US5694322A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for determining tax of a vehicle
Assignee: HM HOLDING Corp A DE CORP
•
Filing: 1995-05-09
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Granted: 1997-12-02
•
Expires: 2015-05-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for determining a tax for a vehicle (20) includes a positioning device (80) operable to determine a plurality of vehicle positions along a route traveled by the vehicle (20). A memory (102) stores geographic information defining a plurality of taxing regions through which the route of the vehicle (20) passes. An odometer (109) measures the distance traveled by the vehicle (20). A processor (100) is coupled to the positioning device (80), the memory (102), and the odometer (109). The processor (100) receives vehicle positions from the positioning device (80), geographic information from the memory (102), and optionally the measured distance from the odometer (109). The processor (100) determines the tax for the vehicle (20) in at least one taxing region through which the route of the vehicle (20) passes in response to the vehicle positions, the geographic information, and the measured distance.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth R. Westerlage
- 👤 William C. Kennedy, III
- 👤 William L. Hoag
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:25
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B15/00; G07B15/06; G07B15/063; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C22/00; G01C22/02; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0283; G06Q30/0284; G06Q30/04; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/12; G06Q40/123; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/20; G08G1/207
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for determining a tax for a vehicle equipped with a mobile unit, comprising: the mobile unit operable to determine a plurality of position fixes along a route traveled by the vehicle, the mobile unit further operable to transmit the position fixes; a communications link coupled to the mobile unit, the communications link operable to receive the position fixes from the mobile unit; and a dispatch remote from the vehicle and coupled to the communications link, the dispatch operable to receive the position fixes determined by the mobile unit using the communications link, the dispatch further operable to store geographic information comprising a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions, the dispatch further operable to associate the position fixes With the predetermined vehicle positions, the dispatch further operable to automatically determine a distance traveled by the vehicle within a region using the predetermined vehicle positions, the dispatch further operable to automatically determine a tax for the vehicle in response to the distance traveled by the vehicle within the region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for determining a tax for a vehicle equipped with a mobile unit, comprising: the mobile unit operable to determine a plurality of position fixes along a route traveled by the vehicle, the mobile unit further operable to transmit the position fixes; a communications link coupled to the mobile unit, the communications link operable to receive the position fixes from the mobile unit; and a dispatch remote from the vehicle and coupled to the communications link, the dispatch operable to receive the position fixes determined by the mobile unit using the communications link, the dispatch further operable to store geographic information comprising a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions, the dispatch further operable to associate the position fixes With the predetermined vehicle positions, the dispatch further operable to automatically determine a distance traveled by the vehicle within a region using the predetermined vehicle positions, the dispatch further operable to automatically determine a tax for the vehicle in response to the distance traveled by the vehicle within the region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile unit comprises an input device operable to allow an operator of the vehicle to input information into the mobile unit indicating when the vehicle has entered a new region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the communications link comprises a cellular telephone network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile unit comprises a GPS receiver to determine the position fixes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the region is defined by boundaries between separate taxing entities.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the dispatch is operable to determine a tax for each of a plurality of taxing regions along the route traveled by the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile unit determines a plurality of position fixes at a programmable interval of time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile unit comprises: a positioning receiver operable to determine a plurality of position fixes; and a communications device coupled to the positioning receiver and operable to transmit the position fixes to the dispatch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile unit comprises an odometer operable to generate an odometer reading, the mobile unit further operable to transmit the odometer reading to the dispatch for use in determining the tax for the vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein: each predetermined vehicle position corresponds to a distinct geographical landmark.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the dispatch is further operable to reconstruct a route traveled by the vehicle using the associated predetermined vehicle positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the dispatch is further operable to interpolate between a first predetermined vehicle position and a second predetermined vehicle position in order to determine a distance traveled by the vehicle within a first region associated with the first predetermined vehicle position and a second region associated with the second predetermined vehicle position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1, wherein each predetermined vehicle position is associated with a corresponding taxing region.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus on a vehicle for determining distance traveled by the vehicle in a plurality of regions and for transmitting the determined distance to a remote location, comprising: a positioning device operable to determine a plurality of position fixes along a route traveled by the vehicle; a memory operable to store geographic information comprising a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions; a processor coupled to the positioning device and the memory, the processor operable to receive position fixes from the positioning device and geographic information from the memory, the processor further operable to associate the position fixes to the predetermined vehicle positions, the processor further operable to automatically determine the distance traveled by the vehicle in the regions in response to the predetermined vehicle positions; and a transmitter coupled to the processor, the transmitter operable to transmit the determined distance to the remote location.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus on a vehicle for determining distance traveled by the vehicle in a plurality of regions and for transmitting the determined distance to a remote location, comprising: a positioning device operable to determine a plurality of position fixes along a route traveled by the vehicle; a memory operable to store geographic information comprising a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions; a processor coupled to the positioning device and the memory, the processor operable to receive position fixes from the positioning device and geographic information from the memory, the processor further operable to associate the position fixes to the predetermined vehicle positions, the processor further operable to automatically determine the distance traveled by the vehicle in the regions in response to the predetermined vehicle positions; and a transmitter coupled to the processor, the transmitter operable to transmit the determined distance to the remote location.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the positioning device comprises a GPS receiver.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the positioning device comprises an on-board positioning sensor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the transmitter transmits the determined distance to the remote location at a predetermined reporting interval.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each predetermined vehicle position is associated with a corresponding taxing region.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processor is further operable to interpolate between a first predetermined vehicle position and a second predetermined vehicle position in order to determine a distance traveled by the vehicle within a first region associated with the first predetermined vehicle position and a second region associated with the second predetermined vehicle position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an odometer coupled to the processor, the odometer operable to generate an odometer reading indicating distance traveled by the vehicle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the processor is operable to receive the odometer reading from the odometer, the processor further operable to determine the distance traveled by the vehicle in the regions in response to the odometer reading.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processor is further operable to automatically determine a tax for the vehicle in the regions in response to the predetermined vehicle position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transmitter is further operable to transmit the determined tax to the remote location.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the memory is further operable to store tax information, the tax information associated with the regions.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for determining a tax for a vehicle traveling through a plurality of taxing regions, comprising: determining a plurality of position fixes at the vehicle; transmitting the position fixes to a dispatch; storing geographic information identifying a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions; associating at the dispatch each position fix with one of the predetermined vehicle positions; and automatically determining at the dispatch a tax in each taxing region in response to the predetermined vehicle positions.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for determining a tax for a vehicle traveling through a plurality of taxing regions, comprising: determining a plurality of position fixes at the vehicle; transmitting the position fixes to a dispatch; storing geographic information identifying a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions; associating at the dispatch each position fix with one of the predetermined vehicle positions; and automatically determining at the dispatch a tax in each taxing region in response to the predetermined vehicle positions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 25, further comprising: generating an odometer reading at the vehicle using an odometer; transmitting the odometer reading from the vehicle to the dispatch; determining a measured distance using the odometer reading; and automatically determining at the dispatch a tax in each taxing region in response to the measured distance.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for determining a tax for a vehicle traveling through a plurality of taxing regions, comprising: generating geographic information identifying a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions; determining a plurality of position fixes; associating each position fix with one of the predetermined vehicle positions; and automatically determining the tax in each taxing region in response to the predetermined vehicle positions.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for determining a tax for a vehicle traveling through a plurality of taxing regions, comprising: generating geographic information identifying a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions; determining a plurality of position fixes; associating each position fix with one of the predetermined vehicle positions; and automatically determining the tax in each taxing region in response to the predetermined vehicle positions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 27 wherein each predetermined vehicle position is associated with a corresponding taxing region.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the step of automatically determining the tax, comprises: determining a route traveled by the vehicle in response to the position fixes; and dividing the route into a plurality of segments, the endpoint of each segment defining a predetermined vehicle position along the route.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the step of automatically determining the tax comprises interpolating between first predetermined vehicle position and a second predetermined vehicle position in order to determine a distance traveled by the vehicle within a first taxing region associated with the first predetermined vehicle position and a second taxing region associated with the second predetermined vehicle position.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27, wherein each predetermined vehicle position correspond to a distinct geographical landmark.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the step of determining a plurality of position fixes is performed by a GPS receiver on the vehicle.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 27, wherein each predetermined vehicle position is associated with a leg of a route traveled by the vehicle.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the step of automatically determining the tax comprises: generating a table containing a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions and a corresponding distance in each taxing region between predetermined vehicle positions; and determining the tax in each region in response to the corresponding distance in each taxing region between predetermined vehicle positions.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising: measuring the distance traveled by the vehicle using an odometer; and determining a tax in each taxing region in response to the measured distance from the odometer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of receiving input from an operator of the vehicle indicating a point at which the vehicle crosses from one taxing region into another taxing region.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of determining a tax for a vehicle traveling through a plurality of taxing regions, comprising: generating geographic information comprising a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions, each predetermined vehicle position associated with a corresponding taxing region; determining a first position fix and a second position fix; associating the first position fix with a first predetermined vehicle position and the second position fix with a second predetermined vehicle position; interpolating between the first predetermined vehicle position and the second predetermined vehicle position in order to determine a distance traveled by the vehicle within a first taxing region associated with the first predetermined vehicle position and a second taxing region associated with the second predetermined vehicle position; and automatically determining the tax in each of the two taxing regions in response to the predetermined vehicle positions.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of determining a tax for a vehicle traveling through a plurality of taxing regions, comprising: generating geographic information comprising a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions, each predetermined vehicle position associated with a corresponding taxing region; determining a first position fix and a second position fix; associating the first position fix with a first predetermined vehicle position and the second position fix with a second predetermined vehicle position; interpolating between the first predetermined vehicle position and the second predetermined vehicle position in order to determine a distance traveled by the vehicle within a first taxing region associated with the first predetermined vehicle position and a second taxing region associated with the second predetermined vehicle position; and automatically determining the tax in each of the two taxing regions in response to the predetermined vehicle positions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 37, further comprising determining a route traveled by the vehicle in response to the first and the second position fixes.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 37, wherein the step of determining a plurality of position fixes is performed by a GPS receiver on the vehicle.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 37, further comprising measuring the distance traveled by the vehicle using an odometer.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 40, wherein the step of automatically determining the tax comprises determining the tax in response to the measured distance from the odometer.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus on a vehicle for determining a tax for the vehicle, comprising: a positioning device operable to determine a first position fix and a second position fix along a route traveled by the vehicle; a memory operable to store geographic information comprising a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions; and a processor coupled to the positioning device and the memory, the processor operable to receive the first position fix and the second position fix from the positioning device, the processor further operable to associate the first position fix with a first predetermined vehicle position and the second position fix with a second predetermined vehicle position, the processor further operable to interpolate between the first predetermined vehicle position and the second predetermined vehicle position in order to determine a distance traveled by the vehicle within a first taxing region associated with the first predetermined vehicle position and a second taxing region associated with the second predetermined vehicle position, the processor further operable to automatically determine the tax for the vehicle in each of the two taxing regions.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus on a vehicle for determining a tax for the vehicle, comprising: a positioning device operable to determine a first position fix and a second position fix along a route traveled by the vehicle; a memory operable to store geographic information comprising a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions; and a processor coupled to the positioning device and the memory, the processor operable to receive the first position fix and the second position fix from the positioning device, the processor further operable to associate the first position fix with a first predetermined vehicle position and the second position fix with a second predetermined vehicle position, the processor further operable to interpolate between the first predetermined vehicle position and the second predetermined vehicle position in order to determine a distance traveled by the vehicle within a first taxing region associated with the first predetermined vehicle position and a second taxing region associated with the second predetermined vehicle position, the processor further operable to automatically determine the tax for the vehicle in each of the two taxing regions.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein each predetermined vehicle position corresponds to a distinct geographical landmark.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the memory is further operable to store a table containing a plurality of predetermined vehicle positions and the corresponding distance between predetermined vehicle positions.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein each predetermined vehicle position is located within a corresponding taxing region.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-01 | 2001-06-02 | 2001-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-01 | 2005-06-02 | 2005-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-01 | 2009-06-02 | 2009-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |