Abstract:
Prepaid parking systems and methods that allow a user to purchase a prepaid parking pass for a particular event. Once the prepaid parking pass is obtained, a holder is able to present the prepaid parking pass at an entrance to a prepaid parking facility for the particular event. This invention contemplates the availability, at a location proximate to an entrance to the prepaid parking facility, of machines of the type adapted to identify and verify the indicia imprinted on or contained within the prepaid parking pass. When a particular prepaid parking pass, including a particular indicia, is presented, the indicia is identified. Then, verification of the validity of the prepaid parking pass is automatically provided by, for example, a database containing valid prepaid parking pass indicia data. If the prepaid parking pass is determined to be valid, the vehicle is allowed to enter the parking facility. If, on the other hand, the prepaid parking pass is determined to be invalid, the vehicle is not allowed to enter the parking facility.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to prepaid parking.  
           [0002]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0003]    Generally, it is known that parking areas and/or garages utilized for professional sporting events, theme or amusement parks, concerts, airports, bus stations, train stations, trade shows, and the like, can become extremely crowded and cause congestion and traffic control problems, especially just before a well attended event. This can lead not only to congestion and traffic control problems within the parking facility itself, but also to traffic control problems on streets and highways near and around the parking facility.  
           [0004]    Usually, a fee is charged for using the parking facility and the process of collecting parking tolls from entering vehicles is quite time consuming. Thus, as tolls are being collected, traffic congestion is increased and the normal flow of traffic is interrupted. In an attempt to alleviate congestion in and around a given parking facility, a substantial number of personnel are typically employed to direct traffic and collect tolls as vehicles enter the parking facility.  
           [0005]    Nevertheless, the inconvenience to those entering the parking facility as well as to travelers who happen to be caught in the traffic around the parking facility is substantial. Having to wait to enter a parking facility has been known to cause attendees to be late for or even forgo attendance at a particular event.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Summarized briefly, the prepaid parking systems and methods of this invention allow a user to purchase a prepaid parking pass for a particular event. Because most events require an attendee to purchase a ticket to the event, in various exemplary embodiments, the prepaid parking pass is purchased contemporaneously with the ticket to the event. Furthermore, because some services allow tickets to be purchased “on line” and printed by the purchaser, the systems and methods of this invention provide a user with the ability to purchase and print a prepaid parking pass along with a ticket purchased “on line”.  
           [0007]    The prepaid parking pass may be in the form of, for example, a ticket, pass, card, decal, hang tag, sticker, or the like. In various exemplary embodiments, the prepaid parking pass may include an optically scannable symbol or indicia, such as, for example, a Universal Product Code (UPC) or bar code, or a machine readable indicia imprinted on a surface of the prepaid parking pass. In various exemplary embodiments, the prepaid parking pass may include readable indicia, such as, for example, a magnetic strip, an inductively readable memory, or an energizable circuit, affixed to, contained within, or integrated into the prepaid parking pass. The prepaid parking pass may be presented by the holder or affixed to a window or other suitable location on a vehicle.  
           [0008]    Once the prepaid parking pass is obtained, the holder is able to present the prepaid parking pass at an entrance to a prepaid parking facility for the particular event. When presented, an indicia imprinted on or contained within the prepaid parking pass can be identified such that, if the indicia is representative of a valid prepaid parking pass, the holder is able to enter the prepaid parking facility.  
           [0009]    Various exemplary embodiments of this invention contemplate the availability, at a location proximate to an entrance to the prepaid parking facility, of machines of the type adapted to identify and verify the indicia imprinted on or contained within the prepaid parking pass. When a particular indicia is identified, verification of the validity of the prepaid parking pass is automatically provided via, for example, a database containing valid prepaid parking pass indicia data. If the prepaid parking pass is determined to be valid, the vehicle is allowed to enter the parking facility. If, on the other hand, the prepaid parking pass is determined to be invalid, the vehicle will not be allowed to enter the parking facility.  
           [0010]    This invention separately provides systems and methods that allow a user to prepay for parking at a particular event.  
           [0011]    This invention separately provides systems and methods that provide a user with a prepaid parking ticket or pass that includes a prepaid parking pass indicia, which allows the holder to access a parking facility at a particular event.  
           [0012]    This invention separately provides systems and methods that allow a user to reactivate an indicia of a previously used prepaid parking pass.  
           [0013]    This invention separately provides systems and methods that reduce traffic control problems in and around a parking area for a particular event.  
           [0014]    This invention separately provides systems and methods that allow an increased flow of traffic into parking facilities, where traffic typically becomes congested during events for which the parking facility is used.  
           [0015]    This invention separately provides systems and methods that reduce or eliminate the requirement that a vehicle stop to pay a toll before entering a parking facility.  
           [0016]    This invention separately provides systems and methods that reduce the expense to owners and/or operators of parking facilities by reducing the number of employees or staff necessary to collect tolls for the parking facilities.  
           [0017]    This invention separately provides systems and methods that reduce the total amount of cash that must be handled and accounted for by employees or staff of a parking facility.  
           [0018]    This invention separately provides systems and methods that allow parking tolls to be transferred to the owners and/or operators of parking facilities.  
           [0019]    These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in or are apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments, the accompanying drawings, and/or the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    The exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first side of a first exemplary embodiment of a multi-part ticket according to this invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first side of a second exemplary embodiment of a prepaid parking pass according to this invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3A is a plan view of a first side of a third exemplary embodiment of a prepaid parking pass according to this invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3B is a plan view of a second side of the prepaid parking pass of this invention, as shown in FIG. 3A;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4A is plan view of a first side of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a prepaid parking pass according to this invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4B is a plan view of a second side of the prepaid parking pass of this invention, as shown in FIG. 4A;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of one exemplary embodiment of a prepaid parking system according to this invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 is a flowchart outlining one exemplary embodiment of a (control routine) method for issuing a prepaid parking pass according to this invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a first exemplary embodiment of a prepaid parking system according to this invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a second exemplary embodiment of a prepaid parking system according to this invention; and  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 9 is a flowchart outlining one exemplary embodiment of a method for using the prepaid parking systems of this invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]    For simplicity and clarification, the operating principles, design factors, and layout of the prepaid parking systems and methods according to this invention are explained with reference to various exemplary embodiments of prepaid parking systems and methods according to this invention. The basic explanation of the operation of the prepaid parking systems and methods is applicable for the understanding and design of the constituent components employed in the prepaid parking systems and methods of this invention.  
         [0033]    It should be appreciated that the term “parking pass” is for basic explanation and understanding of the prepaid parking systems and methods of this invention. Therefore, the term “parking pass” is not to be construed as limiting the systems or methods of this invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1 shows a plain view of a first side of a first exemplary embodiment of a multi-part ticket  100  according to this invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-part ticket  100  includes at least some of an admittance portion  110  and a prepaid parking portion  150 .  
         [0035]    In various exemplary embodiments, the admittance portion  110  is attached to the prepaid parking portion  150 . In various exemplary embodiments, the admittance portion  110  is separably attached to the prepaid parking portion  150 , via a perforation line  120 . Additionally, the multi-part ticket  100  may also include a perforation line  125 . The perforation line  125  allows a portion of the multi-part ticket  100  that includes the parking pass indicia  155  to be separably attached to the multi-part ticket  100 . Likewise, a ticket stub  115  may also be separably attached to the multi-part ticket  100 .  
         [0036]    However, it should be understood that, in various other exemplary embodiments, the prepaid parking portion  150  may be issued separate from the admittance portion  110 .  
         [0037]    The admittance portion  110  of the multi-part ticket  100  is similar to admittance tickets known to those skilled in the art. Thus, for example, the admittance portion  110  may include information regarding the particular event for which the ticket is issued, and presentation of the admittance portion  110  at the particular event allows the holder to enter the event.  
         [0038]    As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-part ticket  100  also includes the prepaid parking portion  150 . The prepaid parking portion  150  includes a parking pass indicia  155 .  
         [0039]    In various exemplary embodiments, the parking pass indicia  155  comprises a Universal Product Code (UPC) or bar code. It should be understood that, in various other exemplary embodiments, the parking pass indicia  155  may be any form of optical or machine readable indicia, such as, for example, a bar code, an optically scannable symbol, an inductively readable indicia, or the like.  
         [0040]    During use, the prepaid parking portion  150  may be separated, if necessary, from the admittance portion  110  along the perforation line  120 . The prepaid parking portion  150  can then be presented at a prepaid parking entrance of a parking area, to allow the parking pass indicia  155  to be identified.  
         [0041]    If, when the parking pass indicia  155  is identified, it is determined that the parking pass indicia  155  represents a valid prepaid parking portion  150 , an entry indicator located proximate to the prepaid entrance of the parking area indicates that entry into the parking area, via the prepaid parking entrance, is allowed. In contrast, if it is determined that the parking pass indicia  155  is not representative of a valid prepaid parking portion  150 , the entry indicator indicates that entry into the parking area, via the prepaid parking entrance, is not allowed.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 2 shows a plain view of a first side of a second exemplary embodiment of a prepaid parking pass  200  according to this invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the prepaid parking pass  200  comprises a prepaid parking portion  250  including a prepaid parking indicia  255 . It should be appreciated that the prepaid parking portion  250  may be separably attached to an admittance portion (not shown) of the prepaid parking pass  200 , similar to the admittance portion  110  described above, with reference to FIG. 1.  
         [0043]    As further shown in FIG. 2, the prepaid parking pass  200  also includes a perforation  220 . At least a portion of the perforation  220  defines a removable portion  260 . The removable portion  260  allows the prepaid parking portion  250  to be removably attached to, for example, the rear view mirror of a vehicle. In this manner, the prepaid parking pass  200  can be used as a vehicle “hang tag”.  
         [0044]    In various exemplary embodiments, the “hang tag” feature of the prepaid parking pass  200  allows the prepaid parking portion  250  to be displayed from the vehicle such that the prepaid parking indicia  255  can be identified.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIGS. 3A and 3B show a first side and a second side, respectively, of a third exemplary embodiment of a prepaid parking pass  300  according to this invention. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the prepaid parking pass  300  comprises a prepaid parking portion  350  including a prepaid parking indicia  355 . This should be appreciated that the prepaid parking portion  350  may be included as part of a multi-part ticket and may be separably attached to an admittance portion (not shown), as described above, with reference to FIG. 1.  
         [0046]    In various exemplary embodiments, the prepaid parking portion  350  is a decal that can be affixed to a vehicle prior to the vehicles reaching a prepaid parking entrance of a particular parking area. The decal may be adhesively or statically attached to, for example, the vehicle&#39;s windshield.  
         [0047]    As shown in FIG. 3B, the second side of the prepaid parking portion  350  may include, for example, a set of prepaid parking instructions  352  that instruct a user in the proper placement of the prepaid parking portion  350  on the vehicle windshield.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIGS. 4A and 4B show a first side and a second side, respectively, of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a prepaid parking pass  400  according to this invention. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the prepaid parking pass  400  comprises a prepaid parking portion  450  including an inductively readable indicia  460 . In various exemplary embodiments, the prepaid parking pass  400  is generally the shape and size of an ordinary credit card. However, it should be understood that the prepaid parking portion  450  may be included as part of a multi-part ticket and may be separably attached to an admittance portion (not shown), as described above, with reference to FIG. 1.  
         [0049]    The inductively readable indicia  460  allows a parking pass indicia to be inductively integrated into the prepaid parking portion  450 . In various exemplary embodiments, the inductively readable indicia  460  comprises a magnetic strip affixed to the prepaid parking portion  450 . In various other exemplary embodiments, the inductively readable indicia  460  is, for example, an energizable circuit affixed to or contained within the prepaid parking portion  450 .  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of one exemplary embodiment of a prepaid parking system  500  according to this invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the prepaid parking system  500  includes at least some of a workstation  505 , and indicia printer/programmer  510 , a database  530 , a controller  540 , an indicia identifier  545 , and a controllable entry indicator  550 .  
         [0051]    In various exemplary embodiments, the workstation  505  is a personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like. Alternatively, the workstation  505  may be, for example, a computer or a terminal connected to a ticket service such as Ticketron® or Ticketmaster®. The workstation  505  allows a user to access the database  530  and receive a valid prepaid parking ticket indicia that permits prepaid access to a parking area. The user can then include the received prepaid parking ticket indicia on a prepaid parking ticket. It should be understood that the received prepaid parking ticket indicia can be included on or contained within any of the prepaid parking passes or tickets described herein.  
         [0052]    It should also be understood that the received prepaid parking ticket indicia may be in a form that allows a previously issued or used prepaid parking ticket indicia on a prepaid parking pass or ticket to be reactivated such that the previously issued or used prepaid parking ticket indicia represents a valid prepaid parking ticket indicia.  
         [0053]    In various exemplary embodiments, the workstation  505  allows a user to access ticketing and/or parking information via a connection to the database  530  via, for example, a distributed network  520 . In various exemplary embodiments, the distributed network  520  is, for example, an intranet, an extranet, the Internet and, more particularly, the Worldwide Web portion of the Internet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), or any other presently known or later developed distributed network.  
         [0054]    When a user has accessed the database  530 , received a valid prepaid parking ticket indicia, and included the valid prepaid parking ticket indicia on a prepaid parking ticket, the user can present the prepaid parking pass, including valid prepaid parking ticket indicia, to the indicia identifier  545 . When the identification means identifies the parking pass indicia, the controller  540  determines whether the indicia is valid. If the controller  540  determines that the indicia is valid, the controller  540  controls the controllable entry indicator  550  to indicate that entry into the prepaid parking area is allowed. It should be understood that in various exemplary embodiments the controllable entry indicator  550  will, for example, illuminate a light or control an entrance barrier to indicate that entrance into the prepaid parking area is allowed.  
         [0055]    In various exemplary embodiments, the workstation  505  and/or the controller  540  are/is connected to the database  530  and/or the distributed network  520 , via a wired connection. Alternatively, the workstation  505  and/or the controller  540  can interface with the database  530  and/or the distributed network  520  via any linked connection. The linked connection can be any known or later developed device or system for connecting the workstation  505  and/or the controller  540  to the database  530  and/or the distributed network  520  including a direct wired connection, a wireless link, a connection over a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or any other distributed network, a connection over the public switched telephone network, a connection over a coaxial cable (i.e., CATV) system, a connection over a cellular telephone network, a very high frequency (VHF) connection, an ultra high frequency (UHF) connection, a radio frequency (RF) connection, a satellite connection, or the like. In general, the linked connection can be any known or later developed connection system or structure suitable to connect the workstation  505  and/or the controller  540  to the database  530  and/or the distributed network  520  including both wired and wireless connections.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 6 is a flowchart allowing when exemplary embodiment of a method for using a prepaid parking pass according to this invention.  
         [0057]    As shown in FIG. 6, beginning at step S 600 , control continues to step S 605 , where a customer places an order or requests at least one ticket to a particular event. Then, in step S 610 , a determination is made as to whether prepaid parking is available at the particular event.  
         [0058]    If, in step S 610 , it is determined that prepaid parking is not available at the particular event, control jumps to S 645 . Otherwise, if prepaid parking is available at the particular event, control continues to step S 615 .  
         [0059]    In step S 615 , a determination is made as to whether the customer wishes to purchase a prepaid parking pass for the particular event. If, in step S 615 , it is determined that the customer does not wish to purchase a prepaid parking pass for the particular event control continues to step S 620 .  
         [0060]    In step S 620 , the customer is charged for the price of the ticket(s). Then, in step S 625 , the ticket(s) is/are issued without a prepaid parking pass. Control then continues to step S 645 .  
         [0061]    If, in step S 615 , it is determined that the customer wishes to purchase a prepaid parking pass for the particular event, control advances to step S 630 . In step S 630 , the customer is charged for the price of the ticket(s) and the prepaid parking. Then, in step S 635  the ticket(s) and a prepaid parking pass, including a valid prepaid parking ticket indicia, is issued to the customer. It should be understood that the step of issuing the prepaid parking pass, including a valid prepaid parking ticket indicia, in step S 635 , may include the step of reactivating or renewing a previously issued prepaid parking ticket indicia. Control then continues to step S 640 .  
         [0062]    In step S 640 , a determination is made whether the customer wishes to purchase any additional tickets. It should be understood that the additional tickets may be any additional ticket(s) for the same event or for a different event.  
         [0063]    If in step S 640 , it is determined that the customer wishes to purchase at least one additional ticket, control returns to step S 605 . Otherwise, control continues to step S 645  where the method ends.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a first exemplary embodiment of a prepaid parking system according to this invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the prepaid parking system  700  includes at least some of a prepaid parking area  710 , an entrance  715 , and a controller  740 .  
         [0065]    The controller  740  includes at least some of a processor  742 , a memory  744 , an indicia identifier  745 , and a controllable entrance indicator  750 . In various exemplary embodiments, the controllable entrance indicator  750  includes, for example, a controllable entrance barrier  752  or an illuminated entry indicator (not shown).  
         [0066]    In various exemplary embodiments, the controller  740  is connected to a prepaid ticket database  730 . In the various exemplary embodiments described herein, the controller  740  interfaces, for example, with the prepaid ticket database  730 , via a wired connection. Alternatively, the controller  740  can interface with the prepaid ticket database  730  via any linked connection. The linked connection can be any known or later developed device or system for connecting the controller  740  to the prepaid ticket database  730  including a direct wired connection, a wireless link, a connection over a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or any other distributed network, a connection over the public switched telephone network, a connection over a coaxial cable (i.e., CATV) system, a connection over a cellular telephone network, a very high frequency (VHF) connection, an ultra high frequency (UHF) connection, a radio frequency (RF) connection, a satellite connection, or the like. In general, the linked connection can be any known or later developed connection system or structure suitable to connect the controller  740  to the prepaid ticket database  730  including both wired and wireless connections.  
         [0067]    As shown in FIG. 7, the controllable entrance indicator  750  is positioned proximate to the prepaid parking area  710 . In various exemplary embodiments, the controllable entrance indicator  750  is placed within an entrance  715  such that incoming vehicles with prepaid parking passes may be diverted from a main traffic area, thereby reducing congestion around the entrance  715  of the prepaid parking area  710 .  
         [0068]    During operation, the prepaid parking system  700  operates to separate vehicles with prepaid parking passes, such as, for example, vehicle  770 ,  773 , and  775 , from vehicles not having prepaid parking passes such as, for example, vehicle  780 . As each of the vehicles  770 ,  773 , and  775  approach the indicia identifier  745 , a prepaid parking pass can be displayed to the indicia identifier  745 .  
         [0069]    As the indicia identifier  745  identifies a specific parking pass indicia, the processor  742  determines whether the parking pass indicia represents a valid parking pass. In various exemplary embodiments, the processor  742  accesses, for example, the memory  744  and/or the prepaid ticket database  730  to determine whether the parking pass indicia represents a valid parking pass.  
         [0070]    In various exemplary embodiments, the processor  742  accesses the memory  744  and/or the prepaid ticket database  730  via a direct wired connection. However, it should be appreciated that the processor  742  may alternatively interface with the memory  744  and/or the prepaid ticket database  730  through any linked connection, as described above.  
         [0071]    If the controller  740  determines that the parking pass indicia represents a valid parking pass, the processor  742  of the controller  740  controls the controllable entrance indicator  750  to indicate that entrance into the prepaid parking area  710  is allowed. For example, in various exemplary embodiments, the controllable entrance indicator  750  may remove the controllable entrance barrier  752  or illuminate a light (now shown) to indicate that entrance into the prepaid parking area  710  is allowed.  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a second exemplary embodiment of a prepaid parking system  800  according to this invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the prepaid parking system  800  includes at least some of a prepaid parking area  810 , and entrance  815 , and a controller  840 .  
         [0073]    The prepaid parking area  810 , the entrance  815 , and the controller  840  correspond to and operate similarly to the same elements discussed above to FIG. 7. Furthermore, the prepaid parking system  800  shown in FIG. 8 operates similarly to the prepaid parking system  700  described above with respect to FIG. 7.  
         [0074]    However, as shown in FIG. 8, the indicia identifier  845  is a portable indicia identifier. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, the indicia identifier  845  can be used by an operator to identify a parking pass indicia.  
         [0075]    In the various exemplary embodiments described herein, the indicia identifier  845  interfaces, for example with the processor  842 , via a wired link. Alternatively, the indicia identifier  845  can interface with the processor  842  via any linked connection. The linked connection can be any known or later developed device or system for connecting the indicia identifier  845  to the processor  842 , including a direct wired connection, a wireless link, a connection over a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or any other distributed network, a connection over the public switched telephone network, a connection over a coaxial cable (i.e., CATV) system, a connection over a cellular telephone network, a very high frequency (VHF) connection, an ultra high frequency (UHF) connection, a radio frequency (RF) connection, a satellite connection, or the like. In general, the linked connection can be any known or later developed connection system or structure suitable to connect the indicia identifier  845  to the processor  842 , including both wired and wireless connections.  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 9 is a flowchart outlining one exemplary embodiment of a method for using the prepaid parking systems of this invention.  
         [0077]    As shown in FIG. 9, beginning at step S 900 , control continues to step S 910  where a determination is made as to whether an approaching, prospective entrant has a prepaid parking pass. If, in step S 910  it is determined that the entrant does not have a prepaid parking pass, control advances to step S 920 .  
         [0078]    In step S 920 , the entrant is not allowed into the prepaid entrance of the prepaid parking area.  
         [0079]    If, in step S 810 , it is determined that the entrant does have a prepaid parking pass, control advances to step S 830 , where the entrant must display the prepaid parking pass for identification. Then, in step S 840 , the displayed pass is identified by an indicia identifier. Control then continues to step S 850 .  
         [0080]    In step S 850 , a determination is made whether the displayed parking pass is valid. If, in step S 850 , it is determined that the displayed parking pass is not valid, control returns to step S 820  and the entrant is not allowed into the prepaid parking entrance of the parking area.  
         [0081]    If, it is determined in step S 850  that the displayed parking pass is valid, control continues to step S 960  and the entrant is allowed into the prepaid entrance of the parking area. Then, in step S 870 , the method ends.  
         [0082]    In various exemplary embodiments, the prepaid parking systems shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and  9 , are implemented using a controller  540 ,  740  and  840 , respectively. However, the prepaid parking systems shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and  8  can also be implemented on a suitably programmed general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit elements, and/or as physically distinct hardware circuits within an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or other integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hard wired electronic or logic circuit using discrete logic elements or discrete circuit elements, or a discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device using a Field Programmable Gate-Array (FPGA), a Programmable Decision Logic (PDL), a Programmable Logic Array (PLA) or a Programmable Array Logic (PAL), or the like. In general, any device capable of implementing a finite state machine that is in turn capable of implementing the requisite steps of either of the flowcharts shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 9, can be used to implement the prepaid parking systems show in FIGS. 5, 7, and  8 . The particular form that each of the elements of the prepaid parking system(s) will take is a design choice and will be predicable to those skilled in the art.  
         [0083]    Moreover, the prepaid parking systems and methods described herein can be implemented as software executing on a programmed general-purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, or the like. In this case, the prepaid parking systems and methods described herein can be implemented as a routine embedded in a driver, as a resource residing on a server, or the like. The prepaid parking systems and methods described herein, can also be implemented by physically incorporating them into a software and/or hardware system.  
         [0084]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.