Classifications

• • 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
  • G07C11/00—Arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking, e.g. the occurrence of a condition, not provided for elsewhere
• • 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
  • G07C11/00—Arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking, e.g. the occurrence of a condition, not provided for elsewhere
  • G07C2011/04—Arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking, e.g. the occurrence of a condition, not provided for elsewhere related to queuing systems
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
  • G08G1/017—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled identifying vehicles

Definitions

• the present invention is related to a method and system, for managing border-crossing queues of motor vehicles using the possibilities of the Internet and mobile communications devices, and in particular for managing and checking border-crossing queues for means of transport, for example trucks transporting various goods.
• a queue number monitoring device and method for use in stores, post offices and other similar places is known from the state of the art according to document WO02077928 dated 03.10.2002, involving issuing a queue number to a customer, after which the customer can leave, and will be informed of his/her queue arriving by phone, for example by a mobile phone.
• the disadvantage of the system and method mentioned is the fact that the customer can register themselves not once.
• the system also lacks the possibility of pre-registering customers, and requesting priority that is especially important for example when transporting highly perishable goods.
• the system described does not allow the customer to register to the queue remotely or moreover, register several days in advance, receive notification on arrival of the queue, and depart from the starting point with the means of transport after that.
• the invention provides opportunity to substantially shorten queues by limitation of number of pre- registered vehicles to the throughput of border check-point.
• the present invention enables prevention of the aforementioned disadvantages and problems to a significant degree, for example substantially shorten the duration of border-crossing queues, as a result diminishing its adverse effects to the truck drivers, environment, and people living in the border-crossing district.
• the objective of the present invention is to provide a simple and flexible method and system for managing border-crossing queues of motor vehicles, in particular trucks designed for transport of goods.
• the objective of the present invention is to provide the customers with a system for pre-registering to the queue via the Internet or a mobile communications device.
• driver in particular drivers of vehicles waiting to cross the border and parked at a parking lot can use the time spent in waiting not having to worry over their position in the queue.
• the system enables the time a driver spends in the queue as resting time to be calculated instead of working time, which is particularly important for drivers of vehicles covering long distances.
• the system prevents possible violations of the "first in - first out" principle. It therefore enables unlimited parking lots to be created for equivalent level of vehicles arriving to cross the border.
• Improvements of the system enable managing border-crossing of vehicles in any country, and in addition to trucks the system also enables managing of border-crossing queues of cars, buses, etc.
• Module 1 comprises a central server of the system connected to the Internet with computer programs implementing the algorithms corresponding to the operations.
• the module comprises a database of motor vehicles registered for border-crossing, a submodule for notification via a mobile communications device, a submodule for billing of customers, a submodule for receiving and storing information (e.g. storing log files) exchanged with the customers, a submodule for confirming information exchange, and a computer program executing the corresponding algorithm.
• Module 2 is designed for registering motor vehicles arriving in the parking lot of the border-crossing checkpoint, whereas the module includes a registering devices located in the parking lot of the border-crossing checkpoint and connected to Module 1 via the Internet, video cameras or RPID (Radio Frequency Identification) readers connected to the registering devices and a computer program executing the corresponding algorithm.
• RPID Radio Frequency Identification
• Module 3 is designed for pre-registration of motor vehicles, whereas the module comprises registering devices belonging either to operator of the transport company or other such entity (for example a forwarding company) having signed an appropriate contract to use the system, and connected to Module 1 via the Internet, and a computer program executing the corresponding algorithm.
• Module 4 is designed for granting access to the border-crossing zone for motor vehicles, whereas the module comprises means for controlling the entry gate of the border- crossing zone, connected to Module 1 via the Internet, video cameras or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) readers connected to the aforementioned means, and a computer program executing the corresponding algorithm.
• Module 4 comprises means for controlling the entry gate of the border- crossing zone, connected to Module 1 via the Internet, video cameras or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) readers connected to the aforementioned means, and a computer program executing the corresponding algorithm.
• Module 5 is an information module comprising information displays located in the parking lots of the border-crossing zone, and in front of the entrance to the border- crossing zone, and reflecting progress of the queue. LIST OF DRAWINGS
• Figure 1 depicts the block diagram of the method and system of the present invention
• Figure 2 depicts the schematic algorithm of registering motor vehicles in the border- crossing zone
• figure 3 depicts the block diagram of the progress of the motor vehicle queue according to the method and system of the present invention.
• the method and system of the present invention for checking and managing the vehicle queue at a border-crossing checkpoint uses interaction of modules based on algorithm developed for employing the Internet, mobile communications and this invention.
• the system of the present invention comprises several different modules connected to each other via the Internet, mobile communications or other similar types of connection.
• the system includes Module 1 for implementing the method of the invention, comprising a central server used to create a database of motor vehicles arriving at the border-crossing checkpoint, for example large means of transport designed for carriage of goods, or trucks.
• Module 1 of the system comprises the database of motor vehicles registered for border-crossing, a submodule of notification via a mobile communications device, a submodule for receiving and storing information (e.g. storing log files) exchanged with customers, a submodule for confirming information exchange, and a computer program executing the corresponding algorithm.
• the data concerning trucks scheduled for border- crossing arrive at Module 1 from Module 2 located for example in the parking lot of the border-crossing zone.
• Module 2 comprises registering means located in the parking lot of the border-crossing zone, for example computer terminals connected to Module 1 via the Internet, whereas either video cameras or RPID (Radio Frequency Identification) readers are connected to the registering means, and a computer program executing the corresponding algorithm.
• the data sent from Module 2 include information concerning motor vehicles arriving directly in the parking lot of the border-crossing area, for example trucks (registration number of the truck, customer ID, etc.). Using Module 2 to register the vehicle for border-crossing is free of charge for the driver.
• the data can also arrive from Module 3, which forwards the data of vehicles planned to be used for border-crossing, i.e. data of the vehicles pre-registered for border-crossing.
• Module 3 includes the registering means of an operator company or other such entity having signed an appropriate contract to use the system, connected to Module 1 via the
• the system also includes Module 4 designed for granting access to the border-crossing checkpoint for motor vehicles, whereas the module comprises for example means for controlling the entry gate of the border-crossing checkpoint, connected to Module 1 via the Internet, video cameras or RFID readers connected to the aforementioned means, and a computer program executing a predetermined algorithm of the method.
• Module 5 is an information module comprising information displays located in the parking lots of border-crossing zones, and in front of the entrance to the border-crossing checkpoint, and reflecting the progress of the queue.
• Module 2 The following describes registering vehicles using Module 2. 1.
• the data of a vehicle arriving for border-crossing are entered manually by the parking lot operator of the border-crossing checkpoint using the operator's computer connected to Module 1.
• the parking lot of the border-crossing checkpoint can also be equipped with a special self-service terminal the driver uses to enter the data of his/her vehicle that are then transmitted to Module 1.
• the driver phones a special predetermined number using his/her mobile communications device, and the vehicle data are transmitted to Module 2 using either the identification signal of a video camera or an RFID device.
• the driver can also use an RFID card to enter data, or the vehicle data are transmitted to Module 1 when passing the RFID reader, if the vehicle is already equipped with an RFID chip containing the vehicle data.
• Registration of a vehicle through Module 3, as a so-called pre-registration service, is a pay service, whereas interaction of Module 3 with the information exchange confirming submodule of Module 1 and the corresponding algorithm prevents disturbing the system's operation by pre-registering a vehicle "just in case", as a vehicle is considered pre-registered only after the appropriate operations have been confirmed and the pre- registration operator has received the charges.
• registration using Module 3 is commercialised.
• the system enables pre-setting restrictions to the pre-registration time period preceding the actual border-crossing; this could be for example 48 to 240 hours depending on the procedure and conditions of border-crossing. This time period can also be corrected according to the number of pre-registration requests, frequency of border-crossing, etc.
• the average vehicle throughput of the border-crossing checkpoint is taken into account.
• irregular arrival of vehicles at border-crossing is changed into a specific and controllable value by pre-registration, enabling the daily effectiveness of border-crossing to be increased.
• the system enables processing of statistical data that can be used to change the pre-registration criteria of the system as and when necessary.
• the most important characteristic of Module 3 is the fact that the number of motor vehicles that can be pre-registered for a specific time period, for example 24 hours, equals the average vehicle throughput of the border-crossing checkpoint within the same time period.
• Module 3 Customers using Module 3 are identified by the system, for example using either the user name/password or ID card, and transmitting of the information is confirmed. Amount of data entered in Modules 2 and 3 can be different but has to include the mobile phone number of the driver, and the registration number of the vehicle as a minimum. After completing registration using both Module 2 and Module 3 the driver of the vehicle receives for example a printed out admittance coupon for instance with a barcode or a message on his/her mobile phone including the border-crossing registration data, that is later used for checking and registering the vehicle's arrival at the border-crossing checkpoint, and for actual border-crossing.
• a printed out admittance coupon for instance with a barcode or a message on his/her mobile phone including the border-crossing registration data, that is later used for checking and registering the vehicle's arrival at the border-crossing checkpoint, and for actual border-crossing.
• Chronological vehicle data entered in Modules 2 and 3 form a single logical queue of vehicles waiting to cross the border.
• the vehicle can be registered only once, and this registration is preserved until the vehicle arrives at the border-crossing checkpoint, or the vehicle is late to arrive at the border-crossing checkpoint at the time specified by the system, or the registration is cancelled via the system.
• the estimated border-crossing time. specified by the system is either the date and time assigned to the vehicle by pre-registration via Module 3, or the time a vacant place becomes available at the border-crossing checkpoint for a vehicle previously registered using Module 2.
• the driver having registered his/her vehicle in the system receives several messages about the progress of the queue on his/her mobile communications device: 4 hours, 1 hour and 0.5 hours before the estimated time of border-crossing, at the same time also the number of vehicles preceding the vehicle in question in the queue is sent.
• the user can change the notification times, except the time of the last notification that is determined by the system.
• the algorithm of Module 3 also enables the driver of the vehicle or the user of the system to request information about the progress of the queue themselves using a mobile communications device.
• the vehicle driver called to the entry gate of the border-crossing checkpoint by the system is admitted for border-crossing either by a) presenting the admittance coupon to the operator of the pass-through point (manual activity); b) inserting the admittance coupon to a reader that establishes the border-crossing right of the vehicle using the barcode, or; c) placing the vehicle in the field of vision of the video camera of Module 4 that identifies the registration number of the vehicle automatically, or into the range of the RPID reader of Module 4 that reads the data of the vehicle from its RFID chip (if the vehicle is equipped with one).
• the vehicle is photographed with the video camera of Module 4 immediately before admitting it to the border-crossing checkpoint. This photo is retained in the confirmation submodule of Module 1.
• Vehicles of certain class are assigned first priority for granting access to the border-crossing checkpoint by the system.
• the structure of the system enables and ensures its reliability also in abnormal and unforeseen situations, for example in case of malfunctions of any of the modules or several modules at once, that is particularly important for ensuring uninterrupted operation of the border-crossing checkpoint.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
• Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

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Cited By (11)

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Citations (7)

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• 2008
  • 2008-09-26 EE EEP200800061A patent/EE05372B1/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2009
  • 2009-09-23 WO PCT/EE2009/000015 patent/WO2010034317A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-09-23 EP EP09776309A patent/EP2329461A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2009-09-23 RU RU2011116101/08A patent/RU2011116101A/ru not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (7)

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