Duration-Based Toll Billing System for Fleet Rental
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current toll systems often require manual payment and lack efficient methods for billing third-party entity vehicles, leading to inefficiencies and potential toll violations, as they charge based on usage rather than a predetermined service period.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows for duration-based tolling, where a toll rental entity gathers vehicle information from third-party entities and communicates with a toll authority to charge customers based on the rental period, regardless of usage, using a Pre-authorized Toll Pass and opt-in/opt-out services, enabling billing through a computer-readable medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If toll systems charge based on usage, then payment accuracy is improved, but administrative complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the billing parameter from usage-based to duration-based. Instead of measuring and charging for each toll usage event, the system charges based on the rental period duration, fundamentally altering the measurement basis to simplify administration while maintaining payment accuracy for the service period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple toll usage events into a single duration-based charge. By combining all potential toll usages during the rental period into one comprehensive fee, the system eliminates the need for tracking individual usage events, thereby reducing administrative complexity while ensuring the customer pays for the entire service period.
2Device complexity
If manual payment methods are used, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated self-service system where the toll rental entity automatically charges the customer's account based on the rental period. The system autonomously calculates duration, processes payments, and generates records without manual intervention, thereby increasing operational efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-authorizing the toll pass and setting up automatic charging before the rental period begins. The system pre-configures the billing parameters and automatically executes charges based on predetermined rules, eliminating the need for manual payment processing during and after the rental period, thus improving productivity.
3Quantity of substance
If usage-based billing is implemented, then cost accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional toll billing approach by charging for the rental period rather than for each usage event. Instead of accumulating and billing for individual toll usages, the system bills upfront or periodically based on the time duration, making the process simpler for customers while maintaining accurate cost allocation for the service period.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer readable medium for billing based on a duration of a service period, comprises sending fleet data from a third party entity to a toll authority via a toll rental entity, matching toll data with the fleet data by the toll authority, if the toll data matches the fleet data: charging an account by the toll authority and sending the matched data to the toll rental entity, determining, by the toll rental entity, if the sent matched data is related to an opt-in for duration based tolling or an opt-out for duration based tolling, if the sent matched data is related to an opt-in for duration based tolling, charging the third party entity for the duration based tolling, and if the sent matched data is related to an opt-out for duration based tolling, applying at least one of: a fee for the duration based tolling, a toll usage amount, a service fee for the duration based tolling, and a service fee for the toll usage.