Automobile communication and registry system

• US 7,230,545 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2003
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nattel Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nattel Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Patel, Rajesh, Nath, Sanjeev
• Primary Examiner(s): Trieu; Van T.
• Application Number:
  US10/704,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20050099320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.1, 340/933, 340/937, 340/938, 340/904, 340/942, 340/905, 340/955, 340/5.9, 340/6.31, 340/932.2, 701/1, 701/36, 235/381, 235/385, 455/456.1, 455/461, 455/462, 342/357.06, 342/357.12
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/123 indicating the position of vehicles, e.g. scheduled vehicles; Managing passenger vehicles circulating according to a fixed timetable, e.g. buses, trains, tramstransmission of navigation instructions to vehicles G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 indicating individual free spaces in parking areas

Abstract

The invention is directed to method and system for providing automatic vehicle registration and control via transceiver-facilitated wireless communication of a unique vehicle identification code and a vehicle location code from a vehicle.

Claims

1. A programmed method for automatically wirelessly registering, monitoring, and controlling without need for human intervention, a vehicle legally or illegally occupying a defined restricted-access zone, comprising:

(i) programming a vehicle operating system comprising a vehicle controller module independently powered in coordination with an authentication module loaded with a two-level authentication process for the prevention of theft or vandalism;

(ii) automatically communicating vehicle identity data and location data via a transceiver information from a vehicle by a wireless signal to an intelligent wireless communication device suitably mounted at a location to identify and monitor the vehicle within a defined restricted access zone;

(iii) registering the wireless signal in the intelligent wireless communication device and communicating by signal emission/reception through an external interface to and from a device with data access identifying registration, license, maintenance, and insurance, a device for monitoring an overall registration system, a programmable device updated with changing conditions and regulations, an automated device for revenue collection, thereby ascertaining the identity and location of the vehicle within the defined restricted-access zone;

(iv) returning information from the intelligent wireless monitoring device to the vehicle legally occupying within the defined restricted access zone wirelessly disclosing the conditions and parameters of time and place of the vehicle location issuing a permit or receipt;

or, alternatively,

(v) returning information from the intelligent wireless monitoring device to the vehicle legally occupying within the defined restricted access zone wirelessly disclosing the conditions and parameters of time and place of the vehicle location and issuing a warning or penalty to the vehicle; and

thereby wirelessly controlling vehicle stopping, standing and/or parking in said restricted space; and

(vi) wirelessly disabling the vehicle operation in case of intrusion, theft or vandalism of vehicle circuitry components, the transceiver signaling to shut down vehicle operation unless, in case of error, the vehicle operator exercises control to override the vehicle shutdown by providing a two-level security authentication code.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the defined restricted-access zone comprises a parking space, a vehicle loading zone, a taxi stand, a diplomat-reserved space, and a purchase or personnel pick-up zone.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle identity data comprises a vehicle identification number or code.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein other vehicle-associated information is communicated, selected from registration, insurance, ownership, and access permit information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the intelligent communication device is mounted in a parking meter.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameters of time and place comprise data relating to an elapsed parking time period, a parking time limit, a parking fee, and a type of required payment.

7. A method for automated law enforcement, said method comprising a step of:

(a) communicating via wireless means vehicle information to a intelligent wireless communication device (IWCD) mounted inside the group consisting of a parking meter, a roadside installation; and

(b) using said vehicle information in said IWCD to automatically generate a signal comprising vehicle'"'"'s control instructions from information communicated by signal emission/reception through an external interface to and from a device with data access identifying registration, license, maintenance, and insurance, a device for monitoring an overall registration system, a programmable device updated with changing conditions and regulations, and an automated device for revenue collection; and

(c) wirelessly disabling the vehicle operation in case of intrusion, theft or vandalism of the vehicle components, the IWCD signaling to shut down vehicle operation unless, in case of error, the vehicle operator exercises control to override the vehicle shutdown by providing a two-level security authentication code.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the IWCD is installed in a parking meter.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle is selected from the group consisting of:

an automobile, a truck, a bus, train, tractor, crane, a 2- or 3-wheel conveyance, and a motorcycle.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein said wireless means comprises:

WLAN 802.1 lx and 802.16 x standards means;

Radio Frequency means;

Bluetooth means; and

Infra Red means.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein said signal comprising vehicle control instruction not generated in pre-defined exception conditions includes use of the parking space for emergency purposes.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the pre-defined exception condition entails emergency situations.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein an emergency situation comprises an emergency parking for law enforcement personnel, fire hydrants, Bus stops, designated zones and the like.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the emergency situations are pre-stored in one of:

a control system installed in the moving vehicle and configured to restrict the use of the parking zone when a safety hazard exists;

an automobile registry communication system (ARCS);

an intelligent wireless communication device (IWCD) mounted inside a parking meter; and

an intelligent wireless monitoring device (IWMD) mounted on a roadside installation.