Vehicle parking system
First Claim
1. Parking network, for controlling vehicle parking and charging parking fees to a number of subscribers, which comprises at least one central computer, and, for each subscriber, in combination with a TRD, a complementary box, which can be coupled to said TRD and only to it, and permits said TRD to communicate with said central computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle parking network comprises a transmitter-responder device (TRD) for each subscriber and a complementary box which can be coupled to the TRD and only to it, and permits it to communicate with a central computer. The complementary box is provided with identification marks that can be scanned from the outside and includes a microcontroller, memory means and timing means. Once the vehicle is parked, the TRD is used to obtain from the computer a parking authorization and an allowed parking time. Then a legitimate parking sign is displayed and the parking time is downcounted until the allowed time has been completed or until the vehicle leaves the parking space. If communication with the computer cannot be established, the complementary box carries out an assumed parking procedure, stores its data in a buffer memory, and later transmits them to the computer for verification and registration. The computer communicates the data of each parking to the Public Authority charged with collecting the parking fees. Examples of TRD'"'"'s are cellular phones, message records, pagers, private alarms and vehicle location units (VLU). If a VLU is used, the central computer obtains vehicle location data from the control center of the vehicle location system, monitors the vehicle position, and carries out the parking procedure.
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Citations
44 Claims
- 1. Parking network, for controlling vehicle parking and charging parking fees to a number of subscribers, which comprises at least one central computer, and, for each subscriber, in combination with a TRD, a complementary box, which can be coupled to said TRD and only to it, and permits said TRD to communicate with said central computer.
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27. Method of controlling vehicle parking and charging parking fees to subscribers, which comprises the steps of:
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a) providing at least one central computer;
b) providing, for each subscriber, at least one transmitter-responder device and a complementary box, exclusively coupled the one to the other and correspondingly identified, the complementary box having display means for visually indicating its activation and the non-expiration or expiration of the allowed parking time, and other pertinent information, if any;
c) once the vehicle has been parked, coupling said TRD to said complementary box, unless they were already so coupled;
d) controlling the specific parking location, its code and any other necessary parameters, if any, associated with it;
e) dialing the central computer'"'"'s nominal number, integrated with a code stored in the memory of the complementary box, to constitute the computer'"'"'s address, and further, dialing the said parking zone'"'"'s code and necessary parameters;
f) if the connection of the TRD with the central computer is effected, carrying out the following steps;
I. sending from the central computer to the TRD a parking authorization, the allowed parking time, and any other pertinent data, if any, thereby completing the parking procedure;
II. if the parking procedure has been completed, activating in the complementary box display a sign indicating legitimate parking and the parking zone;
III. downcounting, by means of a timer comprised in the complementary box, the actual parking time;
g) If the connection of the TRD with the central computer is not effected, carrying out the following steps;
I. storing in the central computer'"'"'s memory the data dialed by the TRD, placing the TRD in a waiting list and sending to the TRD a signal indicating that step A has been carried out;
II. activating, in the complementary box display, a sign indicating legitimate parking and the parking zone and beginning to downcount, by means of a timer comprised in the complementary box, the actual parking time;
III. when the connection of the TRD with the central computer has been effected, continuing the countdown of the actual parking time and, at the end of the allowed parking time, deactivating in the complementary box display the sign indicating legitimate parking and activating a sign indicating overtime parking;
h) If the vehicle leaves the parking space before the end of the allowed parking time, signaling this fact from the TRD to the central computer, stopping the downcounting of the parking time and deactivating the complementary box display. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. Method of controlling vehicle parking and charging parking fees to subscribers, which comprises the steps of:
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a) providing at least one central computer;
b) providing a vehicle location system, comprising a control center, a number of fixed stations and a VLU for each subscriber;
c) signaling to said central computer, at any desired time, a request that the vehicle location be monitored for parking control purposes;
d) when said signal is sent, sending from said central computer to said control center a request for vehicle location data;
e) when said request for vehicle location data has been sent, sending from said control center to said central computer the requested data;
f) monitoring the vehicle position, based on said vehicle location data, and determining therefrom when and where the vehicle has stopped;
g) comparing the location at which the vehicle has stopped with a list of parking locations controlled by said central computer, and, if said location at which the vehicle has stopped is one of them, registering the beginning of a parking;
h) activating a sign visible from outside the vehicle indicating legitimate parking;
i) counting the actual parking time;
j) when the vehicle begins to change its location, registering the end of the parking;
k) communicating from the central computer to the PA the subscriber'"'"'s number, the parking location, the actual parking time, and other data, if any, required for the PA to collect the parking fees from the subscriber.
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35. Integrated vehicle location system and parking network, which comprises:
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a—
the components of a vehicle location system, including at least a control center, a number of fixed stations and a VLU for each subscriber; and
b—
the components of a parking network, comprising at least one central computer, and, for each subscriber, in combination with said VLU, means for permitting said VLU to communicate with said central computer. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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41. Parking network, for controlling vehicle parking and charging parking fees to a number of subscribers, substantially as described and illustrated.
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42. Parking apparatus, substantially as described and illustrated.
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43. Method of controlling vehicle parking and charging parking fees to subscribers, substantially as described and illustrated.
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44. Integrated vehicle location system and parking network, substantially as described and illustrated.
Specification