Autonomous Parking Payment via GPS Positioning and RFID Vehicle ID
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless parking systems face inefficiencies in user and Checker experiences, including inconvenient authorization processes, difficulty in distinguishing participating vehicles, and inaccurate spatial resolution of vehicle locations, leading to increased workload for Checkers.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a User Platform with GPS and other positioning technologies to automatically sense vehicle location, correct position errors, and automatically end parking sessions, while using short-range RF transponders for rapid vehicle ID determination and wireless queries to facilitate real-time enforcement and payment processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless payment systems are introduced to replace coin meters and kiosks, then user convenience is improved, but spatial resolution of vehicle locations becomes inaccurate and Checker workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (RFID tag or transponder in the vehicle and reader in the kiosk) to mediate between the user's mobile device and the parking system. This intermediary enables accurate vehicle identification and location tracking without requiring the user to manually input data, thus maintaining user convenience while improving spatial resolution and location accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (users physically entering location data or using paper tickets) with automated electronic systems. Mobile devices automatically determine location via GPS, and RFID readers automatically identify vehicles, substituting mechanical data entry with electronic automation to improve both convenience and measurement precision.
2Reliability
If manual ticket validation and gate operation are used in gated parking lots, then vehicle identification is achieved, but Checker workload and enforcement difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated RFID identification and mobile payment processing. Vehicles are automatically identified as they approach the gate via RFID tags, payments are processed through mobile devices without manual intervention, and gate operations are controlled automatically. This eliminates the need for Checkers to manually validate tickets or operate gates, reducing workload while maintaining reliable vehicle identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-registering vehicle information and pre-authorizing payments before the vehicle arrives. RFID tags are pre-programmed with vehicle identifiers, and payment authorizations are obtained in advance through mobile apps. This preliminary setup enables automatic, contactless transactions at the gate without requiring real-time Checker intervention.
3Loss of information
If paper tickets with entry time stamps are used, then parking duration tracking is achieved, but payment collection efficiency and enforcement accuracy decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical paper ticket systems with electronic mobile applications. The mobile app automatically captures entry time via GPS location matching, tracks parking duration in real-time through server communication, and processes payments electronically. This substitution eliminates manual ticket handling, prevents information loss, and dramatically improves payment collection efficiency through automated transactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the mobile device communicates with the server to update parking status, verify payment authorization, and track duration in real-time. The server provides feedback on authorization status and pricing, which the mobile app uses to update the user interface and manage the parking session automatically, ensuring accurate tracking and efficient payment collection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution improves user convenience, reduces Checker workload, and enhances enforcement efficiency by providing accurate and real-time vehicle location and status data, enabling targeted enforcement and streamlined payment processes.
Implementation Method 1
a positioning device configured to determine a location of the wireless communication device
Implementation Method 2
a transceiver configured to communicate with a server
Implementation Method 3
using short-range RF transponders for rapid vehicle ID determination
Data Source
AI summary
A method/system of wireless payment of parking fees for a vehicle, applicable to both open street and closed garage parking, wherein the user and checker experiences are enhanced relative to the prior art by a number of means, including: autonomous sensing of the user's/vehicle's location and allowing the user to correct the indicated location if required; enabling a handset to automatically sense the ID of the vehicle in which it is located; enabling rapid and facile enforcement by providing the Checker with information about the location, parking session status and other attributes of parked vehicles and displaying the information on a portable terminal in a manner facilitating rapid validation; and further facilitating the identification of vehicles with expired sessions by a method/system of RF interrogation involving RF tags located in/on the vehicles and the checking terminal querying the RF tags.