Audio/video automated payment facility
First Claim
1. An automated payment system for a parking facility, comprising:
- an exit gate operable to control egress from the parking facility, anda payment terminal located in the parking facility remote from the exit gate,wherein the payment terminal includes (i) a ticket reader that receives a parking ticket, (ii) a microprocessor programmed to determine a required payment amount based on the parking ticket, (iii) a payment acceptor that receives the required payment amount, and (iv) a two-way video and audio communication system that enables two-way video and audio interaction between a customer at the payment terminal and a live attendant at a monitoring facility remote from the payment terminal.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A central monitoring station is linked to a plurality of remote terminals, such as payment terminals at a plurality of parking facilities. The central monitoring station and each remote terminal includes a two-way communication system in the form of a video camera and display, and audio speaker and microphone. The station and remote terminals are preferably linked through an Ethernet or Internet connection, although a hard-wired connection is also contemplated. The two-way communication system can be used by a customer at the remote terminal to achieve direct human interaction with an attendant at the remote central station to address problems occurring at the terminal. The communication system can also allow the attendant to manipulate the processor of each remote terminal to collect data, troubleshoot or override the function of the terminal.
30 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An automated payment system for a parking facility, comprising:
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an exit gate operable to control egress from the parking facility, and a payment terminal located in the parking facility remote from the exit gate, wherein the payment terminal includes (i) a ticket reader that receives a parking ticket, (ii) a microprocessor programmed to determine a required payment amount based on the parking ticket, (iii) a payment acceptor that receives the required payment amount, and (iv) a two-way video and audio communication system that enables two-way video and audio interaction between a customer at the payment terminal and a live attendant at a monitoring facility remote from the payment terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An automated payment system for a plurality of parking facilities comprising:
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a central monitoring facility, a plurality of exit facilities remote from the central monitoring facility, each of the plurality of exit facilities controlling egress from a corresponding one of the plurality of parking facilities, and a payment terminal remote from the central monitoring facility and each of the plurality of exit facilities, wherein the payment terminal includes means for assessing and receiving payment and means for establishing live video and audio interaction between a customer at the payment terminal and an attendant at the central monitoring facility. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An automated payment system for a parking facility, comprising:
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an gate apparatus operable to control egress from the parking facility, and a payment terminal remote from the gate apparatus, the payment terminal including; a microprocessor programmed to determine a required payment amount based on a parking ticket, a payment acceptor that receives the required payment amount, and a two-way video and audio communication system linking the automated payment system with a monitoring facility remote from the payment terminal including a video camera, a video display, a speaker, and a microphone at the payment terminal and including a video camera, a video display, a speaker, and a microphone at the monitoring facility for live audio and video communication. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification