Mobile Device Parking Access via Distributed Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional parking systems are complex, unreliable, and inefficient, requiring manual handling of multiple items and lacking support for carpooling, leading to increased costs and environmental impact due to traffic emissions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing mobile communications devices with RF transceivers, Internet connectivity, geolocation, and payment systems to enable wireless permission for parking, reduce human interaction, and support carpooling by splitting financial transactions based on vehicle occupancy, with distributed authentication and multi-path message delivery for reliability and cost reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional parking systems use manual handling of multiple items (tickets, cash, credit cards), then the parking process can be completed with basic infrastructure, but the process takes time and increases driver distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling of physical tickets and payment items with an automated electronic system using mobile devices and wireless communication. The mobile device captures images of license plates and automatically processes parking transactions through a server, eliminating the need for manual ticket distribution and collection, thereby reducing transaction time and driver distraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service parking by allowing drivers to automatically complete parking transactions using their mobile devices. The mobile device automatically captures license plate images, communicates with the server to process payment, and handles exit without requiring manual intervention from the driver, thus streamlining the entire parking process and reducing time loss.
2Reliability
If conventional parking systems use direct connections between barrier management system and payment system, then system integration is straightforward, but reliability decreases when connectivity failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that mediates between the barrier management system and payment system. This server acts as a relay that processes requests and responses, ensuring reliable operation even when direct connections fail. The server can queue messages and retry transmissions, maintaining system reliability while managing integration complexity centrally.
3Ease of operation
If conventional parking systems use paper tickets with magnetic stripe, then the system is simple to implement, but the process requires physical handling of items and is not location aware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical paper tickets with digital image capture and processing. The mobile device captures images of license plates, which are then processed by the server to identify vehicles and process payments automatically. This eliminates physical handling of tickets while implementing location-aware functionality through image recognition and GPS data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of physical parking tickets through image capture of license plates. Instead of distributing physical magnetic stripe tickets, the system captures images, stores them as digital records, and uses these copies for identification and payment processing, thereby automating the entire process and eliminating physical item handling.
4Adaptability or versatility
If parking facilities do not have location-specific services, then the system is simpler to deploy, but it cannot support location-aware transactions or carpooling programs
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a centralized intermediary that handles location-specific processing remotely. Instead of deploying complex location-aware hardware at each parking facility, the system uses the server to process location data from mobile devices, enabling location-specific services like carpooling detection and targeted marketing without increasing on-site system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves as a universal platform that performs multiple functions: capturing location data, taking license plate images, communicating with the server, and processing payments. This multi-functional approach enables location-specific services without requiring dedicated infrastructure at each parking facility, reducing deployment complexity while increasing adaptability.
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
Simplifies the parking process, reduces driver distraction, and promotes carpooling by enabling seamless, location-specific transactions with minimal human interaction, while reducing deployment and operational costs, and improving resource efficiency and reducing pollution.
Implementation Method 1
utilize the capabilities present in common mobile communications devices—radiofrequency (RF) transceivers, Internet connectivity, payment systems, geolocation systems, notification systems, and user interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method leverages the capabilities present in common mobile communications devices—RF transceivers, Internet connectivity, payment system, geolocation system, notification system, and user interface—to simplify and reduce overhead from the parking experience. Furthermore, this method utilizes distributed authentication and authorization and multi-path queued message delivery to provide this experience when cellular or WiFi Internet connectivity is absent in the parking facility, simplifying and reducing the cost of deployment.