Vehicle violation enforcement system and method

• US 7,988,046 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2008
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IPT, LLC
• Original Assignee: IPT, LLC
• Inventors: Berman, Larry, Marchasin, Cory, Johnson, Josiah, Moynihan, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/268,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20100123557A1
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1.1, 705/13, 705/417, 705/418, 235/435, 235/472.02, 235/380, 235/492, 235/384, 340/932.2, 340/933, 340/572.1, 702/26
• US Class Current: 235/384
• 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. 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, communicating a boot release code to the person responsible for the vehicle upon payment of the associated fine and 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.

2. The method of claim 1 including providing for the payment of the associated fine to the entity.

3. The method of claim 1 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.

4. The method for enforcing parking violations of claim 1 wherein the violation is a parking violation.

5. The method for enforcing parking violations of claim 1 wherein the violation is a scofflaw violation.

6. The method for enforcing parking violations of claim 1 wherein the deposit is a refundable credit card charge.

7. 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, wherein the payment includes a refundable boot deposit charge.

8. The method of claim 7 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.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the steps of receiving a payment, and communicating a boot release code are accomplished with participation of the person responsible for the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 7 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.

11. The method of enforcing parking violations of claim 7 wherein the refundable boot deposit charge is refunded after the locking boot is returned to the controlling entity.

12. 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, wherein the payment includes a refundable boot deposit charge.

13. The method of enforcing parking violations of claim 12 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.

14. The method of enforcing parking violations of claim 12 wherein the refundable boot deposit charge is refunded after the locking boot is returned to the controlling entity.

15. A method for enforcing violations comprising the steps of:

maintaining a database containing serial numbers of vehicle locking boots and corresponding boot release codes, the boot release codes being periodically changed and updated in the database so as to prevent improper distribution of the boot release codes, communicating a violation and a location and ID of the 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, communicating a boot release code to the person responsible for the vehicle upon payment of the associated fine.

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

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

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

17. The method of claim 15 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.