US3602881A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic toll charging system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-09-03
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1988-09-03
Abstract
Abstract An automatic toll charging system including a vehicle-borne transponder with a toll charge counter and a ground installation including a transmitter triggered by the vehicle, a receiver, and signaling device allowing the vehicle to proceed if a toll has been charged. The vehicle-triggered signal from the ground transmitter is received by the vehicle transponder, whereby the toll charge counter is stepped to indicate charging of a toll, and a signal is transmitted from the transponder. The transponder signal is received by the ground receiver, and the vehicle is allowed to proceed. The transponder counter may be set to store a number of prepaid tolls, subtracting one for each passage, or may count the tolls used for later payment.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert T Bayne
- 👤 G Douglas Haville
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:40
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/14; G07F17/145; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/343; G06Q20/3433; G07B; G07B15/00; G07B15/06; G07B15/063; G07F7/00; G07F7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A toll charging system comprising: an interrogator at a toll charging point, a vehicle-borne transponder including a vehicle receiver actuated by said interrogator, counting means and a transmitter, said vehicle receiver actuating said countiNg means and said transmitter, a ground receiver at said toll charging point responsive to said transmitter, means connected to said ground receiver indicating charging of a toll and, vehicle actuated means connected to said interrogator to trigger said interrogator and transmit a signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A toll charging system comprising: an interrogator at a toll charging point, a vehicle-borne transponder including a vehicle receiver actuated by said interrogator, counting means and a transmitter, said vehicle receiver actuating said countiNg means and said transmitter, a ground receiver at said toll charging point responsive to said transmitter, means connected to said ground receiver indicating charging of a toll and, vehicle actuated means connected to said interrogator to trigger said interrogator and transmit a signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
In the toll charging system of claim 1, normally actuated passage denial signal means and normally off passage allowance signal means; switching means connected to said ground receiver to turn off said passage denial signal means and actuate said passage allowance signal means upon receipt of a toll charge indicating signal from said vehicle transponder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
In the toll charging system of claim 2, antenna means connected to said interrogator and to said ground receiver including: first and second antenna loops; first and second inductors; a bridge circuit including said first and second antenna loops and said first and second inductors; and means connecting said interrogator and said ground receiver to said bridge circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an automatic toll charge system, a vehicle-borne transponder comprising: a receiver responsive to a signal indicative of a demand for the collection of a toll charge, a toll charge counter connected to said receiver, means adapted to insert a predetermined number which represents an amount of toll chargers in said counter, and means adapted to subtract one toll charge from the amount upon the receipt of a signal from the receiver, a transmitter and, means enabling energization of said transmitter responsive to actuation of said counter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an automatic toll charge system, a vehicle-borne transponder comprising: a receiver responsive to a signal indicative of a demand for the collection of a toll charge, a toll charge counter connected to said receiver, means adapted to insert a predetermined number which represents an amount of toll chargers in said counter, and means adapted to subtract one toll charge from the amount upon the receipt of a signal from the receiver, a transmitter and, means enabling energization of said transmitter responsive to actuation of said counter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
In the vehicle-borne transponder of claim 4, said counter including: a spring loaded step wheel; means for stepping said step wheel to indicate a toll charge upon receipt of a signal by said transponder receiver; and means for winding said step wheel and tensioning said spring to store prepaid toll charge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
An automatic system for acknowledging charging of admissions from vehicles moving past a collection point comprising: means located other than on the vehicle for acknowledging receipt of a fare, vehicle fare storage means having a fare balance capable of modification by means located other than on the vehicle so long as a fare balance remains, sensing means responsive to fare collection for actuating a device located other than on said vehicle in response to a fare balance modification.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
An automatic system for acknowledging charging of admissions from vehicles moving past a collection point comprising: means located other than on the vehicle for acknowledging receipt of a fare, vehicle fare storage means having a fare balance capable of modification by means located other than on the vehicle so long as a fare balance remains, sensing means responsive to fare collection for actuating a device located other than on said vehicle in response to a fare balance modification.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |