Abstract:
In a parking system having one or more payment terminals for receiving payment for parking spaces, an information processing centre for receiving transaction and alarm information from the payment terminals, one or more enforcement terminals and a two-way telecommunications network for transmitting information in real time between the information processing centre and the payment and the enforcement terminals, an enforcement system and a method where a minimal amount of data is sent to enforcement terminals while in use in the field. The enforcement terminals are preloaded with parking space graphics. Occupancy data, which includes only the data necessary to provide expiry information such as, for instance, a data bit for each space indicating if it is “paid” or if it is “expired”, is transmitted in real time to the enforcement terminal. The occupancy data may be transmitted periodically or on demand by the enforcement terminal. In this approach, significant data packet network costs can be saved as the network costs are usually based on volume of data flow.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/428,693 filed on Nov. 25, 2002. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to parking meter systems and more particularly to enforcement for parking meter systems using a pay by space concept.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In order to enforce the parking regulations, it is necessary to continuously provide enforcement officers with up to date information regarding the “paid” and “expired” parking spaces. The space information can be in the form of an updated list, or graphical images overlaid with space status. The graphics or updated list for the street or parking lot map and parking space status is therefore updated on a regular basis on the enforcement terminals carried by the enforcement staff to get a clear and accurate picture of what parking spaces are expired. With this approach, where the graphical representation of the parking spaces or a full detailed space listing and their availability is repeatedly transmitted, data volumes and hence wireless network costs can be very high.  
           [0004]    Therefore, there is a need for a system and a process that will reduce the cost of enforcement.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    It is an object of the invention to provide an improved Parking Enforcement System Using Wireless Enforcement Terminals And Real Time Space Occupancy Data.  
           [0006]    The invention is directed to a system and a method where the minimal amount of data that is necessary is sent to enforcement terminals while in use in the field. The enforcement terminals are preloaded with parking space graphics or a full detailed space list, and the transmitted data includes only the minimum data necessary to provide expiry information such as, for instance, a data bit for each space indicating if it is “paid” or if it is “expired”. In this approach, significant data packet network costs can be saved as the network costs are usually based on volume of data flow.  
           [0007]    In accordance with one aspect of this invention, a parking system comprises one or more payment terminals for receiving payment for parking spaces, an information processing centre for receiving transaction and alarm information from the payment terminals, one or more enforcement terminals for storing identification information for selected parking spaces and for periodically receiving occupancy data for the selected parking spaces from the information processing centre and a two-way telecommunications network for transmitting information in real time between the information processing centre and the payment and the enforcement terminals wherein the enforcement terminal displays a map of the parking spaces with an occupancy indication for each space.  
           [0008]    In accordance with another aspect of this invention, a parking enforcement system for a parking system having one or more payment terminals for receiving payment for parking spaces comprises an enforcement server for receiving transaction information from the payment terminals and for generating occupancy data for the parking spaces in real time, and one or more enforcement terminals for storing identification information for selected parking spaces and for receiving occupancy data for the selected parking spaces from the enforcement server for displaying a map of the parking spaces with an indication of occupancy.  
           [0009]    In accordance with specific aspects of this invention, the enforcement terminals include means for displaying the identification information for the parking spaces as graphic information, which may include the street location of the parking spaces and parking space location numbers. The street location information may include street name, connecting streets and landmarks. The parking space occupancy data, which depicts whether the parking space is “paid” or “expired”, is overlaid on the parking space location numbers to indicate occupancy.  
           [0010]    With regard to a further aspect of the invention, the enforcement terminal receives the occupancy data on demand or periodically.  
           [0011]    In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, a method of enforcing a parking system having one or more payment terminals for parking spaces and one or more enforcement terminals comprises storing identification information of selected parking spaces in the enforcement terminals, receiving transaction information from the payment terminals, processing the transaction information to provide parking space occupancy data, transferring real time space occupancy data regarding the selected parking spaces to the enforcement terminals, and displaying the selected parking space information and the occupancy data on the enforcement terminal to provide an indication whether each selected parking space is “paid” or “expired”.  
           [0012]    In accordance with a specific aspect of this invention, the space occupancy data regarding the selected parking spaces may be transferred to the enforcement terminals periodically or when requested by the enforcement terminal.  
           [0013]    In accordance with a specific aspect of this invention, the space occupancy data regarding the selected parking spaces may be transferred to the enforcement terminals periodically or when requested by the enforcement terminal.  
           [0014]    With regard to another aspect of the invention, the method may further include receiving alarm information from the payment terminals and processing the alarm information to manage the parking system  
           [0015]    Other aspects and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 illustrates a parking system in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an information processing centre for the parking system;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 illustrates a CDMA/1xRTT wireless network card for communication within the parking system;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 4 a  to  4   e  illustrate examples of handheld wireless devices for use as enforcement terminals; and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 shows data flow inside and between system components for the parking system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]    The parking system  10  is a comprehensive system for the management and enforcement of parking spaces  20  within a city  11 . The parking spaces  20  may be located on city streets or within parking lots or buildings. The system  10  includes a number of payment terminals  30 , an information processing centre  40 , enforcement terminals  50  for the use of enforcement officers and a telecommunication network  60 .  
         [0023]    Any number of parking spaces  20  may be part of the system, however, they would normally be arranged in groups in order to facilitate enforcement by an officer with a terminal  50 .  
         [0024]    The payment terminals  30 , also known as pay by space machines, are strategically located near the parking spaces  20  to permit a client to pay for the parking time for the parking space  20  where his/her vehicle has been parked. However, the client need not select the payment terminal  30  closest to the parking space  20 , since all terminals  30  in the system  10  can receive payment for all parking spaces in the system  10 , and therefore the client may select the terminal  30  that is the most convenient for him/her.  
         [0025]    As with all typical pay and display or pay by space machines, a client will interact with the terminal  30  for his/her parking requirements using a client interface such as a display screen and keypad or a touch screen facility. A server and software housed in the terminal  30  will control the operation of the terminal  30  and its communications via the network  60  with the information processing centre  40 . In addition, terminal  30  has a coin slot with a coin discriminator and coin box as well as a card reader to facilitate payment for the parking space  20 . A printer in terminal  30  will issue a receipt to the client for the parking time payment; the receipt need not be placed within the vehicle occupying the parking space  20 , but may be saved by the client for further reference.  
         [0026]    The information processing centre (IP Centre)  40  operates to manage the parking system  10  as a whole as well as the enforcement of the parking regulations. The information processing centre  40  includes a server  41 , data storage  42 , one or more work stations  43  and a local communication network  44  capable of communicating with the payment terminals  30  and enforcement terminals  50  through the network  60 .  
         [0027]    The information processing centre  40  will receive transactions and alarms from the payment terminal  30  in real time, and will respond to requests from the enforcement terminals  50  concerning the status of parking spaces  20 . The transactions include revenue, audit and maintenance information of a properly operating terminal  30 . This information is processed to prepare audits and reports, as well as to prepare the occupancy data required to update the enforcement terminals  50  in real time. The alarms or warnings may represent problems with a terminal  30  itself such as faulty equipment, with the communications network  60  or with the information processing centre  40 .  
         [0028]    As illustrated in FIG. 2, the two main operations of the information processing centre  40 , namely management and enforcement may be carried out by two separate and independent servers, the management server  411  and the enforcement server  412 . These servers  411  and  412  are connected through a switcher  441  and a router  442  to the telecommunications network  60 . The enforcement server  412  is connected to the telephone network  60  using a dedicated connection that will carry only traffic destined to the enforcement server  412  from the wireless network, or from the enforcement server  412  to the wireless network. A separate data path is provided for communications between the management server  411  and the payment terminal  30 , without visibility to the enforcement server  412 . Similarly, the enforcement server  412  will be isolated from management server  411  traffic by means of IP switch  441 , preventing network load, from impacting the server&#39;s performance.  
         [0029]    The management server  411  is devoted to such functions as rate profile management, collection audits, maintenance of historical data, credit card processing, machine and parking map configuration. The enforcement server  412  is devoted to providing online transaction processing required to maintain and to distribute timely and correct information on parking space occupancy and communication status. The enforcement server  412  responds to requests from the enforcement terminals  50  concerning the status of parking spaces and continuously updates the enforcement terminals  50  in real time with the status of the parking spaces being monitored by an enforcement officer.  
         [0030]    The enforcement terminals  50  are used by enforcement officers to verify whether parking spaces are legally occupied and to issue violations for vehicles that are illegally parked. The enforcement terminal  50  includes a display and a keypad as well as a computer processor permitting the officer to interact with the terminal  50 . A graphic image of the parking spaces  20  for which the officer is responsible is downloaded into the enforcement terminal  50  from the information processing centre  40 , usually at night either by wireless communications or by direct wire to cut costs. When the officer is preparing to make his/her rounds, the enforcement terminal  50  will request occupancy data for the parking spaces  20  within the particular enforcement area. The enforcement server  412  will then send occupancy data to the enforcement terminal  50  indicating whether each specific parking space within the particular enforcement area is “paid” or “expired”. The officer will then use the terminal  50  to issue violations to the vehicles that are illegally parked.  
         [0031]    For a street parking scenario, the graphical image on the Officers&#39; terminal  50  contains the following information:  
         [0032]    1. The name of the section of the street (the main street and the name of the two cross streets); and  
         [0033]    2. The numbers of all the parking spaces located on the section of the street in their physical sequential order.  
         [0034]    The graphics listed in 1 and 2 are loaded onto the terminal  50  from the information processing centre  40  prior to the terminal  50  being given to the enforcement officer.  
         [0035]    3. A clear indication of every parking space for which the fee has not been paid at the time the data is sent from the IP Centre  40  at the request of the enforcement terminal  50 ; and  
         [0036]    4. The time at which the IP Centre  40  generated the image.  
         [0037]    The data for the graphics listed in 3 and 4 is sent to the enforcement terminal  50  either on request by the terminal  50 , or periodically, such as every minute, to update the terminal  50  display. The occupancy graphics overlays the parking space graphics to provide a clear and complete picture to the enforcement officer.  
         [0038]    The enforcement terminal  50  is a portable handheld computer providing an image of information for all parking spaces  20  on a single section of street or parking lot. A number of portable handheld devices generally meet the requirements for an enforcement terminal  50 . The devices presented below fall into two general categories: small, portable, pen-based terminals with a touch screen, and few, if any keys, and large portable data terminals with a touch screen, but also with some or many keys for data entry and other functions. Each device has it own unique feature strengths and weaknesses, and some of the feature strengths are a result of compromise or in some cases weakness in other areas.  
         [0039]    The devices shown in FIGS. 4 a - 4   e  support Microsoft® Windows® CE or Microsoft® Pocket PC operating systems, but also have an internal Type II PC expansion slot or can directly support an appropriate WWAN card suitable for the site. By choosing a Windows® based operating system, the system may be better positioned for introducing new applications, upgrades and increased capability in the future, however this invention is not bound to any one type of operating system.  
         [0040]    Also, based on the wireless connectivity solution, the device must be able to support a CDMA/1xRTT or similar based WWAN  51  shown in FIG. 3. While the CDMA/1xRTT WWAN connectivity technology is available today on some or all of the handheld devices shown in FIGS. 4 a - 4   e , this invention is not bound to any one type of connectivity technology.  
         [0041]    There are 5 devices shown in FIGS. 4 a  to  4   e . All are considered ruggedized handhelds and all are industrial grade devices. The HDT600 is manufactured by Motorola—FIG. 4 a , the CE5320 is from DAP—FIG. 4 b , the 700 Color is from Intermec—FIG. 4 c , while, the PPT283x and the PDT813x in FIGS. 4 d  and  4   e  are manufactured by Symbol.  
         [0042]    The enforcement terminals  50  run an application, fundamental to this invention, whose primary function is to provide current on-street parking space occupancy data through a simple, easy to migrate, Graphical User-Interface (GUI). Data is passed to the enforcement terminals  50  equipped with radio cards through a wireless wide area service network  60  provided by the local telecom service provider. One type of telecommunications network that can be used is CDMA/1xRTT, however there are other choices available and being offered by the telecom service providers.  
         [0043]    The enforcement officer periodically requests data to update the GUI, showing the particular space status for a street section. When the GUI decides to overlay parking occupancy information on top of displayed parking spaces  20 , it requests occupancy information for every street section of which at least one parking spot is displayed on the screen. Thus, requests are very small. As the enforcement display is effectively required to display only 1 bit (paid/expired) for each parking spot, responses are similarly very small. An update request is anticipated to require no more than 32 bytes of data to be transferred, and a refresh of two parking sections fewer than 64 bytes. Total data usage for an enforcement terminal&#39;s  50  enforcement display updated 720 times per day, (1 request per minute in an 8 hour day), is estimated to be less than 1 MByte per month per enforcement terminal  50 . As most telecom service providers of data services such as CDMA/1xRTT base their fee schedules on the amount of data transferred, a significant cost saving can be realized by utilizing the approach described in this invention.  
         [0044]    Additional data will have to be exchanged for such purposes as authentication, key exchange, communication status determination, and other overheads. This is in the order of 10 percent of the enforcement display usage. While the above embodiment describes an enforcement terminal that utilizes a graphical user interface utilizing graphical street maps with overlaid parking data, the efficiencies and savings of the system described in this invention are still possible and evident with a simpler user interface that utilizes scroll down lists of parking spaces by area/geographic location, with the status of each shown.  
         [0045]    The system  10  uses leading edge network technology such as developed by the industry leaders in the telecommunications industry and deployed by leading service providers. Each of the payment terminals  30  and enforcement terminals  50  is fitted with CDMA/1xRTT or similar radio card or radio modem. Applications and connectivity modules allow the data to be transferred across this CDMA/1xRTT network.  
         [0046]    Data will flow to/from three main system components, the payment terminals  30 , the enforcement server  412 , and the enforcement terminals  50 . FIG. 5 shows the data flow between and inside each of these system components.  
         [0047]    The payment terminal  30  maintains a transaction history  31  and transfers transaction data to the occupancy map manager  45  in the enforcement server  412 .  
         [0048]    The enforcement server  412  includes a major data store for the occupancy map  46 . This map records information on each parking space (time/expiry of sale for every concurrent purchase, receipt ids, etc) needed to support current and future purchase interface features, as well as the current enforcement requirements. A subset of this data is made available to the subset manager  52  of each enforcement terminal  50  via the subset manager  47 .  
         [0049]    The enforcement terminals  50  contain two major data stores, the parking space database  53  and the occupancy map subset memory  55 . The parking space database  53  encodes a map or a graphical representation of all parking spaces configured to be managed by the system  10 . This database changes little over time, and will be refreshed as necessary when the enforcement terminal  50  is connected to a “wired” communications adaptor. This is typically performed on a nightly basis. The parking space database  53  groups parking spaces into street sections of up to 64 connected spaces. The GUI  54  can display a map of parking spaces  20  on the screen  56  including one or more street sections obtained from the parking space database  53  with an overlay of the occupancy of the spaces  20  received from memory  55 . Each street section includes information such as street name, identities of connected street sections, parking space numbers, and non-parking space objects useful for orienting the enforcement officer with his/her surroundings, and therefore permits the enforcement officer to verify whether vehicles are legally or illegally parked.  
         [0050]    Since the occupancy map of itself represents very little data, the communication cost for frequently updating the enforcement terminals  50  in real time will be very low, which permits the enforcement officers to carry out their verifications with a very low error rate.  
         [0051]    While the invention has been described according to what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it must be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Those ordinarily skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent structures and functions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Therefore, the invention as defined in the claims must be accorded the broadest possible interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.