Audio/video automated payment facility

• US 10,102,683 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2014
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Remote Technologies IP, LLC
• Original Assignee: Remote Technologies IP, LLC
• Inventors: Pratt, Mark, Harpold, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Frenel, Vanel
• Application Number:
  US14/450,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20140344028A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,534 Days
• Field of Search: 705 21, 705 13, 705 261, 705418, 235380, 235 93
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/04 comprising devices to free a barrier, turnstile, or the like turnstiles with registering means G07C9/10; coin-freed aspects G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/24 for parking meters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

A central monitoring station is linked to a plurality of remote terminals, such as payment terminals at a plurality of parking facilities. A two-way communication system enables communication between a customer who is remote from the central monitoring station and an attendant at the central monitoring station. The communication system may also allow the attendant to manipulate each remote terminal to collect data or troubleshoot or override the function of the terminal.

Claims

1. A method of operating an automated payment system for a parking facility, the automated payment system comprising an exit gate operable to control egress from the parking facility, a payment terminal positioned at a remote location from the exit gate in the parking facility, the payment terminal including (i) a ticket reader that receives a parking ticket, (ii) a microprocessor programmed to determine a required payment amount based on the parking ticket, and (iii) a payment acceptor that receives the required payment amount, and a two-way video and audio communication system positioned at the remote location, the method comprising:

activating the two-way video and audio communication system to enable two-way video and audio communication between a customer at the remote location and a live attendant at a monitoring facility remote from the remote location,

validating a parking ticket at the payment terminal positioned at the remote location,

inserting the validated parking ticket at the exit gate of the parking facility, and

operating the exit gate after receiving the validated parking ticket to permit egress from the parking facility.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein validating the parking ticket includes operating the payment terminal from the monitoring facility to remotely validate the parking ticket.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein validating the parking ticket includes receiving cash in the payment terminal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein validating the parking ticket includes receiving a credit card in the payment terminal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the two-way video and audio communication system includes transmitting data via an Internet link.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the payment terminal includes a video display, a speaker, a video camera, and a microphone of the two-way video and audio communication system.