Toll booth card dispenser

Abstract

This utility model discloses a toll station card dispensing machine, comprising: a chassis with a built-in controller and an opening on one side; an aerial imaging device installed inside the chassis, comprising a housing, an imaging lens, and a display screen, both located within the chassis, with the imaging lens facing the opening; signal light emitted from the display screen is projected onto the imaging lens, and the signal light passes through the imaging lens to form a real image in the air that is mirror-symmetrical to the display screen; and a card receiving and dispensing device installed on the side of the chassis facing the lane, communicating with the aerial imaging device, containing a card, and positioned within the chassis but adapted to carry the card out of the chassis. The toll station card dispensing machine according to this utility model has advantages such as improving vehicle traffic efficiency, alleviating traffic pressure, and increasing user safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of aerial imaging technology, and in particular to a toll station card dispensing machine. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, toll booth card dispensers are generally fixedly installed on the side of the toll booth. When vehicles stop to retrieve their cards, the distance between the vehicle and the card dispenser is relatively far. Drivers need to unbuckle their seat belts and lean their upper bodies out of the car door to retrieve the card, which poses a traffic safety hazard. It also increases the time spent retrieving cards, leading to long queues and congestion, increasing traffic pressure and affecting vehicle traffic efficiency.

[0003] In addition, the entrance to the toll station is a crowded place, and people need to touch the card retrieval button when taking the card, which cannot avoid the risk of cross-infection caused by touching with their fingers. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. Therefore, one objective of the present invention is to provide a toll station card dispensing machine that has advantages such as improving vehicle traffic efficiency, alleviating traffic congestion, and increasing user safety.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a toll station card dispenser includes:

[0006] A chassis containing a controller, with an opening on one side; an aerial imaging device installed inside the chassis, comprising a housing, an imaging lens, and a display screen, both located within the chassis; the imaging lens facing the opening; signal light emitted from the display screen projected onto the imaging lens; the signal light passing through the imaging lens to form a mirror image of the display screen in mid-air; and a card reader / distributor installed on the side of the chassis facing the lane, communicating with the aerial imaging device; the card reader / distributor containing a card, situated within the chassis and adapted to carry the card out of the chassis.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the aerial imaging device further includes: an interactive sensor, which captures the operation command of the touch signal of the floating real image and transmits the touch signal to the display screen to interact with the controller.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the card receiving and dispensing device includes: a drive motor, the drive motor being installed inside the chassis; and a card receiving and dispensing platform, the drive motor being connected to the card receiving and dispensing platform in a transmission manner, the drive motor driving the card receiving and dispensing platform to reciprocate to switch between a card dispensing position state and a card retrieval position state.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an infrared sensor is provided on the side of the card receiving platform that extends toward the lane. The infrared sensor is adapted to detect obstacles on the side of the lane to control the extension distance of the card receiving platform.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the card receiving and sending platform is equipped with a weight sensor for sensing cards. When the weight sensor senses a card, the drive motor drives the card receiving and sending platform to extend out of the chassis.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the card receiving and sending device further includes: a card storage unit, which is disposed inside the chassis and has multiple cards stacked on it. The card storage unit is located above the card receiving and sending platform and is used to place the cards on the card receiving and sending platform.

[0012] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the maximum distance that the drive motor drives the card receiving and sending platform to move is 350mm.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the card receiving and sending device further includes: a lead screw and nut mechanism, the lead screw and nut mechanism including a lead screw and a nut, the motor shaft of the drive motor being connected to the lead screw, and the card receiving and sending platform being connected to the nut, the rotation of the motor shaft of the drive motor causing the nut and the receiving and sending platform to move along the axial direction of the lead screw.

[0014] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the plane on which the virtual screen formed by the floating real image is located is tilted obliquely upward.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the toll station card dispensing machine further includes: a voice module, which is disposed inside the chassis and communicates with the transceiver device to control the card transceiver device to be placed inside the chassis and adapted to carry the card out of the chassis.

[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of a toll station card dispenser according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the working structure of the toll station card dispenser according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a top view of the toll station card dispenser in operation according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a partial schematic diagram of the toll station card dispenser in operation according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 5 This is another partial schematic diagram of the toll station card dispenser in operation according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of the screw and nut mechanism of the toll station card dispenser according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 7 This is another schematic diagram of the working principle of the screw and nut mechanism of the toll station card dispenser according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the aerial imaging device of the toll station card dispenser according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0026] Figure label:

[0027] Toll booth card dispenser 1, chassis 100, aerial imaging device 200, card reader / dispenser 300, controller 40.

[0028] Housing 105, display screen 101, refractive lens 102, interactive sensor 103, floating real image 104,

[0029] Drive motor 310, card transceiver platform 320, virtual screen 221

[0030] Card storage device 330, lead screw and nut mechanism 340, infrared sensor 321, weight sensor 322

[0031] Lead screw 341, nut 342. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0033] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0034] In the description of this utility model, "first feature" and "second feature" may include one or more of the features.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, "multiple" means two or more, and "several" means one or more.

[0036] The toll station card dispenser 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] like Figures 1-8 As shown, the toll station card dispenser 1 according to an embodiment of the present utility model includes a chassis 100, an aerial imaging device 200, and a card receiving and dispensing device 300.

[0038] The housing 100 houses the controller 40, and an opening is formed on one side of the housing 100. An aerial imaging device 200 is installed inside the housing 100. The aerial imaging device 200 includes a housing 105, an imaging lens (not shown), and a display screen 101. Both the imaging lens and the display screen 101 are located within the housing 100. The imaging lens faces the opening. Signal light emitted from the display screen 101 is projected onto the imaging lens, and the signal light passes through the imaging lens to form a real floating image 104 in the air, mirror-symmetrical to the display screen 101. A card reader / distributor 300 is installed on the side of the housing 100 facing the lane. The card reader / distributor 300 communicates with the aerial imaging device 200. The card reader / distributor 300 contains a card and is located inside the housing 100, but is also adapted to extend the card out of the housing 100.

[0039] For example, when a vehicle approaches the toll station, the toll station card dispenser 1 is in standby mode, ready to receive signals from the vehicle. As the vehicle passes the toll station card dispenser 1, the aerial imaging device 200 starts working, and the controller 40 instructs the display screen 101 to emit signal light. The signal light is projected into the air through the imaging lens, forming a floating real image 104 on the lane that is mirror-symmetrical to the display screen 101. The floating real image 104 typically contains instructions or guidance information for taking the card, clearly displayed to the driver. Subsequently, the card receiving and dispensing device 300 of the toll station card dispenser 1 is activated. This device has a built-in card and extends the card from the housing 100 by mechanical or electric means. At this time, the card is positioned at the opening, convenient for the driver to take.

[0040] First, let's briefly introduce the imaging principle of aerial imaging devices:

[0041] like Figure 6 As shown, both the refractive lens 102 and the display screen 101 are tilted within the housing 105, and there is a certain angle between them. One side of the housing 105 is exposed for display. The image displayed on the display screen 101 is refracted by the refractive lens 102, and finally refracted into the air to present a floating display interface 104. The refractive lens 102 can be a negative refractive plate lens, which utilizes the negative refractive index of the material to change the propagation direction of the light beam. The negative refractive plate lens is made of a material with negative refractive index characteristics, which refers to a special material whose refractive index is less than zero. When light enters a negative refractive index material from a positive refractive index material, the light will undergo phase reversal at the interface. Due to the phase reversal, the propagation direction of the light in the negative refractive index material will be deflected. According to the law of refraction, the angle of incidence of the light at the interface from the positive refractive index material to the negative refractive index material is smaller than the angle of refraction, so the light will be deflected towards the normal direction of the interface. By selecting a suitable thickness and shape of the negative refractive index material, the incident light can exhibit the imaging effect of a lens after passing through the plate lens. The negative refractive plate lens is designed with a miniature array structure that exhibits optical negative refractive properties. It can periodically change the light path to generate negative refraction, achieving light focusing without the need for a curved surface. All light rays within the divergence angle of the light source converge to an axisymmetric position about the plate's cross-section after passing through the plate lens, thus obtaining a 1:1 real image and achieving aerial imaging.

[0042] According to the toll station card dispenser 1 of this utility model embodiment, the signal light emitted by the display screen 101, through the aerial imaging device 200 and processed by the imaging lens, can form a floating real image 104 that is mirror-symmetrical to the display screen 101 in the air. This means that users can clearly see the card dispensing prompts and related information while inside the vehicle, reducing the need for drivers to unbuckle their seat belts and lean out of the window when dispensing cards, thus reducing traffic safety hazards. At the same time, since drivers can obtain information and dispensing cards smoothly through the display screen 101 without leaving the driver's seat, the time spent stopping to dispensing cards is significantly reduced, directly improving vehicle traffic efficiency and alleviating traffic pressure.

[0043] Furthermore, through the cooperation of the imaging lens and the display screen 101, the operation interface (such as "Take Card" and "Confirm" buttons) is projected into the air as a floating image. Drivers can click these virtual buttons in the air with gestures or movements, without directly touching any physical device surface, thus completely avoiding contact between the user's hands and the surface of the toll station card dispenser 1, fundamentally eliminating the risk of cross-contamination from finger touch and increasing user safety.

[0044] Therefore, the toll station card dispenser 1 according to the present utility model has the advantages of improving vehicle traffic efficiency, alleviating traffic pressure and increasing user safety.

[0045] In some optional embodiments of this invention, the aerial imaging device 200 further includes an interactive sensor (not shown). The interactive sensor captures the operation command of the touch signal of the floating real image 104 and transmits the touch signal to the display screen 101 to interact with the controller 40.

[0046] When a user needs to take a card at the toll booth, the interactive sensor continuously monitors the area of ​​the floating real image 104. When the user touches the floating real image 104 with their finger, the interactive sensor can capture this touch. Once the interactive sensor captures the touch signal, it quickly transmits the signal to the display screen 101 and interacts with the controller 40. After receiving the signal, the controller 40 processes it accordingly and executes the user's corresponding operation command.

[0047] In some optional embodiments of this utility model, such as Figures 4-7 As shown, the card receiving and dispensing device 300 includes a drive motor 310 and a card receiving and dispensing platform 320. The drive motor 310 is installed inside the housing 100. The drive motor 310 is connected to the card receiving and dispensing platform 320 for transmission, and the drive motor 310 drives the card receiving and dispensing platform 320 to reciprocate to switch between the card dispensing position state and the card retrieval position state.

[0048] The drive motor 310 is installed inside the housing 100 and serves as the core power source for the card issuing and receiving device 300. When the toll station card dispenser 1 receives a card retrieval request signal, the controller 40 starts the drive motor. The drive motor 310 is connected to the card issuing and receiving platform 320 via a transmission system to transmit power. When the drive motor 310 rotates in one direction, the card issuing and receiving platform 320 moves along a set track to the card dispensing position, pushing the card out of the housing 100 for the driver to retrieve. After the card is retrieved, the drive motor 310 rotates in the opposite direction, and the card issuing and receiving platform 320 moves back to the card retrieval position, ready for the next request.

[0049] The card reader / dispenser 300 can quickly switch between the card dispensing and card retrieval positions, ensuring that drivers can quickly obtain their cards, reducing waiting time and improving vehicle traffic efficiency.

[0050] In some optional embodiments of this utility model, such as Figures 4-7 As shown, an infrared sensor 321 is constructed on the side of the card receiving platform 320 that extends toward the lane. The infrared sensor 321 is adapted to detect obstacles on the side of the lane in order to control the extension distance of the card receiving platform 320.

[0051] Infrared sensor 321 can detect obstacles on one side of the lane in a timely manner, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, or other objects. When infrared sensor 321 detects an obstacle, it can promptly report this to the control system to prevent the card reader platform 320 from colliding with the obstacle during its extension, thus protecting the safety of the toll station card dispenser 1 and the user.

[0052] Based on the detected distance to obstacles, the infrared sensor 321 can also adjust the extension distance of the card reader platform 320 in real time to ensure that it only extends within a safe range. In this way, the toll station card dispenser 1 can adapt to changes regardless of the environment, avoiding accidents.

[0053] In some optional embodiments of this utility model, such as Figures 4-7 As shown, the card receiving and sending platform 320 is equipped with a weight sensor 322 for sensing cards. When the weight sensor 322 senses a card, the drive motor 310 drives the card receiving and sending platform 320 to extend out of the housing 100.

[0054] The weight sensor 322 can detect the presence of the card in real time. When the weight sensor 322 detects the weight of the card, the drive motor 310 starts, pushing the card receiving platform 320 out of the housing 100. This ensures that the card receiving platform 320 only extends when a card is present, avoiding operation when no card is present. Furthermore, if the card receiving platform 320 automatically retracts without the driver removing the card, it could potentially cause accidental injury to the driver. The weight sensor 322 effectively prevents this, ensuring that the retraction operation only occurs after the card has been successfully removed.

[0055] The weight sensor 322 ensures that the card will only retract after it has been successfully taken by the driver, reducing unnecessary waiting time for users during the card retrieval process and making the overall operation smoother and more efficient.

[0056] In some optional embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 3 As shown, the card reader / distributor 300 also includes a card storage unit 330. The card storage unit 330 is disposed within the chassis 100 and has multiple cards stacked on it. The card storage unit 330 is located above the card reader / distributor platform 320 and is used to place cards on the card reader / distributor platform 320. Alternatively, the card storage unit 330 can also be installed on either side of the card reader / distributor platform 320.

[0057] The card storage unit 330 can stack multiple cards, ensuring orderly card storage and allowing the toll station card dispenser 1 to hold more cards during operation, reducing the need for frequent card replenishment. Located above the card receiving and dispatching platform 320, the card storage unit 330 automatically delivers the next card to the platform after a card is taken, ensuring the continuity and smoothness of the card retrieval process. The automatic card supply function of the card storage unit 330 significantly improves the efficiency of the toll station and reduces time wasted due to manual card replenishment.

[0058] In some optional embodiments of this utility model, the maximum distance that the drive motor 310 drives the card receiving platform 320 to move is 350mm. A moving distance of 350mm is sufficient to ensure that the card can be smoothly extended into a range easily accessible to the driver, improving the convenience for the user when retrieving the card, allowing the driver to retrieve the card without unfastening their seatbelt and getting out of the vehicle.

[0059] In some optional embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the card receiving and dispatching device 300 also includes a lead screw and nut mechanism 340. The lead screw and nut mechanism 340 includes a lead screw 341 and a nut 342. The motor shaft of the drive motor 310 is connected to the lead screw 341, and the card receiving and dispatching platform 320 is connected to the nut 342. The rotation of the motor shaft of the drive motor 310 causes the nut 342 and the card receiving and dispatching platform 320 to move along the axial direction of the lead screw 341.

[0060] For example, when a user arrives at the toll station and approaches the card reader / dispenser area, the motor shaft of the drive motor 310 begins to rotate. Since the motor shaft is connected to the lead screw 341, this rotation drives the lead screw 341 to rotate. As the lead screw 341 rotates, the nut 342 connected to the lead screw 341 moves axially along the lead screw 341 due to the threaded structure of the lead screw 341. The movement of the nut 342 causes the card reader / dispenser platform 320 to move back and forth axially along the lead screw 341. The card on the platform gradually extends or retracts. When the platform moves to the preset position, the user can easily take the card. After taking the card, the system can restart the drive motor 310, and the card reader / dispenser platform 320 will automatically retract to the initial position, ready for the next user.

[0061] The lead screw and nut mechanism 340 provides precise axial movement control, enabling the card receiving and dispensing platform 320 to be accurately positioned so that the user can easily retrieve the card, thereby improving the convenience of card retrieval.

[0062] In some optional embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 2 As shown, the plane on which the virtual screen 221 formed by the floating real image is located is tilted diagonally upward.

[0063] The tilted virtual screen 221 allows users to clearly see the information on the screen from different heights and angles. This viewing angle configuration can accommodate the needs of more users and reduce viewing discomfort. By tilting the virtual screen 221 upwards, the natural tendency of the eye to look upwards can be effectively utilized, making it easier for users to concentrate and quickly obtain the information they need, such as card retrieval instructions and fee information.

[0064] The tilted virtual screen 221 also makes the user's hand operation more natural, making it easier for the user to interact with the virtual screen 221 when taking the card, reducing the possibility of accidental touches and improving the smoothness of the entire operation process.

[0065] In some optional embodiments of this utility model, the toll station card dispenser 1 further includes a voice module (not shown in the figure). The voice module is disposed inside the housing 100 and communicates with the card receiving and dispensing device 300 to control the card receiving and dispensing device 300 to be placed inside the housing 100 and adapted to carry the card out of the housing 100.

[0066] For example, when a user approaches the card dispenser, the voice module can proactively prompt the user to "Please take your card" or "Please insert your card." During the user's operation, the voice module can provide real-time operation guidance, such as "Please wait while the card is being dispensed" or "Please reinsert your card." If the card fails to dispense normally or the device malfunctions, the voice module can immediately issue an alarm or prompt message to guide the user on how to handle the problem, such as "Device malfunction, please contact staff."

[0067] Voice prompts allow users to quickly understand operating procedures and device status without looking at the screen, thereby improving card retrieval efficiency and reducing user inconvenience. Simultaneously, real-time feedback provided by the voice module enhances user-machine interaction, making operation more user-friendly.

[0068] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0069] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A toll station card dispensing machine, characterized in that, include: A chassis, wherein a controller is built into the chassis, and an opening is formed on one side of the chassis; An aerial imaging device is installed inside the chassis. The aerial imaging device includes a housing, an imaging lens, and a display screen. The imaging lens and the display screen are both located in the chassis. The imaging lens is opposite to the opening. The signal light emitted from the display screen is projected onto the imaging lens. The signal light passes through the imaging lens and forms a floating real image in the air that is mirror-symmetrical to the display screen. A card transceiver is installed on the side of the chassis facing the lane. The card transceiver communicates with the aerial imaging device. The card transceiver contains a card and is placed inside the chassis and is adapted to carry the card out of the chassis.

2. The toll station card dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aerial imaging device also includes: An interactive sensor captures touch signals from the floating image as operation commands and transmits the touch signals to a display screen to interact with the controller.

3. The toll station card dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The card transceiver includes: A drive motor, which is installed inside the chassis; A card receiving and dispensing platform, wherein the drive motor is connected to the card receiving and dispensing platform for transmission, and the drive motor drives the card receiving and dispensing platform to reciprocate to switch between the card dispensing position state and the card retrieval position state.

4. The toll station card dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that, An infrared sensor is provided on the side of the card receiving platform that extends toward the lane. The infrared sensor is adapted to detect obstacles on the side of the lane in order to control the extension distance of the card receiving platform.

5. The toll station card dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that, The card receiving and sending platform is equipped with a weight sensor for sensing cards. When the weight sensor senses a card, the drive motor drives the card receiving and sending platform to extend out of the chassis.

6. The toll station card dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that, The card transceiver device further includes: A card storage device is disposed inside the chassis and has multiple cards stacked on it. The card storage device is located above the card receiving and sending platform and is used to place the cards on the card receiving and sending platform.

7. The toll station card dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that, The maximum distance the drive motor can move the card transceiver platform is 350mm.

8. The toll station card dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The card transceiver device further includes: A lead screw and nut mechanism includes a lead screw and a nut. The motor shaft of a drive motor is connected to the lead screw, and a card receiving and sending platform is connected to the nut. The rotation of the motor shaft of the drive motor causes the nut and the receiving and sending platform to move along the axial direction of the lead screw.

9. The toll station card dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plane on which the virtual screen formed by the floating real image is located is tilted diagonally upward.

10. The toll station card dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A voice module is provided inside the chassis. The voice module communicates with the card reader / distributor to control the card reader / distributor to be placed inside the chassis and adapted to carry the card out of the chassis.

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