U.S. patent number RE41,085 [Application Number 10/132,222] was granted by the patent office on 2010-01-19 for automated vehicle parking system for a plurality of remote parking facilities.
This patent grant is currently assigned to TC (Bermuda) License, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Robert B. Anthonyson.
United States Patent |
RE41,085 |
Anthonyson |
January 19, 2010 |
Automated vehicle parking system for a plurality of remote parking
facilities
Abstract
An automated vehicle parking system for a plurality of remote
parking facilities that communicates with a vehicle approaching or
leaving the remote facility with RF signals, or the like, that
identifies the vehicle and sends the vehicle identification number,
time of day, and lane number to a first computer at the remote
facility for calculating the parking cost of a given vehicle based
on rates for said given individual vehicle stored in the first
computer of each of the plurality of remote parking facilities and
having a central computer coupled to each remote facility for
providing a single bill to a user of several remote facilities and
advising each remote facility first computer of the total fees due
for all users of that remote facility during specified periods.
Inventors: |
Anthonyson; Robert B. (Sunapee,
NH) |
Assignee: |
TC (Bermuda) License, Ltd.
(Hamilton, BM)
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Family
ID: |
24214939 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/132,222 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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09545298 |
Apr 6, 2000 |
Re. 37822 |
|
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Reissue of: |
08554849 |
Nov 7, 1995 |
05737710 |
Apr 7, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
701/1; 705/13;
701/2; 701/117; 340/932.2; 340/928; 340/5.7; 340/5.5; 235/384;
235/378 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07B
15/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
17/40 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;701/1,2,117,118,119
;340/928,932.2,825.31,5.5,5.7,825.33,10.1,10.52 ;342/51,69,70,53,58
;705/13,40,41,2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
ACI Networks Parking Systems Software, Undated. cited by
other.
|
Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Tan Q
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein, Cohen
& Pokotilow, Ltd.
Parent Case Text
.Iadd.This application is a continuation reissue application of
U.S. utility reissue application Ser. No. 09/545,298 U.S. Pat. No.
RE37,822, filed Apr. 6, 2000, which is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No.
5,737,710, filed Nov. 7, 1995, issued Apr. 7, 1998..Iaddend.
Claims
I claim:
.[.1. An automated vehicle parking system for access and revenue
control of a plurality of remote parking facilities, each facility
having controlled entrance lanes and controlled exit lanes, the
system including: a vehicle detection device with each of the
remote parking facilities for detecting a vehicle as the vehicle
approaches the facility entrance lane; a lane controller system
with each of the remote parking facilities coupled to the vehicle
detection device for identifying the vehicle and generating a
recognition signal; a computer database with each of the remote
parking facilities for storing parking information concerning all
vehicles that use the automated system; a first computer associated
with each of the remote parking facilities and coupled to the lane
controller and the database for receiving the recognition signal
and generating appropriate parking response signals from the
database to the lane controller system, said first computer
calculating a parking fee for each vehicle; a central facility; and
a communication system including a second computer in said central
facility coupled to the first computer to enable the second
computer to communicate with said first computer at each of the
remote parking facilities and to periodically calculate a single
parking fee statement for a given vehicle whether parked at one or
more of the plurality of remote parking facilities and to advise
each remote facility first computer of the total fees due to that
remote facility for each vehicle during specified periods..].
.[.2. An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 1 wherein the
vehicle detection device at each remote parking facility includes a
magnetic loop detector that detects an approaching vehicle and
identifies the lane number of the vehicle..].
.[.3. An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 1 wherein the
lane controller system at each remote parking facility includes: a
sensor for transmitting an interrogation signal to the approaching
vehicle; a tag associated with the vehicle for receiving the
transmitted signal and returning a vehicle identification signal to
the sensor; and a lane controller processor coupled to the sensor
and the vehicle detection device, said lane controller processor
activating the sensor upon receipt of a signal representing a
detected vehicle, receiving the vehicle identification number from
the sensor, and passing the valid vehicle identification number,
the lane number, and the time of day to the first computer..].
.[.4. An automated parking system as in claim 3 wherein the first
computer database at each remote parking facility includes data
representing: status of each vehicle tag identification number;
rate schedule for each vehicle tag identification; entrance time
and date; exit time and date; parking duration interval; maximum
and minimum parking duration intervals; parking facility
identification; and home parking facility identification..].
.[.5. An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 4 further
comprising an accounting module associated with each of the remote
parking facilities and coupled to the first computer and database,
the accounting module including: an accounts receivable submodule
for each of the vehicle tags for storing costs and generating
periodic billing statements for parking of each identified vehicle;
a rates definition table submodule for defining parameters for a
rate calculation algorithm including parking rates for each
identified vehicle; and a rate calculation submodule identifying
rate schedules for each vehicle transponder account and calculating
costs with the rate calculation algorithm based upon appropriate
rates and parking times..].
.[.6. An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 5 further
including: a data report module at each remote parking facility for
generating reports showing parking activity by time of day, length
of stay, cost, and the like; a customer maintenance file at each
remote parking facility including address, billing information, and
vehicle information; and a parking administration submodule at each
remote parking facility for transmitting appropriate parking
response signals to the lane controller modules for deactivating
lanes, displaying cost, printing invoices, and the like..].
.[.7. An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 1 wherein
said second computer credits each remote parking facility with its
appropriate fees for parker use thereof..].
.[.8. An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 1 wherein
said second computer advises each remote parking facility of its
share of fees due from individual users..].
.[.9. An automated vehicle parking system including a plurality of
remote parking facilities each of which has an entrance and an
exit, the system including: a vehicle detector at each remote
parking facility for generating a detector signal when a vehicle
approaches the entrance to the facility; a lane controller coupled
to the detector at each remote parking facility for receiving the
detector signal and generating an identification request signal; a
sensor at the entrance of each remote parking facility and coupled
to the lane controller for transmitting the identification request
as an RF signal to the detected vehicle; a transponder in the
vehicle for responding to the transmitted sensor identification
request signal by returning an identification code to the sensor;
said lane controller receiving the identification code from the
sensor, generating the time of day, and a signal representing the
lane number; a first computer at each remote parking facility that
is coupled to the lane controller for receiving the vehicle
identification code, the time of day, and lane number and
generating an appropriate response to the lane controller, the lane
controller automatically admitting the vehicle to the parking
facility, or denying the vehicle admittance in accordance with the
response from the first computer, said first computer calculating a
parking fee for each vehicle using the facility; and a second
centralized computer coupled to the first computer at each of the
remote parking facilities for communicating with each of the first
computers and preparing a single periodic parking fee statement for
each vehicle that uses one or more of the remote parking
facilities..].
.[.10. An automatic vehicle parking system as in claim 9 wherein
said second computer credits each remote parking facility with its
appropriate fees for parker use thereof..].
.[.11. An automatic vehicle parking system as in claim 9 wherein
said second computer advises each remote parking facility of its
share of fees due from individual users..].
.[.12. A method for access and revenue control of a plurality of
remote parking facilities, each having at least one controlled
entrance lane and at least one controlled exit lane, the method
comprising the steps of: generating a vehicle detection signal at
each of the plurality of remote parking facilities with a detection
device when a vehicle approaches the remote parking facility
entrance; identifying vehicles authorized to use the remote parking
facility with a lane controller system and generating an
authorization signal; storing parking information in a first
computer database concerning the vehicles authorized to the use the
remote parking facility; generating appropriate parking responses
to the lane controller system upon receiving the authorization
signal; and communicating with the database of the first computer
in each of the remote parking facilities with a central computer
and compiling a single parking fee statement with the central
computer for a user of one or more of the remote parking
facilities..].
.[.13. A method as in claim 12 further comprising the step of
detecting an approaching vehicle at each of the remote parking
facilities and identifying the lane number of the vehicle with a
magnetic loop detector..].
.[.14. A method as in claim 13 further comprising the steps of:
coupling a sensor to the vehicle detection system for transmitting
an interrogation signal to the approaching vehicle; associating a
transponder with the vehicle for receiving the transmitted signal
and returning a vehicle identification signal to the sensor; and
storing data representing current vehicle transponder
identification signals and time of day in a lane controller
processor and passing the vehicle identification number, the lane
number, and the time of day to the first computer..].
.[.15. The method as in claim 14 further comprising the step of
using said central computer to advise each remote facility computer
of the total fees due the corresponding remote facility for all
users of the respective remote facility during specified
periods..].
.Iadd.16. In an automated vehicle parking system for access and
revenue control of a plurality of remote parking facilities, a
method comprising: receiving parking information from a first
remote parking facility, wherein the parking information includes
an identification of each user of the first parking facility or the
user's vehicle; receiving parking information from a second remote
parking facility, wherein the parking information includes an
identification of each user of the second parking facility or the
user's vehicle; and compiling and creating combined parking fee
statements using a computer based on the received parking
information from the first and second parking
facilities..Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. The method of claim 16 wherein the received parking
information from the first and second remote parking facilities
includes a vehicle identification signal for a vehicle tag
transponder associated with each vehicle and wherein the vehicle
transponder is interrogated to receive the vehicle identification
signal..Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. The method of claim 16 wherein the first and second
remote parking facilities are owned by respective first and second
entities, and wherein the method includes providing separated
statements to the first and second entities..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. A system for payment at a plurality of remote parking
facilities, the system comprising: a computer database at each of
the remote parking facilities for storing parking information
concerning users of the system; a first computer associated with
each of the remote parking facilities and coupled to the computer
database, said first computer calculating a parking fee for said
users; a central facility; and a second computer in said central
facility for communicating with the first computer at each of the
remote parking facilities and for periodically generating a single
parking fee statement for a given user account whether used at one
or more of the plurality of remote parking facilities..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The system of claim 19, further comprising: an exit gate;
and a sensor at the exit gate for transmitting an interrogation
signal to a tag associated with a user account..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. The system of claim 20, wherein the tag sends a user
account identification signal to the sensor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The system of claim 21, wherein: the first computer
generates a parking response signal authorizing the exit gate to
open upon receipt of a valid user account identification from the
sensor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. A method for payment at a plurality of remote parking
facilities comprising the steps of: storing in a first computer
database parking information concerning users of a particular
parking facility; calculating a parking fee for a user's vehicle
using the particular parking facility; and communicating the
parking information and the calculated parking fees to a central
computer, the central computer receiving parking information and
calculated parking fees from said plurality of remote parking
facilities, and generating a single parking fee statement for a
user account used at one or more of the remote parking
facilities..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The method of claim 23, further comprising: detecting a
transponder identification signal; and generating a parking
response signal to open an exit gate when the transponder
identification is valid..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The method of claim 23, further comprising: detecting a
transponder identification signal; and generating a parking
response signal to open an entrance gate when the transponder
identification is valid..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. A system for payment at a plurality of remote parking
facilities, one of the plurality of remote parking facilities
having a system comprising: a computer database for storing
information concerning users of the remote parking facility; a
first computer associated with the remote parking facility and
coupled to the database for generating response signals from the
database, the first computer calculating a parking fee for a user
of the remote parking facility; and wherein the first computer is
coupled to and provides the parking fee to a central computer,
wherein the central computer, in response thereto, periodically
generates a single fee statement for a given user
account..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The system of claim 26, further comprising: an exit gate;
and a sensor for transmitting an interrogation signal to a tag
associated with the given user account when the tag is at the
gate..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The system of claim 27, wherein the tag sends a user
account identification signal to the sensor, and wherein the first
computer generates a parking response signal authorizing the exit
gate to open upon receipt of a valid user account identification
from the sensor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. In a system for payment at a plurality of remote
locations, a system comprising: a computer database for storing
information concerning tags used with the payment system; a first
computer associated with the remote location and coupled to the
database for generating response signals from the database, the
first computer calculating a parking fee for at least one of said
tags; and wherein the first computer is coupled to and provides the
parking fee to a central computer, wherein the central computer in
response thereto, periodically generates a single fee statement
corresponding to a given tag whether used at one or more of the
plurality of remote parking facilities..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. A method for payment at a plurality of remote parking
facilities, comprising the steps of: receiving parking information
from a remote computer at each of the plurality of remote parking
facilities, wherein the parking information concerns and identifies
tags used at a remote parking facility; and generating a single
parking fee statement for a user account used at one or more of the
plurality of remote parking facilities based on the received
parking information..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The method of claim 30, wherein said step of receiving
parking information comprises receiving a tag identification
signal; and wherein the method further comprises storing data
representing current tag identification signals, time of day, day
of week and lane number..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The method of claim 31, further comprising: advising each
remote facility computer of the total fees due the corresponding
remote facility for users of the respective remote facility during
specified periods..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. In a system for payment at a plurality of remote parking
facilities, a computer-readable medium providing instructions that
when implemented by a computer performs a method comprising:
receiving parking information from a remote computer at each of the
plurality of remote parking facilities, wherein the parking
information concerns and identifies a user account authorized to
use the system; and generating a single parking fee statement for a
user account used at one or more of the plurality of remote parking
facilities based on the received parking information..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The computer readable medium of claim 33 wherein the
received parking information includes user account information and
wherein a transponder is interrogated to receive the user account
information..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. In a system for payment at a plurality of remote parking
facilities, a computer-readable medium storing for use by a central
computer comprising: user account identification provided to the
central computer by a remote computer associated with each remote
parking facility; parking data provided to the central computer by
the remote computer associated with each remote parking facility,
wherein the parking data is for the remote parking facility and
associated with user account identifications, and wherein the
central computer generates single parking fee statements for user
accounts used at one or more of the remote parking facilities based
on the vehicle identification and the parking data..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein user
account identifications are produced based on a vehicle tag
transponder and wherein the vehicle tag transponder is interrogated
to receive user account information..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. In a system for payment at a plurality of remote parking
facilities, a data signal received and for use by a central
computer system comprising: user account identifications provided
to the central computer by a remote computer associated with each
remote parking facility; parking data provided to the central
computer by the remote computer associated with each remote parking
facility; wherein the parking data corresponds to the remote
parking facility and is associated with the user account
identifications, and wherein the central computer can generate
single parking fee statements for user accounts used at one or more
of the remote parking facilities based on the user account
identifications and the parking data..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The received data signal of claim 37, wherein the user
account identifications are produced based on a vehicle tag
transponder and wherein the vehicle transponder is interrogated to
receive user account information..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. In a system for payment at a plurality of remote parking
facilities, a data signal transmitted to and for use by a central
computer system comprising: user account identifications provided
to the central computer by a remote computer associated with each
remote parking facility; parking data provided to the central
computer by the remote computer associated with each remote parking
facility; wherein the parking data corresponds to the remote
parking facilities and is associated with the user account
identifications, and wherein the central computer can generate
single parking fee statements for user accounts used at one or more
of the remote parking facilities based on the user account
identification and the parking data..Iaddend.
.Iadd.40. The transmitted data signal of claim 39, wherein the user
account identifications are produced based on a vehicle tag
transponder and wherein the vehicle tag transponder is interrogated
to receive user account information..Iaddend.
.Iadd.41. A method for payment at a plurality of remote parking
facilities, comprising the steps of: reading a vehicle's tag
identification; charging a parking fee to an account associated
with the tag; and transmitting a transaction record corresponding
to the charging of the fee to a central computer for generation of
a single parking fee statement, based on one or more accounts used
at one or more of the remote parking facilities..Iaddend.
.Iadd.42. The method of claim 41, further comprising: determining
that the tag is valid by comparing the read tag identification with
a list of valid tags stored in a first computer corresponding to a
first parking facility..Iaddend.
.Iadd.43. The method of claim 41, wherein the generation of a
parking fee statement comprises including said parking
fee..Iaddend.
.Iadd.44. The method of claim 41, wherein the generation of a
parking fee statement comprises including in the single parking fee
statement said parking fee and other parking fees charged to said
tag when validated from any remote parking facility of the
plurality of parking facilities..Iaddend.
.Iadd.45. The method of claim 41, wherein the tag is read when the
vehicle approaches an exit of a first remote parking
facility..Iaddend.
.Iadd.46. A method for payment at a plurality of remote parking
facilities comprising the steps of: receiving a first transaction
record corresponding to a first parking fee charged to a user
account at a first remote parking facility; receiving a second
transaction record corresponding to a second parking fee charged to
the user account at a second remote parking facility; and
generating a single fee statement by including in the statement the
first and second parking fees charged to the user
account..Iaddend.
.Iadd.47. The method of claim 46, wherein the first and second
remote parking facilities are one and the same..Iaddend.
.Iadd.48. A system for payment at a plurality of remote parking
facilities, comprising: a central computer in a central facility; a
first computer in a first parking facility for storing and
communicating information about a user account to the central
computer; and a second computer in a second parking facility for
storing and communicating information about said user account to
the central computer; wherein the central computer generates a
single parking fee statement for said user account and advises the
first and second computers of the total fees due to the first and
second remote facilities for each user account using the
facilities..Iaddend.
.Iadd.49. A method for payment at a plurality of remote parking
facilities, comprising: receiving user account transaction records
from the plurality of remote facilities; and generating single fee
statements for user accounts based on the transaction
records..Iaddend.
.Iadd.50. The method of claim 49, further comprising: sending to
each user having a user account a single fee statement with the
transaction records associated with that user account..Iaddend.
.Iadd.51. The system of claim 1, wherein during specified periods
said second computer advises each remote parking facility first
computer of the total fees due by user accounts to that remote
facility..Iaddend.
.Iadd.52. A system for payment at a plurality of remote parking
facilities, comprising: a central computer in a central facility; a
first computer in a first parking facility for storing and
communicating information about a user account to the central
computer; and a second computer in a second parking facility for
storing and communicating information about said user account to
the central computer; wherein the central computer generates a
single parking fee statement for said user account..Iaddend.
.Iadd.53. An automated vehicle parking system for access and
revenue control of a plurality of remote parking facilities, each
facility having controlled entrance lanes and controlled exit
lanes, the system including: vehicle detection device with each of
the remote parking facilities for detecting a vehicle as the
vehicle approaches the controlled entrance lane; lane controller
system with each of the remote parking facilities coupled to the
vehicle detection device for identifying the vehicle and generating
a recognition signal; computer database with each of the remote
parking facilities for storing parking information concerning all
vehicles that use the automated vehicle parking system; first
computer associated with each of the remote parking facilities and
coupled to the lane controller and the computer database for
receiving the recognition signal and generating appropriate parking
response signals from the computer database to the lane controller
system, said first computer calculating a parking fee for each
vehicle; central facility; and communication system including a
second computer in said central facility coupled to the first
computer to enable the second computer to communicate with said
first computer at each of the remote parking facilities and to
periodically calculate a single parking fee statement for a given
vehicle whether parked at one or more of the plurality of remote
parking facilities and to advise each remote facility first
computer of the total fees due to that remote facility for each
vehicle during specified periods..Iaddend.
.Iadd.54. An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 53
wherein the vehicle detection device at each remote parking
facility includes a magnetic loop detector that detects an
approaching vehicle and identifies a lane number of the
vehicle..Iaddend.
.Iadd.55. An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 53
wherein the lane controller system at each remote parking facility
includes: sensor for transmitting an interrogation signal to the
approaching vehicle; tag associated with the vehicle for receiving
the transmitted signal and returning a vehicle identification
signal to the sensor; and lane controller processor coupled to the
sensor and the vehicle detection device, said lane controller
processor activating the sensor upon receipt of a signal
representing a detected vehicle, receiving a vehicle identification
number from the sensor, and passing a valid vehicle identification
number, a lane number, and a time of day to the first
computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.56. An automated parking system as in claim 55 wherein the
computer database at each remote parking facility includes data
representing: status of each vehicle tag identification number;
rate schedule for each vehicle tag identification; entrance time
and date; exit time and date; parking duration interval; maximum
and minimum parking duration intervals; parking facility
identification; and home parking facility
identification..Iaddend.
.Iadd.57. An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 56
further comprising an accounting module associated with each of the
remote parking facilities and coupled to the first computer and
computer database, the accounting module including: an accounts
receivable submodule for each of the vehicle tags for storing costs
and generating periodic billing statements for parking of each
identified vehicle; a rates definition table submodule for defining
parameters for a rate calculation algorithm including parking rates
for each identified vehicle; and a rate calculation submodule
identifying rate schedules for a transponder account associated
with each vehicle and calculating costs with the rate calculation
algorithm based upon appropriate rates and parking
times..Iaddend.
.Iadd.58. An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 57
further including: a data report module at each remote parking
facility for generating reports showing parking activity by time of
day, length of stay, and cost; a customer maintenance file at each
remote parking facility including address, billing information, and
vehicle information; and a parking administration submodule at each
remote parking facility for transmitting appropriate parking
response signals to modules in the lane controller system for
deactivating lanes, displaying cost, and printing
invoices..Iaddend.
.Iadd.59. An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 53
wherein said second computer credits each remote parking facility
with appropriate fees for parker use thereof..Iaddend.
.Iadd.60. An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 53
wherein said second computer advises each remote parking facility
of a share of fees due from individual users..Iaddend.
.Iadd.61. An automated vehicle parking system including a plurality
of remote parking facilities each of which has an entrance and an
exit, the system including: a vehicle detector at each remote
parking facility for generating a detector signal when a vehicle
approaches the entrance to the remote parking facility; a lane
controller coupled to the detector at each remote parking facility
for receiving the detector signal and generating an identification
request signal; a sensor at the entrance of each remote parking
facility and coupled to the lane controller for transmitting the
identification request signal as an RF signal to the vehicle; a
transponder in the vehicle for responding to the transmitted
identification request signal by returning an identification code
to the sensor; said lane controller receiving the identification
code from the sensor, generating a time of day, and a signal
representing the lane number; a first computer at each remote
parking facility that is coupled to the lane controller for
receiving the identification code, the time of day, and lane number
and generating an appropriate response to the lane controller, the
lane controller automatically admitting the vehicle to the parking
facility, or denying the vehicle admittance in accordance with the
response from the first computer, said first computer calculating a
parking fee for each vehicle using the facility; and a second
centralized computer coupled to the first computer at each of the
remote parking facilities for communicating with each of the first
computers and preparing a single periodic parking fee statement for
each vehicle that uses one or more of the remote parking
facilities..Iaddend.
.Iadd.62. An automatic vehicle parking system as in claim 61
wherein said second computer credits each remote parking facility
with appropriate fees for parker use thereof..Iaddend.
.Iadd.63. An automatic vehicle parking system as in claim 61
wherein said second computer advises each remote parking facility
of a share of fees due from individual users..Iaddend.
.Iadd.64. A method for access and revenue control of a plurality of
remote parking facilities, each having at least one controlled
entrance lane and at least one controlled exit lane, the method
comprising the steps of: generating a vehicle detection signal at
each of the plurality of remote parking facilities with a detection
device when a vehicle approaches a remote parking facility
entrance; identifying vehicles authorized to use the remote parking
facility with a lane controller system and generating an
authorization signal; storing parking information in a database of
a first computer concerning the vehicles authorized to use the
remote parking facility; generating appropriate parking responses
to the lane controller system upon receiving the authorization
signal; and communicating with the database of the first computer
in each of the remote parking facilities with a central computer
and compiling a single parking fee statement with the central
computer for a user of one or more of the remote parking
facilities..Iaddend.
.Iadd.65. The method as in claim 64 further comprising the step of
detecting an approaching vehicle at each of the remote parking
facilities and identifying a lane number of the vehicle with a
magnetic loop detector..Iaddend.
.Iadd.66. The method as in claim 65 further comprising the steps
of: coupling a sensor to a vehicle detection system for
transmitting an interrogation signal to the approaching vehicle;
associating a transponder with the vehicle for receiving the
transmitted signal and returning a vehicle identification signal to
the sensor; and storing data representing current vehicle
transponder identification signals and time of day in a lane
controller processor and passing a vehicle identification number,
the lane number, and a time of day to the first
computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.67. The method as in claim 66 further comprising the step of
using said central computer to advise each remote facility computer
of total fees due the corresponding remote facility for all users
of the respective remote facility during specified
periods..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to vehicle parking systems
and in particular to a parking system having a central facility
coupled to and monitoring a plurality of satellite parking
facilities in which each satellite parking facility automatically
identifies a vehicle approaching the entrance or exit lanes to the
parking facility and generates an appropriate set of responses such
as opening the gate, illuminating a fee display or other sign
information, posting accounting information and the like. A user of
multiple satellite parking facilities receives one statement
periodically from the central or clearinghouse facility. Each
satellite parking facility may be independent from the other
satellite parking facilities and each may set its own charges and
fee schedules. The central facility simply keeps track of all
parking in all the satellite parking facilities and sends the user
one bill (or debits an account) for the total amount of the
parking. A key feature of the central facility or clearinghouse
concept is the use of a prepaid balance as opposed to being billed
in arrears. When the prepaid balance falls below a predetermined
level, the clearinghouse or central facility will either debit the
user's bank account via ACH (automated clearinghouse) or electronic
funds transfer, charge the user's credit card account, or issue an
invoice. If the balance becomes negative, the system generally will
not allow the user to enter the garage.
2. Description of Related Art
There are many different types of semiautomatic parking systems for
vehicles such as motor vehicles including monthly pass cards,
automatic ticket dispensers, and the like. In systems where time
accounting is required for parking that is subject to charge
periods, a card having an electronic memory is used where each
memory location can be individually and irreversibly written in
order to represent a time unit credit allocated to the holder of
the card. Other systems use an electronic memory and a card reader,
a portable terminal carried by a parking checker, a card having a
magnetic track containing a confidential identification number, and
a label for sticking to the windshield of a vehicle with the label
bearing information that is unambiguously related to the
information stored in the card. Still other systems use capacitive
cards and reader systems. Some systems use an automatic fee
determining system including means to totalize the amount of coins
accepted by the system. Such system includes means for calculating
the fee due from a parking ticket. The customer then inserts coins
into a coin receptor and a "vend" is produced only when the total
value of coins at least equals the calculated fee due. Other
systems have an entrance station for dispensing a coded card and
initiating opening of an entrance gate and an exit station for
receiving the card, sensing any lapsed time, computing a toll at a
predetermined time rate, collecting the correct toll, and
initiating opening of the gate in response to the collection.
These systems all require the intervention of a human operator or
an interaction between the vehicle occupant and a device such as a
ticket dispenser and the like.
In commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,624 there is disclosed an
automatic parking system that can identify a vehicle approaching an
entrance or exit lane, and then, based on that identity, generate
an appropriate set of responses such as opening a gate,
illuminating a fee display, posting accounting information,
preparing periodic statements to the owner of the vehicle, and the
like. However, if the user goes to another parking facility, either
a new membership in that facility will be required so that the user
receives another monthly billing statement or the user will have to
pay cash.
While in its broadest state, the aforesaid patent claims cover a
central billing operation, the improvement disclosed herein
specifically covers the use of multiple parking facilities that
feed a central billing/credit system thereby permitting the user to
use facilities that may be independently owned but for which proper
debit of the user's account will be made as well as proper credit
attributed to the specific facility as determined in advance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art
by providing a parking system having a central facility coupled to
and monitoring a plurality of satellite parking facilities and in
which each satellite parking facility may be a facility that
operates individually and independent of the other satellite
parking facilities. The central facility simply monitors all of the
satellite parking facilities and generates one monthly parking fee
statement for each user (or a company account, if appropriate) of
the system even if the user has parked in each of the satellite
parking systems.
In the present system, a vehicle will pull into an entrance lane in
any satellite parking facility until it can go no further because
the entrance gate is closed. If the vehicle is equipped with a
compatible tag or transponder, a signal will return from the
vehicle to the sensor. The sensor then relays that signal to the
lane controller. The lane controller is a circuit that processes
that signal and couples it to a host computer with specific
information regarding the vehicle such as the identifier ID, the
date and time of day, lane number, and the like.
When the host computer receives the identification signal, it
compares it to a complete list of recognized identification numbers
contained in a database. If the identification number is found,
additional information will then be known about the vehicle
including the parker identification and the parking product such as
monthly parker, debit, charge, and the like that pertain to this
particular vehicle. That information is used to maintain a billing
account for that identified vehicle. If the parker is authorized to
use a product that allows entry such as daytime usage, weekend
usage, or both, for example, then the system will treat the
attempted entry as valid. The system will create a partial
transaction record that includes the parker identification number,
the parking product that is being used, the billing account, and
the time of entry into the system. The system will also instruct
the lane controller to open the gate. In addition, on a periodic
basis, the satellite parking facilities may initiate the transfer
of data, if necessary, to the central facility or clearinghouse by
communicating with the computer in the central facility in any
well-known manner such as by dialing through a modem. It is also
feasible for the computer in the central facility to communicate
with each of the satellite parking facilities and the host computer
therein will download stored financial and related data as
regarding each user of the facility. If the user has parked in
plural facilities, the data from each facility relating to that
user will be used to create a single billing statement. (If the
billing is to a corporate or business account, multiple users may
be tracked on a single billing statement.)
If the vehicle is not authorized to enter a parking facility
because of no identification, no valid identification, not
authorized to use a suitable product, or no credit in the account,
and the like, the system will not permit entry. However, if the
satellite facility also allows transient parkers, the vehicle
operator can be issued a ticket in typical fashion which can be
retrieved and the gate opened so that the vehicle can enter the
satellite facility. This ticketed entry, however, will not be
administered by the present system.
Alternatively, a parker who is not authorized to enter based on the
present system may elect to pull a parking ticket to bypass the
system.
As a vehicle approaches the exit lane, a detector, such as a loop
detector, senses the vehicle's presence and notifies the exit lane
controller. The exit lane controller activates a sensor to send a
radio frequency signal to the vehicle. If the vehicle is equipped
with a compatible tag or transponder, a signal will return from the
vehicle to the sensor. The sensor then relays that signal to the
lane controller processor. The lane controller processor again
processes the signal and transmits it to the host computer along
with specific information such as the vehicle identification
number, the date and time of day, lane number, and the like.
When the host computer receives that information, it compares the
vehicle identification number to the database that contains the
complete list of recognized identification numbers. If that
identification number is found, the partial transaction record is
located and additional information will be known about the vehicle
including when it entered the parking facility, the billing
account, and the product that accounts for this visit. The system
will then calculate the appropriate cost. This cost information and
instructions to open the gate are then sent to the lane controller.
The cost information is also posted to an accounts receivable
submodule and is stored for relaying to the computer in the central
facility when the satellite facility is polled.
In the normal case, the lane controller will display the parking
cost on an appropriate display monitor and the gate will open.
However, if the vehicle does not have an authorized identification
number, the typical explanation is that the parker used a ticket on
entry. This ticket will not be processed by the system but instead
by a system for transient parkers that uses personnel at the gate
to take the ticket, calculate a cost, and collect the parking
fee.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
automated vehicle parking system in which a plurality of satellite
parking facilities are coupled to a central facility for providing
the user with a single billing statement regardless of the number
of satellite facilities in which parking has occurred, and
regardless of whether the satellite facilities are independently
owned or operated.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an
automated vehicle parking system that senses a vehicle, transmits
an interrogation signal to the vehicle and, if the vehicle has a
compatible tag or transponder, receives from the vehicle an
identification number for use in system computers for calculating
costs for that particular vehicle and further storing those costs
to be passed to the computer in the central facility when
polled.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an
automated parking facility in which the gates are opened and closed
according to a common transponder signal received from the vehicle
when interrogated regardless of the particular one of a number of
predetermined satellite parking facilities that have been used.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an
automated vehicle parking system in which various parking products
such as by the hour, by the day, monthly parkers, daytime only,
weekend only, and the like can be applied to a particular vehicle,
and the costs automatically calculated on a real time basis and
stored in an accounting system from which they can be transferred
to a computer in a central facility that will issue periodic
billings to the customer owning the vehicle regardless of the
number of satellite systems used by the vehicle owner, and the
central facility will also issue periodic accountings and credits
to each facility operator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects of the invention will be more fully
understood when taken in conjunction with the following DETAILED
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION in which like numerals
represent like elements and in which:
FIG. 1 is a general system overview diagram illustrating the
detailed operation of one of the satellite parking facilities;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the host computer used
in a satellite parking facility and its functions;
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a satellite
parking facility as a vehicle approaches the entrance of the lane;
and
FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the satellite
parking facility as a vehicle approaches the exit lane.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the general system overview
including a central facility computer 10 and nine satellite parking
facilities 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100. The details of
one of the satellite parking facilities 100 is shown and includes
the host computer 112 that accomplishes the accounting, cost
calculations, tag validation, and the like. The host computer 112
comprises a display screen 114, a computer 116, and a keyboard or
other entry device 118 such as a mouse. The host computer 112
communicates with both the entrance lane controller computer 120
and the exit lane controller computer 124 through lines 122 and
126, respectively. Further, when polled by the central facility
computer 10, all data regarding a user will be transferred to the
central facilities computer 10. The entrance lane controller is
coupled to an entrance lane module 128 that includes a sensor 132,
a display 134, a detector 136, such as a loop detector, and an
entrance gate 138. In like manner, the exit lane controller
communicates with an exit lane module 130, that, again, includes a
sensor 140, a display 142, a detector 144, which again may be a
loop detector, and an exit gate 146.
The sensor 132, 140 in both the entrance lane module 128 and the
exit lane module 130 may be a sensor of the type disclosed in U.S.
Pat No. 5,030,807. It is an interrogator that sends a signal such
as an RF signal to a remote transponder or tag, the signal
including data intended to be received and/or stored in the tag.
The tag or transponder modulates the received signal with data
temporarily and/or permanently stored in the tag including data
indicating the identity of the object to which the tag is attached.
The sensors 132 and 140 have the capability of recognizing the
identity of the tagged object from the returned signal. Displays
134 and 142 are typical image displays such as a television set, an
LCD display, or LED's, for example. The detectors 136 and 144 are a
mini-type of detector, such as a loop detector, that can sense the
approach of a vehicle. Gates 138 and 146 are typically electrically
controlled gates that can respond to a signal from the lane
controllers 120, 124 to open the gates as signalled.
Thus the system uses off-the-shelf automatic vehicle identification
equipment for access and revenue control.
As a vehicle approaches the entrance lane to any satellite parking
facility, gate 138 is closed. At this point, loop detector 136
senses the presence of the vehicle and notifies the entrance lane
controller computer 120. The lane controller computer 120 activates
sensor 132 through line 148 and causes sensor 132 to send a radio
frequency signal to the vehicle. If the vehicle is equipped with a
compatible automatic vehicle identifier tag or transponder, it will
recognize the signal at any one of the satellite parking systems
and will return an identifying signal from the vehicle to the
sensor 132. The sensor 132 then relays that signal to the lane
controller computer 120. The lane controller computer 120 processes
the signal by removing duplicates and the like and passes the
signal on to the host computer 112 along with specific information
such as the vehicle identification number, date and time of day,
and the lane number.
When the host computer 112 receives that information, it compares
the vehicle identification number to a complete list of recognized
identification numbers contained in database 215 (shown in FIG. 2).
If the identification number is found, then additional information
will be known about the vehicle including the parker identification
and the parking product such as monthly, day, debit, charge, and
the like. It also will know the billing account against which the
parking activity should be charged. If an authorized vehicle ID is
found, then it is determined if that vehicle has an authorized
parking product. If it has, the system computer 112 will treat the
attempted entry as valid. The system host 112 will create a partial
transaction record that includes the parker identification number,
the parking product being used, the billing account, and the time
of day. The system host computer 112 will also instruct the lane
controller 120 to open the gate 138.
If the would-be-parker is properly authorized, the gate 138 will
have opened and the parker can drive through the gate. If the
parker is not authorized, for example, has no identification
number, no valid identification number, insufficient credit in
account, is not authorized to use an available or suitable product,
and the like, the system will not permit entry. However, if the
parking facility allows transient parkers, the parker can pull a
ticket and enter the facility. However, this type of entry will not
be administered by the present invention. Of course, a parker who
is authorized to enter based on the present system may elect to
pull a ticket to bypass the system if it is so desired.
The exit lane functions in a manner similar to the entrance lane.
As the vehicle approaches the exit lane, the gate 146 is closed. At
this point, the detector 144 which, again, may be a loop detector,
senses the presence of the vehicle and signals the exit lane
controller computer 124 on line 160. The lane controller 124
activates the sensor 140 on line 156 and causes it to send a radio
frequency signal towards the vehicle. Again, if the vehicle is
equipped with a compatible vehicle identifier tag or transponder,
the signal will return from the vehicle to the sensor 140. The
sensor 140 then relays that signal to the lane controller computer
124 on line 156. The lane controller computer 124 processes the
signal and, again, passes it on to the host computer 112 along with
the specific information such as the vehicle identifier number,
date, time of day, and lane number. When the host computer 112
receives the vehicle identification number, it compares it to the
database 215 (FIG. 2) that contains a complete list of recognized
identification numbers. If the identification number is found, a
partial transaction record can be located in the database and
additional information will be known about the vehicle including
the time it entered, the billing account, the parking product
associated with that account, and the like. The system 112 will
then calculate the appropriate costs. This cost information and
instructions to open the gate 146 will be sent to the lane
controller 124 on line 126. This cost information will also be
posted to an accounting system 210 (FIG. 2) and will be available
for transfer to the central facility computer 10 at appropriate
times.
Again, the lane controller computer 124 will cause the parking cost
to be shown on display on 142 and the gate 146 will open. However,
if the vehicle does not have an authorized identification number,
it is presumed that the parker pulled a ticket on entry. This
ticket will not be processed by the system but instead by a system
for transient parkers that uses personnel such as cashiers at the
gate to take the ticket, calculate a cost, and collect a parking
fee. The host computer 112 will typically be a computer such as a
486/33 (or higher) running OS/2.TM. or other operating system, a
keyboard, a mouse, and including a VGA monitor. It will typically
be installed in the parking office. The lane controller computers
will typically be 386/33 computers (or higher) with storage devices
such as hard disk drives but without keyboards, monitors, or floppy
drives. These computers may be installed near the lanes.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the details of the host computer 112.
This computer includes an accounting system 210 and data storage
212 that include a well-known Btrieve.TM. 213 database or other
database manager or file system. It also includes a communications
board 216 coupled to the lane controllers at line 234. The host
computer 112 may also include a report submodule 224, a customer
maintenance submodule 226, and a parking administration submodule
228. The host computer 112 will provide the lane controller
computers 120 and 124 with a list of recognized tag or transponder
ID numbers for use in an emergency condition only. In addition, a
status code may supplement each recognized tag or transponder
number so that the lane computers 120 and 124 can take the
appropriate actions. There are several possible actions that can
take place when a vehicle with a tag enters a lane. Some
specialized actions are appropriate only at certain modules within
the system. The description of each module will detail such
specialized action. Thus the host computer 112 will provide
standard actions such as recognizing the tag, providing the signal
for opening the gate or changing and returning the tag status such
as: tag not recognized, do not open gate; tag recognized, do not
open gate, improper status received; tag recognized, do not open
gate, deactivated tag; and tag recognized, do not open gate, stolen
tag. These actions may also initiate various alarms, visual or
otherwise, in the lane and in the parking facility office. A
customer or user with a tag or transponder will not have the
opportunity to override the tag or transponder other than by
physically removing it, turning it off, or pulling a ticket at the
time of entry.
Moreover, the lane computers 120 and 124 will transmit information
about each attempted entrance or exit to the host computer through
the lane controller interface 214. This information will include,
for example only, a 26 character alphanumeric tag identifier, lane
number, date, time of day, and action taken. The host computer 112
will then create a transaction record from the previous information
to which it will add the name of the facility.
In addition, it could also add the name of the tag holder, the
billing account, and the like and make all such stored data
available to the central facility computer 10 at appropriate
times.
Off-the-shelf tags or transponders provide for at least 26
characters of information on each tag since there will be an
all-out attempt to have tag compatibility between regional
toll-roads, bridges, tunnels, and multiple parking facilities. Most
of the information will be for vehicle identification only. The tag
will typically not contain any information that would associate it
with a particular parking facility.
The host computer 112 provides a proper interface with the lane
controllers through parking administration submodule 228. The
programs in such submodule 228 allows the operators to turn off
lanes, control gates, initiate batch posting of invoices, activate
displays, and other administrative functions. In addition,
accounting module 210 includes the accounts receivable submodule
218, a rates definition submodule 220, and the rate calculation
submodule 222. The accounts receivable submodule 218 receives and
posts the costs involved in each parking transaction. This
submodule will generate periodic statements, such as on a monthly
basis, and track the accounts receivable history.
The rates definition submodule 220 enables parking rates that are
entered into the system to be modified as necessary. It allows the
most complex rates to be easily input and changed. Moreover, the
submodule 220 retains a history of all rates that were ever used
and the system allows upcoming rates to be defined for any time in
the future.
The rate calculation submodule 222 identifies the proper billing
account and parking product to be identified for each parking
visit. Then, at exit, the proper cost is calculated by the rate
calculation submodule 222.
In addition, a report module 224 is provided. This submodule
provides a large set of standard reports. These reports show
parking activity by time of day, length of stay, cost, and the
like. This module also allows the easy creation of additional
reports by the parking operator.
The customer maintenance submodule 226 receives input information
from the operator about the customer such as address, billing
information, and vehicle information.
All of these submodules and the information contained therein are
utilized by an algorithm in the host computer 112 to calculate the
parking cost for each tag identified customer. The rate schedules,
as defined in submodule 220, have a name, a grace period, and an
ordered list of conditions and associated rate tables. The
conditions define under what circumstances a rate table is applied.
More than one rate table may be used in the calculation of the cost
of a single garage entrance and exit. The conditions retained in
the rates definition submodule 220 include entrance time interval
such as, for example 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., and exit time interval
which specifies the time of exit from the garage and the exit must
occur in the specified interval, the duration interval that
requires a length of stay that is between the minimum and maximum
amounts of time set, the days of the week for the which the rates
tables are valid, usually either Monday through Friday or Saturday
and Sunday. The valid day of the week may be specified as a date
rather than a specific day of the week. A calendar of holidays may
be specified as part of the maintenance of the system. Further, an
exit time limit and duration limit can also be stored in the rates
definition module. A duration limit is a period of time used to
limit application of the rate table for the condition. The duration
limit is not used to determine if the condition is satisfied. The
duration limit is used to limit the duration for which the rate
table is applied. Thus, the first half hour of parking may be at a
first rate, the second half hour at a second rate, the next two
hours at a third rate and any additional hours at a fourth
rate.
A rate table is associated with each condition by specifying its
name. A discount rate may also be associated with the rate table
for this condition. This allows selected discounts to be easily
applied for selected classes of accounts. The algorithm for
applying the rate table is used to search the ordered list of
conditions for the first condition which is satisfied and then
adding the rate calculated from the rate table associated with the
condition. The entrance time is then updated using the maximum
duration as specified earlier. If the remaining duration is less
than the grace period, the rate calculation is finished otherwise
the limit of conditions is searched again from the beginning. The
rate table consists of a list of rates specified such as period,
repeat, and rate. The period designates the period for which to
apply the rate, for example a one-half hour interval. The repeat
allows a number of periods over which to use the rate, for example,
the rate is to be used for the next 31/2 hours. Finally the
specified rate table establishes the rate for each of the periods.
To calculate the total rate, the first rate is applied for the
first repeat number of periods. Then the second rate is applied for
the second repeat number of periods. As many of the rates are used
as needed to calculate the rate for the entire duration. The actual
calculation, of course, takes place in the rate calculation
submodule 222.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the system as
a vehicle approaches the entrance lane. At block 300, the loop
detector 136 in the entrance lane is activated and detects the
vehicle and transmits that signal to the entrance lane controller
computer 120. At block 305 the automatic vehicle identification
sensor 132 has transmitted an RF signal to the vehicle and from the
return, or lack of return, of signal from the vehicle, a decision
is made as to whether the sensor 132 can identify the vehicle. If
not, the parker, at block 310, pulls a ticket to enter the garage
and the present invention system is bypassed.
If the sensor 132 can identify the vehicle, then a decision is made
at block 315 by the entrance lane controller computer 120 as to
whether the vehicle identification number is authorized by the
system. If not, again the parker must pull a ticket, as indicated
by block 310, to enter the garage and the automatic vehicle
identification system is bypassed. If yes, the host computer 112 at
block 320 seeks the parking product that is to be used with this
particular vehicle. That information is stored, as stated earlier,
in the database 215 of the host computer 112. At block 325 a
decision is made by host computer 112 as to whether a permissible
product is found in the database 215. If not, again the parker
would have to pull a ticket, as indicated at the block 310, to
enter the garage and the system would be bypassed. If a permissible
product is found by host computer 112, the gate opens as indicated
at block 330. At block 335, if the parker wants to override the
present system, he simply pulls a ticket to enter the garage. If
the parker is using the system, at step 340, the vehicle
identification number, date, time, lane number, and product are
stored in the host computer 112 where the calculations take place
as described earlier.
FIG. 4 discloses the system process when a vehicle is operating in
the exit lane. At block 400, the exit lane loop detector 144
detects an approaching vehicle and transmits the detection signal
to the exit lane controller computer 124. At block 405, the sensor
140 decides whether it can identify the vehicle. If not, the parker
has to pay the cashier as indicated at block 410. If the vehicle is
identified, a decision is made as indicated at block 415 to see if
the vehicle ID is authorized by the system. If not, again, the
parker pays the cashier at block 410. If the vehicle is authorized,
then, as indicated at block 420, the host computer 112 accesses the
entry information stored in database 215 and calculates the cost
with accounting system 210. Block 425 indicates that the cost of
the parking visit is displayed and, as indicated, at block 430, the
gate 146 opens. As indicated, at block 435, the identification
number, date, time, lane number, and cost are stored in the host
computer database 215.
At block 437, the data stored in the host computer database at step
435 may be transferred to the central facilities computer at step
437 upon appropriate communications being established. As indicated
by the arrows entering step 437, all of the satellite systems may
be in communication with the central facilities computer 10 shown
at step 439. At step 441, the central facilities computer 10 may
generate periodic consolidated billing statements for each customer
using one or more of the satellite parking facilities, as well as
statements for each of the independent satellite facilities.
Thus, there has been disclosed a novel automated parking system
which enables a user to enter and leave one of a plurality of
parking facilities in a unified system at any specified time with
the use of a sensor at the appropriate gate and a tag or
transponder on the vehicle that can communicate with the sensor.
When a vehicle is detected, the sensor is activated to transmit an
interrogation signal, such as an RF signal, toward the vehicle. If
the vehicle does not have a tag, the operator of the vehicle can
bypass the system by pulling a ticket. If the tag is valid, the
gate automatically opens, the vehicle enters and the time of day,
the lane number, and vehicle identification number are stored in a
host computer. When the vehicle leaves the parking facility, again
the vehicle is detected by a loop detector, the sensor is activated
to transmit the interrogation signal, the tag on the vehicle
responds, and the information is transmitted to the host computer
which then calculates the cost of the parking and stores it in an
accounting system module such that billing statements can be
prepared at a later date. The rate schedule can vary for monthly
parkers, duration intervals, days of the week, and duration limits.
The rates can be defined however the parking facility desires.
Reports are generated as needed on a daily, weekly, or monthly
basis and an accurate record is kept for each user of the parking
facility. These reports may be transferred to a central computer
facility as appropriate so that the central computer may issue a
consolidated billing statement for each user and each satellite
facility, if desired. Clearly, the data stored at the satellite
parking system could simply be time of entry and time of departure
to and from the facility as well as the type of parker. The central
computer could then store the rates for each parking facility and
could calculate the fee at the central computer facility where the
consolidated report is generated. If a central billing service is
used, the user will be billed appropriately and the central
facility may reimburse or credit each remote or satellite facility
with its appropriate fee.
In summary, with the present invention, a fee calculation system is
disclosed that is hands-free (automatic) and time-varied (time
dependent) and unilocational (at one particular location). A
vehicle reaches a location and is charged a fee based on
time-of-day and/or day-of-week. Fee may also vary by particular
vehicle (allowing for high occupancy vehicles, volume discounts, et
cetera). The entire transaction requires no interaction on the part
of the driver or any other vehicle occupant; the process is
hands-free and is accomplished through the "automatic"
identification of the vehicle. The fee calculation is independent
of the fee collection that can take place either before (in the
case of debit accounts), after (in the case of charge accounts), or
at the time of fee calculation. The fee data may be transferred to
a central computer that generates a consolidated billing statement
for each user (individual or corporate) of one or more satellite
parking facilities and each of the remote or satellite parking
facilities appropriately credited or advised of its share of fees
due from individual users.
The foregoing specification describes only the embodiments of the
invention shown and/or described. Other embodiments may be
articulated as well. The terms and expressions used, therefore,
serve only to describe the invention by example and not to limit
the invention. It is expected that others will perceive differences
which, while different from the foregoing, do not depart from the
scope of the invention herein described and claimed. In particular,
any of the specific constructional elements described may be
replaced by any other known element having equivalent function.
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