Systems and methods for monitoring, managing, and facilitating transactions involving vehicles

• US 20120323771A1
• Filed: 02/25/2012
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael, Joseph
• Original Assignee: Michael, Joseph
• Inventors: Michael, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US13/405,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20120323771A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

A method for monitoring, managing, and facilitating transactions involving a vehicle includes: accessing information including one or more inputs and/or parameters for a transaction involving a vehicle, at least one of the inputs and/or parameters identifying the vehicle or being associated with or established in association with the vehicle; and facilitating or initiating a process of charging an account depending upon the one or more inputs and/or parameters.

Claims

1-18. -18. (canceled)

19. An apparatus for monitoring, managing, and facilitating transactions involving a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

one or more electronic devices that facilitate providing information including one or more inputs and/or parameters for a transaction involving a vehicle, at least one of the inputs and/or parameters identifying the vehicle or being associated with or established in association with the vehicle, the one or more electronic devices including at least one device configured to initiate, request, and/or facilitate a transfer or charge from an account in relation to the transaction.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more electronic devices include one or more transponders, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, ID tags, ID readers, code readers, code generators, RFID devices, NFC devices, or a combination thereof.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more electronic devices are selectively controllable for generating or transmitting the signals in multiple different operating modes.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein at least one of the inputs and/or parameters is established utilizing a code.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more electronic devices are configured to generate, transmit, and/or read the code.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the inputs and/or parameters include a start time, a stop time, and an association between the vehicle and the transaction, and the one or more electronic devices are configured to establish one or more of the start time, the stop time, and the association.

25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the one or more electronic devices are configured to initiate, request, or facilitate a process of providing one or more communications.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the one or more communications are from a device that generates or transmits the signals, a device that receives the signals, and/or a remote processing location or center.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the one or more communications include a resource or other information that provides access to a receipt or other documentation or information relating to the transaction and/or usage or utilization by the vehicle of, and/or custody or transportation of the vehicle by, one or more of

a transportation infrastructure,

a parking facility or space,

a storage facility or space,

an impound facility or lot,

a vehicle transport vehicle,

a ship or other vehicle transport vessel or watercraft, and

an airplane or other vehicle transport aircraft.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the one or more communications initiate, request, or facilitate a process of providing a resource or other information at a mobile telephone, a smartphone, or a PCD.

29. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more electronic devices include an interactive user interface, a graphical user interface, or display configured to provide a visual representation of one or more of

an acknowledgement that a start time, a stop time, and/or an association between the vehicle and the transaction has been established,

a prompt or request for additional information or user inputs,

information and/or instructions,

a notification, and

a warning.

30. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more electronic devices are configured to access, or to initiate, request, or facilitate a process of providing access to, supplemental information identifying and/or in relation to a vehicle, person, entity and/or object associated with the account or with the transaction.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the one or more electronic devices are configured to provide or facilitate access to the supplemental information, information associated with the transaction, and/or notifications relating to said information by one or more of

an owner or operator of, or an authorized person or entity associated with, a transportation infrastructure, a parking facility or space, a storage facility or space, an impound facility or lot, a vehicle transport vehicle, a ship or other vehicle transport vessel or watercraft, and/or an airplane or other vehicle transport aircraft,

a maintenance or service company,

authorized operators and users of a system for monitoring and managing transportation infrastructure and locations of vehicles therein,

a law enforcement agency,

a parking enforcement agency,

a government agency,

a company or other private-sector entity or organization,

a lienholder,

a person or entity authorized or approved to repossess the vehicle,

an insurance company,

authorized or approved individuals or groups,

an owner or a registered owner of the vehicle, and

a person or persons authorized or approved by the owner and/or the registered owner of the vehicle.

32. A method for monitoring, managing, and facilitating transactions involving a vehicle, the method comprising:

accessing information including one or more inputs and/or parameters for a transaction involving a vehicle, at least one of the inputs and/or parameters identifying the vehicle or being associated with or established in association with the vehicle; and

facilitating or initiating a process of charging an account depending upon the one or more inputs and/or parameters.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

facilitating or initiating a process of presenting a visual representation of one or more of

an acknowledgement that a start time, a stop time, and/or an association between the vehicle and the transaction has been established,

a prompt or request for additional information or user inputs,

information and/or instructions,

a notification, and

a warning.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the visual representation is presented at one or more of

a mobile telephone, a smartphone, or a PCD,

a device that generates, transmits, or reads code identifying the vehicle, and

a device, interface, or display that is separate from a device that generates, transmits, or reads code identifying the vehicle, and

a device, interface, or display that is remotely located in relation to a device that generates, transmits, or reads code identifying the vehicle.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

providing, facilitating, or initiating a communication that includes a resource or other information that provides access to a receipt or other documentation or information relating to a charge to the account and/or usage or utilization by the vehicle of, and/or custody or transportation of the vehicle by, one or more of

a transportation infrastructure,

a parking facility or space,

a storage facility or space,

an impound facility or lot,

a vehicle transport vehicle,

a ship or other vehicle transport vessel or watercraft, and

an airplane or other vehicle transport aircraft.

36. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

accessing, or facilitating or initiating a process of providing access to, supplemental information pertaining to one or more of a vehicle, a person, an entity, and an object associated with the account or with the transaction.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

accessing, or facilitating or initiating a process of providing access to, the supplemental information, information associated with the transaction, and/or notifications relating to said information by one or more of

an owner or operator of, or an authorized person or entity associated with, a transportation infrastructure, a parking facility or space, a storage facility or space, an impound facility or lot, a vehicle transport vehicle, a ship or other vehicle transport vessel or watercraft, and/or an airplane or other vehicle transport aircraft,

a maintenance or service company,

authorized operators and users of a system for monitoring and managing transportation infrastructure and locations of vehicles therein,

a law enforcement agency,

a parking enforcement agency,

a government agency,

a company or other private-sector entity or organization,

a lienholder,

a person or entity authorized or approved to repossess the vehicle,

an insurance company,

authorized or approved individuals or groups,

an owner or a registered owner of the vehicle, and

a person or persons authorized or approved by the owner and/or the registered owner of the vehicle.

38-63. -63. (canceled)