Centralized Toll Tracking Using Geo-Location Readings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toll systems rely on inaccurate single geo-location readings, leading to inefficiencies and high costs due to the need for physical toll booths and manual payment processes, and fail to account for partial or temporary use of toll roads.
Innovation Solution
A centralized toll system utilizing geo-location enabled devices like smartphones and laptops for multiple readings along toll roads, combined with statistical algorithms and cloud-based tracking, allowing for automatic toll calculation and payment without the need for physical booths or special equipment, and enabling dynamic toll plans based on time and distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If single geo-location reading is used for toll identification, then system simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inherent inaccuracy in single reading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the toll road into multiple segments with distributed geo-location readings along the road length. Instead of relying on a single reading, the system collects multiple readings at different locations and uses statistical algorithms to determine whether the vehicle traveled on the toll road, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent collects more geo-location readings than a single point would provide, using multiple readings distributed along the toll road. This excessive sampling approach allows statistical algorithms to filter out false positives and accurately identify toll road usage, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and measurement precision
2Reliability
If physical toll booths are used for manual payment collection, then toll collection reliability is ensured, but infrastructure cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical toll booth system with a wireless geo-location-based identification system. Instead of physical booths and manual collection, the system uses mobile devices with geo-location capabilities to automatically identify vehicles on toll roads and facilitate electronic payment, thereby reducing infrastructure cost while maintaining collection reliability through automated monitoring and enforcement
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables drivers to automatically identify themselves as using the toll road through their mobile devices' geo-location capabilities, eliminating the need for manual interaction at toll booths. The system self-determines toll road usage through statistical analysis of multiple readings and automatically processes payment, reducing both infrastructure requirements and operational complexity
3Measurement precision
If multiple geo-location readings are collected along the toll road, then toll identification accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes a database of geo-location readings at multiple points along the toll road before vehicles arrive. When a vehicle is detected, the system compares the vehicle's readings against this pre-existing database using statistical algorithms, thereby improving identification accuracy while managing data processing complexity through pre-computed reference data
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses statistical algorithms to analyze multiple geo-location readings and provide feedback on whether the vehicle traveled on the toll road. The algorithm processes the distribution of readings along the road and compares them against expected patterns, automatically determining toll road usage with high accuracy while keeping processing complexity manageable through efficient statistical methods
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes the system of centralized toll identification, payment and monitoring, which uses geo-location enabled devices such as mobile phone, pager or wireless connected laptops to do so. The invention receives the series of readings, distributed over the length of the toll road, by Location Based Services (LBS) provided by geo-enabled devices along with geo-location database lookup and statistical algorithms to accurately identify whether the vehicle is travelling on toll road, distance travelled by the vehicle on toll road and accordingly calculate and deduct charge by online mode. Using such system, person can do the payment of toll when passing through toll road area directly from his geo-location enabled devices without any intervention of any attendant and simultaneously police can use the toll data from the centralized toll system for enforcement.