Audio/video automated payment facility

• US 7,711,601 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2001
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Remote Technologies IP, LLC
• Original Assignee: David Harpold, Mark Pratt
• Inventors: Pratt, Mark, Harpold, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Frenel; Vanel
• Application Number:
  US09/903,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20030014316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,219 Days
• Field of Search: 705/16, 705/17, 705/18, 705 20- 22, 705/24, 705/25, 705/418, 705/26, 705/13, 705/15, 340/932.2, 358/93
• US Class Current: 705/21
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/04 comprising devices to free a barrier, turnstile, or the like turnstiles with registering means G07C9/10; coin-freed aspects G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/24 for parking meters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

A central monitoring station is linked to a plurality of remote terminals, such as payment terminals at a plurality of parking facilities. The central monitoring station and each remote terminal includes a two-way communication system in the form of a video camera and display, and audio speaker and microphone. The station and remote terminals are preferably linked through an Ethernet or Internet connection, although a hard-wired connection is also contemplated. The two-way communication system can be used by a customer at the remote terminal to achieve direct human interaction with an attendant at the remote central station to address problems occurring at the terminal. The communication system can also allow the attendant to manipulate the processor of each remote terminal to collect data, troubleshoot or override the function of the terminal.

Claims

1. An automated payment system for a parking facility, comprising:

an exit gate operable to control egress from the parking facility; and

a payment terminal including;

means for assessing a payment amount;

means for receiving the payment amount;

means for opening said exit gate upon receipt of the payment amount; and

means for providing two-way video and audio communication with a monitoring facility remote from said payment terminal enabling two-way audio and video interaction between a customer at the payment terminal and a live attendant at the monitoring facility.

2. The automated payment system according to claim 1, wherein said means for providing two-way video and audio communication includes an Ethernet or Internet link between said payment terminal and the monitoring facility.

3. The automated payment system according to claim 2, wherein said means for providing two-way video and audio communication includes an IP-addressable video camera.

4. The automated payment system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a processor at said payment terminal operable to control said means for assessing and said means for receiving; and

a data link between said processor and the monitoring facility to permit remote control of said processor.

5. An automated payment system for a plurality of parking facilities comprising:

a central monitoring facility;

a plurality of exit facilities remote from said central monitoring facility, each controlling egress from a corresponding one of the plurality of parking facilities;

a payment terminal at each of said plurality of exit facilities, each having means for assessing and receiving payment; and

means for providing two-way video and audio communication between said central monitoring facility and said payment terminal at each of said plurality of exit facilities establishing live audio and video interaction between a customer at the payment terminal and an attendant at the monitoring facility.

6. The automated payment system according to claim 5, wherein said means for providing two-way video and audio communication includes an Ethernet or Internet link between said payment terminal and the monitoring facility.

7. The automated payment system according to claim 6, wherein said means for providing two-way video and audio communication includes an IP-addressable video camera.

8. The automated payment system according to claim 5, further comprising:

a processor at said payment terminal operable to control said means for assessing and said means for receiving; and

a data link between said processor and the monitoring facility to permit remote control of said processor.

9. The automated payment system according to claim 8, further comprising:

a central processor at said central monitoring facility connected to said processor at said payment terminal through said data link and controllable at said central monitoring facility to control said processor at said payment terminal.

10. An automated payment system for a facility, comprising:

an apparatus for calculating a payment amount;

an apparatus for receiving the payment amount;

a gate apparatus operable to control access to the facility in response to receipt of the payment amount; and

a two-way video and audio communication system linking the automated payment system with a monitoring facility remote from the automated payment facility including a video camera, a video display, a speaker and microphone at the automated payment system and including a video camera, a video display, a speaker and microphone at the monitoring facility for live audio and video communication.

11. The automated payment system according to claim 10, wherein said two-way video and audio communication system includes an Ethernet or Internet link between said payment terminal and the monitoring facility.

12. The automated payment system according to claim 11, wherein said two-way video and audio communication system includes an IP-addressable video camera.

13. The automated payment system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a processor operable to control said apparatus for calculating the payment amount and said apparatus for receiving the payment amount; and

a data link between said processor and the monitoring facility to permit remote control of said processor.