Citation free parking method
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring and charging a fee for parking a vehicle in a toll parking location comprising the steps;
- (a) providing unique identification for a vehicle to be positioned in a toll parking location, the unique identification detectable from exterior the vehicle;
(b) assembling a database containing unique identification data for association with each of a plurality of vehicles;
(c) providing a plurality of toll parking locations, each location correlated with a toll parking charge per selected unit of time;
(d) sensing with an identification-sensing device, once per selected unit of time, the unique identification of vehicles parked in the toll parking location; and
(e) charging a fee to a user for each unique identification-sensing occurrence for a vehicle parked in the toll parking location employing the unique identification data of the database.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a method for charging a toll for parking with minimal inconvenience for the user, where the user pays a set fee each time the vehicle is sensed occupying a parking location. In one embodiment, the novel method eliminates the need for any hardware inside the vehicle and makes use of standard communication technology systems to improve and simplify user parking along city streets. A method of monitoring parked vehicles to assure compliance with toll parking regulations is also disclosed. A camera device, having optical character recognition capabilities, photographs vehicle indicia and transmits data to, and receives data from, a remote central control unit to ensure vehicle compliance with regulations. The photograph provides confirming evidence should a user dispute billing for parking on a particular date and time.
119 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring and charging a fee for parking a vehicle in a toll parking location comprising the steps;
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(a) providing unique identification for a vehicle to be positioned in a toll parking location, the unique identification detectable from exterior the vehicle;
(b) assembling a database containing unique identification data for association with each of a plurality of vehicles;
(c) providing a plurality of toll parking locations, each location correlated with a toll parking charge per selected unit of time;
(d) sensing with an identification-sensing device, once per selected unit of time, the unique identification of vehicles parked in the toll parking location; and
(e) charging a fee to a user for each unique identification-sensing occurrence for a vehicle parked in the toll parking location employing the unique identification data of the database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of monitoring and charging a fee for parking a vehicle in a toll parking location comprising the steps;
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(a) providing unique identification for a vehicle to be positioned in a toll parking location, the unique identification detectable from exterior the vehicle;
(b) assembling a database containing unique identification data for association with each of a plurality of vehicles;
(c) providing a plurality of toll parking locations, each location correlated with a toll parking charge per selected unit of time;
(d) sensing with an identification-sensing device, once per selected unit of time, the unique identification of vehicles parked in the toll parking location;
(e) charging a fee to a user for each unique identification sensing occurrence for a vehicle parked in the toll parking location employing the unique identification data of the database; and
(f) associating a unique location identification with a vehicle parked in a toll parking location upon sensing the unique identification of the parked vehicle - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of monitoring and charging a fee for parking a vehicle in a toll parking location comprising the steps;
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(a) providing unique identification for a vehicle to be positioned in a toll parking location, the unique identification detectable from exterior the vehicle;
(b) assembling a database containing unique identification data, including a user name and a user billing information, for association with each of a plurality of vehicles;
(c) providing a plurality of toll parking locations, each location correlated with a toll parking charge per selected unit of time;
(d) sensing with an identification-sensing device, once per selected unit of time, the unique identification of vehicles parked in the toll parking location;
(e) charging a fee to a user for each unique identification sensing occurrence for a vehicle parked in the toll parking location employing the unique identification data of the database; and
(f) associating a unique location identification with a vehicle parked in a toll parking location upon sensing the unique identification of the parked vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification