DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a payment system and a payment method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a toll payment system and a method for usage of the toll roads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Generally, toll booths are operated on the toll roads for collecting tolls from vehicles which are intended to use the toll roads. Presently, toll payers of the vehicles pay toll at the entrance of the toll booths. After paying respective toll for the vehicles, the vehicles are allowed to enter the toll roads. Due to the accumulation of the vehicles at the toll booths, the vehicles need to follow a queue for entering into an entrance of the toll booth for paying the toll. Generally, for carrying out toll booth operations such as receiving toll from a vehicle, providing receipt of a toll payment, providing access of the toll road to the vehicle is a time consuming process. Hence, the passengers of the vehicle need to wait for paying toll and for getting access of the toll road.

Generally, when the vehicles are in the queue, engines of the vehicles need to be in switch on condition for travelling small distances along the queue until the access to the toll road is provided. Even though the engine is in switch on condition while the vehicle is in the queue, the complete energy of the engine is not utilized. This improper utilization of the engine causes wastage of fuel.

Further, a toll payer may pay the toll as cash. The collected cash at the toll booths need to be transferred to a bank account of the toll payee. These transactions of transferring collected cash to the bank account of the toll payee costs a transaction cost to the toll booth owner. Also, there are incidents of occurrence of frauds and thefts for transferring collected toll (cash) from the toll booth to the bank account of the toll payee.

Furthermore, operators of the toll booth may indulge in fraud by not transferring the collected toll to the toll payee and also collecting bribe from the toll payers of the vehicle for providing access of the toll road to the vehicles. Also, due to the operations carried out at the toll booths and accumulation of the vehicles in the queue for a period of time effects on infrastructure efficiency the toll roads. According to a survey conducted in India, about rupees 300 crore are wasted due to stoppage of vehicles at the toll booths for collecting the tolls. In order to overcome on above mentioned problem an electronic toll collection (ETC) system is introduced. But, the ETC system requires additional electronic devices, operational system and the like. Hence, the implementation of the ETC system is time consuming process.

Therefore, there is need of system or method to overcome on above mentioned problems.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:

An object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for payment of tolls for using toll road.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for payment of tolls for using toll road, which enables a toll payer to pay toll in advance and avoid waiting at a toll booth for paying the toll.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for payment of tolls for using toll road for reducing/avoiding waiting of the passengers at the toll booth for paying the toll, thereby reducing the travel time of the passengers, increasing fuel efficiency of vehicles and infrastructure efficiency of the toll roads.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for payment of tolls for using toll road for avoiding fraud, theft and reducing operation cost in toll operations.

Further, object of the present invention is to provide a system for payment of tolls for using toll road for increasing transparency between a toll payer and a toll payee.

Furthermore, object of the present invention is to provide a system for payment of tolls for using toll roads, which is easy to adopt in toll operations.

One more object of the present invention is to provide a system for payment of tolls for using toll roads, which reduces wastage of 300 crore (estimated wastage due to stoppage of vehicles at toll booths).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

According to the present invention, there is a system for payment of tolls for using toll roads. The system includes an electronic device and a server. The electronic device is having a global positioning system therein. The electronic device is a mobile or a computer or a laptop or a tablet. The server is connected to the electronic device. The server is connected to the electronic device through a network. In the present embodiment, the network is internet. The server is a database comprising details of type of vehicles, toll charges of the respective vehicles, registration details of the vehicles, owner details of the vehicles and the like. The server is having details of the respective vehicle linked with the electronic device.

The electronic device identifies a route for a destination and details of tolls charged by each toll booth of a plurality of toll booths operational on the toll road for paying the calculated toll in advance. Upon payment of the respective toll, the system enables the vehicle to pass through each toll booth of the plurality of toll booths without hindrance [stoppage] at the toll booth for paying the toll. In the present embodiment, the calculated toll is paid through a bank account.

Further, the system includes detecting devices connected with the server. At least one detecting device is installed at each of the toll booth of the plurality of toll booths on the toll road for detecting registration number of the vehicle passing therethrough. The system sends an alert to a mobile number linked with the vehicle number for collecting respective toll electronically (with penalty) in case the toll is not paid in advance. The respective toll is electronically collected through the bank account connected with the registration number of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for paying toll from vehicles. The method comprises steps of registering details of a vehicle in a server through an electronic device for linking therewith. A route is identified and selected by entering travelling details using the electronic device. Details of toll booths operated in the selected route are displayed at a display of the electronic device. The tolls collected at the toll booths operated in the selected route is calculated. The calculated toll is paid through the electronic device, thereby enabling the registered and toll paid vehicle to pass through the route without hindrance (Stoppage).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The advantages and features of the present invention will be understood better with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system for payment of tolls for using toll roads; and
Figure 2 shows a flow chart of operations carried out in a method for payment of tolls for using toll roads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

For thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the following detailed description in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present invention is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As used throughout this disclosure, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The present invention provides a system and a method for payment of tolls for using toll roads. The system enables a toll payer to pay toll in advance and avoid waiting at a toll booth for paying the toll. The system reduces (avoids) waiting of the passengers at the toll booth for paying the toll, thereby reducing the travel time of the passengers, increasing fuel efficiency of vehicles and infrastructure efficiency of the toll roads. The system avoids fraud, theft and reducing operation cost in toll operations. Further, the system increases transparency between a toll payer and a toll payee. Furthermore, the system is easy to adopt in toll operations. Also, the system reduces wastage of 300 crore in India (estimated wastage due to stoppage of vehicles at toll booths)

Referring now to figure 1, a block diagram of a system 100 for payment of tolls for using toll roads is illustrated. The system 100 includes an electronic device 10 and a server 20. The electronic device 10 is having a global positioning system (GPS) 12 therein. The electronic device 10 is a mobile or a computer or a laptop or a tablet or any other obvious electronic device having a display, a processor and an interface. The server 20 is connected to the electronic device 10. The server 20 is connected to the electronic device 10 through a network. In the present embodiment, the network is an internet. In the alternative embodiment, the network can be a cloud network or an intranet or any other network which is able to connect the electronic device 10 and the server 20 which is obvious to person skilled in the art. The server 20 is a database 22 comprising details of type of vehicles, toll charges of the respective vehicles, registration details of the vehicles, owner details of the vehicles and the like.
A user of the electronic device 10 can able to choose a route over the electronic device 10. The electronic device 10 includes an interactive application (app) for entering a destination. It may be obvious to person skilled in the art to configure the interactive application for providing a provision to the user for entering the destination. For example, say user enters a starting place as “A” and the destination as “B”.

The electronic device 10 identifies a route for the destination. The electronic device 10 identifies the route between “A” to “B”. Further, number of toll booths operating in the route between “A” to “B” are displayed at the display (not shown) of the electronic device 10.

Further, the details of tolls charged by each toll booth (32, 34 & 36) of a plurality of toll booths 30 operational on the toll road is displayed for paying the calculated toll in advance. For example, if toll booths 32, 34 & 36 are operational in the route between “A” to “B”, toll charged in each of the toll booths 32, 34 & 36 are displayed at the display of the electronic device 10. Further, the total toll charged for the entire route is calculated and displayed at the display.

The user can able to pay the calculated toll in advance over the electronic device 10.
In the present embodiment, the user can able to pay the calculated toll through a bank account. In an alternative embodiment, the user can pay the calculated toll through any other obvious financial service provider such as e-cash, e wallet and the like. Upon payment of the toll, the respective vehicle which paid the toll can pass through each of the toll booths 32, 34 & 36 of the plurality of toll booths 30 without hindrance at the toll booth for paying the toll.

Further, the system 100 includes detecting devices (not shown) connected with the server 20. At least one detecting device is installed at each of the toll booths 32, 34 & 36 of the plurality of toll booths 30 on the toll road for detecting registration number of the vehicle passing there through. The detecting devices are connected with the server 20. The detecting devices sends an alert to a mobile number linked with the vehicle number for collecting respective toll electronically in case the toll is not paid in advance.

For example: Say a two wheeler vehicle is passing over the road without paying the toll in advance. The detecting device detects the registration number of the two wheeler vehicle and sends an alert to a mobile number linked with the two wheeler vehicle for collecting respective toll of the toll road. The alert can be a message or a phone call. The respective toll is electronically collected through a bank account connected with the registration number of the vehicle. Based on the received alert at the mobile number linked with the two wheeler, a user of the mobile number can pay the toll. The user can pay the respective toll through a bank account or a financial transaction platform.

Referring now to figure 1, a flow chart of method 200 for paying toll from vehicles is illustrated.

The method 200 starts at step 210.

At step 220, the details of a vehicle are registered in a server 20 (refer figure 1) through an electronic device 10 for linking therewith. The details of a vehicle includes type of the vehicle, registration number of the vehicle, name, address and phone number of owner of the vehicle, bank account details of the owner and the like.

At step 230, a user of the electronic device 10 enters travelling details. The travelling details includes a starting point and a destination. Upon entering the travelling details, route details are displayed at a display of the electronic device 10. The user can identify and select the displayed route using the electronic device 10.

At step 240, details of toll booths operated in the selected route are displayed at the display and tolls collected at the toll booths operated in the selected route is calculated. The calculated toll is displayed at the display of the electronic device 10.

At step 250, the calculated toll is paid through the electronic device 10 by the user, thereby enabling the registered vehicle to pass through the route without hindrance for paying toll at the toll booths 32, 34 & 36.

The method 200 ends at the step 260.

The system 100 and the method 200 enables a toll payer to pay toll in advance. Hence, the system 100 and the method 200 avoid waiting of the vehicles at a toll booth for paying the toll, thereby reducing the travel time of the passengers, increasing fuel efficiency of vehicles and infrastructure efficiency of the toll roads. Therefore the system 100 reduces wastage of 300 crore in India which is estimated wastage due to stoppage of vehicles at toll booths. The system 100 and the method 200 enables a toll payer to transfer toll directly through an electronic cash transfer. Hence, the toll is transferred from the toll payer to an account of the toll payee. Hence, the probability of the fraud, theft connected with the toll operations will be reduced, thereby increases transparency between the toll payer and the toll payee Therefore, the system 100 and the method 200 avoids fraud and theft and in the toll operations.

Further, as there is direct toll transfer between the toll payer and the toll payee, transaction cost incurring at the toll booths is reduced, thereby reducing operation cost of the toll booth. As there is direct transaction of toll between the toll payer and the toll payee through digital money transfer, the system 100 and the method 200 will enhance usage of digital transactions. Therefore, the system 100 and the method 200 is in tune with the digital transaction programs such as “Digital- India” and the like. Furthermore, the system 100 and method 200 requires minimal infrastructures and man power to carry out toll operations. Hence, the system 100 and the method 200 is easy to adopt in the toll operations.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A system for payment of tolls for using toll roads, the system comprising:
an electronic device having a global positioning system;
a server connected to the electronic device, the server having details of respective vehicle linked with the electronic device,
wherein the electronic device identifies a route for a destination and details of tolls charged by each toll booth of a plurality of toll booths operational on the toll road for paying the calculated toll in advance, which enables the vehicle to pass through each toll booth of the plurality of toll booths without hindrance at the toll booth for paying the toll.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising detecting devices connected with the server, at least one detecting device is installed at each of the toll booth of the plurality of toll booths on the toll road for detecting registration number of the vehicle passing there through, sending an alert to a mobile number linked with the vehicle number for collecting respective toll electronically in case the toll is not paid in advance.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a mobile or a computer or a laptop or a tablet.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server is connected to the electronic device through a network.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server is a database comprising details of type of vehicles, toll charges of the vehicles, registration details of the vehicles, owner details of the vehicles and the like.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the calculated toll is paid through a bank account.

7. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the respective toll electronically collected through a bank account connected with the registration number of the vehicle.

8. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the network is internet.

9. A method for paying toll from vehicles, the method comprising steps of:
registering details of a vehicle in a server through an electronic device for linking therewith;
identifying and selecting a route by entering travelling details using the electronic device;
displaying details of toll booths operated in the selected route and calculating tolls collected at the toll booths operated in the selected route ; and
paying the calculated toll through the electronic device, thereby enabling the registered vehicle to pass through the route without hindrance.