Onboard Unit Auditing Mode for Toll System Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite-based road toll systems require expensive and highly accurate test vehicles for validation, limiting the ability to thoroughly check the correct functioning of the system across the entire road network.
Innovation Solution
An onboard unit (OBU) with a processor that can switch between a data-reduced reporting mode and a raw position fix reporting mode, allowing for remote activation of an auditing mode, and a transaction server equipped with data reduction components to recalculate and verify position reports, eliminating the need for special test vehicles and enabling comprehensive system validation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If test vehicles with reference OBUs are used to validate the road toll system, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of test vehicles using ordinary vehicles equipped with auditing OBUs. Instead of requiring special reference OBUs in dedicated test vehicles, the system generates virtual representations of vehicle trajectories and toll transactions from regular vehicles, thereby achieving validation without complex specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The auditing OBU is designed to perform multiple functions: it operates as a standard OBU for normal toll transactions while simultaneously functioning as a validation device when activated by the transaction server. This eliminates the need for separate reference OBUs and test vehicles, as ordinary vehicles can serve both purposes.
2Productivity
If data reduction is applied in the OBU, then loss of information increases, but productivity improves
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the transaction server send auditing requests to OBUs, which then transmit full position fix data for verification. The server compares the original position fixes against the data-reduced position reports, providing feedback on the accuracy of data reduction algorithms and enabling continuous optimization without compromising normal processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial data reduction during normal operation to maintain productivity, while occasionally performing excessive data collection (transmitting all position fixes) during auditing periods. This balanced approach allows the system to maintain efficient everyday operation while periodically verifying data reduction accuracy through comprehensive data transmission.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an onboard unit (3) for a road toll system, comprising a satellite receiver (4) for generating a sequence of position fixes (pi), a mobile communication module (12) for communication via a mobile network (13) with a remote transaction server (14), and a processor (3') connected to the satellite receiver (12) and controlling the mobile communication module (12), which is configured to generate a data-reduced sequence of position messages (mj) from the sequence of position fixes (pi) by means of data reduction in a first operating state and to send it to the transaction server (14) via the mobile communication module (12), and in a second operating state to send all position fixes (pi) of the sequence to the transaction server (14) via the mobile communication module (12), wherein the processor (3') can be switched from the first operating mode to the second operating mode alternatively or additionally by means of a request message received via the mobile communication module (12).The invention further relates to a transaction server (14) designed for this purpose.