CHARGING SYSTEM

Abstract

A vehicle fee charging system and method is disclosed for a vehicle driving from a first point A to a second point B. It (10) comprises a central management system (12) adapted to calculate the fee based on a dataset. It comprises a first unit (50) adapted to record a first information data set (51) based on the vehicle type in question. The first information data set (51) comprises information such as fuel type, category of the vehicle and the authorization of the vehicle. The system (10) further comprises at least one base station/monitoring system (22) collecting second information dataset (52) of the selected route from A to B. The dataset comprises at least the first (51) and the second (52) data information set and said datasets are recorded by the central management system (12) configured to calculate a fee for

Claims

1.-11. (canceled)

12. A vehicle fee charging system for calculating a fee for a vehicle when driving from a first point A to a second point B the system comprises a central management system adapted to calculate the fee based on a dataset comprising: a first unit is adapted to record a first information data set based on the vehicle type in question, said first information data set comprises information such as fuel type, category of the vehicle and the authorization of the vehicle, the system further comprises at least one base station/monitoring system collecting second information dataset of the selected route from A to B, said dataset comprises at least the first and the second data information set and said dataset is recorded by the central management system configured to calculate a fee for said vehicle based on said information, wherein the base station is a traffic control and monitoring system and that it comprises at least one multiple intersections points on the route from A to B.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the system further comprises a time registration unit for recording time data being time of day the vehicle is driving from A to B, said time data set is sent to the central management system configured to calculate the fee also based on time data.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the system further comprises a secure device, and that the central management system is adapted to send information of dataset and/or of the calculated fee to the secure device placed in said vehicle, said secure device is adapted to store data received from the central management system.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the system further comprises a user terminal to which a user of the vehicle has access, said user terminal is adapted to disclose information of the fee if or when travelling from A to B.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein that the user terminal is an interactive interface display where the driver's personal identifier can be logged/driving license scanned prior to the start of the journey and taken into consideration when calculating fees.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the system further comprises a positioning system placed in the vehicle—such as a GPS—configured to send information data set to the central management system informing the exact position of the vehicle as a function of time, and the position data set is used in said central management system for calculating the fee.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the system further comprises sensors—such as an emission sensor and/or odometer, and/or noise sensor, and/or fuel level sensor—placed in the vehicle, said sensors are adapted to send data related to the sensors registration-universe, said data are used for calculating the fee rate.

19. A method for calculating a fee for a vehicle by a system when driving from a first point A to a second point B, the system comprises a central management system calculating the fee based on a dataset wherein a first unit records a first information data set based on the vehicle type in question, said first information data set comprises information such as fuel type, category of the vehicle and the authorization of the vehicle, and sending the dataset to the central management system, a second information data set comprising registration of multiple intersections points on the route from A to B is sent to the central management system and the central management system saving said data sets and based on that calculating the fee.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising recording the time on the day the vehicle is driving from A to B and sending the time data set to the central management system and used for calculating the fee.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the management system is sending the saved datasets and/or the calculated fee based on the datasets to a secure device placed in the vehicle, which is storing the data.

22. Use of the system according to claim 12 for performing the method according to claim 19.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.

[0051] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle fee charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] FIG. 2 provides a block diagram representing the principles of the system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0053] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a vehicle fee charging system according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments are possible.

[0056] The implementation and management of traffic congestion will improve urban air quality and minimize the negative effect on global climate through a fair, comprehensive and flexible vehicle fee charging system. It is advantageous to consider environmental impact issues. For example, the vehicle fee charging system may include a goal to increase the green nature or earth/environment friendliness of a regional or national transit system.

[0057] NO20160540 A1 and NO20160003 A1 disclose a system for controlling road traffic, which are referenced in the present invention, based on that the present invention will be described in detail. NO20160540 A1 discloses a system for controlling road traffic, comprising a display for informing a vehicle's driver, a measurement station for measuring a substance concentration in ambient air and a central system. The central system is configured to charge a pollution fee to a vehicle moving in a pollution zone with predetermined geographical boundaries when the substance concentration in the pollution zone exceeds a threshold value. The display is configured to inform motorists of a raised pollution fee in the pollution zone.

[0058] NO20160003 A1 a system and a method for charging fees for a vehicle. The system comprises a central system. A secure device is mounted in the vehicle and is configured to receive, process and store fee data. The fee data includes any fee related data, e.g. a registration number, size and type of vehicle etc. Accordingly, fee rates are charged for emission of fossil carbon, NOx or SOx.

[0059] The present invention expands these ideas and propose fees based on traffic events and considering other factors including pollution level, vehicle types, road condition and passenger discount fee.

[0060] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle fee charging system 10, the system 10 includes a central management system 12 and a secure device 14 that can be mounted in a vehicle. The central management system 12 has a database 16 for acquiring and storing fee data and reporting other associated functions. Proven cryptographic techniques ensure that the origin of fee data can be assured without manual control. These techniques also ensure that no one, including the vehicle owner, can alter fee data in transit from the secure device 14. While the system 10 requires a private key for each vehicle, there is no need for a central repository of private keys.

[0061] Further as shown in FIG. 2, the central management system 12 transmits fee data to the secure device 14 based on information collected from at least one base station/monitoring system 22 of the selected route, emission sensor 24, an odometer 26 and a positioning system 28, e.g. GPS. A user terminal 18 is an interactive interface display system, e.g. a car console, smartphone, tablet or PC displaying fee data to the vehicle owner but does not permit changing the data. The central management system 12 collect the traffic data from the predetermined boundaries or area or selected route. Further, the emission sensor 24 measures real-world emissions in the exhaust of the vehicle. This implementation enables charging fees based on fact of traffic congestion and pollution level.

[0062] The positioning system 28 provides data to the secure device 14, whereas an ANPR-system, e.g. an electronic toll station, records a time and location for the vehicle in a central management system 12. The central management system 12 may compute the relevant fee from the information collected from the base station/monitoring system 22 of the selected route, emission sensor 24, an odometer 26 and a positioning system 28, e.g. GPS and provide the resulting fee over the network.

[0063] The system 10 is configured with ANPR systems and a control centre commonly found in traffic information or control systems.

[0064] In one embodiment, the present invention describes a system 10 for improving urban traffic congestion, a vehicle is equipped with a secure device 14 which is configured with central management system 12. Further central management system 12 is configured with the 0base station/monitoring system 22 on the road. The base station/monitoring system 22 is provided with traffic control system at each intersection point on the urban roads.

[0065] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of improving the traffic congestion on urban roads, the fee data is transmitted to a vehicle from the central management system 12, while location and time information is issued to the onboard odometer 24, positioning system 28 on each vehicle. The central management system 12 is responsible for data exchange with each vehicle.

[0066] Based on the traffic congestion on the road, a variable fee rate schedule is created comprising a plurality of different rate values, the rate values being a function of occupancy count and vehicle's type.

[0067] Further, user terminal 18 is an interactive interface display where the driver's personal identifier can be logged/driving license scanned prior to the start of the journey and taken into consideration when calculating fees. In similar manner, this can be applied to passengers. The system could then see, for instance if it is a single mother driving her own vehicle and calculate fees on that basis. The authorities could specify a maximum fee for certain groups or decide to exempt certain groups altogether.

[0068] The number of passengers in the vehicle should be considered when charging traffic-related fees in the context of the present invention are described in the patent application NO20160541 A1. NO20160541 A1 concerns a system for counting passengers in a vehicle. The system comprises a public server for recording a journey ID and an associated passenger count, a vehicle server within the vehicle and a machine-readable passenger token for providing a passenger ID unique for each passenger. The public server and the vehicle server are nodes in a public network. The public server is configured to record the passenger count as the number of distinct passenger IDs that is/are read by the vehicle server over a short-range connection during a journey identified by the journey ID.

[0069] Further, the authorities or government can apply different fee rates for different classes, e.g. higher fee rates for private cars than for utility vehicles and zero fee rates for emergency vehicles. The fee rates may be further divided by secondary criteria, e.g. ‘type’ reflecting weight, the environmental footprint of manufacture or road types and road conditions. The fee rates are a function of usage data, e.g. mileage or real-world emission. The resulting fees are, for example, useful for implementing policies.

[0070] FIG. 3 The flow flow diagram illustrates representing the present invention, the system 10 is being used by the government, state or local authorities 30. It can also be used by the traffic operating companies either government or private companies 32. The system 10 provides traffic data 34, base station/monitoring station data 36, driver information 42, vehicle data 44, positioning data 38, map/navigation data 40 and driver information 46 into a single integrated interface for the authorities to have an interactive method for observing how traffic flow and pollution levels change when traffic directives change.

[0071] In another embodiment, the present invention expands these ideas and propose fees based on air-pollution, i.e. concentrations of certain substances in ambient air. The system 10 will charge the fee based on the Pollution level (CO2, NOX) and weather condition. However, the system 10 is not limited to certain pollutants, and may reduce emission of C02 or other climate gases if desired.

[0072] Again, the fee rates depend on properties of the vehicle. For example, there may be separate classes for private passenger cars, utility vehicles with an approved need to deliver goods, public transport ve0hicles and emergency vehicles such as police cars, fire trucks and ambulances. Each class may have different fee rates. For example, a private car may be assigned a higher fee rate than a utility vehicle, and the fee rate may be zero for emergency vehicles. The vehicle may be eligible for additional fees based on other criteria, e.g. type of vehicle. For example, a van and a lorry for delivering goods to shops in a central area have different weights, and thus contribute differently to tarmac abrasion and concentrations of PM10. Thus, weight may be considered when determining the fee rate.

[0073] Further, in a vehicle with a secure device 14 installed, a fee rate for private cars stored in the secure device 14 may be a function of the traffic on the road and real- world emission of pollutants measured in mg/km by the emission sensor 24 and an accurate mileage in km provided by the odometer 24.

[0074] As mentioned above, the traffic control system may use ANPR to estimate travel times, provide footage from CCTV-cameras and forward any other traffic information, e.g. messages from vehicles regarding local incidents, gridlocks, accidents etc. Real time information is typically provided to driver of the vehicle on variable message signs, by broadcasting, on a website, in a navigation system etc. Accordingly, suitable user terminals also referensed as interactive interface display 18 include a car console, smartphone, tablet, PC and any other devices able to connect to a network, download the information and present it to the driver of vehicle before starting or while driving. The same channels may also provide information regarding traffic congestion, air pollution, in particular raised fee rates and alternative routes in areas where exceptional traffic occurs.

[0075] The fees for a certain route will be increased only when road capacity is overloaded, and concentrations of predefined substances exceeds predetermined thresholds. The user unwilling to pay the increased fees may choose alternative routes and hence be inclined to take the shortest and least expensive route.

[0076] Alternatively, passengers might be required to register when they enter and when they leave the vehicle. On the other hand, recorded entry and exit locations and times for identifiable passengers would be valuable surveillance data, and thus offer a possibility for misuse.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, each passenger has a unique ID-card identifying the owner. Further a card reader may be connected to the secure device 14, e.g. by a USB-cable. A person may insert a personal card into the reader and enter a PIN to verify that he or she is the owner of the card. This prevents someone in a remote location from registering as passenger for a journey.

[0078] The unique passenger ID read by the card reader is added to a passenger list for counting passengers as further described below. Some private and public organisations provide machine readable cards, e.g. tickets issued by public transport companies, smart cards for banking applications or secure networking or ID-cards issued by some governments. However, large scale distribution of new smart cards or electronic devices comprising a unique passenger ID for a traffic application is expensive.

[0079] While the invention has been described by way of examples, various alternatives and modifications will be apparent to one skilled in the art. The invention is defined by the accompanying claims.

[0080] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a vehicle fee charging system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. It comprises a central management system 12 as explained above. Information data set is sent to this from a first unit 50. The first unit is recording a first information data set 51 based on the vehicle type in question. The first information data set 51 comprises information such as fuel type, category of the vehicle and the authorization of the vehicle. The system further comprises the base station/monitoring system 22 collecting second information dataset 52 of a selected route when the vehicle is driving from A to B and sending it to the central management system 12. In this embodiment, a time registration unit 53 for recording time data 55 is a part of the system. It records the time of day the vehicle is driving from A to B. The time data set 55 is sent to the central management system 12 configured to calculate the fee also based on this time data 55. The central management system 12 transmits fee data or the calculated fee to the secure device 14 based on information collected from the above mentioned devices. A positioning system such as a GPS—not shown—being a part of the system may provide the resulting fee over a network.

[0081] Further sensors 53 of different kind may also send information to the central management system 12. The sensors 53 are explained above and may be emission sensor and/or odometer, and/or noise sensor, and/or fuel level sensor and/or GPS. Based on the different data input a fee is calculated and the information is delivered to the secure device 14.