초록 ▼

An automatic toll collection system comprises and operates in conjunction with transponders which are provided for sale to the public in sealed packages and which are pre-approved for a predetermined amount of prepaid toll credit. When the transponders are purchased, they can be installed in any veh

An automatic toll collection system comprises and operates in conjunction with transponders which are provided for sale to the public in sealed packages and which are pre-approved for a predetermined amount of prepaid toll credit. When the transponders are purchased, they can be installed in any vehicle and are immediately ready for use. The kit in which the transponder is sold includes application forms and a return mailer which permit the purchaser thereof to convert the preestablished anonymous account to a regular prepaid toll account and to authorize the automatic replenishment of the account, thus enabling continued use of the purchased transponder beyond the pre-approved amount. The invention further comprises the process of frequent updating, e.g. several times daily, hourly, etc. of toll plaza computers with toll transactions at all participating toll facilities, to prevent inadvertent overdrawing of toll accounts by motorists.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for toll collection and administration, the method comprising:providing a central computer containing a plurality of regular toll accounts, wherein each regular account is associated with a unique, corresponding individual or business entity;providing a first plu

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for toll collection and administration, the method comprising:providing a central computer containing a plurality of regular toll accounts, wherein each regular account is associated with a unique, corresponding individual or business entity;providing a first plurality of transponders, each transponder having an associated unique vehicle tag number identifying the transponder and a circuit for wirelessly transmitting the tag number to a toll plaza receiver;correlating in the central computer the first plurality of transponders with the regular account numbers so that each transponder is associated with a unique regular account number;activating selected ones of the first, regular accounts in response to receipt of applications and prepayment fees from the individuals or business entities associated therewith;pre-authorizing and activating a second plurality of anonymous toll accounts associated with a second plurality of transponders which are not associated with any individual or business entity and crediting each of the second anonymous accounts with selected predetermined prepaid toll amounts;sensing the passage of transponders through a toll plaza and charging a toll against a corresponding one of the first and second plurality of accounts; andoperating a software routine which bills a toll amount against the regular and anonymous toll accounts in response to the passage of the transponders through a toll plaza.