User–Vehicle Identity Pairing for Dynamic Traffic Zone Pricing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing congestion pricing schemes for traffic zones lack the ability to dynamically adjust fees based on a variety of user and vehicle-specific parameters, leading to inefficiencies and unfairness.

Innovation Solution

Combining user identity information with vehicle information using wireless communication systems to create a dynamic pricing model that considers factors such as user profile data, vehicle type, traffic conditions, and time of day, allowing for real-time adjustments to congestion fees.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If basic congestion pricing schemes are used with fixed rates, then implementation is simple, but pricing fairness and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepricing scheme implementation simplicityVSAvoidpricing adaptability to user and vehicle parameters

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic pricing by transitioning from fixed rates to variable pricing that automatically adjusts based on real-time detection of user identity, vehicle type, traffic conditions, and time of day. The system continuously monitors these parameters and modifies pricing accordingly, enabling the pricing scheme to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining implementation feasibility through automated detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parameters are considered for pricing, then pricing fairness improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepricing parameter considerationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection system that automatically gathers user identity information, vehicle information, traffic condition data, and temporal information. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the data collection and processing functions, allowing the pricing mechanism to consider multiple parameters without directly managing the complexity of data acquisition and integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If real-time pricing adjustments are enabled, then traffic management efficiency improves, but data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic management efficiencyVSAvoiddata processing energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-service mechanisms where the detection system automatically collects, processes, and applies pricing adjustments without requiring manual intervention. The system leverages existing wireless communication infrastructure and standard data processing capabilities to achieve real-time pricing, minimizing additional energy consumption while maintaining efficient traffic management through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12354066B2Combining user device identity with vehicle information for traffic zone detection

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

The described technology is generally directed towards combining user identity information, corresponding to user profile data, with vehicle information, such as for use by a traffic zone management system that charges a fee for vehicle usage in a traffic zone. A user device, such as a mobile communications device, can be coupled to vehicle information such as via a transponder that is detected by roadside units, or by uploading the combined information to a wireless communications system. Based on the combination of information, different billing rates or the like can be applied to different users and vehicle types. The technology can work with various communication systems, including roadside units and wireless communication networks.