Rent A Toll Ltd. announced Aug. 28 that it has been issued U.S. Patent No. 8,195,506 for its duration-based prepaid tolling model, Pass 24.

Pass 24 includes a system, method and computer-readable process for billing based on the duration of a service period for providing tolling services to rental and corporate fleet vehicles.

After paying a flat fee for the service, customers are allowed unlimited toll usage — without having to stop to pay a cash toll — per 24-hour period of the duration of the rental.

“This patent is just another step in the development of Rent A Toll's overall technology and intellectual property portfolio. It evidences our technology team's efforts to develop unique and technologically advanced solutions for our rental car, fleet and toll authority partners,” said Rick Welch, President and CEO of Rent A Toll Ltd. “It also demonstrates the value of the Rent A Toll organization and its commitment to our partners and investors to continue to develop and maintain the most effective solutions to pressing industry problems.”

For a guest editorial on patents in the car rental industry, click here to read "Is the Rental Car Industry Heading Toward Disruption Because of Intellectual Property?"