EP3002734B1 - Vehicle devices and toll collection system - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a vehicle device and a toll collection system for collecting a toll for the use of a toll traffic area by a toll vehicle.

State of the art

Usage-dependent billing toll systems are dependent on the recording of the route of the respective toll vehicles in order to collect the toll, at least in the area which is decisive for the use of the toll road. For example, the vehicle positions are regularly recorded in the toll collection system operated by the German toll operator Toll Collect GmbH in the area of the approach to the respective toll traffic area as well as the exit from this traffic area.

Toll data are understood here to mean data assigned to a user on traffic areas subject to tolls and / or tolls, which are determined by a toll identification and / or toll determination. Toll-relevant data are all data that are included in the determination of the toll, such as the identifier and / or the length of the road area subject to the toll, as well as the vehicle data such as weight, number of axles and emission class. A basic fee or fee rate is usually coupled to at least one toll-relevant data record, which, in conjunction with the other toll-relevant data, allows the total fee to be determined when the toll is collected.

Toll recognition is understood here technically as the process of linking a traffic area that is used and recognized on the basis of the recorded vehicle position (s) and subject to a toll with the user. In other words, it is understood to mean linking the user for the first time to a traffic area that is subject to a toll.

Toll determination is here technically understood as the process of determining a toll fee from the traffic area that is used or that is to be used in the future, subject to toll, possibly taking into account toll-relevant vehicle data and time information.

Toll collection is understood here technically as the process of collecting the specific toll fee from the user whose vehicle has demonstrably used the toll traffic area or will use it in the future, for example by taking cash such as at a toll station terminal, by central debiting from an account or by decentralized deduction of a pre-paid credit on a chip card arranged in a vehicle device.

A toll traffic area is understood here to mean traffic areas for the use of which a toll is due. The amount of the toll can be determined, for example, according to the route traveled on the toll road, for example measured in meters, according to the number of toll route sections used or as a lump sum or according to the time required to use a certain toll route network, for example in the case of a city toll.

The toll can be determined, for example, by calculating the toll fee or by reading out the toll fee in question from a database.

In principle, a distinction can be made between different systems for recording the toll charges to be levied:
On the one hand, decentralized collecting systems are known in which a position determining device is provided in the vehicle, for example in a vehicle device or a vehicle device, which is also referred to as an "on board unit" (OBU). A GNSS receiver in the vehicle records the position of the vehicle via a GNSS system and a DSRC receiver in the vehicle can receive positions from roadside devices. In the decentralized system, this position data is processed in the on-board unit to identify any road areas subject to tolls. The toll can be collected locally in the vehicle device, for example by debiting a pre-paid credit. Alternatively, after the toll data has been transmitted to a Toll center are collected by the toll center, which carries out the debiting or invoicing. The toll is collected after driving the toll road section.

Furthermore, centralized systems are known in which a position determination device is provided in the vehicle or a vehicle device, which transmit the position data to a toll center and the toll recognition, the toll determination and the toll collection are carried out in the toll center. A GNSS receiver in the vehicle records the position of the vehicle via a GNSS system and a DSRC receiver in the vehicle can receive positions from roadside devices. The toll recognition can be carried out in the vehicle device or in the toll center. If the toll recognition is carried out outside the vehicle device, only position data are transmitted to the toll center that performs the toll recognition. The toll is collected after driving the toll road section.

Furthermore, toll collection systems are known which dispense with the use of GNSS receivers and carry out a position determination and toll recognition exclusively via roadside vehicle detection devices. The vehicle subject to the toll sends a corresponding identification signal to the roadside vehicle detection device. The identification signals received by the roadside vehicle detection devices are transmitted to a toll center, which determines the toll on this basis and collects the toll. With this toll collection system, too, the toll is collected after driving on the toll road section.

For the sake of simplicity, this is always referred to as a toll center. Instead of a toll center, the toll can also be collected by a separate toll service.

So far, the system of Toll Collect GmbH is intended to collect tolls when using autobahns in Germany, with roadside vehicle detection devices in the form of fixed control bridges spanning the road, which detect the license plate number of every passing vehicle and thus a comparison with a central database. In addition, mobile vehicle detection devices can also be provided which support the detection of the vehicles. This system can be extended to other streets.

For the individual and largely automatic detection of the use of toll roads, vehicle equipment, which is also referred to as OBUs (On Board Units), has proven itself, which has a position determination device for the position detection of the vehicle or is coupled to a position determination device provided in the vehicle. The vehicle equipment can accordingly determine and / or record the position of the respective toll vehicle and, on the basis of map material stored in the vehicle equipment, recognize whether the vehicle is on a toll traffic area. If this is the case, the vehicle device determines a toll fee for the use of the determined toll traffic area and transmits the corresponding toll data, which include the determined fee, to a toll center. On the basis of the information transmitted by the vehicle equipment, the toll due can then be collected in the toll center, either by calculating the toll from the transmitted route data or by using the transmitted fee data. The due toll is then billed to the respective user or deducted from an existing credit.

In order to enable the correct toll collection, the user must initialize the vehicle device before starting the journey and enter vehicle data, for example the total weight of the vehicle, its emission class and the current number of axles. On this basis, taking into account the position of the vehicle subject to the toll and the comparison of the position of the vehicle subject to the toll with a database in which the roads subject to the toll are stored, the vehicle device determines the toll applicable for the respective journey and transmits this toll data at the latest at Fulfillment of a certain criterion, for example when leaving the toll route to the toll station.

In one variant, the position data determined by the position determination device over the course of the journey and recorded by the vehicle device are transmitted to the toll center continuously or when a certain criterion is met, for example when a predetermined amount of position data has been reached. The toll to be paid for the vehicle subject to the toll for this trip is then determined and collected centrally in the toll center on the basis of the vehicle data and the toll traffic areas recognized as being used from the position data.

This method of collecting the toll data, in which the user of the vehicle subject to the toll only has to initialize the vehicle device and then the recording of the route, the transmission of the toll data to the toll center, and the collection of the toll after initialization without further user input, is also carried out referred to as an automatic procedure (AV). In this method, the toll is only determined after driving on the respective toll road section and is levied by the fact that it is billed accordingly or deducted from a stored or pre-paid credit.

In the automatic process (AV), the vehicle device carried by the vehicle subject to the toll recognizes, based on the comparison of position data, which were determined by the position determination device, with map data stored in a database, whether and, if so, which toll route section is being traveled. Such a toll road section is then stored in a storage device of the vehicle device. Correspondingly, route sections subject to tolls are stored section by section in the storage device in the vehicle device and then transmitted to the toll center as toll data when a predetermined criterion is met, for example after a predetermined number of stored route sections have been exceeded. The toll is determined on this basis either in the toll center or in the on-board device. In the latter case, the toll to be collected is then transmitted to the toll center as toll data. In the automatic procedure (AV), the user authorization for the traveled, toll road section is acquired step by step after driving each individual toll road section, whereby the toll is collected via the toll center after leaving the toll road section and transmission of the corresponding data to the toll center will.

In addition to the automatic procedure (AV), the toll collection system operated by Toll Collect GmbH can also be used to log in using the so-called manual procedure (MV).

In the manual process (MV), the respective user can use one of the 3600 or so toll station terminals, which are typically set up at truck stops, rest areas or at petrol stations. Alternatively, a web service on the Internet can also be used in the manual process (MV).

In the manual process (MV), the user acquires usage authorization for the respective toll road section before driving on the toll road section or a toll route which consists of one or more toll road sections. For this purpose, the user enters the planned approach and the planned departure from the toll road area at the toll station terminal or in the web service before driving the route, which then defines the one or more toll road sections of the route. The user can also enter via positions in his route, which are taken into account when determining the route to be driven and which are used as a basis for calculating the toll due. The user of the manual procedure (MV) determines the route to be traveled before actually driving on the road sections subject to toll and pays the corresponding toll. The toll can either be paid directly at the toll station terminal or on the Internet, or it can be provided to registered users via the toll center in a monthly collective invoice or deducted from existing credit.

Booking a route using the manual method results in a fixed route which the user cannot leave without possibly being considered a toll evader. A change in the route may be necessary, for example, if a section of the booked route is blocked or if there is a traffic jam that needs to be avoided. It can also happen that a user wants to go to additional stations en route. If the user wants to change his route after starting the trip booked using the manual procedure, he must do this at a stationary toll terminal so that the route actually driven remains traceable. The user then has to partially cancel the booked route and then book the new desired route.

In the vehicle equipment or vehicle devices, a highly accurate position determination by means of the position determination device is possible, this having a GNSS receiver, which receives specific signals from satellites of a global navigation satellite system (Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS for short), which are stationed in earth orbit and which have corresponding position signals send out. The position determining device uses these signals in a known manner to calculate the own position. Such GNSS systems are, for example, the US American GPS system, the Russian GLONASS, the European Galileo and the Chinese Compass system, the latter of which are still being developed. As a position determination device, either a position determination device which is already provided in the vehicle subject to a toll and which transfers its data to an OBU, or the OBU itself can have a position determination device.

In addition, position sensors (speedometer, odometer) and direction sensors such as a gyroscope or an electronic compass of the toll vehicle or the position determination device can be connected in order to enable even more precise position determination by means of dead reckoning. This can be of particular importance if no GNSS data is available due to coverage, for example in a tunnel, and an exact position determination is nevertheless desired.

The information is transmitted to the toll center via a communication module present in the vehicle equipment, which uses a known mobile radio standard and communicates the data to the toll center, for example via the GSM standard. Two-way communication is generally not provided; instead, only the toll-relevant data determined by the vehicle device are transmitted to the toll center when the vehicle device has completed collecting the data.

If the user uses a vehicle equipment and takes part in the automatic procedure (AV), he has the obligation, due to his duty to cooperate, to use the manual procedure if the vehicle equipment should fail while driving. To this end, the updated version of the 2013 edition of Toll Collect GmbH's "User information on truck tolls in Germany" states that if the vehicle equipment should fail while driving, the toll road must be left at the next exit and then a manual one Must log in at a toll station terminal.

Accordingly, the failure of the automatic recording of the toll obligation by means of the vehicle equipment during the journey necessarily results in an interruption in the journey, in which the manual booking of the further journey must be carried out using the manual method.

The inoperability of the vehicle equipment while driving can have various technical causes, for example a loss of reception of the GNSS signal or a malfunction of the position determining device.

From the EP 2 487 506 A1 For example, a position determination device and a method and a computer program product for signaling a lack of operability of such a position determination device in a vehicle device are known. Accordingly, it is known in principle that and in what way the operability of a position determining device can be checked and the inoperability of the position determining device can be determined.

Presentation of the invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to specify a vehicle device, a toll control center and a method for collecting tolls, which provide improved behavior in the event of inoperability.

This object is achieved by a vehicle device with the features of claim 1, a vehicle device with the features of claim 2 and a toll collection system with the features of claim 4. Advantageous developments result from the subclaims and are also described below.

Accordingly, a vehicle device for a vehicle subject to a toll having the features of claim 1 and a vehicle device for a vehicle subject to toll having the features of claim 2 are proposed.

Accordingly, if the vehicle equipment fails to participate in the automatic toll collection procedure, the manual toll collection procedure is initiated without the driver of the vehicle subject to the toll having to interrupt his journey or drive through a section of the toll traffic area without authorization or registration using the manual procedure.

A computing device comprises at least one processor with an internal memory. According to an advantageous embodiment, the computing device is a single, preferably a physically definable computer. According to another embodiment, this is a distributed system, ie several independent computers that appear to a user as a single coherent system. In the latter case, each of the computers would have at least one processor with an internal memory. The computers then work autonomously but functionally coordinated.

The decentralized communication device and the decentralized position determination device are communicatively coupled to the decentralized computing device so that the components can exchange data with one another. However, the components do not necessarily have to be combined in one housing.

In the case of externally located vehicle devices that use the decentralized communication device to send identification data to a roadside detection device of a toll collection system that includes the toll center, the at least one decentralized communication device is preferably designed as a DSRC communication device for short-range communication (dedicated short-range communication).

In the case of self-locating vehicle devices, the at least one decentralized communication device is preferably designed as a mobile radio communication device, for example as a GSM module, the decentralized computing device being communicatively connected to a decentralized position determination device for self-positioning of the vehicle device.

However, this is not mandatory, because self-locating vehicle devices can also receive position data from a roadside transmitting device, for example from a position transmitter beacon, via a decentralized communication device designed as a DSRC communication device.

In the case in which the vehicle device is designed to determine the toll fee and to collect it automatically - for example by debiting a credit provided in the vehicle device, which can be received in the vehicle device in the form of a pre-paid card, for example, it is sufficient to have a Confirmation of the decentralized computing device about the collection of a toll-related vehicle made by the vehicle device To send the toll fee for the use of a toll road area to the toll center. The decentralized computing device can be designed to send such a message to the control device in response to a control request from a roadside control device of a toll collection system comprising the toll control center and the vehicle device by way of DSRC communication with the control device / or supplemented form - forwards to the toll office.

The decentralized position determination device communicatively coupled to the decentralized computing device can be, for example, a position determination device provided by the vehicle, for example a navigation system installed in the vehicle.

The vehicle device is preferably designed as a vehicle device which comprises the position determination device in a housing in which the decentralized computing device is also arranged.

The decentralized communication device can be formed by a communication device built into the vehicle, such as a built-in mobile phone or a telemetry device.

The individual components of the vehicle equipment can, however, also be connected to one another in a single housing as an independent vehicle device, in which case the vehicle device can then, for example, be inserted into a DIN slot in a vehicle. The vehicle device can then preferably be installed as a unit in a vehicle and can also be replaced as a whole.

Embodiments of the vehicle device provide that the decentralized computing device sends the failure message to the toll control center via the at least one decentralized communication device, via which it also sends the identification data as well as position data and / or toll data to the toll control center.

However, this is not mandatory. Thus, the decentralized computing device can be coupled to a plurality of decentralized communication devices and the failure message via a send a different decentralized communication device to the toll center than the at least one decentralized communication device, via which it also sends the identification data as well as position data and / or toll data to the toll center. This is particularly preferable in a non-claimed case when the decentralized computing device detects a failure of the at least one decentralized communication device via which the identification data as well as position data and / or toll data are intended to be sent to the toll center. The failure of this at least one decentralized communication device can namely be such that this at least one decentralized communication device can no longer be used for sending the failure message. In this case, the decentralized computing device preferably uses the other communication device to send the failure message to the toll center.

According to a preferred embodiment, the decentralized computing device terminates an automatic toll collection process in response to the deficiency in proper functioning that has been ascertained. To do this, it transmits the necessary closing data to the toll center. The termination data can be part of the one failure message, which will be explained later. However, they can also be transmitted separately.

The decentralized computing device is preferably also set up to send start position data to the toll center together with the failure message. The decentralized computing device preferably generates the start position data on the basis of a position determined by the position determination device or takes over the start position data of a position determined by the position determination device. In this way, the method for registering the usage authorization can be carried out in the toll control center on the basis of the transmitted starting position. The user can accordingly be sure that his journey will be carried out legally without gaps even if the correct functioning of the position determination device is found to be defective and that he may not be considered a toll dodger.

In the vehicle device according to claim 1, a user interface communicatively coupled to the decentralized computing device is provided and the decentralized computing device is set up to generate at least one target selection option in response to a detected deficiency in the proper functioning of the position determination device and to display it to a user at the user interface, in response to a user input to a displayed destination selection option to generate target position data and to transmit the generated target position data via the decentralized communication device to the toll control center in order to define the toll traffic area lying ahead of the vehicle subject to the toll. In this way it becomes possible to give the user a choice from different destinations even if a deficiency in the proper functioning of the position determining device is found. It is particularly preferably possible for the user, for example, to drive to a service point selected by the user or a toll terminal selected by the user in order to either repair the vehicle device there or manually book a route to be driven.

In the vehicle device according to claim 2, a user interface communicatively coupled to the decentralized computing device is provided and the decentralized computing device is set up to receive at least one destination selection option from the toll control center via the decentralized communication device and a user at the user interface after the failure message has been transmitted to the toll control center display, generate target position data in response to a user input for a displayed target selection option and transmit the generated target position data via the decentralized communication device to the toll center in order to define the toll traffic area ahead of the toll vehicle. In this way, the user can also pre-book a toll route on the vehicle equipment so that, for example, if the vehicle equipment fails, he can continue the journey to the end of the tour without having to go to a toll terminal or have the vehicle device repaired or changed.

In an advantageous development, the decentralized computing device is set up to generate maintenance data in response to a detected deficiency in the proper functioning of the position determination device and to transmit the maintenance data to the toll center via the decentralized communication device. The maintenance data can then be passed on from the toll control center to a service point in order to support the maintenance or repair of the failed vehicle device and to provide the maintenance personnel with advance information.

According to one embodiment of the vehicle device, the communication device of the vehicle device is set up to send data both for the automatic toll collection method and for the manual toll collection method to the toll center to submit. When transmitting data, it does not matter how the data is actually transmitted, ie for example continuously, multiplexed or in data packets. It is irrelevant whether the data is transmitted continuously or divided, e.g. in packets. Depending on the embodiment of the invention, the content, the design, the structure and the timing of the transmission of the transmitted data can vary. The communication device can be a wireless communication device. This wireless communication device preferably corresponds to the GSM, UMTS and / or LTE mobile radio standard.

The monitoring of the proper functioning of the position-determining device can be solved in terms of software and / or hardware. The position determination device can comprise, for example, two devices for position determination. If the two devices determine significantly diverging positions, for example, the decentralized computing device can conclude from this that the position determining device is working incorrectly. Then the ability of the vehicle equipment to carry out an automatic toll collection process has failed. As an alternative or in addition, the decentralized computing device can be set up to carry out a plausibility check on the position data determined by the position determination device. Of course, as already described above, other events, such as, for example, other technical reasons, can lead to a failure of the ability to carry out the automatic method. This includes an - even if only temporary - interruption of the power supply of the vehicle equipment itself (line interruption outside) or of a component of the vehicle equipment (line interruption inside). Implementations and methods are known to those skilled in the art which are suitable for determining these events.

The function of the vehicle device to generate and send the failure message can be maintained in the event of the power supply to the vehicle device being interrupted by a battery or another charge storage device of the vehicle device.

When determining the position, it should be noted that this is carried out continuously, periodically or at least frequently as part of the automatic toll collection process. If it is precisely the failure of the position-determining device that leads to the failure of the monitored function, then at this point in time the position-determining device can no longer determine the current position, which can be used as the basis for determining the starting position serves. Rather, at least one position determined before the failure of the position determining device must then serve as the last known position as a basis. For this purpose, the vehicle device can have a memory device in which the positions determined by the position-determining device can be stored. The computing device can then use one or more of the stored positions to generate start position data. In particular, the computing device can be set up to use an extrapolation method in order to generate the starting position data. This in turn means that the step of determining a position can take place before or after the failure of the monitored function is determined.

An interruption in the journey can be avoided because the vehicle equipment is not functioning properly in order to carry out an automatic toll collection process (also referred to herein as inoperability) and the position is then automatically transmitted to the toll control center to initiate a manual toll collection process. It is true that automatic toll collection is then no longer possible, so that from this point in time the user, if he is on a toll road section, would be a toll evader. By transmitting the failure message, the vehicle equipment actually intended for the automatic toll collection procedure initiates a procedure for registering at least one usage authorization related to the toll vehicle for use of a toll traffic area ahead of the toll vehicle in the event of inoperability. In other words: the toll collection procedure will be switched from the automatic collection procedure (AV), in which a toll is collected after driving through the toll road section, to a collection procedure in which the user authorization is acquired before driving through and the toll is collected.

Furthermore, a toll collection system with the features of claim 4 is proposed.

In this way, the automatic method (AV) can be carried out in a toll collection system comprising the toll control center and the vehicle equipment, in which the usage authorization for the toll vehicle is acquired after driving through a toll road section. Furthermore, if the vehicle equipment fails, an alternative method can be carried out in which the usage authorization for the toll road section is acquired before driving through will. This procedure is similar to the manual procedure (MV), in which the user authorization is acquired at a toll terminal or an internet terminal before the start of the journey. The usage authorization acquired before the actual use of the toll route requires the rigid definition of a route to be driven for the toll collection, so that this method no longer has the flexibility of the automatic method.

The fact that if the position determination device fails, the user authorization is acquired for a traffic area in front of the toll vehicle, the journey on the toll traffic area can be continued without the user being deemed to be a toll evader.

In the case in which the vehicle device is designed to determine the toll fee and to collect it automatically - for example by debiting a credit provided in the vehicle device, which can for example be recorded in the form of a pre-paid card in the vehicle device - it is sufficient if the central computing device receives a confirmation from the vehicle device from the vehicle device that the vehicle device has levied a toll related to the vehicle subject to the toll for the use of a toll road area, as a result of which the toll center registers the collection of the fee by the vehicle device.

The central computing device is preferably set up to receive start position data from the vehicle device together with the failure message via the central communication device and to use the start position data as the start position when initiating the method for registering the authorization to use the toll traffic area ahead of the toll vehicle. Correspondingly, a complete usage authorization for the toll traffic area is acquired.

The central computing device is preferably also set up to generate start position data from the last position of the vehicle device received before the failure message was received and / or the failure was detected, and the start position data as the start position when the method for registering the authorization to use the vehicle subject to the toll is initiated to use the toll road ahead. This is particularly advantageous if the position determining device can no longer provide current position data.

In an advantageous development, the central computing device is set up to generate target position data in response to the receipt of the failure message and / or the determination of the failure according to a predetermined criterion and to use this as the target position when the method for registering the authorization of use of the vehicle lying ahead of the toll vehicle is initiated to use toll traffic areas. The vehicle that is subject to the toll can then be directed to a specified destination address and legally be on the toll road.

The central computing device in the toll collection system of claim 4 is communicatively coupled to a memory device which includes data relating to the toll network in particular pre-stored destination position data and / or map material and / or toll network data, and the central computing device is set up to respond to the receipt of the failure message and / or the determination of the failure to generate at least one target position on the basis of a determined starting position, the target position preferably being a toll station terminal closest to the starting position and / or a service facility closest to the starting position. In this way, dedicated goals can be set which enable the failure condition to be rectified.

The central computing device is set up to transmit the determined target positions via the central communication device for selection by the user to the vehicle device and, in response to a selection received via the central communication device, the selected target position when initiating the method for registering the usage authorization of the vehicle subject to a toll to use the toll traffic area in front of the vehicle. The user can thus choose from a selection of possible destinations and preferably enter his own destination, up to which he wants to acquire a usage authorization. Here, for example, you can book until the end of the planned tour. The central computing device is preferably set up to generate a message to confirm the registration of the usage authorization and to send the generated message to confirm the registration to the vehicle device via the central communication device, the message preferably also including target position data and particularly preferably also via positions . In this way, the user or the driver can be informed about the route on which he acquired the usage authorization and can drive legally. Furthermore, in the event of a control by a control authority, the usage authorization can be proven on the basis of a document derived from the confirmation.

The central computing device is preferably set up to determine the toll charges due between the starting position and the destination position on the basis of a predefined criterion and to collect the calculated toll charges when the method for registering the user authorization related to the toll vehicle is initiated. This means that the toll can be charged using the known payment methods even if the automatic procedure fails.

With the combination of vehicle device and toll center described above, it is possible to continue driving without being considered a toll evader even if the option to carry out the automatic procedure fails.

This is also possible in toll collection systems in which the toll is not collected centrally but decentrally - for example by debiting a credit provided in the vehicle device, which can be recorded in the vehicle device in the form of a pre-paid card, for example.

Furthermore, this is also possible in toll collection systems in which the failure of the position determination device in the toll center is determined - for example, due to the absence of an expected signal or the receipt of incorrect or recognizably nonsensical position data.

In addition, this is also possible in toll collection systems not covered by the present invention, which determine the position via roadside detection devices which, for example, only receive identification data from the vehicle device when passing and from these identification data received at the different roadside detection devices the due toll section by section or determine by a later reconstruction of the route and collect accordingly. In such a toll collection system, the vehicle device typically does not have its own position-determining device, but only sends identification signals.

According to the invention, the computing device for monitoring the proper functioning of the position determining device is located in the vehicle device

A toll collection can preferably be achieved by a toll center and / or the vehicle equipment. In the case of the decentralized collection in the vehicle device, there can be a credit in this, which is then gradually used up by the toll collection. The position-determining device is preferably formed in the vehicle device and by at least one road-side detection device. Accordingly, different position determination methods can be used, for example the position determination by the position determination device provided in the vehicle device. The position can also be determined via roadside detection devices, the data of which can then be used to track the route.

Furthermore, a method for collecting a toll for the use of a road subject to toll by a vehicle subject to toll is described, which is not claimed but is described to explain the context, with the steps of providing identification data for identifying the vehicle subject to toll by a vehicle device carried in the vehicle subject to toll, the Determining the position of the vehicle subject to the toll by means of a position determining device, recognizing the use of a toll traffic area from the identification data and / or the position data, levying a vehicle-related toll for the use of the toll traffic area, and monitoring the proper functioning of the Vehicle equipment and / or at least one component used by the vehicle equipment. The initiation of a method for registering at least one use authorization related to the vehicle for the use of a toll traffic area lying ahead of the vehicle subject to the toll is provided in response to an ascertained deficiency in the proper functioning of the vehicle equipment and / or at least one component used by the vehicle equipment.

With the method, all of the above-described variants of the most diverse toll collection systems can be operated, for example toll collection systems in which the toll is collected centrally, in which the toll is collected decentrally, in which the vehicle device carries out the position determination, in which the position determination is carried out via roadside detection devices in which a deficiency in the function of the vehicle device and / or the position determination device in the vehicle device, in the mobile device or in the toll center is determined.

• Senden von Positionsdaten und/oder Mautdaten über die dezentrale Kommunikationseinrichtung an eine Mautzentrale, um die Erhebung einer auf das mautpflichtige Fahrzeug bezogenen Mautgebühr für die erfolgte Nutzung einer mautpflichtigen Verkehrsfläche zu ermöglichen oder zu bestätigen,
• Überwachen der ordnungsgemäßen Funktion der Fahrzeugeinrichtung und/oder der wenigstens einen dezentralen Kommunikationseinrichtung und/ oder einer mit der dezentralen Recheneinrichtung kommunikativ gekoppelten Positionsbestimmungsvorrichtung,
• Erzeugen, in Antwort auf einen festgestellten Mangel der ordnungsgemäßen Funktion der Fahrzeugeinrichtung und/oder der wenigstens einen dezentralen Kommunikationseinrichtung und/oder der Positionsbestimmungsvorrichtung, einer Ausfallnachricht, und
• Senden dieser Ausfallnachricht über die dezentrale Kommunikationseinrichtung an die Mautzentrale, um in der Mautzentrale ein Verfahren zur Registrierung wenigstens einer auf das mautpflichtige Fahrzeug bezogenen Nutzungsberechtigung für eine Nutzung einer dem mautpflichtigen Fahrzeug vorausliegenden mautpflichtigen Verkehrsfläche zu initiieren.

Furthermore, a computer program product that is not claimed but is described to explain the relationships is described which comprises software code sections that can be loaded into an internal memory of a decentralized computing device which is communicatively coupled to at least one decentralized communication device and which, when executed by the decentralized computing device cause the decentralized computing device to carry out the following steps:

• Sending position data and / or toll data via the decentralized communication device to a toll center in order to enable or confirm the collection of a toll related to the vehicle subject to the toll for the use of a traffic area subject to toll,
• Monitoring the proper functioning of the vehicle device and / or of the at least one decentralized communication device and / or of a position determination device that is communicatively coupled to the decentralized computing device,
• In response to an ascertained deficiency in the proper functioning of the vehicle device and / or the at least one decentralized communication device and / or the position determination device, a failure message is generated, and
• Sending this failure message via the decentralized communication device to the toll control center in order to initiate a method in the toll control center for registering at least one usage authorization related to the toll vehicle for use of a toll traffic area lying ahead of the toll vehicle.

• Erkennen der erfolgten Nutzung einer mautpflichtigen Verkehrsfläche aus von über die zentrale Kommunikationseinrichtung einer Fahrzeugeinrichtung empfangenen Positionsdaten und/oder Mautdaten,
• Erheben einer auf das Fahrzeug bezogene Mautgebühr für die erfolgte Nutzung der mautpflichtigen Verkehrsfläche oder Registrieren einer Erhebung dieser Mautgebühr,
• Empfangen einer Ausfallnachricht der Fahrzeugeinrichtung über die zentrale Kommunikationseinrichtung und/oder Feststellen eines Ausfall der Fahrzeugeinrichtung und/oder wenigstens einer von der Fahrzeugeinrichtung verwendeten Komponente, und
• Initiieren eines Verfahrens zur Registrierung wenigstens einer auf das Fahrzeug bezogenen Nutzungsberechtigung für die Nutzung einer dem mautpflichtigen Fahrzeug vorausliegenden mautpflichtigen Verkehrsfläche in Antwort auf das Empfangen der Ausfallnachricht oder das Feststellen des Ausfalls.

Furthermore, a computer program product, which is not claimed but is described to explain the relationships, is described which comprises software code sections which can be loaded into an internal memory of a central computing device which is communicatively coupled to a communication device and which, when executed by the central computing device, cause the central processing facility to perform the following steps:

• Recognition of the use of a toll traffic area from position data and / or toll data received via the central communication device of a vehicle device,
• Collection of a vehicle-related toll fee for the use of the toll traffic area or registration of a collection of this toll fee,
• Receiving a failure message from the vehicle device via the central communication device and / or determining a failure of the vehicle device and / or at least one component used by the vehicle device, and
• Initiation of a method for registering at least one use authorization related to the vehicle for the use of a toll traffic area lying ahead of the vehicle subject to the toll in response to the receipt of the failure message or the determination of the failure.

According to a further embodiment of the vehicle device, the toll center can determine the nearest toll station terminal or the nearest service station for exchanging the vehicle device on the basis of the position data received from the vehicle device and automatically transmit this information (ie data) to the vehicle device and then display it as the destination address on the vehicle device will. For this purpose, the decentralized communication device of the vehicle device can be equipped with a receiving channel via which this information can be received. According to one embodiment, the decentralized communication device of the vehicle device is designed not only to send data to the toll center, but can also receive data from it.

In an advantageous development, it is also possible for the driver of the toll vehicle not only to make the manual booking to the nearest stationary toll terminal or to the nearest service station or to have it carried out automatically, but can also make the manual booking to a desired destination. To do this, the driver specifies the planned destination (and preferably the route planned there if several routes are possible) and thus books the toll route manually, starting from the last known position of the automatic method to the destination. The vehicle equipment then serves, as it were, as a mobile toll terminal and must accordingly be equipped with a facility for data input or at least data selection.

At least one target selection option is then displayed on the user interface if a failure of the monitored function has been determined, i.e. in response to a failure of the monitored function that has been determined.

According to one embodiment of the vehicle device, the user interface is suitable for displaying elements and receiving user inputs relating to at least one of the elements shown. A user interface can be, for example, a touch screen or a combination of screen or LED display and input means, such as input keys, scroll wheel, joystick, touch pad, speech recognition or mouse. A target selection option shown is either a target position that has already been specifically specified or one or more input fields, which can also be displayed consecutively, in which a user can enter a target position manually.

According to a further embodiment of the vehicle device, the destination position data also include route data which have a route from the starting position to the destination position to the object.

In the embodiment of the vehicle device according to claim 2, the start position data as part of a failure message, which are indicative of a failure of the monitored function, can be transmitted via the decentralized communication device to the toll center and the decentralized computing device is further configured to at least after the transmission of the failure message to receive a destination selection option from the toll center via the decentralized communication device from the toll center and display it to a user at the user interface. Here the target position data are transmitted separately from the failure message. This is necessary because the toll center can only send at least one destination selection option to the vehicle equipment in response to the receipt of the one failure message.

In the embodiment of the vehicle device according to claim 1, the decentralized computing device is further set up to generate at least one destination selection option itself and to display it to a user at the user interface. This is a specific target selection option. For example, it can be the nearest service station or the nearest toll terminal.

This embodiment of the vehicle device has the advantage that the decentralized computing device does not have to receive any data from outside after the failure. This is particularly advantageous if incoming communication - for security reasons (see above), for example - is not possible or permitted at all (unidirectional communication) or incoming communication is restricted.

The destination is then preferably displayed and selected before the start position is transmitted, because both the start position and the target position can then be transmitted to the toll center as components of a failure message. In this way, the number of data to be transmitted separately can be reduced and the initiation process accelerated.

According to a further embodiment of the vehicle device, the vehicle device additionally comprises a memory which is communicatively coupled to the decentralized computing device and in which at least one destination selection option is stored. The decentralized computing device is also set up to call up the stored at least one destination selection option from the memory and to display it to a user on the user interface. This is advantageous because the user has already given a destination address as a precaution in the event of a failure of the monitored operational capability. The memory can also be part of a navigation system which is communicatively coupled to the decentralized computing device of the vehicle device. The vehicle equipment can then simply take over a destination entered in the navigation system.

According to a further embodiment of the vehicle device, the starting position data are transmitted to the toll center as part of a failure message, which is indicative of the failure of the monitored function. The one failure messages are accordingly such that they differ from other data received from the toll center. For example, they differ from booking inquiries that are transmitted from normal toll terminals.

According to a further embodiment of the vehicle device, the start position data and the destination position data are transmitted to the toll center as part of booking data. Booking data includes all data that are required to make a booking using the manual booking procedure. If the toll center is set up to use the To determine target position data (which may include route data) yourself, then the booking data need not include any target position data. Otherwise, the booking data also include the target position data. In addition, the booking data can include further toll-relevant data, for example the number of axles of the vehicle and other toll-relevant information.

For the route section booked in the manual method based on the last known position of the vehicle device, the driver can receive a confirmation from the toll center, for example in the form of an electronic receipt which the vehicle device receives via the communication device.

According to one embodiment of the vehicle device, the decentralized communication device allows only unidirectional communication starting from the decentralized communication device. This is to be understood in terms of a high level of abstraction in the OSI. In the lower communication layers, of course, data can be exchanged in both directions. If the decentralized communication device communicates according to the GSM standard, for example, data can of course be exchanged in both directions in order to establish, maintain and terminate a data connection.

According to a further embodiment, the decentralized communication device allows bidirectional communication. This means that it also allows communication in both directions in the top application layer of the OSI reference model. However, the incoming communication at the vehicle device is then preferably restricted. For example, the communication could then be restricted to the data that are required to carry out the manual toll collection method according to one of the embodiments given below. In particular, it could be restricted to the receipt of a confirmation message or the receipt of destination selections.

The communication restriction can be implemented on the hardware side or on the software side. The decentralized communication device or the decentralized computing device can be set up in such a way that communication is restricted or prohibited. For example, a type of firewall can be implemented in the communication device or the computing device.

The toll office can be a single computer. However, it can also be a "distributed system". Accordingly, the computing device of the toll center comprises at least one processor with an internal memory. According to one embodiment, the computing device is a single, preferably physically delimitable computer. According to another embodiment, this is a distributed system, i.e. several independent computers that appear to a user as a single coherent system. In the latter case, each of the computers has at least one processor with an internal memory. The computers then work autonomously but functionally coordinated.

According to the embodiment according to claim 4, the toll center comprises a memory device, the memory device being communicatively coupled to the central computing device of the toll center, the memory device comprising data relating to a toll network, in particular pre-stored destination position data or map material or toll network data, and the computing device being set up to store the destination position based on the determined starting position and the data relating to the toll network. According to this embodiment, the central computing device for determining the target position is not dependent on further data transmitted by the vehicle device. The central computing device preferably determines the target position automatically, i.e. without any further input by the user. This has the advantage that the route section can be booked immediately and without further user interaction. The booking is then made quickly and the user is not distracted from the traffic.

According to a further embodiment of the toll center, the central computing device is set up to generate a message to confirm the initiation of the manual toll collection method and to send the generated confirmation message to the vehicle device via the central communication device.

According to a further embodiment of the toll control center, the computing device is set up to optionally transmit data via the central communication device to one of a plurality of service devices and, on the basis of the previously determined target position data, to select one of the plurality of service devices and to send maintenance data to the selected service device via the central communication device to transfer. The computer program product itself, which is not claimed but is described to explain the relationships, can be a computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium, for example a DVD, a CD-ROM, a flash disk or a hard disk.

Brief description of the figures

• Figur 1 ein schematisches Blockdiagramm einer Recheneinrichtung einer Mautzentrale;
• Figur 2 ein schematisches Blockdiagramm einer Fahrzeugeinrichtung;
• Figur 3 ein schematisches Ablaufdiagramm des Verfahrens in der Fahrzeugeinrichtung; und
• Figur 4 ein schematisches Ablaufdiagramm des Verfahrens in der Mautzentrale.

Preferred further embodiments and aspects of the present invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. Show:

• Figure 1 a schematic block diagram of a computing device of a toll center;
• Figure 2 a schematic block diagram of a vehicle device;
• Figure 3 a schematic flow diagram of the method in the vehicle device; and
• Figure 4 a schematic flow chart of the process in the toll center.

Detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments

In the following, preferred exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the figures. Identical, similar or identically acting elements are denoted by identical reference symbols in the different figures and a repeated description of these elements is dispensed with in order to avoid redundancies.

In the following, at least one preferred exemplary embodiment (1.) of the toll center and (2.) of the vehicle equipment are described. In the context of the description of these two products, preferred embodiments of the method are also described.

Furthermore, a description of preferred but not claimed embodiments (3.) of computer program products is given:

1. Toll office

First, a preferred embodiment of the toll center based on the Figure 1 described. The toll center 100 initially comprises a central computing device 101.

An exemplary central processing unit 101 is shown as a block diagram in FIG Figure 1 shown. Instructions, for example in the form of software code sections, are executed in this central computing device 101, so that the central computing device 101 carries out one or more of the methods and functions described herein.

The central computing device 101 can only comprise a single computer. However, it can also be a " distributed system ". According to one embodiment, the central computing device 101 is a single, preferably physically delimited computer. According to another embodiment, this is a distributed system, ie several independent computers that appear to a user as a single coherent system. In the latter case, each of the computers would have at least one processor with internal memory. The several computers of the computing device then work autonomously but are functionally coordinated with one another.

The exemplary central computing device 101 comprises a central processor 102 (for example a CPU, a GPU or both) with an internal memory, a central main memory 104 and a central static memory 106, which are communicatively coupled to one another via a central bus 108. The central computing device 101 can also be communicatively coupled to a central user interface. This central user interface can have a display unit 110 (for example a flat screen or the like) and a first input unit 112 (for example a touch screen, input keys, a scroll wheel, a joystick, a touch pad, a mouse or a voice recognition system) and a second Input unit 114 (for example a touch screen, input keys, a scroll wheel, a joystick, a touch pad, a mouse or a speech recognition system). Of course, the central user interface can comprise the display unit 114 and the input unit (s) in an integrated device, such as, for example, a touch screen. Finally, the central computing device 101 also comprises a central storage device 116, a central signal generating device 118 and a central communication device 120, which are communicatively connected to one another via the bus.

The central storage device 116 comprises a machine-readable medium 122 on which software code sections and data such as, for example, instructions 124 are stored which are required for the methods and functions of the central computing device 101 described herein. During the operation of the central computing device 101, the instructions 124 can also, at least partially, be loaded into the central main memory 104 and / or into the internal memory of the central processor 102, the central main memory 104 and the internal memory of the central processor 102 is also machine-readable media.

The instructions 124 can, however, also be transmitted or received via a network 126 by means of the central communication device 120, specifically using one of the numerous known transmission protocols (for example HTTP).

While the machine-readable medium 122 (which is preferably non-transitory) is a single medium in an exemplary embodiment, the term "machine-readable medium" encompasses both a single medium and multiple media (e.g., a central or distributed database and, if applicable, caches associated therewith) (" Cache ") and server), which store the instructions in the form of software code sections 124. The term “machine-readable medium” also encompasses any medium that is suitable for storing, encoding or carrying instructions 124. This can be a solid-state memory as well as an optical or a magnetic memory. Exemplary embodiments of the central computing device 101 can be implemented in digital circuits or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or combinations thereof.

Further details of the toll center 100, in particular with regard to the methods and functions that the toll center 100 can perform by means of its specially configured central computing device 101, are explained below in the context of a preferred embodiment of a vehicle device 200.

2. In-vehicle equipment

A preferred embodiment of a preferred vehicle device 200 is described below. This is a vehicle device 200 which is equipped with a toll vehicle is connected, and in particular is built into it. It can be installed, for example, in corresponding DIN racks or as a built-on device.

The vehicle device 200 is suitable for use in an automatic toll collection method, for example the automatic toll collection method (AV) from Toll Collect GmbH.

The vehicle device 200 has, inter alia, a decentralized one

Position determination device 230, a decentralized communication device 220 and a decentralized computing device 201, which communicate with the decentralized

Position determination device 230 and the decentralized communication device 220 is communicatively coupled.

The decentralized computing device 201 can in principle be a general computing device, as has already been described with regard to the central computing device 101 of the toll center 100. With regard to the general explanations of the technical structure of the decentralized computing device 201, reference is therefore made above. A preferred embodiment of the vehicle device 200 and also of the decentralized computing device 201 of the vehicle device 200 is described below.

An advantageous embodiment of the vehicle device 200 is shown as a block diagram in Figure 2 shown. Accordingly, the vehicle device 200 includes, inter alia, a decentralized computing device 201 with a decentralized decentralized processor 202, a plurality of different decentralized data memories 204, 216, 222, a power supply 214, which is preferably connected to the general power supply of the toll vehicle, and a user interface in the form a display 210 on which data can be displayed by the decentralized processor 202. The decentralized processor 202 is also equipped with a decentralized clock 240, a decentralized communication device 220 in the form of a mobile radio transmitter / receiver, which has a corresponding mobile radio antenna 221, and a decentralized position determination device 230, which has a GNSS receiver 232 communicatively coupled to a GNSS receiving antenna 234 having, communicatively coupled.

A first decentralized data memory 222 is a read-only memory, for example a ROM, EEPROM or FLASHMEMORY, and is used to store a computer program product. A Computer program product in the form of toll software can be transmitted to data memory 222 via appropriate communication interfaces.

A decentralized main memory 204 is a main memory communicatively connected to the decentralized processor 202 in the form of a read / write memory, for example a RAM, and is used to temporarily hold at least parts of the toll software while the vehicle device 200 is in operation Start phase of the vehicle device 200 from the first decentralized data memory 222 the corresponding toll software into the main memory 204. The read / write memory 222 also serves to record position data which are received by the decentralized processor 202 from the decentralized position determination device 230 and processed in the decentralized processor 202 .

Another decentralized data memory 216 is provided as a cryptographic memory, for example as a ROM, EEPROM or RAM, can be provided in a security module with an independent processor and is used to record booking data records of usage authorizations for the use of pending motorway sections.

The vehicle device 200 can communicate with a toll center 100 via the communication device 220. The mobile radio antenna 221 and the GNNS receiving antenna 234 can also be provided as externally arranged antennas on the vehicle subject to the toll.

According to the invention, the decentralized computing device 201 has a monitoring means for monitoring the functionality of the decentralized position determination device 230.

A computer program product can be loaded from the decentralized data memory 222 into an internal memory of the decentralized processor 202. When the computer program product is then executed on the decentralized computing device 201 at runtime, the decentralized computing device 201 is set up to monitor the operational capability and toll collection capability of the vehicle device 200. For this purpose, the decentralized computing device 201 can be set up, for example, to continuously compare the position data supplied by the decentralized position determination device 230 with the data of the respective radio cells determined via the mobile radio transceiver unit 220 and in the event of a corresponding significant deviation, to signal an inoperability of the decentralized position determination device 230.

Furthermore, data from a gyroscope, a magnetic compass and data generated by the toll vehicle itself, such as the driving speed and the distance traveled, can be transferred and also compared with the position data determined via the decentralized position determination device 230 and the mobile radio transceiver unit 220 .

If the monitoring device determines that the position data differ greatly from one another, or that the decentralized position determination device 230 and in particular its GNNS receiving module 232 have completely failed, the monitoring device automatically sends a failure message to the toll center 100 via the decentralized communication device 220. The last determined or known position of the vehicle subject to the toll can preferably also be transmitted to the toll center 100. In this way, the toll center 100 is informed that a lack of operability, for example of position determination, has been determined in the vehicle device 200 and the vehicle device 200 can therefore no longer participate in the automatic toll collection process.

The decentralized computing device 201 is also set up to initiate a manual toll collection method (MV) in response to a detected failure of the respectively monitored function of the vehicle device 200. For this purpose, vehicle device 200 switches to manual mode, so that toll collection can no longer be automated, but has to be carried out manually.

A signaling means is also provided as part of the user interface 210, which, for example, can address an LED or a loudspeaker in order to inform the user of the vehicle device 200 that the vehicle device 200 is in a state of inoperability.

The vehicle device 200 is basically used to carry out the automatic collection method (AV) when operating the vehicle that is subject to the toll. In this case, a GNNS signal is sent continuously, periodically or at intervals via the decentralized position determination device 230 received and from this a position information for the toll vehicle is generated. In the decentralized processor 202, the computer program product loaded into the data memory 204, in particular the toll software, will monitor whether the position determined by the decentralized position determination device 230 indicates that the toll vehicle is in a toll road section. For this purpose, the determined position data are compared with map data stored in memory 204 and a corresponding decision is made as to whether the vehicle subject to toll is traveling on a route section subject to toll. If this is the case, information relating to this route section is stored in the vehicle device 200 or, as an alternative, the information is sent directly to the toll center 100.

If the information relating to the toll road section traveled is stored in the vehicle device 200, then after the occurrence of an event, for example after the end of the journey or after leaving the toll traffic area, the decentralized communication device 220 sends corresponding information to the toll center 100. The mobile radio connection between the decentralized communication device 220 and the toll center 100 preferably exists temporarily only for transmitting the data, but can also exist permanently or temporarily while the vehicle device 200 is in operation.

In the toll center 100, on the basis of the received data, it is then possible either to determine the route which is subject to the toll or to calculate the toll from the information transmitted and then to collect it.

Correspondingly, by comparing the position data with the operating data of the toll road sections in the decentralized processor 202, it is checked whether a toll road section is being used.

A data record is generated in the toll center 100, which links the transmitted toll or the transmitted position data with the vehicle license plate that is also transmitted and the other toll-relevant data and accordingly calculates a toll, which is then collected from an account of the user, which is available, for example, with a financial service provider . The fee can also be deducted from a credit that was previously paid for in the prepaid process by the toll center 100 in the form of Credit data has been transmitted to the vehicle device 200 and which is then available, for example, in the cryptographic data memory 216.

The vehicle device 200 and in particular the decentralized position determination device 230 are constantly monitored by means of the decentralized computing device 201 and monitored for accuracy and / or plausibility of the position data generated, or it is monitored whether position data are generated at all. A sudden failure of the decentralized position determination device 230 can be attributed, for example, to the lack of a GNNS signal, which can occur, for example, as a result of the satellite signals being shaded by vegetation, buildings or topographies. The monitoring is then continued for a predetermined period of time in order to determine whether it is merely a temporary failure, for example of the GNNS signal, or whether the decentralized position determination device 230 is generally no longer operational, for example because of a defect. If the decentralized computing device 201 determines that the vehicle device 200 has insufficient operational capability, this is communicated to the user via the user interface 201 in the form of a signaling means, for example via the LED and / or a corresponding message on a display. At the same time, an acoustic signal or a voice message can also be played, so that the user is informed about the inability to operate of the vehicle device 200.

In response to the detected failure of the monitored function, the position of the vehicle device 200 or the last position determined by the decentralized position determination device 230 is transmitted via the decentralized communication device 220 to the toll center 100 by means of the decentralized communication device 220. The decentralized communication device 220 also transmits vehicle-relevant data, such as the license plate number, weight, emission class and the number of axles, as entered by the driver at the beginning of the journey in the automated survey method (AV). Furthermore, the automatic method in the vehicle device 200 is ended when the monitoring means determines the state of the inability to operate. For this purpose, a failure message is transmitted to the toll center 100.

When the vehicle device 200 receives the one failure message, in particular the position data, and other vehicle-relevant data, the toll center 100 recognizes that a lack of operability of the vehicle device 200 was determined during the journey and that for this reason the position data and the other data were transmitted. In an alternative, in addition to the data or instead of the data, a failure message is transmitted to the toll control center 100, which indicates the failure of the vehicle device 200 for the automatic toll collection, preferably also information on the specific components that have failed.

The toll center 100 uses the position data as well as the other vehicle-relevant data for the toll vehicle, whose vehicle device 200 has transmitted this data and possibly a failure message, as the starting point and starting data for carrying out the manual collection method (MV).

Both the vehicle device 200 and the toll center 100 for recording the toll for the respective toll vehicle are thus switched from the automatic collection method (AV) to the manual collection method (MV). Furthermore, the starting position is transmitted to the toll center 100 in the manual method (MV) without the user having to leave the toll route and stop the vehicle subject to the toll. Furthermore, the vehicle-relevant data are transmitted to the toll center 100 so that the toll center 100 can carry out the manual procedure on the basis of this data and accordingly a route on the toll traffic area can be booked in advance before it is driven on. The toll vehicle can thus continue to legally drive along the toll route section while paying the toll, since the toll fees can now be collected using the manual method, despite the inoperability of the vehicle device 200. In contrast to the automatic procedure, in which the collection of tolls takes place after actually driving a toll road section, in the manual procedure the route on the toll traffic area is determined before driving and the toll for this route is collected. A user ID is already available for this vehicle device 200, since a user ID or a user account is fundamentally necessary to carry out the automatic method. For example, payment data, billing data, address data, contact data, information on stored credit, etc. are linked to the user ID, so that the toll control center 100, among other things, always has access to the contact data of the user of the toll vehicle.

When switching from the automatic method, in which the user of the vehicle subject to the toll is free to choose his route, to the manual method in which the route is determined in advance, a corresponding selection of the route to be traveled must be made from the failure position of the vehicle device 200 will. The following options are available for this:
Upon receipt of the position data and the other vehicle-relevant data and / or the failure message, the toll center 100 preferably determines the service point closest to the failure position and uses the address of this service point as the target address for the manual method. Accordingly, the toll center 100 books a route for the corresponding toll vehicle using the manual method from the default position to the determined destination address. Thus, even if the vehicle device 200 fails, the vehicle subject to the toll can continue to drive on the traffic area subject to the toll without potentially being considered a toll evader. The vehicle device 200 can then be repaired or replaced at the nearest service point, so that the vehicle subject to the toll can then be operated again using the automatic method and accordingly without prior determination of a route.

In order to inform the driver of the vehicle subject to the toll about the route change in the event of failure of the vehicle device 200 and to inform him of the new destination address at the service point, the toll center 100 transmits the determined destination address to the vehicle device 200 for display on the display 210.

The corresponding route from the default position, which is defined by the position data transmitted by the vehicle device 200, to the destination address of the nearest service point is based on the route specified in the manual method (MV) and the corresponding toll to the user or to the user with the user ID linked user account.

In this way, if the vehicle device 200 fails or if the vehicle device 200 is found to be inoperable while driving, the user can continue to travel without problems and legally without having to interrupt the journey for manual log-in using the manual method, and is directed directly to a service point at which the faulty vehicle device 200 can be exchanged.

The toll center 100 can also send a message to the service point after the destination address has been transmitted with regard to the nearest service point, in order to prepare the employees there for the imminent arrival of the toll vehicle with the defective vehicle equipment 200 and to support a swift replacement of the vehicle equipment 200 accordingly. It is particularly preferred not only to transmit the expected arrival time, but also the device type of the defective vehicle device 200 stored with the user profile for the respective vehicle in the toll center 100 and - if the vehicle device 200 sends the failure message to the toll center 100 - also the type of error or information on the failed components of vehicle device 200.

In Figure 3 a schematic flow diagram of the method in the vehicle device 200 is shown. In step S10, the vehicle device 200 is used in a known manner to determine and collect the data in the automatic method. In particular, the vehicle device 200 determines in a known manner whether the vehicle subject to toll is using a route section subject to toll and, if this is the case, sends a corresponding data record with the toll data to the toll center 100 after driving through the route section subject to the toll.

In step S12 it is checked by the monitoring means whether the vehicle device 200 is operational. If this is the case, the survey can be continued in the automatic method according to step S10. However, if the vehicle device 200 is not operational for the toll collection because the position determination device and possibly other relevant components have failed or are defective, the position data or the last known position data and preferably also further data such as vehicle data and / or a failure message are sent to the toll control center in step S14 100 transmitted. Furthermore, in step S16, the lack of operability is preferably signaled to the respective user of the vehicle subject to the toll, for example by a message on the display of the vehicle device 200, by the flashing or display of an LED, preferably a red LED and / or by playing a sound signal or a Voice message.

Furthermore, if the vehicle device 200 is found to be inoperable, the automatic method is ended in step S18.

The transmission of the position data and possibly the failure message, the signaling of the lack of operability and the termination of the automatic method preferably take place automatically in each case. Steps S14 to S18 can also be carried out simultaneously or in a different order. However, they only take place if it has actually been determined in step S12 that the vehicle device 200 has an inability to operate for the toll collection.

In Figure 4 a schematic flowchart is shown in the toll center 100, the collection being carried out in the automatic method in a known manner in step S20, the vehicle device 200 receiving the corresponding toll data.

If, instead of the toll data, position data and / or a failure message are suddenly received in step S22 from the respective vehicle device 200, the further toll determination and toll collection is carried out in the manual method in step S24. For toll determination and toll collection in the manual method, the logging into the manual method is carried out in step S25 with the received position data or with the last known position of the vehicle subject to the toll as the starting point.

If no position data and / or no failure message are received in step S22, the survey is continued in the automatic method according to step S20.

Preferably, according to step S26, when the manual method is carried out and the toll center 100 has accordingly determined that the vehicle device 200 is inoperable for toll collection, in step S26 the address of the nearest service point at which the vehicle device 200 repairs or is determined can be exchanged. The destination address of this next service point is then transmitted in step S28 to the vehicle device 200 for the information of the user on the display 210 of the vehicle device. Correspondingly, the user of the vehicle subject to the toll can drive directly to the address of the service point without having to stop the vehicle and manually log into the manual method because of the inoperable vehicle device 200.

Furthermore, the toll center 100 preferably determines the route from the starting point defined by the received position data to the destination address of the service point and stores it as a route booked using the manual method. The toll due for this can be displayed to the user on the display 210 of the vehicle device 200 and can also be deducted directly from the user account.

Instead of being directed to a service point, the toll center 100 can also specify a further manual toll collection terminal as the destination address, so that the respective user can legally control the vehicle that is subject to the toll to the next toll terminal while paying the toll, and then the other at the toll collection terminal can book the planned route using the manual method.

In a preferred development, in the event of a signaled failure of the vehicle device 200 and a corresponding switchover from the automatic method to the manual method, instead of a destination address specified by the toll control center 100 in the form of the address of a service point or a toll terminal, it is also possible for the user to use a to book individual address. For this purpose, the user can deselect the destination address of the service point or the toll terminal transmitted by the toll control center 100 and enter his own address instead of the destination address specified by the toll control center 100, for example the destination address of the tour being driven in advance. On the basis of this newly entered destination address, a new route via the toll traffic areas is determined in the toll center, starting from the default position to the destination address, the route is booked for this user and the toll is collected. Any route automatically booked in advance using the manual procedure, for example to the service point or to the toll terminal, is canceled or integrated accordingly.

The deselection of the automatically booked destination address to the service point or the toll terminal can be carried out by a corresponding design of the vehicle device 200. The deselection of the automatically booked destination address can take place accordingly after it has been transmitted to the user.

In a preferred development, after the automatic method has ended, the user can also choose either one from the toll center proposed destination address in the form of the nearest service point or the nearest toll terminal or a destination address entered by the user that deviates from the automatically generated addresses. Only after the address has been selected by the user, the route is then determined using the manual method and based on the default position or the last known position of the vehicle subject to the toll, the route to the specified destination address is determined and the toll is collected using the manual method. The user does not have to interrupt the journey for this either, since the specification or selection of the destination address is possible without interacting with a toll terminal and can also be reached by voice input.

Claims (8)

1. Vehicle device (200) for toll collection for a vehicle subject to tolls, comprising

   - a position-specifying device (230),

   - at least one decentralised communication device (220),

   - a decentralised computing device (201) which is communicatively coupled with the at least one decentralised computing device (220) and the position-specifying device (230),

   - wherein the decentralised computing device (201) is configured to transmit identification data as well as position data and/or toll data via the at least one decentralised communication device (220) to a toll centre (100), in order to facilitate or to confirm the collection of a toll fee related to the vehicle subject to tolls for the completed use of a toll traffic area, and

   - wherein the decentralised computing device (201) is furthermore configured to monitor the proper functioning of the position-specifying device (230),

   - wherein the decentralised computing device (201) is configured, in response to a determined error in the proper functioning of the position-specifying device (230), to generate a failure message and send it to the toll centre (100), in order, in the toll centre (100), to initiate a method for registering at least one use authorisation, related to the vehicle subject to tolls, for a use of a toll traffic area which is lying ahead of the vehicle subject to tolls,

   wherein a user interface (210) coupled communicatively with the decentralised computing device (201) is provided,
   characterised in that
   the decentralised computing device (201) is configured,

   - in response to a determined error in the proper functioning of the position-specifying device (230), to generate at least one destination selection possibility and

   - to display the generated destination selection possibility to a user at the user interface (210), and,

   - in response to a user input, to generate destination position data regarding the displayed destination selection possibility and to transmit the generated destination position data via the decentralised communication device (220) to the toll centre (100), in order to define the toll traffic area which is lying ahead of the vehicle subject to tolls.
2. Vehicle device (200) for toll collection for a vehicle subject to tolls, comprising

   - a position-specifying device (230),

   - at least one decentralised communication device (220),

   - a decentralised computing device (201) which is communicatively coupled with the at least one decentralised computing device (220) and the position-specifying device (230),

   - wherein the decentralised computing device (201) is configured to transmit identification data as well as position data and/or toll data via the at least one decentralised communication device (220) to a toll centre (100), in order to facilitate or to confirm the collection of a toll fee related to the vehicle subject to tolls for the completed use of a toll traffic area, and

   - wherein the decentralised computing device (201) is furthermore configured to monitor the proper functioning of the position-specifying device (230),

   - wherein the decentralised computing device (201) is configured, in response to a determined error of the position-specifying device (230), to generate a failure message and send it to the toll centre (100), in order, in the toll centre (100), to initiate a method for registering at least one use authorisation, related to the vehicle subject to tolls, for a use of a toll traffic area which is lying ahead of the vehicle subject to tolls, wherein a user interface (210) coupled communicatively with the decentralised computing device (201) is provided,

   characterised in that
   the decentralised computing device (201) is configured,

   - after the transmission of the failure message to the toll centre (100), to receive at least one destination selection possibility from the toll centre (100) via the decentralised communication device (220) and to display it to a user at the user interface (210),

   - in response to a user input, to generate destination position data regarding the displayed destination selection possibility and to transmit the generated destination position data via the decentralised communication device (220) to the toll centre (100), in order to define the toll traffic area which is lying ahead of the vehicle subject to tolls.
3. Vehicle device (200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the decentralised computing device (201) is furthermore configured to send, together with the failure message, start position data to the toll centre (100).
4. Toll collection system for collecting a toll of a vehicle subject to tolls when using a toll traffic area, comprising

   - a vehicle device (200) according to claim 2, carried by the vehicle subject to tolls,

   wherein the toll collection system furthermore comprises a toll centre (100) for collecting the toll of the vehicle subject to tolls at the use of the toll traffic area, comprising:

   - a central communication device (120) and a central computing device (101), which is coupled communicatively with the central communication device (120), wherein the central computing device (101) is configured to detect and/or to register the completed use of the toll traffic area from identification data and position data and/or toll data received via the central communication device (120) from the vehicle device (200), and to register a toll fee, related to the vehicle, for the completed use of the toll traffic area, and/or to register its collection,

   - wherein the central computing device (101) is furthermore configured to receive a failure message from the vehicle device (200) via the central communication device (120) and/or to determine a failure of a position-specifying device (230) used by the vehicle device, and, in response to the receipt of the failure message and/or the determining of the failure, to initiate a method for registering at least one use authorisation, related to the vehicle, for the use of a toll traffic area which is lying ahead of the vehicle subject to tolls,

   characterised in that

   the central computing device (101) is coupled communicatively with a storage device which includes data concerning the toll network, and

   the central computing device (101) is configured, in response to the receipt of the failure message and/or the determining of the failure, on the basis of the data concerning the toll network to generate at least one destination position on the basis of a detected start position, and

   the central computing device (101) is configured

   - to transmit to the vehicle device (200) the at least one generated destination position via the central communication device (120) for selection on the part of the user, and,

   - in response to a selection received by the vehicle device (200) via the central communication device (120), to use the selected destination position in order to define the toll traffic area which is lying ahead of the vehicle subject to tolls.
5. Toll collection system (100) according to claim 4, characterised in that the central computing device (101) is configured to receive via the central communication device (120), together with the failure message, start position data from the vehicle device (200), and to use the start position data as a start position at the initiation of the method for registering the use authorisation of the toll traffic area which is lying ahead of the vehicle subject to tolls.
6. Toll collection system (100) according to claim 4, characterised in that the central computing device (101) is configured to generate start position data from the last position, received prior to the reception of the failure message and/or the determining of the failure, of the vehicle device (200), and to use the start position data as a start position at the initiation of the method for registering the use authorisation of the toll traffic area which is lying ahead of the vehicle subject to tolls.
7. Toll collection system (100) according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the central computing device (101) is configured to generate a message for confirming the registration of the use authorisation and to transmit the generated message for confirming the registration via the central communication device (120) to the vehicle device (200).
8. Toll collection system (100) according to any of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the central computing device (101) is configured, during the method for registering the use authorisation related to the vehicle subject to tolls, to determine toll fees due on a route between the start position and the destination position on the basis of a preset criterion and to collect the specified toll fees.

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