Virtual parking management
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A virtual parking meter apparatus, comprising:
- a communication unit adapted to receive service information for vehicle parking in a spatial and time varying parking area from a parking service management apparatus;
a positioning unit adapted to determine a geographical position of a vehicle in the spatial and time varying parking area; and
a ticketing unit adapted to send a ticket request to request issuance of a vehicle parking ticket at the parking service management apparatus in accordance with the geographical position, the received service information, and a user of the virtual parking meter apparatus being authenticated as a valid user of parking services in the spatial and time varying parking area by a parking service management apparatus receiving the ticket request from the virtual parking meter apparatus and authenticating the user responsive thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus manages vehicle parking services in a flexible and cost efficient manner. Service information for vehicle parking in a spatial and time varying parking area is received at a vehicle from a parking service management apparatus. A geographical position of the vehicle relative to the parking area is determined and forwarded to the parking service management apparatus. These communications can trigger issuance of a vehicle parking ticket at the parking service management apparatus based on the geographical position of the vehicle.
4 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A virtual parking meter apparatus, comprising:
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a communication unit adapted to receive service information for vehicle parking in a spatial and time varying parking area from a parking service management apparatus; a positioning unit adapted to determine a geographical position of a vehicle in the spatial and time varying parking area; and a ticketing unit adapted to send a ticket request to request issuance of a vehicle parking ticket at the parking service management apparatus in accordance with the geographical position, the received service information, and a user of the virtual parking meter apparatus being authenticated as a valid user of parking services in the spatial and time varying parking area by a parking service management apparatus receiving the ticket request from the virtual parking meter apparatus and authenticating the user responsive thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A parking service management apparatus, comprising:
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a parking information unit adapted to store and manage spatial and time varying parking areas and service information for vehicle parking; a communication unit adapted to; disseminate the service information for vehicle parking to a spatial and time varying parking area, and receive a ticket request from a vehicle or an on-site parking meter apparatus, wherein the ticket request at least indicates a geographical position of a vehicle requesting the ticket; and an authentication unit adapted for authentication of a user of parking services responsive to the ticket request that was received; and a ticketing unit adapted to issue a vehicle parking ticket in accordance with the geographical position and service information for vehicle parking, and responsive to the authentication of the user. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method of operating a virtual parking meter apparatus, comprising the steps of:
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receiving service information for vehicle parking in a spatial and time varying parking area from a parking service management apparatus; determining a geographical position of a vehicle in the spatial and time varying parking area; and sending a ticket request to request issuance of a vehicle parking ticket at the parking service management apparatus in accordance with the geographical position, the received service information, and a user of the virtual parking meter apparatus being authenticated as a valid user of parking services in the spatial and time varying parking area by a parking service management apparatus that receives the ticket request from the virtual parking meter apparatus and authenticating the user responsive thereto. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating a parking service management apparatus, comprising the steps of:
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storing and managing spatial and time varying parking areas and service information for vehicle parking; disseminating the service information for vehicle parking to a spatial and time varying parking area; receiving a ticket request from a vehicle or an on-site parking meter apparatus, wherein the ticket request at least indicates a geographical position of the vehicle requesting the ticket; authenticating a user of parking services responsive to the receiving the ticket request; and issuing a vehicle parking ticket responsive to the authenticating the user and in accordance with the geographical position and service information for vehicle parking. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification