AN IMPROVEMENT OF A METHOD, AND RELATED SYSTEM, FOR MAKING PAYMENTS DURING THE ACCESS OF A VEHICLE INTO PAY AREAS

Description

- - 1 Description accompanying the patent application for industrial invention entitled: AN IMPROVEMENT OF A METHOD, AND RELATED SYSTEM, FOR MAKING PAYMENTS WHILE ENTERING A VEHICLE IN PAID AREAS On behalf of: Progress Consultant Tech Srl, represented by its lawyer representative Mr. Augusto Sergio Cacciami, with headquarters registered office in Piazza Castello 19 CAP 20121 Milan (MI) VAT number represented by Eng. Mario Emmi of Studio Brevetti Turini srl, Viale Matteotti n. 25 CAP 50121 Florence (FI), registered in the Register of Patent Consultants with no. 1298 B. Designated Inventor: Augusto Sergio Cacciami Scope of the invention

[001] The present invention relates to the technical field relating to equipment and infrastructure for make the payment following the access of a vehicle in a toll area, such as paid parking or toll roads, such as highways, etc.

[002] In particular the invention refers to a innovative method, and related set, which allows a payment in a secure manner and without the risk of fraud or malfunctions. Brief notes on the prior art

[003] It is known that multiple rest areas or roads they require a payment for parking or for their - - 2 journey.

[004] Garages and / or parking areas are therefore known which provide for payment through, generally, the collection of a parking ticket indicating the time of entry. At the moment of exit you inserts the tag into a special opening of a receiving machine that reads the entry time and in It calculates the amount to be paid based on the exit time. Once the amount has been paid, the machine releases a coupon outlet which must be inserted into a special nozzle arranged near a bar that prevents the exit. Once the tag is inserted, the bar lifts up and allows the vehicle to exit.

[005] This payment system obviously has the technical drawback of being complex structurally because it requires machinery for the payment which must release the coupon of exit, in addition to the additional machinery that controls the opening / closing of the bar. Furthermore, the operation of payment is quite laborious, as the user has to get out of the car and physically pay and then collect the exit slip. It is obvious that this it causes multiple inconveniences for users, especially in case of rain and / or long queues to be able to pay.

[006] A similar system is also foreseen at the toll booths motorways where the toll tag must be inserted entrance, acquired with a special stop at the toll booth entry, into a special machine that requires the equivalent amount to then give consent to open at the exit barrier.

[007] To solve these technical problems, it is The use of Telepass is now increasingly widespread. It is a electronic device that is placed inside the - - 3 vehicle in a clearly visible position, usually on the front windshield, so that it can communicate with a reader placed at the transit gate. It is therefore read by a special reader placed nearby of the entry zones of paid areas, so that all transits are recorded with the related tolls. This Telepass is associated with the specific vehicle and Payment is made directly via bank once that a statement of transits is sent carried out (usually monthly). Lately the system Telepass is also used for access to areas of parking, as it is read upon entry and exit and, from here, the equivalent amount to be paid is obtained.

[008] This Telepass system, now well known in the state of the technique, solves countless technical problems as it makes the transit faster and avoids the user having to having to stop and even get out of your vehicle to make the payment. Furthermore, the Telepass system delegates the payment to the banking circuit while a traditional backing system requires the immediate availability of money or credit cards in type.

[009] However, the Telepass system also has its own technical problems.

[0010] The Telepass reading system is not always effective and functional and it often happens to pass through thinking the detector has read the device Telepass while, instead, no reading took place for a failure to communicate. This causes a transit irregular and the user often receives a delivery at home fine or in any case a request for payment.

[0011] The telepass can then be easily removed (for example example fraudulently) from a means of transport and used by an unauthorized user who in a manner - - 4 fraudulent person uses it on their vehicle, making charge your costs to the other party.

[0012] In this case the defrauded party must block the telepass and make a complaint and, in any case, he suffered a damage in terms of money and time wasted in solving this problem.

[0013] Furthermore the Telepass system has a battery and so, over time, it can be downloaded resulting unusable until the battery is replaced and / or recharged.

[0014] The Telepass system, although associated with a vehicle, can also be used with license plates that are not compliant with those of the vehicle to which it is associated, thus allowing easily misused.

[0015] Furthermore, its use is not permitted in countries different ones using different technology.

[0016] In order to solve the above mentioned problems technicians the same applicant has submitted an application for European patent EP 3427234 in the name of Progress Consultant Ltd. In accordance with this solution, a image acquisition system capable of framing a vehicle license plate or part of it. In this way the the person who subscribes to the service can transit and in automatic image detection and its processing leads to the identification of the license plate number and therefore of the subject registered for the service. In this way a central server may charge a fee, for example through a connection to a banking server.

[0017] This solution solved the previous problems technicians related to the use of a classic Telepass.

[0018] However, even though this solution is functional, It is not free from further technical problems.

[0019] In particular, the acquisition of an image can sometimes fail and the image can be such that it does not - - 5 allow you to accurately determine the vehicle and therefore the subject. For example, a license plate can be dirty and therefore the processing can lead to an identification of a license plate number missing one or more numbers and / or letters and / or symbols in general that compose it. Furthermore the camera(s) installed may have some malfunctions with imperfect processing.

[0020] This implies that it is not possible to perform the recognition of the passing vehicle.

[0021] This can lead for example to a failure lifting of the transit bar which is generally present at the entrance and / or exit of a section with toll payment, preventing the subject from passing and also creating an inconvenience for the drivers who they arrive and find the toll booth with the access blocked. Clearly, in fact, if the recognition is not known nor whether the subject has joined the service nor, even less, is it known who be able to attribute the cost of the toll. This may imply an impediment to access for example if the system does not authorizes the lifting of the bar that blocks the transit as the whole process is not concluded.

[0022] Even in the case of permitted transit, therefore with the bar that rises even in case of non- recognition (or in the case of a passage without a barrier), remains the problem of a failure to collect the amount because, basically, it is not recognized and therefore not the subject who passed through is known, everything, therefore, with significant economic damage for the body that manages the tolls. Summary of the invention

[0023] It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide an innovative method, and related set, that - - 6 allows to resolve at least in part the aforementioned technical problems.

[0024] In particular, it is the purpose of the present invention that of providing an innovative method, and related together, which allows you to carry out with your own vehicle (for example a car) of transits payment on payable routes (for example highways), with a convenient payment system, fast and free from the risk of fraud or theft.

[0025] More specifically, the purpose of this invention to provide an innovative method, and related together, which allows you to carry out with your own motor vehicle (or vehicle if you prefer) of transits payment without there being a risk of denied access due to a failure to recognize the vehicle and / or a access which then cannot be recovered economically always due to failure to recognise the vehicle and therefore the subject.

[0026] These and other purposes are therefore achieved with the this method and this assembly, in accordance with the claims attached.

[0027] More specifically, the subject of this invention a method for carrying out the detection / recognition of a vehicle on a stretch of road payment.

[0028] Even more specifically, the method allows for be able to make a payment following an access of the vehicle on that stretch of toll road, a once recognized with certainty.

[0029] The method comprises the operations of:

[0030] Initial registration of a subject to the service payment via a dedicated software application for mobile device downloaded / downloadable on the said mobile device, the application - - 7 software by connecting to a central server (2) of management of the said service;

[0031] Advantageously, during recording as well known, the subject will have to enter one or more data, including for example personal data and payment data, for example by inserting one or more connected electronic cards to a banking server, for example one or more credit cards credit and / or bank IBAN information for a credit on the current account (for example with a certain frequency periodic).

[0032] Tolls may in fact be charged periodically (e.g. at the end of the month) or instantly (for example immediately following the transit for which in entry to the route or as soon as the transit is completed in exit from the route).

[0033] Advantageously, therefore, one has a initialization of the software application via subject registration.

[0034] Registration (and therefore initialization) It also provides for the initial insertion of at least one element unique badge (450) of at least one vehicle associated with the said subject who registers for the service to use of the said transit payment service.

[0035] For example, in a beneficial form, this at least a unique distinguishing element can be the number of the vehicle license plate.

[0036] The license plate number can be added possibly other recognition parameters (p1, p2..pn) such as the car model and / or its color etc. and in any case elements that contribute to being able to uniquely identify the vehicle.

[0037] Color and / or pattern etc. can be coded from a code.

[0038] The above mentioned parameters are - - 8 preferably used in combination with the license plate number but they could also be used in alternative to the license plate number.

[0039] The use of the license plate number is preferred.

[0040] This is then stored on the said server central (2) of said at least one distinctive element unique (450) of the vehicle associated with the subject.

[0041] As already known, the provision is therefore foreseen of image acquisition means (100), for example one or more cameras, at one or more points (A'-B', B'-C', C'-D') pre-established of one or more travel sections associated with said service, preferably at least in entry and / or exit points (A'-B', B'-C', C'-D').

[0042] The said image acquisition means serve to acquire the image and then process it in order to trace back to the said at least one unique distinctive element.

[0043] The image acquisition means therefore have processors and specific algorithms that also allow process the images to extract the data contained therein in the image and therefore extrapolate the distinctive element unique, for example the license plate number.

[0044] In particular, therefore, the said method provides for the following phases:

[0045] When transiting the toll route, acquisition of one or more images (e.g. a video from from which a certain number of frames are extracted) through said image acquisition means (100) arranged in such a way as to frame at least one part of the vehicle which includes at least one such element unique badge (450);

[0046] Image processing to trace their origin content, in particular the identification of the unique distinctive element, for example the number of plate. - - 9

[0047] Preferably this processing takes place directly by said means of acquisition image of the image(s) acquired in such a way that the said image acquisition means extrapolate from the processing of the image(s) the said at least one unique distinctive element (450).

[0048] For example, the image may include the license plate and a image processing (in itself such types of processing are known) can allow us to trace the license plate number framed in the image.

[0049] This is followed by a reception by the server central (2) of said at least unique distinctive element (450) extrapolated from the image (for example at least the license plate number) and verify its presence in the central server memory in order to identify the subject registered for the service and therefore in order to be able to apply the toll due.

[0050] In this way it can therefore be applied to the subject, the rate relating to the route taken, for example for example by crediting the related cost to your account (if such data, for example IBAN, was entered at the time of registration) or by associating it with an electronic card payment.

[0051] In accordance with the invention, a step also takes place to geolocate the vehicle in real time and a checking its position, for example in a manner continuously or at intervals of time, with respect to the gates paid access and / or exit (preferably usually at the access) whose position is known, so that to be determined when the vehicle passes through one of these passages.

[0052] Once the transit is determined, a transit automatically follows. sending of a packet by the software application information to the central server whenever it is - - 10 determined a transit with said information package which includes at least the said identifying element unique, for example the vehicle's license plate number.

[0053] Thus, in a case of a failure detection of the unique distinctive element by the image acquisition means, and therefore in the case of a failure to recognize the vehicle that passed, the central server traces vehicle identification through the said information package sent in automatically from the App upon transit.

[0054] More specifically, the software application prepared on the mobile phone device is connected to a geolocation system, for example a GPS system that all devices are equipped with mobile telephony.

[0055] Preferably the software application takes advantage of the mobile phone device specifically for receiving geolocation coordinates or, in other words, the geolocation takes place via the device mobile telephony and the software application receives such information.

[0056] The software application also has in memory the coordinates relating to the positioning of the said means of image acquisition, such as cameras, which represent the transit points (e.g. entrance or exit) for all toll routes relating to that service.

[0057] In this way, this geolocation allows to the software application to calculate, for example in continuously or at intervals of time, the position of the vehicle thus allowing it to determine the actual distance of the vehicle in time real with respect to any access point represented by the positioning point of the means of - - 11 image acquisition and which the application knows about as mentioned the coordinates, as in memory.

[0058] The software application is therefore able to determine when the vehicle is passing, or is in proximity to transit, under a means of acquisition image, for example a camera as mentioned.

[0059] If, for example, they are inserted as points fixed predetermined reference points those close to the camera before the passage, for example the junction of a toll entrance, the software application, which periodically or continuously detects the current real-time position occupied by the vehicle, is perfectly capable of determining when this vehicle position overlaps or is close to one of said predetermined positions in memory, that is, the entrance junction. Essentially the car that for example, approach the entrance junction geolocalized leading to the result of a overlap of position occupied by the car with the position of a well-identified camera and geolocalized. This is how it is known for the application software the occurred or the next transit under the cameras and the camera under which it is also known the vehicle passed.

[0060] In this condition where the software application has determined, through real-time geolocation, the entrance to the vehicle transit in the section payment, the software application sends to the server a vehicle identification information package that has transited and with the said information package that includes at least the said unique identifying element, for example the license plate number.

[0061] Thus, in a case of a failure detection of the unique distinctive element by the - - 12 image acquisition means, and therefore in case of a failure to recognize the vehicle which has transited, the central server traces the identification of the vehicle through the said information package sent automatically by the App upon transit.

[0062] In this way, a case of non- recognition.

[0063] For example, if the unique distinguishing element is the license plate, there may be a case where a license plate number it's dirty and therefore image processing might lead to a detection of a license plate number incomplete, for example with a license plate made of “n” numbers but where the processing results in a license plate missing a number from the said “n” numbers or with a number that is not easily readable compared to the other numbers components of the said plate.

[0064] In that case, the central server would not know to whom charge for transit because it lacks a number of the entire sequence of numbers (or letters) of the license plate which makes it impossible to trace the vehicle.

[0065] The solution to compare such missing plate of one or more of its parts (for example a number) with all the plaques in memory of the subjects registered in the service would be software-complicated, burdening processing and processing times.

[0066] It is in fact necessary that the processing with identification occurs in fractions of a second, especially if the bar is present liftable, as the bar generally lifts up, allowing access, processing completed and having had a positive outcome in the recognition of the subject with related transit charge.

[0067] In accordance with this problem, it follows that extremely advantageous to take advantage of the package - - 13 information that is associated with each subject that It is automatically passed and sent by the Application software.

[0068] The information package contains at least the element unique distinctive feature which therefore compensates for the case of a unsatisfactory processing.

[0069] More specifically, advantageously, the server central takes into account, through a specific programming of course, the information packages relating to the crossing where there was a problem recognition and consider only information packages received within a predetermined time frame or predetermined.

[0070] The time range is generally a few seconds (for example 3 or 4 seconds).

[0071] Considered as time (T0) the instant of the unrecognized passage, the central server can consider all information packages received at example one second before T0 and three seconds after T0, or all information packets received after T0 for a predetermined time, for example four seconds and obviously related to this passage.

[0072] It follows that the central server has, in effect, a very limited number of information packages containing the unique distinctive element as in these few seconds from the failure to recognize, specifically the crossing, At most, one more vehicle or some other vehicle can pass by vehicle at maximum (obviously it depends on how big it is fix the time range but when this is of the order of a few seconds obviously not many can pass vehicles).

[0073] At this point it is immediate for the server to go back to the correct license plate as, even if in the processing one or more characters are generally missing recognition - - 14 license plate components (e.g. numbers and / or letters), comparison with the license plates received via the app at the time of transit allows you to recognize what the license plate is which comes closest to the partially recognized one, thus determining it with certainty.

[0074] In other words, in case of non-recognition during the transit of a specific gateway, the server central compares the incomplete information processed by the means of acquiring images of the passage in question with the one or more information packages received via the apps of subjects who have passed through that same place crossing in a time range very close to the instant of the unrecognized transit and obviously including the instant of the unrecognized transit.

[0075] This allows you to make a comparison of the license plate recognized with few other license plates thus allowing a quick comparison.

[0076] Advantageously, therefore, at the moment in which the software application determines the said transit of the vehicle in correspondence with a positioning of the said image acquisition means, sends a notification on the mobile phone device on which it is installed.

[0077] This can be useful to allow a subject to also verify an unauthorized transit for example in case of car theft.

[0078] Advantageously, such means of acquisition image can be one or more cameras, for example suitable for shooting video and / or single images.

[0079] Advantageously the said distinctive element The vehicle's license plate number can be at least unique.

[0080] Advantageously the said distinctive element unique may further include other data such as the vehicle color.

[0081] Advantageously the central server, in the said case - - 15 in which the processing of the said means of acquisition image determines a recognition of the said element only partial unique badge, analyze the package information received, in particular that associated with the vehicle not recognized.

[0082] In particular it can analyze multiple packets information received within a certain time frame.

[0083] Such information packages can in fact be those relating to a time interval including the image acquisition time (T0).

[0084] For example T ≥ (T0).

[0085] Information packages are those sent by the only software applications in correspondence with the transit under the means of image acquisition that do not have the unique distinctive element has been correctly extracted.

[0086] In this way, advantageously, the said server central compares the said unique distinctive elements extrapolated from the said information packages received with the unique distinctive element recognized only partially to determine the said distinctive element unique not recognized.

[0087] In other words, the instant the server does not recognizes a unique distinctive element, analyses the information packages received from apps and related to only vehicles that have passed through in a narrow range of time at that specific point where the accident did not happen correct recognition.

[0088] If then, furthermore, each information package is associated with an exact sending time and the image detected and not recognized is also associated with a exact time, the comparison can be reduced exactly to the information package relating to the instant only corresponding to non-recognition.

[0089] This way, much less data needs to be processed. - - 16 with a processing speed of a few milliseconds, thus allowing all the tasks to be completed operations in the very short access section of the vehicle allowing any bar to lift.

[0090] Advantageously, therefore, the recognition of the vehicle determines the lifting of the bar that blocks transit on the toll route, allowing access to the vehicle.

[0091] The invention also includes an assembly which allows you to detect a vehicle on a paid route.

[0092] More specifically, this is the subject of this invention an assembly that allows one to carry out a payment of toll following an access of a vehicle with a toll-free route and including:

[0093] A central server (2);

[0094] A mobile phone device on which is installed a software application;

[0095] The said software application being such as allow, in use, an initial registration of a subject to payment service;

[0096] And wherein said software application, through said subject registration, is configured for initially request an initial entry of at least a unique distinctive element (450) of at least one vehicle associated with the said subject who registers for the service;

[0097] The said software application connecting with the said central server (2) for managing said service and the central server being configured to store at least the said at least one unique distinctive element (450) of the vehicle associated with the subject;

[0098] Image acquisition means (100) arranged in one or more points (A'-B', B'-C', C'-D') - - 17 pre-established routes of one or more journeys associated with said service, preferably at least in entry and / or exit points (A'-B', B'-C', C'-D').

[0099] The said image acquisition means (100) are therefore arranged in such a way as to frame at least one part of the vehicle which includes at least such at least one unique distinctive element (450), said means of image acquisition being configured to process said image(s) in order to extrapolate from the image(s) its content, that is, the said at least one element unique badge (450);

[00100] And where the central server (2) is placed in communication with said image acquisition means in way to receive the said at least one element unique badge (450) extracted from the image and with the central server programmed to check for presence in memory of the said unique distinctive element for the purpose to identify the registered subject to allow proceed with the toll charging operation;

[00101] In accordance with the invention, the software application is connected to a geo-geolocalization system designed to identify the position occupied by the vehicle in real time vehicle.

[00102] More specifically, advantageously, the software application controls geolocation through the mobile device on which it is installed.

[00103] Furthermore, the said software application has in memory of geolocation coordinates that identify the positioning of all means of acquisition images in the said toll route(s).

[00104] Advantageously, therefore, the said application software is programmed to perform geolocation in real time of the said vehicle so as to - - 18 determine a vehicle transit at a positioning point of the said acquisition means image.

[00105] This occurs through the termination of the real-time position of the vehicle, checking when this position of the vehicle is coincident or close to to at least one of the said geolocation coordinates which identify the positioning of the said means of image acquisition and kept in memory.

[00106] Advantageously, therefore, the software application is further programmed to send to the server central, following said recognition of access to the said route, an information package containing at least the unique distinctive element of the vehicle transited and to which it is associated, so that the central server receives, in addition to the processing data extrapolated from the said image acquisition means, this information package as well.

[00107] Advantageously, therefore, the central server is, in turn, programmed to use that Vehicle recognition information package in the event that the processing of the said means of image acquisition determines recognition of the said distinctive element is only partial and such therefore not allowing to determine the vehicle that has passed through.

[00108] Advantageously said means of acquisition image can be one or more cameras capable of shoot video and / or single images.

[00109] Advantageously the said distinctive element The vehicle's license plate number can be at least unique.

[00110] Advantageously, the said distinctive element unique may further include other data such as the vehicle color. - - 19

[00111] Advantageously the central server, in the said case in which the processing of the said means of acquisition image determines recognition of the element only partial unique badge, it is programmed to analyze the information packets sent to the said server central.

[00112] Advantageously, such information packages are those relating to a time interval including the image acquisition time (T0) or an interval of time immediately following the said time (T0).

[00113] Moreover, advantageously, such packages informative are those relating to vehicles passing through said time interval under the means of acquisition images that have been processed successfully of unsatisfactory image processing.

[00114] Advantageously, the said central server is so programmed to compare the said elements unique badges extracted from the data packages information received with the unique distinctive element only partially recognized to determine the said unrecognized unique distinctive element.

[00115] In this way it is possible to do an elaboration fast.

[00116] Advantageously, each toll route includes an input and an output and where at least the input is barred by a liftable bar.

[00117] Advantageously vehicle recognition determines the lifting of the bar that blocks the transit on the tolled route, allowing access to the vehicle. Brief description of the drawings

[00118] Additional features and benefits of the this method, and related equipment, according to - - 20 the invention, will be more clearly evident with the following description of some embodiments, made by way of example and not limitation, with reference to to the attached drawings, in which:

[00119] Figure 1 shows a telephony device mobile 1 on which the software application is downloaded in agreement to the present invention;

[00120] Figure 2 shows a central server 2 of process management and which is communicating with the said App;

[00121] Figure 3 shows an example of a gap with the cameras;

[00122] Figure 4 shows the camera with its own processor that processes the image to trace the number of license plate which is then sent to the central server 2, the central server 2 is therefore also in communication with these cameras;

[00123] Figure 5 schematizes the App which through vehicle geolocation is able to determine a its transit under a paid passage equipped with the said cameras;

[00124] Figure 6 schematizes the automatic sending of the information packet from the app to the server central in correspondence with the transit such that the app associated with a subject and therefore with a vehicle geolocates the vehicle it is associated with and once a transit is determined, the packet is automatically sent of information to the central server for each transit that detects;

[00125] Figure 7 schematizes the use that is made of this information package which includes the number of vehicle license plate in order to trace and determine a license plate not recognized or identified in general. - - 21 Description of some preferred embodiments

[00126] The present invention relates to an innovative method, and related set, which allows you to be able to make toll payments on stretches of road payment (e.g. highway) in a safe and convenient way, avoiding falling into frauds such as theft or cloning of traditional devices such as Telepass and similar and especially in the event of failure to recognize the vehicle.

[00127] Processing is fast, even in case of failure vehicle recognition, and is completed in a few milliseconds thus also allowing the lifting of the transit bar as the car moves towards the passage without delays, if such a barrier is present at the entrance and / or exit.

[00128] Starting from the European publication EP3427234 in the name of Progress Consultant Srl, the invention concerns its improvement.

[00129] In particular, it is an improvement of a highway toll system in which the vehicle is identified in transit by means of special means of image acquisition, such as cameras, for recognize it and charge it for the transit.

[00130] In case of non-recognition, the system uses an information package that is sent in automatic from a software application to a server power station 2 at the time of transit.

[00131] The invention therefore uses an application software for mobile devices.

[00132] As is well known, a software application (generally referred to by the acronym “App”), is easily downloadable on any type of device suitable for making it run, generally telephone devices mobile devices such as iPhones and / or Smartphones and / or similar. - - 22

[00133] It is therefore possible for the user to download this specific application (App) via a specific "store" well known.

[00134] Using a mobile phone device 1, which is precisely a Smartphone or an iPhone, it is advantageous in how many are commonly used devices, pocket-sized or transportable, however, so they always accompany the user throughout his day. They are designed To process data, download software application that run in their operating system and quickly connect to the Internet. Furthermore, as clarified below, they are able to geolocate their same position occupied or a position in general.

[00135] Figure 1 therefore shows, in a non-limiting way, a mobile telephone device 1 on which is downloaded this application (indicated in the figure as App) which, as per known art, initially requires a registration so that a central server 2 (which manages such software application) can store the data entered by the specific subject who downloaded it and uses it. The data is therefore inherent to the subject who would like to use the toll service described here.

[00136] During operation, the software application connects to the central server 2 in charge, as of detailed sequel.

[00137] When the application is installed, it will require the insertion of one or more of the said data subject so that it can be stored on the server central office responsible, identifying it uniquely with respect to any other subjects that join the service.

[00138] For example, personal data is entered, in addition to choosing any access credentials to the own reserved area, as is now standard practice for all - - 23 software applications.

[00139] The application, for greater security, can therefore request the entry of any password so that the opening of the application itself and the its activation, as explained below, are always bound by the insertion of a key preliminary access, possibly allowing access to a well-known reserved area. Other access systems safe options can be provided, such as access with facial recognition or biometrics or similar.

[00140] Initial registration also requires the insertion of at least one unique distinctive element that It is used to identify the vehicle you wish to register.

[00141] The unique distinctive element is therefore associated to the vehicle.

[00142] If the same subject decides, by adhering to the service, to register multiple vehicles in his possession, then for each of them, a specific one will be needed unique distinctive element.

[00143] Preferably such a unique distinctive element is the vehicle's license plate number, generally meaning as a license plate number the sequence of numbers and / or letters that are generally used in license plates and which compose it.

[00144] So the license plate uniquely identifies a vehicle and registration for the service, as mentioned, allows you to identify the subject and associate correctly to the said owner his vehicle(s) through the unique distinctive element, for example the plate.

[00145] For example, subject A associated with Vehicle B having license plate 12345.

[00146] Other distinctive elements can be added, such as vehicle type, color, etc.

[00147] Figure 2 therefore shows the initial insertion - - 24 of the data that is done during initialization of the App (therefore only once during registration) with the data being transmitted and stored in the central server 2.

[00148] Obviously such initialization can eventually be updated for example by adding a vehicle or replacing one vehicle with another (for example if the owner changes car).

[00149] As then schematized in figure 3, they are therefore 100 image acquisition means are foreseen, for example in the form of 100 cameras.

[00150] The cameras 100 are generally placed so fixed in such a way as to always frame a wide area that includes the license plate. Figure 3 in fact schematizes a vehicle in transit through an access area toll where such cameras are located 100.

[00151] However, this does not exclude the inclusion of a another distinctive element of the vehicle which falls within in the image acquisition area.

[00152] Such image acquisition means, for example as mentioned the cameras can be set up at any point where they are deemed necessary for the detection (e.g. at access and / or exit points) from paid routes and / or even at intermediate points of such routes).

[00153] Preferably they are obviously placed at the access point.

[00154] The access gate can be provided with a bar placed to block access and which is raised automatically in case of positive recognition of the vehicle to allow access, so following a successful charge.

[00155] Alternatively or in combination with the above that is, the exit gate may include a barrier. - - 25

[00156] The bar can therefore be foreseen at the entrance and / or outgoing and the recognition for the charge, even if preferably occurs at the entrance, alternatively it can happen on the way out.

[00157] In all the above cases, the processing that will be described and must therefore be carried out within a timeframe very short, for example in the order of milliseconds, for allow for positive consent to be obtained for transit immediate with consequent raising of the bar, taking into account that the space between the acquisition point image and the bar is a few meters.

[00158] The bar may still not be present.

[00159] Figure 3 therefore shows the access of a vehicle (a car) through a 200 gate monitored by such cameras.

[00160] According to the invention the cameras are positioned in such a way as to be able to acquire a image relating to the vehicle that allows you to go back to the unique distinctive element of the vehicle, for example the plate.

[00161] Figure 4 thus shows a 400 image taken from camera 100 and containing license plate 450. The license plate contains the example number IM 253.

[00162] The said image acquisition means (e.g. the cameras) are of a type that provides for a internal processor programmed to process the image and extract the information about the image content (in in this example case of figure 4 the license plate number IM 253).

[00163] If, for example, the image frames the license plate, from the image the processor is able to extract the license plate number which, as mentioned, represents the unique distinguishing element stored on the server central 2. - - 26

[00164] Image processing technology in this sense is well known and such types of products already exist on the market cameras, for example with OCR technology through which you can extrapolate image content.

[00165] Such image acquisition means are placed in communication (they are therefore electronically connected, for example) example in wireless mode such as internet network) with the central server 2 in order to send the relevant data to the processing carried out, therefore for example the number of the license plate and / or other vehicle identifiers, said central server 2

[00166] The central server, having received this information from the cameras with which it is placed in communication, it can So, at this point, check whether this license plate number is present in your list of saved users.

[00167] If so, the central server 2 recognizes the user and can start the charging process related toll.

[00168] For example, a connection can be set up to banking server with a periodic payment request to a specific IBAN such as, always through a connection to the banking server, a connection may be required Instant payment if the user is registering to enter electronic payment card data such as credit or debit cards.

[00169] Therefore, in the event of a recognition outcome positive, the central server activates for a request of a payment for the identified subject, payment which can be periodic (e.g. monthly) or instant.

[00170] When the vehicle passes through a point of access to the toll route, so when travelling in correspondence of the means of image acquisition, the camera acquires one or more single images or a - - 27 video from which it extracts multiple frames of image. In any case one or more of such images or the videos are processed on the order of milliseconds by the programmed processor, for example through OCR systems, to determine the license plate numbers. The license plate number extrapolated is sent to the central server for the verify.

[00171] The central server is therefore connected to the entire network of such means of transport distributed across the territory image acquisition.

[00172] As is well known, it may happen that one or more license plate symbols (a number or letter or part of they) are not well recognized, for example due to a disease operation of the camera or as the license plate can to be dirty.

[00173] For this purpose the package is used information is sent automatically by the software application installed on the device mobile telephony.

[00174] In particular, each software application downloaded contains in memory, or at least dates back to, all the perfectly geolocalized positions of the points of access and / or exit of toll routes where therefore cameras are installed.

[00175] In particular, access to the paid area It essentially starts at the point of preparation of the camera.

[00176] The App in use therefore knows the position geographical location of all the said cameras distributed in the territory, so knowing all the positions relating to access to the toll area.

[00177] Now, the problem of the camera not works or in any case the license plate is not recognized precisely during processing, it is solved - - 28 through this functionality of the software application.

[00178] As shown in figure 5, the application software, through geolocation, for example through GPS, geolocalizes the vehicle in a continuously or at intervals of time (and in any case in time real) while the vehicle is travelling.

[00179] In a preferred configuration, particularly simple, the mobile device on which it is Once the application has been loaded it must be placed on the vehicle geolocalize. Geolocation is in fact requested by the software application and occurs via the mobile phone device.

[00180] However, a solution cannot be excluded in which it is possible to integrate with the infotainment systems of the car. In this case it is also geolocation of the car only and therefore not of the mobile device.

[00181] Therefore, real-time geolocalization takes place real (even at time intervals or in a manner continuous) of the vehicle.

[00182] The software application also has in memory the positioning coordinates of the toll gates and therefore it is able to easily determine the moment in where a transit is occurring or has occurred in an area toll.

[00183] More specifically, the software application has way to check the distance of the vehicle from one or more of the points it has in memory and which represent the entrance to the paid route (where therefore they are placed the cameras).

[00184] When the current position of the vehicle is such that overlap or be extremely close to one of the points in memory this implies that the vehicle is entering and / or exiting on / from a specific toll route.

[00185] In this circumstance where the transit occurs and - - 29 this transit is recognized and identified by the App, as shown in figure 6, automatically the software application sends a packet of information to the central server 2 including the distinctive element unique to the vehicle in question (for example the vehicle number license plate) to which the software application is associated, such as for example, the license plate and / or other information.

[00186] If preferred, send the license plate.

[00187] The information sent by the software application is used by the central server 2 to make up for the in case of failure to recognize the vehicle.

[00188] In particular, the central server can retrieve the license plate number was not identified correctly by looking the relevant information package sent by software application.

[00189] More specifically, the central server can now compare the information packets received in a predefined time range (e.g. a few seconds) and associated with that specific transit point.

[00190] In a practical example:

[00191] For example, if following a transit of a vehicle, two numbers composing the vehicle are not recognized vehicle license plate, the information package received through the software application, and sent from the app associated with this vehicle, can allow you to find the complete data plate, containing this package the unique distinctive element is also informative, that is, the plate.

[00192] However, it is necessary to ensure that the central server know what the package of information is consider and that is associated with the unrecognized vehicle.

[00193] This is because at each transit automatically such information packages are still sent.

[00194] In this sense the central server considers a range - - 30 of a predetermined time related to the instant of receiving an unrecognized license plate, for example that It can be about a few seconds (for example two or three seconds), and takes into account all the packages information received in that time interval.

[00195] The time range is such as to include the instant T0 where the unrecognized vehicle passed.

[00196] For example, the following can be taken into consideration: information packages included in a time interval T1 and T2, with T1 <TO<T2 e T0 l’istante di transito del vehicle whose license plate was not recognized.

[00197] Alternatively one could consider a time interval T1 ≥ TO.

[00198] In this way the number of information packets to be analyzed is extremely limited as limited to a time range close to that of unrecognized vehicle transit.

[00199] Preferably the information packages kept in consideration in the said time ranges are also not all those of all the paid routes but they are only those relating to the transit toll booth where the recognition failed and therefore refer to the specification geolocation of the point where the vehicle passed it was not recognized.

[00200] If the unrecognized transit also has a the moment in which it happened is well identified and coincident with the instant of sending the information package, then the time range can be reduced to just the instant of non- recognition at the specific point.

[00201] In this way the number of information to be analyzing to find the missing data is very limited to a few units or even to a single unit, with a instant processing.

[00202] In other words, if the vehicle is not recognized - - 31 passes under the N1 camera which does not recognize the license plate at instant T0, then the central server is scheduled to analyze information packets received from apps relating to vehicles that have passed under such camera N1 in a time interval t between T0 and T1 (T0 <t<T1) o in un intervallo di tempo t uguale o immediately following T0 (t ≥ T0) or even just at the instant T0.

[00203] If this time interval is of the order of a few seconds, ultimately we would have that the packets of information is very limited in number and limited to a specific camera located at a point (and so not across the entire network). The amount of information is limited. as it is limited to a time interval of a few seconds (for example four seconds) and limited to a single specific transit point. In such a short time interval would be analyze a very small number of packets information as it would be physically possible to transit of a maximum of a couple of vehicles. This allows a quick processing.

[00204] So if two vehicles are passing and one is not recognizes the license plate because, for example, a number of the license plate is not visible and cannot be processed, it will then be It is sufficient to compare the license plate numbers received from the information packages for the corresponding steps in the specific point and within the predetermined time range sent from the Apps to immediately find the license plate among these complete. In fact, it is sufficient to compare the plates sent from the respective Apps (in the example case two license plates) with that which is not fully identified to find that one which is closest and therefore corresponds to that searched.

[00205] If, for example, you read a license plate of which the - - 32 vehicle number is not detected (12..45) and there are three information packages received through the sending of the related apps, then certainly only one of these three information packages will have a plate with all the numbers 12 and 45 arranged in the same order as the one not recognized, also allowing to identify the number missing, i.e. 12345 in an example case. An example graph is shown in figure 7. Figure 7 shows a license plate with an unrecognized central part.

[00206] In the example, three packages are considered informative and therefore a Plate_1, a Plate_2 and a License plate 3. It's a simple matter for the central server. specially programmed to check which of these three license plates is the one that completes the license plate not identified. In fact, only license plate_1 has the same numbers initials and finals in the same sequence and therefore the license plate It can only be Targa_1. From here we go back up immediately to the owner to whom the charge is to be made the cost of transit.

[00207] Ultimately, therefore, the App defines some geographically identified geographic points (PORTALS) with the GPS positions of the motorway toll booths (entrance and Exit).

[00208] During the trip the app checks the speed every x amount of time distance from the point where the vehicle is located and the “PORTAL” increasing or decreasing the frequency of control as you go which approaches or moves away from the “PORTAL” itself.

[00209] The moment the car arrives at the PORTAL (of Usually the release is enough since he can't go back back but only forward) the App sends the code of the customer to whom the license plate or license plates data is associated paired with the APP and send it to the Server.

[00210] This data will only be used in case of doubt. - - 33

[00211] According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, the software application generates a notification upon passing under a camera.

[00212] This can be used as a system of anti-theft security if for example the car is stolen and passes under a section as described. In this case the transit under the camera generates a warning which is sent to the App and then displayed to the user via the App.

Claims

1. A method for making a toll payment following access of a vehicle to a tolled route and comprising the operations of: - Initial registration of a subject to the payment service via a dedicated software application for mobile telephone device downloaded / downloadable on said mobile telephone device, the software application connecting to a central server (2) managing said service; - Initialisation of the software application via registration of the subject and initial insertion of at least one unique distinctive element (450) of at least one vehicle associated with said subject registering for the service; - Storage in said central server (2) of said at least one unique distinctive element (450) of the vehicle associated with the subject; - Provision of image acquisition means (100) in one or more points (A'-B', B'-C',C' D' ) pre-established routes of one or more sections of the journey associated with said service, preferably at least at the entry and / or exit points (A'-B', B'-C', C'-D'), and in which the said method includes the following phases: - At the time of transit in the said sections,acquisition of one or more images through said image acquisition means (100) arranged in such a way as to frame at least a part of the vehicle which comprises such at least one unique distinctive element (450); - Processing by said image acquisition means of the acquired image(s) in such a way that said image acquisition means extrapolate from the image(s) said at least one unique distinctive element (450); - Reception by the central server (2) of said unique distinctive element (450) extrapolated from the image and verification of its presence in memory in order to identify the subject registered for the service to allow the toll charging operation to be carried out; - Characterised by the fact that a phase is foreseen in which the software application controls, for example through the mobile telephone device, a geo-localisation which identifies in real time the position occupied by the vehicle,the said software application having in its memory geolocalisation coordinates which identify the positioning of all the said image acquisition means in the said toll route(s), the said software application, noting the position of the vehicle, recognises an access and / or an exit in progress of the vehicle in correspondence with a positioning point of the said image acquisition means, verifying when the said position detected in real time of the vehicle is coincident or close to at least one of the said geolocalisation coordinates which identify the positioning of the said image acquisition means, the software application sending to the central server (2), following said recognition of an access and / or an exit, an information packet containing at least the unique distinctive element of the vehicle passed in such a way that the central server receives,in addition to the processing data extrapolated from the said image acquisition means, also this information package which information package is used by the central server for vehicle recognition in the event that the image processing of the said image acquisition means determines a recognition of the said unique distinctive element which is only partial and / or such as not to allow the identification of the vehicle which has passed.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the software application determines the said vehicle transit in correspondence with a positioning of the said image acquisition means, it sends a notification to the mobile telephone device on which it is installed.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said image acquisition means are one or more cameras adapted to record a video and / or single images.

4. The method according to one or more preceding claims, wherein said unique distinctive element is at least the license plate number of the vehicle.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said unique distinctive element further comprises other data such as the color of the vehicle.

6. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the central server, in the said case where the processing of said image acquisition means results in only partial recognition of the said unique distinctive element, analyses the information packets sent to the said central server, said information packets being those relating to a time interval comprising the instant (T0) of image acquisition or exactly the instant (T0), the said central server comparing the said unique distinctive elements extrapolated from the said information packets received with the only partially recognised unique distinctive element to determine the said unrecognised unique distinctive element;preferably said information packets are only those connected to the vehicles that have passed in the said time interval or at the exact instant (T0) under the said image acquisition means that have processed the image with the said partial recognition only.; 7. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the recognition of the vehicle determines the lifting of the bar that blocks transit on the tolled section, allowing access to the vehicle.

8. An assembly for effecting a toll payment following access by a vehicle to a tolled stretch of road and comprising: - A central server (2); - A mobile telephone device on which a software application is installed; - The said software application being such as to allow, in use, an initial registration of a subject to the payment service; - And wherein said software application, through -38said registration of the subject,is configured to initially request an initial insertion of at least one unique distinctive element (450) of at least one vehicle associated with the said subject who registers for the service; - The said software application connecting to the said central server (2) managing the said service and the central server being configured to store at least the said at least one unique distinctive element (450) of the vehicle associated with the subject; - Image acquisition means (100) arranged in one or more pre-established points (A'-B', B'-C', C'-D') of one or more sections of the journey associated with the said service, preferably at least in the entry and / or exit points (A'-B', B'-C', C'-D'), and in which the said image acquisition means (100) are arranged in such a way as to frame at least a part of the vehicle which comprises such at least one unique distinctive element (450),said image acquisition means being configured to process said image(s) in order to extrapolate from the image(s) the said at least one unique distinctive element (450); - And wherein the central server (2) is placed in communication with said image acquisition means in such a way as to receive at least the said unique distinctive element (450) extrapolated from the image and with the central server programmed to verify the presence in memory of the said unique distinctive element in order to identify the registered subject to allow the toll charging operation to be carried out; - Characterised in that the software application is connected to a geolocalisation system capable of identifying in real time the position occupied by the vehicle, the said software application having in memory geolocalisation coordinates which identify the positioning of all said image acquisition means in the said toll route(s),the said software application being programmed to perform said real-time geolocalisation of the said vehicle in such a way as to determine a transit of the vehicle in correspondence with a positioning point of the said image acquisition means through the said determination of the real-time position of the said vehicle by verifying when this is coincident with or close to at least one of the said geolocalisation coordinates which identify the positioning of the said image acquisition means, the software application being further programmed to send to the central server, following said recognition of an access to the said route, an information packet containing at least the unique distinctive element of the vehicle passed in such a way that the central server receives, in addition to the processing data extrapolated from the said image acquisition means, also such information packet,the central server being in turn programmed in such a way as to use this information package for vehicle recognition in the event that the processing of the said image acquisition means determines a recognition of the said unique distinctive element that is only partial and / or such as not to allow the identification of the vehicle that has passed.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein said image acquisition means are one or more cameras adapted to record video and / or single images.

10. The assembly according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said unique distinctive element is at least the vehicle registration number.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein said unique distinctive element further comprises other data such as the color of the vehicle.

12. The assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims 8 to 11, wherein the central server, in the said case where the processing of said image acquisition means results in only partial recognition of said unique distinctive element, is programmed to analyse the information packets sent to said central server, said information packets being those relating to a time interval comprising the instant (T0) of image acquisition or exactly the instant (T0) only, said central server being programmed to compare said unique distinctive elements extrapolated from said information packets received with the only partially recognised unique distinctive element to determine said unrecognised unique distinctive element;preferably said information packets being only those connected to the vehicles that have passed in the said time interval or at the specific instant (T0) under the said image acquisition means that have processed the image with the said partial recognition only.; 13. The assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims 8 to 12, wherein each toll section comprises an entrance and an exit and wherein at least the entrance is blocked by a liftable bar, the recognition of the vehicle determining the lifting of the bar which blocks transit on the toll section, allowing access to the vehicle.