120 has a rear second license plate 122 and two wheel axles 126a and 126b; the trailer 130 has a rear third license plate 132 and three wheel axles 136a, 136b and 136c. A transponder 310, 320 and 330 is attached to each of the three license plates 112, 122 and 132, and vehicle data f _1,i (tractor), f _2,i (semi-trailer) and f _3,i (trailer) are stored in their data memory are. The vehicle data f _x,i include vehicle registration number f _x,1 (x=1: B-TC 110, x=2: B-TC 120, x=3: B-TC 130), vehicle type f _x,2 (x=1 : tractor, x=2: semi-trailer, x=3 trailer), gross vehicle weight f _x,3 , (x=1: 6 t, x=2: 8 t, x=3: 8 t), number of wheel axles f _{x .4} (x=1: 3, x=2: 2, x=3: 3) and the emission class f _x.5 (x=1: 3, x=2: 0; x=3: 0), where the Emission class 0 stands for a vehicle without an engine.

It can be seen through the windshield 111 of the towing vehicle 110 that a mobile vehicle device 260 is fastened in a receiving device 270 which in turn is fastened to the inside of the windshield 111 . Alternatively, the receptacle 270 is provided by the passenger side portion of the console. In any case, the receiving device 270 has a connection to an on-board power supply.

A reading device 215 (assigned to the first transponder 310), 225 (assigned to the second transponder 320) and 235 (assigned to the third transponder 330) opposite. The reading devices 215, 225 and 235 obtain the electrical energy required for their operation from an on-board power supply, which they share with the license plate lights. In terms of data technology, the reading devices 215, 225 and 235 are connected to the mobile vehicle device 260 via data lines 217, 227 and 237. In an alternative embodiment, the data connection is made by means of a wireless network, for which mobile vehicle device 260 provides the access node (master) and the reading devices provide the end points (slaves).

The mobile vehicle device 260 itself is in Figure 3b shown schematically. It comprises a processor 264, a data memory 261, a display device 268, a rechargeable battery 263b which has an external power supply connection 263 for recharging, a GNSS receiver 266 with a GNSS receiving antenna 266a for receiving data from a global navigation satellite Systems (GNSS), a mobile radio device 267 with a mobile transmission/reception antenna 267a and a DSRC communication unit 265 with a DSRC transmission/reception antenna 265a.

In this case, none of the antennas mentioned need to be integrated in the mobile vehicle device 260 . To improve communication and/or reception, they can also be arranged outside of the mobile vehicle device, for example integrated in the receiving device 270 or attached to the outside of the vehicle.

The top view of the mobile vehicle device 260 of FIG 3c 12 shows the mobile vehicle device 260 in a setup phase in which the initialization of the mobile vehicle device 260 is complete.

With the actuation of the switch 263a in the ON position, the mobile vehicle device 260 is switched on. The processor detects the recording of the mobile vehicle device in the designated recording device on the console in the driver's cab of the tractor (not shown) by analyzing a digital filter in the recording device to which the mobile vehicle device with the recording is connected.

As a result of the detected recording, the mobile vehicle device 260 automatically uses its processor 264 to control the reading devices 215, 225 and 235 to query vehicle data f _x,i from the transponders 310, 320 and 330. The vehicle data f _x, read from the transponders by the reading devices _i are transferred to the data memory 261 by means of the processor and are displayed on the display device—in this case an OLED display (OLED=Organic Light-Emitting Diode)—to indicate successful initialization. The processor 264 adds the vehicle-classifying vehicle data f _x,i (i>1) of all vehicle components to charge-relevant vehicle data f _i (i>1) for the entire truck 100. This summary vehicle data f _i = f _1,i + f _2,i + f _3,i in each case for (i > 1) form the basis for determining the amount of a toll fee that the user of the truck has to pay for using a toll route section: i = 2 - vehicle type: truck with trailer, i = 3 - permissible total weight: 22 tons, i = 4 - total number of wheel axles: 8, i = 5 - effective emission class: 3. The process of checking the proper setup of the mobile vehicle device 260 and the charging by the mobile vehicle device 260 is in the fourth embodiment described in more detail.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT

A scheme for the inventive use of a vehicle of the second and third embodiment in a toll collection system according to the invention is in 4 based on an EETS scenario with the four entities user N, vehicle F, infrastructure manager S and charging station G.

Each vehicle 100 for which charges are to be levied using the mobile vehicle device according to the invention is equipped with at least one transponder 300 (310, 320, 330), which stores vehicle data f _i of vehicle 100 [F1].

With a registration, the user N applies for the transfer of a mobile vehicle device 260 (here as a vehicle device) at a toll collection point G (for the collection of tolls, an EETS provider) by disclosing his user data n _i , which includes the name, address and account data of the user referred to) [N1]. The charging station G selects a mobile vehicle device 260 and assigns the charging device data g _i , which includes an identification of the charging station, a manufacturer number, a device type number and a serial number of the mobile vehicle device, to the user data n _i in a database of its central data processing device. This process is called personalization [G1].

The mobile vehicle device 260 is then made available to the user by the charging station G [G2]. The user selects a vehicle 100 that is already provided with a receiving device 270 for the mobile vehicle device 260 [N2]. He fastens the mobile vehicle device 260 in the mounting device 270 and, with a fastening-related initialization of the mobile vehicle device 260, transmits vehicle data f _i from the transponder 300 (310, 320, 330) to the data memory 261 of the vehicle device, in which the vehicle device data gi are saved. Fastening and initialization make up the setting up of the mobile vehicle device 260, which is thus assigned to the vehicle 100 structurally (arrangement-wise) and informally (data-wise). The process of linking vehicle data f _i with vehicle device data g _i in a data memory 261 in general—here specifically that of the mobile vehicle device 260—is referred to as initialization [F2].

1. a) durch Übertragung der Straßenabschnittsdaten s_j von einer straßenseitigen DSRC-Sendeeinheit, die dem entsprechenden Straßenabschnitt zugeordnet ist, an die DSRC-Kommunikationseinheit 265 des mobilen Fahrzeuggerätes 260 wie im zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel vorgeschlagen;
2. b) durch Empfang von Satellitendaten eines Globalen Navigations-Satelliten-Systems (GNSS) mittels des GNSS-Empfängers 266, der Ermittlung der aktuellen Position des Fahrzeugs durch den GNSS-Empfänger und den Vergleich der ermittelten Positionsdaten mit geographischen Daten, die dem Straßenabschnitt s_j zugeordnet sind, durch den Prozessor 264 wie im dritten Ausführungsbeispiel vorgesehen.

In the course of using a fee-based infrastructure element, in this case a road section, of an infrastructure operator (in this case a toll charger), the processor 264 of the mobile vehicle device 260 processes infrastructure element data s _j (here road sections s _j ) that are available to it according to a determination of use stand. For these infrastructure elements data s; the processor can get to 264 in several ways:

1. a) by transmission of the road section data s _j from a roadside DSRC transmission unit, which is assigned to the corresponding road section, to the DSRC communication unit 265 of the mobile vehicle device 260 as proposed in the second exemplary embodiment;
2. b) by receiving satellite data from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) using the GNSS receiver 266, determining the current position of the vehicle using the GNSS receiver and comparing the determined position data with geographic data that corresponds to the road section s _j are assigned by the processor 264 as provided in the third embodiment.

The processor of the 264 mobile vehicle device 260 links the road section data s _j with vehicle-classifying vehicle data f _i (i > 1) to a road section and vehicle-dependent fee b _i,j (i > 1 ), the data of which contains an identifier for identifying the infrastructure operator [F3 ].

1. a) die Daten b _i,j und g_i werden von der fahrzeugseitigen DSRC-Kommunikationseinheit 265 an eine straßenseitige DSRC-Empfangseinheit übertragen, die in Verbindung mit einer die Datenbank umfassenden Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung der Gebührenerhebungsstelle G steht, wie im zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel vorgesehen - welche Gebührenerhebungsstelle G auszuwählen ist, entnimmt eine die straßenseitige DSRC-Empfangseinheit umfassende Registriereinrichtung den Fahrzeuggerätdaten g _i, die eine Kennung zur Identifizierung der das mobile Fahrzeuggeräte ausgebenden Stelle G enthalten - ,
2. b) die Daten b _i,j und g_i werden von dem fahrzeugseitigen Mobilfunkgerät 267 über ein Mobilfunknetz zu der die Datenbank umfassenden Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung der Gebührenerhebungsstelle G übertragen, wie im dritten Ausführungsbeispiel vorgesehen.

The fee data b _i,j and the vehicle device data g _i can in turn be transmitted to the fee collection point G in various ways:

1. a) the data b _{i, j} and g _i are transmitted from the vehicle-side DSRC communication unit 265 to a roadside DSRC receiving unit, which is connected to a data processing device of the toll collection point G that includes the database, as provided in the second exemplary embodiment - which toll collection point G is to be selected, a registration device comprising the roadside DSRC receiving unit takes the vehicle device data g _i , which contain an identifier for identifying the location G issuing the mobile vehicle device - ,
2. b) the data b _{i, j} and g _i are transmitted from the vehicle-mounted mobile radio device 267 via a mobile radio network to the data processing device of the fee collection point G, which includes the database, as provided in the third exemplary embodiment.

In an alternative embodiment of this exemplary embodiment, which is not shown, the DSRC communication unit 265 can be requested by a roadside DSRC transceiver unit to send just the vehicle data f i to the roadside DSRC transceiver unit, from which the toll collection point of a local infrastructure operator (toll charger) a corresponding toll fee is calculated and forwarded to the toll operator (EETS provider).

In all cases, the data processing device of the fee collection agency can also be regarded as a registration device according to the invention [N3].

In the fee collection point G, the fees b _i,j can be assigned to user data n _i based on their linking to vehicle device data gi, because user data n _i are present in the database of the fee collection point linked to vehicle device data g _i [G3, G4].

Roadside control devices can also be regarded as registering devices according to the invention. In the cases of the second and third embodiments, they have a DSRC communication unit and a digital camera on. The digital camera takes a frontal digital image of the vehicle 100 including its license plate 102 and image analysis means extract the vehicle registration number f ₁ from the digital image data of the license plate 102. The roadside DSRC communication unit uses microwave signals to request vehicle data f _i (vehicle identifying vehicle data f ₁ and vehicle classifying vehicle data f _i with i>1) and vehicle device data g _i from the mobile vehicle device 260, which has an on-board DSRC communication unit 265 for receiving the microwave signal. Data f _i and g _i received from the mobile vehicle device 260 also contain the vehicle registration number f ₁ . The control device compares the vehicle registration number recorded by the digital camera with the vehicle registration number that was transmitted by the mobile vehicle device 260 and, if they match, determines that the mobile vehicle device 260 has been set up correctly, which at the same time means that hidden vehicle parameters (f ₄ (permissible total weight) and f ₅ (pollutant class) in the case of the truck of embodiment three). The vehicle registration number f ₁ can thus be deleted from the control device and the anonymity of the vehicle owner and of use can thus be secured.

In addition, the control device receives charge data b _i,j from the mobile vehicle device 260 and calculates this itself for control purposes using the vehicle data f _i transmitted by the mobile vehicle device 260 and the road section s _i assigned to the control device. A comparison of the two fee data b _i,j represents a check of the correct collection of fees by the mobile vehicle device 260 (provider-side control) [S4].

The use of the infrastructure _si together with the associated charge data b _i,j are continuously stored in the mobile vehicle device, for example as a text file in the data memory 261 [F4]. The user has access to this data via a serial interface and can compare it with the data on the bill that is issued to him by the charging station G (user control) [N4].

The infrastructure operator S has a demand for payment from the fee collection point G, ie the transfer of the fee amounts that the fee collection point G has collected from the user's account. In order to legitimize his claim, the infrastructure operator maintains a database that receives data from the control devices, which, together with a time stamp of the control time, contains the road section data _si linked to the fee data b _i,j and the vehicle device data g _i [S5]. The infrastructure operator S can determine the responsible fee collection agency G from the vehicle device data g _i and approach this if the fee reimbursement from the fee collection agency G is delayed. The reimbursed fees b _i,j can be checked by the infrastructure operator S an using the claims b _i,j stored in its database [S5]. The fee collection agency G can use the fee data b _i,j to determine which infrastructure operator S is entitled to the fee reimbursement [G5] .

List of reference symbols and symbols:

100

vehicle

101

front windshield

102

license plate

102a

rear license plate

110

tractor of a vehicle

111

Windshield of tractor

112

License plate of tractor

116a

first axle of tractor

116b

second axle of tractor

116c

third axle of tractor

120

trailer of a vehicle

122

Trailer number plate

126a

first axle of trailer

126b

second axle of trailer

130

trailer of a vehicle

132

Trailer license plate

136a

first axle of trailer

136b

second axle of trailer

136c

third axle of trailer

200

in-vehicle equipment

203

power supply line

205

reading device

205a

Transmitting/receiving antenna of the reading device

207

Communication line between mobile vehicle device 260 and reading device 205

215

Reading device for tractor

217

Communication line between mobile vehicle device 260 and reading device 215

225

Reading device for trailers

227

Communication line between mobile vehicle device 260 and reading device 225

235

Reading device for trailers

237

Communication line between mobile vehicle device 260 and reading device 235

260

mobile vehicle device

261

data storage

263

device-side power supply connection

263a

Switch

263b

battery

264

processor

265

DSRC communication unit

265a

DSRC transmit/receive antenna

265b

DSRC transmit/receive antenna connector

266

GNSS receiver

266a

GNSS receiving antenna

267

cellular device

267a

Cellular transmission/reception antenna

268

display device

269a

first LED

269b

second LED

269c

third LED

270

recording device

271

Fastening means for receiving device

272

groove

273

device-side power supply connector

300

Transponder, first transponder

301

fasteners for transponders

310

first transponder, transponder for tractor

320

second transponder, transponder for trailer

330

third transponder, transponder for trailer

bi, j

fee data

f

vehicle

fi

vehicle data

G

Fee collection agency, EETS provider

hey

Billing Device Data

N

user

no

user data

S

Infrastructure operator, toll charger

sj

infrastructure element data

Claims (11)

1. Method for initializing and de-initializing a mobile vehicle device (260) suitable for collecting fees of a vehicle (100), which mobile vehicle device is designed to provide vehicle data (f_i) of the vehicle (100) and/or at least one item of information (b_i,j) dependent on vehicle data (f_i) for wireless transmission, by way of at least one first communication interface (265, 267) of the mobile vehicle device (260), to at least one registration device, arranged outside the vehicle (100), of at least one vehicle fee system,
   comprising:

   - transmitting the vehicle data (f_i) of the vehicle (100) to the mobile vehicle device (260),

   - at least temporarily storing the vehicle data (f_i) in a memory area of a data memory (261) of the mobile vehicle device (260) and

   - releasably fastening the mobile vehicle device (260) in the vehicle (100),

   characterized in that,

   - in order to transmit the vehicle data (f_i) to the mobile vehicle device (260), at least one transponder (300, 310, 320, 330) that is fastened on the vehicle (100) outside the mobile vehicle device (260) and that provides the vehicle data (f_i) is activated, and

   - transmitting the vehicle data (f_i) to the mobile vehicle device (260) comprises reading and receiving the vehicle data (f_i) provided by the transponder (300, 310, 320, 330) by way of a reading apparatus (205, 215, 225, 235) that is included within the mobile vehicle device (260) or is at least temporarily connected thereto in order to exchange data, wherein

   - i) the transmission of the vehicle data (f_i) of the vehicle (100) to the mobile vehicle device (260) and/or

   ii) the storage thereof in a memory area of the data memory (261)

   is triggered as a sufficient condition or is made possible as a necessary but insufficient condition by fastening the mobile vehicle device (260) in the vehicle (100),

   and wherein
   putting the data memory (261) into a state that corresponds to the absence of vehicle data (f_i) in the data memory (261) is triggered as a sufficient condition or is enabled as a necessary but insufficient condition by detaching the mobile vehicle device (260) from the vehicle (100).
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transponder (300, 310, 320, 330) is activated with the involvement of the mobile vehicle device (260).
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that
   the state corresponding to the absence of vehicle data (f_i) in the data memory is reached by

   i) erasing the vehicle data from the data memory (261),

   ii) moving the vehicle data to another memory area in the data memory (261) and/or

   iii) assigning another memory area in the data memory (261) to receive vehicle data in the data memory (261) again.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
   the vehicle data (f_i) contain a dataset, uniquely identifying the vehicle, of vehicle-identifying data (f₁) that are able to be ascertained through data evaluation of images of the vehicle that have been recorded by an imaging control apparatus.
5. Vehicle apparatus (200) for collecting fees for a vehicle (100), having

   - at least one mobile vehicle device (260) that has

   - at least one data memory (261) for receiving vehicle data (f_i) of the vehicle (100) in a memory area of the data memory (261),

   - at least one first communication interface (265, 267) for wirelessly transmitting vehicle data (f_i) and/or at least one item of information (b_i,j) dependent on vehicle data to at least one registration apparatus, arranged outside the vehicle (100), of at least one vehicle fee system, and

   - at least one processor (264) with access to the data memory (261),

   and having

   - at least one vehicle-side holder (270) for the repeated reception and removal of the mobile vehicle device (260),

   characterized by

   - at least one reading apparatus (205, 215, 225, 235) that is designed to wirelessly receive the vehicle data (f_i) from at least one transponder (300, 310, 320, 330) that is fastened on the vehicle outside the mobile vehicle device (260) and that provides the vehicle data (f_i),

   wherein

   - the at least one processor (264) is connected to the reading apparatus (205) in order to exchange data and is configured to transmit the vehicle data (f_i) from the reading apparatus (205, 215, 225, 235) to the data memory (261) and

   wherein

   - the mobile vehicle device (260) and the vehicle-side holder (270) have mutually interacting components of a reception control means, which brings about

   i) the transmission of the vehicle data (f_i) of the vehicle (100) to the mobile vehicle device (260), and/or

   ii) reception of vehicle data (f_i) in a memory area of the data memory (261)

   as a sufficient condition or permits same as a necessary but insufficient condition when the mobile vehicle device (260) is received by the vehicle-side holder (270),
   and wherein

   - the mobile vehicle device (260) and the vehicle-side holder (270) have mutually interacting components of a removal control means that has the effect that the data memory (261) is put into a state that corresponds to the absence of vehicle data (f_i) in the data memory (261) as a sufficient condition or same is permitted as a necessary but insufficient condition when the mobile vehicle device (260) is removed from the vehicle-side holder (270).
6. Vehicle apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that
   the state corresponding to the absence of vehicle data (f_i) in the data memory (261) is reached by

   i) erasing the vehicle data from the data memory (261),

   ii) moving the vehicle data to another memory area in the data memory (261) and/or

   iii) assigning another memory area in the data memory (261) to receive vehicle data in the data memory (261) again.
7. Vehicle (100) equipped with a vehicle apparatus (200) according to Claim 5 or 6
   and at least one transponder (300, 310, 320, 330) that is fastened on the vehicle (100) and that provides vehicle data (f_i) for transmission to the mobile vehicle device (260).
8. Vehicle (100) according to Claim 7, characterized in that

   the vehicle apparatus (200) has at least one further reading apparatus (225, 235) that is designed to wirelessly receive further vehicle data (f_x,i, x > 1) from at least one further transponder (320, 330), wherein the processor (264) of the mobile vehicle device (260) is connected to the further reading apparatus (225, 235) in order to transmit data and is able to be operated so as to transmit the further vehicle data (f_x,i, x > 1) from the further reading apparatus (225, 235) to the data memory (261) of the mobile vehicle device (260),

   the further transponder (320, 330) is fastened on an identification plate (122, 132) of the vehicle (100) that carries or depicts a vehicle identifier (f_x,i, x > 1), and the further reading apparatus (225, 235) is fastened in a manner arranged in a position on the vehicle (100) in which it lies opposite the further transponder (320, 330) at a distance of 0 to 10 cm.
9. Vehicle according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that

   the holder (270) is fastened on the inside of the front windscreen (101) of the vehicle (100),

   the transponder (300) is fastened on the inside of the front windscreen (101) of the vehicle (100) or on the holder (270) and

   the mobile vehicle device (260), in a position in which it is received by the holder (270), lies opposite the transponder (300) at a distance of 0 to 10 cm,

   wherein the reading apparatus (205) is contained within the mobile vehicle device (260).
10. Fee collection system comprising a vehicle apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6,
    characterized by

    - at least one transponder (300, 310, 320, 330) that is fastened on the vehicle (100) and that provides vehicle data (f_i) for transmission to the mobile vehicle device (260),

    - at least one first central data processing apparatus, in which

    - an assignment of user data (n_i) of a user of the mobile vehicle device (260) and vehicle device data (g_i) of the mobile vehicle device (260) are stored in a database in a manner associated with one another through a data link,
    and which

    - is connected, in order to at least temporarily wirelessly transmit data, to the mobile vehicle device (260) at least temporarily via the first or a further communication interface (265, 267) of the mobile vehicle device (260), by way of which at least the vehicle device data (g_i) are transmitted from the mobile vehicle device (260) to the first central data processing apparatus,

    and

    - at least one control device that

    - comprises an optical detection unit for creating at least one optical recording of at least one vehicle-identifying feature (102) of the vehicle (100) and for obtaining vehicle-identifying data (f_i) from the data processing of the at least one optical recording,
    and that

    - is connected, in order to at least temporarily wirelessly transmit data, to the mobile vehicle device (260) at least temporarily via the first or a further communication interface (265) of the mobile vehicle device (260), by way of which at least a portion of vehicle data (f_i) is transmitted from the mobile vehicle device (260) to the control device, said portion comprising vehicle identifying-data (f_i) of the vehicle (100).
11. Use of a vehicle (100) according to one of Claims 7 to 9 in a fee collection system according to Claim 10.

Images