VEHICLE VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20100123557A1
• Filed: 11/11/2008
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IPT, LLC
• Original Assignee: Paylock Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Josish, Berman, Larry, Marchasin, Cory, Moynihan, Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,988,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.400
• 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: Y10T 70/5841 Rotation blocking

Abstract

A PDA device is used to record the ID of a vehicle boot RFID tag and to transmit to the tag and to a host entity violation data such as summons number, license number, time and date stamp, issuing person ID, location of the vehicle, scofflaw data and so on. This data may be entered into the PDA electronically via a communication network such as the internet or LAN system or manually via a keyboard. The host entity has a data base which is uploaded with this information and has correlation of RFID tag numbers to an unlock combination number for each boot. When the boot is attached to a vehicle this PDA data is transmitted to the host entity whose contact telephone number is attached to the vehicle being booted. The driver contacts the entity to pay the fine and receive in return the unlock combination. The driver thus can release and remove the boot within minutes of returning to the vehicle and can return the boot at his leisure.

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A method for enforcing parking violations comprising the steps of:

communicating a violation and a location and ID of a vehicle locking boot attached to a vehicle to a host system controlled by an entity representing a summons issuing controlling governing body, communicating the identification of the host system to a person responsible for the vehicle, receiving payment of an associated fine, and communicating a boot release code to the person responsible for the vehicle upon payment of the associated fine.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of receiving from the person responsible for the vehicle a deposit prior to the boot release code being communicated, receiving the boot from the responsible person and returning the deposit to the person responsible for the vehicle after receiving the boot.

14. The method of claim 13 including providing for the payment of the associated fine to the entity.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

attaching an RFID tag with a unique code and memory to the boot, the boot having an unlock code; and

attaching the boot to a vehicle in scofflaw violation of a plurality of parking laws.

38. The method for enforcing parking violations of claim 12 wherein the violation is a parking violation.

39. The method for enforcing parking violations of claim 12 wherein the violation is a scofflaw violation.

40. The method for enforcing parking violations of claim 13 wherein the deposit is a refundable credit card charge.

16-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A method for enforcing parking violations comprising the steps of:

a. communicating a location and identification information of a vehicle to a host system operated by a controlling entity;

b. receiving instructions from the host system;

c. attaching a locking boot to the vehicle;

d. communicating a fine and contact information of the controlling entity to a person responsible for the vehicle;

e. receiving a payment of the fine from the person responsible for the vehicle; and

f. communicating a boot release code to the person responsible for the vehicle after receipt of the payment.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the steps of communicating a location and identification information of a vehicle and receiving instructions are accomplished utilizing a portable computing device having a communication link to a network which includes the host system.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the steps of receiving a payment, and communicating a boot release code are accomplished with participation of the person responsible for the vehicle.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein the locking boot includes an RFID tag having a unique code, further comprising the steps of:

a. communicating the unique code to the person responsible for the vehicle.

35. The method of enforcing parking violations of claim 26 wherein the payment is a credit card charge.

36. The method of enforcing parking violations of claim 35 wherein the credit card charge includes a refundable boot deposit charge.

30. A method for enforcing parking violations comprising the steps of:

a. communicating a location and identification information of a vehicle to a host system operated by a controlling entity;

b. receiving instructions from the host system;

c. attaching a locking boot having a unique code assigned thereto to the vehicle;

d. communicating unlocking instructions and the unique code to a person responsible for the vehicle, the unlocking locking instructions including a fine;

e. receiving the unique code and a payment of the fine from the person responsible for the vehicle; and

f. communicating a combination code for the locking boot to the person responsible for the vehicle after receipt of a payment of the fine.

31. The method of enforcing parking violations of claim 30 wherein the communicating unlocking instructions to the person responsible for the vehicle also includes communicating a time limit prior to which the payment must be received and further including the step of:

a. impounding the vehicle after expiration of the time limit during which payment is not received.

32. The method of enforcing parking violations of claim 30 wherein the payment is a credit card charge.

33. The method of enforcing parking violations of claim 32 wherein the credit card charge includes a refundable boot deposit charge.

34. The method of enforcing parking violations of claim 33 wherein the refundable boot deposit charge is refunded after the locking boot is returned to the controlling entity.

37. The method of enforcing parking violations of claim 37 wherein the refundable boot deposit charge is refunded after the locking boot is returned to the controlling entity.