Parking environment management system and method

• US 20060255119A1
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IPT, LLC
• Original Assignee: Paylock Incorporated
• Inventors: Moynihan, Patrick J., Berman, Lawrence, Johnson, Josiah D., Marchasin, Cory D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,950,570 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/093 comprising ground-engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• 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 17/244 provided with means for retaining a vehicle
• 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: Y10S 194/90 Parking meter with barrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 194/902 Check-operated device for controlling parking lot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5841 Rotation blocking

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 a parking violation;

an enforcement module for executing at least one enforcement action; and

a resolution module for facilitating performance of at least one remedial measure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection module comprises a RFID tag having a unique ID associated with a vehicle;

an RFID reader for reading the RFID tag; and

a privilege module communicatively connected to the RFID reader, wherein the privilege module configured to perform a privilege analysis.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the enforcement module and the resolution module comprise a boot-based enforcement system.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the boot-based enforcement system comprises

a boot for immobilizing a vehicle, wherein the boot includes a boot RFID tag readable by the RFID reader;

and

a boot management system communicatively connected to at least one of the RFID reader and the boot, wherein the boot management system is configured to execute the at least one enforcement action and facilitate performance of the at least one remedial measure.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the boot tag identifier is associated with a lock code and an unlock code for the boot.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the boot management system comprises a database for storing at least one of the boot tag identifier, the lock code, and the unlock code.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the boot management system comprises a payment processing module.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the boot comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the boot management system is configured to track a location of the boot using the GPS receiver.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein the boot management system is communicatively connected to the boot via a pager network.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the boot management system remotely unlocks the boot by transmitting an unlock code to the boot via the pager network.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection module comprises one or more parking enforcement officers identifying a parking violation by a visual inspection of a vehicle.

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

detecting a parking violation;

executing at least one enforcement action; and

facilitating performance of at least one remedial measure.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of detecting a parking violation comprises the steps of:

capturing a vehicle'"'"'s license plate number; and

using the license plate number to determine if there are outstanding parking violations associated therewith.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of detecting a parking violation comprises visually inspecting a vehicle'"'"'s surrounding.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of detecting a parking violation comprises the steps of:

scanning a parked vehicle with a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader to capture a tag identifier, wherein the tag identifier is associated with a parking permit;

using the reader to record parked vehicle data;

identifying tag data associated with the tag identifier;

conducting a privilege analysis to detect a parking violation; and

sending results of the privilege analysis to the reader for execution of at least one enforcement action.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of executing the enforcement action comprises immobilizing the vehicle using a vehicle boot.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the vehicle boot comprises a boot RFID tag which stores a boot tag identifier.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the boot tag identifier is associated with a code for unlocking the boot.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one remedial measure comprises unlocking the vehicle boot.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of facilitating performance of unlocking the vehicle boot comprises transmitting an unlock code to the vehicle boot.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of facilitating performance of unlocking the vehicle boot comprises transmitting an unlock code to the reader.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of facilitating performance of unlocking the vehicle boot comprises transmitting an unlock code to a vehicle operator.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one remedial measure comprises returning the vehicle boot to an appropriate location.

25. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of executing the enforcement action comprises administering a fine.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the remedial measure comprises payment of the fine.

27. The method of claim 13, wherein the tag data comprises parking privilege data.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of conducting the privilege analysis further comprises comparing the parked vehicle data with the parking privilege data.

29. The method of claim 13, wherein the tag data comprises authorized vehicle data.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of conducting the privilege analysis further comprises comparing the parked vehicle data with the authorized vehicle data.

31. A permit-based and boot-based parking environment comprising:

a permit management system comprising;

a user interface communicatively connected to one or more user groups, wherein the user interface provides user group-specific access to the permit management system,

a privilege module communicatively connected to the user interface, wherein the privilege module is configured to perform a privilege analysis,

a report generator communicatively connected to the user interface, wherein the report generator is configured to receive and fulfill one or more report requests, and

a permit database communicatively connected to the privilege module, the report generator, and the user interface;

at least one reader communicatively connected to the permit management system;

at least one parking permit, wherein each parking permit includes a unique tag readable by the at least one reader;

at least one vehicle boot for immobilizing a vehicle, wherein each boot includes a unique boot tag readable by the at least one reader; and

a boot management system configured to manage the at least one vehicle boot.

32. The parking environment of claim 31, wherein the boot management system comprises a database for storing boot data associated with the vehicle boot.

33. The parking environment of claim 32, wherein the boot data comprises a lock code and an unlock code.

34. The parking environment of claim 33, wherein the boot management system is configured to communicate the lock code and the unlock code to the vehicle boot.

35. The parking environment of claim 31, wherein the one or more readers comprise a RFID reader.

36. The parking environment of claim 31, wherein the boot management system comprises a payment processor for facilitating the payment of a fine.

37. The parking environment of claim 31, wherein the boot management system comprises a resolution module for facilitating the performance of the removal and return of the boot.

38. The parking environment of claim 31, wherein the one or more readers comprise a handheld RFID reader.

39. The parking environment of claim 31, wherein the one or more readers comprise a stationary RFID reader.

40. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer code for managing a permit-based parking program, wherein the computer code comprises:

code for receiving a tag identifier captured by a reader during scanning of a parked vehicle, wherein the tag identifier is associated with a parking permit;

code for receiving parked vehicle data from the reader;

code for identifying tag data associated with the tag identifier;

code for conducting a privilege analysis to determine if there is a parking violation;

code for receiving a boot tag identifier captured by a reader during scanning of a vehicle boot; and

code for identifying boot data associated with the boot tag identifier, wherein the boot data comprises an unlock code for the boot.

41. A method for resolving a parking violation enforced by applying an immobilization device to a vehicle comprising the steps of:

processing a payment by a user;

releasing the immobilization device; and

facilitating a return of the immobilization device.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of processing a payment comprises receiving a communication from the user authorizing the payment.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of releasing comprises transmitting an unlock to the immobilization device.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the unlock code is transmitted to the immobilization device via a pager network.

45. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of releasing comprises providing an unlock to the user for input into the immobilization device.

46. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of facilitating the return of the immobilization device comprises providing the user with information related to a return location.

47. A resolution module for resolving an immobilization of a vehicle due to a parking violation comprising:

a payment processor configured to communicate with a user and process payment of a fine associated with the parking violation;

a release processor configured to transmit an unlock code to an immobilization device used to enforce the parking violation; and

a return processor configured to communicate return instructions to the user.

48. A method for managing a pay-to-park environment comprising:

processing a payment for a pay-to-park parking space;

associating the payment and pay-to-park data with a parking permit associated with the vehicle;

creating a list including at least one legitimately parked vehicle;

providing the list to an RFID reader; and

comparing tag data captured by scanning a permit with the RFID reader to detect a parking violation.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of notifying an individual included on a scofflaw list of his or her prohibited status.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of processing payment of outstanding fines for facilitating removal of the prohibited status.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the list is provided to the RFID reader via a communicatively connected meter.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein the payment is processed via a pay by phone system.