Wireless Parking Payment System with GPS and RF Vehicle Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless parking systems are inefficient for both users and enforcement agents, as they require cumbersome operations such as making phone calls, sending SMS, and manual data entry, and lack precise location tracking, leading to increased workload for enforcement agents when dealing with mixed environments of legacy and modern parking systems.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing GPS and user-correctable location determination, automatic vehicle ID sensing, and real-time session management, combined with RF-based vehicle identification for rapid enforcement, allowing for seamless parking session initiation, extension, and termination, and facilitating targeted enforcement through a handheld terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless payment systems are implemented, then payment convenience is improved, but system complexity increases due to integration with legacy systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: GPS location determination, RF vehicle identification, session management, and enforcement terminal components. Each module operates independently but integrates through standardized protocols, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining wireless payment convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
A handheld enforcement terminal serves as an intermediary device that bridges wireless payment systems and legacy parking infrastructure. The terminal receives GPS location data and RF vehicle identification information, then communicates with both modern wireless systems and traditional enforcement methods, simplifying integration complexity.
2Device complexity
If manual data entry and phone calls are required, then system simplicity is maintained, but user operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines vehicle location using GPS and identifies vehicles through RF sensing, eliminating the need for users to manually enter data or make phone calls. The wireless communication device autonomously completes parking session initiation, extension, and termination without user intervention, significantly reducing operation time.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations (data entry, phone calls) are replaced with automated electronic systems: GPS satellite-based positioning substitutes manual location reporting, and RF wireless communication substitutes verbal phone calls, dramatically reducing user time investment.
3Measurement precision
If GPS location tracking is implemented, then location precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication device performs multiple functions: it serves as both a GPS location determination system and an RF vehicle identification sensor, as well as a communication interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices, managing complexity while maintaining high location precision.
4Ease of operation
If automatic session extension is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but enforcement monitoring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors parking session parameters and automatically extends sessions based on real-time conditions. The enforcement terminal receives automated notifications and status updates, allowing enforcement agents to monitor sessions remotely without increased operational complexity, as the system self-manages extension logic.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes a method of payment for parking of a vehicle including determining the location of the vehicle with a wireless communication device. Determining the location includes using a satellite radio navigation system such as GPS with the facility for user provided corrections and avoiding the use of zone IDs. The method also includes automatically extending an initiated parking session with subsequent prepaid time durations until certain predetermined conditions are met. The method includes automatically determining the end of an initiated parking session based on detecting movement of the vehicle away from a parking spot provided the Handset containing the parking payment App has sensed a Bluetooth tag in the vehicle or paired with the built-in Bluetooth system of the vehicle. The method also includes targeted parking enforcement where parked vehicles are identified wirelessly by short range radio beacons emitted by tags placed in/on the vehicles and their session status checked with information downloaded from a parking application server.