GB2457421A - Electronic payment system for public vehicles - Google Patents

Electronic payment system for public vehicles Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2457421A
GB2457421A GB0716724A GB0716724A GB2457421A GB 2457421 A GB2457421 A GB 2457421A GB 0716724 A GB0716724 A GB 0716724A GB 0716724 A GB0716724 A GB 0716724A GB 2457421 A GB2457421 A GB 2457421A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vehicle
card
user
value
electronic payment
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0716724A
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GB0716724D0 (en
Inventor
John Wolfgang Halpern
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0716724A priority Critical patent/GB2457421A/en
Publication of GB0716724D0 publication Critical patent/GB0716724D0/en
Publication of GB2457421A publication Critical patent/GB2457421A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/12—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
    • G06Q20/127—Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/01—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
    • B60R25/04—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/20—Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
    • B60R25/24—Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
    • G06Q20/349—Rechargeable cards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
    • G06Q20/352—Contactless payments by cards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C5/00—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
    • G07C5/008—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles communicating information to a remotely located station
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/0014—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/0042—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for hiring of objects
    • G07F17/0057—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for hiring of objects for the hiring or rent of vehicles, e.g. cars, bicycles or wheelchairs

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)

Abstract

In an electronic payment system for paying fees associated with the renting of a vehicle, the vehicle has a smart card reader/writer which accepts a smart card containing a monetary value in order to allow the user to use the vehicle for a limited time, the monetary value being reduced as the vehicle is used. Road tolls may also be paid using values stored on the card. Fuel usage and replenishment can be monitored and a value is deducted from or added to the card in consequence. The card may store user information and operate the door locks of the vehicle. The use of the vehicle is communicated to a remote station and the position of the vehicle is monitored using a GPS module.

Description

ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC VEHICLES
CITED DOCUMENTS: W02005107299, US2004077372, US2002019807, US0173897 W09302430 US4859837, US4906828. GB2385700, G82375427, W01998GB02881
TECHNICAL FIELD OF ThE INVENTION
This Invention Is related to the fields of Intelligent Transportation Systems and Transportation Demand Management, more specifically to applications to user-pay or usage systems, such as road use pricing, electronic toll collection (ETC) or electronic road pricing (ERP), and pay-as-you-drive Insurance (PAYD).
THE BACKGROUND OF ThE PROBLEM: ROAD TRAFFIC CONGESTION While the public cost of the road traffic congestion tends to become unbearable, in terms of futile time and fuel consumption. Increasing air pollution, Impediment or blockage of the firemen, police or emergency cars access, ft Is obvious that the only means to reduce traffic congestion Is to reduce the number of vehicles in traffic.
There Is now a variety of technical solutions intended to solve the problem of traffic congestion, but the vast majority of the existing solutions are hard to apply either for economic reasons, or because they tend to affect the freedom and mobility of the Individuals. L.
The author of the present invention has conducted, during the past 30 years, extensive research in the fields of electronic payment systems, data security, and road traffic congestion.
The results of this research have een sythesized in a large number of patent applications. W020051 07299, US2004077372, US200201 9807, US61 73897, W09302430, US4859837, US4906828, GB2385700, GB2375427, W01998GB02881 are only the most recent from this list.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The central element of this invention is the concept of public vehicle, properly equipped with electronics, so that it can be instantly rented by any user having a special non-contact smart card, which stores unique identification information about the user, and additional information interpreted as a certain variable monetary value.
The smart card is used to unlock the doors of the vehicle, and then the user drives the car to his destination, and abandons it practically in any parking lot within a specified geographic area, making it available for other similar users. In this way, several individuals can freely use the same public vehicle every day.
This reduces the number of privately owned cars in traffic, without affecting the overall mobility of the individuals.
The block diagram of the on vehicle electronic payment system is presented in Figure 1.
The Electronic Payment System (EPS) Controller (1) contains a non-contact smart card reader with two distinct antennas. One is located on the lateral window and serves to unlock the doors of the vehicle. The other antenna (3) is located behind the card placeholder of the user interface module (10), shown in figure 2, and is aimed to allow the bidirectional data communication with the card.
The classic contact key is replaced by the STARTISTOP ENGINE button (15), which is only active when a valid card is placed in the placeholder (12). and the L level of fuel, reported by the existing sensor (5) is above a prescribed value.
The preferred embodiment also comprises a GPS locator (5), which is periodically interrogated by the EPS controller (1), which is In quasi-permanent communication with a base station, by means of the GSM/GPRS module (9).
The base station is informed at any moment where is the vehicle, who drives it, and what is the current cost of the trip.
This information and other, like the fuel level, and the residual value available in the smart card, is also displayed on the local display (13) of the user interface (10).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The structure of the system is presented in figure 1.
The main subsystem is the Electronic Payment System (EPC) controller (1). This includes a non-contact card reader, which communicates with the user Cards through the antennas (2) and (3).
Basically, the EPS controller (1) is a microcontroller that monitors and controls the existing vehicle electronics like fuel level sensor (5), engine control unit (6).
alarm system (7), and door locking control system (8).
The dialogue with the user is performed through the user interface (10), while the communication with the base station is made possible by means of the GSM/GPRS module (9), connected to the main unit (1) through a standard serial communication interface.
The system also includes a GPS (Global Positionning System) locator (4), and, optionally, a short range radio modern (11), which allows communication with existing toll collecting systems, such as electronic parking payment systems.
Figure 2 shows the main elements of the user interface (10) for the preferred embodiment.
It comprises a display unit (13), a keypad (14). and two LED indicators (16) and (17), visible from outside the vehicle. These indicate whether the vehicle is available, and the existing fuel level.
The enclosure of the user interface also contains a card placeholder, aimed to hold the card for the duration of the ride.
Figure 3 shows the internal structure of the EPS controller (1).
The central element of the EPS is the microcontroller (18). This is connected with the following interface circuits: (19) -SPI interface (synchronous seial interface), used to connect the MCU with the user interface (10) (20) -Analog input for reading the fuel level signal (21) -Digital I/O lines used to communicate with the engine control circuits, the alarm sytem, and the door locking circuits (22) -UART used to communicate with the GPS unit (23) -FFID interface, connected with the two antennas (2) and (3) (24) -Hardware encryption circuits (25) -UART -used to communicate with the GSM/GPRS module (26) -UART -used to communicate with the optional short range radio modem (11).
/ -indicates the number of signals used by the interface (e.g. a standard UART needs 2 data signals, one transmission line TX and one reception line RX)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In idle state, the doors of the vehicle are locked, the alarm system is armed, and the status indicator (16) is on. In this state, any unauthorized attempt to enter the vehicle causes an alarm, which is reported to the base station, through the communication system (9).
To request access to the vehicle, the user must place a valid card in the vicinity of the antenna (2). Whithin a few seconds, the identification information read from the card is sent to the computer of the base station, and, if the card is valid, the doors are unlocked and the alarm system is disarmed.
Then, the user must place the card In the placeholder (12). When the antenna (3) senses the card, the system displays on the display unit (13) the user ID, the current available value in the card, and the fuel level. The status indicator "Vehicle available" (16) turns off, and the indicator (17) -"vehicle hired" turns on.
Starting this moment, the system measures the time when the vehicle is in use, and computes a value, which is periodically substracted from the value stored in the card. The computed value per time unit depends on the status of the engine (on or off), and on several constants (e.g. the current price of the fuel) received from the base station via the communication system (9).
Each time the value in the card is altered, the system sends a report to the base station, which contains information on the tranzaction, and the current GPS geographical coordinates of the vehicle.
If the fuel level drops below a predetermined value while the vehicle is in use, a warning message is displayed, and the status indicator (17) starts blinking. The user is expected to refuel the vehicle within a specified time interval. When he does this, the increase of the fuel level is sensed by the system, and the value of the fuel is automatically refunded by adding it to the value stored in the card.
If the user fails to refuel the vehicle within the specified time interval, then a fine is automatically applied by reducing the value stored in the card, and the user is prompted to park the vehicle immediately, otherwise the engine will be turned off.
When the user leaves the vehicle, he has the option to reserve the vehicle for himself for a specified time, by typing a special sequence on the keypad (14) before removing the card from the cardholder, or to release the car, by simply removing the card from the cardholder.
The doors are locked, and the alarm system is armed by placing the card for a short time in the vicinity of the antenna (2).
Again, if the user fails to lock the doors within a specified time after the moment when he leaves the vehicle, the system sends a report to the base station, which will issue a fine bill, the doors are automatically locked, and the alarm system is armed.
When the vehicle is reserved, the LED indicator (17) remains on, and the doors can only be unlocked by the card of the user that made the reservation.
lithe user has reserved the vehicle for a certain time interval, but fails to return within that time interval, the system automatically releases the vehicle, but the user is billed for the time when the vehicle was reserved.
When the value in the card drops to zero, the user has the following options: a. To leave it in this state, and receive a bill from the base station for the cost of th ride.
b. To reload the card by requesting a credit card transaction using the keypad (14). and the display (13).
c. To refuel the tank of the vehicle. In this case, the value of the fuel is automatically computed and added to the value stored In the card.
Additional features of the system -A series of keyapd generated commands can be defined to report an accident, a traffic jam, or to ask for technical assistance.
-Special reports can be automatically generated, and forwarded to the police, when identifying attempts tu use lost or stolen cards.
-The roads and traffic authorities can apply fines by means of special cards, when they find such public vehicles abandoned in places where parking is prohibited. In this case, the fine is sent to the last user who drove the vehicle.
-Optionally, the user smart cards can store extended identification information about the user, e.g. information about his experience as a driver, about any accidents in personal record, about how often he used the public vehicles in the past, and the fines he received, etc. All this information can serve the purpose to adjust the cost of using the vehicle in accordance with the experience and the past behavior of the user.
-. Optionally, the short range radio communication interface (11) can be used to communicate with existing toll collecting systems, e.g. those used in certain parking lots, or to access certain highway segments.
The security of the data communication between the EPS controller and the card, and between the EPS and the base station is crucial. Therefore, In the preferred embodiment, special hardware encrypton circuits (24) have been included. This can be implemented according to the principles described in the patent application W01998GB02881. The same circuits are used to protect the communication data when the EPS communicates through the optional short range radio modem. *
GB0716724A 2007-04-03 2007-04-03 Electronic payment system for public vehicles Withdrawn GB2457421A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0716724A GB2457421A (en) 2007-04-03 2007-04-03 Electronic payment system for public vehicles

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0716724A GB2457421A (en) 2007-04-03 2007-04-03 Electronic payment system for public vehicles

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0716724D0 GB0716724D0 (en) 2007-10-10
GB2457421A true GB2457421A (en) 2009-08-19

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109345784A (en) * 2018-11-29 2019-02-15 成都油管家科技有限公司 A kind of speech prompting system for gas station
US11449927B2 (en) * 2013-12-06 2022-09-20 International Business Machines Corporation Device and method for implementing a vehicle sharing reward program

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995013205A1 (en) * 1993-11-08 1995-05-18 Michael Josef Wallinger Device and process for protecting automobiles
GB2326009A (en) * 1997-06-02 1998-12-09 Freshfield Communciations Limi Data processing device for use in a vehicle
EP1031480A1 (en) * 1999-02-26 2000-08-30 Inova Designs Limited Vehicle usage control and security apparatus
US6240365B1 (en) * 1997-01-21 2001-05-29 Frank E. Bunn Automated vehicle tracking and service provision system
EP1333405A1 (en) * 2000-09-29 2003-08-06 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle collected fee distributing system
US20060157563A1 (en) * 2004-06-17 2006-07-20 Marshall David A Smart card systems in connection with transportation services

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995013205A1 (en) * 1993-11-08 1995-05-18 Michael Josef Wallinger Device and process for protecting automobiles
US6240365B1 (en) * 1997-01-21 2001-05-29 Frank E. Bunn Automated vehicle tracking and service provision system
GB2326009A (en) * 1997-06-02 1998-12-09 Freshfield Communciations Limi Data processing device for use in a vehicle
EP1031480A1 (en) * 1999-02-26 2000-08-30 Inova Designs Limited Vehicle usage control and security apparatus
EP1333405A1 (en) * 2000-09-29 2003-08-06 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle collected fee distributing system
US20060157563A1 (en) * 2004-06-17 2006-07-20 Marshall David A Smart card systems in connection with transportation services

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11449927B2 (en) * 2013-12-06 2022-09-20 International Business Machines Corporation Device and method for implementing a vehicle sharing reward program
CN109345784A (en) * 2018-11-29 2019-02-15 成都油管家科技有限公司 A kind of speech prompting system for gas station

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Publication number Publication date
GB0716724D0 (en) 2007-10-10

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