Parking space payment method

• US 20040059693A1
• Filed: 07/24/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Parkeon, Schlumberger Systemes
• Original Assignee: Parkeon
• Inventors: Hausen, Axel, Mougin, Thierry
• Application Number:
  US10/470,122
• Publication Number:
  US 20040059693A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/418
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/02 taking into account a variable factor such as distance or time, e.g. for passenger transport, parking systems or car rental systems G07B15/06 takes precedence; taximeters G07B13/00; parking meters per se G07F17/24; car rental systems per se G07B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/246 provided with vehicle proximity-detectors detecting hidden masses, e.g. metal detectors, G01V, e.g. G01V3/00; proximity switches per se H03K17/00; traffic control systems G08G1/00

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the payment of a service, such as parking rights for an automotive vehicle, issued by a terminal such as a Pay & Display machine. The method includes the stages of: a user who has first registered with a server calls the said server using appropriate telecommunication means; the said server identifies the said telecommunication means, the user and the terminal through the call signal and sends a message authorising access to the said terminal; when said message is received, the said terminal authorises the user to use its services on set conditions

Claims

1. Method for the payment of a service, such as parking rights for an automotive vehicle, issued by a terminal (10) such as a Pay &

Display machine, characterised in that it includes the following successive stages;

A user who has first registered with a server (2), calls the said server (2) using appropriate telecommunication means;

The said server (2) identifies the said telecommunication means, the user and the terminal (10) through the call signal and sends a message authorising access to the said terminal (10);

When the said message is received, the said terminal (10) authorises the user to use its services on set conditions.

2. Method for the payment of a service according to claim 1, characterised in that the said authorisation message includes tariff parameters, which tariff parameters are specific to the said user and are determined when the user registers with the said server (2) and in that the said terminal (10) determines the cost of the services issued to the user by taking account of the said tariff parameters.

3. Method for the payment of a parking space according to claim 1, characterised in that the said authorisation message contains payment parameters, which payment parameters are specific to the said user and are determined when the user registers with the said server (2) and in that the said terminal (10) issues the services to the said user subject to the said payment parameters.

4. Method for the payment of a service according to any claim from 1 to 3, characterised in that the said user pays all or part of the services directly to the terminal using appropriate payment means.

5. Method for the payment of a service according to any claim from 1 to 4, characterised in that all or part of the services used by the user are charged to the said user by the said server (2), which server (2) receives from the said terminal (10) a transaction report specifying the services used by the said user.

6. Method for the payment of a service according to any claim from 1 to 5, characterised in that the said server (2) identifies the said terminal (10) with the telephone number used by the said user to call the said server (2).

7. Method for the payment of a service according to claim 6, characterised in that the said user calls the said server (2) by dialling a particular call number posted on the said terminal (10).

8. Method for the payment of a service according to any claim from 1 to 7, characterised in that the said server (2) identifies the user by the telephone number of the telephone (20) used by the said user to call the said server (2).

9. Method for the payment of a service according to claim 8, characterised in that the said server (2) includes means to identify the telephone number of the calling telephone without answering the call.

10. Method for the payment of a service according to claim 9 characterised in that the user stops the call to the server (2) as soon as a signal is emitted to indicate connection with the said server such as a ring signal.

11. Method for the payment of a service according to any claim from 1 to 10, characterised in that in order to access the services of the said terminal (10), the user must divulge his or her identity by entering a personal password.

12. Method for the payment of a service according to any claim from 1 to 11, characterised in that the said user accesses the said server (2) through a mobile telephone (20).

13. Method for the payment of a service according to any claim from 1 to 12, characterised in that the value of the service is debited from an account with the server (2) or a bank operator or a telecommunications network operator (3).

14. Method for the payment of a service according to any claim from 1 to 13, characterised in that the value of the service is debited from a prepaid account.

15. Method for the payment of a service according to claim 14, characterised in that the said prepaid account is rechargeable with a prepaid scratch card.

16. Method for the payment of a service according to claim 12, characterised in that the value of the service is debited from an e-purse card or a bank card inserted in the said telephone (20).

17. Method for the payment of a parking space for an automotive vehicle according to any of the claims above, using at least one Pay &

Display machine (10) connected to a parking server (2), characterised in that it includes the following successive stages.

A user with a mobile telephone (20) subscribing to a mobile telephone network (3) calls the said parking server (2) at a telephone number stated on the said Pay &

Display machine;

The said server (2) automatically identifies the calling telephone number and the called telephone number and thereby identifies the relevant Pay &

Display machine (10) and the user;

The said server (2) transmits an authorisation message to the Pay &

Display machine (10) so that the said user can enter a parking time;

The said Pay &

Display machine issues to the said user a parking ticket (11);

The said Pay &

Display machine (10) sends to the said server (2) information about the parking time requested by the user;

The said server (2) charges the parking time to the said user.