Toll System Beacon Localization via Zone-Specific Data Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current road toll systems face challenges in balancing security, infrastructure complexity, and cost, with infrastructure-based systems requiring extensive roadside infrastructure for localization and infrastructure-free systems needing significant computing power and complex OBUs, leading to high data traffic and costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where self-locating OBUs in an infrastructure-linked toll system use locally limited toll cards and receive toll information from beacons, allowing for simplified maintenance, reduced data traffic, and fewer required beacons, with OBUs only needing small memory for local toll cards and no mobile network dependency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If infrastructure-based toll systems use extensive roadside infrastructure with many beacons for localization, then security and localization accuracy are improved, but device complexity and infrastructure cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coverage area into multiple zones, each with its own toll card containing location data for geo-objects in that zone. OBUs receive only the relevant toll card for their current zone, segmenting the overall toll system into manageable local portions. This reduces the need for extensive infrastructure while maintaining localization accuracy through zone-specific data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical structure with zones and toll cards as an additional dimension, organizing toll information geographically rather than requiring a flat, extensive beacon network. This dimensional organization allows fewer beacons to serve multiple zones, reducing infrastructure complexity while preserving measurement precision through zone-specific location data.
2Area of stationary object
If infrastructure-free toll systems use self-localizing OBUs with thick client capability to process entire toll cards, then area coverage is improved, but OBU complexity and data traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments toll cards into zone-specific portions, where each toll card contains location data only for geo-objects within a specific zone. OBUs receive and process only the relevant zone's toll card rather than entire coverage area data, significantly reducing OBU memory requirements and processing complexity while maintaining unlimited area coverage through zone-by-zone operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing OBUs with toll card data specific to their current geographic zone rather than universal data for all zones. Each toll card is tailored to the local environment, containing only the location data relevant to that zone's geo-objects. This reduces OBU complexity by limiting data processing to local requirements while maintaining comprehensive coverage through sequential zone processing.
3Power
If thick client OBUs process entire toll cards locally, then computing power requirements are reduced at the toll center, but OBU memory requirements and data traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments toll information into zone-specific toll cards, where each card contains location data for a specific geographic zone. OBUs receive and process only the toll card data relevant to their current zone rather than entire coverage area data. This segmentation reduces data traffic between OBUs and toll centers while distributing minimal processing requirements, as neither party needs to handle complete system-wide data.
4Measurement precision
If DSRC systems use directional beacons for precise localization, then localization accuracy is improved, but infrastructure complexity and beacon requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the toll system into zones, with each beacon responsible for distributing toll card data for its specific zone. Since localization accuracy is achieved through zone-specific data rather than precise beacon positioning, beacons can be omnidirectional and fewer in number. Each beacon serves its local zone effectively without requiring directional characteristics, reducing the total number of beacons needed while maintaining sufficient localization precision for tolling purposes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves providing a location data record (mi) of toll road geo objects (o-11) from the local proximity (U-1) of a beacon (3). A road toll system (1) comprises a toll center (2) having a vehicle unit (4). The location data record is received from the beacon, when the vehicle unit is arranged in the reception area (S-1) of the beacon. Independent claims are also included for: (1) a vehicle equipment for a road toll system; (2) a beacon for a road toll system; and (3) a control instrument for a road toll system.