Abstract: A system is described for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone or similar device as an active transponder that communicates with roadside equipment. The system may use existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth® LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further aspect, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and responds with identification information. Transaction processing may be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or back office equipment. The system may be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring and also for access control. A coded card may be scanned by the smart card to enter identification for access control.

Abstract: A system combining readers for various communication protocols (e.g., RFID transponders and Bluetooth devices) for automated roadway tolling and monitoring is described. Because of the ubiquity of communication devices (e.g., Bluetooth devices), filtering methods are described to narrow received signals (e.g., Bluetooth signals) to a particular monitored traffic lane and to further associate the signal (e.g, Bluetooth signal) with a registered toll tag (e.g., RFID toll tag) associated with a vehicle. The signal strength of the signal (e.g, Bluetooth signal) at each of a plurality of receiver antennas may be used to identify the location of the communication device (e.g., Bluetooth device) that emitted the signal.

Abstract: A system for tracking vehicle position using a smartphone in the vehicle as an active transponder, which is detected by roadside equipment, is described. The system may use existing RF transceivers on the smartphone, such as BLE or WiFi, to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smartphone. The smartphone may be alerted and/or awaken by roadside beacons, and then respond with its identification information. Processing can be performed on the smartphone and/or by roadside or central office equipment. Vehicle location detection can be enhanced through the use of directional antenna matrices, such as a Butler matrix. The system can be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring.

Abstract: A system combining readers for RFID transponders and Bluetooth® devices for automated roadway tolling and monitoring is described. Because of the ubiquity of Bluetooth® devices, filtering methods are described to narrow received Bluetooth® signals to a particular monitored traffic lane and to further associate the Bluetooth® signal with a registered RFID toll tag in a vehicle. Signal strength of the Bluetooth® signal at each of a plurality of receiver antennas may be used to identify the location of the Bluetooth® device that emitted the signal.

Abstract: A system for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone in the vehicle as an active transponder, which is detected by roadside equipment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system uses existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further embodiment, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and only then responds with its identification information. Processing can be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or central office equipment as is the case in prior art active or passive transponder-based tolling systems. Vehicle location detection can be enhanced through the use of directional antenna matrices such as a Butler matrix. The system can be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring.

Abstract: An RFID transponder including a Bluetooth® compatible transceiver (BLEET) is described. The Bluetooth® compatible transceiver may be configured to set data that is transmitted via one or more RFID transceivers in the transponder and to return data received by the RFID transceiver(s) to a client application running, for example, on a user's smart phone. The BLEET may be used for electronic vehicle tracking or tolling. Vehicle occupancy data may be set by the user with the client application via a Bluetooth® connection in connection with high occupancy vehicle tolling and express lane incentive programs. The BLEET may be used in a congestion pricing (CP) toll area, wherein the smart phone determines a toll rate based on the location, when triggered by the BLEET, that the BLEET was read by an RFID reader located on a boundary of the CP toll area.

Abstract: A system is described for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone or similar device as an active transponder that communicates with roadside equipment. The system may uses existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth® LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further aspect, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and responds with identification information. Transaction processing may be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or back office equipment. The system may be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring and also for access control. A coded card may be scanned by the smart card to enter identification for access control.

Abstract: An RFID transponder including a Bluetooth® compatible transceiver is described as a (BLEET). The Bluetooth® compatible transceiver may be configured to set data that is transmitted via one or more RFID transceivers in the transponder and to return data received by the RFID transceiver(s) to a client application running, for example, on a user's smart phone. The BLEET may be used for electronic vehicle tracking or tolling. Vehicle occupancy data may be set by the user with the client application via a Bluetooth® connection in connection with high occupancy vehicle tolling and express lane incentive programs.

Abstract: A system for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone in the vehicle as an active transponder, which is detected by roadside equipment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system uses existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further embodiment, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and only then responds with its identification information. Processing can be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or central office equipment as is the case in prior art active or passive transponder-based tolling systems. Vehicle location detection can be enhanced through the use of directional antenna matrices such as a Butler matrix. The system can be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring.

Abstract: A system combining readers for RFID transponders and Bluetooth® devices for for automated roadway tolling and monitoring is described. Because of the ubiquity of Bluetooth® devices, filtering methods are described to narrow received Bluetooth® signals to a particular monitored traffic lane and to further associate the Bluetooth® signal with a registered RFID toll tag in a vehicle. Signal strength of the Bluetooth® signal at each of a plurality of receiver antennas may be used to identify the location of the Bluetooth® device that emitted the signal.

Abstract: An RFID transponder including a Bluetooth compatible transceiver is described as a (BLEET). The Bluetooth® compatible transceiver may be configured to set data that is transmitted via one or more RFID transceivers in the transponder and to return data received by the RFID transceiver(s) to a client application running, for example, on a user's smart phone. The BLEET may be used for electronic vehicle tracking or tolling. Vehicle occupancy data may be set by the user with the client application via a Bluetooth® connection in connection with high occupancy vehicle tolling and express lane incentive programs.

Abstract: A method for interleaving time slots in a multi-antenna system for communication with RFID tags is described. An exemplary system has a first RFID interrogator and first and second antennas. The first and second antennas direct signals to and receive signals from respective first and second interrogation zones. A first interrogation signal is transmitted to the first antenna. A first acquire window for receiving a signal from a first RFID transponder is opened after the first interrogation signal. A second interrogation signal is transmitted to the second antenna after the first interrogation signal, and a second acquire window for receiving a signal from a second RFID transponder is opened after the second interrogation signal.

Abstract: A method for interleaving time slots in a multi-antenna system for communication with RFID tags is described. An exemplary system has a first RFID interrogator and first and second antennas. The first and second antennas direct signals to and receive signals from respective first and second interrogation zones. A first interrogation signal is transmitted to the first antenna. A first acquire window for receiving a signal from a first RFID transponder is opened after the first interrogation signal. A second interrogation signal is transmitted to the second antenna after the first interrogation signal, and a second acquire window for receiving a signal from a second RFID transponder is opened after the second interrogation signal.

Abstract: An RFID transponder including a Bluetooth® compatible transceiver is described a (BLEET). The Bluetooth® compatible transceiver may be configured to set data that is transmitted via one or more RFID transceivers in the transponder and to return data received by the RFID transceiver(s) to a client application running, for example, on a user's smart phone. The BLEET may be used for electronic vehicle tracking or tolling. Vehicle occupancy data may be set by the user with the client application via a Bluetooth® connection in connection with high occupancy vehicle tolling and express lane incentive programs.

Abstract: A system is described for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone or similar device as an active transponder that communicates with roadside equipment. The system may uses existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth® LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further aspect, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and responds with identification information. Transaction processing may be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or back office equipment. The system may be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring and also for access control. A coded card may be scanned by the smart card to enter identification for access control.

Abstract: A multi-protocol RFID interrogating system employs a synchronization technique (step-lock) for a backscatter RFID system that allows simultaneous operation of closely spaced interrogators. The multi-protocol RFID interrogating system can communicate with backscatter transponders having different output protocols and with active transponders including: Title 21 compliant RFID backscatter transponders; IT2000 RFID backscatter transponders that provide an extended mode capability beyond Title 21; EGOTM RFID backscatter transponders, SEGOTM RFID backscatter transponders; ATA, ISO, ANSI AAR compliant RFID backscatter transponders; and IAG compliant active technology transponders. The system implements a step-lock operation, whereby adjacent interrogators are synchronized to ensure that all downlinks operate within the same time frame and all uplinks operate within the same time frame, to eliminate downlink on uplink interference.

Abstract: A system carried by a vehicle for computing tolls that interfaces with vehicle data entry and display components. The system uses these components to display toll-related information and to accept user input for toll-related information. The system may also incorporate vehicle sensors including seat occupancy sensors, infra-red sensors and cameras to determine vehicle occupancy for tolling purposes.

Abstract: A system for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone in the vehicle as an active transponder, which is detected by roadside equipment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system uses existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further embodiment, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and only then responds with its identification information. Processing can be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or central office equipment as is the case in prior art active or passive transponder-based tolling systems. Vehicle location detection can be enhanced through the use of directional antenna matrices such as a Butler matrix. The system can be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring.

Abstract: A system carried by a vehicle for computing tolls that interfaces with vehicle data entry and display components. The system uses these components to display toll-related information and to accept user input for toll-related information. The system may also incorporate vehicle sensors including seat occupancy sensors, infra-red sensors and cameras to determine vehicle occupancy for tolling purposes.

Abstract: An RFID transponder including a Bluetooth® compatible transceiver is described a (BLEET). The Bluetooth® compatible transceiver may be configured to set data that is transmitted via one or more RFID transceivers in the transponder and to return data received by the RFID transceiver(s) to a client application running, for example, on a user's smart phone. The BLEET may be used for electronic vehicle tracking or tolling. Vehicle occupancy data may be set by the user with the client application via a Bluetooth® connection in connection with high occupancy vehicle tolling and express lane incentive programs.