Abstract:
A method for a permit issuer to issue parking permits to a parking user for a parking space of a parking owner. According to the method, information is provided to the parking user which the user may in turn use to communicate with the permit issuer through electronic communication. The permit issuer provides cost information to the parking user who in turn makes a permit selection. The permit issuer enters into a transaction and collects payment from the parking user and issues a permit. The permit issuer makes current permit information available to the parking owner for the duration of any parking privileges for which a permit has been issued to enable the owner to verify the existence of parking privileges. Call records may be archived in the event of a dispute. The system is fast, without membership or pre-registration.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    This invention relates to the issuance of and payment for parking privileges. More particularly, this invention relates to automated parking permit issuance. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    There are a variety of existing methods for issuing temporary parking privileges to a parking user enabling the parking user to park their vehicle for a period of time, pre-purchased by the parking user. The prior methods however are not without shortcomings, requiring for example a user to return to the vicinity of their vehicle to purchase additional time, security concerns and relatively complicated machines for processing parking transactions. 
         [0003]    A traditional form for collecting revenue and issuing temporary prepaid parking privileges is the parking meter. A parking meter generally receives coins which purchase time on a cost-per-unit time basis. Once coins have been inserted into a parking meter, a timer is initiated and shows, on a display, time remaining from the time originally purchased. 
         [0004]    Conventional parking meters lack flexibility, such as the ability to offer multi rates or block use during specific times. In addition, parking meters are expensive to install as one meter is required for each parking space. Furthermore, parking meters require service and must periodically be emptied of coins. Also, as inflation drives parking costs higher, significant coinage is required to operate a parking meter and parking meters generally do not accept electronic payment means in lieu of coinage. From the parking user&#39;s standpoint, parking meters are inconvenient if further time is required as the user must return to the meter to insert further coins. 
         [0005]    Some parking lots have a collection box with a slot for each space in the lot. The parking user puts money into the slot corresponding to a parking space in which they have parked their vehicle. One drawback with this system is the possibility of vandalism and theft because actual cash is kept unattended in the collection box. Furthermore, regular checking of the box is required in order to remove cash. Still furthermore, assumptions are made as to when vehicles have arrived and how long they have occupied a particular spot. Also, such an arrangement requires that the person parking have an appropriate amount of cash readily available. 
         [0006]    A system which many municipalities have started using in lieu of parking meters is a parking permit issuing kiosk. The kiosk accepts electronic payment means such as a credit card and will issue a time limited permit based on an amount and time selected by the parking user. The user places the parking permit face-up on the dashboard of their vehicle where it may inspected by a parking enforcement officer. 
         [0007]    A drawback to parking kiosks is that, should a user be away from their vehicle an realize that further time is required, there is no way of “topping up” the permit without returning to the vehicle. Furthermore, the parking kiosk either has to communicate directly with a payment issuing authority (such as a credit card company which honours the card inserted) or alternatively store payment information for periodic batch transmit or download. The former requires electronic communication between the parking kiosk machine and various payment issuing authorities which requires a degree of sophistication and cost that may prove uneconomical, particularly as such machines are generally replicated relatively frequently, typically eight spaces apart. Batch transmit or download may obviate some of the complexity however it is less secure as it lacks payment verification opportunities present with direct communication. An additional drawback is the possibility of the permit being rendered unreadable because it is inadvertently placed face down on the dashboard, falls behind the windshield or is obscured by tinting in the lower portion of the windshield. 
         [0008]    There are account-based phone accessed parking arrangements such as for example, marketed under the trademark MINT™. The MINT™ arrangement offers a parking user the ability to start and stop parking sessions by phone. However, in order to use the service the parking user must first have registered with MINT™ and established an account for that vehicle with the permit issuer. The parking user telephones MINT™ upon parking and at retrieval of their vehicle. The parking user would typically pay a monthly membership/access fee, and the parking owner would pay a fee to the permit issuer. Such membership type services may be suitable for situations where the same person is driving the same vehicle and parking at the same lot (and in some cases, even calling from the same phone) on a regular basis. This is not an “instant” system in that pre-registration and setting up an account is a prerequisite to using the system and accordingly a user would have to register with a variety of permit issuers and establish accounts with those permit issuers in order to have access to a variety of parking lots. A user could not pull into a parking lot without being pre-registered and carry out a parking transaction by phone. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a method to issue a parking permit on behalf of an owner (which includes lessee) of a parking lot which obviates at least some of the shortcomings of the above systems. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for issuing parking privileges which doesn&#39;t require a permit issuing machine or a parking meter to be accessed by a parking user. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a parking user remote access to enable them to make an initial purchase of parking time or top-up previously purchased parking time remotely without having a pre-established account and returning to the vicinity of their vehicle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]    A method for a permit issuer to issue a parking permit to a parking user for a parking space of a parking owner has the following steps:
       (i) assigning a lot identification number to a parking lot associated with the parking owner;   (ii) providing contact information to the parking user for contacting the permit issuer;   (iii) receiving a contact from the parking user at a location remote from the parking space;   (iv) prompting the parking user for the lot identification number;   (v) receiving the lot identification number from the parking user, providing parking permit options to the parking user including at least cost for parking information for the parking lot and prompting the user to make a parking permit selection based on the parking permit options;   (vi) receiving a selection from the parking user and prompting the parking user for payment information concerning a payment issuer;   (vii) receiving payment information from the parking user;   (viii) verifying the payment information with the payment issuer;   (ix) prompting the parking user for vehicle identification information;   (x) receiving and recording the vehicle identification information;   (xi) recording the lot identification number and duration of parking permit against the vehicle identification information;   (xii) notifying the parking user of grant of a parking permit for the duration selected by the parking user;   (xiii) making the user identification and duration of parking privilege information available to the parking owner to enable the parking owner for the duration for verifying that a vehicle associated with the vehicle identification information has a valid parking permit for a space in the parking lot of the parking owner; and,   (xiv) collecting payment from the payment issuer.       
 
         [0026]    Contact information may be provided through the use of signage in the vicinity of the parking space setting out a contact code (such as a telephone number, web or email address) and further setting out the lot identification number. 
         [0027]    Contact information may be received via electronic signalling (“touchtone” or email) or by voice communication. 
         [0028]    Information checking steps may be provided in the method to verify one or more of acceptable form of payment, valid lot identification number, confirmation of lot address. 
         [0029]    A reference code may be provided to the parking user as part of the notifying of grant. The reference number may be used to simplify topping up of time by the user. 
         [0030]    A telephone or web access number for topping up transactions may be provided along with the reference number to avoid having to go through the full menu for a topping up transaction. 
         [0031]    At least one of the lot identification number, parking selection, payment information and vehicle identification information may be received via voice transmission. 
         [0032]    Information received via voice transmission may be received and processed by voice recognition software. 
     
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
         [0033]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying illustrations in which: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial representation illustrating a parking lot, a parking owner, a parking user and a permit issuer; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a pictorial view illustrating signage associated with the present invention; and, 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0037]      FIG. 1  illustrates a parking lot  10  having parking spaces  12 , each for occupation by a vehicle  14  whose operator (the “parking user”) pays an occupancy charge. According to the present invention an owner of the parking lot “parking owner  17 ”, who may be an owner or a lessee of the real property on which the parking lot is located enters into an agreement with a parking permit issuer  50 . 
         [0038]    The parking permit issuer  50  assigns a lot identification number  18  to the parking owner  17 . It is expected that each property, whether owned by same owner or not, will be assigned a unique lot identification number  18 . It may however be possible to assign lot identification numbers  18  on a “per parking owner” rather than a “per lot” basis. The lot identification number  18  is basically an identifier for enabling the parking user  16  to identify the parking lot  10  in which they have parked their vehicle  14 . 
         [0039]    The lot identification number  18  may be displayed on a sign  20  posted at the parking lot  10 . A typical sign  20  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In addition to the lot identification number  18 , the sign  20  also provides the parking user  16  with contact information  22  enabling the parking user  16  to contact the permit issuer  50  to arrange for temporary occupancy of the parking space  12  occupied by the vehicle  14 . 
         [0040]    The permit issuer  50  receives contact from the parking user  16 . The contact may be a telephone call, such as a by the parking user&#39;s  16  cellular telephone  30 . Other contact arrangements may be utilised such as for example email via a portable handheld device or accessing a web site hosted by the parking issuer  16 . The communication may be received from a location at the parking lot  10  or remote from the parking lot  10  depending on the convenience of the parking user  16 . 
         [0041]    The permit issuer  50  prompts the parking user  16  for the lot identification number  18  and receives same from the parking user  16 . The permit issuer  50  then informs the parking user  16  about parking options for the parking lot  12  associated with the lot identification number  18  provided by the parking user  16 . The information would typically include rate information such as the cost per unit time, flat rate costs and perhaps the applicable time periods if the cost is different at different times of day. 
         [0042]    The parking issuer  50  next prompts the parking user  16  to make a parking permit selection based on the parking permit options. The selection would typically be for the anticipated duration of time for which parking privileges may be required. 
         [0043]    The permit issuer  50  receives the selection and prompts the parking user  16  for payment information. The payment would typically be by way of payment card such as a credit card or stored value card and payment information would therefore concern the payment information associated with the payment card. Payment information may include for example the issuer, the account number, expiry date and personal identification (“PIN”) number as applicable. 
         [0044]    The permit issuer  50  may verify the payment information with the payment issuer, which might involve receiving and recording an approval code. 
         [0045]    The permit issuer  50  would prompt the parking user  16  for vehicle identification information to enable the permit issuer to have some indicia in order to enable identification of the vehicle  14  for which the parking space  12  has been identified. The vehicle identification information would typically be the vehicle licence plate number  15 , however it is conceivable that other identifiers might be used, such as model and colour information. 
         [0046]    The permit issuer  50  records the lot identification number  18 , duration of parking privileges paid for and vehicle identification information  15  associated with the parking transaction and issues a parking permit to the parking user  16 . The issuance of the permit may simply be notification that parking privileges are confirmed and perhaps also a confirmation number identifying the transaction. The confirmation number may be an identifier for the parking user  16  to “top up” their permit in a future call to the permit issuer  50 . 
         [0047]    The permit issuer  50  makes the existence of each issued parking permit available to the parking owner  17  for the duration of the parking privileges. In other words, the parking owner may contact the permit issuer  50 , provide the lot identification number  18  possibly a further identification number assigned to the parking owner  17  and be advised by the permit issuer  50  as to the vehicle identification information  15  for all currently authorized vehicles. 
         [0048]    The permit issuer  50  collects payment from the payment issuer. The permit issuer  50  remits the payment to the parking owner  17  less an agreed upon per transaction amount. Alternatively the parking owner  17  collects payment from the payment issuer  50  and remits a fee to the permit issuer  50 . 
         [0049]    Different means may be used to communicate between the parking user  16  and the permit issuer  50 . As the lot identification number  18 , the vehicle licence plate number  15  and any payment information are typically numeric or alphanumeric in nature, communication of information to the permit issuer  50  may be non-verbal. In other words, the parking user  16  may for example use the keypad on their telephone handset to provide the requested information to the permit issuer  50 . 
         [0050]    Another manner to handle the collection of information from the parking user  16  is to exchange the information verbally. This may be handled either through the use of an attendant who speaks with the parking owner  17  or through the use of automated voice recognition software. 
         [0051]    It may prove worthwhile to build safeguards into the system to verify information such as whether the lot number  18  is valid and whether certain of the information, such as the expiration or confirmation code should be replayed. Furthermore call records may be archived to assist in resolving any disputes between the parking user  16 , permit issuer  50  and the parking owner  17 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  illustrates by way of a flow chart  100  a system for use by the parking issuer  50  in accordance with the above but incorporating some further validation steps. According to the flow chart  100  a call is received from a parking user  16  at step  102 . The parking user  16  is greeted by the system and the system identifies itself at step  104 . 
         [0053]    The system next prompts the parking user  16  for the lot identification number  18  at step  106 . The system receives, at step  108  the lot identification number  18  from the parking user  16  and checks, at step  110  whether the lot number  18  is valid, in other words whether it agrees with a lot number for which the permit issuer  50  has an arrangement with the parking owner  17 . 
         [0054]    The system next plays the lot identification (the address or other identifying indicia) to the parking user  16  at step  112  and prompts for confirmation at step  114 . 
         [0055]    The system receives a confirmation indication from the parking user  16  and makes a determination, at step  116 , as to whether the lot identification number  18  is correct. Should it not be correct, the system reverts to step  106  and prompts the parking user  16  for the lot number  18  and continues the foregoing steps until the user  16  confirms that the lot identification number  18  is correct. The system plays, at step  118 , permit options for the identified parking lot  10 . The permit options would include at a minimum cost for parking information, which might be on a “per unit time” basis or “flat rate” basis. 
         [0056]    The parking user  16  selects a permit option, advises the system and the system collects the permit selection information at step  120 . The system calculates the permit cost and plays the permit cost to the parking user  16  at step  122 . The system further prompts the parking user  16  for payment information such as a credit card or stored value card number at step  124 . The parking user  16  transmits the information to the permit issuer  50  who collects the card number at step  126 . 
         [0057]    The system verifies whether the card selected is one recognized by the system at step  128 . Should this not be the case, the system returns to step  124  and prompts the user once again for credit or stored value card information. 
         [0058]    Once the system is satisfied that the card selection is valid it continues on to step  130  and prompts for relevant payment information such as credit card expiration date or stored value card personal identification number (“PIN”). The parking user  16  provides this information at step  132  and the system at step  134  assesses whether the expiration or PIN information is valid. 
         [0059]    The verification steps  120  and  134  are not checks with the card issuer (i.e. the transaction is not processed at this stage) but rather, confirmations that the nature of the information is consistent with a valid recognized card. Should this be the case, the system advances to step  136  wherein it processes the card information with the card issuer. The system next, at step  138  determines whether the transaction with the card issuer was successful. If not, the system advances to step  140  which is an error handling mechanism. The error handling mechanism might for example inform the parking user  16  that the transmitted information has been declined and prompt the parking user  16  to recommence the payment steps. 
         [0060]    Should the charge be accepted by the payment issuer, the system at step  142  prompts the parking user  16  for their licence plate number  15 . The parking user  16  may enter the licence plate number  15  using the touchpad on their phone  30 . Should the parking user  16  not opt to transmit the information using their keypad, a determination will be made at step  144  to continue to step  146  and prompt the parking user  16  for a spoken licence plate number  15 . 
         [0061]    The system next, at step  148  captures the licence plate number  15  and continues, at step  150  to store all of the transaction information including the licence plate number  15  and permit expiration. 
         [0062]    The system next, at step  152  plays a message to the parking user  16  confirming that the transaction is complete. The system continues at step  154  to play, to the parking user  16  the permit expiration time and date and, at step  156  a confirmation code. 
         [0063]    The system next, at step  158  asks the parking user  16  whether they wish to have the expiration or confirmation code replayed. The system receives either a “yes” or “no” from the parking user  16  and makes a decision at step  160  as to whether to return to step  154  or continue to step  162 . At step  162 , the user is given a “goodbye” and the call is terminated at reference  164 . 
         [0064]    The above description is intended in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Modifications to the exact steps set out above might be apparent to persons having the relevant skill in adapting the system to specific applications, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims set out below. For example, the parking owner  17  may arrange to grant the parking user  16  access to a fixed/unlimited amount of parking (per month/card/event) and the parking owner  17  may pay the permit issuer  50  a fee to use the services of the permit issuer  50  in monitoring the grant of parking privileges.