Wireless Parking Payment Network Using Mobile Intermediary Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional parking payment systems are inefficient due to issues such as the need for correct cash denominations, time-consuming payment processes, high costs for users and providers, and revenue loss, as they often require users to make phone calls and carry additional equipment, leading to noncompliance and increased enforcement costs.
Innovation Solution
A communication network and method for processing parking sessions and related services using a mobile computing device connected to a server, which facilitates payment transactions between users, parking suppliers, and payment providers, eliminating the need for phone calls and reducing infrastructure costs by using wireless networks to authorize and process payments based on parking duration and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional cash payment systems are used for parking, then payment can be made at the parking location, but users face difficulties with correct cash denominations and time-consuming payment processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cash payment system with an electronic communication system. Users send payment requests via mobile phones or other communication devices to a centralized server, which automatically processes payments. This eliminates the need for physical cash handling, change-making, and manual meter operation, thereby reducing both the complexity of operation and the time required for payment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized server as an intermediary between users and parking meters. The server receives payment requests from users' communication devices, processes the transactions, and updates the parking meter status accordingly. This intermediary system streamlines the payment process by consolidating transaction handling in one location, eliminating the need for users to interact directly with complex payment machines at each parking spot.
2Ease of operation
If prepay services are offered, then users can pay in advance, but users must remember to refill accounts and carry additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the user's existing mobile phone or communication device serve multiple functions: it acts as both the payment initiation device and the account management interface. The same device used for ordinary communication also handles parking payment requests, sends payment notifications, and receives parking status updates. This eliminates the need for separate prepaid cards or dedicated parking payment devices, as the universal communication device performs all necessary functions.
3Ease of operation
If remote phone payment systems are used, then users can pay without cash, but users must place calls and pay for call minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the voice-based telephone call system with a data-based communication system. Instead of requiring users to place voice calls to pay for parking, the system uses text-based messages or data transmissions from mobile phones to the centralized server. This substitution eliminates the cost of call minutes while maintaining the convenience of remote payment, as data transmissions are typically included in standard mobile phone plans or are significantly cheaper than voice calls.
4Ease of operation
If parking meters are kept on street, then payments can be made at location, but revenue loss occurs due to shrinkage and theft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized server as an intermediary that handles all payment processing remotely. The server receives payment requests from users' communication devices, processes the transactions through secure electronic payment channels, and updates the parking meter status wirelessly. This intermediary system eliminates the need to store cash in physical meters, thereby preventing shrinkage and theft while maintaining the ability to pay at the parking location through remote electronic transactions.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication network for parking comprises a server to process a payment transaction associated with a parking session and a selected parking related service; a mobile computing device interface for communications between the server and a mobile computing device over a wireless network including information one or more parking related services based on the parking identifier, a parking session, a user selected parking related service, authorization of the parking session and the selected parking related service, approval for a payment transaction, and an end condition associated with the parking session and the selected parking related service; a parking supplier interface for validation communications between the server and the parking supplier including information of the payment transaction between the parking supplier and a payment provider; and a communications link between the server, the mobile computing device, the parking supplier, the payment provider, and the memory.