METHOD FOR MAKING A PAYMENT ON BOARD OF A VEHICLE AND DEVICE FOR THIS PURPOSE

Description

Field of expertise

[0001] The invention relates to a method for making a payment on board a vehicle and a device intended for this purpose and belongs to the field of payment technology. Technical background

[0002] With the increasing popularity of vehicles, many families own one. Therefore, driving has become very common.

[0003] When driving, you encounter numerous payment scenarios. Drivers must pay, for example, when refueling at a gas station, charging their electric vehicles at charging stations, parking in parking lots, at toll plazas while driving on the highway, and at car washes.

[0004] In these cases, payments are made either in cash, by bank card or mobile phone, or the payment is made automatically using the electronic on-board license plates of the ETC system installed in the vehicle.

[0005] Cash, card, or mobile phone payments are inconvenient for many people, as they may forget to bring them. Furthermore, installing equipment in a vehicle also costs money, which can lead to additional costs.

[0006] US 2016 193 998 A1 provides a method for automatically activating a camera system when the control system detects that an obstacle is in the path of the vehicle, thereby helping the driver to avoid the obstacle altogether.

[0007] CN 105 931 308 A provides a toll collection system and method. When a vehicle enters a toll station, a charging terminal converts the received billing information into corresponding identification information and displays the identification information at a preset location within the toll station. A vehicle-mounted camera device can recognize the identification information, allowing the received billing information to be transmitted to a vehicle terminal payment terminal for payment. A payment result can then be directly returned to the charging terminal, allowing the vehicle to drive away.Therefore, the charging control mode achieves automatic charging of the vehicle, and a vehicle driver does not need to stop the vehicle to pay, thus saving charging time, preventing the vehicle from lingering at the toll station, and ensuring the smooth passage of vehicles at the toll station.

[0008] DE 10 2010 051 205 A1 relates to a method for displaying images on a display device, wherein at least one camera captures image data about the surroundings of the motor vehicle. The display device is operated in at least two operating modes, which differ from one another in the view of the surroundings on the display device. An operating mode of the display device is activated based on an input from an operator. When the operating mode is activated by the operator, a data value indicating this operating mode is assigned to a current value of at least one measurement parameter of the motor vehicle and stored in a memory device. Once this value for the measurement parameter is available again, the assigned operating mode of the display device is automatically activated.

[0009] US 2013 / 141 578 A1 describes a vehicle vision system comprising at least one camera arranged on a vehicle and having a field of view outside the vehicle, and comprising a controller with an image processor for processing image data acquired by the at least one camera. The controller, responsive at least in part to image processing of the acquired image data by the image processor, is capable of performing one or more actions based on the detection of selected elements in the image data acquired by the at least one camera. The controller may control the operation of an additional component in the vehicle besides the camera. The vision system may comprise a forward-facing camera, a rear-facing camera, and / or a side-facing camera.

[0010] According to EP 3 104 124 A1, a toll collection method and a toll system are provided in which a vehicle device is equipped with an optical detection device which is designed to record at least one image of a roadside first arrangement of machine-readable signs and thus to optically detect a first item of self-position information provided by the roadside first arrangement of machine-readable signs, and in which a toll fee for the use of that section of road whose travel is implied by the detection of the first item of self-position information is determined from one or more detected first items of self-position information. Description of the invention

[0011] In view of the above-mentioned problems of the existing art, according to an embodiment of the invention, a method and an apparatus are provided which are used for making payments on board vehicles so that a vehicle user can make payments in a more cost-effective manner.

[0012] The present invention is defined by the appended independent claims, and preferred aspects of the invention are defined by the appended dependent claims.

[0013] With the scheme according to the embodiment of the invention, the vehicle user can make payments using the on-board camera equipment and the on-board computer without having to carry cash, bank cards, or a mobile phone, and without having to install additional devices. Compared to existing technology, the scheme according to the embodiment of the invention can enable the vehicle user to make payments in a more cost-effective manner. Short description of the drawings

[0014] The following detailed description, in combination with the accompanying drawings, illustrates the features, properties, and advantages of the invention. They show: Fig. 1 the diagram of a system for making a payment on board a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 the flowchart of a method for making a payment on board a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 the flowchart of a method for making a payment on board a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of a method for making a payment on board a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a device for making a payment on board a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6the schematic diagram of a control according to an embodiment of the invention and Fig. 7 the schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. Concrete details

[0015] The subject matter described herein will now be explained with reference to exemplary embodiments. It is to be understood that the explanations merely provide a person skilled in the art with a better understanding of the subject matter and thus enable it to be implemented, and are in no way to be construed as a limitation of the scope of protection, area of application, or the examples recited in the claims. Functions and arrangements of the described elements may be changed without exceeding the scope of the disclosure. The examples may be omitted, replaced, or supplemented with different processes or components. For example, the described method may be carried out in an order that differs from the described order, and steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Furthermore, the features described in some examples may be combined in other examples.

[0016] For the purposes of this document, the term "comprising" and its variants are to be understood inclusively. The term "based on" means "based at least in part on." "An embodiment" means "at least one embodiment." The term "another embodiment" means "at least one further embodiment." The terms "first" and "second" may refer to the same or different objects. They may also be defined differently below, either explicitly or implicitly. Unless the context expressly requires otherwise, the definition of a term remains the same in all cases.

[0017] Fig. 1 shows the diagram of the architecture of a system for making a payment on board a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in Fig. 1As shown, the system 10 for making a payment on board a vehicle may include a plurality of on-board camera equipment 20, an on-board computer 30, a billing server 40, and an auxiliary payment server 50. The plurality of on-board camera equipment 20 and the on-board computer 30 are arranged on a vehicle 60. The on-board computer 30 may be connected to the plurality of on-board camera equipment 20 via a wireless or wired connection, and may communicate wirelessly with the billing server 40 and the auxiliary payment server 50, respectively.

[0018] The plurality of camera equipments 20 may include a front view camera, a left side view camera, a right side view camera, and a rear view camera of the vehicle 60.

[0019] The on-board computer 30 stores data I used to indicate the situation in which the plurality of camera devices 20 easily records the payment data. In this case, the payment data may, in particular, be data from a toll barrier at a motorway entrance or exit, data from a gas station's fuel pump, and data from a charging column at a charging station. The situation may, in particular, be a gas station, a charging station, and a motorway toll booth. For example, assume that the left side-view camera of the plurality of camera devices 20 more easily records the payment data at a toll booth, the right side-view camera of the plurality of camera devices 20 more easily records the payment data at a gas station, and the rear-view camera of the plurality of camera devices 20 more easily records the payment data at a charging station.From this, it can be concluded that the left side-view camera 20 records payment data more easily at a motorway toll booth, the right side-view camera 20 records it more easily at a gas station, and the rearview camera 20 records it more easily at a charging station. The data I can be set before delivery of the vehicle 60 and remain unchanged, or it can be modified by the owner of the vehicle 60 or a corresponding person.

[0020] In addition, the on-board computer 30 also stores data IP-1 of the vehicle user 60 as a payer, which includes the license plate number of the vehicle 60 and the license plate number of the payment account of the vehicle user 60.

[0021] The settlement server 40 is used to calculate the amount to be paid. The auxiliary payment server 50 is used to support the payment process.

[0022] Fig. 2shows the flowchart of a method for making a payment on board a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the invention. The first embodiment relates to the payment of motorway tolls. A method 200 is described in the Fig. 2 hereinafter referred to in connection with System 10 of the Fig. 1 described in more detail.

[0023] As in Fig. 2 , Block 202, when the user is driving the vehicle 60, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 continuously determines the current location of the vehicle 60, e.g. (in particular) by means of GPS or the navigation system of the vehicle 60, and determines the circumstances surrounding the current position of the vehicle 60 using map data or other means.

[0024] When the user drives the vehicle 60 on a highway and reaches an entrance toll station G1 of the highway, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 determines that the current location of the vehicle 60 is the toll station G1.

[0025] In block 204, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 determines, based on the stored data I used to indicate situations in which the majority of camera equipment 20 of the vehicle 60 easily records the payment data, the camera equipment 20 of the vehicle 60 that easily records the payment data at the toll booth. On highways, the payment data is the data at the toll booths, and the toll booth data is usually fixed on the barriers as QR codes or similar. Therefore, the front camera is the camera equipment of the vehicle 60 that easily records the payment data at toll booths.

[0026] In block 206, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 activates the specific camera equipment 20 of the vehicle 60 so that the camera equipment 20 begins to record an image upon activation. The image recorded by the camera equipment 20 upon activation includes the data of the toll station G1.

[0027] In block 208, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 processes the image captured by the camera equipment 20 when switched on in order to record the data of the toll station G1.

[0028] In block 210, the vehicle's on-board computer 30 switches off the camera equipment 20 after the data from toll station G1 has been recorded.

[0029] After passing the toll station G1, the user drives the vehicle 60 further on the motorway, and upon reaching an exit toll station G2 of the motorway, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 determines that the current location of the vehicle 60 is the toll station G2 of the motorway.

[0030] In block 212, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 determines the camera equipment 20 of the vehicle 60 that easily records the payment data at the toll station based on the stored data I used to indicate the situations in which the plurality of camera equipments 20 of the vehicle 60 easily record the payment data.

[0031] In block 214, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 activates the specific camera equipment 20 of the vehicle 60 so that the camera equipment 20 begins to record an image upon activation. The image recorded by the camera equipment 20 upon activation includes the data of the toll station G2.

[0032] In block 215, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 processes the image captured by the camera equipment 20 when switched on in order to record the data of the toll station G2.

[0033] In block 216, the vehicle's on-board computer 30 switches off the camera equipment 20 after the data from toll station G2 has been recorded.

[0034] In block 218, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 sends the data of the toll station G1 and the data of the toll station G2 to the billing server 40 in order to request the calculation of the motorway toll.

[0035] In block 220, after receiving the data of toll station G1 and the data of toll station G2 from the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60, the billing server 40 calculates the toll amount (ie the amount to be paid) for the section defined by toll station G1 and toll station G2, using the stored data showing the toll for the section defined by any two consecutive toll stations of the motorway.

[0036] In block 222, the billing server 40 sends the calculated toll amount and the recipient data to the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60.

[0037] In block 224, after receiving the toll amount and the recipient data from the billing server 40, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 displays a plurality of available payment methods for selection by the user of the vehicle 60. The user of the vehicle 60 can select an expected payment method from the plurality of displayed available payment methods. In this case, the available payment methods may include, in particular, WeChat Pay, Alipay, credit cards, and online banks.

[0038] In block 226, after the user of the vehicle 60 selects the expected payment method, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 generates billing data including the recipient data, the payer data (data of the user of the vehicle 60), the received toll amount, and the selected payment method.

[0039] In block 228, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 sends the generated invoice data to the auxiliary payment server 50 to request payment.

[0040] In block 230, after receiving the billing data from the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60, the auxiliary payment server 50 interacts with the predetermined payment server corresponding to the payment method contained in the received billing data to execute the payment specified in the received billing data and to obtain the payment result returned by the payment server.

[0041] In block 232, the auxiliary payment server 50 sends the payment result to the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60.

[0042] In block 234, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 displays the payment result received from the auxiliary payment server 50 on its screen.

[0043] Fig. 3shows the flowchart of a method for making a payment on board a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the invention. The second embodiment relates to the payment of fuel costs incurred at a gas station. A method 300 is described in the Fig. 3 hereinafter referred to in connection with System 10 of the Fig. 1 described in more detail.

[0044] As in Fig. 3 , Block 302, when the user is driving the vehicle 60, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 continuously determines the current location of the vehicle 60, e.g. (in particular) by means of GPS or the navigation system of the vehicle 60, and determines the circumstances surrounding the current position of the vehicle 60 using map data or other means.

[0045] If the user wants to refuel the vehicle 60 and drives to a gas station G3, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 determines that the current location of the vehicle 60 is the gas station G3.

[0046] In block 304, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 determines the camera equipment 20 of the vehicle 60 that will easily capture the payment data at the gas station based on the stored data I used to indicate the situations in which the majority of camera equipment 20 of the vehicle 60 will easily capture the payment data. At the gas station, the payment data is the gas pump data of the gas station, and the gas pump data is typically affixed to the outer surface of the refueling device connected to the pump as a QR code, etc.

[0047] In block 306, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 activates the specific camera equipment 20 of the vehicle 60 so that the camera equipment 20 begins to capture an image upon activation. The image captured by the camera equipment 20 upon activation includes the data from the fuel nozzle at the gas station G3 used to refuel the vehicle 60. Assume here that the fuel nozzle q at the gas station G3 is used to refuel the vehicle 60.

[0048] In block 308, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 processes the image captured by the camera equipment 20 when switched on in order to acquire the data of the fuel nozzle q.

[0049] In block 310, the vehicle's on-board computer 30 switches off the camera equipment 20 when switched on after the data from the fuel nozzle q have been acquired.

[0050] In block 312, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 sends the recorded data of the fuel nozzle q to the billing server 40 to inform the billing server 40 that the vehicle 60 is being refueled with the fuel nozzle q.

[0051] In block 314, the refueling device connected to the fuel nozzle q sends the total fuel quantity of the fuel nozzle q to the billing server 40 after completion of the refueling process.

[0052] In block 316, after receiving the total fueling quantity of the fuel nozzle q from the fueling device connected to the fuel nozzle q, the billing server 40 calculates the fueling quantity of the vehicle 60 (ie, the amount to be paid) based on the unit price of the fuel and the total fueling quantity of the fuel nozzle q.

[0053] In block 318, the billing server 40 sends the fuel quantity of the vehicle 60 and the receiver data to the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60.

[0054] In block 320, after receiving the fuel quantity of the vehicle 60 and the recipient data from the billing server 40, the vehicle's on-board computer 30 displays a plurality of available payment methods for selection by the user of the vehicle 60. The user of the vehicle 60 can select an expected payment method from the plurality of available payment methods displayed.

[0055] In block 322, after the user of the vehicle 60 selects the expected payment method, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 generates billing data including the recipient data, the payer data (data of the user of the vehicle 60), the received fuel quantity of the vehicle 60 and the selected payment method.

[0056] In block 324, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 sends the generated invoice data to the auxiliary payment server 50 to request payment. In block 326, after receiving the invoice data from the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60, the auxiliary payment server 50 interacts with the specified payment server corresponding to the payment method contained in the received invoice data to execute the payment specified in the received invoice data and obtain the payment result returned by the payment server.

[0057] In block 328, the auxiliary payment server 50 sends the payment result to the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60.

[0058] In block 330, the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 displays the payment result received from the auxiliary payment server 50 on its screen.

[0059] From the above description, it can be seen that the scheme according to the embodiment allows the vehicle user to make payments using the on-board camera equipment and the on-board computer without cash, bank cards, or mobile phones, as well as without additional devices. Thus, the scheme according to the embodiment enables the vehicle user to make payments easily.

[0060] Furthermore, the on-board camera equipment and on-board computer used for payment in the scheme according to the embodiment are already included in the vehicle's equipment, so no additional devices are required. Thus, the scheme according to the embodiment allows the vehicle user to make payments in a more cost-effective manner.

[0061] In addition, in the scheme according to the embodiment, the on-board camera equipment of the vehicle, which can easily record the payment data under the accompanying circumstances of the current position of the vehicle, can be turned on to record the payment data, which makes the payment process more convenient for the vehicle user.

[0062] In addition, the available payment methods are displayed in the scheme according to the form of execution for the user to select the expected payment method, which can make the payment process even more convenient for the vehicle user. Other variants

[0063] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the aforementioned functions of the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 60 can also be performed by other on-board equipment of the vehicle 60 (in particular, for example, the navigation system and the infotainment system of the vehicle 60).

[0064] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the schemes according to the invention also have other suitable applications besides highways and petrol stations, such as parking lots and charging stations.

[0065] Fig. 4 shows the flowchart of a method for making a payment on board a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. The method 400 of Fig. 4 can be performed by the vehicle's on-board computer or other on-board equipment.

[0066] As in Fig. 4 As shown, the method 400 may include, at block 402, the step of determining the on-board camera equipment that will capture the payment data under the circumstances surrounding the current location of a vehicle from a plurality of on-board camera equipment when payment data is to be captured.

[0067] The method 400 may also include the step of turning on the particular on-board camera equipment of the vehicle in block 404.

[0068] The method 400 may also include the step of capturing the payment data from images captured by the enabled camera equipment in block 406 to make the payment.

[0069] The method 400 may also include the following steps: sending the captured payment data to a billing server to calculate the amount to be paid, and sending the invoice data to an auxiliary payment server to request payment when the amount to be paid and the recipient data are received from the billing server, wherein the invoice data includes at least the recipient data, the payer data and the amount to be paid.

[0070] Block 402 may include the steps of determining the current location of the vehicle; identifying the circumstances surrounding the current location; and identifying, from the plurality of on-board camera devices, the on-board camera device that can individually and easily record the payment data based on the data used to indicate the circumstances under which the plurality of on-board camera devices can individually and easily record the payment data.

[0071] The method 300 may also include the step of displaying the plurality of available payment methods for selection by the vehicle user before sending the billing data to the auxiliary payment server, wherein the billing data also includes the payment method selected by the vehicle user.

[0072] The payment data is recorded on the barrier of a motorway toll station or on the external surface of the refuelling equipment of a petrol station in order to be captured by the on-board camera equipment when switched on.

[0073] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a device for making a payment on board a vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention. The device 500 of Figure 5 can be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination thereof and can be installed in the vehicle's on-board computer or other suitable on-board equipment.

[0074] As shown in Figure 5, the device 500 may include the determination module 502, the activation module 504, and the acquisition module 506. The determination module 502 is used to determine the on-board camera equipment that will capture payment data under the circumstances surrounding the current location of a vehicle from a plurality of on-board camera equipment when payment data is to be captured. The activation module 504 is used to activate the specific camera equipment of the vehicle. The acquisition module 506 is used to capture the payment data from images captured by the activated camera equipment to process the payment.

[0075] The device 500 may also include a sending module used to send the acquired payment data to the billing server to calculate the amount to be paid, and to send the invoice data to an auxiliary payment server to request payment when the amount to be paid and the recipient data are received from the billing server, wherein the invoice data includes at least the recipient data, the payer data, and the amount to be paid.

[0076] The determination module 502 includes: a location module used to locate the current location of the vehicle; a recognition module used to identify the circumstances surrounding the current situation; and a detection module used to detect the on-board camera equipment that can individually and easily record the payment data from the plurality of on-board camera equipments, based on the data used to indicate the circumstances under which the plurality of on-board camera equipments can individually and easily record the payment data.

[0077] The device 500 also includes a display module used to display the plurality of available payment methods for selection by the vehicle user before sending the billing data to the auxiliary payment server, wherein the billing data also includes the payment method selected by the vehicle user.

[0078] The payment data is recorded on the barrier of a motorway toll station or on the external surface of the refuelling equipment of a petrol station in order to be captured by the on-board camera equipment when switched on.

[0079] Fig. 6 shows the schematic diagram of the on-board equipment of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. As in Fig. 6 As shown, the on-board equipment 600 may include a processor 602 and a memory 604, wherein the memory 604 stores executable instructions required for the execution of the Fig. 4 shown method 400 by the processor 602.

[0080] According to the embodiment of the invention, a machine-readable data carrier is also provided which stores executable instructions which enable the machine to carry out the method 400 of the Fig. 4 make possible.

[0081] Fig. 7 shows the schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. As in Fig. 7 As shown, the vehicle 700 includes a plurality of on-board camera equipment 702 and on-board equipment 600. The plurality of camera equipment 702 may specifically include a front view camera, a left side view camera, a right side view camera, and a rear view camera of the vehicle 700.

[0082] The embodiments described above, in combination with the accompanying drawings, describe the exemplary embodiments and not all embodiments that are feasible or fall within the scope of the claims. "Exemplary" as used herein means "used as examples, examples, or illustrations" rather than "preferred" or "more advantageous" than other embodiments. The embodiments include specific details to better explain the described technologies. However, the technologies may also be implemented without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagrams to avoid obscuring the described embodiments.

[0083] The above description of the invention is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement and utilize the disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to various modifications, and the general principle defined herein may be applied in other variants without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the examples described herein, but is intended to reflect the broadest scope of the principle and novel features of the invention.

Claims

1. Method for transacting a payment on board a vehicle by means of an on-board computer, comprising the following steps: continuously determining the current location of the vehicle and determining a situation of the current position and determining the situation in which the motor vehicle is located based on the current location and based on map data; specifying the on-board camera equipment which can record payment data in the situation of the current location of a vehicle by a plurality of pieces of on-board camera equipment, when payment data are to be recorded, based on stored data used to indicate the situations in which the plurality of pieces of on-board camera equipment can record the payment data, and wherein the data are fixed and unchangeable; switching on the specified camera equipment of the vehicle; capturing payment data from images recorded by the switched-on camera equipment in order to transact the payment; sending the captured payment data to a billing server in order to calculate the amount to be paid; sending the invoice data to an auxiliary payment server in order to request payment when the amount to be paid and the recipient data are received from the billing server, wherein the invoice data contain at least the recipient data, the payer data and the amount to be paid; displaying a variety of available payment methods for the vehicle user to select before the invoice data are sent to the auxiliary payment server, wherein the invoice data also include the payment method selected by the vehicle user.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the step of specifying the on-board camera equipment which the payment data in the situation of the current position of the vehicle by a plurality of pieces of on-board camera equipment comprises the following steps: determining the current location of the vehicle; identifying the situation of the current position and detecting, from the plurality of pieces of on-board camera equipment, the on-board camera equipment which can individually and easily record the payment data, based on the data used to indicate the circumstances in which the plurality of pieces of on-board camera equipment can individually and easily record the payment data.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein: the payment data are fixed on the barrier of a turnpike toll station or on the external surface of the refueling equipment of a gas station in order to be captured by the on-board camera equipment when switched on.

4. Device for transacting a payment on board a vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising: a specifying module used for specifying the on-board camera equipment, which the payment data in the situation of the current location of a vehicle by a plurality of pieces of on-board camera equipment, when payment data are to be recorded; a switch-on module used to switch on the specified camera equipment of the vehicle, and a capturing module used to capture payment data from images recorded by the switched-on camera equipment in order to transact the payment.

5. Device according to claim 4, further comprising: a sending module used to send the captured payment data to a billing server to calculate the amount to be paid, and to send the invoice data to an auxiliary payment server to request the payment when the amount to be paid and the recipient data are received from the billing server, wherein the invoice data include at least the recipient data, the payer data and the amount to be paid.

6. Device according to claim 4, wherein the specifying module comprises: a localization module used to localize the current location of the vehicle; a recognition module used to identify the current situation of the current location, and a detection module used to detect, from the plurality of pieces of on-board camera equipment, the on-board camera equipment which can individually and easily record the payment data, based on the data used to indicate the circumstances in which the plurality of pieces of on-board camera equipment can individually and easily record the payment data.

7. Device according to claim 5, further comprising: a display module used to display a variety of available payment methods for selection by the vehicle user before the invoice data are sent to the auxiliary payment server, wherein the invoice data also include the payment method selected by the vehicle user.

8. On-board equipment item comprising: a processor; and a memory for storing executable instructions which allow the processor to execute any of the methods according to any of claims 1 - 3.

9. Machine-readable data carrier for storing executable instructions which allow the processor to execute any of the methods according to any of claims 1 - 3.

10. Vehicle comprising: a plurality of pieces of on-board camera equipment and the on-board equipment item according to claim 8.