RFID Transponder Occupancy Switch for HOV Tolling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HOT/HOV lane toll systems rely on driver self-declaration of vehicle occupancy, which is prone to errors and does not effectively differentiate between toll levels, leading to potential violations or increased costs due to incorrect transponder disabling.
Innovation Solution
A passive RFID transponder with multiple ASICS connected to the antenna circuit, allowing the driver to select occupancy status through a switch mechanism, enabling two or more toll levels and maintaining compatibility with conventional toll systems by using a common ID number accessible via a read-only protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If driver self-declaration is used to indicate occupancy status, then the system is simple to operate, but the accuracy of occupancy status is poor leading to potential violations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service by allowing the driver to automatically indicate occupancy status through the switch mechanism connected to the transponder, eliminating the need for manual declaration while maintaining ease of use. The switch positions automatically configure the transponder to transmit appropriate occupancy information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual self-declaration with an automated electronic system where a mechanical switch automatically configures the transponder's transmission based on occupancy status, substituting human judgment with an automated electronic indication system that improves accuracy while remaining simple to operate.
2Device complexity
If transponder disabling mechanism is used, then the system is simple, but it is limited to toll/no toll applications and cannot differentiate between toll levels
Solution Approach 1:
The transponder is segmented into multiple independent ASICs, each programmed with different occupancy status information. This allows the system to transmit different toll level information (full toll, discounted toll, free passage) depending on the switch position, enabling multi-level toll differentiation while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The transponder is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple ASICs that can handle different toll scenarios (full toll, discounted toll, free passage). The same physical transponder unit can serve multiple toll application types by simply changing the switch position, making the system universally applicable to various HOT lane configurations.
3Ease of operation
If simple on/off transponder switch is used, then the operation is convenient, but the risk of incorrect disabling increases leading to violations or increased video processing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The switch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the driver's occupancy declaration and the transponder's transmission state. It provides a controlled interface that automatically configures the appropriate ASIC based on switch position, reducing the risk of incorrect disabling by eliminating direct manual control over the complex multi-ASIC system while maintaining operational convenience.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ASICs are used in the transponder, then toll level differentiation is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple ASICs are merged into a single transponder unit, sharing common hardware resources such as the antenna, RF front-end, and power supply. The ASICs are connected to the antenna through a switch mechanism, allowing them to share the transmission infrastructure. This merging approach enables toll level differentiation while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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
Ensures accurate toll collection and enforcement by ensuring all vehicles are detected, reducing the risk of evasion and maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure, while allowing for differentiated occupancy-based tolling.
Implementation Method 1
A passenger in the vehicle operates a switch mechanism to indicate an occupancy status of the vehicle. Each position of the switch mechanism indicates a different occupancy status. The transponder transmits the occupancy status to a reader
Data Source
AI summary
An RFID tag is disclosed for use in roadway tolling systems having specially designated lanes for high occupancy vehicles, wherein more favorable toll rates are allotted to vehicles with more than one occupant. In an embodiment, the tag has a selection switch for connecting one of a plurality of ASICs to an antenna. Each ASIC is programmed to transmit a different message, wherein the message conveys information regarding the occupancy level of the vehicle. There is also information in the ASICs that is common to them for the tag.