Road Toll System Using Optical and Wireless Position Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road toll systems require expensive and difficult-to-maintain apparatus to trigger image capture for vehicle position determination, which complicates the matching of vehicle images with transponders.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first optical apparatus for recording roadway images and a second apparatus for wireless communication with vehicles, capable of detecting vehicle number plates and calculating their positions in three dimensions, allowing association with transponders without the need for a dedicated image trigger apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dedicated image trigger apparatus is used to determine vehicle position, then vehicle position can be accurately determined from images, but the system becomes expensive and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the image trigger function from a dedicated apparatus and integrates it into the existing transponder communication apparatus. The same antenna and processor that handle transponder communication are used to detect vehicles without transponders by triggering images based on communication presence/absence, eliminating the need for separate trigger equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication apparatus is given dual functionality: it serves both for transponder communication and for triggering image capture when vehicles without transponders are detected. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity by consolidating roles that previously required separate dedicated apparatus.
2Measurement precision
If continuous image capture is performed to identify vehicles without transponders, then identification accuracy improves, but energy consumption and data processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous image capture, the system uses periodic triggering based on transponder communication cycles. Images are captured only when the communication apparatus detects a vehicle's presence or absence during scheduled communication intervals, significantly reducing the frequency of image capture while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the communication apparatus to control image capture timing. The communication detector provides real-time information about vehicle presence, which triggers image capture only when necessary, optimizing the balance between identification accuracy and energy consumption.
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
Enables accurate and efficient identification of vehicles without transponders by continuously capturing images and calculating the positions of number plates and transponders, reducing maintenance costs and improving system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical apparatus for recording images of the roadway
Implementation Method 2
recording images of the roadway and capable of detecting vehicle number plates
Implementation Method 3
a second apparatus for wireless communication with a vehicle apparatus... can determine coordinates for the vehicle apparatus
Implementation Method 4
The height above the roadway and the angle in a lateral direction and a vertical direction in relation to the roadway are known for the first apparatus... calculating the positions of the detected number plates in three directions
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for use with stations for road tolls, comprising a first optical apparatus for recording images of the roadway and a second apparatus for wireless communication with a vehicle apparatus. The height above the roadway and the angle in a lateral and a vertical direction in relation to the roadway are known for the first apparatus, and the second apparatus can determine coordinates for the vehicle apparatuses in at least two directions through its communication with the vehicle apparatuses. The system comprises means for being able to detect one or more number plates from an image taken using the optical apparatus, and means for calculating the positions of the detected number plates in three directions, and means for being able to determine any associations between number plates and vehicle apparatuses by comparison between the said positions of the number plates and the said positions of the vehicle apparatuses.