Passive NFC Parking Tags for App-Free Session Payments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking payment systems are costly for operators and inconvenient for users, requiring physical presence and registration with smartphone apps, especially for visiting users.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing passive NFC tags embedded in parking zone stations that encode a unique identification and URL, allowing users to pay for parking sessions through their mobile devices without downloading apps or registering, with server-based management for pre-paid or post-paid options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If individual spot parking meters or multi-spot payment stations are deployed, then parking payment functionality is provided, but installation and service costs are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the payment functionality from physical parking meters and payment stations, moving it to a mobile application running on users' smartphones. The NFC tag at the parking location only needs to store a simple URL, while the complex payment processing, authentication, and transaction management are handled by the mobile device and remote server, eliminating the need for expensive on-site payment equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mobile application that acts as a mediator between the user and the parking payment system. The app communicates with the NFC tag to initiate parking sessions and with the remote server to process payments, eliminating the need for direct interaction between users and complex physical payment infrastructure
2Ease of operation
If users physically access payment stations or meters, then payment can be made, but user convenience is reduced due to required physical presence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to autonomously initiate and manage parking sessions using their own mobile devices. Users simply tap their smartphone against the NFC tag to start parking and can extend sessions or make payments remotely through the app without needing to physically visit payment stations or interact with parking infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile application performs preliminary actions by maintaining an active session state and pre-configuring payment methods. When users need to extend parking or make additional payments, the app is already prepared to process these transactions instantly through the NFC interaction, eliminating the need for physical presence at payment stations
3Ease of operation
If smartphone parking apps require download and registration, then parking payment functionality is provided, but user convenience is reduced especially for visiting users
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary setup by pre-configuring the NFC tag with a universal URL that directs users to the parking service. When users tap their device against the NFC tag, the service automatically detects the device type and provides appropriate instructions or downloads a lightweight app if needed, eliminating the need for users to proactively search for, download, and register with parking apps before visiting parking locations
Solution Approach 2:
The NFC tag serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between physical parking infrastructure and digital payment services. It provides a universal, location-specific entry point that automatically guides users through the appropriate authentication and payment setup process based on their device capabilities, making the system accessible to both app-savvy and non-tech-savvy users
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
Provides a cost-effective and convenient parking payment solution that allows users to pay for parking sessions seamlessly using NFC-enabled devices, reducing installation and service costs for operators and eliminating the need for app downloads and registrations.
Implementation Method 1
A system utilizing passive NFC tags embedded in parking zone stations that encode a unique identification and URL
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for facilitating parking sessions are provided. The system including at least one server that is configured to: receive through a communication network, from a first remote user equipment (UE) device, information associating a unique identification (UID) encoded on an passive NFC tag with a parking zone identification (ID) that identifies a physical parking zone; update a database to associate the UID with the parking zone ID and parking rate data for the physical parking zone; host or receive a URL that includes the UID; receive, through the communication network, a message including: a license plate number from a second remote user equipment (UE) device that has read the URL from the NFC tag; and record a parking session for the license plate number for the parking zone based on the message from the second remote UE.