EP1361554A1 - Device to identify vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (3) has a detector of vehicle (4,5) identification markers giving identification information corresponding to the identification marker if successfully detected, an evaluation device that determines whether the information is associated with a data record belonging to a pool of authorized vehicles and outputs a positive control signal if so or a negative signal if not and an indication device that gives a corresponding signal.

Description

The invention relates to a device with which the authorization of vehicles to drive on a Check the route. Such devices for example, on toll roads used to control whether the on the the route concerned Paid properly.

There are different systems for collecting Tolls for motor vehicles, in particular for Trucks, known on highways or highways. These usually charge the toll to be paid based on the length of the distance covered. In addition, usually also vehicle-related Factors such as axle class, pollutant emission class and Origin of the vehicle in determining the due User fee taken into account.

In conventional toll collection systems takes the Driver at the entrance to the toll road Route a slip against, indicating that which place he started using the route. At each departure of the user liable to pay Route then usually exists a person-occupied Cashier station, on the basis of the driver the document is the length of the toll Routes covered path determined and the itself resulting toll is determined.

The with the operation of personal cash registers associated effort is significant. Therefore, it is intended to set up automatic toll collection systems in which no or only a numerically greatly reduced Personnel for the collection and settlement of the toll is needed. Such automatic systems However, they are at risk of being manipulated lead to significant losses in fee income can.

This also applies to more recently used automatic toll collection and payment systems, at which the vehicles with machine-readable Identification means, such as machine-readable license plates, Transponders or other, a unique one Identification of the respective vehicle permitting Identification features, are equipped. These Identification means are on when opening or closing or from a toll road with booking of the Toll fee due for the route traveled automatically detected.

The automatic booking systems allow themselves in high traffic a fast, correct and unproblematic toll collection, without it too Traffic delays comes. They assume, however, that actually every eligible vehicle with equipped with appropriate identification features. There this in the practice of unlimited access to Road network can not be guaranteed is in addition to automatic system called a "manual Toll collection system "has been proposed manual system, the driver pays for this designated paying agencies are responsible for him driving distance to be paid toll in advance and Receives a receipt for this while driving the route has to carry with it. Just the opportunity to pay tolls in own responsibility, However, there is a significant risk of abuse in itself.

To ensure that the specified by the driver and by the system under the respective means of identification therefore are correct Regular checks by accordingly authorized supervisor to collect the Toll authorized institution required. At a such control is provided by the supervisory staff Determined whether the system under the respective Identification means booked vehicle data such as Achsklasse, pollutant emission class and Country code with the actual vehicle data to match. In addition to the automatic system provided for random checks Vehicle data does not have to be for the automatic system Equipped vehicles will also be checked for the respective vehicle at all a booking in the Tolling system is done and whether the vehicle is on the booked route. This can be through Control of the booking voucher or by Identification of the vehicle based on the license plate done in the booking system.

The one with carrying out random check associated effort is also significant. About that There is also the problem that the control personnel only a limited number of vehicles in the record and control the scheduled time. This As a result, the number of controls detected abuses measured by such Abuses caused damage is low.

The invention is based on the object Device for checking the correct toll payment to provide with the effectiveness and Marksmanship of control of vehicles increased can be.

This object is achieved by a device for checking the authorization of vehicles for Driving on a route solved with a Recognition device for recognizing each of the Vehicles entrained identification feature that a Gives identification information, which at a successful recognition of the identification feature otherwise, it defeats the failure of the Identification indicates, with an evaluation device, the determines if the of the detection device given identification information a record which is assigned to a pool of the to Driving on the route entitled vehicles belonging to representative records, and at a positive result of this finding a positive one Control signal outputs while negative result this finding produces a negative control signal, and with a display device depending on from the control signal emits an indication signal.

An inventively equipped device allows an automatic pre-selection from the ones passing them Vehicles. In this way, from the on the Control device passing traffic those Vehicles are selected, which actually one Must be subjected to control. In the latter acts It is either about such vehicles, of which in the respective data collection system to collect the toll entitled institution is not aware of whether they have a Have paid toll, or to such vehicles, at which the data acquisition system can determine that no or an incorrect toll for the Track usage has been paid. The number of for a control eligible vehicles is on this way reduced so much that at low Personnel needs a far higher hit rate at the Vehicle control can be achieved.

In this case, the device according to the invention is suitable in particular for use in connection with such Toll collection and booking systems in which on the one hand the possibility of an automatic payment and booking the toll and on the other hand the possibility the manual payment of the fee. In such Systems, the device according to the invention can recognize whether it is in each case a vehicle, for which the toll has been paid manually and for which consequently an increased need for control consists. Likewise, the device according to the invention automatically determine if for the particular vehicle too little or false tolls have been paid so it's not allowed to drive on each one Route is authorized.

The device according to the invention has a Detection device, the at least one Identification feature of a passing vehicle can capture. As identification features come here basically any elements or signals in question that an assignment of the relevant vehicle to one or several in the charging system Allow records. Accordingly, it may be each to be detected by the detection device Identification feature, for example, an optical recognizable feature, such as the country code and / or the registration number of the vehicle in question, act. The identification feature may be Furthermore, the signal from one in or on the vehicle located signal generator, such as passive or active Transponders, radio equipment or similar Signalers, act. The concerned Identification features can be used at the same time for the automatic booking in the Fee collection system, whereby that of the Signals generated for them to charge significant data should be clearly assigned.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the device with both an optical Recognition device for detecting optical Characteristics, as well as with a receiving device for Capture wirelessly transmitted signals. at with electronic signaling devices, such as transponders, equipped and as such in the automatic system Registered vehicles can be automatic this way be checked if that is the respective Identification signal in the data memory associated Kfzund / or Country code with the corresponding, am respective vehicle located optical Identification features match. An abuse of for the automatic payment of tolls Certain signalers can be detected so easily become.

Indicates that the recognizer is on each checked vehicle an identification feature has clearly grasped, so it produces a Identification information containing the Identification contains. Otherwise, the Identification information indicates that the recognition attempt was unsuccessful.

The evaluation device evaluates the of the Detector received Identification information. In doing so, she checks whether this information can be assigned a record, to a group of in a data store created, for example, all for driving on each supervised section of the vehicle belonging to the data records. Is that the case, so the result of the finding is positive and it is Clear that the recognized vehicle for driving on the monitored route section is entitled. Is of the evaluation device made statement against it unsuccessful, this is a clear indication that a special inspection of the vehicle concerned is displayed. Unsuccessful is the one of the Evaluation device whenever, if no Identification feature on the vehicle could be detected or if the identified identification feature none to the group of the legitimate vehicles dataset belonging to representative datasets can be assigned.

The evaluation device may take the form of a in the Device according to the invention each locally available Data processing device be realized. As well However, it is also possible, the required Findings of a distant from the inventive device placed computer unit to be carried out with those in the Device according to the invention locally available Evaluation device in a telecommunication connection stands. In this case, the locally existing ones includes Evaluation device a transmitting and receiving station, via which emitted by the detection device Identification information to the remote Computer unit submitted and the result of the Received computer unit statement becomes. The locally available evaluation device supplies then one from the remote computer unit supplied result corresponding control signal to the Display device of the device according to the invention further.

When checking by the evaluation device It deals with the vehicle-specific data considered for example, the fee collection system during automatic and / or manual booking of the Vehicles recorded significant vehicle data such as License plate, country code, axle class and Emissions class. Likewise it can be about accounting-specific data, such as Information about the manual entry covered, prepaid route.

The detected by the detection device Identification features may be for documentation purposes in a data memory of the device according to the invention or in a data store remotely located Computer unit are stored.

Preferably, the data processing system with a Time and / or date transmitter equipped. This can a time / date stamp on each recognition process generated and read along with the Identification feature are stored. This allows real-time assignment of the passing Vehicles.

Is the group of vehicle and booking specific Datasets which are used to drive each supervised section of the vehicle comprise, in a device according to the invention in one stored local memory of the evaluation, so the latter should have a receiving device for receiving data records supplied by a central data server include. In this way it can be guaranteed that at the of the evaluation always used data current status. Used as a connection between the central server and local Evaluation device a wireless connection, e.g. a Wireless connection, used, so the inventive Device independent of the presence of a local Fixed connection can be operated safely.

The determined by the evaluation device Control result is determined by the display device of inventive device displayed. This can be a be provided optical display element. Complementary or Alternatively, however, can also be acoustic signal or others suitable for displaying a unique signal Elements are used. Will be an optical Display element used, this is preferably such dimensioned that the display is still from 200 m distance is readable by the control personnel. This way you can be guaranteed that even one with high Speeding vehicle from the control staff can be waved from the traffic flow, if it from the device according to the invention as "to be controlled" has been recognized.

The acoustic signaling device may be for example, one from the respective control person worn headphones after detection an audible vehicle Signal outputs. This ensures that the Control result from the control staff despite the especially in high traffic large number of possible optical interference perceived properly becomes. The acoustic output of the control results can for example, by voice or beep sound respectively. According to a preferred embodiment of Invention be on the acoustic signaling device additional vehicle and / or booking-specific data transmitted. This has the advantage that the Control staff in the control of the standing Vehicle e.g. the booked axle and Pollutant emission class can be communicated. In addition, a data output device available be the data of the controller outputs.

The device according to the invention can be used for documentation the passing and detected vehicles also a Stand or moving camera. Preferably is this a so-called "intelligent" Camera, for example, automatically based on certain characteristic recognition features the Image section selects and the focus as well automatic setting. To the passing vehicles can also be visible in the dark, the Device according to the invention further Lighting device, e.g. an infrared flash unit, exhibit.

Fig. 1

einen typischen Aufbau zum Kontrollieren der korrekten Mautentrichtung von Fahrzeugen an einer Autobahn,

Fig. 2

eine Vorrichtung zum Überprüfen der Berechtigung von Fahrzeugen zum Befahren einer Fahrtstrecke.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing illustrating an exemplary embodiment. They show schematically:

Fig. 1

a typical structure for controlling the correct toll payment of vehicles on a highway,

Fig. 2

a device for checking the authorization of vehicles for driving on a route.

Side of a lane 1 of the highway is in one defined distance from a transversely across the lane. 1 extending detection line 2, a device 3 for Checking vehicles on lane 1 4,5 set up. At a further distance in Driving direction F behind the device 3 is a also running across the lane 1, virtual, i. not physically necessary, however, the selection line considered in the evaluation 6 marked, behind the entrance 7 to a parking lot is arranged. At the entrance 7 is a Control person 8, who has a clear field of view on her facing back 9 of the housing 10 of the device. 3 Has.

The housing 10 is mounted on a stand 11, which the ground is placed next to the lane 1. The height of the stator 11 is dimensioned such that one in the housing 10 mounted camera K with its on the front 12 the housing 10 arranged optics each vehicle 4,5, that happens the detection line 2, with its entire Front view of the entire area in focus.

The camera mounted in the housing 10 is part of a Detection device E, which in the device 3 is mounted. The detection device E filters out of the from the camera in the form of digitized data delivered image the license plate number of each covered vehicle 4,5. In addition, the Recognition device E with a receiving device P be equipped, which, if the respectively seized Vehicle 4.5 is provided with a radio signal transmitter, the receives from this emitted radio signal.

The recognition device E delivers that from the image of Camera K filtered out license plate and a the possibly received radio signal corresponding Message as identification information I to a also housed in the housing 10 Evaluation device A. Can the recognition device E do not find a license plate number from the image of the camera K, Thus, the identification information I gives this circumstance the evaluation device A known.

The evaluation device A comprises a data memory S, in which to all vehicles, to drive on by the Device 3 supervised section of the highway are authorized, records are stored. These Data sets relates the evaluation device A via a wireless telecommunications device of one central, remote data server, in which the data of all in the toll collection system of the Highway operator stored vehicles stored are. Here is the connection between the Evaluator A and the data server set so that the data present in the data memory S always are current.

The evaluation device A checks whether the to the detection device E delivered Identification message I among the data store S stored records a record can be assigned. is this is the case, the evaluation device A inputs positive control signal S to a display device Z from, which also in the housing 10 of the device. 3 is available. If this is not the case or could the recognition device E no license plate determine the detected vehicle 4.5, then gives the Evaluation device A a negative control signal G on the display device Z from.

The display device Z comprises two on the back 9 of the housing 10 mounted indicator lights 13,14, from the one when pressed a first light signal for example, giving it in yellow for a short duration lights, and of which the other one emits second light signal, for example by a longer duration of yellow lights.

If the display Z receives a positive Control signal G, it actuates the indicator light 13, which then lights up. The control person 8 recognizes the briefly yellow light signal of the Indicator light 13 and leaves that of the device 3 as properly recognized recognized and therefore to Driving on the monitored motorway section authorized Vehicle 4 happen.

On the other hand, the display device Z receives a negative Control signal G, it operates the other Indicator light 14, which then for a longer, from the signal duration of the indicator light 14 differing time interval lights up yellow. This emitted by the indicator light 14 longer light signal indicates to the control person 8 that the vehicle 5, which next the virtual selection line 6 should happen, should not be controlled could be determined whether it was to drive on the monitored part of the motorway is entitled. The Control person 8 then forwards the relevant Vehicle 5 in the driveway 7 of the parking lot, on the then the control of the vehicle is made.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

roadway

2

detection line

3

Device for checking on the roadway 1 moving vehicles 4,5

4.5

vehicles

6

selection line

7

Entrance to a parking lot

8th

control person

9

Rear of the housing 10th

10

casing

11

stand

12

Front of the housing 10

13.14

indicator lights

A

evaluation

e

recognizer

F

direction of travel

G

control signal

I

identification information

P

receiver

S

data storage

Claims (7)

Device for checking the authorization of vehicles (4, 5) for driving on a route (1) with a recognition device (E) for recognizing in each case an identification feature carried by the vehicles (4, 5), which issues identification information (I) which corresponds to the identification feature upon successful recognition, otherwise indicates the failure of the recognition, with an evaluation device (A), determining whether the identification information (I) output by the recognition device (E) is assigned a data record which belongs to a pool of data sets representing the vehicles (4, 5) eligible for driving on the route (1), and which, in the case of a positive result of this determination, gives a positive control signal (G) while, in the case of a negative result of this determination, generates a negative control signal (G), and with a display device (Z) which emits an indicator signal in response to the control signal (G). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the recognition device (2) is suitable for recognizing a visually detectable identification feature carried by the vehicle (7, 7a), such as a license plate or a country code. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the detection device (2) for detecting a wirelessly emitted from the respective vehicle identification feature, such as a radio signal, is suitable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation device comprises a receiving device for receiving data delivered by a central data server records. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the evaluation device is connected via a wireless telecommunication line with the central data server. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation device has a time and / or date transmitter. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display device emits an acoustic and / or optical signal.

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