Parking environment management system and method

• US RE47,678 E1
• Filed: 11/03/2017
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IPT, LLC
• Original Assignee: IPT, LLC
• Inventors: Marchasin, Cory D., Moynihan, Patrick J., Johnson, Josiah D., Berman, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Carlson, Jeffrey D
• Application Number:
  US15/803,734
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• CPC Class Codes: N/A

Abstract

A system and method for managing a permit-based parking environment governed by a parking program. The permit-based parking environment includes a number of parking permits each including a unique RFID tag and tag number. One or more RFID readers are used to scan the vehicles parked in the parking environment to determine if a RFID tag is associated with the parked vehicle. The results of the scan along with information related to the parked vehicle are provided to a permit management system to determine if the vehicle is parked within the scope of privileges pre-defined for that vehicle, pursuant to the parking program governing the parking environment. The permit management system stores, manages, and monitors data related to the permits controlled under the parking program.

Claims

1. A parking management system comprising:

a detection module for detecting scofflaw violations, the detection module receiving data from a remote computer system and capturing a unique identifier associated with a parked vehicle, the detection module analyzing the data and the unique identifier in order to determine if a scofflaw violation is occurring and for issuing at least one enforcement action based upon the scofflaw violation;

an enforcement module for executing the at least one enforcement action, the at least one enforcement action including immobilization of the parked vehicle via placement of a locking boot utilizing a boot release code on a tire of a vehicle; and

a resolution module for facilitating performance of remedial measures, the resolution module including a payment module for receiving payment of a fine associated with the at least one enforcement action by an operator of the vehicle, a release module for communicating the boot release code to the operator for releasing the parked vehicle from immobilization upon payment of the fine and a return module for communicating instructions to the operator for return of the locking boot,

wherein the fine associated with the at least one enforcement action further comprises a deposit amount, returnable to the operator, upon successful removal and return by the operator, of the locking boot, to the parking management system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the locking boot includes a boot tag identifier.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the parking management system comprises a database for storing at least one of the boot tag identifier, a lock code, and an unlock code for the locking boot.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the locking boot comprises A parking management system, comprising:

a detection module for detecting scofflaw violations, the detection module comprising a computer having a memory, digital camera, and modem, the detection module receiving data over a network from a remote computer system and capturing a unique identifier associated with a parked vehicle, the detection module analyzing the data and the unique identifier in order to determine if a scofflaw violation is occurring and for issuing at least one enforcement action based upon the scofflaw violation;

an enforcement module that includes one or more locking vehicle wheel boots for executing immobilization of a parked vehicle, each locking vehicle wheel boot of the one or more locking vehicle wheel boots configured to close about a vehicle tire, each locking vehicle wheel boot of the one or more locking vehicle wheel boots including a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and a lock that locks the locking vehicle wheel boot when the locking vehicle wheel boot is closed about a vehicle tire, each locking vehicle wheel boot utilizing a boot release code and the associated lock controlling release of the locking vehicle wheel boot in response to receiving the boot release code when the locking vehicle wheel boot is closed about the vehicle tire, the enforcement module configured to immobilize the parked vehicle as part of the at least one enforcement action, the at least one enforcement action including immobilization of the parked vehicle via placement of a locking vehicle wheel boot of the one or more locking vehicle wheel boots about a tire of the parked vehicle, the locking vehicle wheel boot utilizing a boot release code, the locking vehicle wheel boot closed on the tire of the parked vehicle; and

a resolution module for facilitating performance of remedial measures, the resolution module being a computer system that includes;

(1) a payment module having a computer payment processor, configured to be communicatively connected to a communications network for receiving payment information over the communications network for payment of a fine associated with the at least one enforcement action by an operator of the parked vehicle and processing the payment information for payment of the fine, (2) a release module having a computer release processor for communicating the boot release code for the locking vehicle wheel boot utilizing the boot release code and closed on the tire of the vehicle to the operator over the communications network, based on processing the payment information for payment of the fine, the boot release code for releasing the parked vehicle from immobilization by the locking vehicle wheel boot upon processing the payment information for payment of the fine, and (3) a return module having a computer return processor for communicating instructions to the operator over the communications network for return of the locking vehicle wheel boot,

wherein the fine associated with the at least one enforcement action comprises a deposit amount, returnable to the operator, upon successful removal and return, by the operator, of the locking vehicle wheel boot, to a location indicated by the instructions communicated over the communications network to the operator by the parking management system.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the parking management system is configured to track a location of the locking vehicle wheel boot using the GPS receiver.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the parking management system is communicatively connected to the boot via a pager network.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the parking management system remotely unlocks the boot by transmitting an unlock code to the boot via the pager network.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the unique identifier is a vehicle'"'"'s license plate number.

9. A method for managing a parking program, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving data from a remote computer system and electronically reading a unique identifier associated with a parked vehicle;

analyzing the data and the unique identifier in order to determine if a scofflaw violation is occurring;

issuing at least one enforcement action based upon the scofflaw violation;

executing the at least one enforcement action, the at least one enforcement action including immobilization of the parked vehicle via placement of a locking boot utilizing a boot release code on a tire of a vehicle; and

facilitating performance of remedial measures, the at least one remedial measure including paying a fine associated with the at least one enforcement action by an operator of the vehicle, communicating the boot release code to the operator for releasing the parked vehicle from immobilization upon payment of the fine and a return module for communicating instructions to the operator for return of the locking boot,

wherein the fine associated with the at least one enforcement action further comprises a deposit amount, returnable to the operator, upon successful removal and return by the operator, of the locking boot, to the parking management system.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the unique identifier is a vehicle'"'"'s license plate number.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the locking boot comprises a boot RFID tag which stores a boot tag identifier.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the boot tag identifier is associated with a code for unlocking the boot.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving parked vehicle data from a mobile device.

14. A parking management system comprising:

a detection module for detecting scofflaw violations, the detection module receiving data from a remote computer system and capturing a unique identifier associated with a parked vehicle, the detection module analyzing the data and the unique identifier in order to determine if a scofflaw violation is occurring and for issuing at least one enforcement action based upon the scofflaw violation;

an enforcement module for executing the at least one enforcement action, the at least one enforcement action including immobilization of the parked vehicle via placement of a locking boot utilizing a boot release code on a tire of a vehicle and communicating an identification number of the locking boot to a database;

a resolution module for facilitating performance of remedial measures, the resolution module including a payment module for receiving payment of a fine associated with the at least one enforcement action by an operator of the vehicle, a release module for communicating the boot release code to the operator for releasing the parked vehicle from immobilization upon payment of the fine and a return module for communicating instructions to the operator for return of the locking boot and verifying the identification number of the locking boot being returned matches the identification number communicated to the database.

15. A parking management system comprising:

a detection module for detecting scofflaw violations, the detection module including a memory, digital camera, and modem, and configured for receiving data from a remote computer system over a network and capturing a unique identifier associated with a parked vehicle, the detection module analyzing the data and the unique identifier in order to determine if a scofflaw violation is occurring and for issuing at least one enforcement action based upon the scofflaw violation;

an enforcement module that includes a locking boot utilizing a boot release code, the locking boot having;

(1) jaws configured to open to receive a tire of a vehicle, and to close about the tire;

(2) a lock configured to secure the locking boot to the tire and to release responsive to receipt by the locking boot of the boot release code;

(3) a GPS receiver; and

(4) a boot tag secured to the locking boot, the boot tag having;

a receiving antenna, a controller, a receiver, a memory, a transmitter, a transmitting antenna, and a power source, the receiving antenna coupled to the controller via the receiver, the memory coupled to the controller, the controller configured to extract data from a signal received via the receiving antenna, the transmitter configured to transmit information stored in the memory via the transmitting antenna;

the enforcement module for executing the at least one enforcement action, the at least one enforcement action including immobilization of the parked vehicle via placement of the locking boot utilizing the boot release code on a tire of the parked vehicle, closing the jaws around the tire of the parked vehicle, and communicating an identification number of the locking boot to a database;

a computer resolution module for facilitating performance of remedial measures, the computer resolution module being a computer system that includes;

(1) a payment module having a payment processor, configured to be communicatively connected to a communications network for receiving payment information over the communications network for payment of a fine associated with the at least one enforcement action by an operator of the parked vehicle and processing the payment information for payment of the fine, (2) a release module having a release processor for communicating the boot release code for the locking boot utilizing the boot release code and jaws closed around the tire of the parked vehicle to the operator over the communications network for releasing the parked vehicle from immobilization upon processing the payment information for payment of the fine, and (3) a return module having a return processor configured for communicating instructions over the communications network to the operator for return of the locking boot and verifying the identification number of the locking boot being returned matches the identification number previously communicated to the database.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the locking boot is configured to be communicatively coupled via a wireless network to the parking management system.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the locking boot is configured to be communicatively coupled via a wireless network to the parking management system and configured to be remotely released by the parking management system.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the unique identifier is a license plate number of the parked vehicle.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the detection module further includes a web browser.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the detection module further includes a GPS receiver.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the detection module comprises a reader device and is configured to capture an image of a vehicle.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the detection module comprises a stationary reader device.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein the detection module comprises a handheld reader device.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein the detection module further includes a GPS receiver and the parking management system is configured to track a location of the detection module based on the GPS receiver.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein the locking boot further has an accelerometer configured to measure impact or shock.

26. The system of claim 15, wherein the parking management system is configured to track a location of the locking boot using the GPS receiver.

27. A parking management system, comprising:

a detection module for detecting scofflaw violations, the detection module comprising a computer having a memory, digital camera, and modem, the detection module receiving data over a network from a remote computer system and capturing a unique identifier associated with the parked vehicle, the detection module analyzing the data and the unique identifier in order to determine if a scofflaw violation is occurring and for issuing at least one enforcement action based upon the scofflaw violation;

an enforcement module that includes one or more locking vehicle wheel boots for executing immobilization of a parked vehicle, each locking vehicle wheel boot of the one or more locking vehicle wheel boots configured to close about a vehicle tire, each locking vehicle wheel boot of the one or more locking vehicle wheel boots including a lock that locks the locking vehicle wheel boot when the locking vehicle wheel boot is closed about a vehicle tire, each locking vehicle wheel boot utilizing a boot release code and the associated lock controlling release of the locking vehicle wheel boot in response to receiving the boot release code when the locking vehicle wheel boot is closed about the vehicle tire, the enforcement module configured to immobilize the parked vehicle as part of the at least one enforcement action, the at least one enforcement action including immobilization of the parked vehicle via placement of a locking vehicle wheel boot of the one or more locking vehicle wheel boots about a tire of the parked vehicle, the locking vehicle wheel boot utilizing a boot release code, the locking vehicle wheel boot closed on the tire of the parked vehicle, wherein the locking vehicle wheel boot includes an accelerometer configured to measure at least one of impact and shock; and

a resolution module for facilitating performance of remedial measures, the resolution module being a computer system that includes;

(1) a payment module having a computer payment processor, configured to be communicatively connected to a communications network for receiving payment information over the communications network for payment of a fine associated with the at least one enforcement action by an operator of the parked vehicle and processing the payment information for payment of the fine, (2) a release module having a computer release processor for communicating the boot release code for the locking vehicle wheel boot utilizing the boot release code and closed on the tire of the vehicle to the operator over the communications network, based on processing the payment information for payment of the fine, the boot release code for releasing the parked vehicle from immobilization by the locking vehicle wheel boot upon processing the payment information for payment of the fine, and (3) a return module having a computer return processor for communicating instructions to the operator over the communications network for return of the locking vehicle wheel boot, the fine associated with the at least one enforcement action comprises a deposit amount, returnable to the operator, upon successful removal and return, by the operator, of the locking vehicle wheel boot, to a location indicated by the instructions communicated over the communications network to the operator by the parking management system.

28. A parking management system, comprising:

a detection module to detect scofflaw violations, the detection module comprising a mobile computer having a memory, digital camera, modem, and at least one software application, and configured to;

receive data over a wireless network from a remote computer system, capture a unique identifier associated with a parked vehicle, analyze the data and the unique identifier to determine if a scofflaw violation is occurring, and issue at least one enforcement action for execution if the scofflaw violation is determined to be occurring;

an enforcement module comprising;

a vehicle boot, the vehicle boot configured to open and close about a vehicle tire and including;

a lock configured to secure the vehicle boot when closed, and release the vehicle boot when closed responsive to receipt of an unlock code;

an antenna, a controller, a memory coupled to the controller, a receiver coupled to the controller, and a transmitter coupled to the controller;

the enforcement module configured for executing the at least one enforcement action, the at least one enforcement action including immobilization of the parked vehicle via placement and closure of the vehicle boot on a vehicle tire of the parked vehicle and communicate an identification number of the vehicle boot to a database on a server, wherein the locking vehicle wheel boot includes an accelerometer;

a computer resolution module for facilitating performance of remedial measures, the computer resolution module being a computer system that includes;

(1) a computer payment module comprising a payment processor configured to be communicatively connected to a communications network to receive payment information via the communications network for payment of a fine associated with the at least one enforcement action from an operator of the parked vehicle and to process the payment information for payment of the fine, (2) a computer release module comprising a release processor configured to communicate, to the operator of the parked vehicle, the unlock code for release of the vehicle boot closed on the vehicle tire over the communications network responsive to receipt of the payment from the operator of the parked vehicle for releasing the parked vehicle from immobilization upon payment of the fine, and (3) a return module comprising a return processor configured to communicate instructions over the communications network to the operator of the parked vehicle for return, by the operator of the parked vehicle, of the vehicle boot to a location of the parking management system indicated by the instructions, the fine associated with the at least one enforcement action comprises a deposit amount, returnable to the operator of the parked vehicle, upon successful removal and return of the vehicle boot to the location indicated by the instructions.

29. A parking management system comprising:

a detection module for detecting scofflaw violations, the detection module including a handheld reader device and a reader docking station, the handheld reader device configured for wireless network communication with a boot tag, the handheld reader device including;

(A) a receiver;

(B) a receive antenna;

(C) a controller;

(D) a transmitter;

(E) a transmit antenna;

(F) a memory;

(G) a GPS receiver;

(H) an input device; and

(I) a digital camera, the detection module receiving, via the receive antenna, data from a remote computer system and capturing, via the digital camera, an image of a parked vehicle, the detection module analyzing the data and a unique identifier in order to determine if a scofflaw violation is occurring and for issuing at least one enforcement action based upon the scofflaw violation, the reader docking station in wireless network communication with a boot manager, the reader docking station configured to receive the handheld reader device and to wirelessly synchronize, in real time, a data set of the handheld reader device with a data set of the boot manager;

an enforcement module including a locking boot utilizing a boot release code, the enforcement module for executing the at least one enforcement action, the at least one enforcement action including providing the locking boot utilizing the boot release code for immobilization of the parked vehicle via placement of the locking boot utilizing the boot release code on a tire of the parked vehicle and communicating an identification number of the locking boot to a database, the locking boot configured to open to receive a wheel of a vehicle, and to close about the wheel, the locking boot including (1) a lock configured to secure the locking boot to the wheel and release responsive to receipt of an unlock code;

(2) a GPS receiver; and

(3) the boot tag, secured to the locking boot, the boot tag having;

(a) a receive antenna;

(b) a controller;

(c) a receiver;

(d) a memory;

(e) a transmitter;

(f) a transmit antenna, and (g) a power source, the receive antenna coupled to the controller via the receiver, the memory coupled to the controller, the controller configured to extract data from a signal received via the receive antenna, the transmitter configured to transmit information stored in the memory via the transmit antenna; and

a resolution module for facilitating performance of remedial measures, the resolution module including the boot manager, the resolution module being a computer system that includes;

(1) a payment module for receiving payment of a fine associated with the at least one enforcement action by an operator of the vehicle, (2) a release module for communicating the boot release code to the operator for releasing the parked vehicle from immobilization upon payment of the fine, and (3) a return module for communicating instructions to the operator for return of the locking boot and verifying the identification number of the locking boot being returned matches the identification number communicated to the database.

30. A parking management system comprising:

a detection module for detecting scofflaw violations, the detection module including a handheld reader device having a memory, barcode scanning software, and a modem, the detection module receiving data over a network from a remote computer system and capturing a unique identifier associated with a parked vehicle, the detection module analyzing the data and the unique identifier in order to determine if a scofflaw violation is occurring and for issuing at least one enforcement action based upon the scofflaw violation;

an enforcement module that includes one or more network-connectable locking vehicle wheel boots for executing immobilization of a parked vehicle, each locking vehicle wheel boot of the one or more locking vehicle wheel boots configured to close about a vehicle tire, each locking vehicle wheel boot of the one or more locking vehicle wheel boots including a lock that locks the locking vehicle wheel boot when the locking vehicle wheel boot is closed about a vehicle tire, each locking vehicle wheel boot utilizing a boot release code and the associated lock controlling release of the locking vehicle wheel boot in response to receiving the boot release code when the locking vehicle wheel boot is closed about the vehicle tire, the enforcement module configured to immobilize the parked vehicle as part of the at least one enforcement action, the at least one enforcement action including immobilization of the parked vehicle via placement of a locking vehicle wheel boot of the one or more locking vehicle wheel boots about a tire of the parked vehicle, the locking vehicle wheel boot utilizing a boot release code, the locking vehicle wheel boot closed on the tire of the parked vehicle; and

a resolution module for facilitating performance of remedial measures, the resolution module being a computer system that includes;

(1) a payment module having a computer payment processor, configured to be communicatively connected to a communications network for receiving payment information over the communications network for payment of a fine associated with the at least one enforcement action by an operator of the parked vehicle and processing the payment information for payment of the fine, (2) a release module having a computer release processor for communicating the boot release code for the locking vehicle wheel boot utilizing the boot release code and closed on the tire of the vehicle to the operator over the communications network, based on processing the payment information for payment of the fine, the boot release code for releasing the parked vehicle from immobilization by the locking vehicle wheel boot upon processing the payment information for payment of the fine, and (3) a return module having a computer return processor for communicating instructions to the operator over the communications network for return of the locking vehicle wheel boot,

wherein the fine associated with the at least one enforcement action comprises a deposit amount, returnable to the operator, upon successful removal and return, by the operator, of the locking vehicle wheel boot, to a location indicated by the instructions communicated over the communications network to the operator by the parking management system.