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

• US 20120323772A1
• Filed: 02/25/2012
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael, Joseph
• Original Assignee: Michael, Joseph
• Inventors: Michael, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,781,958 B2
• 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. An apparatus for monitoring, managing, and facilitating transactions involving a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

an electronic device that transmits or generates signals including or in association with vehicle identification information that identifies a vehicle equipped with the device, the signals including or providing, or facilitating or initiating a process of providing access to, one or more inputs and/or parameters for a transaction involving the vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes one or more transponders, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, ID tags, ID readers, code readers, code generators, RFID devices, NFC devices, or a combination thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the vehicle identification information cannot be changed or prevented from being generated during normal operation of the electronic device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signals include information relating to one or more of the vehicle equipped with the electronic device, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transaction involves 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.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transaction includes charging an account associated with one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle to one or more other accounts.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signals are generated or transmitted depending upon a position, state, or output of a switch, the vehicle being equipped with the switch.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is selectively controllable for generating or transmitting the signals in multiple different operating modes.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signals are generated or transmitted over an interval of time.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the interval of time is associated with a transaction involving the vehicle and 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.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the signals establish a start time and/or a stop time associated with the transaction.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transaction includes charging an account depending upon an amount of time passing between a start time and a stop time associated with the transaction.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a GPS tracking device or unit.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a communications device facilitating one or more of cellular, radio and satellite communications.

15. The apparatus of claim 14,

wherein the electronic device is configured to receive and respond to interrupts and/or commands from one or more of

authorized or approved sources and/or devices,

biometric data acquisition devices,

user-input mechanisms,

RFID devices,

NFC devices, and

speed camera transmitters.

16. The apparatus of claim 15,

wherein the interrupts and/or commands facilitate, control, or initiate one or more of

modifying information transmitted or adding additional information to the signals transmitted by the electronic device,

providing information and/or notifications to authorized operators and users of a system for monitoring and managing transportation infrastructure and locations of vehicles therein,

controlling an interactive user interface, a graphical user interface, or a display inside the vehicle, on a mobile communications device, and/or at a remote location to provide one or more of information, instructions, a notification, a warning, and a prompt,

transferring funds from an account associated with one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle to one or more other accounts, and

issuing a ticket, a citation, a bill, an invoice, a warning or other communication.

17. The apparatus of claim 16,

wherein the authorized operators and users include 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 law enforcement agency,

a government agency,

a state, a county, a city, a town, or a municipality,

a company or other private-sector entity or organization,

an individual or a group provided with an authorized or approved device,

an owner or a registered owner of the vehicle, and

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

18. The apparatus of claim 16,

wherein the one or more other accounts are associated with 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,

an entity authorized or approved to receive or collect funds in relation to a parking or moving violation associated with the vehicle,

a government agency,

a state, a county, a city, a town, or a municipality,

a court,

a lienholder, and

an insurance company.

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

receiving signals generated or transmitted by an electronic device, the signals being generated or transmitted in association with vehicle identification information that identifies a vehicle equipped with the device, the signals including or providing, or facilitating or initiating a process of providing access to, information including one or more inputs and/or parameters for a transaction involving the vehicle; and

processing the signals and/or information to identify in association with the vehicle a circumstance that satisfies criteria for facilitating, controlling, or initiating an action or a process involving one or more of

providing information,

providing a notification,

transferring funds, and

issuing a ticket, a citation, a bill, an invoice, a warning, or other communication.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the signals include vehicle identification information.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the signals include information relating to one or more of the vehicle equipped with the electronic device, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the transaction involves 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.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the transaction includes charging an account associated with one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle to one or more other accounts.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein the signals providing information relating to an interval of time.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the interval of time is associated with a transaction involving the vehicle and 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.

45. The method of claim 38, wherein the signals include information pertaining to a start time and/or a stop time associated with the transaction.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the transaction includes charging an account depending upon an amount of time passing between the start and stop times.

47. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

presenting a visual representation of one or more of

the vehicle and/or the circumstance,

information and/or instructions,

a notification,

a warning, and

a prompt.

48. The method of claim 38, wherein the circumstance is an identification, a determination, and/or a prediction of one or more of a parking violation and a moving violation associated with one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, and a person within or transported by the vehicle.

49. The method of claim 38, wherein the circumstance is an identification, a determination, and/or a prediction that one or more of a registration, a driver'"'"'s license, and an insurance policy associated with one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, and a person within or transported by the vehicle is, or will be, expired, out-of-state, canceled, revoked, and/or suspended.

50. The method of claim 38, wherein the circumstance is an identification, a determination, and/or a prediction that one or more of an account, a tax, an assessment, a charge, a surcharge, a fee, a fine, and a penalty associated with one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle is, or will be, late, overdue, unpaid, delinquent, and/or in default.

51. The method of claim 38, wherein the circumstance is a crime, reported, detected or suspected criminal activity, or an identification, a determination, and/or a prediction of a crime or criminal activity associated with one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle.

52. The method of claim 38, wherein the circumstance is an identification, a determination, and/or a prediction of a status associated with one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle.

53. The method of claim 38, wherein the circumstance is an identification, a determination, and/or a prediction of one or more of a condition, an indication, and an interrupt associated with one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, a person, an entity, an object, a status, or an event associated with the vehicle, and a location, an area, a region, or an environment within which the vehicle is located, or that the vehicle is approaching or departing from.

54. The method of claim 38, wherein the circumstance is an event for or during which a location of the vehicle or a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle presents or potentially raises a concern in relation to the event.

55. The method of claim 38, wherein the circumstance is an identification, a determination, and/or a prediction that a location of the vehicle is within, approaching, or departing from an area, a region, or an environment designated as prohibited, unlicensed, limited, restricted, or cautionary access in relation to one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle.

56. The method of claim 38, wherein the circumstance is an identification, a determination, and/or a prediction that a location of the vehicle is outside, departing from, or returning to an area, a region, or an environment designated as allowed, permitted, licensed, unlimited, unrestricted, or safe access in relation to one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle.

57. The method of claim 38, wherein providing information includes

providing information pertaining to one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle, the circumstance, and a location, an area, a region, or an environment within which the vehicle is located, or that the vehicle is approaching or departing from, to one of more of

a law enforcement agency,

a government agency,

a state, a county, a city, a town, or a municipality,

a company or other private-sector entity or organization,

an individual or a group provided with an authorized or approved device,

an owner or a registered owner of the vehicle, and

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

58. The method of claim 38, wherein the notification pertains to one or more of

a parking violation and/or a moving violation associated with one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, and a person within or transported by the vehicle,

a crime, criminal activity, illegal action, prohibited substance, criminal record or notice and/or conviction associated with one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle,

a location and/or a movement of the vehicle,

locations and/or movements of one or more vehicles associated with a person, persons, entity, object, group, organization, event, enterprise, and/or circumstance,

an event for or during which a location of the vehicle or a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle presents or potentially raises a concern in relation to the event,

an area, a region, or an environment designated as prohibited, unlicensed, limited, restricted, or cautionary access in relation to one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle,

an area, a region, or an environment designated as allowed, permitted, licensed, unlimited, unrestricted, or safe access in relation to one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle,

a registration, a driver'"'"'s license, and/or an insurance policy associated with one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle,

vehicle registration requirements for new residents of the state, and

information and/or updates to information in a law enforcement database, a DMV database, an insurance database, and a lienholder database, a transportation infrastructure database, a parking facility database, a storage facility database, an impound facility database, and a vehicle transport service database, or other database.

59. The method of claim 38, wherein transferring funds includes

transferring funds from an account associated with one or more of the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, and a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle to one or more other accounts.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the one or more other accounts are associated with 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, an entity authorized to receive or collect funds in relation to a parking or moving violation associated with the vehicle, a state agency, a city, a municipality, a court, a lienholder, and an insurance company.

61. The method of claim 38, wherein the ticket, citation, bill, invoice, warning, or other communication is electronically issued.

62. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

adding information pertaining to one or more of the vehicle, one or more transactions involving the vehicle, an owner, a driver, a custodian, or a passenger of the vehicle, a person, an animal, or an object within, secured to, or transported by the vehicle, a person, an entity, an object, a status, a condition, an event, an indication, or an interrupt associated with the vehicle, the circumstance, and a location, an area, a region, or an environment within which the vehicle is located, or that the vehicle is approaching or departing from, to a database and/or using the information to update a database.

63. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

adding to or modifying the information, the circumstance, and/or the criteria in response to an input or inputs provided 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 state, a county, a city, a town, or a municipality,

a court,

a government agency,

a law enforcement agency,

a department of motor vehicles,

a parking and/or traffic enforcement agency,

a company or other private-sector entity or organization,

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

an individual or a group provided with one or more authorized or approved devices, the use of which results in input(s) being provided,

a person or an entity authorized or approved to receive or collect funds in relation to a parking or moving violation associated with the vehicle,

an owner or a registered owner of the vehicle,

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

a lienholder,

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

an insurance company,

an authorized or approved source or device,

a processor or controller,

a biometric data acquisition device,

a user-input mechanism,

a RFID device,

a NFC device,

a camera,

a code reader or generator, and

a parking meter.