Smart Tolling System Using Trajectory Stitching for Revenue Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Legacy vehicle tracking and tolling systems face challenges such as scalability issues, low accuracy, high false positive rates, reliability problems, high deployment and maintenance costs, and limited adaptability and interoperability.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing computer vision and machine learning algorithms to generate vehicle identification data by creating comprehensive trajectory maps of vehicle movements across multiple events, enabling the stitching together of complete vehicle profiles even when details are obstructed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional legacy toll systems are implemented, then basic toll collection functionality is achieved, but scalability and adaptability to changing requirements are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into independent modular components including edge computing devices, cloud-based platforms, camera modules, and processing units. Each module can be independently deployed, updated, and scaled, enabling the system to adapt to changing requirements without redesigning the entire architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tolling system is designed with multi-functional capabilities that allow it to handle various toll collection methods (electronic tolling, manual collection), support multiple vehicle types, integrate with different traffic management systems, and adapt to diverse road infrastructure configurations, making it universally applicable across different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If rule-based approaches are used for vehicle classification, then implementation is straightforward, but accuracy is low and false positive rates are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle classification accuracyVSAvoidprocessing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional rule-based mechanical classification systems are replaced with AI-powered computer vision and machine learning models. These systems use neural networks to analyze vehicle images, extract features, and classify vehicles with high accuracy, substituting rigid rule-based logic with adaptive intelligent processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts classification parameters and thresholds based on learned patterns from training data. Machine learning models continuously optimize classification criteria by analyzing historical data, enabling accurate differentiation between vehicle types even under varying lighting, weather, and angle conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If legacy toll systems are deployed, then initial toll collection capability is established, but deployment costs are high and maintenance costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment costVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs cost-effective camera modules and edge computing devices that can be rapidly deployed and replaced if needed. These components are designed to be affordable and easily interchangeable, reducing both initial deployment costs and long-term maintenance expenses while maintaining system reliability through redundancy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The tolling system incorporates automated fault detection, self-diagnosis, and self-correction capabilities. Edge devices and cloud platforms continuously monitor system health, automatically detect issues, and perform corrective actions without human intervention, reducing maintenance requirements and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If monolithic legacy systems are used, then initial functionality is achieved, but interoperability with other systems is limited and data silos are created

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidsystem integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed with universal communication protocols and standardized data interfaces that enable seamless interoperability with diverse traffic management systems, payment platforms, and infrastructure components. The modular architecture supports multiple integration modes, allowing the system to function independently or in coordination with other systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Cloud-based platforms and edge computing devices serve as intermediary layers that facilitate data exchange and coordination between the tolling system and external systems. These intermediaries translate between different protocols and formats, breaking down data silos and enabling smooth interoperability without requiring direct integration between all system components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12322214B1System for tolling
Publication Date: 2025.06.03 TOLLSCOPIC LLC
  • US12322214B1 patent drawing
  • US12322214B1 patent drawing
  • US12322214B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A smart tolling system employs computer vision and machine learning techniques to automatically track and monitor vehicles across multiple video streams captured by a networked camera assembly. The system derives comprehensive vehicle trajectories by stitching together detections of each vehicle from the various video feeds using multi-object tracking algorithms. These trajectories enable correlating different events triggered by the vehicles at multiple roadside devices like cameras and radars. By mapping the trajectories in space and time, the system can associate seemingly fragmented events and synthesize complete vehicle profiles even when certain events may have missed capturing some vehicle information due to obstructions or other factors. This trajectory-based event correlation enhances tolling accuracy by minimizing revenue leakage from missed or incomplete vehicle data in congested traffic conditions.