BLEET Transponder Protocol Switching for Multi-Agency Tolling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle tracking systems for tolling and congestion pricing face issues with incompatibility across different toll agencies, requiring multiple tags and lack of user-friendly, secure, and efficient methods for reprogramming and managing toll transponders, leading to user inconvenience and potential fraud.
Innovation Solution
A Bluetooth Low-Energy Enabled Transponder (BLEET) equipped with multiple protocols and secure communication mechanisms, allowing reprogramming and management via a smartphone app, ensuring compatibility and security through public-key cryptography, and integrating motion sensors to prevent distracted driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple toll tags are used for different toll agencies, then compatibility with various toll agencies is improved, but device complexity and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal transponder capable of operating with multiple toll agencies through a single device. The transponder includes multiple protocol modules that can be dynamically activated based on the detected toll agency type, eliminating the need for users to carry multiple agency-specific tags while maintaining full compatibility across different toll systems
Solution Approach 2:
The transponder employs dynamic protocol selection where the device automatically detects which toll agency infrastructure is present and activates the appropriate communication protocol in real-time. This dynamic adaptation allows a single transponder to function across multiple agencies without requiring manual configuration or switching by the user
2Reliability
If transponders are programmed at factory with dedicated protocols, then communication reliability with specific agencies is improved, but adaptability to other agencies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transponder is divided into multiple independent protocol modules, each dedicated to a specific toll agency protocol. This segmentation allows each module to maintain optimized, reliable communication for its specific protocol while the overall device can switch between modules based on the detected agency, thus preserving communication reliability for each protocol while achieving multi-agency compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The transponder combines multiple protocol implementation layers into a single composite device structure. Each protocol layer is independently implemented but integrated within the same hardware platform, allowing the device to maintain the reliability characteristics of dedicated protocol implementations while achieving versatility through the composite multi-protocol architecture
3Adaptability or versatility
If reprogramming capability is added to transponders, then adaptability and user convenience are improved, but security risks and potential fraud increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the transponder continuously verifies reprogramming requests against authorized user credentials and system policies. The roadside equipment and central server provide feedback validation, ensuring that only authenticated users can reprogram their own transponders with approved protocols, thus enabling adaptability while preventing unauthorized access and fraud
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary authentication layer is introduced between the user and the reprogramming function. The system uses secure credential verification and authorized dealer networks as intermediaries to mediate reprogramming operations, allowing users to adapt their transponders to different agencies while the intermediary layer prevents fraud by verifying user identity and authorization before allowing any protocol changes
4Ease of operation
If users can manage transponders independently, then ease of operation is improved, but security control and fraud prevention worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to perform self-service operations such as activating/deactivating protocols and managing their own transponder configurations through authenticated interfaces. This self-service capability improves ease of operation by allowing users to independently manage their transponders, while built-in authentication and authorization mechanisms prevent fraud by ensuring only the legitimate owner can access and modify their device
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables seamless transition between toll agencies, reduces the need for multiple tags, enhances security, and minimizes driver distraction by allowing tag management through a smartphone app, thereby improving user convenience and fraud prevention.
Implementation Method 1
A Bluetooth Low-Energy Enabled Transponder (BLEET) equipped with multiple protocols and secure communication mechanisms
Implementation Method 2
ensuring compatibility and security through public-key cryptography
Data Source
AI summary
An RFID transponder including a Bluetooth® compatible transceiver (BLEET) is described. The Bluetooth® compatible transceiver may be configured to set data that is transmitted via one or more RFID transceivers in the transponder and to return data received by the RFID transceiver(s) to a client application running, for example, on a user's smart phone. The BLEET may be used for electronic vehicle tracking or tolling. Vehicle occupancy data may be set by the user with the client application via a Bluetooth® connection in connection with high occupancy vehicle tolling and express lane incentive programs. The BLEET may be used in a congestion pricing (CP) toll area, wherein the smart phone determines a toll rate based on the location, when triggered by the BLEET, that the BLEET was read by an RFID reader located on a boundary of the CP toll area.