Roadside Toll Parameter Display via Onboard Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current road pricing systems face challenges in effectively enforcing toll charging parameters, particularly in large-scale implementations, due to reliance on time-consuming manual observation and unreliable automated image processing methods, which are hindered by factors like windshield glare and passenger shadowing.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for displaying toll charging parameters set in a vehicle's onboard-unit on a roadside display, using wireless communication links like DSRC or WAVE, allowing real-time public display of parameters such as the number of occupants or vehicle class, facilitating easy detection of discrepancies and promoting accurate parameter setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual observation and camera link are used to control and enforce parameter settings, then parameter enforcement can be performed, but the process is time consuming and not feasible for larger road networks
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service enforcement by automatically displaying toll charging parameters on roadside displays, allowing the system to enforce parameters without requiring continuous manual observation or camera monitoring. The onboard-unit automatically transmits parameter data, and the roadside display presents it to users, enabling the system to self-regulate and eliminate time-consuming manual enforcement.
2Extent of automation
If electronic image processing means are used to automatically determine the number of occupants, then automated enforcement is achieved, but windshield glare and passenger shadowing deteriorate recognition results significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the parameter display function from the problematic image processing system. Instead of using cameras to capture and analyze vehicle images (which suffer from glare and shadowing issues), the system extracts the essential parameter data from the onboard-unit directly and displays it on roadside displays. This eliminates the need for optical recognition of occupants while maintaining automated enforcement capability.
3Extent of automation
If sophisticated object recognition techniques are used in camera pictures, then automated determination of toll charging parameters is achieved, but the system becomes complex and unreliable for commercial deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary approach by using the onboard-unit as a trusted source of parameter data. Instead of directly analyzing complex visual data with sophisticated algorithms, the system uses the onboard-unit (which already contains the necessary parameter information) as an intermediary to provide accurate data to roadside displays. This simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining automated enforcement.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for displaying toll charging parameters of vehicles by means of a roadside display. In one embodiment, parameters are sent from an onboard-unit of the vehicle to the roadside display. In an alternative embodiment, parameters are registered under a vehicle identification in a database and retrieved therefrom for displaying on the roadside display by a detection of the identification of the vehicle.