System and method of obtaining and using a vehicle identifier for providing information to an end user

• US 9,020,687 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2011
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gamba Group Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Gamba Group Ltd
• Inventors: Mendelson, Ehud
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US12/930,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20140213176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,565 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/400, 701468-469, 701/31.5, 340/932.2, 340/933
• US Class Current: 701/31.5
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3685 the POI's being parking facilities
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/04 Position of source determined by a plurality of spaced direction-finders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00
• 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: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/009 User recognition or proximity detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 indicating individual free spaces in parking areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/24 for communication between two or more posts wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/26 at least one of which is mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A wireless transmitter using Wi-Fi or long range Bluetooth wireless devices for emitting a signal including one of the vehicle ID or the VIN. The signal is received by one or more deployed RF receivers. The received data can be utilized to aid an individual in locating a parking location of a specific vehicle, for use in recognizing the vehicle for passage through a tollway, a gate, or any other controlled passageway. The system is capable of operating either indoors or outdoors. The one of the vehicle ID or the VIN obtained through the emitted signal from the vehicle RF device can be associated with a payment account for payment of tolls, parking, etc. Receipt and decoding of the vehicle ID or the VIN can additionally be used to initiate telematics or other applications using an association with the vehicle identifier.

Claims

1. A method utilizing a personally assigned vehicle identification reference or a manufacturer'"'"'s assigned vehicle identification number (VIN) as a reference for obtaining information, the method comprises the steps of:

encoding one of a vehicle identification reference (ID) or a vehicle identification number (VIN) number into an Radio Frequency (RF) beacon, wherein said RF beacon is located within the vehicle transmitting the encoding from the vehicle to another party, wherein said RF beacon utilizes at least one of a long range Bluetooth signal (a wireless communication protocol standard using short-wavelength radio waves in the ISM band from 2.4 to 2.485 GHz in accordance with industry standard IEEE 802.15) and Wi-Fi signal (a local area wireless technology that allows an electronic device to exchange data or connect to the internet using 2.4 GHz UHF and 5 GHz SHF radio waves in accordance with industry standard IEEE 802.11);

broadcasting the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN in a naming packet of the at least one of a long range Bluetooth signal and the Wi-Fi signal; and

decoding the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN by an authorize wireless scanning device; and

utilizing the decoded one of the vehicle ID or the VIN to initiate telematics and location base services (LBS) applications.

2. The method according to claim 1, the method further comprising a step of utilizing one of a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi device to scan and decode the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of integrating said RF beacon into a vehicle.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising a step of transmitting the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN only when the RF beacon detects a scanning request from an authorized device.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of determining a location of the vehicle by using at least one RF beacon located at a distance from the vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of determining a current position of a vehicle by a using the current car ID broadcasting signal in combination with at least one RF beacon located at a distance from the vehicle to determine a location of the vehicle when the vehicle is parked at an indoor location and a GPS method to determine the location of the vehicle when the vehicle is parked at an outdoor location.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of initiating at least one telematics application utilizing the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN, wherein the at least one telematics application is one of:

a return 2 parking application,

an access and security control,

a protection add-on to prevent car theft,

a scanning control mechanism enabling authorities to scan an area for stolen cars using a wireless scanning device that communicates with the RF beacon associated with the vehicle,

a local tracking and add-on to the car GPS navigation for more precise accuracy when needed, and

a digital secure payment method that can be use for gas or parking payment using the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of utilizing the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN obtained from the RF beacon associated with the vehicle to initiate access through at least one of a tollway, obtain access through a gate, and obtain access to a controlled roadway.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of utilizing the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN obtained from the RF beacon associated with the vehicle to initiate electronic payment for parking.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of utilizing the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN obtained from the RF beacon associated with the vehicle to initiate electronic payment for at least one of tolls, parking, and payment of gas, wherein the payment is processed through an account associated with the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of activating a telematics application, wherein the telematics application at least one of prevents car thefts and broadcasts the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN in an emergency situation to notify another party of the emergency situation.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of activating a telematics application, wherein the telematics application tracks the vehicle location by broadcasting the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of activating a telematics application, wherein the telematics application provides initial and replenishment payments to a parking meter by utilizing the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN in conjunction with an associated payment transaction process.

14. The method according to claim 1, the method further employing a return 2 parking telematics application comprising steps of:

scanning an area utilized for parking vehicles for one of the vehicle ID or the VIN;

determining a precise location of the parked vehicle using the one of the vehicle ID or the VIN in conjunction with other RF devices deployed throughout the area utilized for parking vehicles;

determining a distance and direction between a display device and the parking space; and

providing navigation information to the user through an image displayed on the display device.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising a step of displaying a graphical image on the display device presenting navigation between a current position of the display device and the precise location of the parked vehicle.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising a step of presenting the graphical image as an omni directional circular display on the display device.