Toll Collection Communication Region Definition via Reference Transmitter Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic toll collection systems face challenges in accurately defining communication regions due to distorted or inclined road surfaces, leading to potential malfunctions from accidental wireless communication with neighboring vehicles, as they rely on design data that does not account for such surface irregularities.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the arrangement of reference transmitters on the boundary of the communication region, with position location antennas measuring their positions and setting determination conditions based on these results, allowing for a flexible and accurate definition of the communication region matching the actual lane shape, and including abnormality detection to recognize any system malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If determination conditions are set based on design data without considering road surface distortion, then the system is simple to implement, but the communication region cannot be accurately defined on actual lanes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining communication regions using virtual boundary data that represents actual lane conditions before toll collection operations begin. The system stores determination conditions including position location results and boundary definitions in advance, so that when a vehicle enters the toll collection area, the region definition is already established and ready for immediate use, eliminating the need for real-time road surface measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating virtual copies of the actual lane geometry and communication region boundaries through data structures. Instead of physically measuring each road surface variation, the system creates a digital representation (copy) of the lane layout including distortions and inclinations, stored as determination conditions that can be rapidly compared against vehicle positions during operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed communication region is defined based on design data, then the system is easy to operate, but it cannot adapt to distorted or inclined road surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by storing multiple determination conditions with varying position location results and boundary parameters that correspond to different road surface conditions. The system selects and applies the appropriate set of parameters based on the actual lane configuration, allowing adaptation to distorted or inclined surfaces while maintaining a uniform operational interface through the standardized determination condition structure
3Measurement precision
If reference transmitters are arranged on actual road surfaces to define communication regions, then high accuracy is achieved, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses position location antennas as intermediaries to indirectly determine vehicle positions without requiring physical reference transmitters on the road surface. The position location antennas receive radio waves from vehicles and calculate positions based on signal characteristics, acting as a mediator between the vehicle and the toll collection system, thereby achieving accurate positioning without direct road-mounted reference markers
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
This approach enables high-accuracy definition of communication regions for toll collection systems, ensuring reliable wireless communication by accounting for actual road surface conditions and promptly detecting any system abnormalities, thus preventing malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
a method of receiving radio waves from an on-board unit using a dedicated array antenna (also called an angle of arrival (AOA) antenna) having a plurality of antenna elements arranged in parallel and detecting the angle of arrival on the basis of phase differences between signals received by the plurality of antenna elements
Data Source
AI summary
A communication region defining method is a method for defining a defined communication region in operation of a toll collection system having only an on-board unit present within the defined communication region as a communication target for toll collection and includes: a transmitter arrangement step of arranging reference transmitters capable of transmitting radio waves at a plurality of positions on a boundary line of a defined communication region; a position location step of locating a position of each of the plurality of reference transmitters on the basis of a position location signal obtained by receiving, through predetermined position location antennas, radio waves transmitted by the plurality of reference transmitters; and a determination condition setting step of setting conditions for determining whether to set an on-board unit as a communication target for toll collection on the basis of position location results with respect to the plurality of reference transmitters.