Method and system of payment for parking using a smart device

• US 8,131,596 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2010
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George C. Mcquilken
• Original Assignee: George C. Mcquilken
• Inventors: McQuilken, George C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garg, Yogesh C
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, MATTHEW E
• Application Number:
  US12/759,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20100268618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26.1, 705/418
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/308 using the Internet of Things
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4015 using location information
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

In a first embodiment, a location-aware payment system including: a smart device, the smart device including: a location sensing mechanism for detecting its location; an identification mechanism for identifying the smart device; and a wireless communication mechanism; a display device having at least one of an indicator light, a printed receipt, and a digital read out; and a server, the server including: a wireless communication mechanism communicating with the smart device and display device; and a software program loaded into the server that receives and sends out communications, calculates amounts due between a payor and a payee, issues authorization codes, and performs banking transactions between a payor and a payee. In a second embodiment, the invention is a location-aware payment system including: at least two smart devices, the smart devices including: a location sensing mechanism for detecting its location; an identification mechanism for identifying the smart device; and a wireless communication mechanism; and a server, the server including: a wireless communication mechanism communicating with the smart devices; and a software program loaded into the server that receives and sends out communications, calculates amounts due between a payor and a payee, issues authorization codes, and performs banking transactions between a payor and a payee.

Claims

1. A location-aware payment system comprising:

a smart device, the smart device configured to at least;

receive a selection from a user of a park request and specification of a duration; and

calculate a location of the user and accuracy of the location;

transmit the location, the duration, and a smart device ID to a server;

transmit the duration to a display device;

a server, the server configured to at least;

receive from the smart device the location, the duration, and the smart device ID and in response calculate a charge, a payor, and a payee based on the received smart device ID, location, and duration; and

transmit the charge and an authorization code to the smart device;

a display device, wherein the display device is physically separate from the smart device and the server and configured to at least;

receive the duration from the smart device; and

display at least one of an indicator light, receipt, code, placard, or the duration.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a software program configured to perform banking transactions between the payor and the payee.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the software program is also configured to issue authorization codes.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the smart device is configured to determine the location using at least one of a GPS receiver, a system that triangulates position between cell towers, a WiFi positioning system receiver, and an XPS receiver.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the smart device is configured with wireless communication using at least one of 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, NFC, and Bluetooth.

6. A method of paying for parking comprising the steps of:

receiving a user selection of a park option and specification of a duration on a smart device having an ID;

calculating, by the smart device, a location of the user and accuracy of the location;

transmitting the smart device ID, location, and duration to a server;

in response to transmitting the smart device ID, location, and duration to the server, calculating a charge, a payor, and a payee based on the received smart device ID, location, and duration;

transmitting the charge to the smart device by the server;

transmitting the duration to a display device by the smart device, wherein the display device is physically separate from the smart device and the server; and

the display device displaying one of an indicator light, receipt, code placard, or the duration.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of calculating a fee, debiting the payor, and crediting the payee.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of transmitting an information message to the smart device.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of the smart device displaying a warning message at a pre-determined amount of time before the end of the duration.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of purchasing additional duration using the smart device by repeating the previous steps.