Toll Payment Collection via Vehicle Image and Mobile Device Messaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic toll collection systems face inefficiencies in collecting toll fees from vehicles without identification devices, as they rely on image-based transactions which can be cumbersome and costly, and lack a streamlined process for user registration and payment approval.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that uses image processing to identify vehicles, associates vehicle identifiers with device identifiers, and facilitates messaging between toll road operators and user devices for payment approval and collection through a communication service provider, enabling efficient toll fee collection via SMS or MMS messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image-based transactions are used to collect toll fees from vehicles without identification devices, then toll collection can be achieved, but the process becomes cumbersome and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication device (mobile phone) as an intermediary between the vehicle and the toll collection system. The communication device stores vehicle identification information and receives toll payment instructions, simplifying the interaction process and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable toll collection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing vehicle identification information in the communication device before the vehicle reaches the toll point. This allows for faster, more efficient toll collection without requiring complex real-time image processing and verification procedures
2Measurement precision
If image processing is used to identify vehicles without identification devices, then vehicle identification can be achieved, but administrative costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing expensive real-time image processing and analysis at the toll point, the system uses a pre-captured image to extract vehicle identification information and stores this data in the communication device. This copying approach maintains identification accuracy while significantly reducing the computational and administrative costs at the toll collection point
3Ease of operation
If a streamlined registration process is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vehicle identification information storage function with the user's existing communication device. By combining these functions and utilizing existing infrastructure (mobile phones, communication networks), the system achieves streamlined user registration and operation without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations include actions of receiving an image of a vehicle using a toll road facility, processing the image to determine a vehicle identifier, and determining that the vehicle identifier is provided in a database, the database associating vehicle identifiers to respective device identifiers, and in response: determining a device identifier associated with the vehicle identifier from the database, transmitting a first message to a device associated with the device identifier, the first message including a request for approval to collect a toll payment, and receiving a second message from the device, the second message indicating approval of the toll payment, and in response: transmitting a payment request to a service provider, the service provider providing data transfer services for the device, and receiving the toll payment from the service provider.