Permit-based parking environment management method and system

• US 20070112620A1
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IPT, LLC
• Original Assignee: IPT, LLC
• Inventors: Berman, Lawrence, Johnson, Josiah
• Granted Patent: US 8,219,442 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/13
• 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

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 method for managing a permit-based parking program, the method comprising the steps of:

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

receiving parked vehicle data from the reader;

identifying tag data associated with the tag identifier; and

conducting a privilege analysis to determine if there is a parking violation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reader comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of sending results of the privilege analysis to the reader for determination and execution of an appropriate enforcement action.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining an appropriate enforcement action; and

instructing the reader to execute the enforcement action.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tag data comprises parking privilege data.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of conducting the privilege analysis further comprises comparing the parked vehicle data with the parking privilege data.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the tag data comprises authorized vehicle data.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of conducting the privilege analysis further comprises comparing the parked vehicle data with the authorized vehicle data.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating one or more reports related to the permit-based parking program.

10. A method for managing a permit-based parking environment, comprising the steps of:

scanning a parking permit associated with a parked vehicle;

capturing a tag identifier and parked vehicle data; and

identifying tag data associated with the tag identifier.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of conducting a privilege analysis to determine if there is a parking violation.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of executing an appropriate enforcement action if there is a parking violation.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of conducting the privilege analysis further comprises comparing the tag data with the parked vehicle data.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of storing parking violation data.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of generating one or more reports related to the permit-based parking environment.

16. 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.

17. The permit management system according to claim 16, wherein the one or more user groups comprise one or more readers.

18. The permit management system according to claim 17, wherein the one or more readers comprise a RFID reader.

19. The permit management system according to claim 17, further comprising a synchronizing module configured to synchronize the permit database and the one or more readers.

20. The permit management system according to claim 19, wherein the synchronizing module is communicatively connected to one or more handheld docking stations adapted for docking one or more handheld readers therewith.

21. The permit management system according to claim 16, wherein the user groups comprise a permit holder/applicant.

22. The permit management system according to claim 16, wherein the user groups comprise a permit management system administrator.

23. The permit management system according to claim 16, wherein the user groups comprise a parking program manager.

24. A permit-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;

one or more readers communicatively connected to the permit management system; and

one or more parking permits, wherein each parking permit includes a unique tag readable by the one or more readers.

25. The permit-based parking environment of claim 24, wherein the one or more readers comprise a RFID reader.

26. The permit-based parking environment of claim 24, wherein the one or more readers comprise a handheld RFID reader.

27. The permit-based parking environment of claim 24, wherein the one or more readers comprise a stationary RFID reader.

28. 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; and

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