RFID Toll Module Interoperability and Fraud Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated toll systems lack flexibility and security, with transponders being inflexible and prone to toll fraud, and the Toll-by-Plate system being inaccurate and costly, while existing technologies fail to incentivize user engagement and promote interoperability among different tolling systems.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device-based system that integrates RFID technology with a toll application, allowing for cross-platform and cross-protocol interoperability, using a portable RFID toll module that can be embedded in or connected to a smartphone, providing a user-friendly and secure method for toll payment across various tolling systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a fixed transponder is mounted in the vehicle, then automated toll collection is enabled, but flexibility when changing vehicles or using rental cars is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mobile device with a camera to capture images of the license plate, creating a visual copy/record of the vehicle identification rather than relying on a fixed transponder. This allows the toll system to identify and charge the correct vehicle owner regardless of which vehicle is being used, thereby providing flexibility while maintaining automated toll collection.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed transponder is used, then automated toll payment is simplified, but security against toll fraud and vehicle theft is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from multiple sources including camera images of the license plate, GPS location data, and communication with the toll authority's database to verify the vehicle's identity and ownership. This multi-layer feedback mechanism ensures that tolls are charged to the correct owner while maintaining ease of operation through automated recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the vehicle and the toll system. It captures images, stores them in a database, and facilitates communication with the toll authority, adding a layer of security and verification that prevents fraud while keeping the user experience simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Toll-by-Plate system is used, then interoperability is achieved, but accuracy and convenience are reduced due to obscured visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing and storing high-quality images of the license plate in advance, and by pre-configuring the mobile device with the necessary software and database connections. This ensures that when toll collection is needed, the system can quickly and accurately identify the vehicle without relying on real-time visibility conditions.
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
The system enhances user flexibility and security, ensuring accurate and reliable toll payments, while promoting interoperability and reducing costs by allowing seamless use across multiple toll agencies and geographical areas, with features like parent-child account management and automatic payment reconciliation.
Implementation Method 1
A mobile device-based system that integrates RFID technology with a toll application, allowing for cross-platform and cross-protocol interoperability
Data Source
AI summary
A system, mobile device, backend server, and RFID toll module work in cooperation to automatically pay vehicular tolls to a toll agency that operates toll stations along a roadways travelled by the user of the mobile device. Upon approaching a toll station the mobile device enables the RFID toll module. The toll reader at the toll station transmits a toll reader signal that is received by the RFID toll module, which responds by transmitting a unique identifier. The unique identifier is associated with the mobile device at a toll account maintained by a toll service backend server. Upon completion of a toll transaction, the RFID toll module indicates the transaction to the mobile device, which forwards toll transaction information to the toll service backend server for payment from the toll account to the toll agency.