Wireless Toll Authorization Using Mobile Station Identity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated toll collection systems require vehicles to slow down or stop, leading to traffic delays, increased wear and tear, and safety risks, and often necessitate the use of dedicated transponders that are not compatible across different regions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize existing mobile stations, such as GSM-compatible mobile phones, to detect and authenticate users for toll collection, allowing vehicles to maintain speed and lane without dedicated devices, by transmitting and receiving identity signals to invoice subscribers based on their mobile equipment identity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional automated toll collection systems using RFID transponders are implemented, then toll collection automation is achieved, but vehicles must slow down significantly and form queues, resulting in traffic delays and increased travel time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using mobile phones with existing SIM cards as multi-functional devices that serve both as communication tools and as transponders for automated toll collection. This eliminates the need for dedicated single-purpose transponders and allows vehicles to maintain normal traffic flow while enabling automated toll collection through the mobile phone's existing infrastructure.
2Extent of automation
If RFID transponders are used for automated toll collection, then toll payment is automated, but dedicated physical devices must be purchased and periodically maintained with battery replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the mobile phone's SIM card as a universal identifier that serves multiple purposes including toll collection, eliminating the need for dedicated transponders. The SIM card is already present in most vehicles and does not require separate purchase, installation, or maintenance of power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the existing mobile phone infrastructure and SIM cards that users already possess, allowing the vehicle to service itself for toll collection purposes without requiring external dedicated devices or their associated maintenance routines.
3Extent of automation
If RFID transponders are deployed for automated toll collection, then single-region toll collection is enabled, but transponders are not compatible across different regions or networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves cross-region compatibility by utilizing the SIM card's universal nature in mobile communication networks. Since SIM cards are already standardized across different regions and networks for mobile phone service, the same SIM card can be used for automated toll collection in multiple regions without requiring different transponders or reprogramming.
4Extent of automation
If vehicles use conventional automated toll systems, then toll collection is automated, but vehicles must form queues and pass through single lane toll booths, severely affecting traffic flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables multiple vehicles to be identified simultaneously through their mobile phones, allowing parallel toll collection processing. This eliminates the single-lane bottleneck of conventional systems and enables traffic to flow continuously while automated collection occurs, as multiple vehicles can be processed at the same location without forming queues.
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 enhances travel efficiency, reduces the risk of accidents, and eliminates the need for separate transponders, enabling seamless toll collection across different regions without altering traffic flow or requiring dedicated devices.
Implementation Method 1
These automated toll systems generally implement Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and require a vehicle or person to be equipped with a unique physical device such as a transponder designed to receive a specific signal and transmit a specific reply.
Implementation Method 2
A method and system that utilize existing mobile stations, such as GSM-compatible mobile phones, to detect and authenticate users for toll collection, allowing vehicles to maintain speed and lane without dedicated devices, by transmitting and receiving identity signals to invoice subscribers based on their mobile equipment identity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for automatic electronic authorization for entry into a geographic area based on detection of a mobile station operable on a Global System for Mobile communications network, comprises: transmitting, by a transmitter associated with a toll base station, a signal indicating the presence of the toll base station; detecting, by a receiver associated with the toll base station, a request by a mobile station to connect to the toll base station; transmitting, by the transmitter, an identity request signal to the mobile station; detecting an identity response signal that identifies the mobile station; determining the identity of a subscriber associated with the mobile station based on the detected identity response signal and authorizing the subscriber to enter the geographic area based on the determined subscriber identity.